Between Melissa's Lines

Credit: Microsoft Office Images

I’ve been flipping through the pages of 2011 as the next year approaches and I can happily say I am looking forward to the next year.

2011 brought a lot of firsts, lasts, frustrating moments, talented people and great memories into my life. I ask myself where I stood this time last year and over the course of a year a lot has evolved.

For one, I was a few pounds heavier and little did I know I would launch my weight loss journey and completely turn my life around. This journey is still in progress for the next year and I am excited for the results.

Around this time last year I was wrapping up my farmer’s market Patch video series and I would begin to launch my Get Fit series and contribute to other Patch cities.

It would be a few months before I nurtured my keen sense of business and immersed myself in social media only to realize I am motivated by businesses and causes I believe in. It would also only be a matter of time before I realized that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

This year I worked three different jobs trying to find my way in an economy where many people find themselves out of work, and I was grateful for every opportunity. I can proudly say that a lot of those opportunities I created for myself. When the going gets tough, I know now from my 2011 experiences that Melissa will never stop going.

As hard as I worked, I decided this was my year to let my hair down and just say “yes.”

If you want to have a great year just try saying “yes” more often than you say “no.” I assure you it will make a difference. Say “yes” to every opportunity, every night out on the town, every unplanned spontaneous event and every so often kick up some trouble when and if it won’t cost you any regrets.  

2011 was just as difficult as it was exciting and uncertain at times, but one thing that really lit up my year was the chance to travel and explore.

I made my way through Vegas, biked the Golden Gate bridge, moved a friend to DC and walked through the first snow of New York City. I also rocked out to U2 and the Goo Goo Dolls in concert. I can’t complain.

I’ve always been hardworking, but this year I worked harder than I ever have before and even managed to get in some classes. I don’t know how I found the time, but it appears anything is possible if you want it badly enough.

I now find myself at a job working with wholehearted individuals towards a cause that I believe in. It is now that I realize how all the ups and downs of 2011 were leading up to the start of a great present and an even better future. There’s no doubt about it, everything happens for a reason.

I am grateful for my health, family, friends and opportunities and I cannot wait to help share the wealth in 2012. When you are truly blessed it’s one’s moral responsibility to pay it forward, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

Here’s to a great year filled with health, happiness, love and prosperity.

All my best,

Melissa

It’s been a while since I have shared anything on here. The most recent development as of Thanksgiving week is that I am currently on the job hunt. I am still freelancing with Patch.com and working with social media, but I am searching for steady work.

The first few days off from my full-time job were great. I got a mini vacation, but then I decided it was time to hit the ground running and the interviews are just pouring in. I feel truly blessed, it really makes you feel valued.

One of my main concerns is how much we should value ourselves in this economy when the going gets tough. I keep reading the requirements of job descriptions, but the pay isn’t there to back up the amount of work and skills involved. Do we really have a choice in our value?

There’s always a choice, but there come’s a point when you feel the pressure to give in when bills pile high or you have created a permanent imprint on your couch from channel surfing. I can only hope it gets better.

For now I have been busy driving around like a crazy woman from interview to interview hoping to find the right fit that will pave the foundation for a bright career. So far I have created a lot of opportunities for myself and I am grateful for having crossed paths with many wonderful and talented individuals.

Right now the questions on my mind are what am I doing to get where I want to be? And how am I using my skills to help others and make this world a better place? Being able to answer those creates a definite peace of mind in my book.

Stay tuned for updates!

-Melissa

P.S. Will work to edit personal statements for college, essays, resumes, cover letters and more. Tell your friends ;)

Credit: Microsoft Office Images http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=charity&ctt=1#ai:MP910221024|mt:0|

It’s been a while since I last blogged. I encountered a few bumps in the road since then, but lately I’ve had the opportunity to become more creative and take on new projects of my interest. I’ve been getting more into the holiday spirit and reflecting on all that I am thankful for and the opportunities I have been generously presented with this year.

I am thankful for my friends, family and the network of wonderful and talented individuals around me. I am also thankful for having more than one skill. It truly is a blessing.

I was having a conversation with a friend over coffee who agreed with me when I said that although it is a blessing to be multi-talented, it is hard to find your niche in this world. She too has a lot of skills that she has managed to combine to create a fulfilling life and purpose.

What’s the secret? You have to find the things that work for you and allow you to explore and nurture all of those creative vibes. I think as people we feel this need to grow and develop our capacities. It is truly a blessing when we get the opportunity to explore our talents.

Most importantly I am thankful for my support system of individuals that are constantly on my side and cheering me on.

Whatever you are thankful for, chances are there is someone out there who doesn’t have it. So pay it forward when you get the chance by inviting someone to spend Thanksgiving dinner with you and your family, working pro-bono, donating to the local toy or food drive, etc.

I wish you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday. I am thankful for those who take the time to read my stories and rants!

What are you thankful for?

Image Source: http://realmomsguide.sheknows.com/2011/10/05/sister-wives-on-tlc/

So lately I have been getting into TLC’s reality tv show Sister Wives. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term “sister wives,” this is when more than one woman is married to the same man in a polygamous marriage. I know that I said I wasn’t going to get into politics, religion and the works, and I’m not I promise. I will hold back my personal opinions on what I think. I just want to recommend the show for educational purposes.

Many of us grew up with either one parent, no parents, both parents or other situations. For most of us though polygamy was never in the works. We don’t know how this reality tv show was edited or pieced together, but what I do know is that this show allows you to come into the home of a family that shares a different lifestyle and belief system.

It’s very interesting to me especially as someone who majored in sociology to see how the family comes together and how they work on a day to day basis. The show goes on to explore larger events as well such as the husband courting a 4th wife, pregnancies, anniversaries, birthdays and more.

I think it’s important to know what exists out there beyond our spectrum. So if you have netflix you should tune in even if it’s just for a few episodes.

I know I said that I would hold back my opinion, but I would definitely like to hear yours! So let me know what you think.

Image Credit: Microsoft Office http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/?CTT=97

So I didn’t ride on horseback this weekend due to rainy days, but I did spend most of the weekend at the movies. I saw Anonymous and Paranormal Activity 3.

Anonymous speculates on the issue that William Shakespeare was not the creator of his work. This movie offers a rather Shakespearean plot with family members turning on one another and hidden family secrets that unveil themselves until the very end. The movie seemed to be too long for my taste, but if you like the Elizabethan era this may be a movie you might enjoy. In my case I don’t regret watching it the first time, but it’s not a DVD I will be purchasing later to add to my collection.

Paranormal Activity 3 was not my cup of tea. I was talked into this movie by a friend. I had heard good things about the film so I figured why not. I am someone that only watches certain types scary movies. I was under the impression that this movie was going to be mostly about ghosts, but then again I didn’t watch the first two films. I didn’t think there was much planning to the plot. It did make me jump, but then again I am easily scared. Other than that you are basically starring into a home movie throughout the entire film and waiting to see something unusual. It’s sort of like a “where’s waldo” approach or those Highlights magazines for kids where you try to find what’s wrong with the picture. If you are looking for something posessed people and ghosts then you may enjoy getting scared through this movie.

Feel free to let me know what you thought of these flicks. I think after the thrills and the drama I am ready for a comedy. Any suggestions?

TGIF!

I am ready to start the weekend and I am loving this weather. It’s supposed to rain down on us this weekend, but I like when it’s cold out and rainy on a day that you can sleep in and enjoy it.

So far the plan for this weekend is to meet over dinner with a friend tonight, but not before I squeeze in my workout. Another thing I have planned is horseback riding. I have never ridden on a horse or any other animal for that fact. There are actually a few things I haven’t done. One of the most shocking to people is that I’ve never been to a zoo. I’m not boycotting it, I just never got around to it. So far I have a lot of things on my to do list.

One thing I can check off the list for the year of 2011 is to getting in shape and becoming one of those gym-going-cardio-loving enthusiasts. I have accomplished this goal and I intend to keep it up over my lifetime. I have been logging my progress in a weight loss blog where recently I posted a list of active adventures that I would like to try. Horesback riding was one of my more mellow choices. I fear however that once I’m there in the moment and having to climb onto this large, but gorgeous animal, I may feel different. Naturally, as someone who enjoys deadlines and trying new things I welcome the adrenaline rush.

I’ll keep you posted on things to come. If you would like to see my bucket list of active adventures check out my weight loss blog at: http://ptiencino.wordpress.com/gettin-fit-with-melissa/

Thanks for reading!

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Greece!

Welcome to my blog!

This blog is created to capture what happens between the lines and behind the scenes of my writing and video gigs. This blog is also intended to document random thoughts, experiences, suggestions and well basically just everything. The fun part is that I get to write about anything without a deadline!

I do however promise to maintain my opinions to myself on certain topics since after all I am a journalist. I’ve always had the courage to stand up for what I truly feel in my heart is right - like environmentalism for example - but I hope to stay outside of of the realm of politics, religion, and other topics unless they are being discussed from an objective point of view or journalistic standpoint.

This doesn’t mean I am holding back because journalism or not, I treat matters objectively regardless. One of the things I love about reporting is being forced to look at two sides of a story. If you want to get anywhere in life you have to stand up for what you believe in, but you will never come to an agreement if you can’t communicate and listen to the other side. Even though I am a writer I am not sure I could have found the precise words to get the point across like Winston Churchill sure did, but his quote is one I have always lived by.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” - Winston Churchill

With this in mind I hope you can pop in from time to time and check out my experiences, watch me ramble, read about new people and more.  The sky is the limit right?

Thanks for reading between the lines!

-Melissa