Mel's Great Adventures

Today, I walked for my associates of arts in business from the University of Phoenix. I have always wanted to go back to college and finish with my batchelors or possibly a masters degree. I just never knew if I could afford it, or if I would have the time to do school full time and work full time. But, one evening back in September of 2006, I attended the womens conference broadcast at my stake. After listening to the talks that were given at the conference, President Monson gave the final talk at the broadcast. In his talk, he said something that hit me so hard that it literally pushed my body back against the bench that I was sitting on in the chapel. In president Monson's talk, he encouraged every woman that was in attendance to get her education and to get as much of it as she could. So that she was prepared just in case if she was to never marry, or if her husband is laid off from his job, or if she becomes widowed, or single with children that she can provide for her and her family. Well, those words hit and I felt the spirit so strong on that message that in the summer of 2007, I clicked onto University of Phoenix online and put in my information to be contacted. Well, at first, they did contact me, during the day when I was at work. Then, they called again and my mother answered the phone and told them when I would be home to discuss enrolling at their university. Well, they did not listen and I ended up giving up on the university. Well, a friend of mine that I knew from the singles ward happened to get hired at the university's campus here in Richmond. Joe was an enrollment counselor and was looking at people that were interested in enrolling at one time and came across my name. At first, he said "no way, is this the Melissa that I know from the singles ward from a couple of years ago?" Well, Joe had my cell number in his cell, and when he looked at my number on his cell phone and on the information screen at his work, he immediately sent me an email and asked if I was still interested. I called him and told him that I was but, that I had problems with the university contacting me during the day instead of in the evening when I was home. Joe then arranged for me to meet with him to discuss the possibility of me attending the university. I met with Joe in early October of 2007 and was enrolled and attending classes at the end of October 2007. Well, this is were I am today. Unfortunately, Joe left the university last August, got married and moved back to Utah. I ended up with Sonali Young as my enrollment counselor. Well, she kept me going and ended up graduating with me with her associates in physicology. I am grateful for Joe and for president Monson's talk, I am also grateful for my family my friends, and Sonali for their love and support.

I went to work today expecting a regular workday to await me. I went into work a little early to update my time clock and to check my emails before starting my shift at 2pm. I arrived at work around 1:40pm and started heading towards the front entrance to my job. I then happened to notice that there were fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances in front of my office building. At first, I thought that someone had either passed out, or that someone had becme ill and that they were being treated in the front lobby of the building. As I was heading towards the front doors, a woman who was with my company informed me that I could not enter the building. I asked why, and she informed me that she was a contractor with our company and that our building was in lockdown/quarantine and that nobody could go in, nor come out due to a suspicious package that was sent to our building that contained a white unknown substance when one of our mail room employees opened the package. I was then instructed to put my name on a piece of paper so that my manager knew that I was outside of the building. At first, we were allowed to wait outside in front of the building to await orders that we could go back in. Then, the hazmat unit came in and informed all of us that we needed to wait by our cars. So, then we waited. I then became worried about the rest of my coworkers that were kept inside. I then found out later that my coworkers that were inside were assembled into the cafeteria until hazmat gave the all clear for them to go home. Of course, they had to turn off the air conditioning in the building as to not spread the white stuff. Making being inside the building a truly unbearable situation. As for me, some of my coworkers and I hit a Wendy's that was not too far from our building and got frosties while we waited on the news. After 2 and a half hours of waiting, they informed us that they were closing the building for a couple of days and sending everyone home for the day with pay. We truly live in a scary time. I am so grateful that I was not affected physically and that no one else was affected physically. We will not know what the substance is until the state labs determine the substance. These are definitely the last days....

It is rare for me to be able to attend the temple. With work, school, and having to travel over two and a half hours to attend the temple, I am making it a goal for this year to attend a temple session once a month. So far, I have missed January and February. But, I plan to make them up this year by trying to go twice a month. Well, I decided to go to Raleigh and attend the temple and stay the night in Raleigh. I had such a wonderful experience in the temple and to know the blessings that come from attending. I am grateful for temples and the spirit that dwells in these sacred houses of the lord. I am such a better person because of the temple and the wonderful promises that are promised to me if I am worthy and attend with a loving heart and a humble mind....

This year I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a different way. Usually when I would celebrate, I would go out to dinner with friends. But, this year, I decided to go to the temple and serve the Lord with friends. And, by chance one of my dearest friends was getting sealed that day to her eternal companion and had asked me if I would attend. I am so grateful that I was able to go and enjoy the blessings ofthe temple. I am also grateful for my friends that were able to go and do a session with me. This is one birthday and Saturday that I will never forget

This is a sight that I do not get to see everyday. Last night after work, I came home and found icesicles hanging from my roof in front of my house. So, I ran inside, grabbed my camera and snapped this shot. As you know, we had over 7 inches of snowfall in Richmond. Well, this was the next night after. The last time I can remember seeing icesicles was probably when I was living in Utah. To me, this sight is a childhood favorite of mine. I always loved seeing icsicles hanging from our roof when I was little. I am glad that I hadthe chance to see this again, because it is a sight I have truly missed.

As the saying goes, "In like a lion, or in like a lamb, etc... Well, for us hear on the east coast, March came in like a lion on Sunday. We finally received some snow here in Richmond, VA. The snow started accumilating (if I spelled that right) on Sunday evening and did not stop until Monday afternoon. We received about 7 inches of snow when it was all said and done. It rarely snows here in Richmond and I wanted to make sure that I did record it for my own purposes. Luckily, my job was closed for the day, and I ended up with a "Snow Day." So, I took the advantage and played in it for a while.