melissa.9
Atlanta, United States

 On a trip to New England in September 2018, two friends and I traveled through Boston, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. We drove down the coast from Calais, Maine to Boston, Massachuttes. We saw so many cute little towns, harbors, boat...

Bought Habachi Shrimp from the Gekko Sushi food truck. It had grilled shrimp, rice, mixed veggies, wonton chips and spring rolls. It took a little while for the food to be prepared but it tasted delicious!! I wonder if all food truck foo...

I attended a wedding on the Southern Belle Riverboat in Chattanooga, TN. It was a beautiful day. The wedding ceremony was on the top level of the boat and the dinner and reception were on the lower level as we cruised down the Tennessee ...

Today, Debra and I went to see Hamilton the musical at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA presented by Broadway Across America. I purchased season tickets for the 2017/2018 season to guarantee I could have a ticket for this show. I really e...

In October 2017, I signed up for a beginner pottery class at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. The class lasted 6 weeks and covered the basics of throwing clay on a Potters wheel. I created a few final pieces but this bowl was my favorite...

From Letterboxing.org site- Letterboxing is an intriguing “treasure hunt” style outdoor activity. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly-accessible places (like parks)...

I love sunflowers!!! I think it's because one of my memories from living in Kansas as a child was the huge sunflowers growing near our house. I was only 4 when we moved. When I heard there was a sunflower farm about an hour and a half aw...

I went panning for gold at the Consolidated Gold Mines in Dahlonega, GA. I also went on a tour into the gold mine. Gold was first discovered in this area in GA in 1828, years before the California gold rush. I found six or seven small fl...

I attended my friend Lindsey's wedding. We were friends from college. The wedding was so beautiful, on the shore of a lake. Blankets, pillows and picnic baskets for people to sit during the ceremony. Some of the guests even watched the c...

During our trip to Yellowstone National Park, Brandon, Jennifer and I stayed two nights in the tipi's at the Cody Trout Ranch in Cody, Wyoming. They are nice tipi's located on the Shoshone River at an RV park. It was nice because it had ...

I am intrigued by moose. I think they are beautiful animals and have always wanted to see one. While driving from Yellowstone to Cody, we saw this beautiful moose swimming across the river. By the time we were able to stop the car and tu...

The #1 item on my friend Brandon's bucket list was to see Crystal Gayle in concert. She was a popular country music artist in the 1970's and 1980's. Lucky for us, she was performing with Lee Greenwood in a small town fairly close to wher...

Brandon an I attended the Cobb County Rodeo Classic, sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association. It was a first for both of us. The rodeo featured bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie down r...

On August 21, 2017, Atlanta GA experienced a 97% Solar Eclipse. The moon moved between Earth and the sun, blocking out 97% of the sun. I was watching from the parking lot of my office buidling wearing special glasses when looking at the ...

Mom and I went searching for shark teeth today on Hilton Head Island beach. We are here on a family vacation. We actually found 17 small shark teeth! It was really exciting to find the first one. I know I will continue to search for them...

2017 is the Inaugural season for the Atlanta United, a major league soccer team. Brandon and I went to the game, a first for both of us. Atlanta United played DC United and Atlanta scored the first goal. DC United scored three goals and ...

I wanted to try painting so I went to a painting class with Jamie at Painting with a Twist. It was Bob Ross night and we painted Happy Little Trees.

I enjoy making crafts for my friends and family. Each year, I make gifts for them for Christmas. Some of the items I have made include Snowman magnets, stained glass ornaments, macrame snowflake ornaments, painted candles, wire ornaments...

Built my first ever gingerbread house today with my mom and grandmother! Turned out so cute and really had a lot of fun!

My family and I went on the St. John's River Cruise at the Blue Spring State Park in Florida in hopes of seeing manatee. We caught a quick glimpse of a mother manatee and her calf but then they went back underwater and no more were seen ...

While on vacation in Florida, Mom, Dad, Gram and I went to the Sleuths Mystery Dinner show. We attended Lord Mansfield's Fox Hunt where we were guests at Lord Mansfield's annual fox hunt banquet on the eve of the fox hunt. We were met by...

Earlier this year, I saw a movie on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel called Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. It was a cute movie about Hannah Swensen, the owner of a bakery, and her family. After one of her friends is murdered in...

I have always been intrigued by van Gogh paintings and would love to see one in person. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has quite a few, including his Self Portrait with a Straw Hat. The one I have pictured here is Cypress.  

Monet is one of my favorite painters and my favorite painting is Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies. When I turned the corner in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, I was in awe. The painting is more beautiful in real life. ...

I really like Picasso and have always wanted to see one of his paintings. I was able to do that at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I saw his painting At the Lapin Agile.  

Walked through and around Central Park in NYC. It was so peaceful and calm in the midst of the craziness of the city. Really enjoyed the park and would love to go back and explore more someday.  

Something I had never done before and was actually a little intimidated standing on the street trying to figure out what I was doing. After a conversation with a really nice bell man who explained how to tell when a taxi was available an...

I enjoy reading but realized I have not read many classics so I made this one of my goals. The goal is to read 20 classics in one year but not more than one book per author (it's my goal- I can make the rules). Below is the final list. ...

I am now an official owner of my first bonsai tree. I took a beginner bonsai class and pruned, wires and shaped my Juniper tree. I learned a lot about the trees and how to care for them and I am excited to continue learning about them as...

For as long as I can remember, I've had a nasty habit of biting my nails. Last October, I tried to let my nails grow but each time they would start to grow, they would snag or break and looked horrible. They are finally grown out and I t...

A night at the opera- The Pirates of Penzance performed by The Atlanta Opera at the Cobb Energy Centre with Debra Bridgewater March 8, 2016

Willie Nelson is a legend. When the opportunity arose that I would be able to see him in concert, I jumped on it. I went to the concert with Brandon and his family in Tifton, GA. We were on the eighth row and Willie sang for 90 minutes s...

I enjoy cross stitch and I like Santa Claus. I completed this cross stitch and my mom framed it. She entered it into the 2015 Georgia National Fair in Perry, GA and I won a first place ribbon. I had never entered anything to be judged be...

Brandon and I went with his family to Savannah in 2015 and took a trolley tour around the town. We got off the trolley at River Street and ate lunch before completing the rest of the tour. Savannah is a beautiful town with so much histor...

I attended the Shaky Boots music festival May 16-17 in Kennesaw with Jennifer and Jamie. It is a country music festival with three stages and different country and bluegrass groups performing all day both days. Blake Shelton and Brad Pai...

I've spent many mornings drinking coffee and working on jigsaw puzzles with my mom and grandparents so I wanted to complete one on my own. This one, a scene from The Wizard of Oz, was fun and challenging- since my cat decided the most co...

Went deep sea fishing with Dad on the North Star Express- Captain Anderson's Marina. Caught the first fish on the whole boat. Completed September 18, 2014

I love cooking with my grandmother (and eating the food she cooks). One thing I had never attempted was making jam. One day in July, my brother and a friend brought over shopping bags full of blueberries they had just picked and asked he...

Any time I go to a casino, I hope I will win but I never plan on it. During my trip to Vegas in 2014, I actually won playing penny slots. It is the only time I have ever left Vegas a winner! But win or lose, I always have a wonderful time.

Vegas with Brandon, Jerry, Patti, Coot and Orelia April 15, 2014  

I was unable to attend my ten year high school reunion so I made a point to make it to my 20 year reunion. It was really great to see people I hadn't seen in 20 years and catch up on life since high school. The reunion weekend started wi...

The first concert I ever attended was New Kids on the Block. I was 16 years old and was in LOVE with Donnie and the rest of the boys! When I heard they were coming to Atlanta twenty-something years later, I knew I had to go and relive my...

Top of the Empire State Building with Zachary May 31, 2013  

 Trip to New York City with Zachary 

I have always been a huge fan of the country music group Alabama. I was able to see them in concert with Brandon and Jennifer at The Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta on May 18, 2013. It was a great concert!  

 Carnival Cruise to the Islands of the Bahamas with Brandon, Jordyn, James, Victor, Jon and Carl

I went out to Cowboys with Jennifer and Brandon to celebrate Brandon's birthday and decided to try riding the mechanical bull. Not sure I stayed on the whole 8 seconds, but it sure was fun! (Photo of Brandon, since I don't have one of me...

 Attended my first NASCAR race in Talladega on October 7, 2012 with Joelle and her family

Went to an Atlanta Falcons vs Cincinnati Bengals football game on August 16, 2012 in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome with Debra. The Falcons lost 24 - 19.

I'm a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves. August 14, 2012, I was eating dinner with my friend Stephen at the field before the game started and Homer walked right by. I had to stop him and get this photo! It made my day! And the Braves beat t...

Rode an airboat in the Florida Everglades. Saw a lot of different alligators, turtles and many different types of birds and vegetation.  

Got up the nerve to hold a young alligator (yes I realize his mouth is taped closed). I always wanted to do it and finally got the chance!  

I am a huge Atlanta Braves fan so when former Atlanta Brave Javy Lopez wrote a book, Behind the Plate and was coming to Atlanta for a book signing, I knew where I had to be that day. It was really cool to meet him and get him to sign all...

I always wanted a pair of real cowboy (or cowgirl) boots. So one year, Mom and I went out to McDonald's Horse Supply & Western Store in Bonaire, GA to go boot shopping. I bought a pair of brown and white Ariat boots. They are comfort...

As part of the diversity counsel at work, we had a Diwali Celebration in November 2011. Diwali, a festival of lights, is a Hindu festival. The celebration I attended included different types of cultural foods, an Indian dance exhibition ...

While we were in Orlando in July 2011, my mom and I spent a day at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Both of us enjoyed all of the books and the movies so we really wanted to go. It was great! We rode all of the r...

In May 2011, Brandon and I went to the Grand Canyon. While driving around the park, we noticed two elk off the road. We stopped and took some photos and watched them for a while.  

Grand Canyon with Brandon in 2011 Went with Dad previously (but no digital photos)  

As a huge baseball fan and a Georgian, I have always been a fan of Hank Aaron. He made amazing contributions to the sport and has always been someone I admired. He came to the office where I work in 2011 to speak during Black History mon...

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City was one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been inside. There were so many different sculptures and so much detail built into the doors, floors, walls and ceilings. There is so much history i...

One of the highlights of my trip to Rome, Italy with my mom and uncle in 2010 was the food. There were so many different and new things to try. My favorite restaurant was Hostaria da Nerone near the Colosseum. The food and friendly servi...

Roma with Mom and Dan  

I loved listening to Bon Jovi in the 80's and was excited to see them in concert when they came to Atlanta. I went with Jennifer and Jamie to watch the concert at Philips Arena.

Times Square in NYC with Eleina

Attended a drag race at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. Even better- it was my friend Kelly Gray driving the dragster.    

Niagara Falls Canada with Jennifer and Brandon  

Went on a Tricycle tour of the Hutong in Old Beijing. The guides biked us through the hutongs (narrow alleys and streets) and along the water and Beihai park. It was quite a different way to experience the city, the neighborhoods and peo...

I went to the Lama Temple in Beijing with the rest of my group. The Lama Temple is a Tibetan temple and is an active place of worship. There were many people worshipping in the temple while we were there. We did see some monks while we w...

 Beijing China with class from SPSU study abroad

Undergrad- 2003 MBA- 2009 

While driving out of Yellowstone National Park with Mom, Dad and Jennifer, Jennifer spotted a bear walking toward the woods. We pulled the car over and took some photos while we watched it walk away.

Ovie Mughelli, an Atlanta Falcons football player, came to my office to speak. His speech was so inspiring, it made me want to do more so I volunteered to work at his youth football camp. Ovie, Chauncey Davis (Atlanta Falcons) and Danie...

April 14, 2015- My dad is one of Pete Rose's biggest fans. When I saw he was in Vegas signing sports memorabilia, I had to go buy a baseball for my dad. Pete Rose was very nice and took the time to have a conversation with our group and ...

This is my second tattoo- a sunflower. I got it on the top of my right foot and it was extremely painful. Regardless, I love it. Lindsey went with me and got a tattoo of her own. We got them at a parlor named Good Clean Fun in Snellville...

First NCAA Basketball game was with Brandon and Jennifer-  University of Virginia vs North Carolina State University at the ACC Tournament in Tampa, Florida at the St. Pete Times Forum on March 9, 2007. NC State beat UVA 79-71. We also w...

During my 2006 to Germany with my family, we ate and drank at many places we really enjoyed. I drank the Heidleberg Pilsner when we stopped at Zum Seppl for dinner and had schnitzel and spaetzle. We also had beer and sausages at Scheffel...

Traveled out of the country for the first time to Heidelberg, Germany and then to Garmisch Partenkirchen with family. Highlights include the Heidelberg Castle, Neuschwanstein, Zugspitze and Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest).    

Roller derby is not something I ever thought about attending before, but when Lindsey suggested we go, I thought, why not. It was an amateur bout but it was really exciting and energetic. Definitely something to check out for a new exper...

I played on a softball league with a group of friends from college. Being part of a team with a great group of friends was really rewarding and we truly had fun every week.

Went to LA with Mom and Dad. Visited Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kodak Theater and the Getty Museum (where I saw Van Gogh's Irises and Monet's The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Mornnig Light) . Also shopped in t...

Went on a wine tasting tour in Santa Barbara, California with family and friends  

The Producers with Jennifer - May 14, 2005 Funny show, great production Chicago with Eleina - May 28, 2010 Really fun, sexy show Cats - August 7, 2016 Intriguing, fun show- actors came into seating area, really a lot of fun! Kinky B...

Wached the Atlanta Hawks play the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2005 at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114 - 108.

Watched fish throwing at Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington  

Went to the hockey game with Hope to celebrate her birthday. We watched the Atlanta Thrashers play the Detroit Red Wings at Philips Arena. The Red Wings won 6 - 2.

Went to Hoover Dam with my dad in March 2002.

 Went parasailing at Myrtle Beach, SC with Kevin- August 2001

Went fishing in Conyers in 2001 with Brandon and caught my first catfish. I have been bass fishing a few time but never fished for catfish.

Went to Tallahassee Florida to watch Florida State University play the University of Virginia at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 7, 1998. I went with Brandon, Robbie and Elizabeth. FSU beat UVA 45 - 14.

Went Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River with Nantahala Outdoor Center on a student outing with SPSU- with Brandon, Karl, Brian, Craig, and Julie.

 Went to Hawaii for two weeks with my family in 1990.