2016

Wow. January 1st of 2016 is in four days!  I'm so excited and sad to say goodbye to 2015.  It was a good year. 

I traveled to Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., and Trinidad & Tobago.

I made some very BIG and important  decisions about my personal life.

And I kind of started a company.

So going in to 2016 I've set myself up for a successful year by determining to keep things simple.  I have six, simple, goals that mean a lot to me.

Here they are:

PERSONAL
❤ I spend 2016 discovering my ancestry and visiting my country of origin by NOV 2016 (And I visit Los Angeles for my birthday in April.)
❤ I move to New Orleans, LA by DEC 2016

CAREER:
❤ I own & operate a small business by MAR 2016
❤ I have a Pilates certification by AUG 2016

HEALTH:
❤ I complete a century ride or half-marathon by SEPT 2016
❤ I read 12 books by JAN 2017

These goals mean that I'm up to something in life.  They show that I am trusting God and the talent he's given me.  It means that I have something big to look to when things get dark.

For me, keeping things simple means living in "the zone".  I do it with my wardrobe, so I decided, why not with my life?  These simple goals help decision making a cinch.  It's like, touch your savings for a scoop of expensive artisan ice cream?  Or move to New Orleans? #DUH.  And that really happens.  I have an allowance every week.. If I want even a scoop of ice cream, and I've spent all my " fun money" on concert tickets, I will grab $10 for a damn beer.  It's so wack!  lol

So with these six tasks in mind, the next step is making a map and getting in to action.  I'll talk about that over the next few weeks here on the blog.

I am looking forward to learning everyone's goals!  Share them in the comments.

Happy new year, folks!

Melissa T.

Follow me at MelissaBillions on every outlet that you think that I can think of. I there anything that you want to see on the blog that you didn't in 2015?  What do you want me to continue in to 2016?  Let me know!

XOXO

Road Trip!

I go to visit Ames, IA to tailgate for the IOWA STATE .V. IOWA football game.  It was my first time ever tailgating.

I wore white (ha!), packed hand sanitizer, and carried my lululemon athletica Festival Bag.  I'm proud of myself for not going overboard and also laugh at my "party age" just baring itself to everyone.  I had cold beer and a big serving of Crown Royal.  That was the perfect amount for me as I watched the college kids RAGE.

I have been really blessed to travel a ton this year.  Lots in the States, hit up Canada, and am headed on a secret adventure with my boyfriend in a few weeks.  (He knows the details, I'm just showing up.. How fun!?!). I love flying, packing, moisturizing my face, downloading books..  It's a true thrill to me.  Nothing beats a good drive, though.  Your clothes are comfier, the snacks overflow, and you get to talk about, and see, so many different things.

Here are my road trip tips:

•Don't worry about over packing, but still stick with essentials.  Everything is in the car with you, go ahead and take your flat iron.

•Magazines are essential for the passenger, they can read stories, recipes, and just look at pics to give the convo a rest.

•Take it easy, it's likely that you're traveling with a friend, family member, or lover.. There's no reason to stress and save the travel day for travel. You can use the car time to make plans in the car.  Avoid time committed plans upon your arrival.

•download albums on Spotify and make them available offline.  Signals come and go, a downloaded album will play on forever.

•download a comedy album. Go with someone you know, just in case.

•snack consciously.. Nothing worse than having to poop and there's no rest stop in sight!

•Teamwork.  Deer, tired drivers, weather.. Lots can happen on the road, keep the peace, be willing to trade seats, look out for your partner and only rest when your partner is truly awake.

Otherwise:  BON VOYAGE!  Take pics, see the sights, let some fresh air in from time-to-time, and just marvel at the beautiful landscapes of your great land.

*so my white shirt and the tailgating went well until someone handed me a Scotheroo.  The melty chocolate got caught in the wind, landed right below the cross body strap of my bag, and just SPREAD.  It was pure comedy.  I don't regret it though.  My boyfriend is a Cyclone but my neutrality (white shirt) helped me blend in nicely at each stopping point.  :)

Ciao!

Melissa

Goals

Been crushing goals like woah, lately.  What's interesting is that the cool thing about goals is that it's about putting them out there and being audacious.

I accomplished two in a matter of weeks that have been in the works for a while.  I got the opp to visit my company's HQ and spent quality time getting clear on my goals here.  The other was to be a fitness model and I got to do that for a good friend of mine over the weekend.

The latter was put into motion almost four years ago and the former, a big audacious bet that I came up with at the beginning of the year.  And they happened.  I told people that it was such a joy to know that God really hears me and knows my deepest desires.  I reassured myself that what Paulo Coehlo wrote in this book, The Alchemist, that:  “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

With these hairy goals checked off the list, I'm feeling so inspired and pumped up about filling them with cool shit when the mood strikes.  So far, my BF and I are beginning a heritage exploration at the beginning of 2016 and will take a trip at the end of the year to visit our respective motherlands.  That gets me so excited because we will learn so much about our history AND a sweet trip will be in order to celebrate our lives and our efforts. 

What will the other be?  Only time will tell.

What do you know of your heritage?

What big goals have you crushed in 2016?

I have a pic of the set below.  It was such a good time.

Holler back,

Melissa

Vancouver

Went to Vancouver and hiked the Grouse Mountain!  Shit was DOPE.!!