Trials by Melody: April 2013

ATX Weekend

By Melody Warren - 7:17:00 PM

Happy Monday World!

I just wrapped up another amazing weekend and it was back to the real world today. We spent a fun weekend in Austin, Texas which included; a wedding, quality time with loved ones, birthdays, reuniting with old friends, 6th street shenanigans, Texas state history, and the over usage of the phrase "Keep Austin Weird".

A wedding is what brought us to ATX. My childhood friend, Kirby Viktorin, married her best friend Tommy on Saturday night at the Barr Mansion.The wedding, scenery, and people were beautiful. Kirby and Tommy had been dating for a long time, and I am so happy and thankful to be invited to watch them marry each other.

Here is Allison, Shannon and I after the ceremony.

Candid. Lots of love in this picture!

And in this one, too!

My handsome date!

Me and the beautiful bride! Love you Kirbs!

Photobooth ratchetness.

After the wedding, we went to 6th street. I had never been out on 6th street as an adult and it was super fun. Austin is an eclectic city with a small-town, southern vibe. We walked all up and down, went to a few bars and met up with one of my other childhood best friends, Mary-Margaret Malone! Marge and I have known each other since third grade and she was there to celebrate her birthday (it was April 28-Happy Birthday Marge). Love her so much and loved spending some time with her on Saturday night.

On Sunday, we had breakfast with Shannon and Allison before they headed back to Houston. Then we went to the State Capitol building. It was SO COOL! YeeHaw!

Some proud Texans!

Inside the Capitol building.

After another memorable weekend, we gathered ourselves and headed back to h-town. I love adventurous, even if for just the weekend. I love making memories with people I love and learning and exploring new things.

Today, Monday April 29, was my bestie (Shannon Teal)'s birthday! I am wishing her all of the happiness and celebration in the entire world. She is my best friend, my partner in crime, and my sister. LOVE YOU SHANNON MARIE!

Here was me and Shannon celebrating her 21st birthday at her Parent's house.

Todays Gratitude Journal-

Something I am grateful for: My friendships. Each friend of mine is different and important. They push me to be the best me I can be and make my life wonderful.

The best part of my day: Waking up with Terrance. Those are the best moments.

Something nice I did for someone else today: Helped a new co-worker understand their new role and the YMCA (even though she isn't in my department).

Stay happy, grateful, and be an inspiration.

1 Comments

Life-Love

The Power of Positive Thinking

By Melody Warren - 8:53:00 PM

Hi followers :)

It's been a great, busy week. Wednesday is already over and it is smoother sailing until the weekend now.

I learned something very profound during my time in Colorado, and I wanted to share it with y'all.

One of the presentations that we attended was about the power of positive thinking and the correlation between your mind and your body. I always knew this to be true, but to learn the medical statistics behind it was very interesting. We learned about how a simple attitude adjustment, different state of mind, or deep breath can but your mind and body at ease. So I challenge you all to try it-it really works.

Something else that I took away from our trip was the idea of a "Gratitude Journal" which I have been keeping up with ever since. I then realized that I can incorporate it into my blog and (hopefully) inspire some other people to have a gratitude journal of their own. Every evening before bed, as you reflect upon your day, ask your self 3 questions.

1- What am I grateful for today?
2- What was the best part of my day?
3- What is something nice that I did for someone else?

These three questions make you have a more conscious, positive attitude throughout your entire day. They cause you to want to be a better person because you know that you need to write in your journal.

To hopefully inspire others, here is my gratitude journal entry for today;

Wednesday April 24, 2013

1- What am I grateful for today? Today I am grateful for my blog. This is an outlet that has been more rewarding than I could have imagined.

2- What was the best part of my day? The best part of my day was my dinner date with my love. I am always thankful for quality time!

3- What is something nice that I did for someone else? I gave a $5 tip in the tip jar at Starbucks this morning. Normally, I just leave my loose change. But today I made a conscious effort to leave something more.

What will you write about?

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Life-Love

Another Great Weekend!

By Melody Warren - 8:05:00 PM

What a fun weekend I had!

Friday afternoon was spent with a walk around memorial park, and a much needed catch up session with my BFF Shannon Teal. After our walk, we had dinner at Zoe's. Yummmmm. Terrance and Charles had a blast at the Meek Mills concert on Friday night at the House of Blues.

Saturday was April 20, also known as the 115th Founder's Day of my sorority.

Sigma Sigma Sigma national sorority was founded on April 20th, 1898 by 8 women in Farmville, VA. Although I have had a lot of experiences since my days as a Tri-Sigma undergrad, many traditions and beliefs of mine remain the same. As a Tri-Sigma woman, I try to stay true to the core values of the sorority; wisdom, power, faith, hope, and love. Reflecting on the founding of this sorority, I remember that I am not a Tri-Sigma for a college term, but for a lifetime.

In honor of, here are some great pics of me and my sorority sisters.

Ever Forward.

Also on Saturday, was the first annual Trotter Family YMCA Dance Recital! It was a blast! I am a very proud dance teacher after watching all of my students do such a great job at the show. I am also SO thankful for the parents, guardians, and staff for all of their help and support.

Thankfully, Terrance and Charles also came to the recital to show their support. I am a blessed gal!

Lastly, Sunday was a great day. For the first time in my life, I attended Windsor Village United Methodist Church. I went with Terrance, his mom, and Charles. This experience was definitely different than anything I had ever been to before, but I really made my self present in the moment and enjoyed myself. I will be back!

Hope everyone else had a blessed weekend, as well!

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Travel

The Broadmoor Weekend; Final Chapter!

By Melody Warren - 7:27:00 PM

What an amazing weekend we had! Sunday, April 14, was unfortunately the last day of our trip, but we made the most of it!

We woke up Sunday morning and did a historical tour of the Broadmoor property. The entire 3,700 acres has a very rich history and we enjoyed learning all about it.

After our historical tour, Mom and I attended the last few seminars and wrapped up our Women's Wellness Weekend.

After the seminars were a wrap, we had a mini photo shoot before brunch!

After brunch and checking out of our room, we loaded up the bus and headed to the airport. I am so thankful for this amazing trip. It was a LIFE aCHANGING experience, and I am now inspired to bring all of the positive things I have learned, back to my life in Houston.

Until next time, Colorado...

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Travel

The Broadmoor Weekend; Part 2

By Melody Warren - 8:44:00 PM

Day 2 of our weekend was AMAZING!

We started our Saturday with a Sunrise Yoga class (bright and early at 7am).

It was a very inspirational way to begin the day!

After yoga, we attended 2 seminars as part of our Women's Weekend of Wellness. Like all of the seminars, these particular topics were positive and uplifting. I feel so empowered, optimistic, inspired, and happy after all of the things I have learned. One of the (many) important, daily affirmations I learned was to tell myself everyday that... I .... am .... amazing. Yes I am.

After the seminars, we were reunited with an old family friend from Katy, Texas- Gina Viktorin! Gina's daughter, Kirby Viktorin, and I have been friends since 1st grade. Kirby and I went to elementary school, middle school, and high school together. We were also roommates our freshman year at Sam Houston State University. In a nutshell, we grew up together and our families have always been close. After her daughters grew up, Gina moved to Colorado Springs. She bought several acres of land and built an AMAZING house on the property! We were lucky enough to get to meet up with her and spend the day together!

First, Gina took us to the Garden of the Gods. Wow.

This place was absolutely incredible. There are picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, and tons of scenery.

Through our exploring at the Garden of the Gods, we discovered the Balanced Rock.

After the Garden of the Gods, Gina took us to Manitou Springs, Colorado- a cute little mountain town. We had some time to explore the town and eat some much needed lunch!

Legend has it that if you drink the natural spring water that runs in Manitou Springs can cure all ailments you may have. So we obviously had to take a swig.

It may cure your ailments, but it doesn't taste very good!

After our adventures in Manitou Springs, Gina took us up to her house. It was INCREDIBLE! She, without a doubt, has a million dollar view. Every window in her house looks out to Pike's Peak! I can see why people uproot their lives and move to Colorado!

We had a great time with Gina. We are so thankful that she had the time to take us around and really make this a memorable trip. After we came back to the room and cleaned up, we had an 8:30pm dinner reservation at the Penrose Room. Easily the nicest restaruant I have ever been to in my 25 years on this Earth.

Dinner was 3 courses- Crab Bisque, Beef Tenderloin, and a yummy Chocolate/Hazelnut desert. While enjoying our food and wine, we listened to the 4 piece band and watched couples dancing on the dance floor.