 This is going to be a quick post, and I know it has been a long time since I have posted a blog here, but, I would love for you to check out my semester long project for my digital advertising class!
If you are interested in small business social media marketing, this is a great site to check out. I have done posts this semester about: How to make flyers visually appealing Why businesses need instagram accounts Fountain pop vendor contracts and much much more! I hope to get a couple more posts on meredithmariah over Christmas break....maybe about my boyfriend, about sorority life....who knows? Stay tuned on my social media channels! Thanks so much!
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 With all of the "copious" amounts of time on my hands, and by "copious" I mean very little, I have been spending some time reading this amazing book by Lysa TerKeurst (about half-way through). Many people have read it and I didn't even know about it when I picked it up at my local Hobby Lobby during break, which makes it even better since I feel like I discovered it on my own! The book focuses on human rejection and dealing with the consequences of not feeling good enough in the eyes of man. In short, Lysa brings in examples from her own life and her responses when it does happen. She tells us that unfortunately, rejection isn't a thing that will disappear any time soon and we all need to change our words and actions and even thoughts when we are let down. Bitterness, anger and resentment have no place in a heart that is as beautiful as yours Ultimately, we cannot hold our value in people because we are all sinners and have fallen short of the Glory of God. What we can do though is place our faith and value in the one true God who will never fail us. Everything is temporary except the one who is eternal. We must tie our identities to our unchanging, unflinching, unyielding, undeniably good, and unquestionably loving God The creator of the universe looked at you and said, "That one...I want that one to be in my kingdom."
Let's start living loved. Check this book out and tell me what you think! More to come, Mere
Fall Semester has been insane in the membrane. Looking back, it was funny that I expected to have more time on my hands when I posted my last blog, "Back at it." The good news is, my blog won't be taken down any time soon and I will always love working on it when I get time. Many things have happened in the last few months and I would love to fill everyone in on what I have been up to!
This last semester, I..... - Joined the newest sorority on campus! It has been nothing short of incredible. The women that I have gotten to invest in already have shown so much genuine kindness! I have already learned so much more about the Greek community and was even able to hear from an amazing speaker! Read about Kristen Hadeed HERE. I also received an officer position and am looking forward to expand God's Kingdom and be a light in this way.
- Attended Main Event 2016 in Ames and was encouraged in my walk with Christ!
I have also been challenged by a few friends to really think about what my walk is really like which has been extremely helpful. 
- Pitched a marketing campaign to a business client for a final and it went really well! Our group was chosen out of three by the owner as the "winner" and our professor gave us Wonder Wallets as our prize. While we were confused, we also were just happy we were finished with it and got an acceptable grade.
- Learned Adobe InDesign and the basics of Photoshop and published a magazine (for a grade, but I did it nonetheless)! See the finished product embedded below!
- Started working for catering! It has been fun learning about the business, interacting with customers and making new work friends (and eating some really good food on break)!
I guess you could say that I survived finals all while almost losing my head! This semester I have misplaced my wireless mouse/laptop powercord about five times; each time more embarrassing than the last. I am hoping next semester will be a little less hectic! Regardless, I am looking forward to the next few weeks having Christmas Break and some time to relax and recharge! much love, MeredithMariah Guess who's back and better than ever? It has been a crazy (couple of?) month(s). Transitioning into fall means moving out of my summer place to back on campus, setting up my planner, starting classes and definitely getting excited to learn new things. I apologize for not posting for so long, but I have enjoyed every moment in getting settled into the new semester.  seriously, this is so out of date. it has "vacation" written on it for pete's sake! it's almost september, so no more vacation for me. -PC: Luke Palandech One of my main thrills in life is not actually doing class work, but setting up schedules, color coding, and compiling all of my syllabuses (Mom &Dad, don't worry, I'm actually studying too). Last year, I wrote a post about being organized in school, and this year is no different. I did the same thing this semester and I am pumped to know what is expected of me.  I made this spreadsheet on google sheets and it has been working out well so far! - Rows are every week and columns represent each day of class. Checking off with a black glitter gel pen when that assignment is completed....so HERE WE GO!
From here on out, posts may be sparse, but I will keep posting! This year is a little hectic, but it will be a great one. Much Love, MeredithMariah  "The Original Six" - The six of us that auditioned together the first chance we got! (Also, nice photobomb, Kailey..and Jenna?) I guess this kind of turned into a series of posts about the extra curricular activities in high school I participated in! (There will be another one about gymnastics coming in the next month or so). ROLLERSKATING POST ICE SKATING POST It's been three years since I stepped on to the football field to perform. It's been three years since I spun my flag until my arms hurt and my face was either sweating profusely from the summer sun or throbbing from the chilly October air. It's been three years since I finished my favorite part of high school. I was a flute player, tried and true. Eight whole years of concert band! Did I absolutely love it? No. But, I did have fun and make the best of it. By the time high school came, I was totally ready to audition for the color guard squad!...(It was actually after a year of high school marching band that you were able to try out). The great thing about qualifying was that it would mean we would be able to perform in the Music Days Festival at Disney World 2011! The two following years I would perform with these ladies in ridiculously hot summer parades and freezing cold football halftime shows. You could say we grew pretty close during these months in moments of pride (after getting a few bruises after an amazing performance) and defeat (when we dropped our flags).  "The Lion King, " Senior Show with our beautiful new flags!  Aquafest 2013 The dresses you see above were ridiculous, but great fun. The bad thing about them was that if you had a particularly larger dress, you had to be careful not to trip while marching....not easy. The first year we also had to wear gauntlet sleeves. Let me tell you I was happy to see them go and not be a requirement.
One activity a majority of the squad was able to do (especially the six of us in the first picture) was choreograph routines during our Senior Season. We were far from professional, but naming each move after the creator was pretty cool. **Courtney Bliese, cough cough** The songs I choreographed with were (I choreographed and practiced with these specific YouTube videos... LOL)... - "I Want You Back," by Jackson Five - "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," from the Lion King for our senior show I also was able to choreograph for another school for the fall of Senior Year. After I was done making the routines I walked them through it all and it was a LOT of fun. When my director told me about the opportunity to help, I volunteered and am so happy I did. These were the songs I choreographed for them... - "Some Nights," by FUN - "Die Young," by Ke$ha - "Home," by Phillip Phillips I would love nothing more than to get my hands on the original copies of the choreography, but it's nearly impossible at this point....probably on a flash drive somewhere! Haha. Wow. What a ride it was, though. Getting to know these girls so well through the seasons of flag spinning, dancing, and tossing was . Saige, Susan, Faith, Kim, Elizabeth, Emily, Katie, Tonja, Haley, Riley, Jennifer, Maddie, Kendra, Samantha, and Megan: Thank you for holding an irreplaceable piece of my heart. much love, MeredithMariah  I want to thank my great friend, Sararose for buying me this horrifyingly accurate tank top for my birthday this year. S/O- you are awesome. Also a huge thank you to Beth Paulsen for this shot (and many more coming soon)! If the question is, "Is Meredith hungry?" The answer is most likely yes.Fun fact....I ate so much as a kid that a couple of my uncles nicknamed me "Feeder Pig." But I've come to terms with it so it's really ok. But anyway... I digress..... Here are 5 fast"ish" food meals that I would typically order!5. For Breakfast and Morning Starbucks....Breakfast Sandwich- Sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich on a biscuit bread Non-Coffee Drink- #pinkdrink Not only basic and beautiful but fruity and delicious (they put in fresh strawberries too)! Coffee Drink- If you saw my insta post a couple weeks ago, you'd know I am a huge fan of the Iced Coffee with white chocolate mocha sauce as the flavoring (ps it's like half the cost of a mocha and it tastes just the same). 4. At MacDon's.....My go-to McceeDee's includes a McChicken + Big Mac sauce. I know what you're thinking, "Oh my word, gross." But if you have never had it, I highly recommend at least trying it. 3. Buffalo Wild Wing $.60 Thursdays10 boneless wings. Half salt & vinegar dry rub and half bourbon honey mustard (sometimes mild). If you are in the mood to #treatyoself, I recommend getting the hot pretzels with dipping sauce. MM so good. 2. My Pancheros Burrito includes.....Half chicken, half veggie, queso of course (a dollar more but so worth it)....a scoop of corn, shredded cheese and sour cream...all wrapped up like a precious newborn ready to be cradled. Also- In my humble opinion, Panch will always be better than Chipotle. #sorrynotsorry & Cue a Drumroll for #1!1. Chik Fil A.....Even though it isn't the most convenient thing, the fact that they are not open on Sundays so their employees can go to church and be with their families is like, the greatest thing ever. In addition to that, in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting at Pulse nightclub on June 12th , Chick-Fil-A did something spectacular with their day off. READ MORE HERE. Besides their values and when they respond to a simple thank you with "My pleasure," I love the #1 Chicken Sandwich meal...with their waffle fries dipped in mayonnaise and ketchup...YUM.  So, there you have it! Five of my favorite fast food restaurant meals! Eat some yummy food and have a great rest of your day! feel free to comment on what you would order :)! much love, MeredithMariah All opinions expressed are those of MeredithMariah.
Summer is in full swing and since I live in Iowa, you can imagine how nice it is for all mid-westerners (and me) to finally have some heat! What better way to celebrate the recent commencement of summer than to have a lineup of artists to perform in my dream music festival and show a couple of cute outfits to wear to it?! TickPick, a no-fee online ticket marketplace based out of New York whose mission is to make tickets more affordable with an online bidding system! They sell tickets for all your major events like concerts (even music festivals!), NFL games and so much more! When TickPick told me about a "Faux-chella" blog post idea, I jumped on the opportunity! The Poster The Line UpWeezerEver since I saw Aquamarine and heard their song, "Island in the Sun," I became intrigued with the awesome vibe they put off. "Beverly Hills," is also a great hit that I would request them to sing. Red Hot Chili PeppersIf I'm being completely honest, I don't know many of their songs, but if they are anything like "Snow (hey oh)," I would like them. Fleetwood Mac"Landslide" of course is a classic, but then again, "Go Your Own Way," is also really good. I don't know all the words to "Dreams," but it is another good one by the FleetMac. Carrie UnderwoodNot only do I love carrie Underwood for her music (some of the only country music I like), but I love that she's so open and vocal about her faith! Other songs I really like include "All-American Girl," "Something in the Water," and "Before He Cheats." Ed SheeranI have found a few songs by him that I really enjoy recently! "Photograph," "Thinking Out Loud," and "Sing" are a just a few of my favorites. and for the headliners.....Justin TimberlandI'm bringing "Sexyback," with this artist. With JT, comes not only throwback hits like "Cry Me a River," and "Rock Your Body," but also newer tracks like "Mirrors," and "Suit and Tie," that are also really great. Britney SpearsOh my word. I cannot even begin to describe my love for Britney Spears. When I was little, we played VHS tapes of her music videos and I would dance along in the living room...how embarrassing, but it was the Maroon 5And for the last performance I have chosen Maroon 5 to play some of their amazing songs! Of them, my favorites are "One More Night," "Payphone," "Misery," and last... "Sugar,"! The music videos they publish are great and the melodies are even greater. The Outfit(s)Here are a couple outfits that I would possibly wear to a music festival...I actually have no idea what normal people wear to events like this, so maybe I am not the best one to take advice from in this area of expertise...LOL. But I have to admit taking pictures with Amanda is always fun!
The Shirt...$17 at Hollister The Shorts...$18 at Aeropostale The Shoes (hiding on the floor)...$100 at Birkenstock Express (They are really from my friend's [S/O to Lauren!] trip to Europe and the price there is a little cheaper)
Music: MKTO- "American Dream" Thank you so much for joining me and reading my music fest lineup post! MuchLove, MeredithMariah
It's hard to believe my graduation was over two years ago! Time flies! It feels like I was just walking across the stage to get my high school diploma, and in due time (hopefully not too long) I will have my Bachelor's degree! It's crazy to think that it's transitioning now from peers to family members and the kids I saw grow up walking across the stage and moving on. What better way to celebrate than a party?! I seriously would give everyone that hosts these crazy parties a gold star because I know mine was insane too. (Shout out to my mom--If you're reading this, thanks a million!) From coordinating food and invites to decorations and even seating, it is a hassle but well worth it in the end. With high hopes of celebrating the grad and everyone else having a good time, we have to remember why we are going. Without further ado, here are the top 5 reasons why you should attend graduation parties this year! You can........5. Catch Up With Old FriendsIf you and the grad went to the same school, it is highly likely that there are people you graduated with attending too. Depending on your relationships with these people, the time that you have can be enjoyable, or not so much. Let's hope for the former and you can catch up with everyone's recent endeavors. 4. Look At Their Baby PicturesHopefully, there will be one or two albums out for guests to look at of the graduate growing up. Maybe it is just me, but this is entertainment in its purest form. Who doesn't want to see embarrassing pictures of people that you know?!  A few of the albums set out at my graduation party 3. Enjoy Cheap EntertainmentBags/ Cornhole, outdoor games, bonfires...FUN! Spend time chatting over some friendly competition! 2. Umm...Eat FOODIf you are in college, or any age for that matter, it is free food that you don't have to cook! I had walking tacos and a sundae bar! Comment below with what food you had at your grad party! 1. Celebrate Your GradThey are the reason we go, right? Give them a hug and tell them congratulations.  My favorite coworker, Alain, graduated!  I can't believe another "rink kid" graduated. YAY Emma!  He's not my first cousin, but he's close enough to be. Congratulations Russ! There's no time like the present, amiright? much love, MeredithMariah By the way.....I noticed that I seem to really like that grey shirt. Shirts: Blue Striped Shirt - Hollister (17$)
Grey Crew Neck-Old Navy Similar style in black (10$ SALE) OR Hollister Similar style with pocket (10$ SALE) Tied around my waist: Blue Button Up -Old Navy (24$ SALE) Flannel: American Eagle- (18$ SALE) .....not the same color I realize but I am not positive on where I purchase that one. Bottoms: High Waisted Jeggings -American Eagle (My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE) (50$) "Winterberry" High Waisted Shorts- Aeropostale (18$) Purse: Roxy Teal Crossbody (19$ SALE) Earrings: American Eagle (12.50$ or Buy one get one 1/2 off) Sunglasses: American Eagle- (16$ or 2 for 20$) Before I get to the playlist, a little update! As you may know, I recently was taking a summer class at my school, which thankfully just finished up! This may have been the reason that I have been so "M.I.A." this last month. The great news is that I PASSED and with flying colors, I might add! I now can enjoy the rest of the summer while working and blogging and spending time with family and friends! Anywho........  A little while back, I posted a music playlist of the songs that I have been listening to.... Here is the follow up post, because the music that I have been listening to has changed! Here are the top songs on my playlists. Check them out! Sam Smith "Latch" cover by Natalie Taylor (2014)You will totally listen to this song on repeat when you hear her beautiful voice! (I really have nothing against Sam Smith, her cover is just so great!) "Just Like Fire" by P!nk (2016)Not a huge fan of the Alice in Wonderland franchise (#tweetyourunpopularopinion) but I really like this song! "No one can be just like me anyway!" "Ain't Your Mama" by Jennifer Lopez (2016)Hasn't made it onto my Spotify lists yet, but I'll listen to it when I have some extra time on YouTube. "Try Me On" by Karmin (2014)I actually had to look this song up using Siri. It was used in an "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" trailer as the background music! "Show Me The Way" by Penguin Prison (2015)LOL I heard this in a Forever 21 and I probably looked a little strange holding up my phone in the store for Siri to tell me what it was. But you know what, no shame because it's a really good song. **I really like listening to this song when I am walking to class...a good confidence booster. "Me Too" by Megan Trainor (2016)"If I was you, I'd wanna be me too." If you need an ego boost, check this song out. The tune is super catchy too. "Never Been In Love" by Cobra Starship ft. Icona Pop (2014)While reading the release dates of these songs, I do realize that many of them are not brand new, but since I have been hearing them on the radio, I can't get them unstuck and out of my head!
Enjoy! If you have any really good songs you like, comment them below! Much Love & More to come!, MeredithMariah So, you have just finished your last final. You moved out of the dorms and are ready to take on the summer! Sitting pool-side, lemonade in your hand and burgers are on the grill. But wait! You are missing something- a big fat accounting textbook is placed gently in your lap. How did this happen?! I know what you are thinking. "This is crazy! It's summer!" I say, "Let's do this." While summer classes might stink, there are some good things that will result after taking that dreaded summer class:
Idk about you, but I want to actually do something with my (beginning of) summer. Yeah, Netflix is super dope and all, but having three more credits done feels so great. I got a lot of judgement at the end of the school year when I said I was taking a "MayTerm" class. "Isn't it super hard?" "YOU AREN'T TAKING IT ONLINE?!" ...yadda yadda yadda. It was a great decision and I am not backing down. Plus, professors are more than likely going to take it easier on you because they know you are covering material four times faster than normal. After this week, I will be over half done! It definitely won't be easy, but I can do it. It's only one class.  I wish you every happiness and success in whatever you decide to do with your summer months!
much love, MeredithMariah With warm weather being on our heels (pun intended), I feel that it is quite apropos to announce my newest collaboration with STAY FIERCE BOUTIQUE. I am honored to be able to represent this great online business. The dress that I ordered, THE AZURE BLUE DRESS is nothing short of fabulous. I feel like a million bucks and almost a variation of Elle Woods (if the dress were pink), but in the color that suits me best, Royal Blue. One of my favorite details that excited me as I opened up my package from Stay Fierce, was the gold chain detailing around each arm opening. It was such a simple detail and it was the icing on the cake that just finished off the whole dress. Another detail I thought was awesome was the slit down the back. Although a different undergarment is needed to make this work, the overall look was not sacrificed if not enhanced.
If I had to choose one word to describe the dresses I wear normally, it would be versatile and this dress was just that. I paired it with two different jackets and shoes to have my outfit to be either casual or professional to show just how easy the Azure Blue Dress is to style! Perfect for an afternoon downtown or a day at the office!
Casual- Cream Colored Leather Jacket and Tan Wedges
Professional- Black Blazer, Nude Heels, and my fave Charming Charlie Tote But maybe this isn't your style.... Blue just ain't your thang? Take a look at: The Radiant Red Dress Looking for something a little longer? Check it: The Beachy Bae Maxi Dress How about a fancy romper? Click on: The Sequins Galore Romper Sooooo, you found something that you like?.....GREAT NEWS! Make sure to check out Stay Fierce Boutique for a new dress- They carry many sizes and have plus sizes too!  So remember; Be Confident and Stay Fierce much love. MeredithMariah PS here is the link to a video I made of all the pictures that were taken set to the tune of Meghan Trainor's hit: Lips are Movin All opinions are those of MeredithMariah
It almost has been a whole year since I started on this blogging adventure....and wow, what a ride it has been. I know that I have hooted and hollered over my social media and discussed it incessantly with people I know.
I get it. Keeping that in mind, this year has taught me so much that I feel that I owe it at least to myself to summarize my year in blogging. This is my public attempt to reflect on what has been accomplished in my little corner of the internet. 
In summary:
....continuing on......
You may notice on this list that I have not decided on a specific topic to write about. My response: I feel that since my website is a summary of me as a person, it should be anything but one-dimensional. I will continue to posting on an array of topics so that there will be content for anyone to read as opposed to covering merely a single aspect of my life. I strive to keep my readers on their toes and this is just one way to accomplish that.
I want to thank everyone that has contributed (if you are reading this, Maizy, and my editors: Abbey, Becca, Amanda and Sydney). I am so proud of the way this has turned out. I am happy with how my blog is now, and I am forever grateful of the support and suggestions I continue to receive.
PS If you are reading this now and are thinking, "Wow, she didn't even give me a S/O." This is the part where you post a comment saying, "You're welcome, Meredith."
All of you are so great. Keep inspiring people to follow their dreams. Much Love, MeredithMariah Waddup waddup, I'm feeling great! You may ask, "Hey Meredith, why are you feeling this way with finals being so close?" Well, whoever you are, I will tell you why. Finals might be near, but you know what else is? Summer sunshine, lemonade, cute clothes, and swimming pool visits!  I'm also feeling more positive because I started a ten week vitamin D megadose about a month ago (it was prescribed because my levels were low but expected..I live in Iowa and I'm more of an 'inside girl"). I have noticed that my sass has decreased since taking it, which is important because...well..I have an attitude problem that I need to come to terms with. *I realize that praying and asking God for patience in this would help, so I will be doing more of that.* In recognizing my faults, I also need to congratulate myself for a rockin' semester and year. Listing out the praises will help prove that I am in a great place and I need to live in the present.  At this point in the semester, I...
I am very excited for new posts coming your way. Leave comments below for what you want to see me write about! Until next time, MeredithMariah  On Saturday, April 9, a fashion show was produced by students in the Textiles and Apparel Program at University of Northern Iowa entitled “Midnight in Manhattan,” and showcased clothing projects they have been working on this semester. As many students produced multiple pieces, audience members were able to see the end results of their hard work. After a few words from a club that partnered with the textiles department called Love Your Melon, the show quickly commenced and one by one, student models came out with pieces that the class members created in three separate segments or themes. The three corresponded with the theme of New York with titles of areas of the state such as “Harlem,” “Soho,” and “Upper East Side.” As models walked down the runway, upbeat tunes played to set the mood. “Uptown Girl,” by Billy Joel and “Empire State of Mind,” by Jay Z were among the many songs played.   Photocreds: Roland Ferrie Lang Hall was the location of the show and has been for at least the last 15 years. To see the auditorium catering to the show’s needs, was interesting because many events are held there regularly such as BASIC’s worship nights, Varsity Men’s Glee Club shows, speakers, films and of course, regular daily classes. The main catwalk had a raised platform to give the models a bit more height and each posing/stopping point was clearly marked with a mark of tape. Following the showing of all three segments, there was a time to thank all of the students who worked dedicatedly on these projects in addition to a shout out to the printmaking technology that the designers used. After this happened, each got the chance to walk out with the models that were wearing their designs.
 Photocreds: Roland Ferrie--- 1960's pattern and a tie front! Super cute.  Photocreds: Roland Ferrie  Photocreds: Roland Ferrie--- Low Key, I love how the patterns coordinate on each outfit. The designer used what looks like only two patterns to make three different outfits and I honestly wish that more designers would do the same. To finish the night, the executives in charge were brought out to the main stage and were recognized for their hard work and were given potted flower plants by the department which some might think as unconventional. Jordan Caruso, Textiles Student and Fashion Show executive team member says, “There were only a few mishaps with loss of models the week of and some lighting problems during the show, but other than that, I believe everything turned out great. Everyone was very pleased with how the show came together this year and we had a great turnout!”  Photocreds: Roland Ferrie---Exec/Production Team receiving their potted plants. ADORABLE. Stay tuned for more posts coming your way! -MeredithMariah  If you see these shirts anywhere but an ice skating performance, you might think something might be a little off, and honestly, I wouldn't blame you. These were the most interesting tops (not my favorite) from group routines I performed in at the Northwoods Figure Skating Club Spring Ice Show 2012 (Left) : "Shout It Out Loud" and 2014 (Right) : "Take a Chance On Me." Just recently, I got to watch this year's Ice Show when I visited home for spring break. After I returned to school, I popped in my old DVD's and started reminiscing about my favorite community club sport in high school.  A picture of the lowest of quality- but man, that was pretty fun. What a time it was. A year following the move up north, I was a freshman, and I decided I would pursue ice skating. This was before I figured out I have no hand-eye coordination, so it stuck. I met my friend Madison (upper right) who was in the program from an early age. I decided to put in a lot of effort so that I could reach her level and we could eventually perform together. Our senior year, we performed a duet and bowed out one last time...together.  The bow that ended it all Learning alongside each other was definitely one of my favorite things about the sport. Of course there were things I didn't like, but the pros outweighed the cons. Timeline and Schedule of Practices Senior Year: (all approximate as this was almost two years ago) Starting in the fall, my practice time was from 7:30-8:30 on Sunday nights and an hour afterwards was offered as well. I would arrive around 6 so that I could help coach younger skaters during their practice time. After two of the sessions were done, (each session was 6 weeks), "Show" business would start. We would be selected for group numbers, or routines, and put requests in for features (solos or duets) with the music that would go along with whatever theme was chosen for that year. Soon after that, practices would begin, and then we had the photo shoot. It was always fun to see everyone's outfits all at once and to figure out what our poses would be for group and individual numbers.  Prime example of a great pose We would practice for many hours up until the weekend before performances. At this time, we would drive to the show location, an ice rink about a half hour away, and practice a few times there.
Friday night of show weekend, we had dress rehearsal and all hoped it would go off without a hitch. The following morning, skaters were required to be there bright and early to ensure that all the performances would start on time. Senior year was awesome because my personal coach, Hailee, tested my skills for the level I was working on right before the Saturday performance. I passed my test that morning and I was so grateful that she invested extra time just for me. Shout out to Hailee, if you're reading this, you were the best coach, so thank you! Overall, my experience with ice skating was great. I loved everything about it and I miss it all the time. For those of you in a sport that won't last forever, I hope you cherish all the memories you make. Until next time, MeredithMariah  My mom and I at the Black Hawk Rollerdrome ('97)
 My hair is a little longer, but I'm still awkward. Competition day, 2004.  Photo Cred: Roland Ferrie- My university's rollerskating event (2015). Rollerskating, Roller Skating, Rollr Sk8n, it is all the same to me. I had a very different childhood than many of the people my age. I grew up in the world of rollerskating and because it is a big part of my life, it is something I will never be ashamed of or apologize for. My parents ran, (and still manage to this day), a rollerskating rink. The link to their website is HERE. My dad worked and then became the owner of a rink from the time he was in his early 20’s and my mom eventually worked there full-time as well. Unfortunately, this rink that had once been ours, flooded very terribly in the Cedar Valley flood of 2008 (over five feet of water in the building). I was only 12 years old, and my childhood had been torn away from me. Something so constant in my life was all of a sudden gone.  Flood of 2008 After we found what is now our current rink, and although I had to grow up a little faster than most, I had the opportunity to start over at a different school and make new friends. Although it might have been terrible at the time, I believe it was very good for me in the end and I grew from it. I had wheels on my feet from the time I was a mere 10 months old. So if you say, "So are you like, good at it?" I will respond with a casual, "I can go backwards," (Normally just that fact will impress, but not to toot my own horn, I can certainly do more). At the age of seven, I started participating in the rollerskating club, doing routines and completing skill assessments. I also was able to go to competitions and that was also very exciting to do growing up. Traveling got to be too much, so my family and I decided to be done with club. At the age of 11, I started learning jam-skating (pictured above). If you have never seen this or know what it is, I encourage you to look up videos on YouTube, because there are some pretty amazing skaters out there. After moving, I made some pretty amazing friends and the skating rink was going really well. I started 8th grade there and in high school we joined an organization that connects rink owners for collaboration. In this, I was able to meet other kids of rink owners to talk to and hang out with. It was really cool to make friends that have the same family schedule (working on weekends). Right before I graduated, my parents let me go along with them on a business trip to the Roller Skating Association’s convention in Las Vegas. This had a major impact on my life. Rollerskating has been a huge part of my life. While a lot of people had volleyball or basketball, I had wheels on my feet. Rollerskating was my past, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. until next time, MeredithMariah  Photo Cred: Roland Ferrie  Typography has been very fun for me to work with, but just recently, watercolor has interested me. In just the last few days, I have been working on a few pieces. Even though I am working with very cheap supplies and I'm no professional by any means, I am very happy with the way that they have turned out. Check them all out in my gallery tab, under "Watercolor." http://meredithmariah.weebly.com/-gallery.html Until next time, MeredithMariah
The last few weeks have been eye-opening. I have realized something actually insane in the membrane. I have become....A MORNING PERSON. I know. Say what you want about morning people..."They are ridiculous, crazy, weird...." yada yada yada. The list could go on. BUT: If you want to be happier in the morning and not cranky when you start your day, I have made a list of FIVE SIMPLE STEPS to get you on your way to enjoy your mornings just a little a bit more. 1. Lay out your clothes the night before Look at the weather and your schedule for the next day and plan something apropos. Get your rainjacket if it is supposed to rain, don't wear a tank top in 40 degree weather, and wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk a lot. This cuts down time getting ready in the morning, YAY. 2. Just THINK about what time you want to wake up Studies show that just by visualizing yourself waking up on time help you wake up on time! It is pretty incredible to me, at least, how much this helps. 3. Shower IMMEDIATELY after waking Don't dilly dally, get out of bed and into the shower. If you need to, use cold water if you feel yourself dozing off. 4. If you can, listen to music! Because I have a roommate and I always wake up before her, I have to just listen to my $ick Jamz in the shower. But you gotta do what you gotta do. 5. Have a pot of coffee ready to start or get your travel mug out & ready to go Sometimes I am up for making my own coffee before going out and facing the day, and other times, I want it made for me. You have to decide for yourself which is best...Just do it with time to spare. Following these simple steps won't make you a morning person overnight...(pun intended), but getting into a routine will help tremendously.
until next time, MeredithMariah It all started with a trip to Vegas. My parents took me for a work convention in May of 2014 (almost two years ago now) and I expected just to go to business seminars. They turned out to be not so bad and I did learn some new things, but little did I know that something unexpected was about to happen.  Inside of Caesar’s Palace Visiting many of these resort type hotels gave me inspiration and a love for the amazing world of art. Pictured above is a sculpture in the Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops. Looking back, I thought that because it was so large, it belonged outside. Because of how the ceiling was painted, it looked like it was outside in the first place! Here are some other descriptions of things I saw on the trip!  Jeffery Koons- Tulips A life-size sculpture enclosed by railings and Plexiglas This was a part of a five part series that Koons did that was sold for $33.6 million to Steve Wynn in December of 2013. In an article released by the Las Vegas Sun, Steve stated that he was very delighted in being able to share Koons’s art with guests as he is stated to be “one of the most important living artists on canvas and in sculpture in the world today.”
Preston Bailey’s Hot Air Balloon and Carousel Both of these floral installations were unveiled at the Wynn Hotel in November of 2013. Together it is said they required 110,000 flowers to make and Bailey and his team spent over 3,500 hours on the design alone. The whimsical theme they both display, blend nicely with the decor of the hotel itself, and that was the goal Bailey was looking to push. According to the Luxury Daily, Rosie Abrams (Wynn Public Relations) states, “The guest response has been overwhelmingly positive,” and I have to agree. Following the Vegas trip in May of 2014, my family and I were able to accompany our friend who worked as an art auctioneer on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas in July. Sadly, I was unable to capture pictures of all of the art I got to see during my vacation on board the ship… but I will include these two pictures from the cruise itself, as well as information about the two artists I learned about the most on the trip.  Our port stop at St. Thomas  Family picture at Magen’s Bay  Rembrandt Van Rijn -Self Portrait (1660) Rembrandt Van Rijn (1606- 1669) was extremely honest with himself when he painted his many self-portraits. Because he was not very good at managing his money, he was poor for a good chunk of his life. At these points, he depicted himself with a dirty smock and a darker face. He is also known for his paintings “Night Watch,” “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp,” and “Landscape with a Stone Bridge.”  Itzchak Tarkay- Memories Watercolor 2011 Itzchak Tarchay (1935–2012) was born on the Yugoslav-Hungarian border in 1935. At the age of 9, he and his family went to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp for one year until the allies freed them. In 1951 after living in Kibbutz for a while, he received a scholarship to the Avni Art Academy and continued from then on. French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism have both influenced his work. As you can see from the picture above he worked with watercolor, but he also worked with acrylic and oil. The main themes of his paintings center around simple scenes of vibrantly colored women in coffee shops and his main point is to draw the viewer into this imaginary world. I am very excited to continue on this journey of learning about art and all the wonderful things that go along with it. SOURCES:
Until next time,
MeredithMariah
As the legend in the red leather jumpsuit says,
Oops, I did it again. Don’t get me wrong here, but I am not a fan of the whole “Whip and Nae Nae,” craze. Listening to Silento sing “Watch me bop, bop, bop, bop, bop…bop bop bop,” kind of makes me want to vomit. Since when did mainstream music become this annoying? Okay, a lot of it today is really great, but lately I have been reevaluating the music I listen to on a regular basis. I have come to the conclusion that that the early 2000’s produced some of the best and most fun entertainment in history. Everyone always says how great the 90’s were, but c’mon. You have to admit sometime, that jammin out to the Black Eyed Peas on your MP3 player (not a touch screen) after school would have been the highlight of your whole day. Since I was born in the latter part of the 90’s, I existed during it, but I don’ t actually remember it. The early 2000’s was my jam. The things I do “remember” from the 90’s just surfaced in the 2000’s and I got to enjoy them later. If put in the right perspective, these examples are living proof as to why this era was so great. I admit that some of these songs were released in 1999, but deal with it (music videos are linked). Music
Have you seen any of these movies? Odds are, you have and you loved them… (at least at the time). Trailers/IMDbs are linked.
Movies
— — Billboard Dad (1998) — — Passport to Paris (1998) Also- Check your Facebook albums and prepare to be embarrassed.
If you were one of the cool kids that got to have Facebook when it was released, you know for a fact that you put some *GREAT* pictures in a few properly named albums (such as “cooler than me,” “MerMer, BriBri, and JoyJoy,” and “these pictures are surprisingly good,” to name a few). If you still have them up on your Facebook, and I hope that you do, comment a couple the great titles.
What a ride it has been.
I am so thankful that I was born in the era I was.So, 2000’s I salute you, for all the great memories that you gave to me. the 2000’s will forever be in my heart. I will continue to love this era forever and for always.
Stay tuned for more great articles written by yours truly. forever and for always, MeredithMariah |
