The hiatus is over or is it?

I haven't posted a blog in almost 2 years. A lot of things have factored into that.

Do you remember my post about Meetup.com? The group where I got to meet new friends and go out and do fun things. I'm still a part of that. It's been a little over 2 years since I joined the 20s and 30s group and it's helped me make so many friends. Some of them I only get to know for a short time as our city is a fairly transient place with the university being a big part of that. People are students and graduate or they work there and eventually move on. I even help run a women's group that branched off from the main group. Sometimes girls just want to have fun. Hahaha...

I also am a part of Makerspace Urbana and it's really cool. I can learn new skills, get to know some interesting people, or teach people things that I know. I've actually taught several workshops on jewelry and crafts.

Last year there were a couple of significant events. My favorite cousin got married and I was in the wedding party. Plus I got to visit my second home (California). Here are some of my favorite photos.

The other event was that I met a wonderful man named Skyler. I swear he is the man I've been looking for my entire life and we finally found each other.

Just a little update from little ole' me.

Love Always,

Melissa

Meetup.com

So, yesterday I did something very out of the ordinary. I met up with a meetup group from meetup.com. 

I'd been on the site all summer, but none of the groups interested me enough to make me want to go see what any of it was about. This week, I got on my app and saw that a fairly new group had been made. It was a 20s-30s social group. Just a hang out, have fun, meet people my age thing. So, I decided it was time to try something new. I was nervous, but with a little encouragement from the organizer and another new member like myself, I took the plunge. 

When I parked across from the restaurant, I felt super nervous. So nervous, in fact, that my stomach was turning. If you know me, you know that meeting new people can be hard for me sometimes. Years ago in a land not so far away, I couldn't make myself talk to strangers. I've learned to not care as much anymore and can talk to strangers. 

I purposely got there early. I was the first person to meet the organizer and so after chatting a bit while we waited for others and our table, I felt a little bit easier by the time we sat down. It ended up being a really nice night out after the torrential downpour before dinner. Food, drinks, conversation. I think I've met a really cool group of people. 

Love Always,

Melissa