#18

So I didn't get to go snowboarding this weekend with my cousins and fulfill some bucket list-ness with them, but I did get to cross something off!
#18, Build a home made fort with the person I love!

This past Saturday is was raining and the original plan was to go on a bike ride (hopefully I can show documentation of my awesome mountain bike riding skills!) but it just wasn't the day. We decided to be lazy and build a fort instead!

I think Hurley was thinking we were crazy! But he seemed to enjoy the cozyness of the fort too!

We had to make it high class! T.V. included to watch TEDtalks and movies!

It was rather cozy in there!

We also made some layered dip to go with chips for awesome Fort food! Of course, right after we settled into our new place (haha) and finished our dip and started a movie...we were called off to another adventure! So we took it to the next level and actually spent the night in the fort! Can you believe Brandon fit in there?! I'm shocked he was ok with spending the night in there, and I feel very lucky to be with someone who is ALWAYS willing to indulge me in childhood dreams!

Happy to cross another one off the list! woohoo!

xo.
M.

p.s. of course I had to take a picture with the fort right before we tore it down! :)

Adding to my Bucket list

Play basketball in the Matterhorn at Disneyland. End.

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words (Part 2)

I recently came across this image, and couldn't help but have a huge smile spread across my face! (And that happens every time I see it!) It is a reminder of such a beautiful time in my life, and it deserves words. Garett is, by far, one of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life. He is the kindest, sweetest soul and brought so much light into my life during a time that could have easily been quite dark. But besides our beautiful, short lived relationship, this picture is probably one of my favorite memories with him, and we weren't even anything more than friends when it happened. Before this picture was taken I had met Garett a total of ONCE. I remember him being rather quiet, and not so interesting (yikes, sorry Garett lol) but that could have been due to the fact that I was more interested in his friend at the time. Then one day the small group that we went out with the one time before, randomly decided to go out again. I had the pleasure of sitting near Garett and found him to be amazing! Anyways, after a dinner full of laughs and rather odd impersonations, we all headed out and this is when the picture was taken. Whoever took it had amazing timing, because as I was standing there in my typical Marissa pose, Garett made a joke about my height (I've grown half an inch since then btw) and right as the flash snapped, my jaw dropped! Remembering how silly that moment was, and realizing that the camera caught it was such a great time! Needless to say, my relationship with Garett that followed was breath taking...he set the bar for any man who followed. And in retrospect, only one has reached it! So, thank you thank you thank you Garett for such a beautiful memory, a wonderful relationship, and for setting the bar so high, that only the best could ever fill my life with light the way you did!

As redemption, he did agree to take a "normal" picture with me :) What a sweetheart. Any lady is lucky to have such an awesome guy.

Next up, only more sweetness!

My current significant other is the only one who can probably surpass Garett is the "being good to me" department, as it should be! Brandon knows the way to my heart, with candy! This past summer, I had to go back to Colorado with my family and as much as I love them...it was definitely a rough 2.5 months. Four ADULTS in a 2 bedroom place? And everyone growing in different directions? Probably was the equation for stress! But I have gotten so lucky in life and have someone who loves me in all the right ways and he isn't even required to because he is family, he just does! Brandon sent this to me for out 7-monthiversary! And I had such a rough week that week, I remember it feeling like time was moving so slow...and then I got this box full of all my favorite sweets from my personal favorite sweet! And it was the closest I felt to being "home" that whole summer. As much as I love my parents and my sister...and I do get homesick for them, my definition of home has changed since Brandon has become such a big part of my life and such a big part of my heart. Home is where the heart is, and I always keep my heart with Brandon (for safe keeping of course) and this is how I know Brandon is the one. Looking back on it, I was probably just happy to have junk food to soothe my emotions (lol) but now, noticing how much of my definition of home is now so much of Brandon, I think that's why it felt good to get all the delicious candies. It wasn't because they were candies, it was because they were coming from home...somewhere familiar and from a place where I always felt accepted and safe. I am so thankful to have someone who is so kind, sweet, and caring to me! I know not everyone is so blessed, and I know I am lucky.

This is a beautiful picture, isn't it? It is of my baby cousins, Jordan, Jasmine, and Anthony. They are a trio and have a bond that is much closer than just cousins (as is the Alim way). I come from a family where we don't define cousins as a child of an aunt or an uncle, but as brothers and sisters. I know for a fact that at any given moment in my life, if I needed someone, any of them would be at my side (or at least on the phone!) in a heartbeat. It has happened before! So I'm not just saying it. But, what I love about this picture isn't just that it's totally awesome, but that the bond I share with my cousins has trickled down into the next generation! It reminds me of who I am. So much of me is my family...and so much of that is the bond I share with my cousins. I am happy to know that my children have beautiful relationships to look forward to, and I am proud to come from a place that puts so much emphasis on loving one another that there is no longer a difference between sibling and cousin with us (Although, my ACTUAL sister is definitely my favorite sibling haha). I am so thankful to have a beautiful family and thankful to know that it will stay that way in my future! It's just how us Alim's are! :)

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words (Part 1)

It is so true! A picture is definitely worth 1,000 words! I originally saw one from my childhood and was going to write a little something about how it made me feel, but then I kept browsing my old pictures and came across a whole bunch whose stories deserved to be told! So I won't do them all at once, but one (or maybe a few) at a time should be a decent amount to handle!

As unimportant or yucky I deem talking about Nick sometimes, I shared wonderful memories with him, and this was a picture that I came across and thought deserved words. I took this during a mini trip we took to San Francisco for the week...yes, week. lol. We were awful, and brought out this really horrible "ignore all other responsibilities" trait in each other. I mean, we brought out some really amazing things in each other too! Nick taught me so much about him, myself, and life! It wasn't until he touched my soul that I learned that I love nature, that I love good food (and that I love to share that good food with others), and that the most blissful things come to us when we least expect it! Reckless abandon in love is what I felt! When all is said and done though, I think the kind of love I had for him wasn't healthy and drove me insane and brought out other not-so-amazing traits. But it was a lot of fun, and we hold some beautiful memories. Anyways...one day he took me to lunch in the city on a very beautiful day! In typical Marissa fashion, I didn't finish my food. And in typical Nick fashion, he finished it for me! Right before we got up to leave, we looked at my bowl and with what was left, we made this together! I took a picture of it and it hung in my kitchen for...probably much longer than it should have! But how lovely that memory is for me, and when I think of him, I try not to think about the horrible feelings I have experienced with him. Instead, I think of this, and send him good thoughts and hope that he is better than when we were together...I know I am!

On the flip side of things, this picture brings me to a sad place, but a very sacred one too. It was taken the summer He left me, and I was extremely depressed. Looking back on it sometimes, I think of how silly it is to have let some guy drive me to this point. But, overall I don't regret it one bit. I think we need to put our whole, raw, vulnerable selves out for someone...and then have them reject it and say "no" before we can appreciate the right love when it comes along. I don't think everyone necessarily has to go through that awful, painful process, but I think it was necessary for me! This was at Silver Lakes during our family vacation to Mount Rushmore...and my family was so wonderful to me during this time. They were kind, and gentle, and loving, but reminded me that the world doesn't stop revolving just because I am heart broken. They were the perfect balance of "Oh, don't worry Marissa" and "Get a Move on!" I am so blessed. So, even though when I see this picture I remember how my heart felt, I also remember who was with me and how they treated me. My Mother, Father, and Sister have seen me at my worst...and I am so thankful...and that feeling of being taken care, the feeling of having someone in my corner, is what makes this picture sacred.

Brandon & Marissa

I have had the best weekend, mainly because I got to spend time with my best friend/ soul mate, Lisa, and the love of my life, Brandon! I am always so happy when the people I love most are all in one spot! Granted, there are so many more people that I love and wish were closer (Mom...Dad...Deana!) but it was nice anyways!

Something that Brandon and I LOVE to do is cook, and Lisa likes to eat our cooking. So Brandon and I spent much of our weekend ignoring our grown-up responsibilities (like homework, homework, and homework...and maybe some laundry)and had a blast in the kitchen! I'm really lucky that Brandon can handle an Alim diet! At least when it comes to sweets :)


First up, some awesome potatoes! We kind of combined two recipes...but this is how they turned out.

So delicious! I found the recipe for both forms of the yummy potato-ness on pinterest!
The first recipe is where we got the idea of how to cut the potato! The second recipe is how we seasoned them, and also where we got the idea to add aioli! So much yummy for the tummy, I probably won't be able to resist the urge to make them again this week.

Next we made some DELICIOUS pull apart cinnamon roll bread. An idea I must credit to my Auntie Vicky, since she mentioned making it last weekend and told me about it's heavenly-ness.

Originally after coming out of the oven, we thought putting it in a bowl would be good...turns out a plate is the better option. Anyways, the recipe is really easy, but be forewarned, it get's messy! Best to make this one with a partner.

That was all in ONE night! We had so much fun doing something we love to do together, and we enjoyed eating all of it. Good thing no one who was partaking in the festivities was on a diet.

The next day we tried to do the grown-up thing again, which I should note, we are usually very good at! But there was something about this weekend that called "cook me!" or "bake me!" We ended up giving in (this can partially be credited to StumbleUpon) and made Chocolate Chip Lava Cookies!

They are so huge, you have to bake them in muffin tins!

They recommend on the blog we got the recipe from to eat them with ice cream, so we did! And it was DELICIOUS!

Overall, we had an amazing weekend together and with food! I'm one lucky lady. So even though I have quite a bit of homework and reading to catch up with throughout the week, it was so worth it. Look at all the great food we made! And most importantly, I got to spend time with my love! No matter what we are doing, whether it is cooking or homeworking, being with him always grounds me and brings me home.

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend too, and that ya'll get to try out these recipes sometime! They are definitely worth it!

xoxo

M.

p.s. we didn't make them this weekend, but this is another sweet Brandon and I love to make, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Hmmm..cinnamon roll pull apart bread...cinnamon roll pancakes (better known as shampams) I see a trend!

Also, I'm starting to realize how creepy it kind of is to post a blog about mine and my boyfriends cooking...so don't expect these too often! I'd like to spare the community from any mushy gushy stuff.

My bed

Why do I love it so much? Probably because I haven't seen it enough in the past few days! Silly night classes. Either way, it was nifty to see a blog about one of my role models, Lauren Conrad, do the same thing! Ah, great minds do in fact think alike!

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard

So here I am, starting my final semester and UC Merced and while I am so excited and happy to finally close this chapter, I am feeling sentimental and stand in awe of how lucky I have been in life. I have grown and changed for the better, while picking up some bad habits along the way. I have had the most beautiful people walk into my life, and I have had some of them walk out, and I am still standing and feeling blessed. After so much heartache, stress, breakdowns, and doubt I find myself finding that I have reached the other side of the table...and it was a nice meal. Also, it's true, dessert should be saved for the end...and maybe had at the beginning too!

I have so much left to learn and experience in my last semester, and I am excited and open. But as I said before I am feeling sentimental...and have reflected on a few things I have learned in my time here in Merced. I will miss this place, but not because of Merced, but because of the people and memories I have here...and isn't that always why we have a hard time saying goodbye? Not because of the physical, but because of the unspeakable love and bond that holds you to others?  I believe so.

What I Learned About Roommates:

Don't live with someone whose life style is too different from yours...especially if you are low-key (or obviously) OCD. I lived with people whom I loved to their core, but just couldn't get along with while under the same roof because our day-to-day lifestyles were so different. What I learned from that is this: Just because you can't live with someone doesn't mean you don't love them. Even though I have had my run in's with some roommates due to differences in how we approach life or certain situations, when removed from those circumstance, I saw all their positive attributes, which outweigh their not so lovely one's, and realized that sometimes love is conditional, and that is ok! If you don't plan on marrying the person, then it is ok (in my book.)

I also learned that when you have a great roommate, enjoy every moment with them. The living situation is over all too fast, and you don't get that time back! Missing someone is a terrible thing if you wish you could have spent your time with them differently. Make the most of a good/healthy roommate situation, they are, like love, so rare to come by.

The last, and most important thing, I learned about the roommate situation is expect pleasant surprises. Sometimes you are strangers, and by the time it is over, you are anything but. You may not be the new Lavern and Shirley...but you will have a bond that will last a long time. I know from experience that everyone touches you...especially those who you don't expect to.


What I Learned About School:

It's not that important. (haha) You shouldn't be going to school just because you think it is the natural path in life. You should be in college to find your passion, or help it grow. You should be here because you want to leave the place a better place than when you found it. But, you should also be here because you truly want to learn, and you want to give back that knowledge some day.

A grade on a test, or in a class, doesn't reflect on your moral compass...it doesn't indicate if you are a bad person if you fail. It also doesn't indicate that you are a good person if you are successful. This was the most enlightening, life changing thing I realized about school. For so long we are taught that an F means we suck and an A means we are awesome. It isn't true! If you work hard, you get the A. Sometimes it sucks to work hard for something you aren't interested in, but how rewarding it feels to get an A and work hard for something you are passionate about. It makes the A's that much more sweet and the C's less painful. Follow you passion.

The most important thing you should take away from school is how to think, not what to think. Sometimes Professors aren't so proactive in pushing you to think on your own, and it isn't their job to question your beliefs. Don't be afraid to disagree, or question anything. Always be curious, always wonder. Always present a challenge when you feel it is needed, and always accept it when it is presented. I wish someone would have told me this earlier on.

What I Have Learned About Love:

Always choose Paris. (Hills fans, you know what's up!) Always follow your dreams when you are young and set ridiculously high goals, and take leaps of faith. Don't give up your free spirit. I now know that a free spirit can never be caged, don't let someone cage you! It is easy to find someone who will make you want to say, "You're worth it." Lie. The person who is worth it, will never let you limit yourself. When you find love, you should dive in head first and hold nothing back though! Your significant other should accept you for you. The good, the bad, the ugly...and the beautiful. And I can speak from experience, when you find love, it will be so liberating. You will never feel tied down or caged, instead you will find yourself flying higher than you ever thought you could. "When it is right, and when it is true, we is so much better than I."

But don't be fooled, some heartbreaks are necessary. It is so true when they say that you need some bad times to appreciate the good ones, the same advice can be applied to love and relationships. You need pretty things to fall apart so beautiful things can come together.

Every intimate relationship you come across has something to offer, has something to teach you, and you will look back and realize you could never be the person you are now and in the relationship with the love of your life without having had those people leave their mark. Sometimes the scars they leave are ugly and big and take years to recover from. Sometimes the scars they leave are small reminders to stay true to yourself. But all the scars they leave...they heal. And when you fall in love with the right person, those scars will look like beauty marks. You too though, will leave your fair share of scars soon-to-be beauty marks. So be kind, and be honest.

Last, but not least, being in love is a one time deal. My personal philosophy is that, love isn't something you fall out of. If you think you have been in love, and are no longer in it, then it wasn't love you were in. There is a fine line between loving someone deeply, and being in love with someone deeply.

What I Have Learned About Myself:

When I first came to college, I had big dreams and wanted to do big things. I think most of us do, and rightfully so. We are told that when we have a degree, so many more doors will be open and life will be so much more pleasant and money will come easier. I wanted that. I wanted to make a lot of money, to buy the things I've always wanted. I wanted to be respected in my career field, I wanted to be the best and would have probably screwed over anyone to be the best. I wanted homes in Europe, India, Brazil, and California. I wanted a closet full of shoes, just because I could. I didn't want to get married and I never wanted children. So much has changed since my days of invulnerability!

I am a simple person, who has a simple goal in life, to be happy. I don't need to make millions, and I don't need the world to know my name. If, 100 years from now, no one remembers my name, my soul will rest in peace if I die knowing I spent most of my time on earth with the love of my life, had beautiful children who went and made the world a better place, and that they learned how to do that by witnessing me and my husband being passionate about the way we wanted to changed the world. That is how I have come to define a good, happy life. I still want to be the best at what I do, and I still want to make a decent amount of money...but there are more important things than money. And I am not even talking about love and a family. I'm talking about passion! I'm talking about doing what you love to do for the rest of you life, just so you can help the world be better.

I just want to see beautiful places with the people I love. I just want to do beautiful things for the people I love. And I just want to humble the world, and be humbled by it.

What I Have Learned About Life:

1.) It goes on.

Bad days. Good days. Manic depression. Manic happiness. Hunger. Full. In love. In Lust. Rich. Poor. Upset. Content. Fail. Succeed.

The world doesn't stop for you, or for anyone.

2.) Your call for help is always heard.

Whether you are in a place that is holy, in bed, on the dance floor, on the can, or in the arms of the one you love, help is a prayer that is always answered. Whether it comes in the form you expected, or asked for it, in is not always the case, but grace always finds you; if you let it.

3.) There is more to life than just surviving it. 

Life is precious, and it is short, and it is cruel to know both those things and still live in emptiness. Find the thing that brings your to your feet to dance and find the person who you want to spend the rest of your life dancing with. There is more to life than making money, getting married, and having babies. We are so blessed to live on a beautiful planet, with nature, animals, and other cultures (past and present!) that we can experience and learn from. It would be a shame to watch it go by from your front porch.