melissaburgess

Vulnerability

Posted on August 10, 2015January 17, 2018 by melissaburgess

Writing Prompt: Vulnerability

Is it necessary to be vulnerable if you want to become closer with someone? This week, write an essay that gives advice to those looking to be more open with the people they know. Use your personal experience to discuss whether vulnerability has helped create stronger connections, or if an alternative experience offered positive results for tighter bonds.

There is absolutely a certain degree of vulnerability that comes with getting to know people, and with being more open and honest with those you already know. In order to create stronger connections with the people in our lives, we have to be willing to actually let them in our lives.

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Miscellaneous

Time Is A Funny Thing

Posted on August 5, 2015January 17, 2018 by melissaburgess

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of time.

It’s such a subjective thing, in some ways; time can mean so many different things to different people living in different circumstances.

For instance, I just passed my seven-year anniversary at my workplace. When I mention this milestone to others, there are often mixed reactions. Some, who have been at the workplace for 30+ years, say something like “Oh, that’s nothing!” But looking at the bigger picture, seven years is approximately 29% of my 24-year-old life – and that’s a significant portion.

Another great example of this lies in relationships. My fiancé and I were dating for roughly nine months before we moved in together. To some people, nine months may not seem like a long time, at least in terms of dating and that sort of situation.

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Travel & Experiences

Sodus Point, NY and the George Eastman House

Posted on July 27, 2015January 17, 2018 by melissaburgess

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Each summer for the past several years, I’ve gone on a short (usually two-day-long) vacation/trip with my mom and two of my aunts. In years past, we’ve gone to several Finger Lakes, including most recently Skaneateles, last summer. We’ve also gone to Conesus Lake, Seneca Lake, etc.

This year, we did something a little different. Instead of visiting another Finger Lake (which, for the record, I hope to visit all of in my lifetime), we headed out to Sodus Point, New York. It’s about 115 miles from Buffalo, northeast of Rochester.

But as per usual, we made a few stops along the way. Our first stop: Don’s Original Restaurant and Pub in Penfield, NY. It seemed like a nice enough place, with a decent variety on the menu. We ended up sitting outside, as it was an absolutely beautiful day. My lunch fare: a turkey club wrap (minus the bacon, of course), with macaroni and cheese. Yum!

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Travel & Experiences

100 Things To Love About Buffalo, NY

Posted on July 16, 2015January 17, 2018 by melissaburgess

Today – July 16 – is affectionately known as #716Day in the Buffalo, NY area. It’s a wonderful day for Buffalonians and ex-pats alike to celebrate this fair city and all the incredible things it has to offer. As someone who’s lived in Buffalo my whole life – 24 years – I simply have so much love for this city. It’s my home, and even on those days when it seems less than perfect, it’s where I feel like I belong.

What better day than today to share my “Buffalove” with all of you?

So — here it is: my list of 100 things to love about Buffalo, NY.

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A Better You, Food, Health & Fitness

The Love Letter Project

Posted on July 16, 2015January 17, 2018 by melissaburgess

I’ve had this post saved in my drafts for some time, but I finally feel like I can dedicate the time it deserves. This post is a response to The Love Letter Project:

“Consider the greatest challenge you’ve overcome in life and write a love letter to help a perfect stranger overcome that same challenge. I’m asking you to write a love letter because your personal story will make a powerful difference in the lives of others. You could write a love letter to anyone: an entrepreneur who is struggling with her first business, a man who has lost his job, or a child who is being bullied at school. Write a love letter about a challenge you faced, and you will touch hearts, lift spirits, and show the world that no one is alone.”

My letter will be posted on TLLP’s website, but I wanted to post it here, too. It seems like the site hasn’t been updated in some time, but hopefully it will be soon. In the meantime, here’s my first letter – and I hope to write several more. This really seems like such a wonderful project, and reaching out to those who may be struggling with a challenge that you’ve overcome in your life is an absolutely wonderful way to help the world.

Without further ado, here’s my letter.

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