SOMETHING WAS AND STILL IS MISSING
MY LAST BLOG POST
Something was missing. I didn’t even realize it was missing until I took a semi-break from blogging Thanksgiving week. That was the week I reconnected with my family, my friends, and myself. I loved that week and I promised myself that I would cut back on reading and blogging commitments so I could enjoy more weeks like that.
I kept that promise and I seriously cut back on my commitments. I haven’t let reading or blogging stress me out and I have been having fun again. But yet, something is still missing.
That something is just being a young girl who doesn’t run a very busy book blog. I haven’t seen that girl for nearly two years, when she was ten years old. I want to be that girl again! I want to try new things and make plans for the future I see myself in.
This is my last blog post on Reading Vacation. I am proud of what I’ve done, and now it’s time to move on. I am super excited about trying out some new things and having the time to just be a twelve-year-old girl. I hope you are happy for me too!
It feels like there are a million people for me to thank and it would be infinitely boring if I tried to make a list. Instead, I will thank the two people who have had the biggest impact on me; Kristi (The Story Siren) and HD (Reading Writing Breathing). Stick with me for a minute, and I will explain.
Kristi has been a fabulous friend to me from the very Very VERY beginning. She was the first blogger to send me an email, offer advice, promote this young girl who blogs, share books with me, and be my blogging friend. Kristi shared her wisdom and her heart when a mean book blogging boy bully threatened to turn my life upside down. She knows I love her and will never forget what she did. Kristi is the most awesome example of the kind of person I want to be when I grow up.
HD, whom I have only known for about five months, is like the boy version of me when it comes to books. Who else would put up with all my crazy book love tweets that overflow with ALL CAPS and OMGZZZZZ? He was also brave enough to start Young Bloggers Unite with me when we first met. There are only a handful of bloggers our age, and we are lucky enough to live in the same Texas town. I have like a zillion reasons to tell HD thank you, but the biggest one is for bringing a whole lot of happy into my life.
Happy Reading Y’all and thank you for visiting!
**I will still be on Twitter and I will keep Reading Vacation up so you can see my old posts. My ALA books will go to teachers or the library after I read them.**
<3
ReplyDeleteMelina, Enjoy your time! You can always start a blog again later and I'm certain there are plenty of bloggers (including me!) who would happily host you if you wanted to guest post! You should be so proud of all you've done! Good luck in everything you do!
ReplyDeleteSo you're gonna stop blogging?! Awww I'm sad! But I definitely understand that you want to enjoy life without the stress of blogging hanging over you! Haha. I'm gonna miss your posts for sure. :(
ReplyDeleteQue, what?? I know you thought long and hard about all of this so I only wish you the best of luck! We'll be here if, and when, you decide to come back. Your Texas Blogger family loves you!
ReplyDeletexo,
Mama Bear Jen
Wow, Melina. I'm crying so hard, but I am so happy for you, baby! You are incredible, you know I love you, and meeting you at ALA was fantastic. I hope we will still see you around the blog'o'sphere.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you need a vacation from Reading Vacation, but I hope, eventually, maybe in a few years, you'll have time and energy to devote to this site again.
All my love; I wish I could scoop you up and hug you right now!
G.C.
Oh, Melina. I completely admire your decision--I know it must've been a really difficult one to make. I hope you'll still be active on twitter though so that you won't be totally gone! Have fun being the girl you want to be again! Happy reading and thanks for the reading vacation you took your readers on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wonderful blog. I am glad you know what you need to do for you. Lots of grown-ups still haven't figured that out. Have fun! I know you will keep reading and you can stay in touch through Twitter. Best Wishes!
ReplyDeleteSweet Sweet Melina! This post just reinforces what a wonderful and wise young lady you are! It takes great courage to step back and move on to a different path. Wish you the best and hope to stay in touch with you
ReplyDeleteBest
Kai
I'll miss your blog posts, but totally understand that you need to be a kid and enjoy every day doing all sorts of different things. Know that you've had an impact on the blogging world. Good luck and have fun!
ReplyDeleteMy first reaction was: *sob* DON'T LEAVE!!
ReplyDeleteBut I'm really happy for you and for wanting to try new things. Go enjoy life! I hope to see you around still and maybe one day come back. Your blog really helped me when I first starting blogging and I just wanted to give you a million thank you's.
I'm really going to miss you Melina! Wishing I could hug you but good luck with everything <3
Melina, it has been a JOY reading your blog and I wish you all the best!! Life has a lot to offer you and I hope you experience all kinds of amazing things. Lots of love and support <3
ReplyDeleteJessica
(P.S. I will NEVER forget you trading Everneath with me. I had tried everything to get that book and you literally made my day. It's one of my new favs. You are a truly amazing and kind person!!!!!)
Sad to see the blog end but glad you're doing what you want to do. I cant even imagine doing what you've done with your blog at your age. And you can always start up again if you feel like it. You will be missed but good luck with your endeavors!
ReplyDeleteawww. for a last post, this sure is a great one! happy for you Melina! ;) enjoy, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Melina! I'll miss seeing your blog posts, but I think it's wonderful you want to go out and enjoy your life. You've got all the time in the world, girl :0)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, good luck, and have fun!
I'm really going to miss your posts and reviews, but you need to do what's best for you. You should be really proud of your blog, and also proud of yourself because you're able to realize that you've reached your blogging limit, so to speak. Best of luck in the future! (:
ReplyDeleteMelina - good luck with this next chapter in your life. I wish you all the happiness that a girl like you deserves. And just remember, you can always pop on by to your blog friends to guest post/review anytime! I will miss you, but know that you will be out there having the time of your life! It was nice meeting you on the blogoverse!
ReplyDeleteMelina, I totally get your decision, are you going to delete your blog, or keep it up?
ReplyDeleteDear, dear Melina:
ReplyDeleteI suppose I'm fairly new to your blog, only been stalking around for the past month or so. But in that month I've discovered something. Well, 1), I'm just a year or two older than you, so it's pretty epic. Ha. But anyway, 2), I wish so, so badly I could've gotten to know you better. So much. So. So. SO. DARN much. And now, because I've been just lurking around in the shadows waiting too long, this happened.
But you know what? I applaud you for choosing life. Really. I need to do that, too, and thank you so much for your inspiration. As they always say, the best decisions aren't always easy.
So I just wanted to say, thank you. If you say this, will ya shoot me an e-mail? It's thereviewsnews(at)gmail(dot)com. I would just love to talk with you, if only once.
Yet, I feel like I've talked with you a thousand times.
Thank you.
Love,
Juli
And oops, what a typo. In my last comment, I meant "if you see this", not if you say this. My bad!
ReplyDeleteGood-bye Melina.
ReplyDeleteThe end.
<3
Good Luck with all you do in the future. I have a strong feeling we will all be working for you one day ;)It's great you knew when to tell yourself no. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see you go, but I totally understand your decision. There's no way I could have done what you've accomplished when I was your age, and I am beyond impressed with how you've proven that age doesn't matter when it comes to spreading the love of books! I hope you really enjoy your time away from blogging; it may sound cliché, but you're only this age once so make sure you enjoy it!:)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourself, lady! It was absolutely WONDERFUL to meet you!!! I hope you come back to the blogging community! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy just being you and doing the things you want to do. That's important. <3
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all you do Melina!!
ReplyDeleteMelina,
ReplyDeleteAww hun, I'm going to miss you!! You were always like a beam of sunshine in the blogging community :) But I wish you the absolute best and hope you enjoy every minute of being young!
Best wishes!
Melina, the YA blogging world will not be the same without you!! We will truly miss your awesome insight into books, but totally understand your decision - which we know was not easy to make.
ReplyDeleteYou rock, and we know that what ever you do next will be GREAT!!!
XXOO
Stacy, Shannan, Nancy and Sarah
I support your decision even though I will definitely miss you!!! I know that I feel the same thing missing sometimes when I am super-focused on blogging as well... So I think your decision is very mature and wise, and I think you will benefit from it... Don't hesitate to drop us a line every now and then if you want... :)
ReplyDeleteMelina, you are one of a kind. I hope you'll stay in touch, on twitter, or just email from time to time. I'm expecting FANTASTIC things out of you.
ReplyDeleteHey there's nothing wrong with taking some time away. Book blogging gets crazy.
ReplyDeleteMelina we will miss you:( I support your decision and how much you are missing. Good luck Melina!! <3!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're making a good and healthy choice for yourself. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMelina! We will miss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!! Your blog is such an inspiration to everyone and we love to hear about what you have to say! Your decision makes so much sense though. Enjoy your years right now you will love it! But come back soon! But so happy you will keep twitter! I can still talk to you! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to hear this. As probably one of the youngest book bloggers out there, you were an inspiration for me when I started blogging. But I totally understand the need to go and be a kid. It's a very smart decision and one I think you will be happy with. Let loose and have fun while you still can. The blog will always still be here if you want to come back.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are coming from and I will miss you!
ReplyDeleteTake care sweetie! Go enjoy your life! Be a teen/tween, get in trouble (but not too much), make alot of memories, and go be YOU! You only get one shot at this life...go live it and make your mark in the world girl! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMaryAnn
Chapter by Chapter
Thanks so much for your blog. I loved all the fresh, young energy that you had in all your posts. It will be sorely missed. Being a teen blogger, I can completely understand your choice. You were an example to me of someone who could do great things just here in the blogging community, so just imagine what you can do for the rest of the world!
ReplyDeleteGo have fun being a tween!
~Debz
Oh Melina your voice will be missed in the blogging world but guess what will be here when the young girl or teen or grown woman decides she wants to come back. You have a open door on my blog anytime. so glad to have met you and mom at ala. ENJOY BEING YOUNG! XOXOX
ReplyDeleteMelina, I loved meeting you at ALAMW, and you will be missed... but I am so happy for you. Good for you for recognizing what you need and want to do! You can always return to blogging at any time. If you would ever like to guest post, I'd LOVE to host you!
ReplyDelete~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte
I can't believe it! You will be hugely missed in the book blogging community. Have fun with your new endeavors!
ReplyDeleteMELINA. Oh goodness. You already know how I feel about you! <33 While I think this is a MONUMENTAL loss to the book blogging community, as your "older blogging self", I am so proud of you. You see, all those things you realized are things that would definitely make me put blogging on hold. THERE IS SO MUCH AWESOMENESS THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU IN THE COMING YEARS. You are an awesome, sweet and insanely smart girl that I just adore to pieces. I have loved getting to know you and learning from you! You are one class act, girl. That's for sure. AHH I am going to miss you. I am so proud of all you have accomplished - you kept an amazing blog at such a young age (I mean really..do you know how AWESOME your blog is), I watched you stand up for yourself in a mature way to a certain jerkface and I've seen you put nothing but positive energy out there in the blogosphere. That, my dear, is a wonderful legacy to leave to the blogging world. Younger bloggers should and will look up to you for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, now that I've left you a novel, I'm going to miss you as a fellow blogger and a friend. I can't say I don't think you are going to be back...maybe in a few years...but you've got all the time in the world to do that. Heck, I didn't start my silly old blog until I was 25. We'll all welcome you back with open arms should you ever decide to come back. <333
LOVE YOU!!!
This must be such a huge relief for you. I'm glad that you're doing what you need to for yourself and your family. You know that we will all miss seeing you on here, but I know you'll still be around! (Twitter) :D
ReplyDeleteLove you girl!
It takes a lot of wisdom to recognize when you need to make a change in your life, so I sure admire you for that! Good luck with whatever adventures come your way next. :)
ReplyDeleteGood on you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMelina! You have your whole life ahead of you! I agree, enjoy being young because you don't get it back. Maybe come back during summer vacation (would put a whole new perspective to your blog name, eh eh)?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything! :)
Aww...you're gonna be missed, Melina! But have fun doing whatever you do :)
ReplyDeleteMelina- I've told you this before, but seriously you are truly AMAZING!!! Kudos to you for being able to step back and realize there's more to life than just blogging. You are truly going to be missed, but you know the TX blogging family will always be here. I hope I get to see you at future book events. I'm thrilled I had the chance to meet you at ALA. Though I'm sad to see you go, I completely understand why and support you in what ever you're going to do next. Enjoy all that life has to offer you now. It goes by fast. TX sizes HUGS to you!
ReplyDeleteMelina--I've loved reading your blog over the past two years. I've learned so much from you and from your reading! Good for you for making a decision that's right for you right now. And like the readers above, we'd love a guest blog post if you feel the need to write about books every so often. We'll all miss you. Enjoy being 12!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy life, Melina! <3
ReplyDeleteI will miss your fresh and unique voice, but I totally understand. Live your life!
ReplyDeleteTotally understandable! You are just 12!! Have fun. Spend time with your family. We all know you will still be reading and sharing your love of books, just in a different way than blogging. There is NOTHING wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell myself the same thing. I'm a mom now (My son is 11 months), and I have cut back on blogging/reading quite a bit. I don't let it stress me out. I love reading and I love blogging, but if it stresses me out or starts to be not fun anymore, I take a step back. Reading should never be a chore!!
Have fun! You'll be missed!
Good Luck and enjoy everything that life has to offer you. You will be missed.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for making what sounds like a wise decision at this time in your life. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHaving the wisdom to know when to step back or to move on is a wonderful thing. I wish you luck and a whole lot of fun and happiness to come!
ReplyDeleteYay for you, Melina! I'm glad that you are able to move on to the next great adventure in your life. Thanks for sharing the last two years with us!
ReplyDeleteI will miss you, but I hope you enjoy the new chapter of your life!
ReplyDeleteMelina, I will miss you. You are one person who has helped me conquer my fear of youngsters, a little bit. Thank you for being an absolute class act and showing how age is nothing but a number.
ReplyDeleteI understand the need to be a kid -- I remember when I was a kid and how much I valued being able to do whatever I wanted with my free time.
Here's to a good, good life. And if you come back when you are older, I'm sure plenty of us will still be around and will definitely welcome you back with open arms.
Thanks for all that you've done for book blogging. :-D
<3
Thank you for giving this blogging community such a young (yet mature) voice. It will be missed!
ReplyDeletegreat that you were able to put life on the front burner. Enjoy it we're only young once :) Book Blogging I'm sure will be around if you ever decide to return! You will definitely be missed. Enjoy this time!
ReplyDeletewe will miss you :( but good for you! Maybe you will be back someday :)
ReplyDeleteI totally support you. you are awesome and I admire you. go out and try new things. have fun.and I know how blogging could be stressful, glad you took the right decision. so happy for you and will keep up with you on twitter. because according to me, you will be someone awesome in the near future :)
ReplyDeleteall the best , so sad but will be seeing you on twittr ^-^
ReplyDeleteYou are a truly inspiring, amazing, supermegafantastic girl, Melina. All the awesomeness in you is not safe in one single twelve year old.
ReplyDeleteI could never thank you enough for welcoming me into this community and showing me the ropes. And being a true friend. See you on Twitter (and text...)
All the best . Blogging is a lot of work and it's all for the love. You are young so you can always come back. I am like one of the oldest book bloggers ( err..yup!) and I only found this nearly 2 years ago. It is time consuming, but it is my thing I have found that I really love doing. Sometimes I even need to take a step back and wonder if I am the only one feeling a bit overwhelmed and bogged down. The more I connect with other bloggers the more I realise, it is a BIG job we take seriously , but only so many hours in a day and you want to say YES to everyone. You are at the age where you want to just have fun with the girls ..err and boys and it's time for some YOU time.
ReplyDeleteGo have fun, it doesn't mean it's the end......it's just another chapter in your life:D
Michelle
We will miss you! You have so much to be proud of - your blog is incredible and to accomplish so much at such a young age is truly amazing. I wish you all the best and enjoy your time!
ReplyDeleteI'll miss your presence Melina! As a teen blogger, I totally get why you're doing it though. It's hard to balance everything, and sometimes the things we love the most are left in the dust - like family. Good luck on your next chapter, and I wish you the best! :)
ReplyDeleteWilla
Melina, we'll miss you a ton, and we hope that maybe someday you'll come back to this blog in some capacity. But even if you don't, we TOTALLY understand and support your decision! Enjoy your life! And keep on reading. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe'll see you on Twitter!
Melina - I will never forget the day I won "The Death Cure" from James Dashner and in my impatience and excitement felt the need to stalk you and find out if you had gotten your book yet in the mail.. I expected a short response, something like.. "Um.. no, chill out.. by the way, who the heck are you??" But you were sooooo nice to me, and I loved how excited you were about the book too!
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried (and failed miserably) at making a book blog for myself, you tweeted about my blog, you said nice things about me - who does that for a perfect stranger? You are seriously one of the nicest people I've ever "met"!
Okay, enough gushing. I know I haven't been around a whole lot, but I've been in the background, lurking on Twitter, checking out what books you've been reading and all that. Book blogging is hard work girl! I'm amazed at what you've accomplished. You should be darn proud of yourself.
Bethany
Awww... does this mean no Vacation Bites as well?
ReplyDeleteMelina!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the next step, but I will miss your voice and reviews and recommendations.
It was wonderful to meet you at ALA and you were NOT one of the "bad bloggers" people are talking about. But thank you so much for donating your books when you're done reading them. I'm sad we won't get to hear what you think though!
Good luck with everything.
Wow, Can I just say what a well spoken, intelligent girl you are? I got turned on to your blog from another book blog and was amazed at this girl who was 11 years old was doing that. You will be missed. Good luck with anything or everything you do in the future. You should be very proud of yourself.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Melina! Harlequin TEEN will miss you, your preceptive reviews, your professional approach, your winning personality. It's been terrific to get to know you through books.
ReplyDeleteAll best,
--Tashya
Melina, you are an amazing girl. You will be so missed, and I am so proud of you for doing what is right for you!
ReplyDeleteYou go rock the next stage in your life like you have rocked this blog!!! See you on twitter hun!! :)
Melina, I'll miss seeing your blog posts but I'm happy for you. I wish you all the best in the future.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever talked to you directly, but I've been a fan of your blog for a few months now. Let me just say how much of an inspiration you've been to me! It's so amazing what you've accomplished at your age, and being a teen blogger myself, you've given me hope that my blog can take off one day and maybe be a fraction of the awesomeness that yours is. :D
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you should be super proud of all the hard work you've put into this blog! I'm going to miss reading your posts, but I hope you have fun with whatever you hope to tackle next! Best of luck to you! :)
:( I'll be sad to see you go. But I know what you mean - I recently quit blogging myself. The most important thing is that you do what you want to do and that you stay true to yourself.
ReplyDeleteI know you heard it already, but I want you to know how remarkable and admirable you are.
Bye :)
I'll miss seeing your posts, but I completely understand! I was always the "responsible one" growing up and sometimes I feel like I missed out on a lot, so go have fun!
ReplyDeleteI take a few days off to get some reading done and come back to find YOU'RE LEAVING!?!
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that you brought me to TEARS with this post. I am crying!
The blogging world will not be the same without you in it. That being said, you know how I feel about the whole situation. I am so very proud of you, and I hope you know that I love you and think the absolute world of you! Don't become a stranger! You are destined for great things, never forget that!
As I was the mean blogger in question, I would like to apologize publicly for what I did. It was stupid, immature, and childish.
ReplyDeleteMelina, I'll miss your blog. I've loved following you. Your enthusiasm about books and reading and life in general never fails to put a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteGo have fun!
Jen
http://themodpodgebookshelf.blogspot.com/2012/02/melinas-vacation.html
ReplyDelete:'( You'll be missed in the book blogging world love! Your discussions posts were always insightful and interesting and your reviews have always been a joy to read. I will certainly be sad to no longer be getting recommendations and updates from you but hey nothing is ever set in stone, if years from now you find that you can balance you're online life with real life and want to come back you can always come back and if not then have a great life in the real world and with your family. I'll look out for you on twitter.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't good bye this is just see you later Melina :').
Sandy
Melina, you've always been such an inspiration to me. I love you so much, and I so admire you for understanding what you need to do with your life.
ReplyDeleteBest luck and wishes.
Sad to see you go, Melina. But you're so young! (Coming from me... whatevah!) You have all the time in the world to come back to blogging and you know you'll be welcomed back.
ReplyDelete<3 Well wishes and happy reading :)
I am sad to see you leave the blogosphere, but I understand where you are coming from. I have been in that place where I have taken a break from blogging but eventually the pull would lure me back, but I know that one day that pull will cease to exist and I hope I will stop as gracfully as you have.
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best of luck with your future endevours.
Wow! I have been reading your blog for like forever, I've never even met you, yet this post made me teary! I am glad that you understand and accept your situation and am proud to see you moving on. I will always appreciate and admire you as a blogger.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in everything you do Melina! I have been reading your blog for awhile now and I really inspired by it :)
ReplyDeleteI will miss all your blog activities; you have provided best information in your blog in each post. I hope you will start again blogging, so that your fans can be connected with you.
ReplyDeleteThis is very good post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I love it.
Hi Melina,
ReplyDeleteIt's Mr. Fitz. I hope you see this post. I just wanted to congratulate you on your tremendous success with this project. Words cannot express how proud I am of you. You are, and always will be an inspiration to me. I have introduced countless teachers to your blog in the effort to show them that learning can be more "real" for students.
I hope you realize that the skills that you have cultivated while working on this project are the same skills that will guarantee your success in whatever you choose to do in life. It is absolutely amazing to me that a girl of your age can impact the world in the way that you have. You are a very special person.
Again, I am so very proud of you, and I am honored to have had the chance to work with you on your learning journey. I wish you all the success and happiness in the world! Enjoy your time being yourself. I will miss your posts.
Mr. Fitz