Me and my Mister.
The 20 second bio: Hi, I’m mj. I’m a wife, mommy and veteran video-blogger. I write about technology, parenting, social issues, faith, and sometimes beauty/style, crafting/sewing and living life as 3/4 Stay at Home Mom, 1/4 Working Mama. If our family had a motto, it’d probably be something like “live simply, so that others may simply live.” That, or “more ice cream, please.”
It’s my hope that what I have to share enriches your life and provides a reasonable alternate perspective. (And if you’re looking for info on a specific topic, start by choosing one of the menus at the top!) Enjoy!
The big long bio: I started my video blog in 2007, and since then I’ve had some amazing opportunities, such as appearing CNN, FOX NEWS and CBS, and meeting (candidate) Barack Obama, Ron Paul and Anderson Cooper. I feel very blessed to have the amazing adventures that I do, and for having met so many wonderful people in the process.
I grew up in Orange County California, but I was born in Trenton, New Jersey. I once lived in Portland, Oregon where I danced in a professional company and toured the country by air and by bus; after that I got a job that took me to Chicago, Paris and eventually Faleolo, Samoa.
Primarily I’m a wife and mommy, but I also work in video production at iFixit (check out my work on our YouTube channel!), write, and video-blog (check out my personal YouTube channel!). I reside in the pristine city of Shell Beach, California with my husband and our daughter (“the bean”). I have a younger brother that I love beyond reason or comprehension; he’s pretty much the raddest person you’ll ever meet, but I guess you’ll just have to take my word on that.
I believe that you’re a precious, intentional and unique creation of God, and that he wants to know you personally. You don’t have to agree with me, and I wouldn’t imagine imposing my beliefs on you, but also, I would feel equally wrong not sharing the truth that I know. It’s like when you discover a really great restaurant and their food is so delicious you want to tell everyone in the world about it.
Questions? Email me!
mj
Disclaimer Notice: Occasionally I accept compensation in exchange for featuring specific content on my blog. Let’s face it: keeping a blog costs money, and I’d like this to be a hobby that pays for itself. Rest assured that when I have been compensated for content, that it will be plainly obvious on the post. Also, the reason I routinely decline offers of compensation is because I am picky, and have a fear of being labeled a sell-out. Know that f I’m shilling something, it’s because I know that the company or organization is reputable, and I genuinely like what I’m shilling. Please forgive me. 
Julie Danks
/ October 2, 2010Hi Melissa! Wow! This is amazing! I cannot wait to meet you and Bean! I’ve only gotten a chance to flip casually thru your website, as I am not a You-Tubber but hopefully (when all my kids are not sitting in my lap all at the same time) I can figure out the YouTube thing and see more of you! My husband & I will be up in SLO in a few weeks. I will contact Cuz Mike to see if we might be able to stop by or grab a bite to eat (we will be kid-free for the weekend)!!
Hugs to you and your baby girl,
Cuzzin Jewels
Igors
/ November 27, 2010Been watching your youtube video about Kindle – It was interesting
! I’m working on my blog about the e-books and just now trying to figure out what e-readers I should add for my post !
sophye n
/ October 10, 2011your inspirational.
jeromie farnsworth
/ December 19, 2011Melissa,
Watched you fix an xbox on you tube, and it inspired me to tackle the project myself. just wanted to say thanks to you and ifixit for the inspiration and instructions. It works, and i learned a few things about electronics in the process.
thanks again,
jeromie
melissajenna
/ December 20, 2011That’s great! Thank you for telling me!
John
/ January 31, 2012Love your story
My wife and I run a home for uni student girls in Brisbane and I know they would be blessed to read you story and glog
God bless
John
niklas
/ March 7, 2012interesting thoughts (I believe that you’re a precious, intentional…)
a really “great restaurant” I know is padre pio … perhaps you heared from him.
best wishes
niklas
Anders
/ March 16, 2012Hi Melissa
Woow you realy are a fantastic girl… i came home one day, feeling a litle sad and moody, i then stumbled on one of your ifixit videos, with you smiling and spreading joy.. after that my mood raised about 100%… it’s wery amazing how much sun you ray throug the screen
)
Keep up the good Work
best wishes, Anders
M
/ April 1, 2012Ok about the last paragraph, did you read anything about Islam? Yah… please do not tell me what are on the media stuff, especially US.
MonOkel
/ April 24, 2012Hi MJ,
You are doing really cool ifixit videos. Everytime I watch them I am amazed by the simple words you use or pieces of advice you give always with a smile, so it becomes a joy to watch you. Besides that I am impressed how chosen and well mannerd you talk without being arrogant or boring. You are really a kind of role model for me for how to interact with other people or how to speak fluently and free (Have you been in any kind of rhetorical course or are you teaching a language?!). I Would look forward to see a video in which you show some tips or technics for how to hold a speech.
Hope to see more vids!!!!
P.S.: Sorry for the many grammar mistakes or whatsoever, because english is not my mother tongue.