can you become?

Dear Sally,

I don't even remember how or when I started, but all I know is that I did and I have loved it ever since.

Felicity, a four year drama series following the life of a shy, yet beautiful college student begins on the day of her high school graduation. Uninspired by her parents' mapped-out life plan for her, Felicity decides to follow her secret crush and moves across the country to follow him...someone she didn't even really know.

As the series unfolds, the typical college-age drama ensues and followers of Felicity come to love and sometimes hate all of the characters at one time or another.

I recently purchased all four seasons of Felicity while I was back in Utah. Just tonight I opened Season One and popped in the first dvd. And it all came rushing back to me...

I couldn't help but smile and feel that swell of emotions that come with following an overemotional drama-laden co-ed for a good four years. I smiled as I got my first glance of Ben Covington (Scott Speedman) and was reminded of his sweet moments, the way he kisses, and of just how much I like the rugged look and his sexy grin. I melted when we were first introduced to cute Noel (Scott Foley) and how he patiently deals with Felicity's never-ending, selfish freak-out moments. I was still torn just as I was before, as the love triangle unfolded and couldn't help but sympathize with the one who was left out. I was embarrassed by all of the awkward moments that Felicity's need for honestly always brought on. I was envious of the "Dear Sally" recordings and loved how each character began to weave himself into this elaborate pattern that we call the show.

But most of all, I remembered that Felicity (the show) housed the beginnings of my soul encompassing love and passion for New York City. It made the city look sexy, fun, and full of opportunity and beautiful adventures. Sigh....If only real life came with a script and two hunks vying for my attention...

Talk soon.

Love,

Malia

P.S. Did I mention the music? Check this out!

it's a boy!

It's a boy!!!


Please welcome with love...

Mac



July 29, 2009
5.5 lbs
15 inches

the need for speed

So I kind of like speeding....a lot.

Oh, and I saw this car today! So beautiful. (Mustang 2009--the orange one)




And I really wish I had this one. (Chevelle 1969)



I miss driving.

The End.

thunder, thunder, thunder, thundercats….ho!

thunder, thunder, thunder, thundercats….ho!

Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of watching Saturday morning cartoons with my brother. I remember strategically waking up early enough to ensure that we caught all of the shows that we wanted to see that day. It was fun to plant ourselves in front of the TV with snacks in hand for those early morning episodes of fun and yes, childhood suspense.

We loved most cartoons and the variety ranged from The Smurfs, Looney Tunes, Jem (one of my favorites, not James’), GI Joe, He-Man, Transformers, etc. But one of our all time favorites had to be Thundercats. I don’t know what it was with those fierce felines, but we loved them. I might have even had a crush on Lion-O…and Tygra…

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I was down at Wall Street participating in a Volunteer Fair at Morgan Stanley. I was walking back to the train when I came upon a street vendor selling DVD’s. They looked new and were in their original packaging. The familiar Thundercats symbol popped out at me and I knew I had to buy it. I bought one for me and one for my brother.

For the last few days, James and I have once again, planted ourselves in front of the TV and watched episodes of Thundercats. Once again, we arm ourselves with snacks and blankets and enjoy as the now simpler plots unfold. We started with the pilot episodes and it was interesting to put things into their original context. We never really worried much about the beginnings when we were little. I don’t think that we were paying that much attention. But it’s been fun to stroll down memory lane once again. OH! And we finally learned the lyrics to the theme song. Not so complicated all these years later.

For your singing pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na8ThDftsKk

Thunder, thunder, thundercats, Ho!
Thundercats are on the move,
Thundercats are loose,
Feel the magic, hear the Roar,
Thundercats are loose,

Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats!
Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats!
Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats!
Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats! Thundercats!

giddy as a school girl

Chelsea Market, 4:00pm.

I paused as I approached the entrance of the building to make sure that I looked presentable. Through the glass doors in front of me, the infamous logo caught my eye amidst a sea of others. Despite my attempt to refrain from smiling, a grin escaped anyhow. I opened the doors and made my way towards the back of the building, just as directed—pass the waterfall, the café, and then turn left down a hallway, take the elevator. I had arrived…The Food Network!

One of the perks to my job is that I get to meet a lot of amazing people who work at some really great corporations. Someone from Scripps Network (parent company of The Food Network) approached me about hosting a Career Day for some of our youth. While discussing details I was invited to take a tour of the studios (the same one that the kids would take) and then further discuss the upcoming event. Naturally, I had to go…I mean, walk-throughs are standard in this business. ☺

But there couldn’t have been a happier girl alive.

As I waited in the lobby the Tyler Florence show was airing on a large plasma screen TV mounted on the wall. The end tables were stocked with cooking magazines and books and I was envious of even the receptionist as she was surrounded by so much wonderful! A few minutes later, my contact came out to greet me. We chatted for a bit and then started the glorious tour. I was literally giddy as we went from room to room as I recognized Bobby Flay’s Throwdown test kitchen, as I watched them edit a Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals episode, and was privy to a preview of an upcoming promo commercial for Food Network Challenge. I wanted to quit my job and run away to culinary school. But I about flipped my lid when I walked into the main studio and realized that I was in Iron Chef America’s Kitchen Stadium!!!!!

I know, I know, big deal, right? YES, it was a BIG DEAL! Iron Chef is my FAVORITE show in the whole world! I could watch that show for hours and hours and be perfectly content. And if it’s Iron Chef Bobby Flay?...Be still my beating heart. (It’s probably the #1 reason that I wish I had a TV.) As embarrassing as it was, I could barely contain my excitement. I stood where Alton Brown gives his commentary, I saw where the judges sit during the show, and where the competitor enters bathed in glowing lights. I saw the two fully stocked kitchens, the 20+ cameras overhead that capture every angle, and I saw the gigantic secret ingredient box marked with its signature knives that form an X. It took everything I had to not whip out my camera and have my “tour guide” take my picture. But I refrained as the place was bustling with producers, technicians, and other stage crew.

We concluded the tour shortly thereafter. I asked my questions “for the kids” and I got in a lot of my own. But after it was all said and done, I couldn’t stop smiling and was giddy for the rest of the day. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to attend a live taping (not a possibility for Iron Chef)…or running into Bobby Flay, of course.