why????

Dear naked people at the gym,

Why must you parade around that way?  No one wants to see it and you don't look that great anyway.  Please be more discrete.  Use a towel.  Cover up.  Turn around.  I don't care.  Just put it away.  Please!!!  What ever happened to modesty?

Best,
Malia

if you're psychologically normal...that's fine...call me

I forgot how much I love this little gem.  Not sure if it is real, but oh, how I hope it was! Enjoy!

dear chivalry, i like you. love, malia

There's something wrong with the world when kindness and chivalrous behavior take me by surprise. Tonight I went out with a friend whose company I really enjoy. As always, we had a great time, stimulating conversation, and some fabulous food. Throughout the evening he continuously doled out little surprises like helping me with my coat, complimenting me on seemingly unnoticeable things, helping me to step over a slushy puddle mess by taking my hand. I loved it. My heart warmed with each instance. It was not uncommon for him to do this.

So the question is, why is it that some men deem it their privileged role to be gentlemanly, while others in their same age bracket reserve those simple gestures for only those in whom they are interested. Kindness is never wasted, nor does it cause true affection to depreciate and yet there are still those who refrain from these actions for fear that they are sending the wrong message. I would think that kindness spread universally would actually work to their favor rather than the opposite. What woman, attached to a particular man or not, does not appreciate being a recipient or observer of that type of behavior? I would venture to say that unless he was a greasy stalker, non-discriminatory, basic chivalry always garners a man extra points.

Now there are many men who are kind, many who naturally treat women this way. They do exist. I guess I just find it strange that far too often, I am surprised by these occurrences. Perhaps it says something about me? Maybe I don't notice? Maybe I don't give men the opportunity to show these kindnesses? Perhaps there isn't something wrong with the world, but rather, something wrong with me? It's something to think about, I suppose.

these are a few of my favorite things...part 2

• kiva.org
• my fleece blankets from bed, bath, & beyond (so soft)
  
• cheap, blue papermate pens (love the way they write)
  
• tortilla chips (dinner for the last 3 days)
  
• my blue pashmina scarf (originally from Chinatown, reborn in the Flatiron District)
• White Collar, Modern Family, and 30 Rock (must see TV shows)
  
• foodnetwork.com and allrecipes.com (love to explore these babies)
• Mortal Instrument Series & Hunger Games (books)
• my MacBook Pro (true love)
  
• hulu.com (hours of entertainment)
  
• sleeping in (rare treat)
  
• chocolate covered cinnamon bears (go BYU bookstore!)
  
• The Happiest Millionaire (childhood favorite musical)
  
  

why bother?

This morning as I was hurrying to catch the train, I was forced to slow down as a woman and her dog darted in front of me. She had just stooped down to pick up his poo that he had deposited onto the sidewalk and was walking over to the garbage can...or so I thought. Nope. After she had picked it up, she threw it on the side of the road, napkin and all.

"Are you kidding me?" I uttered under my breath, wondering if I should have said it louder so that she would have heard me. But visions of her chasing me, poo in hand and yelling in a language I didn't understand changed my mind...just for today.

As a gift, here is a better dog poo story that makes me laugh every time I watch it.