“Be yourself.”

That’s what they always said.  That’s what they still say, and I’m finding out, it’s for very good reason.  Now I know none of my thoughts on this matter are original, still there is something magically enthralling about these two words right now.  For in this city of 8,175,200 people, I am realizing more and more that to be myself is all that is really available.

“Everyone else is already taken.”

-Oscar Wilde.

Imagine a world with no journal entries.  It’s a world of jam-packed days, weary treks up apartment staircases at the end of the day, and overpowering desires to go to bed as soon as possible.  “Carpe diem,” the people say, seizing the day but letting it go with the subsequent sunrise, the details to go with it as days turn into months and months into years.  It’s a world of living full out—yes, but it’s also a world of forgetting.

Imagine a world with every escapade recorded and every thought developed.  To write is fun and indeed worthwhile; however, in this world, the people spend all their time transcribing matters that they run out of things to write about and ultimately miss out on the opportunity to enlighten a gentleman that Hawaii is indeed a state and not a country, to meet Elmo…Elmo…and another Elmo (with Mexican accents) all on one street corner, to watch an Aeropostale employee breakdance in the store’s entrance, to eat breakfast overlooking Lady Liberty, to wait four hours at the DMV with a lady in a fully-knitted (neck to ankles!) jumpsuit, to witness a proposal in Times Square, and to enjoy the most wonderful plate of black linguine with a dear friend in a new place…amongst other tales and exploits.

Now imagine a world where Malia could have the very best of both worlds, to have these wonderful adventures as well as enough energy  and willpower at the end of the day to write them down, to share them with and keep in contact with the people she loves.

Thank you for being patient with her as she works to make this a reality.