2011 - One of the Best. Years. Yet.

I can't believe 2011 is already coming to an end. Although the onset of New Year's is typically defined by the setting of New Year's resolutions, I haven't yet cemented my New Year's goals just yet... sure, my New Year's goals are in their solid formulation/cementing stages, but that post will be coming at a more appropriate time (i.e. closer to New Year's Eve/Day itself) because, quite frankly...

I can't get over 2011. It was ONE OF THE BEST YEARS YET!! I would say that 2011 was right on up there with the years 1996, 2001 and 2006. That's right- I have favorite years... don't judge (unless that ship has already sailed).

I could go into the details about each of my favorite years, but, quite frankly, laziness is getting the better of me. Instead, I'm simply going to provide a synopsis. A synopsis, if you will, of why 2011 was simply one of my favorite years ever. (So far.)

5. I finally travelled abroad a bit more! With the completion of paying off my graduate student loans (there is no greater sense of accomplishment... well, slight exagg but whatever), I finally got to experience complete and total debt-freedom. So... off to gorgeous Iceland and that place which shall remain nameless (for legal reasons) I went!

4. The year started off on just about the most perfect foot possible, when I landed my first television gig (of the year, that is) thanks to Mother Nature... and Weather Channelman Jim Cantore. I think I was the ONLY Chicago resident who was THRILLED with the onslaught of that blizzard to end all blizzards...

3. I made some really just gosh darn great new friends. Sure, I can befriend like a brick wall if I really have to (what can I say? I have that gift for gab, really...). But this year really made me realize just how much I. Love. Chicago. Sure, the city is great. But it's the people that really make this city feel so much more like a home than any of the other cities I've lived in. Sigh. Virtual hug and all that.

2. I realized just how powerful the Internet can be... so powerful, in fact, that I've taken the opportunity to sub-bullet this point:

2a. I was introduced to Twitter... God, it is only the Best. Thing. Ever. Not only was I retweeted by the Today show (as if the Royal Wedding wasn't a glorious highlight of 2011 in and of itself, who knew that my tweet about it would actually be RETWEETED TO 1.1M followers?!?!?), I was also retweeted by Katie Couric?!!?!?!? lskdjflkds! Oh, the DREAMS!! (Clearly, I dream big.)

2b. I joined CNN's iReport team! Not only did I join the team, but it only took me two reports before my second iReport was vetted and approved by CNN... and received 20,000+ hits in the course of three days!!! Having my iReport be like the fourth story down on the CNN US News page that first day it "went viral" was simply icing on that cake, baby!!!!

1. I was invited to the final, final taping of The Oprah Winfrey show - fulfilling a lifelong dream to see Oprah in person AND see a taping of her show in Harpo studio! This was honestly the PEAK of my year... I still can't believe it happened. While I have no idea why her staff chose me to be one of the exclusive few to be in her audience, I am eternally, eternally grateful. All I have to say is that this experience 100% cemented my belief in good karmic forces and the fact that Someone really is watching out for me...

So there you have it! 2011- a year in review, if you will. 2012 sure does have some big shoes to fill...

My (CNN-Approved) Chicago Marathon iReport!

Marathon day keeps getting better and better!

I just joined the CNN iReport community a couple of weeks ago and LOVE it. It's totally giving me practice being a "rookie reporter" (so I like to think). Regardless, I must admit- it's FUN!

Yesterday, I submitted an iReport video of the Chicago Marathon. And who would have thought?! It was actually approved by CNN! Wahoo!!!

Let me back up a second. Basically, anyone and everyone can submit an iReport on any topic under the sun. However, only if it is considered "vetted and approved" by CNN, will it be potentially AIRED on CNN! So you KNOW my day was TOTALLY made yesterday, when I received an email from one of the CNN iReport producers yesterday afternoon, indicating that my iReport was CNN-approved! Wahoo (again!)!

As if that weren't enough, I just checked my "views" and my iReport is up to 6,000+ views! In a mere day! I know that isn't like earth-shattering, but for me it is! If this is how excited I get about my 6,000ish views, I can't even imagine my excitement levels if I were to ever "go viral". Hahahah. I don't think Mother Earth would be able to handle the energy levels, let's be honest...

In the meantime... I do hope you enjoy a brief tidbit of the 2011 Chicago Marathon!

My Visit to CNN... Excuse Me, Atlanta

I guess when most people think of Atlanta, the first thing that would come to mind is HOTlanta.

Not me. Nah. When I think of Atlanta, I think of... CNN! Naturally, right?

This weekend, I made a trip to Atlanta to reunite with some good friends. GOD, aren't reunions only the best things EVER? The weekend seemed like it was going to be jam-PACKED with activities, so I figured there wouldn't be enough time to really explore downtown.

Until, that is, my friend (Nnenna) offhandedly mentioned her (multiple) experiences touring the CNN headquarters. I didn't mean to, but quite frankly, would you expect anything BUT a reaction filled with spirit fingers and a (slight) shortness of breath?

I. Don't. Think. So.

Needless to say, after Nnenna realized THAT was my reaction to her CNN tour experience, she arranged our Sunday activities to... voila! Conveniently end up at the CNN headquarters, ready and waiting for a Sunday afternoon tour!


Weeeee! Let the adventure begin!! Just seeing the CNN logo on the building made my heart go pitter patter... can you tell? At all?

Oh, how the CNN headquarters did NOT disappoint! The grandeur, the American flag, the big ol' globe... lskdjfdlkfjs!


I just couldn't get enough. CNN steals my heart at 4 years old, CNN steals my heart for life.

It was so interesting to learn a bit about the ongoing behind-the-scenes activities. Nowadays, there's so much TECHNOLOGY involved that it never ceases to amaze me. Two of the more interesting things I picked up along the tour:

1. CNN weather reporters use digital screens to do weather reports, etc. As compared to those (seemingly antiquated) green screens that local news stations still use, to vaguely wave in a general direction to "pinpoint" regional weather patterns. These local news stations really need to jump on this digital screen bandwagon. So much more accurate, so much less ridiculous-looking!

2. NOW I know how news anchors always look like they are looking directly into the camera, despite reading the teleprompter... it's because they ARE. I figured there was some technological component behind it that I wasn't aware of, and I was right. It was so cool to see the "dual-functioning" camera that runs a teleprompter while simultaneously holding a lens directly behind the teleprompter to provide video feed to the audience.

The tour included all kinds of behind-the-scenes stops, but my heart jumped a little when we stopped by...

Where all the magic happens, if you will.

Well, okay, my heart also jumped more than a little when we saw Don Lemon doing the Sunday afternoon broadcast, but hey. We couldn't take pictures of THAT. Sigh, the memories.

Oh, how it WAS the most delightful of days. A great day with friends, a tour of the world-renowned CNN headquarters AND an opportunity to "practice" my news anchor skills*...

I mean, if that doesn't scream "CNN natural", I simply don't know what does. Shameless, I know.

*Thanks, Kodak!

Shamelessness Meets... My CNN iReport!

I'm a fairly shameless person. I have been for most of my life (since high school, at least). And for the most part, it's gotten me some legit opportunities. Here are some of the top moments where my shamelessness TOTALLY paid off in terms of life-defining moments (ordered by importance, of course):

1. Meeting Will Smithlkfjaslkfjsl!!
2. Meeting Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clintonlkajdslkfajdslkfj!
3. Going to the last Oprah showlaksjfdlksajfdl!
4. Getting my picture posted on one of the Times Square Digitron screenslkasjflkdsj!
5. Getting some legit airtime on MTV's TRL
6. Getting interviewed for the Lakers Fan Cam

Well. I can now add:

#7. Shamelessly plucking random individuals from a crowd to interview for a CNN iReport.

Let me back up. So Social Media Week was taking place in Chicago all week long, and I was helping out by blogging for a few of the events. I'd received an email a few weeks ago, detailing the opportunity to submit a CNN iReport on social media, since CNN iReport was one of the sponsors of Social Media Week.

You better BELIEVE I got right ON that opportunity. I'm in love with CNN (I've wanted to be a news anchor since I was about... four years old) and I love all things social media (follow me @maliyacular on Twitter! Shameless, again. I know.)... how much more perfect an opportunity could it GET?!

That said, I figured I couldn't just interview MYSELF about social media... I'm not exactly the most impartial person, in case you couldn't tell. Instead, I just went right ahead and plucked three individuals from the crowd (at one of Social Media Week's panel discussions) to interview for... my very first CNN iReport! Shameless, I know. But hey, they agreed.

All in a day's work, really :)

Therefore... in all things good and shameless, I present to you... my very first CNN iReport! (Apologies in advance for the background noise. I'm a rookie, what can I say?)