Happy birthday to one of Middle-earth News’ finest! Our own Myla Malinalda turns 21 years old today and is considered by all to be an irreplaceable part of our team. She plays a vital role as a prominent contributor, our fearless Tumblr manager, and frequently lends us her amazing graphic design skills. Middle-earth News would truly not be the same without her and we are honored to call her one of our own.
So who exactly is Myla Malinalda? She was able to take a few moments out of her busy schedule to answer this intriguing question.
Middle-earth News: How did you become involved with Middle-earth News?
Myla Malinalda: Well it all started when Lily, the assistant director, invited me to be on an episode of Warriors of the Westfold, our old podcast. Not long after that, I was asked to become a part of the team. I’ve been having an amazing time ever since!
ME News: Many people have referred to you as a Tolkien collector. Describe your collection to us.
Myla: At the moment my collection fills up two bookcases in my room, one is more concentrated on books by and about Tolkien while the other is more for movie merchandise. I am incredibly proud of my collection and I sometimes even find myself sitting at my desk and looking at all of my bookshelves. Is that weird? Seeing all of my books, games, DVDs and so on makes me feel relaxed, like Middle-earth is a mere step away.
Myla’s LOTRO hobbit guardian, Alellea
ME News: You are also an avid LOTRO player! How many toons do you have and which one is your favorite?
Myla: I have… way more toons than I’d like to admit, six on the Landroval server and four on the Laurelin one. (I even have some others on Landroval, but I haven’t played as them yet.) My main baby is Alellea, a hobbit guardian who has a love for cartography and star gazing. Creating characters means I get the chance to invent stories and lives, and I’ve spent a long time planning out Alellea’s life. Some other favorites are my elf hunter, Malyndael, and my dwarf Rune-keeper, Miliori.
(Note: For more on Alellea, you can visit Myla’s blog here.)
ME News: If you could hang out with any Middle-earth character (or characters if you can’t choose just one!) for a day, who would it be and why? What would you guys do?
Myla: Bilbo. I would definitely choose Bilbo… and Aragorn, and Gandalf… and Frodo and Sam and Elrond and everyone basically. But if I had to choose just one, it’s Bilbo, I’d just like to hang out with him. I would love nothing more than to have him tell me stories about his adventures while we drink tea in Bag End. He could show me Sting, some of the treasures he acquired while on the quest to Erebor and even the Ring (dun dun duuunnn). Shhh, I can dream.
ME News: When not involved with events related to the realm of Middle-earth, what can we find you doing?
Myla: You can find me buried under piles of papers and art supplies, as well as glued to my laptop. I’m a graphic design student which means that a lot of my time is spent on projects in the digital and traditional world. You can also sometimes find me in a Broadway theater! Not acting, singing or dancing (I am extremely untalented in all of those fields), but admiring from the audience. I do love me some show tunes.
Myla’s extensive (and beautiful) Tolkien collection
ME News: Now it’s time for a “favorites” round. Favorite Middle-earth film?
Myla: First of all, how dare you ask me such a question?!! (I kid) I love The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Picking a favorite film out of them is almost impossible for me but I think I love The Fellowship of the Ring juuust a little more than the others. This is most likely due to the fact that it’s where we see the most of the Shire and happy Frodo.
ME News: Favorite Tolkien book?
Myla: The Lord of the Rings, definitely! While I do love his other works, LOTR has a very special place in my heart. It was the first story by the Professor that I discovered.
ME News: Favorite character from the films versus favorite character from the books?
Myla: While I do still love Faramir in the movies, I prefer him in the books. Seeing him beat up Gollum in The Two Towers still makes me cringe. Bilbo, both in the books and in the LOTR trilogy, is perfect in my eyes. He just makes me the most happy.
I think Frodo is amazing in the films and book, but I found that I get more invested with him while I’m reading. He may be my all-time favorite book character.
ME News: Favorite Middle-earth location?
Myla: The Shire of course! Rohan is a close second mainly because of the films, those buildings, weapons and clothing? *dreamy sigh*
ME News: Favorite Middle-earth race?
Myla: Definitely hobbits. I feel most connected with them out of all the races. I frequently daydream about my dream life somewhere in the Shire!
You can follow Myla on Twitter | Tumblr | Her Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Google + | Pinterest
The Middle-earth News staff each had something to say about our beloved contributor in honor of her birthday!
Alice, Staff Reporter
When I first met Myla I thought “Gosh, she’s a real Hobbit!” Then I found myself admiring her amazing gif sets on her Tumblr blog, thinking “Gosh, she’s damn talented!” I won’t say what my favourite thing about Myla is because she’s such a good friend and I couldn’t make a choice. I love geeking out with her about the LOTR and The Hobbit casts (she sent me the playbill of Romeo and Juliet, where Romeo was played by Orlando Bloom!!) and talking with her about LOTRO. She loves her characters so much that she’s able to create lovely backgrounds for all of them, I really enjoy reading those compelling stories! I’m really happy to have a friend like Myla. I only wish to live closer and to be able to meet her in person.
Amanda, Staff Reporter
I am absolutely honored to call Myla my friend. She is one of the kindest and most hilarious people I know! Her artistic ability and graphic design skills never fail to amaze me. Myla is always there when you need her and will readily provide assistance whenever and wherever it is needed. She can find a way to make anyone laugh even when they are in the worst of moods. I am told that Middle-earth News once existed without her, though I cannot imagine it. She is vital to us in more ways than I can explain here and we are so lucky to have her on the team. Congratulations on another successful revolution around the sun, my friend!
Arwen, Director
I can’t express how glad I am to have Myla as part of the Middle-earth News Staff. She is without a doubt one of the most talented artists I know, not to mention one of the most humorous people I know. I have cried TEARS laughing so hard at her jokes. Myla, thank you for all you contribute to the team, I am honored to call you my friend. Wishing you the bestest of Happy Birthdays!!!
Britta, Staff Reporter
I find it almost impossible to put into words just how amazing Myla is. After joining the news team, she quickly became a good friend and someone I communicate with on a daily basis. If I’m having a bad day, she is one of the first people I turn to. Her sense of humour is on par with mine and she always manages to keep me in stitches. She has become family, and I cannot imagine my life without her in it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MYLA!
Evie, Staff Reporter
Myla makes me laugh! She’s really funny and quick-witted, so is great to be around. And she’s brimming with ideas. Honestly, they just seem to tumble out of her all the time. She’s very creative and artistic and produces some super images for us. But along with all that, she’s also reliable. If Myla says she can do it, she can do it. I like that. Happy Birthday, Myla!
Lily, Assistant Director
I know this is going to sound cheesy, but it’s hard to believe that I’ve only known Myla for a short time. She is a credit to the Middle-earth News team, and I count her among my very bestest of friends. She has the uncanny ability to make me laugh out loud in public at the most inopportune times, but it’s always totally worth it. She will hide behind one of her many scarves if you try to compliment her on her artwork, but we all know she’s brilliant. The number of times she has come through with just the right LOTR screencap to non-verbally express a feeling is really beyond count. I can honestly say that being her friend has changed me for the better, and it’s not just because I use more caps when texting.
Oloriel, Editor
If you follow Myla anywhere online, you’ll know that she is easily one of the funniest people on the news team. It is my personal belief that she actually rules the internet hilarity from behind her tumblr dashboard (and Twitter feed), and if there are some amazing gifs thrown in? So much the better. Myla, you are one of the most talented artists I know, and I wish I were half as driven, artistic, and perfectly coiffed as you. Happy birthday!
Maria, Staff Reporter
Valdis, Staff Reporter
Being the noob among the Middle-earth News staff, I am still getting to know these wonderful, brilliant, and talented people, a process that is a complete delight. It didn’t take me long at all to discover that Myla is an impressively talented artist, a great writer, and a fabulous fan. I cannot help but relate to her attachment to her Tolkien collection, and frequently laugh loudly (sometimes at inappropriate moments, like during meetings) at her completely hilarious social media comments and posts. Myla, you make the world a brighter place, and you lighten my heart. Happy birthday, and may you have a celebration of special magnificence!
The Middle-earth News Team is pleased to wish Myla a very Happy Birthday!
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