my mom is making a trek back to her
village in the province of guangxi next spring–
her first time back since leaving china at age five
or so. she’s been back to china since, but never
to her home village.

guangxi is where the famous and gorgeous
guilin mountains are located, immortalized by
brush painters, then tourists and their fotographs.

how i wish i can make this trek with
my mom in the spring! but it’s just not my
time yet to visit china. it’s certainly something
i’m looking forward to–especially if i can do
the month long program in hangzhou to
study chinese brush painting! the bubs are
still too little to leave for an entire month.
(and i’m not worried for the bublets, it’s the
love that would suffer, ha!)

one day… =)

did you have a good thanksgiving?
we did! we had take out thai and shanghainese
(think delicious breads and dumplings and
buns!) and i had some mini desserts catered
by extraordinary desserts which was a hit!

i watched new moon (better than twilight? but
still made me giggle and almost-snort in places
i wasn’t supposed to) and ninja assassin–not
knowing how violent it would be. yikes!

i consoled myself by trying to enjoy the non-violent
scenes where rain (yes, that’s his name!)
trains alone as raizo, the ninja assassin. i’m sorry
i couldn’t find a non-bare-torsoed foto.
okay, you’re right. i’m not sorry. haha!

i also read LIAR by justine larbalestier
and HUSH, HUSH by becca fitzpatrick during
the long weekend.

it’s my last quiet one as i have book events
the next two weekends before i fly off to
england to spend christmas with the love’s
family!

on saturday 12/5 i’ll be at the Head to Toe
Women’s Expo where the Rolling Readers
will be hosting some author readings and
signings. i’ll be reading at noon followed by
megan whalen turner at 12.30. that’s right–
i will be the OPENING ACT for MWT! =DD
haha! okay, only *i’ve* billed myself as that
but don’t tell me it’s not all sorts of awesome. =D
yahooooo! i’m so excited!!!

then on the same saturday at 5pm, i’ll be
at mysterious galaxy as one of their invited
authors for the annual holiday party. it’s my
first and i’m really looking forward to celebrating
with fellow writers and book lovers at this
fantastic bookstore!

throw in a parent teacher conference, an art
class holiday party, a playgroup holiday party,
and a date night with the love–and we’ll call it
a very full week!

before i go, two important links!
the enchanted inkpot (which i’m part of)
is giving away twenty-five YA and MG fantasy
novels (many of them signed) with a $25
powell’s giftcard thrown inf or the grand
prize winner. all you need to
do is answer a question to enter! contest ends
wednesday, december 9th.

also, tu publishing is trying to raise $10k
so it can begin buying manuscripts. the
press is focused on multicultural children’s
and young adult science fiction and fantasy.
for all those who want to support this wonderful
endeavor, you can bid at the auction or simply
donate directly.