Grace Lin's Blog, page 38

belated Taiwan post: Taipei American School

The whole reason why we came to Taiwan was because I was invited to do a week of school visits at the Taipei American School. We had been working on this visit for 2 or 3 years, I was so glad that we were finally able to work things out and that I came. Because the school was amazing!

When I walked in there was this:


As well as other posters all over the school:


This is Pocket Pacy's favorite one:

Students also made book trailers for my books and they had them playing on repeat at the library:




And, of course, the awesome projects with my books. I loved how the whole school was involved! Not only did everyone read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,  each grade used another one of my books for a separate project:


Grade Four wrote their fortunes:


hey! this fortune came true! :)

Grade Three dissected The Red Thread, looking for conflict, climax and solution:


 Ling and Ting taught writing craft techniques  (like using dialogue and adding cliffhangers) to Grade Two:


Grade One wrote what they learned in Thanking the Moon:


And the Kindergartners made Kite Flying dragons:
And not only were the students great, everyone there was so welcoming, kind and understanding. Especially when Rain Dragon needed to let off some steam at lunch:
she loved the library sooo much, she wouldn't want to leave at the end of the day
Special thanks to Carrie (the organizer of the whole visit):


And Barbara (the hospitable librarian):



We had a wonderful time visiting the school! At the end of my presentations, I passed out a fortune cookie which had this fortune:


"An author from the United States is happy to meet you!"And it was VERY, VERY true! Thanks so much Taipei American School!

on my desk monday

As you know, I've decided that from now on I'm going to use Chinese New Year as my official holiday deadline. I need that extra time for cards, gifts and resolutions (especially the resolutions). So this year I have until January 31st to get things done!

And very appropriately,  Bringing in the New Year has come out in baby board book! Yes, the perfect format for me to teach Rain Dragon all about the Chinese New Year.  And it looks great, if I do say so myself. I think I might like it better as a board book than a picturebook!

fortune cookie friday

"He who is contented is rich."
–Lao Tzu

belated Taiwan post: sun moon lake

In Taiwan, we visited Sun Moon Lake. I admit, one of the major draws for me was the name, it just sounds so magical to me.  Our jetlag had us up before dawn, which gave us the opportunity to watch the sun rise:







Pictures to match the name, no?

Winter Fun

So, we are big fans of Maisy here.  I first got the books out of fondness for the name, but since then have really fallen in love with them.  I want to be Lucy Cousins when I grow up.


Rain Dragon, for her part, loves Maisy as much as I do.  So much so, that during the recent snowfall I made her the happiest 19 month old on the block when I made a Snow Maisy for her:

"I know you!"
"So nice to meet you, Snow Maisy!"
"Mama, it's Snow Maisy!"
"She even has a belly button!"
"hee, hee! It's really her!"
Did I mention I wanted to be Lucy Cousins when I grow up? What do you mean it's too late? 

on my desk monday

I meant it when I said I was using Chinese New Year as my holiday deadline! The Sasquatch and I are making gingerbread cookies now:


All I needed to do was shift the theme a bit:

fortune cookie friday

"Do not anxiously hope for that which is not yet come; do not vainly regret what is already past."
— Chinese proverb

Name this tune!

At the hotel in Taiwan, a violinist serenaded us during breakfast. It was Rain Dragon's first experience with a violin and she was fascinated--so much so that she watches this video over and over again. Because of this, the Sasquatch and I find ourselves humming and singing this tune all the time and it is driving us a bit mad that we don't know what song it is.  Do you know it?  If you do, please tell us as then we could start the new year without losing our minds!

on my desk monday

On my desk are an assortment of lovely holiday cards from friends and family which have shamed me. Despite my best intentions, I didn't even make Christmas cards, much less send any. But there's always Chinese New Year, right?

post for posterity

It was the first Christmas at our house! Please excuse this indulgence as I post this for posterity:

Our living room was clean for the first time in 8 months:



Menus for the dinner were planned:

Dinner was served (we were very proud!):



But no family pictures were taken...we forgot! Next year!