Grace Lin's Blog, page 57
December 23, 2012
Sunday Chinese School
Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!Today's word is:
star
xīngxīng
星星
December 21, 2012
fortune cookie friday
"Giving your child a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold."
-Chinese Proverb
December 19, 2012
making cookies
It's my annual baking bonanza! I am an enthusiastic baker (notice that I did not say good or skilled) but I find I rarely have time to do so except for special occasions. However, I was so enamored by the mooncake cookies that were made for the Starry River Booklaunch that I felt like I had to make my own. And holiday treat making was the perfect excuse!
Along with the Sasquatch's mom (Mother Sasquatch?), Saquatch's sister (Sister Sasquatch?) came to help me out:
Mother Sasquatch clued me in on the secret to perfect mooncake cookies-- the adjustable rolling pin! It's rather amazing. The rolling pin doesn't allow you to roll your dough thinner than your chosen thickness so all your cookies are uniform:
But, the real magic (and fun) was using the mooncake molds:
Look how pretty they are!
But I have to admit, I love packaging:
I am particularly in love with my label. It's become an inspiration for a new baby book idea. I really hope it works because I ♥ it!
So, next time when students ask me where I get my ideas, I'll tell them I get them from baking cookies!
Along with the Sasquatch's mom (Mother Sasquatch?), Saquatch's sister (Sister Sasquatch?) came to help me out:
Mother Sasquatch clued me in on the secret to perfect mooncake cookies-- the adjustable rolling pin! It's rather amazing. The rolling pin doesn't allow you to roll your dough thinner than your chosen thickness so all your cookies are uniform:
But, the real magic (and fun) was using the mooncake molds:
Look how pretty they are!
But I have to admit, I love packaging:
I am particularly in love with my label. It's become an inspiration for a new baby book idea. I really hope it works because I ♥ it!
So, next time when students ask me where I get my ideas, I'll tell them I get them from baking cookies!
December 18, 2012
tradition
It's definitely that time of year! Things have been crazy, at least for me as I've been finding the baby + book balance a hard juggle. But I made time for what has become a little tradition--having a booth at the RISD sale!
However, I barely made it. I packed late and set up in a sleepy stupor. The booth was far from a thing of beauty-- wrinkled tablecloths, no display (I forgot to bring the hooks for the prints) and low stock. But I was so bedraggled I couldn't even complain--I was just grateful to be there!
I decided to rely on Rain Dragon to liven up the booth, anyway. She had a great time at the sale, smiling at people and looking at all the neat things:
you can still get this cute dragon onesie, though I heard that they will be gone soon...This year, they gave my good friend Anna Alter the booth next to me which was really nice. Her beautiful booth attracted a lot of people who wandered over to mine, causing brisk sales:
I didn't purchase much from other booths like I have in years past, even though there were a plethora of amazing things. I have to save up money for our big move and I am kind of hoping that if there is an surplus I can splurge and buy this light for Rain Dragon's bedroom.
Afterwards it was the 2nd part of the tradition, meeting up with some of my blue rose girls. When you work at home, it's hard to make friends and I feel so lucky that my little circle of friends is still intact--even as we move around and make additions:
this year with a blue rose baby!Until next year!
However, I barely made it. I packed late and set up in a sleepy stupor. The booth was far from a thing of beauty-- wrinkled tablecloths, no display (I forgot to bring the hooks for the prints) and low stock. But I was so bedraggled I couldn't even complain--I was just grateful to be there!
I decided to rely on Rain Dragon to liven up the booth, anyway. She had a great time at the sale, smiling at people and looking at all the neat things:
you can still get this cute dragon onesie, though I heard that they will be gone soon...This year, they gave my good friend Anna Alter the booth next to me which was really nice. Her beautiful booth attracted a lot of people who wandered over to mine, causing brisk sales:
I didn't purchase much from other booths like I have in years past, even though there were a plethora of amazing things. I have to save up money for our big move and I am kind of hoping that if there is an surplus I can splurge and buy this light for Rain Dragon's bedroom.Afterwards it was the 2nd part of the tradition, meeting up with some of my blue rose girls. When you work at home, it's hard to make friends and I feel so lucky that my little circle of friends is still intact--even as we move around and make additions:
this year with a blue rose baby!Until next year!
December 17, 2012
on my desk monday
On my desk (table) is this year's very small Christmas tree. It's been so busy and our place has been so crowded (which is why we are moving) that we couldn't find the time or space for a real tree, much less make special ornaments like years past. Believe me, I feel the shame! Poor Rain Dragon, her first Christmas tree is so puny.
Lucky for us, this year the Concord Museum decided to feature my book Bringing in the New Year for one of their Family Trees and we were able to pretend ownership of that:
Didn't they do a great job with it? Even the dragon on top was hand-made!
But I don't think Rain Dragon was fooled:
but she still liked it!
Lucky for us, this year the Concord Museum decided to feature my book Bringing in the New Year for one of their Family Trees and we were able to pretend ownership of that:
Didn't they do a great job with it? Even the dragon on top was hand-made!
But I don't think Rain Dragon was fooled:
but she still liked it!
December 16, 2012
Sunday Chinese School
Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!Today's word is:
shopping
gòuwù
購物
December 15, 2012
cherish
Like everyone else, I've been extremely sad about the school shooting in CT. It's touched me deeper than other tragic new stories of late not only because I am such a new mom but also because I am(or was) scheduled to visit Sandy Hook school--that same school-- in May. It was planned for the whole school to be reading my book in March. I am so heartbroken to think of the little hands that will never touch any books again.
Recently, I've been so worried about how to juggle things--work, the new house, moving, the baby. It's been stressful and sometimes I have found myself scratching my head, trying to figure out how I got myself into all of this. But when I hear about events like this or remember Robert, I realize how lucky I am-- how honored I am-- to have all these complications and how much I have to cherish.
Recently, I've been so worried about how to juggle things--work, the new house, moving, the baby. It's been stressful and sometimes I have found myself scratching my head, trying to figure out how I got myself into all of this. But when I hear about events like this or remember Robert, I realize how lucky I am-- how honored I am-- to have all these complications and how much I have to cherish.
December 14, 2012
one more star for Starry River!
Library Media Connection just honored Starry River of the Sky with another (this makes six!) starred review! They say, "The writing and themes are lovely and readers feel the story long after it has ended…with the layers of myth, folklore, and superb storytelling, readers will be moved. Read this book; share this book; send Grace Lin a thank you card for sharing this story." WOW!
(By the way, today is the last day to order autographed copies!)
(By the way, today is the last day to order autographed copies!)
fortune cookie friday
"Cheap things are not good, good things are not cheap."
-Chinese Proverb
December 13, 2012
adventures with babies at book events
Considering our event in PA, I've been pretty nervous about my schedule. I've been sifting through the calendar trying to figure out what must be canceled, what could be rearranged and what must be borne. Because Rain Dragon seemed to have reached her limit.
And the bookclub meeting for the FCB was an event that we'd have to get though, I decided. Not only did I really want to meet the readers of Starry River of the Sky, the event was a "friendraiser" for the FCB--to help build awareness of their program of bringing in authors to visit low-income schools, a program I feel very strongly about. So, off we went.
It was not a fortuitous start, however, because as soon as we arrived Rain Dragon had a magnificent pooptastic diaper causing us to have to wipe her whole body down and discard her clothes. We had forgotten to replace the spare outfit in the diaper bag (used it in PA!) and were forced to bring her to the event naked:
Rain Dragon is embarrassed that now everyone knows she had a big poopie diaper
Fortunately, the Super-Librarian Christian Porter lived close by and grabbed an outfit for us:
Yay!Because it was time for the book club meeting! Even though they had warned me it was 75 people, I had thought it would be 25 kids at a table with their parents in the back. Instead it was full room, beautifully adorned with a theme of purple and stars--just like the book:
Unfortunately, that meant my little show and tell of small sketches was rather a dud (should've brought the powerpoint presentation!) but my ol' reliable draw-along of a tiger didn't fail me:
And all this time, how was Rain Dragon doing? She was actually very quiet and content. It helped that the Park School Library is a really amazing space:
looking at fish
playing around--she's learned to crawl!After my drawing demonstration, it was time for book group discussions. The FCB helped start the groups going with some prompts:
aren't these great questions?
And after the discussions, it was Q&A with yours truly. However, by this time Rain Dragon wanted to see what everyone was talking about and insisted on being a prominent observer:
I had to hold her the whole time I answered questions, but she was very good & quiet while I did so. It was only when I tried to pass her off to the Sasquatch when she protested!
This continued even during the signing:
I want to sign, too! But, all things considering, it was a great event. It helped that everyone was so patient and understanding--it renewed my hope for my future events. But most of all, I loved seeing and meeting all the readers of Starry River of the Sky! Thank you, FCB, for sponsoring! Thank you, Librarian Christian Porter, for Rain Dragon's emergency outfit!Thank you, Park School, for hosting! Thank you, readers, for coming!
and Rain Dragon says, "Thank you for the balloon!"
And the bookclub meeting for the FCB was an event that we'd have to get though, I decided. Not only did I really want to meet the readers of Starry River of the Sky, the event was a "friendraiser" for the FCB--to help build awareness of their program of bringing in authors to visit low-income schools, a program I feel very strongly about. So, off we went.
It was not a fortuitous start, however, because as soon as we arrived Rain Dragon had a magnificent pooptastic diaper causing us to have to wipe her whole body down and discard her clothes. We had forgotten to replace the spare outfit in the diaper bag (used it in PA!) and were forced to bring her to the event naked:
Rain Dragon is embarrassed that now everyone knows she had a big poopie diaperFortunately, the Super-Librarian Christian Porter lived close by and grabbed an outfit for us:
Yay!Because it was time for the book club meeting! Even though they had warned me it was 75 people, I had thought it would be 25 kids at a table with their parents in the back. Instead it was full room, beautifully adorned with a theme of purple and stars--just like the book:
Unfortunately, that meant my little show and tell of small sketches was rather a dud (should've brought the powerpoint presentation!) but my ol' reliable draw-along of a tiger didn't fail me:
And all this time, how was Rain Dragon doing? She was actually very quiet and content. It helped that the Park School Library is a really amazing space:
looking at fish
playing around--she's learned to crawl!After my drawing demonstration, it was time for book group discussions. The FCB helped start the groups going with some prompts:
aren't these great questions?And after the discussions, it was Q&A with yours truly. However, by this time Rain Dragon wanted to see what everyone was talking about and insisted on being a prominent observer:
I had to hold her the whole time I answered questions, but she was very good & quiet while I did so. It was only when I tried to pass her off to the Sasquatch when she protested!This continued even during the signing:
I want to sign, too! But, all things considering, it was a great event. It helped that everyone was so patient and understanding--it renewed my hope for my future events. But most of all, I loved seeing and meeting all the readers of Starry River of the Sky! Thank you, FCB, for sponsoring! Thank you, Librarian Christian Porter, for Rain Dragon's emergency outfit!Thank you, Park School, for hosting! Thank you, readers, for coming!
and Rain Dragon says, "Thank you for the balloon!"
