Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 26
July 6, 2018
Number One New Release
Hi All,
Just a quick reminder that Brave New Girls: Heroines Who Hack is out now! This anthology of teen heroines has already hit #1 for New Release in Children’s Steampunk Books.
Pick up a copy for yourself or your favorite adolescent! Proceeds go to the scholarship fund through the Society of Women Engineers.
July 4, 2018
June 25, 2018
I Got a Literary Agent!
“Do what you love and the necessary resources will follow.”
This is just a quick post to say that I have a literary agent! I’m super excited to be represented by Jessica Faust at BookEnds.
Fun fact: I have a binder of literary agent rejections (est. 2009).
June 22, 2018
Foodie Friday: Arepas
I love being part of a writers’ group. One of my friends there, Lisbeth Coiman, is Venezuelan. I had the luxury of being treated to her home-cooked arepas.
Arepas: tasty “pancakes” made with maize dough
I don’t quite know how to describe these puffy bits of dough. They’re maybe akin to pupusas and have a biscuit-like texture. However, they’re not flaky. There’s a heartiness to them as you bite in.
Arepas can act like bread, and you make sandwiches with them. A lot of times, the interior ingredients are savory: beans, rice, etc. I think they make great snacks or meals, with their yummy hint of corn flavor.
Fun fact: Arepas have been found in archaeological sites in Colombia and Venezuela.
June 13, 2018
Mercado La Paloma
“You are broad minded and socially active.”
I love living in Los Angeles because of its multitude of cultures. One lively gathering place is the Mercado La Paloma. This area in the South Figueroa Corridor historically suffers from a lack of business opportunities and community spaces.
The Esperanza Community Housing Corp decided to renovate an old garment factory to revitalize the area, and this project finished in 2001. The Mercado La Paloma is now home to yummy eateries and unique retail stores.
When I visited, I ate at Chichen Itza, a restaurant that serves top-notch Yucatan dishes. In fact, Gilberto Cetina, the chef and owner, has been recognized as one of the top Latino chefs in the country by GQ and Hispanic Magazine. Look at the photo below, and you’ll see why!
Poc chuc
Fun fact: La paloma means “the dove,” a universal symbol of peace and love.
June 6, 2018
June 1, 2018
Foodie Friday: Bird’s Nest Soup
Bird’s nest soup: Broth made using the saliva of birds
Bird’s nest soup is a delicacy. It can cost a fortune to obtain the saliva that makes up the nest of these special birds. The bird is a swiftlet, a type of swallow. It lives in coastal caves in Southeast Asia. People nowadays also farm these birds to obtain the nests.
Bird’s nest must be soaked overnight to properly cook. The next day, it is made into a simple broth, often with just the addition of a bit of rock sugar. Hailed for its nutritional benefits (better immune system and increased strength), it’s considered a Chinese delicacy.
The soup itself tastes quite bland. There is no flavoring except what is added to the broth. The cooked bird’s nest provides a thick texture, creating a dish akin to egg drop soup.
What interesting delicacies have you tried?
May 23, 2018
May 14, 2018
Pre-Orders!
Hi All,
The sci-fi anthology I’m a part of is ready for pre-orders! Remember: this anthology features teen girl heroines. Plus, the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for the Society of Women Engineers.
Order today to help current and future science and tech leaders!
The following retailers can be used:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWM3FMK/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1128616257
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/brave-new-girls-tales-of-heroines-who-hack
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1381293779
Playster: https://play.playster.com/books/10009781540179197/brave-new-girls-tales-of-heroines-who-hack-mary-fan
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/378399982/Brave-New-Girls-Tales-of-Heroines-Who-Hack-Brave-New-Girls
May 7, 2018
Renn Faire
“You will step on many soils of many countries.”
Yes, I’ve been living in L.A. for years, but I never visited the Renaissance Faire until now.
Located in a vast recreational area in Irwindale, the official name is The Renaissance Pleasure Faire. I admit it. The word “pleasure” threw me off, and I wondered if the festival would be too risque for me. Well, there is a pub crawl and corseted ladies walking about, but it was actually quite family-friendly when I went.
Festival-goers dressed up to the hilt. Some costumes were quite elaborate, especially the folks who went as knights in shining armor. My favorite, though, was a pair who came as Shrek and Fiona.
I had a lot of fun as the vendors stayed in character and spoke in olde English. The whole festival is supposed to take place in Elizabethan times in the made-up waterfront town of Port Deptford. I did, in fact, spy the queen several times throughout the day.
The food at the festival is standard carnival fare. However, they changed up the names to reflect more antiquated times. I quite liked eating and saying the dish, “Steak on a Stake.”
Here are a few fun photos from my day:
Sprite sighting! These silent and beautiful creatures wandered the grounds.
Jenga by sword
Jousting–my favorite event!
Fire eater!
Aerialist
I had a lot of fun. Huzzah!
