Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 51
July 6, 2015
Chinese Calligraphy
“Someone in your life needs a letter from you.”
The other day my daughter told me she was impressed by cursive writing. She likes the fancy swirls and loops connecting all the letters together. In the same way, I’m in awe of the calligraphy artist.
I tried several times during my childhood to imitate the flowing strokes. I had my own brushes and ink well, but I always seemed to fall short. There is so much skill involved in holding the brush at the correct angle and applying the right amount of pressure.
Chinese letters are so visual, which each character embedding symbols in its structure. Chinese calligraphy has been traced to even the earliest times in the country’s history. It’s no wonder that in ancient China, scholars actually were considered the elite and held many positions of power.
Did you know that you can make your own Chinese calligraphy letters using this website?
July 3, 2015
Foodie Friday First: Kalua Pork Pizza
I ate my first slice of…
Kalua pork pizza: tender smoked pork on pizza
Summertime reminds me of lazy days at the beach. I remember going to Kauai for my honeymoon. The water there was amazing–so sparkling and toasty warm. A lot of people spotted sea turtles while snorkeling (but not me!).
While there, I went to a luau. They served kalua pork, smoking a whole pig in the sand. It was wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over koa wood.
Kalua pork is very tender, but it offers an overpowering smoky flavor. Honestly, I wasn’t that enamored with it. But when I tried the pork on a pizza recently, I thought it made the best taste combo. The pork was paired with BBQ sauce, which created a tangy sweet flavoring that was irresistible.
Fun fact: I took hula lessons and danced for a few years.
June 29, 2015
You’re Invited to a Party!
What’s the fun part about launching a book? A party. Here are some highlights from the launch of my debut novel, The 228 Legacy:
Cupcakes
Fun raffle
Kids’ crafts
Reader testimonials
Yummy snacks
What’s not to love? I even got to connect with online buddies (thanks, Linda!) and reconnect with old high school friends (thanks, Paul!).
So here’s your official invite for my next party in honor of Seniors Sleuth. So Cal folks, come join the fun!
Book signing with Carole Sojka at:
Book Carnival
Saturday, July 25, 2015 3:00pm
348 S. Tustin Street
Orange, CA 92866
June 26, 2015
Foodie Friday: Fresh Coconut Water
Coconut water: the yummy liquid inside a young coconut shell
My favorite drink for the summertime? Coconut water. It’s actually known for keeping the body cool and regulating temperature.
There are benefits to drinking it, like the fact that it’s low in sugar. It’s also anti-viral and anti-microbial, making it a great elixir to battle against sickness. While growing up, I drank the canned version. There was an Asian grocery store right next to our family restaurant. I loved sneaking over to their refrigerated case and getting the juice with chunks of coconut in it.
As I’ve grown older, though, I don’t like the manufactured kind. I prefer the fresh version because there’s something addictive about the combination of tender coconut meat and the slightly sweet water. (Interested in how to open a young coconut? Watch this video.)
The nice thing about coconuts is that they can be harvested year-round. The trees can bloom up to thirteen times a year, constantly yielding fruit. And an average harvest yields 60 coconuts!
Fun fact: The word “coconut” comes from the Portuguese or Spanish coco, meaning “monkey face.”
June 22, 2015
Got Scammed?
“Beware of an offer that sounds too good to be true.”
Giant chocolate? Nope. Seat cushion.
I think we’ve all heard about money schemes involving older adults. Prizes are promised in “enter to win” notices (and the actual terms and conditions are written in fine print).
Nowadays, there are dangerous Internet lurkers. Online dating sites have been a ripe opportunity for those ready to lure in unsuspecting seniors. People masquerading as potential love interests ask the elderly for their money.
I’ve been a victim of several scams myself because I’m so gullible. My most recent iffy encounter was with a woman wandering a parking lot near a grocery store. She said she wanted money for food for her kids. I didn’t see any children around, but I thought: What if she truly needs assistance? I keep a bundle of restaurant gift cards around for just this reason, so I gave one to her–along with a little cash. But who knows what her real story was?
The disturbing part about scammers is that they hurt the victims (of course) and themselves (by perpetuating a cheating lifestyle). Furthermore, scams actually harm society because we turn into harsher and more suspicious people.
Have you ever been scammed?
June 19, 2015
Foodie Friday: Chive Pockets
Chive pockets: dough pastries filled with Chinese leeks
The key ingredient in chive pockets are the leeks. These pastries are bursting to the seams with this aromatic herb, also known as garlic chives. Yes, the plant has a very powerful aroma. It’s got a very biting taste, so I would caution using less rather than more when cooking with it. Here’s a lovely recipe for chive pockets.
If you want to go organic, you can even grow your own leeks. They can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions. In fact, my mom used to grow clumps of them in her garden. Just make sure to divide and replant them every three years or so.
Fun fact: I grew up eating scrambled eggs with chives.
June 15, 2015
Flower Arranging, Ikebana-Style
“Your efforts are budding–results will appear soon.”
Ikebana (literally translated as “flowers kept alive”) is the art of Japanese flower arranging. Originating in Japan, the art form spread to Taiwan during their period of Japanese rule. Ikebana uses symbolism in its organization, particularly stressing the connection between nature and humanity.
Traits of ikebana include:
emphasis on line and form
focus on stems and leaves, not just petals
long-term tradition, having evolved over seven centuries
minimalism in its display
two basis styles–shallow vase and tall vase
Fun fact: Ikebana is often done in silence
June 12, 2015
Foodie Friday First: Chowder Fries
I tried my first taste of…
Chowder fries: French fries smothered in hearty clam chowder
During my first official job after college, my colleague introduced me to eating French fries–dipped in mayonnaise. (She told me it’s a European thing.)
Although I still prefer ketchup, I can see why she enjoyed the creamy consistency. It gives a nice contrast to the crispy friedness. Plus, there’s the added plus of fatty flavor.
How did I feel about eating chowder fries? It’s a hearty, filling appetizer that really highlights the smoothness and seafood appeal of clam chowder. A thumbs-up from me (but only for special sea-craving times).
Have you tried chowder fries?
June 8, 2015
KDP Select Free (or 5000 copies)
“Consider gain and loss, but never be greedy and everything will be all right.”
It’s been an amazing journey self-publishing my Winston Wong cozy mystery. A truism of self-publishing is that e-books sell better than print copies. With that being said, let’s delve into digital sales…
KDP Select: Yes or No?
Being a part of KDP Select means that you will sell your e-books only through them for a select period of time (90 days at a time, with an option for renewal after). The pros are: 1) Amazon is a big e-seller, 2) Amazon rankings and reviews really influence potential customers, and 3) Amazon has special promotional tools for KDP Select (Free and Countdown). The giant con is: You get locked into Amazon for all digital sales.
So I decided yes and implemented their…
Free Promotional Tool
You get five “free” days where your books can be given out gratis. This time can be split up in any number of ways across each 90-day window when you’re enrolled in KDP Select (e.g. 1 day, 2 days…5 days in a row).
What I Did
I went for the two-day special. I advertised in bargain e-newsletters to highlight the deal that ran on May 26th and May 27th. (I decided on two days because I heard that one day didn’t give enough of a boost, and five was too long.) Special thanks goes out to C.M. Skiera who provided great book promotion links!
Results
I found my freebie book featured on sites, like Ask David, Awesomegang, Book-circle, ebookasaurus.com, ebooklister, itswritenow, theereadercafe, and Readcheaply. I received about 5000 downloads, which resulted in a definite spike in sales (~70) and borrows. It’s also netted a few new reviews on my Amazon page.
Conclusion
There is an ongoing debate on whether authors should give away their work. Is it helpful to boost sales? Or does it devalue the profession?
For me, I thought it was beneficial just to get my name out there and increase visibility.
What do you think about free books?
June 5, 2015
Foodie Friday: Sesame Ball
Sesame ball: fried pastry coated with sesame seeds
The jin deui is a type of Chinese pastry made from glutinous rice flour that’s shaped into a little sphere. It’s often found in dim sum eateries. Although it’s puffed up, the inside area of the ball is quite hollow, except for a smattering of sweetness. The filling is usually either lotus paste or sweet black bean. Cooking sesame balls requires intense concentration because you need to constantly turn the pastries to ensure the proper expansion.
Fun fact: Similar round sesame treats can be found in other Asian countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
