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Silver Phoenix!

May 24, 2009 | | 0 Comments

Cindy Pon has totally outdone herself by offering an amazing prize on her blog. You can either win a beautiful brush framed painting of hers or a $100 gift certificate. Totally awesome. It’s a story set in ancient China and one that is the top of my list of must buys when I go back to the States this summer.

Shoe Shopping in Seoul

May 23, 2009 | | 9 Comments

I’ve been living in Seoul for 7 years now and finally discovered SHOES!

In an area called Edea, not too far from where I live, is the best place to buy shoes. And if they don’t have your size (most of the shoes here are smaller sizes) or style, don’t worry, you can get whatever you’d like made.

Another great thing in that all the stores are in the same area, shop after shop. So if one store doesn’t have what you want, just head next door.

I think it’s funny how they are all lined up in rows, but it does make sense. If you need shoes, you just have to go to this one street. Actually, many of the vendors are this way like mirrors and pets. Need toys? Head over to Toy Alley (a tiny street of toy vendors).

So if you’re ever stopping through Seoul, come grab a coffee and we’ll go shoe shopping. There are lots of great deals to be had!

Goodbyes- So Not Fair!

May 21, 2009 | | 11 Comments

It’s shocking how long I’ve been away from Blogger! And the thing is I love blogging. It keeps me connected and I love seeing what everyone is reading and up to.

But this is May and at my school we call it May Madness. Crazy, crazy busy and it’s not even over yet. There are yearbook, grades, plays, parties, field trips, portfolios, organization, and goodbyes.

Yeah, the goodbyes, they’re the tough ones.

I’ve been overseas now for 9 years. Next year will be our 10th and I’m getting really sick of the goodbyes. It’s getting hard to let go of those friendships. You know, the ones where we have our kids together, hang out in the backyard, do Christmas’ together because our families live on the other side of the world and then bam! They’re gone.

Not fair.

I had 4 goodbye parties last week (and my husband’s soccer party too). But don’t worry, more tears ahead. I think there are at least 6 more upcoming.

So I’m sad. And hoping that maybe next year will be our last overseas for a while. Because I need some hellos. I miss my family too. And the grocery store.

So pass the tissue box. I’ll be needing it for the next few weeks as I keep saying goodbye to close friends. We’ll email and Facebook, but it’s just not the same, is it?
Note: The picture of the sunflower was taken on top of a landfill that’s now a park called Haneul Park. There are gardens, windmills and all sorts of interesting stuff there.

Happy Children’s Day!

May 6, 2009 | | 13 Comments

Yesterday was Children’s Day here in Korea. This holiday, Eorininal in Korean, is a devoted to the children of Korea.

So what might one do on this day?

Many kids dress up in their traditional clothing, the hanbok. They get special treats from their parents like favorite meals, parties, or presents. Some families choose to visit the city parks where they can play and enjoy the grassy slopes and wide spaces. Or they might watch a parade, visit the zoo or see a Taekwondo demonstration on Children’s Day.

The idea of this holiday was conceived by a man named Bhang Jung Hwan in 1923. Later it was proclaimed as a national holiday in 1975. With a minor change in the date from May 1st to May 5th , this holiday is now a central part of the Korean culture.

Of course, Koreans have used May 5th as a special day for hundreds of years. In olden times, Koreans celebrated Suri-day on May 5th. Suri-day was one of the four ancient Korean celebrations.

My family has taken up this holiday too. Over the years my boys have worn their hanboks and we usually visit World Cup Park.

This year we celebrated with friends. We had a campfire and a yummy cookout. I made hummus with pita bread and tuxedo cheesecake, my boys’ favorite treat. We had a blast!

Caleb and Luke love Children’s Day.
After all, who can resist celebrating a day made just for them?

Korean Patterns

May 4, 2009 | | 11 Comments

I find the patterns in Korean clothing, food, and architecture fascinating. When I wrote my middle grade novel on Korea, I had fun incorporating these patterns into the story.
But patterns are more than a shape or color. They convey emotions and meaning. Maybe that’s why I like them so much. There’s a sense of mystery around them and about those who created them.
This is a design of a peony pattern carved on a diagonal lattice at the Seonghyeolsa temple.

If you’ll notice, even Caleb and his friend’s hanboks have patterns on them. Clothes with colorful stripped sleeves were worn by children under seven years old. The overcoats are called obangjang durumagi. The name comes from the colors on the coat sleeve symbolizing the five directions.
How about you? Any interesting patterns you’ve noticed in your life?

I’m in a Cartoon! And Happy Korean Labor Day

May 1, 2009 | | 10 Comments

My fabulously talented critique partner, Debbie drew up a cartoon of my critique group, MiG Writers. Check it out here. Can you guess which one is me?

And my other fabulously talented critique partner, Beth, is having an amazing contest here.

And while we are celebrating, Happy May Day or if you are Korean, Happy Labor Day!!!!!

Oh the fun!!!!

Very Furry

Apr 28, 2009 | | 13 Comments

Here’s a picture of the cutest, sweetest and furriest kitty in Seoul, Korea. Please give a cheer for Misty!
Lenore posted pictures of her adorable cat and encouraged me to do the same.

When my husband and I first moved overseas to Indonesia, we brought with us our short haired Persian, Yoda (not so furry, but cute). He traveled with us to Singapore and eventually onto Korea. So he’s been around. But one night, he slipped out of our apartment, never to be seen again.

I was pregnant with Caleb at that time so I cried and cried and cried all those hormonal tears. Poor Doug went out searching in the freezing cold, night after night .

When we couldn’t find Yoda, Doug and I headed to the pet street at Dongdaemun Market here in Seoul. We came home that night with a little Persian kitty.

We named her Misty. She’s been sleeping by my side ever since.

Her nickname is Fur because, well, she’s furry!

Win! Win! Win!

Apr 27, 2009 | | 7 Comments

Check out Ellen’s most fabulous contest to win a copy of Cindy Pon’s Silver Phoenix. It’s a story set in China following the heart of a brave young girl who isn’t afraid to take on the impossible.

I don’t know about you, but I’m soooo excited to be seeing a story set in Asia!

Call for Manuscripts and Latest Contests

Apr 19, 2009 | | 9 Comments

Andrew Karre at Carolrhonda Books put out a today for MG and YA manuscripts. Here’s a quote from his blog.

“Young adult novels, particularly first-person, voice-driven YA. I’m not really interested in high fantasy, but urban and dark fantasy are in bounds. Serious realistic YA is lovely, as long as it has character. Debuts enthusiastically welcomed.”

He’s also looking for stand alone MG.

And check out here for a contest: http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2009/04/hunger-mountain-presents-katherine.html

Also, check out Blooming Tree’s latest contest.

Here are the rules:
We will be setting up a literary award named “The Bloom Award” to celebrate the life of Mildred Bloom, Matriarch of Blooming Tree Press. This award will be for unpublished authors only. Each year’s award will consist of a different genre, age group and imprint. This award WILL result in a publishing contract for one lucky winner. (Disclaimer: if all parties can come to an agreement.) “The Bloom Award” (the first) will be consist of the following:

1. Age Group: Middle Grade
2. Genre: Mystery Who-Done-It.
3. “Tire Swing” Imprint.

We are still working on the rules and details and time for submission.

Yum! Lemonade!

Apr 19, 2009 | | 13 Comments

Rena, CJ, Brenda and Stacy have given me the Lemonade Stand Award – totally cool!

I like pink and strawberry lemonade the best. If you could choose your favorite flavor, what would it be?

The Lemonade Stand Award is awarded for great Gratitude and /or Attitude…And all I have to do is follow a few simple rules:

1. Post the logo on my blog.

2. Nominate 10 blogs with great gratitude/attitude.

3. List and link my nominees. (I hate just choosing 10!)

4. Alert them of their nomination on their blog.

I know many of you already have received this award but here’s toast to all the fantastic blogs that pop by here. Cheers!

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