So accomplished

Look what I remembered how to do from our 5th grade Excel tutorials! A graph! That's right, I made it meself. Since it's almost the end of the year, I've been thinking back over how 2009 has gone for me personally. I decided to quantify the year in terms of my stress level and voila, this tidy graph was born:Fortunately the level never rose to 10, which would have meant me packing my bags and moving home and hanging out with Ben & Jerry for quite some time. That would have happened come the end of August, after a summer of interviews and job rejections and not having any money to pay my rent. Fortunately, that crisis was averted.

And looky, I'm ending up at the same level as I started the year. Guess that's because this question still hasn't left my mind: What I am doing with my life?? Though honestly I feel better about it now than I did 12 months ago. What I'm really stressed about now is getting home for the holidays. I'm crossing my fingers I will arrive absurdly early at the airport only to find all the whinings about airport security lines have been greatly exaggerated, and then I will sit around waiting for my flight in restless boredom. The one time boredom is preferred over all else!

So yes, admire my mad Excel and Paint skills, and feel free to speculate on the highs (STRESS!) and lows (CALMMMM) that was my 2009.

China, China, Maine

If I posted reviews about the books I have read, would anyone read/care? Well this here post is a trial to see what would happen, based on the last three books I have read in the last month. [Note: FTC disclosure or whatever: I got these books from the library. And my mom. And no one told me to write about them. The end.]


Over Thanksgiving break, while I sat in the airport as my flight was delayed and delayed and delayed, I finished this little lighthearted romp. Just kidding (not about the flight delay). It was mad depressing. And yet it had a happy and touching ending, so I guess that made up for the 300 pages of heartbreak and physical abuse and soul crushing soul-crushingness? Hmmm... Not really.

Of course the majority of the novel is set during the Chinese-Japanese war and the subsequent take over of the Communists, so it's bound to be hard times for everyone. But most particularly for Winnie, who is married to this UTTERLY MALEVOLENT man and he is so horrible to her that she has to hide her entire past from her daughter, who has grown up in the States and therefore led a completely different life than anything her mother experienced. Thus the silence and the tension, which Winnie decides to break and then boy does she let it all pour out. I think I liked this better than the Joy Luck Club because it was easier to follow and more detailed with just one narrative, but on the other hand it does kind of drag with all the TERRIBLE DEPRESSINGNESS at times.

Let's move on to another tale of China, this one about underpants. That's right. One Kiwi journalist decided to make it his personal mission to travel to China and search out the factories/people/companies that really make up all the components of a single pair of underpants, bought in the Western world but made in China (duh). He falls into the same traps that all journalists do when they write a singular nonfiction work about China: he throws in as much modern Chinese history as possible, even though he has never really studied China except to write this book. Oh well, I just skim over all that because a) I already know it and b) I'd rather just read about the underpants.

So there are some funny bits in here about his struggles with chopsticks and complete lack of mastery over the Chinese language, but most of it just serves as a reminder for how much the Western world (yes ok fine I am extrapolating him to represents all Westerners) just doesn't get China. And doesn't really try to, for that matter. And even when they try, they mostly fail. I enjoyed this book because at least the author is self reflective and realizes these patterns, and comes away with a great deal more respect for the Chinese than he went in with (sort of... since basically he went in with a base prejudicial fear (again, like most Westerners)). Anyway it just made me want to read Factory Girls and get the real dirt on how Chinese workers live out their lives in factory conditions. Oh and it made me want to go back to Shanghai and eat.

Lastly: about as far from China as you can get. Mom gave this to me for the plane ride back to NY but I ended up making it my subway read this week. And got done with it much quicker than anticipated, due to be stuck on the train for 2 HOURS one night on the way home from work. Gahhhhh.

Anyway, what Mom shouldn't have told me was that the author originally wrote a bunch of short stories, realized there was a reoccurring character in these stories, and then decided to string them together into a novel. Because that's all I could think of as I read this! And I like novels and I like short stories (sometimes) but I don't like short story collections masquerading as novels. So I was ultimately left wanting more. Like, if you name your novel after a character then s/he better be all over that novel. (I had this problem with Oliver Twist and now it will never go away). And the chapters I most enjoyed were the ones with Olive... so why was her story interspersed with all these other stories of random people that I didn't care about and who never reoccurred? It kind of disrupted my reading. They all had similar themes of misunderstood relationships and lots of emotional anguish (all very well written, so it was enjoyable to read even though it was quite sad) but sometimes I was just like, meh I could've done without that chapter.

Oh and DON'T READ THE READING GROUP STUFF AT THE END. Why is that there? Obviously any reading group that selects this novel is going to be savvy enough to think of their own discussion questions, and laugh at the silly suggestions in the back. So, fail on Random House. And I'm still conflicted about the format of this one, so overall not a 5/5.

If you've made it this far, congratulations, you get a fingertag. Also you get my advice to watch Community, even though I just referenced 30 Rock. Go! You will not be disappointed, especially by the holiday episode. And in conclusion: I should probably read some happy novels now. Feel free to buy me something humorous for Christmas.

Christmastime means

goodies in the workplace, I've discovered! So far we have brownies and Harry and David treats courtesy of our wonderful clients. Oh man, I'm starting to like this aspect of December. But all the presents serve as a reminder that I still need to buy gifts FOR EVERYONE. Gah I am behind. No worries, I have plans to attend a sample sale and scope out a bookstore tonight, so hopefully I will get some people crossed off my list.

I honestly did not realize that December is almost already over... kinda. But it's going by fast and that means the year is almost over and that means the DECADE is almost over and I totally didn't grasp that fact until like a week ago. Well the first decade of every century is bad, right? I'm crossing my fingers it only get better from here, meaning that all areas in life improve, for everyone! That's not an impossible wish, right? Let's start with the publishing industry getting back on its feet and embracing change (aka the digital age), and I'm sure others will follow (ie healthcare reform, employment rates, environmental protection etc). I am optimistic and slightly terrified. Optimistically terrified.

Is it too early for New Year's resolutions? I figure the earlier I commit to them and starting putting them into practice, the better off I'll be. So hear goes:
1. Be healthier. [Except not during the holidays, they don't count. I'll stop eating cookies in January, I swear.]
2. Write more.
3. Be less of a Grandma. [This is for Cynthia and may be difficult to accomplish during the months of January and February, when all I want to do is hibernate. But I promise to make an effort.]

That's good enough for now, right? I mean if the list gets too long it's just impractical, so I'll stick to these and really focus on them. Although now that I think about it, #3 might actually be a direct contradiction to #1... hmmmm.... we shall see.

Friday, right before lunch

seems like a good time to update. So how has my week been? In terms of health: terrible! Somehow (flu shot + plane ride = my theory) I came down with a head cold Monday night and have been fighting it all week. Luckily last night I discovered that vodka is a good remedy, and today I am feeling much better. Just kidding. But not really.

Explanation: last night we had cocktails after work and I had a little bit of vod mixed with lots of mixers. And I had a cup of tea. And then this morning I could actually get out of bed without feeling like death. So take that, head cold. Also Dayquil, you fail.

Backing up a day-- on Wednesday night there was the tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center. Naturally, I got out of here as fast as possible and retreated to the warmth of a friend's apt to watch the show on TV. Which was much better because it meant not standing in the cold and rain pressed up against 100,000 tourists (allegedly... I don't know how 100,000 people could actually fit in the space around the rink here). And we ate turkey! Kwangs decided to treat us to Thanksgiving v2.0 and it was quite delicious. Unfortunately it did not prove to be the cure for the common cold. Andddd I might have infected J. Oops.

The other thing I wanted to rant about is books. Mainly this week's bestselling books. Now, I missed the lists from last week on account of leaving early for the holidays but I think that was a good thing, because otherwise I would have gone home in a funk about not only the stupid airlines (delayed of course >:( !!) but also about women writers today. That's right, I'm talking to you Stephenie Meyer and Sarah Palin! Somehow they are both allllll over the best seller lists and it just makes me sad. I want to be proud of women writers (esp after the whole PW best books of 2009 debacle) but I just... can't be happy for these two. Sarah Palin is... Sarah Palin and I don't even know where to begin. Stephenie Meyer has, in my opinion, created one of the worst female protagonists in modern literature and yet young girls eat her crap up! Obviously this is because of her stunningly perfect male protagonist but COME ON. How hard have women worked to get to a point where we are respected as smart, strong, independent etc and then along comes this Twilight mess. Basically: bad writing + misogynistic storyline = feminist fail. Whyyyy Stephenie Meyer and general female public whyyyy.

Ok rant over. Now I would like to praise the weather for being so not-Decemberish the past couple days. Please stay just the way you are. 50 degrees is a perfectly acceptable winter temperature, thanks.

Starstruck

Whew, I just did a pilates workout and am now cooling down. I added a yoga DVD to my amazon wishlist for Christmas. Trying to be healthier, one baby step at a time.

Cynthia and I went to see Jonathan Safran Foer read at BN tonight. He's got a new book out that's stirring up some controversy because WOW he says he doesn't eat meat (actually I think he's full vegan) anymore and NEITHER SHOULD YOU. Well I didn't think there was much new there, seeing as I already read Fast Food Nation, but I bet this book has some pretty prose. In any case, I hope he sticks to novels in the future.

Anyway, there I was saving a seat for Cynthia and getting antsy bc she was late and they were making people give up their seats for all the other people waiting. Of course 2 mins after the mean guy makes me let some other lady sit next to me Cynthia calls to say she had arrived. She had to stand in the back :( But somehow her eagle celebrity spotting eyes saw Natalie Portman arrive and sit in the front row, so that was exciting. By the time Mr Foer was finished I was over my bout of anger and that world and while not laughing heartily at his jokes, at least appreciating his well-spoken arguments on behalf of vegetables everywhere.

But here's where the starstruck part comes in. As I go to meet Cynthia in the back, Natalie Portman gets up to come meet a friend back there and walks right in front of us. Cynthia called out "Natalie we love you!" and asked for a picture, but she quickly declined. SAD. Then she tried to go back to the front but the security dude wouldn't let her. I thought it was hilarious because he was like, "Are you in publishing?" and she was like "No I just need to go tell me friends that I'm leaving" and I thought "Wow, the only time being in publishing would get you something and being a celebrity is not working so well." HAH. Well then the manager came up and of course let her through and afterwards was like "That was Natalie!" The security guy totally didn't care and still didn't know what that meant. Lawls.

Then we spent some time dithering as she talked to a friend and a couple people came up to talk to her but eventually we decided just to go. LE SIGH. This ALWAYS happens to me. I should just stop meeting famous people, because I ALWAYS get tongue-tied or can't find the courage to say anything and then I am SO MAD AT MYSELF later on. I should have gone up to her and just said, "Hey I really loved you on Top Chef and just so you know, I came for Jonathan because he's one of my favorite writers, but seeing you is an extra bonus. K bye!" But instead I was the awkward girl who stood in the corner whispering to her friend and laughing that the guard wanted to know if she was in publishing.

Morale of my story: celebrities are best observed from afar. For me, at least. Good thing I'm not in PR or anything.

Back by popular demand

Let's just skip all those other weeks in October and start with an update from this past week. It's November now! It's cold! There is a mouse still presumably hiding in our kitchen and refusing to eat the sweet sweet poison that we have set out for it. I read on the interwebs that mice don't like the smell of peppermint, so now our apartment smells very strongly of peppermint oil. It clears the sinuses! It stimulates the senses! But really I just hope it is to mice what garlic is to vampires, you know?

On Sunday I had a lunch rendezvous with Cathy (visiting from DC) and we went to a Korean place on St Mark's called Bon Chon for some fried chicken. Now, this was not your ordinary KFC FC (unless KFC stands for Korean frickin crazydelicious). One bite and I knew I would be back for more. Indeed I have been thinking about it all week. Maybe the C should stand for crackilicious instead. Oh also it was good to see Cathy, haha.

Wednesday one of Cynthia's former classmates had a book launch party at the Taschen store in Soho. We went, along with all of RISD, and it was really nice. The book was something like "design for Obama" and somehow co-authored by Spike Lee, so he was there! Unfortunately I took too long getting up the courage to ask him for a picture/authograph, so by the time we shuffled up to the table he was leaving :( For the Yankees game, apparently. Oh well, then Cynthia and I went to get noodles in Chinatown and all was well.

Last night went to Mooncake with the usual crew and got some Sapporo with our dinner. Then J and I went home to do pilates even though Gaodi warned us not to exercise with alcohol in our bellies. I think it was fine though because I have yet to feel sore. Tonight we are having a party at our office for one of our authors and lots of important publishing people are coming. Eep! I hope it goes well. In any case, can't complain about free drinks on a Friday evening. I should probably go study the guest list now and try to memorize people's titles.

Will try to post pics next time, promise!

happy mid-autumn festival/national day

As I was walking home from work today I saw this Chinese man who I often see walking his two dogs (one is a pomeranian and the other Pekinese). His dogs were all play-biting with each other and I started imaging a scenario in which I went over and said "ah, ni de xiao gou zhende ke'ai!" and then proceeded to have a little conversation in my head in Chinese as I made my way to my apartment.

I sometimes have to moments where I just really, really want to have a conversation with a Chinese person and go through the familiar exchange of, me: "anything-in-chinese", them: "oh you speak chinese! you speak so well," me: "nali, nali..." etc. Rather boring, really, but it has a familiarity to it that is soothing and used to be so much a part of my everyday life.

I think because it's fall (and I've finally got around to putting up my pictures from China in a collage on my wall) that I'm feeling nostalgic for the good PRofC. I realized that this time one year ago I would have been on a train back to Beijing from Nanjing, after having spent a crazy and fun filled long weekend in Shanghai (we had to take a train to Nanjing from Shanghai bc all the ticket back to Beijing from Shanghai were sold out because of (surprise!) the holiday day). And the sight that greeted us when we got back to Beijing was hundreds of thousands of people descending on Tiananmen Square to pay homage to... the ugly government buildings? Mao's mausoleum? The hugest public space in the world with a very sketchy history?

But enough with the memories. I know now that the main reason I am so nostalgic for China is not the country itself, but the people that shared the experience with me. Friends combined with an exciting new city and culture and language is the best possible mix. I think if I were to go back anytime soon I would be longing for a camaraderie that can't be recreated and best lives on in the moments captured by our cameras, or when we get together and retell stories. I feel so so lucky that all the elements were working in my favor last fall, and only hope that someday I can return to China to revisit acquaintances and see some places that I did not have time to discover. But in the meantime, We'll always have Beijing.