No, this is not my writers' group....just A writer's group. Though the wine is not a half-bad idea...

I was so excited to attend my screenwriters' group last night, for the first time in over six months. Boo-yah to Jeremy for caring for the kids so I could go! Talking about movies really energized me. And that's not all we talked about...a new member, Sarah, brought a unique treat--a 60-second commercial script she did for her marketing firm. The product? Male enhancement.

And did we ever have a good time with that. We had a lively debate about marketing strategies for these types of products. A favorite: "What's up with the Cialis commercial, where the couple's in the twin outdoor bathtubs? I mean, who does that?!"

A grizzled middle-aged man with a wild beard--let's call him Bill--writes torture and gay-zombie movies, and he had an opinion. "If it were ONE bathtub, that would make sense!"

Well, we did help Sarah with her script, amid many laughs. Sarah's a recent transplant from China....I should totally get her to come over here to AnD.

It was great to be with other creative people again. And now that my employment situation is resolved, I can't wait to resume screenwriting. I love it so much.

Want to know why I love Asian film, and my predictions? Here's a link:

http://elena.ningin.com/2009/01/04/2009-a-year-for-asian-film/

Happy Monday, everyone.

How was your Christmas/other holidays?

I'm grabbing a rare moment to blog while the "boys" nap (including Jeremy, who got off work a little early). Two things on my mind--having a son who's now three, and 2009.

We celebrated John's birthday yesterday by "takin' it downtown." A major Cincinnati company had a free train display in their skyscraper lobby, so I took John and Roland to see it. John was so excited. At Wendy's afterward, Roland, who's only ten months, kept trying to grab John's fries. Yes, he's allowed to have some. Sorry no pics--we haven't uploaded from the camera yet. We're having a joint party for John, Roland, and a cousin later in the winter.

It's a little mind-blowing to be the mother of a three-year-old. Hard to believe it was three whole years ago that John arrived at 7:24 in the morning, after an all-night labor (I'll spare you the details). So much has changed in him since then. He just woke up from his nap, and asked me to take his new train set "out of the cardboard." He can amuse himself so well with it.

Now for the parenting advice--I'm actually opening myself up for this :). We QUIT potty-training a couple months ago because 1) John was not interested at all and 2) people kept telling us, "A lot of boys aren't ready till three." We did, but now it seems like he'll stay in diapers forever if we don't up the ante a little bit. Give us your best potty training advice/stories, and we'lll pick and choose :).

John's not the only one who's changed in three years. 2008 has been a very challenging year for us. Many of you already know this--even though I've not blogged about much of what's happened in my private life. But I am persuaded that 2009 will be a happier year. Even if nothing miraculous happens outside of me. Because what happens inside of me is what counts. It's not the hand I am dealt--it's how I choose to manage what life throws my way.

In 2008, I've learned...

...that success as a writer means many different things, and, however it's defined, does not happen for all of us on the same timetable.

...that my identity as an artist is an important thing.

...that affirming others in their achievements is key.

...that the girl across the street doesn't necessarily have it easier than me.

...that there was a reason for those "mistakes" I made in the past--and that maybe they weren't mistakes.

...that being the mother of two is a wonderful privilege, and makes my heart more full than I could have imagined.

Happy New Year, everyone! I want you to know how much your messages, blogs, and friendship has meant to me.

Hugs, and here's to the wonderful and unexpected in 2009.

Friends, I have so many thoughts I'd like to share, so many events in my life--and little time, with Christmas tomorrow. So, here's the quick and dirty.

First, my health, and the title of this blog. Yesterday, at a routine checkup, I discovered that I've lost half an inch of height. I used to be five-ten and 3/4, and after being measured twice, I now stand five-ten and 1/4. My weight also is a little lower than what's healthy. My doctor has scheduled a bone scan for the second week of January, and a full blood work-up for tomorrow. She suspects early-onset osteoporosis, which she'll treat agressively with drugs. It still has not sunk in--the fact that I'm a "little less" than I used to be. I really feel like poking a little fun at this, which is why I call myself "Shrinky Dink." But I do want to stay healthy--for my family, and the goals I have for my life. So I accept whatever had to happen to manage my health. Truthfully, I'm more worried about Jeremy--among other things, he's got a killer sinus infection and may have to miss our family's Christmas celebrations.

I was going to call this blog "Welcome Back Kotter"--because my employment situation has finally (finally!) reached a resolution. With the job market being what it is, my original plan of finding a full-time job writing is just not in the cards. After a long, arduous job search, I've decided to make schoolteaching my "day job." And it is a "welcome back," because my college major was education, and I taught music in elementary schools my first 4 years out of college. This will allow me more time to work on my writing projects than any other field. Teaching is hard, but rewarding as well, and with the media field suffering so greatly, I feel blessed to have the schools as an option.

I'm continuing to write for Ningin. Remember the mural of Sung Kang? I interviewed David Foox, who created it, and I think you'll really enjoy it.  Here's a link:

http://elena.ningin.com/2008/12/17/david-foox-on-sung-kang-and-artistic-marketing/#more-99

Also on my Ningin page, I posted news on racism in American car marketing. Coming soon--interviews and film reviews for Asian films "Mental" and "Children of Invention."

Above all else, I am working on finding the joy in every day. Many circumstances in my life are not what I'd planned for, or hoped for, and some days I'm just so tired. But I believe there has to be a master plan that I'm a part of. Every day, I hear about someone who has it rougher than me, and I'm humbled by it. I'm older now. Life is hard. Many people are suffering. But there's still so much hope and joy in life, and I'm working on a greater understanding.

Thanks for letting me share. I pray for a blessed 2009 for all of you.

If you live in Southern California, come meet Sung Kang this Saturday at Bloomingdale's. He's promoting the Jump Shoes line, and if you buy a SHOE (I think he meant a pair of shoes!) you get some sort of prize. Here's a few more details.

I didn't blog about this at Ningin because it's BoA week, and the editors over there want to direct all attention to her live video interview. If you're into BoA, check out more at http://boa.ningin.com. Here's a link to my article on Asian pop stars having a hard time making it in the U.S. 

 I have so many blogs about Sung, you could almost call my Ningin blog "The Sung Channel." Just in case you missed it, here's a link to our two-part interview, "Chow Talk with Sung Kang." And in this article you will find, alas, that he's taken. Sorry, ladies. I still giggle when I think about the fifteen-year-old on MySpace who called herself "The Future Mrs. Sung Kang." But we can still enjoy his movies and his blog.

I know you guys have missed me, and I've missed you....We went to Florida last week to spend Thanksgiving with my mom. It was our first vacation with both kids, and it was great. Traveling with two kids is a huge logistical undertaking. But I still think it's well worth it.

BK, Jeremy and I would often make the 17-hour trip in one day. But with an infant and a toddler, we just can't. Hmmm...how do you find a decent motel room for just a little cash? When I was ten, my family stayed in a total dive in Virginia. I mean, it was reminiscent of the Michael Kang movie, "The Motel." But I have learned to trust the humble Super 8. Not the camera, filmmakers....the chain of roadside inns.

If you think this new logo is ugly, you should see the old one! Not the most glamorous place I've stayed. But for a decent place to sleep and shower, you can't beat it. We stayed at the same one in North Georgia on the way there and the way back.

While driving through Georgia, I thought about my favorite native son of that state, Sung Kang. We didn't pass through his hometown of Gainesville, but I still thought about his blog on BBQ sandwiches when I saw a BBQ billboard. Speaking of billboards...

You see these EVERYWHERE on Georgia's I-75 corridor. Yeah, real classy. I go there for the food, don't you?

We arrived Sunday evening and enjoyed Disney World on Monday. It's very easy to hop parks...we started the day at Hollywood Studios (I still call it MGM) and ended up at Magic Kingdom.

What a face. John with Dad while I nursed the baby at the Baby Care Center.

The Sci-Fi Theater, my favorite restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The booths are made up like cars, and you watch corny old sci-fi movies while you eat. My mom used to be a manager here.

Giant kitschy Christmas tree. The Christmas season lasts for a very long time at Disney.

John's fave attraction at Magic Kingdom was a simple, old-fashioned train ride. Roland's out.

John liked wearing his 3D glasses, but some of the loud sound effects were a little much. Roland didn't do well with the glasses, but really enjoyed the 3D movies anyway. The loud soundtrack didn't faze him.

Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom. This is the twilight look--it was periwinkle at night. Pretty cool, even to this jaded Disneygoer.

We also had plenty of low-key family time. Truth be told, John was most enamored with this caboose, parked outside the Heritage Museum in my mom's small Florida town. Jeremy and John are at the wheel.

John peeking out of the caboose. Don't you just want to eat him up? We are blessed with the cutest kids.

And don't forget about me! Nine-month-old Roland ate everything at Thanksgiving dinner--turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cranberry sauce. We were amazed.

Me in Mom's kitchen. Mom did most of the cooking for my stepdad, Jeremy, the boys, and I. My contribution was the sweet potato casserole and the gravy. Your arm gets a little tired, whisking for that long....

Mmmm....John's ready to go.

I leave you with a Thanksgiving thought from my mom's boss that she forwarded to me. One of the reasons I love AnD is the way people on this site live out this concept of kind words. 

Team,

Each one of us deals with difficult times at different points of our lives- health issues, loss of beloved family or friends, and financial hardship just to name a few. However, despite the troubles we each may face, I am grateful for so many things in my life, one being the privilege of working with all of you and working for a company that brings happiness to so many people around the country and around the world.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and may this season bring you many blessings. And if you really want to receive the best blessing of all, challenge yourself  to give something to another person- a hand, a meal, some money, or the simplest of things…a kind word because

                "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." -Proverbs 16:24

Thanks for making the "magic" !

Perry

No matter where you live, or whether your country has a Thanksgiving, you can choose to find the joy in every day. Thanks for sharing my Thanksgiving memories.