At every single aquarium I’ve visited, from San Francisco to Singapore, I’ve seen people pointing at endangered specimens and saying things like “Ooh, I love this in black bean sauce” Or “I remember when your uncle went fishing and we ate SO many of these things.”Continue reading “Dungeness Crab is Delicious”
Doing Author-Type Things
As the publication date of my novel looms ever closer (August 2013), one of the things people have asked about is if I am going on a tour.
“What sort of tour?” I said, wondering if I could possibly repeat the first and last time I joined a real sight-seeing tour.Continue reading “Doing Author-Type Things”
Embracing Your Inner Auntie (or Uncle)
I have now reached the age when I am regularly addressed as “auntie”. Widely used across Asia to refer to a middle-aged lady, this is supposedly a term of respect – or is it?Continue reading “Embracing Your Inner Auntie (or Uncle)”
Self Control is Good for You
Since the arrival of our children, my husband has been steadily pushing a variety of child-rearing books on me. Thoughtful, interesting books like Po Bronson’s Nurture Shock, and Brain Rules for Baby. Unfortunately, I haven’t read any of them.Continue reading “Self Control is Good for You”
I Want a Handsome Butler
I’ve been thinking very hard about my priorities, and have finally come to the conclusion that what I really, really want is a handsome butler.Continue reading “I Want a Handsome Butler”
The Long Winter of Beans
I was preparing to write something serious and literary when I happened to weigh myself this morning. To my horror, I discovered that I had mysteriously gained several pounds overnight. I rushed out to confront my husband.
Continue reading “The Long Winter of Beans”
Why This Should Be a Cat Blog
I had many good intentions to get some work done when I stumbled upon a blog purportedly written by a cat. Continue reading “Why This Should Be a Cat Blog”
Childhood Books that Frightened You
The other night, I was up reading a Japanese manga that was loosely based on Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. I don’t know whether it was the lateness of the hour or the fact that the story seemed much more horrific rendered as a black and white graphic novel, but I was almost too frightened to turn the pages.Continue reading “Childhood Books that Frightened You”
Bacon, Mon Amour
I’ve been having a hard time concentrating all day because the house smells like bacon. This is nobody’s fault but my own, since between bouts of “working” at my computer, I’ve been rushing off to fry batches of bacon.Continue reading “Bacon, Mon Amour”
A Visit to My Publisher
Last week, I was lucky enough to escape from my children and go on a brief trip to New York with my husband. It was also a chance to visit my publisher for the first time.Continue reading “A Visit to My Publisher”
Yangsze Choo 