Travels

Another year is almost gone, another year I've neglected this blog. Sad. Good thing New Year's is around the corner and I can resolve to post more again! In the meantime, in case you missed it, you can see my last two posts on the Blue Rose Girls here and here. I wrote about first pages and what else--New Year's resolutions!

My friend and former colleague Jill has just set off on a solo, around-the-world trip. Thirteen countries in about nine months. I am both in awe and insanely jealous, even though in my old age I've realized that two-week trips are about the right length of time for me. I'd love to "live" in another country again for about a month, though. So glad I at least experienced that in the year and a half after college (when I lived in Taiwan and traveled around Asia).

Jill also ran the NYC marathon this year. Read about her experience here, and follow her travels on her blog, "A Journey of One Inch"! She's in New Zealand now:

Speaking of traveling, I'm a fan of The Amazing Race. Anyone catch the finale on Sunday? The team I was rooting for won! Hurray! That's one reality show I'd love to be on. I just have to find the right partner...

As for me, my next trip is back to Southern California next week--I'll be in CA for almost three weeks (!) as I'll be staying through the ALA (American Library Association) Midwinter conference in San Diego. It will be nice to get away from the grind and unwind.

Next May I'll be heading to Australia! Woo-hoo! I'll be there for the Visiting International Publishers (VIP) program at the Sydney Writer's Festival. My plan is to go out a week early and spend some time in Melbourne with friends. I was in Australia nine years ago for a wedding in Byron Bay, and also visited Fraser Island and spent just one night in Sydney. I loved it, and am excited to be back to see more of the country, and spend more time in Sydney.

What will your next big trip be?

Furball Friday

Chillin' unde the table

See, they do move!

Furball Friday

Yeah...and so? Whaddaya looking at?

Marathon!

I ran the NYC Marathon in 2006, and it was an amazing experience. On Sunday, the day of the marathon, I re-read my blog post about my run and got all nostalgic.

Today, my friend Gwen posted this great recap of her second marathon. She also documented her run using a special camera on her head! I have to say, it made me emotional to watch this, remembering how I felt at certain spots of the route.

Read and see her video here. (Time-lapse video is also below)


2010 NYC Marathon Time Lapse from wnyc culture on Vimeo.

Congratulations, Gwen!

I actually entered the lottery for the marathon this year, but I didn't get in. And to be honest, I was actually really really really hoping that I wouldn't get in. It's an amazing experience, but it sure does take up a lot of time for the training. Plus, it's exhausting and painful and all that...

But I've decided to just keep entering the lottery to see what happens. And perhaps I'll eventually run one with my Dad.

Furball Friday

Lounging, once again, in the favorite chair.

Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear

I love this:


Sign Montage from the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear from ekai on Vimeo.

Vote for Jon and Stephen.

Happy Halloween!

On Thursday we had our company Halloween party. Here are pics from throughout the day:

we sure have a weird cast of characters at our editorial meetings.

Adriana as Arthur

Deirdre as the Substitute Creature (by Chris Gall)

Mara as THE CURIOUS GARDEN by Peter Brown

Pam and I are Rachel and Tina from GLEE

Emma as Squeaker, Leslie as Lucy from Peter Brown's CHILDREN MAKE TERRIBLE PETS

Yes, Julie and Emma Andrews's THE VERY FAIRY PRINCESS (aka Allison) has an office job.

Connie as a crying baby from YOU ARE MY LITTLE CUPCAKE

Julie as Homer Pudding from Suzanne Selfor's SMELLS LIKE DOG

Kate as a DUFF (by Kody Keplinger)

Adam as TWILIGHT!

Ian as a squirrel from David Sedaris's SQUIRREL SEEKS CHIPMUNK

Victoria as a Lee Harvey from the upcoming YOU KILLED WESLEY PAYNE by Sean Beaudoin

Happy Halloween!

See pics from previous years here and here and here.

Furball Friday

Serena. I love the little tucked leg.

Reflections on YA

I was on the panel "Reflections on YA" this past Tuesday at the NYPL. The audio of the panel is up on the NYPL website. We talked about digital publishing, paranormal romance, diversity in publishing, and more. It was a great conversation. If you missed it, you can hear what went on here.

Contest and redesign!

Head over to see what's new at the Blue Rose Girls--we've just give the blog a brand-new look, and are running a contest right now. You can win cookies! And books!