The Getty Villa

"A pleasant surprise is in store for you." The Getty Villa Located in the Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa boasts beautiful views of the nearby Malibu coastline. Its architecture, though, remains strictly ancient Greece and Rome. (The villa is not to be confused with its sister site, the Getty Center, which houses more modern acquisitions.) Meant to emulate a Roman-style villa, the museum was inspired by the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum. The Getty Villa first opened in 1974. Its … [Read more...]

Wordless Wednesday: Follow Your Dreams

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Wordless Wednesday: Space Mural

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Cherry Blossoms Painting

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New Office, New Look

"Don't let statistics do a number on you." For those of you who don't know, I've been writing for years at my kitchen table. Finally, I've upgraded to my own office (slash guest room)! Knowing that I have an Asian-themed decor, my dad gave me this artwork. Gorgeous, huh? The main character in it is: patience. Patience is key to a writer's life. It always takes longer than you anticipate to produce and write something, or to edit and publish a piece. Fun photo: After two books, I finally … [Read more...]

Buddha Board

"The strengths in your character will bring you serenity." I got this present from my brother one year. I'm not sure if he meant that I needed to relax more... Anyway, the Buddha Board is this rectangular slate that you can "draw" on with a brush. However, it uses only water to make images. And, according to the description, it's supposed to "leave you with a clean slate and a clear mind" while the artwork evaporates. (I don't know about that, but it's a lot of fun!) I love the fact … [Read more...]

Inspiration through Seattle

"Serving the powerful is like sleeping with a tiger." --Chinese proverb Power and sleekness combine in a tiger's body. Likewise, Seattle exudes the same majesty. I took a recent trip to Seattle for a combination of sightseeing and book talks. Here are some categories in which I was inspired by Seattle's powerful vibe: Art Chihuly. Dale Chihuly creates artwork from blown glass. I was first wowed by his work at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Ohio, where his sculptures mixed with … [Read more...]

Cover Art Reveal: The 228 Legacy

You cannot clap with one hand.  What is a book without its cover? Despite the common saying, interesting images do draw readers in. In fact, every year I see lists for the best covers. I'm excited to reveal the cover art for my own book, The 228 Legacy. Keep an eye out for my novel on its release date, August 1st! p.s. My newsletter subscribers got a sneak peek prior to this post. If you want to stay informed early on, enter your email address below: Subscribe to my mailing … [Read more...]