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I can't blog in isolation any longer. I need co-bloggers. So, I recruited some East West writers and editors to join in. We also have a whole new blog page. Check it out, and keep it bookmarked for some insightful thoughts. Plus, don't be shy, post your comments. We want to hear from you. Catch up on my old blog entries below. But for new stuff, go here. Feb. 7th Being in the magazine business, I'm very sensitive when it comes to cover tag lines. I bring this up because I was reminded recently, while reading a new local women's magazine, how often editors/designers knowingly mislead readers about the content inside in hopes the reader will pick it up and/or purchase a copy of the issue. For instance, I picked up this particular publication because two of the stories promoted on the shiny front cover seemed interesting. But as I looked for them inside, I quickly realized that the stories were not even close to what was pitched up front. So while some may call it good marketing, to skew cover lines, making them more spicey or intriguing, I know better. East West knows better. For starters, you can't gain long-time readers from fictitious cover lines. I, for one, won't be picking up that same magazine again. We pride ourselves on good marketing on our covers, but it is truthful marketing. Our new issue, due out soon, promotes the folllowing, all true, stories: an interview with Mira Nair about her new film The Namesake, an interview with architect Maya Lin on her new project in Chinatown, a chat with the president of the Asia Society, a look at South Asian art galleries in NYC, NYC spa picks and MORE. I hope you'll pick it up and see, or shall I say read, for yourself. It is an issue we are extremely proud of since it marks our 3rd anniversary. Buy the issue on stands starting Feb. 16th or preorder it here or subscribe. Plus, there will be two collector covers of the issue. If you want both, by one online. We'll unveil the covers next week!
January 24th The
Oscar nominations have been announced and congrats to Deepa Mehta.
Mehta's "Water," set in Varanasi, India, and about widow houses, has
been nominated for best foreign film. Another notable nomination is Rinko Kikuchi in "Babel." January 21st We're almost one month into 2007, and I'm still trying to think of a resolution. OK, the truth is . . . I hate the resolution nonsense. I don't make them. Someone asked me, "Oh, is it because you can't keep them?!?" Low blow! No, that's not it, and no, it's not because I think I am perfect. Trust me, I'm far from it. But truthfully, I hate to analyze my every move, my flaws, my every action that makes up a part of my daily journey. I have a motto, just live! Sure, we all want to improve and that is a good thing. But do we really have to draw attention to everytime we slip up? Do we have to feel so bad about it? Isn't life about learning from our mistakes? Shouldn't we respect the slip ups as much as the successes? Where, might you ask, is all this babble coming from on January 21st? Well, truth be told, I had an unofficial resolution to be a little more healthy with food. And truth be told, in a stress attack yesterday, I ate THREE doughnuts. I haven't ever had 3 in a day, heck, I rarely ever even eat one (maybe like once a month). Now that I think about it, I guess I can't keep resolutions...I'm confused and feel a little nauseous. I hope all my stress pays off and you LOVE the new issue! I think you will. It'll be out Feb. 15th! Meanwhile, I am off to find a self-help book on the dangers of doughnut downing.
Jan. 17th
I seriously wish I had more interesting news to share, but unfortunately life of late has been all work and no play. So, my Egg Pet Plant has been the highlight. A close friend gave me this desk fixture for my recent birthday. And now, with care, water and love, he has hair! His lovely locks need to be cut soon, and I am open to style recommendations. So send me an email. I have affectionately named the plant Fred (only because it reminds me of growing up, when my brother bestowed this name upon every stray animal we tried to save or harbor without our parents' immediate knowledge). On another note, we are working hard on the Feb/March issue. The issue marks our 3rd anniversary, and we're planning a special look back on the website. So stay tuned! Our 4th Annual Face of East West contest will also begin very soon. Lastly, thanks to everyone that took our poll on the Favorite TV Actor in 2006. Masi Oka who plays Hiro on "Heroes" was the favorite. And even though he didn't take home a Golden Globe earlier this week, we still love Hiro. Save the world Hiro, Save the world!
December 23rd A fun holiday video find. South Asians in particular are sure to love this rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas (scroll down to play video). My whole family can't get enough. It is satire, remember it's comedy! All in good fun. Happy Holidays from everyone at East West. See you in 2007. December 17th Note to self: get a flu shot next year. I'm marking it on my calendar now for 2007. After 6 days and counting of being struck by it this year, I'm all for any type of preventive measure. My vitamin C and other immune boosters just aren't doing the trick this year. alas. OK, enough complaining. While being sick, I've been reading a little here and there and watching A LOT of television. Catching up on entertainment gossip and watching the slew of 2006 in review programming. There's the best of, the most interesting, the favorite moments, the year's style awards, the worst dressed of the year, etc, etc. And while it is always fun recapping, it does get a bit nauseating too (though that could be due to the constant imbibing of Dayquil). Either way, I think it is more refreshing to look forward. To anticipate 2007 and think about the future. It is with this spirit that we have compiled our list of the 10 to Watch in 2007 . While the list is by no means the gospel, it is the product of heavy research and analysis by our team. And there were, of course, some names we would have included, had we just had a few more spots. Maybe the top 12 or 13.... Maybe next year. For this year, I would love to hear your thoughts on our picks and any home remedies for the flu!!
James Kim, Dec. 6th Our condolences to the family of fellow journalist James Kim. The story of James Kim's effort to find help for his stranded family has touched us all and we remained hopeful over the last few days that he too would be found safe and healthy. Today's news has been devastating and we offer our sincere condolences to his family and his colleagues and friends at CNET. The body of missing CNET editor James Kim has been located.
It's time for me to catch up on some reading. With the holidays here and my brain exhausted from writing, editing and writing some more for our lastest issue, on newsstands Dec. 8th, I think it is time to take a pause and read a little. With that said, I have no idea where to begin. We get tons of books for us to consider for the magazine, and I could easily choose one from the EW book shelf, but I can't make up my mind. So, instead, I am hoping you can offer some suggestions. Thoughts? Ideas? A good book to help me unwind but that will also keep me interested. A real page turner . . . In the meantime, I've been re-reading parts of Deepak Chopra's
"The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success." It will tide me over. I've
become intrigued by and have been experimenting lately with his idea of
the Law of Least Effort. It is about harmony in nature and getting
yourself to such a place of balance so that when you do less you
actually accomplish more. You aren't always fighting with what comes
your way instead you accept, you take responsibility and you stop
feeling the need to be right or defend your viewpoints. I will
keep you posted on how intergrating this "law" into my life goes. If you need
to catch up on some reading, I highly suggest this site! The stories go
back at least a year or more in some departments. Make your way through
the archives, trust me, it is worth it! OK, I will stop pitching
now. :) Have a wonderful holiday weekend! Nov. 14th I know! I haven't blogged in a very long time. I was hiding out. After beaming in my last post that we would bring you the first male East West cover with the Dec/Jan issue, I had a hard time admitting that I spoke too soon. The world of celebrities and magazines is in constant flux and schedules are always a pain! So no, no guy for the next cover, but we aren't upset at all. Why? Because the next issue is packed with interesting stories, our LA special section and the actress that graces the cover is a leading lady we've all been watching for years. She is a true original that has opened doors for many other AA artists. Another piece in the upcoming issue, due out December 8th, is about Blogs. And writer Jennifer Kim says in it that blogs have to be fed and posts must be frequent. I got the hint. I will post more often, I promise! Now I just have to think about what the heck I can say that is interesting . . . Oh, here's something. I'll be chatting with Kal Penn tomorrow as he visits town promoting the Dec. 1 release of Van Wilder. We'll run the interview exclusively on the site after Thanksgiving. But in the meantime, have any questions you want me to ask him for you? Let me know. Send your questions asap!
Oct. 15th The weather may be cooling down, but things are heating up at our offices. The fall style issue is finally here, but while you enjoy the bonus fashion spreads and accessory tips in the print issue, we are busy working on the Dec/Jan issue and for good reason. The upcoming issue marks the beginning of what we deem our "tour of cities." Dec/Jan will be our first installment as we feature a special section on East West life in Los Angeles, after that is New York and so on. We can't tell you every stop - we wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. The Dec/Jan issue is also slated to be a milestone in East West history for another reason. It will be the first issue featuring a man on the cover! Thoughts? No, I can't say who it is. Honestly, I am kind of in the dark myself. Suspense! In the meantime, enjoy the fall issue. It is packed with information, fashion tips, a feature on Tibet in exile, the facts about lactose intolerance and much more. Remember to subscribe or order single copies . (You can get back issues too!) And if you have any suggestions for our LA issue, drop me a line . I would love to hear your ideas. Happy Reading! It's Just a Number A few weeks ago, I was a judge for an Asian beauty pageant. It was a great experience, and all the girls did a great job. But while I sat there dolling out scores, I couldn't help but be reminded of an editorial I wrote for the magazine back in 2004. This pageant had Teen, Miss and Mrs. categories and this sparked the recurring question, "what if you don't fit one of these categories?" What if you are in the netherland between Miss and Mrs. for all things in life, certainly not just pageants. Where does that leave you and does it really matter? Apparently, my earlier musings on this subject were a big hit with readers. In fact, the editorial from the August/September 2004 issue is my most popular to date. So with the memory of that feeling alive once again, I thought I would revert back to that column. It is published below. I'd love to hear your thoughts! IT'S JUST A NUMBER (from Aug/Septemer 2004) I was at lunch with magazine contributor, Anuja Madar, recently when I began to reflect on the pageant world. East West supports and sponsors several Asian American and Middle Eastern American pageants throughout the country, and I often attend such events to meet with the younger generation — the up-and-coming East West Women. However, that day the topic was not my involvement as a judge or speaker, but rather as a potential contestant. Madar and I quickly realized that whether I would be a willing contestant or not, I was beyond the age for pageantry — except for one local pageant in which I just barely come in under the age maximum — a true exception. With this nugget of information still swimming around in my head, the conversation quickly turned to men, and once again I was hit with some sobering realizations about my age. I sat across from Madar, who is notably younger than I, and listened to her say that she still feels too young and isn't really focused on "getting married." It was her words that made me realize my age made me different, more susceptible to pressure from the community and from my biological clock. As I munched on my sandwich, I realized my age has come to define me. I am not the sum of my experiences or my maturity, but rather a number. I am not the type to enter a pageant, nor do I have an overwhelming inner need to suddenly tie the knot, but because of this number I am put in a certain grouping — the group that doesn't fit. I am caught between the Miss pageants and the Mrs. pageants — I am too old for one and too unmarried for the other. Madar, noticing my sudden lashing out at society's classifications, suggested we start our own pageant—"Miss Single." I loved it and it definitely made me smile. In the days that followed this lunchtime breakthrough, I decided that this issue had to be about the age-defying woman. I was soon at my laptop thrashing out an e-mail to reporter Christine Oh. I wanted a story that attacked the notion of a marriage bell curve. I wanted to push the envelope and ask the question so many of my Indian American girlfriends have pondered over the years: Why do Indian American men hit a certain age and turn to the younger generation and the East for a bride? And I wanted to know if such feelings were pervasive among all those in the East-West community. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, Oh had trouble getting people to open up. To her credit, she doesn't bad-mouth the men she interviewed, but I am not so kind. Although her story covers the issue thoroughly, I am skeptical if we got the whole story — if men are hiding the truth? Do they say what they think they should rather than what their actions often imply? Regardless, the story poses some important questions for even further investigation and gives age-defying women props for following their own paths. Speaking of
men, I have two new favorites in John Cho and Kal Penn ("Harold and Kumar
Go to Thoughts on this editorial or on the issue? Send me a note. Acronyms Indulge me while I ramble for a minute about my new found irritation with acronyms. Lately, it seems everywhere I turn people are using jumbled up letters to communicate with me, and worst of all, I am expected to instinctively know exactly what they mean. Techies and sociologists studying the modern age would likely attribute this to the upswing in text and instant messaging. But truthfully, I don't really care about the "why," I just need to know the "how." HOW do we make it stop? The acronym rule (AR), that you must first completely spell out an abbreviation before using it, is still intact, but most people, it seems, have chosen to break it. I frequently receive emails/letters from public relations companies, writers, readers and more, in which acronyms are in abundance and the rules are off the page. At first, I found such correspondence flattering, thinking "they must think I am all knowing." Truth is, I am far from it and they are just plain lazy. Take a break from the abbreviations. I urge you. For soon, our spoken communications might veer down the same jumbled path. I don't think I'll be able to handle that. I'm done rambling for now. I must run to check recent issues of East West , looking for signs of any acronym addiction on our front. BRB. ha! LOL. Seriously, EW is for AAs, who according to the recent ACS, are so not L.A. Z.Y. But I guess it can happen to anyone. WML. Readers' Thoughts Every week I fall into the same routine. On Sunday evening, I answer emails from the week before - from readers, possible writers, etc. I usually get through at least 30 or so before I need a chai break and subsequently end up getting distracted by laundry, playing with the dog or watching "Grey's Anatomy." So with only 30 down and on average about 40 more emails to go when Monday starts, my work week usually starts off already behind. By Wednesday, I have so many more emails, plus the old ones, plus the daily tasks of running the magazine, that I usually freak out a little. By Friday, I have generally made peace with the onslaught of emails, and I am able to begin getting them answered. This is the way the week goes, week after week, after week. So as I brainstormed today, before hitting the comptuer, I thought "why not condense it all into designated times?" While I strive for more organizational efficencies, perhaps it is too idealistic. The reality is that I love the emails. As much as I whine, your emails serve to break up the hum drum of the day. They help to keep us on track in our editorial mission and they are motivating and inspiring. I check my email constantly because reading your emails is much more pleasant then many of the tedious items on my daily task list. And while responding seems to take a bit more effort for me, I always do respond. So, email me! Nope, we're not fishing for compliments. Just want to hear your thoughts. We want to be sure we are covering the stories and topics you want to read about. Is there a question you have that you want us to find the answer to? A celebrity you are dying to read about? What is it you want us to cover? Heck, you can even email me if you don't like something. I can take it! As always, happy reading. New Issue The new issue is landing in mailboxes and turning up on bookstore shelves this very minute, and we've gotten great feedback so far. I LOVE feedback, but I am a little tired of being asked the question, "are you happy with it?" Of course not! I'm a classic perfectionist who can never cut myself or the team a break. No matter how much we are able to accomplish with this low-budget and short-staffed operation, I will always find something to improve upon. I suppose that is good, but I am starting to drive myself a bit crazy. So I beg you, please don't ask me for my thoughts on the issue. Just tell me yours!! Of course I am excited about the issue, and I have my personal favorites such as the music feature and the James Yee story. I also quite like our 10 Weight Loss Tips and the fashion spread with 3 South Asian influenced designers. But still, if you ask me to analyze, I will definitely overdo it. Besides the new issue, other notable items are: Watch and support At Last tomorrow night (Wed, Aug 16th) on the finals of "America's Got Talent ." Vote for the group - they've got harmony! (Read our 2005 story on actress Ming-Na, who started the group with her husband) The power of Asia America is all over the news these days thanks to some recent studies. Read: $400 Billion in Buying Power Makes Asian Americans Most Affluent U.S. Consumer Group
Take Action Last week did have its ups, but the news overall was more bad than good. And if you are an animal lover or just a person that respects the sanctity of life, you need to take action. As war in the Middle East rages on and no end appears clearly in sight, it seems that the world and the value placed on life - all life - has taken a turn for the worse. If you haven't heard about what is happening in China yet, take note and all of us at East West urge you to take action. Two cities in China ordered mass executions of dogs last week. This is the local government's remedy for recent rabies outbreaks. By most reports, 50,000 dogs were executed in the first city. Another city is now in the process of rounding up people's pets. There are several stories online. Here are some links. All of us at East West are animal lovers and have been sickened by these events. We thank our Art Director, Dana, for taking the lead by calling the Chinese Ambassdor and we encourage you to do the same. There is not a lot we can do, but we can communicate our disapproval. His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong You can also donate to help push for
animal welfare laws in China or help to save dogs and cats abandoned
in war torn regions such as Israel or Beruit through the International Fund for Animal Welfare. All life deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Do you Believe That? I'm a bit of a nut when it comes to reading my horoscope or getting my future told. I wouldn't say I believe every word or that I change my life/decisions based on what I hear, but I do enjoy learning what the planets have in store for me. And right now, the planets apparently have chaos in mind! The chaos actually affects us all. Do you feel it? It is all Mercury's fault, that darn planet is retrograde making it so communication is a bit off and there are delays and confusion. So what's going on with me? Let's see, where do I start. My skin has become my enemy. Yes, I admit, I have zits! My friends seem to be disappointing me left and right, and today, well today, I completely lost my mind. I stepped outside barefoot in Arizona at 3pm! Needless to say, I burned my feet. But most disconcerting of all, was the recent realization that there are some magazines in the Asian market out there that are accepting money for stories. In essence, if you pay them the right amount, they will write about your product or service. So they aren't providing readers with unbiased, original content. They are letting the market determine their stories. OH NO! (I won't name names, but if you twist my arm . . . ) East West has always had a strict policy against mixing advertising and editorial (stories). We just don't do it. We strive to bring you stories that we feel are pertinent to today regardless of market forces, and we only highlight products because we love them ourselves. We believe in our publication as a piece of high quality journalism and we stick to the ethics of the industry. With that said, hopefully as Mercury retrograde ends later this month, I will get fewer surprises. I can't handle all this noise and discovery. I guess I am just a lightweight. But wouldn't you be messed up too if you turned on the radio in the morning and the first thing you heard was "Rico Suave?" Ayayaayay. More on that later.
Telling it Like it Is Some say I got a little tough in my editor's letter in the current issue. I suppose I did move away from my typical slice-of-life whimsy in favor of a stronger stance. But gee, can't I stand up for the East West experience once in awhile The truth is I decided to just tell the truth, and althougth it is well-documented, we often forget that the truth ain't always pretty. So to make sure everyone has a chance to see my tough girl side and hear a little truth, I decided to post the entire letter here. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the message. Email me.
I’ve never been a trendsetter. Nor am I able to accurately follow trends, try as I may. My closet, in fact, provides ample evidence of the latter. But today, as I continue to tirelessly push forward a project that many say is before its time, I am starting to understand just what it takes to be on the other side of the coin. To be an innovator is to be on a path overflowing with challenges and roadblocks often born of ignorance. It never ceases to amaze me how Surprised? You should be. If you’ve read East West before, you know we’ve run several stories on the dangers of sun exposure to individuals from all communities, of all ethnic backgrounds. You, of course, also know very well that you’ve paid money for sunscreen at some point in your life. So why are many companies passing on you as a consumer? It is because we are a new concept and from many perspectives, a new population. Yet we — you, me and the reader across the country — are the essence of tomorrow’s global community. The East West reader is both of Eastern decent and of Western descent with an interest in the East’s influence on daily life. From my quick calculations, that includes at least 50 percent of this country when you consider that the East and its philosophies, food, culture, design and practices are seemingly everywhere. You’ll find Eastern ideas and ingredients rampant in the beauty industry (Read "Ayurvedic Beauty" in the print issue), Eastern cuisine has given way to fusion menus across the country, and even comic books are going East. (Read “India Ink” ). Despite the influx of all things East, a large sector of
corporate And so, this issue is a reminder to the masses that we are
here, and it is a reminder to ourselves that we must be the leaders. We must
take every opportunity to speak up and take responsibility for turning on the
light switch for corporate It is an issue that symbolizes understanding and action over anger, recognizing that challenges are simply opportunities to shift, to travel to new places and reposition perspectives. Not always 100 percent fun, but certainly worth the trip. Giveaway A new issue is here and I feel like giving something away! All you have to do is answer some East West Trivia. Email me the answer to the question below and you could win a Grass Patch Shampoo Bar and Green Tea Whipped Shea Butter both from our friend Mimie Wong over at Mi-Spa.Com. Her all-natural products are our new favorites. Here's the question: In what issue and on what page was this said, "It's kind of like a girdle but for the butt" Also, be sure to check out information on the first Asian American Theater conference happening later this month in Los Angeles. Next Big Bang June 2nd Of course I do! But despite the many inquiries I have recieved about this, I can't say! Sorry. Rules are rules. The top five will only be announced in the print issue, due out on stands June 15th. Besides this nugget of secret information, the issue also contains an interview with actresss Lisa Ray ("Water"), a look at Internet Trends, Ayurvedic Skin Care, Japanese cooking and a Q&A with CNN's Sumi Das. A great issue if I might say so myself. Come back here next week to get a sneak preview of some of these stories and a glimpse at our new cover. In the meantime, pre-order your copy or subscribe HERE. Week of May 8th "Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world and it is more common among APIA’s than other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. According to the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, an estimated 1 in 10 foreign born APIAs is chronically infected with hepatitis B, compared to 1 in 1000 Caucasian Americans. Many are not aware they have been infected, since there are usually no symptoms." That was the message in a recent press release issued by a collective of San Francisco's Asian Health organizations who have united to promote awareness of hepatitis B. Because not only is May Asian Pacific American Hertiage Month but it is also National Hepatitis B Awareness Month. Find out about free screenings at the Asian Liver Center. Be educated, understand what this undertreated and unrecognized disease means to our global community. Read our March 2005 story, "A Silent Killer," which details one woman's struggle to understand and deal with the diagnosis. On another note, I've been thinking a lot lately about this idea of putting a guy on our cover for the first time. We ran a poll a few weeks ago, and it seems that most of you think it's not a bad idea. So then, I ask, " Who should hold the high honors of being the first ever male on the cover of East West?" I have some ideas, but what are yours? Kal Penn? M Night? Others? Who? Send me your ideas Off I go for another week. Our wonderful Art Director will nag me again soon if I don't finish editing some stories for the next issue. "We are on deadline," she reminds me! Week of May 1st Happy Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month—a celebration of
Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States! Register for
our email newsletter and keep posted on events and happenings around
the country. It's a time to celebrate and honor Asian cultures
and to appreciate the diversity around us. Speaking of diversity, which is a result of immigration to this country, we would like to hear your thoughts on Monday's Day without Immigrants and the movement as a whole. Drop us an email about your feelings. And check out an interesting snapshot from Boston on Monday's non-affect on the Asian community there. In Asian communities, just another day April 24th I'm not really a country music fan, but as I drove home last night, Lee Ann Womack's song "I Hope You Dance," was on the radio, and although I have heard the song a million times, this was the first time one of the lines really registered. I guess it's because the messages in Robin Sharma's latest book have been on my mind. Do we not experience life because we are afraid of the obstacles that our choices may bring? As Womack sings, "never settle for the path of least resistance." This sentiment can relate to all types of choices in life, those about our jobs, our homes and our relationships. In fact, the relationship piece is something it seems many East West individuals struggle with at some point or another. A reader recently emailed me inquiring if we have covered interracial relationships. He said, "I'm not talking about Whites and Blacks here, but more diverse such as Middle Eastern and Asian." I understand why he asks the question. Interfaith and interracial relationships are almost always challenging, but the hurdles vary in degree, it seems, depending on which cutlures are colliding. Is it that unusal and difficult anymore for an Asian woman to marry or date a Caucasian man? Or an Asian man to be paired with a caucasian female? What if the man or the woman was Hispanic or Black instead? Is the latter more problematic? To answer his question and possibly yours, we have covered the topic in some form or another over the years. And so we have put up two of these past stories. As the world becomes more connected and our lives more global-focused, the notion of interracial and interfaith unions will only continue to grow more commonplace. And with time, the obstacles for some types of pairings will also fade. Acceptance comes with time, but are invididuals willing to face the path filled with resistance to get there? Can East West invididuals mix with other races: White, Black, Hispanic? Should we? Why shouldn't we? Talk back on this matter to me, shoot me an email , or start a group discussion in the forums. I'd love to hear your thoughts and/or your own experiences. Oh! and if you live in Phoenix, catch me on Channel 3 on Friday talking about ayurvedic skin care. 9am on Friday! April 24th I recently started reading "Discover Your Destiny" by Robin Sharma. The book was just released in paperback this month, and I wanted to share this passage: "All progress comes from unreasonable people, people who follow their hearts and the instructions of their consciences rather than the commands of the crowd. All progress has come from risk-takers and men and women who were willing to visit the places that scared them." Sharma's book is filled with powerful insights that have led me to question my actions and most importantly my fears. Do I make choices based on fear? Not allowing myself to do things because they are a bit scary, even though these actions might ultimately lead me toward a greater existence, a happier state? I think in my case the answer is sometimes yes. Read more about Robin Sharma in our features section. We featured an interview with him in late 2005, and he has an interesting background. And I will keep you posted as I continue my read of his latest release. Also released in paperback this month, something to help you get ahead in the workplace. It is Jane Hyun's "Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians" I highly recommend both books. One last thing before I go (here is where I don my sales hat), tomorrow is the last day to Subscribe for one year for only $10. Don't miss this rare offer. Just click here . I also encourage you to read about our Devotee program. It is quite the deal! April 17th It's Tax Day! I will be joining the masses today at the post office. I can't believe I waited until the last minute, but in a way, it seems almost better to have waited. It gives the dreadful, dull task of tax preparation some excitement, it makes an event out of the whole thing! Okay, maybe I'm sugar-coating it, but remember, most things in life are all about perspective. Speaking of perspectives...I am interested in hearing yours. For the past 2 years, East West has always featured women on the cover. Is it time for a man to grace the magazine's front page? I am torn even though I am all for equality. So help me! Tell us your thoughts in the poll. April 13th Well I'm back in the office and back in hot Arizona weather! Yes, it is already getting hot here. Crazy! My trip to LA was fun and I brought back some story ideas courtesy of those I met. One insightful individual was Alan, who was born and raised in Chinatown. He shared with me his perspective on East and Western cultures coming together. He also suggested we tackle a story on dumplings! Yes, that's right dumplings. Why? Because almost every Eastern culture has their own variety and he says most people don't know the difference. I agree! What is the difference between a Thai dumpling and the Japanese version? This will certainly be a future Salty Dish topic. Other happenings over here include the flurry of activity now that voting for this year's Face contest has officially begun. Voting ends in a few weeks, May 3rd to be exact, so get yours in soon. Oh and I've had a few people ask if we are still offering our version of the Life Membership, the Devotee Program. Yes, we are. Click on Subscribe to read more about it. Before I go, one more thing...be sure to check out the Gurus of Comedy tour , it is going on now and they might be coming to a city near you. It is one show you don't want to miss. April 11th I am visiting Los Angeles right now and had the pleasure of attending the 40th Anniversary gala for East West Players last night. The stars came out for the event including honorees Sandra Oh and Tamlyn Tomita. Alec Mapa, John Cho, Amy Hill and mistress of ceremonies Lauren Tom (a former East West contributor and friend) were also on hand to entertain and show their support. I want to congratulate the organization and hope you'll check them out. Visit http://www.eastwestplayers.org/ for more information. More details on the festivities will be in the next issue. Tomorrow I plan on hitting the streets, talking to readers and getting their feedback. Wish me luck! April 7th Do You Live in Los Angeles? If you are interested, send me a note. (visit the Contact section) I will contact my 5 dinner guests on Monday with a time and location. Hope to hear from you! If you live in Phoenix, watch our beauty editor, Lisa, today on Sonoran Living, Channel 15 at 9am. And on Monday, I'll be on Channel 3's "Your Life A to Z" at 9am. Have a great weekend! April 5th, 2006 My hands are swollen from all the changes and typing I've done in
the last few days to get this new look unveiled and my little doggie,
Cody, is feeling neglected. But it was worth it! We are still working
out the kinks so bear with us and please, please send us your
feedback. And don't worry, the FACE contest is still active I have already gotten some emails about it and yes, it is still going on as planned. Voting will start on April 12th, and the semifinalists are in the new issue. Some great contenders! So I guess I need to talk more about what this change really means. We have decided to make a subtle shift in content to also welcome men readers. There is still stuff that the ladies love, but there are also new sections like Sport. We wanted to take our global attitude to a wider audience. Okay, I really can't type anymore! If you need to know more, I give a more in-depth discussion in the new issue and you can always ask me questions via email. Find my information in the Contacts section. I am off to speak with Journalism students tonight at Arizona State University about the magazine/journalism industry! I will hopefully share some of their thoughts with you tomorrow. April 4th After two years as East West Woman, we've made a big change. Welcome to East West Magazine. Yes, we dropped the "Woman" from the title! Plus we have a new logo and this great new site, making it easier for you to find your favorite stories and post your thoughts. Visit the forums to share your views on events and articles and keep posted on my musings right here. Not sure yet if I will have enough interesting thoughts for a daily update, but we'll see how it goes! As always, happy reading and SUBSCRIBE, oh and tell a friend!
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My Japanese chia pet has hair!
