Author: chungwipff

Self-Publishing Update

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I finally received my proof for Esther, Mia and The Stars today!

It looks really good. It’s not perfect. But it’s a labor of love and I’m going to publish it. Two illustrations need to be replaced and I have to figure out how to center the ISBN code on the inner cover…but that’s it!

My friend, Sierra, translated the English to Spanish and told me it was a very fun process and that she learned a lot. I felt the same way. The process was extremely satisfying. My daughters loved making the illustrations at first, but then became self-conscious and self-critical. I hope the fact that I encouraged them to complete it will impress upon them the importance of crossing the finish line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mystery Blogger Award

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I was tapped with the Mystery Blogger Award today. I like the premise of this idea, which is to highlight other blogs.  Shamim Sobhani of My World named Kismet among her recommended blogs. Thank you Shamim! Go to her blog. She has some mind-blowing stories!

This award was originally created by Okoto Enigma of https://okotoenigmasblog.com/my-greatest-creation-yet/. Okoto is a very energetic writer. Check her out!

RULES for the Nominees:

1. Put the award logo/image on your blog post.

2. List the rules.

3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.

4. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link.

5. Tell readers 3 things about yourself.

6. Answer the questions the blogger gave to you .

7. Nominate 10-20 people.

8. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.

9. Ask nominees 5 questions of your choice (one weird/funny question).

10. Share link to your best post(s).

Three Things About Me Are:

1. Writing is my world. I write and I teach writing.

2. I am the child of Korean immigrants to the United States.

3. I am grateful for my family and friends. I have the highest quality sister and brother.  My parents sacrificed so much for me. My friendships are fiercely loyal – I will do anything for my friends and they for me.

For the Next Mystery Blogger Award I Nominate:

  1. Reimagine Therapy
  2. Soul Food 101
  3. Whippet Wisdom
  4. 67 Steffen
  5. Crazy Genes Blog
  6. Gaston Bessette
  7. Phil H52
  8. Robert Okaji
  9. Thoughts of SheryL
  10. Sascha Darlington

They are an eclectic group and each offers a unique perspective and information. I enjoy them!

Answers to Shamim:

1. What’s one of the most helpful tips you can offer, whether it’s about motivation, living as an expat, or about life in general? Live in presence, in the light of gratitude and grace.

2. What’s one positive thing about my blog and one thing I can improve on? So many great things about your blog! But I the first that comes to mind is your writing voice. Your personality is so strong and consistent throughout your site. Improve on? I don’t know…maybe change your calendar to something else more personal?

3. Have you ever been caught in an emergency before? If so, what happened? If not, what’s something funny or awkward that’s happened to you? Emergency: a week after giving birth to my daugher, I bled profusely due to a blood clot. I almost died. I was brought to San Francisco Emergency and all the patients waiting to be seen as I was hurriedly carried in said out loud, “Wow, she’s really pale.” They removed the clot and gave me blood and I was fine.

4. What motivates you to wake up the hour you wake up and get through the day? I wake up at 5am to work out to Jillian Michaels workouts. It makes me feel strong and alert all day.

5. If you were given the option to choose one country in the world to live in, which would it be? Hmmm. Hard to say. Country? I love my country, despite our current administration. I’d love to live in South Korea for a year, but I wouldn’t want to live there permanently. I think maybe England.   🙂

My Questions to My Nominees:

  1. Have you had a bad habit or vice? Have you been able to kick it and if so, how? Do you currently have a bad habit you need to break? Why?
  2. What is the greatest thing about your life?
  3. What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you and how did you overcome it?
  4. What’s your favorite dessert?
  5. What are you reading right now?

Thank you all! I love my WordPress community.

 

 

The Simplicity Experiment

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Confession: Once in awhile, I fantasize about selling EVERYTHING I own and taking just the essentials in a backpack and trekking across country.

Reality: I’m a mom of two teenage girls and a 6 year old dog. I’m also a wife and a teacher. I have too many responsibilities. But I’ve always been a fan of simplicity and this year, as I approach 50, I’m more determined than ever to pare down every part of my life to the bare esssentials. Why? Because – and I’m speaking for just myself here – I believe living a minimalistic life is a path to true happiness.

Biggest Challenge: I have a family. I can’t – and won’t – get rid of their things.

Method: I’m a fan of slow. Slow and sure. Every weekend, I fill a bag or two of things to donate. I’m careful with grocery shopping. I freeze excess and rarely throw anything away. I’ve been purchasing books on Kindle and in thrift stores. My bookshelves contain only the books I am passionate about.

Whenever I download “stuff,” I feel so light and free!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perennially Radiant

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The flower does not ask for anything. She simply looks up to the sky and drinks in the sun. She absorbs the water that comes her way. She gives so much: pollen to procreate, nectar for the birds and bees and beauty for all to see.

Can you imagine the flower complaining? Or arguing? Or gossiping?

Do not succumb to insecurity or ugliness.

Be brilliant. Be brilliantly, bravely, unapologetically you.

 

 

Sunday Study

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I’m reading a synopsis of the book Unleash the Warrior Within. It’s written by a former Navy SEAL Michael “Mack” Machowicz. Obviously, he’s quite a self-disciplined, productive individual: host+ producer of Discovery Channel’s “Future Weapons”, author of Develop the Focus, Discipline, Confidence, and Courage You Need to Achieve Unlimited Goals and he possesses multiple black belts in martial arts.

One surprising piece of advice he gives (considering he’s a former Navy SEAL!): pursue your objective at 80%, not 100%. Why? Because you can’t give 100% long-term. You’ll burn out. This made me relieved because that is what I already do.

Yay! I’m not a slacker!

 

 

 

 

 

Breast Reconstruction

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Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with early stage I breast cancer. I had the cancer removed (a radical mastectomy) and breast implant surgery at the same time. Actually, I had expanders put in when they removed all of my breast tissue. For those of you who don’t know what this means, basically, expanders are hard balloons that get placed UNDER your chest muscles and saline is injected every week or so to create space for your implants. This is a very painful procedure for the entire duration until the expanders are replaced by silicone or saline implants.

Six surgeries later, I went from a 34A/B to a full 34C. It felt like The Reward for all the pain that accompanies a cancer diagnosis. Why so many surgeries? One of my suspicious masses was too close to my chest wall for a needle biopsy, so I had to have a surgical biopsy. I had a defective expander (this is very rare, I am told), I had an infection; I had a defective saline implants and then one of the surgeries was because my doctor thought silicon would look better than saline.

Did you know you’re supposed to replace them every ten years? So that means at 50, 60, 70 and 80 (should I live that long!), I need to replace the implants.

I’m thinking that perhaps, at 60, I may opt to remove the implants altogether. Will I be courageous enough to do that? I live in Arizona where it’s 100 degrees Fahrenheit for five months of the year. I have a pool. I like to wear a bathing suit. I know there are inserts you can wear, but I’ve heard stories of them escaping your suit and floating in the pool.

In any case, these are the issues involved with breast cancer and reconstruction. I am grateful to be living in these modern times with amazing technology. In the 1800s, breast cancer was only treated when it manifested itself physically (really, too late for treatment) and they had mastectomy surgeries without anesthesia. The ladies just bit down on a bolt of cloth while the surgeon used a hot iron to cut it out.

 

 

 

 

Self-Publishing Update

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Working through CreateSpace (Amazon’s answer to self-publishing) includes the following phases:

  1. Create
  2. Setup
  3. Review
  4. Distribution
  5. Sales & Marketing

Esther, Mia and The Stars is now in the Distribution phase. This is my first book, so I’m very excited! I’m enjoying the process immensely, even when things go wrong.

I’ve been meditating an extra minute every morning. This morning, I meditated for 11 minutes and tomorrow, I will meditate for 12. What I mean by meditating is concentrating on my breath and not thinking. Why is this important? Because the mind can work in overdrive and  interfere with inner peace. Meditation has (already) helped me keep calm during challenging moments. My sixth graders were very loud and obnoxious today, but I was fine. My illustrations scanned at a dpi that was too low and I had to re-scan and crop them all over again, but I just did it and didn’t feel anxious or upset at all.

I’ve written my book description:

Esther and Mia are best friends. Esther must come up with a creative solution when she discovers that Mia is being bullied. Together, they overcome this painful event and tell their story in English and Spanish.

My “About the Author” blurb:

Caroline Chung-Wipff delights in working with children who are often much wiser than adults. She lives in the desert with the love-of-her-life (Willey), her two amazing daughters and Opal the Dog Wonder.

Amazon tells me:

Your book files are still being reviewed. A final print ready cover file is needed to continue to KDP. You will be e-mailed when the review is complete.

So I wait.

Please ping me if you have any questions about the process thus far. It’s so fun!