Coming Along....

As I’ve mentioned recently, I’m going through my first proof review of my book!  It’s exciting to finally see the layout and there’s a lot of pressure to get it just right (or at least that I’m putting on myself)…each and every sentence, the flow, the order and making sure I’m conveying exactly what I want to in each story…each chapter.  That’s just the inside!  I’m still working on the cover and now I need to start thinking about the back cover.  Yikes!  A lot to think about, decide and be excited about!  It’s a process and I’m taking it one step at a time! 

 

However, I am enjoying learning about a whole new industry as I publish my first book.  It’s something I never had on my radar, so to know it’s now a reality is amazing.  It reminds me that anything IS possible!  Even though it’s easy to say and I’ve said it many times over the years…probably more casually than anything…I’m not sure I truly believed it for myself.  For other people and their dreams, but not necessarily for me.  So, when I’m holding the first copy of my book it will be a true affirmation of proof that anything IS possible if you want it badly enough…and know you deserve it! 

 

So, thank you for coming on this journey with me and I hope you’ll enjoy the book as much as I have worked to put all my love, joy, fondness, admiration, tears and happiness into it! 

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!  To all the men and women who have served, sacrificed and given their lives for our freedom...we are grateful!  For the courage and bravery of all those who have fought defending our country, may God bless you!  And for all those wounded veterans all over the country who live with the realities of war (from WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan) everyday, may you know how much your country, your community and your families honor, support and love you!!  Thank you for your service!

Blown Away...

The devastating tornado that ripped through Oklahoma this week is a tragic reminder of how quickly things can change and how precious life really is.  When you are left with nothing but the clothes on your back you realize what's important in your life and what's not.  As most people who have suffered through an unbelievable tragedy know, what once was normal will never truly be the same again.  Loss can come in many different forms and be felt in many different ways, but it's still sad, hard to understand and shocking to the system.  How do we cope?  With God's grace, faith, belief in ourselves and what's possible tomorrow and of course with friends and family. 

So take just a minute...because something like a tornado doesn't take very long to destroy everything you have...and just be at peace and calm within yourselves and think about what is truly important in your life and what is not.  If it were taken away in that one minute, what could you live without and what would bring you to your knees.  Please pray for all those affected by tragedy this week and do your small part (whatever that is for you) to show those suffering what is possible tomorrow!

Don't Ya Know?

I was talking to a co-worker the other day telling him about taking my parents to the Asian market for the first time a couple weekends ago (see previous blog entry, Clean up in Aisle....).   As I'm describing our first-time experience there, it dawns on me that he doesn't know I'm adopted and is probably wondering why it's our first time there and why we don't know what anything is!  So, I have to stop a moment and tell him I'm adopted. 

This has happened more times than not...me telling a story about myself or something to do with my family and just assuming that the other person knows I'm adopted.  Until I realize that they're either looking at my strangely...a little confused...or they're trying not to look confused at why I don't know much about my Korean background (culture, food, traditions, etc).  Sometimes people don't get it, but it usually pops up in my head that I now need to disclose this information to this person so they can see the full picture.

Does it matter?  Maybe not, but I guess I always assume whomever I'm telling my story to doesn't really understand where I'm coming from unless I tell them I'm adopted.  And once you tell them that fact you get a myriad of reactions and responses (depending on the person, of course).  I've had few that have had no response at all.  Most have some sort of reaction or response that isn't always what I expect.  But, now I come to expect the unexpected and find the irony or humor in the situation.  The co-worker I was speaking to had one of those no responses and went on to tell me more about the market and where I could find other Asian markets and strip malls around the metroplex.  Soooo, that's where they 'all' hang out!

Book Update!

It arrived today!  The first proof of my book!  I had been waiting all week for it to be delivered.  I wanted a hard copy of the first proof so that I could see the formatting and layout and hold it with my bare hands.  It's real!  As I've said before, each step of the process makes it more and more real for me!  So, I'm one step closer to the real reality!

I wanted to see the layout and how long the book would be.  I wanted to see how the front end and back end would look and work.  And the most exciting part..."First Edition. Copyright 2013. Kim Fenneman"  Holy cow!  Wow!

So, now my last major edit on my first book commences.  Don't over think it.  Does that flow right?  Is there a better word for that?  All questions I'm sure I'll be asking myself over the weekend while I meticulously edit my book.  Giddy and serious all at the same time!

It's coming!  It's going to be real!  Stay tuned.........

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to ALL the Mom's out there!  Happy Mother's Day to my Mom!  To all those first time Mother's, those adopting for the first/second/third time, those thinking about adopting and those that have sacrificed their child to a better life by giving them up...to ALL those Mom's out there, bless you!  You are our guiding light, a driving force, a beacon of stability and hope, and our foundation. 

Clean up on Aisle....

After the picnic this last Saturday, my parents and I went to check out an Asian market that several Asians had told me about.  I guess we were in an "Asian" mood, per se.  I mainly wanted to check it out because I was told there was a bakery inside, so I thought that would be a good way to experience some Asian food.  I figured it would be a smaller grocery store than the major chains, but this place was huge!  There were Korean newspapers out front, in Korean, and the bakery was right in the front of the market when you walked in.  It wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be.  They had several different kinds of breads and pastries, but they were all made from the same bread, so it all tasted the same to me.  And yes, we tried several of the homemade goodies!

There were some smaller restaurants, like a food court in the market next to the produce section.  My dad was amazed at all the different types of fruits and vegetables they had in stock.  Being the farmer and gardener that he is, I think that was his favorite section.  We had not seen or heard of probably 1/3 of what was there...meaning, just in the produce section.  It was fun to check it all out, though.  They had homemade kimchee there, which is something I think you have to grow up on because it's not something I care for at all!  They had a huge seafood department, as you would imagine and some really "interesting" things there.  My mom didn't care for that section.  All the aisles were really narrow, not sure what that was about....skinny Asians, maybe?  But, there were huge bags of rice...like lawn fertilizer sized bags!  Lots of different types of noodles and TWO aisles of soy sauce!  Really?!  I had no clue what practically anything was, but it was a fun experience to go and look and learn about something new.  My parents were definitely intrigued, as well. 

The Asian market was located in a fairly big strip center.  All the establishments there, mainly restaurants, were all Asian owned/named/based.  Several of the signs were in Korean, Chinese, etc.  All types of Asian cuisine, service-type businesses, etc...it was very interesting.  We had no idea all that was there!  We're going to go back to one of the Korean BBQ places since so many people have told me to go.  Yes, again...I've never been...yet!