Things I'm thankful for

* My family.
Sure, that sounds like an easy one. But my brother and his girlfriend are flying 3,000 miles for ONE NIGHT to see me in a show next week, and then my mother is doing the same (except she's staying two whole nights) the week after that. That makes them REALLY cool and awesome, and only one example of why I am very thankful for them. We should all be lucky to be so loved.

* Weight Watchers.
I haven't written much about this journey, but I lost 17.8 pounds in 14 weeks. I feel like a million bucks. I feel like Kae from The Biggest Loser. And we're both petite and Asian, so I can really say that and mean it. (Go, Kae!!!) I don't have much more to go, but I've learned valuable lessons not just about the world of health and fitness, but about fully engaging in bringing about change in my life, and what giving and receiving constant support and encouragement really means.

* Friends.
Like my friend Cindy who told me that I was invited to Thanksgiving for the rest of my life (her words). Like Elaina, who said she'd be happy to be my "emergency contact" whenever I needed one. Like my next-door neighbors Rachel and Ben who feed my cat whenever I am gone for more than a couple days. My friends are my quality of life.

* Chilled-out holidays.
I love traveling to see loved ones for the holidays. But I absolutely adore staying in the big city as it empties out, sleeping in, and doing absolutely nothing as well. Ah, sweet, sweet, nothing, with nobody 'cept me and my cat.

* My cat.
I talk about Oscar all the time, and it's well deserved. He's laid back, sweet, low maintenance, and patient. For instance, he lets me sleep in no matter how antsy he is, ready to run around and scratch. He'll wait. Once I stir, he feels free to make noise. So considerate! I also love when he talks to me. So much to say! Too bad Mama doesn't understand most of the time. Even when he looks me dead in the eyes and repeats himself. We still get along.

* My dance shoes.
I am far from being a dancer-dancer (and, working with about eight real dancers right now, I know the difference, believe me). But whenever I have to wear, handle, or even look at my jazz shoes, tap shoes, or even plain old character shoes, it's like I'm six again watching Gene Kelly or Shirley Temple movies in awe, singing along, and having a whole, untapped life ahead. I feel frivolous and playful and in touch with the me that is pure joy.

* The people I pay to help me.
Thank you my therapist, career coach, audition coach, swim instructor, and every other instructor and teacher I have the privilege of learning from. Without you I would not be challenged, and therefore would stagnate. You help me grow.

* Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.
I'm lookin' at you, Mint and Strawberry Shortcake! Without you, the end of every evening would be much less sweet and satisfying.

Thanksgiving 2007!
Have a lovely one!

A post I could've written, but didn't

My friend Ed inadvertantly sat next to the actor Mark Ruffalo in a theater; what ensued was not quite hilarity, but entertainingly recounted. It's the sort of story I like to blog about, so I thought it fit in nicely with the tone of my blog. Enjoy.

Ed Lin Vs Mark Ruffalo

Ten years in three hours

I just checked out my IMDb page.
Apparently one day next week,
An episode of Law & Order
That I did in 1997
Is showing at 3 PM
On a cable channel.

At 6 PM,
An episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Will play on another cable channel.
I'm in that too,
Filmed in 2007.

Nurse then.
Nurse now.

Trippy.

Candle, both ends

Wow, it's November. Two years ago this month I started this blog. Can't believe it! Today, Friday, is almost the end of the first week of rehearsals for the musical I'm doing with my theater company. (This picture is of our actual flyer.) It's our debut production and it's a monster of an undertaking. It's extremely ambitious. The book and lyrics are written by a recent Tony-winner; this is her next musical and we're just a teeny-tiny baby company producing it off-off Broadway. But she's happy to let us do it, and we're thrilled to have it. But now we actually have to get it on its feet and OH MY GOD I'm dead tonight. I'd been basically working two jobs because I've been working the office job at the same time. Tonight I decided to ditch the office and crawl to bed instead. Everyone seemed to hit a wall tonight. The first week is a lot of learning. Music, complicated harmonies, not-at-all-easy choreography. Our choreographer is off the HOOK. He is a rock star. We are lucky to have him before he starts playing with the really big boys. The dancer-dancers we have are incredible. Everyone involved with this is top-notch. It's very impressive, intimidating, challenging and inspiring at the same time. But it got to the point tonight where I was told I'd have to learn eight more notes of song (not eight songs, not eight measures, but notes), and I was like, "Oh, please no. No more. No more music, no more dance. I'm done. It's bad enough I have to retain what you've already given me." Five nights of midnight-to-2 AM reviewing music has caught up with me and I am exhausted.

Of course the beauty of all this complaining and worrying is that everything will naturally fall into place over the month. You surprise yourself at what you've absorbed, and when elements come together it gets very exciting and then you feel empowered until it builds to the point where you're begging for an audience to share it with.

But until that time comes, I'll be in the fetal position reading Vanity Fair with a tea by my side dreaming of dance moves and humming.