OCSA :: Stars in the Making

So the other night, Monica asked if I'd read and give her feedback on two short plays that she had written because she was going to submit them to see if one of them might be selected for Orange County School of the Art's (OCSA) annual Play Fest.

When I read them, I was literally moved to tears. SUCH characters. SUCH smart dialogue. I gave minor technical feedback ... but mainly, I told Monica that I wanted her to eventually develop the short plays into full-length plays because I couldn't wait to see the entire story of both plays unfold. Finally, I offered her reassurance that if the selection committee had half a brain, one of her plays would definitely be selected for the Play Fest. I'm her mom. I'm allowed to say things like that. :) And guess what? It turns out that Monica submitted 3 short plays and the one I didn't read got selected! And so when it was time to go to the Play Fest this week, I was curious what I'd see being played out on stage since I hadn't had the chance to read it beforehand.

Her play was titled Scar and she cast two of her friends (above) to play the two characters in her play. The actors did a phenomenal job as they brought to life the message of the play, which had something to do with Harry Potter and a lot to do regarding the pain of growing up.

It. Was. So. Good.

The play reminded me that no matter who becomes our rescue fantasy hero that we idealize, at the end of the day, there is no one who can rescue us except ourselves. And no matter how much we want to be in someone else's story, it's our story that we get to construct ... with experiences both good and bad, sometimes wonderful, sometimes tragic.

Do you see the star in the photo above? It's the new logo for OCSA. It takes a minute but once you see it, you see it.

Another play that was selected and performed at Play Fest was written by Rachel Do, one of Monica's best friends. Shown below is Monica, Rachel, and Antonia (another one of Monica's best friends). Rachel's play was titled Your Epidermus is Showing and it was also fantastic. Really excellent writing and great character development. 

At the end of the night, they had all the playwrights go up on stage to take a bow. I look at the photo of these young people and think to myself that these are our leaders. These are the people who will be doing amazing things in the years ahead like writing plays, curing diseases, accepting Oscars, and helping people. True stars in the making.

Art on the Beach

I had a total blast today. The weather was perfect. I was at Victoria Beach and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

And the best part? I was with a fabulous group of friends: Amy, April, Pam, and Christine. Here they all are ... on the sand ... getting their art on.

One art product that I learned about from Christine is this Art Graf that comes in a cute little tin. Watercolor graphite is what it is. Totally fabulous. Can't wait to get some of my own! Learning about cool new products is one of the MAJOR benefits of hanging with artists, in my opinion.

Here I am trying to get an aerial shot of some of the beautiful art that was made. I like this shot because it looks like my hair is actually getting long-ish ... which is my aim right now.

And here's that aerial shot.

I didn't want the day to end. The sun, sand, and water were delicious. The company was great. I'm looking forward to more of it all this coming spring and summer in beautiful southern California that I'm so lucky to call my backyard ... with friends who are oh-so-talented and fun.

Breathing Santa Ana

When I started dating Gerardo Mouet (The Mister) more than 20 years ago, I became intrigued with his many facets. Right away, one of the most intriguing things I learned about him was his love for the city of Santa Ana. "I love Santa Ana," he said. And it is this love that caused us to plant our roots in this city. The city where we live and raise our children. The city where we run 4, 5, or 6 miles in the mornings. The city where I shoot my arrows. The city where we walk our dogs. The city where our children receive excellent public education. The city where Gerardo bicycles to and from work every day. The city where we partner with volunteers to plant trees, remove graffiti, and support the arts.

One of the commenters in this recent article states that Gerardo breathes Santa Ana. It's true.

And it's because of his sincerity and authenticity and passion for Santa Ana that causes me and our two children to also embrace his journey as we join him in breathing in all of the challenges, and breathing out all of the hope and potential that this beautiful city and its people possess.

Farewell and Thank you, Summer 2012

Here are some Instagrams I took at the Zoofari event that I attended with The Mister this past weekend ... an event that usually marks for me, the end of summer—my favorite season.

One of the best parts of Summer 2012 was developing new friends, like Barbara and Stan Venezia, and also having opportunities to visit with old friends like Frank Mickadeit. Barbara and Frank did a great job serving as emcees of Zoofari.
Also, developing new friendships with Michael Penn and Ashleigh Aitken ... a funny, smart, and adorable duo, who we were so happy to see at Zoofari.
During the evening, I had my new ring on that was made for me by another new friend in my life, April Meeker. It has 501 on it ... a beautiful reminder to always strive to walk that 501st mile.

The toughest mile that I learned so much about during this incredible Summer 2012.
I'll never forget it.

Lessons from Trainer

Meet Trainer. AKA., Daniel Gustin.
As I've been sharing with you in previous posts, I've been working very hard for a good 6-7 months to regain my fitness level. It's something that had been slipping away from me as I found myself so intensely focused on my work ... and feeling tethered to my computer for days on end.

Here are just a few of the many fitness-related things I've learned from Trainer.

1. You might think you can't do something but actually, you'd be surprised to find that you can, if you learn how, and practice. Like 6 months ago, I thought I could never do boy push-ups, never jump rope for more than 1-minute sets, never to Tabata sets on a treadmill, never kick-box. Today, I can do 10 decent boy push-ups, jump for three 3-minute sets, do killer Tabata sets on a treadmill, and I would say I'm becoming a decent kick-boxer. Funny though ... new challenges that Trainer introduces still make me doubt myself. Like right now, I'm learning to jump high onto these tall objects. They scare me. But I'm learning.  
2. To lose weight, you should eat right after exercising and in general, practice moderation but never starve yourself. Slow and gradual loss is longer-lasting and better for you than fast and dramatic loss. It's true. I've been living this truth and seeing the results for the past several months.
3. It's important to stretch. So true. It feels like something that doesn't matter and something you can just brush off but I do them regularly now because I never want to endanger my workout routines to potential injuries.
4. It's important to breathe. Honestly, I've never really thought about the concept of proper breathing but I am realizing how much it is related to exercise. I'm a bad breather. But I'm learning to become better.

As you can tell from the photo above, Trainer has no clue how to crochet. :)

But he can do other things pretty well ... like kick. (And he knows a lot about algea-based biofuels.)

As intimidating as this kick looks, what's great about Trainer and really all great trainers in my opinion, is that they use their expertise and experience not to intimidate and show off, but to educate, empower, and motivate.

Finally ... the most important thing I've learned is that at the end of the day, no matter how great any trainer or any gym may be, it boils down to me and my commitment and my discipline. The discipline to wake up and drag myself into the gym to work my ass off every single day, even when I don't feel like it.

When I am fit, I feel fit not only physically, but emotionally, socially, intellectually. It's not a temporary thing to do and check off my list. It's a new way of living.

PS: Many thanks to Mr. Jill's ... the gym where Trainer and other great trainers train in a safe, supportive, inviting environment.

Monica Mouet :: 2012 Outstanding Sophomore Writer

A few days ago, I had been notified by the Creative Writing Conservatory at OCHSA (Orange County High School of the Arts) that Monica was going to receive an award at an awards ceremony that we needed to attend ... but that we needed to keep the award a secret from Monica. So as non-chalantly as possible, I rounded up The Mister and Monica and we went. (Andrew decided to stay home.)

Of all the awards, there is one for Outstanding Freshman writer, Outstanding Sophomore writer, Outstanding Junior writer, and Outstanding Senior writer ... the ones given out toward the end of the ceremony.

I had no idea which award she would be getting. But as the night progressed and she hadn't been called up for any of the other ones, it dawned on me that perhaps she might be named Outstanding Sophomore writer. And you know what? That's exactly what happened. Monica Mouet is OCHSA's 2012 Outstanding Sophomore Writer.

I'm not sure if anyone really understands how proud I am.

From the moment Monica came into this world, I knew she had a unique point of view and that she had the potential to express this point of view through the written word. Her words. They have already accomplished so much. And I know that whether she decides to use her skills to write arguments that affect public policy, or to develop clever characters in screenplays, or to create the next great American novel, or to move mountains, she'll do it.

My Monica.
My daughter.
Her words.

I can hardly wait to read the words she will continue to craft in the months and years ahead ... words that will entertain, challenge, persuade, and delight.

My daughter.
My heart.

Mind Readers

To make a book, it takes more than one person. It takes the effort of many. And if you're lucky, the many doesn't have to be too many ... just a few who have immense talent and commitment. I wanted to introduce two of those people on the CRESCENDOh team who make my work seamless.

Raquel Joya is our principal graphic designer. Our Creative Director extraordinaire. We've worked together for many years and I hardly have to say much in order to get an idea communicated. She listens but most importantly, she understands ... and she brings to life visions for how to make a book look great. I actually think she can read my mind ... as I utter a word or two and she says "got it."

Our principal writer and editor is Amanda Crabtree Weston. Meticulous, smart, and oh yeah, a mind reader as well. We've also worked together for many years and she's there to catch all of my fragmented sentences, thoughts, and ideas and work her magic to make it all flow ... always with a smile and commitment to quality.

These are just two of the many on the team who bring to life books like Hand in Hand ... a book that I am so proud of, and reflects the commitment that our entire team has to producing high quality content that is exquisite from cover to cover.

More to come. :)

Flowers Wrapped with Painted Paper

I'm a lucky girl to have received these lovely flowers from my friend recently ... a gesture of support and "you can do it" cheering on for some of my work projects ...

The flowers were wrapped with a piece of kraft paper that she had painted. It's genius, actually.

The flowers are still going strong, but when they are here no longer, I will have the best thing of all ... the beautiful painted paper. Maybe I'll cover a journal with it. We'll see.

Embracing 45.

Last night, as I was enjoying a quiet dinner to celebrate my 45th birthday with The Mister and the kids, there was a thought bubble hovering over my head that said: "It doesn't get better than this."

I mean really.
I never knew it would be so good by 45.

• In the morning, my kids and husband woke me up with a serenade, coffee, and pastry.
• In the card from my teen daughter and teen son, they wrote, among other things: "You know the correct ways of raising children, and we will never become 'stupids' or stray onto wrong paths of life."
• In the card from The Mister, he wrote, among other things: "You have gotten cuter."
• I had a GREAT workout with my super cool personal trainer, and then off I went to Jamba Juice to enjoy a peanut butter moo'd smoothie for lunch.
• After the smoothie, I spent most of the day figuring out how to write a pattern for a new crochet design with my stellar tech editor (for a new project coming later in 2013).

Family. Health. Meaningful work (with the smartest and most capable team) ...

So then after dinner at Lola Gaspar's, I told my family I wanted to go to the studio to check things out to prepare for Julie Balzer's class this Saturday. As we were approaching, I saw that the studio's door was slightly ajar and I thought: "OMG, somebody broke in!" And then as I approached, I saw a little pretty votive candle and I thought: "OMG, the interlopers are throwing a party in my studio!"

And then when the door was opened, I was greeted by my friends for a surprise party. OMG.

I've NEVER been so surprised.

Tracy Schultz made everyone laugh as she was placing the cake that Sarah Meehan had baked and got her hand caught on the cake, nearly causing it to fall off the table.

Other amazing treats were present ...

After it was over, I got home to work on some stuff, getting ready for the rest of the week and saw a new thought bubble hovering over me that said, "I'm one lucky girl."

I embrace 45. And next year, I'll embrace 46. I want never to complain about the years I've collected because without those years, I wouldn't have the experiences nor the relationships that I do.

This is as good as it gets.

Becoming Our Best While Looking Our Worst

The informality of family life is a blessed condition that
allows us to become our best while looking our worst.
{Marge Kennedy}

 

 For the past several days, I've been on vacation with my peeps: The Mister, Monica, and Andrew. The ones I love. The ones who know me. The ones with whom I bask in the informality of family life ... especially during family vacations where we bond and and laugh hard ... where passings of gas become amplified and therefore more hilarious, crusty eyes and bad hair become magnified and more ridiculously endearing ... as we have fun, become grounded, humbled, and bonded in closer quarters than usual and slower pace than normal.

During this vacation, we have enjoyed the beauty of California's central coast as we have feasted on steamed crab, soaked in the beauty of nature during day hikes, and just plain enjoyed the company and mutual acceptance of one another. Corny jokes and all.

 

 Whether we travel far from home or not too far from home, the best thing about our vacations is that we are together, as we enjoy the true blessing of being comfortably our true selves as we imagine, prepare, and receive support to become our best selves.