Weekend Project.

I spent the Saturday decorating the wall at my new office. The kids came along with us. While I was having so much fun sketching the background image, my son teased me, “ Mom, you can’t draw on the wall. Draw on paper!” Umm… Oops… Like mother like son. I guess soon I will find the wall at my home as colorful as this one.

“World Traveler” is Hitting the Beach this Summer.

When I was 16, I told my puppy love that I would travel the world after I graduated from college and would spend 5 years on each continent. First France, then Egypt, then Beijing and etc. So that I would have experienced many different lives instead of just one… Of course, he sighed “you will see when you grown up.” I hated it when he said that but I ended up proving him right.

Fast forward 20 years, I have spent all my working hours in Manhattan. It has always been my comfort zone.

But Manhattan, I will soon be saying so long. Our work place is moving 25 miles east toward Jones Beach. It is so near yet so different. There is an excitement stirring inside me, along with a bit nervousness. I almost feel like we chose to “burn the boats so we must stand and fight.” Changes initiate energy. It is going to be a new journey with fresh ideas, hard work and new accomplishments. Long Island, here we come!

Happy Father’s Day!

Just gazed a title “Will Dad Ever Do His Share?” on the cover of today’s The New York Times Magazine. Didn’t have a chance to read the article yet but guessed it maybe about how mothers spend more energy caring for kids than fathers do. That made me think: Joey has always been doing equal share of parenting with me. I didn’t realize that it was rare. Maybe I should consider myself lucky. Okay, here honey: Happy Father’s Day! Love you.

Things About Talks.

Many years ago, a new friend asked what I was studying at Parsons School of Design. I told her Communication Design. She joked, “Really? Communication? You don’t even like to talk.” I reply, “Gal, the key word is DESIGN. So, I can communicate without TALKing.”

Years later, I started going to client meetings. Each time, my goal was to conduct the whole creative presentation in 4 words, “The work explains itself.” Of course, I would also throw in a big smile (… a form of visual communication).

Then, the “higher power” probably saw that I might never hit my “talking quota”, so it sent me two children. First I have to sing and read to them. Now, I have to talk (and repeat, then repeat again) to them.

I finally realized that it really take good effort and intelligence to talk interestingly. I had been good listener for so long… it had been the easy role: no risk of saying something wrong or boring, not much thinking involves other than sincere responses to the speaker.

Talking is a whole different ball game. It could be so dangerous. Just look at Sharon Stone’s Karma talk initiated hundreds of forum users taking sides attacking the US and Chinese governments in such an absurd way. There was just one actress made an improper remark (stupid verbal communication) while displayed a half-smiling face (heartless visual communication), and it almost started a war. Such an eye opener, stupid talks could be so powerful.

Did I say stupid twice? Sorry, I better talk nicely so good karma will come to me.

Idea is king? Or is it something else...

I made this print on exactly February 20, 2002, 8:02pm in the silkscreen lab at Parsons School of Design. The instructor said my idea was brilliant. I laughed. On the next day, I hanged it up on my metal cabinet with a piece of magnet. In no time, this print had become invisible to anyone – including myself.

A few years later, I learned about this artist called On Kawara. This painting is one of his Today series. Here is a quote from Wikipedia, “Since 1966 he has made a long series of "date paintings" (the Today series), which consist entirely of the date on which the painting was executed in simple white lettering set against a solid background. If Kawara is unable to complete the painting on the day it was started he immediately destroys it.” This work had been viewed / respected / sold / talked about throughout the art world around the globe.

Both of our work had similar kind of concept: To preserve the uniqueness of the moment. And mine, seems to me, has an extra twist of flavor on it. Why mine became unnoticed, and his became world-renowned? Simple. He treated his idea like a big deal. And I didn’t.

Okay, let me be more proactive this time. Later on, I will call up some clients to see if they are interested in hosting an evening event on:
20 08 (year)
20/08 (date/month)
20:08 (hour:minute)
So, at least I can design the invitation card with this “brilliant” graphic solution…… oh. damn… August 20 is a Wednesday… chance is slim… maybe I should host a party myself just so I can print that invitation… Who to say it is not worth it.

Random thoughts on raising kids.

I have a 9 year-old, a 5 year-old and a 3 year-old. (All have the same father.) 9 year-old is our design firm and the younger ones are cute little creatures. It has been so much fun to raise them. And I learned a few things along the way.

GRATEFULLY ACCEPT ANY HELP THAT WAS OFFERED. My mom help me taking care of the kids while I work — I gratefully accept that. My colleagues pull an all-nighter so I can go home on time for the kids — I gratefully accept that. Just remind myself: always appreciate it and help back (or help other) whenever I see a chance.

EFFICIENCY MATTERS. Now I can shop the whole season’s wardrobe in 2.5 hours simply because I have better things to do. Guess what? I still look okay.

COMPETITIONS CAN HURT. The slightest comparisons can hurt the bonding between siblings or co-workers. Cons outweigh the pros. Avoid it if possible.

MESSY IS GOOD. If the house is always nice and neat, that means the kids don’t get to play with toys enough. If the company is always under control, which means it is not running fast enough. Just remind myself: reasonable disordered is fine, dirty is not.

To be continued… I am sure the best is yet to come.

Imagine all these freedom.

A girlfriend of mine just came back from an adventurous vacation. She traveled through Hong Kong and Korea all by herself—for 2 months! On the other hand, I have been staying here, doing my typical work. All I can feel right now is envy.

Now, I am wondering if there is a way I could sneak out from my everyday life for 2 months without making a fuzz. Walking the earth all by myself like a super-cool lone ranger.

I am not too worried about my work. I have the best team in town at my office. It is for sure that the business will still be running when I come back in two months.

I am not too worried about my husband. He is back in playing his radio control car. It will keep him busy for a while. I would be back before he even notices that I have been away.

The kids… what could I tell the kids? Ok. I could tell them that mommy is mommy bear. And mommy bear needs to hide and sleep during wintertime. And I will be back when the weather is warm. It doesn’t mean I don’t love them, but that’s what mommy bear needs to do… Oh boy, I already feel the separation anxiety even just the thought of this.

Well, I guess I will have to postpone my plan for 15 years. For those of you who are waiting to read my exotic travel journal, please check back in year 2023.