Most notable was flying back to the States this past spring. Not only did I get to go home and see family and friends, but the trip also coincided with my first book, a short story collection called A Robe of Feathers and Other Stories, being published by Counterpoint Press LLC.
Shiny.
I also had my first ever book signing at the Bookworm in Omaha. That event went better than I ever could have imagined. People showed up, lots of people--old friends and teachers, favorite doctors and distant relatives. Even kind strangers. The staff were amazing and the books sold out. I don't recall a word of what I said or how I answered questions. I might have just sat there and drooled the whole time. I don't know. All I remember is the incredible high that lasted until almost the end of September.
Beautiful People.
The third whopper of a dream was flying to New York City and meeting my fabulous agent, Ethan Ellenberg. I can honestly say I was more nervous meeting him than reading and answering questions in front of a hundred or so people. It was a whole we're-not-in-Kansas-anymore moment and I am still carrying with me the inspiration I garnered from him.
Look J, the back of my mom's head and is that Elvis?
After all of that it was a bit of a downer when J and I returned to Japan only to be quarantined for 10-days because they feared we had H1N1. Although the people who called us daily asking how we felt and explaining that if we had to cough we should cover our mouths were nice enough.
From June it was pretty much a lazy slide into Christmas.
Oh, there was a highlight in November when I went to Osaka to do a reading at a Four Stories event. Again, the people were awesome. The vibe was surreal. Three of my best Shizuoka friends went to support me and I just can't tell them how much that meant to me. I also met an online buddy who was so way cool that it felt like hooking up with a long-time friend.
Still as wonderful as 2009 was, I'm looking forward to next year. I've gotten rid of some baggage, rearranged my priorities, and am really hoping to be a creative, productive force of nature. Okay, maybe force of nature is a little ambitious. Fingers crossed for another book published.
I wanted to thank all the Kappa no He readers, subscribers and followers. I hope each and everyone of you have a New Year filled with health and wealth and happiness.
2010 is the Year of the Tiger. Here is a New Year's postcard I painted. I was going to send these out this year, but I couldn't successfully reproduce the tiger. It warped into some horse-rat looking creature.
Tomorrow I'll post the card I did end up sending out.
Good bye, 2009. I'll miss you.
16 comments:
Congratulations on a great year! I've so enjoyed your blog and getting to know you through it. Perhaps someday we will meet IRL.
Best wishes for a fruitful and creative force-filled 2010!
Tigermama.
Thanks, Tiger. I just realized you will surely have an auspicious 2010, your name is TIGER!
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Terrie, we have thoroughly enjoyed your blog all year, and are proud of you. The end-of-the-year summary was great. Best wishes from Arkansas and we hope you and your family have an even better year in 2010.
HAve a great year !!!
Wishing you an even better year for 2010.. best of luck with that new book though I suspect that with your talent, you won't need luck. Happy New Year, Terrie. :)
Uncle James, thank you both for so much. And it was a thrill seeing you this past Spring. You guys are the best.
Inty, thank you! And the best of New Year's to you.
Hilary, I can't tell you how much you and Frank mean to me. Just knowing you're in this world makes me a happier person. If you ever travel out East my door is open. I mean it, too.
Happy 2010 to you, Terrie, and I hope 2010 is just as good to you as 2009 was (and better to me, while I'm at it!). If I'd been in Japan, I'd have done my damnedest to go to your Osaka event.
The stray kitten we've adopted is a little tiger-cat. She was a miserable little thing when we got her; now she's a vigorous, bright-eyed little creature. I'm telling myself she'll bring us an auspicious year, but I'd settle for her NOT shredding the curtains.
Mary, sounds like fate to me, adopting a little tiger kitty right before the Year of the Tiger. I bet 2010 is just chock full of excitement and fun and good, good things for you and your family. Remember we're just and hour's shinkansen from Tokyo (your daughter is still here, isn't she?). If you're ever in country stop by and I'll cook you up a great big nabe.
Happy 2010, Terrie, from Charleston and San Diego!!! We hope this year is even more fabulous for you than last year was! We've enjoyed reading about all of your experiences - both there in Japan and here in the States. (Isn't the internet a wonderful thing?)
I think the tiger is adorable! :) Best wishes for the new year.
happy 2010 to you and yours, terrie :)
Pat and Kathie, you two have been so good to me. I'm just sure all that positive karma is going to multiply and bounce back in your directions.
Deidra, thanks a bunch, Happy New Year and I just love your profile pic--from the very first time I saw it.
Laughingwolf, looking forward to your friendship in the New Year. ^-^
Congrats on a great 2009. I enjoyed your blog this year and hope to keep up with it further in 2010.
Ben, thanks and me too!
I'm happy you had such an eventful, fulfilling year and that you're optimistic for more in 2010. Thanks for the well-wishes. I'm echoing them back atcha. :)
I think you had an awesome 2009. And I am glad to have gotten to know you through blogging, I think you're a pretty fantastic and amazing person with a killer sense of humor. Happy New Year!!! : )
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