Second session went fine. We took turns reading stories out of a "Chicken Soup for the Whatever" book, and we worked on comprehension and pronunciation, with some vocabulary thrown in there. He was very curious about American society, he said. Ask me anything, I replied.

He was fascinated by the concept that Americans can build a house "wherever they want". Is that true, he said?

I explained about zoning ordinances, and the fact you have to have the money to build a house, but yes, if you own the land you can pretty much build a house if you want.

Not in China. In China, the government owns all the land, and the only way to build your own home is to bribe the construction company or government officials to approve your request. It's quite a corrupt system from what I understand, and I felt quite the undercurrent of frustration from both father and son. (Dad keeps a close eye on all proceedings, to make sure I'm doing my job and so's my student. You know all the stereotypes about Asians pushing their children to succeed? Yeah, it's like that.)

However, his biggest fascination was with....American food. He wanted to know what we ate in our homes, because the only exposure to American food they have in China is McDonalds, KFC, and Pizza Hut. One dinner at Pizza Hut will cost a Chinese family 1/3 of their monthly income! So that sparked an animated discussion of the influence of different cultures on food here, and how ice cream, cookies, and the like taste much different here than they do in China. I said that's because if an American can dump more fat, calories, and bad stuff in their food the better they like it. He laughed.

He's very bright, and I'm amazed at how fast he picks things up. I know some of that is youth (he looks 12, but I think he's about 24 or 25) but it's almost spooky how he will ask a question, peering intently into my eyes, repeat what I say to himself a few times, then has it cold. Man, I wish I was that quick.

****

I'm almost halfway through the second pass of my client's book, and that's going well. She has been fabulous to work with, and I'm really excited for her. She had some really nice things to say about me here. Very gratifying to read, because usually editors don't get that much recognition.

Once I finish her edit, that leaves two slots open, which I really hope to fill ASAP. Need the business. So, if you know anyone who needs an editor, especially in helping translate online serial work to print, I'm your girl. :)

****

Those of you who have followed me for a while are probably familiar with my whining about "The Blood". It is a short story whose history is ten times longer than the word count. Omg, how I have sweated over, wept, wailed, and reworked this story. I've honestly lost count of how many times I've slaved over this damned thing and of how many rejections I've garnered. I know it was a big subject on TSB at one time, and I've had the help of many a hapless writer on what to do and where to go with the damned thing. I owe special thanks to Taer, because he told me to chuck the first third and start from there, which was the best advice for that story. And of course, my long-suffering peeps -- Dave, Lala, and Stacy. I <3 youse :)

I believe I wrote the initial inception seven years ago. Honestly. Isn't that nuts? But it was a story that just would NOT. LET. GO. I'd tell you the whole background but this entry is getting pretty long as it is. If it's published, I will.

I've submitted it so many times -- reject, reject, reject. After the last reworking, I just let it sit, figuring it was just one of those stories that was going to mean a lot to me and not much to anyone else.

Until one of my favorite mags put out a call for vampire fiction. I submitted it.

Don't have official word yet, but unofficially it looks good. I'm over the moon. :))) I'll post a link if it goes live. Fingers crossed.

****

And then, I read something like this here and despair of ever getting to that level. I love Sam's work -- she never, ever disappoints. Just lovely. *sigh*

****

So, that's my hodge-podge for now. Updates as they happen.