They Yellow Paperclip in Enzo's Birthday Loot Bag

I can't believe it has been a year since I held newborn Enzo in my arms (read more about Enzo HERE). We celebrated his first birthday at Jollibee and I was thrilled when Rhea told me she wanted to include my book in the kids' loot bags.

My paperclip had a great time surrounded by kids, toys, sweets and Chicken Joy! Here are some snapshots from yesterday's party: there's Mommy Rhea and Baby Enzo, me with friendly Jollibee, and a group shot (look for Becca who is all grown up now!).

Here's the Yellow Paperclip with my officemate's kids - with Ron's four-year old brother and with Janet's nephew Marvin. Sweet! Thank you, Mommy Rhea!

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Seoul

It was a cross between Amazing Race and Lost in Translation as I made my way to Seoul on a solo adventure on a rainy Wednesday morning. A kind Rotarian brought me to the bus station in Cheongju City, helped me buy my ticket, waited until I boarded the bus... and even waved goodbye from the terminal!

I spent the afternoon checking out hotels for upcoming events in Seoul and shopping in the famous Nam Dae Mun market... all alone except for the essentials: some Won, an umbrella, my trusty Crocs, and a Lonely Planet Korean phrasebook! That evening, I met up with Jeda Kim, an old friend from AdMU, and my colleague Stephanie Nam for a delicious dinner in Yoido, in the heart of Korea's Manhattan-like district.

The rest of the evening was spent walking around the University Belt. Stephanie and I went to Cafe Eros, her favorite fortune teller cafe (my destiny is exciting... ;-) I can't wait for the rest of my life!), and three other cafes before we called it quits at nearly 5 in the morning! By the time I got into a cab, sleepy and tipsy, the sky was fast changing color. I crashed on the hotel bed with the sunrise on my face... What a memorable Sleepless in Seoul adventure! Kamsa hamnida!

Yellow and Purple Flowers in Korea

As promised, here are a few of my favorite photos of yellow and purple flowers. There will be more as the days and weeks go by...

I made sure I placed my "wishing rocks" near a bunch of yellow wildflowers. We were told that wishes come true when rocks are stacked up and placed along the riverbank. I tried to find the most heart-shaped rock I could find. Hee-hee.

I love it how Mama Mary looks Korean! I took this photo after our first Sunday Mass in Okcheong City. And of course I love it how the flowers in the pots are yellow and purple!

This is one of my favorite macro-shots. There are so many purple flowers here in Korea but somehow, they all still draw me in.

A Purple/Pora Hanbok Just for Me

Greetings from Jincheon City! I got to wear a pora (or purple) hanbok, the traditional Korean dress in Cheongju City last week. Isn't it pretty? I saw it in the hanbok store when we walked in and fell in love with the hand-embroidered butterflies and the purple ribbon. I mentioned that my favorite color is purple and I got to wear it! I think I could pass for a Korean girl?

There are so many beautiful yellow and purple flowers here that I've been taking close-up shots left and right. With all the flowers, food and sights, I have a total of over 700 photos in just six days. Will my 2GB memory card be enough? Will I be able to choose a few as my favorite shots? Will I ever tire of taking shots of yellow and purple flowers? (Wait for the flowers in my next post... or should I start another blog just for my Korean adventures?)

A Month in the Life

In less than ten hours, I'll be on a plane heading to South Korea for a four-week exchange program with the Rotary Foundation. Together with two others, I was chosen to be a member of the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Outbound Team to Chungcheongbuk-do (approximately two hours south of Seoul). I look forward to being some kind of ambassador for RI District 3830, the Rotary Club of Makati North, DDI and the Philippines itself.

I'll have intermittent access to email but should be able to check messages at least every other day (... I wonder if I'll ever have time to blog?). I'll also be getting a Korean mobile phone so don't fret if I don't reply to messages you send to my Smart account. As Bing bid me farewell last Friday, she exclaimed: "You'll be a changed woman by June!" We'll see just how big a purple spot the GSE will turn out to be... Until then, annyonghi kyeseyo!

A Picture Book for Papa

Thanks to iPhoto, I was able to make a picture book for my dad's 60th birthday. It's my first print-on-demand book (courtesy of Picture Books) and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. My dad has been taking photographs ever since I can remember and one of his favorite subjects is the humble (and often lonely) bicycle. One of the earliest shots is this bicycle in Amsterdam in 1981. I collected several photos (I love it how he has a hard drive just for his photos... and even a folder specifically for all of his bicycle shots!) and counted exactly sixty bikes (some photos had more than one in them!), worked on the layout on iPhoto (I love how Macs are so intuitive and foolproof!), and sent them over for printing. Best of all, Papa is well pleased with the book.

Remember how I said it's now my personal mission to help others realize their dreams? Papa has always wanted to have his own photo exhibit, and a portfolio is a first step. This book 60 Bicycles can serve as his portfolio. Other possible book projects: 60 Doors, 60 Patterns, 60 Shots of Nikki... Happy 60th birthday, Papa! I love you very mucho!

PS. While I'm happy with the quality of the printing and binding, I was so upset with the delay, considering I gave my photos in two weeks in advance. It was unnecessary stress! So if you want to make picture book through them, just make sure you don't have a super tight deadline. (But, plus points for them though: they replied to my I'm-an-unhappy-customer email and gave me a 15% discount.)

One Step Closer to Another Big (and Shared) Dream

I beat the official deadline by an hour and 58 minutes. At 10:02 PM tonight, I clicked "SEND" to an email I sent to the Board of Judges of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Attached were my scanned official forms, my resume and of course, a copy of my story. But I really should say our story, or even better, his story.

I have always dreamed of submitting an entry to the Palanca Awards (okay, another tick on my checklist!), but my friend has always dreamed of having his own children's storybook. I find myself drawn to helping other people realize their dreams (yes, it's pay-it-forward time), so when I found out last year, I told him to join the upcoming PBBY-Salanga and the Palanca Awards. He felt stuck and didn't know where to begin; I really wanted to help so it was but natural for me to volunteer and write a story for and with him.

The result is a collaborative story: one I wrote with a lot of inspiration and guidance from my friend, with the help of YM messages, Skype calls, email and SMS exchanges. It's the first time I collaborated with someone to write a story and it was a very good experience. I'm happy with how the story turned out. We submitted it to the 2007 PBBY-Salanga Prize last year but unfortunately, it did not make it. We'll see if the stars are aligned to get us the Palanca Award... and sending it out is a big step closer to our dream! It must be the craziest, fastest-and-most-furious time in my life right now (get this: editing a book on leaders, running after a big sales prospect, managing a regional project, preparing for an upcoming four-week trip to Korea, getting ready for my dad's big 60th birthday... whew!), but I'm really happy I took time out to do this. Once again, it's the most perfect time to quote one of my most favorite quotes of all time: Dreams mean work. (It's the last line in Coelho's By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept and has been my YM status message for the last few weeks.)

As much as I want to go public, I can't quite disclose the subject, plot and the name of my friend just yet. We'll have to wait until the results are out on September 1st. When we hear the great news then, we'll definitely celebrate with a bang!

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Portugal

What a nice surprise in my inbox today from Susana, a good friend of May Ann:

Hi Nikki! I don't know if you remember us: we are the twins from Lisbon, Portugal. We commented in your blog a couple of weeks ago. As promised, here is the picture of the two of us holding your/May Ann's fantastic book. We wish you all the best and hope to see many more books from you!

P.S. Oh, and I forgot to say: in the picture, Patricia is wearing the white shirt and I am wearing the brown one.

I'm so happy the Yellow Paperclip found its way to Portugal, but even happier that it has made twin friends. Here's hoping for more books too!

Easter's Yellow and Purple Spots

My countdown to Easter was spent at The Karis retreat house, a beautiful sacred space in cool Tagaytay, at my second Jesuit silent Holy Week retreat. I had four days to sloooooooow down, rest, refresh my weary self and relish in God's Silence... and yes, to appreciate His yellow and purple creations!

My spiritual director was Bro. Oliver Dy, S.J., a.k.a. Bro. Ody - truly a blessing and a kindred spirit when it comes to our love for stars and words. It was wonderful to share my personal history with him (which is not complete without the story of The Yellow Paperclip, of course!). He enjoyed reading my story and saw glimpses of Aquinas' medieval theology - now that's a first! But more importantly, Bro. Ody helped me to identify and articulate the ever-elusive yet present thread of Providence working in and out of my life. I was just so happy that the gift of writing stories is, and will be, an important element in my continuously unfolding life story. Storywriting has taken on a completely new meaning for me and I can't contain my excitement for the work and service ahead. I am humbled beyond words. Thank you, Lord!

You're invited to visit my prayer blog for more Easter reflections. May our Every Day be lived as Easter Day!

PS. Look at our photo closely. Doesn't it look like I have Easter bunny ears because of the plant behind me? Hee-hee.

A Paperclip, A Teacher and A Doctor

Here's to the third storybook... and more to come! I wrote in my last post. They always say (have you met "they"?) be careful what you wish for. I guess they're right: I just found out via email that the second story I wrote for the Great Men and Women of Asia - Children's Series will also be published! I am thrilled beyond belief.

It is the story of Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a Japanese missionary doctor based in war-stricken Afghanistan. Dr. Nakamura won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Peace and Understanding in 2003 for "his passionate commitment to ease the pain of war, disease, and calamity among refugees and the mountain poor of the Afghanistan-Pakistan borderlands" (read the entire citation here). The story's title is A Lucky Doctor and it highlights his fascination with bugs and how he felt "lucky" (yes, that's the word he used!) to be able to see beyond cultural and religious differences. I can't wait to see the illustrations... and the book itself! I was informed that the book launch will be sometime in July or August. What a year this is turning out to be...

Next up: the Palanca Awards! (I can already hear them saying: "Be careful what you wish for, Nikki..." Hee-hee.)

It's Sweeter the Second Time Around

I have a second book! WOW! I was taken completely by surprise when I saw my name staring out from the cover of Khan: A Teacher of Everything on a shelf at The Podium's Ink & Stone last Friday night. I didn't even know the book was already available! Khan: A Teacher of Everything is one of several stories in Great Men and Women of Asia - Children's Series, a partnership project of The Bookmark, Inc. and Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation to bring inspiring stories of real-life heroism to children all over the world. Click here for more details and some thumbnails of the books.

Khan: A Teacher of Everything honors Shoaib Sultan Khan who won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1992 for "his nurturing self-reliant development and bringing hope to the forgotten peoples of high Pakistan" (read the entire citation here).

Thanks to Quix P. Maiquez, another amazing artist, who made wonderful illustrations for my story (I'll upload some photos as soon as I scan some pages!). Thanks also to young Elijah, a good friend of YPC, who inspired the title (I knew it was a great idea to brainstorm with him before writing the story!).

It's sweeter the second time around... and now I can proudly say that I'm really a writer (and not just an I-got-lucky-kind-of-writer)! Here's to the third storybook... and more to come!

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Cebu

I was in Cebu for a couple of marketing events last week and it was good to find time to meet an old friend Mia Zamora. Mia and I share similar interests and backgrounds: she's also from Ateneo, an HR professional and also a writer! She writes for Kikay, a weekly fashion + beauty + lifestyle column of the Cebu Daily News. Click here for her archived articles. The Yellow Paperclip is happy to have a new friend in the beautiful Queen city of the South!

A Yellow and Purple Valentine

Alec (or fondly known as "Klutz" - our mutual term of endearment) is the sweetest brother in the whole world. (And yes, I say that proudly even if he is my only brother in the whole world. Hee-hee.) He left this on my window sill. If the card is too small, it reads: Hope you like these yellow flowers with bright purple... flowers! Aawwwwww... Thanks, Klutz!

Backblog (Backlog ng Blog)

I wish I had more time to write. If I did, I would write about...

• The Magic of Teacher Mauie
• Noli's Unique Kids
• The Yellow Paperclip Visits an Animation Studio
  
• A Dream Come True (Almost) for My Friend Johnny
  
• Writing for Grown-Ups
• Don and the Joy of Believing in Paperclips
• The Yellow Paperclip Goes to ISM

I have a Stickie note on my desktop to remind me of my backblog. But I thought I'd post it up here as a baby step to making it real. Eeeep. Find time, Nikki... please find time.

The Yellow Paperclip Meets Alice and Joy

I spent a day in a room full of writers, aspiring writers, fellow lovers of children's books, publishers, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, moms, and new friends. It was the day of the writing workshop sponsored by The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators with globally-published author Alice McLerran.

I saw her as I entered; she was wearing a purple dress (and I was in a purple shirt!)... and I liked her already! Alice shared her stories with us as a writer, daughter and mother; a number of us also shared our stories during the group critique sessions. Now that was nerve-wracking! Whew! (That experience deserves its own blogpost. Abangan...) Until I can find the time to write lengthily on the writing workshop, I'll share some of the notes I scribbled as Alice talked about her life as a writer and shared some tips on the writing process (with additional and pahabol thought bubbles of mine in purple!).

Publishing is anytime you let go of a piece of writing. Publishing your work matters. The fun in writing is sharing it with others. (It took me a while to share my writing with others. It was great to know that other people enjoyed what I write... so it wasn't just Mom. Hee-hee.)

You're the same writer even after a "Whopeeee! I'm published!" moment. Things don't change drastically. (Exactly! I was suprised when I sat down next to Michele of CCP and she said with a laugh, "How intimidating! Of course someone with a book had to sit next to me!" Me, intimidating?! Not at all. It was nice to meet you, Michele!)

With picture books, you have to trust your illustrator to tell the other half of your story. And illustrators must know how to draw imagination. (And I love it how May Ann saw the world of my Yellow Paperclip so much better than I even imagined it myself!)

We write about what we know and care about. You have to care enough about your story. And care enough to share it with others. (Who would've thought others would find a paperclip just as fascinating?)

An idea is not the story. You still have to develop the story with a beginning, a middle and an end. Yes, it's hard work. (That a-ha moment still needs a lot of work, tears, patience and determination. "Dreams mean work," Paulo Coelho said. I believe him 100%.)

The most simple of plants (and stories!) draw their strength from a complex root system. (If only you knew the entire root system of the Yellow Paperclip...)

There's no one set of pictures for a story. (Alice's book The Mountain that Loved a Bird has been published in several countries, including Russia, Pakistan, China and the Philippines - in the native language and with locally-inspired illustrations. Amazing!)

Rewriting should be the fun and most pleasurable part of writing. (This should be my mantra... Really.)

Ideas come and go. Write them down as soon as possible. (Never leave home without that trusty notebook and pen!)

Creativity is not romantic. A lot of it happens in strange ways. But a lot of it is craft. It's practice. (Creativity is also a way of life. It's about being curious and silly and child-like.)

Trust your subconscious. (I should. I will.)

I bought a copy of The Mountain that Loved a Bird, a very moving story with beautiful new illustrations by Beaulah. I also gave Alice a copy of The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots and she loved it! She said it wasn't lip service but she really enjoyed the story. I'm so happy! I hope we keep in touch.

Oh... and if you're wondering who Joy is, you'll have to read The Mountain that Loved a Bird! Send an email to mothertonguepublishinginc@gmail.com or visit their site to get copies.

PS. I can't believe I didn't get to have my photo taken with Alice! Sayang. And it would have been so cool for this blogpost (especially since we were both in purple!). Beaulah or Nikki, I hope you can share some photos with me. Maraming salamat!

The Painful Truth Behind My Purple Spots

I got the biggest Halloween trick yesterday, except it wasn't a prank... it's the painful truth behind the "purple spots" on my face. What does this have to do with paperclips? Well, I always knew my story was autobiographical but I don't know if many people know I associated the bright purple spots with my own face.

NO, it's not a delayed onset of puberty-pimples, it's not adult acne, it's not even allergies. It's a chronic inflamatory disorder called Rosacea. I spent the last day and a half reading up about it and I thought I'd share some of the info with you as I will be needing all the emotional support I can get. Here's a quick intro from one of the websites:

Rosacea (pronounced "roh-ZAY-sha") is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin, often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. Many have observed that it typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. In some cases, rosacea may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, the redness becomes ruddier and more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear. Left untreated, bumps and pimples often develop, and in severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue. While there is no cure for rosacea and the cause is unknown, medical therapy is available to control or reverse its signs and symptoms. Individuals who suspect they may have rosacea are urged to see a dermatologist or other knowledgeable physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Apparently, Rosacea affects about 14 million Americans. The disorder is more likely among Caucasians (so, mestiza pala ako?!) and celebrities like Bill Clinton and Princess Diana had flare-ups too. I don't think it's very common here in the Philippines which is probably why my first trips to dermatologists as early as 2004 were frustrating as they couldn't give me any info. Luckily, I feel much better with a new dermatologist I'm seeing. She's truly an angel in disguise. (And get this! I found out on my second visit that her dad was the OB who delivered me! That can only be a good thing.) I am now on medication - oral antibiotics and a topical gel to relieve some of the pimples and redness. However, I was warned that there may be some "transient redness" when my skin reacts to the medication. True enough, I turned tomato-red yesterday. It's so frustrating.

Given that there's no cure, the best thing to do is manage my lifestyle and avoid specific triggers that aggravate my Rosacea. There's no known cause either. Each individual has unique triggers; the challenge is to identify them soon so I can avoid them completely. But it's not as easy as that. From a recent survey, these are the top triggers for flare-ups:

1. Sun exposure - 81% (Eeep. Of course I just got back from Panglao.)
   
2. Emotional stress - 79% (Hmmm. This will be hard to isolate.)
   
3. Hot weather - 75% (I live in the Philippines!)
   
4. Wind - 57% (I guess I can't drive at 130km/h on the Skyway with the windows down anymore.)
   
5. Heavy exercise - 56% (No wonder I turn beet-red after my Elorde workout. Tai-chi, anyone?)
   
6. Alcohol consumption - 52% (Cheers... you can have my San Mig Lite.)
   
7. Cold weather - 46% (It feels like the North Pole in the office sometimes. So cold that I can't even type!)
   
8. Spicy foods - 45% (Bicolano ang tatay ko. Patay.)
   
9. Humidity - 44% (Once again, I live in the tropics!)
   
10. Indoor heat - 41% (Apparently, even the heat in a crowded elevator!)
    
11. Certain skin-care products - 41% (I think I had a flare-up from Cetaphil the other day.)
    
12. Heated beverages - 36% (Gasp. No more coffee... Sob!)
    
13. Certain cosmetics - 27% (Yes, even the hypoallergenic ones. Even Clinique and VMV.)
    
14. Medications - 15% (Pimple creams are absolute no-nos. Ibuprofen can also be a trigger.)
    
15. Medical conditions - 15% (Even a cough could trigger a flare-up.)
    
16. Certain fruits - 13% (I have a feeling I overdosed on Florida's Natural...)
    
17. Marinated meats - 10% (No more corned beef. No more longganisa. Well, less carcinogens for me!)
    
18. Certain vegetables - 9% (Sana ampalaya ang trigger ko... Hee-hee.)
    
19. Dairy products - 8% (Please... let it NOT be cheese.)
    
20. Other factors - 24% (This is my favorite... I wonder what in the world it could be?!)

I am now subjected to a super-bland diet and have to drink 10-15 glasses of cold water a day to keep me cool and hydrated. I can't even take hot beverages - so goodbye coffee, tea and hot chocolate... unless of course I opt to drink it at room temperature, and only when I can isolate that caffeine is NOT a trigger in itself. Other websites have compiled a long laundry list of triggers that other Rosacea patients have reported and you'll be amazed at the variety of triggers. Problem is, there aren't any tests for it. I have to keep a log of everything I do and eat, how I'm feeling, what the weather was like, etc. Notice too how emotional stress is high on the list... and it could even mean non-work or 'happy' stress like excitement or excessive laughter. Argh. Again, how frustrating.

I just wanted to share the news with you so you know what I'm going through. It's not easy and it will not be easy the next coming weeks/months. So as early as now, I'm apologizing if I will be cranky! Or if I choose to hibernate and not go out on gimmicks if it's a bad flare-up day. It sucks to look in the mirror every morning and always have to think: is today a bad flare-up day or not? I'm scheduled to see my derma in two weeks' time; hopefully the medications would have taken some effect by then. I sure hope so.

So that's my Halloween trick this year. If anything, I'll have to come up with something good from all this... like maybe write a story about a little girl who gets red spots?

Panglao's Yellow and Purple Spots

Hello, Room 1403 - my homebase for the next two nights. It was a well-deserved vacation for all of us. With my trusty purple backpack, a yellow sun hat, a snorkel, a camera and sunblock, I was all set for paradise! I didn't see a paperclip this time around but I did encounter some interesting yellow and purple spots in the three days we spent on Panglao Island. Check out these photos...

Purple, giant and alien-like jellyfish floating...
...or sunbathing on the sand... ...or just hanging out! They were so fascinating that I couldn't help but take photos from all angles... and zoomed in for an up-close-and-personal look! I loved the ube soup they served for dinner one night... yum! Of course I loved seeing yellow and purple together: along the walkways... ... and at the resort's man-made islet.

I guess I will forever see purple and yellow in a different light; these two colors will always stand out, no matter where I go. Don't get me wrong though... Panglao was in full color! Check out my other photos (in other colors) HERE - including some great videos of dolphins!

Panglao will forever be a favorite destination... with or without paperclips.

A Purple Passport and A Yellow Hat

I'm getting my passport renewed (what's going to be my first stamp in it?) and I got my photo taken wearing my favorite purple polo. I don't need my passport to go to Panglao tomorrow but my mom bought me a cool hat with a yellow ribbon!

As you can see, I'm starting to associate anything purple and yellow with paperclips (and this blog). Maybe because I'm blogbling (babbling and blogging at the same time?) after being away for just about two weeks. Maybe because I've got a purple Stickie with a list of Blog Backlog (BackBlog?) to write and I'll never get to pack my purple backpack once I get started.

I wonder if I'll see another Panglao paperclip just as I did last year...

Visit a Children's Art Exhibit of Hope

Gusto ko matahimik ang mundo. Sana makabenta si Nanay ng maraming bulaklak. Gusto ko maging mananahi para makagawa ako ng damit para kay Nanay. Sana maging makulay ang buhay.

An art exhibit featuring life-sized silhouettes, created by children living in poverty expressing their hopes and dreams for a better world.

14 - 27 October
10 AM to 5 PM
Museo Pambata

In commemoration of October 17th as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty. Organized by ATD Fourth World Philippines.

Who can change the world without me?

The Paperclip is Nominated for the People's Design Award

My cousin sent me this interesting link today: Based purely on anecdotal evidence gathered at the baggage carousel, we feel pretty safe in saying that 90% of air passengers now travel with a wheelie suitcase. We feel even more secure asserting that most humans over the age of eight are familiar with the rounded contours of the paper clip. These objects are world famous, yes. But are they great design? Somebody thinks so—and has nominated them for the first-ever People's Design Award from the tasteful folks at Cooper-Hewitt. Though the museum has long hosted the National Design Awards, this is its first stab at a contest where items are submitted and voted on by we, the people. The polls are now open. So wander through and mark your ballot for objects as disparate as the Band-Aid, post-Katrina cottages, a baby stroller, or the Stratocaster. Then tune in on October 18 to see which one takes the trophy for the people's favorite.

True enough, the simple, comfy paperclip is nominated for the People's Design Award and here are some reasons why (and my own purple thought bubbles in parentheses).

• Probably did more than any other single item to create the modern western office culture.(Definitely more, or at least sooner, than Post-Its!)
• Its function cannot be improved by any design change. It cannot be completely replaced. (Exactly! Bull clips and staples don't come close!)
• So far, it hasn't been replaced, changed or updated in any essential, structural way. I think that says enough about the ingenuity of its design. It is a great example for all structural designers out there that there is no need for excess; less is really so much more sometimes. (Simplify, simplify, simplify.)
• Functional, accessible to all users, aesthetically pleasing to look at. What more could you want from any design? (They look even better with bright purple spots!)
• One day my two friends were asking each other the difference between design and architecture. The simple answer being "time" - a building naturally has more time on its hand than a product. But with safety pins, paperclips and zippers, I would have to say that they are here for good. Maybe. (I think paperclips will live forever.)
• Timeless. Unmistakable purpose. God is a paperclip. (Umm, I wouldn't go that far...)
• Elegant yet simple. Essential. A design that makes you think, "Why didn't I think of that?" and yet you didn't. So universal that it has become invisible. (Hopefully my story will get people to take notice of this amazing invention in a new way.
  

On Purple Shirts and Blink-Thinking

The last two nights have been lucky and creative, respectively, and I don't know if it's because I wore purple shirts (yes, two different ones!) yesterday and today, or used the power of Blink-thinking from Malcolm Gladwell's bestseller, Blink. The other common denominator was that I worked late in the office, but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

I wore Purple Shirt #1 for my passport photo shoot yesterday. I shut down, locked up the office and headed out to the parking lot. I noticed my left front tire needed some air. I remember thinking twice (aabot pa siguro ako sa bahay...) but decided otherwise, on Blink-think, and stopped at a gas station to get air. The Universe gave me an angel in Mang Robert who noticed that my right rear tire was completely flat! He changed the tire with the spare I keep in the trunk. Whew! I don't even want to think what could have happened if I had just kept driving.

I wore Purple Shirt #2 under a black suit (I had to be wear my grown-up hat today for the MAP International CEO Conference). From the Makati Shangri-La, I had to make my way back to the office to participate in a conference call with fellow Marketing colleagues from all over the world. We finished at around 8:30 PM and I debated between packing up and heading home, or staying and starting on my PBBY story. My Blink-think said stay. I'm glad I did. All alone in the WriteRoom until nearly midnight, I was able to write a good 1,500+ words - and a first draft that I was quite happy with!

When asked what Blink is about, Gladwell answers: It's a book about rapid cognition, about the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye. When you meet someone for the first time, or walk into a house you are thinking of buying, or read the first few sentences of a book, your mind takes about two seconds to jump to a series of conclusions. Well, "Blink" is a book about those two seconds, because I think those instant conclusions that we reach are really powerful and really important and, occasionally, really good.

I Blinked and in two seconds, I decided to stop at the gas station and decided to stay at the office. Two blinks, two good decisions. Or, simply, just two purple shirts. You decide.

The Power of a Silver Paperclip

You never know when ideas will come or where they come from. I spent an hour and a half this morning sitting on a dirty monobloc, waiting in line to get Roger's LTO registration papers processed. I had a bottle of water, my trusty handbook (You Can Write Children's Books by Tracey E. Dils, a gift from Papa sometime ago), a pen and some initial notes on recycled paper. And voila! The ideas just kept coming. My scribbling couldn't keep up.

Snails. The summer he turned ten. Stargazing. Connect-the-dots/stars. Lego. Ice cream (rocky road?). Ten birthday candles. Swimming. Seeing a cloud in the shape of a Range Rover? Pebbles. Sand from a sandbox. Four wheels versus two. "It's harder to fall off four wheels." Surprises. Acceptance. It's a cloudy night but there are three bright stars.

I don't like walking on eggshells. I need a friend. Don't get me wrong, it's not about love, but about respect. What role do you play? No wonder old lovers can't be friends. Sneaking out at 13. Slow dancing at 14. Give me a break. A little too well? Frigid conscience. There's something seriously wrong here. Let me be the voice of all grownup kids. Can you just let me be me? Maybe I'm asking too much.

Now the challenge is to create something out of these thought bubbles. I don't know where they came from but I'm glad I captured them in furious scribbles. Who knows? Maybe they're all from that silver paperclip attached to the LTO files. Maybe the silver ones aren't so dull after all.

31 Artists = 31 Adventures

Thirty-one young artists who joined an art contest sponsored by Roche Philippines were each introduced to The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots. Thanks to Susan, my friend from PSTD and a true DDI champion, who thought of sharing my story with them, there are now thirty-one new adventures for my paperclip... and I'm sure they're extra colorful ones!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Becca!

It was Becca. She started my great adventure around the world.

These lines speak the truth for both The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots and myself. Becca really did start one of my life's biggest adventures - my storybook and all the stories I can share because of it. I love telling the story of how she helped develop the adventures of our Yellow Paperclip. It was one of my earliest posts - read it HERE.

In celebration of Becca's 12th birthday, we had a unique and colorful birthday celebration at MMLDC yesterday afternoon. Check out our birdmasks! My homemade mask looks really daggy next to Becca's cool and sophisticated purple one! Nonetheless, it was still well-worth the 100 kilometers I drove to and from home.

Happy birthday, Becca! I wish you many colorful adventures in the years ahead! You're really a bright purple spot in my life!

Fifteen Days to Go

Gulp. October 16 is the deadline for the 2007 PBBY-Salanga Prize. If you want to submit an entry, click here for more details.
Write, Nikki... WRITE!!!

Tree Heaven

This post will have nothing to do with paperclips... but a lot to do with trees. I started a new blog today to share my favorite snapshots. I thought my first post is a good way to remember all the trees in Tree Heaven after the super typhoon Milenyo hit last Thursday. May all of you - including of course, the 61 people who lost their lives - rest in peace.

Adarna House Launches 2006 Titles

Hope to see you on Saturday! Adarna House launches its 2006 titles and it'll be a good afternoon of books, writers... and halo-halo!

Every year, Adarna House launches a new batch of children’s books to both educate and entertain the Filipino child. This year, 7 new titles will be available at the fun-filled launch on October 7, 2006, Saturday, from 2-5pm, at the Activity Area of Citywalk 2, Eastwood City. Adarna’s authors and illustrators will be present for book signing. There will be storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts, fun games, and freebies for everyone! Admission is absolutely free. For inquiries, call 372-35-48 loc 110 and look for Vanessa. This event is made possible through Animal House, Chocolate Kiss, and National Book Store.

PS. A big thank you to Adarna house for deciding to do a second printing for The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots! Yahooo! They removed the flap (I think it looks better!) and added the space to "purplespots" (whew!).

The Yellow Paperclip and Two Great Men

What does a yellow paperclip have in common with a Pakistani community developer and a Japanese missionary doctor based in Afghanistan?

It is a great honor to write stories about two of Asia's great men - two men the RMAF has recognized with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards. The Foundation has initiated a project to create children's books on the lives of these great men and women of Asia to inspire us with their life stories. Prior to this project, I have never heard about Shoaib Sultan Khan or Tetsu Nakamura; now, after reading their biographies and several write-ups, and spending weeks writing, editing and re-writing 1,000-word stories, I wish I could meet them in person and see what they're like up-close-and-personal.

To a Teacher of Everything and The Lucky Doctor, I do hope my stories give justice to the amazing work you've done in Pakistan and Afghanistan. More importantly, I hope your stories inspire kids to aspire to become great men and women when they grow up.

Thanks to Tita Gang and Tita Emily for inviting me to be part of this incredible project!

My Love Story with the Color Purple

PURPLE has been tagged as a "Nikki-color" by those closest to me. Even before I wrote The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots, I have always been into anything and everything purple. Let me tell you my love story with this funky color. It actually has a lot to do with my life... and with love.

In 8th grade, my middle school boyfriend and I had matching purple t-shirts. Nothing fancy, just plain, round-necked purple t-shirts. We were 15, happily on Cloud 9 and purple was "our" color. We came as twins for our Middle School's Twin Day with our matching shirts and khaki shorts. We'd laugh and credit our shared brainwaves whenever we'd wear our shirts on the same day. We were both in purple when we first hugged on the morning after I dropped the bad news that I was leaving for another country. We have several photos in our purple shirts. It's now 13 years later: my purple t-shirt is worn-out (and goes well with my Spongebob pajamas) but it still brings back a flood of happy memories every time I wear it and drift off to dreamclouds.

In high school, I played for the basketball team in my purple Chucks. I wore purple socks to add a little color to our dull white-and-gray school uniform. I remember buying a lot of purple envelopes, sign pens and fancy papers. I must have thrown out my worn-out Chucks (since I can't find them... sob!) but after seeing how well yellow paperclips go with them (check out Ada's purple chucks here), I'm thinking of getting another pair. Or should I get purple Crocs instead? (Update: I got a pair of gold mary jane Crocs but bought a purple star jibbitz!)

In college, I headed a team for the Ateneo Student Trainers (STrains) called The Euphoric Eggplants and purple became our official team color. One team member started by giving everyone purple ballpens. Another sent all his emails in purple font. I gave out purple folders and made funky purple stickers of happy dancing eggplants. We called each other "Eggplant Jon" or "Eggplant Ericka" or "Eggplant Nats" (who came to the last book signing at Powerbooks!). The Euphoric Eggplants is one of my most favorite and memorable teams I worked with.

In DDI, I was esctatic when Pittsburgh HQ decided to have purple, specifically Pantone 260, as a primary corporate color. We had official DDI folders, notebooks and pens in purple. Our corporate brochure and PowerPoint template came in shades of purple. I asked everyone to wear purple for our marketing events. I was purple from head to toe (accompanied by 100+ purple items) for our Christmas Crayola Box Party two years ago. I always knew I was meant to work at DDI, but all that purple was just too good to be true. (Just last year, we shifted into a more formal and corporate look though. Dark blue and copper are now the primary colors, but it's all good because we still use Pantone 260 for all selection and assessment services!)

In other quirky Nikki-ways, purple has completely invaded every part of my life. I've bought a couple more purple items for my wardrobe. I'm often seen with my trusty purple wallet, purple knapsack or purple purse. I've spotted so many interesting purple things: wildflowers (this photo was taken at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches last Easter), kiping at the Pahiyas festival, even firetrucks in downtown Manila. I delight in anything purple; family and friends now find it easy to give me gifts! Google took me to some pretty cool purple sites: the pointlessly but purposefully Purple.com (make sure you click on the FAQs!), the history and variations of purple on Wikipedia, and most importantly, The Purple Crayon, a site for writing, illustrating and publishing children's books!

In this paperclip adventure, this funky color has really been a bright spot. A good friend suggested that I add the purple spots and the story took on a whole new dimension. I was wearing my purple sweater when Ani called to tell me I won the PBBY-Salanga Grand Prize. I sign books in purple ink. As cheesy as it is, I try to wear purple whenever there's an event or celebration featuring the book (even if it's my underwear! Hee-hee...).

Most people associate purple with royalty and luxury or Lent. I see purple as a significant color of my life: without a question, I am a bright purple spot, inside and out.

I'm also very yellow... but that love story is for another post!

One Blue Paperclip = One Big Fight!

I saw a bright blue paperclip in the parking lot today and the Blue Eagles came to mind. I don't know how paperclips can be linked to basketball... except that I like both. Tee-hee. I've yet to watch a live game this season but I turn into a TV junkie every time it's the UAAP season. I hope I can be there when we become the champions again! PS. Thanks to my cousin for the cool photo.
Go, Ateneo! ONE BIG FIGHT!

*SNIFF*

Two people have told me that their friends have shed a tear (or two?) after reading my story. I couldn't believe it. Ada, the storyteller I met at the Book Fair, said her officemate got all emotional when she read the last line: Where will you take me? Vanessa of Adarna House just sent me this email:

I sent your book to a close friend who moved to California a year ago and wrote "for the paperclip whose trail i want to follow" on the title page. Umiyak, hahaha. Lagot tayo. PS. She officially loves the book now. Sayang, I wasn't able to have you and May Ann sign it.

Yikes! The next time you read The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots, you may just need a sheet (or a box!) of Kleenex!

The (Not-so-Shy) Yellow Paperclip Shares Stories at the Booktalk

The SCBWI Booktalk last night was a good way to spend a Monday evening. There were just five of us at Figaro Greenbelt but I think I can speak for the others when I say we all enjoyed ourselves. Beaulah and Nikki of SCBWI, plus Patrice, Steve and I, talked non-stop for a couple of hours about the books we brought. My last Booktalk was in February when there were 30+ people to listen to a talk on poetry for children by Lara Saguisag. Apparently, Patrice and Steve were also there... but we never got to meet. I've always liked smaller groups and so this Booktalk was much better as it allowed us to exchange thoughts and ideas more intimately.

Beaulah asked me to bring my Yellow Paperclip and since we're not supposed to talk about the book's plot, I shared the stories-behind-the-story: how Becca helped me develop the story, how the characters are real people in my life, how the themes are so close to my heart, and of course, how Glenn fits in with the whole adventure. It was the first time I shared so much about my story to a group. It was a bit of a "psychological striptease" (as my good friend Gang would often say about writing) - embarrassing yet somewhat liberating. I'm just happy they all listened and seemed to enjoy the inside stories. This story is the story of my life... that is, if you can read between the lines!

Meeting Patrice, who teaches at ISM, was definitely a highlight. She said she'll invite me to share my story with her students! How exciting! I think (and hope) fellow TCKs can relate to the Yellow Paperclip on a different level. I can't wait...

I look forward to Nikki's post about the Booktalk on the SCBWI Philippines blog. If you find yourself free and looking for something different to do on the first Monday evening of the month, join us. New Books + New Friends + Good Coffee + Good Conversation = A Good Evening. Hope to see you on October 9!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Grandparents Day falls on the first Sunday after the American Labor Day celebration. This year, we celebrate Grandparents Day tomorrow, Sunday, September 10. Click here for more info on this special day.

The Yellow Paperclip celebrates my grandparents in a unique way. Here's a bit of trivia: Grandma Remy is my Lola Meding (her real name was Remedios) and Grandpa Neil is my Lolo Eliong (his real name was Cornelio). Just like in the story, Lola Meding had the most beautiful silver hair and loved sitting in her rocking chair. I don't think he ever collected newspaper clippings but Lolo did die of cancer. Grandparents Day is extra special because it was our last family reunion together with both of them before Lola Meding passed away in November 1998.

I also want to share this artwork of Grandma Remy, painstakingly and lovingly made by Don Gonzales who sent me an email and posted the Yellow Paperclip on his blog. I have not met him - a "husband to Joy, father to Belle and Ivan, creative writer, illustrator, musician, film enthusiast and God-worshipper" - but any friend of the Yellow Paperclip is a friend of mine.

Don, salamat sa iyong pagbigay-buhay kay Lola Meding.

An Invitation to a BOOKTALK on Children's Books

Beaulah and Nikki, thanks for the plug! See you on Monday!

The next SCBWI Booktalk will be on Monday, September 11. You or someone you know might want to come.

* * *

Are you someone who has a keen interest in children's literature? Perhaps you're already a writer or illustrator of children's books? Or maybe someone who's aspiring to become one? If that's the case, come and join us!

* * *

What : Booktalk about children's and young adult books

When : Monday, September 11, 2006 from 6 to 9 pm

Where : Figaro, 3rd level Greenbelt 3, Makati

Bring : Any children's or young adult book to talk about

Example: The most recent National Book Award winner "The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots" by Nikki Dy-Liacco, illustrated by May Ann Licudine. The 1948 Newberry Award-winning "The 21 Balloons" by by William Pene du Bois . "The Three Little Pigs" retold and illustrated by Jean Claverie. The high school edition in English of "Noli Me Tangere" by Dr. Jose Rizal. "The Hunt" by Diane-Elizabeth Napier, one of 26 books in the Rainbow Readers series distributed by the National Literacy Association in the UK. "Catcher in the Rye" by JD Salinger. Or whatever children's or young adult book you bring that you want to bring and talk about!

For : Writers, illustrators, book designers, publishers, editors, translators, storytellers, counselors, librarians, booksellers, collectors, educators, teachers, parents, and other kinds of creators, advocates and passionate lovers of children's literature

Fee : P170 (includes one drink), SCBWI members P120

Host : Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)

Everyone is welcome - members, non-members, friends. Interested? More details below.

* * *

How : Depending on the size of the group, we give each person anywhere from one to three minutes to speak. We then have a round-table discussion - about the books that we brought, and whatever other topics these books suggest. You can also do any or all of these - listen to the others, examine the books, ask questions, express an opinion, share an insight or relevant information, talk about your plans or projects. As long as it's related to books for children and young adults. It's usually inspiring, fun, enlightening, sometimes dismaying or even disturbing, always stimulating and thought-provoking.

Booktalk guidelines : We actually have very few rules, and one of them, we decided, is that when you booktalk, please DO NOT give us a summary of the book. Two or three sentences telling us what the story is about is fine. The rest of your booktalk should tell us what else you considered worth noting about the book - the writer's writing style, the writer's other books maybe, the writer's life and careeer, the the price of the book (not a small thing!), the state of the book (worn and tattered and obviously well used, perhaps), the quality or type of illustrations, the book design, the life and career of the illustrator, the book's production quality, the beautiful (or pitiful) paper for the inside pages, a profile of the book's publisher, the reason why you chose to bring this particular book, what is it about this book that makes you feel inspired, enlightened, happy, comforted, dismayed, disturbed, sad, calm, agitated, etc. Is it a book you read and liked in childhood? Is it a book you continue to read and like in adulthood? Is it a book you would love other children to read? Is it a book you wish you wrote? Or illustrated? Is it a book you think should be given to all children? Or a book you think should be given carefully and selectively? Etc., etc. (Now you know why some of us have to be told we talked beyond the time limit!)

So come and join us! And please, tell us if you're coming.

Contact : Nikki at 0917-667-1267, nikkigarde@yahoo.com or Beaulah at 0917-787-4956, beaulah.taguiwalo@yahoo.com

The Biggest Housewarming Party, Ever... and The Most Romantic Story Ever Told

While I'm really thrilled to get the Award (and not a house!) for my Yellow Paperclip, I think Kyle beat me with his One Red Paperclip: he not only has a house... but he now has a fiancee! Thanks to Allan's amazing blog, I got the latest scoop on the magical events in Kipling over the housewarming party weekend. Read on and see if you don't get a little lump in your throat.

It was almost biblical: thousands of pilgrims from all over arrived, drawn by the beacon of OneRedPaperclip, bearing house-warming gifts and wishes and all sporting huge smiles irked up by basking in the famous location.

The town of Kipling, SK (usually pop. 1,142) swelled, erected stages, swarmed with international media, brought in extra Royal Canadian Mounted Police and ramped up to for the biggest event this town (and I’d say the province) would ever see.

The ambiance was indescribable. Hugging strangers was normal. Everyone bubbled over with joy at the concerts, fireworks, Hollywood movie castings, balloon rides, Kyle’s open house – in brief, everything. Most of us camped in tents, and thus a huge community formed. Kum-bye-ah, man.

Finally, on the Sunday, the emotion hit a fevered pitch, when the most unbelievable, poignant series of events unfolded.

A big ceremony took place where all the people who had traded with Kyle (aside from three who couldn’t make it, such as Alice Cooper) stood on stage to be recognised and have their stories re-told.

Next Kyle was made Mayor of Kipling for one day, receiving a sachet and a gavel. Among cries from his buddies “Your honour, get me a pardon from the drunk tank!” his honour Kyle was urged to speak. But the biggest surprise, ever, lay in lurk.

Kyle did an impassioned speech, but near the end, he took the original red paperclip he had started it all off with, bent it into a hoop shape, dropped to one knee, and offered it to his long-time girlfriend Dom.

The crowd gasped, cameras snapped in a frenzy, and there was not a dry eye to be seen. I was sitting with Kyle and Dom’s families, and soon found myself in a circle of hugs and tears and utter, genuinely bewildered surprise.



Now that's an amazing (and uber-romantic) adventure for one red paperclip. Don't get me wrong: winning the Award was incredible and it truly is a bright purple spot in my life. But finding Mr. Right (complete with a daggy yet sweet paperclip engagement ring) would be perfect... and the brightest and most purple spot, EVER.

New Books, Friends and Paperclips

I spent the afternoon at the Book Fair today. Let the photos tell you the story of my happy day which started when I made new friends: a little girl who played with imaginary jackstones and Ada the Storyteller.

Ada made her own yellow paperclips with bright purple spots using purple puff paint...

...and we happily played with them...

...and admired them on Ada's cool purple Chucks!

I got to hang out with my colleague Steph at the colorful Adarna House booth...

...while my dad had lunch and took this photo.


I bought five books (with at least a 20% discount on each!): 100 Questions Filipino Kids Ask by Adarna House, Wild About Books written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown, You're Only Old Once! by Dr. Seuss, The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle, and How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael Gelb.

I guess one afternoon wasn't enough; we dropped by Books For Less in Alabang before going home and I picked up a cool Sesame Street book All About Me. Here's one of my favorite pictures...

Here's to more new books, friends and paperclips!

Flowers and A Song

What a way to end a (fiscal) year! We had a simple but memorable celebration today, starting with a thanksgiving mass (with a Jesuit jazz player... how cool is that?!), a feast of a merienda, and a slideshow of the past year's highlights. I got beautiful yellow-and-purple flowers from my DDI family and heard Noel Cabangon sing and play Coldplay's Yellow, one of my most favorite songs.

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do
Yeah, they were all yellow.

I came along,
I wrote a song for you,
And all the things you do,
And it was called "Yellow."

I'll say it once again: I am one happy kid. Here's to yet another amazing year ahead!