The superlative is my best friend. Why say, "you are a good friend" when you can say, "you are the best friend EVER!" or, "I didn't like that cookie" when you can say, "that was the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted in my life EVER" or, "I love you" when you can say, "I love you to death...EVER"?

But believe when I say I am not exaggerating this next sentence.

I just came back from the worst interview of my life EVER.

She is a prominent employer for a big-time system. She is a rule-breaker, ball buster, boundary crosser. Maybe I was a little intimated today? I never really get that nervous from interviews but today I was quite jittery. Somehow, I got it into my head that I wasn't qualified enough for the position and the rest of my answers came out sounding that way. The interview started off pretty well but when I looked over at her while I was talking, each time, she would have this not amused face on. So I started to get more nervous and when I get nervous, I crack jokes to ease the tension.

That did not help.

She still looked unamused so I soldiered on, saying things that as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to snatch back.

In the end, I walked away feeling like my previous work experience made me unqualified, fluffy and too soft for the position. It would not have been the case if I had been wiser with my answers, highlighting traits that would help with the position but I felt like I just sounded like I was explaining all the reasons why I actually wouldn't be a good fit, which Job Hunting 101 (yes, I'm still taking that prereq) has taught us you never should do.

Nothing really dramatic happened at the interview, there were no tears shed, F-bombs accidentally dropped, or punches thrown. I just walked away with this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach, thinking, "that person that was in there is not who I am, that was not the best way I can present myself."

I wanted to go home, dig a hole in my couch and crawl in there with a bowl of Helen's mac & cheese in hand but I decided life is too short to wallow. Move on. So things didn't go your way. Get over it.

Instead I did some writing, read over what I wrote, and smiled to myself, thinking,"I enjoyed that."

I believe that writing just may be the best medicine EVER.

*Edit: Never mind, I just ate a slice of peach pie. That was the best medicine EVER.

It is 8:10 AM right now and after a mere 1-2 hours of sleep thanks to SOMEONE, I am sitting in a hospital room, ready to spend the next 12 hours here.

It is not as bad as it sounds. I'm okay; no broken bones, pains, cuts, injuries, illnesses.

I am actually working! Not as a nurse, doctor, hospital security guard or janitor but as a babysitter.

The life of a FUnemployed freelancer has taken me here this Thanksgiving weekend; caring for a sick baby. Before you feel sorry for me and wish I could be at home with my family or chilling with friends, let me tell you why I am so thankful to be here.

1) I am thankful to be working and getting paid (quite a bit) at a time when I'm starting to need money. God provides.

2) I am thankful to have this quiet time (the baby sleeps a lot) to work on random things.

3) I am thankful the baby I am taking care of just happens to be one of the most adorable toddlers I have ever laid eyes on. Denim blue peepers, ruddy cheeks, soft blonde wisps of hair. He makes it easy.

4) I am thankful the baby I am taking care of also just happens to be one of the most easygoing tykes.

5) I am thankful the night babysitter barely speaks any English. She's letting me "practique mi espanol!"

6) I am thankful my parents are away this Thanksgiving break. It gives me time to miss them and them a chance to spend some time relaxing and playing in China.

7) I am thankful I am going to Hong Kong for the holidays! Time to reboot the travel blog and rejuvenate my self creativity and job searching energy.

8) I am thankful for YOU as always, for reading. This blog has been one of the best investments of my time this year. I hope I will continue to make it better, become a stronger writer, and inspire, challenge and entertain you with my words. (Technically not my words because words should belong to us all but the way I place it and the words I choose make it mine, I guess? Oh, you know what I mean)

9) I am thankful for Him. Dude, He died on the cross for our sins. That's love, that's love.

Unforgettable 2009

KoreAm Journal threw a classy shindig by the name of Unforgettable last night. It was a star-studded gala held at the historic Park Plaza Hotel in downtown LA.

The ballroom was exquisitely decorated under the guidance of the ultra-fab event coordinator, Joyce and guests were treated to an amazing meal provided by Lawry's. I have been having a hard time cooking for myself at home that I wolfed my entire plate of spinning salad, prime rib cut, creamed spinach, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy and yorkshire pudding. My entire table clapped for me. I felt embarrassed but proud. (Ma, if you're reading this, I'm back to eating spinach and salmon fillets!)

I was brimming with anticipation to watch the entire show, so excited because I actually wrote the script for the show (with editing help from the ever-eloquent Julie) Words that I wrote, sentences that came out of my brain, ideas that I conjured up, were going to be uttered by hotshots like Sandra Oh, Daniel Henney and Joy Osmanski.

I think they did a pretty fine job interpreting it, don't you think?

Funnygal host Amy Anderson is so grateful for Unforgettable's sponsors that she sang a song for them. Okay, so it's to the tune of Sixpence None The Richer's Kiss Me. I'm not a musician, so sue me.

For your sing-along pleasure, below are the lyrics:

Thank you, thank you Park Plaza Hotel

For this, this big and lovely room

Where we, we can eat our ribs

Given to us by Lawry’s, where’s the bib?

Oh, thank you, Willow Hotel and Tiger Asia

So do, so do you Verizon Wireless

Can you hear me now

Premier Plastic Surgery and Ocean Radiation Oncology

We thank you

Time Warner, Kamsahamnida and SeAh Steel

Also, Sans Souci, Intertrend

K-T-A-N channel, Net Kal

Can’t skip Radio Seoul and Korea Times, oh

Oh thank you, to all our sponsors tonight

We couldn’t have asked for any more.

I lied, yes we can

Ten Communications, La Premiere, and Kollaboration

We thank you

There’s one more, group that’s really special

And that’s the, alcoholic beverage group

You know you love them too

So dear Johnnie Walker, lovely Jinro and delicious Hite

We thank you

We thank you

[seems like she’s done with the song, then strums up again]

wait there’s more

[strum guitar]

like Pan Com

[strum guitar]

or TVK24

[strum guitar]

KOTRA

[strum guitar]

IW Group

[strum guitar]

Waking up Media

[PAUSE so it seems like she’s really ending the song, but strums again]

and UNI Insurance

[strum guitar]

Insurance for you and I

[strum guitar]

And Future International

Wilshire Bank

[strum guitar]

and ABC Disney

[strum guitar]

and J.P. Morgan

[strum guitar]

and Wilshire Dental

[strum guitar]

And Kanye West

[strum guitar]

should get up here

[strum guitar]

and stop me nooooooooooooow

Sandra Oh teaches Daniel Henney a thing or two about being a television doctor.

Justin Chon is "Just Like Us!"

CS Lee wants to wrestle Daniel Dae Kim.

The show also featured beautiful performances by Priscilla Ahn, Lena Park and the hottest b-boys ever, Last 4 One.

As if the evening wasn't enough of a blast, there was a pretty sweet (if cold) after-party where I got to reunite with old friends.

And make new ones.

And shamelessly ask celebs to take pictures with me.

Near the end of the night, I chatted with Sandra Oh for a little bit. After I subtly (of course) mentioned I had written the script for the show, she told me that she thought it was the best Unforgettable script she had heard in the past 6 years.

"I usually have to edit the hell out of these things but you made it work," she told me.

Sure, she may have just been polite and was trying to make me happy but dude, the words came out of her mouth! I don't care if she was drunk, lying or crazy when she said it, she said it! Sandra Oh, one of my most admired and respected acting idols, said I made it work!

And that is truly unforgettable.

*Edit: Oh yea, and I also worked as red carpet interviewer. Check out what I got the celebs to say here.
*Edit Edit: We also ran into Rex Lee from "Entourage" at Hodori after the after-party. I'm so grateful he's not freaked out of his mind by my deathgrasp.

I Made a Vlog

Watch it in all its crappy editing, cheesy sound effects, awkward facial expressions glory.

You Missed the Catch

Um, so if you had wanted to catch me on the two events I had posted a couple of days ago, I'm afraid it's a no go.

For one, the baptism is over!

I'm so stuffed with love right now that I can't move. Children would probably run away from me because the tall crazy lady with the psycho smile permanently attached to her face is probably up to no good. Boom-boxes probably want to beat me up because I'm humming their tune.

I'm really sick of saying thank you. Really. I mean, I'm still so thankful and grateful for everyone who:

*got their booty to my baptism

*brought me goodies! (WHAT THE HECK, PEOPLE, WHAT PART OF "YOUR PRESENCE, NO PRESENTS" DON'T YOU GET?! YOU BET I'M GONNA GET YOU BACK. GET YOU BACK GOOD)

*left wonderfully colorful voicemails for me

*texted me well wishes

*Facebooked me congrats

*emailed me awesome e-cards

*just even thought of me at all this day.

I didn't take pictures but I have awesome friends who did. Here are some from Helen and Mike's blogs to tie you over)

The actual baptism part was...cold. And stupid me, even though I was fully prepared and packed for the event, in my haste, I ran out to the pool forgetting my towel.

Cold notwithstanding, it was a great ceremony in a beautiful house (thanks, Alura family!) and I'm like, totally a Christian now!

For two, the Justin Chon livechat decided to go in another direction with the host.

So I'm out and Bobby Choy is in. You'll remember him from here. I can't say I'm not disappointed. If only because I had to change a lot of plans to accommodate this hosting gig. And I prepped for it. And I was excited about it. But the thing was, if I had gotten this Playstation commercial that my sister and I were auditioning for, I would have ditched the gig like that and jumped on the next plane to New York. In fact, after I got off the phone with my editor, I was musing over what I should do with my free time now and New York was the first thing that popped into my mind. I checked plane tickets but $500+ for 4 days in New York is a bit extravagant, even for me, a woman of extravagance. *haughty head tilt.

Well, these things happen. And I'm sure there'll be plenty more rejections and set-backs in the future. It only makes me stronger, right? It's kind of a good thing too because my blog was getting a bit too happy! happy! It's like, turn down the joy dial, Janice, sheesh. Go suck a lemon or something.

"When life gives you lemons, make orange juice, sit back, relax, and watch the world wonder how you did it."

Catch Me If You Can

Vanessa! I swear! It's me, Janice!

I went to LCC's fall show a couple of days ago. 'Twas nice to see familiar faces again. Many lamented, "I haven't seen you in so long!" It's true. LA is a pretty far drive and with my volatile schedule (audition today, interview tomorrow), I never know where I'm going to be. Apologies for the lack of face time but here are two places where you can catch me this coming week.

1) My Baptism!

Date:	Sunday, November 15, 2009
Time:	2:30pm - 5:30pm
Location:	1745 N Vallejo Way, Upland CA 91784

Watch me get dunked in water! I'll also be giving my testimony (eeps!) RSVP here.

2) Justin Chon KoreAm Livechat

Show Information

• Date: Tuesday, November 17th 2009
• Time: 7:00pm
• City: Justin Chon
• Venue: iamkoream.com/live

I'll be chatting with Twilight star, Justin Chon. Join me in our livechat here. It'll be a very cozy chatroom-type setting where he answers your questions, comments and concerns. Show your love!

Intel Audition

Got the call from my agent while I was still in my PJs debating whether I should go back to bed after I finish my bowl of cereal.

"Can you make an audition at 4 this afternoon? Print, for Intel, pays [pretty good amount]"

You bet I can make it. Yes, while it is true that my throat hurts from staying out 'til 4 the evening before and I can barely keep my eyes open and I have to be home by 5:30 to film another audition with my sister (where we play twins, exciting) and I really really really hate driving but I can make it. I mean, seriously, how lucky am I that I even have the opportunity to drive to LA and audition for a huge print commercial? How fortunate that someone out there thought my face could be worthy to put in ads? How blessed that I can afford to not work (for now) and have the time, the car to do this? I sucked up whatever handful amount of energy that remained in my body, downed a hot cup of green tea and prepared for my long drive to Santa Monica.

After parking, I strolled, with my headshot in one hand and paper with the address in the other, to the casting studio. My heels clacked along the sidewalk. I like the way high heels sound when I walk. They sound like grown up. Once there, I took a deep breath, opened the door and walked into the casting studio like I owned the place. The obligatory scan from other actresses in the room follows suit as I sign my name to the check in list. I sit and start prepping my headshot and resume only to have the girl next to me kindly inform me that I actually don't need them. She gestures to the sign that clearly states this, complete with a highlighted bold font. Oh. I'm kind of new to this. I guess.

The man sitting by the sign in sheet starts calling girls in. I recognize a couple of them. Hey, she was in that movie. Whoa, she did that ad campaign. One girl, Joy Osmanski, was amazingly quirky and cool and the best thing in this one movie, White on Rice and she was here! I wasn't sure if I should approach her and be all fanatical about her role when I should actually be her peer. Weird.

When I get my name called, I go into this small room where all these ladies (and one gentleman) are sitting and waiting. I'm number 354. One by one, they go up in front of the backdrop and get their pictures taken.

"Small smile. Bigger. Bigger," the photographer, a bald man, commands.

So fleeting, the actual time that you get to perform. Your work has to come out in that one flash of the camera, one click of the button. You either have what they're looking for, or you don't.

It's finally my turn and I clomp to the backdrop. The photographer stares at me. He scrutinizes my twitching lips and my antsy eyes.

"You're new, aren't you." He inquires as his camera continues clicking away.

Am I that obvious?

"Put your hair down." He orders, taking more pictures of me than he had of the other gals.

Today would have been a good day to wash my hair.

After a few more clicks, he sends me on my way.

"See you around, Janice," he winks.

Welcome to my first legit audition given to me by an agency in over two years.

I was puzzled.

Puzzled but very intrigued. This was new. In all our years of knowing each other, we had never done this before. Sitting in the dark, side by side. What would his wife think?

I had to ask.

Why?

"Because I love the king," my dad replies in a matter of fact tone.

Are we talking about Elvis? Oh, nope. We're talking about the other king. The king of pop.

"Because Michael Jackson is a legend and his music transcends time."

It sure does. It transcends time. It transcends culture. It transcends taste.

We may have the same dimples and wide derriere but Dad is all basketball and stock trading and engineering stability and soft energy and I am all about food and artsy fartsiness and doing what makes me happy and crazy laughter. When my dad proposed for us to watch Michael Jackson's This is It on a Friday evening, I got surprised. My dad actually wants to spend money on a movie he most likely will sleep through? I got suspicious. Maybe he's going to force me to find a job at the movie theatre or something. Why else would he ask me along? And finally, I got excited. Hells yes I'm going! This is a once in a lifetime event, my dad asking me to watch a movie with him!

As we drove to the theatre, just the two of us, (My mom refused to come. She said she didn't want to get nightmares staring up at Jackson's face amplified for two hours straight. Yea, she probably would have) my dad talked to me about one of the first places he took his mom, my nai nai, to when she came over from Taiwan, which was a Michael Jackson concert at the Dodger Stadium. "Excited by all the bright lights and excited fans, your grandma had a great time," my dad remembers with a smile.

As I sat in the theatre that night, watching Jackson work his magic, I can absolutely understand his universal appeal. The way the man moves just magnetizes you. The way he knows how to let each moment "simmer" and each sharp gesture hit- only a true talent can achieve that. I look over at my dad and he is mesmerized. Mesmerized, and -amazingly enough - not asleep! He never did fall asleep that night, except for one song in Jackson's set which was so boring even I dozed off.

There are several possible reasons for Jackson's universal appeal. Maybe the man looks and moves so originally, so out of the ordinary, that everyone can like him because no one is like him. Maybe he has good marketing people. Or maybe - no DEFINITELY - he is just one talented musical genius. And talent and genius is universally appreciated.

Check out Jackson's last days in theaters now. Ask you dad 'cause who knows, he just might be itching to watch it too.

Think my dad might be down for "New Moon?" No? Uh...I didn't watch to watch it either.