Vancouver Chinatown was like our own little World when I was growing up and it was safe because we all knew each other so I wouldn't hestitate for one moment to go down there. The Chinese community wasn't that large, but large enough, and we had family and friends closeby. I loved to be down there because it was charged with all kinds of energy and excitement. The Streets were always jammed with cars and people running back and forth. Bright neon signs attracted tourists and of course who could forget all the great restaurants down there like Bamboo Terrace, Chungking and Ming's? My Dad had a taxi business and his office was situated right down in the center of it all. His fleet of perhaps 8 automobiles were all black with the words Lee's Taxi on it and they were easy to spot, too easy because wherever I went, a cabdriver who saw me would call into the dispatch office and say "Car 9, your daughter is approaching Main and Hastings. Shall I bring her home now?" It was annoying since I had just left Strathcona School and was on my way to Chinese school but first I had to drop off some library books. I would protest and then would hear my father's distinct voice coming across the cb radio, "It's okay, no need, she's probably going to the library."

When I was young, I use to doodle quite a bit and write little notes to myself and liked writing letters. Working as a waitress in my Aunt's restaurant in the Okanagan one summer I would pen many letters to my parents and one day, my Dad said to me, "Gee, you sure had lots to say about Penticton. My goodness, there were always so many pages to read that you should have no trouble writing a book." I merely laughed and never thought about his words at all. After all, I was a teenager and I had other things to think about. I also loved books and libraries. Every spare moment I had I would wander down to Main & Hastings Street to check out books from the library's fiction section even though I thought it was a spooky place with stuffed wild animals like bears and tigers hanging on their walls. It was easy to get there since Chinatown was just around the block but I will never forget the dark grey brick building on the corner that always appeared so dark and mysterious. I must have been brave to have gone there myself in those days. Perhaps even then I knew that I was going to someday become a writer.

Someone recently asked me how to cook a carp (catfish) As we all know fish is good for us and so many of us love to include it with our many other dishes. So think about it for your next meal.

DON'T FORGET - cooking a fish doesn't take that long --- only a few moments-- so do it when you are almost ready to eat ---Here's a recipe for a 1 1/2 lb. catfish and how to cook it. First, buy it fresh at some Chineses supermarket -- and of course, have them clean it for you -- if you want the head removed, that's fine - they will do it for you. Then rinse it off when you get home -- leave in cold water -- when ready, put catfish on a flat dish and put it in the microwave and cook until it is done --put aside -- then chop up some green onions, fresh ginger, and place over fish (after it's cooked) sprinkle 1 tsp. sugar on top, add 1 tsp. soya sauce (as desired) and pour some hot sesame oil (1 TBSP) over it to seal in the flavor. Makes a great gravy too. Enjoy! Another excellent dish to add to bring in and celebrate that Chinese New Year feast.

Chinese New Year ----The Year of the Tiger is just around the corner and strangely it starts on February 14th --Valentine's Day -- imagine that -- a chance to have a double celebration -- be with the one you love, dress up, spend money for a real elaborate dinner and maybe be lucky enough to not even have to pay for it because most single Chinese will get a gift --Lai See -- that wonderful tiny little red envelope with some money that we all welcome.

I enjoy writing and my favorite spot to do this would be by hand, writing with a pen and sitting in a restaurant in a corner booth ALONE. Don't know why it works better but I think when you're away from distractions, no phones, no houseworks, no kids, it's easier to get things into focus and you become more creative. Writer's block -- I never have that problem about knowing what to write about. My problem is finding time to do it. I have lots of stories in my head dating back many years so I usually zero in on a topic, write it, and finish it. Then I move on. That's why I have so many articles that I will eventually toss into one book, sort of like a puzzle, and put it together in the right sequence.

Human trafficking -- this is something that is still happening today. Every time you turn on the television set, you hear more and more about it in Third World Countries but it also happens in America. What is it that drives people to do this? In my book, "The Jade Rubies," which is about two young girls being sold in China in 1915, I had no idea that I would touch upon a subject that still continues today. No idea whatever. It's an disgusting practice and I can't figure out why there are no public outcries from women and everyone else around the world to put a stop to it. But then it might be the very people that we trust so much who are guilty of the very thing I'm talking about. Selling human flesh. Can you imagine how you feel if you were the one being sold? Think about it.

Still haven't figure out how to use this blog -- got to get the word out as to where people can contact me.

Should go the library and get a book on how to use this blog successfully.