October

I am looking forward to the Asian Adult Adoptee Gathering and Film Festival later this week in beautiful Hawai'i. I've never been to the Big Island, so I'm looking forward to exploring, hiking, and taking in the sights and sounds. The Gathering itself should be informative and fun. I just read at Susan Ito's blog that she is doing a panel, which I am looking forward to. I am reading at the opening dinner, and I have been asked to read the poem, "Light," which I wrote for the late Julia Ji-Hye Mendelson. I will read that poem in remembrance and celebration of her life. And I can't wait for the film festival itself. You can read about the films here. They look incredible.

After Hawai'i, I have a busy couple of weeks with readings. On October 17, I am hosting Poet Jennifer Kwon Dobbs for a reading at my college (11:00 a.m., Student Lounge). On October 18, Jennifer and I are reading in Berkeley at Eastwind Books (3:30 p.m.). And on October 23, I am reading in Fresno for the first time since my book came out last summer. The reading is the last one of the year for the always enjoyable Respite by the River Reading Series, which is held at a beautiful outdoor venue near the San Joaquin River. At 6 pm, there's live music, and you can bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic and/or something to drink, and at 7 pm I will read. Details are here. I hope you can attend.

Oh, and for those of you in the Los Angeles/Fullerton area, come on out to the Wilshire Auditorium in Fullerton on November 4 at 7:00 p.m. I'll be reading there (details are here), focusing on the poems and the word---and keeping my fingers crossed for good election results in the morning.