Cindy's Faves

LIVE Your Life!!!

2014-07-04T13:45:00.001-07:00

Life was not meant for you to just exist and wander without intention. You were created so you could LIVE!!! LIVING is an ACTION!!! Fear was meant to warn you to stop for a brief moment, and what I like to call a humble tremble from God, to keep you in check or to push you forward for the right reason. It can be powerful when it is used for what it was supposed to, and NOT to paralyze you to keep you from moving forward in your life. Healthy fear is a wise alert where it is quite humbling to the soul, and it pushes you to move forward in your life in the right direction. Not one that causes you to be stagnant, where you get in your way, and you end up making excuses every way you turn in not achieving or rising to your true potential that you were blessed to be. You were chosen and blessed to be on this earth with talents and gifts to serve others (and, my personal belief, whether you share it or not I understand, this is my belief, is I personally believe God gave me whatever gift I have, and I am supposed to do what He wants me to do with it).

You are unique. There is NO other person like you on this planet. Even if you are a twin, while similar, that twin is STILL unique. Healthy fear allows you to be ALERT so you ACT!! And then you ACT and MOVE and DO - NOT for you to stay still. Sometimes, you can even just analyze things forever due to fear, and that is called "analysis paralysis". It gets you nowhere. It does NOTHING. It all means nothing until you ACTUALLY DO something!!! Do NOT fear!! Just DO!! It is great to think things through. Once you have thought things through, JUST DO IT!!! GO OUT THERE and LIVE YOUR LIFE!!!

Know you are blessed. Know you are loved. Know you were created and chosen to be here on this earth. Life is a gift. Don't waste the time you have been blessed to be given. Don't just "exist". Don't just go through the motions in your life. Choose to REALLY LIVE YOUR LIFE!!!

Love you Guys!!!! I am grateful for you! God bless you on this 4th of July! May the Good Lord watch over you and your families! :)

My Shout Out: Trevor Zhou and His New Film The Waltz

2014-05-17T14:38:00.001-07:00

As an immigrant and as an Asian American, I was very intrigued when I saw this video about a new film from Trevor Zhou. However, I don't think you have to be Asian American or an immigrant to be able to appreciate or relate to Trevor's new film.

Take a look at Trevor's campaign for his new film called The Waltz. This film is inspired from Trevor's personal life and is told from an immigrant mother's perspective.

Our house was not the neatest house either when we were growing up; but while my parents were not and are not "as bad" as the photos about Trevor's mom's hoarding in his campaign video when it comes to hoarding, I (and I am sure many immigrants, as well as, many people, in general) can relate to Trevor's story and about his mom's hoarding. Many immigrants come from NOTHING, and leave EVERYTHING behind to start a new life in a new country for whatever reason - whether it is so that they could have a better life than they had before; or if it is because of job relocating reasons, for instance. Most immigrants around during the time I came to the US was because they wanted a better life for their family, which means, we had NOTHING and had to start from scratch. Sometimes coming from nothing teaches you to waste nothing, and that can sometimes be the very start of hoarding.

It is hard to know what reasons or motivations people who hoard have exactly, but there are probably many mental, emotional, as well as, physical reasons and repercussions of hoarding - not just for the person, but also for those around them.

I think we can all have a tendency to "hoard" something. We may all have a little "hoard" pile somewhere in our house even if it just a desk with a pile of mail or even a pile of junk food stashed somewhere for when we get the munchies. So, just because we may not be "as bad" as Trevor's mom in these photos when it comes to hoarding, I think this film can resonate with many.

I am looking forward to seeing this film! Good job Trevor and good luck with your film! :)

Click below and check out Trevor's video! Have a great day Everyone! :)

Happy Friday!: Seoul Food

2014-05-16T19:36:00.002-07:00

Happy Friday Everyone!!

On this Friday, I felt like talking food for some reason. This Seoul born, Korean-American loves Korean food! I think Korean food is my favorite, but I admit I don't actually eat it all that often anymore. My husband doesn't usually like a lot of the Korean food. He isn't a big fan of kimchi, and kimchi is a MUST for Koreans, especially when it comes to Korean food. Korean food is also kind of hard to make for just one serving, so if I make Korean food, I have to make it for when I have company come over who like Korean food. Korean food is also something that has to be eaten pretty quickly because the ingredients tend to have a lot of fresh vegetables in it, or sometimes eggs, and cannot be left over for very long periods of time once cooked.

Korean soups are among some of my favorite foods to eat, but I, unfortunately did not take any photos at the time I made them. However, here are some of the foods I did remember to take some photos of after I made them to share with you. These are from when I was having a friend over my house to eat lunch with me. See what you could have when you come over for lunch! :) Psst! Here's a hint or tip about Koreans: Many Koreans say "Thank you" with food!! i.e., They will cook Korean food for you! wink! wink!;) So, you may want to be nice to Korean people! hee hee :) (well, you should be nice to EVERYBODY!!!)

This is kimbop. I prefer to stuff my kimbop with a lot of "stuff" and not put as much rice in it since I actually don't eat a lot of rice. Rice actually makes me fat, so I try to avoid it even though I like rice. Kimbop is a popular dish for Koreans when going on a picnic, as well as, for packing a lunch! :)

This is dukkbokki. Dukkbokki is made with rice cake. The red chili paste makes it a spicy dish. I LOVE spicy!!! I make my dukkbokki a little different than my Koreans friends make it. I make it more similar to the way my mom makes it. I kind of stir fry it instead of boiling it. That is all I will say of my "secret". The rest you will have to figure out. ;)

Rolled eggs (gaeran mari) is a great side dish but can also be a main dish if you want. It also makes a great snack! :) You can cut them into many different shapes, and you can also create many different variations of gaeran mari. This is just a plain one. I have made vegetable ones with carrots and spinach, and one with seaweed for instance. They are like little, mini-omlettes. My husband actually likes rolled eggs and will eat these. He didn't like the seaweed one though. :) Hey, an Asian wife had to try you know? hee hee :)

One of the unique things about Korean cuisine is the side dishes. Spinach is one of my favorite side dishes. It is healthy, fresh and tastes sooooo good!!! :) Spinach is very easy and a must on a Korean table in my personal opinion, besides the kimchi. :)

The thing I found about Korean cooking so far is, there are basic ways to make something, but basically, I just season and tailor to taste based on my taste and needs, so now I understand what my mom meant by "I don't have a recipe. I just do." :)

Now, I'm craving Korean food! Well, I guess it's time to eat! Until next time! :)

Hey, It's Just a Miracle That ANYBODY Knows My Name! :)

2014-03-17T14:06:00.001-07:00

I'm not amazed that people don't know my name. I am amazed that ANYBODY knows my name!

Every time I get just one "Follow" on Twitter, or one "Like" on my Facebook page, or one "Friend Request" on my Facebook profile, or one "Subscriber" on my youtube, or one reader on my blog, I am amazed...and humbled. I am amazed when someone I haven't seen in years reconnects with me, and I amazed when someone I have never met before in my life wants to connect with me by "following", "liking", "subscribing" or "reading" what I have to say, do and especially sing. I am amazed and humbled that there are people in all parts of the world, and in all different cultures, backgrounds, economic circumstances, regardless of whether or not they speak the same language that I do want to connect with me. It shows how the arts can be a universal language. It shows how through the arts, different cultures, that even though we don't necessarily speak the same language fluently, can still form a bond and can still understand each other. We can still communicate, and we can still genuinely show love, acceptance, and respect for one another.

I know in terms of social media standards, nobody knows my name, but, in all honesty, to this day, I am still amazed that ANYBODY, besides the people I personally know, knows my name.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Thank you ALL so much for your support and encouragement! God bless!

Cindy and Isaac Practicing Before Singing for Husband's Birthday :)

2014-03-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a while since I have blogged. I have been away from home for a few weeks now. I had a couple of interesting things happen during my roadtrip to Chicago, and things have been a bit busy with settling in at one sister's house and then the other sister's house, and then back to the other sister's house; and, of course, I had to and I am still getting used to the crazy Chicago weather again after being away from it for a couple of years. The cold and snow seem to be never-ending. It is interesting how fast you become accustomed to NOT becoming accustomed to the crazy weather even though you lived in it for most of your life. Yup, I have become as my Chicago friends would say...a wimp, or one of "those" people. :) Obviously, I saw my agent and went on a few auditions in the city, and I also saw my parents, so I guess things have been fairly busy.

Plus, if you have been on facebook or following me on twitter, you may have seen my posts and tweets about my dog, Isaac, and you may have seen a video I have posted of him and my other dogs (my other dogs in that video have sadly passed on since that video and I miss them everyday obviously) "singing". Whenever I sing at home or vocalize at home, Isaac looks at me, perks up and "sings". Okay, he howls. I know he is probably telling me to "be quiet!", but I must say that he looks extremely cute saying it! :) You may have also seen my posts and tweets that because I was going to be away from home on my husband's birthday, I was going to call my husband and sing for my husband on his birthday.

So, since I needed to practice and since Isaac tends to join in whenever I practice, here is a video I posted on my facebook. I know this may make me a "stage mom", but I will admit I think my baby is adorable so I am a proud mom. :)

To see more videos of me and Isaac, you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Tell all your friends! :)

Essentially Amazing!!!

2013-12-21T16:01:00.002-08:00

A couple of days ago I misplaced my doTERRA Lemon Essential Oil!!! I was so sad!! I went back and forth for hours trying to find it! I was determined to find it because I LOVE my Lemon Essential Oil! Do you know why I love it so much?!!! There is actually a REAL reason for it!!!

Watch this news report from a Vanderbilt Hospital study that just by diffusing doTERRA essential oils in their ER, look what happened!

Hey, with Christmas just around the corner, if you still need a GREAT Christmas gift idea, doTERRA Essential Oils make an EXCELLENT gift!!! It's the kind of gift that can really help change a person's life for the better!!! And their family's lives, including their pets' lives! FOR REAL!!! In so many different ways!!! I'm not kidding!!!

I know I am not a doctor in real life or anything like that even though I have played a nurse in a Cadence/Delnor Hospital TV commercial :). However, I am someone who has struggled with an auto-immune disease for over 30 years, and whether I'd like to admit it or not, I have had and continue to have my share of various health issues unfortunately, especially as I get older - just like many people as they age, whether or not they want to or like to admit it.

Well, a few weeks ago, I went to my friends' Essential Oil party (see I always said I did normal housewives things! :)) and I've been hooked ever since! I personally started to use these doTERRA essential oils, and I still cannot believe how amazing these oils have worked for me and my life! Again, I know I'm not a doctor like the people in the video, but as someone who has had my own personal health struggles, (this is just my personal opinion so take it for what it is worth - it's free) - but in my personal opinion, I personally believe these essential oils are truly a gift and an empowerment for you to help you and your family, including your pets! Yes, there have been people who have successfully used these doTERRA essential oils with much success on their pets!! This is, of course, not meant to abandon or to replace your hospital/medical needs and your doctor (or vet); or other healthy lifestyle habits obviously, but like they say in the video, to help and/or supplement.

Since these oils can be used aromatically, topically and most can be ingested, in addition to, using them for helping with medical issues or health related issues, these oils can also be used for cooking, cleaning, for making them into other products, such as, skin care/hair care products, hand sanitizers, lip balms, furniture polish, insect repellents, etc.

These oils are also 100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG).

For more information on these doTERRA essential oils and to check out all the other products doTERRA has to offer, you can go to my website at:

www.mydoterra.com/therealcindychang/

For more information on essential oils in general, as well as doTERRA oils, there is a book called Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils available on Amazon.com. It is like an encyclopedia of essential oils. There is also a website called Aromaticscience.com that is basically a library of essential oil information with articles and research done on essential oils. There are also a lot of good information on the internet from fellow doTERRA Essential Oils users sharing their experiences and testimonials from using these oils.

And of course, I concur with this video, just smelling the doTERRA Lemon essential oil makes me really, really happy!!

Thank you and hope EVERYONE has a healthy and safe MERRY CHRISTMAS and JOYFUL HOLIDAY!!

Confessions of an Atypical Asian

2013-11-26T09:57:00.001-08:00

A few days ago, my friend, Rob, sent me this photo. Apparently, his goddaughter, Danielle, LOVES Confessions of an Atypical Asian, a little book I wrote several years ago meant to take a humorous perspective on stereotypes based on my own personal experiences. She loved it so much that it even inspired her to start writing her own experiences! How awesome is that?!!! This photo just made my day!! I was so grateful to receive such a photo, especially considering it is Thanksgiving Week!!! What great timing!! :)

My friend said his goddaughter, who is 7 years old, takes my book wherever she goes! Seeing how my book, Confessions of an Atypical Asian, makes her so happy makes me so happy! I would love to meet her someday so I can give her a big hug to personally thank her for bringing a smile to my face! I am VERY grateful!! I cannot begin to tell you!

I guess many of you did not know I wrote this book, or any book for that matter - well, except for maybe training manuals during my technical writing days at Lucent Technologies in Naperville, IL - so I will do a shameless little plug just in case you guys are interested. As I mentioned, this is just a simple, little book I wrote several years ago taking a humorous perspective on stereotypes, in particular, Asian stereotypes (well, because you know, I am Asian/Asian-American obviously). It is from my perspective based on my personal experiences - things that I have personally experienced either directly or indirectly (i.e, witnessed/seen).

I know adults that have read this book have really enjoyed it that they have even read it out loud to their guests at their parties and had a good time; but I also know every youngster that has read it, has really, really LOVED it, as you can see with Danielle, my friend's goddaughter. I also remember my former doctor in IL had two daughters that were about Danielle's age at the time, and they would crack up reading my book. Another person enjoys reading the book to her students. My book really seems to be a hit with the youngsters. You can read what others had to say of my book on my website, as well, if you would like.

You can still get this book online somewhere, but it is probably going to be cheaper to get it from my website (and if you get it from my website, then I can personally autograph it for you if you want, as well, although keep in mind that it is only me,... you know, the little Cindy you all know and love :)). Anyway, if you want, you are welcome to get my book at:

http://www.cindy-chang.com/store

If for some strange reason the link doesn't work correctly, please let me know. You can message me here, and I will be happy to contact technical support to get it fixed. (Yes, that is the same page where you can still download my single "O Holy Night")

Happy Thanksgiving Week Everyone! Love you Guys and thank you always so much for all your support!!! God bless you!!!

My Facebook Profile and My Facebook Page

2013-10-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to take a moment to explain my facebook profile and my facebook page since there may be some questions regarding that.

Yes, I have do have a personal facebook profile and I also a facebook page. I started the facebook page a while back because at the time, there were several pages of me other people created of me (which is perfectly fine. I didn't mind at all. I thought it was very nice of people to create positive pages of me - whoever it was. I appreciated it and it was flattering to know people wanted to do that). I just decided to start my own page since I realized people were writing to me, and I wasn't responding, well, because I never got their emails since they were writing to me on pages that weren't pages I created. Therefore, in order to have a place where people could actually write to me where I can actually receive their emails and where I can actually respond back to them, I created my own facebook page - place geared for people to actually be able to contact the real me and for me to respond back to them; and also provide a place that focuses more on the performing aspects of my life. (Plus, at the time I created this facebook page, people really could not find my personal facebook profile very well since I kept everything very private and primarily for personal use. My personal profile has become more public since then however. More on that below.)

My facebook profile was, as I said, very private and while still is personal and is geared more towards personal stuff (personal posts, photos, thoughts, etc), people are able to find me more easily now on facebook since I have become more familiar with how facebook works than before when I first started using facebook. However, since my personal profile is still geared more towards personal topics, this may not really be what people are interested in reading - maybe other than people who actually know me. I don't want to assume that people want to really know about my personal topics all that much. Some people may want to know more about what is going on performing-wise, if any, rather than what is going on personal-wise so to speak.

You are, of course, more than welcome to join me on my profile or just on my page, or both or neither. People can choose to join me on whichever page or profile or both, whatever works for them. It is up to you. Some just want to know what is going on with me on my professional level (which is what the page is more geared towards, with maybe a hint of some personal at times). Some just want to join me on my profile. Some want to join me on both because there are times when I just post something on one or the other and not on both even though I try to be equal on some topics but can't always, so one audience does get left out. Again, it's not because I play favorites or anything. It is just sometimes it can work out that way.

Just wanted to clarify what and why the differences are. (Now these are the ONLY two places on facebook I am on though. The other ones are the ones other people created. Again, thank you to those people of course, but just to let you know, I only have my page and my profile on facebook besides being on twitter and youtube.)

Hope that helps clarify any confusion as to which pages or profiles are mine on facebook and why. And again, you are welcome to join me on my profile that is perfectly fine, as well as, my page if you want to. It is up to you!

Have a great day!!! God bless!!!

Thank you Gray Talent Group!

2013-09-23T23:46:00.000-07:00

I have the best agents in town! I love Gray Talent Group in Chicago!

Tomorrow #ChicagoFire returns! We're so excited to see @CindyChangSings, John and Charlie Babbo on the season premiere!
— Gray Talent Group (@GrayTalentGroup) September 23, 2013

Watch Chicago Fire Season 2 Premiere Episode September 24, 2013 on NBC!!!

2013-09-23T09:42:00.001-07:00

Remember to tune in on NBC on September 24, 2013 for the premiere episode of Chicago Fire Season 2 tomorrow!!!

Here is a look:

And yes, my character, Mari, will be back for the premiere episode! :)

1. @LadyJ_817 are we going to see more of Mouch's girlfriend? Yes, Mari will be back for the premiere episode.
— Derek Haas (@popcornhaas) September 22, 2013

My Favorite Tweet of the Day

2013-07-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

America's 4,392nd favorite couple. Right behind Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen. #ChicagoFire pic.twitter.com/KrKnxdB12z
— Christian Stolte (@ChristianStolte) July 26, 2013

Mp3 Player with Recordings for You to Listen to on My Website!

2013-07-28T12:00:00.001-07:00

I don't know if I did this right, but I uploaded an mp3 player on my website of some songs I sang from past lessons, demos, church services, theatre, etc on my website until I record the cd I will be working on w/my talented pianist friend David Cunniff (who helped me record O Holy Night).

Here is the link to the mp3 player on my website: http://www.cindy-chang.com/resource/components/audio_player/popout/274900

I hope it works!

If by chance, it does not work, you can also just go to my website at www.cindy-chang.com. The player will be directly on the website.

Thank you!

Cadence Health | Laser Focus

2013-07-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friends Amy Doran (whose son Connor Doran you may have seen on America's Got Talent Top 12 in 2010 performing his incredible indoor kite flying act that can make you cry and give you goose bumps! Check out Connor's website!) and Frank Turchioe who is huge fan of AGT and a sweetheart who both took time out of their busy schedules to help me find this video, I was finally able to see the commercial spot I filmed for Cadence Health! Thank you Amy and Frank! I love you guys!!!

Here it is!

New Documentary: Revolve on Camera

2013-07-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

My friends, Benjamin Epps (who directed Family Weekend film starring Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Modine) and his beautiful wife Heather Epps (second unit director on Family Weekend film), are working on their new documentary introducing the work of the Revolve Dance Company.

I admit that I am not a dancer and would never claim I know anything about dance, but, like many, I do appreciate the art of dance, as I appreciate the arts in general; and from watching the Epps's video below, I particularly like what Heather says about when most people think of "professionals", they tend to think of the well-known names in Hollywood we see and hear about on tv. However, the truth is quite the opposite.

The truth is most professionals are the no-names who get no glory, but still work very hard everyday still dreaming to one day "make it"; that have to work another "real" job or two or more for years to pay the bills just so they can still pursue what they really want to pursue - which is to perform; and sometimes they have to put their dream to perform on hold; or they have to pursue their dream on the side for now since real life gets in the way or until they can get their "big break"; or they work a "real" job and try and save enough money to pursue their dream more again at a later time and so they end up pursuing their dream only off and on over the course of their entire lives, so it seems to be more in spurts and segments sometimes; or they are the ones that don't make any money at all performing or just very little but still just perform anyway so they get the experience of doing what they love to do and are trying to just get their name out there any way they can, etc.

You just may be surprised who these "professionals" are. They just may be your next door neighbor; or your child's teacher; or someone you see at the store every week on your errands in your neighborhood. They are your every day neighbor who continue to pound the pavement day after day working hard toward the dream even though nobody else may know or realize it....yet!

Most of the "professionals" work VERY hard for years and years without ANY glory, but they do it all just because of the fact they love what they do even if everybody else in their lives think they are crazy for doing it.

So, as much as we wish being a "professional" meant being like what we see on tv with the well-known names, but it is not usually the case, unfortunately. However, that doesn't mean that the rest of us "professionals" who are still trying to "make it" still would not be doing what we are doing because the fact is we LOVE what we do and would still be doing it, or at least trying to have it somehow in our lives no matter what, even if we have to take a break sometimes because our priorities in life may change at times.

This is why I am eager to see how this documentary turns out because regardless of whether or not you are a dancer, or regardless of whether or not you love dance, we all know what it is like to have a dream, and deep inside we all wish to just do it! And these dancers are obviously doing just that!

Check out their video below from their Kickstarter campaign page for Revolve on Camera.

Enjoy! :)

Happy Birthday to My Baby Isaac!!!

2013-07-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

I love my vet! I got an email last night wishing my baby Isaac a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I don't think I have ever gotten that before from a vet! I thought that was so sweet and thoughtful, and it just ended my evening on bright note last night, and it started the new, next day focused right...straight on Isaac's birthday!

I am sure some people who don't have dogs or pets, or even people that do have them, but maybe don't feel about them the way I feel about my Isaac may laugh at me, but you know what? I don't care! I am a proud pet parent! So, yes, folks, being that I am a proud mama, today, this day, on July 13, 2013, I am wishing my baby Isaac a very...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My cute, loyal companion, baby ball of fluff that I love so much that you might have thought I had given birth to him myself is 9 years old today! He has been through so much, and if you are on facebook, you know there were times I was afraid I was going to lose this little guy; but he is such a little trooper, and I thank God he made it through because I cannot imagine my life without my little angel. We have been through so much together and God must have known I needed him. He is definitely a gift from God for sure, and I am so grateful for him, for his little spirit, for his little face, for the goofy little things he does and the looks he gives me, and just for being in my life. I feel very blessed.

Gosh, isn't it amazing how these furry creatures can bring so much joy into our lives?! They can make a difficult day feel a-ok just by seeing their furry little faces. Who else waits for you by the door when you go outside to check the mail, even if you are gone only for just a few minutes or a few seconds and then rejoices as if you have been gone for a few centuries? Who else doesn't care about how much money you make, or how beautiful you are, or how talented you are, or how tall you are, or how short you are, or how fat you are, or how skinny you are, or even how you smell? They don't care about a big house, or fancy clothes, or fancy food, or fancy toys, anything. They don't need the best of the best because they think they have it with just YOU. To them you ARE the best. They just want to be by your side and want nothing better than to just follow you wherever you go. They show us what unconditional love can feel like and what it feels like not to be judged.

Do you know that song by the group Chicago "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"? There are lyrics that say "Everybody needs a little time away..." and "Even lovers need a holiday...", but you know, I don't think this is true for dogs, at least it is not true for my Isaac. He wants to be by me ALL the time! I love my husband and we are one of the couples that actually really like spending time together, and we actually are ok to do everything together - for real!; but even he doesn't want me around ALL the time! But Isaac? Isaac wants to be with me ALL the time! That is the unconditional love of a dog!

So, since I can't sing Happy Birthday in "dog" language, I will end this blog and help celebrate Isaac's birthday by sharing an old, favorite video. It is of Isaac during his puppy years w/his brothers, Murray and Jacob, (may they rest in peace) that I have shared with my friends in the past.

Hope you enjoy it & always show your furry companion lots of love!

(Just a little history about this video: Whenever I would vocalize, or practice my scales singing, this is the kind of things my dogs would do. I am not sure what they were trying to tell me, but instead of thinking they were being critics, I decided to try videotaping an example of what they were doing instead to show my family since I thought my family, also having dogs, would get a kick out it.)

( In the video:

Isaac: the birthday boy when he was a puppy! He usually howls longer, but this was one of his shorter ones. Isaac is my HEART!!! I am sooo grateful I have had 9 years with this funny boy, and I pray I am able to have more! My pride & joy! My laughter! My everything! My world!;

Murray: THE GREATEST American Eskimo in the WORLD!!!! He was my husband's favorite baby for sure! He was in my life more than 16 years! so I must admit yeah, he is still up there as one of my top 2 favorites (my very first Maltese named Jordan who was deaf since he was 2 years old that I had for 12 years before Isaac and Jacob years is my up there as my ultimate baby). Murray was sooo friendly to people! Every vet that met Murray said he was THE friendliest American Eskimo they EVER met! He was my genius boy! I want another Eskie because of my Murray!;

Jacob: Isaac's half-brother and sooo sweet and my little lap dog. He was a very, very special soul. Indescribable how special this little guy was. He was just 2-3 lbs, but a little warrior who lost his battle with PLE. He had a hard life. He was THE CUTEST little thing EVER!!! He was SOOOO forgiving! He was THE SWEETEST EVER too!!!

I love ALL my dogs that have sadly passed on, and I MISS all my babies VERY much that it is bittersweet to see videos of them because I wish I could hug them all; but I am blessed to have had them in my life. And yes, I am one of those that people have their dogs' ashes, and their ashes will be buried or cremated along with me when the time comes for God to call me home too.)

My Fan Shout Out to YOU!!!

2013-07-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

You know, since this blog is about sharing my favorite "whatevers" with my fans, and I wouldn't have even thought to share a blog like this if it wasn't for my awesome fans, today, I am going to do a shout out to my FAVORITE of FAVORITES.... my AWESOME group of FANS!!! (I still feel so strange saying that..."my fans"...I still have to pinch myself and am in disbelief that I have ANY besides my husband and my dog! :))

I just love you guys soooo much!!! I can't tell you enough!!! I am so grateful to this day and everyday, and on days like today, (especially, when I get such heartfelt emails from people giving me their support; encouraging me not to give up my dream to perform; telling me how much watching me on tv touched their hearts and lifted their spirits - omg, are you kidding? In truth, it is actually the reverse because you guys actually lift mine! - defending me against any senseless negativity on the internet; and pouring out their hearts about their own dreams, and sharing a little about their own lives with me), I am reminded about how blessed and fortunate I am to have such a wonderful group of people in this world to reach out to somebody like me - a nobody - but for some reason, a few, wonderful group of people from different parts of the US and also from all over the world feel comfortable enough with me to want to connect with me. That is such an amazing honor, and I am so humbled and so, so grateful. You guys remind me and help me feel like I am not alone. I thank God for you!

So, I just had to say a BIG THANK YOU to you guys!!! I just want you to know how much I appreciate the support you have given me. Your support means more than I will ever be able to express.

In addition, since some of you have shared with me that you wish you could spread the word out about what you do or what your dreams are with others, I want to give some of my fans an opportunity to do just that. That is what blogs do right? Help spread the word? So, once a month or periodically - since this will really depend on you guys if you want me to help spread the word about what you do - I will dedicate a post in my blog to one of you to help spread the word out about what you do or what your dreams are with others. Just submit a link of your video sharing what you do or what your dreams are, and I will be happy to post the selected video to help spread the word! However, I suggest to keep the videos and the messages in the videos CLEAN!!! since this is family-oriented, remember! :) It is really wonderful to share things, such as, the song you wrote for the first girl you ever had a crush on; or the gymnastics routine you won at regionals; or your dream of being a teacher; or the beautiful, original, handmade dresses you design; or the beautiful baskets you arrange that make people so happy to receive in the mail, etc) - those are all amazing, positive stories and things to share with others that has made me smile and touched my heart and can touch other people too.

Now, please keep in mind that if we do this, this will still be a learning curve for me since this is THE first time I would be doing something like this and have no idea what I am doing. I will totally admit that. So, please be patient with me, and I will apologize in advance for any future errors I make. However, because of some of the emails I have gotten, I can hear a similar theme, and that is that people have a voice (and I don't mean a singing voice in this case - although I know some of the people that wrote me are obviously singers). I am talking about "a" voice, "their" voice, and they just want a chance to be heard. I am just trying to find a way to give you guys a chance to be heard. If there is a way I can do that. I want to try. This is my way to try to do that for you even if it is only in just a little way. It will still be a way for you to be heard.

Maybe someday, I will be a "somebody", but right now, I am just little me. :) Thank you so much for supporting little me, this nobody, but somebody who deeply thanks you from the bottom of my heart!

Have a wonderful day!

Loving Planks

2013-07-08T13:08:00.001-07:00

I never thought I would say this, but I actually love doing....PLANKS!!! Yes, people, I never would have ever imagined myself ever saying that...EVER!!!

Do you know how long I have avoided doing planks? Oh, let's say at least...20 years!!! And you know what? It showed!!! YUP! I admit it! That is no secret. Remember when the world first saw me on America's Got Talent? Do you remember that chunky, middle-aged woman? While I did work out believe it or not, I avoided planks like the plague for YEARS as you could probably tell. However, after losing some weight and wanting to work on my core, I asked my awesome fitness blogging friend, Nancy Kim, (who is also a certified fitness instructor) what I could do. She recommended planks. I dreaded them, and told her I dreaded them but that I was willing to give them a try since I saw what they did for her core.

From the moment I tried doing planks after decades of avoiding them, I could feel them working EXACTLY where I wanted them to work, and I instantly fell in love with planks. I was in serious agony from the get go, and I had no idea how I was going to get through even just one minute at first, but it was great because I could feel them working, and I like it when I think something is working for me. I could see results very quickly! I want to say I saw results even within a couple of days.

Of course, I still have a long way to go (ok, I admit that my abs do not look like Nancy's :)), but Nancy said she has suggestions of variations of planks to keep things challenging so that my body doesn't get used to things since your body adapts rather quickly and that exercises get less effective as your body adapts to them. Oh my, did she say MORE challenging? Uh oh. Well, ok..I guess she knows what she is talking about. I will have to give her a call when I'm ready. But for right now, I think the 3-5 sets of 1 minute each or 1 minute and 10 seconds each is about all I can handle at the moment. When that gets "too easy",or if I don't see as much results after that, then I will see what more challenging planks to take on. Until then, the normal "less challenging" planks are plenty challenging enough for me right now! :)

OMG! I Can't Wait to Try This!!!

2013-06-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

OMG! I am SOOO EXCITED!!! I just found out that Shakeology just came out with a new flavor...VANILLA! I am SOOO EXCITED I cannot even being to tell you! You don't understand! I LOVE vanilla! Vanilla is actually my FAVORITE flavor ice cream (well green tea ice cream now ties for 1st as my favorite flavor or comes in at a very close 2nd, but vanilla will never move below the #1 whether another flavor ties with it or not. That is how much I love vanilla!). So, when I heard Beachbody was coming out with a new vanilla flavor Shakeology shake, I was really excited! From the looks of things, it seems like it is going to be good, so I am looking forward to trying it! I have really loved the other flavors I have tried so far. I especially LOVE the Greenberry! It is my happy drink/smoothie, and I look forward to drinking it everyday, so I am hopeful and looking forward to trying this new, vanilla flavor! After I try it, I will let you guys know what I think about this new flavor!

As I have mentioned before, I LOVE Shakeology! I look forward to drinking this everyday! I love how this product tastes. I love how this product makes me feel. I love how this product has been working for me. My body craves this stuff! When my friend, who is a fitness instructor, told me about Shakeology before, I didn't understand it, but I finally tried it. I am so glad I finally did. Now, I seriously cannot imagine my life without this baby! And apparently, I'm not the only one! Watch this! :)

Have a great day, and STAY HEALTHY!!!

Fun and Easy Toning Exercises to Do Anywhere!

2013-06-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

I enjoy working out. I love walking on my treadmill, especially while watching a movie, tv program, kdrama, or watching the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals, and I love using my weight machines. However, there are times when my schedule may not allow for my normal workout routines. One example would be when I travel, for instance. During those times, I still want to be able to exercise and tone somehow, but I know I may not always have access to a treadmill or some kind of exercise equipment. Even though I may not have access to a treadmill or my weight machines, I still like to keep working on toning everyday somehow, especially as I get older. I need something that is flexible and realistic that I can apply or use no matter where I am.

This is why I especially like the exercises I got from Fumiko who is the creator of the Face Yoga Method. I happen to stumble upon her youtube channel while browsing through some videos on youtube. Fumiko also has a membership site which seems very good from what I can tell so far, but she actually offers a free webinar which I have taken, as well, if you want to check things out first. Her youtube channel also has a lot of great videos too that can give you a good start on things if you want to try some of her exercises.

Here are a couple of my favorite exercises from Fumiko's Face Yoga Method that you can do anywhere whether you are at home or traveling. I still have a long way to go, but I could a see a difference once I started doing her exercises, so I do these everyday now. Besides, I think these are just fun to do, and I can do these anywhere so that makes it very easy for me, and hey, at my age, I'll take easy! :)

Wait!...No Weight!

2013-06-17T13:30:00.001-07:00

Hope everyone had a good Father's Day!

People have told me recently, especially those who have not seen me in a while, that they have noticed I have lost quite a bit of weight. It has been really nice to get compliments on how I have been looking healthier and better. I have gotten more compliments now in my mid 40's than I have ever gotten in my early 20's! HA HA!! :) So THANK YOU for lifting this old gal's spirits! :)

I know some of you have asked me what I have been doing to lose weight. Well, to put it briefly, I have been working with my wonderful endocrinologist and am finally getting my thyroid regulated which has gotten me started off on the right track. I also continue to lead a healthy lifestyle, as I have always done by eating healthy and exercising, which, luckily, I enjoy doing. I do core exercises I got from faceyogamethod.com that I LOVE!!! (I am actually getting abs for the first time in my life! I still have a long way to go, but even when I was skinny years ago, I never had abs before so I will give myself more time. hee hee :)); AND the BEST thing I have done for myself fairly recently that has helped me and has made the biggest difference for me personally is I started taking Shakeology! I love this stuff and cannot imagine life without this baby!

I saw this video and just had to laugh because yes, I admit I have done this too many times! Tony Horton is really funny in this!

Enjoy! :)

Commercial for Central Dupage Hospital

2013-01-31T08:45:00.002-08:00

my friend: "were you in a commercial for centera system (central dupage hospital or delnor hospital)? There was someone in there that looks just like you"

me: "yup"

So, I guess if you guys are out in the midwest, watch for me in that commercial! :)

Family Weekend Announces Release Dates!

2013-01-31T08:40:00.000-08:00

The film Family Weekend, where yours truly appears as Siu Jin, announced release dates! Here is the info via their facebook status:

ARC Entertainment and Footprint Features are proud to announce the release dates for Family Weekend

(starring Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Modine, Olesya Rulin, Joey King, Eddie Hassell Chloe Bridges and Shirley Jones)

VIDEO ON DEMAND - 2/28/13

COMING TO THEATERS IN SELECT CITIES - 3/29/13

DVD and DIGITAL - 4/23/13

For further inquiries from Press or Media please contact Katrina Wan PR at Katrina@KatrinaWanPR.Com

O Holy Night by Cindy Chang NOW AVAILABLE for download...FREE!!!

2012-12-14T21:03:00.000-08:00

As a personal thank you to all those who have been kind enough to give me so much encouragement this past year to not give up my dream to sing professionally, as well as, to help a cause close to my heart, this English and Korean bilingual, recorded live, simply from the heart version of O Holy Night is now available through CDBaby to download for FREE!!! (You may also download for FREE from the sample below!)

I really wanted my first single recording to be a thank you labor of love project. I wanted to be able to just give my first single away for free to people as a way to say THANK YOU to everyone for all their support. I wanted my first single to be available and accessible for everyone and everywhere, as much as possible, no matter where they were in the world, or no matter what their financial situation was (i.e., I didn't want even $0.99 to be an issue for anyone since for some people, you never know, even every penny may count in their lives right now); AND I wanted to DO something with my first single recording and try to make a difference somehow for something that meant a lot to me.

Many of you know I am a HUGE dog lover (all animals actually, but definitely dogs!), and Hope for Paws and The Fuzzy Pet Foundation are two organizations that I have personally been a fan of and have been a follower of for their amazing work in helping abused, neglected, homeless animals that need medical attention, a home, love, and someone who will speak up for them and give them a much needed voice. So, it was a natural choice for me to want to use my first single as a way to help these two organizations!

I have had the honor to personally speak with Eldad Hagar from Hope for Paws and Sheila Choi from The Fuzzy Pet Foundation on the phone, and they are wonderful, down-to-earth people with extra-ordinary hearts who are willing to go out there and do what they do and help animals in need. I am in awe and humbled by what they do. I know the sad reality is that we are, unfortunately, not going to be able to save all the animals that need help, BUT it is because of knowing that, I feel the need to still do SOMETHING because EVERY little bit helps. It just has to.

Below is a video of a fairly recent rescue that these two organizations did together. (They are separate organizations and do their own rescues, but this is an example of them combining their efforts.) Now, thanks to this rescue, Apollo and Sky now have a loving, forever home!

Please consider a donation to Hope for Paws and/or The Fuzzy Pet Foundation so that they can continue to do their amazing work and help animals in need!

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT meant to pressure you to donate, and donating is NOT a requirement to receive O Holy Night for FREE. O Holy Night is available as a FREE download for everyone regardless of whether you donate or not and is my simply from the heart way to say thank you for your amazing support you have kindly given me this past year! Please do not feel any pressure. I know everyone has different circumstances. Donation is completely voluntary. I just want to try to help two organizations that I believe in and a cause I personally care deeply about - helping animals that need help.

You are welcome to spread the word about this as well!

Thank you again for all your support! Hope you enjoy!

Special thanks to David Cunniff (piano and arrangement - arr. briefly includes the four-note ostinato motif from Carol of the Bells composed by Mykola Leontovych) and Dave Wheeler and Aron Hethcox (Studio 603) for all their help with this recording.

Thank You My First Music Teachers

2012-11-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving Day, I want to thank my very first music teachers...my parents.

I am...

...Thankful to my parents for always having classical music playing at home or in the car. We got to listen to some of the greatest composers that ever lived and to some of the greatest pieces of music ever composed (even though I did not know who or what I was listening to at the time).

...Thankful to my parents for taking us to church and making me sing in my father's church choir. I got to see my father in his element, and not just as the strict father but also as the strict and talented choir director. He could take a group of normal, everyday people who were doctors, teachers, housewives, dry cleaning business owners, senior citizens, college students, etc., who were not trained musicians by profession but just had a love for music; and he would be able to create really beautiful music of high caliber with us.

...Thankful to my parents for making us go to all their Korean Oratorio Society of Chicago concerts that my father conducted and where my mom sang every Christmas at church over the years. I got to listen to beautiful music like the Handel’s Messiah and see my parents share their love for music with the Chicago Korean community.

I may not have been able to study or major in music and voice in school (my parents meant well. I know they just wanted me to have a better life than they did), and while I can't lie and say it wasn't heartbreaking and extremely painful not being able to and not having the support to pursue my dream to sing professionally for so long; I must say that I owe my childhood of being exposed to beautiful music to my parents. Because I grew up in a house surrounded by music and was able to listen to classical music growing up, I was able to absorb music.

So thank you my parents for being my first music teachers. That exposure to music you gave me will always be a part of me and still helps me to this day.

Shout out: Shear Catastrophe Leads to Shear Talent!

2012-11-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have already heard by now about the worst haircut experience I have ever had at a salon, so I will apologize in advance if this post is somewhat of a repeat. Now, I will admit that I don't go to the salon all that often compared to the average person since I tend to go about only a couple of times a year. I know, not very healthy for my hair. I need to do better in that area, but I admit it is hard for me to allow myself to get regular trims since I am pretty frugal. Hey, I used to even cut my own hair! :)

But I just wanted to share this experience with you guys to show you how sometimes you may have to go through a not so good experience to lead you to a better one; and I also wanted to share this story because it is important for me to say thank you and acknowledge people, businesses, or even products whenever they make a difference in my day!

So here's my shout out for today:

A couple of weeks ago, I got the worst haircut I have ever gotten at a salon that I can remember. In the past, even if I didn't get the best haircut, I would usually just say "oh well" & I would just work with it until my hair grew back. But for the first time ever, this was something I really could not work with at all; and it was the first time that I was so desperate to find another stylist so immediately after a haircut to try to fix that haircut somehow asap. (I couldn't get myself to tell the guy who cut my hair how unhappy I was because he seemed really sweet & he was really proud of the haircut he gave me, so I didn't want to hurt his feelings & tell him how horrible it really was so I just said thank you & tipped him 20% instead of a normal 15% because I felt so sorry for him.)

But you know you got a bad haircut when even your husband who is not picky about haircuts looks at you and his face is saying, "!?#@&?!"!

I desperately did a search on the internet for the best hair stylists in the area. I came across some very nice customer reviews for a salon called Shear Talent. I called and thankfully, they were able to fit me in that day!

Jennifer, the saving stylist who was nice enough to fit me in at Shear Talent, described my hair exactly right. The first thing she said when she saw my hair after I took out the hairband I was using to try to cover my horrible haircut was, "OMG! He gave her China bangs!"

Yup, that was it! I was trying to figure out what the horrible haircut he gave me reminded me of & it was exactly that - CHINA BANGS!!! But it wasn't just that he gave me China bangs but that he gave me the most horrible, dreadful, choppy, butchered, unblended China bangs (keep in mind, I have NEVER had China bangs in my life, and I NEVER said I wanted to have China bangs. NONE of the pictures I showed him of the style/cut I wanted before he started cutting had China bangs. Plus, I have naturally wavy hair, so call me crazy, but I don't think China bangs work very well with naturally wavy hair. Besides, I know I told the poor guy...I'm KOREAN!!! :) yes, I can joke about it now even though it wasn't too funny at the time & still isn't whenever I look at my hair in the mirror. sniff sniff :))

While I knew there was nothing that even awesome Jennifer could do about the horribly, hopeless China bangs, awesome Jennifer in all her awesomeness was still somehow able to cut my hair in a way that made the worst haircut into something I could work with enough until my hair grows out.

Obviously, I can't wait until my hair grows out, but it is nice to know I won't feel like crying as much every time I look in the mirror while I am waiting for my hair to grow out!

I wish I knew about Shear Talent before, but at least I'm glad I know about them now. And I'll just take this whole experience as a blessing since it eventually led me to Shear Talent and the great group of girls that work there! (Besides, I know there are a lot of other things worse to go through in life than a horrible haircut so I just try to keep things in perspective.)

I would be happy to go to Shear Talent again! Thank you Shear Talent & thank you Jennifer C., the owner/stylist, for making a nervous, new customer feel extremely welcome and at ease, & thank you Jennifer E., the awesome stylist who recut my hair, for being so nice fitting me in on such short notice and for helping me feel better than I did when I came in!

So, a shout out to Shear Talent because that is exactly what they are! Thank you Ladies at Shear Talent! Hope to see you again sometime!

Shear Talent is located at 1155 Commerce Suite H, Las Cruces, NM 88011 (575) 532-5555.