An Unforgettable Job

Working on my taxes, I found out an interesting fact. As a sometimes freelancing reporter/journalist/actress, if I were to buy a ball gown to wear to an event, I would be able to deduct that off my taxes! Because my job required me to go to the fancy event and because I would not be able to wear the ball gown in my everyday life (unless if I just wanna look awesome).

Interesting, huh?

{ Co-workers and I at KoreAm's Unforgettable gala. Jenn (far left) and I are wearing Sue Wong gowns. But we borrowed those so not tax deductable! }

I got to thinking how blessed I was that I work in a place where I am able to get dolled up occasionally and force famous celebrities to serenade “Unforgettable” to me.

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
~ John 1:16

“Blessed are those who give without remembering. And blessed are those who take without forgetting.”
~ Bernard Meltzer

Other interesting tax deductibles:
* Business meals and entertainment
* Trade magazines or print publications (since I write)
* Business cards
* Gas mileage

Interesting non-deductibles
* Wristwatches … I thought that was interesting because it was so specific and stood out amongst other items such as residential telephone services, travel expenses for another individual, etc.

posted by Janice | Comments: 2 | Job, Look, Los Angeles, Magazine

This Is Why We Need Niche Magazines

I was cleaning out my desk this morning and took a good, hard look at some of the recent magazines I’d received over the past few months.

Now, I love these cover ladies (Meryl and Taylor, woot woot!) but I couldn’t help but think (slightly dismally) that none of them have the slightest resemblance to me! Every single one a (bottled?) blonde haired-blue/green/brown eyed chica.

This is why niche magazines like Audrey and KoreAm Journal need to exist.

posted by Janice | Comments: 5 | Fashion, Look, Magazine

Audrey’s Fall Cover Gal | Jenna Ushkowitz

I love my job sometimes.

Sure, there’s plenty of sitting around at my desk, my shoulders strained so hard it feels like it’s going to cave in on me and exchanging frustrating emails with catty publicists who think they own the world but sometimes, there are magical moments where we’re creating art and telling stories.

Like Audrey Mag‘s fall cover shoot with Jenna Ushkowitz. (Shown here getting all dolled up for the shoot.)

We placed Jenna in the middle of Park Plaza, in all its old Hollywood glam, dolled her up in sleek evening gowns and pearls where Diana took dreamy shots of her.

Check out the behind-the-scenes coverage and interview we got, with the help of Asian American entertainment network MYX TV. You’ll get the inside scoop on Jenna’s make-out sessions with Harry Shum, Jr. and her favorite Glee episodes.

I can’t wait to share the rest of our shots–and the magazine– with you! Audrey Magazine Fall 2011 issue hits stands early September. Purchase your copy here.

posted by Janice | Comments: 2 | Fashion, Job, Look, Los Angeles, Magazine, Music, TV, Writing

How To Procrastinate Properly

Nuts…

posted by Janice | Comments: 2 | Blog, Job, Magazine, Writing

(Asian) American Beauty

I wrote this for Audrey Magazine a couple of weeks ago. Reposting here.

As an assistant editor for a woman lifestyle magazine, I’m exposed to images, faces, bodies and shapes all day, everyday. I surf blogs, I flip through magazines and I interview some of the most “beautiful” people on the planet.

As my life has gotten more infused with the media’s standards of beauty, I have to admit, I became a little disturbed by the narrow scope of what is deemed beautiful in our society. Long limbs, blonde mane, enormous eyes, lush lips, big boobs, etc. etc. As an Asian American woman, we have a slightly different set of requirements to be beautiful (straight black hair, big eyes, clear, pale skin, waify bodyshape, etc. etc) but it’s still there.

But then, I realized I was actually in a position to do something about it!

posted by Janice | Comments: 3 | Look, Los Angeles, Uncategorized

Paramount Studios

I visited the set of Paramount lot the other day with Caroline. Can you guess which show we were visiting?

posted by Janice | Comments: 4 | Job, TV

Audrey Magazine Spring ’11 | Olivia Munn

I’ve been sweating and slaving for the past couple of months but the second issue is finally going to print!

Ain’t it a beaut?

Funny gal Olivia Munn is rocking the Shirley Temple curls. Inside, Munn dishes on Chinese mothers (she has one!), dating celebs and her loyal fans.

posted by Janice | Comments: 2 | Inspirations, Interviews, Los Angeles, Magazine, TV, Uncategorized, Writing

Snapshot of My Day

It’s not everyday you get a call after lunch to get to an audition for a commercial. (Thanks sis for the submission!)

That’s for Mercedes Benz.

That stars Kobe Bryant.

The catch: I had to go from regular ol’ Janice in a brown sack shirt, jeans and flats, my hair a bird’s nest atop my head to a classy art gallery owner with the lashes, the dress, the works.

posted by Janice | Comments: 4 | Interviews, Job, Look, Personal, Travel

This is Just the Beginning

When I memorized the alphabet, I was 2. I sat in my aunt’s kitchen in Plano, Texas with my grandmother watching over my shoulders, making sure I was doing my work.

When I first learned to read a complete sentence, I was 4. The sentence was from a book about a black cat.

When I first won a writing award, I was 6. I wrote about how best friends are the type you share chocolate chip cookies with.

When I first read copies of Vogue, stolen from my mom’s shop, I was 8. I especially remember a cover with a very pretty-looking Tyra Banks in an orange sundress.

When I got my first subscription to Seventeen Magazine, I was 12. My whole world changed as I felt the influence an article or a profile or even a picture can have on my entire teenage girl view.

I am now 23 and the first  Audrey Magazine that I worked on as assistant editor just arrived in the mail for me. (Subscribe here.)

posted by Janice | Comments: 12 | Job, Magazine, Uncategorized, Writing

Gray’s Anatomy

the grey gang

I revisited my alma mater the other day to check out the LCC show. It was great. I laughed, I cried. I gasped, I sighed. After the show, we old folks hung around the lobby and I noticed… an eerily heavy amount of grays and muted blacks going on amidst the crew.

Why?

“It’s because everyone is gloomy from the recession!” I gasped.

posted by Janice | Comments: 4 | God, Job, Los Angeles, Love, Magazine, Personal, Writing