Before Michael Phelps, there was Dr. Sammy Lee...

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of finally getting to meet master wordsmith and ace musician, Paula Yoo when she was on the Chicago leg of her book tour. I got her to inscribe my copy of her and Dom Lee's brilliant book, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds The Sammy Lee Story. Paula's portrayal of Dr. Lee's journey from being treated like a second class citizen in a land he was born in to Olympic champion was as touching and inspiring as Dom Lee's illustrations were beautiful...

Dr. Sammy Lee was the first Asian American to win a gold medal for the USA in the 1948 Olympics! Who knew?

Now, many of you know that my dear pal, writer, Julia Cho is also my arch nemesis (you know, like in the comic books -- the characters fight each other, but somehow they're really kind of friends) : She has the superhero ability to reduce me to tears in two seconds flat. Well, it appears that now I have two foes: Paula Yoo has upped the ante here, and not only can her words make tears well up in my eyes faster than you can say, "Jiminy Cricket" but she makes food sound so luscious that I must eat it as soon as I can find or make it!

So, take heed of my warning friends -- this Paula Yoo character has uncanny powers -- even the dedication in her book Good Enough made me weep... So sweet, it was...

Lastly, Paula and I got to break bread together at a restaurant in Naperville. We opted for the outdoor seating, which was a bit of a mistake since we were eaten alive by mosquitos. I had an amazing time hanging out with Paula in spite of the pesky pests. As for why we were the only people getting bitten on the patio -- all I can surmise is that the tiny vampires were in the mood for Korean...

More info on all of the beautiful work Ms. Yoo produces...
http://www.paulayoo.com/