NPR

I got to be on NPR with Brian Lehrer-no really, it's true! /  by Abbie Zuidema

As many of you know, I sumbitted my Little Thailand map to the Brian Lehrer show.  In addition to having my entry accepted & map published on the WNYC website, I was also asked to be on the show. LIVE. ON AIR.

How cool is that?!

I was thrilled and really nervous. Yesterday, I spent the morning preping, which included note cards & the Little Thailnad map on hand just in case... who knew what 5 minutes on air might bring?  I was just going to pretend that I was waiting on a really, really, VIP customer at the restaurant. If I could wait on Bjork-I could talk to Brian for 5 minutes.

I sat at my desk, phone in hand, waiting on hold until my moment came. I could hear the show happening in my phone, listening to Brian speak to the woman who made the map into a quilt. I was trying NOT to be nervous, just to keep breathing.

Then I was being introduced, kind of, Brian couldn't pronounce my last name, which was hilarioius. I was just relieved when he tried to say it right & not settle on the butchered version. It eneded up being a hilarious part of the exchange btween us. Especially when I couldnt say "emblem".  ha!

What an expereince.  5 minutes of fame on NPR. So awesome.

NPR submission, Little Thailand, Elmhurst Queens, for the "Little's maps" on Brian Lehrer! /  by Abbie Zuidema

Hello Little Thailand!  
This map was created (as a result of more than one friends suggestion, thank you friends) for the Brian Lehrer show.  He has asked local artists to submit maps of " NYC's Lesser Known Ethnic Communities"-the deadline is today! Their favorites will be featured on the WNYC website and on-air during the show.  Fingers crossed...
*here is a link to learn more about this project. NPR*  
Little Thailand is my contribution. Only 10 minutes away from home (Greenpoint), is Little Thailand in Elmhurst, Queens. It is so cool! I have barely scratched the surface, but when you go, you are somewhere other than Queens. This is why I live in NYC.

The color palate is distinctly Thai, taken from a night market photo I stumbled across in my searches.  I love pink and red together, it might be my favorite color combination.  This is also the largest map I have made so far.  It was a great project.

cheers!

~if you would like to see a bigger version of the map, please click on the thumbnail~