Writing (Part 2)

Some years back, when I was still trying to get my stories published in a book, I attended a writers' conference at MPH. It was a fun and eye-opening experience. One thing that struck me was the fact that authors (local authors at least) realized that fiction writing in Malaysia is not at all a lucrative business. You must survive on passion alone. What actually sells are books on FengShui (Lilian Too and the likes), finance (how to get rich quick) and cooking (Malaysians love to eat). And even then, don't expect to be able to live on your royalties alone.

A publisher I met there suggested I get my book self-published. All I had to do was to fork out RM5000! I declined. Perhaps I was too cheap - and perhaps I wanted to prove to myself that I can convince a publisher to publish my book - the normal way (ie without having to fork out money in advance).

I suppose I looked a bit disheartened after the event was over. On my way out I was accosted by a stranger. He looked mild-mannered, unasuming enough, but he blocked my way and stuck out his hand to shake mine. He introduced himself, said he was a pastor. Back then I was still a pre-believer (hah! interesting word). So I was surprised when this strange small-ish man came over and told me something that was so unexpected. He told me, without preamble, that I was a sensitive person inside. (Sensitive, me? I thought) He could see that I will be a good writer, and he urged me not to ever give up.

With that he left as suddenly as he'd appeared. I was bewildered. What the--?! And yet, he did give me something to think about. It was somewhat inspiring.

Fast forward many years later: just a few weeks back, his words came back to me. Don't ever give up being a writer. It struck a chord, especially at this moment when I am writing less and less (if at all). Sure, I write at work - but it seems these days that I just purge out everything I read. And I don't consider writing e-mails and structuring agendas for doctors' meetings writing.

Looking back, I realized that the words from the pastor must have been a prompting from God. So was He trying to tell me something? And is He telling me again now, not to give up?

But what is it that He's telling me to write? Another book? If yes, the next question is: on what?

Writing

It's been what - close to a year since I last blogged? I think it's a curse - that when you become a professional full time writer, you sort of lose your will to write for fun. That includes writing this blog and anything remotely fiction.
I miss writing fiction. I miss the adventure and the characters that grew under your fingers, as you write, even without you realizing it. I miss the romance (not necessary the Hollywood kind, mind you) and the mystery of fiction writing. Somehow when I write (or wrote) fiction, I feel like I am the reader too, and the story simply takes flight and soon, I will be wondering myself how this story will end. Cliched as it may sound, sometimes, the story just takes on life of its own.
I want to write fiction again. I miss it so so much! I like having the liberty to write whatever, whenever, and not having to be medically accurate. And especially not having to comply by your editor's or client's or business manager's wishes.
But to do that I may have to give up my day job.
Am I brave enough to do that?

A Taste of Taiwan

Fancy some frog eggs?

Ice cream, mint leaves and peanuts wrapped in crepe. Yum...

A street in Jiu Fen

The fruits here are huge - and taste delicious!

Q: Can Christianity and Science be equally yoked?

This is a review of the T3 seminar held in CBC SP, 16th January 2010

Dr Ron Choong is like a mini celebrity where intellectual thoughts and Christianity are concerned. So it’s not surprising when those of us who went for his T3 (Thinking Things Through) seminars recently came out a little wobbly – but wholly enlightened. The three topics “Science & Christianity”, “What Do Christians Really Believe?” and “Understanding Genesis 1-11: Who Wrote What, When, Where and Why?” were dissected and presented in a clear and sometimes tongue-in-cheek manner.

Among the questions that were tossed about during the 6-hour seminar include:




• Where did Noah keep the Dinosaurs?
• How did Jonah survive in the belly of a big fish?
• Should we take everything in the Bible literally, or are some stories mythological, rather than historical?
• Do babies have to repent before they can go to heaven?
• What happens to those who have never heard the gospel?
• What is the difference between volitional sin and being sinful by status?
• If we believe that we were created by God, can we still believe in evolution?
• Is the notion of Christian creation Trinitarian rather than monotheistic?

So did we leave feeling smarter? Maybe. Did we leave with more questions than answers? Yes. Does it really matter in the end? Nope.

For the believer, no explanation is necessary. But to the skeptic, no amount is sufficient. This is not to say we advocate blind faith as Christians. It is important for us to read through the Bible and ponder its messages, ask challenging questions and (try to) responsibly interpret its meanings.

In a nutshell, the T3 seminar was eye-opening and engaging as it challenges our perception of the Bible and Christianity. Personally, I think having lots of questions about the Bible and Christian beliefs will not make us waver in our faith. In fact we will only strengthen it.

Answer:
As for the answer to the question about science and Christian beliefs, I have always had a sneaking suspicion that they should not be so stringently separated. Science can be used to explain the world that God has created.

Dr Ron Choong provided a good answer: Science should not be seen as a specific problem for theology to tackle, but as a source of general insight to enrich theological understanding. So to ignore contributions of science neglects a potentially helpful theological resource. In fact, the Bible is a product of human sciences.
So yes, science is compatible with the Bible.

Are you willing to look stupid for God?

Many a times, I have heard people declining to play a character in a play, or declining to do some public presentation etc, because they are afraid they will look stupid. I am also guilty of that of course. I would not want to give a public speech without lengthy preparation, because I may stutter, say all the wrong things and in short, appear foolish. The only time I am willing to look stupid would be when I’m acting (especially for children, who are more forgiving).

But the point I am trying to make is that there is a passage in the Bible that made me think: Are we willing to look stupid for God? In 2 Samuel 6, King David broke out into a dance in praise of God, dressed only in his undergarment (ephod). His wife Michal saw him and scolded him for making a fool of himself in front of everyone, exposing himself indecently to the slave girls. But David argued that he was willing to look like a fool to show his joy to the Lord.
Guess what happened to Michal? She remained childless throughout her life as a result of her unjustified criticism.

So we should let hair loose once a while when praising God. Dance a little during worship. Jump like a kid if you wish to. Cheer like a hooligan even. Just be honest and open up. God won’t mind – I think He’ll be pleased.

To veil or not to veil

I was on a curiosity trip recently trying to figure out whether to use a veil during my wedding or not. It seems like a redundant measure. So I googled it.

And found one shockingly interesting reason (out of many) why veils were used to cover a bride's face.

"... one purpose of the wedding veil was to conceal the bride from demons. Family and friends were aware that the veiled figure standing next to the groom was the bride, but fortunately the goblins were apparently fooled. The superstition was so strong that families even supplied bridesmaids as decoys. These maids would not wear veils but would be dressed attractively and prepared to sacrifice their souls if required. Superstitious nonsense maybe, but the tradition continues to this day."

Erm, who still wants to be a bridesmaid?

Superstitions aside, I guess a veil is an enhancement to the bride's attire - even though it'll only be used for a few minutes before it is lifted and flipped out of the way. Hm, it doesn't seem to be very cost-effective. Perhaps I should just use those white nettings used to wrap vegetables in supermarkets. Heh. And instead of a bouquet, a brocolli may do the trick!

;P

The man on the sidewalk

It was close to 10pm; it was dark and damp. We had just finished our dinner and had stopped earlier at a bakery for some bread and egg tarts. It was a blissful night.

Then we stumbled upon the man. A pile of clothes lying on the sidewalk. A sleeping old man. My first instinct was to walk the other way, to ignore him. To avoid him. To be safe.

But my partner beside me started shuffling through our plastic bags. He took out an egg tart and walked quietly to the sleeping man, and gingerly placed the tart next to the crook of his thin arm.

Then we silently walked away.

We went back to our car and I bit my lip, remembering how I had wanted to walk the other way, pretending I have not noticed him. Not caring. I felt quite ashamed of myself. And in awe at the compassion and kindness my friend had shown to a stranger.

As we drove past the homeless man, we saw that he had awoken and was devouring the egg tart, wiping the crumbs from his wrinkled lips.

I looked at the remainder of my bread and tarts. They were to be my breakfast tomorrow. What would he have for breakfast? I wished I had given the homeless man more when I had the chance.

Alas, there was only so much we could do... wasn't there?

Birds of a Feather

Chickity China the Chinese chicken...

Aren't they adorable?

Pop quiz: Why do flamingos stand on one leg?

Polly wants a cracker!

KK 09

It was my third time in Kota Kinabalu. As usual the scenery was breathtaking. I didn't get to do much sight-seeing though because was there for only 20 hours.

The sun was up at 6am. I managed to scramble from my bed to catch the morning sky just in time. Amazing how the pink clouds are mirrored on the ocean.


The road in front of the hotel was still deserted when I went for a stroll at 8am. Alas, the seafront was cordoned off. :(

~~~~~

A (not quite) funny incident happened as I was waiting for the lift at my hotel. There I was, happily pressing the button to go down. As I waited, three more guys appeared at the lobby to take the lift as well.

Ding! The door to one opened. In barged the three guys and little ole me had to continue to press the Down button to hold the door open so that I could inch in after them. But lo! The button stubbornly refused to budge. And before I knew it, the lift door slammed shut at my face. The three dudes had done nothing but blinked stupidly at me. Two words slipped out of my lips as I stared incredulously at the closed door: "What the-?!"

So much for gentlemanly men.

Henna tattoo

Recently, Community Baptist Church raised funds for the Touch Dialysis Centre. I got henna tattoo done on my hand for RM10. Purrtey...

It lasted 3 days.