Last Sunday I received three bagful of clothes, sheets and accessories. It was interesting that Mr Gurdip commented while he helped me pull out the huge bags,"These people are rich!" The clothes came from mainly his daughter in her early twenties, his son and his wife. In three or four batches of recycling, I have yet to find one shirt or a pair of pants in his size.
While sorting through the college girl's clothes, I found four cocktail dresses. One is peach colored with a very distinct asymmetrical tail in the skirt hem. I am not very good at judging sizes, it is probably a size 1. It is made by Susanna. Elizabeth found the label on the internet and the merchandise is priced in pounds. Therefore it was probably British made. We talked Serena into trying it, she looked divine in the dress which seemed designed for her. First the rosy hue brought out her delicate complexion. Serena has sharp features and has a face as fair as Korean stars. The soft fabric lent an angelic feel to her slim body.
There were two little black dresses: one halter neck and the other a bare back with sparkly stones in front on the bodice. Serena fitted those dresses well even though she did not look as striking as in the peach colored one. The labels were Naf Naf and M-Hews, respectively. It was providential that Serena was invited to my place to meet Elizabeth's uni room mate Penny. I normally do not keep any clothes more than 48 hours in my tiny home. Serena later thanked me for my generosity.
The way I see it, I did nothing except telling everyone I recycle clothing. Once the clothes started coming, I just make sure I sort them within 2-3 days. Some would go to a Filipino maid friend of mine, she sends them home in big boxes by ship. Others may go to an Indonesian maid friend of mine in Silver City. I already started a small collection of ping-pong (table tennis) bats for the orphans in Maechan, Northern Thailand. My husband is organizing a visit in December 2013. For this particular batch, Mrs Gurdip specifically requested that I keep her daughter's pieces in our country. Elizabeth and I managed to talk Penny into taking another elegant black long dress. She thinks she will take it home and find someone to cut and sew the maxi into a knee length dress.
Both Serena and Penny are first year uni students. Each year they would need to borrow, buy or tailor make a dress for the faculty party. Therefore these dresses come very handy during their summer break.
This recycling venture started when I visited Northern Thailand. One December day I was in a hill top village at about 10 am. I, who am afraid of the chill had three layers on. My husband had on only a thick T-shirt. Little hill tribe children between 2 to 5 were running around naked and bare feet. Of course their noses were running. I asked if it was their custom to have the children unclothed. The answer brought laughter in the group, these children's mothers saw sunny weather and washed the children's only clothing. None of the children has a second piece of (spare) clothes. That is the ultimate poverty I saw in the rural area of a developing nation. After I returned, with friends and neighbors and contacts, I would tell them the need of clothing in poor communities, and ask them directly to contribute used clothing through me. Through the years, I managed to collect all kinds of clothes but it was difficult to bring them to Thailand. Each trip I made I managed to bring 10 to 12 kilo. It was not practical to send by post as the postage itself would have paid for similar new clothing from China. Hence I resorted to send via maids who would return to their home towns at least once in every two years.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
(7) Room by Emma Donoghue
It is one of those books that grips the readers from beginning to end. As a mother of daughters, I have been teaching them from very young not to trust strangers, especially those that ask for directions, help with cat or dog, help with an arm in a sling ...
This nineteen year old girl who was captured did nothing wrong except wanting to be kind to a stranger to help a dog. For that desire to be of help, she was confined for seven long years in a 11x11 feet room. There she was raped repeatedly and carried two babies to full term. The first one was suffocated at birth. She managed to raise the second one, a son, to be five years old. Mother and son worked to escape and they succeeded.
It was a tale of utter horror. Yet, the readers saw it from the angle of an innocent five year old. To the captured mum, it was a prison. But to the kid, the 11x11 room was his entire world.
To quote the New Yorker, "It's a testament to Donohhue's imagination and empathy that she is able to fashion radiance from such horror."
This nineteen year old girl who was captured did nothing wrong except wanting to be kind to a stranger to help a dog. For that desire to be of help, she was confined for seven long years in a 11x11 feet room. There she was raped repeatedly and carried two babies to full term. The first one was suffocated at birth. She managed to raise the second one, a son, to be five years old. Mother and son worked to escape and they succeeded.
It was a tale of utter horror. Yet, the readers saw it from the angle of an innocent five year old. To the captured mum, it was a prison. But to the kid, the 11x11 room was his entire world.
To quote the New Yorker, "It's a testament to Donohhue's imagination and empathy that she is able to fashion radiance from such horror."
Sunday, July 29, 2012
(5) Eligible bachelor
A friend of mine has a son who is tall, fair and handsome. To top the physical appearance, he is a scholarship medical student. Once he was in a traffic jam, a moment of inattention and he hit the car in front. It was a good thing the driver in front is not a road bully. Far from what we imagine, he was being treated very well by the lady whose car was slightly damaged.
When he shared about the experience, one of the older men straight away guessed that the lady driver has a daughter about the same age as our eligible bachelor. When he went to study abroad, he received more than his fair share of kindness from the gentler sex. On his first summer vacation home, within the first weeks he started hosting female students visiting.
It really looks like my high school teacher's son's life story being repeated. Except for being thirty years or so older, both are good to look at. Each has much higher than average IQ. To be able to compete for difficult to get medical scholarships, they must be very driven and have much discipline. The elder guy was booked early and got married within days of graduating from medical school. I wonder how long the younger one can stay single?
When he shared about the experience, one of the older men straight away guessed that the lady driver has a daughter about the same age as our eligible bachelor. When he went to study abroad, he received more than his fair share of kindness from the gentler sex. On his first summer vacation home, within the first weeks he started hosting female students visiting.
It really looks like my high school teacher's son's life story being repeated. Except for being thirty years or so older, both are good to look at. Each has much higher than average IQ. To be able to compete for difficult to get medical scholarships, they must be very driven and have much discipline. The elder guy was booked early and got married within days of graduating from medical school. I wonder how long the younger one can stay single?
(4) Blur versus being sharp
While talking about our children, one mother said that she was not about to let her son(Hugo) spend one month vacationing in Melbourne unless a close friend's elder daughter, Betty, goes along. She went on to say that Betty is sharp and capable of getting by on her own as well as looking after others. The other girl (Jenny) is about as blur as Hugo. To let these two go without Betty is liken to one blind leading another, that just won't do.
These three young people are childhood friends from three families. We will look at the children from each family. Betty has a younger brother, while Betty is sharp and street smart; her brother is rather blur. Hugo has an elder sister who is an exact opposite of him. It would not be too difficult to pull wool over Hugo's eyes. Hugo's sister could probably back pack round the world without bringing much worry to her parents. Jenny has an elder brother who really has his act together. Mind you, three pairs of siblings who are exact opposites of each other even though they have the same natural parents and similar upbringing. It is rum, isn't it?
These three young people are childhood friends from three families. We will look at the children from each family. Betty has a younger brother, while Betty is sharp and street smart; her brother is rather blur. Hugo has an elder sister who is an exact opposite of him. It would not be too difficult to pull wool over Hugo's eyes. Hugo's sister could probably back pack round the world without bringing much worry to her parents. Jenny has an elder brother who really has his act together. Mind you, three pairs of siblings who are exact opposites of each other even though they have the same natural parents and similar upbringing. It is rum, isn't it?
Saturday, July 28, 2012
(3) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The last time I read an abridged version of Huckleberry Finn, I was still in school. Funnily enough, I remembered the part where he dressed as a girl. He was caught because he closed his thighs to catch an item thrown to him. You see that guys would close their pant clad legs to hold an item but girls would open their legs wide to let their skirt hold it.
In our time, we would consider Huck's household an alcoholic single parent family. We would see him as a victim of family circumstances. But I suppose life was simpler then. He was brought up to be able to live off the river. With a raft they salvaged from a flood, "borrowing" an old and leaky canoe, he was free to live on the river away from authorities who would catch him to place him with foster parents.
It was hilarious to read about the capers of the two crooks: the King and the Duke. Like a cat with nine lives, Huck and Jim the runaway negro slave seemed to be able to land safely after each fall. Then Enter Tom Sawyer to "rescue" a slave who had been set free.
I wonder if there is anywhere on earth in civilization today where children could enjoy the great outdoor like Huck and Tom? Most children in my city are imprisoned within four walls and play computer or hand phone games. Perhaps those who live in the rural areas would fare better than the city bred kids!
In our time, we would consider Huck's household an alcoholic single parent family. We would see him as a victim of family circumstances. But I suppose life was simpler then. He was brought up to be able to live off the river. With a raft they salvaged from a flood, "borrowing" an old and leaky canoe, he was free to live on the river away from authorities who would catch him to place him with foster parents.
It was hilarious to read about the capers of the two crooks: the King and the Duke. Like a cat with nine lives, Huck and Jim the runaway negro slave seemed to be able to land safely after each fall. Then Enter Tom Sawyer to "rescue" a slave who had been set free.
I wonder if there is anywhere on earth in civilization today where children could enjoy the great outdoor like Huck and Tom? Most children in my city are imprisoned within four walls and play computer or hand phone games. Perhaps those who live in the rural areas would fare better than the city bred kids!
(2) Sleepwalking
As the conversation in (1) developed, we went on to talk about sleepwalking. Apparently, our friend who sleep talks has a cousin who successfully walked downstairs, unlocked and opened the front door before his mother physically bundled him to bed. There after the house keys were hidden in undisclosed location for the safety of the eleven year old.
Each of us chipped in and added what we read about: people who would sleep walk and cook, those who could drive in that alternate state of consciousness. When a person who is asleep driving caused an accident, is he or she liable to be punished? What about a person who commits a crime while in the sleep walking state, what will happen to him or her? Prison sentence or psychiatric care?
Each of us chipped in and added what we read about: people who would sleep walk and cook, those who could drive in that alternate state of consciousness. When a person who is asleep driving caused an accident, is he or she liable to be punished? What about a person who commits a crime while in the sleep walking state, what will happen to him or her? Prison sentence or psychiatric care?
(1) Sleep talking
A few days ago someone mentioned that she was a sleep talker. When she was little, she lived on the first floor of her parent's noodle shop. Forty over years ago in a tiny town, no one lock their house during the day. One evening she was tired out, she went to bed early. Her little play mate came up and looked for her, she started talking and they carried on a conversation.
The next day, the playmate reminded her of what she said the night before. But she had absolutely no recollection of it. Now I can relate to a part of it: when Elizabeth was stressed up, she used to talk in her sleep. The only difference I can see is that Elizabeth talked to someone in her dream but my friend could actually answer questions from a live person right beside her bed.
I am not qualified to know the fine differences between the two phenomena. But it seems that these are different states of consciousness: awake state, asleep state, coma, under hypnosis, talking in dreams, carrying a conversation while still asleep ...
The next day, the playmate reminded her of what she said the night before. But she had absolutely no recollection of it. Now I can relate to a part of it: when Elizabeth was stressed up, she used to talk in her sleep. The only difference I can see is that Elizabeth talked to someone in her dream but my friend could actually answer questions from a live person right beside her bed.
I am not qualified to know the fine differences between the two phenomena. But it seems that these are different states of consciousness: awake state, asleep state, coma, under hypnosis, talking in dreams, carrying a conversation while still asleep ...
Friday, July 27, 2012
(999) Bare necessities vs choice
Let us look into Elizabeth's wardrobe, namely seven years ago and now:
When she first moved from Silver City to the the Capital city, she owned two pairs of long pants: one pair of Kiko black cotton pants and one pair of Dek Dek blue jeans. She has one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals.
Now as a university student, she has 22 pairs of long pants, and six pairs of walking shoes. All of the 22 pairs came as recycled pants. She must have tried on hundreds of pairs of pants through the past seven years as I engaged in my activities of gathering clothes for poor Thais, Indonesians and Filipinos, usually passed to restaurant workers and maids(my friends). Out of the six pairs of shoes, she paid for two branded pairs with her own savings. One pair of Nike is so old and worn that she kept it for muddy activities in the fields. The other Nike is so new that she only uses it for jogging on sunny days. The third pair is Clarks that came as a gift from a very kind church lady who took pity on her miserable looking shoes. The fourth pair she bought with $5 in a second hand store. The fifth(basket ball) pair came as a birthday gift from her youth group. The Sixth pair she bought with $10 at a school jumble sale.
We look back and saw how in spite of our reduced finances God has blessed her in her clothing and foot wear. Yet interestingly, she finds that life was much simpler back when she has no choice, when Kiko is wet, she puts on her Dek Dek. When she had a formal event, she wore her only pair of shoes. Other wise she put on her sandals.
But, would she give away her extras now to live like she did seven years ago? Of course not! It is natural to expand, nobody will willingly shrink back to elementary basic necessities.
When she first moved from Silver City to the the Capital city, she owned two pairs of long pants: one pair of Kiko black cotton pants and one pair of Dek Dek blue jeans. She has one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals.
Now as a university student, she has 22 pairs of long pants, and six pairs of walking shoes. All of the 22 pairs came as recycled pants. She must have tried on hundreds of pairs of pants through the past seven years as I engaged in my activities of gathering clothes for poor Thais, Indonesians and Filipinos, usually passed to restaurant workers and maids(my friends). Out of the six pairs of shoes, she paid for two branded pairs with her own savings. One pair of Nike is so old and worn that she kept it for muddy activities in the fields. The other Nike is so new that she only uses it for jogging on sunny days. The third pair is Clarks that came as a gift from a very kind church lady who took pity on her miserable looking shoes. The fourth pair she bought with $5 in a second hand store. The fifth(basket ball) pair came as a birthday gift from her youth group. The Sixth pair she bought with $10 at a school jumble sale.
We look back and saw how in spite of our reduced finances God has blessed her in her clothing and foot wear. Yet interestingly, she finds that life was much simpler back when she has no choice, when Kiko is wet, she puts on her Dek Dek. When she had a formal event, she wore her only pair of shoes. Other wise she put on her sandals.
But, would she give away her extras now to live like she did seven years ago? Of course not! It is natural to expand, nobody will willingly shrink back to elementary basic necessities.
(998) The month of Ramadan
These are real incidence and fact related below:-
Elizabeth's friend's younger brother was in a hurry driving to school. He is a newly minted driver still on probation. As he saw the light turned yellow, he decided to run it as he knew from experience that if he stops, it would be eight minutes before it turns green. Sad to say, before his front wheels touched the next white line, the traffic light turned red. So technically he just run a red light.
A policeman was waiting and promptly flagged him down. The authority asked if he knew he just committed a traffic offence. Yes, he admitted. The man in gray uniform asked how much money he had, he answered ten dollars. This young man knew that should he receive a summon, his probationary period would be lengthened. His will weakened and he peeled off the only note in his thin wallet. The policeman accepted it gladly and waved him on.
Well, it is the holy month of Ramadan. It is not unusual that policemen lie in wait in the usual spots to catch errant drivers to squeeze out some cash so they would gather some extra dollars to supplement their meager pay. After all, the extra big family of many children dictated by culture and religion would required much money to clothe and feed. Moreover, some policemen may have a few wives to provide for.
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Apparently there are many obese women in Egypt. As researchers worked at the numbers and data, they found that it was around the months of Ramadan that the women generally gained the most weight. It seems that during the entire month, women from that country have a tendency to sleep for long hours in the mornings and spent the most part of the night cooking and eating. As soon as the sun rises, those who work at home go straight to sleep after a heavy meal. Although it was just one month in a year, if they could or would not shed the extra weight during the remaining 11 months, the accumulated weight gain each year add up to create a big group of obese women.
For further reading,
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/07/cairo-the-sun-slips-beyond-the-nile-and-the-fast-is-broken-as-they-have-done-for-centuries-during-the-holy-month-of-ramad.html
Elizabeth's friend's younger brother was in a hurry driving to school. He is a newly minted driver still on probation. As he saw the light turned yellow, he decided to run it as he knew from experience that if he stops, it would be eight minutes before it turns green. Sad to say, before his front wheels touched the next white line, the traffic light turned red. So technically he just run a red light.
A policeman was waiting and promptly flagged him down. The authority asked if he knew he just committed a traffic offence. Yes, he admitted. The man in gray uniform asked how much money he had, he answered ten dollars. This young man knew that should he receive a summon, his probationary period would be lengthened. His will weakened and he peeled off the only note in his thin wallet. The policeman accepted it gladly and waved him on.
Well, it is the holy month of Ramadan. It is not unusual that policemen lie in wait in the usual spots to catch errant drivers to squeeze out some cash so they would gather some extra dollars to supplement their meager pay. After all, the extra big family of many children dictated by culture and religion would required much money to clothe and feed. Moreover, some policemen may have a few wives to provide for.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apparently there are many obese women in Egypt. As researchers worked at the numbers and data, they found that it was around the months of Ramadan that the women generally gained the most weight. It seems that during the entire month, women from that country have a tendency to sleep for long hours in the mornings and spent the most part of the night cooking and eating. As soon as the sun rises, those who work at home go straight to sleep after a heavy meal. Although it was just one month in a year, if they could or would not shed the extra weight during the remaining 11 months, the accumulated weight gain each year add up to create a big group of obese women.
For further reading,
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/07/cairo-the-sun-slips-beyond-the-nile-and-the-fast-is-broken-as-they-have-done-for-centuries-during-the-holy-month-of-ramad.html
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
(997) Life long dream
I decided to follow Jesus when I was 24 years old. When I informed my father that I wanted to be baptized, he was pretty upset. His reasoning went like that, why couldn't I continue to attend church and wait until I find a husband before getting baptized? After all, women normally out number men in any church in our country. My decision did not coincide with his reasoning, I told him if I could not get a Christian suitor, then I would stay single all my life. He laughed and said that he hoped that I would not be single at 45 and felt desperate to be wed.
What happened later was God did provide me with a believing husband. Years passed, I have two friends now who have passed the 45 mark. The first friend somehow was forced to divorce and lost her three children to her ex-husband when she decided to return to her home country. She deals with loneliness on a daily basis. Whenever she allows her thoughts to turn to self-pity, she cries. It is not that she desperately need to marry again to have a legal husband. But she has fears of dying alone in her own house. What she needs is someone to do things with and talk to everyday.
My second friend is divorced twice and has a grown daughter. For whatever reason, she never had a chance to wear the dream dress in her previous marriages. She became a Christian after both her divorces. Now for many years she has a dream of putting on a beautiful gown and walking down a church aisle to say I do. Finally I realize that my father is right, unless a woman gives up the idea of marrying totally, she would progressively get more desperate to find a husband when she is close to 50 years old. I suppose crooks make use of that quiet desperation to con such women out of their properties and life savings. Some women may even marry serial murderers who kill them for their assets or insurance compensation. It was by the grace of God that I do not face my friends' problem today.
What happened later was God did provide me with a believing husband. Years passed, I have two friends now who have passed the 45 mark. The first friend somehow was forced to divorce and lost her three children to her ex-husband when she decided to return to her home country. She deals with loneliness on a daily basis. Whenever she allows her thoughts to turn to self-pity, she cries. It is not that she desperately need to marry again to have a legal husband. But she has fears of dying alone in her own house. What she needs is someone to do things with and talk to everyday.
My second friend is divorced twice and has a grown daughter. For whatever reason, she never had a chance to wear the dream dress in her previous marriages. She became a Christian after both her divorces. Now for many years she has a dream of putting on a beautiful gown and walking down a church aisle to say I do. Finally I realize that my father is right, unless a woman gives up the idea of marrying totally, she would progressively get more desperate to find a husband when she is close to 50 years old. I suppose crooks make use of that quiet desperation to con such women out of their properties and life savings. Some women may even marry serial murderers who kill them for their assets or insurance compensation. It was by the grace of God that I do not face my friends' problem today.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
(996)The Illuminati by Larry Burkett
Within a week, two books written about the illustrious ancient organisation passed through my hands. I have really enjoyed reading the first novel of Burkett. Before this book he wrote 15 books on finance or related subjects.
I have first come across the supposedly defunct organisation when I read books from Dan Brown. If the Illuminati or the Society is indeed an elite group within a bigger group of the Free Masons, then it is probably active and powerful.
In the Left Behind series, it took many books to go through the tribulations until the second coming of Jesus Christ. Here Burkett used 306 pages to detail one attempt at one world government from the US side. Whatever he wrote about, it is highly believable! For all we know, with the first African American President, the stage could be well set for a financial collapse and a one world-one religion regime.
Even though the author claimed that this is not a prophetic book, the series of events which include uncontrollably escalating debt of the US, a cashless society and earth quake - Tsunami may turn out to be something which this world have to go through before better times arrive.
For my readers who are interested to read more about the society, try Apollyon Rising 2012 by Thomas Horn.
I have first come across the supposedly defunct organisation when I read books from Dan Brown. If the Illuminati or the Society is indeed an elite group within a bigger group of the Free Masons, then it is probably active and powerful.
In the Left Behind series, it took many books to go through the tribulations until the second coming of Jesus Christ. Here Burkett used 306 pages to detail one attempt at one world government from the US side. Whatever he wrote about, it is highly believable! For all we know, with the first African American President, the stage could be well set for a financial collapse and a one world-one religion regime.
Even though the author claimed that this is not a prophetic book, the series of events which include uncontrollably escalating debt of the US, a cashless society and earth quake - Tsunami may turn out to be something which this world have to go through before better times arrive.
For my readers who are interested to read more about the society, try Apollyon Rising 2012 by Thomas Horn.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
(995) A View to a Kill
This is the last movie made by Roger Moore. As in all Bond movies, action is aplenty and we have at least one very beautiful woman.
To think that one person could envision using sea water at pressure to worsen a fault line, adding lots of explosive to cause a huge explosion which would lead to a devastating earth quake, that is truly evil. This is done to level Silicon Valley so that the villain and his cohorts could have a monopoly of the IC market. Enter James Bond to tail him from Paris to San Francisco.
We see palatial buildings supposedly in France. The actual action happened in an underground mine. As in the ultimate villain, all his hired hands were either drown or machined gunned to death. He thought whoever remaining would die in the detonation, but James and his chief assistant moved the detonator far away from the explosives. The aerial combat over the Golden Gate Bridge was very realistic.
I suppose it is difficult to fight against age, in some scenes we can see the lines deeply etched on Moore's face. Not only female has limited shelf life in the movie industry, men can only look good for so many years to play the role of 007.
To think that one person could envision using sea water at pressure to worsen a fault line, adding lots of explosive to cause a huge explosion which would lead to a devastating earth quake, that is truly evil. This is done to level Silicon Valley so that the villain and his cohorts could have a monopoly of the IC market. Enter James Bond to tail him from Paris to San Francisco.
We see palatial buildings supposedly in France. The actual action happened in an underground mine. As in the ultimate villain, all his hired hands were either drown or machined gunned to death. He thought whoever remaining would die in the detonation, but James and his chief assistant moved the detonator far away from the explosives. The aerial combat over the Golden Gate Bridge was very realistic.
I suppose it is difficult to fight against age, in some scenes we can see the lines deeply etched on Moore's face. Not only female has limited shelf life in the movie industry, men can only look good for so many years to play the role of 007.
(994) Zelda flies to USA
This is an ongoing series, read (749), (361), (383), (401), (487), (520), and (9).
After months of uncertainty and waiting, she will leave for America at the end of this month. No one knows if she will be gone for six months or six weeks. She changed her mind rather rapidly over four areas. She believed that if God wants her to go to London, she would have discharged all her obligations by now. Instead, she decided to go to meet her internet heart throb. It will be supervised by this man's pastor. She will be staying with an older woman from his church.
Interestingly, since it could be a short vacation, the idea that she could not clear her bank loans does not bother her. As long as she could meet the installments and her son's living expenses, she feels she is still being a responsible person going for a break. If she could work in evangelism for his church and be paid a stipend, she will go for it. In fact, that directly contradicts her earlier stand of not willing to leave her home country.
Much earlier, she was adamant that a man ought to go to his intended's country to seek her hand in marriage. Now she thinks that it is OK for her go first, then if they decide to marry, they will make a visit back to her country after they tie the knot.
Anyway, I am pleased that she changed her mind over all her stubborn ideas. You may think I am a naive person. Despite millions of internet scams, I have come across two couples who met over the net: an American man met a country woman of mine, he flew over here and met her family, she traveled back with him on a fiancee visa to be wed in his home church. My cousin in Canton met his wife on the internet, they courted during the week ends and they are happily married now. I sure hope all will go well with Zelda. She seemed to have checked of everything I could think of about him and his church. It is a good thing she is already 47 years old and not 27. Age and experience would work in her favor as she has never been to America before.
Please read also (749), (361), (401), (487), and (9)
After months of uncertainty and waiting, she will leave for America at the end of this month. No one knows if she will be gone for six months or six weeks. She changed her mind rather rapidly over four areas. She believed that if God wants her to go to London, she would have discharged all her obligations by now. Instead, she decided to go to meet her internet heart throb. It will be supervised by this man's pastor. She will be staying with an older woman from his church.
Interestingly, since it could be a short vacation, the idea that she could not clear her bank loans does not bother her. As long as she could meet the installments and her son's living expenses, she feels she is still being a responsible person going for a break. If she could work in evangelism for his church and be paid a stipend, she will go for it. In fact, that directly contradicts her earlier stand of not willing to leave her home country.
Much earlier, she was adamant that a man ought to go to his intended's country to seek her hand in marriage. Now she thinks that it is OK for her go first, then if they decide to marry, they will make a visit back to her country after they tie the knot.
Anyway, I am pleased that she changed her mind over all her stubborn ideas. You may think I am a naive person. Despite millions of internet scams, I have come across two couples who met over the net: an American man met a country woman of mine, he flew over here and met her family, she traveled back with him on a fiancee visa to be wed in his home church. My cousin in Canton met his wife on the internet, they courted during the week ends and they are happily married now. I sure hope all will go well with Zelda. She seemed to have checked of everything I could think of about him and his church. It is a good thing she is already 47 years old and not 27. Age and experience would work in her favor as she has never been to America before.
Please read also (749), (361), (401), (487), and (9)
(993) A Dream 2
This is an update to (830).
Last Saturday I went to the college town where my eldest is reading English language. We: the founder, her former church youth group members( a married couple newly retired), and I worked at sorting, cleaning the fittings of the former restaurant preparing them for sale. We are very thankful that the owner of the shop trusts us enough to give us a lease for five years, rent free.
We also viewed a first story shop lot which would be partitioned into four spacious rooms and a commodious living area which will be furnished in a month's time. Another owner from this same family graciously offered us a five year lease too. Our cups overflowed. We are indeed thankful for God's providence. I can actually start amassing books in my tiny abode now that the next trip up there will be a place to keep the books.
On top of this wonderful arrangement, another member of this blessed family actually agreed to renovate this shop lot for us at no cost to us. We will need air conditioners, glass doors and partition walls between the book area and kitchen. I am humbled by the generosity of this family. The first offer would mean $2,000x12x5 over five years. The second offer would mean giving up a potential of earning $350x2x4x12x5 over five years. The third may well cost him anything from $40,000 to $100,000 up front.
But I am sure these owners are not losing. They are giving to the almighty God. God is no man's debtor. He will bless these three individuals and their family members a hundred fold.
Last Saturday I went to the college town where my eldest is reading English language. We: the founder, her former church youth group members( a married couple newly retired), and I worked at sorting, cleaning the fittings of the former restaurant preparing them for sale. We are very thankful that the owner of the shop trusts us enough to give us a lease for five years, rent free.
We also viewed a first story shop lot which would be partitioned into four spacious rooms and a commodious living area which will be furnished in a month's time. Another owner from this same family graciously offered us a five year lease too. Our cups overflowed. We are indeed thankful for God's providence. I can actually start amassing books in my tiny abode now that the next trip up there will be a place to keep the books.
On top of this wonderful arrangement, another member of this blessed family actually agreed to renovate this shop lot for us at no cost to us. We will need air conditioners, glass doors and partition walls between the book area and kitchen. I am humbled by the generosity of this family. The first offer would mean $2,000x12x5 over five years. The second offer would mean giving up a potential of earning $350x2x4x12x5 over five years. The third may well cost him anything from $40,000 to $100,000 up front.
But I am sure these owners are not losing. They are giving to the almighty God. God is no man's debtor. He will bless these three individuals and their family members a hundred fold.
(992) Untold Stories of Missionary Yoo by Byung Kook Yoo
Since I was fourteen years old, I have been on the look out for missionary stories. The above mentioned book is the very first I have come across that featured a Korean couple who took their two little girls to west Africa.
I was amazed that as they prayed and trusted the good Lord, he actually sorted out their knotty problem in a miraculous way. You see, they were in a very backward and poor country. There were three schools their children could go to, one is a Baha'i School, the second being an American International School and the third is a boarding school in the next country. They felt the children were too young to leave them, so the boarding school was out. Neither did they want the children to attend a school with mostly Muslim children, out went the Baha'i School. Somehow they scraped together enough money to pay the high fee of the American place. But it was an elementary school, what would they do when the children finish elementary school?
A complete set of strangers wrote and offered to take the two girls for six years until they are ready to go to college. They are a godly Korean couple who resides in America. These god fearing and obedient folks heard from God that they were to care for the teenage girls. Actually they have three children of their own. It seemed like a family of five agreed to host two teenagers who grew up in Africa for six years. It is unbelievable for my mind to fathom.
All that actually happened as God planned, the elder girl is married and in medical school in USA. The younger girl has graduated from college at the time the book was written. When people obey God's call, although it looked like they would compromise their children's future, it often works out far better than our wildest imagination. God not only owns all the cattle on a million hills, he works things out creatively beyond what we can plan, think, or dream.
This book was published by WEC Publications (www.wec-int.org.uk)
I was amazed that as they prayed and trusted the good Lord, he actually sorted out their knotty problem in a miraculous way. You see, they were in a very backward and poor country. There were three schools their children could go to, one is a Baha'i School, the second being an American International School and the third is a boarding school in the next country. They felt the children were too young to leave them, so the boarding school was out. Neither did they want the children to attend a school with mostly Muslim children, out went the Baha'i School. Somehow they scraped together enough money to pay the high fee of the American place. But it was an elementary school, what would they do when the children finish elementary school?
A complete set of strangers wrote and offered to take the two girls for six years until they are ready to go to college. They are a godly Korean couple who resides in America. These god fearing and obedient folks heard from God that they were to care for the teenage girls. Actually they have three children of their own. It seemed like a family of five agreed to host two teenagers who grew up in Africa for six years. It is unbelievable for my mind to fathom.
All that actually happened as God planned, the elder girl is married and in medical school in USA. The younger girl has graduated from college at the time the book was written. When people obey God's call, although it looked like they would compromise their children's future, it often works out far better than our wildest imagination. God not only owns all the cattle on a million hills, he works things out creatively beyond what we can plan, think, or dream.
This book was published by WEC Publications (www.wec-int.org.uk)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
(991) SparkTop.org
Janine Addis from USA wrote Good Investment in YOU SAID IT, Reader's Digest November 2006. In the short two paragraphs she mentioned that she read Maria Bartiromo's profile of Charles Schwab in Money Matters:"To Tell the Truth,"RD September 2006. Apparently Schwab is dyslexic. He developed SparkTop.org that allows children to view the brains of famous people who had learning difficulties, to work with the creative part of their own brain and to communicate with other kids just like them.
Elizabeth located the site for me and it looked pretty attractive and interesting.
Elizabeth located the site for me and it looked pretty attractive and interesting.
(990) Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella
While there is nothing wrong in reading a chick flick for relaxation, we must be mindful that this may be an unrealistic fantasy story. To quote First Things First (by Stephen Covey, Roger Merrill, Rebecca Merrill): ... we live with the rescue fantasy ... that someone or something "out there" is going to magically solve all our problems ...(page 57).
There is a place for fairy tales in childhood as many such tales actually teach about core values that underlie many different cultures around the world. In Malay (a language close to Indonesian), there is a genre of old literature which I really enjoy. One example is Pak Pandir, here we have a simple man who somehow had a series of wonderful luck that against all odds, he inevitably came out much better than more industrious and intelligent fellow neighbors.
In "Can You Keep a Secret?" I find Emily as the victim of Kerry, an orphan who usurped Emily's rightful place in her own nucleus family. It took her new boss millionaire boy friend to reveal how mean Kerry was in refusing Emily's application of an internship in Kerry's firm which Emily's parents financed as a start up. I know what it is like to be side lined in one's own family for a cousin. I was lucky that my cousin only turned up during school holidays. If things had been different, I would have probably worked abroad or out of the city just to avoid such a petty, conniving and mean female.
I may sound unforgiving, but truth be told: as soon as my cousin started earning good money she came to visit us less and less. I am very fortunate that she has her own parents and siblings to fuss over her. This is like forty five years later, I am actually one of the only three people in my clan who are on easy speaking terms with her. The rest no longer answer her phone calls, nor do they welcome her in their homes. It is very sad! But self-centerness coupled with expert acting skills could not fool everyone over a long period of time.
There is a place for fairy tales in childhood as many such tales actually teach about core values that underlie many different cultures around the world. In Malay (a language close to Indonesian), there is a genre of old literature which I really enjoy. One example is Pak Pandir, here we have a simple man who somehow had a series of wonderful luck that against all odds, he inevitably came out much better than more industrious and intelligent fellow neighbors.
In "Can You Keep a Secret?" I find Emily as the victim of Kerry, an orphan who usurped Emily's rightful place in her own nucleus family. It took her new boss millionaire boy friend to reveal how mean Kerry was in refusing Emily's application of an internship in Kerry's firm which Emily's parents financed as a start up. I know what it is like to be side lined in one's own family for a cousin. I was lucky that my cousin only turned up during school holidays. If things had been different, I would have probably worked abroad or out of the city just to avoid such a petty, conniving and mean female.
I may sound unforgiving, but truth be told: as soon as my cousin started earning good money she came to visit us less and less. I am very fortunate that she has her own parents and siblings to fuss over her. This is like forty five years later, I am actually one of the only three people in my clan who are on easy speaking terms with her. The rest no longer answer her phone calls, nor do they welcome her in their homes. It is very sad! But self-centerness coupled with expert acting skills could not fool everyone over a long period of time.
Monday, July 16, 2012
(989) Chinese Wedding Dinner
Generally I avoid attending Chinese wedding dinners. For the last seven years, I attended two. A few nights ago I actually went and bought a dress, borrowed a pair of dainty heels and an evening bag to go to one.
This time, my friend spent lots of time making herself up that we actually were one of the last few groups to arrive. Even then, we waited for about 40 minutes before the host decided to order the meal to start, at close to nine o'clock. It was noisy, as usual, in spite of the posh surroundings. What I really dislike most is the traditional way folks shout and keep on shouting when offering toasts for the newly weds.
Still, I could not say no to a single mother who is really proud of her daughter marrying well. The groom's father, who is footing the bill for the dinner, gave a few tables to the bride's mom. Well, what are friends for? I feel I must be with her to celebrate her joyous occasion. If she has been rich and successful, I could easily plead dietary limitations or unwellness and send my husband or one of children to represent me. I guess in enjoying the privileges of friendship, one has to suffer through the torture of being part of a rowdy, noisy dinner.
One interesting thing happened: when the newly weds went up to the dais to cut the cake, most of the jaws around my round table dropped at the sight of the top of the bride's vital statistics! She wore this low cut evening gown that made her looked like she was walking down the red carpet in Hollywood. Two teenage girls opened their mouths and wondered aloud how come they were not well endowed as the bride. An aunt was around to give instant advice to the family maid. Apparently, the solution is to boil and serve green papaya and meat soup weekly. I have heard about such a soup helping women to have blemish free complexion, but until that moment I have never linked green papaya with bust size.
Personally I have always thought it was genetics and perhaps consuming lots of chicken with plenty of artificial estrogen that promote cup size. Whatever it may be, I suppose either green papaya or chicken wings would be a better choice than breast enhancement surgery, which Singaporeans are said to give to their daughters as graduation presents.
This time, my friend spent lots of time making herself up that we actually were one of the last few groups to arrive. Even then, we waited for about 40 minutes before the host decided to order the meal to start, at close to nine o'clock. It was noisy, as usual, in spite of the posh surroundings. What I really dislike most is the traditional way folks shout and keep on shouting when offering toasts for the newly weds.
Still, I could not say no to a single mother who is really proud of her daughter marrying well. The groom's father, who is footing the bill for the dinner, gave a few tables to the bride's mom. Well, what are friends for? I feel I must be with her to celebrate her joyous occasion. If she has been rich and successful, I could easily plead dietary limitations or unwellness and send my husband or one of children to represent me. I guess in enjoying the privileges of friendship, one has to suffer through the torture of being part of a rowdy, noisy dinner.
One interesting thing happened: when the newly weds went up to the dais to cut the cake, most of the jaws around my round table dropped at the sight of the top of the bride's vital statistics! She wore this low cut evening gown that made her looked like she was walking down the red carpet in Hollywood. Two teenage girls opened their mouths and wondered aloud how come they were not well endowed as the bride. An aunt was around to give instant advice to the family maid. Apparently, the solution is to boil and serve green papaya and meat soup weekly. I have heard about such a soup helping women to have blemish free complexion, but until that moment I have never linked green papaya with bust size.
Personally I have always thought it was genetics and perhaps consuming lots of chicken with plenty of artificial estrogen that promote cup size. Whatever it may be, I suppose either green papaya or chicken wings would be a better choice than breast enhancement surgery, which Singaporeans are said to give to their daughters as graduation presents.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
(988) Bag of Bones by Stephen King
Prior to reading this book, the last time I read a Stephen King book I was a teenager. I remember having problems going to sleep for many nights after that.
Surprisingly this time I did not find the writing horrifying. It was interesting reading about a famous author writing about another best selling author. It confirmed that I am not the only word smith who does "zone out" in order to write. When I was mulling over a particular chain of thoughts, I could be physically in one place and yet I was not really there. A friend asked for a ride and I registered the request. When it came time to go home, I switched on my thinking mode and forgot about the request. I walked happily to the car and went merrily on thinking what to write and how to bring the thoughts across. Now, that would not endear any friends to me, would it?
I find myself wondering when any blood lines die out, is it by chance? Or could there be some reasons leading to it? For instance, I have an aunt who married an only son who was adopted. Although she delivered two sons, one died as a toddler and the remaining one did not marry. It does look like that particular line would discontinue. From what little I heard, that family she married into was rich once upon a time but was snooty. They were pretty rude to my grand ma when there was no need for them to be unpleasant. Of course it was one thing to be prideful, it is another for a well established business to fail. Yet it is a third thing to have no descendants that would carry the family name into the future.
When we have a murderer or a serial killer, it seemed like these people were taken over by pure evil. But when we have a group of ordinary citizens raping and killing a minority woman and drowning her son, it probably is mass hysteria. Until the despicable act is exposed, the shed blood of the innocent would cry out for revenge.
One of my friends' sister bought and reside in a 107 year old house. I wonder if there is any crime committed in or around the house, it would be interesting to find out ...
Surprisingly this time I did not find the writing horrifying. It was interesting reading about a famous author writing about another best selling author. It confirmed that I am not the only word smith who does "zone out" in order to write. When I was mulling over a particular chain of thoughts, I could be physically in one place and yet I was not really there. A friend asked for a ride and I registered the request. When it came time to go home, I switched on my thinking mode and forgot about the request. I walked happily to the car and went merrily on thinking what to write and how to bring the thoughts across. Now, that would not endear any friends to me, would it?
I find myself wondering when any blood lines die out, is it by chance? Or could there be some reasons leading to it? For instance, I have an aunt who married an only son who was adopted. Although she delivered two sons, one died as a toddler and the remaining one did not marry. It does look like that particular line would discontinue. From what little I heard, that family she married into was rich once upon a time but was snooty. They were pretty rude to my grand ma when there was no need for them to be unpleasant. Of course it was one thing to be prideful, it is another for a well established business to fail. Yet it is a third thing to have no descendants that would carry the family name into the future.
When we have a murderer or a serial killer, it seemed like these people were taken over by pure evil. But when we have a group of ordinary citizens raping and killing a minority woman and drowning her son, it probably is mass hysteria. Until the despicable act is exposed, the shed blood of the innocent would cry out for revenge.
One of my friends' sister bought and reside in a 107 year old house. I wonder if there is any crime committed in or around the house, it would be interesting to find out ...
Friday, July 13, 2012
(987) Me and Mr Darcy by Alexander Potter
Mr Darcy, apparently, is the lead male character in Pride and Prejudice. The funny thing is that I don't remember his name although I have read Pride and Prejudice at least three times in my life. When I was in high school, I once read the abridged version. When I was trying to inculcate a taste for the classics in my children, I borrowed it once and no one in my family read the book except me. Just two years ago Elizabeth (my daughter) bought it on sale, I read it yet again and marveled at how well Jane Austen wrote despite how limited the circumstances permitted her to experience life.
I really enjoyed reading about Emily Albright, who runs an old fashion book store in New York, went to England on a literary tour and met with her dream date. I like how Alexander neatly fitted the time travel meetings into a three month period when Mr Darcy was away from wherever his would be wife was. I also like how Potter parallel Emily's reactions to Spike as to Elizabeth's (from Pride and Prejudice) to Mr Darcy. Well, however romantic a fantasy date is, he would not count as much as a real date.
While I was reading this book, I recalled how my dorm mates would confide in me and others about their heart throbs. It was a nostalgic walk down memory lane of my college years. Faces flashed in my mind's eyes. Certain laughs, gestures and all kinds of expressions came. I thought of a few dear friends whom I have not thought about for many years. What I really admire and am extremely fond of about American girls is their candidness and ability to laugh at their own foibles. It is true that I chose to return to my birth country even though I could have stayed on in USA. But I suppose it would have been harder to leave if I had stayed on for another degree. To this day, I still miss those friends who would mean every word they said and expected no less from me.
While I was reading this book, I recalled how my dorm mates would confide in me and others about their heart throbs. It was a nostalgic walk down memory lane of my college years. Faces flashed in my mind's eyes. Certain laughs, gestures and all kinds of expressions came. I thought of a few dear friends whom I have not thought about for many years. What I really admire and am extremely fond of about American girls is their candidness and ability to laugh at their own foibles. It is true that I chose to return to my birth country even though I could have stayed on in USA. But I suppose it would have been harder to leave if I had stayed on for another degree. To this day, I still miss those friends who would mean every word they said and expected no less from me.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
(986) Breaker's Reef by Terri Blackstock
This is the fourth and last book of the Cape Refuge series.
By far, this seems to be the most interesting of the four to me. There is the build up of suspense from one dead teenage girl to a second disappearance. Then Sadie could not be traced. What really appealed to me is the seeming to be co-incidence that both girls who could not be found were daughters of Sheila, a client of Hanover House.
What I found to be unreal is how the author seemed to portray that because of Morgan's obsession of babies which led to her accepting a pregnant woman without checking her background and making sure she would adhere to Hanover House Christian Rules. Similarly, Morgan seemed to accept Sheila just to keep Sadie's baby brother under her roof. I don't think that is sound principles in running a risky ministry as a half-way house.
Anyway, there is much merits in this series of Christian murder and mystery novels. Perhaps they were targeted at the very young readers who have to have issues being overly simplified. I am probably over age and tend to look at books with a cynical view.
By far, this seems to be the most interesting of the four to me. There is the build up of suspense from one dead teenage girl to a second disappearance. Then Sadie could not be traced. What really appealed to me is the seeming to be co-incidence that both girls who could not be found were daughters of Sheila, a client of Hanover House.
What I found to be unreal is how the author seemed to portray that because of Morgan's obsession of babies which led to her accepting a pregnant woman without checking her background and making sure she would adhere to Hanover House Christian Rules. Similarly, Morgan seemed to accept Sheila just to keep Sadie's baby brother under her roof. I don't think that is sound principles in running a risky ministry as a half-way house.
Anyway, there is much merits in this series of Christian murder and mystery novels. Perhaps they were targeted at the very young readers who have to have issues being overly simplified. I am probably over age and tend to look at books with a cynical view.
(985) River's Edge by Terri Blackstock
This is book 3 of the Cape Refuge series. I really like the main plot: mayoral race, murder of the wife of one of the candidates of the race, Blair as a newspaper woman, Morgan's sorrow of not being able to conceive, poison pen letters, fertility clinic malpractice ...
What I found unreal is the way Morgan became obsessive about having a baby within a relatively short span of time. If she is really as godly as portrayed in the book as having a loving heart towards the unlovable, I would expect the fruit of the spirit to be equally well developed: as in love, self control and patience. It is to her own detriment to assume that she has control over her womb and she could fill the house with children as fast as she desires.
What I found unreal is the way Morgan became obsessive about having a baby within a relatively short span of time. If she is really as godly as portrayed in the book as having a loving heart towards the unlovable, I would expect the fruit of the spirit to be equally well developed: as in love, self control and patience. It is to her own detriment to assume that she has control over her womb and she could fill the house with children as fast as she desires.
(984) Southern Storm by Terri Blackstock
This is the second book of the Cape Refuge series. Police Chief Cade disappeared and Blair pulled out all stops to look for him.
I am glad that I did not read this book after Elizabeth probably bought it from the Duolos (ship book fair). Otherwise I might have confiscated it as she must have been about fourteen years old when she first read the book. I know Blair turned out to be a non-believing adult in a household of faith: her parent run a half-way house rescuing recovering clients who came out of prisons.
It is a good thing that my youngest is not bold and fearless like Blair. Otherwise this book would have supplied a most unsuitable role model!
I am glad that I did not read this book after Elizabeth probably bought it from the Duolos (ship book fair). Otherwise I might have confiscated it as she must have been about fourteen years old when she first read the book. I know Blair turned out to be a non-believing adult in a household of faith: her parent run a half-way house rescuing recovering clients who came out of prisons.
It is a good thing that my youngest is not bold and fearless like Blair. Otherwise this book would have supplied a most unsuitable role model!
(983) Cape Refuge by Terri Blackstock
Before I say anything about the above mentioned book, I have confessions to make. I started reading English books at age 14, namely the Enid Blyton blue dragon series (for young readers). Most of what I read before age 21 came from Readers' Digest which I used to buy at jumble sales at 10 cents a copy. One year end holidays of 8 weeks I actually bought and read 138 issues of Readers' Digest. At age 24 I converted to Christianity. Hence by now you might have noticed that majority of the books I reviewed or wrote responses to were probably written by authors who may not be Christians.
A few weeks back I run out of books to read and Elizabeth suggested that I start working on her Christian novels. I was reluctant as I know I cannot in all honesty give glowing reviews. Then Elizabeth commented that as a practicing evangelical blogger, I owe it to my readers to blog about Christian books that parents may want to buy for their children. Well! I can not disagree with what she said. So this is probably the very first blog written about a Christian novel in Ramblingsofadyslexic.
It is usually my habit to write about any book as soon as I have read the last page. However, because this is a series of 4 books, I did not do that. In between reading the first two books I took a trip to Shanghai for a few days. Subsequent to that, I went to Canton for a few days. It took time to finish reading the remaining two books. Before I got my act together to write about them I was unwell for a few days. Now I must be very careful that I do not get too specific as I do not want to be inaccurate. Pardon me if I speak in rather general terms.
Cape Refuge started with the double murder of Morgan and Blair's parents. While it was a very good plot, I personally think that if the author had written the book in half the number of pages, it would have been a better read. There were 380 pages before the Afterword. Suppose we halve it to 190 pages, then there would be less chapters in between Jonathan being detained in the county jail and his release. I was really impatient reading the playing out of daily details in so many pages and extremely short chapters. On page 30 Morgan arrived at the murder site, it was on page 334 that I see the memorial service for the murdered couple. While such a slow moving clean book may appeal to a girl age between 11-15, it took great determination and discipline for me to read line by line from the beginning to the end. Here I must admit that what I am trying to do is to write a fair opinion or personal reaction to the book. In no way will I be able to sit down and write a similar story of equal length.
A few weeks back I run out of books to read and Elizabeth suggested that I start working on her Christian novels. I was reluctant as I know I cannot in all honesty give glowing reviews. Then Elizabeth commented that as a practicing evangelical blogger, I owe it to my readers to blog about Christian books that parents may want to buy for their children. Well! I can not disagree with what she said. So this is probably the very first blog written about a Christian novel in Ramblingsofadyslexic.
It is usually my habit to write about any book as soon as I have read the last page. However, because this is a series of 4 books, I did not do that. In between reading the first two books I took a trip to Shanghai for a few days. Subsequent to that, I went to Canton for a few days. It took time to finish reading the remaining two books. Before I got my act together to write about them I was unwell for a few days. Now I must be very careful that I do not get too specific as I do not want to be inaccurate. Pardon me if I speak in rather general terms.
Cape Refuge started with the double murder of Morgan and Blair's parents. While it was a very good plot, I personally think that if the author had written the book in half the number of pages, it would have been a better read. There were 380 pages before the Afterword. Suppose we halve it to 190 pages, then there would be less chapters in between Jonathan being detained in the county jail and his release. I was really impatient reading the playing out of daily details in so many pages and extremely short chapters. On page 30 Morgan arrived at the murder site, it was on page 334 that I see the memorial service for the murdered couple. While such a slow moving clean book may appeal to a girl age between 11-15, it took great determination and discipline for me to read line by line from the beginning to the end. Here I must admit that what I am trying to do is to write a fair opinion or personal reaction to the book. In no way will I be able to sit down and write a similar story of equal length.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
(982) Unexpected Trip 2
While waiting for this trip to Shanghai, I was wondering why God would say no to me going to Bangkok for a few days but insisted that I visit Shanghai. By now you probably know that I have spent many yearly vacations in visiting orphanages in Thailand, sometimes running English camps for disadvantaged hill tribe children.
In 1994, I was given a prophecy that sounded really unreal to me at that time. I took the written prophecy and showed it to my pastor and was so disturbed that I did not know whether to laugh or to cry. He, being a most wise man, told me that very often real prophecies from God sounded most improbable! God very often chooses weak vessels, he accomplishes the most remarkable feats with the most unlikely people. He said that there was a ring of truth in the prophecy. I would have to be mindful of it at all times and live my life in such a way that I would co-operate with God to accomplish His purposes.
I used to publish articles in Chinese newspapers and student magazine in my teenage years to earn some pocket money. During my college years, one English Professor told me that I should keep all the writings I did under her course, as they were up to publication standard. She for one ought to know, as she worked as a copy editor in her free time besides college teaching. Not being unduely proud, I do know that I could write. But I was most unwilling to knock at any publishers' doors for publication. I don't think I could take multiple rejections. On top of that I have lost the desire to become famous when I chose deliberately to follow God. There is simply no will in my heart to publish my work. Of course I could self publish, but that means coming up with money and then having to go round speaking and selling the books. It is not really an attractive option for me either.
In 2009 I saw the blog of my daughter's friend, immediately I saw that was a medium that I could accept to make my writings available to anyone in the entire world at a few key strokes. Thus the availability of a new technology enables me to obey God in writing and publishing. And I have not looked back since then.
While I was in China, I watched a few sessions of the same talk show. It was moderated by a relatively young Chinese man. From his accent, he must have either grown up or studied for many years in a Western country. I really enjoyed learning many new things and different ways of looking at socio-cultural issues faced by urban Chinese. I found myself talking to God, "if you meant for me to take part in this talk show representing the average evangelical Christian view point, I would love it!"
I was interviewed on a radio program as a sixteen year old over my examination results. It was aired in a student program by a local Chinese-language radio station. Subsequently I took part in a forum with the same host and other students from the same city, that was broadcast too. For a third time, I was invited to write an essay with a given topic and read my writing on air. After that, the host invited me to attend a special language course to teach me standardized pronunciation so that I could apprentice under him to learn how to host his program as he was offered better prospects in running another program . But since that course was to be held at night in a not-so-safe part of town, my father vetoed the idea and said if I was still interested in broadcasting as an adult then I could attend night classes then. Before I reached 21, I left for further studies in USA and poof went the broadcasting opportunity.
Of course there are many obstacles: I am many thousands of miles away from Shanghai. I can't see how I can visit or reside in Shanghai to be geographically available. But that will be God's worries. Meanwhile, I will start to read up on social, economical, cultural and political issues affecting urban Chinese as well as ex-patriots. To prepare for a role as a spokesperson, I cannot keep quiet and stay as a rather ordinary wall flower home maker anymore. I would have to reclaim my gift of the gab and sharpen my persuasive abilities. I was very into public speaking and debates in elementary and early secondary schools. I guess it is time to swing back into the vocal me, whether I like to or not. It is better to obey, since I choose to do it I might as well be happy about it.
In 1994, I was given a prophecy that sounded really unreal to me at that time. I took the written prophecy and showed it to my pastor and was so disturbed that I did not know whether to laugh or to cry. He, being a most wise man, told me that very often real prophecies from God sounded most improbable! God very often chooses weak vessels, he accomplishes the most remarkable feats with the most unlikely people. He said that there was a ring of truth in the prophecy. I would have to be mindful of it at all times and live my life in such a way that I would co-operate with God to accomplish His purposes.
I used to publish articles in Chinese newspapers and student magazine in my teenage years to earn some pocket money. During my college years, one English Professor told me that I should keep all the writings I did under her course, as they were up to publication standard. She for one ought to know, as she worked as a copy editor in her free time besides college teaching. Not being unduely proud, I do know that I could write. But I was most unwilling to knock at any publishers' doors for publication. I don't think I could take multiple rejections. On top of that I have lost the desire to become famous when I chose deliberately to follow God. There is simply no will in my heart to publish my work. Of course I could self publish, but that means coming up with money and then having to go round speaking and selling the books. It is not really an attractive option for me either.
In 2009 I saw the blog of my daughter's friend, immediately I saw that was a medium that I could accept to make my writings available to anyone in the entire world at a few key strokes. Thus the availability of a new technology enables me to obey God in writing and publishing. And I have not looked back since then.
While I was in China, I watched a few sessions of the same talk show. It was moderated by a relatively young Chinese man. From his accent, he must have either grown up or studied for many years in a Western country. I really enjoyed learning many new things and different ways of looking at socio-cultural issues faced by urban Chinese. I found myself talking to God, "if you meant for me to take part in this talk show representing the average evangelical Christian view point, I would love it!"
I was interviewed on a radio program as a sixteen year old over my examination results. It was aired in a student program by a local Chinese-language radio station. Subsequently I took part in a forum with the same host and other students from the same city, that was broadcast too. For a third time, I was invited to write an essay with a given topic and read my writing on air. After that, the host invited me to attend a special language course to teach me standardized pronunciation so that I could apprentice under him to learn how to host his program as he was offered better prospects in running another program . But since that course was to be held at night in a not-so-safe part of town, my father vetoed the idea and said if I was still interested in broadcasting as an adult then I could attend night classes then. Before I reached 21, I left for further studies in USA and poof went the broadcasting opportunity.
Of course there are many obstacles: I am many thousands of miles away from Shanghai. I can't see how I can visit or reside in Shanghai to be geographically available. But that will be God's worries. Meanwhile, I will start to read up on social, economical, cultural and political issues affecting urban Chinese as well as ex-patriots. To prepare for a role as a spokesperson, I cannot keep quiet and stay as a rather ordinary wall flower home maker anymore. I would have to reclaim my gift of the gab and sharpen my persuasive abilities. I was very into public speaking and debates in elementary and early secondary schools. I guess it is time to swing back into the vocal me, whether I like to or not. It is better to obey, since I choose to do it I might as well be happy about it.
(981) In a Free state by V.S.Naipaul
Apart from Jonathan Living Seagull, this is probably the second book I read that was written by a Nobel Prize winner.
This book is made up of five sections. My favorite is One Out of Many. It basically is the story of an Indian man who accompanied his boss to work in Washington DC. He left the boss' employment one day and went to work in a restaurant. Thus he became an illegal worker. Quite some time later he married an American citizen and became a Permanent Resident. What was unsaid was what happened to his family in the rural village in India. Did he just forget them? Did he continue to send money to look after them?
I too, had my chance of becoming an American. After my first degree, I was given six month's work permit which was renewable for another half a year. I worked for one summer and decided to return to my home country. It sounded very stupid to most people at that time. I was given a full scholarship if I decide to pursue my second degree in the University of Texas. At the very least I could have worked for another three to nine months before returning. But at that time I just accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I wanted very much to be obedient to God. He showed it clearly that I should return as soon as possible.
It took almost thirty years for me to see that I am having a better future here than if I had chosen to stay on in the States. In the first place, I was being courted by a nice young man who happened to be a Navy Pilot there. Had I stayed on, most probably I would have married him. Subsequent to that US went through many wars: Kuwait, Afganistan and Iraq. Who was to say if I had not became a war widow with a few young children to raise on my own?
Comparing the economic situation of USA to my country now, it seems that I am much better off in Asia at this period of time. But of course I could not see all that so many years ago as a young college graduate. It took God who knows about the future to tell me to return. He has good plans for me; in listening to him: I chose to embrace those plans
Note:
Contents: Prologue, from a Journal: The Tramp at Piraeus 1
One out of Many 15
Tell me who to kill 54
In a Free State 99
Epilogue, from a Journal: The Circus at Luxor 240
This book is made up of five sections. My favorite is One Out of Many. It basically is the story of an Indian man who accompanied his boss to work in Washington DC. He left the boss' employment one day and went to work in a restaurant. Thus he became an illegal worker. Quite some time later he married an American citizen and became a Permanent Resident. What was unsaid was what happened to his family in the rural village in India. Did he just forget them? Did he continue to send money to look after them?
I too, had my chance of becoming an American. After my first degree, I was given six month's work permit which was renewable for another half a year. I worked for one summer and decided to return to my home country. It sounded very stupid to most people at that time. I was given a full scholarship if I decide to pursue my second degree in the University of Texas. At the very least I could have worked for another three to nine months before returning. But at that time I just accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I wanted very much to be obedient to God. He showed it clearly that I should return as soon as possible.
It took almost thirty years for me to see that I am having a better future here than if I had chosen to stay on in the States. In the first place, I was being courted by a nice young man who happened to be a Navy Pilot there. Had I stayed on, most probably I would have married him. Subsequent to that US went through many wars: Kuwait, Afganistan and Iraq. Who was to say if I had not became a war widow with a few young children to raise on my own?
Comparing the economic situation of USA to my country now, it seems that I am much better off in Asia at this period of time. But of course I could not see all that so many years ago as a young college graduate. It took God who knows about the future to tell me to return. He has good plans for me; in listening to him: I chose to embrace those plans
Note:
Contents: Prologue, from a Journal: The Tramp at Piraeus 1
One out of Many 15
Tell me who to kill 54
In a Free State 99
Epilogue, from a Journal: The Circus at Luxor 240
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