Has it been FOUR years??

Four years.. I've been a freelance writer for four years already!! Gosh, how time has flown by!

From a reminder from this post, Oct 27, 2006 was my last day with the newspaper company that I had worked for more than 12 years. Actually when I left I never thought of going freelance, and never thought I would be doing it for this long.. I thought of just taking a break and find something else to do - most likely joining another publication full-time.

Not long after that, I was asked to contribute some articles for a couple of newspapers..So gradually, I drifted into doing freelance writing work. More opportunities came by and soon I was making quite a decent income. There had been a couple of times when I wanted to go back into full-time employment.. by somehow they just didn't work out at the end! It was as if I was led by God's invisible hand to do what I love to do..

Of course this `career' is quite unstable and I can tell you that throughout these four years, there had been so many changes and challenges. For instance, I was quite happy in 2007-2008 as I got to contribute regular to about 4-5 publications. But due to the set back in economy and various reasons.. I lost all these jobs one by one and had to pro-actively look for more jobs.

In the last one to two years, I have diversified to doing copywriting and translation work. They are quite tedious and can be boring but to be honest, they pay better than editorial work. THe set back however is that I feel my creative writing has become stale because I don't get to write free flow articles like I used to. It's quite frustrating but the fact is, it's not so easy to break into editorial features as many newspapers and magazines have enough writers already..

But thankfully, I still have a few platforms where I can contribute such articles.. though they really can't become my bread and butter..

As recent as just two months back, I thought I would be bidding goodbye to my free lifestyle as I verbally agreed to take up a full-time job as an editor of a yet-to-be-launched magazine. I was supposed to start work in October. But then I was having second thoughts and after a discussion with my dad, I turned it down. Why? Well, it's a long story - the job looked quite uncertain and potentially very stressful and even risky. But I guess at the back of my mind, I still could not give up the `luxury' of a freelance lifestyle that I've so accustomed to!

But God is good! He has provided me with quite a lot of work since - and many are new ones! :) In fact, I still have a few deadlines looming very soon right now.

Yes, I would say I really have enjoyed my years as a journalist with the newspaper - I've learned so much and got to go many places and meet many people. And it's my dream job anyway since I was in my teen. But again, if you ask me, I have never regretted a bit quitting my job four years ago. It's a welcome change. Despite its ups and downs, I wouldn't trade anything for this freelance writing `career' (if you could call it that!)

So here's wishing a `Happy Fourth Anniversary' to my freelancing career!! May there be many more (lucrative and fruitful) years to come! :D

April roundup..

It's the last day of April! Exactly 1/3 of 2010 has already passed.. How time has flown!!

And yes.. I have been so sluggish in updating my blog.. But in order to not let this beloved blog of mine to die a natural death, here're some (more interesting) updates:

1. I `lost' my second Italian teacher but found a new one!

I was so glad to have been introduced to Lina earlier this year after Giovanna left for Rome. Lina was a lovely lady, and I liked the fact that she `pushed' me more.. making me speak Italian all the time in class and even when I sms or called her. What she did was basically revised and strengthened what I needed - basically the conversational part. In just three months, I think I've become a bit more confident in attempting to speak in Italian. Though this forgetful mind of mine means I'm still quite slow..

She was supposed to leave for Italy for 2 1/2 months and back..but since her husband's work contract is ending in August, she won't be coming back. :( She really wanted me to continue learning Italian, which I assure her I would continue! So she found me a new teacher before she left two weeks ago.. (it was quite a sudden sad farewell)

I met up with Beatrice at the Italian Embassy on Wednesday and I'm already excited to start class with her! She believes in interactive teaching style.. and just like Lina and maybe more so, she wants to drill in my conversational Italian, which I fully agreed is what I needed most! She won't be teaching from textbook, but may use music, or even cooking as part of a class (identifying ingredients and following recipes in Italian)! We will be starting 2 weeks later after she's back from her holiday.

2. My First Opportunity into `Christian Journalism'

Having been a journalist and writer all these years.. having written for national papers to many publications, corporate and websites, finally I got the chance to write for Christian publication (church and peer group newsletters notwithstanding). A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the editor of Asian Beacon and I'm glad that not long after that, he actually contacted me to do a story, and then another one! I've just done my first personality interview with an American Christian leader-author this afternoon. Another interview is also in the pipeline.

Writing for Christian publications has always been something at the back of my mind. I believe since God gave me the gift of writing (not that I'm a great writer but it is my vocation) I do want to serve Him and glorify Him in my writing, in a more direct way. And I get paid for it too although the amount is comparably less than other secular publications, but it is something I feel is worthy and meaningful to do. And I'm really glad and excited about it! :)

3. Two Traditional Spa Treatments in One Day

Thanks to my work, I had the opportunity to experience an Ayurvedic massage and the luxurious Hammam spa almost back-to-back in one day last Tuesday! Yes, I have been to spas and have frequent massages quite regularly. But these two types of `treatments' were totally new to me.

I was asked to write for a lifestyle magazine on some `traditional remedies' that are being offered in some more upmarket spas or centers. Actually I only needed to introduce each of them briefly (about 300 words?) and get some photos. But when I approached these places, they were nice enough to offer me to try their treatments. Well, no reason to refuse right? ;)

I was given the Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage) and Patra Pnda Sweda (Herbal leaf poultice therapy) at Samkkya Ayurveda in Bangsar. It was very different from the massages I had experienced - very oily but I like the vigorous stroke. The medicinal smell was quite strong and while it felt rejuvenating, I wasn't that used to the oiliness! Still it was an interesting experience. I also learned more about ayurveda treatments...

The Hammam spa at Bangsar Village 2 was something else! The Moroccan version of the traditional Turkish bath contained the signature `Hammam & Gommage' - a bathing ritual that involves a `black soap' wash, moorish body polish and `enveloppment' (ie body wrap). I was taken to a warm dimly-lit`bathroom' in Moroccan style. I just sat or laid down and did nothing, and a Moroccan `bathing lady' attended to me - soaped, bathed, scrubbed my whole body and also washed my hair etc.. in a way, it felt kinda weird :p And the rigorous body polish really leave your skin feeling clean! The whole process was really relaxing.

After that, I was also given a full-body Moroccan massage which was so good.. and followed by a facial, which was much needed since I hadn't had one for months! The whole `ritual' took more than 3 hours and I must say it was one of the best if not the best spa experience I have ever had.. what bliss!

4. Singing and more singing

Earlier over Easter weekend, Cantus Musicus (yes, the has been revived!) did a presentation of `Thorns & Roses' at St. Andrew's Church. We didn't have much time to practise and in fact my choir director was quite worried and stressed about it. But thank God, everyone put in effort and rose to the occasion.

We didn't sing many songs but they were really lovely such as Agnus Dei, Libera Me and the finale Den wir haben hie keine belbende Statt by Johannes Brahms, which was a tough song to sing but I think we did justice to it! And the audience response said it all too.. it was great to sing for the Glory of God!

Now, we are busy practising for our next concert - a Celtic Concert at the home of the Irish Ambassador next month. The repertoire includes not just Irish but Welsh songs. Welsh must be one of the hardest languages to pronounce! But the music again is lovely, something you don't hear often...

As for my personal vocal class, my teacher is gearing me up for my grade 6 vocal exam end of the year. I've already started learning the exam pieces some time ago (which I didn't know then were the exam pieces!) - an Italian aria, a German lieder and two more..

As you can guess, to me, singing is one of the most enjoyable things I could do :) And it is a great way to destress as well. I just hope I am more diligent and hardworking to improve this art and skill...

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Yes, so April has been an eventful month, even at personal level which I won't share here.. :p

Now, work is picking up too so May looks like another busy month..

and guess what, this blog is turning five next month!

Just ONE specific resolution but but there are some plans and wishes

Since I promised at my `year in review' post that I'll talk a bit about my aspirations and resolutions for 2010, so here I am although I don't feel so inspired to write about it as I did for that post!

You know, I always believe in setting resolutions for a new year.. although I always wrestle with them as well. And so in the last four years that I blogged, I have dedicated a `resolution post' marking a new year here, here, here and here. However for 2009 I realised I didn't really write much about any resolution.. could it be because of that I have not really achieved anything significant - albeit it was an eventful year! ?

And if you read these year-end/beginning post on resolutions, you'd realise there were some similar patterns.. I could easily take the resolutions for 2008 and `rehash' them for 2010.. because honestly I haven't achieved almost all of them saved the `diet and slimming' bit. And really they are all important too.

But today after chatting online with a friend, I was inspired to not be `greedy' and focus on just ONE resolution that I really feel is vital for me to want to fulfill. And somehow I believe if I could realise this resolution, my other sub-resolutions from years back could gradually fall into place..

And I'm dedicating and committing this resolution to God Himself.. for I know if I do it, He would be pleased and my Christian walk would be even more fulfilling. Actually it's a basic prerequisite of living a Christian life which I have failed so badly all the time especially in the last year!

So my one only resolution which I am putting down in black&white to remind myself is:

To have my daily devotion with the Lord - i.e. setting apart 15 mins or so (can be more) to read and meditate on Scripture, to pray and to listen upon the Lord.

Only 15 mins a day, and you would wonder how difficult that could be?! Sigh. because of my lack of discipline and self-control, I'm always being distracted by other things esp. the Internet! And doing my Q.T. (quiet time) has sadly been neglected and even forgotten at some stage!

If you're not a Christian, let me explain why doing our devotion is important.. It's basically an intimate time you spend alone with your God. If you're devoted to your spouse/parents/children/bf or gf you would want to spend some quality time communicating with them daily. It's the same with God. I know I could call on Him anytime if I need to but I believe He would be more pleased if I set aside time to have an `appointment' with him daily.. reading what He wants to tell me and conversing with Him through prayers..

And doing devotion regularly actually benefit us not God.. we are the one who need guidance and constant teaching and surely our spiritual life will feel dry if we do not have this relationship with our God through our personal devotion..

Of course, I have other wishes and plans.. one of which is to travel to the U.S. - which I have longed to do so for more than 3 years now. I really really want to visit NYC but I probably will go look for my friend in SF and we can go together to the Big Apple. I know the trip will cost a bomb - and I would need to `eat into' some of my non-cash savings.. But this is the desire of my heart and I know God is faithful if He feels I deserve this journey, I know I will get to go.. if really not this year then soon..

Work wise, I have made a decision on NY eve. I'll register my own enterprise under sole proprietor ship next week, and also to reprint my card and set up a work blog. I even thought of the name already but will disclose a bit later. The reason being I feel I want to treat my freelancing writing career more seriously. Especially since now I've diversified to other forms of non-editorial writing. There is a market as long as I work harder to expand my network and try to clinch more jobs. I know God has been providing and there are doors opening already. So yes, lets pray and hope 2010 will be a even better year, or even a turning-point for this freelancer.

Other plans and wishes? There are of course but I feel I don't really need to list them here. Maybe one of them is that I should blog again more regularly. This would also spur on my inspiration and flair for writing. Facebooking and getting addicted to FB games doesn't really help!

So, I hope that at the end of 2010 when I review this post, I can truly say that yes, I've managed finally to have achieved my new year resolution.

My Four `Entertaining' Weekends..

It's been a month of Chinese entertainment overload..!! Ya, I think I've had enough of Chinese live-shows and concerts for a while - for the last four weekends, I've attended four shows! Half of them for work and half for leisure.

This should be the record since I left my life as a entertainment (read: Chinese entertainment) journalist with the paper almost three years ago..

No, i'm not complaining - it can be tiring but I thoroughly enjoyed almost all of them.. and would have wanted to watch it anyway and ended up I didn't pay a cent for it.. :p

1.
The first one - Astro Star Quest Finals - would not be something I would have watched live - maybe on television. And this year I didn't even follow the competition at all... Then just a day before the finals in Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, an ed called me up and since I do need jobs and money, of course I made myself available..

I was seated in the comfort of Putra Stadium press seat with a table.. and it was actually quite entertaining and enjoyable despite I had no knowledge of these up-and-coming youngsters were. Must say I was quite impressed in particular by two of them - Kah Fai and Min - who eventually emerged as first runner-up and the winner!! The only grouses was the whole thing was pretty long as there were many rounds of contests - and all those commerical breaks in between since it was aired live on Astro.. And as the responsible (ahem) writer that I am, I also stayed back to interview the winners although I had not much space for the write-up anyway..

2.
Then the following weekend.. was a show I really wanted to watch. Although no one asked me to review it, I was fortunate to obtain two comp tickets from the organiser of SuperBand - that's made up of four unique and talented musicians/singers from Taiwan - Lo Ta-yu, Jonathan Lee, Wakin Chau and Chang Chen-yue.


My sis in HK has watched this concert and told me it was really good (and she is the picky type when it comes to concerts) and so I was really looking forward to it and definitely I was not disappointed. In fact, I rated it as the best concert I've been to this year and maybe even in recent years!! Their repertoire was splended and nostalgic (ok, I'm from some their eras) and they really showcased what they could do with their voices and instruments individually and as a band. And boy, just loved the way they jammed together.. Their combined age was 190! But to me, they beat any young hot boyband hands down. :) And so ya, myself and my friend really enjoyed it.. the bonus was I daringly mingled myself into the press seats (which were better than my ticket seats) after there were extra seats there!

3.
I attended the Michael Hui's press conference a few weeks earlier and was quite keen to catch his talk show in Genting Highland. Unfortunately, the editor I was contributing to did not want a review but fortunately I know the organiser's boss whom I've covered quite a no. of his shows and he has asked me to just go. But because it was a hot sold-out show - Michael Hui's first ever show in Malaysia or outside HK for that matter - I was told in the last minute that I could get into the stadium but there were no seats allocated for me!!


But again, my lucky (entertainment) star was shining and my friend and I who specially drove up to Genting were `rewarded' with seats - quite good ones too - among the photographers. And we had such a good time laughing our heads off with his jokes. Michael Hui has many interesting stories and anacdotes to tell.. The audience loved it so much that he obliged by even singing a song at the end.. And like I put on my FB, it is a refreshing change from the usual concerts! Great show :)

4.
Finally.. (I really hope I don't have any concert next week.. :S) I thought I would have given Eason Chan a miss this time as I mistakenly thought the concert was on Saturday and I was on worship duty on early Sunday morning. But turn out I was asked to do a review and the concert was Sunday evening.. at Sunway Lagoon Surf Pool - the same stage of MTV World Stage Live the night before.


For once, I was shocked to find out that they did not allocate any areas, let alone, any seats for the press! I was ushered to this `red zone area' - already jam packed with people right in front of the stage.. I squeezed myself through but guess what, I was blocked by a few tall guys and hardly had space to move let alone jot down notes for my review! The speakers were blaring and made my heart thump. Seriously, I'm not fit nor young enough to stand in such condition for 3 hours!!

To cut a long story short, I squeezed my way out of that crazy zone and stood at the side where some reporters were.. but 20 mins later, I already felt tired and spotted some chairs by some food stalls so there was where I sat by myself the whole night..

Fortunately, Eason's wonderful performance and music redeemed that earlier terrible experience.. Although i could only see the screen from side way and hardly the stage.. I still enjoyed the concert. He even did a medley of the 80s classics including Alan Tam's Love Trap and his own beautiful numbers.. It was even better than his first concert I watched I felt.. so much so I stayed till last song and as I walked out, fireworks broke into the sky.. a very long and elaborate one.

I guess Eason's concert - plus all the three previous ones had inspired me to blog despite my tiredness.. (got up at 6:50am this morning!)

What a crazy life for a aging freelance (entertaiment) writer who should actually settle for less `exciting' jobs :p But no, I'm not complaining.. :)

Word Up's 8th Birthday Party on 18-8-08

It has been one week since the event but it's something I have wanted to post.. but I forgot my camera so I had to rely on the unofficial photographer of the night..

I've only been to Word Up! gathering once many years ago. And I became its yahoo_group online member only later when I went freelance, as I was told that I may get work opportunities from the postings there!

Although I am not a very `active' member, but the group has been useful for me to ask for interviewees for articles I was writing.. and I have even made a few friends and acquaintances from it..

So when I heard from Word Up founder See Ming that she is having a birthday gathering for Word Up - it has been 8 years! I thought it's time to make an appearance again.. but also, I wanted to meet up with See Ming who I have not seen for quite some time, and who has been ever so helpful in recommending her friends for me to interview for many articles!

Why, she is the only person I know of that has the widest network of friends - it seems everyone in the media, PR and arts field knows this amazing lady! And she's great at keeping in touch too..

The venue was Santini at Jaya One - a cosy Italian restaurant with dim lighting. I was one of the earlier to arrive. I was sharing car with dad actually..and couldn't stay long.

The food was pretty good - had various types of pizzas courtesy of See Ming and ordered a vegetable starter which name I forgot :p

Makan aside, it was interesting and fun meeting new faces and some familiar ones... one thing I have observed, most of those who came were the sociable and ready to mingle type - could it be due to the nature of our media-related job?

I had some good conversations but unfortunately, had to leave around 9pm as dad was waiting.. See Ming was nice to get the cake out early so that I could have a piece! I saw from photos later that some people came late, including some of my friends from the media..too bad i missed them.

Although I had to leave early.. I was glad to have been there. And I did have a good time.. and I left having to `accumulate' more friends to add on my Facebook!! :D

With the `host' See Ming

Was pleasantly surprised to see Claire aka Minishorts there - I always thought she is a very interesting blogger!

Janet the singer and Han the editor/writer

Dinner time around the long table at about 8:40pm

See Ming blowing the candle on Word Up! cake - simple cake but delicious!

The youngest `Word Upper' was Max - See Ming and Sim's cute son! :)

p.s. thanks See Ming for organising and making all of us feel at home - and Sim for being the photographer! More pix on their blog here

My First Adventure Race - no I didn't participate, just covered it!

Snap shots from the Wilderness Langkawi Challenge 2008 - Pulau Tuba (3-5-08)

By then, my camera ran out of battery... so no the final finish shots.. :(

a shot taken a day earlier.. beautiful sea view from just outside our hotel..

(And now, the write-up... a bit lengthy yeah..)

What an adventure!

For someone who has a sedentary lifestyle, covering the Wilderness Langkawi Challenge (WLC) 2008 was like watching a program on AXN or Discovery Channel come to live!

Picture this: more than 300 participants of all background, age groups and fitness level rose before dawn last Saturday morning (May 3) and took a ferry from Langkawi to Pulau Tuba for the biggest and arguably the most challenging adventure race in Malaysia.

I mean, it was simply an incredible, if not mind boggling feat especially for the 35 teams (each team consists of two people) that signed up in the Fast & Furious category, whose stamina and strength were akin to those of super humans, as they strived to complete a gruelling 95km race in nine hours!

What these `super humans' had to go through included jungle trekking (12-15km), biking (60km), kayaking (20km), swimming (400m), caving and abseiling – stretching their strength, stamina and endurance to the limit.

This race was organised for the fourth consecutive year by Wilderness Centre Sdn Bhd, it attracted a total of 156 teams signed up, an it was an international mixed of participants from United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Singapore, Philippines, Spain, Nigeria, Morocco, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong and of course Malaysians.

The competitiveness and challenging reputation of this race had even attracted five finalists from Amazing Race Asia 2 -Collin Low & Adrian Yap, Vanessa Chong, Rovilson Fernandez and Ann Tan to participate.

But the beauty of WLC was that it wasn't just for the experienced and hardcore racers. There were many first timers entering the race thanks to the rather achievable target in the beginner’s category. A total of 115 teams joined the three to four hour race in the `Slow & Easy’ category, which to me was kinda misleading as participants were required to complete 5km of trekking and 6km of kayaking, as well as roping and jumping into the sea from a diving plank on a ship!

It simply didn't sound like `Slow & Steady'!

Oh, even the 40 odd members of the media who were invited to the event were given a chance to try out the race in the media category, which is the same as the Slow & Steady race. Twenty-two brave souls went for it! Those not participating in the race, like yours truly, were able to follow the actions via various transportations on land, sea and air – yes, it was the first time a Malaysian race having helicopter coverage, catering to video photographers as well as for emergency use.

So no, I didn't get to go on the helicopter as I was a writer and not TV crew.

It was a mass flag off at 8:10am with both categories shooting off in one direction together. Shortly after that, half of the `Slow & Steady’ racers made a beeline to the seaside where they began their kayaking feat. Standing on the bridge above the jetty, I witnessed some rather experienced kayak-ers as well as those who even had great difficulties getting onto the boat itself! It was quite hilarious actually! :p

Soon, a few of us were asked to hop on to the back of a small lorry that would take us to the various check points to witness participants of the Fast & Furious category in action. We spotted a few teams trekking at the fringe of the forest, before stopping by the seaside to wait for a couple of teams that decided to do the 200m swim to a small island across.

What's unique about the Fast & Furious race was that participants were to plan and choose their own routes. There were check points all over the island for teams to navigate to and collect points. It all boiled down to strategy and also their skills and fitness levels.

Of course, there were cut-off time for each of the three main disciplines of trekking, biking and kayaking, and exceeding the time limit means having points penalised.

We were also transported to the biking station and saw groups of teams arriving in intervals of minutes or seconds to start their biking session, which took them all the way around the island and across some pretty steep hills.

By half-pass eleven, we were ferried back, now in a van, to base camp to wait for participants in the `Slow & Steady’ category crossing the finishing line. There were cheers and claps as the Race Director cum emcee Darren Gamble announced the team names that finished.

Although visibly exhausted physically and drenched in sweat, the participants would take a last charge to pick up their pace, and smiling or waving with excitement as they crossed the finishing line and collect their well deserved medals.

We spent a couple of hours resting and having lunch, and drinking lots of water on a very hot and sunny day.

At base camp, the island's village children came to join in for games. Pulau Tuba has a population of about 3,000, mostly whom are fishermen. We were told that there was gotong royong that went on prior to the race which they look forward to the once a year. We saw many curious children checking out the participants with keen enthusiasms at various checkpoints.

At about 2pm, the Fast & Furious teams kicked off the last leg of their race journey - kayaking for 20km in windy condition. The way these super humans descended onto their kayak and rowed their boats into the high sea was simply pro and made it looked so easy!

WLC this year had some special features - two ships docked in high sea. The Reef Explorer vessel which was already being used last year, was where the `Slow & Steady’ participants did their roping challenge on board followed by a steep plunge into the sea from a plank.

And there was the beautiful and opulent SY Lili Marleen tall ship, where the `Fast & Furious’ racers can choose to gain points by abseiling on board. While the teams were working hard on their kayak, we jumped onto a speed boat that took us all the way to the ship and arrived minutes before the first team.

However, the single rope abseiling proved to be too much of a `hot spot’ and soon caused a bottle neck and a long queue for those who planned to attempt the special abseil onboard.

After a tour by a friendly officer on board of the ship, we returned via speed boat back to the base camp to wait for the teams to complete their race. We came across some caves by the shore and saw a team of two women attempted to get points by kayaking into the narrow entrance.

They quicker teams came in before 5pm while the rest made their way to the finishing line between 5pm to 6pm. Ironically, the reception for the `Fast & Furious’ contestants at the finishing line were more subdued than the earlier group, simply because the bulk of the early participants had returned after completing their tiring race.

As they came in two by two, no one at that point could know who actually got the most points to win the race. The self-navigate and self-chosen route system made this a most suspenseful race. Take for instance, for the man’s category then, it turned out that the first team which crossed the finishing line way ahead of the rest only got fourth place at the end!

No thanks to the heat, covering the race was to me already a tiring but exciting affair. So I truly take my hats off to all the participants for their sportsmanship and their great spirit of adventure.

So, finally, I can say I’ve seen super humans in action – live!

p.s. Despite the heat, the tiredness, the wait and some confusion.. it was a great experience and eye-opener. But no, I'm not convinced that I would take part in it next round :p