To the City of Smiles

I leave tomorrow noon for Bacolod City in the Philippines. Known as the City of Smiles, it is a seaport 45 minutes flight south of Manila. I don't know much about this city as this is my first visit there. We (my boss and I) will first fly into Manila and take the 4:55am flight to Bacolod the next morning - yes, you did not read wrong - it IS 4:55 am! This means, we have to be at the airport by 3 am and leave the hotel by 2 am! That's not the worst, yet. We get into Bacolod by 6:30 am or so and at 8 am, we have a radio interview! Hopefully I won't be talking gibberish at that unsaintly hour! My boss insists that this trip will help reprogram me into a morning-person like he is but I doubt that will happen!

I don't have to do any teaching until the next morning, fortunately (see my schedule on the right). It will be another intense trip but I am excited at the opportunity to speak to the young people there. I am especially looking forward to the talk on sexuality.

I had a slow start today and by the time we were to leave home for my speaking engagement at a church here around 3:30 pm, I was feeling rather lethargic and drained. But by the time we got to the church, my spirit was really livened up - the vigor we encountered as the 300 or so youths worshipped boosted my own level of energy. The meeting went really well. When I accepted the invitation to speak at this church, I was not expecting such a big group - so it was a surprise when we got there. I have been invited back to train the youth leaders twice in the next month and I'm looking forward to it.

That's all for now. I've much to do still for my trip tomorrow. I've yet to pack and am still working on one of my talks. Pray for me, won't you?

Remembering Ingmar Bergman

Two weeks ago, July 30, legendary Swedish film maker, Ingmar Bergman, died peacefully in his sleep. He was 89.

For me, he will always be remembered as a great cinematographer who was not afraid to explore the darker questions of life - in fact, I suspect that he was obsessed with questions about life, death, mortality, and endlessly sought answers to his existential struggles. Woody Allen, incidentally another of my favorite, looked up to him as a mentor of sort and this is evident in Allen's movies - the themes, casting of actors, etc.

Here's CNN's report on Bergman: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/30/bergman.obit.ap/index.html

Bergman's movies which impacted me most are Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries. The world of art will miss you, Ingmar Bergman.

Back from Korea

I got back from Korea late last night. Had a great conference there. It was wonderful to be a participant instead of a speaker once in a while. Made many new friends from all parts of East Asia and the lectures by Marva Dawn were so good! She is a true testimony to living the life she preaches! She is much frailer that I had expected, though. I know, from reading her books, that she has at least three handicaps but I also found out that she has other problems as well - like her very low blood pressure. In fact, during one of the mornings when she spoke, she looked like she was going to black out a few times and she had to stop momentarily to regain her strength. Her husband, Myron, is also a true testimony to the kind of lover we are all called to be. He's always by her side to support her and in his quiet gentle ways portray so vividly the picture of unconditional love.

The schedule of the conference was very packed and I did not get to see much of Seoul (the city is 2 hours away from the university where the event was held). We did have an outing to see some landmarks in Seoul but we just didn't have the time to do much. Was looking forward to buying some high quality seaweeds for snacking but things in Korea are very expensive. Overall, it was a good and memorable trip. I was glad to be back to my dear husband after 5 days. Can't write too much this time as I've only a few days to prepare for my work trip to Bacolod Philippines on Sunday and there's still much to do. Following are some pixs from Korea.

Pictures from Korea

Left: Marva Dawn and her husband, Myron Sandberg

Below: The Cheonggyecheong river runs through Seoul and has over time evolved from a stream to an underground sewage system and is today a respite from the summer heat for Koreans in the area.

Changing of guards at the Deok Su Gung Palace

Second Independence Day celebration

Tomorrow is a national holiday here in Singapore as it is her National/Independence Day. Every year, it seems, we would celebrate three Independence Days - the United States's (July 4), Singapore's (August 9) and Malaysia's (August 31). Of course, we get a day off work only on one of the three.

Having lived in various countries, I have concluded that there is no one government that has gotten it right - its civil and foreign policies. All have their weaknesses and strengths. No matter where I am, whether Turkey, the US, Singapore or back in Malaysia, I am always critical of one thing or another of the manner the country is ordered. I am also beginning to make out the distinction between being patriotic and being nationalistic. Being patriotic is when you would be willing to stand for what you know is right and good for your country even when the government believes otherwise. This means, sometimes you may have to be the unpopular one. Being nationalistic, on the other hand, is accepting, believing and standing up for what the government adjudicates even though it may not necessarily be right or good for the people.

I believe, as Christians, we are called to stand for what is true, right and good. Hence, there is a place for all of us, no matter which government we live under, to be "patriotic." Christians NEED to engage in the public square as part of the good news of Christ is the redemption of our ideas, values, beliefs and morals and not merely "saving of souls for heaven." Jesus did not die a slave's death on the cross to just give us a ticket to heaven.

On a less serious but equally important note, the church we attend is hosting a movie evening today. "Come Taste and See" is an event usually held on the eve of a national holiday where we invite friends to church for dinner and a good movie and then chat about it over a glass of merlot. Brian and I have been given the assignment to pick the movie and lead the discussion. As a true Complementarian when it comes to gender roles, I picked the movie and asked Brian to lead the discussion. We'll be watching Stranger Than Fiction. Should be a fun evening...

Cleaning lady and her soup

Every other Monday, our cleaning lady, Fung Q, would come over in the evening to help us vacumn, mop and dust our place. Her visit is always a delight as she would also bring us home-cooked dinner. Since I am Cantonese and craving for good nutritious soup is in my blood, I truly look forward to Fung Q's visit as she would often bring soup for us.

Brian, being American, views soup as merely the starter to a meal - not the center of the meal; and this means he can easily do without the soup. The only time when soup is important is when one is sick - chicken soup! He can't and, I think, will never be able to identify with my constant longing for some good broth - lotus root and pork ribs, black chicken and herbs, preserved vegetable with tofu and duck, the list goes on...

The last time I saw Fung Q, she excitedly informed me that a nice young man is courting her daughter. She told me that he is a Christian but she will not hold that against him (she's a Buddhist, you see). She said that as long as he's a decent and good man, she will accept him. She added that what religion one adheres to is not important as long as one has a good heart. Now that condition is broadly inclusive, I thought. How does one define "good"? By what and whose standard would we measure that goodness? Can anyone of us really be good enough to be the yardstick? Reminds me of a certain official who called Jesus the good teacher and Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God." Interesting response from Jesus...

Meanwhile, as I ruminate on this, I shall hope that Fung Q will have soup with her this evening...

Addicted to Heroes

Last weekend we bought the first season of the tv show, Heroes. Since then, we have been watching at least one episode every evening. In short, we are absolutely hooked! At the end of every episode, we find ourselves being tempted to watch another!

I am sure many of you know about this show but for those of you who don't, its basic premise is that a group of people have developed super powers and seem to have been destined/called to save the world from a major catastrophe. It quite interesting as at the beginning of every episode, there will be this narration which questions the nature of reality and human beings - are we products of evolution or otherwise? What about morality? If we really are products of evolution, then morality is no longer a matter of right or wrong but a question of survive or perish... the questioning goes on. Quite thought provoking.

What do you think? Have you seen the show? You like it?

John's flesh

I (Brian) have finally finished my MA in Christian Apologetics! I completed my project in May and submitted it right before we went on our India trip. I have since heard back from my professor—he liked my work and I got a good grade, so everything is accomplished. I graduated in absentia in May. I still have to track down my diploma—I think they mailed it to the family we used to live with in California.

Now that that is taken care of, I am beginning to think about my upcoming program at Trinity Theological College here in Singapore. I have been accepted into the Doctor of Theology (D.Th) program there. The only question was when they could take me on. From the last word I heard from the dean, it looks like I will be able to start in January, which is what I was hoping for. I am looking forward to my program. I am proposing to research John’s use of the Greek word “flesh” (sarx) in his Gospel, particularly his use of it in the prologue (1:1-18) when he says “the Word became flesh.” Of the many ways John could have described the Incarnation, why did he express that way? Then I will use what I discover in John to evaluate some of the models for the Incarnation that are proposed in systematic and philosophical theology. I have met with the professor who will be advising me, Dr. Tan Kim Huat. He liked my idea, and has given me some suggestions to begin some reading and research before I officially start in January. I have six years to finish the program, but hopefully I can finish it sooner.

In the meantime, I am still teaching English half-day for the language school. I try to spend the rest of my “work-time” on my studies. Well, that’s my little update. Sorry if this blog is so pedestrian, but I am not a natural blogger like I’Ching! I just wanted to catch people up on what was going on in my life.

Crash!

I got back from Jakarta late Sunday afternoon and was exhausted! My head was pounding with a sinus-migraine that started the day before and my body was fatigue from dealing with the numbing pain. Nonetheless, it was great to be back.

The annual haze visit was evident in Jakarta. In fact, I could smell it in the air there. Perhaps that contributed to my sinus. I am thankful that the haze hasn't reached Singapore yet. We have had nice weather the whole of last week - overcast and rainy (yes, such weather is considered a blessing in this part of the world, believe it or not!). And today the sun is smiling but rain looks imminent.

The teaching sessions in Jakarta went really well. I was very encouraged by the participants which came from all age groups and walks of life - students, doctors, college lecturers, etc. Made some new friends - after the first evening, two ladies came up and introduced themselves as doctors who are involved in a pro-life organisation in Indonesia. They said that they were pleased to hear me use abortion as an example in my talk. (I was explaining the implication of being made in the image of God, you see). I believe Indonesia has the same allowance for abortion as Singapore.

Incidentally, trying to spend off my Rupiahs (Indonesian currency) at the airport, I picked up an Elle magazine (not the usual which I would buy). In this edition, there was a long article where women of various professions commented/reacted to the recent partial-birth abortion ruling in the US. Interestingly enough (but not unexpected) was that nothing was ever mentioned of the unborn human person's right to live while the woman's right to choose (and in this case, "to choose" is really "to abort) was touted as sovereign...

Month of new places

Tomorrow morning I (I'Ching) am off to Jakarta again. I dread this trip a little this time as I will be traveling alone and will be conducting a series of seminars on my own. It will be an intense weekend and when I get home on Sunday afternoon, I know I will crash! As I am growing older, I find it increasingly dreary to travel alone but one's gotta do what one's gotta do!

Having said that, I do look forward to traveling to two new places in the month of August - first to Korea where I will be attending a conference. It will be nice as I will not be doing any teaching but will be a participant. The highlight will be the main speaker of the event - Marva Dawn! I like her writing very much and look forward to meeting her. Of course, there will also be the bonus of authentic Korean food - which I love.

Then, on the second week of the month, I will travel to Bacalod in the Philippines. This time it will be for work. I know little about this place and hope to learn more about it before I go. Unfortunately, this work trip will be another intense one where there won't be any time for leisure sightseeing. The Student Missionary Outreach there has invited my boss and I to conduct some training seminars for the Christian students there.

Lastly, I look forward to my weekend away to Penang island in Malaysia (where I was born!) end of August. Every year since we were married, Brian and I have had the privilege to celebrate our anniversary out of town. The first year, we were in Bali, Indonesia (we extended our stay after a work weekend). Last year, we were in Kuala Lumpur. My sister was so sweet in that she arranged for us to stay at a nice hotel at a good rate and booked a fancy restaurant for us to dine on one of the evenings. She informed the maitre d' of the occasion and he served us the bubbly on the house. It was good fun.




Pictures from our last year's visit to Penang:
Left: Brian next to Francis Light - the founder of Penang.
Right: At Fort Cornwallis in Penang.

This year, we plan to visit Penang again. We were there last year but we did not make it to the beach - one of the main features of Penang - as we were busy doing all the other touristy stuff in the city. So, this time we will stay exclusively by the beach. I look forward to seeing some old friends and visiting some of my relatives there. Brian, of course, has been dying to return to Penang as he LOVED the nasi kandar (a type of Indian-Muslim curry rice dish) there. For weeks after our last trip to Penang, he would always be looking out for "kandar" wherever we went in Malaysia. Ahhh... Penang will be fun.

Meanwhile, for now I must return from my fantasy of the holiday as it's a month away and there is much to do till then.

Me, a feminist???

I (I'Ching) was listening to a Podcast by Serrin Foster, the President of Feminists for Life of America. In the beginning of her speech, she went on to define feminism - according to its historical tradition, that is, according to the first feminists of America - Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary Wollstonecraft, etc. Included in the definition is the notion of belief in the strength of women, rejection of violence and exploitation, equality of all human life regardless of gender, race, education, age or any other categories one can think of.

As I reflect on this definition of feminism, I found myself agreeing with Foster. After all, these are exactly some of the values I hold on to strongly - that EACH human life is unique, sacred and hence worthy of protection, love and, most importantly, rights. If that is the case, then I guess I am a feminist in the "traditional" sense of the term - not in the post-60's and post-modern liberal expression of the activism. Now, I've never considered myself a feminist as, for example, it never bothered me that God is refered to as "He" as opposed to a neuter being (besides, God is NOT neuter - male AND female were made in his image); or that women are not to be ordained as the senior minister in some Christian denominations.

However, I would not hesitate to be associated with Feminism if it is in the spirit of Susan B. Anthony:
"Sweeter even than to have had the joy of caring for children of my own has it been to me to help bring about a better state of things for mothers generally, so their unborn little ones could not be willed away from them.” (Susan B. Anthony, 1820 - 1906)

I continue to be fascinated by the early American Feminist movement as I learned of their view of human life - both of women and of the unborn; and how they fought verociously for their rights (quotes all taken from Feminists for Life site):

Mattie Brinkerhoff wrote in The Revolution, 4(9):138-9 September 2, 1869:
"When a man steals to satisfy hunger, we may safely conclude that there is something wrong in society - so when a woman destroys the life of her unborn child, it is an evidence that either by education or circumstances she has been greatly wronged."

Elizabeth Cady Stanton meanwhile classified abortion as a form of "infanticide." In The Revolution, 1(5):1, February 5, 1868: "When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit."

Then again in a letter to Julia Ward Howe, October 16, 1873, recorded in Howe's diary at Harvard University Library: "There must be a remedy even for such a crying evil as this. But where shall it be found, at least where begin, if not in the complete enfranchisement and elevation of women?" ("The Revolution, 1(10):146-7 March 12, 1868)

The early American feminists saw abortion as the victimization of women and children. Women were the victims of abortion. However, today, most "mainstream" feminists see abortion as the woman's right! How did we get here??? !!! Who deceived us into thinking that yanking out our unborn babies from our birth canals is our right as women???

For your information: according to statistics from a few years ago, the life of 4,000 unborn babies are terminated every single day in the US. I've been trying to obtain accurate statistics of abortion in Singapore but this has been an almost impossible task. As abortion on demand is legal in Singapore up till the 24th week, I am curious to know how many babies are discarded daily... and my heart weeps for them...

Sacred space

As we live on the sixth floor, our apartment comes with a reasonably sized balcony. However, it is under-used. Periodically we would eat out there when we have friends over for dinner but overall, it is under-utilized. Perhaps its lack of interesting features does not draw us there to spend our chill-time. Right now, we only have a small round dining table on it but it has space for so much more.

Over the weekend, I (I'Ching) went to a seminar on the Desert Fathers. What fascinating lives they led. While I may not agree with all they taught or their life of retreat from human contact and society, I am impressed by their recognition and reverence of the sacred. In today's multi-media world where the sanctity of human experiences is constantly violated (read: Reality tv shows, America day-time talk shows, YouTube), it is almost difficult to find a place where there are boundaries that one must never cross. And some "space" within our soul is sacred - not to be entered by anything of this world but reserved only for our Creator. Much can be said about this but I'd like to get to how my balcony factors into this discussion of sacred space.

Well, inspired by some of the things presented at the weekend seminar, I have decided to put our balcony to better use. I'd like to create a physical "sacred space" where we can withdraw and recuperate from the bombardments of the day and center on our Creator. I reckoned the physical space will be a physical reminder of the need for us to return to that place of trust and security that is found in the knowledge that reality is so much more than what we readily see, feel, touch and experience. That God is the lover of our soul and that he is the truth, the way and the life.

So, on Sunday, Brian was dragged along (as is the case with my many crazy ideas but which he would eventually agree that it's brilliant!) to Ikea to pick up some teracotta pots and plants. The idea was to prop up our balcony with appealing features like green plants and lawn chairs so that we can redeem that under-utilized space. Hopefully with the adornments, we would be reminded more often of our need to retreat and sit at the Lord's feet and hence spend more time doing so.

As I was writing this my plants and pots were delivered and I can't wait to work on them after work today...

A life without a centre is destructive

‘A life without a lonely place, that is, a life without a quiet center, easily becomes destructive’ and, we might add, shallow, dissipated and lacking in any sense of direction. We get nowhere if we fear to walk alone. ‘The busier life is, the more need there is for a still centre; a place deep within us to which we can withdraw after the day-to-day buffeting and storms; a place where we can reflect on experience and try and make sense of life: a place where we can mull over events and savour them more fully; a place where, above all, we can listen . . ‘to what others are saying verbally or non-verbally, to what our feelings and fears are saying to us, and to what God is saying through circumstances, through people, through creation and his word spoken in the depths of our being. ‘All these things pass us by, like views from the window of an express train, if we do not learn to stand still at disciplined intervals and do some stock-taking and viewing.

By Sister Margaret Magdalen, Jesus - A Man of Prayer, 40.

Posting from Melaka

Yes, I am in Melaka, Malaysia again. This is my third visit this year and I am really beginning to get used to this small city. Melaka is a mere 2.5 hours' drive from Singapore but offers almost all that is wonderful in Malaysia like cheap and delicious road-side hawker fare! But seriously, though tourists from the surrounding cities throng this historical centre, things are still relatively cheap. However, I know my friends who come from Melaka will beg to differ!

I arrived here late Friday morning with my boss to teach some sessions on Apologetics. I stayed on as I was invited to speak at the Sunday service of a church here. Every time we come to Melaka, I make it a point to stay at Hotel Puri. It's a boutique hotel located in the touristy part of the city. What I love about it is the fact that it was an old, old Peranakan house. So quaint and if its walls could speak, I am sure they would have tonnes of stories to tell! The staff are so friendly and prompt as well. Having been here so many times, some of them call me by name - it's nice!

Unfortunately Brian is not able to join me here as he could not get time off work and had to teach the youth at our church today. I leave tomorrow for Port Dickson, a town by the sea an hour from here, to teach two workshops on religion and theology. I finally travel home on Thursday evening.

On my trips, people I meet often ask if I miss Brian when I travel for work. What a question - of course I do! Thanks to affordable telecommunication means, we are able to speak on the phone or connect via my Blackberry whenever I am away from home. However, I have also found that being away from him makes me appreciate him more as a person and as friend. He is no longer the roommate who messes up my space but the man who loves me despite my quirks, who comforts me with his clear thinking when I am depressed and unreasonable, and rebukes me when I am mean with my words about others.

In short, when I am apart from Brian, I am assured of the fact that my kind, gentle and supportive bestfriend is praying for me. When I am on the road stressed out or feeling all alone in the hotel room ordering room service, this knowledge stands as a great pillar of strength to sustain me. My appreciation for him never fails to swell my heart with gratitude towards God who so generously placed him in my life!

This present trip is going very well so far. The 30 or so university students we trained over the weekend were sharp and enthusiastic. Our hosts here have been so warm and kind - extended their hospitality without imposing themselves on our space and time. Perfect balance!

By the way, Brian and I enjoyed our dinner at HRC on July 4 tremendously. Their price was more reasonable than we had expected and the food was really good! They have boneless chicken strips done Buffalo wings style and we love that! The only other place that we could find that is Chili's in the US. We are definitely adding HRC Singapore to our list of fave restaurants here.

Fireworks! It's 4th of July!

It is 4th of July today and to all my American friends, family members and relatives, "Happy Independence Day!" (Go easy on the bbq steak and enjoy the game on tv!!!)

My colleagues asked me two days ago what we plan to do on this day and it got us thinking about doing something 'American' today. Then, it got both of us pondering about what is uniquely 'American'. Perhaps we can have a huge American-size hamburger with lots of fries? If that's the case, where would we go? Micky D's? Burger King? Carl's Jr.? But in today's globalized world, none of these entities are uniquely American anymore. In fact, Micky D's in Malaysia actually has chicken congee on its menu!!!

Today, when you arrive at LAX, you may think that you've not left your home if you were coming from some urban Asian city. There are more Asians (and Hispanics) than white caucasians in most parts of larger LA. The best Vietnamese pho is found in Rowland Heights, California. The best chili sauce to go with the pho is made in and sold only in the USA. Our favorite authentic Thai salad is found only at this little Thai restaurant in La Mirada, California. (We tried to locate something similar when we were in Thailand but to no avail). The best Thai soft shelled crab I've had was in Chinatown New York City.

The world is shrinking so rapidly in so many ways but yet we are more isolated from each other as ever. The new tolerance, if examined closely, is really the old intolerance. In today's 'small' politically-correct world, we are chastised when we make absolute assertions about morality. For example, if we say, "Adultery is immoral or wrong," we would be accused of being 'intolerant' - how dare we impose our 'conservative' (read: archaic) morality on other people.

"That just wrong for you, but not for me!" they would say. Or, in some instances, they would say, "That's just true for you but not for me." Interestingly, by making such a statement, they are in fact saying that their 'tolerant'/'pluralistic' view of morality is true for all people. In short, they are really imposing their view on morality on me! In response, I could say to them, "But your view is just true for you - not for me!" Can you see how such a viewpoint is self-contradictory and self-defeating? It is like saying, “I do not speak English”!

Unfortunately, in our present day and age, such fallacies about morality and truth abound. GK Chesterton, aptly wrote in 1930: "Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions." Hah! I LOVE Chesterton's dry wit humored truth!

Meanwhile, we have decided that we would celebrate 4th of July at the 'tolerant' "Love All, Serve All" Hard Rock Cafe. I look forward to my big huge American cheeseburger with lots of oily fries. You see, Brian has never been to HRC and would like to have that checked off on his "been-there done-that list.

May America bless God!