Writing Career Update

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything about my writing career.

Bandarputeri.com.my

I have been hired by the Bandar Puteri online community to contribute to their blog. For your information, I should be contributing 20 entries per month beginning this February. Due to technical factors, I am rather behind schedule. I’ll make up for the remaining entry today and tomorrow - just before February 2008 ends.

Concurrently, a list of proposed topics would be emailed to the team behind the community. The team of dedicated people doing their best to make this project a success. The list would be emailed by tomorrow.

Elance.com

Against the advice of Robert Bly, I registered with Elance.com. Elance.com is where clients post their projects for freelancers to bid. Certainly the lowest bid would most certainly win the contract. To make things “worse”, I changed my membership plan from basic to professional. This cost me US$14.95.

On Elance.com, I’m offering my services under “Writing & Translation” and “Sales & Marketing”. While considering the paid membership, I uploaded a sales letter I wrote some time back meant to promote my services offline. The sales letter incorporates hypnotic writing (as per John Vitale’s Hypnotic Writing). I’m also drawing up specs for another sales letter, a press release and a short 200-300 description.

Remember I said that I was going against Bly’s advice? The fact is that his advice was meant for those who intend to finda constant flow of work. I’m adhering to his advice in the book Getting Started as a Freelance Writer. He urged novices to get the first 3 paid projects from commercial clients irrespective of the cost. Why? To build a more persuasive portfolio and clients list. The two ingredients differentiating a pro from rookie.

Verified PayPal Account

In line with my efforts to ease payment and transactions, I opened up a Paypal account some time back. It was only last week when I registered my TuneMoney.com card to verify my account. While I added a debit card, or pre-paid Visa card as it is being marketed in Malaysia, it did not amount to automatic verification. I then authorized the charging of $1.95 to my account to complete verification.

The effect? My Paypal can now handle virtually unlimited amount of money. Having a debit card, now I can draw the money with ease.

TuneMoney.com’s Pre-Paid Visa & AmBank’s NexG Pre-Paid Master Card

When you’re going to venture into e-commerce, it’s rather important for you to have either credit or debit cards. Why? To perform monetary transactions. Realising this and other reasons, I applied for TuneMoney’s Card during the Youth Lifestyle Showcase ‘08 at PWTC. A few weeks after that, I bought AmBank’s NexG card at the 7Eleven near the Monorail station in Brickfields/KL Sentral for RM25. I’m waiting for the follow-up on the registration of the later.

Needless to say, I now have both Visa and MasterCard without the worry of having a credit card.

Reading Law… From the Law Student’s Desk

I mentioned before that I plan to start a blog for Law Students in Malaysia. I’m glad to announce that it’s ready. Other than the initial post and the “About” page, it’s still empty…

I’ll contribute to it every now and then - at least once a week hopefully. I welcome anyone else who’d like to contribute. But this is on a purely voluntary basis.

The blog: From a Law Student’s Desk

Ah… Election Time..

When I published the earlier post, it slipped my mind that Malaysia, too, have caught the election fever. On February 13th, 2008, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced at a press conference that the 11th Parliament of Malaysia was dissolved. By virtue of Article 45(3) of the Federal Constitution, the dissolution of Parliament affects only the House of Representative (Dewan Rakyat). Emulating the Westminster system practiced in the United Kingdom.

The Stakes

Two hundred and twenty two seats are up for grabs at the Federal level. Twelve states of the Federation, except Sarawak, have also dissolved their respective State Legislative Assemblies. Besides the Parliamentary seats, the total State seats up for grab are 505.

Constitutional Procedure

Before I move on, I’d like to make a comment on the Prime Minister’s claim that he would only know of the date of dissolution after Royal Audience with the Yang DiPertuan Agong (King). Applying basic Constitutional Law knowledge, the Yang DiPertuan Agong is empowered to prorogue or dissolve Parliament (Article 55(2)). This provision cannot be read on its own. Literally, it would allow the Yang DiPertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament anytime for any reason. This would certainly cause an absurd result! The power to dissolve Parliament is a function established and endowed upon the King by the Federal Constitution. The Federal Constitution, by virtue of Article 40(1), imposes on the Yang DiPertuan Agong the obligation to act “in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or of a Minister acting under the general authority of the Cabinet”. As far as the dissolution of Parliament is concerned, the Yang DiPertuan Agong can, in his discretion, withhold consent to dissolution (Art. 40(2)(b)). Like the Queen in the United Kingdom, no Yang DiPertuan Agong has ever (on the record) withhold his consent since Merdeka. Applying the law (bluntly), the Prime Minister (as head of the government) is the Minister acting under the general authority of the Cabinet. He advised the Yang DiPertuan Agong on the dissolution of Parliament - which includes all the related details. The latter’s Assent is 99% certain. Thus, it is almost impossible for the Prime Minister to be unsure. Merely my humble opinion.

And I’m A Registered Voter…

In December 2007, I returned to Betong with my Mother to update my Identity Card (MyKad). I took the opportunity to go register as a voter as well. I didn’t expect to be on the rolls until 3-6 months after. I read somewhere that the cut off date was mid 2007.

So a few moments ago I did a check with the SPR to discover my status. Fortunately, I’m on the electoral role and registered at Betong Bazaar. This locality is in the boundaries of P.204  Betong and N.31 Layar. The bad news: I’m going to join the absent voter statistic. Why? Can’t afford the cost to travel all the way back to Betong. That and the fact that it’s done in the middle of the semester. I’ll be sure to be casting my vote in the next State Election, though.

Looking Forward to the Results

I’m looking forward to the election results. I’d like to see a more diverse Dewan Rakyat. More minorities and more women perhaps? Even better, more younger MPs. “Young” as in 21-40 years old. We’re promised a surprise, I hope we’ll see it.

Leaving you with a “Happy Voting! Happy Campaigning!”

From the Lecture Hall to the Internet

I won’t be kidding myself, January 2008 was the worst month of my entire academic career - in my opinion. Somehow subconsciously I’m trying to get over the fact I failed my Land Law I and had to repeat my Public Speaking II (Didn’t turn up for the exam). For certain, I’m trying to assert my position as a “has-been” in campus life/politics.

St. Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of Writers and Journalists

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

 

For his part in combating the development of Calvinism in Europe, St. Francis de Sales was beatified in 1661 and canonised in 1665 by Alexander VII. His contribution to the Roman Catholic’s theological literature prompted Pius XI to declare St. Francis as the Patron Saint of Writers and Journalists. This entry missed his feast which felon January 24^th.

 

Many sources talks of how he refused to marry the woman his father chose. Instead, the Senator’s son exchange vows and married the Church. At the age of 35, he was ordained Bishop of Geneva – the heart of Calvinism.

 

Sadly, the newly ordained bishop did not receive the joyous reception one would expect a 17^th century bishop would have gotten. Staying true to the saying a spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar, he eventually was accepted by the people of Geneva.

 

This bishop did not sit down and basked in the glow of his reputation. He began writing books to strengthen understanding and combat the spread of Calvinism. Two of which are famous to today! They are Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God. While today’s writers shiver at the thought of loosing income from their work, St. Francis wouldn’t accept a single cent from the revenue of his literature.

 

He also helped St. Jane Frances de Chantal to establish the Sisters of the Visitation.

 

This Gentleman Saint returned to the Lord on December 28^th, 1622 at the age of 55. By Pius IX, St. Francis was also made a Doctor of the Church in 1877.

 

Leading a secular life is common these days; and even more so for us writers. While our works need not revolve around theology, our underlying principles in conducting our work should be based on faith. Reporting the truth, providing unbiased facts and ethical writing should be part of our craft. In persuading people to buy, it should not be at the cost of others. As St. Francis de Sales showed us, the pen is mightier than the sword. A modern equivalent would be the keyboard is mightier than any modern arsenal.

 

Picture from: CatholicGreetings.org

References: Wikipedia,  AmericanCatholic.org, Catholic Forum, Catholic Encyclopedia.

Novena To St. Jude

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen

By some reason, I remembered to search for the Novena to St. Jude. I remember sometime back, I had a conversation with my friend, Fiona Kabb (a.k.a. Sharon), about prayers. She told me of a certain prayer which she recommended to a former friend who was faced with an certain critical situation: the Novena to St. Jude.

Few days ago, just before the (Chinese) New Year, I was at Kinokuniya browsing for books.One book caught my attention that day and I requested that the covers be opened. More or less the tome I read was a compilation of patron saints. St. Jude was listed as the Patron Saint in Desperate Situations and Hopeless Cases.

Needless to say I found the prayer, printed it and hung it in front of me. Some other prayers to St. Jude were also printed out and filed. While I have never attempt to invoke St. Jude before, I was told by those who have that this novena works. Religion and prayer is not about checking how effective a prayer is.
Personally, I deduce that this prayer is meant to guide us and make us realise that there is no such thing as a hopeless situation. It remains a difficult period because we have opted to abandon God. The Almighty Creator, on the other hand, never abandoned us. Being the Almighty, there’s no such thing as impossible for Him. If there was, He would not have been known as the Almighty, would He?

Don’t get me wrong. Praying to a saint is not like praying to God. Rather, it’s more of a request for help from someone who’s closer to God and more revered compared to us mere mortals. Men and women elevated to a more higher and holier standing. They intercede on behalf of us. I dare not question God’s logic. I agree with the notion that God works in mysterious ways; ways and logic beyond the comprehension of us, human beings. At the end of the day, two factors directly effect the results: our efforts and God’s Will.

I would love to hear your feedback on the novena. Your experience and understanding may well enlighten us up. Remember, why light a lamp and cover it up?

Remembering the Columbia

Five years on, family and friends will continue to remember their loved ones whose lives were lost in the Columbia five years ago today. The seven astronauts who died serving their country are: Rick Husband (commander), Willie McCool (pilot), Michael P. Anderson, Laurel B. Clark, David M. Brown, Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, and Kalpana Chawla.

This disaster which Standing My Ground is commemorating saw the disintegration of the space shuttle during its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Just as its 28th mission (STS-107) was about to be completed.

The sacrifice of the crew must not and should never be forgotten. The courage, dedication and determination of the seven astronauts are remarkable. While we might not all be able to go to space, we should at least follow their footsteps in the conduct of our daily lives.

In October 2007, Malaysians saw, for the very first time, a fellow citizen entering space. Whether you’re singing the songs of praise or crying out criticism, no one can deny the fact that Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al-Masrie bin Sheikh Mustapha was sent to the International Space Station on October 10th, 2007.

Besides being space programs, what does the Columbia and Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar have in common? This was inspired by a Proton commercial (I think) on the tube. They showed us that nothing is impossible when we set our sights into it. When we explore the unknown, we should not be disheartened by our failures and losses. Because by giving up, we dishonor the sacrifice made by those who dedicated their life, and ended up paying with it, for the good of all. Surrendering to this defeat shows how much we ignore the contributions of those before and with us.

Remembering the Columbia. Remembering the sacrifice of its crew. Having in mind the future, the possibilities and the unknown, Humankind must push on…

In Memory of the Columbia (February 1, 2003)