eHomemakers Malaysia

             The first time I saw the poster, I asked myself whether I should apply. Writing fiction isn’t exactly what I do. Also, with the Covid-19 pandemic going around, is taking part in a workshop with others a good idea?  However, as I am writing my memoir, I thought it would be fun to apply and just see where it would take me. Besides, there are not many writing workshops in Penang which are fully sponsored for beginners. It might also be a good opportunity for me to meet up with other writers.   I submitted my one and only fiction. I wrote it in 2018 whilst I was bored staying at home. If I am not mistaken, I was still recovering from one of my surgeries at that time.  On the 5th October 2020, as I opened an email from Nutmag:- Thank you for your application to the Chevening Writers Series. I am delighted to confirm your place for the full series, Fiction Track.                      Yay! I made it! On the first day of attendance, I was happy that the Standard Operat

         I measured the shortening and water, then added them into the premix flour. It is always prudent to measure everything before mixing them together. Wearing a sterilized glove, I began my work with the mixture.       Last year I made pandan flavoured mung bean snow skin mooncake and oreo cheese. This year I opted for the plain red bean and lotus paste for filling.      As my hand moved to knead the dough, I realised the mid-autumn festival celebration this year will be different from last year. In 2019, my sister could return from Singapore. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus situation, most likely she could not do so this time.      Even though our family doesn’t really celebrate the festival, for the Chinese, we associate it with reunion and togetherness. Snow skin mooncake with red bean filling Snow skin moon cake with pandan flavoured mung bean filling     “I wish things were back to normal again” I would often hear this from people ever since Ma

      Someone lent me a book by Dr. Edith Eva Eger, “The Choice”. Having already read Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search For Meaning” years ago, ( see my previous article  Man's Search For Meaning ) I had the curiosity in me to see what this book had to offer or if it was any different from “Man’s Search For Meaning”.       Viktor Frankl was already an adult and a psychiatrist when he was detained in Auschwitz. His book written in 1946 and later translated into English.  In contrast, the Nazis brought Edith to Auschwitz at a tender age of 16 years old. She dreamt of being a ballerina and competing at the Olympics. However, her dreams were crushed as a result of racism and later detention at that horrifying place. Both her mother and father were killed on the first day of arrival.     Many were beaten, tortured and executed. As there were hardly enough food, out of desperation, some had even resorted to cannibalism, eating the flesh of the dead. She barely made it out alive hersel

I have been encouraged by Cordelia Lee to explore my creative side, she has inspired me to use poetry as a form of self-expression. I find that poetry allows me to express myself in a different way. Though I have to admit, it is still a struggle for me to find the words to express myself.     Recently, I was moved for the first time to submit my poetry for an anthology      http://www.singlitstation.com/thousandcranes . (Image of poster taken from singlitstation.com)   The theme and subject matter somewhat speak to me.   The topic of coping with illnesses and death can be a taboo topic and yet all of us will die one day. On the other hand, if we were given a life of immortality without pain and suffering, can we truly live? Will we appreciate our moments in life and the opportunities given to us? Or do we feel empty without a purpose?   Indeed, this is not an easy question to answer. I felt good after writing the poem. It gave me a different outlet to express m

When the government announced a 14-day Movement Control Order (MCO) throughout Malaysia because of the coronavirus, chaos and panic happened at the supermarkets, despite the government’s assurance of enough food and daily necessities.             The government thought that the message was clear, everyone to stay home, social distancing from one another. However, on the 1 st day itself, some defied the MCO and continued with their merry ways, not taking this pandemic seriously. Now, day 14th has passed, and the government has extended the MCO until the 14th of April as the numbers of those infected within the country become higher.            This is not the first time I am being confined to a place, like a bridge between two stories, I can’t help but to compare and connect it to my post-burn care experience.  The feeling of isolation, uncertainty for the future, unpredictability, anxiety, hopelessness, not being in control, fear, confusion regarding the situation a

International Women's Day is here once more. Some celebrated it. Some feel should not as a celebration of womanhood should be everyday. To me, these days can be served as a reminder to us.  We can be preoccupied with our responsibilities, activities, our families and of life that we sometimes even forget our own birthday.  Today I reflected on the women who have impacted me. Because of these women, they inspired me to write a woman song in 2018. Women Song sang on 8 March 2020, dedicated to all  women readers here. I wrote it in 2018.  There are so many women out there who made a big impact on me over the years since a teenager until today. Let me list them whom I can remember offhand:- 1) Anne Subashini - founder of The Inclusive Outdoor Classroom . I have the privilege to get to know her since drum circle days. Her passion is infectious. Her faith, her belief that there should be no division between children no matter of their backgrounds, no matter of their health