This weekend a lot of friends are at conferences I wanted to go to. My writer friends are at the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference in Minneapolis, and my church friends have been at the Change Your World Human Trafficking conference put on by my church. I didn’t have the finances for ACFW or the energy for Change Your World. I’m regaining more energy and momentum, but I’m still not where I was and there is the little matter of still needing a crutch to get around. Consequently yesterday was rather a difficult day for me. I was at home alone when I wanted to be at a conference. This isn’t turning into a poor me story, I promise. Rather it’s one of God’s cool gift stories.
My parents church was having a women’s get together with Francine Rivers. I called everybody to see if anyone wanted to go but no luck. I hate going into new situations by myself and made alternate plans to hang out with a friend and her kids. It was down to the last minute but I felt a strong pull to go to the women’s meeting, so I did.
It was really small, maybe about 15 people, but all of them were book lovers or they wouldn’t be there. I figured that it might not be a really uncomfortable situation because surely you can make connections with fellow book lovers, right? I was mostly wrong, most of the people stuck to themselves but the pastor’s wife was friendly, a long-time friend of Francine Rivers, and a girl about my age. She was the only one there besides me who didn’t attend the church but as is usual in Hawaii, especially the Christian community, we had mutual friends and ended up exchanging numbers. Making new friends is always cool.
There was definitely anticipation in the air and I heard several people talking about how excited they were to meet their favorite author. It took me back to my first ACFW conference in Nashville in 2005. I felt the same nervous excitement that first night as I recognized names and faces of people whose books I had read for years. I was also feeling really shy. You all can quit laughing. I’m shy until I’m comfortable and then as well as know it’s hard to shut me up. Being there also brought up doubts. What was I doing at a conference with multi-published authors? Did I really think I might make it to their level someday?
I was standing outside the ballroom that first night with my friend and conference roommate, Sabrina Butcher, and then Colleen Coble joined us followed by Kristin Billerbeck. Colleen and Kristin are two of my favorite writers so that was part of my shyness. Kristin made some comment about how she should trip and fall just so others would realize that published writers are people like anyone else. It made me laugh but she had also made her point. I was still excited to meet people, but the spell was broken. I didn’t have the same sort of fan reaction anymore.
Last night I was excited to meet Francine Rivers and it was definitely a blessing from God. She shared her testimony and answered questions for about 45 minutes. What was most fascinating to me is how she writers her books. Every single book has been brought about by a question she has that she needs to find the answer to. The Mark of the Lion series answers the question, “How do we share Christ with our family and unsaved love ones?”
My exposure to Francine Rivers is fairly recent. I’ve heard the name, but only read my first book by her last month. I was blown away by the book and by her. She is such a humble, open person who willingly puts herself out there to be used by God. She puts what she learns from her own spiritual journey into her books. I only wish I were half as transparent and willing to be used by God.
I walked away from the encounter with several realizations and confirmations. The first is that I am called by God to write and so I will pick up my pen, okay my computer, again and write. I don’t have to fear the whole, am I good enough question. I know I am. I may never be as well-known or gifted as Francine Rivers and that’s okay. God has called me to be a writer and so I will write. I will regain my passion and start living a full, abundant life again. And that’s all I, God, or anyone else can ask of me.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
To Eat or Not to Eat...
Does anyone have a father who’s into details? Mine isn’t. He loves us but, bless his heart, he’s oblivious to things. Last night his obliviousness cost me.
My parents went for a drive and Mom called to find out the location of my favorite burger place because they wanted to stop there for dinner. I gave her the details and a few minutes later someone started cooking steak on a hibachi. Another one of my favorite foods. There’s nothing in the fridge but leftover chicken from two days ago and I’m starving. I called my sister since she was due home soon planning to ask her to get me something. No answer. Another ten minutes went by and it sunk in, my parents were having dinner at one of my favorite places. With the smell of the hibachi still teasing me, I called and asked them to bring me a bacon cheeseburger.
An hour later, they came in the door and I smelled the burger. Mmm, Teddy’s always provides a perfectly cooked burger with crisp bacon and cheddar cheese. I couldn’t wait. The first thing I noticed when I unwrapped the burger is the absence of the cheese. They somehow thought I had asked for a bacon burger. Okay, not that big of a deal. I take off the top of the bun to add ketchup and am dismayed, there’s onions and pickles.
I know what you’re thinking, just take them off. No big deal right? Actually it is because last year I developed an allergy to onions. I took them off but it didn’t matter, the food was already contaminated. My mom apologized multiple times, she knew of my allergy and said she told my dad to order me a plain burger. He countered by saying she didn’t tell him anything at all. He’s been told of my allergy on many occasions but never remembers stuff like that since it’s not life threatening. To him food is food and I’m a spoiled brat because I always get things the way I like it. They bickered back and forth a little until mom said next time she’d just order it herself.
I had a choice, eat the burger anyway or try to save it for someone else. Yeah, right. After smelling steak for the better part of an hour, there’s no way I was letting that burger go to waste.
The burger tasted great going down. It’s the best thing I ate all week. It’s afterwards that the consequences kicked in. My throat started to burn and I’m really uncomfortable. I started swigging Gatorade until I figured out that that was contaminated with onions, too, since I had been drinking it while eating. I switched to cough drops and water. A couple of hours later, I’m comfortable enough to go to sleep.
Fast forward to this morning, 14 hours later, and my throat and mouth are still feeling burned. Accidental ingestion is one thing, willful another. Next time, no matter what the temptation, I’m not eating. Even if it is my favorite Teddy’s burger with cheddar cheese and bacon. Although I think that’ll be the first place I go when I start driving again. And the burger will be done my way…
My parents went for a drive and Mom called to find out the location of my favorite burger place because they wanted to stop there for dinner. I gave her the details and a few minutes later someone started cooking steak on a hibachi. Another one of my favorite foods. There’s nothing in the fridge but leftover chicken from two days ago and I’m starving. I called my sister since she was due home soon planning to ask her to get me something. No answer. Another ten minutes went by and it sunk in, my parents were having dinner at one of my favorite places. With the smell of the hibachi still teasing me, I called and asked them to bring me a bacon cheeseburger.
An hour later, they came in the door and I smelled the burger. Mmm, Teddy’s always provides a perfectly cooked burger with crisp bacon and cheddar cheese. I couldn’t wait. The first thing I noticed when I unwrapped the burger is the absence of the cheese. They somehow thought I had asked for a bacon burger. Okay, not that big of a deal. I take off the top of the bun to add ketchup and am dismayed, there’s onions and pickles.
I know what you’re thinking, just take them off. No big deal right? Actually it is because last year I developed an allergy to onions. I took them off but it didn’t matter, the food was already contaminated. My mom apologized multiple times, she knew of my allergy and said she told my dad to order me a plain burger. He countered by saying she didn’t tell him anything at all. He’s been told of my allergy on many occasions but never remembers stuff like that since it’s not life threatening. To him food is food and I’m a spoiled brat because I always get things the way I like it. They bickered back and forth a little until mom said next time she’d just order it herself.
I had a choice, eat the burger anyway or try to save it for someone else. Yeah, right. After smelling steak for the better part of an hour, there’s no way I was letting that burger go to waste.
The burger tasted great going down. It’s the best thing I ate all week. It’s afterwards that the consequences kicked in. My throat started to burn and I’m really uncomfortable. I started swigging Gatorade until I figured out that that was contaminated with onions, too, since I had been drinking it while eating. I switched to cough drops and water. A couple of hours later, I’m comfortable enough to go to sleep.
Fast forward to this morning, 14 hours later, and my throat and mouth are still feeling burned. Accidental ingestion is one thing, willful another. Next time, no matter what the temptation, I’m not eating. Even if it is my favorite Teddy’s burger with cheddar cheese and bacon. Although I think that’ll be the first place I go when I start driving again. And the burger will be done my way…
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Happy Birthday Jen!
It's that time of year again, a birthday for. . .
Jennifer Tiszai!
Happy Birthday Jen!
If you'd like to join me in wishing Jen a happy birthday you can go here and leave birthday greetings on her blog.
Jennifer Tiszai!
Happy Birthday Jen!
If you'd like to join me in wishing Jen a happy birthday you can go here and leave birthday greetings on her blog.
Friday, June 20, 2008
One Word Meme
I got this at Camy's blog. Enjoy and repost if you wish.
ONE WORD ONLY!
Not as easy as you might think. Now copy, forward, or post this and change the answers to yours and pass it on. It’s really hard to only use one word answers.
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? unknown
3. Your hair? tied
4. Your mother? recliner
5. Your father? sleeping
6. Your favorite thing? books
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? pinacolada
9. Your dream/goal? published
10. The room you’re in? downstairs
11. Your ex? Vegas
12. Your fear? lonely
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? married
14. Where were you last night? group
15. What you’re not? short
16. Muffins? banana
17. One of your wish list items? lv
18. Where you grew up?
19. The last thing you did? shop
20. What are you wearing? denim
21. Your TV? TCM
22. Your pets? lounging
23. Your computer? on
24. Your life? chaos
25. Your mood? tired
26. Missing someone? Malia
27. Your car? Parked
28. Something you’re not wearing? Necklace
29. Favorite store? Borders
30. Your summer? Sticky
31. Like(love) someone? Nope
32. Your favorite color? pink
33. Last time you laughed? tonight
34. Last time you cried? month
35. Who will re-post this? Jen?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
And the winner is. . .
I did the drawing today for the copy of Sushi for One and the winner is... Jenny Cary! Congratulations Jenny. I'll be sending the book to you in the mail, along with a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Christmas is only nine months early this year.
Expect another blog post next week. I'm hoping to get pictures from friends of my Moloka'i trip. Now that was an experience that I definitely need to share.
Have a great weekend one and all.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Camy's Top Ten Hawaiian Foods
I’m pleased to welcome back friend and fellow local girl, Camy Tang. Well I consider her local, even if she lives in California. At least it’s the same ocean, right? Anyway, when Camy first asked if I wanted to be an influencer for her Sushi series of course I said yes. I actually read a very early version of Only Uni when it was called The Corinthian Rules and loved it then. Camy will tell you it’s so much better now, and I have to agree, but there’s still a fondness in my heart for the older version.
When asked to pick a date for this blog tour I figured today, March 24, my 28th birthday would be appropriate. One of my goals this year was to blog more and well a birthday is the start of a new year, right? So I’m now redeemed and recommitted to blogging at least once a week.
As part of celebrating my birthday and Camy’s blog tour, okay actually Camy’s blog tour since I had an extra copy, I’m giving away a copy of Sushi for One. Please leave a comment with a working e-mail address and I’ll draw the name of the winner on Friday.
Warning, do not read the following blog if you are hungry. It’ll set off cravings for your favorite food for sure.
And now here’s Camy!
I can’t guest blog on Malia’s blog without mentioning Hawaiian food. So I figured, why fight against the inevitable?
Camy’s top ten Hawaiian foods!
10) Shave ice (sno-cones) from Aoki’s in Haleiwa. Matsumoto’s is more famous for shave ice, but I think Aoki’s syrups are better. I like mine with vanilla ice cream on the bottom. Yum!
9) Lachon roasted pork from Elena’s Filipino restaurant in Waipahu. Oh man, it’s the best—super crispy skin, juicy meat. A heart attack waiting to happen, but I don’t care, it tastes so good.
8) Kalbi marinated grilled beef from Don Yang Inn Korean restaurant in Wahiawa. Their portions are huge and the meat is flavorful and slightly burned on the edges to give it that nice carcinogenic grilled flavor.
7) Ramen from Ezogiku ramen shop in Pearl City. It’s in the same strip mall as Kabuki’s (below). Their noodles are terrific!
6) The garlic bread sticks/buns from Bravo’s Italian restaurant in Pearl City. I could eat those things all night. They’re about the size of golf balls, and they’re soft, piping hot, and tossed with this garlic butter that makes your tongue tingle.
5) Loco moco from Dot’s Restaurant in Wahiawa, a small diner that’s been around for as long as I can remember. Loco moco is a hamburger patty over rice, with an over-easy egg on top of that, smothered in gravy. Dot’s’ hamburger is made with pieces of bread and onion inside (kind of like meatloaf) and their gravy is amazing.
4) Aunty Janet’s oxtail soup. She hasn’t made it in a while, but it’s fabulous. She adds fresh Japanese greens and raw peanuts, so they boil in the oxtail broth.
3) Mom’s veal scaloppini. This is the one dish where my husband will not stop to talk to me while we’re eating, he loves it so much.
2) Kua’Aina French fries (Haleiwa, North Shore). They have the BEST FRENCH FRIES IN THE WORLD! They’re cut really thin, with the skin still on, and there’s something about the oil in their fryer that makes it fantastic (they probably haven’t changed the oil since they opened, that’s why it tastes so good). Oh, and their burgers aren’t too shabby, either.
1) Sushi! What else? My favorite restaurant is Kabuki in Pearl City. My parents go there so often, they talk story (translation: gab with) the sushi chefs. My favorite is soft shell crab. My dad’s favorite is uni (blech!). My mom’s fav is maguro natto (raw tuna and fermented soybeans—it’s kind of an acquired taste, because natto beans can be nastily sticky).
Mmm. Now I want to go get some Kalbi. What about you? Here's a little more about Camy.
Camy Tang is the loud Asian chick who writes loud Asian chick lit. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away five boxes of books and 25 copies of her latest release, ONLY UNI.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Four Tags
This is another meme I’ve been tagged with. I’m usually really horrible about doing them, and about blogging as I’m sure you’ve noticed, but I’m trying to do better. Jen tagged me with this one so here it goes.
4 Jobs I've Had: (just a few of the many)
1.
2. Writing specialist (also current)
3. Tutor
4. Field Services Officer
4 Movies Watched Over and Over: I’m not the type to watch movies over and over, although my sister used to watch the same movies every day when we were kids. To this day I still can’t watch…
1. Little Mermaid
2. Beauty and the Best
3. Baby Jessica
4. Cinderella
4 Places I've Lived:
1. O’ahu, HI
2.
3. O’ahu, HI
4. ?
4 TV Shows I Watch:
1. Wildfire
2. NCIS
3. JAG
4. Law & Order
4 Places I've Been:
1.
2.
3.
4.
4 People Who Email Me Regularly:
1. Suzi, she sends the best forwards
2. My boss, hardly a day passes without some kind of contact
3. My small group. We all live on the same island but somehow e-mail is easier than phone calls, even when arranging to meet with just one person.
4. Digests every day from ACFW
4 Favorite Things to Eat:
1. Strawberries
2. Pineapple
3. Bacon
4. A really good steak
I’m off sugar for the moment so I’m trying not to recall all my favorite foods which are dessert.
4 Places I'd Rather Be:
1. On vacation
2. The beach
3. Visiting friends in DC
4. The mainland
4 Things I Look Forward to This Year:
1. Finishing my book completely, edits, rewrites, all
2. Playing tennis again
3. Learning to surf
4. Conference in
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