The clash of the Titans

You might have heard of the movie. You might have watched it. But in case you haven't, do not fret! It has nothing to do with it anyway. But I'd give a very very quick preview on the movie. Just because.

The clash of the titans is about the clash between the Greek titans, who are Greek gods. The most powerful of the lot, though, are just three - Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. But then again...like I've mentioned, this has got nothing to do with Greek gods in anyway.

Most people in my company are Chinese speakers. Like serious Chinese language speakers. They don't (and I repeat.. DON'T) speak English. But, a lot of books are written in English. That's where people like me, come into the picture. I hve plenty of grouses about that.. but I'd leave that for another time.
So, since most of them speak Chinese, it does not come as a surprise that the English language speakers are the minority.Let me give you a clue. It's a single digit. And it's less than 5. It's only 4! And yes, that includes me. Ironically though, the 2 more formidable ones work closely with me.. we have the same superiors, sometimes we work together on the same project. So needless to say, 3 of us are pretty close knit (Come on.. they're all I've got!).

However, there's one thing we like to do. That is to challenge each other. The three English language Titans of Pelangi clash daily due to vocabulary and grammar. Here are the four Titans:

King Malcolm Mejin aka King Solomon - the most formidable of the lot. Is victorious 99% of the time. Is usually the peacemaker/deciding factor in King Mani and Queen Grace's battles (hence the nickname King Solomon) rather than a participant.

King Mani Rajan - Is constantly being challenged  Is victorious 90% of the time.

Queen Grace Koh - Is more formidable than King Mani, but not as good as King Malcolm (darn!). Is victorious 95% of the time, but is secretly training to become more formidable than King Malcolm.

King "Mr. Siew" (no idea what his full name is..LOL) -  Is well-known for highly technical skills. Is usually just the go-to guy. Since he is not of the same continent as the other 3, he is never involved in any of their battles.

There you have it. The English Language Titans of Pelangi Publishing Group. And honestly, I have to admit... I am loving the battles. Every one of them. Mani sits in the desk next to mine and I'm constantly testing him. Malcolm isn't on the same floor, but he's my good friend whom I spend every lunchtime with (we talk about other stuffs though). I love to challenge him and find out how much he really knows about the language. And when it comes to English, we're both (Malcolm and I) very defensive.. LOL. But I'm glad I have the other 2 guys.. they make my stay in boring Pelangi so fun. They never fail to keep me on my toes. :)

I foresee new battles tomorrow. Minus King Malcolm though. He'll be in the other Pelangi planet called Bangi. So it's just Mani and me then. And maybe, if we're really frustrated with the day's work... we'll rope in good ol' Mr. Siew for good measure.

When God takes over.

My job isn't difficult. But it isn't easy as well. It isn't intellectual. But it's not a job for the brainless.

That's why I need God. I realized that when I lean on Him for strength, I perform better than I would alone. When I let Him hold my hand, I fear nothing. And when I commit my plans to Him, they fall right into place.

When God takes over, everything is beautiful. After all, He's the Brain behind all we are, all we have and the place we're in.

Of languages and words.

I've been spending most of my time in the office these days. No surprise since my big boss is a slave driver.. heheheh.

I realized that since we're short handed, I have to double up as a Malay editor as well. "As a WHAT?" you might ask. Yes, a Malay language editor. I was writing some synopses in Malay today and realized that my command of the language isn't as bad as I thought it was. I could string sentence after sentence in Malay and still make sense. HAH! Not bad, huh! My Malay teachers would be so proud. I guess the very first time I was given a task in Malay, my superiors realized that my command of the language was pretty decent. That's why, from editing a book with just one sentence per page, I was gradually given the task of having to write Malay synopses. Not just ANY synopses. These synopses would be featured in the 2011 Catalogue. HAHA. Funny.

Anyway, I do enjoy my job. I guess I love languages, even Malay. I think they're treasures in need to of protection. I know of many endangered and extinct languages.. it's a shame, really. Even after staring at words all day long, I'm back here typing more words. I love words. It gives me the freedom to express myself.

I love languages. So much so that both the Malay and the English dictionaries have become my best friends at work. Pathetic, but true.

About my job..

I like my job as an editor. Unfortunately, I've recently doubled up as a writer as well. That's where the problem begins. I have never written any book, I do not know how to write a manuscript (I only know how to write scholarly stuff.. hahaha), and I do not know how children think.

And the worst thing about it is, I cannot really communicate with my new colleagues. I can't speak Mandarin very well, and they can't speak English. So, what happens is that big huge information gap. What would normally take 5 minutes to explain, ends up taking 30 mins because of language barrier. And in the end, I do what I thought I'm suppose to do, only to find out that that is not what my superior meant..SIGH!

The only colleague I can talk to is the who sits in the next desk. He speaks good English. And he is what I shall call, the CNN.. he knows everything about everyone, so I get my share of gossip from him everyday. At least it's not boring.

But other than that, I'm alone. Like Dr. Ummul told me, it's a solitary job. But it's a good thing I have my Mr. Jesus. He keeps me company all day. Even when I'm tired, He gives me strength to go on.. even when my brain is fried, He grants me wisdom. I cannot imagine going through a day without Him :)

So, that's my job for you. Tomorrow's a new day. New set of challenges but there's nothing Mr. Jesus and I can't handle together :)

My King

Consider this..

You're a king who has the greatest kingdom, the most power, the most splendour. Would you decide to be associated with beggars, liars, the crippled? Would you touch a leper, talk to a prostitute? Would you live an uncertain life out in the wilderness, with no pillow to sleep on, no roof over your head, no shoes on your feet? Will you risk your life for people whom you know won't appreciate you, and leave you in the lurch at the most crucial moment?

I know I won't. But I know someone who would. Someone who DID - Jesus.

I guess sometimes when life gets tough, and when I get lonely, I  think that God does not know what I'm going through. But it's really quite the opposite. He has been through what I am going through. He knows what it's like. He's been there, he's done that. And more. And much much more.... I haven't been spat at, I haven't been pierced at my side, I haven't been scourged.

So now, whenever I feel lonely.. I know Jesus is there. And that's why I am comforted. I know that He is God of the universe who can do the impossible and yet He is also fully Man who has been through what I've been through and who can show me the way I should go. The best news is that my Jesus, unlike people...

-Will always be beside me as long as I want Him to be.

-Is always approachable, always available.


He has said that He will never leave me nor forsake me. And He hasn't broken His promise. And I know He never will.

Stepping into the real world

I finally did it. I finally stopped studying. I'm working at last.
From academic suicide to being born into the world of publishing. And I quite like the publishing world, I'd must say. Loads of new things to learn! I think being an editor is my natural instinct. I spot a spelling mistake and I always take it upon myself to correct it. And honestly, this job has made the dictionary my best friend. Because I'm dealing with children's books, I have to be extremely careful. Excruciatingly careful. From the first letter to the last punctuation. I have to be responsible. But I like it. Not just because I do well in it. But because I somehow like it. Just can't explain it...


And for the first time in my life.. I've been working 9-11 hours days with just one hour break in between. Never knew I could sit through that! Plus. Best thing about being an editor is that people seem to need me more than I need them. And the feeling is good actually.. Maybe that's why I've been treated well thus far.. I can see that they're pretty relieved that I'm there :)

People have told me that it is different in the working world, but so far, it's been fine. Sure, a moody artist here and a panicky superior there, but God's favour has been upon me. And I know He is with me. So I am not afraid. He is my Defender, my Helper, my Comforter and my Strength :)

Grace

I'm not just named Grace. I am a living, breathing result of it. Grace - God's unmerited favour, freely given. If there was a price on Grace, I would not be able to afford it. If there were terms that came with Grace, I would not be able to fulfil them. If there was work to be done to obtain Grace, I would not be competent enough to obtain it. Yet me, this underachiever who never really thought much of herself, had Grace from the very beginning.
I look back on my life and realized how much God protected me, shielded me, loved me and blessed me. It's incredible. I've seen how God was for me every step of the way. How He considered my every need. How He considered my every want.

I remember one time while mom and I were travelling on the newly built highway. That highway cut the time taken to get to uni by 25%. Mom told me, maybe jokingly at that time, that Jesus made sure there was a highway so I'd get to uni easier and quicker. Then she said "Jesus loves Gracie".

Back then I just laughed. But now, I do believe it. Jesus does love Gracie. He loves everyone on this earth. It's because of His love that I have become who I am today. I have seen tiny wishes in my life coming true without even asking.. I have seen my life come together, even when I thought I've fallen flat on my face. When I came to the end of the road, He provided a way out.  That is the God I've come to know and love. That is the God whom I serve. That is the God I adore. I can never thank Him enough but.... thank You Jesus!