For #1, I'm pretty sure you've accidentally selected the white pen colour. At the bottom of the eInk side (in Journal), show the menu (if not already visible). The pen colour is to the left of the "Help" icon. Tap it to show the colour choices and tap "Black". This won't make your existing text visible but will ensure newly written text stays visible when you save. You should then check the defaults by using the "Edit" - "Settings" menu (again, in the journal, at the bottom) then "Pencil Color Preferences".

For #2, are you using MaplePaint? It's super responsive on mine. Perhaps shutdown your PE and reboot and see if that helps.