Ever thought about the story or the meaning behind your name?

Recently, I have a friend who posted on Facebook that her name was inspired by a US air force base - Nellis!

I've wondered what my name meant, especially my really guy-ish Chinese name.

But do you know why my dad named me "Esther" and my sister, "Sarah"?

I can tell you that these 2 women in the Bible played pivotal roles in the Jewish nation.

Sarah - she is the wife of Abraham, who is described as the "father of all nations" in the Bible. Without Sarah, Abraham wouldn't have so many descendents, which later became a huge Jewish nation.

Esther - in the Bible, she was the woman who trusted God to save her people (the Jews) from genocide, by risking her own life. She was a heroine, because she used her royal position for God's purpose.

Well, look how great these women were in the Bible.

But you know what Mom said when I asked her why Dad named us this way?

It was mainly because these two women were also physically very attractive.
So my dad wanted us to be beautiful too.

I was like -.-"
I thought he named us because these women were noble or something. Something great, you know.
The last thing I expected was that he named us after gorgeous women. To me, beauty seems so trivial.

I'm thinking... If we were boys, my dad would name us as either David or Joseph, since both of them were described to be handsome dudes in the Bible. Hahahaha...

On second thought, is being inspired by beauty really that trivial? Is it shallow for women to be beautiful? I guess the media has made us think this way.

Beautiful = bimbotic
Plain-looking = intelligent

But this is a gross stereotype. God loves beauty, not just inner beauty but also physical beauty. If God loved only inner beauty, he would probably create many more lizards which arguably, has more inner beauty (ie. more helpful - can eat flies) rather than create roses or sunflowers.

Fact is, He loves to see us be like princesses, make ourselves beautiful, but then, not to the extent of obsession. It is absolutely okay to be attractive.

Hmm, after much thrashing out of thoughts, I guess it's okay to be named after beautiful women.

Hi, my name is Esther, and I am named after a beautiful Jewish queen! ;)

I can't help but lament about how much people are using the schools you have been to, as a benchmark to judge a person's capability or character. It is disturbing and I'm very sure God is sighing up there.

I was disturbed because of last week's release of PSLE results - which made me realise how parents are so uptight about which secondary schools their children go to.

PSLE, to a lot of parents and students, is very important as it determines which secondary school you go to, which inevitably will shape an apparent critical stage of your life. If you go to RI, people will be like "wahhhhh" but if you go to a neighbourhood school, people will like "ehhhhh".

However, is it really that critical? Does the school you go really determine your capability or character? I can't deny that it does.
But how much do other life experiences in other areas shape you as well?

I went to a neighbourhood secondary school - Riverside Secondary School, as I scored 238 for PSLE. It was the best secondary school in Woodlands but every time I tell people about it, people will scratch their heads and go "huh?".

But so what?

So what if I went to a neighbourhood secondary school? Does it diminish my capabilities as a human being?

Maybe my IQ isn't as fantastic. Maybe I don't have a lot of latest knowledge about what's going on in the science/financial/arts world...

But, one thing I am sure of is that I am not just defined by IQ. There are so many dimensions to me which you will discover once you truly know me.

If you choose to judge people according to the school, be it secondary school, junior college or university they go to, I say, you better go get a real life and stop being so one-dimensional!

Hence, from today onwards, I am going to quit asking people which school they have been to.

Because there are simply too many things in life that will define you rather than the schools you go to.

Having said these, I must also say, don't be mistaken that this post is to speak up for those from neighbourhood schools. What I mean to bring across is that even if you are from a prestigious school, I will not use a skeptical perspective to see you.

In essence, I hope to know someone, not by knowing which school you go to/have been to.

Afterall, when we go back to heaven, I 100% doubt God will question: "Which secondary school did you go to ah?"

Schadenfreude - shameful joy

"To have envy is human, to have shameful joy, devilish."

Schadenfreude is about pleasure that is derived from the misfortunes of others. The likelihood of you feeling schadenfreude is when you compare with people around you who are about the same as you in age, social background and exposure.

I hope to never feel like that. But we can never say. Have you secretly had a twinge of pleasure when you see your classmate doing not as well in a test/exam? I have. I guess you feel that when you compare.

If we have no basis for comparisons, schadenfreude will not occur. Like for example, when someone's favourite grandmother passes away, will you derive pleasure? No. Because you may not even have a favourite grandmother. Moreover, it is a death! If you gloat, you are seriously off centre.

When you see an adult friend losing a huge sum of money in the financial meltdown, do you derive pleasure? No. Because she is an adult and you are still a student. So there is no basis for comparison. So, what you will feel for her is immense sympathy and helplessness.

But face it, we see so many people who are so similar to us. They are clad in jeans and tee, have the same hairstyle, share almost the same opportunities as you (or at least this is what our meritocratic system is making us think). There are endless platforms to compare.

Comparison is inevitable.... Unless you know who you are.

If you know you are unique, one-of-a-kind, would you bother comparing?
Because you are already the pinnacle, the best.

Sadly, a lot of us always forget about this intangible truth when we see the tangible entities and listen to what other people say.

Fact is, we are all unique, the best.

Someone asked, how can God create everyone to be the best? I am the best? That means there must be someone out there who is "better" and maybe just a "good"?

Now if we think like that, we are bounded by our human intelligence, looking at yourself according to human measurement.

In the supernatural realm, why isn't it impossible for everyone to be the best?

So quit having schdenfreude. To say it nicely, it is human nature, but if ever such a thought creep in to me again, may the Lord chide me and renew my heart!

My exams are over! After sitting for 3 papers in 3 consecutive days (this is my tightest schedule ever in uni), I feel so tired, so boy, do I feel good.

I think I really do work better under stress!

I spent my last couple of weeks to study and study... I restrained myself from blogging even when my thoughts are exploding about the Philippines massacre, MM Lee Kuan Yew admitting that he was WRONG to pursue the bilingualism policy (ahhahahaha, finally), and the many other things I've read.

I was really motivated since it's my second last official exam period. It helps that I am only taking 4 subjects this semester too! Also, De Ren dropped by my house one evening with strudels and donuts for me and my family, specially to encourage me on! Happy! With good, sweet stuff, I am always happy!

This is really one exam period that I feel good after handing up my papers. I finished my essays well on time. :) by God's grace! No matter what results I get, I know I have done my best in all my papers.

Shall let down my hair and enjoy this moment!

Rejoice with me~~ Wheeee~

Currently grooving to Kris Allen's cover of The Script's "Live Lke We're Dying"! It's on repeat mode everytime I come online!

Presenting the MP for Keat Hong, Mr. Zaqy Mohamad... and me!
Finally done with the interview with him. (:
He was an amicable and sincere man, who occasionally peppered his words some close-to-heart Singlish.

Credits to ZX for taking this picture for me. I think I need a haircut. Ha.

Eh, the background is a bit funny but this is the room I interviewed him in! Hahaha..

Before I interviewed him, I met up with the girls for lunch and tea because Prisci just got back from Sydney.

Today is Treats Day.

We went to TWG at Ion for tea and actually bumped into Huiching's mom just when she was able to leave. She left but then she returned again while we were seated comfortably having our tea, and offered to foot our bill! It was really gracious of her. When I start to officially earn my keep, I will learn how to do just that!

This time round, I had crème brulée tea. I really like it because it is white tea and not too heavy on the palate. Besides, it smells really like crème brulée! Didn't have their pretty pastries though because I was really full from the chicken rice we had at Far East Plaza (thanks Prisci for the treat!) and the Yami Yogurt topped with granola.





Eh, not sure why my gorgeous LX3 pictures are so grainy when it is uploaded to Blogger -.-

Pity Yue can't join us because she is rushing a paper that is due on this day itself :(

But well, we'll all meet up again after our exams, I hope! Because with clashing schedules, we might only be able to meet during mid December!

What a difference a night of reading the Bible made.

Last night, I wrote slightly depressing stuff about my life.
But not willing to succumb to the pressurizing thoughts, I read the Bible before I slept.

And how faithful is my God!

He spoke to me through this in Exodus 14:14

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still"

This is said by Moses and its context is set when the Israelites were running away from the Egyptians, who were pressing against them very closely, and before them was a huge sea that they couldn't cross.

They were in a pressurizing situation. They probably were panicking and were filled with anxiety, just like how I felt last night.

So, I was still before the Lord. And He granted me a good night's sleep, with no anxious or depressing thoughts.

Now, I am okay!

I am now looking forward to watching "Whose Line Is It Anyway" later :P