HEBREW

Yesterday, during the short 2 minutes say-hi-to-the-people-in-front-and-behind-you session after P&W, a short conversation struck between this adult man (who was seated a row ahead) and me.

He asked for my name. I hesitated briefly. He's a non-chinese. I decided to give him my English one; albeit it is less frequently used.

Before I managed to ask for his back, he interjected, "Light of God?"

My eyes widen in amazement. How did you know?

"I understand Hebrew." He explained, "El means God. Ora means light. So, basically, putting two and two together, it means light of God."

I was delighted. This is the FIRST time someone caught the name SO quickly - what more understanding the meaning of the name, instead of the usual "huh?", "sorry?", "can you repeat that?", "excuse me?", or "Aaaeee-llloo-eeooo-what?".

I've always hated that. I hate it even more when people mispronounce it as Eee-leora. It sounds yucky! For clarity sake, the name is Hebrew in origin. Therefore, it's EL as in El-Shaddai and El Roi. EL-e-ora. Eleora. The Lord is my light. And not Eeeee-leo-ra. Grrr...

He continued on, and asked what am I doing now. I replied back. And the conversation went back and forth regarding the nature of my soon-to-be-job. He then asked whether am I looking forward to my first year.

I grinned sheepishly. Truth is, I would have a lot more enthusiasm going to the dentist's and pluck out a wisdom tooth (not as if I have any in the first place, oh well. Anyway, please don't grow out! Remain under the gum!). Sometimes, I even feel that I would rather the torment of sleeping for eternity. I dread the change of environment. I dread the politics. I dread the amount of admin stuff. I dread the unspoken expectations. Oh well...

"Errrmm..." I replied uncomfortably, "Not really... Yeahhh..."

He laughed knowingly and replied, "Oh yeah... Try to look forward to it. Go in with a happy, positive mindset. Then good things will happen."

It felt as though he has just reminded me of a long-forgotten biblical truth. The power of the mind. What you see is what you get.

I've been hoping that the holidays would stretch for just one more month (fat hope), or that the training course would get extended for one more year (even fatter hope), or whatsnot. Anything - even if it means sleeping for eternity; anything - as long as I need not go out into the "forest". Grrr... Time to change the grouchy, reluctant, and dim mindset! Jiayou!!!

Anyway, I've passed the training course! With credit! *wooots!* So happy because throughout the 2.5years in NUS, I've never gotten one.


P.S. I'm feeling bad because I didn't even have the chance to ask the man what his name is. Or ANYTHING about him. Aishhh...