Firstly, I shall be completely supportive of my friend jieyang's conquest at online writing competitions. He has participated in SGCOOL (or SinGapore COllections OnLine), and has written on an interesting topic of Chinese Secret Societies in Singapore during colonial rule under the British.

Sounds interesting no? Read it here and vote for him! Oh, and check out his blog if you wish to get that background info on this mysterious jieyang...

(Sorry Jieyang, I've only got so many readers. Heh.)



Now, since I'm so inspired by jieyang's ability to be so politically correct, while tackling interesting topics (ahemcomplimentvoteahem), I have decided to tackle an interesting topic of my own -






AM I PRETTY?

Yes, I can imagine some amused or disgusted faces in cyberspace right about now. But don't take me the wrong way. Just read and be amused.


Beauty and Confidence

Now, I've been getting compliments lately. And these are real compliments, not those you get from relatives you hardly meet on Chinese new year about how big I've grown. And I tell you, its really heartwarming getting these real compliments from my friends or whatnot. Now I'm not bragging, but I want to justify a very important point.

What defines beauty?

I look in the mirror, and the only difference that I see from this year and 2005 is simply the fact that I am more confident about the way I look. I've accepted the way I look, and learnt to put aside that insecurity that placed me on the borderline of anorexia a while ago. Like many teenagers, I would pinch my cheeks, and suck them in to see if I'd look nice if they were smaller. I'd lift my fringe, and groan at my horrible oily skin. I'd stop smiling, because every photo I took showed horrible puffed-out cheeks. Its a phase that many, perhaps all, teenagers go through. And not just teenagers, adults too. But once acceptance comes in, there will be a difference to how you look. Last year, I decided to stop looking at the ground when I walk, push back my hair (ahem), and hold my head high, in a way forcing myself to be confident. And I saw a difference. For the first time, I dared to be noticed, and I was.

Confidence does define beauty, in a way.



Now, I'd like to emphasize again that I am not boasting about my appearance. There is really nothing to boast about. I am taking a step to talk about a topic hardly touched on, because people fear insults caused by misunderstanding readers.


Insults versus Compliments

I do get insults once in a while. I don't know how many of you get the privilege to get insults, whether directly or indirectly. I got this one through a friend, who said this very amusing statement.

"Ew. She's not hot at all."


Some of you may crinkle your nose at disgust at this guy, or nod in agreement. But personally, I find it funny. Not that its so unbelievable that some guy thinks I'm not hot (ahrem), but rather he used the term "hot". I do not see myself as "hot".

So as you can see here, there are many different perceptions of beauty, ranging from super-sexy-female and swoon-worthy-male to cute and adorable. There is also inner beauty - intelligence, kindness, and creativity. And due to the world's diverse population, every is bound to get a balance of insults and compliments.

Oh, and linking to my point about confidence. If you lack confidence, and emphasize your insecurities to others, there will obviously be a non-balance.

Beauty is connected to many things. And physical beauty, though more commonly accepted as real compliments, are overly revered. Sure, sure, that girl may have bigger eyes, sweeter face etc, but you may treat your friends better than she does. That guy may have more muscle, but you're probably more sincere and down to earth. (I shall add on interest sake that I detest muscle-headed, self-centered jocks who think that all the females on this earth will fall for them. Ugh.) And if you are worried about the opposite gender (ahem), well remember different things attract different people. Half the Asian population may think Rain looks hot, but I think that he's rather unnoticeable. And I'll always stray to people like Jason Mraz and James Blunt, who have their characteristic look and creative confidence, but whom other people think are gay.

So compliments and insults are very diverse in their own sense, and what compliments you get may not align with your perception on beauty. That's where unsatisfaction comes in. Likewise, if what insults you get align with your perception of beauty, then unsatisfaction will also come in.

But its not like you don't get anything, but rather you don't listen and accept, isn't it?


True Beauty?

So, if its physical beauty what you yearn for, then fellow teenagers, I have a declaration.

In my sixteen years of living, I have not come across anyone ugly. I've look around before flag raising ceremony in school, and not once have I laid my eyes on a single ugly student before.

Challenge me! Bring me a teenager, and I'll name you one good thing about him or her. Everyone has POTENTIAL to be naturally beautiful, and if you are one of those who really care about being pretty, then your efforts will be rewarded. But if you don't do anything about something you complain about, then that's your own problem to solve.



And on a side note, I think I'm absolutely gorgeous... oh and guess what? A pig just flew by, and Bush became communist!