Central Figure: Helen or Penelope?

Ambitious. Hatred. Loyal. Lust. Sanguinary. Self-love. Supreme. Trust.

Homer the greatest Greek epic poet who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey. He made two beautiful lead women in these stories namely Helen and Penelope. Both characters are irresistibly beautiful. Their beauty drives men crazy. And their wholehearted love for their special one.

Helen. The divine Princess of Sparta and later became the Princess of Troy was the daughter of Zeus (supreme god) and Leda (wife of King Tyndareus). She was the girl who has everything, men, riches, and beauty. Unfortunately, she was blind when it comes to love. She was once the Princess of Sparta that was married to King Menelaus and was abducted by Paris (Prince of Troy) in the night when she was presenting herself to the men of King Menelaus. Because of the abduction that was held, Helen was known as the Princess who launched a thousand ships. Kingdoms were destroyed into pieces because of Helen. People of Sparta fought to the people of Troy for ten long years just to get Helen back. This war was known as the Trojan War. In the end, when Paris died and the Spartans conquered Troy and King Agamemnon was the one who led the fight was killed by his wife Clytemnestra also died. King Menelaus got Helen back as his wife.

Penelope. The devoted wife of Odysseus the King of Ithaca, waited for twenty long years. Odysseus was included in the Trojan War and the one who suggested about the Trojan horse. After the war, Odysseus claimed that he can do all things without the help of the gods. When Poseidon (god of seas) heard this, he became mad and punished him for another ten long years. In these years, suitors came to Odysseus’ kingdom to ask for Penelope’s hand. However, Penelope was very loyal and trusted her husband very well that he will come back for her. Since the suitors came to Odysseus’ kingdom, the place was like a festival. Servants of Odysseus served them good food and wine everyday even women was given to them. Their son Telemachus was very irritated and did all kinds of things to make his mother’s suitors go home. Unfortunately, he was not that powerful in speaking and failed in his mission. On the other hand, as Odysseus was taken to different places because of his punishment, he also did all possible things that can lead him to his home. Even after every temptations that was presented to him by Poseidon. In the end, Odysseus saw again his beloved wife Penelope and reunited with their only son. Also, the Father and Son because of madness killed all the suitors that were in their Kingdom.

To put this in perspective, Helen and Penelope are both irresistibly beautiful. Both of them drive men crazy. Both of them each loved only one person in their life. Although Helen was careless with her love for Paris and decided things in her own way which led to destruction and death. Unlike Penelope, she was careful, loyal, trusts, waited with her love for Odysseus. She was patient in all things that is mostly related in Odysseus.

In addition, Penelope for me is the Protagonist and Helen is the Antagonist. Penelope, her great patience was paid after long years. Her circumspect made her look successful in life and was not defeated. Instead of Helen her aggressiveness made her looked like a fool. Her way of thinking things was not appropriate for the events that occur in her life. People suffered under her rule and in the end she also suffered.

Therefore, Penelope the Protagonist and Helen the Antagonist.

It is really true that “An impatient person plays differently than a more patient person.” - Vladimir Kramnik. I just learned that a person should always be PATIENT. We should not hurry things in our life. Things in our life will just occur on the day when we do not expect it to happen. We just need to wait, pray and patiently ask to the Only God the plan He has for our life.

A love that needs a sacrifice...

What is LOVE? For some maybe it means:
* Love makes us liars. (Cassandra Claire)
* Love hates people.
* Love hurts people.
* Love disrespects people.
* Love needs sacrifice.

Loving someone must be an easiest thins to do. Although, for some loving is NOT an easiest thing to do. For me, loving needs sacrifice. Loving means that doing all things to make the other person happy. But at the same time, loving him is dangerous. People around us will make ways to crush our little world. People will do everything they can to DESTROY us. In other words, it is a misery to love someone. The movie “Helen of Troy” directed by John Kent Harrison is an example for this kind of love. I think the love in this story is a tragic one. You will really not know if what you’re going to do will make a difference or not. Most of the people in this story died just for the two people who loved each other so much. Is it really acceptable to make war just for your own selfish love? Why not think of the person who joins you in the war? Do you think they do not have someone special in their life? Why not think of them too before making a step for your own sake? Yes. Indeed! Loving someone needs sacrifice. But loving someone that destroys others is unethical. You do not need to love someone and at the same time include someone else life for your own sake; even if loving that person means your whole life. I know that there is a God that will bring you to your one true love when the perfect time came. Instead, love that person from afar and when the both of you are really meant for each other; it will really happen. You will be together for as long as you want to. On the other hand, if I were Helen in the story, I WILL NOT go with Paris to Troy. But I will still pursue on loving him despite everything. Because I know, if we were really meant for each other; we will be together.

After 26 years...

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
- 2 Timothy 2:15


Time pass so fast.


The Taytay United Methodist Christian School already celebrated its 26th Founding Anniversary last week (February 14 to 18). 26 years ago, God touched some hearts of the people to build this school. And now, the school that God built is standing and staying strong for His Own glory. The school who teaches the students about God's divine love is standing firm to show the world that God is in each and every student in this school. Therefore, to celebrate its Founding Anniversary, the students made it special in a TUMCian way. We all know that all of us has God-given talents. And through this, God worked in each student and teachers to show everyone their talents. Volleyball, basketball, badminton and chess are the events that was included in this celebration. It all started through a Chapel Service or Thanksgiving Hour were the students, school staffs and Board of Trustees praised and thanked the Lord for giving the school another year. Through the days, the whole TUMCS family saw how fair each student is when they are competing with each other. The fairness of the students made the celebration an ecstatic one. No matter what happen in every game, whether each team lose or win they are still happy. Students only think of praising God through their competitions. Students just did everything that they can to show the real reason for competing in every game. And the real reason is, fairness leads to a peaceful heart. And after a long week's celebration, no matter what the results of the game was. Students still have the energy to pray and thank Him for everything.