[十五] 從心裡

I have not written anything for almost a month.  For good reasons (college essays and applications).  (and life). (also because I'm a terrible writer and I haven't really thought of anything worth writing about).  That being said, I actually have no idea what I wanted to write about now.. So I'm actually just keeping whatever my fingers happen to type..

Hmm.. Ima write about my life for the past month of absence from this site.

1.- Two weeks ago I finally sent in my first applications to the University of California.  I applied for the Los Angeles, Berkeley and Irvine campuses.  Since they are already sent in, I'm going to go ahead and copy my essay prompts and responses here.

Prompt 1: "Describe the world you come from and tell us about how it has shaped your dreams and aspirations."

 I was born to immigrant parents of Chinese and Filipino ethnicity. Until I began my second year of school, I had a limited ability to speak the English language. Since those first years in Torrance, California, I have attended seven different schools, lived in three different cities and encountered people of many different backgrounds.

Emphasis on education, hard work and contribution to the greater good is the mark of the Chinese and Filipino cultures. From an early age, my father would buy several study aids in an attempt to push me ahead of my peers, despite my struggle with English. Even that changed in my second year of school, when I devoted myself to learning the language. I went as far as telling my parents that I did not want to speak Tagalog! Nevertheless, I still found it difficult to make new friends.

When first grade came I was transferred to a private Catholic school. Slowly, but surely, I made new friends and transformed into a much more outgoing child. I faced the challenge again in fourth grade when I transferred to a public school, and only four months into that school year, faced it again when I moved to a new city. Here, I came to know the first close friends I've ever had.

Moving to Utah was a large mountain to overcome. Eighth grade had just ended and I was informed that I was to spend yet another year in a middle school. I was in anguish about the sudden separation from my closest friends and the sight of my new classmates was the very definition of the term “culture shock”. Being exposed to the unfamiliar religion and the strange nondescript accent proved to be very intimidating. The kids here seemed almost too polite to me. Even so, I quickly adjusted and had made myself a good set of friends by the time I finally started high school.

The big move was an almost heartbreaking experience, so I felt very good about myself after completing the climb, like I could do anything. I had set my heart to overcoming the emotional mountain, which became the source of my inspiration to study psychology and aspire to become a school counselor. Looking back, I realize that I am grateful to have had the opportunity to interact with so many different communities. I have grown up in such a diverse world that I have come to know how to relate to almost anyone's experiences. In my quest to achieve my dreams still lies a long road ahead, a road that only a quality UC education can help me traverse.

At the end of this road, I hope to retire peacefully, knowing that I have touched the lives of many with the help of the knowledge gained from my time at the University of California.

Prompt 2: "Tell us about an achievement you are proud of and how it relates to the person you are."

 The final note resonated in the air, followed by brief silence and finally there was applause. This was the last competition of the season for the Copper Hills marching band. As we marched off the field, I could see that about a quarter of us had tears in our eyes, and I knew why. This was it. We had just played the final note of our high school marching career.

After putting nine years of hard work into the business, I could not have appreciated how much music meant to me any more than at that moment. Although I knew that the school year was still not over, and I would see most of these kids again in regular band class the following Monday, marching band had been such a significant chapter in the musical book of my life, that I was suddenly sorry to see the last of the pages slowly turning away.

I remember the fourth grade, when I first walked into Ms. Reeves' beginner band class. I remember the warm accomplished feeling of the first note forced out of my flute. From then on, I became dedicated to improving, becoming the first chair of the intermediate band in seventh grade. Eighth grade was the most memorable. I feel absolutely gifted to have been a part of the Brea Jr. High concert band. We took first place and superior ratings at each festival without fail.

I remember moving to West Hills Middle School in the ninth grade, feeling the crushing disappointment after seeing the quality of this new program compared to my old one, how disgusted I was with the amount of kids who couldn't even play scales. I had a similar reaction to the marching band in tenth grade. However, over the past four years, as I contributed more to the band, I saw amazing results. We went from the underrated forgettable band with poor equipment to the proud Marching Grizzlies who drew loud applause and even advanced to a new division. Watching this band grow helped me to better appreciate what I had before and proud of what I have now. We may not have been at the same level of my old school; we may not have taken first place at our last competition, but what I saw now was a transformed band that made me regret my first impressions. I am extremely proud to have taken a part in the rapid growth of this band.

Throughout my life, music has been my stress reliever, a source of inspiration, my favorite hobby and one of my greatest teachers. It has taught me discipline, dedication and humility. Without it I could not be the person I am today.

Actually, all of the application was done long before the essay was (remember I am pretty bad at writing).  At least it's submitted now.

2.- My high school's annual "Sub-4-Santa" charity fundraiser has started again!  :D  At this fundraiser, each school club sells a certain product or service that is either bought and resold or made by them.  All of the money made from the fundraisers is then used to buy Christmas presents and everyday necessities for the families in need around our community.  Well this is the first year our Chinese club is even in existence, so we have very few members and we aren't likely to raise too much money.  However, the deal is they get to bleach my hair if we happen to raise at least $100 on our first year.  Heh..  I think blonde hair would look terrible on me..  but it's for the Children!  ^__^  (Send a check to Copper Hills High School)

3.- Copper Hills Winter Drumline has officially started!  My audition was terrible, I haven't found the time to practice a lot in a couple weeks.  Yet, somehow I still got the snare drum part, which I am very excited about.  More on that to come.

4.- My Calculus AB teacher, Ms. Harmon, has gotten a promotion!  Which means she left our class this week, for good.  Her teaching style didn't exactly suit me.. but what's kind of stressful is that none of the replacement teachers have EVER taught AP Calculus before.  Methinks this years pass rate for our school is going to be lower than usual.  hahaha  jk I have faith in my new teacher.

5.- A couple days ago, on the way home, my friend happened to mention in passing, "I know someone likes you."  0__o  "I don't know what she sees in you."  >__<   Well thanks, what a way to lighten my self esteem..  hahaha   I hate when people say this kind of thing, especially if they don't plan to say who it is.  That being said, if she was trying to instill curiosity, then it was kinda successful..  It's more of an afterthought in the back of my head right now.  (Like: "Who could it be?" or "This could be a load of BS  hahaha.")  But I have to admit, I am a bit curious, like a normal human being would be.  Thing is, I've had a crush on a girl right now (well for a while now).  Lately though, I've been getting unsure.  And it's not like THAT kind of "unsure".  It's more explained by: "I do really like her.  But lately I feel like I really don't have a chance at all."  :I   High school drama?   hahaha

This post is really long.  So the two followers and anyone else who happens to read this probably can't count on a new post anytime soon.  xD  Probably not until after Christmas..  and now is when I finally think of a generic title for this post.. and now I write bye, click "publish" and sign off.  Bye.