JE54 Literature and Death

            I often questioned myself why we are studying literature. I did not think I would ever use literature in my future since it is only a collection of a bunch of words that expresses abstract ideas. However, my perspective turned out to be different after I took American Literature during my junior year. I realized styles of literature changes in different period and different places. Furthermore, some of the ideas are actually similar to my thinking. For the first time in life, I actually wanted to read the stories that I might find connections to myself. During the reading process, I explored my heart and understand myself better through the powerful usage of words.  

            The speaker’s father enjoyed himself when performing. I find the same way to me when I listen to music and watch movies. I realized they are only ways to escape from reality. Literature, on the other hand, is timeless. It remained in the past, the present, and even the future. People die. Entertainment are being replaced. However, literature always serves as an inspiration when we need it, no matter in what period of history and future. When I read stories, I am actually exploring my mind and analyzing my ways of thinking. Literature gives us equanimity that we cannot simply find in other forms of entertainment. Literature has the power to enlighten our minds and tell us the meaning of life.

JE53 Reasoning and Insight

            Rigor, in definition, means the quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate. Having a rigorous attitude benefits our lives because we can reduce the mistakes we make and become more perspicacious with things around us. However, it doesn't guarantee us to understand how everything works. Insight, on the other hand, does. Insight, or an educated guess, is a further inference based on our knowledge to the subject. Making insights makes us understand more thoroughly about the subject because we challenge our brain and work on our critical thinking. Having a good critical thinking skills empower us to have the ability to analyze and solve problems. That’s all science about after all, isn’t it? We observe, make hypothesis, and try to analyze why by doing the experiments. At last, we came up with a conclusion based on the experiment. The whole process is about making inferences based on what we observe and believe. And then we design tests based on our insights to prove it. However, before making all the theories and hypothesis, our observation was surely not enough for a rigorous science because we haven’t seen the “other side” or another “guarantor of correctness in the science”. In order to have a deeper understanding on the subject, we therefore should make insight. 

JE52 Life of Service

Faith is the one thing that we believe in no matter what happens. Since I was little, I have always believed that after the pouring rain, there will be rainbow. But in order to touch for the rainbow, one has to do whatever it takes to reach for it. This idea may seem easy and banal, it actually helped me went through a lot of things. There were lots of disappointing and depressing things in my life that pushed me to the edge of giving up. However, my faith has always kept me from jumping off the cliff. When I think about my future, I thought I had to go through the pain in order to taste the sweet outcomes. This faith is my motivation of doing many things. It kept me working and doing things that I am supposed to do. I think it always renewed my mind if I get really depressed. The faith of believing that the better future is out there waiting for me kept me moving and believing that every hard work I pay is going to be worthwhile despite any hardships I am facing now. Having faith is important because that’s what keeps our spirits stronger and more optimistic. 

JE52 The Best Laid Plans

Few years ago, just few nights before the sports day, I was trying hard to manage all the props and costumes that would be needed on sports day. However, there were not enough resources and time to finish all the work. Our theme was not even decided. I remembered there were also another event going on, which made few other people missing too. It was such a big mess and I had to take the responsibility to finish everything on time. I called myself down and tried to reach some help. I found two other classmates who were willing to help and we settled down to have a quick meeting. Later that night, we bought all the materials we need and started on every detail that needs to be taken care of. Still, customs and props were not that easy to make. We spent the whole night doing it and realized we only completed a small part of it. It really was a lot of pressure to complete all the tasks within a given amount of time.  But there was no time to panic. I remember I just forget everything else I had and wholeheartedly focus on the thing that matters the most.  Finally, everything was done in the last minute before the even began. 

JE50 My World

            The world I came from is a typical Asian family. I do not have any siblings but a cat. When I was in 10^th grade, I transferred to an American school. Although it is a so-called American school, all students in high school are Asians. My school was pretty competitive because everyone has a goal and plans for future. Being in American system, my vision became wider and more international. I became more familiar with the trends around the world and also became more acceptable of different cultures. Recently, the world has become so competitive that no jobs are guaranteed even one has a doctor degree. Still, there are many successful people in this world. I heard a lot of them in my society. I realized the major difference is at the attitude. Successful people usually have a positive attitude on everything. I guess my admiration for these people have shaped me to become more optimistic and determined person. I remember I was so afraid about the future. But now, I have great hope in it because I am daring to dream big now. Only dreaming big can make everything possible. I think that’s what all successful people have in common. 

JE49 What I Am Proud Of

             Since I was little, I am a perfectionist on almost everything. It is something that I am proud of, but at the same time, ashamed of. Perfectionism made me work hard and achieve everything that I want to or not want to. I guess that is what made me a determined person after I set a goal. I would work hard to achieve everything. However, considering human nature, I make mistakes and sometimes I slack off. When the result came out badly, I would just be depressed with my performance because subconsciously I expect things to be nearly perfect. I remember the time I entered middle school that my scores suddenly dropped and did not get better after few times, I nearly gave up. However, I thought that could not be the end of my life! So I started to calm down and just to try my best and appreciate the hard work I paid.  After a while, things started to pay back. I did fall, but I stood up again. Now, I understand that it is impossible to be perfect. I am now more acceptable of failures. After all, one must learn to fail before one become successful. Even though I am still a little bit of a perfectionist, I can now focus on my overall performance and the work I have done, instead of small little details that depress me. 

JE48 Busy Busy Busy

            At the 21^st century, there is no time to waste! Time is money! From time to time, things have changed a lot in my life. I could no longer just lie on the sofa and watch TV for the whole night. In high school life, there are always endless works to do and activities to participate. Among all, the most enjoyable, exciting activity for me is the badminton club I go every Monday and Wednesday afternoon. I learned a lot of skills in there that I never had a chance to learn before. When I am practicing, I can just focus on what I am doing and forget all other works that are to be done later in the day. I feel really relaxing, but at the same time instructive when the coaches are helping us. Since elementary school, my favorite sport has been badminton. It is not really a fierce sport and I can have fun with my partner. Now, I get to learn all the skills that can make me a stronger, more advanced player. When I play with someone else, the game would not be just plain and boring and I would not be the one who always pick up the ball anymore. Therefore, it is totally worthwhile to go to the badminton club. 

JE47 More Art

A few years ago, I remember watching the TV show “Project Runway” for the first time. I was shocked by how every contestant’s abilities. They had to create stunning dresses using few fabrics within a day or two. Under that much pressure, they had to bring what they had to show their creativity. At the end of each competition, their work has to be criticized by the judges. Watching the show, I saw many cool designs that are inspired by things around us. I also kind of developed my sense of judging fashion. I think having a sense of fashion is important, it does not only applied on clothes, but also things around us and the way we do things. In fashion industry, everything is changing so fast and people have to have creativity and an enthusiastic attitude to survive in the business. Nowadays, in this highly competitive society, we need to learn as much as possible to do great jobs in our own fields. Therefore, it is extremely important to have tight schedules, pressure in our environment in order to arouse our capability. Capability is different from ability. Ability is one thing we must have, but capability is the key to success.