Indicate a person who’s had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
I have been influenced my many people. However, thesedays when I am studying more than ever for my future, a person who I can’t see anymore is conjured up in my mind: Guyane. She was my English teacher in an academy when I was studying in Canada, and she contributed to all the achievements I accomplished so far: my interest in languages, literature, and European history.
She was a linguist, and had been a professor in linguistics when she was living in her country, Armenia. As a linguist, she was trilingual, and that was the first time I met a multilingual. She spoke English, Armenian, and Russian fluently. Many of her friends had different national backgrounds, and I saw her speaking in other languages with her friends who had dropped by. Slowly, I took interest in learning languages, and set Guyane as my idol. Thus, when I came to Korea, I learned that there are special schools called “foreign language high schools.” I was excited, and strived to get into Daeil Foreign Language High School, to be a person like Guyane, able to communicate with people from nearly all over the world.
In her classes, I improved English by reading books, having discussions, and analyzing the books. I loved every class I had with her, especially when we came to the analysis of the book. It was a new experience for me, since that was the first time learning “underlying meanings,” “historical backgrounds,” and “symbols.” That was the reason “The Animal Farm” was my favorite. Since the book was a satire, the whole story of the animals represented historical figures in reality, like Stalin; it was all about the author’s implicit motives through learning history and symbols. She gave me a new eye for reading.
Through her, I also developed my latent interest for history. Most of the books that we read were classics, and this meant that to read and understand properly, I needed to understand historical backgrounds for many books prior to reading them. It could have been seen as a burden, but with the help and instructions of Guyane, I rather was excited to find out about the events happened at the time the authors wrote. Learning of the specific times in history through various sources, including Guyane, I found how much I was interested in European history. Till then when I was in Korea, history was the most boring subject of all. However, learning from Guyane made the whole thing different.
Having retrospected on the past and coming back to the present, I think that Guyane had a string of influence in my life ever since I met her. Through her influence, I found my distinct goal for the future. However, most importantly, I found my interest leading to my future happiness. This is the most meaningful and priceless present I have ever received.
-I could not log on to "writing inside" : I found my ID but my password is constantly not delivered to my e-mail. So I will post it here.
2007년 6월 16일 토요일
#2 Blog Entry
Farinelli
This film illustrates the life of a castrato, a male soprano who gets emasculated as a boy. The film is based on the historical fact. Indeed, there was a legendary Italian soprano castrato, who was had fame across Europe. Even though the setting of the movie is Spain, and there’s almost no historical background within the movie, it still is closely connected to the reality, not just because it is factual, but in the sense that it tries to show the anguish of Farinelli as an artist.
Carlo Broschi, showed his prodigies as a great singer at a very young age and he was taught singing at a very young age. His brother, Riccado, who does not have any of the ingeniousness in music like his brother does, castrates Carlo as a boy upon their father’s death, to preserve his voice into adulthood. To Carlo, he excuses that it was necessitated by Carlo’s fall from a horse, triggered by the death of his father. Like his father’s will, they were always together, performing in various stages. Riccado’s lack of musical abilities and expression are complemented by the singing of Carlo. Soon, they grabbed the attention of the general public.
However, as they got more and more famous, Farinelli found himself not content with the songs of his brothers, composed only to show off the miscellaneous ornamentation he could do. Then, he found the “music” he was pursuing in the works of Handel. He was come across with the score “Lascia ch'io pianga” and sang the song.
This is not the end of the plot, but my focus is this; what exactly was the ideal music he was pursuing? I came upon the thought that he was looking for the kind of music that he could express his thoughts and feelings, and I believe that this was the reason he could not settle with his brother’s music.
As I am not into the art of music, I do not know what it is like to sing with all one’s might. Thus, I had never taken the job singer seriously. Listening to good music meant that it was tuneful; looking through the artistic anguish of Farinelli, I understood that artists seek for the way to express their ideas and feelings better like I study writing to express my ideology and opinion more efficiently. This movie provided me with an excellent chance to reconsider the value of music.
This film illustrates the life of a castrato, a male soprano who gets emasculated as a boy. The film is based on the historical fact. Indeed, there was a legendary Italian soprano castrato, who was had fame across Europe. Even though the setting of the movie is Spain, and there’s almost no historical background within the movie, it still is closely connected to the reality, not just because it is factual, but in the sense that it tries to show the anguish of Farinelli as an artist.
Carlo Broschi, showed his prodigies as a great singer at a very young age and he was taught singing at a very young age. His brother, Riccado, who does not have any of the ingeniousness in music like his brother does, castrates Carlo as a boy upon their father’s death, to preserve his voice into adulthood. To Carlo, he excuses that it was necessitated by Carlo’s fall from a horse, triggered by the death of his father. Like his father’s will, they were always together, performing in various stages. Riccado’s lack of musical abilities and expression are complemented by the singing of Carlo. Soon, they grabbed the attention of the general public.
However, as they got more and more famous, Farinelli found himself not content with the songs of his brothers, composed only to show off the miscellaneous ornamentation he could do. Then, he found the “music” he was pursuing in the works of Handel. He was come across with the score “Lascia ch'io pianga” and sang the song.
This is not the end of the plot, but my focus is this; what exactly was the ideal music he was pursuing? I came upon the thought that he was looking for the kind of music that he could express his thoughts and feelings, and I believe that this was the reason he could not settle with his brother’s music.
As I am not into the art of music, I do not know what it is like to sing with all one’s might. Thus, I had never taken the job singer seriously. Listening to good music meant that it was tuneful; looking through the artistic anguish of Farinelli, I understood that artists seek for the way to express their ideas and feelings better like I study writing to express my ideology and opinion more efficiently. This movie provided me with an excellent chance to reconsider the value of music.
2007년 6월 15일 금요일
#1 Blog Entry
Last Sunday, my family and I visited Nami Island, which is the place of great attraction to those searching for a resort area. I thought it would be a good place just to rest and cool my head. However, at the sight of the island, I was awed and excited to learn about that island; the coexistence of nature and people with contemporary lifestyles. Glades, cozy-looking lakes, a big lake, and tons of “healthy”-the trunks were not to be compared with those of Seoul- trees were the most eye-catching. Nonetheless, architectural styles of the buildings and the people around were the components that made me get more interested in the island.
Seeing not only Koreans but also many foreigners, I started to wonder how the island was made into a resort place. On hearing the answer for this question from my aunt, I was more than just surprised, but astonished. The island had been in possession of an individual, a retired staff of one of the biggest banks in Korea. The man had bought the island intending to make it a golf-link at first. However, for some reason, he soon changed his mind and replanted the trees and plants that had been pulled off in the process of making the golf-link. He took care for the island until his death, giving the proprietorship of the island to his son.
Soon, I wondered of his mindset when he altered his resolution. Buying and replanting the trees must have cost a lot of money, but he did not seem to have cared. Since there was no one to answer, I came up with my own interpretation of his deeds; he owned the island, but not the nature that was breathing on the island, and he knew it. On the enlightenment, he thought that his job was to “preserve” and enrich the nature, not destroy it. When my thought of this subject reached that far, I was once again awed by the vast nature of the island, but this time, with the respect for the previous owner who in my opinion was more than just great.
Seeing not only Koreans but also many foreigners, I started to wonder how the island was made into a resort place. On hearing the answer for this question from my aunt, I was more than just surprised, but astonished. The island had been in possession of an individual, a retired staff of one of the biggest banks in Korea. The man had bought the island intending to make it a golf-link at first. However, for some reason, he soon changed his mind and replanted the trees and plants that had been pulled off in the process of making the golf-link. He took care for the island until his death, giving the proprietorship of the island to his son.
Soon, I wondered of his mindset when he altered his resolution. Buying and replanting the trees must have cost a lot of money, but he did not seem to have cared. Since there was no one to answer, I came up with my own interpretation of his deeds; he owned the island, but not the nature that was breathing on the island, and he knew it. On the enlightenment, he thought that his job was to “preserve” and enrich the nature, not destroy it. When my thought of this subject reached that far, I was once again awed by the vast nature of the island, but this time, with the respect for the previous owner who in my opinion was more than just great.
#1 common application essay question
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Comic books have positive effects on people. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
My mother disapproves of me when I watch animations, saying that they are “rubbish”; there is nothing to learn from them. Nevertheless, I advocate the opposite view for they can; broaden your horizons, motivate you to try new things, and be good materials for educational purposes.
Unlike what many people might think, there’s a great variety of comics in their genres. For example, one of the most remarkable and popular comic books nowadays is “The waterdrop of the God.” It’s a story of two brothers competing against each other to figure out what the “waterdrop of the god” is, which is supposed to be a wine created due to the capriciousness of the God.. The whole story revolves around the focus “wine,” and the reviews praise that the serious of books contain a vast knowledge of wine, as in those of technical books of wine. One of my friends reading the book presently told me that through reading the books, she had come to consider becoming a sommelier seriously. I can thereby assist my point of view on comic books that you do not only expand your knowledge, but furthermore, broaden your horizons for the future hope.
My second supporting idea that comic books motivate you to try new things is the realization of mine. The only and the best series of comic books of my lifetime experience is “The Prince of Tennis.” The books are comprised of middle school team tennis players progressing through encountering tennis players of other schools with different features and strengths. They are defeated many times throughout tennis matches, but never give up; they look for ways to improve themselves and gradually develop their potentials, becoming stronger players with each competition. Reading the stories of teenagers with distinct and resolute goals, I was inspired to look for my own way, find a subject I can be engrossed with, and I have been searching vigorously till now. Besides, more importantly, I will start learning tennis starting this summer. These books have drawn my fascination into tennis, and it will be a great change in my life, where none of my time so far has been devoted to any sport.
Another great point about comic books is that nowadays, you can find many of them with very educational. There are comic books devoted to the purpose of easy learning of traditional Chinese characters. My cousin, who’s been reading a series of books called “Magical Chinese characters” more than a year now knows more Chinese characters than I do. The effectiveness of the book stems from the interesting plot surrounding those Chinese characters, and the repeated emergence of the same characters, which makes it possible to “memorize” them easily, knowing what they mean exactly. Seeing the improvements that had taken place in my cousin, I remembered when I was an elementary student, regurgitating the characters by writing them constantly; nearly none of the characters I had memorized is in my memory. Thus, it is so evident that great improvements can take place in you with the assistance of educational comic books.
Like I stated so far, manifold comic books are great mediums leading to enlightenments: wider prospects, stimuli to try new things, educational support. However, the most important thing when choosing a comic book to read is to have a keen discernment enough to distinguish the beneficial from “rubbish.”
My mother disapproves of me when I watch animations, saying that they are “rubbish”; there is nothing to learn from them. Nevertheless, I advocate the opposite view for they can; broaden your horizons, motivate you to try new things, and be good materials for educational purposes.
Unlike what many people might think, there’s a great variety of comics in their genres. For example, one of the most remarkable and popular comic books nowadays is “The waterdrop of the God.” It’s a story of two brothers competing against each other to figure out what the “waterdrop of the god” is, which is supposed to be a wine created due to the capriciousness of the God.. The whole story revolves around the focus “wine,” and the reviews praise that the serious of books contain a vast knowledge of wine, as in those of technical books of wine. One of my friends reading the book presently told me that through reading the books, she had come to consider becoming a sommelier seriously. I can thereby assist my point of view on comic books that you do not only expand your knowledge, but furthermore, broaden your horizons for the future hope.
My second supporting idea that comic books motivate you to try new things is the realization of mine. The only and the best series of comic books of my lifetime experience is “The Prince of Tennis.” The books are comprised of middle school team tennis players progressing through encountering tennis players of other schools with different features and strengths. They are defeated many times throughout tennis matches, but never give up; they look for ways to improve themselves and gradually develop their potentials, becoming stronger players with each competition. Reading the stories of teenagers with distinct and resolute goals, I was inspired to look for my own way, find a subject I can be engrossed with, and I have been searching vigorously till now. Besides, more importantly, I will start learning tennis starting this summer. These books have drawn my fascination into tennis, and it will be a great change in my life, where none of my time so far has been devoted to any sport.
Another great point about comic books is that nowadays, you can find many of them with very educational. There are comic books devoted to the purpose of easy learning of traditional Chinese characters. My cousin, who’s been reading a series of books called “Magical Chinese characters” more than a year now knows more Chinese characters than I do. The effectiveness of the book stems from the interesting plot surrounding those Chinese characters, and the repeated emergence of the same characters, which makes it possible to “memorize” them easily, knowing what they mean exactly. Seeing the improvements that had taken place in my cousin, I remembered when I was an elementary student, regurgitating the characters by writing them constantly; nearly none of the characters I had memorized is in my memory. Thus, it is so evident that great improvements can take place in you with the assistance of educational comic books.
Like I stated so far, manifold comic books are great mediums leading to enlightenments: wider prospects, stimuli to try new things, educational support. However, the most important thing when choosing a comic book to read is to have a keen discernment enough to distinguish the beneficial from “rubbish.”
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