Undergraduate / "Chinese/Taiwanese are very different" - Rice Perspective Essay [9]

This is the first paragraph of the essay I have so far. The perspective I want to show is my ability adapt to different cultures. I want to show that by writing about the differences between Chinese and Taiwanese culture and how they influence my life. But, I have a serious case of writer's block. Can you help me develop it a bit more. Or at least give me an idea of what the heck I'm supposed to write about?

Prompt: The quality of Rice's academic life and the Residential College System are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What perspective do you feel that you will contribute to life at Rice?

I'm not the next Albert Einstein. I'm not the next Van Gough. I don't have Ella Fitzgerald's amazing voice. I'm not a genius of a century, not an actress that would make Death weep, and I'm not an Olympic gold medalist. I'm not a spectacular superstar. I guess you could say I'm normal

I have two parents and one younger brother. I have messy shoulder length black hair and big brown eyes. I go to, in my personal opinion, one of the greatest schools, Bronx High School of Science. I take my schoolwork seriously, perhaps too seriously but I still want to achieve more. I fight with my brother over every little thing from who gets the last dumpling to "Why can't you go outside yourself?" I snack a lot like every teen does but its generally Chinese snacks which always has people asking "What's that?" I'm painfully shy and will do anything to avoid speaking in public. I talk to my mother about her past in China and what it was like to live during Communist China. I enjoy eating her great Cantonese dishes, tong sui and turnip cakes. I love my normal life for its balance, its peacefulness and its simplicity. At times I wish I my life could be like a Einstein's, Monroe's, Da Vinci's or even Shakespeare's. But I'm a normal high school girl, well not quite.

I'm able type at 54 wpm. I can sing Kim Ah Joong's "Byul" slightly off key. I'm in love with Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory and currently claim the title as his #1 fan. I can say hello and goodbye in 10 different languages with a horrible accent. I lost to a guy in basketball by one point (I could've won but he was much taller than I). I cooked only ten times in my entire life and have burned the kitchen 8 times and smashed 25 plates in the process. I survived public elementary school, middle school, and will probably get out of high school barely alive. I'm a fruit fanatic and eat everything from apples to guavas about 6 times a day. I'm half Taiwanese and half Cantonese and no one can ever tell. I've been to four countries in my entire lifetime but seventy in my dreams. I was only one of the few to get above a 90 on my US History term paper, which was a miracle considering my writing skills. I'm a part time procrastinator. I've been compared to Zhang ZiYi, but I'm pretty sure that was just to fish for compliments. But, I'm still not a genius of the century. My GPA is ~93 and mental math is impossible for me. I'm still not an actress that can make Death weep. I've tried acting once in front of a large crowd and almost passed out. I'm still not an Olympic Gold Medalist. I can't touch my toes for the love of my life. And I'm still not the next Lincoln, Monroe, Einstein, Teresa or Van Gogh. I'm still not a superstar. I'm still what most would consider ordinary.

Rice is ranked #17 in the US, is a Southern Ivy and is very prestigious. The students who attend Rice are former class presidents, valedictorians, great athletes, the next Einstien, Shakespeare, Teresa and President of the US. They are superstars, the norm, whereas ordinary is abnormal. The perspective that I can bring to Rice is a feeling of inspiration and hope that an ordinary person can be at Rice and do just as well as the superstar students. People will always find themselves longing for something familiar and down to earth, like me. I can prove to others that you don't have to stress yourself out to be at the top to go to Rice, just be yourself. I don't think being ordinary is as bad as society make it to be. I still stand out, just not as much. I have my personal quirks and my mini accomplishments, but I'm still ordinary. I've chosen to live a simple life so far and I don't regret it. But, I do have the rest of my life ahead of me to become more than just ordinary. And perhaps if I ever graduate from Rice, I might just be one of those superstars.

Undergraduate / "A Letter to Mr. Chu." - Common App Essay [7]

This is the first half of my essay. So far is it okay. I feel like it lacks description but it's sort of hard to describe a situation you've never been in.

Dear Mr Chu.
You always read me a bedtime story. So, I fell asleep in a warm bed dreaming about being Cinderella at the ball.
You spoke in a caring voice to me. So, I remember that voice soothing me and lulling me to a sense of safety whenever I was scared.

You vowed that you'd be there for me. So, I was glad that you'd be there to support and care for me in the future.

You selflessly gave up your drinking habits for my well being. So, I promised I would never drink because I didn't' want to disappoint you.

You smiled and said "Great Job!" whenever accomplished something. So, I grew up to be a confident and outgoing person because I you made me appreciate my talents when no one else would.

You said you cared about my future and my education. So, I felt proud that you would take such painstaking measures to save for my education and for my dreams.

You always gave me a hug or pat on the head whenever I saw you. So, I knew you loved me and that I was your precious daughter.

You were the best father anyone could ever have.
No.
You were the father I wished I could have.