Undergraduate / 'Hosting a ceremony in a nonnative language' - Common Essay [8]

APPRECIATE ANY HELP!!
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you

Although I typically do not shy away from social events, I still found it quite terrifying to host a ceremony in a nonnative language for a thousand guests of my own age. As I sat in the preparation room for the closing evening of a cultural exchange camp for youngsters from China and Japan, my stomach fluttered with anxiety. How embarrassing would it be if the guests did not understand my rehearsed jokes? What if the audience simply did not want an English hostess and decided to yawn while I speak? My heart beat so hard that I could feel the thumping at my finger tips. Amidst my panic, I told myself "No." I would not let the anxiety take over without a fight; I had to find something that would ease and distract me from the tension. Without knowing it, I started to whistle.

Something incredible suddenly happened. I felt as if my body was freed from a stiff posture and my mind processed a clearer awareness of my dilemma and how I should handle the stress. It seemed as if a breath of refreshing breeze blown away all my apprehension, restoring my confidence in my performance and melting away the awkward silence that filled the preparation room. When my co-host from Japan discovered that it was me whistling, she smiled with surprise and began singing along with me in Japanese, filling the room with a comforting melody.

I was fascinated by how such a trivial action could bring about such powerful impact. I pondered and reflected. Maybe something insignificant in particular cases is actually very significant in others. As long as I remain persistent in pursing my interests and seizing all opportunities in life -- even the minor ones -- there will always be something significant that occurs. After discovering that I could whistle accidently when I was a child, I began to whistle all the time: television music, pop songs, and sometimes even my favorite pieces of Mozart. I practiced whistling whenever I had a chance, but never imagined that it would one day influence me in such a way.

I suddenly remembered how I had read on and watched BBC documentaries about black holes and supernovas in the few hours I spared from my schedule, and how I had studied advanced physics on my own since the course was no longer offered for humanity students like me. I remembered clearer how glad I was when the observatory at my school was finished I became the supervising teacher's assistant because I was the one who had the amplest knowledge in Astronomy. I started to believe that people who live perceptively, not in a calculating way but in an earnest, sincere way, would definitely get rewarded some day.

My teacher knocked on the door, breaking my train of thought. "It's time, Hostesses, ready?" At that moment, I felt a wave of adrenaline rush through my body. Unlike before, it was not a torrent of anxiety or uneasiness, but an exciting rush of confidence and enthusiasm. "Yes. I am ready."

Undergraduate / 'becoming a chef' - Why Duke-FOCUS Program and sport scene [2]

Grammar check thanks a lot!! Any other suggestions appreciated, will return favor if needed!!

My ambition from childhood was becoming a chef. When I watched my Mom dice, chop, boil, bake, stir-fry and make pleasantly-smelled Kung Pao Chicken or crispy Spring Rolls in the kitchen, I believed that cooking was magical. Even now, I still consider a potential, future career in cooking. Then why do I bother to apply for Trinity? I am going to college to build myself a more complete person by exploring a myriad of academic courses and developing an affinity for diverse interests. Perhaps, if I choose to become a chef in the future, I will be one who can read Shakespeare and Kant as well as recipes while spending weekends with historians, theoretical physicians and dancers rather than staying with the restaurant manager and the sous chef all the time.

The biggest appeal to me at Duke is the FOCUS Program for undergraduate freshmen because it retains within the FOCUS clusters a major concentration while provides preeminent courses and seminars related to the concentration in various academic fields. A freshman of Class 2015 at Duke whose intended major was neurosciences told me that he had writing sessions focusing on "Mind and Media", Robotics seminars themed "Mind and Computers" and Philosophy seminars concentrating on "Puzzles and the Mind", which were instructed by Professors who received doctoral degrees from Penn, Berkeley and Stanford. This is my dream way of studying: peers with similar interests and ambitions, instruction from superb intellectuals and liberal education with concentration. Although the FOCUS Program is highly selective and the courses are very demanding, I will apply to the program if I have a chance to study at Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and am hoping to study Economics while exploring History and Public Policy. Another major attraction to me is the enthusiasm on sports. I used to take three hours' ride to see the basketball games of my city's team every two weeks, even on days of unexpected storms. Perhaps I will set up one of the tents in front of the Cameron Indoor Stadium before a Blue Devils game against the Tar Heel. I believe my passion for sports will help me get into the energetic school spirit in Duke. Besides, the ample opportunities that I had experiences in such as volunteering positions provided by Project Child at the Emily K Family Center and International students activities such as the Sprinternational Festival are also why I think Duke is the perfect choice.