Undergraduate / UNC--Chapel Hill No talent Prompt: I am NO GIFTED ARTIST! [4]

We tend to spend our time doing the things we know we do well-running because we're good runners or painting because we're talented artists. Tell us about a time when you tried something for which you had no talent. How did it go?

I will not comment on my artistic skills in middle school. The straight 'C's in report card explains everything. Every time my art teacher told me that "your work is very creative", I knew exactly that she was trying to avoid the topic of 'neatness' or 'detail' of my artwork. My mother, unable to ignore the conspicuous 'C' in my report card, got me an art tutor.

In the first lesson, the teacher placed a coconut-sized gypsum cube right in front of me. "Draw it using any method you want" the teacher told me in a cheerful voice; I squeezed a smile but it faded in one second. I took a deep breath, grabbed my pencil tight, 'sketched' the first line, and moved the drawing board further away to examine the result. A twisty and thick line, like an earthworm, appeared on my paper; its presence symbolized my impossibility to finish the simple cube. My unnatural sense of humor suddenly appeared and I started giggling. Distracted by my laughter, the teacher approached, with a dubious facial expression, and checked my progress. I didn't dare to look straight into her, but the corner of my eyes captured her reaction-took aback by my 'artwork' and paused a few seconds not knowing what to say. "Keep on trying" she recommended; I knew exactly that she recognized me as a hopeless case. In the next hour, my initial interest was eaten away, now replaced with frustration and impatience. I started scribbling on the paper and knocking the board vapidly. Perceived my feeling, the teacher came and attempted to explain to me the details of the cube: "now observe it closely, you can see the reflection of light from the table, right? So the bottom part of the cube should be a bit lighter...". I had no idea what she was talking about; it was just a cube, the shaded region was just a chunk of blackness, I could see absolutely NO difference in its darkness!

This lesson ended with a conversation, between the teacher and my mom, about my performance. The tutor looked toward me and smiled benevolently, which to me seemed more like a conciliatory act. After few seconds of consideration, she concluded: "Chunghan has his own style in drawing; he'll get better with more practice and more patience". Style...what a clever euphemism to describe my clumsiness.

Two years later, I became capable of drawing much complicated items, such as a portrayal of my brother's head, but I knew that I still had no way to catch up with the skills of those who planned to be professional artists. When the talented art students took one hour to finish a sketch, I needed a minimum of two hours working on the same thing, to reach a similar quality. But I didn't envy them. My artworks, too, were admired and nominated to exhibit in the principal's office. I realized that people like my artworks despite the sometimes rough and 'not visually beautiful' appearance; they would say the exact same thing as did my teachers: "your work is special". Now, whenever a person tells me that my artwork is creative, I will reply him with a big smile and a "thank you" whole-heartedly, knowing that it is the best praise I can ever enjoy. After all, I was not born with a painting brush in hand, so I cannot appeal the others' eyeballs with fantastic details; however, I CAN replace the skills with something else I am confident with-creativity. I am not an artist, but I can produce an artwork that stands out from a group of superficial beauties.

This is my first draft and I need some overall suggestions. For example, the content is too dull or meaningless. Also, I need some help to decide which conclusion is better.

Thank you all! Happy to help you in return!

Undergraduate / U Va app: Elaborate Activity--emceeing; LoTF that challanged me; Favorite Word [7]

Hello, here are my application essays for University of Virginia.
I am looking forward to constructive criticisms! By the way, I posted two of the three essays before but got deleted :( so I neeed to restart and ask for help again.

Elaborate one of the activities in less than 150 wordsSpeaking in front of people, I embarked on what my friends called 'mission impossible'. Being an emcee, I was obligated for smooth progression of the show, and now I must keep audiences' attention focused on the stage. Right before I yelled 'be quiet', which I knew could only suppress the noise for five minutes, a notion, which originated from my interaction with my friends, appeared. Instead of admonishment, I decided to reward those that follow my instructions a small gift. After I declared my plan, a surprising scene occurred: chatters died down, squirms settled, and distractions ceased, and the room remained quiet since then, except waves of applause after each performance.

This activity was more than a simple hosting of a show; I learned something that the audiences, who were seeking for the gift, failed to realize: Good solutions are not intuitive responses; they require more sophisticated thoughts and creativities.

What is your favorite word and why?
The complicated yet aesthetic Chinese character,凝, is my favorite word. The character has several physical to abstract meanings in Chinese.
In chemistry this character describes the process which each particle slows the pace of bouncing and bumping and gradually sticks onto each other, forming one substance that remains steady. This process can be treated figuratively to refer to a person changing from agitation to tranquility; it is a wonderful replacement for the hackneyed expression 'calming down'. Throughout my life, I have experienced numerous circumstances when I needed to chill down to overcome difficulty and thus learned the importance of facing problems with a more '凝' approach.

Whenever an unforgettable event takes place, from a basketball championship game to a small embracement with lover, everyone will experience '凝': It is when everything moves so slowly that the time seems to pause, and the perceptions are so sensitive that they seem to capture every detail being, and engrave it deeply into the memory. Being a public speaker for some years, I underwent countless moments of '凝'-from my first presentation to my speech in front of hundreds of people. Enchanted with such feeling, I believe the value of my life is embodied in the moments that '凝' occurs.

凝 fascinates me not only because it is a beautifully written character or a unique word, but also it is a representation of my characteristics, a microcosm of my belief in my life.

What work of art, music science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettles, or challenged you, and in what way?
Written in a period of desperation, the values in the book-Lord of the Flies- cruelly clash with my notions which form in the period of dreams. Whenever I read the last two pages of the novel, I can't stop myself wondering-is my belief system wrong? This conflict is especially significant when it comes to the topic of leadership.

I am connected to the book through the mirror image of myself in the novel-Ralph; I was marveled of the similarities between us-the confidence, the providence, and the inspirational power. Trusting our shared qualities, I naively expected a happy-ever-after ending for the story.

Two weeks later, the storyline reached the end, so did my prior belief system of leadership. Image of the final scene engraved lucidly in my mind-a contrast between order and disaster, an irony of authority and tears. I closed the book with desperation. From an organizer in non-school activities to the chief executive member of organizations, the experiences of leadership that I had were shattered into pieces. Had I read the novel that I began to question my prior view of leadership formation-people support those who are democratic and amicable-and realized that aggression can outweigh the importance of goodwill.

I am still entangled in the clash now. However, I believe that I will find the answer in practice. How? Well, let me begin with a more active participation in my community; and by observing the leaders in the group and engaging myself in competition, I will find the best solution to the challenge proposed by the novel.

Thank You!v

Undergraduate / NYU: movie 2050, anticipated academic program, short poem, New Yorker, summer [9]

Thank You for helping! These are my supplement essays for NYU. I will turn them in tomorrow, so I really need help to check my work!

Please tell us what led you to select your anticipated academic program and/or NYU school/college, and what interests you most about your intended discipline.

The quote by John C. Maxwell- "A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them" appears when I think of this question. The business world is a labyrinth with many entries and exits and no one has the map that indicates the best route. People can find themselves facing forks in the path and blind alleys in a maze; they too confront decision-making points and crisis in the commerce world. The unpredictable nature of businesses may smother some people's interests, but not mine. Fond of problem-solving, I can't wait to confront the questions and challenges offered in the business world. I am eager to throw myself into the maze now.

In the year 2050, a movie is being made of your life. Please tell us the name of your movie and briefly summarize the story line.

Movie Name: Lesson from the Past

The movie begins with a snapshot of an international school, in the year 2004. On the third floor of the building, a boy is timidly knocking the door. The main character is learning, everyday, from the clashes between his belief system and those of his teachers. Eventual transformation to an active member of school didn't satisfy him-his eagerness to explore the world outside was ever so strong.

At age 22, he devoted himself to the business world with exuberance, but reality knocked him down-his zealous heart was extinguished. The shy boy at the beginning re-emerged, not due to naïveté, but frustration. At the worst days, he underwent an epiphany, and learned to solve problems with his experiences in the international school.

The movie ends with a quote from the real main character: "cherish your past: it's the wisdom that helps you through the darkest hours".

Short Poem (less than 8 lines):

Stinky Tofu
The aroma can be heaven or hell,
When you smell, you know it's stinky tofu.
Milky and soft inner core; golden and crispy outer shell,
When you bite, you know it's stinky tofu.

The belief is both Confucianism and Individualism,
When you meet, you know I'm Chunghan
Sedulous and prudent attitude; optimistic and inspirational value,
When you interact, you know I'm Chunghan

A part of the Taiwanese culture,
With discrepant elements that blend well:
I am stinky tofu.

Love it or hate it,
You'll never forget it.

If you had the opportunity to spend one day in New York City with a famous New Yorker, who would it be and what would you do? (Your New Yorker can be anyone - past or present, fictional or non-fictional - who is generally associated with New York City; they do not necessarily have to have been born and raised in New York City.)

New York has been known for its business activity, so I want to learn the city in a different perspective that can only be perceived through the guidance of a virtuoso, who I will choose Mr. Calvin Klein.

The day will be started with a typical New-Yorker styled breakfast (fast-foods) to adjust my pace to a New-Yorker's. I will stay mostly in Manhattan, to drench myself in the prosperous and busy atmosphere of business activities. At the same time, Mr. Calvin will introduce me the artistic aspects of the city-from the brilliantly-designed skyscrapers that shock my five senses to the peacefully-magnificent Central Park that relaxes me down.

This day will not only involve me into the culture of New York, but also teach me the beauty of the city that foreigners usually fail to recognize.

In addition to any work you listed above, please tell us how you spent your most recent summer vacation.

Throughout the summer, I exercised every afternoon, especially playing basketball with my friends. For my academic performance, I went to cram school to study for SAT and finished some IB essays, such as Extended Essay and World Lit essays. I also tutored a 4th grade local child in Xiamen who aimed to study abroad.

For the poem, I exceeded the 8 lines limit, so I must cut some lines short?
And for the anticipated academic program, do I need to focus more on NYU?

Constructive criticisms welcomed. Sugestions appreciated! I will also be glad to help in return! Thank You.