pquesada90
Dec 29, 2010
Undergraduate / "Playing the piano" + "Masdar" - MIT short Answers [6]
Part 2 of my application is now here:
What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or anything else you'd like to tell us about. (*) (200-250 words)
Some years ago, I went with a couple of friends to do some fishing with no more than a fishing line, a hook, and some tortilla for bait. I had never caught a fish before in my life, so I promised myself this would be my first time. Hours passed, and no one had caught anything. Eventually, my friends gave up, but because I was determined to catch my fish, I couldn't stop trying. I dug out worms to use them as bait, and climbed a tree branch that was directly above the pond, risking falling into the water. My friends soon began complaining, as they were hungry and they had to wait for me. Nevertheless, I kept fishing. And, after two long hours of waiting, my line was finally yanked. I pulled excitedly. I remember seeing the fish's face coming out of the water, its tail splashing the surface. And then, just when I thought I had made my first caught, it managed to break free and jump back to the pond. And, I would have kept trying, but my friends had grown impatient, and I also was very hungry. So, once again, I had failed. Nevertheless, my friends acknowledged my great perseverance, a personal trait I've always been proud of.
My will to succeed on the things I propose to myself has given me a strong, determined character. Learning to play the piano, reaching black belt in Haidong Gumdo, and becoming academically successful are some of the things I would had never achieved if it wasn't for my determination-a determination that can only be stopped by hunger.
Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (*) (200-250 words)
One of the biggest challenges I've ever faced was conquering the rapids of the Actopan River. I can't tell for sure what was going in my mind when I agreed to attend a 10km rapids descent on Kayak. I was a beginner in this sport, and I had never paddled on rapids before. My greatest fear was flipping when there were rocks around. When inside a Kayak, a flexible cover is worn in the hatch to prevent water from entering the boat. But if you flip, the cover may prevent you from leaving the kayak, so there is a risk your head may hit a rock and knock you out. Ironically, the first part of the rapids was called the "Skull-breaker", as it was considered the most dangerous part of the descent. At first, I was convinced this would be the end of my short life. But, as we approached the first rapids, my attitude changed, and I decided to face the river. "Whatever happens, I will not flip" I said to myself. What I lacked in experience, I quickly compensated with a fierce determination of conquering the river. An overdose of adrenaline helped me paddle harder than ever, fighting off the treacherous waters that tried to flip me or make me crash into the rocks. And before I knew I had crossed the Skull-breaker in one piece. I soon discovered the river was my friend, not my enemy, and that if I used its power to my advantage, I could have a lot of fun. This experience made me realize that there are many things we don't need to be afraid of. Fear can actually become a barrier to new experiences that will enrich our lives.
Part 2 of my application is now here:
What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or anything else you'd like to tell us about. (*) (200-250 words)
Some years ago, I went with a couple of friends to do some fishing with no more than a fishing line, a hook, and some tortilla for bait. I had never caught a fish before in my life, so I promised myself this would be my first time. Hours passed, and no one had caught anything. Eventually, my friends gave up, but because I was determined to catch my fish, I couldn't stop trying. I dug out worms to use them as bait, and climbed a tree branch that was directly above the pond, risking falling into the water. My friends soon began complaining, as they were hungry and they had to wait for me. Nevertheless, I kept fishing. And, after two long hours of waiting, my line was finally yanked. I pulled excitedly. I remember seeing the fish's face coming out of the water, its tail splashing the surface. And then, just when I thought I had made my first caught, it managed to break free and jump back to the pond. And, I would have kept trying, but my friends had grown impatient, and I also was very hungry. So, once again, I had failed. Nevertheless, my friends acknowledged my great perseverance, a personal trait I've always been proud of.
My will to succeed on the things I propose to myself has given me a strong, determined character. Learning to play the piano, reaching black belt in Haidong Gumdo, and becoming academically successful are some of the things I would had never achieved if it wasn't for my determination-a determination that can only be stopped by hunger.
Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (*) (200-250 words)
One of the biggest challenges I've ever faced was conquering the rapids of the Actopan River. I can't tell for sure what was going in my mind when I agreed to attend a 10km rapids descent on Kayak. I was a beginner in this sport, and I had never paddled on rapids before. My greatest fear was flipping when there were rocks around. When inside a Kayak, a flexible cover is worn in the hatch to prevent water from entering the boat. But if you flip, the cover may prevent you from leaving the kayak, so there is a risk your head may hit a rock and knock you out. Ironically, the first part of the rapids was called the "Skull-breaker", as it was considered the most dangerous part of the descent. At first, I was convinced this would be the end of my short life. But, as we approached the first rapids, my attitude changed, and I decided to face the river. "Whatever happens, I will not flip" I said to myself. What I lacked in experience, I quickly compensated with a fierce determination of conquering the river. An overdose of adrenaline helped me paddle harder than ever, fighting off the treacherous waters that tried to flip me or make me crash into the rocks. And before I knew I had crossed the Skull-breaker in one piece. I soon discovered the river was my friend, not my enemy, and that if I used its power to my advantage, I could have a lot of fun. This experience made me realize that there are many things we don't need to be afraid of. Fear can actually become a barrier to new experiences that will enrich our lives.
