whatsmynamee
Oct 14, 2011
Undergraduate / I love telling jokes! - CommonApp essay #1 [4]
Why does a seagull fly over the sea?
Because if it flew over the bay, it would be called a bagel!
Human connection is the pathway to exposing one's soul. I make connections by telling jokes, making them a part of who I am.
On a typical day at school, I share jokes related to my classes.
What is the dullest element? Bohrium!
During lunch, I animatedly exchange corny jokes in between bites.
What's a bear without teeth? A gummy bear!
At home, I attempt to amuse my friends with funny Facebook statuses.
World War II was slow to recover because it kept Stalin around.
Every day, I tell jokes that only I find amusing. Some people stare while others nod with a lackluster chuckle. It's discouraging when nobody shares my sense of humor, and at times, I feel like an oddity amongst others.
This feeling of peculiarity significantly changed last year at my annual church retreat when a lack of housing required my youth group to be stuck in a conference room for hours. Noticing our agitation, the coordinator asked if anyone knew a good joke to lighten the mood. My friends looked towards me, expecting me to jump at the opportunity.
Although hesitant by the unenthusiastic responses I regularly received in the past, I volunteered and walked up to the stage. Embarrassment and humiliation began to flow through my veins, amplified due to the added pressure of a large audience. Taking a deep breath, I stood on stage for a moment with the stunningly bright lights on my skin. Then, with a nervous sweat rushing over my hands, I slowly approached the microphone and was greeted by hundreds of awaiting eyes.
"Did you hear about the two antennas that got married on a roof?
The ceremony wasn't much, but I hear the reception was excellent!"
Silence chased away a few faint chuckles, filled the room, and lingered. Expressionless faces revealed what I feared: another stale joke. Helplessly, I began to laugh; at least I thought my joke was funny. Suddenly, my friends began to laugh too. Others joined in. The coordinator began to clap and soon, the room filled with laughter and applause. I no longer saw anguished or restless faces, but ones filled with delight.
In that moment, I realized it was not my joke that caused people to applaud, but the effort I put into making others smile. It's true: I always try to make light of tense situations by cheering people up with my jokes. I have gained a new sense of confidence in myself and that assurance has even helped me start a club at school. My unique sense of humor reveals my cheerful personality and allows me to be comfortable around all types of people and in all kinds of situations. With the pleasure of witnessing the smiles I help create, I continue to spread the joy, one joke at a time.
Why does a seagull fly over the sea?
Because if it flew over the bay, it would be called a bagel!
Human connection is the pathway to exposing one's soul. I make connections by telling jokes, making them a part of who I am.
On a typical day at school, I share jokes related to my classes.
What is the dullest element? Bohrium!
During lunch, I animatedly exchange corny jokes in between bites.
What's a bear without teeth? A gummy bear!
At home, I attempt to amuse my friends with funny Facebook statuses.
World War II was slow to recover because it kept Stalin around.
Every day, I tell jokes that only I find amusing. Some people stare while others nod with a lackluster chuckle. It's discouraging when nobody shares my sense of humor, and at times, I feel like an oddity amongst others.
This feeling of peculiarity significantly changed last year at my annual church retreat when a lack of housing required my youth group to be stuck in a conference room for hours. Noticing our agitation, the coordinator asked if anyone knew a good joke to lighten the mood. My friends looked towards me, expecting me to jump at the opportunity.
Although hesitant by the unenthusiastic responses I regularly received in the past, I volunteered and walked up to the stage. Embarrassment and humiliation began to flow through my veins, amplified due to the added pressure of a large audience. Taking a deep breath, I stood on stage for a moment with the stunningly bright lights on my skin. Then, with a nervous sweat rushing over my hands, I slowly approached the microphone and was greeted by hundreds of awaiting eyes.
"Did you hear about the two antennas that got married on a roof?
The ceremony wasn't much, but I hear the reception was excellent!"
Silence chased away a few faint chuckles, filled the room, and lingered. Expressionless faces revealed what I feared: another stale joke. Helplessly, I began to laugh; at least I thought my joke was funny. Suddenly, my friends began to laugh too. Others joined in. The coordinator began to clap and soon, the room filled with laughter and applause. I no longer saw anguished or restless faces, but ones filled with delight.
In that moment, I realized it was not my joke that caused people to applaud, but the effort I put into making others smile. It's true: I always try to make light of tense situations by cheering people up with my jokes. I have gained a new sense of confidence in myself and that assurance has even helped me start a club at school. My unique sense of humor reveals my cheerful personality and allows me to be comfortable around all types of people and in all kinds of situations. With the pleasure of witnessing the smiles I help create, I continue to spread the joy, one joke at a time.
