Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
- This essay of mine is relatively fragmented and unfinished (I wasn't planning on using this one, but popular consensus has been that it's better than the other one I wrote for the same prompt). I realize that I still need to talk more about how the experience makes me proud/relates to me. Any feedback would be very appreciated!
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I couldn't understand the first thing that the old woman softly muttered. She shuffled around the kitchen, absentmindedly picking up pots and pans with her fragile hands. How am I going to get through the next few weeks? I thought anxiously to myself. For about a month in the summer, I would have to take care of and supervise sickly Li Hua during the weekdays. The task was seemingly easy enough - save for the fact that she is my friend's Chinese grandmother and knows no English save for "thank you" and "bye". Yet, little did I know that in just four weeks a petite, hunched old lady would change my life.
At first, I wasn't sure how to communicate effectively because of the daunting language barrier. Soon enough, I devised small hand gestures that allowed us to understand each other's basic actions. A hand to the mouth was "eat", and one to the ear indicated that I should turn on the radio. This system worked for a while, and I was rewarded with a sweet, wavering smile when I prepared Li's lunch well or turned the radio up. Subconsciously, I waited for these fleeting moments of her happiness because they, in turn, lit up my days.
After a second week, I decided to forgo my apprehension and learn some words in Mandarin. With my first few tries, Li laughed at my pronunciation with understanding and gratitude. I felt proud of my efforts, but even better was her reaction - knowing that I could make her feel comfortable with my presence was invaluable. Sometimes, I carefully observed her cautious, graceful movements. I noticed that she preferred to sit on the right side of the couch, liked grape jelly with her bread in the morning, and loved looking at pictures in children's books. Thus, a person who seemed so foreign to me at first became very relatable. The hours of each day began to fly by as we bridged our cultural gap through small, yet appreciative gestures. When Li entrusted me with the smallest of tasks, like opening the backyard door to let in some air, I felt a fierce sense of self-worth. I had finally been given true responsibility, and someone was relying on me to do my best.
Once we both overcame our doubts, I was invited to sit with Li Hua while we watched sappy Chinese dramas or looked at colorful drawings together. Often wordlessly, we shared interests and rewarding moments that were never obstructed by our outward and ethnic differences. I grew patience for Li Hua's deliberate movements and halting requests, and consequently, for everyone around me. Without realizing it, I had become more calm and tolerant in my attitude towards others - all because of one old lady who reached out to me with her heart and her trust.
In just four short summer weeks, I had learned more than I had ever expected to about my own character. I found that cultural divides are definitely not unyielding - and was proud when I was able to show that yes, I could truly understand a heart without understanding the words. With my newfound maturity, I will continue on in college and life as someone receptive to others' needs and unafraid to connect with all types of people. Although Li Hua passed away just recently, I will take every instance of joy, care, and wisdom we exchanged to better the lives of everyone that I encounter.
- This essay of mine is relatively fragmented and unfinished (I wasn't planning on using this one, but popular consensus has been that it's better than the other one I wrote for the same prompt). I realize that I still need to talk more about how the experience makes me proud/relates to me. Any feedback would be very appreciated!
---------------
I couldn't understand the first thing that the old woman softly muttered. She shuffled around the kitchen, absentmindedly picking up pots and pans with her fragile hands. How am I going to get through the next few weeks? I thought anxiously to myself. For about a month in the summer, I would have to take care of and supervise sickly Li Hua during the weekdays. The task was seemingly easy enough - save for the fact that she is my friend's Chinese grandmother and knows no English save for "thank you" and "bye". Yet, little did I know that in just four weeks a petite, hunched old lady would change my life.
At first, I wasn't sure how to communicate effectively because of the daunting language barrier. Soon enough, I devised small hand gestures that allowed us to understand each other's basic actions. A hand to the mouth was "eat", and one to the ear indicated that I should turn on the radio. This system worked for a while, and I was rewarded with a sweet, wavering smile when I prepared Li's lunch well or turned the radio up. Subconsciously, I waited for these fleeting moments of her happiness because they, in turn, lit up my days.
After a second week, I decided to forgo my apprehension and learn some words in Mandarin. With my first few tries, Li laughed at my pronunciation with understanding and gratitude. I felt proud of my efforts, but even better was her reaction - knowing that I could make her feel comfortable with my presence was invaluable. Sometimes, I carefully observed her cautious, graceful movements. I noticed that she preferred to sit on the right side of the couch, liked grape jelly with her bread in the morning, and loved looking at pictures in children's books. Thus, a person who seemed so foreign to me at first became very relatable. The hours of each day began to fly by as we bridged our cultural gap through small, yet appreciative gestures. When Li entrusted me with the smallest of tasks, like opening the backyard door to let in some air, I felt a fierce sense of self-worth. I had finally been given true responsibility, and someone was relying on me to do my best.
Once we both overcame our doubts, I was invited to sit with Li Hua while we watched sappy Chinese dramas or looked at colorful drawings together. Often wordlessly, we shared interests and rewarding moments that were never obstructed by our outward and ethnic differences. I grew patience for Li Hua's deliberate movements and halting requests, and consequently, for everyone around me. Without realizing it, I had become more calm and tolerant in my attitude towards others - all because of one old lady who reached out to me with her heart and her trust.
In just four short summer weeks, I had learned more than I had ever expected to about my own character. I found that cultural divides are definitely not unyielding - and was proud when I was able to show that yes, I could truly understand a heart without understanding the words. With my newfound maturity, I will continue on in college and life as someone receptive to others' needs and unafraid to connect with all types of people. Although Li Hua passed away just recently, I will take every instance of joy, care, and wisdom we exchanged to better the lives of everyone that I encounter.
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