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"Sign Up"
The student reclined on his rocking chair and typed diligently on his laptop with his index fingers. His wrinkled face was illuminated by the screen's glow as he scanned his story for errors. The student was my grandfather: at 82-years-old, he had learned how to use a computer.
My grandfather was a lifelong learner. He hated the "comfort zone". After graduating university, he volunteered to take a position in as an engineer in the underdeveloped northeastern China. My grandfather grew up on a farm in the temperate south, but instead of working in Nanking, where opportunities were abundant and the winters were warm, he packed his bags for Harbin, the city infamous for its bitterly cold winters. My grandfather, instead of being a fish out of the water, seemed to have found his home. The experience of learning a new dialect and adapting to a new way of life excited him. He signed up for lengthy business trips to France, Denmark, and Russia to bring new technologies back to China, and as a result, he became fluent in French and Russian. His curiosity never diminished with age - as soon as he retired, he enrolled in art college and began writing his first novel.
"Whatever scares you - sign up for it," he told me over the phone in his warm, southern-Chinese accent. I could hear his words reverberating through my mind when I decided to run for Student Council President. The thought of having my face on posters plastered around the school was intimidating, but I knew that if I were to grow as a person, I would have to overcome my fear. When I discovered I was the runner-up, I felt hardly any disappointment. I had unlocked an achievement that I could have forsaked. As a result of my experiences in campaigning and public speaking, I successfully ran for President of my Junior Achievement Company and began leading a student-run company of over 40 high-school students.
I thought about my grandfather's decision to live in the brutal cold to build character as I decided to begin skateboarding. With every scrape and bloodied knee, I became more hand-eye coordinated and alert.
I thought about my grandfather's decision to expand his horizons and live in France for a year by himself as I decided to take equestrian lessons. Horseback riding taught me to maintain composure and control - even when my horse suddenly bursts into an uncontrollable cantor.
My grandfather influenced me by showing me that the most important part of living is to sign up for every opportunity to experience life.
"Sign Up"
The student reclined on his rocking chair and typed diligently on his laptop with his index fingers. His wrinkled face was illuminated by the screen's glow as he scanned his story for errors. The student was my grandfather: at 82-years-old, he had learned how to use a computer.
My grandfather was a lifelong learner. He hated the "comfort zone". After graduating university, he volunteered to take a position in as an engineer in the underdeveloped northeastern China. My grandfather grew up on a farm in the temperate south, but instead of working in Nanking, where opportunities were abundant and the winters were warm, he packed his bags for Harbin, the city infamous for its bitterly cold winters. My grandfather, instead of being a fish out of the water, seemed to have found his home. The experience of learning a new dialect and adapting to a new way of life excited him. He signed up for lengthy business trips to France, Denmark, and Russia to bring new technologies back to China, and as a result, he became fluent in French and Russian. His curiosity never diminished with age - as soon as he retired, he enrolled in art college and began writing his first novel.
"Whatever scares you - sign up for it," he told me over the phone in his warm, southern-Chinese accent. I could hear his words reverberating through my mind when I decided to run for Student Council President. The thought of having my face on posters plastered around the school was intimidating, but I knew that if I were to grow as a person, I would have to overcome my fear. When I discovered I was the runner-up, I felt hardly any disappointment. I had unlocked an achievement that I could have forsaked. As a result of my experiences in campaigning and public speaking, I successfully ran for President of my Junior Achievement Company and began leading a student-run company of over 40 high-school students.
I thought about my grandfather's decision to live in the brutal cold to build character as I decided to begin skateboarding. With every scrape and bloodied knee, I became more hand-eye coordinated and alert.
I thought about my grandfather's decision to expand his horizons and live in France for a year by himself as I decided to take equestrian lessons. Horseback riding taught me to maintain composure and control - even when my horse suddenly bursts into an uncontrollable cantor.
My grandfather influenced me by showing me that the most important part of living is to sign up for every opportunity to experience life.
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