PROMPT: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
People say I'm lucky, but actually, I just gamble a lot. But it's not about 'hitting big' from effortless efforts, but rather, dreaming big- soaring past the atmosphere into the void unknown.
7 Days. This was the time I had left before the "Search for SEAMO Young Scientists" (SSYS) call for abstracts would end. Set in Malaysia and aimed at searching for some of Asia's best aspiring scientists, its prestige and its search for bold scientific breakthroughs piqued my interest. However, I was still stuck in a research group which I regretfully accepted being in. We were set to submit a study on molecular biology, but slowly, I realized how much this topic failed to resonate with my undying curiosity. If it were up to me, I would've chosen to venture into mathematics in space; applying numbers and models into the abyss above. This was what I wanted. This was me.
Unfortunately, with time ticking and the prospect of creating a whole study on my own, seeming too daunting for a high school student, I was scared. Besides, I was not lucky, and I didn't know if this was really the time to take this gamble.
5 Days. Although the idea of creating something new just for the sake of my passions was near impossible, it wasn't comforting in the slightest. At that moment, it was as if I was given the choice between the security in staying, or the satisfaction in attempting or even achieving the unthinkable. So there I was, sitting in front of my half-broken Lenovo with the Visual Studio Code icon mocking me, tempting me a bit too much until a few days later, I'd start doing what I do best: taking the gamble. New topic, fresh perspective, with everything driven by pure curiosity, passion, and ambition.
3 Days. Two fancy terms: Space-based Solar Power and Monte Carlo Simulations. These two concepts guided me in the coffee-fueled nights wherein I formulated the abstract for my solo submission. Through writing code which printed 10,000 NaN error values, to learning about the cryptic scriptures known as Friis Transformation, and to reading dense papers on advanced space tech which felt as if it was written in archaic language, the fatigue of research crept in day and night. However, one thing was for sure: it was the type of fatigue I didn't hate for I was exhausting myself over something I loved.
Submission. I had 24 hours left until the deadline. Although I had informed my groupmates on my chaotic leave, there remained the doubt that all my efforts would fall short of the unsaid expectations set by SSYS. Besides, would an international conference really accept a study crammed in 3 days? Well, no one really knows, and trying to worry about such would be pointless. Similar to how I chose to take the risks for the sake of my own satisfaction, being ambitious and taking action for it might send me one step forward or launch me further than I could ever imagine. Nevertheless, as I hit the submit button, something was clear: the gamble was worth it.
And now, I look back and find that perhaps 'gambling' wasn't the best word. Instead, I was daring to dream big and choosing to be delusional to chase future fulfillment and stability. Like the astronauts before me who rode rockets to space, I, too, stare into the cosmos that is my future, taking risks for my home planet: my family, my loved ones, and my community.
People say I'm lucky, but actually, I just gamble a lot. But it's not about 'hitting big' from effortless efforts, but rather, dreaming big- soaring past the atmosphere into the void unknown.
7 Days. This was the time I had left before the "Search for SEAMO Young Scientists" (SSYS) call for abstracts would end. Set in Malaysia and aimed at searching for some of Asia's best aspiring scientists, its prestige and its search for bold scientific breakthroughs piqued my interest. However, I was still stuck in a research group which I regretfully accepted being in. We were set to submit a study on molecular biology, but slowly, I realized how much this topic failed to resonate with my undying curiosity. If it were up to me, I would've chosen to venture into mathematics in space; applying numbers and models into the abyss above. This was what I wanted. This was me.
Unfortunately, with time ticking and the prospect of creating a whole study on my own, seeming too daunting for a high school student, I was scared. Besides, I was not lucky, and I didn't know if this was really the time to take this gamble.
5 Days. Although the idea of creating something new just for the sake of my passions was near impossible, it wasn't comforting in the slightest. At that moment, it was as if I was given the choice between the security in staying, or the satisfaction in attempting or even achieving the unthinkable. So there I was, sitting in front of my half-broken Lenovo with the Visual Studio Code icon mocking me, tempting me a bit too much until a few days later, I'd start doing what I do best: taking the gamble. New topic, fresh perspective, with everything driven by pure curiosity, passion, and ambition.
3 Days. Two fancy terms: Space-based Solar Power and Monte Carlo Simulations. These two concepts guided me in the coffee-fueled nights wherein I formulated the abstract for my solo submission. Through writing code which printed 10,000 NaN error values, to learning about the cryptic scriptures known as Friis Transformation, and to reading dense papers on advanced space tech which felt as if it was written in archaic language, the fatigue of research crept in day and night. However, one thing was for sure: it was the type of fatigue I didn't hate for I was exhausting myself over something I loved.
Submission. I had 24 hours left until the deadline. Although I had informed my groupmates on my chaotic leave, there remained the doubt that all my efforts would fall short of the unsaid expectations set by SSYS. Besides, would an international conference really accept a study crammed in 3 days? Well, no one really knows, and trying to worry about such would be pointless. Similar to how I chose to take the risks for the sake of my own satisfaction, being ambitious and taking action for it might send me one step forward or launch me further than I could ever imagine. Nevertheless, as I hit the submit button, something was clear: the gamble was worth it.
And now, I look back and find that perhaps 'gambling' wasn't the best word. Instead, I was daring to dream big and choosing to be delusional to chase future fulfillment and stability. Like the astronauts before me who rode rockets to space, I, too, stare into the cosmos that is my future, taking risks for my home planet: my family, my loved ones, and my community.
