ANC 20: Sunday

43. Explain how your experiences as a teenager significantly differ from those of your friends. Include comparisons. (University of Puget Sound)


"Rrrrr...Rrrrr..." 
My noisy alarm woke me up. Turning off the alarm, I slowly crawled out of the bed, looking at my roommate still busy sleeping. I came out of the room. The dorm was in dead reticence. I went sluggishly to the bathroom with a towel and a soap.  Looking at myself in the mirror, I sighed once. I got only five hours of sleep. And I had a premonition of recurring sleepless nights for the next five days. 


I drew a small tick beside my name on the notice board and wrote "Gone to church." I stepped out of the dorms. The clock showed it was 9:00 a.m.. It was a refreshing Sunday morning. I felt the cold, halcyon air which my friends probably wouldn't have breathed in at this hour of a Sunday. 


In the silent church, I played the piano, warming up my hands. People holding Bibles started to come in. They sung the hymns to my music. After the service, I had lunch with couple of people - so called "Fellowship time." 


By the time I came back to dorms, it was 4 o'clock. As I walked the corridor to my room, I saw few friends studying, few chatting, and few sleeping. I went into my room; my roommate was watching movies. She spotted me. "You went to Church again?" she asked. 
"Yeah, as usual" I replied blithely. 
"Man, I don't know how you manage to go to Church every Sunday. I haven't seen you miss one! Don't you get tired at all?"


Oh, well, I do every morning. But I believe that's what segregates me from the typical teenagers. 

ANC 19: Rival

55. Discuss an important personal relationship you have had and explain how it has changed your life.


I had a close friend's elder sister called KM once thought to be my rival. Initially, the elder sister was my closest friend. She studied in the same school as I did for 4 years. When we first got to know each other, we realized how similar we were. We both shared the desire to strive towards being the best. But after some time at school, she started having her own group of friends since she was studying in two grades higher than I was. And I had my own group of friends, getting closer to the younger sister. Our friendship slowly deteriorated and soon developed into a rivalry. 


KM and I had an invisible war with each other. Both of us were the best two people in every activity at school: running, skipping, studying, and so on. I used to get the first prize in running, and she used to get the first prize in skipping. And studying couldn't be really compared since we were in two different grades. But there was one thing at which I was better than she was: music. It was obviously natural that I was better than her in music since my mom was a music teacher. But she was not an easy-going rival. She learnt piano from my mom and caught up with my skills really quickly. Having rested one year of playing piano (I was fed up of piano at some point that year), I realized that if I don't practice now, I will no longer be the best. From that very moment I heard her play the same music piece I last played, I practiced piano like a crazy musician. Realizing that I am trying my best to be better than her, she tried her best too. The competition was a very hard, rough one. 


This spark of competition led me to do my best in other fields as well. I studied harder and participated in lot more activities. But one day, something hit me. Both of us had to leave the school we were attending and move to different schools. Once we were separated, I wondered what I would compete for now. But I remembered that somewhere on this earth, she'll be doing her best. I thought that I should do my best wherever I am even if my rival is no longer visible to me. After all, I learnt, she is not the only rival. So many students out there on earth, in different places, are competing with each other. 


My rivalry with KM was in fact the most important personal relationship I had to promote me work harder and do my best. Rivalry might be thought as a negative personal relationship by many people, but it is truly the most important element of relationship to tighten the bond between people, just like how KM and I are still bonded to compete our efforts for the best as long as we are on this earth. 

ANC 18: Life = Respect

107. What is your approach to life? Reveal your life philosophy.

Oh, well, philosophy was once my favorite subject of interest just like how other adolescents are interested on the subject matter. And my favorite question among many curiosities of this world was "What is life?" 

Some people say life is all about adventure, some say it's all about money, some claim it's about religion, and so on.  But I don't think I can define life. As suggested by the word philosophy, there is no particular answer to this question. Life is simply life, depending on whichever way we perceive it. 

I personally do think that life is closest to respect. From the very beginning of life in the womb of a woman, every baby goes through a phase of respect either in receiving or giving respect. Through infanticides, babies lose respect from their parents. Through cavalcades of choices, people gain or lose respect from others around them, including teachers, employers, and society. Passing all these phases, people most importantly come to the most important thing: choosing to respect their own lives or not. These days, the suicide rates are increasing. It's just a bummer that people fail to choose to respect their lives. 

I respect my life. And I will make it prosper by respecting others rather than me alone in every choice I make. 

ANC 17: Sunlight in the room

67. At a crucial point in his career, the African-American writer James Baldwin withdrew to a secluded spot in the Swiss Alps. “There,” he later wrote, “in that absolute alabaster landscape, armed with two Bessie Smith records and a typewriter, I began to try to recreate the life that I had first known as a child and from which I had spent so many years in flight … It was Bessie Smith, through her tone and her cadence, who helped me to dig back to the way I myself must have spoken…and to remember the things I had heard and seen and felt. I had buried them very deep.” Inevitable, certain things—songs, household objects, familiar smells—bring us instantly back to some past moment in our lives. Start an essay by describing one such thing and see where it takes you. (University of Chicago)


The sunlight shone the room brightly through the windows. Sitting in a corner and looking at the paintings hung on the walls, I recall the day this room was as bright by the sunlight as it is now. 


"Everyone, please sign in and start working on your studies!" 
The teacher in charge of the study hall informed us students. Having no clue on the second day of school, I emulated the other students forming a line in front of the sign-in sheet. A tall, decent-looking student stood right in front of me, blocking my view from everything but him. Cautiously glancing at him, I noticed that he is a Korean. He carried a huge bag which seemed medium in size due to his height. He had dark brownish-black hair and wore glasses that made him look smart. The way he communicated with others showed that he is a well-mannered person. My eyes could not move away from the sight of his smile, ultimately fostering my tongue to slip out a word in Korean before my mind realized: "Hey" 


He slowly turned and looked at me, right into my eyes. His eyes were pitch black like a black hole in space. 
"Yeah?" He asked. 
His low, deep voice gave me a shudder. 'A very nice voice to sing the base of any song,' I thought. 
"What's your name?" I asked him with a smile on my face. It was probably the first time ever in my life to start such a random conversation with a question before I introduced myself. I looked at his face carefully, mollified inside at the fact that I was beginning to feel shy. But to my surprise, he smiled. And that was the biggest smile I've seen on his face past five minutes with sunlight pouring on his head and filling up the room brightly and warmly....


"Tell me yours first"


....The sunlight that is pouring into this very room at present. 

ANC 16: dream

167. Imagine you have written a short story, film, or play about your last four years. Briefly describe the moment or scene that you think your audience will most remember after they have finished this autobiographical piece. What will they learn about you from that moment? (Northwestern)


From the time we heard from the doctor that my aunt is a cancer patient at the last stage, the smiles don't seem like smiles. We pretend to know nothing in front of my aunt who does not know anything about the spread of cancer cells throughout her body. I look around the room in silence. My little cousin brother runs towards her mom in bed calling out "mommy, mommy!" and my uncle tries his best to stop my brother from hugging my aunt. Crying out louder, my brother tries to reach his only mom. From the room, I spot my mom leaving quietly. I notice what I haven't noticed: her tears falling down the cheeks. 


After a horrible spurious time of happy mood,  my mom and I decide to spend the night with my aunt. My grandmother forcefully drags my cousin brother. With heavy bags packed with my brother's clothes and quotidian, she leaves the hospital with a gloomy expression on her face, holding my brother's hands. As I watch her walking from her back, I notice that her shoulders are sunk and her walking is unbalanced with tripping legs. 


I look up at the sky. Cold and dark, the sky is filled with starts shining so brightly that I feel there's nothing wrong going on in this world except with my family. I wonder what I am doing for my family. Should I get a job? Come back to Korea permanently? Help taking care of my little brother? At that moment, I spot a shooting star. Following the star falling and disappearing right on top of the red cross of the hospital, my eyes spark with a new determination to accomplish something for me and my family. 

ANC 15: perfection

156. Who is the secondary school teacher who has had the greatest positive impact on your development? Please describe the ways in which this teacher has influenced you. (Bowdoin College)


I was certain that I would get a perfect score in math. As the teacher passed out our answer sheets back with the score, I smiled with hubris, looking around disappointment on my classmates' faces. The teacher called out my name. I did not fold my answer sheet like others did to hide their score; I walked to sit on my chair and looked at my score with a certain assurance of a perfect score. Alas! I felt blood rushing quickly on my face. I must have made a careless mistake. My answer sheet showed a 99 out of 100. I quickly flipped through the pages and spotted a red pen mark. My 1 mark was deducted because I didn't simplify a fraction. It wasn't even a mistake! 


My teacher surely said that she'll be lenient to give marks even if the fractions are not simplified. I looked at my friend's answer sheet; she did not get any marks deducted with the same mistake I had made. I immediately yet cautiously asked my teacher about her thoughts on this unjustly way of marking same mistake on two answer sheets. She looked at me with a gentle smile. I knew that that smile meant something, a sort of profound thoughts she always instills in me. She spoke to me so kindly. "Well, everyone is aware that you are smart in maths. I do know that you seek for perfection. But if you really do want to be perfect, be sure you look further than others do. Though I said I'll be lenient to others about simplifying fractions, I won't be lenient when it comes to you." 


Her words struck me. I was so sure that I would get a perfect score. Yet, I had made a mistake of completing my work entirely. Anything that's incomplete is imperfect. I couldn't say whether she is fair or not; I could only accept the way she teaches me makes me spot imperfectness in my spurious perfection. Her words still remind me of the need to look further than any others can imagine, and this helps me to put in my best in everything I do, to try to achieve the real perfection. 

ANC 14: Postcard

35. You are on your dream vacation and have just finished shooting a roll of film. As you go to develop the film, the local merchant offers to make a postcard of one of your photos. Describe the photo, why you selected it and write a brief note to your friends back home. (Be sure to include where you are and what you have been doing there.) (University of the Pacific)

This place is amazing! The beach, the food, the people.. everything's impeccable! Thanks a lot for suggesting me this place for a little break. I am right now in one of the longest Chicago beaches. The cool zephyr makes my heart so peaceful and the tranquil ocean gathers my memories altogether. No stress, no pressure.. 


The picture shows all my sang-froid. As you may notice, I really am having a wonderful time. I thought you should totally look at this picture and join me here. You ought to see the places I've been to and hear the stories about my experiences in those places. I have literally been to every single restaurants on the lists of "most delicious food served in Chicago" that I've researched online for hours. The foie gras, the hot dogs, the hamburgers, and lobsters.. I knew those dishes will titillate me with taste from the time I sensed their pungent smell from outside the restaurants. Walking barefoot in the beaches gives me a great satisfaction to reflect me and an opportunity to plan ahead about my future. 


How are you doing there back home? Hope everything's going well with you. I really wish you were here with me to go for shopping, chatting, and enjoyment. I miss you loads. Take care. I look forward to get a reply. 

ANC 13: Open-mindedness

42. What are the responsibilities of an educated person? (University of Puget Sound)


Educated people have lots of knowledge. But often they rely too much on their first impressions, trusting their knowledge alone. Of course, first impressions are important. They are the 'first' characteristics noticed to give an idea about what kind the person or thing is. However, educated people need to be open minded.


I remember when I first joined my high school. As an international school, it already had many Koreans attending it. In the first month of school, I got involved in a group project which required lots of art skills. As we were dividing the workload in our group, all the students called my name out loud when deciding the person to do the art part. I wasn't good at art at all. I told them that I can't draw well. But they keep insisting that I should be the one. So I asked them why they think that I should be the one when they haven't seen me draw or paint or craft even in their lives. Their answer simply was ludicrous; they believed that I am good in art because I am a Korean and have quite a good sense of style.


Another incident happened when our class was playing a game. A representative from each group was asked to take several quizzes. My group suggested that I should be the one because I look smart wearing thick glasses. But I had no idea about what kind of quiz it was going to be, and I knew that I am horrible at games. They didn't know who I really am but made decisions in whichever way they viewed me. 


Relying on first impressions of something to make decisions is a horrible idea. First impressions merely give the idea of the outer appearance but never shows or reveals the inside, the more important element to be decided on, as suggested by the well-known proverb: "All that glitters is not gold." So, educated people should stop relying too much on first impressions and knowledge they already have. 

ANC 12: Talent Show

153. What has been your most profound or surprising intellectual experience? (Duke University)


People's catcalls grew louder with approaching time for the show. Organized by 11th graders every year, the Student Talent Show of our schools has great expectations from all the students from grade 7 to grade 12. After the process of voting, our grade had decided to make the theme a 'spy' theme. This common and overused theme brought our grade pressure to make everything to be perfect in order to prove our class' creativity, co=operation, and reputation. And here was the show about to begin.


Our Class had many discussions about this show: decorations, transitions, events, and so on. We thought about typical spy movies, which everyone in our school could guess with the word 'spy.' Aware that people think about guns and groups of spies, we wanted to come up with an idea that wouldn't bore people. We knew that if things weren't super good, people would be disappointed.

No one except our class had a clue of what was inside the auditorium. Counting down ten seconds, I, as the governor of the class, opened the door into a phone booth which led to our auditorium. I could hear people's sighs of admiration at the decorations we put up on the mall and the stage: the gunracks, a guitar coming out of a gun as a bullet, masks, and walky-talky. Though these were all the things one could think of for our theme, our decorations were very unexpected with our new designs. Our ideas were unique because we matched them up with our transitions; we made a play (script) about a spy completing his mission during the show.

After all the events, all the students clapped and screamed in order to praise our efforts. We were really proud of ourselves as a class, being able to organize the most creative Student Talent Show our school has ever had. We used old ideas, yet in new styles. Shaping something unique out of already made clay is what I believe as being creative. And this reminds me every time I'm given a task that if I put my effort to my idea, commitment, and dedication, I will surely get awarded for it. 

ANC 11: curiosity

101. “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend only a little of this mystery every day.” ~ Albert Einstein. Write about a personal experience or an aspect of the world that has engaged your curiosity or inspired awe in you. (Princeton)


The world we now live in has developed a lot over centuries. With technology developed, the world seems to be quite a comfortable place to live in. yet, despite this development, people realize often that they know very little about this world. There are so many things which we cannot answer. There is a limit to the facts we know about this world. But one good news is that we can continue to ask questions to develop as we did over centuries.


One historical example that inspired me to think about the importance of asking questions is the invention of Wright brothers: airplanes. they both wondered if there could be anything with which we could fly like birds. With facts they knew at that time, the Wright brothers knew that flying was impossible for humans. But because they asked themselves if there were any way to make flying possible, they could really find a way to fly: by inventing airplanes.


A book about rhetoric called Thank You for Arguing by Jay Heinrichs talks about the importance of asking questions in order to persuade others. It argues that every single word we say is to change others' opinions to my opinion. Facts only make people have different opinions, however, asking questions help shaping people's opinions by offering a second thought. For instance, if we simply tell a person at the shopping mall that the clothes don't look nice on him, he would just get mad and not even consider our opinion about clothes. But we ask him, "Don't you think a person's impression greatly depends on the clothes he wears? It depends on other people's opinions tremendously, don't you think?" he may then ask our opinions about clothes. The point here is that learning who the clothes match up with does not matter; learning how to ask about the benefits of clothes is important.


Our world developed by asking series of questions along with scientific inquiry, FAQs, and our curiosity since we're babies. Facts are what we learn as we ask questions. The first step towards development and better lives is learning how to ask questions. 

ANC 10: dance performance

28. Attach a small photograph of something important to you and explain its significance. (Stanford)

With my mom, a missionary to South India, I lived in  India since I was in third grade. Since my mom's church was built in a village for poor villagers, most of the people at the church have quite a difficult standard of living. They can't speak English, they are not very well-educated, and they had darker complexion compared to other wealthy Indians due to their labor under sun to earn a living.  Soon, I realized that these people are different from the people I meet in school, restaurants, and even stores I go to. 

One day before two weeks before our Christmas celebration, my mom asked me to join the group dance to simply have fun along with the guests. But I flatly denied her request. I didn't want to do so. My mom told me how disappointed she was, and questioned me why I, a person fond of performing in front of people, was not willing to do this. Besides, my mom gave me a good reason to my obligation to dance at this Christmas celebration; The following spring, I was to leave the city and join a boarding school two hours away by flight. I didn't know the reason. Since my mom had told me to think about this matter seriously, I brooded over my unwillingness. I thought, "Why would I not want to dance this time? Actually, if my mom told me to dance alone, I might have. But why with these people?" And a flash of something flickered in my mind. It hit me strongly, making me realize that the reason I didn't want to dance was that I debased these people's values. I realized how hypocritical I was; I criticized others who still had the concept of caste system, and I was keep on making distinctions among people in my mind subconsciously. I was completely wrong. 

The next day, I joined the dance group immediately. They were really glad that I joined them, and I felt a warm welcome from them along with their earnest friendship. I felt sincere love from them as they taught me the dance steps they have been working on. They were patient with me, going over all the steps again and again. 

Even on the day of the performance, my dance group members encouraged me not to be nervous and wished me luck. We were together as a group, performing with valid gladness. We do not know if the guests' cheer was out of real appreciation for our performance; but we know that our smiles shined beautifully combining with our wonderful dance. The attached photo shows the fun I had with people who may be poor in living but rich in heart. 

ANC 9: University

187. People attend school for many different reasons (for example, expanded knowledge, societal awareness, and enhanced interpersonal relationships). Why do you want to attend university?

Having been complimented by people for friendliness, I had once thought of myself as a pensive, mature high school student. Traveling alone, taking care of the house most of the time, and studying without anyone's force, I believed that I was responsible compared to any other juvenile people of my age who depend on their parents.

The day I reached my new high school, I saw the oncoming eclipse of my immature lifestyle compared to the others. Boarding school was a new experience to me; I found students cooking, unpacking from big bags, cleaning rooms, studying, and so on. Soon I realized that life here is much more independent than the one I had so far. With different people from different places, speaking different languages, eating different food, this place looked like small yet another independent society.

Whether we are experts in a particular place or not, we should realize that there are much more things to learn and experience outside our zone. I may have been a little more mature compared to the people in a day-scholar school, but I clearly am not the most independent, mature kid in this world. Nevertheless, I can increase my independence and maturity by actually experiencing more in different places. University is a place full of students who put their efforts from different ways in different aspects. That is the next place to learn more and be a good human once I graduate high school.

ANC 8: Art

152. What effect has any voluntary or independent research, reading or study, work in the arts, science project, etc. (outside of school), had on your intellectual and personal growth in recent years? Discuss what influence this involvement has had on your academic goals. (Northwestern)


As Denise Levertov believed that "every mass is after all made up of millions of individuals," I believe that art is made up of people's different views at different time periods. Due to this difference in time and opinions of individuals, art can actually affect history instead of merely reflecting it.


History of soviet would have been different if the art of its propaganda had been different. The piece of art Long live the armed forced of the Soviet Union by Koretsky depicts USSR soldiers as the most brave and virtuous men with pride. Citizens of USSR were censored to see only art like this, praising the USSR. Hence, they were determined to fight the war to be a strong communist country. The art aroused and exploited people's feelings during the time, and this helped greatly in forming the history we know now about the USSR.


History is gaining awareness about the past. one's perception of a particular past determines the history he or she knows. This is evident through different beliefs Christians have. Some believe that Mother Mary is holy like God as they find pieces of art depicting Jesus with Mary looking powerful and holy. On the other hand, some believe that Jesus had dark complexion while some believe Jesus have light complexion. Depending on how people view art and accept its views, history can change. 

One thing I realized through this knowledge about opinions on art is that it is you who determine history. Of course, to some extent, there are facts you cannot deny about history. However, the perception and understanding you gain about the people of the time totally depend on you. This made me question, why don't I start looking at my present and future with optimism? The lens through which I view the world is now shaded with bright, flexible colors which vacillate between optimism and process to victory. 

ANC 7: Change

113. Talk about how a person can change his direction.

Life is an adventure. No one knows the future. This ambiguity makes us think about all possible and impossible things even before we step into accepting changes. We can't figure out if the change is going to do us good or bad, so why worry for long? We accept change to figure out. The changes we accept may not make us happy; yet, we accept change hoping to be happy.

I remember when I had to accept change. When I was in second grade, my mom simply informed me that we would be going to India, a place that was then known to me as a dirty, undeveloped, Third World Country. the fact that I was to leave all the comfortable lifestyles in Korea to live in India just didn't seem to be a good change at any angle. Yet, I had to accept change hoping for the best.

My first day in India was yet another change. The hot, humid air I breathed in outside the aeroplane panicked me. As I looked around, I spotted Subway , a western restaurant found even in Korea. Like a tourist running towards an oasis in desert, I ran and grabbed a dish of Subway food. One bite. And I realized that even Subway demanded my acceptance for another change. Food in India was a totally a new change for me. The curry in my stomach adopted for years to only kinds of spicy Kimchi of Korea  made me feel sick. However, I had to accept change; I couldn't starve myself.

Every single day was a new change for me. And i did accept all those changes. I do not know if I accepted changes to be happy, but I know that I hoped to be happy by accepting changes. If I didn't accept the change of my location because I wasn't sure I would be happy, I probably wouldn't have been able to speak English as I do now and experience the world outside Korea. We need to accept change to move forward in our lives rather than worrying about changes at the same spot. As Shunryu Suzuki said, "without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect serenity."

ANC 6: Observations

236. What are some things you observed today?

I looked down the houses, lands, mountains and the sky through the window of a flight to Korea, realizing how small a big field looks up from here. It's just a part of the big, giant, beautiful world. And then I realize how small I am.

Looking around in the aeroplane, I find a couple sitting next to me. The couple is sleeping, holding each other's hand. And then I realize how sweet love is.

I come out of the gate and notice that my grandparents are standing and waiting for me anxiously. As soon as our eyes meet in the air, I sense their happiness all through their faces, waving hands, and running feet. And then I realize how great parents are.

I open my house door and find my little cousin brother starring at me. I say, "Hello!" and he runs away, smiling and screaming. And then I realize how innocent kids are.

I take a walk to the market near home. I hear noises from a tree. I turn towards the tree and find a bird combing the feather of the other. And then I realize how caring animals are.

As soon as I enter the market, I find varieties of food I couldn't find in my place of studying, India. There are more people to buy food at one place. Yet, the line is so mannerly maintained here in Korea. And then I realize the importance of education and development of a country.

I decide to buy lots of stuff to fill my small stomach. As I walk back, I find a man without legs begging near the food garbage. And then I question myself: what am I doing in this world?

ANC 5: date conditions

233. Ten simple rules for dating me.

Attention, boys after me! Here are ten simple tips to get my attention.

Number one. Be a good friend.
By this, I mean that you need to be a good friend to me as well as to any other people. It's important to me because I believe that friendship can only be built from other personalities such as generosity, understanding, and trustworthy.

Number two. Be independent.
Being yourself is all I ask for. Don't be too easily influenced by others or soon I'll influence you soon enough that it's completely okay for you to be dumped right away. Know you are and be you are. It's not very difficult, you see.

Number three. Be hard working.
Whatever you do, be serious and be hard working. It's self explanatory. If you sincerely work hard in anything, I will surely look up to you.

Number four. Be patient and polite.
Patience is all you need to get through any kind of work. The more you are patient, the more I will like you back!

Number five. Be honest.
This one is very, very important. Being honest is one thing I would ask to any one in my life. So, obviously, if you are dating me, this rule will be one of the most important things to remember.

Number six. Be smart.
This may sound a little unfair. But I'm being honest here. I really do like guys who are smart. And this does not necessarily mean that your high school grades should be awesome. If you have any knowledge in any particular area, or if you are clever in any academic ways, you are automatically smart to me.

Number seven. Be respectful.
You want to have my respect? Well, then, you need to respect me too. By this, I mean, you must respect all my views, opinions, or thoughts. Even if you hate music, you need to respect my interests in music and should be able to bear sitting in any concerts I am part of even for hours.

Number eight. Be confident.
You are the man! Be always confident in whatever you do. I would certainly want to trust you if you show your confidence.

Number nine. Be realistic and positive.
Sometimes, there will be situations which cannot be dealt in ways you want. I hope my boyfriend would have the abilities to solve problems realistically and be positive at the same time.

Number ten. This is the most important rule because all the other nine rules fall under this rule and cannot be kept well if you don't keep up to this rule. And I'm sure it is self explanatory.
Love me just the way I am. 

ANC 4: three wishes

229. Three wishes

Looking at the pretty night sky, I thought about the magical tales of Aladdin. If only I could fly on magical carpet in the night sky just like Aladdin... That very moment, I found a shooting star so bright and quick as any other ordinary shooting stars. Yet, there was something weird about the star. And it didn't take too long for me to realize that the weird thing about the star was that it was falling towards me, closer and closer, as if it's going to hit me... and... Boom!

"Hi, dear!"

...a fairy...? Well, that old lady with a nice smile, holding a thin, strange-looking stick certainly does look like a fairy.

"Now, I know that you already guess I am your fairy. So, go ahead and tell me your three wishes. I'll do anything for you," said the fairy.

"Oh, my.. I always dreamed to have this kind of thing happening to me! Don't worry, I'm not going to take a long time. I already have three wishes in my mind well planned for years now," I replied enthusiastically. "First of all, I would really love to stay with all my family members: my mom, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin. We never really got to stay altogether since my mom and I stayed in India while others lived in different places in Korea. Secondly, I would love to have lots of time!"

"And what do you mean by having lots of time?" asked the fairy.

"Oh, well, I want to learn lots of things: archery, Japanese, basketball, football, swimming, conducting, flute, dance, and the list continues! But I don't have any time to do that now. I need to study and only study for colleges and jobs for life. Only if I had more time, I could use it more wisely to learn more varieties of things I am interested in! I want to experience more as I learn. There are so many things to discover in this world."

"That's a really good wish. I always thought 24 hours in a day were too less for humans to do things they want to do in life! But my friends were always against me. Anyway, and your last wish is?"

"My last wish is... having lots of money."

"Oh! well, I thought you were somewhat different from other humans. But you are greedy just like them. Hmm, I am quite disappointed!" The fairy looked at me in disgust.

"Well, please do understand. I do agree that greedy is part of the reasons i want to have lots of money. But there is an explanation. As I lived, I've experienced how hard it is to help others when you don't have enough money. Of course, there would be many ways to help others, but ultimately we wait for sponsorship from people who have money. And when we wait and wait eagerly for the money to reach from those greedy rich people, I realize deeply that the rich gets to decide everything ultimately whether it is good or bad. I really want to help people in this world. If I had money, I could help them whenever I want to without waiting helplessly."

The fairy looked  quite amazed with my explanation, and she decided to make my three wishes come true. I could slowly hear my family members talking in a house, I could feel my day becoming longer and longer, and I could see amount of money appearing beside me.. more and more money... coins and notes... and it's making a mountain that I can't see anything in the front.. and.. and..

I found myself lying in my bed beside which, on the wall, is a note with my three wishes written. 

ANC 3: Money

220. How money matters in your life

Money is something that cannot be classified into the two categories of things in this world, good and evil. Parents tell their children to study hard in order to succeed in life. According to many parents I know, success in life is earning lots of money through secure jobs after years of hardcore studying. Well, it is true that our standard of living is determined by amount of money we possess -- money to be exchanged to buy things required in our lives. Having lots of money does mean good, yet money opens to us many doors to paths that lead to evil such as gambling, stealing, cheating, and so on. I still don't know how much money is important, but there was an incident that completely convinced my mind about the power of money.

In a moving, beeping ambulance, I prayed for the safety of my mom, breathing hard with tears in her eyes. The heavy traffic wasn't allowing the ambulance to pass through so easily, and my heart thumped harder and harder along with the increasing speed of my mom's rough breathing. I called my mom's friend to quickly come and help us.

As soon as the ambulance reached the hospital, I ran to the emergency room, pointing at my mom, not able to say anything much. The relief to be in hospital didn't stay long in me. The nurses checked her state quickly and left my mom only with a plastic tube on her mouth. They said that would help my mom breathe. But my mom's face showed that she was having a harder time. I asked them to put oxygen mask immediately. To my surprise, their response was, "Please pay Rs. 2000, and we will give oxygen mask for her." In this life or death situation, people who are to "help the ones in pain" were demanding money. The most horrible part was this - I didn't have any money as I had to run empty-handed to the ambulance.

Things were magically solved when my mom's friend arrived with Rs. 2000, giving a wonderful reason for the nurses to finally get up and put oxygen mask on my mom's mouth. With the transaction of Rs. 2000, I saw my mom coming back to life, breathing smoothly ultimately.

Two thousand rupees. It doesn't seem like a big sum of money, but sometimes I guess it is even more important than a person's life. So, what do I think about money? It's something I should have no matter what whether I like it or not.

ANC 2: Woodstock

211. A special place

A place of uphill with wild trees and monkeys is my special place: my school, Woodstock. Every moment of my school days has happened in that very location. Climbing up to school every morning in the days of summer or in the days of winter when I used to slip and watch my slippers slide down the road, taking a walk with my beloved ones though sometimes interrupted by a wild group of monkeys, and studying my head off before exams. Everything remains in that place.

I remember the day of first graduation I attended in Woodstock. All I recall is people crying and hugging each other. I wondered why they cried so much. They're moving on to colleges, to places better than this place where there is no monkeys and no climbing; yet why are they crying?

As time passed by, I made friends precious to me more than anything, and I got to know people who taught me about great things in life. I laughed and cried with them over things on the way up to school, in high school building, in red bleachers in front of the music department, and in many other places. Saying goodbyes to people leaving the place itself was really difficult. And now that I've experienced that I miss them everyday of my life, how can I not be sad when I leave this very special place?

Woodstock is part of my life. It has my everything: the memories of happiness, sadness, friendship, love, goodbyes, reunion, music, and so on. 

Another New Challenge 1: Why accept challenge?

210. Why you made a difficult choice

I once had an opportunity to walk the easy path to my dream – studying medicine in the US. With the help of my aunt and her family living in the US, I was given a choice to join her and become an American citizen. I was in sixth grade then. Getting into medical schools in the US as a non-American is one of the toughest thing to achieve because a doctor is asked for the dedication and commitment to save people in his or her country. Being a non-American, it is a hard decision to decide the commitment for America. I was aware of the fact and was realizing that with my one decision, my whole future could change. If I decided to join my aunt, I would attend competitive high schools in America, giving me more chances of acceptance to colleges and Medical schools in the US as an American citizen. However, I would lose my mom. Of course, not literally. But it would be hard to meet my mom and my family back in Korea as often as before, and it would be way more difficult to get into Medical schools in the US. This choice of joining my Aunt was only one time chance before I turned 15.

I was surprised with the way my mom, family, and aunt responded to this situation. They totally gave me the authority to choose my path. I was confused. I knew that this chance was crucial for my future. Questions rose in my head: Does joining my aunt in the US mean that I am not part of my family anymore? Will I really be able to succeed if I joined my aunt?

After days of pondering, I decided not to go. My family and friends were surprised with my choice; they thought knowing me very competitive and ambitious I would choose to join my aunt. I do agree that I was very tempted to join my aunt and not lose this chance of being an American citizen. Yet, I chose a more difficult path, during which I may fail to be accepted to Medical Schools in the US, because I did not want to leave my family. I would have to study days and nights crazily to achieve my goal, and it isn’t that I would leave my family if I joined my aunt, but I remembered something someone once told me: being with your family is the biggest blessing in your life. And that is why I made that difficult choice.

Challenge 30: My name

150. Names have a mysterious reality of their own. We may well feel an unexpected kinship with someone who shares our name, or may feel uneasy at the thought that our name is not as much our own as we imagined. Most of us do not choose our names; they come to us unbidden, sometimes with ungainly sounds and spellings, complicated family histories, allusions to people we never knew. Sometimes we have to make our peace with them, sometimes we bask in our names' associations. Ruminate on names and naming, your name, and your name's relationship to you. (University of Chicago)


"Ye Jin!" 
Someone calls my name. I turn around to see who is looking for me. But I find out that the person is not calling me but another person whose name is also Ye Jin. Wherever I go, I experience this: among friends in Korea and among neighbors in India. I was totally fine with this until a student having my same name joined my school. I did not know that sharing same name was so annoying; people unknowingly sent my important mails to her, her teachers informed me several things through email, and I would hear my name being called by someone who I do not know but makes me look around. 


All Koreans have their names mean something in Chinese letters. Though names may sound the same, each syllable has different meanings. In my case, my name stands for "Artistic wisdom," with "Ye" meaning artistic or creative and "Jin" meaning wisdom or truth. There may be people with the same name and same meaning. However, there's something that makes my name unique and special: another hidden meaning. I was not named according to the meaning of Chinese letters; I was named according to the meaning of Christ Jesus. My name actually means Jesus' wisdom. The first part of my name is taken from the first sound of "Jesus'" in Korean (that is pronounced as Yesu), and the second part of it is taken from the first sound of "wisdom" in Korean (that is pronounced as Jinli). 


Considering all this meaning in my name, I am, in fact, very matchable to my own name. My name seems to be goal of my life; a good Christian who strives to achieve Jesus' wisdom through artistic, creative, and truthful ways. Every time someone calls me this name, I get reminded of who I am, and what I am to work for. Now it does not matter whether I hear my name being called by someone else to refer someone else, because my name will remain to be mine, because Ye Jin Kim is who I am and will be. 

Challenge 29: Effort

131. Salt, government,s beliefs, and celebrity couple are a few examples of things that can be dissolved. You've just been granted the power to dissolve anything: physical, metaphorical, abstract, concrete ... you name it. What do you dissolve, and what solvent do you use? (U of Chicago)

I was a pretty smart kid. I used to score more than 90% in all my subjects in Korea when I was in elementary school. But things changed as I got to a new place, India, where the language, people, and facilities were different. All of these changes was a big influence to me; however, the impact of school studies in the new place influenced me the most. I failed in almost all my subjects except in maths. My world seemed to be a tunnel. I was not able to understand anything in class due to which I was not even aware that homework was given. Every day was a boring life of alien language. I tried to learn English for months and months, yet, my grades did not seem to improve. But I didn't give up. I kept on trying by taking advice from people; watch TV shows in English, read books, and listen to teachers in classes even though the language they speak may not be comprehensible. I spent days in classes, evenings in reading, and nights in memorizing vocabulary.

My works did not seem to be worthless. I could feel improvements in my listening and reading skills in English. I could speak and express more. Teachers in schools commented that I was indeed improving in academics as well as in socializing with English-speaking students. There were times I wanted to just start speaking in Korean, but I learnt to think before I say anything in English. Few months later, soon I realized that I was no more translating Korean to English in my head, instead, I spoke English naturally.

Learning another language in different circumstances is very hard. I failed to adjust due to the insolubility of hard circumstances. However, with better determination and solid effort, I dissolved the blockage of language.

Challenge 28: Choices

165. What confuses you most in life, and why? (University of Virginia)

Making choices is the most confusing experience I face everyday in life. Every second, every moment, there's something that you need to make a choice on.

There are times I make rash decisions and choose wrong paths. A good thing about rash decision is that I don't get stressed out when I make a decision, however, when dealing with consequences due to that rash decision, I realize how stupid I was in making that choice. The consequences are sometimes so hard to deal with; how much ever I regret not studying for my exams but watch TV and surf the net, I cannot change my grades once the report card is out. This regret I feel after consequences due to rash decisions makes me think before making a decision. But to my surprise, thinking before decisions doesn't help me all the time.

I remember that once I made a perfect schedule for my exam studies. I wrote down the timings, the subjects to be studied, the chapters to be revised, and so on, in a sheet of paper. I thought and thought for so long to make that schedule perfect, even calculating time that would be taken for my lunch, dinner, break time, music time, and so on. As soon as I was done, I stuck the schedule sheet on the wall near my desk so that I could study effectively. But well, due to choices my mom made to take me out for dinner, my whole schedule got cancelled for that day. The next day, there was a guest in my house, the following day, my mom's friend. Everyday was a series of choices; spend time and give respect to my mom and her guests, or stick to my schedule no matter what?

Well, I chose to follow my mom's choice, and I don't regret that choice. But I do think sometimes that my grades might have been better if I took that time I spent with my mom to study more. The point here is that whether I made rash decisions or thoughtful decisions, there's some sort of feeling that I could have made a better choice. This makes me confusing all the time when I am to make a decision.

Challenge 27: Smile

19. Write your own essay question and answer it. (Kalamazoo College/93)

What is your weakest yet strongest point? 


People say that smiling is the best cure. But is smiling always the best? It surely helps me to get through days of my life very smoothly with many advantages; people say that they love my smile because it makes them cheerful and enthusiastic. I try to smile always whether I am angry, sad, happy, or discouraged. 


The problem with this is that I've learnt how to be adept in smiling even when I have complaints in my mind. I keep my complaints inside and don't let it out when I need to. This leads to increase in uncomfortable mood around some people I have complaints about, which ultimately makes me stay away from those people. It's horrible how this keeps me away from people who are very important in my lives. And once you are away from a person, it's hard to get back to good relationship. 


Smiling may be good or bad depending on situations. However, I feel that regardless the circumstances, whether they are situations that lead to uncomfortable atmosphere around people or not, if I smile, things will be better because smiling simply is an emotion that expresses happiness and satisfaction. Because, smiling is better than crying.  

Challenge 26: homework

127. Describe a daily routine or tradition of yours that may seem ordinary to others but holds special meaning for you. Why is this practice significant to you? (Barnard)


Doing homework is part of life as a student. I do not know how important this practice is to others, but to me, it is a little special compared to any other daily routines. 


My grandfather is really brilliant. He was so smart at his young age that he was eligible to go to two top universities in Korea of his time: Seoul University and Army Public University. But like it happens to everyone's life, my grandfather's life had a curve due to finance problems. He had to choose Army Public University though Seoul University was a better college because of finance difficulties. He had to walk along the path of a soldier instead of that of his dream job. This gave him a small wound in his heart, and he decided to support in all ways possible for his family's studies. 


And so is he supporting me even though he is now quite old. Knowing this, I cannot not do my best in anything I do. My grandfather helps me financially and mentally; this is the reason why I'm able to keep up with my works. Homework may be just a small thing to do everyday because it is given by teachers, and students are obliged to obey to what teachers tell them. However, to me, it is quite different; homework is a small step that leads me to my dream and my satisfaction of achieving my dream with the help of many people including my grandfather. It is out of my responsibility and gratefulness that I do my homework everyday; that's the only way I can pay off to my grandfather and people who help me. 


Being responsible, being punctual, and being sincere in whatever work I do - even though it may be a small homework - is an importance to me. 

Challenge 25: Travel alone

91. Please write about a life experience that has influenced your intellectual and personal growth. 


Travelling from India to Korea all alone at the age of 11 was a new experience that helped me grow. My mom was busy with her work in India, but I had to go to Korea because of my visa. I was really excited to travel alone but of course was worried a little bit. I had to transfer in Thailand since there were no straight flights from India to Korea. I was a little scared, however, I told my mom that I will be fine. 


And so was my first travel-alone experience. With my mom behind, I went through the door leading to security check-up. I filled up the forms carefully, checking my data in passport and going through the form again and again. Everything was really smooth, but I was worried about the transfer process since I wasn't fluent in English yet. 


To my surprise, transfer process was easier than I thought. I was able to communicate well enough that I even conveyed my preferences for window seats. In the flight from Thailand to Korea, I also made a friend. He was a college student studying in New Zealand and had visited Thailand to meet up with his friend. It was so funny to see his shocked response when I told him that I was in 6th grade. He had thought I was either in high school or in college. He gave me lots of information about colleges and society in New Zealand. 


It was a wonderful experience to travel alone; I learnt to be independent and be confident in situations, I got to know more about other country's culture and society, I gained information about colleges. My mom worried about me, and I worried about myself; but I learnt that until unless I tried, the worries will remain the same. However, once I go through the experience, I'll be confident to do it again as it is proved by me travelling alone everywhere now. 

Challenge 24: MK

23. If you were to write a book, on what theme or subject matter would it be based, and why? (Stanford, 93)

It is one of my goals in life to write a book. I thought of doing so when I read a book about a 16 year old girl who got admission in 10 Ivy League colleges after her studies at Korean high school. In her book, she explains how she studied, worked, and so on. The book really helped me, however, it seemed like many other books suggest almost the same method as the ones she did.

Then I promised myself that one day I would write a book about the kids who are like me, studying outside of Korea as missionaries' kids. Maybe it wasn't our choice to be in particular country due to our parents, yet we can make the most out of it by learning different things in different countries. I want to mention in the book that knowledge comes from different ways, from school, studies, parents, teachers, and specially experiences. There are so many missionaries' kids I've seen who hate to be with their parents in their mission countries. I want to let them know how blessed they are to be kids of people who serve the Lord.

By living in a place where culture and tradition are different from our native countries, missionaries kids usually tend to have a better depth of understanding world and different aspects of people in the world. I feel the need to let the missionaries' kids know that they are very unique and special from other ordinary kids studying in normal circumstances. Because there are times we can't do our work due to ministry, and because there are times our parents are too busy to take care of us, we are more independent and clever in dealing with different situations.

I hope to write such a book that encourages missionaries' kids to enjoy their lives more with more happiness and excitement.

Challenge 23: Nick Vujicic

32. Sartre said, “Hell is other people,” while Streisand sang, “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” With whom do you agree? (Amherst)

Until few years back, I thought people who can manage things own their own are the luckiest people in the world because they show that they have capability and talents to do so. But after learning about an inspiring person's life, my mind changed. The person who earns all my respect and changed my mind is Nick Vujicic. 


Nick Vujicic's testimony was so powerful. I saw it on a CD video and was shocked to see such a person existed. I had no idea that there was a person without limbs living this earth with the most beautiful smile on his face for his whole life. He can't move, jump, eat, play, nor walk freely as we do. He needs people to help him get out of his bed, get dressed, and move around with him the whole day. Yet, he is respected by all around him for his cheerful, enthusiastic, and positive behavior always. The testimony he gives to people inspired so many out in this world; people change after listening to his life. They cry and hug him and say that they are so thankful to him for allowing them realize the importance of life. 


Actually, he is the one who needs more people to help him. But perhaps, he needs them not for help but to spread happiness to our race and generation. He keeps on moving from one place to another to show people how he lives a happy life and challenge them to be inspired by him and be positive. Maybe, if he wasn't a man without four limbs and does not need people to help him, he couldn't possibly be any extraordinarily lively person. I personally think that he is lucky to be in need of people.

Challenge 22: Helpless

124. What outrages you? (Wake Forest)

I can always try to deal with situation by controlling my anger. But there's one thing that I can never stand: seeing my beloved ones hurt. What outrages me is that I cannot do anything when I see my friends and families suffer and know what their problems are.

I've seen my mom cry first time when she told me that life is so hard and heavy. Seeing my hero of life cry and put down, I was shocked at first. I knew what my mom was going through. Of course, I wouldn't have been able to understand her completely, but I knew that she was going through so much of work, taking care of me, earning money, working in office, serving God through ministry, and so much more. The fact I am her daughter and is helpless to make things work out for her made me really angry. I couldn't earn money nor work in office nor work in churches. On top of that, I was the one making trouble, making my mom worry about me all the time.

My mom always helped me grow physically and mentally, providing all the things - experiences, environment, and education - I required in life. She showed her love towards me in all possible ways. Yet, I couldn't do anything for her. It makes me feel as if I am helpless. I felt so dumb that I couldn't do anything for my beloved ones. With years of education to help others, I know that I should help, I am willing to help, but I just "can't." That is the worst thing that outrages me. 

Challenge 21: Telepathy

21. If you had the gift of telepathy, the ability to read other people’s minds, would you use this gift or not? Explain. (Middle East Technical University/93)


Will I use the ability to read other people's minds if I could? Well, duh, definitely, though I would prefer to say that I will use it "wisely." 


One day after coming back to my room from a long day, I had a big fight with my best friend roommate. As soon as I entered the room, I politely asked her if she could cook for me. She responded to me with no words, and I asked her several times after that thinking that she might have not heard me. After three times of asking her this favor, she went out of the room shutting the door really hard. Well, I didn't like the way she responded to me, of course; I became mad at her too.  Our attitude towards each other was really bad. We totally ignored each other; we stopped looking and talking to each other. This continued for three whole days until on the third day, when I realized that I really need to talk to her; I hated how I couldn't share my day with my best friend and be a good friend to her. This was what I did; I wrote a letter to her, apologizing about my attitude in the past three days and explaining what I didn't understand about her attitude. I tried my best to be honest and frank about what I felt during the past three days, whether it may annoy her or not. After reading the letter, she told me frankly as well that she was in a really bad mood that day because she had cooked for other friends during the day while I was gone, and they told her that she isn't good in cooking. She thought I was making fun of her after I heard the story from the others. 


It was ridiculous when I got to know everything; why she was angry with me. But I did not understand why we had fought over such a small thing. Only if we knew what was going on in each other's minds. I wouldn't have gone through three days of not talking to my best friend only if I had the ability to read others' minds. Perhaps, there might be times when it's better not to use such ability, but why not use it and avoid this kind of misunderstanding? After all, it's a "gift."  

Challenge 20: Mind-detecting machine

162. If you could invent something, what would it be, and why? (University of Virginia)


As we live in a society, we experience things we don't want to. Through my lifetime -- though it is short compared to that of adults -- I realized that most of the time my worst experiences come from arguing. I know that in the book "Thank you for arguing," the author Jay Heinrichs suggests that arguments can bring good conclusions if you only know how to argue well. Well, it's true that arguments are good, but usually that's true only if you are rational enough while arguing. And to be honest, I'm not that type of person; I get into arguments depending on my mood. 


People have different opinions, and our community is made up of people. I come across times when I have totally different thoughts with others, and sometimes their opinions annoy me because they don't make any sense to me. I remember once I fought with my friend so badly about behavior towards teachers. My point was that we should sometimes go along with teachers' opinions even if their opinions seem not right to us while my friend's point was that we should not listen to teachers having different opinions from us. I guess I was so rigid about my opinion then when I was having argument with my friend because I knew that she would get into trouble if she kept on with her opinion of behavior towards teachers. I was so determined. Well, I'm not trying to prove here what's right and wrong. Honestly, now I think about it carefully, I feel both opinions have good reasons behind them. And, I should have respected and known these reasons behind my friend's opinion then before having an argument. 


Only if I knew what reasons and experiences are behind others' opinions, I wouldn't get into arguments; I would be able to understand their opinions and minds. If only I could invent a machine that detects other people's logic and reasoning in their minds, that makes one understand other people's moods, life will be much peaceful with more understanding. How I wish to invent such a machine!

Challenge 19: Ship

134. Imagine looking through a window at any environment that is particularly significant to you. Reflect on the scene, paying close attention to the relation between what you are seeing and why it is meaningful to you. (Williams)


I look out the window at the peaceful, calm, blue ocean. It's so wide that it looks like endless sky. I find a ship floating and moving in one straight direction to reach its destination though it looks like there is no end of this ocean. 


One day, I was totally tired out and was sick of all the pressure of life I was going through due to studies, friends, and myself. I hated how I have to make choices in life. My mom saw me panicking with choices in life and gently told me about a ship. 


A ship is navigated by a wheel. Depending on its degrees and rounds, the wheel navigates the ship, ultimately leading to its destination. There is no way to check where the ship is in the middle of the wide ocean. All a navigator can do is to check the angles with the help of a compass, look at a map, and then decide to navigate the ship with the wheel depending on his thoughts and past experiences. Just one degree difference in the wheel would make a big difference in the ship's destination. The ship may end up in the middle of ocean because of one degree difference in the wheel. 


My mom told me that little choices in my life will take me to my destination in life. There is no way I can check if the choice is right or wrong. All I can do is to think again and again about my choice's consequences and be ready with all the results whether they are good or bad. Maybe it is hard to keep on navigating the ship, but I shouldn't forget that I am still moving forward. 


My mom's words gave me an insight to think and make a decision carefully and thoughtfully. The ship I'm looking at right now is also going towards a destination in the wide ocean. No landmark and no notice boards. The ship will be keep on moving till it reaches its destination.