1. Reading
I like to read books, especially genre fiction. I like it when the protagonist goes through a hero’s journey and gets stronger. Somewhat childish, yes, but such kind is my favorite- something that doesn’t happen in real life. Harry Potter is my favorite.
I like to read books, especially genre fiction. I like it when the protagonist goes through a hero’s journey and gets stronger. Somewhat childish, yes, but such kind is my favorite- something that doesn’t happen in real life. Harry Potter is my favorite.
2. Hair
I am very attached to my long, reddish-brown hair. (Is it long?) It got really short when I was thirteen, and my classmates teased me that my hair looked like ah helmet. I’ve been growing it ever since. It took an awfully long time to reach this length. As for the color, I had several dying and un-dying until it became like this. One of my dreams is to grow my hair to reach my waist, although Mom is horrified by the thought.
I am very attached to my long, reddish-brown hair. (Is it long?) It got really short when I was thirteen, and my classmates teased me that my hair looked like ah helmet. I’ve been growing it ever since. It took an awfully long time to reach this length. As for the color, I had several dying and un-dying until it became like this. One of my dreams is to grow my hair to reach my waist, although Mom is horrified by the thought.
3. Poli Sci
I want to major in political science. The power, fighting, madness, bond, distribution of wealth, lobbying… all those stuff fascinate me. I do not know much about the dirty business going on, but I’d like to know, as much as I’d like to eradicate such business. In similar context, I’m also interested in history- transition of power, diseases, conquering… things like that.
I want to major in political science. The power, fighting, madness, bond, distribution of wealth, lobbying… all those stuff fascinate me. I do not know much about the dirty business going on, but I’d like to know, as much as I’d like to eradicate such business. In similar context, I’m also interested in history- transition of power, diseases, conquering… things like that.
4. Diet
I am constantly on a diet- well, technically, not contantly. I repeat quitting and restarting. It kind of makes me feel bad.
I am constantly on a diet- well, technically, not contantly. I repeat quitting and restarting. It kind of makes me feel bad.
5. Eyesight
I have very bad eyesight. I can’t see even inches away without my glasses. It’s hereditary, I think, as my mom, little brother, grandmother, and grandfather all have terrible eyesight as well. I wasn’t born like this, surely, but my eyes were just too vulnerable.
I have very bad eyesight. I can’t see even inches away without my glasses. It’s hereditary, I think, as my mom, little brother, grandmother, and grandfather all have terrible eyesight as well. I wasn’t born like this, surely, but my eyes were just too vulnerable.
6. Drawing
I love drawing! I have a personal collection of pictures/drawings that I plan to paint someday- when I have time, that is. I still want to be a painter.
I love drawing! I have a personal collection of pictures/drawings that I plan to paint someday- when I have time, that is. I still want to be a painter.
7.
Wasting Time
What I hate the most is wasting my time. I’m kind of obsessed with it. I try to make the most use of my time, always- on bus, on train, while walking…
What I hate the most is wasting my time. I’m kind of obsessed with it. I try to make the most use of my time, always- on bus, on train, while walking…
8. Skin Color
I happen to like my dark skin color. Well, once I wanted to be milk-white, like almost every Korean girls. But I strongly suspect that from the moment I was born, I was brown-ish. I couldn’t change the shade. Then I went to American and discovered white girls trying to tan their skin. And Satya, a girl from India, told me that she loved my skin. So, I am a bit proud of it now.
9.
MIKA
My favorite singer is MIKA. I first encountered him in French class, for he sang a popular French song, “Elle Me Dit.” I instantly loved it! It’s very bright, the melody, it lightens me up. And at the same time, the lyrics are satirical. Here is my favorite part of the song, translated in English:
My favorite singer is MIKA. I first encountered him in French class, for he sang a popular French song, “Elle Me Dit.” I instantly loved it! It’s very bright, the melody, it lightens me up. And at the same time, the lyrics are satirical. Here is my favorite part of the song, translated in English:
“Don’t end up like your father; be proud of yourself!”
10.
Transfer
I transferred eight times in total- during elementary school, middle school, and high school. Some of the transfers, I liked, others I resented. But they all turned out well, and I thank those experiences.
I transferred eight times in total- during elementary school, middle school, and high school. Some of the transfers, I liked, others I resented. But they all turned out well, and I thank those experiences.
11.
Martial Arts
I have a passion for martial arts. I learned taekwondo for a long time, and recently, I started learning kickboxing. I haven’t learned much yet, but the coach said I was talented. I’m planning to learn it full-scale once I graduate.
I have a passion for martial arts. I learned taekwondo for a long time, and recently, I started learning kickboxing. I haven’t learned much yet, but the coach said I was talented. I’m planning to learn it full-scale once I graduate.
12.
Little Brother
I’m not very intimate with my little brother- I’ve been such a scary older sister. I feel sorry for him.
I’m not very intimate with my little brother- I’ve been such a scary older sister. I feel sorry for him.
13. Writing
I like writing by hand- “flow of consciousness.” I fall into a trance and just keep scribbling, writing down whatever that comes to my mind. Not often the result turns out good, but I like it anyway. I hate looking at the laptop, it makes my eyes hurt.
I like writing by hand- “flow of consciousness.” I fall into a trance and just keep scribbling, writing down whatever that comes to my mind. Not often the result turns out good, but I like it anyway. I hate looking at the laptop, it makes my eyes hurt.
14.
Cooking & Baking
I also like to cook and bake. I recently baked a chocolate fondue and chocolate-almond cookies, and they were a huge success! The dish I can cook the best is kimchi fried rice, with potato, carrot, onion, mushroom, ham, and egg.
I also like to cook and bake. I recently baked a chocolate fondue and chocolate-almond cookies, and they were a huge success! The dish I can cook the best is kimchi fried rice, with potato, carrot, onion, mushroom, ham, and egg.
15.
Boredom
I get bored very easily, very quickly. I can never watch a full movie on a laptop by myself- I get bored after 30 minutes. There has to be something that pressures me- a company, a theater, or orders. Books I read, because I don’t read them purely for fun. Well, joy, but a different kind of joy.
I get bored very easily, very quickly. I can never watch a full movie on a laptop by myself- I get bored after 30 minutes. There has to be something that pressures me- a company, a theater, or orders. Books I read, because I don’t read them purely for fun. Well, joy, but a different kind of joy.
16.
Cell Phone
I hate my cursed cell phone! It constantly blocks my access to text-messages and address book. It’s really frustrating when you want to reply write away and the cell phone screen is just blank for, like, forever.
I hate my cursed cell phone! It constantly blocks my access to text-messages and address book. It’s really frustrating when you want to reply write away and the cell phone screen is just blank for, like, forever.
17. Handwriting
I have a pretty dirty handwriting. It’s hard to decipher, especially when I tried to write fast. While I was preparing for SAT I was worried that the marker wouldn’t understand it, so I actually practiced writing alphabets few days before the day. It did get better, by the way. Effort doesn’t betray you!
I have a pretty dirty handwriting. It’s hard to decipher, especially when I tried to write fast. While I was preparing for SAT I was worried that the marker wouldn’t understand it, so I actually practiced writing alphabets few days before the day. It did get better, by the way. Effort doesn’t betray you!
18.
Dry Skin
My skin is extremely dry in winter, especially legs. They’re itchy. Lotion is not really helpful. I keep scratching them and sometimes they bleed.
My skin is extremely dry in winter, especially legs. They’re itchy. Lotion is not really helpful. I keep scratching them and sometimes they bleed.
19.
My Wish
I wish I had time without anything to do. Then I might as well get bored of playing. My free time so far didn’t feel like a free time, since I felt guilty playing. Not really free, is it? I want to have real free time.
I wish I had time without anything to do. Then I might as well get bored of playing. My free time so far didn’t feel like a free time, since I felt guilty playing. Not really free, is it? I want to have real free time.
20.
Farming
I work in the school farm. I grew potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, corns, tomatoes, lettuces, peanuts, pumpkins, etc. It was quite… fruitful, let’s say. They were tasty, too.
I work in the school farm. I grew potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, corns, tomatoes, lettuces, peanuts, pumpkins, etc. It was quite… fruitful, let’s say. They were tasty, too.
21.
Age
I am a year younger than most 16th wavers. I was born in the Year of the Rat, the first of the zodiac. I liked that. I wonder, does a year of age make a difference? On average?
I am a year younger than most 16th wavers. I was born in the Year of the Rat, the first of the zodiac. I liked that. I wonder, does a year of age make a difference? On average?
22. Instruments
I play the violin. And the piano. And the harmonica. I don’t actually practice them, I just play with them, playing the melodies of songs. My skills aren’t really good, but I am content.
I play the violin. And the piano. And the harmonica. I don’t actually practice them, I just play with them, playing the melodies of songs. My skills aren’t really good, but I am content.
23.
Christianity
I am a Christian- not devout, thought. I have mixed feelings toward the religion- guilty, cynical, curious… but Mom keeps telling me the God will be on my side. She means well, and I can’t resist it altogether.
I am a Christian- not devout, thought. I have mixed feelings toward the religion- guilty, cynical, curious… but Mom keeps telling me the God will be on my side. She means well, and I can’t resist it altogether.
24.
Facial Expression
I have a “characteristic expression,” let’s say. Some say I look sleepy, others say I look pale and sickly. I’ve heard wistful, blank, tired… as well. I’m curious how I look, since in the mirror I look just fine.
I have a “characteristic expression,” let’s say. Some say I look sleepy, others say I look pale and sickly. I’ve heard wistful, blank, tired… as well. I’m curious how I look, since in the mirror I look just fine.
25.
Red
I like the color red the most. I prefer steaming hot over lukewarm. I like the zeal, passion, and the fire-like qualities associated with the color red. Oh, isn’t the color of fresh blood pretty?
I like the color red the most. I prefer steaming hot over lukewarm. I like the zeal, passion, and the fire-like qualities associated with the color red. Oh, isn’t the color of fresh blood pretty?
26.
Three Mufflers
I have three red mufflers. One of them is almost five years old now. It’s all frayed now, but it’s soft and has little fur balls at the end. Mom bought it for me. The second one is really long, thick, and a bit coarse. My aunt knit it for me, along with a woolen hat that was too small for me. The last one is a connected woolen ring. 7-year friend of mine gave it as a Christmas present. It’s so stretched out that it’s not really warm now. These are not very useful as mufflers. But I love them all.
I have three red mufflers. One of them is almost five years old now. It’s all frayed now, but it’s soft and has little fur balls at the end. Mom bought it for me. The second one is really long, thick, and a bit coarse. My aunt knit it for me, along with a woolen hat that was too small for me. The last one is a connected woolen ring. 7-year friend of mine gave it as a Christmas present. It’s so stretched out that it’s not really warm now. These are not very useful as mufflers. But I love them all.
27.
Happiness
I am most happy when I’m curled up inside my bed, with sweet biscuits and a nice book to read.
I am most happy when I’m curled up inside my bed, with sweet biscuits and a nice book to read.
28.
Subway
Another place I liked to read is on a subway (or a train). I like the gentle wobble, the feeling of progressing somewhere, and the constantly changing passengers. You could feel yourself smiling without even realizing it. Except during the rush hour. That is awful.
Another place I liked to read is on a subway (or a train). I like the gentle wobble, the feeling of progressing somewhere, and the constantly changing passengers. You could feel yourself smiling without even realizing it. Except during the rush hour. That is awful.
29.
Singing in the Shower
I like singing in the shower, but I can’t very often. For one thing, I’m usually short of time and five minutes is enough for a shower. Second, when I start singing, I can’t bear my own voice- it’s so loud and ringing. So I just quit.
I like singing in the shower, but I can’t very often. For one thing, I’m usually short of time and five minutes is enough for a shower. Second, when I start singing, I can’t bear my own voice- it’s so loud and ringing. So I just quit.
30.
Ticklish
I am extremely ticklish. Really, it’s out of your imagination. It’s this one fatal weakness of mine. One time, Yoo Sun (my former roommate) and I got into an elevator. There were just the two of us. She grinned wickedly and started tickling me. By the time the door opened, I had been twitching in the corner, laughing like crazy. It was sheer torture, really!
I am extremely ticklish. Really, it’s out of your imagination. It’s this one fatal weakness of mine. One time, Yoo Sun (my former roommate) and I got into an elevator. There were just the two of us. She grinned wickedly and started tickling me. By the time the door opened, I had been twitching in the corner, laughing like crazy. It was sheer torture, really!
As for your wish, I think that is because KMLA is such a busy place. Being free has become abnormal after some time, reallyㅠ. The list gives me an impression that you are interested in many different things. Also, it reflects your bright personality;) I liked skin color, transfer and subway part.
ReplyDeleteI actually learned a lot about you through this post. I don't know much about you, but I do think that introducing MIKA into your essay and leadingn it towards your passion for French may be a good essay. And I do agree that much of your writing is a flow of consciousness, but good writing nonetheless. I also do think your dislike of wasting time, love for reading books, and passion for political science can also flow into one essay.
ReplyDeleteDear Jiyun (aka Jiyoon),
ReplyDeletePlease write an "inner-voice" essay that begins on the subway (#28). It's a cold day, so you are wearing one of your three favorite mufflers (#26), which you personify as a friend - a sort of childhood blanket you can wrap around your neck. How does it smell and feel? Really bring it to life. On this subway, you are reading (#1)a BOOK for AP, and you are making notes (thinking about how your handwriting isn't very beautiful #13, and how letters become words and become sentences and become novels etc. as you did in your other essay). Maybe someone comes on the subway who interrupts your stream of consciousness (How? That's up to you. Maybe they "smile" at you and you smile back, wondering why someone would randomly smile at you because your facial expression is a mystery #24), and then it is time for you to TRANSFER to a new subway line to get home. Transfer!(#10) As you wander the subways station towards your next train, you think about how life has been like a subway map - transferring to all those schools and learning from constant exposure.
So, this is an reflective essay using the metaphor of a subway journey - where YOU narrate your inner voice and transition from the things I describe above. Have fun!