(no subject)
Pheew, the past few days have been tiring with my physical sickness and fever dragging my spirits down into a slump. Thanks to everyone who gave me some piece of advice about that past journal post. i was just stressed and tired. well, onto a lighter note, i have finished 4 of the 6 applications i plan to submit so far. there is still a possiblity of more colleges but for right now i only have 2 left. i first completed my uf and fsu applications because they were the same and i just pretty much copied the same information onto both. but yesterday i finally sent off my gatech and miami apps which were both a bear (using doherty's image loosely). here's the essay, i know it's a little late but feedback is encouraged.
Evaluate a significant experience or achievement that has special meaning to you
The walls echo as if taunting my ever quiet steps as I approach the empty room. The half broken piano sits to the side and the half corked walls appear to crumble as I step into the confining cell. My case opens smoothly with no sound at all as I pull out the glossy instrument having been shined only the night before. This is the moment of preparation as my fingers began to warm at the touch of its finely crafted neck. Soon, the dimly lit room and all of its unfamiliar objects become lively at the sound of these beautiful strings. The horsehair pulls across and soon all the walls are gone, nothing exists. These walls are replaced with a crowd of people, judges, and teachers alike. They gaze in admiration as I play each individual note with a precision that is inhuman. The notes in rapid succession create the music of Mozart and fill the room now echoing in delight as I hit the climax of the piece. When the piece is over, there is only silence, the silence of thunderous clapping in the mind of a teenager awe stricken by his ability to play such a beautiful piece. The thought of rewards are absent as only the moment is important. My remaining energy disappears with that final stroke and the experience ends with a disappointment for others, but not for me...a finalist.
For me, the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event was reason enough to invoke a feeling of great achievement. However, it was the moment when all my preparation and work amounted to a public performance for both my friends and family to hear which allowed for me to feel a satisfaction in myself that could not otherwise be felt. The amount of dedication and time was indeed largely insignificant to the perfection achieved through the right state of mind. The ability to choose to do something and the ability to carry it forward are two distinctly different actions and it is to that accord that attaining both is truly noteworthy. Little else can compare to an activity for which one tries their hardest to succeed and actually attains that level of self-satisfaction. It is to that type of achievement that I feel I can confidently say I was proud of myself that day.
Evaluate a significant experience or achievement that has special meaning to you
The walls echo as if taunting my ever quiet steps as I approach the empty room. The half broken piano sits to the side and the half corked walls appear to crumble as I step into the confining cell. My case opens smoothly with no sound at all as I pull out the glossy instrument having been shined only the night before. This is the moment of preparation as my fingers began to warm at the touch of its finely crafted neck. Soon, the dimly lit room and all of its unfamiliar objects become lively at the sound of these beautiful strings. The horsehair pulls across and soon all the walls are gone, nothing exists. These walls are replaced with a crowd of people, judges, and teachers alike. They gaze in admiration as I play each individual note with a precision that is inhuman. The notes in rapid succession create the music of Mozart and fill the room now echoing in delight as I hit the climax of the piece. When the piece is over, there is only silence, the silence of thunderous clapping in the mind of a teenager awe stricken by his ability to play such a beautiful piece. The thought of rewards are absent as only the moment is important. My remaining energy disappears with that final stroke and the experience ends with a disappointment for others, but not for me...a finalist.
For me, the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event was reason enough to invoke a feeling of great achievement. However, it was the moment when all my preparation and work amounted to a public performance for both my friends and family to hear which allowed for me to feel a satisfaction in myself that could not otherwise be felt. The amount of dedication and time was indeed largely insignificant to the perfection achieved through the right state of mind. The ability to choose to do something and the ability to carry it forward are two distinctly different actions and it is to that accord that attaining both is truly noteworthy. Little else can compare to an activity for which one tries their hardest to succeed and actually attains that level of self-satisfaction. It is to that type of achievement that I feel I can confidently say I was proud of myself that day.