Here is a college essay... please critique... please?
My friend Dan and I were driving together to a regatta for our crew team.
“Dan, could we turn off this music?”
“Why not? You don’t like Kenny G? I thought you liked jazz”, he asked.
“I do like jazz. I just don’t like ‘sell the house’ music.”
Dan, as most people would have been, was confused by this statement and it required some explanation.
***********************************
‘Sell the house music’ is what my little brother and I call Kenny G. My father, whenever we are about to move, will play Kenny’s soothing saxophone. His music makes me recall all of the homes in which I have lived, all of the people I have met and all of the places I have been.
I have resided in two different countries (the United States and Ireland) and four different states (New York, California, Washington and New Hampshire). I have perfected the art of assembling, packing, taping and unpacking boxes. I have attended eight different schools, none of which (with the exception of my high school) I attended for more than three years. I have lived in ten different houses. This means that there have been several houses we have had to sell, and thus, much Kenny G to accompanying them.
Moving entails leaving friends, schools, homes and much more. If there is something I have learned from the constant alteration of my surroundings, it is this: No matter how terrible a situation may seem, there is always an opportunity for something good to come from it. I believe this applies to every aspect of my life. Moving is a daunting, and profound experience, but I have always found happiness afterward. I have made new friends at new schools, while still keeping in touch with old ones. I have found new activities and new passions. I attempt to look for the good in everything. I am sure it is there if I work to find it.
With my frequent relocation, I have also learned to place a greater value on what I have. The saying is true. “You don’t know what you have until you lose it.” Each time I moved, I was disconnected from everything I once had. This made what I gained afterward seem more important. I appreciate my friendships, my school, my successes, my home and many other things to a degree that is impossible to convey in words.
I cannot imagine how I might be today if I had not moved as often as I have. I do not care to speculate on the issue. I am happy with who I am and know I can be happy wherever I am. This is something I would never trade and am extremely grateful for.
***********************************
“Well then, I guess we’ll have to change the music.” Dan replied after I explained the meaning behind the phrase.
“Thanks. Lets save it for my next move.”
He understood what I meant. The next time I hear Kenny G. will be before my next move, before I go to college.
“Dan, could we turn off this music?”
“Why not? You don’t like Kenny G? I thought you liked jazz”, he asked.
“I do like jazz. I just don’t like ‘sell the house’ music.”
Dan, as most people would have been, was confused by this statement and it required some explanation.
***********************************
‘Sell the house music’ is what my little brother and I call Kenny G. My father, whenever we are about to move, will play Kenny’s soothing saxophone. His music makes me recall all of the homes in which I have lived, all of the people I have met and all of the places I have been.
I have resided in two different countries (the United States and Ireland) and four different states (New York, California, Washington and New Hampshire). I have perfected the art of assembling, packing, taping and unpacking boxes. I have attended eight different schools, none of which (with the exception of my high school) I attended for more than three years. I have lived in ten different houses. This means that there have been several houses we have had to sell, and thus, much Kenny G to accompanying them.
Moving entails leaving friends, schools, homes and much more. If there is something I have learned from the constant alteration of my surroundings, it is this: No matter how terrible a situation may seem, there is always an opportunity for something good to come from it. I believe this applies to every aspect of my life. Moving is a daunting, and profound experience, but I have always found happiness afterward. I have made new friends at new schools, while still keeping in touch with old ones. I have found new activities and new passions. I attempt to look for the good in everything. I am sure it is there if I work to find it.
With my frequent relocation, I have also learned to place a greater value on what I have. The saying is true. “You don’t know what you have until you lose it.” Each time I moved, I was disconnected from everything I once had. This made what I gained afterward seem more important. I appreciate my friendships, my school, my successes, my home and many other things to a degree that is impossible to convey in words.
I cannot imagine how I might be today if I had not moved as often as I have. I do not care to speculate on the issue. I am happy with who I am and know I can be happy wherever I am. This is something I would never trade and am extremely grateful for.
***********************************
“Well then, I guess we’ll have to change the music.” Dan replied after I explained the meaning behind the phrase.
“Thanks. Lets save it for my next move.”
He understood what I meant. The next time I hear Kenny G. will be before my next move, before I go to college.