One Person In History

Writer's note: It was written during the same period that most of my English essays poster here were written. Nothing much to say, I guess.

If you could meet one person in history, who would be that person and why?

Meeting one person in history is not something I have really imagined before. However, if I could meet one person in history, he would be Alfred Bernhard Nobel. I know that people know few things from this great man. I will tell you what I know about him later. I will also explain what makes me want to choose him.

Firstly, I will give you some information about Alfred Nobel. He saw that the people who wanted to explode something, such as making a tunnel through a mountain, had to be very careful since they could not control the explosion. After that, he invented dynamites that were very useful, even until now. However, he regretted his invention because dynamites were also used in wars. He had never got married until the end of his life. He wrote a will that stated that all of his money should be given to people who could do something to make this world better. We know this as Nobel Prize. This story is perhaps not purely right since it has been a long time since I read it. However, the story is more or less like this.

The story is one of the reasons why I choose him while I can choose Einstein, Thomas Edison, or Elvis Presley. Everything in this world can have any negative effects. However, he realised at last that negative effect of his invention could kill many innocent people. Finally, Nobel Prize is absolutely great. In my opinion, Nobel Prize remains unbeatable up until now since there is not another prize to do something useful for the world in many aspects. I think that getting a Nobel Prize can make me prouder that getting two Oscars. Because of this, Alfred Nobel is also truly great.

If I could meet Alfred Nobel, I would have some conversations with him. I want to encourage him. He should not be so depressed because it would not make anything better. Many other inventions in the world also have negative effects. In addition, I also want to praise him for the brilliant idea of Nobel Prize. The most important thing is that if I met him, I would talk to him as a friend, not as an annoying person.

To sum up, I would choose Alfred Nobel if I could met one person in history because he was a great person as I have explained. Perhaps I do not know many things about him. Nevertheless, for me, he was not just a person in history. He was a great person. However, I did not really want to meet anyone in history. It will be rather creepy, won’t it?

The Motto Which Motivates Me The Most

Writer's note: It's quite a personal non-fiction. Well, it was written about almost one year ago. It's definitely not well-written. My life had changed a lot, too, which makes these things here not so relevant anymore. But this would be a fragment of my emotion at one point in my life.

Actually, I do not purely believe in mottos. I had not heard a motto that was able to be used in any condition. However, I was forced to choose a motto. Let’s say I have some mottos in my life. I nonetheless choose the motto that has been proved to be true in many conditions. It probably was simple and common for many people. Nevertheless, I will try to make you understand how important it is to me in my life. The motto that motivates me the most in my whole life: “I have friends.”

Firstly, to make you understand what I will explain later, I will explain one thing first. I have a rule that “Someone is your friend does not mean you are his friend.” I mean someone is your friend if you consider him as your friend. However, you are not his friend unless he considers you as his friends. Thus, in this page, if I say “A is B’s friend” it means that “A” considers “B” as his friend no matter “B” considers “A” as his friend or not. Do not forget this rule.

Actually, I will never ever be able to really tell you how much they have affected me. My story cannot be summed up in two or three pages; it cannot be packaged into something simple that you could understand easily.

I will begin to explain the reasons now. Honestly, I am not a good person. In addition, I had thought about living alone when I was in 3rd grade of primary school and I had thought about suicide when I was in 5th grade. You may think that I have a “hard life”. I apologize that I cannot tell more about it.

If at this point you think that I told these to my best friends and they had motivated me to live this life fully until now, I have to apologize once more time. I have never told them up until now. Furthermore, it is the first time I tell this to someone else. I do not want to beg for someone’s sorry or concern.

My friends kept me alive with their own way that they have never realised. What makes me alive is the time I have passed with them. When I graduated from primary school, almost all of my friends (remember the rule) went to the different school with me. Luckily, I met even more wonderful friends.

Even I was always sad when we went home early from school and when a long holiday came. However, I did not show it. I just kept that feeling in my heart. I knew that those were able to make them happy so that I should feel happy for them. Furthermore, even they were in my dream on a one-week holiday. I realise that everyone should love God, himself, and his family first before their friends. I nonetheless cannot help loving my friends. They are truly an important part in my life. They always have a special space in my heart. By the way, another rule of mine is that God, my family, and I are my friends. Actually, everyone is my friend (remember the rule) as long as I feel he is.

Now it is time for me to give some experiences. When I was in 8th grade, I felt so desperate for days because I did not think I was my friends’ friend. I felt like losing a purpose in life. I had no better choice than telling that to some friends. Since this life is not a soap opera, do not think that they said, “We are your friends, Fred.” That would be disgusting and dishonest. Luckily, telling them helped me to realise that it was not important. That desperation born a statement that, “If I want someone to consider me as his friend, I have nothing to do but try my best to show that I was deserved to be his friend.”

I will tell you another experience. When I was in 9th grade, I went into the biggest desperation in my life for months. I thought that I was slowly losing all my friends. I was certainly in despair. I began to regret every single thing I did wrong in life, every single chance I had missed, every single sacrifice I had refused to do, and many else. I had tried many things. I nonetheless had not managed to say that was wrong. At last, I thought it was “God’s plan” so that I could leave all of them without hurt. I believe that they are still my friends. They did not change. It was me who changed.

To sum up, thinking that “I have friends” motivated me a lot. No matter what you think about the motto, I love that simple motto. Although perhaps it cannot be considered as a real motto, I choose it. It had helped me in many events through my whole pre-teen and teenage life. It proved that the motto is true. It is my best motto. No matter what you think about this, I have friends and that is all that matters.

You have to have a dream or you go nowhere

Writer's note: Written in the beginning of 2008 for my attempt for Commonwealth Essay Competition. It's not so good and not so focused but it's not so terrible I guess. Enjoy.

“You have to have a dream or you go nowhere”. (Kofi Annan)

Everyone has a dream, or even more. Some may argue that they do not. However, in fact, they just have not known or decided what their dreams are. Dreams are significant in people’s life. Unfortunately, people are often discouraged to dream by the pressure of being pragmatic as they grow. Nothing can limit everyone’s dream. People are able to make their dreams come true if they try to do their best to achieve the dreams. Many successful people had to work extremely hard and failed for a myriad of times prior to chasing their dreams.

One of them is Thomas Alva Edison. His inventions including phonograph and a durable light bulb have been fundamentally influential in this world even until now. He was dropped out from school after 3 months due to his wandering mind. Her mother decided to home schooled him by herself. He had various occupations and accidents before he succeeded. He became tremendously famous that his name is used for the name of places, awards, and other items currently. However, uphill struggles had been done to realise his dreams. His experiments had made him fired and even deaf. His sacrifices definitely did not end in vain. He lighted up the world.

Another successful person is Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber that has reached the peak of Mount Everest. Initially, he was a shy small boy who spent his time reading. He found his interest in climbing at the age of 16. In 1952, his team failed because of the lack of route. He joined another team in 1953 that finally managed to conquer the gigantic monster. He suddenly earned international acclaims. Nevertheless, it was not the end. He stepped his feet on 10 other peaks in the Himalayas.

Besides his triumph over the highest mountain on earth, there are more of his deeds to be appreciated. He devoted his life to build schools and hospitals in remote areas of the Himalayas. He once told a newspaper, “They don’t give a damn for anybody else who may be in distress and it doesn’t impress me at all that they leave someone lying under the rock to die.” He was referring to the climbers that only desire to achieve the top egoistically with unwillingness to concern the others along their journey. Hence, one should still be caring and considerate while pursuing his or her dreams.

The next triumphant dreamer is Kit Chan, a popular Singaporean singer. She is also an actress, a budding entrepreneur, and a writer. Her true passion was singing since she was only five. Although she had though of becoming a teacher in her teenage years, she finally decided to follow her dream to be a singer. She persevered until she succeeded. Her albums are also popular in Taiwan. She has received a number of awards as a singer.

However, Kit also pursued another childhood dream – humanitarian worker. Kit is a National Youth Ambassador for Singapore’s National Youth Council. In 2002, she received an Award for Excellence in Youth Work. “We brought some kids {in their} late teens to Cambodia to do charity work, build playgrounds and toilets. It was good for me to see how young people need to be reminded of what a good life they have.” She actually enjoys doing these humanitarian works and care about youths despite she is a famous entertainer.

These people had struggled hard before they made their dreams come true. Nonetheless, the realisation of the dreams is not the last part. They improve and do more to the society. People should learn to dream like a child, without the barrier namely ‘Be realistic’. Dream can provide a spirit to live life to the fullest. Therefore, everyone has to have dreams and pursue them. Otherwise, you go nowhere.

If you were given three wishes, what would you ask?

Author's note: This essay was written about more than 1 year ago. It's a bit funny to meet this writing again because I think my three wishes would be entirely different if I'm asked this question now. Well, I'll still have the first wish but maybe I won't have the second wish and I have a big NO to wish the third one. I don't remember that I was this thankful and happy.

In many stories, the protagonist characters were given a number of wishes, usually three. There are certainly many people who want to have some wishes. They can ask what they really want in life. If I were given three wishes, I would ask great wisdom, peace, and something. The third wish is a secret. I will explain the reasons why I choose them.

I would ask great wisdom because I think that I can get many other things by having it. If I had great wisdom, I could make wise decisions in life so that I could be successful, patient, rich, happy, and many other things. Furthermore, if I had wisdom, I would consider myself, others, the world, and God. In addition, I would be able to help others with their problems if I had great wisdom. In short, the advantage I would get if I had great wisdom is that I would be able to know what would be the best thing I should do in any situation.

I would choose peace as my second wish because peace is one of the most important things in the world. If this world were peaceful, many problems would be solved and all good aspects in the world would develop. I am sure that everyone would be happy. Then, if this world were peaceful, people could make this world a better place for everyone. Peace is not only for human beings. Animals and environment need peace, too. Thus, people should keep the animals and environment better.

The third wish is the most difficult one to choose. I get the other two wishes in less than three minutes respectively. I nonetheless need more than thirty minutes to choose the third one. Then, for my third wish, I would ask that the two wishes are cancelled and the three wishes should be given to someone who needs them the most in the world instead. I know this is probably one of the most foolish wishes you have ever heard in your whole life up until now. After a deep thought searching for the third wish, I realise that my life is actually perfect. I do not want to get anything instantly because it will not make any sense. Whatever I wish, I should try to make the wishes come true. I believe a proverb that says, “Where there is a will, there is a way”.

I realise that everything I wish will ruin my own life. If the three wishes were granted, this life would not be exciting anymore. I have been living for more than 15 years in this world. Fifteen years is enough for me that everything in this life happens on purpose. Moreover, none of the purpose is disadvantageous for everyone. I realise that many bad things which happened in my life make me stronger, wiser, and more patient.

On the whole, I have explained about my wishes. They are wisdom, peace, and the surprising third wish. I have also explained the reasons. I realise that if I were given three wishes, I should use them well because many people want the three wishes. However, I am not a protagonist in a fairy tale. My life is absolutely perfect. What else can I wish?

Together

Songwriter's note: Written about 1 year ago because the teacher asked us to sing a song that we at least changed the lyrics. My group was the only with an original song. I finished this in one night. Music and lyrics by me although the melody and lyrics of the verses are altered when performed because my singing is so terrible that they can't get what's in my mind. By the way, this was the first song I've ever finished. I made another song first but I finished that one a few days after I finished this one.

At the first time
No one could figure that
We'd be in same rhyme
Since we didn't know much 'bout one another

At this moment
Every of us can tell
We have been so close
Although we've only together for a not so long time

Reff.
We can be strong, together
We are complete, together
Wondering we can be like this forever
When you need me, I'll be there
The obstacles, I don't care
We now, forever, and ever, are friends

We are different
But that's necessary
When in one current
We can complete one another to be stronger

Yes, there must be
Some problems among us
But they can be solved
We're together, we're strong, we can find the solution

I know that nothing lasts forever
But I don't wanna lose this feeling, yeah
Someday, when I've found some new friends
I'll never forget you all

Repeat reff 2x

Someone I Admire

Author's note: Written around the beginning of 2008, a homework. I didn't get high marks for this but the content could be worth sharing though I couldn't really write it properly. You can google her name to know more about her.

Around the end of 2006, I watched a Japanese TV drama “1 Litre of Tears”. It is inspired from the diary of Aya Kito who was diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia when she was 15. The incurable degenerative disease causes the person to lose control over their body, but because the person can retain all mental ability, it acts as a prison. However, she struggled to live her life to the fullest until her death when she was 25.

One day, Aya’s class would practice basketball passes. She and a classmate who forgot to bring her attire would be in study hall. A classmate said that was so lucky. She was boiled with anger. She said that she wanted to switch bodies, even one day, so that the classmate maybe would understand her feeling that she could not do anything she wanted to do.

Many people, including me, are often too ungrateful of our lives. Despite all the things I have and I can do, I still long for other’s greener grass. I began to be more appreciative of every single activity I can do. More importantly, I am very impressed that Aya actually put her effort to make people see things from her point of view. Many people do not wonder if this disease with undiscovered cause struck them.

When Aya was sixteen, she went through numerous tests. Some tests hurt her. Several others required her to do things such as standing on her tiptoes and closing her eyes. After the test, the doctor asked her whether it was fun. She felt treated like guinea pig. Then, her head hurt after some shots. She also made a mistake in interview. She felt miserable. She said that she studied hard because that was the only thing she was good at.

Difficulties came across her life as her disease developed. I understand that I am so fortunate compared to her. She had to do the things she did not want to do and she could not do the things she wanted to do. However, she determined to do better in what she still could do. Even I sometimes be too easily satisfied and forget to improve. She had opened my eyes to realise more.

As I watch the drama and read her diary, I know I would improve. I often get too depressed that I feel I am the most unfortunate person in the world. However, when I remembered Aya, I feel guilty that I am not thankful enough. I am luckier than numerous people. Most importantly, it grows in my heart that I must determine to live my life to the fullest despite all troubles. She inspired me a lot.

Where's Alex?

Author's Note: Written about at least 1,5 years ago for English lesson. My English was much worse then, but I chose to make only few mistakes that I came across otherwise I'll end up rewriting the whole thing, though it's quite short and has lots of fillers. This is my most incomprehensible story ever. I made several versions of how to comprehend the story but I'd rather leave it all to the readers first. Enjoy!

“Helen, please accompany me to the bookstore after school,” said Lucy.

“Bookstore? Lucy wants to go to the bookstore? Are you okay?”

“I’m really fine. I just want to buy a book as a gift for Alex. Tomorrow will be his 12th birthday,” she said.

Helen became more confused. “What? For ... Alex? Alexander?”

“Yeah, Alexander. My brother. You still remember him, don’t you?” asked Lucy.

“Yes, bu...but it has been a long time since the last time I saw him. Maybe about several months.”

“That long? I didn’t realize it. You’ll be surprised when you see him again. He has been taller and more handsome.”

“I’ll accompany you to the bookstore. But you’ll wait about five minutes. I’m going to submit my paper to Mrs. Tina after school,” said Helen.

“Thanks, Helen.”

Suddenly the bell rang. So they went to their seat.

At the bookstore...

“What about this one?”Lucy ordered a book to Helen.

“What? Alice’s Adventure In Wonderland? Come on, you yourself said that he’s gonna be twelve tomorrow.”

Lucy laughed a while. “Bad choice, huh?”

Lucy ordered another book to Helen. “How about this?”

“The A.B.C Murder by Agathe Christie? He likes detective novels, doesn’t he?” asked Helen.

“He loves detective novels. How can I forget? He has ten detective novel. Six of them are Agatha Christie’s.”

“Are you sure he doesn’t have this one?”

“He has that one. But I think he hasn’t bought that one,” said Lucy. She pointed at a novel and picked it. It was "Murder on the Orient Express".

Lucy paid the book and she walked happily from the bookstore. Helen just walked beside her slowly. Helen’s face looked rather sad and confused.

“What’s wrong with you, Helen?” asked Lucy.

“Nothing. I’m okay.”

“I think you should go home now.”

Helen looked at her watch. “I think so,” she said. “It’s three o’clock.”

“May I accompany you to your house?” offered Lucy.

She shook her head. “No, it’s okay. I can go home myself. Don’t worry about me. You’d better go home. Your mom must be worrying about you know. You haven’t told them about this, have you?”

“I haven’t. Okay, take care. See you.”

“See you.”

Then they went home. Actually, Lucy still feel something strange that could make Helen be like that. Maybe just too tired, thought Lucy.

About twenty minutes later Lucy arrived at her house. Her house is not so big and luxurious. Just a simple house. She knocked at the door several times and wait. After a while, her mother opened the door. She came in and they walked to the dining room.

“Where were you from, Lucy? You should have went home about one hour ago.”

“I was from the bookstore, “said Lucy.

“You should tell me if you wanna go somewhere after school. I was going to call police when you knocked at the door.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I won’t do it again. But now, I’m hungry.”

“I’ve cooked your favourite food, chicken soup. It’s on the table, Lucy,” said her mother.

“Oh, thank you, Mom. I’m so happy today.”

Unfortunately, the happiness didn’t last long. Suddenly, the phone rang. Her mother went to the living room and picked the phone up.

“Lucy, it’s Helen!” shouted her mother from the living room.

Lucy ran there. Then, her mother went back to the dining room.

“Hello, Helen.”

“Hi, Lucy. I just remembered. Don’t forget to bring my physics book tomorrow. There will be a physics test next week, remember?”

“Oh, yes. Don’t worry. I’ll bring it tomorrow. By the way, Helen, what do you think if I use a red wrap for the gift?” asked Lucy.

“What? The gift? Oh, that gift. I see. Red is good. But does Alex love red?”

Lucy thought for a while. “Actually, I think he loves blue. Okay, I’ll use blue. Thank you so much for today. See you tomorrow.”

“See you.”

Lucy put the phone. Then she walked to the dining room and had a bowl of chicken soup.

“Mom, we still have some blue wrap, don’t we?”

“Yes, there are some in the drawer. For what, Lucy?”

“I’ll use it to gift-wrap a book,” answered Lucy.

“Whom will you give the gift to?” asked Lucy’s mother.

“It’s secret. By the way, where’s Alex, Mom?”

“What? Alex?” Her mother looked very surprised.

Suddenly they heard someone knocked the door. Lucy ran and opened the door.

“Dad! You go home so early today. Mom has cooked chicken soup for us. It’s so delicious.”

Then they came in and walked to the dining room.

“So, where’s Alex, Mom?” asked Lucy again. Her mother still looked very surprised. Moreover, her father looked very surprised, too. The dining room became so silent. Suddenly her mother ran to her room crying. Lucy became very confused. She couldn’t understand what was happening. She looked at her father and said, “What happened, Dad? Where’s Alex?”

Her father walked towards her and talked to her slowly.

“Lucy, I know it must be very hard to receive but you have to.”

“What are you talking about, Dad?” asked Lucy.

Her father explained, “Nine years ago, our house was on fire. That time, mom was sick and I was on duty at Singapore. Our neighbours were managed to save you and Mom. But they couldn’t find Alex. Alex was burnt in the house. He has passed away, Lucy. We have to receive it.”

“No way. That’s impossible. He’s alive. He’s alive!” cried Lucy.

Lucy collapsed. Her father brought her to her room.

The next morning...

“Good morning, my lovely Lucy.” Are you okay? You collapsed yesterday. Maybe you’re too tired,” said her mother.

“I’m okay. What happened yesterday? I think I remember that Dad said something about fire. I think he said that some years ago our house was on fire and...”

Dad said, “No. I didn’t say something like that. Maybe it’s just your dream or maybe because you still have a headache. Don’t think to much, Lucy. Just calm down. We don’t want you to be sick.”

“I think so,” said Lucy. “Where’s Alex?”

“It’s a bad news, Lucy. But it’s useless to hide it form you. I regret to tell you that he got a car accident yesterday last night on his way home. When his father’s car on the way here, the car crash into a truck and exploded. We have to receive this, Lucy. We can’t do anything now,” explained her father.

Lucy cried uncontrollably. Her mother tried to calm her down. His father walked to Lucy’s room. He picked an Agatha Christie’s novel and threw it to the dustbin.

If you have anything to say or ask, please leave a comment.