Heads turn as I walk by, not because I am hot, but because I am loud. I’m not a chatterbox; it’s just that my internal radio isn’t equipped with a volume dial. On top of that, I seem to have a klutz mechanism installed in my brain. Not a day goes by without me having gained a few knocks and bruises, thankfully nothing major. Each incident however, teaches me to rise up when I fall, to laugh at my mistakes and besides, provides entertainment for others.

I like life. With all its ups and downs, it is interesting to note how strong humans can be. I am always observing reality, laughing at the irony. However, I have always been partial to looking at life positively, because too few people in the world do that. I could never stand my life being static, as that would equal to me being dead. I am here for something! Things are in need of doing! Step lively! But of course, sometimes it is good to stop and smell the roses. I can already picture myself sitting by the window, with a good book and coffee in hand.

I have always had a passion for helping people, regardless of race or religion. It brings me much satisfaction to see someone have a better day. Indeed, a smile or a hug is one of the best gifts of all. Ever since I was young, I have believed in being independent. I love to figure things out. Every question should have an answer, even if I did get it wrong (of course, I’d much rather get it right). I have my own initiative to try all sorts of things, seeking to become better and better. Nevertheless, I still like working with others for any kind of project. Besides, teamwork always produces ingenious solutions. I am but still a logic thinker, and I like to come up with creative ideas and interesting solutions. However, EQ is also very important to me, as I always try to empathise with others, and to put myself in their shoes. Without EQ, logic is pointless. Other than that, trust, honesty and justice also matter a lot to me. Ethics and integrity should never be compromised. In addition, authenticity and reality play an important role in my life. I have always disliked being “fake” and materialistic. These things just do not appeal to me.

My main inspiration comes from Jesus, who provides one of the best examples of humanity. My family has also been a source of strength and wisdom, especially my parents. Friends, have taught me much about myself, in terms of social and people skills. I will cite Oprah Winfrey as one of the most inspiring people of all time. Not only has she endured many trials and tribulations, she has overcome them with panache to become a successful philanthropist, constantly inspiring and giving hope to many.

My ambition is to be a lawyer or journalist. In many ways, I see these two jobs as an opportunity to help others obtain either justice or information. As for leisure, I would really love to travel the world, especially to exotic places like Kenya, Tibet or Poland. I want to experience the culture of the world, and not just have a monotonous lifestyle, with little or no change in routine. Charity is high on my ‘to-do list’. I want to support AIDS victims and especially children in Africa.

The arts have always interested me. I appreciate the different perspectives of different people, giving me insight on various aspects in life. Writing, music, drama, dance and photography are all loves of mine. I like that there is always variation in art forms, and spontaneity in creating a piece. One thing quirky about my likes is that I appreciate old things like antiques or olden-day clothes. Unlike many teens, I would prefer antiques to IKEA, a cheongsam rather than a T-shirt (for Chinese New Year), The Carpenters and not My Chemical Romance, and historical buildings instead of modern skyscrapers. Old things, I believe, last longer than new ones.

In my family, I am the eldest child. I have a brother who is three years younger. We are a close-knit family, and for me, communication has never been a problem. Surprisingly, my parents and I have always come to a compromise without much of a fuss. My love of culture comes from my mother, while my love of food, from my father. We often travel to many places for dinner, sometimes even as far as Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur to get some hor fun, or Ipoh white coffee. I am blessed to have such a wonderful family and good food to eat!

I am grateful for your patience in reading this essay of mine. Hopefully you:
a) have not fainted
b) are still alive and well
c) have not run away
Thank you and have a nice day!