Who Am I - Personal Statement Example

 Who am I? Greetings my name is Mingfeng Gao but growing up, and my friends called me Gavin because I was a diehard fan of Gavin DeGraw. I was born in 1988 in China. I am the fifth-born in a family of five boys. So far I have travelled to two countries with the purpose of education. I studied in Singapore for nine years, and presently I am in the United States where I have stayed for two years now. I took this class because I think interpersonal communication is a very vital skill to have in this current society, and it will aid me in my career and social life (Wood 12). I can say that a great childhood life. Growing up with elder brothers was so much fun, since I was always tagging along with the boys wherever they went. They were, and still are the best siblings anyone could have. My parents raised me like the rest of the big boys, and we used to go hunting and fishing, and these became my favorite pass time. I was mature for my age since everyone else was a bit older and so I also was independent and a bit grown up compared to most kids my age. Most of my friends used to annoy me all the time during my adolescent years for acting so immaturely. My life as a child was a bundle of mischief and humor for the whole family. I remember a time many years back when my family and I went to a restaurant for lunch after fishing, and while waiting for our meals to be brought by the waitress, I took one of my crayons-I never left the house without them for some reason- and toss it to my brother Tommy who was seated opposite me. However instead of hitting Tommy, the crayon flew past the side of his head and hit a man who was seating behind him at the next table. I was so terrified at first since I thought that the man would get angry and have us kicked out but to my surprise the man did not seem to notice a thing. I then started laughing as I was so relieved that the situation turned out the way it did, and I had my whole family doubled over laughing and we all – including my parents- had to bury our faces in our hands so no one could hear us laugh. Yes, my childhood was awesome. Not everyone in my neighborhood was fortunate like my siblings and I. Some of our friends were raised by single parents and life for them was very difficult. Life being very expensive growing up required a family to have two salary incomes so as to make it with all the bills, the rent and other expenses. Despite the case, we had both our parents together and both working. My mother was a teacher in a local elementary school, and my father worked in a construction company. Our parents were very strict with our school work and they always reminded us that education is the key to a bright future. As I grew up, I saw a difference in people’s lives as those who went to school had a better life as compared to those who dropped out of school in high school. I always admired one particular young man by the name Benson, who went to college and became a doctor. I always stood at a distance just to watch him as he came home to visit his family in his very excellent car bearing gifts for everyone. It is this admiration that made me chose my friends wisely and takes my studies very seriously when I was growing up. I always like going to church, something that I still do even now. I have a strong Christian foundation that has been my fountain of direction in life. Being a young person, I decide to follow the Christian teaching and lead a Christian life since I realize that a lot of bad things are out there in the world. Having a good sense of direction and encouragement from strong characters like my parents, and my pastor will be of great help to me. I have witnessed many young people in my neighborhood get lost to the world where some ended up being drug junkies and others in jail but I wanted to be different. I wanted my story to be unique from the usual. I like engage myself with individuals who build me and inspire me to be better. I draw my inspiration from Richard Branson, a man who refused to let other people define him and his destiny. He did not allow his current situation or his inability to pass examinations cloud his judgment on his ability to do business. Even after his teachers told him he was not good in school, he went ahead to prove their perception of him wrong. Richard Branson dedicated himself to becoming a self made entrepreneur at a young age of 17. By dedication and hard work, he is currently the owner of a business empire worth billions and all because he did not ever doubt his abilities. He inspires me because there are times when the odds are against me, but when I remember this great man and how he turned his life around, I get inspired to try again and believe in myself even when no one else believes in me. I also draw my inspiration from the late Martin Luther King Junior. He is mostly remembered as a great inspirational speaker who led the African Americans movement against racial injustice. He was a great man who used words to motivate his followers and demand justice for his people without inciting violence. I draw inspiration from him because I admire his unique leadership technique; which he was able to move and inspire the masses with words rather than using force by fighting. I like to do charity work every chance I get since it is the only way that I can create an impact in the life of a less fortunate human being. I am convicted that every child deserves a chance to good health care and good education, to get ahead in life. I volunteer at any children’s home I can find. This is because I like working with the young generation and giving them hope that they stand an equal chance in making it in life no matter their current situation. I have been volunteering at the organization for five years now, and the experience had made me a better person in that I have learned that am fortunate and that it is my duty to offer help to those around me who are less fortunate. Being an extrovert, I am the go-to person for most of my friends. When any of them is in trouble, and they need someone to put in a good word for them to lessen the situation, I am the one they come looking for. I am outgoing and very outspoken so I get to be the first to meet their new girlfriends before anyone else not just because I am fun to be around, - not that am blowing my own trumpet- but they say that I am a good judge of character, an aspect that comes in handy when they meet someone new. When am not doing character traits on my friends’ new girlfriends, I like going to art galleries to see the new works of art that have come up. I love art a lot, and I even try to draw sometimes and I hope to get a few of my work in a gallery collection sometime in the future. My love for drawing came a few years back when I attended a historical art talk that was held to inspire young talented artists into perfecting their skills in art. The talk was very informative, and it enlightened me that art is one of the oldest industries that were passed on from generation to generation to the present time. It was the very initial time I saw one of the oldest work of art, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. I also enjoy reading literature be it poetry, novels, journals, and you name it. I find reading to be refreshing and informative. It is for this reason that my bag never misses having a book in it. I also like music especially Jazz music and classical music mostly because I appreciate a good musical instrument when manipulated to make a good sound. In those few years that I have lived, I would say that I have lived a good life thanks to the good support system that has been around me. Every experience had made me wiser, brighter and better, and I hope to pass on the goodness that other have so selflessly shown to me to others around me. I enjoy my life in Foothill College studying to build a career in Business Management, something that I have wanted to do. This is my second year in the institution, and I have been performing very well, and I am so proud of myself. My near-future educational plan is to transfer to a four-year university soon. I take part in a few extra-curricular activities that I enjoy for example I play tennis, and I participate in friendly swimming competitions. I never envisioned that marriage was for me, the concept of being tied down by a wife and children did not appeal to me at all. Seeing my parents raise five children – and I know for sure that we were not an easy bunch- made me doubt if I had that capability. However, volunteering has completely changed my mind. Seeing firsthand the suffering of those children whose parents did not make better choices in life made me want to show change. I look forward to meeting a beautiful young lady and get married. I now hope that I will get to be a father someday and be a good father just like my father was to me and my siblings. My mother is a very strong woman of character and lots of charm. My parents were my very first role models, and I always admired them and the life they have led all these years. I always aim to make them proud of me in everything that I do since to me they are the best parents any child could have. I also hope I will become an inspiration to others just like others have been an inspiration to me. Work cited Wood, Julia T.. Communication in our lives. Belmont [Calif.: Wadsworth Pub. Co., 1997. Print. Read More