truth

UC System: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Reality: I live in a strange place, in a Frankenstein’s monster made by my parents. They didn’t only create my existence; they taught me how to see it. Through their lectures and lessons, they construct opinions, personality, and lifetime goals, culminating in a burning desire to reverse global warming with bioengineering. I have yet to meet anyone as influential as them on every aspect of my lif e.

Through Mom’s life in China I find my identity and cultural past. Proverbs: The frog in the well sees only the small circle of sky – No wind, no waves – One day cannot freeze a lake – Learn a horse’s strength over long distances; learn one’s true heart over time. Buddhism, above all else, stresses respect for all life. Over the dinner table I hear stories of my Grandfather whispering to Mom’s blue-eyed white cat, who goes and meows in her face until she wakes up for school. Or excerpts from the epic Journey to the West: Monk Xuanzang, the Monkey King, and the Boar-Monk subdue a despairing fallen angel, now river monster, to join their quest for Buddhist Enlightenment. I wear my jade necklace at all times, to prevent spiritual possessions. Experienced forearms prepare traditional Cantonese cuisine. Manifestations of China in Mom comfort and mold me, not only building foundations to broaden pride and memories and imaginations and curiosities, but condition me for Dad’s plans.

Dad inherited a different set of proverbs, prompting a different perspective on life. “You probably remember this one,” glasses flashing. “‘-You will always find another taller mountain.’ Be humble, but don’t back away from challenges. Only with proof do you then boast, and only during opportune moments. After climbing one mountain, prepare to climb a taller one; understand, Johnathan?” An immigrant from China during Communist days, he spent American days soaking up and analyzing mannerisms and cultures. His set of life advice – “always keep an open mind,” “always challenge and question,” – betray his observations of the best and worst of Bay Area living. Lastly, my dad brought attention to those who exhibit bravery transcending glory – the scientist, and their honor code. Sacrifice personal glory for benefit of humankind. One day, anchormen talk of Global Warming’s origins and world presence. Another day they excitedly talk of bioengineering’s potential to defeat this nemesis of humanity, and I decide my fate. With Mom and Dad looking on, the will, the open eyes, and the mind all agree – JFK always meant “ask not what the world can do for you – ask what you can do for the world.”

Global Warming provides me a chance to express myself and my parents’ thoughts to the world. Mother’s cultural library-creative environmentalist and Dad’s always-questioning intellectual fuse together in me. I answer the call to reverse Global Warming because all other organisms maintain a balance with Earth; we have no right to act any different. I protect the Earth because with survival comes exploration and another chance to preserve instead of pilfer.  I realize that through reinvention of the wheel comes excess – why not use Nature’s own machines, organisms, for a job they would’ve taken given the chancel? For this, harnessing bioengineering to reverse Global Warming appeals to me the most. To take a problem Nature could solve and solve it for the benefit of humanity, the world. Because I must not let the chance slip by.

My Reality never chooses exclusively easy or difficult paths; it chooses memorable, educational, enjoyable trails. Because I cannot thank my parents enough for my life, personality, identity, goals.  Because global warming affects the world. Because the world is worth saving. Because my world takes challenges on not for the glory, but for the experience and knowledge obtained; because life starts with decisions made.