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My autobiography Sometimes I think of my life as a movie. I can rewind it back in my imagination, find some crucial moments, analyze them, ponder over the impact they had on my life. It is rather convenient to view myself as the main character the plot is about me, and everybody watching this movie is wondering about what is going to happen with me. The only difference is that you cannot reel it to see what the end is. And that is the most interesting part, isnt it? When I think about that impact, I sometimes understand that it was made not by some big and obvious event, but more likely by an accidental meeting, occasionally overheard phrase, maybe even mere glance of a stranger in the street.
Such small things often change mood, change the train of thought, and therefore change your behavior, even if you do not realize that; and these fleeting trifles can alter your life as much as bit occasions can. My home nurtured in me an early attachment to books and other things of the intellect, to music, and to the out of doors. School work at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School was interesting but not difficult, leaving me plenty of time for traveling, for interacting with different interesting and exciting people, for reading and for many extracurricular activities during my high school years. My sister gave me some anticipatory glimpses of each stage of growing up. Our dinner table at home was a place for discussion and debate about people, cultures, differences, goals. My father being a pharmacist and my mother being a nurse, I can say that in general this is my family where the desire to become a health professional originates from.
I want to be a doctor when I grow up was often the answer when asked what career Id want to pursue. The term doctor incorporated a number of fields, but at that age, doctor seemed to sum it all up. Anyway, the biggest influence on my way of thinking had the life of my father. This is one the most important characters of my life scenario. There is no doubt he set the pattern I wish to follow. His life showed me how to set the vitally important goals and how to achieve them.
He managed to surmount obstacles, which for some other people would seem insuperable. He shared his experience in every sphere of life. He taught me to treat people not by words, but by their deeds. He prepared me for life in the world which surrounds me and broadened my horizons. I am absolutely positive that this is his life philosophy which taught me to think not about a problem, but look for the solution. Moreover, my father is source of inspiration for me, both professionally and spiritually.
He was the first one to show me the dignity and preciousness of the profession I later chose. On the other hand he allowed me to experience and learn valuable life lessons on my own. He always said: "It's your life. Whether you work hard or not is your own decision." These words always helped me to overcome hard times. I am who I am because of his love and support. This perhaps inborn and later nurtured desire to help others makes me participate in volunteering projects like in Little Company of Mary Hospital, Torrance, CA, in 1998 - 2000 and in Make Grove Zoo, Lodi, CA, in Spring 2003.
I feel volunteers make a vital contribution to all aspects of community life. I believe it enriches the quality of life of the community. Moreover, I can say that volunteering opened my main feature, which I would call understanding. I try to listen to what the person is trying to say so I can look at the situation from different angles. I never verbally fight; instead I am firm with my words. I know I can help people identify their problems, and then figure out ways to best cope with them; or to find constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond control.
This experience also strengthened my confidence in the choice of my future activity. I plan on starting my own practice and to volunteer to provide a free dental clinic in the community after graduating. Every day of my life and every person in my life brings some new experience, some new ideas to me. I look back from when I was a freshman in college and I see how far I have grown mentally and emotionally. I feel that I am better educated, and provided I will receive my B.
S. degree in biological sciences next year I will develop still more, yet I realize how much more I have to learn and discover for myself and in myself. For instance, I always wanted to get rid of my stubbornness as it can get in the way of new ideas. But now I understand the positive side of it. This quality when applied reasonably allows me to persevere through obstacles and overcome the fear of failure. I stay calm and look at different options of tackling an idea.
I am self-confident and allow other beneficial solutions to appear and bring them up. My real inspiration to become a dentist came from assisting a UCLA dentist, Dr. Gary Kitazawa, D. D.
S, where I performed the duties of the office secretary in summer 2000. Dr. Kitazawa and his wife Toni, who ran the business side of the dental office, practically took me in and treated me as if I were their own child. Dr. Kitazawa's work ethic and general care for his patients were reflective of his successes, and his desire to pass on these values is evident in his professorship at UCLA. Given the opportunity to work for Dr.
Kitazawa and being able to speak to the hygienists and assistants helped me learn the business side of the profession, including scheduling appointments, insurance, and public relations. Although I learned so much from Dr. Kitazawa, the bigger challenge and reflection of my desire for the profession came from interning with Dr. Eric Kaji, D.
D. S. I spent summer of the year 2001 as a dental assistant in his office. I became fully immersed in the office by doing actual assisting with Dr. Kaji. With my hands right there next to his, I was able to experience the true blend of medicine, science, and art that dentistry has become.
Another person who influenced my professional development was Dr. Greg Harper at the University of the Pacific, where I pursued undergraduate research in May-June, 2003. During this time, I learned a lot of new techniques that I haven't even seen before, like Nitrogen controlled experiments or Rotavapor evaporation. Even though 5 weeks flew by really fast, I was able to learn great details and the perfect implementation of professional ethics. Like in a movie one lives through good and not that good times and overcomes them, I also had some ups and downs. The downs in my life cannot be called pleasant experience, but undoubtedly they promoted developing of my personality and provided me with understanding of many things.
For example, my sister faced an eating disorder at the age of 17 that affected the whole family. My parents didn't know how to handle it correctly, so a lot of the times they took it out on me. In the same year, a friend of mine passed away in a car accident. It was March of the year 2002.
It got overwhelming and affected me both personally and academically. My academic grades fell slightly and I wasn't my usual self. I saw a school counselor who helped me grieve and take control of my life. I've learned how to prioritize my daily activities and to not worry about things that are out of my control. I am definitely a stronger person now because I was able to interact and bond more with my family while watching my sister overcome her problem. Just remembering Kevin Wong's wonderful life with her close friends helped the healing process.
On the other hand, I can be proud about my academic achievements, due to which I was several times encouraged with the Dean's honor. I can be praised for my social activities, which promoted me to become first to Vice-President, and then to President of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. I know that when I study hard, I achieve the level of knowledge which is desired for me. I learn from everything around me and try to give back as much as I can. I am open to new solutions, have a strong desire to help people and maintain professional. This desire pushed me to participate in the project of photo-activated Drug Delivery under the supervision of Dr.
Harper at the University of the Pacific, Chemistry Department at the moment. I believe the completing of this project will allow me to advance in organic chemistry skills, like synthesis, analysis, purification, experiment design and evaluation and perfect my laboratory and instrumental techniques and results communication. Such experience also helped me change my perception of challenge. I see challenges now as really positive aspect of my life. They help me grow stronger, develop my personality and grow professionally. Wanting to be in control of a healthy state of mind and body was my main goal during my challenging times.
To achieve this, I needed guidance which I was able to get. I want to be able to do the same for people in my dental career. I want to help the ones who seek a balanced health, as physical and emotional states are tightly interrelated and interdependent. For me as a health professional that means that Ill help people not only physically by caring for one's teeth, but emotionally as well by seeking the comfort of the patient. I want to prevent illnesses that stem from mouth pain which will allow the patient to live a better quality of life. To be able to provide help of full value, I first of all should think about my own balance and harmony of my inner world.
There are places which can also profoundly affect the development of a personality, which firmly instill certain traits and change vision of events occurring in your life. In my case it was the ocean. I have always felt comfort being near the ocean. Living by the ocean in southern California all my life, I always go to the beach whenever I have the chance. The ocean gives me a sense of calmness that I can't seem to get anywhere else.
I especially like to visit the islands of Hawaii. I feel as though the island is like me - solid, steady, strong. And I am surrounded by water... limitless.
I feel like I can explore my options in life and though there may be stress and turmoil daily, the ocean tells me to slow down and enjoy life. Having Japanese roots I had sometimes to face tensions due to different cultures and upbringing. But two absolutely opposite philosophies intertwined in me and my family provide me with numerous opportunities of behavior and reaction to stressful situations. I should mention the book which helped me in this aspect. It was Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. I enjoyed reading this book because it shows how the Chinese mother and American born daughters attempt to understand each other between their upbringing and cultures.
This book shows how culture bonds relationships together. Picking up on wisdom in the book allowed me to accept our differences and still keep my Japanese culture rich in my life. I believe that I became the person I am due to the ability to listen to people and make conclusion from their words. One of my acquaintances once wrote me the words, which made me reflect on them for a long time: "Travel far enough away my friend and you will discover something of great beauty... yourself." I interpret this quote in 2 ways. First, I guess this means that we should step away from material things.
We, humans, tend to yearn for things that might enrich our lives in every way. However, with these elements, a lot of unexpected barriers may result. A good life isnt whether one does or doesnt have certain elements in his life, but rather appreciating and enjoying what he does have. A person who has many good elements but keeps searching for something else better to make him happy will not have as good a life as someone who values the good things he already has. A person who enjoys the few good things he has is one of the happiest and most satisfied persons in the world.
He enjoys the natural splendor of nature, yet he doesnt ignore the human need of natural resources. He appreciates the civil justice system, but doesnt forget the negative outcomes involved with the fight for equality. He eats with knowledge of where his food came from, but without complaining, he eats with pleasure. To people like this person, a good life to them is living with the idea that nothing is necessary. It is appreciating what they already have that leads to a good life.
Second and I believe more important part of it is that the most precious thing we possess is our life. This is priceless gift which should not be spared for nothing. If you go your own way doing the best you can, sticking to the moral principles you have, treating others the way you would like to be treated yourself, you will live a happy life of self-fulfilling person. I also would like to mention another citation which provokes meditation. These are the words Henrik Ibsen said: "A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." I admire this quotation because it implies that a community needs to get together to make a difference in society. The community may be compared to a big family, each member of which should do everything possible to enrich the community and promote it development.
I will hold the vice-president position in the pre-dental club this upcoming fall and I will bring my leadership and passion to the school of dentistry. I hope to give back to the school as much as they give me in the form of education. The experiences in my life definitely made me a stronger individual. I have learned not to judge people, to keep an open mind, and to help others.
The desire to help and understand others as well as treat them is a goal I will keep pursuing both in professional and emotional spheres. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I already have some valuable knowledge to share. They say there is no limit for perfection. I am going at least to come as close to it as possible. I wish to live a happy life, to create a family and provide professional help to people of my community. There will be some obstacles in my way which I can predict already now, like funding for instruments, dental supplies or number of interested dentists.
But now I feel ready emotionally to get over these problems and master my own business. I will seek after high degree of professional sophistication and high level of professional ethics. I believe I possess the necessary qualities to achieve success, such as hardworking and purposefulness, patience and ability to understand. So anyway, my movie is at its very exciting point. I hope it is not yet its culmination. I will live my movie according to the best principles I have and play my role in this life in the way which is the best for people that surround me.
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Research essay sample on Quality Of Life Vice President
