Wm Taylor nice. It
is said that a person is shaped by their genetics and environment. My
genetic past links me to characters such as Sir Isaac Newton. My
background includes English, Swedish, Chinese, Welsh, and other
Northern European races. Some of my relatives have been mathematicians,
scientists, inventors, and even concert pianists. I myself have a
predilection towards math and science.
A person’s environment also shapes who they become. I am a Californian by birth and have spent my whole life in El Segundo. El Segundo is a relatively quiet small town with excellent schools funded in part by the oil industry. I have benefited greatly by the excellent education the schools have offered.
My father is an
engineer and my mother was a homemaker. When I was less than two years
old my mother started using a teaching system and I learned different
languages and how to read words at a very young age. She left the
family when I was small and in need of maternal support. I feel that
this has a left a void in my life and has put me a somewhat of a
disadvantage. My father works hard in a field that is very demanding.
Consequently, part of the responsibility of the household has fallen on
my shoulders.
There are many
members of my family who have helped shape who I am. First, my father
has demonstrated and helped provide me with an interest in science and
math. My grandparents and aunt have always been there to provide
support and caring.
As a young child I
did benefited from the love and support of my extended family. My
grandparents traveled to Park City, Utah in the summertime and my
brother and I had the opportunity to experience many new things. We
played soccer, went mountain biking, and I even went on outdoor
adventures in the wilderness. I became a very good swimmer and was
invited to join the polo team. These experiences provided an
opportunity to learn skills and form relationships with other kids.
As a family, my
dad, brother and I have traveled some - mostly in the United States,
but have also taken trips to Mexico. I have enjoyed and learned from
these experiences. I enjoyed the slow pace of the South and the even
slower pace of Mexico. I enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Memphis
and hear the jazz music. Horseback riding, dune buggy trips, fossil
collecting and kayaking have also provided entertainment.
As a child I was somewhat impulsive and it was hard for me to make friends. This is still a weak area in my life and I strive to make improvements in relationships in school. I have been actually involved in tournaments with trading card games and have made friends in this arena. I am one of the important main members of SWF (Smash World Forums) which is a major branch of MLG (Major League Gaming).
As a child and even now I have strong interests in video games and computers. I had an opportunity to go to the University of California, Berkley and the Lawrence Hall of Science to take courses in web design and video game design. The courses were instrumental to provide additional motivation to learn about games. I also really enjoy the creativity of designing game characters and creating games. Later I attended Cybercamp at the University of California, Los Angles. I was planning to become a counselor the following year, however, I had to attend summer school instead.
Early on in grade school I started playing the clarinet. I have enjoyed playing in the band through high school. I have even written some of my own music. I consider music to be an important activity. I have alternated between first and second chair. I would like to continue my musical by playing in a college or university band.
Reading has always been a passion for me. I enjoy science fiction, fantasy fiction, mythology, and non-fiction. I actually began reading at the age of four. I spent several summers in the library.
Another passion of mine is chess and other strategic games. I would read strategy books and my game has greatly improved. There was time when I would play games against good chess players in the park.
Mathematic puzzles fascinate me. I found simple algorithms for squares, cubes, tesseracts, and a “pseudo-algorithm” for prime numbers on my own several years ago.
I love being creative. I enjoy drawing and designing. I also enjoy drawing in computer programs.
Academic achievement is important to me. When I was younger I struggled with school, however, the problem was more with organization and completing assignments then with my abilities. I have a better handle on organization, but it can still present a problem. Essentially my life has revolved around school where my family would often play second fiddle to such. I often have been forced to schedule events around school activities which, although is considered the norm for many, has taken its toll on me. I often get sick for 1-2 day intervals which has deeply crippled my performance in both school and life in general. Though my efforts are overshadowed by overwhelming absence, I continue to progress with an optimistic prospect. Causality is one of many predominating forces in life, where the value of each moment is subsequently determined through self-made choices. I am a senior and whereas I am not sure what direction I will be taking in life, I am sure that I want to pursue a career in the sciences such as engineering or mathematics. I can envision myself going in many directions. My dream career would be a video game designer or scientist. I intend to go for my Ph.D. I believe I have much to offer a school. I am committed, I work hard and am able to view things with a unique perspective. |