<p>In fact I feel that I'm the sort of academic oriented student and although I'm quite well rounded in art and debate and foreign exchange I don't hold an important position anywhere... just small leader, so I choose to write about my passion for biology... I don't know if this is good enough so please tell me what you think? I don't know if it is personal enough since I talk about a topic that does not involve anything about my emotions....</p>
<p>My way to the Blue Sky</p>
<p>It was raining outside and the sky was masked by grayish clouds. Heading for her host family on a train, a Chinese girl fell into deep thoughts on her new life in France. When she looked up again and saw the sunlight piercing through the thick clouds, she suddenly burst into tears. She had never seen a sky as blue as this before. Under this clear sky, the girl started reflecting upon her past footprints and future plans.</p>
<p>Although like all other kids that have been trained to survive in the ivory tower, I felt tired of it merely because if one cant find his ultimate goal, all the challenges and competitions become fertile. However, my life underwent an unexpected change when I participated in a biology competition in 8th Grade. I was addicted to evolution, ecology, and molecular biology, despite the simplicity of the concepts I learned at the time. Since then, I couldn't stop reading all sorts of books on biology even after my bookshelf was filled; but even a spectrum of topics from micro organics to ecology on large landscape couldn't satisfy my curiosity. </p>
<p>My father has been supportive to my passion, and our common enthusiasm for science helped to diminish the generation gap between us. Having grown up in a modern age of China, I did not used to identify with his scholarly but recalcitrance logic. As a civil engineer, he worked assiduously to ensure the quality of his projects, even when professional integrity is infringed by corruption in China. My mom once told me that my dad had been jobless for half a year because he refused to compromise his professionalism for extra profits. I couldnt help crying once I realized that my dad never gave a hint of his suffering. His love and care was reticent but perennial, permeable without excessive expression, like his education to me. My father's social responsibility seriously influenced my scientific pursuit. Whenever I have a doubt in what to do and what not to do in my school research, he is the first one I turn to.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, being an urban child under the protection of my parents, I lacked first-hand experience about nature or the society, so biology was more or less an academic subject. Luckily, I was selected for an exchange program to France 10th grade. As soon as I arrived, I immediately indulged myself in the beautiful scenery of the French Alps. I lived with an adorable host family and soon got familiar with them. In France, I didn't have to compete academically with others as intensely as I did in China, which gave me freedom to allocate my time. Therefore, I organized and taught a Chinese culture and calligraphy class, traveled with with many different people and learnt languages, meanwhile read more ecology-related material such as the work of the founder of deep ecology Arne Naess and the first environmentalist Rachel Louise Carson.</p>
<p>Chloe, my host sister had been a great help. She was really a blithe spirit, and her company filled my life with mirth and joy. At times, I asked myself whether biology is the right path for me. Teaching calligraphy or being a translator can give me a fulfilling yet not so challenging lifestyle. I spoke with Chloe about my concerns. She said, "You should definitely major in biology in college. If I were to have the same talent and passion as yours, I won't hesitate to follow my dreams. Make a greater positive impact for the Earth. Believe in yourself, Chenling." Chloe looked unusually serious and candid. After a relaxing year in France, I returned to China with, in my heart, the image of a blue sky and Chloe's words.</p>
<p>Having completed the high-school level biology and excelled in national competitions, I challenged myself further by taking AP Biology. Even without a teacher and an established AP program at my school, I was determined to read through the bulky AP textbook which had been both an exercise for my brain and for my arm muscles and which was written entirely in English. I strove for the goal, persisted days and nights, and received a 5 on the AP exam.</p>
<p>My horizon has been broadened along my observation with the world's daily progress. Challenges such as energy crises and the global warming seem to impose heavier responsibilities on future ecologists, which made me eager to jump in and contribute my knowledge to related researches. I have been dreaming to extend my footprints to the US for college to continue the pursuit of becoming an ecologist. I am ready to take off on this journey because I have hitched my wagon to the blue sky.</p>