College Essay #2 - About Myself

50. Tell us about yourself. (University of California)



I enjoy the simple things in life. Being happy is a state of mind, and I don't think people should settle for less than they deserve. I have grown up in a family, which made me an independent being. I've been through a lot, but guess what, that’s what has made me stronger. Life has thrown me challenges, and so far, I've come out on top. I always look towards the next best thing in life. 

 Photography is a passion of mine. I love listening to music.  I'm average, and that's okay.  There is more to life than beauty on the outside. It's about what's on the inside. That's what really counts. 

It takes a while for me to soak in criticisms that are thrown at me. I was once afraid of people saying, "Who does she think she is?" Now i have the courage to stand and say, "This is who I am."  I am glad that I come from a family background where my parents believe, that being independent can always take you a step higher in life.

Elaborating more about my hobbies; firstly, I love music because it’s the only art form that a person can't touch, however, music touches you. Music cheers me up when I am sad. When I am scared and alone, I listen to music which makes me feel that someone is there beside me. Music is some kind of a protection key to me. 

Photography was always my passion. To me taking pictures is a sign of making memories. After years when you look back at the pictures, you will notice all the good times you spent with people and the great places that you have visited. It is a great feeling to look back at your life and notice all the wonderful things that you did.

I would love to travel this world and know more about the world that i am living in today. I am curious to know more...always!

College Essay #1 - Importance of a Picture

28. Attach a small photograph of something important to you and explain it its significance. (Stanford)

This picture does not have any specific background but it shows all the events of India in the past as well as the future. India has suffered from the British rule for about 200 years and this has caused a deep impact on the Indian society as it functions today. If one looks at this picture you will notice how the spinning wheel and Gandhi are dark where as there is light shining out everywhere. This shows how the past was brought to light by this great man, Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi who is known to the nation as mahatma. He was given the title of Mahatma, for he was a spiritual being who according to the Hindus attained his life from god to free India from the brutal treatment of the British. The spinning wheel that Gandhi is spinning shows how he is spinning the horrifying past of India and the backdrop that is shining portrays the bright future of India which is spun by Gandhi. He was the pride of India that we still credit.  He wanted India to be like him, to have a sharp sense of strategy that he had for he was the only one who recognized the weakness of the British. His spinning wheel shows simplicity and the vastness behind him shows the diversity. Two things combined together was what he wanted India to be. This man is one of the biggest pride that India has ever had. Gandhi being the father of the nation, always inspired my life. There are few lines which portray the meaning of Gandhi and his teachings to me.

The few lines are:

"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning."

"Inspirational Quotes: Gandhi." Inspiration Peak: Inspirational Quotes, Poetry and Short Stories. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?search=gandhi.

Article #1- France

Article/Link: France's Burqa Ban: Two Women Fined for Covering Faces

by Spiegel

Pulished: Sept. 25, 2011; accessed: Oct. 18, 2011

Summary:

France's major law which was recently passed was known as the "burqa ban". It is one of several measures passed in Europe last year against clothing that covers the face.

Two Muslim women were found disobeying the French law about the ban of burqa. These women were trying to enter the Meaux town hall with a birthday cake for Jean-Francois Cope, the mayor. He helped push the burqa ban through the French Parliament last year.

One of the women recieved a 120 Euro fine and she promised to bring her case up before the European Court of Human Rights. Another woman recieved a fine of 80 Euros as she denied to take of her niqab.

The women started to question the society and the government. They were anguished because they believed that France was being unfair towards expression of religion.

Opinion:

Of course, this is issue is a matter of opinion.  I would take the perspective that the burqa is a religious garment, even though in the West it is viewed as restrictive or extreme.  As a religious garment, I do not believe that democracies should seek to place limits or restrictions on women wearing them.  Muslim women by their culture and tradition are bounded to wear burqa's, and therefore, they do not want to go against their belief. This should be an issue which the French should have considered, before making this law. The French may believe that this will change and expand the mindset of the Muslims, but instead, this has angered the Muslim society. It is like telling the French who go to other nations to forget their own language and culture. Muslims are a part of France and therefore they should be accepted for who they are and what they believe in.


Vocabulary:
Word 1: extremist


a. "There are extremist gurus out there and we must stop their influence and barbaric ideologies," a Communist Party lawmaker named André Gerin told reporters last year, according to USA Today.


b. extremist: If you describe someone as an extremist, you disapprove of them because they try to bring about political change by using violent or extreme methods. 
Origin of the word: 1848, from the word extreme + -ist.  75;lateMiddleEnglish<Latinextrēmus,superlativeofexterusoutward. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/extreme)  


c. A previously unknown extremist group has said that woodstock was getting attacked by strangers. The goverment of Uttrakhand had to send armed military cops in order for the campus to remain under security.


Word 2: Undermines


a. "Covering one's face undermines one's identity, a woman's femininity and gender equality."


b. undermines: If you undermine someone or undermine their position or authority, you make their authority or position less secure, often by indirect methods.
Origin: 1300–50; Middle English underminen


c. During Talent show rehearsals in woodstock school, Praku undermined Josh in his own talent.


Word 3: principle


a. "For us, the question isn't the amount of the fine but the principle. 


b. Principle: The principles of a particular theory or philosophy are its basic rules or laws.
Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English, alteration of Middle French principeor Latin prīncipium,on the analogy of manciple.


c. In eighth grade computer class Mr.Vasu said "there are eight data protection principles that must be followed when using either databases or manual filing systems."