<p>Phillips Andover Essay
Topic C</p>
<p>Father First, Politician Second</p>
<pre><code>In the year 2060, I will be seventy-four years old and, hopefully, still alive. I know as I grow older my thoughts and opinions will change, but my goals wont. If I were to write an autobiography it would be titled, Father First, Politician Second. My goals are to be a good father first and a great politician second.
My mother is the most important person to me. The bond I share with her is unbreakable. My mother was studying to become a surgeon when she conceived me. She decided to give up her studies so she can care for me. Even when we filed for bankruptcy my mother sold her jewelry so I could have lunch money. My mom always made sure I was well taken care of, even if it meant sacrificing her own needs or goals. That is why when I grow up and have my own family, I plan on loving and caring for my children just as much as my mother did for me. I believe if you decide to have children, then your first and most important job is being a good parent.
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<p>My country is also very important to me. I considered the USA the beacon of hope in this dark world. Our country is a democracy, which means theoretically every single citizen is just as important as another citizen, whether black or white or poor or rich. Unfortunately, in the past decade due to a recession and two wars our country has slowly been crippled. Most of the politicians nowadays seem to just argue with each other and never get much done. I hope that within the next thirty years I can become a politician and actually make a difference. I hope to get more done than just argue with other politicians and try to attract attention for myself. My goals as a politician are to stop needless spending and protect the environment. The United States spends excessive amounts of money on weapons, which can be used to improve roads and our educational system. Our planet and resources are also our home. If we plunder and destroy our own home, where will our children live, in the ruins? </p>
<pre><code>If I am still alive in 2060, I hope I am a happy old man who spoils his grandchildren. After I die, I hoped to be remembered as a loving father who raised his children into proper adults and as a politician who helped protect America and kept it running.
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<p>ANDOVER ESSSAY #2 I SENT TWO BY MISTAKE</p>
<p>Phillips Andover Essay
Topic A
My true Identity?</p>
<pre><code>Discover your true self, said Buddha, then you will reach enlightenment. As a follower of the Zen Buddhism faith, it is one of my life goals to reach the all knowing stage. Reading over Buddhas quotes and teachings had me wondering why I was not yet enlightened. I thought I knew everything about myself, therefore knowing my true self. However, after I spent a month at a Zen Center, I realized I had no idea who I truly am.
During the summer of 2009, my mom sent me to a Zen Center for a month. My time there changed my whole perspective on life through house chores and meditation. Every day for three hours I did simple chores such as cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, and washing dishes. I had never imagined myself enjoying housework. I always thought them to be tedious, but they gave me a sense of peace. Every evening we would also do an hour of meditation. It was wonderful to just sit there and cut off all thought and listen to nature. Sometimes guest speakers would come, and give lectures on life and philosophy. Those were always thought provoking and made me question many things I thought I knew about life. The house chores, the meditation activities, and the lectures gave me a sense of inner peace and a lot of time for self reflection.
During the hours I spent in self reflection, I realized a harsh truth. I had no clue who I was. I had been so involved in school, activities and friends that I had never taken time to realize who I really am. I let my activities and my social life control my thoughts and actions .They made me believe those two things were all there is to life. I had become so void and thoughtless because I failed to ask myself the most important question of all; who am I?
Although I still have no clue who I truly am, I am happy. I realize my name, my activities, friends, and family cannot really define who I am; only I can discover my true self. There have been a few bumps on the road in my life, and there is bound to be more. However I am young and healthy, which means there is no limit to what I can still achieve. I am looking forward to embarking on the journey to discover my true identity throughout my future.
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