Personal Statement Essay, Research Paper
“So, sweetheart, what would you like for Christmas,” my dad asked while I was sitting
down flipping through some catalogs one December afternoon. As I put the last of the
catalogs down, I went into my room and thought about what I wanted. I never truly
desired anything until that year. I was eleven. Within the past couple months in school,
we had received new computers. While being introduced to Photoshop and the Internet
simultaneously, I knew what I wanted out of my life. The way Photoshop manipulated
pictures and backgrounds, and overlapped them with the transparency command, I knew
that web designing was for me.
Later on that evening as I scooped up the mashed potatoes from my plate and put
them into my mouth, I heard my mothers voice, “Hunny, your father and I are going
shopping tomorrow, have you decided what you want for Christmas yet?” I gently
nodded my head up and down, and responded, “Yes, but its too expensive, so I’ll pass.”
They requested my answer again saying they will decided if it costs too much money. So, I
told them that I wanted an Internet ready computer with Photoshop and other
manipulative programs.
Weeks had gone by and Christmas crept closer. Finally, it was 6:00AM Christmas
morning as my younger brother began to bang on my door singing Christmas carols. My
parents and I arose quickly, and ran to the Christmas tree. As I opened to what I thought
was my last gift, a sweater of course, my dad had disappeared. I could hear him calling
my name from the empty room down the hall. I wasn’t sure what he wanted, yet when I
swung the door open I was in shock. There stood a seventeen inch monitor, tower, color
printer, flat bed scanner, and a wire connected to the phone line. I didn’t know whether to
sit at the computer or to thank my parents.
I questioned them, “Mom? Dad? why would you spend so much money on a
Christmas gift?” My Mom replied, “ well, Ani (my nickname), we know that computers
are your passion, and as with everything else we want to help you reach your goals. We
would do anything to make it possible to pursue the things you want.” I ran to my parents
and gave them the biggest hug anyone could ever imagine.