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Cultivate My Garden
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By Sam Man
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Cultivating My Garden
Word Count: 3617
Samantha Man

pg.

Cultivating My Garden
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Samantha Man

Are you living or simply existing?

pg.

Cultivating My Garden
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Samantha Man

Dedicated to the following

inspirations:
1. Mom
2. Dad
3. Tim Man
4. Ariel Chow
5. Rebecca Fok
6. Jason Chuck
7. Jocelyn Chuck
8. Brent Lee
9. Katherine Gee
10. Mr. Gibbs
11. Christian Chaves
12. Hanna Yoon
13. Tara Othman
14. Kyra Liu
15. Nathan Tabtab

16. Valentina Quintana

17. Gabi Wirth
18. Tess Schoonhoven
19. Bailee Siv
20. Maya Serna
21. Cienna Martin
22. Maddy Keith
23. Joseph Yoon
24. Coach Jennifer
25. Norman Ortiz

pg.

Cultivating My Garden
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Samantha Man

Table of Contents
Chapter 1.............................................................................................................................5
Pursuing my Career...........................................................................................................5
Chapter 2.............................................................................................................................7
Raising a Family...............................................................................................................7
Chapter 3.............................................................................................................................9
Enjoying the Now..........................................................................................................9
Chapter 4...........................................................................................................................11
Dream House..................................................................................................................11
Chapter 5...........................................................................................................................13
Enjoying my hobbies/Being thankful................................................................................13

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Samantha Man

Table of Figures
Figure 1 The Human Body is nothing without the brain.................................................................5
Figure 2 My Ideal Future School.....................................................................................................5
Figure 3 My Ideal Future Home......................................................................................................6
Figure 4 Family is forever...............................................................................................................7
Figure 5 One of the best days of my life.........................................................................................7
Figure 6 Italy, one of the places I would love to travel to...............................................................8
Figure 7 Be Kind to everyone..........................................................................................................9
Figure 8 A Dream House beyond my Imagination........................................................................11
Figure 9 A Room full of "knowledge"...........................................................................................11
Figure 10 Music is the essence of life...........................................................................................13
Figure 11 The Problem with the World..........................................................................................13
Figure 12 The REAL Issue of Life................................................................................................14

Throughout our lives, we plan our futures slowly and steadily to ensure a good life and
future. In my life story, I will pursue a job as a Medical Pathologist, raise a good family,
remember to enjoy the little things in life, build my dream house (hopefully), and enjoy my
hobbies. Following this plan will help me achieve my goals in life and be content with the person
I have become. Of course, it is nearly impossible to plan your life out perfectly. One day, we
might wake up and realize we no longer want to pursue the career we have always longed for.
Remaining optimistic and open to change will help you remain level-headed and patient. This is
my life story I hope to seek in my imminent life. Enjoy

Chapter 1
Pursuing my Career

pg.

When I was little, Ive always wanted to be

might even
be a
Neurologist.

some sort of scientist. To do tests in a

laboratory and research different diseases
was what I always
longed for. A Medical
Pathologist is someone
who studies and
diagnoses diseases in
humans using
laboratory methods.
They perform multiple
tests on patients to get
a precise diagnosis on
their disease. They
examine body fluids
Figure 1 The Human Body is nothing without the
brain
such as blood and
I will take
urine, conduct toxicology tests to look for
Chemistry
illegal drugs and toxins in the body, and
Honors in
analyze tissue samples and cells to look for
sophomore year and AP Physiology
any abnormalities. After
and AP Chemistry in junior year. In
many tests have been
senior year, I will take AP Biology.
completed, they prepare a
I will also need to take Lit 2
full report based on their
Honors, AP Lit, and AP Lang for
findings. There are many
English. I will take Algebra
types of pathologists such
2/Trigonometry Honors, Preas forensic pathologists
Calculus Honors, and Calculus BC
and clinical pathologists.
in my upcoming 3 years at high
Medical Pathologists are
school for math. I will have to
not the only ones.
maintain high grades for all my
As a child, I have
other classes in order to get into my
always been interested in
preferred colleges. I will take many AP
the human anatomy and how amazing it is.
classes in junior and senior year to hopefully
If you think about it, the human body is so
raise my GPA. In senior year, I will apply to
amazing. How it adapts to its surroundings
University of Illinois, Cornell University,
and heals itself makes the human body one
University of
of the most extraordinary and complex
Figure 3 My Ideal Future School
Pennsylvania, Harvard
things ever. Studying diseases has also been
University, Stanford University, UC
one of my favorite topics of science and was
Berkeley, and Caltech. These are a few of
the subject I always looked forward to. In
the best colleges for my future plans and
order for me to successfully obtain this
majors. At the same time, these are some of
career, I am planning on taking a class on
the hardest colleges to get accepted into.
Cognitive Neuroscience this summer at UC
With luck, I will be accepted into one of
Berkeley just to give me a good background
these colleges, majoring in Chemistry and/or
on the brain and how it works and also to be
Biology.
able to experience what its like to work in a
I will need to take advanced math
laboratory. And you never know, one day I
and science classes and maintain good
pg.
Figure 4 My Ideal Future Home

grades to get into Medical School. Im not

saying that English or History are not
important but since the job I hope to pursue
is mostly science and math, that should be
my main focus. I also want to take other
classes and enjoy myself in college so I do
not stress out too much. College is one of
the best experiences of your life because you
are old enough to be independent but at the
same time not too old. After college, I will
need to study to take the MCAT or Medical
College Admission Test to get into Medical
School. I will apply to John Hopkins School
of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and
Stanford Medical School. Once I get into
one of the schools, I will complete 4 years
and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.

After earning my MD, I will spend

3-4 years in residency, practicing pathology
under the supervision of a licensed
pathologist. Upon completing my residency,
I will need to pass written and practical
exams offered by the American Board of
Pathology to become board certified. After
that I will either work in a hospital or a
private clinic as a Medical Pathologist.
Medical Pathologists make around $180,000
annually in America. The salary may vary
depending on your position, how long you
have been working, and where you work.
Money is a somewhat big factor but I think
enjoying your job is more important. I hope
to be able to work in a suburban or urban
area down in Southern California.

pg.

Chapter 2
Raising a Family

pg.

Cultivating My Garden
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ost people dream of growing

up, getting married, and
having a family of our own.
Im hoping that I dont have

to chase
love and
that it
will just
come to
me. I
believe
God has
a plan
for me
so I do
not need
to spend
my days Figure 5 Family is forever
worrying about who I will marry. I think
high school relationships can work if you
really believe you are meant to be together.
But if you are just dating because its fun
or cool, thats a pretty bad idea. When we
date someone we often dont think about a
future. Too often, we spend all our time
looking for Mr.(or Mrs.) Right Now instead
of Mr. (or Mrs.) Right. We rush into
relationships without even thinking about it.
We just need to remember. True Love Waits.
Once I do get
married, I would love
to move to Southern
California or New
York. Apartments are
pretty expensive in
New York because it
is one of the most
popular places to live.
They can be as
expensive as $12,500
each month. I just dont want to live in
Benicia for the rest of my life. Ive always
wanted to experience the city life so
hopefully I will have an opportunity to do
that. I would either like to get married on a

beach or a nice farm. Marriage is a beautiful

thing and just the fact of being in love
makes it priceless so my wedding doesnt
have to be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Im hoping to marry a man who is
also in the medical industry or an
engineer. Someone kind, loving,
and a follower of Christ. I prefer
Asians (not to be racist but)
especially Chinese since I am
Chinese. That way we can
continue the Chinese traditions
like Mooncake Festival and
celebrating Chinese New Year.
Also my parents could teach my
children some Chinese just like
they taught me. Although I am
still not considered
bilingual...hmmm.
I hear a lot of people saying that
instead of working hard, they will just marry
rich. Like marry a rich person and steal all
their money. That is a terrible way to go in
my opinion. You want to be able to take care
of yourself and be seen as an equal to your
partner. That way you can both contribute to
the funds. So, I would rather want to marry
someone with a similar income as me. Not
more or less. After Im married, I would
love to have 2 kids or
maybe even 3 kids. I
absolutely love being
around kids and I hope
God will help me grow
into a kind and loving
mother who loves her
children unconditionally
just as He loves us. I
would like to have a boy
Figure 7 One of the best days of my life.

first and then a girl. I really like the name

Noa for guys and Keira for girls. Of course
they would both get Chinese names.

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I would also love to travel all around

the world. Japan, Singapore, and Italy are
definitely my top 3 places I would love to
go. I will continue my career as a medical
pathologist even until my kids are in
college. I will make sure to give my kids the
education they need and allow them to sign
up for different activities and sports so they
can experience different things. I will
definitely sign them up for an all year swim
team since swimming is in their blood. I
want them to be able to find something they
really enjoy doing whether it is a sport or a
hobby. I will most likely retire from my job
at around 50-60 years old. By then my kids
may even have a family of their own and
have a successful life and loving spouse.
When I retire, I will most likely move to a
smaller house and live the rest of my life in

Marriag Happine
College/Job
e ss
Figure 8 Italy, one of the places I would love to travel to.

it.

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Chapter 3

Enjoying the Now

ometimes in life were so busy with
our daily jobs that we forget to
smile, laugh and just enjoy life. We
forget to appreciate the little things
in life and spend our time worrying about
other things. Stress from family, friends, and
life gets the best of us making it hard to
enjoy the now when we constantly
worrying about the next. So maybe just
for a day or a week or even every day Ill
cherish the now. Ill sing in the shower
and laugh loudly. I could plant a garden,
remember peoples birthdays, and strive for
excellence and not perfection. I will banish
anxiety and forget past mistakes.
Just for one day, I will accept my
flaws and think less about the mirror. I
wont care about what others say or think
but love myself a little more. I will take a
walk on the beach with my loved ones, take
a bubble bath, and drive under the speed
limit. I will rekindle old friendships and
forgive others for past mistakes. I will take
responsibility for my wrongdoings and stop

blaming others, quit a bad habit, and make a

card instead of buy one. Just for a day, Ill
catch up with an old friend and make a new
one. I will give out compliments for little
and big things and love others for who they
are and not what they have. I wont make
long lists of things I want and be thankful
for what I have. Just for one day, I will trust
God in very extraordinary ways with the
impossible. I will avoid negative people and
become a positive, encouraging person. I
will remember to say please and thank
you more and never waste the opportunity
to tell someone I love them.
Maybe just for one day, Ill wake up
early and watch the sunrise and stay out late
and watch the sunset. I wont worry about
my weight and enjoy my favorite foods. I
will pick a flower, greet a stranger, and feel
free to sing off tune. Ill put others needs
before mines, making them my priority. Ill
tip a little more at a restaurant and go out for
ice cream. I will cherish the little things in
life like the clouds and the trees. I will be
more honest to others and return things I

pg.
Figure 9 Be Kind to everyone

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have borrowed. I will be more comforting

and helpful and lend a hand to those in need.
Just for one day Ill be thankful for all the
good and bad things that have happened to

me and shaped me into the person I am

today. Just for today, I will live in the
moment. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

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Cultivating My Garden
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Chapter 4
Dream House

y dream house is something

beyond my dreams. I highly
doubt this will possibly
happen but its fun to
imagine the impossible. I would love to
have a giant pool in my backyard to swim
in and exercise in. I would prefer a 4-5
bedroom and 4.5 bathrooms. This way my 2
children will get one each, my husband and
I will share one, and there will be 2 guest
rooms. I would also like to live near the
beach so I could watch the sunset every
night. Of course, in order to get my dream
house I must work hard and get into a good
college. I would also like to grow garden
outside full of fruits and vegetables to stay
healthy. This will help my family retain a
healthy well-being and grow up accustomed
to nutritious food. Another thing I would
like to have is a giant aquarium. I love
aquatic animals such as turtles and fishes. I

Figure 10 A Dream House beyond my Imagination

could make my aquarium surround a

hallway so I could just walk down the aisle.
Or I could have a fish tank that travels
around the floor, covered by a piece of
glass. Then my pets could swim around.
Along with an aquarium, I would
like to have a library full of different novels
so I can read a lot when I am older. It would
be my goal to read every single book in my

Figure 11 A Room full of "knowledge"

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library. I know right now I dont enjoy

reading that much but hopefully as I grow
older Ill be able to cherish reading more.
Along with my aquarium, library and pool, I
would also love to have a trampoline. Even
though that seems very childish and
immature, I dont even care what other
people think. Life is too short to let other
people judge you for what you like and
dont like. In fact, I once heard a very
meaningful quote before. You can be the
ripest, juiciest, most delicious peach out
there. But theres always going to be
somebody who hates peaches. We just
have to learn to ignore the negativity.
Anyways back to my dream house, I would
like to have a three story but when you enter
through the front door youre on the 2nd
floor already. So you could go upstairs or
downstairs. The style of house I would like

is either modern or craftsman because I

really like how it looks in the interior and
the exterior.
The interior of my dream house
would be very spacious and roomy and
covered in soft carpet. The bathrooms will
be spacious also and very clean and neat.
Growing up in an Asian family, Im used to
having a clean house because my mom
always cleans it so hopefully I will be just as
clean. The living room will be very
homey and comfortable with a fireplace
and a big TV. The kitchen will have a giant
fridge because food is life and an island in
the middle. That way I can cook and bake
with my family. Even though I made it
sound like a really big house, I wouldnt
want it to be too big. Sometimes small
houses are better than big houses.

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Chapter 5
Enjoying my hobbies/Being thankful

Figure 12 Music is the essence of life.

have many hobbies right now and I

hope to continue to enjoy them as I
grow older. When I am older, I would
love to teach swim lessons for free to
other children. I think it is an important life
skill to know how to swim because I know a
lot of people who are scared of the water
and you never know what could happen. I
just think its something we should all have
the opportunity to learn for our benefit.
I also love to babysit children. Even
though when I am older I will probably have
children of my own so that would be a lot of
work alone. But maybe before I have
children or even get married, I would love to
be able to babysit for other families. Finally,
one of my favorite hobbies is playing
instruments. Currently, I only know how to
play piano, guitar, and ukulele. I would love
to learn how to play the violin or the harp.
As I grow older, I would love to perform
and play for nursing homes or churches.
Right now, I love to play piano at my
church. As a child, I used to hate playing
piano because I always hated practicing but
now Im really thankful I never quit taking
piano lessons or else I would not be very
good at it. And its funny because I always
thought my parents were trying to make me
suffer but now I know that everything they
have ever done for me was all for the best.
All these extra summer school classes, piano
lessons, and swim lessons have all been to
ensure a great future for me. I have never
been extremely rich but I have always had a
roof on my head, food on my table, and
clothes on my body. And for that, I am
eternally grateful.
I know Im supposed to be talking
about my hobbies but I just want to take a
moment and say this. Most parents always
tell their kids to be thankful for everything
they have. Even though we are thankful, we
always want more. Now that I look back at
my past, I think Did I really need that?.

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People always talk about how grateful they

are about life and the stuff they have. But if
everything unnecessary such as electronics
or jewelry got taken away, would you still
be grateful for the things you have? This
really makes me think about what I have.
Every now and then, I go to Berkeley and
help out at the street meal which is where
they open the church and serve free dinner
to the homeless or less fortunate. And every
time I go I see them with large bags
strapped on their backs. Most of the time its
just filled with trash as in things like cups
or dirty clothes or just things the average
person sees as useless. We see it as
meaningless junk but to someone who has

Figure 13 The Problem with the World

nothing in their life, its everything. To

someone who has lost everything they value
the worthless because they have low
expectations. But to the average person, we
have such high expectations that we are
constantly shopping and never satisfied with
our belongings. We always want more.
So maybe just for one day, we can all
be satisfied with all we have been given and
truly be grateful. One of my favorite quotes
I have ever heard is this. People were
created to be loved, and things were created
to be used. The reason this world is in so
much chaos is because people are being
used and things are being loved. I just
think this is so relevant because we often
put our possessions before our loved ones. I

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think its time something changed... I think

this life story essay should not just be what
you hope for in the future for yourself, but

what you hope to see yourself become as a

person and how you will give back to our
world.

Cultivating My Garden
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Figure 14 The REAL Issue of Life

Cultivating My Garden
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Works Cited
Christian, S. Rickly. The One Year Alive Devotions for Students. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale
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2015.
"Medical Pathologist: Job Description, Salary and Career Outlook." Education Portal. N.p., n.d.
Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
"New York City Apartments for Rent." New York City Apartments for Rent. N.p., n.d. Web. 09
Mar. 2015.
"Pathologists :: Summary." Pathologists :: Summary. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2015.
"Top Pathology Schools in USA, Pathology School Rankings, Best Pathology Schools in USA
by Rankings." Top Pathology Schools in USA, Pathology School Rankings, Best Pathology
Schools in USA by Rankings. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.