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.