"Chino-Chino" I asked, "What does it mean?" "Chinese," they replied, I said, "I am from Korea." They asked, "Which one? North?" I am … I am from the South. They were just middle school kids. They probably didn't know it was racist, but it was still quite insulting. I couldn't take any action against this irrational absurdity. The repetitive days of my new life filled me with a sense of uncertainty and angst. Everything felt unclear and unfamiliar when I had just moved from Korea. My different skin, language, and culture isolated me as a stranger in a nation we ironically call a melting pot. As a 12-year-old, I experienced these barriers in school, Monday through Friday, making school meaningless. I became engulfed with the thought, "Why do I go to school?". My skepticism about American schools disappeared as I accepted that everything was meaningless, allowing me to create meaning for myself. There are no universal values, and everything happens randomly. Confronting reality: accepting everything is meaningless has made a virtuous cycle in my life. I know life is pointless, so I don't cling to find the meaning even if I can't find it. I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world, feeling liberated from the need to find a grand purpose in life, living authentically in the present moment. Paradoxically, I became free when I realized everything was meaningless. When there are no transcendent morals and values, it means that I can create my own. My newfound meaning of life started with a small but significant step. I volunteered to lead a group presentation in my English class, a task I would have previously avoided due to my lack of confidence. Despite my initial fears, our team successfully completed the presentation. Now, I am living a less tense life with "who cares?", "why not?" and "So what?". Instead of despairing, I persistently push forward to try the things I'd typically hold back from attempting. It's about living fully, experimenting, and taking risks. The mindset of not being held back by outcomes but rather focusing on the act of doing unlocks courage, resilience, and, ultimately, a life led by personal ambition rather than the pressure of external validation. Life is mine to explore and define. Who cares if my path is unconventional? It is my life, and happiness brings mine along. I am prepared to face any challenge head-on, knowing that life's meaning is what I make of it. In many ways, I see myself as a tree that greets me at my lunch table every day. Just as a tree stands tall and steadfast through the changing seasons, I have learned to remain indifferent and resilient in the face of life's challenges. Even with bleak rain, frosty snow, scorching sunlight, gentle breezes, and fluttering butterflies, the tree endures without complaint. It simply accepts its reality and continues to grow. This is how I approach life now. I face each new challenge with calm acceptance and perseverance, knowing that my strength lies in my ability to adapt and thrive, regardless of the circumstances. Sometimes, the tree shakes its leaves gently, and sometimes, its leaves fall lightly, not out of frustration or despair, but as a natural part of its existence. Similarly, I have learned to release the need for constant meaning and purpose, embracing the randomness of life and finding my own path by understanding that life challenges are simply part of my growth. I am open to the infinite possibilities above, just like a tree rooted in the ground and reaching toward the endless sky.

My preferred Billie Eilish songs—“everything i wanted,” “my future,” and “idontwannabeyouanymore”—each resonate with me for distinct psychological and philosophical reasons, aligning with emotional, cognitive, and existential dimensions of personal development. Beginning with “everything i wanted,” the thematic focus centers on the paradox of success and the persistence of emotional distress despite external achievement. The lyrics articulate a nuanced exploration of mental health, the burdens of fame, and the often-invisible nature of internal struggle. Particularly poignant is the motif of relational support, encapsulated by the lyric, “As long as I’m here, no one can hurt you.” This sentiment underscores the importance of social bonds in fostering resilience, a theme well-documented in psychological literature on coping and recovery. The second song, “my future,” functions almost as an anthem of self-actualization. Released during a time of personal uncertainty, the track foregrounds themes of self-discovery and anticipatory hope. Rather than depicting a narrative of aimlessness, Eilish’s lyrics reflect an intentional process of becoming, mirroring psychological theories on identity formation and future orientation. Her framing of the future as something to actively construct, rather than passively await, offers a refreshing counter-narrative to fatalistic perspectives. Finally, “idontwannabeyouanymore” captures the existential discomfort associated with self-perception and identity. The song’s rawness and vulnerability articulate the alienation individuals often feel from their own self-image, a phenomenon explored in depth by existential and humanistic psychologists. Eilish’s vocal delivery, characterized by fatigue and emotional transparency, reinforces the song’s authenticity and relatability. In sum, Billie Eilish’s music resonates precisely because it eschews superficial reassurance in favor of honest representation. The songs traverse a spectrum of emotional states, maintaining sincerity and depth throughout. Rather than prescribing solutions, Eilish’s work acknowledges shared struggles, which, for many listeners, constitutes a profoundly validating experience.

I admire LeBron James not just for his on-court athleticism, but for his relentless work ethic, flexibility, and use of his platform outside of the basketball court. On the court, LeBron is the ultimate facilitator—scorer, passer, rebounder, defender, and leader. Off the court, he's an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and role model who has been remarkably scandal-free in a culture where criticism is rampant. What is so impressive about LeBron is the way that he balances raw ability with intelligence and work ethic. He came into the NBA directly from high school with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and somehow lived up to expectations. He's adjusted his game for two decades, remaining elite in each era and taking multiple teams to the Finals. The longevity of his peak is almost unmatched—he's competing against athletes a decade or more younger and still outpacing many of them. Is LeBron James the best basketball player of all time? Examining the question is tricky, as greatness can be measured in so many ways. Michael Jordan won six championships with a perfect Finals record and was the greatest closer. He changed the game culturally and globally. But LeBron's greatness is his complete impact—his ability to make those around him better, break records, and serve as the league's public face for nearly two decades. If greatness is measured by longevity, versatility, consistency, and leadership on and off the court, then, yes, LeBron James has a rock solid argument as being the all-time greatest (GOAT). Sure, he lacks Jordan's Finals record, but he has more points, more assists, more rebounds, and did it playing for different teams and systems. At the end of the day, whether he’s your number one or number two, LeBron James is undeniably one of the greatest to ever play the game. And that’s part of why I’m a fan—not just of the player, but of the person, the leader, and the legacy he’s still writing.