me

my architectural dream

MY ARCHITECTURAL DREAM
excerpt from my recently written personal essay

“The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you.”
Tom Bradley

                Being a shy boy in my family, my aunt Judy reluctantly asked me to leave. It seemed like the whole world paused while I stood there for 2 hours just watching a construction excavator across the river. It amazed me how marvelous that huge machine was lifting tons of rocks from the ground, while knowing the fact that it was designed by man. Since then I knew man have the capability to design and build ideas that was previously impossible. Journeying through a childhood of Lego blocks and hobby drawing, I soon believe that it was my destiny to be an architect.

                I heed my parents and closer relatives’ call to study hard, realizing that a higher education won’t be an easy burden for them. Hence, my academic track record was excellent – 5As in UPSR and 7As in PMR, it was glad to see tears of proud in my mother’s eyes. But those petty little drawing and chess competitions wasn’t enough for me, I needed to contribute a lasting influence to honor my school. Following my interest in Lego blocks, I represented school’s Lego robotics competition and made it to national level in Penang. The following year school’s principal realized my passion and gave me opportunity after opportunity in the design field. The list includes - led and pioneered school’s website, championed the MINDS invention competition to Beijing, China, state level of English drama competition and a high distinction in Computer Skills awarded by University of New South Wales. Though active in co-curriculum activities, I have never neglected my studies – which by the end of 2007 I scored 12As in SPM.

                While a lot of my classmates were still unclear and indecisive in their future career, my choice was absolutely clear and predetermined, architecture – the mother of all arts and the highest level of creativity. It astounds me to think that men’s best work is architecture, the seven wonders of the world for example; is the proof man attempting to challenge and outperform time. How a static space can figuratively move people and touch their senses intrigues me and reaffirmed my position towards architecture. Wealth, fame or power is never my goal; it only concerns me that my aim is to make beautiful and delightful things around us. Thus, it has and always been my dream, my passion to be an architect.

                Nevertheless, dream itself is never enough unless you start to wake up and chase it. My first step begins when I set my foot for the joint Limkokwing University and Curtin University’s Architecture Science program. Whenever I felt sleepy while drawing sketches and building models, I reminded myself of why am I here in the first place, and there another night I will endure. My hard work never disappoints me – as I have excelled for A in architectural design for four consecutive semesters. Currently my best moment is how the lecturer described how my work of design is worthy of 97, 3 marks short of perfect score in front of the entire class. Deep in my heart, I know how my unwearying father worked hard from Monday to Saturday to afford my costly tuition fees, which I could never repay in my entire life.

                Looking myself in the mirror, it reflected upon myself how much I have grown and matured from that little boy across the river. It struck me that I am already halfway towards my dream as an architect. As the saying goes, life was never easy for those who dream – and it is a relief I have walked this far. We could not predict the future, – but with little help I am rest prepared that I know which path I will work upon.

By Lee Yang Yang, 14 March 2009