Dear x,
The progression of technology and the effects it has had on civilisationhas always fascinated me, and generated within me a profound interest in theSciences. More recently, I have begun to excel more in Biology than Chemistry orPhysics, and this is where I wish to continue my studies. In my opinion,Biological Technologies are an important resource, and are fast becoming moreimportant to industry and medicine, as fields like Bio-Materials and Geneticsare developed. I believe that there are still many new and exciting discoverieswaiting to be found, hidden within nature, and of beneficial use to humans andthe environment. I want to be a part of the next discovery
It is possible that the roots of my fascination with science come from myfirst trip to the library. As dull and as eccentric as it may seem, the bookthat I chose in the five minutes before closing time was one on Fungus of theBritish Isles. After that, I read a lot of the Eyewitness Guides series,detailing the advances in technologies from the Stone Age to the present day.What I enjoy reading now, in magazines like New Scientist, and on other sciencewebsites, is how new innovations can be put to practical use to solve modernproblems
For example, how genetic fingerprinting can be used for identificationpurposes, or how gene technology could be used to incorporate newcharacteristics into plants that enable them to grow in damaged salt farmland.Then there is the possibility that biomass, and other renewable biological fuelscould be used to at least partially replace the fossil fuels that are beginningto run out, and have been damaging the environment for a long time. Lastly, Ifind it amazing how spider silk is stronger than steel cable, weight for weight,and that in countries like China, bamboo is strong enough to be used forscaffolding that we in the western world have to use steel for. In facts likethis, I believe lies enormous potential. In nature and in society, where Ibelieve just about everyone and every thing has a place and function, thepossibilities are endless
I have only had two jobs to date. I have worked as lead waiter in a smallrestaurant, and now as a cinema employee. Other than skills of handling money,or responsibility to do a job properly, the most important lesson I think I havelearned is the importance of teamwork
The thing I have learned is that every single person has differentabilities, skills, tolerances, likes, and dislikes. The trick is seeing wherethey fit, like the pieces to a puzzle. After finishing my education, I haveconsidered research as a career. It would be a nice dream to make a famousdiscovery and go down in history, but I have not made any plans set in concreteyet. I would rather consider all of my options before I go ahead, as glory willnot put food on the table
Outside of my studies, I don't read books about fungi any more, but Isocialise with friends and meet new people, I play computer games, use theinternet, and apart from my science reading, I like to read novels - usually ofthe medieva l and fantasy genre. I also have an interest in film, and working ata cinema, I am able to watch quite a lot of movies. The strangest of myinterests, is that I take medieva l martial arts lessons with a group called TheExiles. They translate manuscripts from the 15th Century, and as a group weinterpret what they mean, and learn how the techniques shown actually work. Wework with different weapons, like long sword, dagger, and spear, but as thebasis of the system stems from unarmed combat, there is a lot of body mechanicsinvolved, and I have learned a lot about the dynamics of body movement. Eventhough fighting with medieva l weapons might not be the most often used skill intoday's world, it is an interesting experience nonetheless.
Yours sincerely,