Corpus Delicti

The fact that nobody really knows me...

May be I am hoping to be remembered by others or I want to show who I was to others although myself well knows that the past is not as important as the present. I am in college right now and nobody really knows me compared to that in my high school, I was pretty popular to both students, parents, teachers and even to the administrators. May be, I miss that “glorious” time. That is why I keep posting the traces of what I have done. Oh, silly me.

But, don’t worry. I am sooo ready to show the real Sungkyung or JoAn Kim to everybody here; I just need little more confidence and I am working on that. Just let me enjoy my grandeur past little bit more before I progress forward by jettisoning my past into the pitch dark, bottomless sea where I cannot look for it anymore.   

By the way, this was my salutatorian speech on high school graudation.

How are you today? Today is the day to celebrate your effort, progress, and legacy. So, every student should be happy and proud of themselves.

Actually, until 10 seconds ago, I have been thinking about how to make my speech memorable, meaningful and not boring. But, I could not come out with the idea that about 5,000 people would like it the same. So, I just decided to be honest.

Thomas Edison, the inventor who has brightened the world, said, “Genius is one percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.” Everything that I could have achieved in my high school years as a student who did not know any English was derived from endeavor, passion, help from others and most crucially, Almighty God.  I came to America about four years ago. At that moment, “Hello” was one of the only words that I could speak, and everybody was just repeating, “Blah, blah and blah.”

However, I could overcome the struggles with English through effort to try and learn more. Also, whenever I get frustrated, my passion to be a doctor who truly serves others and God has motivated me to be here. Last, without great help from great people around me, I would not be able to stand before you tonight.

The reason why I talked about the sources of my success, which are endeavor, passion and help from others, is to prove that I am not more special than you are; In another sense, everybody has potential to achieve greatness. These are things that everybody can find in themselves.

As Herman Hesse said, “Everybody is different and has a different story.” For example, some students love to study (may be not many); some love to exercise; some love to talk with their friends; and some love to do everything. We are like twinkling stars in the pitch dark sky. Although each star is at different position, has different size and light intensity, every star is beautiful. We are beautiful as who we are. Each person is unique and important because your life happens once only and never can be the same as another’s. Your life is wondrous and deserving of full attention. It is true that sometimes, your life might not be pleasant; it might be not sweet and harmonious like others; and it might taste of sadness and bewilderment. However, we all have one great thing in common; we have dreams that lead us to overcome any obstacles. Your dream does not have to be explicit right now; we still have times to decide. We just need a solid determination and dedication that you are ready to put forth your utmost effort to achieve your valuable dreams. So, never be frustrated because your dream seems smaller than others or you cannot achieve what you desire. Everybody is given a different life and goal. The essential fact is that you try your best. Then, another opportunity will surely come. So, be confident about yourself. Although there were so many temptations that distracted us from high school life, we have done well; that is how we could be here at this moment celebrating our graduation.

In the book “Tuesdays with Morrie,” the title character said, “Accept the past as past, without denying it or discarding it; learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others; do not assume that it is too late to get involved.” If you have made any mistake in your life that you have suffered from, accept yourself as you are.

Failure is but a stepping stone to success. Use your mistake to define your future. Don’t be too harsh on yourself because everybody, even the genius inventor, Thomas Edison, made many mistakes. But, Edison applied his failures and finally created something brilliant.

Last, I would like to say thank you to my parents who always support me with prayers and love; Kate, Peter and Lisa who are my lovely siblings and make me smile; my awesome school, Center Grove, my every teacher; so many my friends who became my role models and motivations; lastly but most significantly, God, my Heavenly Father who has given me boundless blessings.    

Indeed, it is very sad to part with people that I love, but parting is just another word for new meeting. Wish the best luck to you. I love you all and peace out everybody!