Dearest St. Nick

Hello my dearest Santa Clause,

I want to inform you that I have been a very good girl this year.  I am expecting a few things from you on your yearly route around our world.  First off I would like a new copy of Eragon, because mine is falling apart.  For it is my all time favorite novel, but you probably already knew that.  I also love to play computer games, and in my spare time I enjoy drawing.  I recently filled up my sketch book, and I would like a new one so I can carry on with my artwork.  My future plan is to get a good paying job, so I can move out after graduation.  I was wondering if you would agree to be a reference on my resume!?

Thank you ever so much Santy Clause.

From Anonymous

Theme essay

            In the movie the dead poet’s society Mr. Keating, the new English teacher tries to influence his students to think for themselves and to learn to shape their own life. Mr. Keating goes about this through a variety of ways that are not necessarily accepted by the school’s administration. Keating encourages the students to seize the day and to live for what they believe in. Throughout the movie the boys learn to overcome their biggest fears, some fall in love, and the story ends with an unexpected tragedy.

            Knox Overstreet, though you would never suspect it from the beginning of the movie, is a romantic at heart. Throughout the movie Knox falls in love with a beautiful girl named Chris, after being introduced at a dinner party. Chris attends public school which makes is difficult for him to see her. Knox doesn’t let anything stand in his way of declaring his love for Chris. After barging into her class room and reading a poem to her she eventually agrees to see a play with Knox. Knox eventually learned that if you don’t give up on you dream it will come true.

            People always say that the ones who appear to be the happiest are really falling apart on the inside. Neil Perry was always a good friend, a loving son and an all around caring person. Neil was always under a huge amount of pressure from his father to be a doctor and to live a successful life. Neil discovered his love for acting but was forbidden to do so by his father. After disobeying his father and acting the lead in the play, Neil’s father took him out of school and enrolled him in military school. That night, Perry went into his father’s cabinet and put a bullet into his heart, and killed himself.  This was very unexpected by all, family and friends.  Mr. Perry learned that he controlled Neil too much and didn’t allow him to be happy and live for himself, which lead to his death.

            Todd Anderson was always shy, and had a fear of reading in front of people. Mr. Keating described him as feeling as if he thought everything about him was worthless.  Todd was taught to overcome his fear of reading aloud from Mr. Keating.  Todd lived his whole life afraid to speak up and feared of being judged for who he is.  In the last scene of the movie when Mr. Keating is collecting his personals after being fired because he was accused for being responsible for Neil Perry's death. Todd illustrated the life lesson Mr. Keating taught him by standing on his desk and shouting "oh captain my captain."  Todd did this to show respect for Mr. Keating because Todd knew he was not responsible for the death of Neil. 

           Mr. Keating shows the students in his class to stand up for what they believe in and to live for themselves.  It is shown by example in the paragraphs above.  Knox is a rugged teenage, who shows that inside of his rough exterior, is a romantic, caring person.  Todd Anderson boldly accuses Mr. Perry for the death of Neal, yet he would have been shy and kept his mouth shut without Mr. Keating's contribution.  The last example, has Todd being the most brave student in his class.  This is shown when he is the first to stand up for Mr. Keating.  This summarizes the benefits Mr. Keating had on the class.

How the Journey Ends

     In the poem “Aging” written by Michelle Disser the author uses an extended metaphor to describe how “aging is a continual process.”  Disser describes how time never slows down because “you are [even] older now than when you started reading this [paragraph].” Disser portrays the poem as “a panther stalking you” to illustrate how aging is never put on hold. As you age, the days, weeks, months and even years start to feel as if they are shorter-lived and Disser describes this feeling by comparing it to the panther “coming too quickly.”  The last line of the poem is delivered very strongly in showing that when the panther “pounces”, that is where your journey ends. This is all proof in saying the theme of the poem is, always live life in the moment and not be afaid of growing old

Dying in the Name of Leonardo

Nicalette McCrae

117 Oak Ave

Kaleden, B.C.

V0H1K0 November 10, 2011

Constable Pierre Catchacrook

Chief of Police 

123 Crime Road,

Paris, France.

Dear Constable Pierre Catchacrook,

           

They said she was able to utter a few words before she died. Of course I wouldn’t have known that, because I was off with the Mona Lisa the minute I heard the fire alarm sound. Some could call me insensitive or even thoughtless based on what I had decided that day. If it was humanly possible to carry both Mrs. Artlover and the incredibly famous Mona Lisa out of the Museum together, it would have been the first thing I did. This 509 year old, beautiful painting is a living legend to humanity. The emptiness that not only the museum would feel but the world would experience if the Mona Lisa was to be destroyed would be my responsibility. I would have to live with the guilt the whole world would burden me with everyday for the rest of my life. From the time I had to connect with Mrs. Artlover before the museum was engulfed with flames, made me believe, if Mrs. Artlove could speak to us now she would be grateful that her life was taken in return of saving the renowned Mona Lisa. Mrs. Artlover’s name will always live on with the famous painting, she would be proud to die in Leonardo Da Vinci’s name.

Sincerely,

Nicalette McCrae

Nicalette McCrae
123

Green Ave
Penticton

, B.C.
V2A 3W1

September 23, 2011

Captain Van Camp
Commander
HMS Princess Margaret

O Captain, My Captain:

Nicalette McCrae
123 Gay Ave
Penticton, B.C.
V2A 3W1

September 23, 2011

Captain Van Camp
Commander
HMS Princess Margaret

O Captain, My Captain:

Captain Van Camp, I recognize the decision at hand is very difficult.  My letter will explain why I am a good candidate to survive this tragedy.  If I am chosen to stay alive and be rescued, when I get off the submarine I plan to become a Registered Nurse.  I believe this makes me a special person because if you spare me my life, I will dedicate mine to improving the lives of others.

Once I get off this submarine I plan to attend university and earn my nursing degree.  I will then travel to third world countries and provide health care to those in need.  When I have established a job as a nurse in one of these countries I will be able to save many suffering lives.  Sparing my life on the submarine is a good trade for the lives of many I will save in the duration of my career.

I also plan to make my life special by raising a family of adopted, unfortunate children from one of these war-stricken countries.  I will provide them with health care, education, and a long, happy life.  Because I am giving these distressed children a second chance at life, I feel I deserve the same.

 If you select my life in favor of the others on the submarine, I will be so grateful and indebted, that I will provide the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy with health care and any other services they require.  Now that you have seen how many lives I will save, and how many lives I will make better because of my involvement, you will not regret sparing my life on the submarine.  If you save my life, I will save the lives of many more people.

Sincerely,


Nicalette McCrae

In The Wrong Year

Confused, scared, and not knowing where I am. Looking around me and everything seems so different, yet familiar. I'm not home, not even in the right year for that matter. Horses, cowboys, and women in beautiful dresses that long to the ground. My heart starts beating so hard it feels like my chest is going to explode. I can feel the pounding all the way to my ears. Then suddenly the sound of a gun shot brings me back to full attention. I start to run, not knowing where I am or where I plan on going. Finally I find myself in a saloon. The smell of stale beer and smelly men surrounds me. The music is high, and so is the energy. Couples dancing and smiling. I am then dragged on to the dance floor by a very tall man. In the middle of a dip to the floor I am dropped and my head hits the ground. I then awake in my bed, in my home, and in the right year.