Letter of Concern.

January 19, 2010

558 Student Ave.
Penticton, British Columbia
Canada, V2A 1K0

Mr. Kleats
Basketball Coach
Central High School, 123 Main Street
Sportstown, British Columbia
Canada, V2A 1W3

Dear Mr Kleats:

My name is Barbi Montgomery and I am a parent of a child in several of your athletic activities. First off, I do appreciate the extra time and effort you put into working with these kids. However, I have a few concerns that i would like to respectively bring to your attention. I realize you are very busy, though i would appreciate it if you took the time to read over my letter.

After attending many of your sports practices, I would like to point out that much of the team seems to be lacking the opportunity of playing time and seem quite uninterested in many of the games and practices. I recognize your extra time you put into the team, and it must be exhausting. Several of the girls could perhaps be slowing the practices because of the lack on drive that they have on the team. The team could benefit from the overall involvement of all the players, not just physically but team bonding as well. Also, I think that the kids would be better of supervised during the entire practice instead of fifteen minutes in. They are too susceptible to get in trouble and need the experienced attendance of their coach.

I have personally noticed the foul language that my daughter and her friends on the team have been using lately, not just at practice, but at home as well and it is very disrespectful. I know that it is very difficult for you to constantly keep an eye on every single girl and their conversations. Though i would greatly appreciate it if you made and effort to realize when there is offensive of negative language being used and if you would be able to graciously put an end to it. I also have noticed that the girls can be somewhat unruly and difficult to handle. To compensate for this, maybe the practices could be more organized and structural. This might help, and could make the entire practices more beneficial. Finally my last concern is the girls increasing amounts of aggressive behaviour. I feel this is due to the extensive emphasis on winning and not allowing themselves to lose. As a team they seem to work themselves up into a state of mind, only being able to win. I think it would be admirable of you to advise the team that that's not all its about.

I acknowledge you taking the time to read and consider my letter. I hope you agree with my opinions and see that I am just an observant parent with some minor concerns. I admire the time you put into coaching these girls, I know personally that it has been very beneficial for several of them. I would appreciate it for you to follow up with me on some feedback from the team. Thank you for your understanding.


Sincerely:

Barbi Montgomery.

An increase in profanity is indicative of a decline in society's morals.

Profanity is defined as: vulgar or irreverent speech or action. This is clearly stating the negative aspects and shows how profanity is frowned upon in today's society. The English language is being contaminated by such words and phrases that have portrayed negative images and rude gestures. Society's morals have reduced to such a low level due to the excessive amounts of profanity used so carelessly in everyday speech. The youth in current civilization is becoming more irresponsible and careless and many of these traits are due to the lower standard of speech and amount of foul language. Profanity shows a definite decline in today's morals and societal standards.

Although profanity has many negative effects on today's society and the personal morals, there are many other aspects that could be affecting this rather than just the overall speech. Standards for the youth are too relaxed and the level of discipline is hardly there at all. Putting too much slack on the responsibility of teenagers and allowing bad actions and events to occur is a strong aspect in affecting morals. As well as the media portraying negative images and stereotyping society to be rude and careless. This is putting images in people minds that it is acceptable to live this way. Societies morals are affected by several aspects of life, may or may not having to do with the excessive amounts of profanity.

Certain Experiences Mark the Beginning of Maturity. (Narrative)

Big events such as a death or a divorce in the family are definite marks of maturity. However, the the smaller encounters can be just as effective. About 13 years old, nothing too exciting, normal life, happy family, content. Until a man showed up and put a twist on things. He was a man that had led an unfortunate life and was looking for a phone. He knocked on our door. Lucky him. Lucky us.

The phone call was short, shifty, as if he wasn't talking to anyone at all but was seeking the few moments in a warm environment. Upon his exit, we invited him to stay for a meal. He cautiously though gracefully accepted. This is where it started, we got to know him. His name was John, he was about 36, although he hadn't kept exact track, no reason to. He had many tragic and negative experiences which led him to where he was then, stuck, trying to get back in line. John was nervous although he was warming up to us. He felt he had overstayed his welcome, which we quickly put an end to that thought and suggested he stay the night in the garage, because it was warmer than outside and we knew he wouldn't be comfortable in the house. John finally agreed.

About 6 months later John was practically part of the family. It wasn't as if he was some strange wondering man that we had been forced to take in. John was different he seemed to have a comfort about him. He fit right in. By this point John had a job and was saving up to buy a house and get back into the fast paced society. Eventually he was doing quite well for himself, and we all felt good about what we had done to help out John when he had no where to go. John had a lot of wisdom and experiences to share, he had a large personal impact on our lives.

It was foggy, about 2 years after John came and found us that cold winter day. John was ill, he had been infected by a virus at some point when he was homeless and it was slowly deteriorating his immune system. John wasn't going to make it. We loved him, as if he had grown up in the family. Why couldn't he have come just a few months sooner and we could have helped him. He was so young. He had come so far from where he started. He knew it was thanks to us, though no one needed to ever mention it. He felt great gratitude to us and wanted us to know. We stayed with John in his last moments, though he didn't want us to, he always had to make a situation a happy one, or end it with a laugh. This one wasn't funny though we all knew he wanted us to be happy, and he was content with his life. We laughed all night long and finally said goodbye to John and went home. We went home knowing it was probably the last time we would see John.

The next day we got a phone call saying that John had died, though he just simply fell asleep smiling and didn't wake up. Though saddened we were okay, John was lucky and so were we. We took so much away from the friendship. Two days after John had died we got called in to the lawyer to read off his will, though we weren't expecting there to be much in it. The will stated: " I leave all of my monetary assets to my family." We were told that was us. The gesture was very thoughtful and we were extremely grateful, though we knew of his finances. The lawyer gave us an envelope with the financial statements. We opened the envelope, the number was six digits. And came with a letter telling us that he had all of this money saved and chose to live the way he did. When he realized our kindness, maturity and graciousness he knew exactly what he was meant to do with this. John loved us, and we loved him.

Dave Cooks the Turkey.

In Stuart McLean's short story,"Dave Cooks the Turkey", he used several techniques to illustrate humor and wit to describe Dave's struggle to cook the Christmas dinner. McLean used slap stick comedy when he describes his careful argument with his wife. He cautiously chose his words and "...looked around, nervously. He didn't want to get this wrong." Many of the readers and audience of McLean's story can relate to Dave's life, this also creates humor in the section. McLean used a lot of imagery in his short story, he illustrates how "Dave looked at the Turkey. It was propped on a kitchen chair like a naked baby." Throughout the story several humorous techniques are portrayed. McLean describes Dave and Morley's Christmas disaster, using relatable situations and Dave's struggle, evidently realizing that "They obviously weren't about to trust Dave with a weapon." Throughout the story "Dave Cooks the Turkey" there are several funny aspects.

Certain Experiences mark the beginning of maturity.

Throughout time, from present to future and the past, situations and events evidently shape a persons personality, character and growth in maturity. Historically speaking, there have been many dealings that have made many past figures mature and accountable in their lives that have unmistakably affected ours.

In history, to present time, boys in third world countries have undergone great tragedy and despair when tribes and cults have taken mothers and fathers and left them in entire responsibility for young siblings and relatives. Many have also been kidnapped and placed into warfare where they have to operate guns and other ammunition. This alone many Canadians wouldn’t be able to imagine this experience, for the lifestyles are entirely different. However, it is a common occurrence in the lives of young boys in desperate situations. Its not like they’re given much time to make the transition, they immediately have to make the shift from a boy to a man. Not just for themselves but for their family and everyone around them. For many, this is a large milestone for many boys setting the switch to maturity.

Throughout the past warfare amongst adults and teenagers has affected every part of the world. Every country has been involved in some sort of civil or international conflict. Everyone knows someone who was in a war or had died in a war. Many young men from all countries fought for their nation, leaving loved ones and family at home. No one knew what would happen to them, and never knew whether they would return. Though conscription and the draft were put in place in Canada and the U.S, many men had no choice but to join the war. Heading into that kind of situation with those circumstances, there was no choice but to become mature. This was a life or death situation, it wasn’t to be taken for granted. Maturity was an essential quality a soldier has to go into battle with.

Although the overall warfare and person rights situations in today’s North American society have changed rather dramatically. There are many other situations that have been placed upon certain unfortunate individuals. Though it’s an everyday battle, until it hits on a personal setting, it never leaves a lasting ache. When someone close or a family member passes away that person is no longer there to hold that spot in your life and have that certain impression. When they are gone, it leaves immense heart break, though with any death it’s not time to wither away. To be able to pick your self up after a tragedy and keep on going is a huge stride in growing maturity. It isn’t an event anyone can avoid however how you deal with such a situation shows true depth and development.

Throughout present time and history, there have been several events that have shaped and molded many nations and individuals. Maturity comes at different time for everyone, sometimes gradually, though sometimes forced. Events in people’s lives evidently create the person they live in. Events that invoke maturity into the person, create the individual they can strive in.

College Application.

Innovative, perceptive and unhinged. A perfect way to describe myself. Not only have I hiked Mount Everest and hang glided from the top but i have lived the lifestyles of many. I have lived in the middle east and sold goods in a shop that i had built from sticks. I fished in Antarctica without a fishing pole, and lived in an igloo made from fire. I lived in Africa, where on a daily basis I would wrestle lions just to prove how smart I was. I would travel Iceland just to stay in an ice hotel, not because i had to but because I win all staring contests.
I am strong like a bull, witty like a mouse, and versatile like a dice. I wash darks and lights in the same load because they come out perfectly. I play all sports with my left hand because if I used my right no one would have a chance. I hypnotize hypnotists before they even get close to me. I can speak every language and have made up twelve, six of which are universal, all in Brazil. All lights turn on as i walk past and turn off when I leave just to save energy, though only when the suns out.
A scholar in astronomy, a genius in architecture and a master at sneezing. I hold all the national titles in Chili for blinking. I have all the greatest qualities a human could posses i am the equivalent of a baseball quarterback.

Mysterious Man.

Late at night. Walking in a forbidden place. Take a right into the park, using it as a shortcut. Thinking it was pretty safe because of how open and lit it was. However, blocking the gate at the other side, was a strange silhouette. Dark, yet still. It was a man, he just gazed, as if he had been recovering from a tragedy. He wore a hat tilted off the side of his head, dark like the night. Below, lay his bushy eyebrows, in such a way that caterpillars would cocoon before turning into a butterfly. His eyes were wide like the glowing moon, though had a diminutive look, as a weathered tree getting ready for winter. Broad between his eyes, his nose was a pear, freshly fallen from the tree though a little damaged and bruised from the hail storm the night before. The most intimidating feature of this mysterious man was the bitter scowl that lined the bottom half of his face, the way a rainbow would seem with no colour and no enchantment. A cigarette hanging from the left corner of his lip, stained his teeth and filling his lungs with disease. His mannerisms resembled this as well; cold and inhuman. Managing to strike a quick pivot and retreat from the situation with out struggle, never knowing what would have become of it. The long way home sounds good tonight.