Grad

32259 Clinton Ave
Abbotsford, BC.
V2T 5B5

May 18, 2007

Mr. Rick Thiessen
Vice Principal
M.E.I Secondary
4081 Clearbrook Rd.
V4X 2M8

Dear Mr. Thiessen:

Regarding the grad activities that have been put together by the school, I would like to give you some advice on how to make the grad class of 2008 even better.

This year you talked about bringing the grads together, and uniting us with two different grad retreats instead of one over nighter. One would be held at the beginning of the year, which would be a rafting trip, well the other would be held at the end of the year heading up to Camp Charis. Doing these two trips were a fun idea, the grads had a blast, but over all we did not become closer. Matter of fact we were spilt apart. When going to the rafting trip we were split into groups where we were given an arm band of a separate color. The people with the same color as you were the people you spent the rest of the day with. Even when it came to supper time you had to sit with your group. I had my friends in my group, but many people did not and this upset many of us grads. When heading up to Camp Charis we were given groups at the beginning of the day to film a movie. When you were not with that group you had a 2 hours in-between filming to do whatever so you please. Again being split up from friends. Although at lunch and supper we were together as a group. The part at the end of the day where we sat in a sharing circle and gave memories of the how ever long you had been at M.E.I was a really good idea. We all came together and it really felt like we were a grad class. It was the first time in the year that we all connected. Some of my ideas to make the grad class of 2008 be more “together” would be to have games or activities were everyone is involved. Don’t split up the grads into smaller groups because it will be easier to manage. But instead have a huge kickball game. Or a baseball game where every team has a different theme they have to dress up as. Although they will be put into groups again the grad class will still be in the same place at the same time, enjoying the experience of being with friends and remembering an awesome time.

Over all I would also like to say thank you. You as a Vice Principal and my teacher and friend, have made my grad year a year to remember. Thank you.

Sincerely


Tamar Peters

The States

To the States

When traveling to a different country it can be quite exciting and stimulating, but with the excitement can come fear for having to go through the border or customs. Many people travel for shopping others travel for different climates. Although it’s nice to go away, it’s even nicer to come home. The place that many people travel to everyday is the United States of America.

Going into another country you must always be prepared to show your passport, or some sort of identification. Since security has been up-graded in the states, it is even harder to get through the border. They ask many questions and if they feel that you are suspicious they may even search your car and belongings. When searching your car they make you shut off the engine and give your keys to them. You stay seated in your car as they lift the hood and the trunk and they go rummaging through all your things. Lifting up your carpets, pulling down your seats, and, searching under your vehicle. Giving attitude at this point would not be a very good idea, for if they feel like you’re giving them any kind they can made your beginning journey into the States not fun.

In the States they have some amazing mall with amazing shopping centers. If you do not want to travel far coming from Canada there is Bellis Fair mall which is great for shopping. It has over 150 shops, which I love to shop at. I went with Jami to the States and we shopped for over two hours and we bought over $300.00 dollars worth of clothing. It may seem cheap when you’re buying the clothes but what I always forget is that you have to put it back into Canadian dollars. What I like about the States is that they have Hollister, Abercrombie, Wet Seal, and Pac sun. We don’t have those shops in Canada and I love getting clothes that people don’t have up there. Although when you go to the States you are bound to see someone you know from Canada.

On the way back it’s great to stop for food at Jack in the Box, we don’t have that in Canada either and I love getting the food there it is so good. When coming back through the border you have to tell the Border Patrol what you did down there, how long you where there for, and about how much in total you’re brining back. Usually you are only allowed to spend $50.00 a day so when you spend more then that you have to pay duty on all your items you bought. This can add up especially if you bought a lot. Lucky for me the guy was very nice and he let me just drive straight through into Canada. I was so thankful because I would have had to pay so much in duty.

Although the States is fun and an adventure it is nice to come back to Canada where everything looks familiar to you. I like the States because it is a different and has great shopping. I plan on going there at least once a month. Even if it’s just for the food.

My Story

Grade Seven

In grade seven, once a week we had a special opportunity to go to the library, pick a book, scramble to find place in the library where we could sit and then read, in the comfy pillows for the rest of class time. Now, we weren’t allowed to sit with our friends as our teacher, Mr. Dirksen would become really angry when we would talk during our reading time. Seeing Mr. Dirksen mad was a scary thing! His face would turn red; his veins would start to bulge; he would raise his voice so loud you were scared to even look at him. This special friday was the beginning of a long weekend, and all of my friends were excited to plan what we were going to do. When Mr. Dirksen went to the front of the library we slowly maneuvered towards each other( making sure we were super stealth), to meet in a huddle in the back of the library. We were “pretending” to read, as we talked about our plans for the weekend. We thought we were being quite as a mouse, but our voices were louder than we thought because the next thing we knew, Mr. Dirksen’s red, bulging, vein face was yelling at us through clenched teeth to get out into the hall. Quickly as we could we scramble from where we were sitting, we dropped our books and ran into the hall. As we were waiting for him, we were all sweating bullets not knowing what he would do, or say to us. We stood in a line along the wall. When he came out of the library we all bowed our heads, as not wanting to make eye contact with him. It was as scary as being the army and having him be our drill seargent. He began to yell at us saying that we took this time in the library for granted. Then he got really angry when we wouldn’t look at him. I could hear the tenseness in his voice, and I knew I didn’t want to be the on to look at him. Then I saw his shoes standing right in front of me. I could hear him breathing heavily and I looked to my left, at my friend just as Mr. Dirksen yelled “I may as well be talking to this wall!" as he punched the wall between my face and my friend. I felt the wind brush past my face and I barley twitched not wanting to move. I was scared he might punch it again and hit my face. He then calmed down as none of us were moving, let alone breathing, and told us to get back in the library and read by ourselves. We all went back into the library and sat alone. I was scared because now instead of him being my teacher, he was also a psycho!

That night I went home and at dinner I told my momabout my eciting eventful dat at school. Being in grade seven, this was a traumatizing thing to experience. I was scared and I didn’t want my mom to go talk to him, in fear that he might get mad at me again. My mom is my mom. She went right away that next day. Only to meet with the other parents who had their children come and complain to them as well. Mr. Dirksen lied to our parents and said that he had lightly tapped the lockers only to make a point that we were not paying any attention to him. All of my friends were in shock that he would lie to our parents! From that day on he was never mean to us again, and he always kept his temper at a minimum. No more clenching teeth, bulging veins, or red face could be seen well, not around me at least.

Tamar

First Blog

Hey!
I don't really know how to work this thing, first blog ever.
I'm supposed to add a picture of myself.
Hope all the comm people add me on here lol.
Love you Brittany your hot!
Peace out
Tamar