We All Fall Down

Book Summary

We all fall down, a classic novel by Canadian author Eric Walters. Will Fuller, a high school student nearing the end of a history class in New York City. Will tells his class that he will be accompanying his firefighting father to his office near the top of the world trade center on September 11, 2001.

Will and his father, John visits the observation deck before arriving at his office on the 85^th floor of the South Tower. Suddenly a loud bang rocks the building, American Airlines Flight 11 has just struck the neighboring North Tower. John orders an evacuation of the intact South Tower. On the way out of the building United Airlines Flight 175 has just struck their tower (South Tower), They suddenly head towards the bottom of the building, straight towards the point of impact. At the impact point they find a foreign woman named Tang, they then carry her down the staircase. They alternate carrying her down. After an eternity Will, John and Tang finally make it to the lobby. John has decided to stay with Tang to look at her injuries, Will leaves the building with an officer when he is knocked to the ground by a powerful force, the building collapses. Will explains to the police officer that we wants back to the building to find his father, the police officer won’t let him stating it is too dangerous. Suddenly he sees his father emerge from the building. He tells the police officer “this is my dad, can we go now”.

My Position on the Northern Gateway Pipelines

My Position on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines

By Sam Clark

Recently we have been studying different views on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines. After reading several articles and watching two videos for and against the project I believe that it is a better idea to build the pipeline than not to build it. The Northern Gateway Pipelines are supposed to deliver diluted bitumen from Bruderheim to Kitimat and Natural Gas Condensate from Kitimat to Bruderheim. The pipelines are going to stretch 1777 km and be expected by 2015. I believe that the pipeline is a good idea because:

The St. Albert Gazette states that it will be great for their local economy and Canada’s economy. More specifically it will increase Canada’s gross domestic product by 270$ billion over a 30 year period. A video that Enbridge created regarding how they build and maintain their pipelines states that they will respond quickly and effectively to any problems. The video more specifically states that company builds their pipelines from “quality pipe” and monitors them 24/7. The video shows farmers and other landowners stating that Enbridge will deal with any problems regarding pipelines crossing land. One key argument is that Enbridge even shows the ongoing, state of the art monitoring process that in my opinion is not a lie. The process involves monitoring all of their pipelines and turning them off if there is a leak. Enbridge said they hold open houses inviting aboriginal groups and stakeholders regarding any problems that the pipeline may pose. However, the other video against the pipeline states that spills from previous leaks have caused medical issues such as seizures and migraines. I believe that the video against the pipeline did not do a great job of convincing me that the pipeline is a bad idea. News Corporations such as the Vancouver Sun, Times Colonist and the aboriginal group, Beaver Lake Creenation also failed to convince me that the pipeline is a bad idea.

Overall I believe that Enbridge will develop a safe and efficient pipeline that will be great for Canada’s economy.

The Whale Sighting

On September 9, 2012 I took a school trip to Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada. The purpose of the trip was to get 9th grade students educated about the vast biodiversity in the Pacific Ocean. On the first day we arrived on a highway coach at 10:00 pm (two hours behind schedule). We only had time to unpack and settle into our dorms for the night. The very next day the thought of riding a ship way out into the ocean reverberated through my group mates as it was all that I wanted to talk about. The labs that we had to conquer leading up to the voyage engulfed me in boredom as the only though that was on my and other group mates mind was the thought of riding the ship out to sea. Evening finally struck across Barkley Sound and we walked down to the dock to a large boat that said Motor Vessel or MV Alta. We put our sopping orange life vests on and then boarded the vessel. The vest had a pungent smell of wet socks sneaking into our noses. We finally sat down and then the captain threw away the docking ropes and then we were off. The white ship itself had a small wheelhouse but a large deck and a big, tall mast but no sail. By the time we had reached the mouth of Bamfield Inlet and proceeded out to the vast Barkley Sound. A splash of water caught my eye.  And the lady that was on the boat cried out "look at the whale", "it's a humpback". The whale had since disappeared beneath the waves but a minute later we saw it's fluke emerge from the cold ocean. It was breathtaking today I still have that exact image of that whales ravishing fluke and the orange evening sky behind it. I think everybody on that ship could agree that the image of the whale will forever be embedded in our minds.

Reflection on Bamfield (Show Don't Tell)

Here is a short reflection of me reflecting on the scenery in Bamfield.


I'm out on the Balcony of the Rix Centre in Bamfield, BC. The Pacific sun has just set and I found myself gazing out into the vast Barkley Sound. While my teacher is boring me with writing stuff I found myself pinning my hopes on the sight of a Humpback Whale breaching out of the water. The soft oceanside breeze is cushioning itself on my face. The mountains and the ocean together in one setting is as picturesque as it gets. The clear Pacific sky is suddenly pulling my attention away from the assignment my teacher is about to give me. Now it is time to flee from the fresh air and return into the heated Rix Centre for the moment to reflect on what I just experienced. I think that this large Pacific Ocean has many astounding views but I believe that Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada is one of the best.

Bamfield Haiku #2

This is my second haiku reflecting on the amazing Pacific Ocean and the amazing country of Canada.

2.
The lush, vast mountains
The sun sinking to the sea
What a great country.

Bamfield Haiku #1

Hi, I am going to share with you a haiku reflecting on my trip to Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada which is on Vancouver Island.

1.
I'm at the airport
Waiting for my boarding pass
Teachers are so slow.