Links to student essays at Writeboard for correction:
Readers, Stop the email rumors (Ken)
Chewing with mouth open (Andrew)
Stop Talking Loudly (Jane)
Neglected Child (Victoria)
Litter, litter everywhere (Margaret)
Coldness, I Feel (Lola)
Don't Take a Risk (Vicky)
People Shouldn't Keep Wild and Exotic Animal As a Pet (Zara)
Cutting Edges (Claudia)
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Coldness, I Feel
She was walking towards me; I was getting ready to say “hello” to her with a smile, but we finally just passed-by each other and said nothing. My smile froze halfway and I tried to hide with a cough.
In our modern community, people are becoming colder and colder. We don’t ever even greet each others even though we live in same neighborhood.
My friend lives in an apartment, one day, my friend’s son (10 years old) found out that the elevator was stuck; a stranger’s voice can be heard from inside the elevator. The son waited at the door and thought that there’s got to be some one that can help. he waited and told the first adult and second one and third he met in the lobby, but nobody did the favor to help the poor man inside and the guy inside was getting hopeless. The boy believed those neighbors must know what happened in the elevator. He felt confused for their icy reaction; for their dialogues which they said behind the mouths.
“It is really not my business”
Some people seem be temporary deaf or blind when accidents happened right before their eyes, as if they can disappear at once if they were needed.
This time, the ten years boy called “911” to solve the problem, unfortunately, he saw just how the people face the trouble smartly. Will he still be able to help others when he becomes one of our adult? Who knows?
Why? Why do we choose ice cold instead of warm, the warming weather is not a real reason.
Maybe the development of the industry brings high competition, convenient service, and dividing job partly. Every one just needs to run a single part of a huge machine. Nobody is supported to get involved in the other’s duty. At same time, modern people don’t depend on the neighbors like before. They also lost basic trust to strangers and neighbors and friends. Gradually, people accept this new rule and move it to---don’t pay attention to others---until they get used to ignore and simply walk away.
On the other hand, we always ask for a harmonious and peaceful society; we thirst for a full gentle and friend environment; we hope to be treated with a kind and pleasant countenance. If we don’t want to give our sincere first, how can we build a pleasing society then? Nothing is gained from just waiting.
Next time, it’s probably those ignoring neighbors who are unfortunately staying inside of the elevator, at that moment; do they have the confidence to ask for help? They must be shame for their action today.
A wonderful neighborhood belongs to you and me; the responsibility to build it, also belongs me and you. (466 words)
Litter, litter everywhere
There’re many people, including me, they like to visit major city attractions, spend quiet time in nature, or just go to the parks for picnic. It is nice to go outside and enjoy the life, but there is something that turns my attention to – littering.
“Why do people litter? Why do they do this willfully ?”
For me, and I think for others too, it is not a pleasant view to see the rubbish spread all over the forest, or park’s camp areas full of empty cans, aluminium containers and plastic bags, or hundreds of gums stick to the pavements (not to mention the cigarette butts). I understand, there may not be enough trash bins or they might be full, but if I brought some stuff with me, I should clean the place after myself.
Going back to my question: “ what drives people to mess with environment, ” I found out that some people believe that someone else will clean up after them, or (they) feel no sense of ownership for the property, or have lack of knowledge of the environmental effects of littering.
According to David Suzuki Foundation, lots of waste products goes to the soil and (underground) water. There are many dangerous materials like uranium and radon, found in batteries and electronics or DEHP (Di-2ethylexylphthatate) found in the plastics that are carcinogenic and associated with neurological disorders, gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and more.
California Waste Management Bulletin published the list of life span of common discarded litter and according to the research :
Glass bottle needs approx. 1 million years to decompose itself,
Plastic 6-pack cover – 450 years,
Aluminum can – 200-500 years,
Rubber boot sole – 50-80 years,
Plastic coated paper – 5 years,
Cigarette butt - 1-5 years,
Cotton rag – 1-5 months,
Orange/banana peel – 2-5 weeks.
The facts speak for themselves, but what to do to change peoples behaviour? Lack of bins is not a major factor in littering. Cleanups are just short-term solutions. The knowledge and awareness of making the impact on the environment is the key. Another factor is a sense of community (share) and empathy toward others (do not harm).
For me, littering is socially unacceptable and shouldn’t be tolerate. People should be educated about littering year round by schools, media, businesses. Illegal dumping should not be tolerated and the fine should be prosecuted. Those, who didn’t learn the lessons, should participate in clean-up services.
My final words to the litterers is :” Take the trash out,please. “
(413 words)
Neglected Child
I was already far from our sin earth somewhere between haven and paradise, when very sharp squeal cut my ears and something started pulling my sleeve down. The picture of haven began to disappear. I shook my head and first that I saw was my husband’s puzzled face, he was sitting at the table across of me looking down on my sleeve (which by that time was so heavy that my hand couldn’t stay on the table anymore and fell down).
“Hi! I’m Megan!” said the cause of my heavy sleeve, a two or three-year-old girl.
“Hi!” I answered trying to rescue my sleeve.
“How old are you Megan?” I started a conversation secretly gazing around trying to find a trace of her parents.
“Four”, she said and demonstrate it with her little fingers.
I was wrong as usual; not having kids really affects my age estimation.
I looked at my husband and asked,
“What we are going to do?”
“Ask the waiter if he knows who she came with” my husband offered.
The Japanese restaurant where we were celebrating our three-year-of marriage anniversary was very big; so there was not a chance we would find her parents by ourselves. The kid didn’t waste her time and started picking my food. I took the plate away from her for I had raw fish in there. I didn’t think her parents (if they care at all) would be pleased seeing her eating it. By the way, yet there was no sign of the parents.
Five minutes later her mother showed up. She took the kid, said cold “Sorry” and left.
OK. Let’s pretend it didn’t happen.
And we continued to enjoy each others company and beautiful food (I still had some pieces left untouched)
We came back to the conversation about us, when Megan showed up again.
This time she ran between waiters getting underfoot. Waiters were caring huge trays with food and also with HOT tea. One wrong move and the tray could end up on Megan’s head. Ones again, there was no sign of the mother.
My husband, usually I-don’t-interfere-in-somebody’s-chid-upbringing kind of guy, stood up and went to speak to Megan’s parents.
Sadly, on everything he said my husband got only one reply “When you get your own raise them as YOU wish”.
That was it.
The fact that their child almost ate raw fish, almost was washed with hot tea, and finally bothered other people they considered not strong enough to keep an eye on her, at least, until we leave the restaurant.
We didn’t stay for long for. We couldn’t bear seeing a little child running around a quite dangerous place and her parents not paying attention whatsoever.
That was not the first time I saw absolute irresponsibility of parents in a public place. Every time I can’t understand what can be more important then your baby’s safety. Apparently the good meal, shopping in the mall, or talking to a friend is much more interesting than looking after YOUR baby.
People, wake up one day you may lose your offsprings or better yet make him/her a handicap and you won’t even realize that you are responsible.
I am over 31 words :( I might need help to srink it, if you like to have it shrinked.
Stop Talking Loudly
Most people speak gently when they are in the public areas such as on the SkyTrain, in the library and in the restaurant. However, there is still some people who speak loudly as though they live in an insulating world, so nobody could hear what they say. It is really unacceptable behaviour in this modern society. Therefore, it is right time to stop conversing loudly.
One evening, I was on the SkyTrain and the young woman and a young man sat behind me. They talked loudly in Spanish, so I could not understand what they said, but I still felt uncomfortable because of too much noise.
“Excuse me, would you please speak quietly?” I asked.
The woman and man looked at me as if I were crazy.
“Why?” the woman demanded, “Is this against the law?”
It was my turn to guess maybe she was from another planet, so she did not know the social morality.
“No, you are not illegal, but your behaviour is not suitable for the public areas. Even though you are at home, you cannot speak loudly.”
The woman looked a little bit agitated. Her face looked like a red apple, and her eyes showed a little bit red. Moreover, some smell of alcohol spreaded from her, so I thought she could be drunk. The more she talked, the louder her voice was.
“You know Canada is a free country, so I have a right to talk in any way.”
“Yes, everybody have both rights and responsibilities. No matter how your freedom is, you still need to respect others and follow the social morality.”
“Are you a godfather? If you have any concerns, you can call the police.”
I had no idea. She was really talkative, and she could not control herself, so she did not
stop talking until the man got off. However, unfortunately, she still talked with others unceasingly, especially man, and she moved around and changed her seat because she like to sit beside man. On occasion, she sang a song loudly. Thus, I really could not help her manner, so I
had to get out of the SkyTrain and take the next one.
It was the worst evening I encountered. Canada is a civilized country, but there are still
some uncivilized events happening, so I hope these impolite behaviours will vanish in the
future. Let us live in the civilized society.
Don’t Take A Risk
“May I take your order, please?” I was taking someone’s order at drive-thur.
“I’m good. At Wendy’s. . .” Someone was on the phone.
Well, this is not the first time, of course not the last time to hear people are on the phone while driving.
“Are you ready?” I said.
“Yup.” That lady answered,”
Then, I was ready to press her order.
“What kind of food do you like? I can bring some for you.” She said.
Actually, she was still on the phone.
Manager began to get mad,” my service time is so high. These people are always keeping chatting and cannot even stop.”
“Don’t engage in conversation on a cellular phone while driving!” I am taking about this. Of course not because of it brings my manager’s service time down.
I don’t like talking on the phone while driving, personally. I am not good at driving and it distributes attention. I have to hold a cellular phone by one hand and control the steering wheel by another hand. It is a task. Even though Hands-free phones do free you from having to physically operate the phone, but they don't reduce your need to think about the conversation, which is also distracting. Research suggests that there is an increased risk of collision while using a cellular phone, even when it is in hands-free mode. It's still better to pull over, make your call and then resume driving when the call is finished. I think all the drivers should be absorbed in driving.
Seriously, it may be a major road hazard. Drivers’ first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle. If a driver is on the phone, his concentration’s disturbed for sure. How can he control the steering wheel? According to chapter one of “RoadSense”, “you need to be in good shape to drive – alert and able to focus.” If you cannot do it, please stop driving.
People have emotions when they are in conversations. Especially, feeling angry or frustrated can cloud your judgement and slow down your reaction time. Driving slowly or getting lost is not a big deal. As a driver, you have the responsibility to make his passengers and pedestrians’ safety. Hitting pedestrian is irresponsibility for others. It almost equals murder. You are taking a risk like a gambler.
Is it necessary to use a cellular phone whiling driving? I don’t think so. If the call is important, it deserves your full attention. You can absolutely pull over your car and enjoy the conversation. If someone else is beside you, you can let the passenger to operate the phone. If you are in a rush and cannot miss the call, let someone else drive.
449 words
im sick again :(
so............:S
so
take care everyone
Readers, Stop the email rumors.
“Is water in the plastic bottle safe to drink?”
It was Brad who mentioned to Victoria that the drinking water in the plastic bottle could be hazard to our body last week in the class. She was showing a little bit worry on her face that the water in her plastic bottle is safety to drink or not? The nice looking good water bottle is the main water supply everyday when she goes out. I believed she must drink a lot of water from this bottle.
I told Victoria “The plastic bottle might be dangerous”, Victoria might never want to drink any water from her bottle again. ” There is a triangle mark under each plastic bottle, some email said the higher number inside the triangle sign will be safer” We are eager to find out the mark. We look at Vicky and Margaret water bottle. Vicky’s bottle has #1 inside the mark. Victoria and Margaret got #3. “#3 is better than #1” I said
Plastic bottle is lightweight, cheapest, durable and not easy to break when drop or squeeze. It has so much advantage that we use the plastic to replace the heavy glass bottle or metal bottle. Everyone use it so that we take it for granted as a safe way to put our water inside the plastic bottle. We buy bottled water from grocer store too. It is confirmed by some manufacturer that the water in the bottle we bought was from tap and not being pasteurized or filtered. I like to cook the water then drink it no matter what the city hall say that it is safe or not.
The recent news said some store stop selling bottled water because it may release dangerous chemical to our body even causing cancer.
The American Cancer society deny the possibility of cancer caused by PET bottle as attached
The FDA say the PET water bottle is safe to use or reuse or freezed
The claim that plastic water bottles will release dioxins when frozen is entirely unfounded. So is the claim that plastic food wraps and containers can release dioxins in the microwave oven.
The vast majority of plastics used in food wraps, packaging containers and beverage bottles do not contain the chemical constituents that form dioxins. In addition, dioxins are a family of compounds that are produced by combustion at high temperatures. They can only be formed during combustion at temperatures typically above 700 degrees Fahrenheit; they cannot be formed at room temperature or in freezing temperatures.
According to FDA, “With regard to dioxins, we have seen no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and know of no reason why they would.”
From the search of internet, I feel I have been fooled by the email. Don’t forward email without verified the source.
The triangle mark is for recycling use only. The water may need to boil or filter in the bottle. The PET bottle will be a safe and convenient container for us as long as we still see a lot of stores sell all the big name company like
Pepsi, Coca-Cola use PET bottle for their beverage.
Chewing with mouth open
"Did Canucks score in the last period?" One unfamiliar colleague asked me while smacking with his mouth open in our company's lunch room.
Luckiy due to the running 24 hours a day, we are served free food four times a day and taking advantage of 15 minutes break every hour which makes the lunch room the most favorite place in our company. Food is good and everyone enjoys the smells,flavours and the contentment of being full; the only thing I truly don't like about the food is seeing it in other people's month or hearing the process of it being masticated.
Normally I choose to leave; Of course after I tell the guy Canucks has won the game which makes his mouth almost too excited to hold the food.
The funny thing is the adults are more likely than the youngs to chew the food with mouth open. I guess the kids in the school might be the perfect examples of demonstrating the proper table etiquette. I was taught to keep my mouth shut when I was little. Is it the universal habit or a common sense everyone should be knowledgeable of?
I can tell most people are unable to stand the full,opened mouth; however, the worst part is their unwillingness to do something corrective on such a simple issue, including me.
"Would you please close your mouth and don't make any noise while eating?" Whenever I am ready to say this, I am ready for the whole plate of salad or chicken pouring on my face. Still, it is time for people like me who have the similar pet peeve to take some moves against this uncomfortable, annoying habit.
According to the medical book,the speed of eating, the mood while you eat and whether you do something else when you are eating will impact the digestion. Obviously we can see those stuffed mouth when people are takling to their friends or watching a TV or even daydreaming. Why not listen to the doctor's advice: Pay attention to eat. Don't talk, don't think. Just eat. Is that simple?
Chewing with mouth open is named the fivth place out of ten of the most unbearable things in Canadian's life, based on a interesting survey in some authority websites. It is being considered of uncivil, socially unacceptable by most people in the world.
So, keep your mouth close and lower the noise of chewing. Stop doing anything that is not related to digestion. Come on, give your mouth a chance to function.
And, finally, if you still can't keep your lips together, I think one day in the future you would eat your food all alone even your families are not willing to be in the same table with you.
Don't count on that.
People Shouldn’t Keep Wild and Exotic Animal As A Pet
The way wild animals live is so different and complicated than human’s life. The nature of those animals is wild, and they have to be free. Probably is the main reason we are hearing constantly getting hurt the owner by own pets around the world.
For some reason you decided to keep animals like reptile or exotic cats as a family pet you have to consider at least some basic points such as time, place, money, knowledge, patient and perseverant. The protection of those animals is expensive for example crocodile eat special food and sometimes are not easily accessible too so, you have to be able to provide their food in every situation. The other point is place a tiger become very large and danger after two or three years and you have to be ready to keep it in a bigger and safer place.
You never should have an exotic or wild animal for your short time interest. For instance “on the park one person had a beautiful snake; it was remarkable and I decided to buy one”. You should not decide based on your immediate desire. You have to have a strong personal desire which doesn’t fade easily such as you need for medical research or for your experiments and so on. However, to keep such animals needs lots of effort and money and sacrifice.
To satisfy your desire and curiosity of those animals, the best way is going to the wild animal zoo to visit them and enjoy of those interesting creatures and if you are interested to know more; you can ask for more information from the information desk or you can ask their web site address and surf on it. I believe you can find a lot of interesting and useful information.
Besides all those points the main point still those animals are wild and belong to wild world. After all those of safety issues frequently we are hearing news from around the world interesting news which “A 6-year-old boy curls up with 20-foot-long pet python in Kandal, Cambodia”. or disappointing news, ”girl get killed by snake which apparently escaped from the cage”and the other news on local CBC news which “On Thursday night, the three-year-old tiger took a fatal swipe at 32-year-old Tanya Dumstrey-Soos at an exotic pet farm owned by her boyfriend.” and so on. You shouldn’t keep those animals in your home because those animals belong to the wild.
There is enough evidence in the society warn to whom decided to keep those animals as a family pet. I think it should be some strong laws to forbid people for keeping those animals in their home or should construct some organizations watch and control them strictly. (464 words)
Cutting Edges
In Canada it is illegal to drink and drive, but it seems that Canadians accept to chat on a cellular phone while driving is o.k. What could be the difference? “I ask to myself”
Not long ago, I started driving in Vancouver even though I have had driven since my eighteen birthday; However, I was very frighten to begin to drive because of those drivers who cannot live without a cell phone.
Many of them they are not cautious and don’t pay attention because they are trying to multitask while they are using their cellular or digital palms. Who knows what it is such important to answer the phone that they cannot wait to stop their car. I may understand if it is an emergency, or perhaps these drivers are doctors or business man, but I still cannot comprehend such a silly activity perform by drivers they can barely maneuver in the congested roads.
When was the last time a driver has been seen holding the steer wheel with both hands and paying a full attention to the road? I guess, it has been long time ago, even new drivers they don’t care. Nowadays, paying attention means, one hand on the steer wheel, and the other one holding a Tim Horton’s coffee plus hanging a blue tooth out of your left ear trying to call a colleague, and typing a text message to book the next appointment.
It seems to fancy to had the latest technology in our hands. However, the consequences are more critical than many drivers think. According to Transport Canada under their Safety Road Tips web page, it states, “cell phones are more dangerous than other distraction such as adjusting the radio, eating a snack or other things drivers do”. The extra risk results from the distraction of thinking about the conversation, not only the distraction of physically handling or looking at the device, but the stress, emotion, or importance to the conversation that driver is thinking may lead to a serious collision.
I know there are other resolutions like hands-free devices, “Are these safer?”, well it is not an easy device to operate either because the driver still needs to think about the conversation, it is much safer to pull over, make your call, and then resume driving when the call is finished.
I only have one reason to raise awareness for drivers who cannot navigate without a cell phone, to think about how many innocents lives need to be injured and kill because of their cell phone is ringing, and it needs to be answer while they are driving. In fact, is about time to think very serious in to ban cell phones on the road because they will survive a missed phone call, but they won’t survive a collision!.
(467 words)
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