The Extreme Treasure Hunt

The morning started like any normal Saturday. Birds chirping, dogs barking, same old boring morning. I got out of bed, turned on my Saturday morning cartoons, and went to the kitchen for some cereal. But to my surprise, when i poured the cereal, a white piece of paper fell out. In tiny letters, the note said,"Whoever follows the clues and finds the X that marks the spot, will be VERY rich! Do you have what it takes? The first clue will be hidden in a large silver object. Remember, someones trash is someone elses treasure."

As soon as i finished reading the note, i ran up stairs, got my lucky hat, and ran out the door. A large silver object? What could that be? "Someones trash"...i looked around. The garbage can! I dived into the garbage can, and sure enough, i found the first clue. "The next clue be hidden in an upside down ice cream cone."

I started looking for ice cream cones, but couldn't find any. This clue didn't make sense. But then i started thinking. What if the upside down ice cream cone was just the shape of the object. I looked around for anything that was cone-shaped, and then i saw the old teepee that we kept in our yard. I ran inside and just as i thought, there was another clue. "The next clue can be found at the tallest peak of the highest tree. Hope your not afraid of highs."

The tallest tree? I started looking all over out neighborhood. The only trees i saw weren't really that tall, and i knew i could find taller ones. And then i saw it. It was located in our neighbors yard and it was huge! Lucky for me, i loved climbing trees, and i started making my way to the top. Half way up though, i lost my lucky hat, and almost fell trying to catch it. Five minutes later, i made it to the top and found the next clue at the very top branch. "The next clue is waiting for you near the base of the tree. Just look around but hurry. The grass and the clue won't be there for very long."


As i climbed down the tree, i wondered why the clue would be gone...i then hear the roar of a lawn mower. Oh no, Mr. O'Hara is cutting the grass, and soon the next clue! As if i was falling, i slid down the tree and landed on the ground. I looked everywhere for the next clue and saw it inches away from the lawn mower. Like a cat, i pounced on the clue and leaped out of the way of the lawn mower. The clue was safe."Great job, your almost done. Just one more clue left, but be warned, it's inside the lair of a tiny demon."


Tiny demon....that's our nickname for our dog. I slowly walked towards his doghouse, and heard him snoring. His huge furry body lay still next to a giant treasure chest. How was i going to get the chest? I chose to take a chance and crawled in the dog house quietly. His snoring was so loud, it sounded like thunder! I made my way to the chest, and started making my way out, but there was a problem. I couldn't help but sneeze because of the fur, and the dog woke up. I ran out of there as fast as my legs could take me, and as the dog chased after me, the chain caught him and stopped him in his tracks.

I finally got it! The treasure was all mine! As i open the chest, i didn't believe what i saw. The treasure was chocolate coins. A little note was in the box and it said," I knew you'd find it! I knew how much you liked these chocolate coins, so i got you these for an early birthday present. Happy 3 months early birthday present! From your friend, Jimmy."

"Push" has no pull.

This review is very well written, telling the main details but not explaining too much. The review states, that the film "Push" has no pull, and is not a movie with huge shockers. He does describe how well the main character was, and compares this film with series like X-files and Heroes. The review paints a prefect picture in your mind of the type of movie this will be, but explains that it will not be something original. The review also comments on the director and his wonderful use of screenplay.

Pure Determination

Freedom Writers, directed by Richard LaGravenese, had both it's strong points and weak ones.

Hilary Swank, playing the role of Erin Gruwell, was eager to begin her new career as a high school teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. Her enthusiasm quickly vanished when she realized that the cheery children she expected to teach, were unprivileged shadows with astonishing lives. Determined to help her students and with her marriage on the line, Erin goes out of her way to try and do what everyone thinks is impossible.

Unlike Richard LaGravenese's film, P.S. I Love You, Freedom Writers had low levels of romance and relationships. I'm disappointed at how the relationship with Erin and her husband, played by Patrick Dempsey, was shown very little throughout the film. Although there was similar conflicts in both movies, Freedom Writers swayed away from romance factor.

Hilary Swank showed pure determination, dedication, and power in her role. She had her questionable moments, but overall great acting. The students, in my opinion, were even better actors and actresses. They showed the feeling and sadness of their real lives, and would make the real people in this true story proud. One of the students, Eva Benitez, played by April Lee Hernández, showed her heart-breaking life and stabbing pain as if it was her own real life. The writing in the film was good for the most part, slightly over did it at some moments with their love for the teacher.Good lives on, leaving the past behind. Did all the children's lives change for the better like the movie makes it seem? Do good things truly happen to those who deserve it?

Caitlin Sturgeon
Miramichi, New Brunswick
CaSt00240@student.nbed.nb.ca

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Mr. Carter
Chief Editor
Blackville Talon
12 McLaughan drive
Miramichi, New Brunswick

Dear Mr. Carter,

I’m interested in applying for a position in the Blackville Talon. My main interest is the Gaming field in the Entertainment section because I’ve always been involved in gaming and it’s the only choice that I find appealing on the Talon.
One of my strength is my people skills, which I can use to understand what people want to see and what they don’t. I could also use it while working with others, and as I share ideas. Another skill I have is responsibilities. I’ll work forever if it means reaching my goal, and once I have an objective it’s hard to turn away from it. I also take in account what my actions are, and know I’ll be held responsible.
I’d like to thank you for considering me for this position. I appreciate the consideration and hope you’ll think about me for an interview.

Respectfully yours,

Caitlin

Flaming Freedom

My new house, all my memories, my new life…all gone. Moving into a new part of the world didn’t seem like a bad idea at the time. All the new sights of never-ending fields, sun-fulled waterfalls, and mountains that could reach the heavens. The smells of sweet roses and creamy tulips fluttered about. It was a taste that I never knew before, the taste of freedom. Within seconds…it all changed.

People acted strangely. Every glare, every stabbing look made me feel like moving back home. People would snicker when I walked by, trying to hide it when I glanced back. All these cruel things hurt way too much, and my eyes got tired of crying. This nauseous feeling of not being wanted was beginning to be too much for me to bare. All I wanted was to be accepted into this new land, but now I can’t believe how naïve I was.

I returned home late one night, expecting to get a good night’s sleep, but what I saw was too unbelievable to believe. My new house was ignited in a blaze of fire. The luminous red flames destroyed everything I owned, everything I had. People cheered out in victory as they burned the flag of my old country. These people. These faces. The same faces that shot me time and time again with their heart stopping glares were now happily screaming at the fact that they slaughtered my new life.

The sorrowful tears ran down my cheeks, and as I fell to my knees in the moonlight, I wondered how people could be so narrow-mined and senseless. How is it people can care so much about their own lives, and think only about their happiness? I stared into the burning bright light that used to be my home and my belongings but no matter what they can’t burn my will to live on. I turned my back on the laughter and gigantic flame, knowing that somewhere I have the right…the right to be accepted.