Wow, that's a loaded title... And where is Jordan Knight when I finally need him? As at least my family knows (and now my editor because I made a bad joke when she told me I would have the November cover story back in August), I used to pretend that Jordan and the New Kids on the Block were singing "Cover Girl" about and to me when I was little. I would sit wrapped in my NKOTB comforter and sheets.. ok that part didn't happen, but I still love that song. And now I can't even hum it to myself as my glorious cover story has been released to the public.
As some of you know I've been down and out the last few days with strep throat. I've felt a lot better since my fever broke, but it's still real difficult to talk, let alone belt the lyrics of a cheesy boy band song. These 875 mg horse pills of amoxicillin are really working their magic best they can. As soon as I have the energy I intend on writing a post on how crappy America's health insurance is, even though everyone knows that already. Right after I have a date with the hairbrush and a mirror.
I wanted to share with you this Pulse magazine article, my cover story on Worcester boxer Edwin Rodriguez. He's such an awesome person to talk with. We had a long interview on the phone and someday when I'm back in Worcester I hope to meet him in person. Anyway, here it is.. it's a little long (it is a cover story after all!) but I'm so proud of it: The Real Edwin Rodriguez.
Ok it's time for a nap. I'm trying to make a mark in my to-do list best I can, because school is winding down and this weekend was slated to film some media projects, not to mention my professor of my Monday class decided to have us do a complete package in a week, the week I happen to get strep. So I'm a little stressed, but need to focus on getting better. My packages are going to come out so crappy because I can barely speak. Washington had Deep Throat, Chicago has Strep Throat... Kim that is.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Education of a Lifetime
For one of my classes we had to hand in a variety of writing assignments earlier in the quarter. Below is the "profile piece" assignment I did on my friend Megan Weeks. Sometimes when you get an assignment back with writing all over it, it's filled with corrections; mine was filled with her comments on how much she loved certain parts. I got A+ and my professor wrote that it was the best in the class. I thought I would share:
The Education of a Lifetime
By Kim Dunbar
Megan Weeks is praying it doesn’t rain. The cloudy skies seem ominous, but as she does every day on the way to work, she is hoping for the best.
Weeks is a tenth grade English teacher at South High Community School in Worcester, Massachusetts. South is an underfunded, inner-city high school in which Hispanics and African-Americans make up 57.4 percent of the student population. “It’s a crazy, unique place,” said Weeks. “We have no walls, no supplies, a leaking roof with garbage cans to catch the run off, but a whole lot of love.”
Weeks is hoping it doesn’t rain because the garbage cans and leaking water are added distractions she can’t spare for the sake of her students. It is hard enough to teach over the voices of her colleagues adjacent to her “classroom,” which looks more like an oversized office cubicle than a traditional classroom. “I honestly cannot imagine what it would be like to be able to ‘close my door’ and just teach,” she said.
Weeks began teaching at South High upon graduating from Clark University. Her experiences as an undergraduate are what influenced her future profession. “I decided to become a teacher after taking an Urban Schooling class. I knew I loved English and knew I wanted to help kids so it all came together for me after that class,” she said.
Weeks’s favorite part of her job is “being able to relate to the kids and just be myself,” she said. “I feel a true sense of accomplishment when my students are able to follow their dreams or even figure what their dreams are,” she added. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Weeks to do her job and enjoy it, as budget cuts and low test scores continue to plague the school.
The economic recession is affecting schools across the country, but it is magnified in schools like South, which was having a hard time before budget cuts became a regular event. For example, this year Weeks is allotted two reams of paper a month for a class load of 100 students, and because the school often cannot afford to purchase books for the students to use, Weeks finds herself purchasing collections with her own money.
For the last two years, South—which garners a two out of ten rating from GreatSchools when it comes to student test scores in Massachusetts high schools—has been pushing for its students to do better on standardized tests with the SWIFT initiative. SWIFT stands for “Strategic Writers In Focused Thought,” and is built around the core concept which Weeks summarizes, “if we get our kids to be strategic writers across disciplines they will have a better chance in succeeding in school.” She added that the idea is for the school to have many writing requirements, such as common assessments that each grade level has to complete on a monthly basis.
“Our students don't measure up compared to a student elsewhere in the state,” said Weeks. “I get my students reading at a sixth grade level as they start the tenth grade. To me, I have performed a miracle if I can find one book they actually read or one project they would love to do. Unfortunately, that is not how the state of Massachusetts measures success,” Weeks lamented.
In fact, Weeks said the lack of parental involvement and overall student apathy has been the biggest challenge of her career thus far. “Half of my job is just getting them to care,” she said. “Since many of these students have never seen family members achieve higher education or move out of the city, they don't know why it is so important to have an education. If the parents checked homework, asked questions, and reached out, these kids would really succeed,” added Weeks.
Something else Weeks thinks would help her students is an equal budget. “We do everything we can for these kids. If they received the same budget as the suburban kids I know we could do anything,” she said. “If this is truly the land of the free, then all Americans should be free to receive a high quality education. Learning is not just for the rich.”
In her five years at the school, Weeks has had many ups and downs. Both her laptop and her cell phone were stolen on separate occasions and she has suffered several bruises from breaking up girl fights in the hallways. But she refuses to leave her students for greener pastures at a better school. “The students at the ‘better’ schools don't need the help the way these kids do,” she said. “As long as I have the energy I will be in the inner city doing what I can to make a difference. I love what I do and I love to see these kids succeed,” she added.
Success according to Megan Weeks is different than another teacher’s definition of the same word. Several of Weeks’s students have matriculated to top colleges, including Holy Cross and Columbia, but those students aren’t considered her greatest accomplishments. “I am most proud of the students that push themselves so hard just to make it to state college,” she explained. “The smiles on their faces and the sincere 'thank you' I receive mean almost more than my first student going to an Ivy League college.”
If Weeks has learned anything during her teaching tenure, she has learned patience and the ability to understand that learning happens very slowly and to accept that change does not happen overnight. “You have to keep at it, even when it seems like you will not succeed,” she said.
But Weeks knows all too well that while learning can’t change overnight, the weather certainly can. But like all the other challenges she has overcome as an inner city teacher, Weeks has learned to deal with the rainy days, garbage cans and all.
The Education of a Lifetime
By Kim Dunbar
Megan Weeks is praying it doesn’t rain. The cloudy skies seem ominous, but as she does every day on the way to work, she is hoping for the best.
Weeks is a tenth grade English teacher at South High Community School in Worcester, Massachusetts. South is an underfunded, inner-city high school in which Hispanics and African-Americans make up 57.4 percent of the student population. “It’s a crazy, unique place,” said Weeks. “We have no walls, no supplies, a leaking roof with garbage cans to catch the run off, but a whole lot of love.”
Weeks is hoping it doesn’t rain because the garbage cans and leaking water are added distractions she can’t spare for the sake of her students. It is hard enough to teach over the voices of her colleagues adjacent to her “classroom,” which looks more like an oversized office cubicle than a traditional classroom. “I honestly cannot imagine what it would be like to be able to ‘close my door’ and just teach,” she said.
Weeks began teaching at South High upon graduating from Clark University. Her experiences as an undergraduate are what influenced her future profession. “I decided to become a teacher after taking an Urban Schooling class. I knew I loved English and knew I wanted to help kids so it all came together for me after that class,” she said.
Weeks’s favorite part of her job is “being able to relate to the kids and just be myself,” she said. “I feel a true sense of accomplishment when my students are able to follow their dreams or even figure what their dreams are,” she added. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Weeks to do her job and enjoy it, as budget cuts and low test scores continue to plague the school.
The economic recession is affecting schools across the country, but it is magnified in schools like South, which was having a hard time before budget cuts became a regular event. For example, this year Weeks is allotted two reams of paper a month for a class load of 100 students, and because the school often cannot afford to purchase books for the students to use, Weeks finds herself purchasing collections with her own money.
For the last two years, South—which garners a two out of ten rating from GreatSchools when it comes to student test scores in Massachusetts high schools—has been pushing for its students to do better on standardized tests with the SWIFT initiative. SWIFT stands for “Strategic Writers In Focused Thought,” and is built around the core concept which Weeks summarizes, “if we get our kids to be strategic writers across disciplines they will have a better chance in succeeding in school.” She added that the idea is for the school to have many writing requirements, such as common assessments that each grade level has to complete on a monthly basis.
“Our students don't measure up compared to a student elsewhere in the state,” said Weeks. “I get my students reading at a sixth grade level as they start the tenth grade. To me, I have performed a miracle if I can find one book they actually read or one project they would love to do. Unfortunately, that is not how the state of Massachusetts measures success,” Weeks lamented.
In fact, Weeks said the lack of parental involvement and overall student apathy has been the biggest challenge of her career thus far. “Half of my job is just getting them to care,” she said. “Since many of these students have never seen family members achieve higher education or move out of the city, they don't know why it is so important to have an education. If the parents checked homework, asked questions, and reached out, these kids would really succeed,” added Weeks.
Something else Weeks thinks would help her students is an equal budget. “We do everything we can for these kids. If they received the same budget as the suburban kids I know we could do anything,” she said. “If this is truly the land of the free, then all Americans should be free to receive a high quality education. Learning is not just for the rich.”
In her five years at the school, Weeks has had many ups and downs. Both her laptop and her cell phone were stolen on separate occasions and she has suffered several bruises from breaking up girl fights in the hallways. But she refuses to leave her students for greener pastures at a better school. “The students at the ‘better’ schools don't need the help the way these kids do,” she said. “As long as I have the energy I will be in the inner city doing what I can to make a difference. I love what I do and I love to see these kids succeed,” she added.
Success according to Megan Weeks is different than another teacher’s definition of the same word. Several of Weeks’s students have matriculated to top colleges, including Holy Cross and Columbia, but those students aren’t considered her greatest accomplishments. “I am most proud of the students that push themselves so hard just to make it to state college,” she explained. “The smiles on their faces and the sincere 'thank you' I receive mean almost more than my first student going to an Ivy League college.”
If Weeks has learned anything during her teaching tenure, she has learned patience and the ability to understand that learning happens very slowly and to accept that change does not happen overnight. “You have to keep at it, even when it seems like you will not succeed,” she said.
But Weeks knows all too well that while learning can’t change overnight, the weather certainly can. But like all the other challenges she has overcome as an inner city teacher, Weeks has learned to deal with the rainy days, garbage cans and all.
Karaoke Video Project
Here is my video project I did on karaoke for my Backpack Reporting class (be warned.. this video contains some bad singing!). I'll be getting my grade on Wednesday, but I think it's an A+ :)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Green With Envy...and Homesickness
Sometimes it's funny how things work out.
I was bummed all day today because the Celtics season started and I was goi
ng to miss it. Just like I missed the Patriots season opener and every game thereafter. It was disheartening to realize I'd be missing another Boston sports season that has been a huge part of my life (shout out to my Celtics buddy Lissa!) for so many years. It's kind of a suffocating feeling, a little claustrophopic, like being stuck in an elevator with a bunch of fat, smelly or loud people... you have no control over it, you just have to deal with it because it's too late to get out. (Photo: Me and Lissa at the Celtics victory parade in 2008)
I considered wearing my Paul Pierce jersey to class tonight. However, I go to school with a lot of native Chicagoans, including my professor who is a huge sports fan, and I still wanted to have a chance of getting an A after tonight (considering the Celtics beat the Bulls in a hard-fought, seven-game, often controversial playoff series last spring). I did forget that the topic of this evening's class was sports journalism, which totally cheered me up. My jersey would have been appropriate, as my professor put on his Cubs hat to teach the class. We spent three hours learning about the history of media and sports like baseball, football and boxing. It was so awesome, best night of class yet! Worcester even got a shout out!! The professor mentioned it while discussing the roots of baseball and I giggled at his attempt to pronounce "Worcester" correctly. He didn't do too bad with it... however, he did try to give the White Sox credit for winning the 1918 World Series and I just had to correct him at the class break when I handed in my paper. We chatted for a little, I mentioned Worcester, and he was glad to learn I was very interested in sports. I'm totally getting an A now ;)
While I was missing the Celtics opener back home, I was reliving some of Boston and sports' greatest moments in class. And I had my friend who brings her computer to class glued to the internet for the updated score :) The mention of Worcester in class comforted me more than a hot cup of tea on a cold, rainy day. The world isn't so big sometimes, and we often just need little reminders of home to get us through the tough days.
Oh yeah, and GO CELTICS!! I may not be able to cheer in person, but I'll be glued to those online blog and score updates just like I am on Sundays to support the Patriots!
I was bummed all day today because the Celtics season started and I was goi
ng to miss it. Just like I missed the Patriots season opener and every game thereafter. It was disheartening to realize I'd be missing another Boston sports season that has been a huge part of my life (shout out to my Celtics buddy Lissa!) for so many years. It's kind of a suffocating feeling, a little claustrophopic, like being stuck in an elevator with a bunch of fat, smelly or loud people... you have no control over it, you just have to deal with it because it's too late to get out. (Photo: Me and Lissa at the Celtics victory parade in 2008)I considered wearing my Paul Pierce jersey to class tonight. However, I go to school with a lot of native Chicagoans, including my professor who is a huge sports fan, and I still wanted to have a chance of getting an A after tonight (considering the Celtics beat the Bulls in a hard-fought, seven-game, often controversial playoff series last spring). I did forget that the topic of this evening's class was sports journalism, which totally cheered me up. My jersey would have been appropriate, as my professor put on his Cubs hat to teach the class. We spent three hours learning about the history of media and sports like baseball, football and boxing. It was so awesome, best night of class yet! Worcester even got a shout out!! The professor mentioned it while discussing the roots of baseball and I giggled at his attempt to pronounce "Worcester" correctly. He didn't do too bad with it... however, he did try to give the White Sox credit for winning the 1918 World Series and I just had to correct him at the class break when I handed in my paper. We chatted for a little, I mentioned Worcester, and he was glad to learn I was very interested in sports. I'm totally getting an A now ;)
While I was missing the Celtics opener back home, I was reliving some of Boston and sports' greatest moments in class. And I had my friend who brings her computer to class glued to the internet for the updated score :) The mention of Worcester in class comforted me more than a hot cup of tea on a cold, rainy day. The world isn't so big sometimes, and we often just need little reminders of home to get us through the tough days.
Oh yeah, and GO CELTICS!! I may not be able to cheer in person, but I'll be glued to those online blog and score updates just like I am on Sundays to support the Patriots!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Bargains and Buses Don't Mix
Today I learned that while shopping for the best value can save you a few pennies, there is one exception to this practical idea: when you are shopping and traveling via public transportation.
I ventured to Target this afternoon to pick up a few necessities, including some groceries because I have been putting off going to the grocery store for so long that I ran out of food besides rice and peanut butter. Well, because I was raised to find the best bargain possible, I have a hard time resisting buying a larger portion for a better deal. For example... while the half gallon of milk was $1.49 an entire gallon was 50 cents more, so I got the gallon. And why would I buy a dozen eggs for $1.12 when I could purchase 18 of them for $1.27. And when something is 3 for $5 you usually get three. It's the rule of threes! Well, these upgrades saved me some money, but added a whole lot of hassle on the bus ride home. Please laugh at the following along with me as I remember:
-I bought a Brita because the old one was my roommate's and she moved out. The little sticky strap fell off while I was waiting for the bus, so I had to improvise and shove the oversize box into a bag that was previously being used as double-duty for my frozen foods. This must have looked funny to cars sitting at the red light in front of me as I unloaded and reloaded my bags, but thanks to some girl also waiting for the bus, we managed to make the switch.
-When I got on the bus, it was so crowded I kept hitting people with my bags. I fell into the handicapped-preferred seating because the bus driver guns it as soon as the last person steps into the car.
-Well, next stop I took the opportunity to move because I saw some older people getting on. I made my way through the crowd to the back of the bus and when some woman let me have her seat, I put my bags down and sat on my loaf of bread when Speedy the bus driver put the pedal to the metal.
I eventually made it home, and all the way I wondered to myself if I would have struggled as much with a dozen eggs, a half gallon of milk and one or two lean cuisine meals. I cursed myself for waiting so long to go shopping, and for being addicted to Target. However, having to depend on public transportation actually bodes well for me; it helps me spend less money and if I'm considering buying something, I have to picture myself walking home with it and that usually forces me to put it back on the shelf!
But this story has a happy ending, as I've already forgotten about the debacle, and will probably put myself in the same position next time. The thing about procrastination is that you never really learn your lesson. And we all know that I will never pass up saving a few bucks for a comfortable ride home. Besides, if I never sat on my bread you wouldn't have anything interesting to read! And FYI, not one single egg was broken in the adventure!
I ventured to Target this afternoon to pick up a few necessities, including some groceries because I have been putting off going to the grocery store for so long that I ran out of food besides rice and peanut butter. Well, because I was raised to find the best bargain possible, I have a hard time resisting buying a larger portion for a better deal. For example... while the half gallon of milk was $1.49 an entire gallon was 50 cents more, so I got the gallon. And why would I buy a dozen eggs for $1.12 when I could purchase 18 of them for $1.27. And when something is 3 for $5 you usually get three. It's the rule of threes! Well, these upgrades saved me some money, but added a whole lot of hassle on the bus ride home. Please laugh at the following along with me as I remember:
-I bought a Brita because the old one was my roommate's and she moved out. The little sticky strap fell off while I was waiting for the bus, so I had to improvise and shove the oversize box into a bag that was previously being used as double-duty for my frozen foods. This must have looked funny to cars sitting at the red light in front of me as I unloaded and reloaded my bags, but thanks to some girl also waiting for the bus, we managed to make the switch.
-When I got on the bus, it was so crowded I kept hitting people with my bags. I fell into the handicapped-preferred seating because the bus driver guns it as soon as the last person steps into the car.
-Well, next stop I took the opportunity to move because I saw some older people getting on. I made my way through the crowd to the back of the bus and when some woman let me have her seat, I put my bags down and sat on my loaf of bread when Speedy the bus driver put the pedal to the metal.
I eventually made it home, and all the way I wondered to myself if I would have struggled as much with a dozen eggs, a half gallon of milk and one or two lean cuisine meals. I cursed myself for waiting so long to go shopping, and for being addicted to Target. However, having to depend on public transportation actually bodes well for me; it helps me spend less money and if I'm considering buying something, I have to picture myself walking home with it and that usually forces me to put it back on the shelf!
But this story has a happy ending, as I've already forgotten about the debacle, and will probably put myself in the same position next time. The thing about procrastination is that you never really learn your lesson. And we all know that I will never pass up saving a few bucks for a comfortable ride home. Besides, if I never sat on my bread you wouldn't have anything interesting to read! And FYI, not one single egg was broken in the adventure!
Monday, October 26, 2009
My First Media Project- Oktoberfest
Below is the finished product of the Oktoberfest project I was working on last month. This is the video I created and edited that was part of the first media package project in my Backpack Reporting Class. It was due a couple weeks ago and we got our grades back last week. I received an 18.5 out of a possible 20 points. My second project is due this Wednesday... I did this one on karaoke. I learned so much working on this project, and even more on this second one (which I will post when it is finished). Enjoy! And let me know what you think (also, keep in mind it's the first time I have ever done anything like this!!) :)
Halloween and American Culture
So I was sitting at the Corner Bakery downtown the other day eating my linner (the timing of my classes make it impossible to eat at normal times during the week.. too late for lunch, too early for dinner.. so I combine them). Anyways, I couldn't help but overhear the conversation going on next to me. There was a group of people sitting together, and upon further inspection, I eventually realized it was a group of international students from the Kaplan building around the corner, accompanied by their instructor/guide. The guide was attempting to explain the American "holiday" of Halloween to them, and the highlights of Halloween in this city. What caught my attention--and brought on a case of full eavesdropping--was when she began suggesting costume choices and plans to the students.
"A lot of girls go as sexy french maids, with short skirts (hand skimming the very top of her thigh in an attempt to demonstrate "skirt")," she said, "Or a sexy devil..." The list of recommendations continued, but what induced a giggle out of me in the corner was the fact that every costume she suggested had the word "sexy" in it.
Gone are the days of Halloween as a string of candy-infested, costume-contest fun events. The day has now become a competition of sexiness and sluttyness and who can wear the least amount of clothes. Kids can't even bob for apples anymore without fear of catching H1N1 or some other form of cooties, and I'm afraid to even mention the game fearing it might have a very different connotation at my age... my roommate just told me of a party this weekend that gives a prize to the "sexiest" costume. I can't imagine what kinds of contests will be going on at the bars this weekend, but I will be sure to share.
I sat there in the corner, munching on my turkey sandwich, and contemplating how strange this holiday must seem to an international student. For one night, most women leave their clothes--and their self-respect--at home and transform into someone they would never fathom mimicking except in their wildest dreams. Not only is this behavior considered okay, it's wildly encouraged. Especially here in Chicago-- I have been told by numerous people that Halloween and St. Patrick's Day are the two biggest days here, and if I was planning on dressing up, I better make it "sexy." I hate wearing bathing suits at the beach... I highly doubt I will be prancing around in my underwear on a late October night.
I've home-made my costume this year-- I will post pictures on Sunday, and don't worry Dad, I'm all covered up! Now those poor international students from the Corner Bakery might be in a different boat... Welcome to the good ol' USA. Halloween is merely a reflection of American culture, and pretty much the only aspect of it that actually embodies (literally) and enforces the "less is more" idea. Now if only fast-food and corporate America would catch on...
Trick or Treat!
"A lot of girls go as sexy french maids, with short skirts (hand skimming the very top of her thigh in an attempt to demonstrate "skirt")," she said, "Or a sexy devil..." The list of recommendations continued, but what induced a giggle out of me in the corner was the fact that every costume she suggested had the word "sexy" in it.
Gone are the days of Halloween as a string of candy-infested, costume-contest fun events. The day has now become a competition of sexiness and sluttyness and who can wear the least amount of clothes. Kids can't even bob for apples anymore without fear of catching H1N1 or some other form of cooties, and I'm afraid to even mention the game fearing it might have a very different connotation at my age... my roommate just told me of a party this weekend that gives a prize to the "sexiest" costume. I can't imagine what kinds of contests will be going on at the bars this weekend, but I will be sure to share.
I sat there in the corner, munching on my turkey sandwich, and contemplating how strange this holiday must seem to an international student. For one night, most women leave their clothes--and their self-respect--at home and transform into someone they would never fathom mimicking except in their wildest dreams. Not only is this behavior considered okay, it's wildly encouraged. Especially here in Chicago-- I have been told by numerous people that Halloween and St. Patrick's Day are the two biggest days here, and if I was planning on dressing up, I better make it "sexy." I hate wearing bathing suits at the beach... I highly doubt I will be prancing around in my underwear on a late October night.
I've home-made my costume this year-- I will post pictures on Sunday, and don't worry Dad, I'm all covered up! Now those poor international students from the Corner Bakery might be in a different boat... Welcome to the good ol' USA. Halloween is merely a reflection of American culture, and pretty much the only aspect of it that actually embodies (literally) and enforces the "less is more" idea. Now if only fast-food and corporate America would catch on...
Trick or Treat!
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