I guess I haven't been feeling very bloggy for a while. Summer quarter was insanely busy at work, in spite of my hope that things would slow down. I continued my streak of working with more students every quarter I work for CWU, seeing over 200 in three weeks fewer than a regular-school-year quarter. At the rate I was going, I'd have topped my record for the year if it had been a full-length quarter.
Add to that the fact that we successfully completed our move to Kent, and I have been completely exhausted and unwilling to do more than glance at my computer once a day to see if I have any email. Thanks to those of you who wrote to me, and I'm sorry I haven't written back yet--I promise, I will, just as soon as I can face sitting in front of a computer for more than a few minutes at a time. Some of the exhaustion is fading now, and I'm finally feeling like I can write again without second guessing every sentence (reading so many student papers really makes a person think about her grammar).
The new apartment is really great. Michael and I are really enjoying having "grown up" living room furniture. We continue to eat at the table on the balcony (thanks Dad for the terrific housewarming present!). It's so nice to have my own office (although I haven't used it much yet), and I know as the school year opens, I'll appreciate it more and more. I'm also enjoying the perk of living right next to the Green River Trail. I've been able to sleep in every morning, then get up and go for a nice long walk. It's been really rejuvenating and refreshing.
The biggest news on the work front is that I've just been offered a HUGE promotion. From simply being the faculty member in charge of offering writing center services on one of CWU's branch campuses, I've been made the Assistant Director of the CWU Writing Center (the WHOLE thing), in charge of ALL the campuses on the west side of the state. This means I'll have a staff of four, operating two full writing centers, and offering service to four campuses. In addition to a nice pay bump and a better contract, I get a nifty title that will enhance my resume in ways I hadn't even imagined.
Of course, there are new responsibilities as well. I will have to travel to all the campuses. Fortunately for me, they're all in the Seattle area, two within ten minutes of the new apartment, one about half an hour away, and the other a 45 minute drive. Only one of the campuses has a really established writing center (the one I spent the past year founding), so I'm going to have to go through the process again on the other campus that needs a full writing center. This time it will be easier though--the first thing I get to do there is hire a staff. I'll be spending less time on direct student contact this year, because I'll be training new staff members and doing other "directorial" things. I'll still continue to work with the graduate students (and other students with longer, more complicated papers), but I won't see as many of the undergraduates.
I still have a couple weeks of vacation time left before I have to head back, but I'll likely be spending some time on each of the campuses before then, starting to network and meet the people I'm going to need to meet. I'm trying to stay focused on relaxing because I know the upcoming school year is going to be insane, but I'm so excited about the new job that it's going to be difficult to not work during my vacation. Yesterday, I went to a craft store and picked up a bunch of beads, paint, and clay, and I'm going to distract myself by doing the creative little art projects that I haven't had the time to do in years. I spent the afternoon on the balcony, happily engrossed in beadwork, making Christmas decorations for the bigger tree we'll be able to have in the new apartment. See--I can relax!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Congratulations to My Boy!
The Graduate!
Originally uploaded by Prairie Brown
With all the celebrating and house hunting of the past few weeks, I hadn't had the chance to put up a public post to congratulate Michael for achieving his first college degree. I couldn't be prouder of him--I'm in the unique position of knowing how hard he worked for this, how many late nights he spent studying, and how many fun activities he didn't attend because he had to either study or work. He's an absolutely amazing person, and I know he's going to do great things. I feel really privileged to be a part of his life. Congratulations, Michael! You deserve this happiness--you earned it!
CWU Graduation Pictures
Me, Cory, and Sandy
Originally uploaded by Prairie Brown
I did take a few pictures at CWU's graduation ceremony, and I'm finally getting around to putting them up for everyone to see. Enjoy!
New Home!
Michael and I spent most of the day on Friday touring apartments and trying to find a new one, closer to CWU and Highline so that we don't have to continue to spend a couple hours on the freeway every day. Michael and I had been screening buildings online for the past couple of months, and we'd narrowed our search down to four buildings that we thought would be acceptable. Michael had called all the buildings, made appointments to view apartments, and printed off maps to get us from each one to the next one in line (yes--he was ORGANIZED!). Our initial screening criteria was this: at least two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a reserved parking spot, a washer and drier, and a pool.
The first apartment we toured was in a nice neighborhood, and the apartment itself met all the criteria. We felt the day was off to a good start--until we realized how far out in the boonies the apartment complex was. The neighborhood was nice because it was a million miles from anywhere.
As we exited the freeway to find the next apartment, we began to be worried. Off the exit, we found an industrial park, a string of used car dealerships ad auto parts stores, some pawn shops and sex toy stores, and a lot of graffiti--oh, and the building where we'd scheduled the appointment. We politely toured the building and told them we'd get back to them. Honestly, they wanted $300 more than we were willing to pay for an apartment the size they were offering, for an apartment in a neighborhood where I'd be afraid to wait for a bus.
The last apartment we looked at (I'm going to skip the one we picked) would have been the winner, had we not looked at the really awesome apartment first. It was in a quiet, residential neighborhood next to a dog park. It had two massive bedrooms and tons of storage space. It had a view of a gorgeous greenbelt. All the appliances were brand new (stainless steel)--we'd have been the first people to use them. But...
We'd seen one more apartment before visiting the last one, and once we'd seen it, nothing else could hope to compare. We put in an application, and this morning, we got the confirmation call: we're in. We will be moving to Kent in mid-July (we get the official move-in date tomorrow).
Our new apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms (on the top floor, so we'll never have to hear our neighbors stomping around). Michael and I will both get one of the smaller (still big) bedrooms for an office. Yes--I'll get my own room after three years of having an office in the living room! My office will be the official guest room, with the small guest bed that's been in Michael's office. I'll get a frilly new bedspread and make it a gorgeous, feminine room. Michael will get the futon couch that's currently in the living room in his office, and we're planning to shop together for a brand new set of living room furniture (our second major furniture purchase). Michael will lay claim to the larger of the two bathrooms, and I'll get the slightly smaller master bathroom, which will become a fluffy pink girl's bathroom. Mine! The master bedroom is plenty large enough for our king-sized bed and dressers and other bedroom paraphernalia. We're getting a corner apartment, so the master bedroom and the bedroom that will become my office each have extra windows. My plants will be very happy!
The kitchen is enormous, and while the appliances aren't brand new, there is a lot more storage space than we currently have, and a whole lot more counter space (important for someone who likes to cook). The kitchen connects to the living/dining area with a breakfast bar, so we're also going to be shopping for barstools. The living/dining area is giant. It has a sliding glass door that opens onto a large deck. We're going to need to get patio furniture! There's a huge storage closet on the deck where we'll be able to keep all our camping equipment, seasonal decorations, and luggage. In the living room, there's an absolutely gorgeous, old-fashioned brick fireplace. There's a small alcove on the deck that will be perfect for storing a small stack of firewood. We'll be able to curl up by a roaring fire on cold winter nights. In the hallway near the bedrooms is a laundry closet with a full-sized washer and drier and some additional storage space.
Let's talk about the complex itself: when we arrived for our tour, we walked into a professional looking office with big, dark desks and other impressive looking furniture. The smell of fresh cookies filled the air, and the girl behind one of the desks greeted us by offering us cookies still warm from the oven. Near the door, we noticed a large rack of DVDs, and she explained that they refill the rack once a month--tenants can borrow one movie (for free) every day! She then showed us around the fitness room, indoor racket ball court, sauna, tanning salon, and pool--state of the art everything. The complex also has several playgrounds, a basketball court, and a tennis court. The banquet room (where she'd been baking cookies) is available for tenants when they want to throw parties. It has a full-sized kitchen, a large dining table, and a living room with a big-screen TV. Movie night, anyone?
The neighborhood is absolutely amazing. The complex is bordered on the back by the Green River, on one side by an elementary school, and on the other by a golf course. It's set off of the main road in the front by a large grove of trees, but the main road is lined with sidewalks, and the neighborhood is incredibly well maintained, with prosperous businesses within easy walking distance. There were several interesting-looking restaurants in the area. We'll be within walking distance of a movie theater, a small mall, several parks, an ice skating rink, and the mini golf course connected with the big course is just steps out of our complex. Along the Green River is a 19-mile hiking and biking trail (completely paved) that will give us a beautiful place to exercise on nice days, without being on city streets breathing exhaust and wondering if we're about to be run over.
We're going to sign papers tomorrow, but we're planning to start packing tonight!
The first apartment we toured was in a nice neighborhood, and the apartment itself met all the criteria. We felt the day was off to a good start--until we realized how far out in the boonies the apartment complex was. The neighborhood was nice because it was a million miles from anywhere.
As we exited the freeway to find the next apartment, we began to be worried. Off the exit, we found an industrial park, a string of used car dealerships ad auto parts stores, some pawn shops and sex toy stores, and a lot of graffiti--oh, and the building where we'd scheduled the appointment. We politely toured the building and told them we'd get back to them. Honestly, they wanted $300 more than we were willing to pay for an apartment the size they were offering, for an apartment in a neighborhood where I'd be afraid to wait for a bus.
The last apartment we looked at (I'm going to skip the one we picked) would have been the winner, had we not looked at the really awesome apartment first. It was in a quiet, residential neighborhood next to a dog park. It had two massive bedrooms and tons of storage space. It had a view of a gorgeous greenbelt. All the appliances were brand new (stainless steel)--we'd have been the first people to use them. But...
We'd seen one more apartment before visiting the last one, and once we'd seen it, nothing else could hope to compare. We put in an application, and this morning, we got the confirmation call: we're in. We will be moving to Kent in mid-July (we get the official move-in date tomorrow).
Our new apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms (on the top floor, so we'll never have to hear our neighbors stomping around). Michael and I will both get one of the smaller (still big) bedrooms for an office. Yes--I'll get my own room after three years of having an office in the living room! My office will be the official guest room, with the small guest bed that's been in Michael's office. I'll get a frilly new bedspread and make it a gorgeous, feminine room. Michael will get the futon couch that's currently in the living room in his office, and we're planning to shop together for a brand new set of living room furniture (our second major furniture purchase). Michael will lay claim to the larger of the two bathrooms, and I'll get the slightly smaller master bathroom, which will become a fluffy pink girl's bathroom. Mine! The master bedroom is plenty large enough for our king-sized bed and dressers and other bedroom paraphernalia. We're getting a corner apartment, so the master bedroom and the bedroom that will become my office each have extra windows. My plants will be very happy!
The kitchen is enormous, and while the appliances aren't brand new, there is a lot more storage space than we currently have, and a whole lot more counter space (important for someone who likes to cook). The kitchen connects to the living/dining area with a breakfast bar, so we're also going to be shopping for barstools. The living/dining area is giant. It has a sliding glass door that opens onto a large deck. We're going to need to get patio furniture! There's a huge storage closet on the deck where we'll be able to keep all our camping equipment, seasonal decorations, and luggage. In the living room, there's an absolutely gorgeous, old-fashioned brick fireplace. There's a small alcove on the deck that will be perfect for storing a small stack of firewood. We'll be able to curl up by a roaring fire on cold winter nights. In the hallway near the bedrooms is a laundry closet with a full-sized washer and drier and some additional storage space.
Let's talk about the complex itself: when we arrived for our tour, we walked into a professional looking office with big, dark desks and other impressive looking furniture. The smell of fresh cookies filled the air, and the girl behind one of the desks greeted us by offering us cookies still warm from the oven. Near the door, we noticed a large rack of DVDs, and she explained that they refill the rack once a month--tenants can borrow one movie (for free) every day! She then showed us around the fitness room, indoor racket ball court, sauna, tanning salon, and pool--state of the art everything. The complex also has several playgrounds, a basketball court, and a tennis court. The banquet room (where she'd been baking cookies) is available for tenants when they want to throw parties. It has a full-sized kitchen, a large dining table, and a living room with a big-screen TV. Movie night, anyone?
The neighborhood is absolutely amazing. The complex is bordered on the back by the Green River, on one side by an elementary school, and on the other by a golf course. It's set off of the main road in the front by a large grove of trees, but the main road is lined with sidewalks, and the neighborhood is incredibly well maintained, with prosperous businesses within easy walking distance. There were several interesting-looking restaurants in the area. We'll be within walking distance of a movie theater, a small mall, several parks, an ice skating rink, and the mini golf course connected with the big course is just steps out of our complex. Along the Green River is a 19-mile hiking and biking trail (completely paved) that will give us a beautiful place to exercise on nice days, without being on city streets breathing exhaust and wondering if we're about to be run over.
We're going to sign papers tomorrow, but we're planning to start packing tonight!
Friday, June 13, 2008
When Banking Goes Bad
On Tuesday, I was reviewing my back account and figuring out how much I could spend on Michael's graduation party. As I went over the recent purchases I'd made, I noticed the usual: groceries and gas. I saw the charges for the birthday shopping trip on which I'd taken Hope on Monday. Then I saw a charge to something called Gamma. There was no address, and my bank provided no information beyond the name of the theoretical company at which I'd purchased some service.
I wracked my brain for a while, pondering where I could have been and what I would have bought that cost only $9.25. I couldn't recall anything I would have bought in the past week that would have cost such a small amount (we typically never spend less than $30 when we grocery shop or hit Target for a "few necessities"). Every time I'd gone out recently, either someone else had paid, or we'd gone to one of my usual places. I paid cash for parking at CWU's graduation. I couldn't recall anything I I would have bought for $9.25, and I certainly didn't remember any Gamma.
I showed the odd line on my bank statement to Michael. He was puzzled as well, but he pointed out that the number next to the Gamma name had the same number of digits as a phone number. We gave the number a call: an answering machine with a man's voice, speaking in a bizarre accent, saying that he was unavailable to come to the phone, but that we should leave a message.
Completely baffled by this point, we Googled the number. What we found was appalling. Apparently I was not the only one who couldn't remember using my debit card to buy something from Gamma. There were dozens of people with similar stories. They too had found a weird charge on their bank statements, for around $9.00, to some company called Gamma from which they couldn't remember buying anything. The same phone number showed up on their statements. When they called, they got the same recorded message.
Some horrid, dishonest person had gotten a hold of our debit card information, and was fishing, making small charges, to see if we would notice missing money before making a bigger charge!
Michael and I immediately headed to the bank, where I closed that account and opened an entirely new one. I didn't bother to try to get my $9.25 back (it would have taken an hour's worth of paperwork), and there's no real way to pursue tracking down the ass hole who stole my debit card number, since he didn't steal enough to make it worth filing a police report.
I just spent the morning transferring all of the bills I pay through automatic payments over to the new account. What a complete pain in the butt!
I hope the jerk who stole my debit card number gets run over by a bus. Twice. Then dropped out of the medical helicopter that's attempting to save him, and falls 3,000 feet and is entirely squashed into an unrecognizable pulp. I work really hard for my paycheck, and I truly resent anyone stealing from me.
Everyone else out there reading my tale of woe, let this be a lesson to you: pay close attention to your bank accounts. I could have been out a lot more than $9.25. I was lucky. There are a lot of dishonest weirdos out there. Watch especially for charges from Gamma.
I wracked my brain for a while, pondering where I could have been and what I would have bought that cost only $9.25. I couldn't recall anything I would have bought in the past week that would have cost such a small amount (we typically never spend less than $30 when we grocery shop or hit Target for a "few necessities"). Every time I'd gone out recently, either someone else had paid, or we'd gone to one of my usual places. I paid cash for parking at CWU's graduation. I couldn't recall anything I I would have bought for $9.25, and I certainly didn't remember any Gamma.
I showed the odd line on my bank statement to Michael. He was puzzled as well, but he pointed out that the number next to the Gamma name had the same number of digits as a phone number. We gave the number a call: an answering machine with a man's voice, speaking in a bizarre accent, saying that he was unavailable to come to the phone, but that we should leave a message.
Completely baffled by this point, we Googled the number. What we found was appalling. Apparently I was not the only one who couldn't remember using my debit card to buy something from Gamma. There were dozens of people with similar stories. They too had found a weird charge on their bank statements, for around $9.00, to some company called Gamma from which they couldn't remember buying anything. The same phone number showed up on their statements. When they called, they got the same recorded message.
Some horrid, dishonest person had gotten a hold of our debit card information, and was fishing, making small charges, to see if we would notice missing money before making a bigger charge!
Michael and I immediately headed to the bank, where I closed that account and opened an entirely new one. I didn't bother to try to get my $9.25 back (it would have taken an hour's worth of paperwork), and there's no real way to pursue tracking down the ass hole who stole my debit card number, since he didn't steal enough to make it worth filing a police report.
I just spent the morning transferring all of the bills I pay through automatic payments over to the new account. What a complete pain in the butt!
I hope the jerk who stole my debit card number gets run over by a bus. Twice. Then dropped out of the medical helicopter that's attempting to save him, and falls 3,000 feet and is entirely squashed into an unrecognizable pulp. I work really hard for my paycheck, and I truly resent anyone stealing from me.
Everyone else out there reading my tale of woe, let this be a lesson to you: pay close attention to your bank accounts. I could have been out a lot more than $9.25. I was lucky. There are a lot of dishonest weirdos out there. Watch especially for charges from Gamma.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Congratulations CWU Graduates!
Last night, I attended CWU's graduation ceremony, held at Benaroya Hall in Downtown Seattle. Since I attended as a faculty member (hey--it's a great excuse to dress up in a robe and wear a funny hat), I was allowed backstage--probably the only time in my life I'll get to go backstage at a concert hall. Faculty were put into the musicians' greenroom to put on their robes and wait to go into the auditorium.
When I got there, there was some excitement backstage--a pigeon had gotten in, and the stagehands and staff members who were setting up were chasing it around, flapping brooms and waving towels at it, trying to either capture it or shoo it out the door. It was flying from one end of the entry hall to the other, trying to find a perch. Eventually, it perched on the drinking fountain (if you're even backstage at Benaroya hall, you might want to think twice about using the drinking fountain), noticed the open door, and flew out.
The ceremony itself was beautiful, and I couldn't have been more proud of the CWU students I knew who participated. I know how hard all of them worked to be there: the immigrant from Africa who earned his Master's degree while caring for a sick mother, the single mother who put herself through school while supporting two children, the lovely young woman who broke up with her boyfriend three weeks before finals and still aced all her classes, the pregnant woman who finished her Master's degree at the same time her husband finished his Bachelor's degree, the young woman who didn't think she'd finish this spring who spent at least two days a week in my office studying to pass her last class. There were hundreds of other success stories in the auditorium last night, and I feel privileged to have shared a small part in the success of some of them. To all the recent CWU graduates: congratulations! You worked very hard for your achievement, and you will go far.
When I got there, there was some excitement backstage--a pigeon had gotten in, and the stagehands and staff members who were setting up were chasing it around, flapping brooms and waving towels at it, trying to either capture it or shoo it out the door. It was flying from one end of the entry hall to the other, trying to find a perch. Eventually, it perched on the drinking fountain (if you're even backstage at Benaroya hall, you might want to think twice about using the drinking fountain), noticed the open door, and flew out.
The ceremony itself was beautiful, and I couldn't have been more proud of the CWU students I knew who participated. I know how hard all of them worked to be there: the immigrant from Africa who earned his Master's degree while caring for a sick mother, the single mother who put herself through school while supporting two children, the lovely young woman who broke up with her boyfriend three weeks before finals and still aced all her classes, the pregnant woman who finished her Master's degree at the same time her husband finished his Bachelor's degree, the young woman who didn't think she'd finish this spring who spent at least two days a week in my office studying to pass her last class. There were hundreds of other success stories in the auditorium last night, and I feel privileged to have shared a small part in the success of some of them. To all the recent CWU graduates: congratulations! You worked very hard for your achievement, and you will go far.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Happy Birthday to My Boy!
Michael Blows out the Candles on His Cake
Originally uploaded by Prairie Brown
Yes, I know his birthday was last weekend, but he graciously agreed to celebrate this weekend, when I could plan a better celebration than a half-raw burger on the way home from the airport. Last night, Hope and Peter came over for birthday dinner and birthday cake, and we celebrated Michael's birthday properly--with candles and singing and everything.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
A Pile of Cousins
Originally uploaded by Prairie Brown
...To my mom and all the moms out there: thanks for all you do for us!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Pictures
The Family at the Church Before the Service
Originally uploaded by Prairie Brown
Last weekend, the family came together to celebrate Grandma's life and to mourn her death. Many of us took pictures of the various gatherings, and mine are posted on my photo page for anyone who wants to see them.
Click the picture on this post, and it will take you to my photo page.
If you want copies of any of these pictures, you should be able to download them and print them, or you can send me an email (prairie.brown@gmail.com) with your address (and which pictures you want) and I'll send you prints.
Monday, April 28, 2008
A Sad Afternoon
My grandmother, Norma Lindberg, passed away this afternoon. I'll put up a full post later, but for now, please offer up some prayers, both of gratitude that Grandma isn't suffering any more and of healing for my grandfather, mother, and family, when you have a minute.
Friday, April 18, 2008
April Shower (of Snow)
April Shower (of Snow)
Originally uploaded by Prairie Brown
Here's the scene outside our building at this very moment. How bizarre is that?!
Who Turned off the Spring?
This afternoon, my colleague in Lynwood called me to chat about the upcoming conference. As we were talking, she mentioned that it had been snowing all afternoon in Lynwood. I looked out my window (I'm about 50 miles south of Lynwood when I'm at work). The sun was shining. Sure, there were a few clouds over the water, and yes, they looked very black, but overall it wasn't an unpleasant day outside.
I hopped into my car at about 5:00 and headed north. I was about halfway back to Seattle when something thumped against my windshield. I figured it was a bug. Then I noticed the wet splotch. Something else splatted against the windshield. Then something else. It was starting to hail! As I drove further north, it hailed harder and harder. Small piles of it began to build up on the sides of my windshield. Traffic going into downtown slowed, then stopped, then began creeping northward again at a snail's pace. The sides of the road began to collect piles of hail. Then the road itself started to look a little bit white and slushy. I passed a sign that estimated the commute from that point to Lynwood: 58 minutes to travel what on a good day would be a 15 minute drive.
I got off the freeway at the next exit, watching the cars still on the freeway beginning to slip and slide a bit as the road got worse. I took the back roads the rest of the way home. By the time I got home, the hail had stopped. It was actively SNOWING! As I type this, it's starting to stick to the streets. Cars and trees in the parking lot outside the building are thoroughly coated.
You heard me--it's snowing in Seattle in the middle of April! Clearly, whoever is in control of the weather missed the memo about it being spring!
I hopped into my car at about 5:00 and headed north. I was about halfway back to Seattle when something thumped against my windshield. I figured it was a bug. Then I noticed the wet splotch. Something else splatted against the windshield. Then something else. It was starting to hail! As I drove further north, it hailed harder and harder. Small piles of it began to build up on the sides of my windshield. Traffic going into downtown slowed, then stopped, then began creeping northward again at a snail's pace. The sides of the road began to collect piles of hail. Then the road itself started to look a little bit white and slushy. I passed a sign that estimated the commute from that point to Lynwood: 58 minutes to travel what on a good day would be a 15 minute drive.
I got off the freeway at the next exit, watching the cars still on the freeway beginning to slip and slide a bit as the road got worse. I took the back roads the rest of the way home. By the time I got home, the hail had stopped. It was actively SNOWING! As I type this, it's starting to stick to the streets. Cars and trees in the parking lot outside the building are thoroughly coated.
You heard me--it's snowing in Seattle in the middle of April! Clearly, whoever is in control of the weather missed the memo about it being spring!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Some More Books
This morning, I dropped Michael off at work and made it to the book sale in time to join the line at the door. The building where the sale is held (a former airplane hangar) is huge--and the line stretched around three sides of it! Today is half-price day, so all the paperbacks that were 50 cents yesterday are a whole quarter today. The dollar hardbacks are 50 cents today.
This morning, my mission was to browse the historical fiction room. They allow only 50 people into this room at a time, so it was important that I be one of the first people to get there, or I would have to wait in line after waiting in line. I was number 25 into the room. I was worried for a few minutes that I wouldn't make it in time. I got stuck behind a really slow old lady who would wander one way, then just before I could squeeze past her, she'd cut the other way. Finally, she paused to look at something for long enough for me to dart past her.
I found a stack of books, ranging from novels about British kings and queens to Mexican rebels. I even grabbed a few romances--not bodice rippers (never been my thing), but more along the lines of Bridget Jones (romantic comedies). Now I just need summer vacation, a swimming pool, a cold drink, and a nice hot afternoon (we're back to clouds and drizzle today).
This morning, my mission was to browse the historical fiction room. They allow only 50 people into this room at a time, so it was important that I be one of the first people to get there, or I would have to wait in line after waiting in line. I was number 25 into the room. I was worried for a few minutes that I wouldn't make it in time. I got stuck behind a really slow old lady who would wander one way, then just before I could squeeze past her, she'd cut the other way. Finally, she paused to look at something for long enough for me to dart past her.
I found a stack of books, ranging from novels about British kings and queens to Mexican rebels. I even grabbed a few romances--not bodice rippers (never been my thing), but more along the lines of Bridget Jones (romantic comedies). Now I just need summer vacation, a swimming pool, a cold drink, and a nice hot afternoon (we're back to clouds and drizzle today).
Saturday, April 12, 2008
More Books!
Today is the first day of the annual Seattle Public Library book sale, one of the few events I know of during which people stand in line to buy books. I thought I was getting there nice and early this morning (it opened at 9:00 and I got there at 9:30), but when I went to my usual parking lot, it was completely full--people were double parked! After nearly being hit a couple times by other people searching for spots, I decided I would go for a walk. I drove to a parking lot about half a mile away, on the waterfront, and walked back to the sale by going up the Kite Hill and through the Sports Meadow. I figured it's healthy to walk, and besides--it's the first warm spring day we've had this year.
As I walked toward the sale, I ran into Hope and Peter walking their dogs. They'd just come over the hill from the sale, and were shaking their heads at the craziness of it. Peter said he'd seen people camping outside the doors last night to make sure they were the first ones in!
In spite of this rather ominous warning, I continued on my walk, savoring the warm air and enjoying the site of bunches of kids playing what I think is some sort of competitive frisbee game--they were organized into teams, had team uniforms, and were throwing frisbees in some sort of keep-away game. Coaches were yelling from the sidelines and parents were cheering. It was all very festive. As I walked away from the Sports Meadow, several lacrosse teams were just arriving.
I made my way through the crowded parking lot and into the book sale building. It was insanely crowded, as usual, but since I've been to several of these by now, I knew where to go. Thank goodness they always organize them the same way! I headed to the reference book section first, because I wanted some books for my office. I found a great ESL dictionary, a wonderful book of American quotations, a terrific little grammar book, and a few others that I'm sure students will appreciate.
Then I made my way to the tables full of mystery books. Before I left the house this morning, I'd made a list of all the Agatha Christies and Mary Higgins Clarks (etc.) we already have. I browsed the tables until I'd filled my bag with books that aren't already in our collection, even finding a Stephen King we didn't have--the screenplay for Storm of the Century. Since I had all I could reasonably expect to carry for half a mile, I didn't browse the literature tables. I figure there will be plenty left on those tomorrow.
I walked back to my car, enjoying the sunshine, and stopping for a few minutes to watch the lacrosse games--it looks like a fun sport. By the time I got back to my car (lugging 40 pounds or so of books), my shoulders were aching a little bit, but it was worth it. We'll have plenty of books for summer reading. Especially after I go back tomorrow to browse the literature tables!
As I walked toward the sale, I ran into Hope and Peter walking their dogs. They'd just come over the hill from the sale, and were shaking their heads at the craziness of it. Peter said he'd seen people camping outside the doors last night to make sure they were the first ones in!
In spite of this rather ominous warning, I continued on my walk, savoring the warm air and enjoying the site of bunches of kids playing what I think is some sort of competitive frisbee game--they were organized into teams, had team uniforms, and were throwing frisbees in some sort of keep-away game. Coaches were yelling from the sidelines and parents were cheering. It was all very festive. As I walked away from the Sports Meadow, several lacrosse teams were just arriving.
I made my way through the crowded parking lot and into the book sale building. It was insanely crowded, as usual, but since I've been to several of these by now, I knew where to go. Thank goodness they always organize them the same way! I headed to the reference book section first, because I wanted some books for my office. I found a great ESL dictionary, a wonderful book of American quotations, a terrific little grammar book, and a few others that I'm sure students will appreciate.
Then I made my way to the tables full of mystery books. Before I left the house this morning, I'd made a list of all the Agatha Christies and Mary Higgins Clarks (etc.) we already have. I browsed the tables until I'd filled my bag with books that aren't already in our collection, even finding a Stephen King we didn't have--the screenplay for Storm of the Century. Since I had all I could reasonably expect to carry for half a mile, I didn't browse the literature tables. I figure there will be plenty left on those tomorrow.
I walked back to my car, enjoying the sunshine, and stopping for a few minutes to watch the lacrosse games--it looks like a fun sport. By the time I got back to my car (lugging 40 pounds or so of books), my shoulders were aching a little bit, but it was worth it. We'll have plenty of books for summer reading. Especially after I go back tomorrow to browse the literature tables!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A Math Problem
As I've been reflecting on my previous post, in which I claimed poverty, not flawed teachers, is the primary problem affecting the U.S. educational system, a math problem kept popping into my head:
8.07 X 40 X 52 X 18 = 302,140.80
(Minimum wage in Washington) times (40 hours per week) times (52 weeks in a year) times (18 years of responsibility for a child)
The current price of raising a child from birth to the age of eighteen, according to the U.S. government, is $204,060. Now, let's imagine a single parent home. In this home, there are three children and one mother. The mother hasn't graduated from high school. She holds a minimum wage job as a checker at a local convenience store. Even if she works full time, without ever taking a vacation or a sick day, for the next eighteen years, she will never meet the monetary requirement of raising one child at what the government considers an average standard. She has three children. Washington's minimum wage is the highest in the country. If she lived in Kansas, she'd be making $2.65 an hour. In Arkansas, $6.25. In Nebraska, $5.85 (the federal minimum wage). You heard me--the federal government believes the minimum amount of money one would have to make would be $5.85 an hour ($219,024 for 18 years of work).
We could compound her children's struggles by adding some of the other problems those in poverty often face. Perhaps she drinks or uses drugs to ease the pain of her poverty or to escape the stress she feels. Maybe she is frequently fired or laid off from the minimum wage jobs she is qualified to do. It's possible that she could have medical problems that cause the bills to build up. Heaven forbid one of the children should become seriously ill. Any number of unexpected events could put a strain on the family's already tight finances. The car could break down. The landlord could evict them. A relative could die leaving nothing but a funeral expense.
Are schools really to blame for the education crisis the country is facing? Do we really need more rigid standards? Will standardized testing really solve all our problems? Is it the schools we need to reform?
Will a child who comes to school hungry, who wears clothing (patched and torn) passed down through two older siblings, who's never been read a bedtime story, who is teased and humiliated when she arrives at school, and who has already witnessed her mother overdose on meth be likely to be prepared when the time comes to take a standardized test? Or will her priority be figuring out how to survive another day?
8.07 X 40 X 52 X 18 = 302,140.80
(Minimum wage in Washington) times (40 hours per week) times (52 weeks in a year) times (18 years of responsibility for a child)
The current price of raising a child from birth to the age of eighteen, according to the U.S. government, is $204,060. Now, let's imagine a single parent home. In this home, there are three children and one mother. The mother hasn't graduated from high school. She holds a minimum wage job as a checker at a local convenience store. Even if she works full time, without ever taking a vacation or a sick day, for the next eighteen years, she will never meet the monetary requirement of raising one child at what the government considers an average standard. She has three children. Washington's minimum wage is the highest in the country. If she lived in Kansas, she'd be making $2.65 an hour. In Arkansas, $6.25. In Nebraska, $5.85 (the federal minimum wage). You heard me--the federal government believes the minimum amount of money one would have to make would be $5.85 an hour ($219,024 for 18 years of work).
We could compound her children's struggles by adding some of the other problems those in poverty often face. Perhaps she drinks or uses drugs to ease the pain of her poverty or to escape the stress she feels. Maybe she is frequently fired or laid off from the minimum wage jobs she is qualified to do. It's possible that she could have medical problems that cause the bills to build up. Heaven forbid one of the children should become seriously ill. Any number of unexpected events could put a strain on the family's already tight finances. The car could break down. The landlord could evict them. A relative could die leaving nothing but a funeral expense.
Are schools really to blame for the education crisis the country is facing? Do we really need more rigid standards? Will standardized testing really solve all our problems? Is it the schools we need to reform?
Will a child who comes to school hungry, who wears clothing (patched and torn) passed down through two older siblings, who's never been read a bedtime story, who is teased and humiliated when she arrives at school, and who has already witnessed her mother overdose on meth be likely to be prepared when the time comes to take a standardized test? Or will her priority be figuring out how to survive another day?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
One Point Two Million Left Behind
I've really had enough of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). It simply doesn't live up to its name. Of course, how many people are going to be willing to stand up and say that? Who wants to be the one to say, "That's a stupid idea!" and run the risk of being accused of not wanting to help kids? (Ignore the fact that the law really isn't helping kids. It's hurting those who need the most help.)
This morning, graduation rates were announced. Nationally, around 70 percent of high school students can expect to graduate. In Seattle, 67.6 percent of students will graduate. Seattle schools, and schools across the country, will be punished for not graduating 100 percent of their students (the unrealistic goal set by no child left behind). They will receive less federal money, and that money they do receive will have to be spent on new, government mandated programs rather than community outreach, parenting classes, drug treatment programs, English as a second language classes, and any number of other things that might be beneficial. Teachers will be fired or demoted because their students didn't perform to NCLB standards.
One more thing was announced today: 1.2 million kids will drop out of school entirely this year. They won't finish high school. They won't get diplomas. They will be doomed to lives below the poverty level, scraping a living at minimum wage or working higher paying but dangerous manual labor types of jobs.
Here's a profile of the kids in Seattle who won't be graduating this year: They will be poor. All of them. They will come from primarily single parent homes in which that single parent likely does not have a high school diploma. Most of them will have been going to school without breakfast and an adequate winter coat since they were small children. (Notice that nationally, the schools with the lowest graduation rates are in cities where poverty runs rampant: Detroit, with a 24.9 percent graduation rate, Cleveland, with a 30.5 percent graduation rate.) Many of them will be African American. Many of them will be drug addicted. Many of them will have been abused. Many of them will have a learning disability. Many of them will not speak English. (According to Seattle's primary ESL school, not a single one of their students has ever passed the WASL--Washington's NCLB test--and they don't expect any of them to pass in the future. The standard of being able to pass it after one year of English instruction is simply too unreasonable. Students who grew up speaking English still can't pass the test! Even though they are legal immigrants, they will be punished for not being born here.) Many of them have children themselves, although they're teenagers (thanks abstinence education). Many of them will have already spent time living on the streets. Many of them will have already been involved in prostitution. Many of them will have already done jail time. And yet these kids are included in the 100 percent compliance goal the NCLB has set. NCLB is intentionally weeding out the so-called "undesirable" kids under the premise that it is encouraging an equal chance for all children. NCLB does not leave a single door open for these kids. If they are incapable of meeting its standards, they are turned onto the street. Period. But as long as they don't come from homes with money, who cares, right? No one is going to protest. (Until someone steals their BMWs--and then the protest won't be about lack of a diploma.)
I should point out that NCLB has no suggestions and gives no leeway for students who cannot meet its standards. The GED isn't an option: it's not considered an acceptable outcome under NCLB. Only a high school diploma will suffice, so school districts desperately trying to keep federal funding are doing all that they can to eliminate GED programs and encourage kids who will never pass the WASL (or other state tests) to stay in school. Career Link, the program I for which I taught, severed ties with Seattle Public Schools last year. On the surface, this was because of funding issues, but the reality of the situation is that they were fearful of losing money if all the kids in the district didn't take the WASL. Career Link just learned it will be forced to close in June of this year.
Remember all those kids in Seattle who will not earn high school diplomas (over 30 percent)? After June (when they don't graduate with their classes and Career Link is forced to shut its doors), they will have one less place to turn. They will actually have been left behind.
This morning, graduation rates were announced. Nationally, around 70 percent of high school students can expect to graduate. In Seattle, 67.6 percent of students will graduate. Seattle schools, and schools across the country, will be punished for not graduating 100 percent of their students (the unrealistic goal set by no child left behind). They will receive less federal money, and that money they do receive will have to be spent on new, government mandated programs rather than community outreach, parenting classes, drug treatment programs, English as a second language classes, and any number of other things that might be beneficial. Teachers will be fired or demoted because their students didn't perform to NCLB standards.
One more thing was announced today: 1.2 million kids will drop out of school entirely this year. They won't finish high school. They won't get diplomas. They will be doomed to lives below the poverty level, scraping a living at minimum wage or working higher paying but dangerous manual labor types of jobs.
Here's a profile of the kids in Seattle who won't be graduating this year: They will be poor. All of them. They will come from primarily single parent homes in which that single parent likely does not have a high school diploma. Most of them will have been going to school without breakfast and an adequate winter coat since they were small children. (Notice that nationally, the schools with the lowest graduation rates are in cities where poverty runs rampant: Detroit, with a 24.9 percent graduation rate, Cleveland, with a 30.5 percent graduation rate.) Many of them will be African American. Many of them will be drug addicted. Many of them will have been abused. Many of them will have a learning disability. Many of them will not speak English. (According to Seattle's primary ESL school, not a single one of their students has ever passed the WASL--Washington's NCLB test--and they don't expect any of them to pass in the future. The standard of being able to pass it after one year of English instruction is simply too unreasonable. Students who grew up speaking English still can't pass the test! Even though they are legal immigrants, they will be punished for not being born here.) Many of them have children themselves, although they're teenagers (thanks abstinence education). Many of them will have already spent time living on the streets. Many of them will have already been involved in prostitution. Many of them will have already done jail time. And yet these kids are included in the 100 percent compliance goal the NCLB has set. NCLB is intentionally weeding out the so-called "undesirable" kids under the premise that it is encouraging an equal chance for all children. NCLB does not leave a single door open for these kids. If they are incapable of meeting its standards, they are turned onto the street. Period. But as long as they don't come from homes with money, who cares, right? No one is going to protest. (Until someone steals their BMWs--and then the protest won't be about lack of a diploma.)
I should point out that NCLB has no suggestions and gives no leeway for students who cannot meet its standards. The GED isn't an option: it's not considered an acceptable outcome under NCLB. Only a high school diploma will suffice, so school districts desperately trying to keep federal funding are doing all that they can to eliminate GED programs and encourage kids who will never pass the WASL (or other state tests) to stay in school. Career Link, the program I for which I taught, severed ties with Seattle Public Schools last year. On the surface, this was because of funding issues, but the reality of the situation is that they were fearful of losing money if all the kids in the district didn't take the WASL. Career Link just learned it will be forced to close in June of this year.
Remember all those kids in Seattle who will not earn high school diplomas (over 30 percent)? After June (when they don't graduate with their classes and Career Link is forced to shut its doors), they will have one less place to turn. They will actually have been left behind.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Something That Bugs Me
Stuff you need to know before you read this part of the post:
1. Michael and I take a multi-vitamin with dinner every day.
2. We usually eat dinner around 8:00.
3. Our typical bed time is about 10:30.
4. I have been off of caffeine of any kind (except for chocolate) for almost two years.
5. I'm really sensitive to caffeine, even when it's part of my usual pattern. Even when I was drinking things with caffeine, I limited myself to one such beverage a day. Even that could give the the jitters if I wasn't careful.
The story:
Last time I ran out of multi-vitamins, apparently so did every woman in Seattle. The grocery store where I usually shop was out of my usual (One-A-Day Women's Health formula), but in the space next to the empty spot on the shelf was a package called One-A-Day Weight Smart. I don't know a single woman who doesn't want to be weight smart. I grabbed a package, deciding it would do to replace my usual. It's a multi-vitamin in the health food section of the store--must be good for me. Or so one would think.
Over the past week, I'd been noticing that I'd been having a lot of trouble falling asleep at our usual bed time. I just wasn't sleepy. I should have been. I went back to work after spring break this week, and it was a surprisingly busy first week back. Still, I tossed and turned and wondered what was going on. I wracked my brain for any change to my routine that might be keeping me awake. I should also mention that I was waking up in the morning groggy, with a splitting headache.
Finally, last night, as we were fixing dinner, I turned to Michael and said, "I wonder if it's the vitamins. That's the only change I can think of. Maybe there's something in them that I shouldn't have before bed time."
Michael picked up the bottle and squinted at the tiny label. His eyes widened, "The fourth ingredient on the list is caffeine! These things are full of it! You've got to stop taking these."
So, here's a consumer warning: avoid One-A-Day Weight Smart if you're sensitive to caffeine. The product is not clearly labeled, and it does not say up front that it contains caffeine. They ought to put that fact in bold print somewhere on the front of the package! I find it absolutely ridiculous that it's being marketed as a health food!
At any rate, I didn't take any last night, and imagine this: I slept just fine, and I didn't wake up with a headache.
1. Michael and I take a multi-vitamin with dinner every day.
2. We usually eat dinner around 8:00.
3. Our typical bed time is about 10:30.
4. I have been off of caffeine of any kind (except for chocolate) for almost two years.
5. I'm really sensitive to caffeine, even when it's part of my usual pattern. Even when I was drinking things with caffeine, I limited myself to one such beverage a day. Even that could give the the jitters if I wasn't careful.
The story:
Last time I ran out of multi-vitamins, apparently so did every woman in Seattle. The grocery store where I usually shop was out of my usual (One-A-Day Women's Health formula), but in the space next to the empty spot on the shelf was a package called One-A-Day Weight Smart. I don't know a single woman who doesn't want to be weight smart. I grabbed a package, deciding it would do to replace my usual. It's a multi-vitamin in the health food section of the store--must be good for me. Or so one would think.
Over the past week, I'd been noticing that I'd been having a lot of trouble falling asleep at our usual bed time. I just wasn't sleepy. I should have been. I went back to work after spring break this week, and it was a surprisingly busy first week back. Still, I tossed and turned and wondered what was going on. I wracked my brain for any change to my routine that might be keeping me awake. I should also mention that I was waking up in the morning groggy, with a splitting headache.
Finally, last night, as we were fixing dinner, I turned to Michael and said, "I wonder if it's the vitamins. That's the only change I can think of. Maybe there's something in them that I shouldn't have before bed time."
Michael picked up the bottle and squinted at the tiny label. His eyes widened, "The fourth ingredient on the list is caffeine! These things are full of it! You've got to stop taking these."
So, here's a consumer warning: avoid One-A-Day Weight Smart if you're sensitive to caffeine. The product is not clearly labeled, and it does not say up front that it contains caffeine. They ought to put that fact in bold print somewhere on the front of the package! I find it absolutely ridiculous that it's being marketed as a health food!
At any rate, I didn't take any last night, and imagine this: I slept just fine, and I didn't wake up with a headache.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter!
Hope, Peter, and Michael Dye Easter Eggs
Originally uploaded by Prairie Brown
We started the day with a little bit of spring cleaning--Michael was actually inspired and cleaned most of the apartment all by himself!
This afternoon, Hope and Peter came over for an Easter egg dying party. We dyed eggs, had snacks, and laughed at our rather meager artistic abilities as we attempted to paint our eggs. Michael took pictures of all the eggs, so expect those pictures to appear on his page sometime in the near future. (There are more pictures of our party up on my Flickr page as well.)
Michael and I fixed the traditional Easter ham dinner, and we're just about to sit down to chocolate eclair cake and a movie. It's been a really great Easter!
I hope the Easter Bunny was good to everyone this year!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Spring Break!
This past week, I've been on spring break. I originally didn't have all that much planned, but I did want to go to Vancouver for a few days to be with my family. Last weekend, I spend three days with my mom and Kima. We went on several little shopping trips and celebrated Kima's birthday.
This past week was also finals week for Michael (drawbacks to being on different school schedules). He spent a lot of the week studying, but we've been enjoying the luxury of both of us being home at the same time. This hardly ever happens when both of us are in session. His last final was yesterday morning, and after the test, we hit Blockbuster, rented a stack of movies, and came home to unwind.
This morning, after sleeping in as late as we wanted (8:30--silly school schedule!), we headed Downtown, which we hadn't done for a long time. We had breakfast at one of my favorite bakeries in the Pike Place Market, then headed to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) to see the Roman exhibit that's there on loan from the Louvre. The artwork was absolutely amazing! Most of it was statuary, various portraits of emperors and their wives. I pointed out to Michael that he has a strong resemblance to a couple of the early emperors--he must have some Roman ancestors.
We still have one day of my break left. Tomorrow we're going to dye Easter eggs!
This past week was also finals week for Michael (drawbacks to being on different school schedules). He spent a lot of the week studying, but we've been enjoying the luxury of both of us being home at the same time. This hardly ever happens when both of us are in session. His last final was yesterday morning, and after the test, we hit Blockbuster, rented a stack of movies, and came home to unwind.
This morning, after sleeping in as late as we wanted (8:30--silly school schedule!), we headed Downtown, which we hadn't done for a long time. We had breakfast at one of my favorite bakeries in the Pike Place Market, then headed to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) to see the Roman exhibit that's there on loan from the Louvre. The artwork was absolutely amazing! Most of it was statuary, various portraits of emperors and their wives. I pointed out to Michael that he has a strong resemblance to a couple of the early emperors--he must have some Roman ancestors.
We still have one day of my break left. Tomorrow we're going to dye Easter eggs!
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