on another note, the story i wrote last week for our first reporting assignment was used as the class example yesterday! whoo-hoo. it was on how young people in chinatown feel about terrorism (they are blase). neat-o.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Friday, August 20, 2004
twelve dollars
i think it's because we don't have any groceries to eat in, but for whatever reason, i think i've only eaten in once since i got here. this week we double dated with bethany and the (in)famous jerry at this indian place called pongal, which i've been to a few times before, and people are always saying how their indian friends say it's the best indian food in the city. steve doesn't even like indian food (he had a bad experience), and he mentioned how he wanted to go back there last week, so that says something. i've been slowly moving up in complexity in terms of the dosai i order there, and this time around i tried the onion rava masala (onions, potatoes, cilantro in a crepe) and it was very good. they all kind of taste the same, but they're all great.
afterwards we all went to this bar that our bosses at asianavenue had taken us to oh so many years ago called bar 89. if you click on the link, you'll see it's listed in the website "world's best bars," but it's known less for its drinks and ambiance than its bathrooms. anyways, it is quite sex and the city, and yes, i ordered a tartini (cranberry vodka martini) in my best sarah jessica voice (see season 2 or 3, it's in an episode where she goes to a bar with stanford), and yes, it was $12, but it was delicious (although not strong enough for me), and as i always say, why not be so new york when you're in new york?
last night we hit up this sushi place called yama, which is supposed to have the best sushi in the city, and i remembered it to be quite good last time i went. the sushi was only ok this time. afterwards we stumbled onto a bar called dove bar on macdougal and west 3rd, and it's a really cool chill little bar with deep red walls and kind of victorian-ish living room decor, a cross between alice in wonderland and the victorian punch bar. i liked that place a lot -- instead of bar nuts, they give you these spicy cheese breadsticks served in a teacup and saucer. cute. there are also a lot of seats around the tables, good for groups.
i think it's because we don't have any groceries to eat in, but for whatever reason, i think i've only eaten in once since i got here. this week we double dated with bethany and the (in)famous jerry at this indian place called pongal, which i've been to a few times before, and people are always saying how their indian friends say it's the best indian food in the city. steve doesn't even like indian food (he had a bad experience), and he mentioned how he wanted to go back there last week, so that says something. i've been slowly moving up in complexity in terms of the dosai i order there, and this time around i tried the onion rava masala (onions, potatoes, cilantro in a crepe) and it was very good. they all kind of taste the same, but they're all great.
afterwards we all went to this bar that our bosses at asianavenue had taken us to oh so many years ago called bar 89. if you click on the link, you'll see it's listed in the website "world's best bars," but it's known less for its drinks and ambiance than its bathrooms. anyways, it is quite sex and the city, and yes, i ordered a tartini (cranberry vodka martini) in my best sarah jessica voice (see season 2 or 3, it's in an episode where she goes to a bar with stanford), and yes, it was $12, but it was delicious (although not strong enough for me), and as i always say, why not be so new york when you're in new york?
last night we hit up this sushi place called yama, which is supposed to have the best sushi in the city, and i remembered it to be quite good last time i went. the sushi was only ok this time. afterwards we stumbled onto a bar called dove bar on macdougal and west 3rd, and it's a really cool chill little bar with deep red walls and kind of victorian-ish living room decor, a cross between alice in wonderland and the victorian punch bar. i liked that place a lot -- instead of bar nuts, they give you these spicy cheese breadsticks served in a teacup and saucer. cute. there are also a lot of seats around the tables, good for groups.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Friday, July 30, 2004
new guilty pleasure: coffee with defamer first thing in the morning after checking email
examples:
--"Yeah, you heard me right, Britney. My mothafuckin' wedding is more Kabbalah than your mothafuckin' wedding. I'm taking this shit to Is-ra-el."
also: everything you wanted to know about donnie darko* *but were afraid to ask
examples:
Short Ends: Demi And Ashton Are More Kabbalah Than You
--"Yeah, you heard me right, Britney. My mothafuckin' wedding is more Kabbalah than your mothafuckin' wedding. I'm taking this shit to Is-ra-el."
also: everything you wanted to know about donnie darko* *but were afraid to ask
Thursday, July 29, 2004
from this week's "best of the bay" issue, written by yours truly:
Best Place to Hit On Matt Gonzalez
It's hard to find articulate, good-looking, ambitious, mysterious Ivy League men who are passionate about social justice and local politics, isn't it? Well, there's at least one in the city, and you might be able to find him haunting his neighborhood bar, Place Pigalle. The Matrix Fillmore this is not — where else would you find a humble and low-key guy than at a humble and low-key bar? The laid-back atmosphere, good music, and sparse candlelight in this beer-and-wine spot provide the perfect ambience for seduction. Plush couches in the front and back rooms conveniently allow patrons to get, ahem, more comfortable with each other. If opening lines about Gavin, eye contact, and all else fail, grab the peroxide: we've spotted him there chatting up a blond. 520 Hayes, S.F. (415) 552-2671.
Best Place to Meet the Social Justice Activist of Your Dreams
To find true love, forget eDating.com and work on a local, state, or national political campaign. These offices are teeming with new activists, especially young ones, and they're always looking for more help. Check out the presidential campaign, voter drives, and local ballot measures this fall when the get-out-the-vote efforts kick into high gear. Meet smart, passionate, and similarly minded folks at any number of campaign events — you and your politico will always have something in common. Chat up the cutie phone-banking next to you and get those digits. Get sweaty together while precinct-walking in the hills of San Francisco. Cap off your efforts by drunkenly partying with your love interest at the victory party. Get active, get motivated, and possibly get laid in the process.
Best Bar to Clown on Long Island
You don't have to be from New York City to have a superiority complex toward the isle of suburban mall outlets and seagulls, nor should a cosmopolitan city dweller like yourself be forced to imbibe something named in honor of it. Instead, drink to that bleak eyesore we call a "beach" at the Elbo Room, where the sweet Ocean Beach Iced Teas are likely to make you forget all about Long Island, crappy San Francisco beaches, and, well, just about everything else. While the bartenders tend to prepare these particular beverages with a kick so strong that one might be the magic number, the Elbo Room also considerately boasts the longest happy hour in the city, 5 to 9 p.m. nightly — ample opportunity to toast our fine city and be grateful you don't live in that other one. 647 Valencia, S.F. (415) 552-7788.
Best Place to Hit On Matt Gonzalez
It's hard to find articulate, good-looking, ambitious, mysterious Ivy League men who are passionate about social justice and local politics, isn't it? Well, there's at least one in the city, and you might be able to find him haunting his neighborhood bar, Place Pigalle. The Matrix Fillmore this is not — where else would you find a humble and low-key guy than at a humble and low-key bar? The laid-back atmosphere, good music, and sparse candlelight in this beer-and-wine spot provide the perfect ambience for seduction. Plush couches in the front and back rooms conveniently allow patrons to get, ahem, more comfortable with each other. If opening lines about Gavin, eye contact, and all else fail, grab the peroxide: we've spotted him there chatting up a blond. 520 Hayes, S.F. (415) 552-2671.
Best Place to Meet the Social Justice Activist of Your Dreams
To find true love, forget eDating.com and work on a local, state, or national political campaign. These offices are teeming with new activists, especially young ones, and they're always looking for more help. Check out the presidential campaign, voter drives, and local ballot measures this fall when the get-out-the-vote efforts kick into high gear. Meet smart, passionate, and similarly minded folks at any number of campaign events — you and your politico will always have something in common. Chat up the cutie phone-banking next to you and get those digits. Get sweaty together while precinct-walking in the hills of San Francisco. Cap off your efforts by drunkenly partying with your love interest at the victory party. Get active, get motivated, and possibly get laid in the process.
Best Bar to Clown on Long Island
You don't have to be from New York City to have a superiority complex toward the isle of suburban mall outlets and seagulls, nor should a cosmopolitan city dweller like yourself be forced to imbibe something named in honor of it. Instead, drink to that bleak eyesore we call a "beach" at the Elbo Room, where the sweet Ocean Beach Iced Teas are likely to make you forget all about Long Island, crappy San Francisco beaches, and, well, just about everything else. While the bartenders tend to prepare these particular beverages with a kick so strong that one might be the magic number, the Elbo Room also considerately boasts the longest happy hour in the city, 5 to 9 p.m. nightly — ample opportunity to toast our fine city and be grateful you don't live in that other one. 647 Valencia, S.F. (415) 552-7788.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
see DC pics
ten memories from my DC/NYC trip
1) "maybe if the OCA girls were a little bit HOTTER, we wouldn't have to steal their men!"
2) at tryst: me: "is $9 tip enough?"
freesia: "you already paid!!!"
3) random dude at dream who tried to dance with jaime: "who does she think she is, j-lo?"
me: "YEAHHH!!! she DOES think she's j-lo!!!"
4) margot: "salaam bombay!"
5) me, hella loudly in front of a restaurant in adams morgan: "alice, we ate here, remember? it was bad!"
6) clarence to a server's recommendation at a korean restaurant: "oh no, i don't want that."
7) overheard at the natural history museum: "you can't drink a mammal!"
8) overheard at the mall: man, to a young girl: "look over there. what's that building?"
young girl: "the white house?"
man: "no, that's the capitol."
woman: "how was she supposed to know that?"
man: "well, you learn."
9) margot, about me having a red-headed slut at dream: "yeah, drink names are pretty misogynistic."
me: "a red-headed slut could be a guy....prince harry!"
10) me: "oh 'razor bob' is the style of your haircut?? i thought it was the name of your hair stylist!"
ten memories from my DC/NYC trip
1) "maybe if the OCA girls were a little bit HOTTER, we wouldn't have to steal their men!"
2) at tryst: me: "is $9 tip enough?"
freesia: "you already paid!!!"
3) random dude at dream who tried to dance with jaime: "who does she think she is, j-lo?"
me: "YEAHHH!!! she DOES think she's j-lo!!!"
4) margot: "salaam bombay!"
5) me, hella loudly in front of a restaurant in adams morgan: "alice, we ate here, remember? it was bad!"
6) clarence to a server's recommendation at a korean restaurant: "oh no, i don't want that."
7) overheard at the natural history museum: "you can't drink a mammal!"
8) overheard at the mall: man, to a young girl: "look over there. what's that building?"
young girl: "the white house?"
man: "no, that's the capitol."
woman: "how was she supposed to know that?"
man: "well, you learn."
9) margot, about me having a red-headed slut at dream: "yeah, drink names are pretty misogynistic."
me: "a red-headed slut could be a guy....prince harry!"
10) me: "oh 'razor bob' is the style of your haircut?? i thought it was the name of your hair stylist!"
Sunday, July 18, 2004
kimi: have you heard about the rooney?
me: no
me:.......................
my playmate has been working like crazy lately, so i've been left to my own devices for most of the days.
last friday's "girl's night out" with chizu (visiting from sd for a week), freesia, and kimi was a bust when kimi brought braz and his friends, but it was still fun. jade bar is a cool spot to go and sip love potion #9s, and i hear the mojitos are really good. definitely check it out with your girlfriends, since it seems like most guys don't like the lack of seats and the fact that it's really crowded.
last saturday was day of graduation parties. we went to novato in the north bay for braz's graduation party at his aunt's house, and it was SO GORGEOUS. the weather was so hot i got a little bit of a sunburn sitting out on the deck by the pool. the food was really good -- it was a mix of pilipino food and american food, and it was catered, so they had not only beer ON TAP, but also a MARGARITA MACHINE. margarita machine + lots of sun = all gravy. apparently you can get some really good pilipino food at serra bowl in daly city; braz had some pansit from there, and it was hella good. yes, pilipino food at a bowling alley. his aunt's house was really beautiful, too. all in all very pleasant. we left early and came back to the city to go to kimi's house for her and chizu's graduation party. i could barely eat any more, but of course i had to try. :) they had these yummy wasabi flavored chips.
wednesday we all went out to see napoleon dynamite (again, for me, steve, and kimi). so funny, again!! i was laughing before the movie even started. afterwards we went to mel's on geary where we all laughed about how silly/lame we were freshman year of high school, and how freesia is trying to holler at steven. YOU KNOW YOU ARE!!!! you like puberty mustache!
last night kimi, braz, steve-o, and i went to biff and regan's for a houseparty. they live in hayes valley, and i haven't seen either of them in forever. their place is a great little san francisco apartment -- it's one of those old victorians, and they've got a breathtaking view of the downtown skyline and city hall from their back deck. so nice.
only 19 more days until i leave for nyc, and i'm going to be in DC for 8 of those. i know i'm supposed to see about 30 million people before i leave, including tiffany, peter, james, biff, and regan, and i definitely want to. so little time! kimi is graciously throwing me a going away party before i leave, time and date tba, i think it will be august 3 or 4, so save the date.
p.s. guilty pleasure summer reading -- "the nanny diaries" on audiobook, read by julia roberts
me: no
me:.......................
my playmate has been working like crazy lately, so i've been left to my own devices for most of the days.
last friday's "girl's night out" with chizu (visiting from sd for a week), freesia, and kimi was a bust when kimi brought braz and his friends, but it was still fun. jade bar is a cool spot to go and sip love potion #9s, and i hear the mojitos are really good. definitely check it out with your girlfriends, since it seems like most guys don't like the lack of seats and the fact that it's really crowded.
last saturday was day of graduation parties. we went to novato in the north bay for braz's graduation party at his aunt's house, and it was SO GORGEOUS. the weather was so hot i got a little bit of a sunburn sitting out on the deck by the pool. the food was really good -- it was a mix of pilipino food and american food, and it was catered, so they had not only beer ON TAP, but also a MARGARITA MACHINE. margarita machine + lots of sun = all gravy. apparently you can get some really good pilipino food at serra bowl in daly city; braz had some pansit from there, and it was hella good. yes, pilipino food at a bowling alley. his aunt's house was really beautiful, too. all in all very pleasant. we left early and came back to the city to go to kimi's house for her and chizu's graduation party. i could barely eat any more, but of course i had to try. :) they had these yummy wasabi flavored chips.
wednesday we all went out to see napoleon dynamite (again, for me, steve, and kimi). so funny, again!! i was laughing before the movie even started. afterwards we went to mel's on geary where we all laughed about how silly/lame we were freshman year of high school, and how freesia is trying to holler at steven. YOU KNOW YOU ARE!!!! you like puberty mustache!
last night kimi, braz, steve-o, and i went to biff and regan's for a houseparty. they live in hayes valley, and i haven't seen either of them in forever. their place is a great little san francisco apartment -- it's one of those old victorians, and they've got a breathtaking view of the downtown skyline and city hall from their back deck. so nice.
only 19 more days until i leave for nyc, and i'm going to be in DC for 8 of those. i know i'm supposed to see about 30 million people before i leave, including tiffany, peter, james, biff, and regan, and i definitely want to. so little time! kimi is graciously throwing me a going away party before i leave, time and date tba, i think it will be august 3 or 4, so save the date.
p.s. guilty pleasure summer reading -- "the nanny diaries" on audiobook, read by julia roberts
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Olympics hurting struggling sportswear workers
The Olympic Games are now one month away and we need your help now to expose a dangerous hypocrisy that's taking place.
The upcoming Olympics are supposed to represent the triumph of humanity, yet the business practices of Fila and the other Official Suppliers of the Games (sportswear giants like Umbro, Puma, Asics, Lotto, Kappa and Mizuno) violate accepted international labor standards!
Click below to join Oxfam America in speaking out against this hypocrisy by sending a free message urging Fila's CEO to ensure that all Fila's workers are paid a living wage, have free access to trade unions, and enjoy safe working conditions.
http://ga0.org/campaign/play/7k38k79pjdi8d8
Ironically, the official promotional theme of next month's Olympic Games is "Celebrate Humanity," yet the workers, mostly women, in Fila's factories are being forced to work extremely long hours for poverty wages in order to produce gear and uniforms for the Olympic teams in time for the games in August. This is no way to "celebrate humanity!"
Oxfam's investigation into Fila's factories in China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia found widespread abuses. Workers at one Chinese factory were fined $6 for each mistake they made! Others reported being forced to work until midnight without any advance warning before an export deadline. If they refused, they risked losing their jobs - jobs they needed badly to support themselves and their families.
And these workers have almost no chance to join trade unions to improve their working conditions. Factory managers can and do fire workers who join unions. Knowing this stops most workers from even thinking about trying to unionize.
Help honor the spirit of the upcoming Olympics by pressuring Fila to clean up its act. Click here to send your letter asking Fila to reform its exploitative business practices now:
http://ga0.org/campaign/play/7k38k79pjdi8d8
When you're finished, please help us spread the word by telling your friends about this campaign, and asking them to join you in making Fila play by the rules.
The Olympic Games are now one month away and we need your help now to expose a dangerous hypocrisy that's taking place.
The upcoming Olympics are supposed to represent the triumph of humanity, yet the business practices of Fila and the other Official Suppliers of the Games (sportswear giants like Umbro, Puma, Asics, Lotto, Kappa and Mizuno) violate accepted international labor standards!
Click below to join Oxfam America in speaking out against this hypocrisy by sending a free message urging Fila's CEO to ensure that all Fila's workers are paid a living wage, have free access to trade unions, and enjoy safe working conditions.
http://ga0.org/campaign/play/7k38k79pjdi8d8
Ironically, the official promotional theme of next month's Olympic Games is "Celebrate Humanity," yet the workers, mostly women, in Fila's factories are being forced to work extremely long hours for poverty wages in order to produce gear and uniforms for the Olympic teams in time for the games in August. This is no way to "celebrate humanity!"
Oxfam's investigation into Fila's factories in China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia found widespread abuses. Workers at one Chinese factory were fined $6 for each mistake they made! Others reported being forced to work until midnight without any advance warning before an export deadline. If they refused, they risked losing their jobs - jobs they needed badly to support themselves and their families.
And these workers have almost no chance to join trade unions to improve their working conditions. Factory managers can and do fire workers who join unions. Knowing this stops most workers from even thinking about trying to unionize.
Help honor the spirit of the upcoming Olympics by pressuring Fila to clean up its act. Click here to send your letter asking Fila to reform its exploitative business practices now:
http://ga0.org/campaign/play/7k38k79pjdi8d8
When you're finished, please help us spread the word by telling your friends about this campaign, and asking them to join you in making Fila play by the rules.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
TAKE BACK THE WEB
everyone should drop what they're doing right now and get over to Firefox and download it. we should be applying social justice principles to all sections of our lives, and that includes the internet! plus, microsoft is evil, and firefox is just a better browser, really.
everyone should drop what they're doing right now and get over to Firefox and download it. we should be applying social justice principles to all sections of our lives, and that includes the internet! plus, microsoft is evil, and firefox is just a better browser, really.
Friday, July 09, 2004
I'm gonna get a lot more visitors to the site after this
from salon.com's letters section:
When Wilder's 2-year-old was holding his Thomas the Tank Engine in the air, he was saying, "Percy," not "Pussy." "Percy" is Thomas's best friend, looks just like him, and is the favorite of most kids (as he is not quite the bootlick that Thomas is). I've known many 2-year-olds to make the same mispronunciation (including my own).
from salon.com's letters section:
When Wilder's 2-year-old was holding his Thomas the Tank Engine in the air, he was saying, "Percy," not "Pussy." "Percy" is Thomas's best friend, looks just like him, and is the favorite of most kids (as he is not quite the bootlick that Thomas is). I've known many 2-year-olds to make the same mispronunciation (including my own).
Monday, July 05, 2004
CLASSIC MARGOT-ISM
xSgtMeatx (12:42:13 PM): i kept touching his arm b/c he kept saying stuff and i was sort of hitting him to be lik, uh no you are (wayne's world, iguess). i forgot that most people aren't like wayne's wold
xSgtMeatx (12:42:15 PM): world
xSgtMeatx (12:42:25 PM): too bad
ok short update. does anyone still read this?
things have been really chill. the temp agencies haven't gotten back to me, so i've given up and have devoted my summer to plowing through columbia's suggested and required reading list. books on tape are my new best friend, since i can listen to them on my way to/from berkeley and while at the gym (yes, i'm working out again, close your mouth!). anyone recommend any good books on tape?
been seeing a lot of movies-- napoleon dynamite is so fucking funny, definitely see it, when stoned, preferrably. also saw dodgeball, which was NOT FUNNY and a waste of time and money. also fahrenheit 9/11, on the first weekend, of course. crazy ass lines to see it. it was ok, didn't blow me away like i expected. see napoleon dynamite instead! or rent roger and me.
saw giants/dodgers game a few weeks ago.
hot dog: $5
gordon biersch beer: $6
garlic fries: $6
tickets to see giants beat down the dodgers: free (thanks ali!)
watching steve chant "beat l.a.!": FUCKING PRICELESS
back to dc july 21-28. things to do:
-c-town express and greasy ass noodles and dumplings!
-party like rockstars
-h&m
-see uncle mark at the eeoc
-throw up in front of the white house, like i always wanted to! ;)
xSgtMeatx (12:42:13 PM): i kept touching his arm b/c he kept saying stuff and i was sort of hitting him to be lik, uh no you are (wayne's world, iguess). i forgot that most people aren't like wayne's wold
xSgtMeatx (12:42:15 PM): world
xSgtMeatx (12:42:25 PM): too bad
ok short update. does anyone still read this?
things have been really chill. the temp agencies haven't gotten back to me, so i've given up and have devoted my summer to plowing through columbia's suggested and required reading list. books on tape are my new best friend, since i can listen to them on my way to/from berkeley and while at the gym (yes, i'm working out again, close your mouth!). anyone recommend any good books on tape?
been seeing a lot of movies-- napoleon dynamite is so fucking funny, definitely see it, when stoned, preferrably. also saw dodgeball, which was NOT FUNNY and a waste of time and money. also fahrenheit 9/11, on the first weekend, of course. crazy ass lines to see it. it was ok, didn't blow me away like i expected. see napoleon dynamite instead! or rent roger and me.
saw giants/dodgers game a few weeks ago.
hot dog: $5
gordon biersch beer: $6
garlic fries: $6
tickets to see giants beat down the dodgers: free (thanks ali!)
watching steve chant "beat l.a.!": FUCKING PRICELESS
back to dc july 21-28. things to do:
-c-town express and greasy ass noodles and dumplings!
-party like rockstars
-h&m
-see uncle mark at the eeoc
-throw up in front of the white house, like i always wanted to! ;)
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
It only takes like three seconds
Urge Your Senator to Support Women Refugees!
The case of Rodi Alvarado, a Guatemalan survivor of severe domestic violence currently seeking asylum in the U.S., is pending before Attorney General John Ashcroft. On February 19, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filed a brief urging Attorney General Ashcroft to grant asylum to Ms. Alvarado. In its brief, the DHS promises to issue regulations soon that will provide guidance in cases involving similar issues. Members of the Senate led by Senator Clinton (D-NY)and Senator Brownback (R-KS) have joined in support of regulations to govern gender-based asylum claims. Please contact your Senator and express your support for women refugees who have fled gender-based persecution such as trafficking, sexual slavery, honor killing, and domestic violence who are seeking refuge in the United States. Urge your Senator to sign the Clinton-Brownback letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft on this important issue.
To sign on, please visit
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/senate_sign_on_gender
To learn more about this issue, see Asylum Protection News #23:
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/asylum/torchlight/newsletter/newslet_23.htm
Urge Your Senator to Support Women Refugees!
The case of Rodi Alvarado, a Guatemalan survivor of severe domestic violence currently seeking asylum in the U.S., is pending before Attorney General John Ashcroft. On February 19, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filed a brief urging Attorney General Ashcroft to grant asylum to Ms. Alvarado. In its brief, the DHS promises to issue regulations soon that will provide guidance in cases involving similar issues. Members of the Senate led by Senator Clinton (D-NY)and Senator Brownback (R-KS) have joined in support of regulations to govern gender-based asylum claims. Please contact your Senator and express your support for women refugees who have fled gender-based persecution such as trafficking, sexual slavery, honor killing, and domestic violence who are seeking refuge in the United States. Urge your Senator to sign the Clinton-Brownback letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft on this important issue.
To sign on, please visit
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/senate_sign_on_gender
To learn more about this issue, see Asylum Protection News #23:
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/asylum/torchlight/newsletter/newslet_23.htm
summer is becoming really frustrating. plans are dropping left and right, and i've got nothing to do all day. no dc, no la, nothing until nyc. i'm trying to find a way out to dc before nyc, but we'll see.
i'm so comepletely distraught that i won't be able to see the pino when he visits dc, along with my 801 gals, or lin when he visits there over the fourth. i'm reminded daily of all last summer's memories because not a day goes by that i don't talk to someone from the 801/1327 crew. sigh. and i'm stuck here in berkeley...
i've been trying to find a temp job to keep me busy at least. but things are pretty dead. i miss the east coast, but i suppose i'll be getting my fill of it in august. until then, i'll try to enjoy the little things i love about the bay -- like finding new cool bars in unexpected places, spam kimchi fried rice from ramen house, falling asleep during afternoons on the couch in my living room, shopping at mars on telegraph, reading magazines for hours at barnes and noble, and watching steveo be SO SHLEEPY.
i'm so comepletely distraught that i won't be able to see the pino when he visits dc, along with my 801 gals, or lin when he visits there over the fourth. i'm reminded daily of all last summer's memories because not a day goes by that i don't talk to someone from the 801/1327 crew. sigh. and i'm stuck here in berkeley...
i've been trying to find a temp job to keep me busy at least. but things are pretty dead. i miss the east coast, but i suppose i'll be getting my fill of it in august. until then, i'll try to enjoy the little things i love about the bay -- like finding new cool bars in unexpected places, spam kimchi fried rice from ramen house, falling asleep during afternoons on the couch in my living room, shopping at mars on telegraph, reading magazines for hours at barnes and noble, and watching steveo be SO SHLEEPY.
Friday, June 18, 2004
help stop displacement of newcomer high school (my mom's work)!
Save SF's Newcomer High School !
- Revoke the Superintendent's decision to place Xcell Academy at Newcomer High School as it will displace 1/3 of the existing students and their teachers.
- Involve immigrant parents, students and their teachers in all future decisions effecting Newcomer High School.
Act now by contacting Superintendent Ackerman and letting her know that you and other members of the community find her actions unacceptable.
June 14, 2004
To Concerned Parties:
Twenty-five years ago the district saw the need and made a commitment to create a special program to serve new immigrant high school students. That s why Newcomer High was established.
• Newcomer is a one year transitional program to prepare immigrant students for regular high schools.
• Newcomer has open enrollment to receive immigrant students whenever they arrive. The population of the school grows throughout the semester. For the fall semester, we began with 309 students and ended with 456. In the spring, we began with 424 and ended with 530.
• Students come with little or no English often under educated. Newcomer has ESL and primary language content area classes so that students receive high school content and acquire English as quickly as possible.
• Immigrant students arrive physically, emotionally, socially, and economically stressed. Newcomer, with its understanding adult and peer support, is a safe environment for them to adjust and learn.
• Many community services come to Newcomer to help students adjust: they include Horizons Unlimited, Chinatown Youth Center, Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc., Charity Cultural Center of Chinatown.
Six weeks ago, XCEL Academy, a charter school, was offered the third floor of the Newcomer High School building. No member of the Newcomer community was consulted. Newcomer High was only informed of this proposal in the second week of May, at which time the administrators of the two schools were told to discuss the accommodations necessary for receiving the other school. In the first meeting with a district official this past Thursday, June 10th, the members of the Union Building Committee of Newcomer High School were informed that this plan is all but imminent. On Friday, Newcomer received a request to begin the merge and open two rooms for the charter school in the coming week.
While we respect XCEL Academy and its mission, we are still extremely concerned that placing another school onto the Newcomer premises may not be in the best interests of the students of either school. More importantly, we fear that the temporary displacement and diversions required to accommodate the other school will lead to the END of the unique services at Newcomer High School.
Consequences of putting XCEL Academy into the Newcomer High School building:
• Newcomer High must give up 8 classrooms to accommodate XCEL Academy. This means that Newcomer will be giving up 40% of its instructional classrooms. As a result, Newcomer can only accommodate a maximum of 375 students rather than the 530 who currently attend.
• Approximately 130-200 new immigrant students for the next school year will have to be sent out to other high schools.
• Newcomer staff and students may be displaced to other schools.
• The education and welfare of new immigrant students are jeopardized despite a suggestion for the district to set up or reinforce existing ELD programs on other campuses to service new immigrant students who would have otherwise attended Newcomer between now and August.
Some points/facts that were never considered:
• Newcomer currently uses 18 of its 20 classrooms. The remaining two are in constant use: one is for
community service groups, tutoring, and student lunchtime creation; the other is a staff workroom.
• The Newcomer School Site Plan provides 20 teachers for the 2004-2005 school year. Losing 8 classrooms will displace teachers and students.
• Immigrant students arrive highly stressed physically, emotionally, socially, and economically;they require a safe and tranquil environment.
• Students arrive with little or no English often undereducated; they require a specialized instructional program.
• The library and technology room are composed of resources specific to the needs of English learners.
• Many of the resources were purchased with LEP funds and cannot be shared.
• The Newcomer cafeteria only holds 250 students and Newcomer already arranges for 2 lunch periods for its students.
• There are only 2 basketball courts for student recreation.
• The two bathrooms are already overcrowded one for the boys and one for the girls.
If anyone has more questions regarding this issue, please contact the Union Building Committee at Newcomer High School at 415-241-7584
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is a sample letter that you can adopt to send along your requests and concerns to the superintendent of schools and to the board of education.
Dear Superintendent Ackerman and the Members of the Board of Education:
I have just heard of the disturbing news that the district plans to put XCEL Academy into the Newcomer High School building. I strongly urge the superintendent to reconsider this decision for the following reasons:
• Newcomer High School is an unique, historic, and internationally recognized program that services immigrant English Language Learners.
• Reducing 40% of Newcomer High School s instructional classrooms even for a proposed one year will adversely affect the education and welfare of immigrant high school students.
• The subsequent diversion of staff and resources may irrevocably damage the current program at Newcomer.
• The community, immigrant parents/students, and Newcomer staff should have input in all decisions affecting the future of Newcomer High School.
The minority, immigrant, and English Language Learners in our district are some of the most vulnerable students in need of our greatest support. Therefore, I beg the superintendent and board members to act with the interests of ALL students in mind. Please find a permanent home for XCEL Academy and preserve the current program at Newcomer High School.
Respectfully yours,
Please send concerns to:
The Superintendent of Schools:
aackerm@muse.sfusd.edu (phone) 241-6121
The Board of Education:
dkelly@sfusd.edu, echin@sfusd.edu, hilesh@sfusd.edu, slipson@sfusd.edu, emar@sfusd.edu, msanche@sfusd.edu, jwynns@sfusd.edu
board office, Esther Casco, 241-6493; fax 241-6429
THANK YOU ALL!
The Community of Newcomer High School
Save SF's Newcomer High School !
- Revoke the Superintendent's decision to place Xcell Academy at Newcomer High School as it will displace 1/3 of the existing students and their teachers.
- Involve immigrant parents, students and their teachers in all future decisions effecting Newcomer High School.
Act now by contacting Superintendent Ackerman and letting her know that you and other members of the community find her actions unacceptable.
June 14, 2004
To Concerned Parties:
Twenty-five years ago the district saw the need and made a commitment to create a special program to serve new immigrant high school students. That s why Newcomer High was established.
• Newcomer is a one year transitional program to prepare immigrant students for regular high schools.
• Newcomer has open enrollment to receive immigrant students whenever they arrive. The population of the school grows throughout the semester. For the fall semester, we began with 309 students and ended with 456. In the spring, we began with 424 and ended with 530.
• Students come with little or no English often under educated. Newcomer has ESL and primary language content area classes so that students receive high school content and acquire English as quickly as possible.
• Immigrant students arrive physically, emotionally, socially, and economically stressed. Newcomer, with its understanding adult and peer support, is a safe environment for them to adjust and learn.
• Many community services come to Newcomer to help students adjust: they include Horizons Unlimited, Chinatown Youth Center, Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc., Charity Cultural Center of Chinatown.
Six weeks ago, XCEL Academy, a charter school, was offered the third floor of the Newcomer High School building. No member of the Newcomer community was consulted. Newcomer High was only informed of this proposal in the second week of May, at which time the administrators of the two schools were told to discuss the accommodations necessary for receiving the other school. In the first meeting with a district official this past Thursday, June 10th, the members of the Union Building Committee of Newcomer High School were informed that this plan is all but imminent. On Friday, Newcomer received a request to begin the merge and open two rooms for the charter school in the coming week.
While we respect XCEL Academy and its mission, we are still extremely concerned that placing another school onto the Newcomer premises may not be in the best interests of the students of either school. More importantly, we fear that the temporary displacement and diversions required to accommodate the other school will lead to the END of the unique services at Newcomer High School.
Consequences of putting XCEL Academy into the Newcomer High School building:
• Newcomer High must give up 8 classrooms to accommodate XCEL Academy. This means that Newcomer will be giving up 40% of its instructional classrooms. As a result, Newcomer can only accommodate a maximum of 375 students rather than the 530 who currently attend.
• Approximately 130-200 new immigrant students for the next school year will have to be sent out to other high schools.
• Newcomer staff and students may be displaced to other schools.
• The education and welfare of new immigrant students are jeopardized despite a suggestion for the district to set up or reinforce existing ELD programs on other campuses to service new immigrant students who would have otherwise attended Newcomer between now and August.
Some points/facts that were never considered:
• Newcomer currently uses 18 of its 20 classrooms. The remaining two are in constant use: one is for
community service groups, tutoring, and student lunchtime creation; the other is a staff workroom.
• The Newcomer School Site Plan provides 20 teachers for the 2004-2005 school year. Losing 8 classrooms will displace teachers and students.
• Immigrant students arrive highly stressed physically, emotionally, socially, and economically;they require a safe and tranquil environment.
• Students arrive with little or no English often undereducated; they require a specialized instructional program.
• The library and technology room are composed of resources specific to the needs of English learners.
• Many of the resources were purchased with LEP funds and cannot be shared.
• The Newcomer cafeteria only holds 250 students and Newcomer already arranges for 2 lunch periods for its students.
• There are only 2 basketball courts for student recreation.
• The two bathrooms are already overcrowded one for the boys and one for the girls.
If anyone has more questions regarding this issue, please contact the Union Building Committee at Newcomer High School at 415-241-7584
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is a sample letter that you can adopt to send along your requests and concerns to the superintendent of schools and to the board of education.
Dear Superintendent Ackerman and the Members of the Board of Education:
I have just heard of the disturbing news that the district plans to put XCEL Academy into the Newcomer High School building. I strongly urge the superintendent to reconsider this decision for the following reasons:
• Newcomer High School is an unique, historic, and internationally recognized program that services immigrant English Language Learners.
• Reducing 40% of Newcomer High School s instructional classrooms even for a proposed one year will adversely affect the education and welfare of immigrant high school students.
• The subsequent diversion of staff and resources may irrevocably damage the current program at Newcomer.
• The community, immigrant parents/students, and Newcomer staff should have input in all decisions affecting the future of Newcomer High School.
The minority, immigrant, and English Language Learners in our district are some of the most vulnerable students in need of our greatest support. Therefore, I beg the superintendent and board members to act with the interests of ALL students in mind. Please find a permanent home for XCEL Academy and preserve the current program at Newcomer High School.
Respectfully yours,
Please send concerns to:
The Superintendent of Schools:
aackerm@muse.sfusd.edu (phone) 241-6121
The Board of Education:
dkelly@sfusd.edu, echin@sfusd.edu, hilesh@sfusd.edu, slipson@sfusd.edu, emar@sfusd.edu, msanche@sfusd.edu, jwynns@sfusd.edu
board office, Esther Casco, 241-6493; fax 241-6429
THANK YOU ALL!
The Community of Newcomer High School
Thursday, June 17, 2004
man it's crazy how many people read parry shen's blog andangryasianman. our modest little "are you down?" quiz has caught on fire the past few days, and bot, min, and i are enjoying our 15 minutes of apa internet fame (friendster who?).
anyways, last week i thought of one more thing i wanted to add to the "quiz":
28. Your favorite quote is: "Be the change you want to see in the world. -- Ghandi"
feel free to post any more additions you think of. also, i'd just like to say thanks to all those apa student activists across the country who inspired us to write this. you don't know who you are, BUT WE DO. sucka!
anyways, last week i thought of one more thing i wanted to add to the "quiz":
28. Your favorite quote is: "Be the change you want to see in the world. -- Ghandi"
feel free to post any more additions you think of. also, i'd just like to say thanks to all those apa student activists across the country who inspired us to write this. you don't know who you are, BUT WE DO. sucka!
Monday, June 14, 2004
thanks rj!
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