Practice News Story #10: Investigative
Logan, Utah- Philanthropist, Ted Turner, also founder of CNN, was seen exiting a jet with Bill and Melinda Gates for a planned meeting with African officials.
Although The CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation had no comment it is rumored that there will be millions of dollars in donations being made to the African government for the building of educational facilities in the hopes of raising awareness on the topics of health and disease.Mayor of Abuja Nigeria, Malik Ok, said “They are very generous individuals and have an interest in raising education awareness.” Ok said, “In general this is to build more education facilities with workshops about health topics because too many people are dieing from diseases. We want to properly educate them and this would not be for a degree. Eventually we won’t need funds, and we will take it over when our local government can fund it.”This ten year proposal is said to involve at least five different nations. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and a foundation ran by Ted Turner are two of the organizations that will be donating to the fund.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
press release
Practice News Story #6: Press Release
LOGAN, Utah— Patients and healthcare providers alike will benefit from the services offered by the newest healthcare resource to the Cache Valley area. Clearpoint Instruction LLC has opened its doors with the purpose of education and instruction for your patients, as well as assisting your practice to meet the safety standards assigned by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).Clearpoint provides has a wide range of instructional and educational materials for your patients. Clearpoint offers educational workshops for both employees and clients that will provide them with the tools needed to decrease costs and increase health. Also, there are videos and reading materials which include a full range of information from inpatient/outpatient knee surgery, to pregnancy wheels which educate expecting mothers on the preparation needed for the different stages of pregnancy.
“We are here to help aid organizations in providing the absolute best education and instruction possible to their clients, and by so doing, clients will be happy and healthy” –Preston Parker, Vice President Clearpoint Instruction.With a combined 40+ years of experience in designing and developing instructional products and educational services, ClearPoint Instruction LLC is a Utah-based company made up of employees that have degrees in instructional technology, curriculum and instruction, computer science, and graphic design.
We use a unique model-centered approach in designing educational materials. Our process is tried and true. By developing accurate models of what your patients need to know, do, and feel about their own health, we are able to create instructional materials and learning systems that actively engage patients in solving actual problems related to their own health. We will be with you through the entire process and even conduct research that gives you the results of our work together. At ClearPoint Instruction, we are dedicated to creating education that gets results.For more information on Clearpoint products and services Call:Metta RayPublic Relations Coordinator Clearpoint Instruction(435)770-5071info@clearpointinstruction.com
LOGAN, Utah— Patients and healthcare providers alike will benefit from the services offered by the newest healthcare resource to the Cache Valley area. Clearpoint Instruction LLC has opened its doors with the purpose of education and instruction for your patients, as well as assisting your practice to meet the safety standards assigned by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).Clearpoint provides has a wide range of instructional and educational materials for your patients. Clearpoint offers educational workshops for both employees and clients that will provide them with the tools needed to decrease costs and increase health. Also, there are videos and reading materials which include a full range of information from inpatient/outpatient knee surgery, to pregnancy wheels which educate expecting mothers on the preparation needed for the different stages of pregnancy.
“We are here to help aid organizations in providing the absolute best education and instruction possible to their clients, and by so doing, clients will be happy and healthy” –Preston Parker, Vice President Clearpoint Instruction.With a combined 40+ years of experience in designing and developing instructional products and educational services, ClearPoint Instruction LLC is a Utah-based company made up of employees that have degrees in instructional technology, curriculum and instruction, computer science, and graphic design.
We use a unique model-centered approach in designing educational materials. Our process is tried and true. By developing accurate models of what your patients need to know, do, and feel about their own health, we are able to create instructional materials and learning systems that actively engage patients in solving actual problems related to their own health. We will be with you through the entire process and even conduct research that gives you the results of our work together. At ClearPoint Instruction, we are dedicated to creating education that gets results.For more information on Clearpoint products and services Call:Metta RayPublic Relations Coordinator Clearpoint Instruction(435)770-5071info@clearpointinstruction.com
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
USU Ag Department Mourns
Practice News Story #11: Accident
Posted: 10:00 AM
November 28, 2007
USU Ag Department Mourns
TREMONTON, UT— 4 p.m.
Utah State University Agriculture Department was devastated to hear the news of the accident involving 10 of their students today.
A university owned 15-passenger van carrying 10 students and driven by instructor Evan Parker were heading south bound on Utah Interstate 84 when something went wrong causing the van to careen off the highway and roll several times throwing the passengers from the van.
Noel Cockett, Dean of college of agriculture and Interim provost for USU stated that the department goes on regular field trips and they have been as far as Indiana and Ohio to see farm equipment. Cockett said of the news they are in a "State of mourning, this is a huge shock, and a horrible devastation"
Lieutenant Jason Jensen of the Utah Highway Patrol was the first officer on the scene. He was already out on patrol and was coming around the corner when he came upon the scene. He reported there were "literally bodies scattered everywhere" there were seven pronounced dead at the scene, four taken to hospital. The cause of the accident is currently unknown, but speed definitely played a factor. An investigation will ensue. Based on his observation theLt. Jensen is guessing 95-100 MPH.
Kyle Holden, alumni of USU, was caravaning in a seperate vehicle. Pofessor Parker contacted Mr. Holden on a regular basis to find points of interest for students. This day the agrigulture students of UAU were just north of Tremonton on Interstate-84 viewing equipment in field. As they were returning from the site of the trip Kyle was passing Evan. They were traveling down hill on turn, when Mr. Holden saw sudden smoke and realized something had gone wrong with the tire. Seconds later he saw Evan struggling to gain control; the van exited the highway and rolled several times at aproximately 80mph. It was the "worst thing I’ve ever seen" said Holden. "The passengers were pretty bad, some were dead right there" instructor Evan Parker and 10 university students. "These were good kids … Evan was my mentor and the reason I graduated"
Posted: 10:00 AM
November 28, 2007
USU Ag Department Mourns
TREMONTON, UT— 4 p.m.
Utah State University Agriculture Department was devastated to hear the news of the accident involving 10 of their students today.
A university owned 15-passenger van carrying 10 students and driven by instructor Evan Parker were heading south bound on Utah Interstate 84 when something went wrong causing the van to careen off the highway and roll several times throwing the passengers from the van.
Noel Cockett, Dean of college of agriculture and Interim provost for USU stated that the department goes on regular field trips and they have been as far as Indiana and Ohio to see farm equipment. Cockett said of the news they are in a "State of mourning, this is a huge shock, and a horrible devastation"
Lieutenant Jason Jensen of the Utah Highway Patrol was the first officer on the scene. He was already out on patrol and was coming around the corner when he came upon the scene. He reported there were "literally bodies scattered everywhere" there were seven pronounced dead at the scene, four taken to hospital. The cause of the accident is currently unknown, but speed definitely played a factor. An investigation will ensue. Based on his observation theLt. Jensen is guessing 95-100 MPH.
Kyle Holden, alumni of USU, was caravaning in a seperate vehicle. Pofessor Parker contacted Mr. Holden on a regular basis to find points of interest for students. This day the agrigulture students of UAU were just north of Tremonton on Interstate-84 viewing equipment in field. As they were returning from the site of the trip Kyle was passing Evan. They were traveling down hill on turn, when Mr. Holden saw sudden smoke and realized something had gone wrong with the tire. Seconds later he saw Evan struggling to gain control; the van exited the highway and rolled several times at aproximately 80mph. It was the "worst thing I’ve ever seen" said Holden. "The passengers were pretty bad, some were dead right there" instructor Evan Parker and 10 university students. "These were good kids … Evan was my mentor and the reason I graduated"
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Jazz win over Cavaliers
Practice News Story #9: Sports
Posted: 10:56 p.m.
November 7, 2007
Jazz win over Cavaliers
SALTLAKE CITY—The Jazz win tonight over the Cavaliers in a 106-99 game.
Although Andrei "AK-47" Kirilenko was shut down during the last Jazz vs. Lakers game he definitely stepped it up tonight against LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. During a post-game interview, AK-47 said, "LeBron moves fast … luckily I had a lot of energy this game… and I knew what to anticipate."
Kirilenko had and amazing 21 blocks and 21 points, four of which were rebounds.
Paul Milsap (12 points), Carlos Boozer (29 points) and C.J. Miles (15 points) also had great games.
LeBron "King" James commented, "The crowd took us out of the game more than anything". " I definitely saw the allstar in AK tonight"
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said his team "could have done better on defense" and that the game "could have gone either way."
With the last minute ticking down and the score at 100 Utah, 99 Cleveland, Milsap came in with an impressive and somewhat unexpected 3 pt shot. Even more impressive and unexpected was the 3 pt shot after that by C.J. to bring the game to a close of Utah 106, Cleveland 99.
Posted: 10:56 p.m.
November 7, 2007
Jazz win over Cavaliers
SALTLAKE CITY—The Jazz win tonight over the Cavaliers in a 106-99 game.
Although Andrei "AK-47" Kirilenko was shut down during the last Jazz vs. Lakers game he definitely stepped it up tonight against LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. During a post-game interview, AK-47 said, "LeBron moves fast … luckily I had a lot of energy this game… and I knew what to anticipate."
Kirilenko had and amazing 21 blocks and 21 points, four of which were rebounds.
Paul Milsap (12 points), Carlos Boozer (29 points) and C.J. Miles (15 points) also had great games.
LeBron "King" James commented, "The crowd took us out of the game more than anything". " I definitely saw the allstar in AK tonight"
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said his team "could have done better on defense" and that the game "could have gone either way."
With the last minute ticking down and the score at 100 Utah, 99 Cleveland, Milsap came in with an impressive and somewhat unexpected 3 pt shot. Even more impressive and unexpected was the 3 pt shot after that by C.J. to bring the game to a close of Utah 106, Cleveland 99.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Google, Inc. Makes Acquisition Offer to Time Warner, Inc.
Extra Practice News Story #8: Business
10:12 a.m. November 1, 2007
Google, Inc. Makes Acquisition Offer to Time Warner, Inc.
PALO ALTO, CA— Google, Inc. (GOOG) has made a hostile take over bid to Time Warner, Inc. (TWX) in the amount of $60 billion dollars. This revolutionary act of convergence would redefine the media world and create the largest media company in history.
Chief executive officer and chairman of Google Inc., Dr. Eric Schmidt has stated that the reason for the $60 billion offer is that the ability for both content distribution and production would be well worth the money for Google. “We believe now is the time for Google to buy and we have over priced the value in their stock” making an extremely attractive offer of $10 billion in cash, $5 billion in assumed debt and $45 billion in stocks. “Google has the ability to do what AOL and Time Warner set out to do in 2000”
Richard D. Parsons, CEO of Time Warner, Inc. has said “Mergers have been previously discussed with other companies such as Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), but never a buy out.” “We are considering and interested, but it will take some time to make a decision”
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer and Yahoo, Inc. CEO Jerry Yang have declined to comment.
Industry analyst Paul Kim says the acquisition “seems to make sense”. “Time Warner would be foolish not to accept” as stocks are currently inflated. “There are a few hurdles that would need to be overcome; the Federal Communications Commission must allow it, and it could be looked at as a monopoly, but it would be well worth it…$60 billion dollars is a very generous offer.”
10:12 a.m. November 1, 2007
Google, Inc. Makes Acquisition Offer to Time Warner, Inc.
PALO ALTO, CA— Google, Inc. (GOOG) has made a hostile take over bid to Time Warner, Inc. (TWX) in the amount of $60 billion dollars. This revolutionary act of convergence would redefine the media world and create the largest media company in history.
Chief executive officer and chairman of Google Inc., Dr. Eric Schmidt has stated that the reason for the $60 billion offer is that the ability for both content distribution and production would be well worth the money for Google. “We believe now is the time for Google to buy and we have over priced the value in their stock” making an extremely attractive offer of $10 billion in cash, $5 billion in assumed debt and $45 billion in stocks. “Google has the ability to do what AOL and Time Warner set out to do in 2000”
Richard D. Parsons, CEO of Time Warner, Inc. has said “Mergers have been previously discussed with other companies such as Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), but never a buy out.” “We are considering and interested, but it will take some time to make a decision”
Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer and Yahoo, Inc. CEO Jerry Yang have declined to comment.
Industry analyst Paul Kim says the acquisition “seems to make sense”. “Time Warner would be foolish not to accept” as stocks are currently inflated. “There are a few hurdles that would need to be overcome; the Federal Communications Commission must allow it, and it could be looked at as a monopoly, but it would be well worth it…$60 billion dollars is a very generous offer.”
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
business
Practice News Story #8 : Business
10:12 a.m. October 31, 2007
Google to Buy Time Warner
PALO ALTO, California—
Google Inc. has made a hostile take over bid to Time Warner to the tune of $60 billion dollars. CEO and Chairman of Google Inc. Dr. Eric Schmidt has reported that the reason for the offer being so high is that the ability for both content distribution and production would be well worth the money for Google. “We have over priced the value in their stock…$10 billion in cash, $5 billion in assumed debt, and $45 billion in stocks” makes up the $60 billion dollar offer.
Richard D. Parsons, CEO Time Warner, has said “mergers have been previously discussed with other companies such as Yahoo and Microsoft, but never a buy out.” “We are considering and interested, but it will take some time to make a decision”
Microsoft and Yahoo have no comment.
10:12 a.m. October 31, 2007
Google to Buy Time Warner
PALO ALTO, California—
Google Inc. has made a hostile take over bid to Time Warner to the tune of $60 billion dollars. CEO and Chairman of Google Inc. Dr. Eric Schmidt has reported that the reason for the offer being so high is that the ability for both content distribution and production would be well worth the money for Google. “We have over priced the value in their stock…$10 billion in cash, $5 billion in assumed debt, and $45 billion in stocks” makes up the $60 billion dollar offer.
Richard D. Parsons, CEO Time Warner, has said “mergers have been previously discussed with other companies such as Yahoo and Microsoft, but never a buy out.” “We are considering and interested, but it will take some time to make a decision”
Microsoft and Yahoo have no comment.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Lincoln Addresses the Nation
Practice News Story #7
Speech
Lincoln Addresses the Nation
November, 19, 1863
GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania—
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." (See page 2 for complete speech)
These are the words of Abraham Lincoln written by hand, with one single draft and minimal corrections. 272 words of divine inspiration according to Mr. Lincoln; he was "inspired by god"
A man of conviction and bravery, President Abraham Lincoln addressed the nation today at the cemetery built in honor of those 7,500 fallen at the battle of Gettysburg. His speech spoke of the honor bestowed on the brave soldiers who died protecting the rights of freedom and the equality of all men.
The words of the nations leader: "Its humbling to consider the sacrifices that have been made… its humbling to be the leader of this nation at this time… I believe we will recover from this, but it will take a long time." "United we stand, divided we fall"
Speech
Lincoln Addresses the Nation
November, 19, 1863
GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania—
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." (See page 2 for complete speech)
These are the words of Abraham Lincoln written by hand, with one single draft and minimal corrections. 272 words of divine inspiration according to Mr. Lincoln; he was "inspired by god"
A man of conviction and bravery, President Abraham Lincoln addressed the nation today at the cemetery built in honor of those 7,500 fallen at the battle of Gettysburg. His speech spoke of the honor bestowed on the brave soldiers who died protecting the rights of freedom and the equality of all men.
The words of the nations leader: "Its humbling to consider the sacrifices that have been made… its humbling to be the leader of this nation at this time… I believe we will recover from this, but it will take a long time." "United we stand, divided we fall"
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Obituary
Subject: Practice News Story #5: Obituary
Posted: 23:33 MT Oct. 3, 2007
Headline: Obituary
Dateline: SALT LAKE CITY—
Posted: 23:33 MT Oct. 3, 2007
Headline: Obituary
Dateline: SALT LAKE CITY—
In Memory
LANCE EDWARD ARMSTRONG
1971-2007
SALT LAKE CITY— Lance Edward Armstrong, cancer survivor, seven time Tour de France winner, beloved son and father dies today at a LIVESTRONG™ fundraiser event at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
In an attempt to break the land speed record and raise money for his cancer foundation, LIVESTRONG™, Lance Armstrong invited fans, media and the Guinness Book of World Records to the event that took place today in Utah. The event was simple enough as far as Lance was concerned. With his experience as a cyclist and as survivor of many unthinkable life trials, the 10 mile race should have been no challenge to Lance.
The crowd watched hopelessly as a national hero, collapsed inexplicably in the seventh mile. His remains have been taken to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. The cause of death is unknown.
Lance E. Armstrong was born September 18th, 1971 in Plano, TX to Linda Gayle Mooneyham and Eddie Charles Gunderson. He was adopted by stepfather Terry Keith Armstrong in 1974. He was married to Kristin Richard in 1997 and had three children, Luke, Isabelle and Grace.
Armstrong began his athletic career in 1987 as a triathlon participant and found his real niche in 1991 as a cyclist. Lance began competing in Tour de France in 1993, but had to take a break when he was diagnosed with nonseminomatous testicular cancer which had spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain on Oct. 2, 1996. Armstrong underwent surgery and chemotherapy to remove his cancer and returned to cycling in 1998. He then went on to win seven career Tour de France victories.
For more information on his career and cancer foundation visit: http://www.lancearmstrong.com/ or http://www.livestrong.org/
Lance is survived by his mother, Linda Armstrong; his children Luke, Isabelle and Grace and their mother Kristin.
Funeral services will be held in Austin, TX.
picture from http://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=3681015
information cited from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Armstrong
and http://www.lancearmstrong.com/
Monday, October 1, 2007
Crime
Subject: Practice News Story #3: Crime
Posted: Sept. 26, 2007
Headline: Crime
Dateline: LOGAN, Utah
A burglary took place yesterday morning sometime between 2 and 4 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house on the corner of 1600 east and 900 north in Logan. An estimated $600 in damage and stolen property has been reported to local authorities.
Sherriff Deputy Geoffrey Hasty from the Logan City Sherriff’s Department responded to the call made by physical management manager Bob Knotz. Mr. Knotz arrived at the LDS church house that morning to do some repair work on ceiling tiles when he “noticed two broken monitors on the floor and immediately knew something was wrong and called police”.
Apparently a window had been left open by Bishop Lawrence Shirk, who had been there the night before. Bishop Shirk said he was “enjoying the smell of the rain” and just “forgot to close the window”
The Sherriff’s department has evidence that points them to two suspects that they are trying to reach for questioning.
Posted: Sept. 26, 2007
Headline: Crime
Dateline: LOGAN, Utah
A burglary took place yesterday morning sometime between 2 and 4 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house on the corner of 1600 east and 900 north in Logan. An estimated $600 in damage and stolen property has been reported to local authorities.
Sherriff Deputy Geoffrey Hasty from the Logan City Sherriff’s Department responded to the call made by physical management manager Bob Knotz. Mr. Knotz arrived at the LDS church house that morning to do some repair work on ceiling tiles when he “noticed two broken monitors on the floor and immediately knew something was wrong and called police”.
Apparently a window had been left open by Bishop Lawrence Shirk, who had been there the night before. Bishop Shirk said he was “enjoying the smell of the rain” and just “forgot to close the window”
The Sherriff’s department has evidence that points them to two suspects that they are trying to reach for questioning.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Court
Subject: Practice News Story 4: Court
Posted: 10:08MT 26 Sept. 2007
Headline: Ample evidence
Dateline: LOGAN, Utah
Two suspects were at the First Superior Court today for a preliminary hearing in the case involving the burglary of computers at an LDS church house last week.
District Attorney Noel Mayfield will stand as prosecuting attorney for the state. The two suspects, James Michaels (35) and an unnamed juvenile, have each been charged with two misdemeanor counts of breaking and entering and one felony burglary charge.
The arrests were made my Sheriff Deputy Geoffrey Hasty around 11pm on Wednesday, September 19. Both suspects “went peacefully” says Sheriff Hasty. When asked about evidence against the accused, the sheriff replied “I think there’s ample evidence”
Posted: 10:08MT 26 Sept. 2007
Headline: Ample evidence
Dateline: LOGAN, Utah
Two suspects were at the First Superior Court today for a preliminary hearing in the case involving the burglary of computers at an LDS church house last week.
District Attorney Noel Mayfield will stand as prosecuting attorney for the state. The two suspects, James Michaels (35) and an unnamed juvenile, have each been charged with two misdemeanor counts of breaking and entering and one felony burglary charge.
The arrests were made my Sheriff Deputy Geoffrey Hasty around 11pm on Wednesday, September 19. Both suspects “went peacefully” says Sheriff Hasty. When asked about evidence against the accused, the sheriff replied “I think there’s ample evidence”
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Total Loss for Pedro's
Practice News Story 2: Fire
Total Loss for Pedro’s
Metta Ray
A fire broke out today at the corner of 21st and Washington in Ogden, Utah.
The fire started in the kitchen of Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant on the ground floor of the building at approximately 2:00 PM
The building is owned by Rachel Calhoun and leased by Pedro Sanchez. Pedro was renting the ground floor, which was a restaurant, and the 2nd floor apartment where he and his brother Miguel Sanchez and two young daughters resided. The top floor was currently vacant.
Miguel and his daughters were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape. Miguel and his daughters have been treated for smoke inhalation at McKayDee Hospital in Ogden.
Pedro Sanchez was in the kitchen of the restaurant when the fire broke out. He said splashing grease on to the open flame that Pedro was cooking on started it. He reports that he tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but the fire was just too big. He sustained burns on both of his hands, which were also treated at McKayDee Hospital.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Chamberlain said that there is no suspicion of arson but the building is a total loss.
Ms. Calhoun said that there is no reason why the building cannot be rebuilt and that she believes Pedro’s Restaurant will be back in business once again.
Total Loss for Pedro’s
Metta Ray
A fire broke out today at the corner of 21st and Washington in Ogden, Utah.
The fire started in the kitchen of Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant on the ground floor of the building at approximately 2:00 PM
The building is owned by Rachel Calhoun and leased by Pedro Sanchez. Pedro was renting the ground floor, which was a restaurant, and the 2nd floor apartment where he and his brother Miguel Sanchez and two young daughters resided. The top floor was currently vacant.
Miguel and his daughters were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape. Miguel and his daughters have been treated for smoke inhalation at McKayDee Hospital in Ogden.
Pedro Sanchez was in the kitchen of the restaurant when the fire broke out. He said splashing grease on to the open flame that Pedro was cooking on started it. He reports that he tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but the fire was just too big. He sustained burns on both of his hands, which were also treated at McKayDee Hospital.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Chamberlain said that there is no suspicion of arson but the building is a total loss.
Ms. Calhoun said that there is no reason why the building cannot be rebuilt and that she believes Pedro’s Restaurant will be back in business once again.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
'Great Tragedy' for USU
PNS1Metta Ray
8 people are dead today after a tragic accident on Utah’s southbound interstate 84.
11 men from the Agriculture Systems Department at Utah State University were on their way back from an annual field trip when the driver of the 15 passenger van allegedly lost control of the vehicle and slid off the west side of the interstate just outside of Tremonton, UT. All 10 students and the driver were ejected from the vehicle as it rolled 3-4 times according to Lieutenant Jason Jensen of the Utah State Highway Patrol.
Lt. Jensen was traveling approximately one half mile behind the USU passenger van and was the first officer on the scene. Medical personnel arrived within 5 minutes. Preliminary investigations estimate that the vehicle was traveling approximately 95 MPH and no evidence of seat belt use was apparent.
The driver of the USU owned van was instructor Evan Parker who was pronounced dead at the scene. Five students were also pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and two were taken via life-flight to Ogden Regional Hospital where they were pronounced DOA. There were three survivors who are currently unconscious at Bear River Hospital in Brigham City, UT and Ogden Regional Hospital in Ogden, UT. The names of the students have been concealed until family members can be reached.
Caravanning with the USU agriculture group was alumni Kyle Holden who works at Green Line Equipment (Farm equipment retailer) in Tremonton and travels with the Ag group yearly. “It looked like the tire exploded. There was black smoke and the tire just disappeared.” Says Holden, who was traveling along side the van in his personal vehicle at the time of the crash “I had just set my cruise control at about five over, 80 or 81 maybe” “I was passing Evan, I know it was him because I looked at him” “I saw smoke… his face changed” “I slowed down and I had to swerve out of the way of the van as it tipped and slid onto the side of the road” “It happened so fast, Evan just couldn’t gain control”
Holden was an agriculture student at Utah State 15 years ago and “knew most” of the victims well. “I can’t believe this is happening” said Holden.
Stan L. Albrecht, president of Utah State University, says the group was traveling on a routine field trip in recognition of ‘Ag Week’. The university requires a “detailed inspection every two years” on university owned vehicles according to Albrecht. “This is a great tragedy. Right now we are just dealing with details” said Albrecht.
This accident may undergo a possible federal investigation UHP Lt. Jason Jensen said, “It may be about a month before the Utah Highway Patrol finishes its investigation”.
The possible use of alcohol and drugs is under investigation as well. “These were good kids; some just off missions” says Holden of the inquiry into the use of drugs or alcohol.
Memorial services are being planned by Utah State, details to be announced.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Back to School
The school year 2007-08 has officially begun. Many children are back to the grind; early to bed, early to rise, school lunch and homework. The children of Dallas Hulse and Metta Ray (pictured here) of Logan, Utah, are only three of the millions joining in the academia. TJ 11, the oldest and only boy, has just entered the sixth grade. He has left the world of elementary training and has gone on to a world of locker combinations and 8 one-hour classes. He told me this of his experience so far, "I love school so much, I wish we could skip the weekend and go right back to Monday." Although this may not be the view of most 11 year olds, TJ is enjoying his new found freedom at Mount Logan Middle School. "My favorite class is orchestra" said TJ who has just this year begun playing the viola in the school orchestra. Samantha 8, the next oldest, has started her school year at a new school, Wilson Elementary. (She and her siblings transferred from Woodruff Elementary at the end of the 06-07 school year) Samantha is now in Mrs. Bingham's 3rd grade class and has said "Mrs. Bingham is the nicest teacher ever, she doesn't yell at us or anything." Sam, as she likes to be called, was delighted to find that her life long friend is attending the same school. She can't wait for recess so that they can play together and wishes she didn't have to eat lunch with her class so that they could eat together as well. Paige 5, the youngest of the Hulse children, started kindergarten this year at Wilson Elementary with her sister. She is in Mrs. Coorbridge's class (there are only two kindergarten classes at Wilson) and loves her teacher. Kindergarten is half day and she wishes it would last all day so she could "eat lunch with the big kids" Paige said. Her favorite activity so far has been the flooding of the sandbox which is an event that the kindergarten teachers do on hot days to cool and entertain the children. As much as the grades K-6 sound entertaining and bring us back to our own childhood, their mother, Metta Ray has also gone back to school. She is attending Utah State University, also in Logan. Metta is a single mother and has decided to gain a degree in an attempt to give her family a more secure future as well as hopefully setting an example for her three young children. “I want my kids to see that amidst any obstacle it is possible (earning a degree) and obtainable” She said. Metta worked at Icon Health and Fitness for a number of years and had worked her way into a position in the marketing department at cooperate headquarters. She was earning a salary near $40,000 per year (which is pretty good for Logan) when she was laid off in 2005 due to budget cuts. After being laid off she began looking for work but found that no one would hire her in the income bracket she desired without a college degree. She decided to take on a part-time job as a bartender at a local private club (this way she could work nights and cut down the cost of day care) and look into going back to school. Metta is in her second year as a re-entry student and is taking 11 credits currently. She was accepted into the Journalism program at USU in the spring of 2007 and is currently a 3.55 GPA student. Metta works part-time to pay the bills and is also relying on student loans to get her and her family through. “I decided that no matter what it takes, I will finish school” she replied when asked about the difficult decision to put a financial burden on her family “No matter what the cost, it (a degree) will pay us back ten-fold”. Metta is scheduled to graduate in the fall of 2010.
A mother of three students and a student herself, Metta Ray understands very well the value of education. For now, Metta is satisfied with just going to school and putting in the time and effort to earn her degree and hopes her children will learn by her example the importance of going back to school.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
New Beginning
My whole life I have been searching…
I thought I found it once, but it was only naivety.
I thought I found it again, but it was a fallacy.
I thought I found it a third time, but I realized I had been searching for the wrong thing.
All I had been looking for was right there the whole time…
It has always been there, it has been right in front of me.
Now that this fact has come to light, I am ecstatic to begin again.
I thought I found it once, but it was only naivety.
I thought I found it again, but it was a fallacy.
I thought I found it a third time, but I realized I had been searching for the wrong thing.
All I had been looking for was right there the whole time…
It has always been there, it has been right in front of me.
Now that this fact has come to light, I am ecstatic to begin again.
The Storm
27 March 2007
The wind is blowing; the dead leaves and old paper cups of last fall are flying through the streets. The earth is renewing with an angry revenge. As she gives birth to the new blossoms, she in turn rejects all the old and dirty with a fierce disdain. Painful and necessary is the storm. She knows that there is no other way to cleanse her once fresh and beautiful surface, showing the exquisiteness within. The sky is getting darker and the raindrops are more often, chasing away the disgust... soon, soon enough there will be clear skies once again; there will be newness and delight, but for now, for today there must be anger, for there is no beauty without the knowledge of the beast. We must know hate to understand love. So parallel is my life to this very day. If only I could control the storm.
The wind is blowing; the dead leaves and old paper cups of last fall are flying through the streets. The earth is renewing with an angry revenge. As she gives birth to the new blossoms, she in turn rejects all the old and dirty with a fierce disdain. Painful and necessary is the storm. She knows that there is no other way to cleanse her once fresh and beautiful surface, showing the exquisiteness within. The sky is getting darker and the raindrops are more often, chasing away the disgust... soon, soon enough there will be clear skies once again; there will be newness and delight, but for now, for today there must be anger, for there is no beauty without the knowledge of the beast. We must know hate to understand love. So parallel is my life to this very day. If only I could control the storm.
Goodbye Grandma
22 November 2006
Today my Grandmother died.
Two days ago I got a call that she had only a day or two left to live. I was stunned.
She has been around all my 30 years of life. I suppose I thought she would live forever.
I immediately started suffocating from the long deep sobs coming from within me, my vision blurred and I shook fiercely.
I couldn’t speak, even as my children came to my side to see why I was crying, I could not answer their concerned pleas.
My eyes felt as if they would burst from the pressure and my heart was pounding so very heavily.
Five days before I had said to my husband, “I need to go to Seattle. I need to see my grandparents.” I had no reason for this thought, it was just there.
Now, it is too late. I did not get to see her to say goodbye. I will never see her again.
The last time I saw her it was November (Thanksgiving actually) of 1998. That was 8 years ago. The last thing she said to me is “You are beautiful, Bella Metta. All of you are beautiful. I am so lucky to have such a beautiful family.” She was holding my face in her tiny yet strong hand.
Her name was Angelina Mongelli – Ray. She was a beautiful Italian woman with a sweet spirit and always a positive outlook. She used to say “Don’t worry for nothing” In her classic Italian accent. She made the best ravioli you could ever taste. Her and my Grandfather used to go dancing every Saturday night, even after two hip replacements. She loved life so much. I will miss her terribly.
Now this is all I have, this blog which she will never see. I can not hug her one more time; I can not tell her how much she meant to me. All I have is this keyboard and a broken heart.
Good Bye Grandma.
I love you forever.
Today my Grandmother died.
Two days ago I got a call that she had only a day or two left to live. I was stunned.
She has been around all my 30 years of life. I suppose I thought she would live forever.
I immediately started suffocating from the long deep sobs coming from within me, my vision blurred and I shook fiercely.
I couldn’t speak, even as my children came to my side to see why I was crying, I could not answer their concerned pleas.
My eyes felt as if they would burst from the pressure and my heart was pounding so very heavily.
Five days before I had said to my husband, “I need to go to Seattle. I need to see my grandparents.” I had no reason for this thought, it was just there.
Now, it is too late. I did not get to see her to say goodbye. I will never see her again.
The last time I saw her it was November (Thanksgiving actually) of 1998. That was 8 years ago. The last thing she said to me is “You are beautiful, Bella Metta. All of you are beautiful. I am so lucky to have such a beautiful family.” She was holding my face in her tiny yet strong hand.
Her name was Angelina Mongelli – Ray. She was a beautiful Italian woman with a sweet spirit and always a positive outlook. She used to say “Don’t worry for nothing” In her classic Italian accent. She made the best ravioli you could ever taste. Her and my Grandfather used to go dancing every Saturday night, even after two hip replacements. She loved life so much. I will miss her terribly.
Now this is all I have, this blog which she will never see. I can not hug her one more time; I can not tell her how much she meant to me. All I have is this keyboard and a broken heart.
Good Bye Grandma.
I love you forever.
impression
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Don’t judge people by their color. God, country, self: in that order. The Commander in Chief is always right. Never question the President of the United States of America. Don’t let anyone see your messy house; they will think you don’t respect yourself. Don’t ever be late. Don’t go out in public without makeup on and your hair done. Don’t lie. Always pray to thank God for your blessings. Don’t play with the neighbor kid. Obey your father, no matter what he says. Change your bed sheets every Saturday. Take a bath every day, even if it’s just a sponge bath. Always remove your shoes at a stranger’s house, and remember to wear clean and hemmed socks, incase of just that event. Always be home in the evening and on weekends as they are reserved for family time. No, you may not have friends over during that time, they are not family and are not welcome. Art is the core to your talent; you should paint, because I am good at it so therefore you must be good at it. This is how you act like you care about people. This is how you answer the phone even when you have just been screaming at your children. You are always obligated to your family, even if you don’t want to be. Never let anyone see your flaws. This is how you get people to do what you want them to do. Always eat all the food on your plate, but don’t get fat, like I know you will one day. Failure in anything is not an option. This is how you make marinara sauce, just like your grandmother. A pinch of salt, a little oregano, no... Not like that, oh just move, I’ll do it! Go to church every Sunday. Aren’t you coming? Not today, I have a headache. Don’t trust anyone to do things for you, always do it yourself. This is how babies are made. Sex is nothing to be ashamed of, but you are not to do it. No, you may not get on birth control, why? Are you sleeping with the whole neighborhood? Respect your husband, but only if he does what you tell him to do. A good man will send you on trips to Europe while he works to support you. Stand up straight. Are you putting on weight? Don’t cry it’s not that bad. You’re not going out in public like that? Wait, come back! I can’t believe you would disrespect me this way! Why don’t you want to be with your family?
Somebody
Metta Ray
21November2006
Somebody
21November2006
Somebody
An Analysis of the Lyrics of the song “Somebody” By Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode was formed in Basildon, England in 1980. They were considered to be an underground phenomenon due to their use of synthesizing rather than using typical instruments. Their fourth studio album Some Great Reward was released in 1984 and was considered to be a pivotal achievement for the band. The song Somebody was on that album of which Martin Gore is the songwriter and he sings lead vocals for the first time in the bands then four year career.
This song is about the emotional struggle of a forlorn man desperately seeking the love of his special someone. It deals with personal emotion at the deepest level and invokes feelings of despondency, veracity and passion.
The song begins with the sound of a thumping heart beat while you also hear car traffic and a train pass by in the background. “I want somebody to share, share the rest of my life” is the first line. From the atmosphere set by the opening tone you can feel the solitude that will be the scene for this gloomy song. By the sound you imagine it must be placed somewhere in an urban jungle. With the cold of concrete all around he yearns for anything alive, real, for the compassion of another human being. You can really feel the desperation of his lost and lonely soul.
Martin Gore has the voice of a pristine English angel. “Share my innermost thoughts, know my intimate details” His soft tenor voice is captivating as he says these words of inner desire. It is as if to say the body of another human being is not enough, he wants somebody to know everything about him. To understand what thoughts go through his head at the sight of a sunset, someone who knows every detail about him even his personal hygiene habits, or his housekeeping skills.
Slowly you begin to hear raindrops fall in the background while distant imagery of voices and the clanking of dishes mix into the hypnotic melody. It suggests that he is in a public place while having these desperate emotions. “Someone who’ll stand by my side and give me support, and in return she’ll get my support, she will listen to me when I want to speak about the world we live in and life in general” The lyrics push on in a steady stream of thoughts spilling as if they cannot, will not be stopped. “Though my views may be wrong, they may even be perverted, she’ll hear me out and won’t easily be converted to my way of thinking, in fact she’ll often disagree, but at the end of it all she will understand me” This line acknowledges the healthy imperfections that exist in any loving relationship. Knowing that your significant other is not perfect and that you disagree sometimes, but you love them enough to overlook and even embrace those differences.
The song breaks in to a powerfully moving piano interlude while the sound of the beating heart is strong and steady; the rain still falling with the occasional sound of thunder, the voices of passers by and children at play continue in the background. During the piano interlude there are deep breaths synthesized into the beat of the song, with the heartbeat as the center of it all. The way this piece can move you is an incredible sensation. I believe that the focus on the heartbeat implies singularity and the vivid life that searches for that connection of love. Even though he is alone he is still very much alive.
“I want somebody who cares for me passionately, with every thought and with every breath. Someone who’ll help me see things in a different light, all the things I detest I will almost like” I think this is something we all innately want. By using the natural needs of the human soul to define the desire being felt by the artist, I believe he is showing that he too is human and not immune to such emotions.
The next line is one that I find to be significant. “I don’t want to be tied to anyone’s strings; I’m carefully trying to steer clear of those things.” I find it to be significant for this reason: during the entire song he is focusing on the positive, and then suddenly, there is this line. Why is he mentioning this, why is he thinking this? I believe that it has to do with a sudden, though possibly subconscious, window into reality. He acknowledges that there are people who would control him; maybe he has even been controlled. He does not want to be someone’s puppet.
Gore returns to his romantic thinking, “And when I’m asleep, I want somebody who will put their arms around and kiss me tenderly” He wants to be thought of often, even while he sleeping; he needs someone that will hold and caress him. He desires affection.
The final lyrics are somewhat surprising, “And things like this make me sick, in a case like this I’ll get away with it” I think that what Gore is trying to say here is ‘I don’t go for all of this cheesy love song stuff, but in the medium of a song, I can get away with showing more private emotions’.
The song ends with his voice resonating ooohhhh, aaahhhh. There are still sounds of the infinite heartbeat and trains, cars, people fading and then there is the sound of a woman’s awwww. I think this is a lovely ending, it suggests that he found somebody.
A single rose, a perfect match,
My only someone,
My soul longs for you.
--Metta Ray
Somebody Lyrics:
I want somebody to shareShare the rest of my lifeShare my innermost thoughtsKnow my intimate detailsSomeone who'll stand by my sideAnd give me supportAnd in returnShe'll get my supportShe will listen to meWhen I want to speakAbout the world we live inAnd life in generalThough my views may be wrongThey may even be pervertedShe will hear me outAnd won't easily be convertedTo my way of thinkingIn fact she'll often disagreeBut at the end of it allShe will understand me I want somebody who caresFor me passionatelyWith every thought and with every breathSomeone who'll help me see thingsIn a different lightAll the things I detestI will almost likeI don't want to be tiedTo anyone's stingsI'm carefully trying to steer clearOf those thingsBut when I'm asleepI want somebodyWho will put their arms aroundAnd kiss me tenderlyAnd things like thisMake me sickIn a case like thisI'll get away with it.
Works Cited
Depeche Mode. Somebody. October 29,1984. Mute Records.
Depeche Mode. Somebody. October 29, 1984. Vinyl, 1984. CD, 1991.
Lamb, Bill. “Depeche Mode.” The New York Times Company.
Gore, Martin. 6 Nov, 2006. Wikipedia. 8 Nov, 2006.
Depeche Mode was formed in Basildon, England in 1980. They were considered to be an underground phenomenon due to their use of synthesizing rather than using typical instruments. Their fourth studio album Some Great Reward was released in 1984 and was considered to be a pivotal achievement for the band. The song Somebody was on that album of which Martin Gore is the songwriter and he sings lead vocals for the first time in the bands then four year career.
This song is about the emotional struggle of a forlorn man desperately seeking the love of his special someone. It deals with personal emotion at the deepest level and invokes feelings of despondency, veracity and passion.
The song begins with the sound of a thumping heart beat while you also hear car traffic and a train pass by in the background. “I want somebody to share, share the rest of my life” is the first line. From the atmosphere set by the opening tone you can feel the solitude that will be the scene for this gloomy song. By the sound you imagine it must be placed somewhere in an urban jungle. With the cold of concrete all around he yearns for anything alive, real, for the compassion of another human being. You can really feel the desperation of his lost and lonely soul.
Martin Gore has the voice of a pristine English angel. “Share my innermost thoughts, know my intimate details” His soft tenor voice is captivating as he says these words of inner desire. It is as if to say the body of another human being is not enough, he wants somebody to know everything about him. To understand what thoughts go through his head at the sight of a sunset, someone who knows every detail about him even his personal hygiene habits, or his housekeeping skills.
Slowly you begin to hear raindrops fall in the background while distant imagery of voices and the clanking of dishes mix into the hypnotic melody. It suggests that he is in a public place while having these desperate emotions. “Someone who’ll stand by my side and give me support, and in return she’ll get my support, she will listen to me when I want to speak about the world we live in and life in general” The lyrics push on in a steady stream of thoughts spilling as if they cannot, will not be stopped. “Though my views may be wrong, they may even be perverted, she’ll hear me out and won’t easily be converted to my way of thinking, in fact she’ll often disagree, but at the end of it all she will understand me” This line acknowledges the healthy imperfections that exist in any loving relationship. Knowing that your significant other is not perfect and that you disagree sometimes, but you love them enough to overlook and even embrace those differences.
The song breaks in to a powerfully moving piano interlude while the sound of the beating heart is strong and steady; the rain still falling with the occasional sound of thunder, the voices of passers by and children at play continue in the background. During the piano interlude there are deep breaths synthesized into the beat of the song, with the heartbeat as the center of it all. The way this piece can move you is an incredible sensation. I believe that the focus on the heartbeat implies singularity and the vivid life that searches for that connection of love. Even though he is alone he is still very much alive.
“I want somebody who cares for me passionately, with every thought and with every breath. Someone who’ll help me see things in a different light, all the things I detest I will almost like” I think this is something we all innately want. By using the natural needs of the human soul to define the desire being felt by the artist, I believe he is showing that he too is human and not immune to such emotions.
The next line is one that I find to be significant. “I don’t want to be tied to anyone’s strings; I’m carefully trying to steer clear of those things.” I find it to be significant for this reason: during the entire song he is focusing on the positive, and then suddenly, there is this line. Why is he mentioning this, why is he thinking this? I believe that it has to do with a sudden, though possibly subconscious, window into reality. He acknowledges that there are people who would control him; maybe he has even been controlled. He does not want to be someone’s puppet.
Gore returns to his romantic thinking, “And when I’m asleep, I want somebody who will put their arms around and kiss me tenderly” He wants to be thought of often, even while he sleeping; he needs someone that will hold and caress him. He desires affection.
The final lyrics are somewhat surprising, “And things like this make me sick, in a case like this I’ll get away with it” I think that what Gore is trying to say here is ‘I don’t go for all of this cheesy love song stuff, but in the medium of a song, I can get away with showing more private emotions’.
The song ends with his voice resonating ooohhhh, aaahhhh. There are still sounds of the infinite heartbeat and trains, cars, people fading and then there is the sound of a woman’s awwww. I think this is a lovely ending, it suggests that he found somebody.
A single rose, a perfect match,
My only someone,
My soul longs for you.
--Metta Ray
Somebody Lyrics:
I want somebody to shareShare the rest of my lifeShare my innermost thoughtsKnow my intimate detailsSomeone who'll stand by my sideAnd give me supportAnd in returnShe'll get my supportShe will listen to meWhen I want to speakAbout the world we live inAnd life in generalThough my views may be wrongThey may even be pervertedShe will hear me outAnd won't easily be convertedTo my way of thinkingIn fact she'll often disagreeBut at the end of it allShe will understand me I want somebody who caresFor me passionatelyWith every thought and with every breathSomeone who'll help me see thingsIn a different lightAll the things I detestI will almost likeI don't want to be tiedTo anyone's stingsI'm carefully trying to steer clearOf those thingsBut when I'm asleepI want somebodyWho will put their arms aroundAnd kiss me tenderlyAnd things like thisMake me sickIn a case like thisI'll get away with it.
Works Cited
Depeche Mode. Somebody. October 29,1984. Mute Records.
Depeche Mode. Somebody. October 29, 1984. Vinyl, 1984. CD, 1991.
Lamb, Bill. “Depeche Mode.” The New York Times Company.
Gore, Martin. 6 Nov, 2006. Wikipedia. 8 Nov, 2006.
The Other Side
Metta Ray
October 3, 2006
The Other Side
The sky was grey and dreary. A cold drizzle fell outside. The pitter-patter on the car roof was hypnotizing. The sound had taken me off to some happy fantasy land of candy canes and Christmas presents. What will I get? I hope it’s the Cabbage Patch Kid® I’ve been begging for. Mom says they’re really hard to get here. I’ll be the only girl at my school with one!
BAM BAM BAM! I was awaken from my daydream by a jolting knock on the car window next to my right ear.
“Hold up your passport!” Mom snapped.
“PASS-a-PORT!” The guard hollered through the glass and rain in a broken German accent as he motioned his fist in a twirling manner.
My heart pounding and my hands trembling, I cautiously rolled the window down about five inches and held my passport up into the rain. I could feel the chilling air and icy raindrops on my hand and face. Mixed with the tension of the moment, my whole body shivered.
His frosted blue eyes carefully scanned my passport as I wondered why he didn’t just take it. Why do I have to hold it? My arm is tired. He is really scary. The rain is too cold. Is he going to hurt us?
The guard quickly took a step back and it startled me. He abruptly pointed towards the gate and said “For-ward!” in his once again broken accent, as if the only two English words he knew were passport and forward.
As we moved through the 20’ tall steel gate adorned with razor wire and guarded by soldiers my heart was still pounding.
“Mom,” I choked, “What just happened?”
“We went through the checkpoint honey.” She replied.
“Why didn’t the guy just take my passport? Why did I have to hold it the whole time? My arm is wet and my fingers are frozen!” I complained.
“They are not allowed to touch your passport.”
“Why?” I whined.
“In East Berlin freedom is something everyone wants and no one has, even some of the guards. Your passport allows you that freedom, the freedom to come and go.” She told me, ignoring my whining. “You are the daughter of a United States Air Force Master Sergeant. You have the freedom of any American.”
“Oh.” was all I could say as I still processed my mother’s explanation.
As we drove into the city to do some shopping, we observed old style European cobblestone streets and a public square. It was a circular area with streets stemming out from it in all different directions. There were ordinary people talking in front of the café, children playing in the square, patrons visiting shops; as if there were no gate at all.
“Only certain people in East Berlin are allowed to come to the shopping plaza.” Mom explained. “The ones you see here have been approved by their government as ‘citizens who will behave’. The government here doesn’t want us to know that their general population is unhappy. They are not allowed outside of that wall and that makes them unhappy.” Mom said, pointing back at the wall we had traveled through.
“But they look happy.” I said, not having looked too closely.
After a long pause of deep thought and observation (the way only a 9 year old can think and observe.) I asked, “So…They’re faking?”
“Yes. They ‘fake’ to have the privilege to go shopping. ” My mother said in a sarcastic yet serious tone.
Suddenly all of the color was sucked from my surroundings. The paint on the shops faded to various shades of grey, the clothing on the people turned to browns and grays and blacks. Even the skin of the people seemed to turn dull and colorless.
For the first time since our arrival, I looked closely at their faces. Their eyes were tired and hopeless, even the children and teenagers had the look of despair in their eyes. The children playing in the streets seemed to only be going through the motions. There was not laughter, no music, no cheering, and no color. There was nothing.
As I walked across the rain soaked cobblestone with my mother and the new baby doll stroller she had purchased for me, I noticed a girl the same age as me watching wantonly after my new toy.
She had shoulder length blonde hair and a knee length coat with four large buttons on the front. She was standing next to her mother who was sitting on a bench reading; the woman looked old enough to be her grandmother. The girls’ eyes looked me up and down as I walked by, taking in every inch of me. As if she had never seen another child before. She began tugging on her mothers’ sleeve as we passed.
“Bitte, Mama?” She pleaded as her mother hushed her punishingly.
Her eyes immediately hit the pavement in shame, but she raised them once more to get one more look at me, the ‘privileged child’.
Back in the car I sat quietly with my head hanging. I could feel the lump rising in my throat, choking me, and the tears swelling in my eyes. What a selfish child I am, I don’t even want this stupid stroller anymore. What if I was that girl? What if I was stuck on the other side?
My mother’s soft hand touched my leg lovingly.
“Metta,” She said in a whisper “you don’t have to feel bad about who you are. It’s not your fault that that little girl doesn’t have what you have, that she has to stay in East Berlin.”
With the lump finally breaking free from my throat in one loud outburst of sobs I cried “But she has nothing and I have everything!”
My mother smiled knowingly “That’s why we sing ‘God Bless America’. Be thankful for your freedom and always be mindful of the sacrifice it takes to maintain that freedom.”
Christmas day came and I got my Cabbage Patch Kid®. It was homemade, but I didn’t care. I didn’t put that doll down all day, except when I put her in my stroller that was made by a doll maker in East Berlin.
It was 1989 when the Berlin Wall was finally destroyed by the very people it had contained. East Berlin was free from communism.
When I heard the news my first and only thought was of the little girl in the streets of East Berlin on that cold and rainy day who now had her own chance at freedom. She got to go to the other side.
October 3, 2006
The Other Side
The sky was grey and dreary. A cold drizzle fell outside. The pitter-patter on the car roof was hypnotizing. The sound had taken me off to some happy fantasy land of candy canes and Christmas presents. What will I get? I hope it’s the Cabbage Patch Kid® I’ve been begging for. Mom says they’re really hard to get here. I’ll be the only girl at my school with one!
BAM BAM BAM! I was awaken from my daydream by a jolting knock on the car window next to my right ear.
“Hold up your passport!” Mom snapped.
“PASS-a-PORT!” The guard hollered through the glass and rain in a broken German accent as he motioned his fist in a twirling manner.
My heart pounding and my hands trembling, I cautiously rolled the window down about five inches and held my passport up into the rain. I could feel the chilling air and icy raindrops on my hand and face. Mixed with the tension of the moment, my whole body shivered.
His frosted blue eyes carefully scanned my passport as I wondered why he didn’t just take it. Why do I have to hold it? My arm is tired. He is really scary. The rain is too cold. Is he going to hurt us?
The guard quickly took a step back and it startled me. He abruptly pointed towards the gate and said “For-ward!” in his once again broken accent, as if the only two English words he knew were passport and forward.
As we moved through the 20’ tall steel gate adorned with razor wire and guarded by soldiers my heart was still pounding.
“Mom,” I choked, “What just happened?”
“We went through the checkpoint honey.” She replied.
“Why didn’t the guy just take my passport? Why did I have to hold it the whole time? My arm is wet and my fingers are frozen!” I complained.
“They are not allowed to touch your passport.”
“Why?” I whined.
“In East Berlin freedom is something everyone wants and no one has, even some of the guards. Your passport allows you that freedom, the freedom to come and go.” She told me, ignoring my whining. “You are the daughter of a United States Air Force Master Sergeant. You have the freedom of any American.”
“Oh.” was all I could say as I still processed my mother’s explanation.
As we drove into the city to do some shopping, we observed old style European cobblestone streets and a public square. It was a circular area with streets stemming out from it in all different directions. There were ordinary people talking in front of the café, children playing in the square, patrons visiting shops; as if there were no gate at all.
“Only certain people in East Berlin are allowed to come to the shopping plaza.” Mom explained. “The ones you see here have been approved by their government as ‘citizens who will behave’. The government here doesn’t want us to know that their general population is unhappy. They are not allowed outside of that wall and that makes them unhappy.” Mom said, pointing back at the wall we had traveled through.
“But they look happy.” I said, not having looked too closely.
After a long pause of deep thought and observation (the way only a 9 year old can think and observe.) I asked, “So…They’re faking?”
“Yes. They ‘fake’ to have the privilege to go shopping. ” My mother said in a sarcastic yet serious tone.
Suddenly all of the color was sucked from my surroundings. The paint on the shops faded to various shades of grey, the clothing on the people turned to browns and grays and blacks. Even the skin of the people seemed to turn dull and colorless.
For the first time since our arrival, I looked closely at their faces. Their eyes were tired and hopeless, even the children and teenagers had the look of despair in their eyes. The children playing in the streets seemed to only be going through the motions. There was not laughter, no music, no cheering, and no color. There was nothing.
As I walked across the rain soaked cobblestone with my mother and the new baby doll stroller she had purchased for me, I noticed a girl the same age as me watching wantonly after my new toy.
She had shoulder length blonde hair and a knee length coat with four large buttons on the front. She was standing next to her mother who was sitting on a bench reading; the woman looked old enough to be her grandmother. The girls’ eyes looked me up and down as I walked by, taking in every inch of me. As if she had never seen another child before. She began tugging on her mothers’ sleeve as we passed.
“Bitte, Mama?” She pleaded as her mother hushed her punishingly.
Her eyes immediately hit the pavement in shame, but she raised them once more to get one more look at me, the ‘privileged child’.
Back in the car I sat quietly with my head hanging. I could feel the lump rising in my throat, choking me, and the tears swelling in my eyes. What a selfish child I am, I don’t even want this stupid stroller anymore. What if I was that girl? What if I was stuck on the other side?
My mother’s soft hand touched my leg lovingly.
“Metta,” She said in a whisper “you don’t have to feel bad about who you are. It’s not your fault that that little girl doesn’t have what you have, that she has to stay in East Berlin.”
With the lump finally breaking free from my throat in one loud outburst of sobs I cried “But she has nothing and I have everything!”
My mother smiled knowingly “That’s why we sing ‘God Bless America’. Be thankful for your freedom and always be mindful of the sacrifice it takes to maintain that freedom.”
Christmas day came and I got my Cabbage Patch Kid®. It was homemade, but I didn’t care. I didn’t put that doll down all day, except when I put her in my stroller that was made by a doll maker in East Berlin.
It was 1989 when the Berlin Wall was finally destroyed by the very people it had contained. East Berlin was free from communism.
When I heard the news my first and only thought was of the little girl in the streets of East Berlin on that cold and rainy day who now had her own chance at freedom. She got to go to the other side.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Mettaphysica
Metaphysica :The philosophical study of the ulitmate causes and underlying nature of things --from Aristotle's treatise on the subject --here with a double T twist:)
My name is Metta Ray.
I am an amateur writer, with lots to say (sometimes about nothing at all)
I have named my blog after a great philosopher's works, Aritstotle. (Not that I am comparing my random thoughts to his great discoveries, but that I strive to be a great thinker myself.)
Thank you for joining me on this blogger journey... your comments are welcome and appreciated.
My name is Metta Ray.
I am an amateur writer, with lots to say (sometimes about nothing at all)
I have named my blog after a great philosopher's works, Aritstotle. (Not that I am comparing my random thoughts to his great discoveries, but that I strive to be a great thinker myself.)
Thank you for joining me on this blogger journey... your comments are welcome and appreciated.
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