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Hello, my name is Jennifer Green and I'm an addict. Everyday I have an insatiable craving that no amount of therapy or intervention can cure. It's inescapable. I realize addiction is a very serious topic, so before writing this article, I thought it wise to retrieve information pertaining to addiction from the World Wide Web. I'm fully aware that every word in my column is under constant scrutiny and I'm also aware that I can no longer have a sarcastic license without putting somebody's panties, or jockstrap for that matter, in a bundle. Honestly, after viewing countless web sites, I've recognized that addiction does not only relate to alcohol and drugs, but to other issues like shopping, food and the Internet. I became anxious, realizing I might actually have a few addictions listed. Then I smacked myself and got over it.
This is the point where my article is going for non-educational value. So if my sarcasm offends you, stop reading now. OK. But you can't say I didn't warn you. Did you know there is actually a theory blaming your addictions on your parents? It's called the theory of genetic predisposition-meaning you inherit stupidity-because Heaven forbid, you place the blame of your addiction on yourself. Let's instead create a scapegoat that allows you to cope with problems. Well, I for certain know my parents didn't produce my minor addictions. They don't like Starbucks, Ty, MTV, journalists and they prefer original (but who doesn't love RoyGBiv). So, Mom and Dad, you're off the hook - if I'm screwed up, I'm sure it's my own fault.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our capitalist market for allowing me to experience such delightful forms of imbalance and obsessive behavior. I'm much obliged. Much obliged, because I can't go a day without Starbucks. I can almost taste the Caramel Macchiato just typing these words. The whipped cream and caramel enhancing the freshly brewed, aromatic roast is unjustified by words alone. I will treat you all to a Grande Caramel Macchiato, allowing you to fully embrace the delectability of the beverage. My mission is to addict as many as possible and promote the royalty of Starbucks.
Coffee aside, when I was in high school I used to bring one-pound bags of Wildberry Skittles to class everyday. I would consume the whole bag by the end of the school day, and I would share with no one. I brought other candy to give to my schoolmates. I'm not stingy - I share. I just wouldn't give them any Wildberry Skittles. Those were mine. Food aside, I have to admit that I'm a "real TV" junkie. If I'm watching MTV and “The Real World,” “Making the Band,” or even “Becoming” are on syndication, I have to watch. I'm also addicted to Trading Spaces. And NO, Ty is not the only reason why I watch the show. Sure he is tall, beautiful, has perfect hair, a great sense of humor, looks so tasty in his hooded surfer sweatshirts, or even shirtless for that matter, and the man knows how to use his tools correctly, but like I said, Ty is not the only reason why I tune into the show. Trading spaces allows ty creativity to flow in ty artwork and ty home decorating. Whoops, I totally meant my.
Well, it's completely obvious that I am an addict in every sense of the word considering I can't stop writing these columns for every Chronicle issue. I thrive on positive and negative reactions from the readers. Even I need a good laugh every now and then. I'm addicted. I don't have to rely on any 12-step program, so big deal. I bet, if you dig deep enough, you'll find an addict in you as well, and that is perfectly normal. Hey, we even have something in common. Just make sure your addiction has no relation to Jack or Jim.
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| Photo courtesy of JUSTIN SYKES Last summer, Justin Sykes worked as a teacher’s assistant for his mother in a program called Horizons. Three public elementary schools in Norfolk participated. |
Why wouldn't you want to work at a summer job cleaning bathrooms and washing windows, while working in a loud, 100 degrees-plus engine room, having to deal with complaining, sometimes from very drunk passengers, for over fifteen hours and low pay? This describes one of the days that I spent as a deckhand or "mate" on the Spirit of Norfolk harbor cruise ship. And they called this lower management? After three years of this, I needed a drastic change. I got it by working with underprivileged children in a program called Horizons.
Horizons is a summer program, similar to a camp, that started in 1964 in Norwalk, Conn., as an enrichment program designed to promote the potential of a diverse population of children from low-income families. The program is six weeks long and emphasizes academics, arts, intramural sports and social growth. Horizons is also committed to building self-esteem, community awareness, responsibility, problem solving skills and lifelong interest in learning.
I originally became interested in Horizons when my mother, Christie Sykes, who taught the kindergarten class, brought me on some of the field trips four years ago. This was the first year that they had a Horizons program in Norfolk, so there was only a kindergarten. The children came from three public elementary schools in Norfolk and the classes were held at the Norfolk Collegiate Lower School, the school where my mother teaches during the year.
"Horizons is a way to help children not lose what they have learned during the year and provide a safer, more enriching environment," she said. "It is also to help cultivate a real interest in learning and to expose them to cultural activities."After two years of going on field trips, I decided to quit my job on the Spirit of Norfolk and work as a teacher's assistant at Horizons with my mother's Kindergarten class.
The hours were excellent, the pay was good, and I really liked the people with whom I was working. I was also able to see that the program was actually working as I watched the classes grow. I found positive changes in the fourth graders who had been at Horizons since the beginning, not only by seeing it for myself, but by talking to them one-on-one.
For example, Marcus, nine, said that going to Horizons during the summer "helps my multiplication." Donald also built upon his skills as a student and feels that Horizons helps him keep those skills fresh through the summer. "Horizons gets me better at listening," he said. "It also helps me not forget what we do in class during the school year." My mother has also seen some of these changes in the older students. She said that some of the programs that have been around for much longer are showing even greater accomplishments.
"The program in Norwalk Conn., has proven highly successful as many of the students that have graduated from Horizons have come back to the program to mentor the students," she said. "Some, after completing college have actually returned to teach in the program." This past year, my girlfriend, Melissa Agostino, obtained a job with Horizons and I had the pleasure of working near her. She, however, worked as a teacher's assistant in the third grade class. After working with the children for six weeks, Agostino also feels that the idea of Horizons is beneficial and that the program works.
"Horizons pulls children who would normally be at home by themselves into an atmosphere that they enjoy with their friends," said Agostino. "It also keeps some of the students out of trouble and keeps up their academic skills." The children are taken on field trips every week to places like the Marine Science Museum and on the Elite, a harbor cruise in Norfolk. On the other four days of the week, the children are taken to swimming lessons at the Wesleyan pool and the rock wall the end of the six-week program.
"We gave the kids the chance to do things that most of the children have never been able to do otherwise," said Agostino. "They were always really excited to have these experiences." Tonesha, nine, truly has enjoyed the time that she has spent in Horizons. "I'm always very excited at the end of the year because I know that Horizons is going to start soon," she said. "I get experiences that I would never have, like when we went on the boat (the Elite)."
Monet, nine, feels the same way about the experiences that she has at Horizons every summer. "I really like when we get to go swimming at the pool every day," she said. "My favorite field trip was when we went to the beach, because it's the only time I get to go." The Horizons program is still growing, especially with the help of tax-deductible contributions from foundations, civic groups, businesses and individuals. Hopefully it will continue to grow. I did.
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| Photo courtesy of NATASHA HELLEIN Four pounds and fifteen ounces, this tiny life came into the world at 12:06 a.m. on Nov. 14. |
Pain, fear, excitement, happiness and love. All these emotions are rolled into the wonderful experience of bringing a new life into the world. Will he be healthy? Will she be all right? Will I be able to give this new life the love and comfort it needs? All these questions were answered late Nov. 14 when a blessed event occurred - the birth of my godson. All of these fears were answered with a "yes." The pain, fear and anxiety were all washed away as soon as he was placed in her arms. Everything is perfect now that he's here. Mommy and baby are doing beautifully.
It's hard to imagine that you can love someone you just met, but it's possible. Watching the bond between mother and baby grow in a single moment when they are brought together after such a long wait is amazing. I feel privileged to have witnessed this cherished moment and I will always remember it. Watching my fellow classmate overcome the obstacles of juggling school, work and being pregnant, made me really respect her determination. She has achieved success in all of her accomplishments and now, the most important one - a perfect baby boy. I've learned from this experience to never take the little things for granted and let obstacles stop me from achieving my own goals.
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