" It didn't matter that they ended their season 19-5, that they had won two in-season tournaments. Or that they never lost to an inferior team all year and managed to beat Cambridge Rindge and Latin and Duxbury whent hey were ranked number one in the state." Pg. 316
Durfee never won a state title for their hometown, but it didn't really matter. It wasn't all about winning or who beat who. There were fans who were mad that Durfee lost, but I think Karam would care less. It would be nice to bring home a state title, but in my point of view it's about the experience. I'm sure Karam is glad to see most of his players go to college basketball and some of his players making it into the NBA afterwards. Look at how far Durfee got, that's hard work and determination and no one can take that pride away.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Fall River Dreams: Quote
" So sometimes she detaches herself, as though looking at it from a distance, and thinks that what is happening to her son i crazy, some runaway train that no one can catch anymore." Pg. 107
The quote is describing how Chris changed since he played basketball. His mother seems very worried with his academics in school and wants his to focus on his grades and still be able to pay basketball. Chris' mom even questions herself why she doesn't enjoy the game when everyone else looks obsessed. Chris sacrificed academics for basketball. If Chris doesn't have the grades, how will he be able to participate in the school basketball team?
The quote is describing how Chris changed since he played basketball. His mother seems very worried with his academics in school and wants his to focus on his grades and still be able to pay basketball. Chris' mom even questions herself why she doesn't enjoy the game when everyone else looks obsessed. Chris sacrificed academics for basketball. If Chris doesn't have the grades, how will he be able to participate in the school basketball team?
Fall River Dreams: Coach Karam Diary Entry
Time to go for the state championship to bring back to Fall Rivers. All of the teachers, students, and the whole community are getting involved like a family. There's been personal problems with me and Chris. Chris is a good player, but I have no other choice but to leave him on this team to help get that championship. Players have been missing key free-throws in important games. We may not have won the state title, but it was a pleasure to see all my players play to their best. It is a pleasure to watch most of them move onto the next level and especially Chris Herren. He may had a bad game, but he'll be one of my favorite players I coached.
Dear Coach Karam....
Dear Thomas "Skippy" Karam,
How did you manage to train Chris to get recruited by college scouts and coaches? How did you become friends with the head coach of Kentucky basketball, Rick Pitino? It must've been hard to coach players that would talk back to you. Why didn't you retire and let your assistant coach take the job, so you can spend more time with your son? Did Shawn Tames manange to be a great player, despite the fact that only one African-American in Durfee High School basketball history became the greatest? Did you coach your best players to be good, or is it just natural talent? Do you ever regret not having enough time to do something fun with your son? Can you give me any tips on how I can get recruited by basketball coaches and scouts? Who do you considered your greatest players of all time? Has Dan Callahan, Peter Sunseon, Jeff Carson, Chris Herren and Michael Herren got into a NCAA D1 basketball team or the NBA? How did it feel like to have Chris Herren treat you unfair?
Sincerely,
Dennis Lum
How did you manage to train Chris to get recruited by college scouts and coaches? How did you become friends with the head coach of Kentucky basketball, Rick Pitino? It must've been hard to coach players that would talk back to you. Why didn't you retire and let your assistant coach take the job, so you can spend more time with your son? Did Shawn Tames manange to be a great player, despite the fact that only one African-American in Durfee High School basketball history became the greatest? Did you coach your best players to be good, or is it just natural talent? Do you ever regret not having enough time to do something fun with your son? Can you give me any tips on how I can get recruited by basketball coaches and scouts? Who do you considered your greatest players of all time? Has Dan Callahan, Peter Sunseon, Jeff Carson, Chris Herren and Michael Herren got into a NCAA D1 basketball team or the NBA? How did it feel like to have Chris Herren treat you unfair?
Sincerely,
Dennis Lum
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Fall River Dreams: Book Review
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest), I would give Fall River Dreams a 9 because it sn't like a typical basketball book where it's all about winning, but how a town comes together as a family. The book also gives a background of Fall River and their high school basketball record. I also like how the book mostly focuses on the relationship of Herren and Karam. It's funny how Herren is one of the best players in his high school team and doesn't get cut from the team for talking back to Coach Karam. Fall River Dreams has given me a totally different perspective of the player-coach relationship.
Fall River Dreams-What are the most revealing aspects of one of the characters?
One of the main characters, Chris Herren shows that he isn't determined to learn and sometimes talks back to Skippy Karam, his coach. He doesn't like it when a coach tells a team to act like a 50's team. Herren was to suppose to play college basketball for Boston College , but couldn't keep up academically and went to Fresno State instead. As Fall River continues their drive for the State championship, Herren and Karam will have problems along the journey.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Jesse by Gary Soto
I really admired Jesse by Gary Soto because it's a book about two Mexican-American teenagers trying to move out of poverty by getting an education at Fresno City College. I also treasured how Jesse and Abel did anything they can to continue their education. The downside of this book is when Abel is drafted to the Vietnam war. Overall the book is amazing because it teaches how you fight for what you want the most.
Fall River Dreams by Bill Reynolds
The book I am reading is Fall River Dreams by Bill Reynolds. So far I have read the prefrace and two pages. I am reading this book because it seems like a book not only about basketball, but also inspiring dreams. I want to see the journey of Bill Reynolds in Durfee High School because Reynolds stated that he could no longer write about sports anymore because of all the media attention on big-time sports. I am excited to read the insprirational journey Reynolds goes through.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Webquest: Food
7) http://nepal.saarctourism.org/nepal-food.html
Food Cultures Around Mt. Everest
1) Explain the staple food item high in the Khumbu region.
2) Explain what is "chang"?
3) Explain what is choyla?
4) Explain what does chatamari represent?
5) What do the Nepalese drink?
6) What do the Nepalese eat for desert?
7) What are the Nepalese main dishes?
8) What food is excellent for altitude adaption on Mount Everest?
9) What do people eat on Mt. Everest?
10) When climbers are in high camps, what do they eat?
11) What do climbers eat while they are climbing?
12) What do Tibetan people do with milk?
13) Explain how Tibetan butter is made?
14) What is Tibetan butter used for?
15) What is staple food?
16) What are the three ways to make Tibetan tea?
17) Where are the most common tea leaves produced in?
18) Are the Sherpa, Nepalese, and Tibetan food considered healthy and tasty? Explain.
19) What do most Tibetan drink each day?
20) What is Nepalese famous for?
21) Can crops grow at high altitudes in Tibet?
22)
21) Can crops grow at high altitudes in Tibet?
22)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Jesse by Gary Soto is where two Mexican-American workers named Abel and Jesse try to move out proverty by doing field works. Jesse leaves home and moves into an apartment with his older brother, Abel. Both Jesse and Abel have to balance out school work with field work. They try to find stuff in the dumpster and sell it in the flea markets. Jesse and Abel only make about sixteen dollars a weekend. Nixon's speech causes Jesse to stuff that breaks the law. Will Abel and Jesse go to college?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Hard Work
The book I am reading is called "Jesse" by Gary Soto. The main characters are Jesse and Abel. Both of them are willing to do what it takes to get into college. They do farmwork so by they"ll have money to go to college, but they always get distracted. I think I connect to the character because I am hardworking just like them. They do farmwork to get money for college and I do my best in school to get myself a better life. Also both Jesse and Abel are dependent , they make their own money and cook for themeselves.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
"Radiance Descending"
Character: What I've been reading so far, Paul hasn't changed yet. He's still embarassed to be around Jacob because he has Down's syndrome. Whenever Jacob gets all of the attention, Paul gets mad and calls him an idiot at times. For example, when Jacob made a mess with his birthday cake, Paul said "gross" and his parents told him not to say it to him. Paul sometimes come home passing Jacob as if he was never borned. I don't like what Paul is doing, but it seems believable because there are people that are embarrassed to be around a family member if they have a disorder or disease. But hating your family member for having a disorder or disease is not believable. Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Reading Life This Summer
The reading life of this year is going good. When I first heard I had to read books, I was disappointed but I actually enjoy reading the books I chose. The book I enjoyed reading the most " The Greatest: Muhammad Ali". I was even suprised I did good on the theme essays. The other books I chosed after were okay to read but still liked it.
The Greatest:Muhammad Ali
Dear Muhammad Ali,
What is it like to get knocked out? What does it feel like to be in the ring with some of the greatest boxers? It's good that you stood up for what you believed. Like how you changed your name and converted to the Nation of Islam. How did it feel to talk with Kareem and Malcolm X? You actually shocked me when you didn't want to go to war and let your title be takened away.
-Dennis Lum
What is it like to get knocked out? What does it feel like to be in the ring with some of the greatest boxers? It's good that you stood up for what you believed. Like how you changed your name and converted to the Nation of Islam. How did it feel to talk with Kareem and Malcolm X? You actually shocked me when you didn't want to go to war and let your title be takened away.
-Dennis Lum
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