var menuData = Backbone.Model.extend({ urlRoot:'/webgoat/service/lessonmenu.mvc', defaults: { items:null, selectedItem:null }, initialize: function () { var self = this; this.fetch().then(function(menuItems){ menuItems = goatUtils.enhanceMenuData(menuItems,this.selectedItem); self.items = menuItems; }); }, update: function() { var self = this; this.fetch().then(function(data) { self.items = data; self.render(0); }); } });