Pursuit | Winter 2020

F E AT U R E S

6

A Different MK Exploring the Experiences of Military Kids on Campus

34 In the Pursuit of Healing...

Homeboy Industries Fosters Community & Rehabilitation

50 Dr. Strangebot The Mastermind Behind the Robots

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CONTENTS LIFESTYLE 6

A Different MK

10

Five Little Words

REL ATIONSHIPS 34

In the Pursuit of Healing...

40

Redefining Toxic Relationships Making Sense of Unhealthy Relationships —

Living With Chronic Illness

14

Beyond the Border Immigrant Children Find Refuge

and What to do About Them

44

Breaking Down Mental Health Stigmas How Students, Mental Health Professionals and Churches Are Taking the Shame Out of Mental Illness

TRENDS 18

The Hunt for Local Food Trucks Inland Empire’s Hidden Gems

22

Social Media Drones The Impact of the Internet

ARTS 50

Dr. Strangebot

54

Finding Healing in Art How Art Therapy Can Aid College Students

T R AV E L 26

58

Literary Feature: Alyssa Palmer; The Humble Pursuit

Whitewater Preserve Exploring an Oasis Close to Campus

28

A Day in Santa Barbara A Student’s Travel Guide to the City

32

Southern California Rock Trails Mountain-top Experiences Close to Home

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S TA F F

Heather Scurti Managing Editor

Joseph Smallwood Design Editor

Reagan Lee Photo Editor

Contributing Designers: Sage Zbinden, Jacob Dimsey Contributing Illustrators: Bethany Brodwolf Contributing Writers: Kai Sniffin, Diana Corona, Misty Severi, Sofia Eneqvist, Sophie Gravitt Contributing Photographers: Camille Grochowski, Kelsie Stevens, Hayden Schuljak, Phillip Ndowu

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Alyse Messmer Lifestyle, Travel & Trends Editor

Kerrilyn Collins Relationships & Arts Editor

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson Adviser and Director of Student Publications

Sonya Singh Assistant Director of Student Publications

Jim Veneman Photojournalism Consultant

EDITOR’S NOTE “Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we're all in this together.”

– Brené Brown Dear reader,

I have no idea what I'm doing.

I think in a world where we're all measured by how much we look like we've got our lives together, it's important to be the person who's perfectly honest about their go in life.

As editor-in-chief of Pursuit magazine, I want you to know I don't have it all together.

Whatever season you are in, know you don't have to fake it all the time. It's OK to pull off that mask and be authentically not together. There are worse things in life than being imperfect.

I think Dr. Brown knows what she's talking about in the quote above. (Since she has spent more than a decade studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity and shame, I'd hope so.) The one thing I think truly bonds us togethr is just how broken we are — as well as how our broken pieces fit together to create something beautiful.

I hope this is what we at Pursuit have done thus far in the year. I'm sure this issue is far from perfect, but I hope you still find beauty and companionship through it.

Korah Robinson Pursuit | 5

A different

MK Written by: Kai Sniffin Photographed by: Reagan Lee and Austin Romito Designed by: Joseph Smallwood

I

n many Christian circles, the term "MK" is often associated with "missionary kids," or children whose parents are missionaries serving in different communities. These individuals grow up in unusual circumstances, but they aren't the only MKs one can find on a college campus. Meet military kids.

It is not uncommon for children of military families to blend into the society around them — close friends, professors and others within their daily lives may not know about the unique lifestyle they’ve experienced growing up.

Military kids may not speak of their experiences for a multitude of reasons — fear of coming off as cocky from the list of places they’ve lived to difficulties expressing the hardships they’ve faced by being associated with a military family. Often, military kids do not share their stories because of the fear

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of others not understanding.

In one way or another, change is an inevitable part of being in a military family.

From deployments to moves, change manifests itself differently in each. Some families spend an average of 24 months or less living in a location. Others stay rooted for awhile, with the active duty family member deploying often. However, many families experience both.

Courtney Mitchell, senior architecture major, grew up in a family in which both parents were in the service — her mother served in the Air Force; her father served in the Coast Guard. As a result, there were times where Mitchell’s family would be temporarily separated because her parents were stationed at different bases.

As Mitchell lists the different places she has lived — eight in total — she says her family’s move to Alaska was the most

LIFESTYLE

Exploring the experiences of military kids on campus

difficult move.

“My move from Virginia to Alaska in the middle of my freshman year of high school — that was definitely one of my hardest moves. From not wanting to leave my best friend in Virginia to everything I had come to know,” Mitchell says.

It was during this tour in Alaska with the Coast Guard that her mom joined the AirForce as a nurse practitioner.

The transition from having one parent in the service to both serving brought intense change within the family dynamic.

After her mom received orders outside of Alaska, her family temporarily lived apart, with Mitchell and her dad staying in Alaska and Mitchell’s mom and brother relocating to Florida. Throughout all of this, Mitchell had to become an expert on how to handle change with grace and maturity.

“(The military) forces you to accept changes of life that naturally will happen and forces you to mature in that way a little bit faster,” Mitchell says.

Mitchell’s family is currently back together, with her mom retired from the Air Force and her dad still coordinating search and rescue missions for the Coast Guard.

Joy Jack, junior graphic design major, can also identify with the change that comes with growing up in a military family. Jack’s father is an active duty officer in the Navy and has been serving for 20 years. Her family has moved 11 times, sometimes overseas to countries such as England and Italy, and Germany in the near future. Each move comes with opportunities as well as situations that may not be ideal.

“Growing up as a military kid you are constantly

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moving. You are always picking stuff up and just leaving to go to a place that you don’t know,” Jack says. “It’s hard to explain it, but it’s just a lot of being unfamiliar and really uncomfortable.”

Although Jack is no stranger to the situations that come with being a military kid, such as her father being sent on long overseas deployments and being the "new kid" in school countless times, she says she is grateful for the life she has been given.

“It’s hard because I always see other kids say they went to the same high school all four years and I went to three different high schools. I always envied being able to grow up in the same school, with the same people, and I always say that I want that,” Jack says. “But if I really think about it, I don’t think I would change my life at all because I’m really grateful (for) my family and all the people I’ve been able to meet.

Even if I don’t keep in touch with them, just those memories are nice and I’m blessed that God has given me the life that I have, and I wouldn’t change it.”

Campbell McOwen, junior nursing major, comes from a long line of military service members. McOwen’s grandfather and great grandfather served in the Navy, and his father broke the tradition by serving as a colonel in the Army in civil affairs. His immediate family remained in California during his father’s deployments.

“I was fortunate because he would just go and he didn’t want to move us a lot. I really respect him because he made it as easy as possible,” McOwen says.

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McOwen says he views adaptability as a ‘perk’ of the military lifestyle that has aided him well in life. However, this was tested when his father was deployed to the Philippines immediately after 9/11. Because of the long deployment, McOwen’s family relocated from their California home to join his father for six months.

During their stay in the Philippines, McOwen and his family went through the motions of their daily routines but also had to adapt to dangerous surroundings.

“There was some normalcy there and then there wasn’t at the same time,” McOwen says. “All of a sudden we feel the ground shake and we find out that there was an explosion — a bomb that blew up in the building next to us. Everywhere we went we had to say that we were from Iceland because we weren’t sure how much of a threat there was there.”

Military kids also have a different definition of home. Many will say that they feel more at home in a country that is not their own. Home may be wherever their family currently is, the place that contained the most personal growth for them or where their closest friends reside — it no longer becomes a place with physical walls.

“It’s more about where the important people are,” Mitchell says.

Despite the constant changes, military kids have the opportunity to broaden their worldview, evolve and teach others in the process — offering a perspective that can prepare them for future endeavors.

LIFESTYLE

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Five Little Words Written by: Reagan Lee Photographed by: Reagan Lee Designed by: Sage Zbinden

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LIFESTYLE

Living With Chronic Illness

F

ive little words changed everything. Her eyes delivered the news before the words could escape her pursed lips.

“I don’t have good news,” said Nagmeh Dorrani, genetic counselor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

There was a moment of stunned silence as she quietly backed out of the room. It was the calm before the storm. Tears streamed down the girl’s porcelain cheeks as the realization settled in that the nightmare of Huntington’s Disease was now her reality.

Huntington’s Disease is an extremely rare, incurable and untreatable neurodegenerative disorder that is passed genetically through generations. It causes the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain and affects a person’s cognitive, muscular, psychological and behavioral functions.

Symptoms are often first noticeable in a person’s early 40s — although the exact timeline varies from person to person.

The drive home after the diagnosis was heavy.

Her father drove the car while the rest of the family sat in devastated silence, attempting to process the information bomb that had been detonated.

The following weeks were a blur of tears and despair that faded into months of apathetically living day by day. Even the simplest of chores seemed like a mountain to be climbed, and if surmounted then listless exhaustion was the reward.

Apathy turned into frustration, and frustration gave way to anger. White-hot rage burned deep, as her soul grappled with God for allowing her to be plagued with this awful affliction. The anger was overwhelming and incinerated every part of her life without exception, leaving a pile of ashes in its wake. The embers were aglow with residual anger but only showed the remains of what once was, leaving the imprint of the person lost.

Life carried on. The sun continued to rise and set on the world despite the lost will to live.

One evening she seriously considered if it would continue to do so with

one less heartbeat. It seemed that not breathing was better than breathing in constant pain. Suicide seemed like the ideal solution. Jesus was waiting and no one on this earth needed the shadow of the person who used to be.

Five little words, once again, changed everything.

A text message lit up the phone on the nightstand as she stared into the darkness contemplating the importance of life.

“I need you. Please come,” wrote her mother.

The request was not as dramatic as it seemed. She simply wanted help working her cellphone, and yet in that moment, the world was clear for the first time in a long time.

My life was flipped on its axis two different times by five simple words. The smoke that had been covering my life dissipated and it became crystal clear that I am not a broken toy. My life — and every life — is important despite the hardships.

The fog cleared and friendships that had been ignored were rekindled — friendships that were both a blessing and a curse. The illness and its effects settled like a thin layer of dust over my life, but were not visible to those outside of my immediate family.

Regularly good intentions got in the way of common sense and empathy.

“You don’t look sick.” “It can’t be that bad.” “It is a long way off, don’t worry about it right now.”

“Just live in the moment.” All were common refrains heard within the first two years of learning to live with such a heavy diagnosis.

In an effort to comfort both me and subsequently themselves, people often tried to minimize the diagnosis by pointing out that I was not physically manifesting any symptoms. They failed to consider the mental and emotional trauma I had endured, and would endure for the rest of my life.

People worldwide are suffering in silence while learning to live with rare chronic illnesses.

Unfortunately, this story is not all that rare or uncommon regardless of age — young adults are no exception to this.

Elizabeth Johnson, senior photography major, was diagnosed in 2016 with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, also known as EDS. EDS is a rare illness that causes connective Pursuit | 11

tissue problems, and often leaves patients in constant pain. The disease is passed genetically through families.

Johnson says she has been harassed multiple times for using her medically-issued handicap placard for the pain her illness causes.

“An officer followed me and walked up to my car while I was parking and asked if I could park somewhere else despite the handicap placard hanging from my mirror. I told her, ‘No, I am handicapped and I am allowed to park here,’" Johnson says. “She proceeded to look down at my legs, back up at my face and then looked at the handicap placard, and asked me to prove that I am handicapped and allowed to park there. I told her it was my placard and that I was allowed to park in any handicap spot and she still looked at me funny, but eventually walked away.”

People struggle to believe in things that cannot be evidently seen or tangibly proven.

Unfortunately, this includes a variety of chronic illnesses. Patients everywhere have stories similar to Johnson’s about not being taken seriously, or even being questioned because people believe they are “not really that sick” or are “looking for attention.”

“At first I didn’t want to know if I had the same illness as my mom and my brother, and then I was diagnosed and issued a handicap placard, and then I started using the handicap placard," Johnson says. “I felt guilty because I knew I looked fine; I don’t look sick.”

“I didn’t use (the placard) for a while, and when I finally convinced myself to use it I started getting nasty notes left on my car. On more than one occasion people would wait by my car for me to come back and then start yelling at me for ‘using my parents or grandparents handicap placard’ when in reality it was, and is, mine,” Johnson says.

Having a strong support system and being taken seriously is important for people living with chronic illness.

Dorrani is a firm believer in not grouping everyone into one box based off diversities.

“I went to a talk recently titled ‘Neurodiversity’ and it was about invisible disabilities and how to deal with them,” Dorrani says. “It was specifically about people with autism. If you look at someone with autism, they do not look any

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different. They are different neurologically; they are neurologically diverse. You cannot expect everyone to be exactly like yo,u and just because you cannot see it does not mean it does not exist.”

In addition to not placing social expectations on others, she stresses the importance of patients having strong support systems.

“I really emphasize the importance of a strong support system. I really try to encourage people to see what works for them, especially getting help from other people — family, church or faith in general, friends and a community of people that can help them,” Dorrani says. “I really think that is the key. I really like when people find that color in their life and try to get help from other people instead of trying to go through it alone. It is hard to go through things in life alone, especially when you are young. It is key to find those people who can help you cope with things.”

Dr. Arik Johnson, clinical neuropsychologist at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, encourages anyone with chronic illness to not only find a strong support system, but also to seek involvement in some form of medical observance or clinical trial to steadily track his or her condition and progress.

“My general recommendation would be to be involved to your level of comfort. Some people are ready to do everything and some people are a little bit more hesitant,” Arik says. “I think it is a good idea to be involved depending on the condition and the person’s status. It is important that it works for them. I encourage the individual to be aware of what their level of comfort is and to establish connections to monitor their condition as it changes over time.”

Chronic illnesses come in many different forms and often affect their victims in ways that cannot be physically seen — this does not make them any less real or devastating. People living with chronic illness need strong support systems and validation rather than skepticism; they need interest rather than hostility. Many suffer in silence out of fear of being viewed as weak or different.

Be kind, listen and pay attention to those in your life. Most people living with a chronic illness do not want you to try and fix it, or for you to make them forget it. They simply need a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, and a hug here or there.

Be the difference — you can make a difference.

LIFESTYLE

Chronic illnesses come in many different forms and often affect their victims in ways that cannot be physically seen — this does not make them any less real or devastating.

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BEYOND

th e

Border

Immigrant children find refuge Written by: Diana Corona and Heather Scurti Illustrated by: Sage Zbinden

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LIFESTYLE

I

t was 2 a.m. The boy followed a coyote — someone who guides Latin Americans across U.S. borders — into a hole that was dug beneath a chain link fence. On the other side was the southern border of the United States.

Minutes after beginning his journey, he heard a truck coming toward him as he ran past a drainage canal. He threw himself on the ground behind a large pole, hiding, terrified with his eyes closed. Suddenly, he felt a flashlight on his face and was kicked in his back as he heard the words, “Get up!” He was arrested and taken into custody for a few hours before he was released back to Tijuana, where he started.

Despite the first setback, the coyote asked if he’d like to try again. The boy slid under the chain link fence and proceeded to cross the border once more, but this time he succeeded. The boy entered the United States with no expectations or ideas for what the country would bring him.

This unaccompanied, teenage immigrant with no guidance or help was my father, Juan Corona.

Growing up in North-central Mexico, my father lived with seven sisters and an infant brother in a one-bedroom home. He had dreams — dreams such as drinking a bottle of Coke by himself and biting into a full mango without splitting it four ways.

His father, feeling a responsibility as the head

of the household, migrated to the States to find a better way of living for his children, and although it helped, it didn’t suffice. Despite the checks his father sent in the mail, some of his siblings were still left with torn up shoes and clothes that no longer fit.

The circumstances of poverty stripped my father of his innocence and it quickly became clear that he would have to pull his own weight to help his family. Three months after turning 15 years old, he decided to migrate to the States in an effort to alleviate the economic struggles his family was facing in Mexico as a result of an increasing cost of living and a lack of adequate wages.

After entering the country, Corona began working in landscaping but was severely underpaid and exploited for his lack of residency.

He didn’t know of any resources and never sought an education. Where he was from, school was for the wealthy, so he discarded the idea of an education in the United States.

“If I had the resources some organizations provide for migrant children and teenagers, my life could have been entirely different; maybe I would have had better opportunities,” Corona says.

Urban Strategies is one resource of which Corona says would’ve been helpful during his migration to the United States in 1989.

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We b e l i e v e c a r i n g fo r children of fa m i l i es I n the margins i s c e n t r a l to the heart of God. – Jaclyn Bonner

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Founded in 2003, Urban Strategies is a nonprofit that aims to strengthen families and communities by working with local faith-based organizations to provide resources to marginalized people in need.

“When I came to the States, I had to figure out how to pay for rent, food, transportation and other necessities," Corona says. "By the time I paid it all off I was left with near to nothing to send back to Mexico. I realized I wouldn’t be able to help my family as much as I had hoped — but I helped by at least taking care of my own expenses.

“With (organizations like) Urban Strategies, at least these kids don’t have to figure it out by themselves, they can focus on receiving an education instead of immediately finding a living in America.”

Jane Doe*, undocumented immigrant and Southern California resident for the past 20 years, is a stay-at-home mother. She has battled for her citizenship for more than 10 years, hoping for comprehensive immigration reform. She says she crossed the border dreaming of a better life for her children, a life she didn’t have the opportunity to have when she was a child.

“Growing up, I never had the opportunity to go to school; I had to work to support my family. We didn’t have money to pay for my schooling. I think of the kids who crossed the border at a younger age with the dreams I had — to go to school and to be something more,” Doe says. “I wanted to be an accountant. I think of how my life would be if I

LIFESTYLE

got to the U.S. at that exact age these kids are, with those dreams. Who would I have been if someone would have just gave me a chance?”

Although Urban Strategies is a social enterprise based out of Washington D.C., it works on a variety of issues across the United States and Latin America, including responding to needs of unaccompanied immigrant children through one of its programs known as Refugio (Spanish for “refuge”).

“Our mission is to connect, resource and equip both churches and community-based organizations that work with populations that experience vulnerability, with focus on children or families that have immigrated to the U.S.,” says Jaclyn Bonner, communication manager for Urban Strategies.

The organization first gained experience providing safe and secure housing to unaccompanied minors in 2014, but the Refugio project was relaunched this year in response to the recent influx of unaccompanied children coming to the United States.

According to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, there have been 72,593 unaccompanied immigrant children released to sponsors, whether foster care or families, in the Unites States as of September 2019 — an increase of 37,778 minors from the previous 2018 figure of 34,815.

Refugio was expanded to include transitional foster care where bilingual families are recruited

as short-term foster families. The children within the program range in age from 2 to 17 years old and are placed with Urban Strategies for shortterm care — around 45 days on average — while the organization works on reunifying the child with family.

In addition to providing safe housing to unaccompanied immigrant children, the program also provides services such as weekly educational classes, physical and mental services including individual and group counseling, case management, free legal service referrals, recreation and family reunification services.

To successfully carry out the project, Urban Strategies partners with faith- and communitybased organizations throughout communities in California, Texas and Florida.

The Urban Strategies team is trained to provide the best care possible to help children feel safe.

“All of our approaches are trauma-informed to ensure we’re recognizing that there are a lot of layers and a lot of things that the children have experienced to take into account,” Bonner says.

In addition to their goal of providing for the physical and mental well-being of the children in their care, the staff at Urban Strategies says it never forgets the “why” behind each project.

“We believe caring for children of families in the margins is central to the heart of God," Bonner says. "It is hard work but we believe, as followers of Christ, it’s a mandate in Scripture."

*Name changed to protect source's identiy.

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Written by: Alyse Messmer Photographed by: Kelsie Stevens Illustrated by: Joseph Smallwood

the hunt for local food trucks

T

he usual run for In-N-Out or Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers are not unfamiliar to hungry college students. Most students look for the crossed palm trees instead of looking for local flavors that might add some flare to their constant cravings.

Food trucks, made popular by Los Angeles locals, have gained popularity in the Inland Empire. For college students, food trucks can offer more affordable and delicious snacks than other traditional restaurants.

Alyssa Oshita, California Baptist University sophomore software engineering major, enjoys going to food trucks for more than the food they offer.

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“I love going to food trucks to support local businesses and try the great foods that they have,” Oshita says.

While food trucks offer a more personal and local business atmosphere for visitors, they also offer great food.

Timothy Klepzig, sophomore engineering major, says he enjoys food trucks because of how affordable and diverse they can be.

“Food trucks add to the culture of a neighborhood. They’re cheap, convenient, and definitely worth the lines,” Klepzig says.

Food trucks in the Inland Empire offer great food at an affordable price, including sushi, tacos or even churros.

TRENDS

Fo r Cali’s Sushi & Seafood offers CBU students and Riverside residents sushi rolls and seafood plates only 15 minutes from campus. Serving shrimp, crab, scallops and other favorites, the truck offers every type of seafood lover something to try. The truck also caters and offers deals on sushi platters.

Andrea Quinonez, CEO of Cali’s Sushi and Seafood Truck, says they try to bring multiple cultures to their business for their customers.

“We try to connect and bring a mix of Mexican

th

eS

us

culture with Japanese sushi. We created a mix of both culture with hints of taco flavors from the streets,” Quinonez says.

Cali’s Sushi & Seafood is located at 18683 Jurupa Ave. in Bloomington and is open Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. — 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. — ­ 10 p.m.

hi

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r:

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For t

he t

Located only 13 minutes from campus, El Tocayo Birrieria offers tacos, burritos, tortas, quesatacos and everything in between.

The well-known truck often has customers waiting before the truck has even pulled into the parking lot. On Taco Tuesdays, customers can get four tacos for $5, and on Wednesdays burritos are only $6. The truck caters and

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aco

fan

atic

offers other weekly deals as well.

El Tocayo Birrieria food truck has two locations in Riverside, at the corner of Bain Street and Jurupa Avenue. and the other at 5691 Mission Blvd. The trucks are open seven days a week at each location, from 11 a.m. — 10 p.m.

:

TT RR AV L DS EEN

For the Churro and Snack Enthusiast: The Culinary Chameleon offers churros, breakfast burritos, cookies, tacos and their famous Chameleon Fries, on the University of California Riverside’s campus — only 13 minutes from CBU. The truck gives students the opportunity to take a study break and enjoy a tasty snack, such as churros for 99 cents and Chameleon Fries topped with refried beans, cheese sauce, salsa, sour cream drizzle and jalapenos.

Culinary Chameleon food truck has two

locations on the UCR campus throughout the week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Sproul Hall patio at 900 University Avenue, and Tuesday and Thursday in the Physics Courtyard. The truck is open from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m.

The Inland Empire offers many opportunities for great food; food trucks and local vendors give customers a break from the normal drive thru tacos and burgers, adding local flavor to one’s typical dining experience.

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SOCIAL MEDIA DRONES Written by: Sofia Eneqvist Illustrated by: Joseph Smallwood

The impact of the internet

T

he increase in social awareness has created a high demand for emotional validation. Many young social media users find their validation through their posts, likes, activities and interactions online. Social media allows users to discover other like-minded people who share interests, aesthetics and opinions. However, it can be dangerous when people limit themselves to the opinions of those same like-minded individuals.

Dr. Julie Goodman-Bowling, assistant professor of anthropology at California Baptist University, refers to this false sense of community as anomie, the condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals. She says social media can contribute to addictive behaviors and develop unhealthy ideals of self. It can lead to isolation and limits the ability to empathize.

“We become anomie when we feel unknown,” Goodman-Bowling says. “We are such a visual

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species, that when we try to become something we are not, it ends up being harmful since it is inconsistent with our actual self. We think ‘I should be a part of that, and I am less because I am not.’”

This idea of social comparison theory comes into play as social media users engage in online activity more. Surrounding oneself with people in their local environment, it is easy to find similarities in value systems, socio-economic status and resources that make the comparison more accurate.

Dr. Joshua Fuller, assistant professor of industrialorganizational psychology, says comparing yourself to someone you do not know who is putting their best image on their best day with filters and flattering camera angles online creates a distorted self-image that is unhealthy to use as a comparison.

“That is not the best social comparison. It isn’t going to accurately depict or reflect on where you should be in your life. It is very unfair but when that activity is engaged with more often it becomes normal,” Fuller says. “The more you use it, the stronger the effects it will have.”

Fuller says a recent study found that posting on

TRENDS

social media can be “psychologically beneficial to the person posting.” However, to the person seeing or consuming the post, it can be “psychologically detrimental.”

Social media “influencers” are people with high followings who create different mediums of content.

Over the years they have shifted the dial of pop culture. It begins with everyday people who get a following and suddenly thousands of people are investing in their lives.

Meg Showell, 22, has 44.2 thousand followers on her Instagram (megshowell) and 59.1 thousand followers on her YouTube channel (Meg Showell).

Showell has been creating content for four years from various locations around the world. A Utah native, she currently lives in Hawaii and has visited cities all over Europe and Asia.

“Social media has played a very important role in my life within the last few years. It has allowed me to create a somewhat of a living off of doing things I love.

I have made so many connections and relationships in real life that would not have been possible without social media,” Showell says. “I can travel and live from place to place all while working from just my phone. My life has been impacted greatly by social media.”

Showell has built a photography and wedding videography business through her social media channels. Instagram has given her an avenue to meet and work with various photographers and models throughout the years.

“Social media is what you make of it. I believe that it can impact our mental health negatively — if you allow it to. It’s hard running your own business because people tend to take advantage of you a lot” Showell says. “But you do not get a break from work.

I often have times where I will be sitting on my phone doing emails instead of enjoying time with friends.”

Showell says working alongside models and

influencers has opened her eyes to the “fake” culture within the industry. Many times, the posts consumers see have been photoshopped or altered to make them more aesthetically pleasing. She encourages people to not take it all too seriously and understand that it is not all that it seems.

“I know so many people who are miserable behind this tiny app because they are letting it control their lives,” Showell says.

Extension of self Over the years, social media has become a way for people to express themselves. For some, it is easier to express themselves through a phone than in real life. Goodman-Bowling describes social media as a healthy venue for social awareness.

“In a way, social media has become the extension of the self through the ways people present themselves to others,” Goodman-Bowling says. “Our dependency on making sure we post our lives for all to see, and the way we now relate to others is based on these presentations of self.”

However, since the social constructs are different over the internet, it can be more difficult to communicate in the absence of technology. Social media provides its users with endless conversational reset buttons. The lack of face-to-face conflict makes it easier to simply delete what you post and start over, leaving room for endless mistakes.

Social Media Drones Goodman-Bowling shared the concept of “cyborgs," which was originally introduced by Donna Haraway, American professor emerita in the History

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of Consciousness department and Feminist Studies department at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Cyborgs present the idea that society is becoming a mix of machines and humans.

“We have long used technology to enhance our human experience; the earliest humans used tools of many kinds, simple or complex. Tools have now been embedded into our bodies (such as) pacemakers and prosthetics. But now, our cell phones are becoming a part of everyday ways that we attach ourselves to machines,” Goodman-Bowling says. “We wear watches that track our heart rates, count our steps and keep our fitness logs. We also rely on our phones to connect us to the outside world, be it through conversations, messaging, e-mails – it’s our life and our work. In a way, we are cyborgs.”

A study by Dr. Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University, found that 58 percent of the people who recorded using their smartphone five or more hours made plans for suicide, while 28 percent of the people who used their phones an hour or less had thoughts about suicide.

“Research suggests that there is a release of

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dopamine that we get in our brain when we hear the ‘ding’ of a Facebook message or text, it’s the same pleasure chemical that you get when you give in to any addiction; cigarette, drug, food etc.,” GoodmanBowling says.

Transcendence of Age Regardless of age, social media impacts the lives of everyone. Much like the news, what happens on social media influences what society talks about and focuses on.

“In terms of age, younger generations have the technical knowledge of the latest venue of technology, but older adults are using these technologies also,” Goodman-Bowling says.

Social media is a component of every aspect of modern-day life. Fuller suggests that social platforms are a bigger factor in the effect of social media compared to the age that they are used.

“How we engage in technology is going to have a pretty strong effect. Age components to that, I am

TRENDS

not convinced,” says Fuller. “I don’t see a strong argument that young adults may be more susceptible than older adults. It depends on the medium that they chose to engage in.”

Media can have an effect on anybody despite their age, depending largely on how much they choose to consume. Someone in their 60s may spend more time watching TV, while a teenager might spend more time on Instagram. Both parties are still consuming the same amount of media, just through different platforms.

Deep Work Fuller encourages students to practice deep work and practice the discipline of carving out time. He emphasizes the importance of being intentional with how people use social media platforms because letting it become too strong of a distraction can be dangerous.

“Turn everything off for a set amount of time with no interruption. Work for that amount of time and carve out a particular amount of time to dedicate to focused work,” Fuller says. “Getting back on track after getting distracted takes an enormous amount of time. We think we are good at multi-tasking, but it is challenging to do well.”

Practicing and developing healthy habits with social media will help to create more responsible ways to engage with technology in safe ways.

Relationships Social media has the power to amplify the opportunities people choose to be a part of — to do something that is going to enhance knowledge, experiences and relationships.

“I have noticed among my students that they have become increasingly more hesitant to come and talk to me face to face about a question or issue. Instead they want to ‘rate their experience’ of a professor or text message about it with others,” Goodman-

Bowling says. “Even in e-mails, students have tended to use ‘texting’ language to communicate with me. It has changed our ability to connect face-to-face and to have authentic relationships.”

In contrast, one benefit of social media relationships is engaging cross-culturally. Through social media, users can experience what others are doing halfway across the world. It gives users an avenue to stay in contact with their friends, family and peers, anywhere and at any time.

“We have an alarming and exciting — depending on how you see it — ability to communicate to anyone in the world,” Fuller says. “The ability to disseminate information, to have a one-on-one conversation with anyone in the world is tremendous.”

Marketing Strategies Dr. Natalie Winter, professor of marketing and management, says she believes social media needs relevancy to be effective. If social media encourages interaction, it will be more engaging for consumers and create a channel of two-way communication.

“Social media gave customers the ability to ‘talk back’ directly to the company in ways that were not feasible before and for the company to respond to customer feedback in unprecedented ways,” Winter says. “So, the importance of cultivating and maintaining good customer relationships became even more important.”

There are limitations placed on media production because it is up to the public to determine the success of a product or platform. Today, companies will struggle or fail if they are not in favor with the public or do not have a strong social media presence.

In order for past, present and future generations to experience a shift in how society uses social media, we must be more intentional. Adapting an active user mindset allows consumers to engage with social media in a healthier and less passive way. It is important to check in with your motivations for using social media and allow yourself time away from the screen.

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Exploring an oasis close to campus Written by: Misty Severi Photographed by: Hayden Schuljak Designed by: Joseph Smallwood

N

ature has been the inspiration behind many of the world’s greatest poets, artists and thinkers. From Alfred, Lord Tennyson to William Wordsworth, it has inspired many great minds to remember there is beauty in a world that can seem to hold none.

The Inland Empire has a hidden gem of which many residents may not be aware — Whitewater Preserve. Located approximately an hour from Riverside in Whitewater, California, the preserve sits on 2,851 acres and is home to guests ranging from big horn sheep to beautiful birds.

This canyon winds through Mount San Gorgonio, Southern California’s largest mountain, and offers

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visitors an escape from the mundane traffic and stress of day-to-day life.

The preserve showcases the beautiful whitewater river that flows year-round from San Bernardino County down through west Riverside County. The preserve also features trails that lead hikers up the famous Pacific Crest Trail and beautiful ponds that are perfect for photography.

Guests who visit the preserve find themselves immersed in some of nature’s quiet beauty in this beautiful habitat of animals, plants and insects.

Jack Thompson, regional director of The Wildlands Conservancy's Desert Preserves, says the area is something of which everyone should

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take advantage.

“The preserve is beautiful, and the river is also really beautiful," Thompson says. "I think it’s the kind of place that many people do not get to see in person in Southern California. It’s tucked away."

The preserve is located in a canyon, so Thompson warns guests to exercise caution when visiting during peak wildfire seasons and during the crowded summer season because of parking.

Trevor Baker, California Baptist University sophomore mechanical engineering major, visited the park with a few of his friends. The preserve was something he had not heard about until it was recommended they make a trip.

Baker says his visit allowed him to take in the peacefulness of the preserve and connect with God’s creation away from the bustle of city life.

“It’s really peaceful; it was so quiet because there was no one else there when we went,” Baker says. “I really enjoy being out in nature and it was really geographically different than the rest of California, so it was really cool to be out there and see what God created.”

Because of the preserve’s close proximity to the Riverside community, Baker says it’s a shame more students don’t take advantage of opportunities to get out of their own backyard and into nature.

Benjamin Browen, sophomore applied theology major, says the active whitewater river took him by surprise.

“My initial thought was that it was just going to be another dry desert gorge like in the San Jacinto Mountain Range where I grew up,” Browen says.

“I was astonished to see a river running this late in the season.”

Browen adds that for students who love spending times outdoors, there are two primary options: one 30-minute walk along the river or an intense hike up to the Pacific Crest Trail. Browen hopes to do the hike up to the PCT when he returns.

“The PCT, which runs from Mexico to Canada, runs straight through the preserve and has long been on my bucket list. (I want to) either do a backpacking trip from there to Big Bear or (run it) as a good, long trail run,” Browen says.

Whitewater Preserve is also a part of The Wildlands Conservancy, the largest nonprofit nature preserve system in California. According to their website, their mission is “To preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the earth and to provide programs so that children may know the wonder and joy of nature.”

The conservancy itself holds 19 preserves that contain 156,000 acres in total — each uniquely diverse with land consisting of mountains, valleys, deserts, rivers and oceanfronts. Despite these differences, they are united with the purpose of protecting their environment.

Aiming to educate visitors about nature, the preserve offers a variety of ranger talks, some intended for younger audiences as a part of their mission to educate future generations. There are other programs open to the public, as well, such as star-gazing nights, bird walks, guided hikes and workshops presented by guest speakers.

Left: Trevor Baker, mechanical engineering major, and Ben Browen, applied theology major, take time to explore the stream running through the preserve.

Right: Baker and Browen slow down and take in the surrounding nature.

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W

hether it’s the beach, hiking, shopping or eating good food, Santa Barbara has it all," says Savannah M. do we have her last name? , junior at Santa Barbara City College. "That’s what I love about going to school here.

It’s a small, big city. Everyone knows everyone."

One of the greatest perks of being a college student in Southern California are

all of the beautiful places to visit — Santa Barbara being one at the top of the list. With two universities in the area, this city is a hit for college students and offers something for everyone.

If you’re not from the area it can be overwhelming when visiting, but fear not — whether it be eating, shopping or exploring, this guide is the key to all the best places to visit.

FOR THE AVID SHOPPER From luxury to thrifty, it can be found in Santa Barbara. Whether you are window shopping, people watching or looking to expand your closet, State Street is the place to go. The streets come alive as people spend their day shopping and eating while the sound of street musicians fill the air.

Aspiring musician and Santa Barbara resident, Justice Claverias, 18, said he moved from Montana to Santa Barbara to be closer to family, and since then has fallen in love with it. He spends many of his days playing guitar on State Street because of its growing popularity.

“State Street is the place everyone comes to shop. It’s considered Santa Barbara’s mall, making it one of the most popular places around town,” Claverias says.

Shopping on a budget may seem like a foreign concept in the luxury city of Santa Barbara, but it is possible. The thrifting scene thrives in Santa Barbara; from dollar buys to consignment finds, college students are bound to find something they love.

United Family Association Thrift, also known as Magnolia Thrift, is a popular store among local college students. By offering

great prices on furniture and clothing, it has become a favorite for those looking to find good deals in the area.

Carly Johnson, Santa Barbara local and Loyola Marymount University student, says it’s her favorite thrift store in town.

“My favorite thing about Magnolia Thrift is that it always has such fun clothes and furniture,” Johnson says.

The Closet Trading Company, an upscale consignment boutique on State Street, also offers great prices on designer and brandname items. The store is easy to shop — the clothing is already hand-picked for customers by the store buyers.

Madison Brenton, California Baptist University senior exercise science major, says this store is great for finding high-end items at discounted prices.

“Whenever I visit Santa Barbara I always make sure to stop by here. I am an avid thrifter and this store always has really nice items for a discount," Brenton says. “I love fashion but being a college student, my budget limits me. I like that I can go here and not feel bad for buying name-brand items.”

Written by: Kerrilyn Collins Photographed by: Phillip Ndowu and Reagan Lee Designed by: Joseph Smallwood

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FOR THE FOODIE From remaining open during Prohibition to outlasting a 6.3-magnitude earthquake, Joe’s Cafe is a great option for those looking for great food with a little history.

Sitting at 512 State St., Joe’s Cafe is a treasured eatery.

Whether it’s the classic French dip sandwich or the prime rib, this cafe has something for everyone. History fills every nook and cranny of Joe’s, leaving customers amused and intrigued as they indulge.

Despite new restaurants opening over the years, Johnson says Joe’s has a special place in her heart.

“Joe’s is a classic eatery that everyone loves. It’s where my parents met 30 years ago, which makes it extra special for me,” says Johnson, who added that the lasagna is his go-to order.

Calling all ice cream lovers — McConnell's Ice Cream is the place to go while visiting Santa Barbara.

Made from scratch with simple ingredients, the ice cream at this family-run shop has been making customers happy for the past 70 years.

Dallas Flannery, CBU junior history major and Santa Barbara resident, says he believes it’s the tradition behind McConnell’s that makes it a staple in the city.

“McConnell’s is the best in

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town. In high school we would always go there, making it a tradition," Flannery says. “Yes, their ice cream is incredible, but it’s the family feel and tradition that makes it one of the best places in the city.”

For smoothie lovers, Blenders In the Grass has some of the best smoothies in town.

With their focus on offering delicious, healthy alternatives to fast food meals, Blenders has quickly become a favorite among locals and students alike.

Antonia Dimaria, Santa Barbara City College student, says Blenders is her favorite smoothie stop in town.

“My favorite smoothie to get is the peanut butter or the strawberry colada," Dimaria says. “They have great options for everyone."

For the avid coffee lover, The Daily Grind is a must-visit, offering delicious coffee with a backstory.

In 1995, a former Shell gas station was converted into the popular coffeehouse. Remnants of the gas station are still present, specifically the Shell sign hanging above the cash register.

Whether you are starting your day off or need a midday pick-me-up, The Daily Grind is a great option for a cup of joe.

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Previous page: Ken Norby, Santa Barbara resident also known as “Pickless Kenny,” plays his guitar on State Street because he loves music.

Left: Blenders, a smoothie shop found on Santa Barbara's famous State Street, draws customers of all ages with a variety of smoothies, bowls and fresh juices that offer healthy alternatives to fast food snacks.

Top: Pancho de la Mora, Santa Barbara resident, takes his dogs Luna, Chloe and Gordo to the beach for sunset.

FOR THE OUTDOOR LOVER The beautiful beaches are one of the main attractions in Santa Barbara. College students especially love this perk, as it offers a relaxing getaway from the stress of school.

At the beach, one can unwind while basking in the sand, play a game of volleyball with some friends or skate down the boardwalk.

With many different beaches along the coast of Santa Barbara, it can be hard to choose one to

visit. Savannah M. recommends Butterfly Beach.

“Butterfly Beach is a beautiful place to go. It’s great for a beach day or sunset," she says. “It’s my favorite spot.”

Santa Barbara is a beautiful location to put on the bucket list.

Whether it’s shopping, eating, going to the beach or hiking, the city and its surroundings make it easy to pack a day trip — or why not a whole weekend? — full of activities.

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s o u t h e r n ca l i f o r n i a rock trails Written by: Ashley Jimenez Illustrated by: Korah Robinson

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Mountain-top experiences close to home

H

iking — a natural, adventurous cleanse for the mind, body and soul. For many college students, hiking is an escape from the stress within their everyday lives.

Whether one is seeking to hike for health purposes or to find peace and clarity, Southern California is home to a plethora of breathtaking hiking trails.

From a beginner to an advanced hiker, from a with-the-sun riser to a sunset lover, SoCal has trails for everyone. Some of the most well-travelled and enjoyable hikes are Aztec Falls, Sunset Peak and Cucamonga Peak.

Aztec Falls (Easy) Aztec Falls, located in San Bernardino, is a 1.3mile trail with more than 200 feet of gain and is most well-known for its waterfall and cliff jumping.

Anthony Maldonado, California Baptist University senior nursing major, says he enjoys hiking Aztec during the fall. Fascinated by the autumn colors, he makes his way to the waterfall where he reflects on life.

“Hiking has always been a good opportunity for me to find some clarity,” Maldonado says.

Maldonado says the soothing sounds of the creek and chirping birds ease his mind. Maldonado finds the trail to Aztec Falls to be the most relaxing in the evening when the sun is about to set. Maldonado says being surrounded by nature and away from the madness of the city is revitalizing for him.

Sunset Peak (Moderate) Sunset Peak, located in the Los Angeles National Forest, is a 7.3-mile hike with more than 1,200 feet of gain with picture-perfect sunset scenery.

Ivan Castro, junior exercise science major, says Sunset Peak is named well because of the stunning light one can find around 4:30 p.m.

“I love golden hour,” Castro says. “I love the soft light and the ambiance of sunset.”

In addition to being surrounded by nature, photography is another reason why Castro says he enjoys sunset hiking adventures.

“What better way to explore and get some good (photos),” Castro says.

Castro says this narrow trail might be a challenge for some, but the gorgeous mountain views and the scenery at the peak are worth it.

“It gets tiring, and it’s scary at times, but other than that it’s worth the hike,” Castro says.

The feeling of accomplishment after the last step up the trail and the breathtaking sunset can make for the perfect relief after a long week of school. For those who thrive on a steady adrenaline rush, Sunset Peak is a hike worth adding to the bucket list.

Cucamonga Peak (Advanced) An epic go-to trail for avid, experienced hikers is Cucamonga Peak, located in the San Gabriel Mountains. This tough, rocky 12-mile trail features more than 8,800 feet of gain, but the views rewarded to those who reach the peak are worth the challenge.

Ian McGarraugh, front desk and instruction manager at Sender One Climbing, says he was not the biggest hiking fan growing up but it has always been a part of his family. Cucamonga Peak is one of the many hikes McGarraugh enjoys.

“The Cucamonga wilderness is a really nice area, and the hike has many miles of continuous ridge line hiking,” McGarraugh says. “My parents used to reward me with candies for completing switchbacks on hikes when I was really young.”

McGarraugh rediscovered hiking during his teenage years. He says he likes to surround himself with nature and appreciates the time he gets to be alone with his thoughts.

“It really helped me to discover who I was at that time,” McGarraugh says. “Once you start to put miles of trail behind you, everything starts to blend in and life becomes so much simpler.”

Being present and enjoying what is in front of you is not easy when tests, homework and deadlines are weighing you down. Setting a goal to wake up early, sit at the top of a mountain and watch the world wake up or settle as the sun goes down can be just as rewarding as completing a semester.

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In the Pursuit of Healing‌

Homeboy Industries fosters community and rehabilitation Written by: Diana Corona Photographed by: Kengkue Her Designed by: Joseph Smallwood

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D

o you know what the word consecutive means?”

The boy sitting before the judge didn’t know, but the judge did — and he knew the boy would soon find out.

The 16-year-old was sentenced to 27 years in prison and two consecutive life sentences for assisting in a robbery. In that moment, the boy had an epiphany — the justice system did not care about him.

It wasn’t until years of incarceration in the U.S. prison system that he says he realized healing would have to come from within the community from which he came.

While debate surrounds the idea of rehabilitation in prison, organizations such Homeboy Industries devote themselves to aiding those in need of a second chance.

Phu “Van” Huynh is the boy who was set to serve those two life sentences but was recently released. He now serves as a fulltime trainee at Homeboy Industries, giving tours of the establishment and living out the mission of the organization.

“People are being conditioned in gang violence before they can speak; they never had a chance. A lot of these men and women don’t have anyone outside of gang community to show them love,” Huynh

says. “Here, we show love, patience and understanding. However you come is how you’re accepted. We sit with you where you’re at.”

For 32 years, Homeboy Industries has been uplifting and investing in young men and women who were previously involved in gang violence or imprisoned by offering resources ranging from tattoo removal to job training and mental and physical wellness. Founded by Father Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest who witnessed Los Angeles's "decade of death" when gang violence peaked in the 1980s and 1990s, Homeboy has grown into the largest gang intervention, rehab and reentry program in the world.

The industries run a number of social enterprises that help aid these in-house services, including Homegirl Cafe and Homeboy Bakery, with locations around Los Angeles County. Each enterprise employs individuals seeking a life outside of gang violence, with a large number consisting of current full-time trainees or members of the 18-month program.

The mission of the organization covers a wide range of things, from healing to employment. For most, healing is Pursuit | 35

an internal process, and a challenging one because of systematic issues and influences in gang culture. While employment opportunities and workforce development are important to the industries, the process of life outside of prison requires additional efforts and other services that are just as important.

Homeboy Industries offers services to members or trainees, as well as some to the public. Roughly 200 men and women participate in Homeboy's in-house services during its 18-month program, in addition to its 1,200 community clients.

Among these programs are workforce development, substance abuse, legal services, education services and case management.

Perhaps the most vital of the services offered are those that aid with healing the internal struggles of those who become a part of the industries. In recent years, the fight against the stigma surrounding mental health has been prevalent across many platforms. However, the conversation struggles to gain traction in the gang community because of intense social pressure to appear strong and violent threats that can accompany seeking help.

“The stigma happens more so in gang and prison culture. In prison, guys can get killed for receiving this kind of help,”

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Huynh says.

The dangers of providing resources, such as mental health help, within Homeboy Industries are ever-present because of this stigma. Threats from gang culture exist just as boldly, especially when previous members try to find a way out of gangs and into healing.

“Some of the gangs, if not all of them, have a policy against using mental health services. No matter how sick you are, you can’t go to those. (If) they find out you do, you’re basically out of the gang,” Huynh says. “To be out of the gang is pretty much a death sentence. So where does (Homeboy Industries) fit in (the gang) community if we’re changing lives?

Are we placing men and women at risk of death? Yes, but they have a better chance here than if they were still active in the gangs.”

Pursuing positive changes post-release can be a challenging and even nonexistent without organizations such as Homeboy.

Once a prison sentence ends, the consequences of imprisonment begin.

Alison Lass, Global Homeboy Network and Media Relations manager, says she views these consequences as barriers.

“Systematically, we hope to help people eliminate these collateral consequences.

We want to help people get their roots so they can stay sober, so they can get a

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Previous page, left: Phu “Van” Huyhn, full-time trainee at Homeboy Industries for seven months, was recently released from prison and found his way to giving back to the community by serving with Homeboy Industries.

Previous page, right: Latisha Ealenzuela, line cook for Homeboy Café and San Fernando native, prepares chopped onions for a dish.

Above: Mario Lundes, assistant manager of Homeboy Café and Los Angeles native, checks the orders on his notes.

Next page, left: A sign posted on a window of the cafe offers encouraging words from the founder of Homeboy Industries, Father Greg Boyle.

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roof over their head, so they can reconnect with their children, so they can have room for connectedness and a job,” Lass says.

“It’s important to be able to give people who are marginalized by being formally incarcerated the tools they need so that they don’t recidivate.”

Internal growth and healing are evident within the program — more than 80 trainees and members were employed or enrolled in colleges and universities within the last semester, some of whom come back to serve at Homeboy Industries, helping it become one of the most recognized organizations in Los Angeles.

“Unlike other governmental entities where there are expectations or timelines, things are very open-ended and available to a wide breadth of people unconditionally here," Lass says. "Our focus is such that most of the folks that come through our doors have felony records and are really marginalized."

Dr. Tae Sung, director of the Writing Success Center at California Baptist University, has dedicating 30 years of his life to the care, rehabilitation and reform of those imprisoned. He has been a member of the prison ministry for two years and says Homeboy Industries is an incredible organization for rehabilitation services.

Although Sung says he does not oppose appropriate punishment for crimes committed, he also says he sees the shortcomings of the justice system and believes rehabilitation should be the

ultimate goal.

“I grew up in a time when attitudes towards crime were very punitive — three strikes and you’re out,” Sung says. “There are stories about people with two counts, and their third could be a misdemeanor and they end up going to prison for 25 to life.

I’ve been very critical of those measures.

The reason for my criticism is rooted in my faith.

“You hear people always say, you do the crime, you do the time. Nobody disagrees with that. But is the time proportional to the crime? I’m not against people being punished for crimes or having to do time, but does that mean solitary confinement?

Does that mean they should have permanent mental damages? What is our ultimate purpose for incarcerating people?

Is it to rehabilitate people? Do we believe that it’s possible for them to be redeemed or changed?”

“Some people think people don’t change, and I would say I’m not sure if that’s a view that Christians should take," Sung says. "I’m a huge advocate for prison and criminal justice reform. I think rehabilitation should be the ultimate goal. I believe in restorative justice, not so much punitive justice.”

With aid from organizations such as Homeboy, positive changes can be made within gang and prison culture. It will take time to reform the prison system itself, but by extending a hand to the formerly incarcerated, lives like Huynh’s can change dramatically, and much sooner.

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ReDefIning

TOXIC Relationships

Written by: Alyse Messmer Illustrated by: Jacob Dimsey

Making sense of unhealthy relationships — and what to do about them

T

oxic relationships come in many different shades and often leave victims feeling physically and emotionally bruised.

Whether physical abuse, emotional manipulation or any form of harm, toxic relationships often strip victims of confidence, security and trust in others.

Philip Breitenbucher, assistant professor of social work, says he defines relationships as “toxic” when harm of any sort takes place.

“A toxic relationship involves a toxic partner who causes emotional and, often times, physical harm to their partner.

Emotional harm comes in the form of belittling, controlling and manipulating behaviors. If you are in a relationship that leaves you feeling insecure, unsafe, fearful, belittled or helpless on a regular basis, this is a sign of a toxic relationship," Breitenbucher says.

Signs of a tOxic relationship Toxic relationships are not always identifiable and are sometimes ignored.

While the good parts of a relationship

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can be enjoyable, some people use these moments to excuse the hurtful behavior they receive from their significant other.

One major sign of a toxic relationship is a fear or anxiety of how your significant other will respond in situations.

“A healthy relationship doesn’t require you to compromise your selfesteem, to live in fear or to feel helpless," Breitenbucher says. “Couples in healthy relationships are able to safely discuss their feelings. If one is feeling like they are constantly being belittled, manipulated and/or controlled, they should find a safe place (both inter-personally and physically) to discuss these feelings with their partner, being prepared to leave if necessary.”

“My relationship was more about fear than actually being in love or anything happy or romantic. I was so afraid of the repercussions and hurt I would get if anything ever went wrong or I didn’t give him what he wanted," CBU anonymous student says. “For most of our relationship, I would leave his house feeling like nothing more than a toy he could play with. He would just want to be physical and get mad at me when I didn’t want to. That made my worth purely found in my body."

A relationship where you feel unable to

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stand your ground because of fear is a form of a toxic and abusive relationship. Being in fear of what your significant other will say or do is not a sign of a healthy, mu mutual-respecting relationship and can be safely addressed through finding help.

Constantly feeling put down by your significant other is another sign of this toxicity.

Madison Smith, sophomore photography major, experienced a toxic relationship where she says her self confidence was stripped away.

“During the relationship, I became so obsessive with any little moment, and I clung really hard to the few happy moments and pushed through the unhappy moments though they tore me up," Smith says. "The words spoken over me were the most hurtful and I held those words over myself for so long. My self-confidence plummeted for sure, and it’s been a gradual uphill climb since then. Even before we ended things, I knew I had no more self-confidence and that was part of the reason it took so long to end it because I didn’t think I could do better, so why leave?”

This sign is often overlooked as all relationships have difficult times. However, if your significant other is constantly speaking to you negatively and tearing you down, this is a major sign of a toxic relationship.

In extreme cases, physical harm can take place.

If a relationship involves physical abuse or substance abuse they should seek professional help, such as someone in authority, a parent or a counselor.

According to Time.com, other signs of toxic relationships include passive aggressiveness, excessive arguing, criticism and anger or an unfair balance of who is giving and taking in a relationship.

What does a healthy relationship look like?

As toxic relationships are centered around harm, fear, and disrespect, Breitenbucher says healthy relationships bring both people in the relationship growth, care and safety.

“Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect and caring, compassion and a deep desire for growth, health and happiness. Healthy relationships start by putting God first as the only solid foundation, knowing that you are loved unconditionally by God," Breitenbucher says.

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“Having this peace and grace allows you to enter into a relationship without the need for compromise. Forming and maintaining healthy relationships involves the being able to communicate openly and honestly, agree and disagree and ask for forgiveness and support.”

Brietenbucher says respect, compassion, a desire for growth, communication and forgiveness should all be signs of and goals for a healthy relationship.

Madison Smith, sophomore photography major, says her toxic relationship not only taught her what a healthy relationship should look like, but also how to forgive even after a hurtful relationship.

“If I could say anything to myself during that time, it would be that loneliness is not forever. And that’s still something I need to tell myself. But that loneliness is not constant and it’s not gonna be there

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for the rest of your life. I know I reacted poorly in friendships outside of that relationship; I was very defensive of him and of our relationship. I knew it was wrong and wanted so badly for everyone else not to think it was," Smith says.

"I definitely learned how to be more forgiving. He and I are really good friends now, he’s still one of my best friends and one of my longest friends. But it wasn’t until recently that that was okay,” Smith says.

For those finding themselves in a toxic relationship, reach out to friends and other resources who can help you find safety or relief. If you or someone you know is in a toxic relationship, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has resources and more information on relationships, as well as a phone line that requires “no names, no fees, and no judgment” at 1-800-799-7233.

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Stats

from l

oveisr

espec

t.org

•

Nearly half (43 percent) of dating college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors.

•

College students are not equipped to deal with dating abuse – 57 percent say it is difficult to identify and 58 percent say they don’t know how to help someone who’s experiencing it.

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One in three (36 percent) dating college students has given a dating partner their computer, online access, email or social network passwords and these students are more likely to experience digital dating abuse.

•

One in six (16 percent) college women has been sexually abused in a dating relationship.

t

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Breaking Down Mental Health Stigmas How students, mental health professionals and churches are taking the shame out of mental illness Written by: Sophie Gravitt Photo Illustration by: Reagan Lee Designed by: Joseph Smallwood

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ental health has become a prominent topic in modern society. In fact, the topic is increasingly prevalent on college campuses — and rightly so. According to College Stats, 44% of college students have reported having symptoms of depression, but only 75% seek help for their mental health problems.

Stigma still surrounds the topic of mental illness, overwhelming those who suffer from it with negativity. Mental illness is often overlooked because it is not fully understood.

Must mental illness be viewed as such a gloomy condition? Mental conditions are looked at differently than other health issues because it pertains more to emotional symptoms rather than physical symptoms. Realistically, mental illness is a medical condition just like any other.

Because this condition affects the brain, it also affects emotions and state of mind. The brain is a physical organ, just like the heart or the lungs, meaning that chemical imbalances in the brain need treatment, just as high blood pressure or asthma also need treatment.

Nadia De Lion, associate marriage and family therapist at California Baptist University’s Counseling Center, explained that some people believe mental illness does not exist, leading them to believe there is no need for treatment. This has restricted those who do struggle with mental illness from seeking help.

“If someone recommended that you exercise and

take medication for a heart condition that you had, you would never hesitate,” says De Lion. “But when it comes to the mind, people are extremely hesitant to seek such treatment. People forget that chemical imbalances need just as much regulation as a heart condition or cancer. Going to therapy and talking about it is a form of exercise for the mind.”

Many people believe that medication can potentially cause more harm than good, which is sometimes true, but not in all situations. Mental illness affects everyone differently, and so does medication.

For some people struggling with mental illness, medication is the most beneficial form of treatment, for others it is therapy and for many it is both.

“People are resistant to taking medication because they do not want to get hooked on it, be labeled as crazy or suffer from side effects, which are all extremely valid fears, but the overall regulation can be more beneficial,” De Lion says.

Society often confuses normal emotions with clinical mental illness. This has made it difficult for people with real mental conditions to figure out why they are feeling the things they feel, and why they cannot control these feelings. Anxiousness is not clinical anxiety, and moments of sadness are not clinical depression.

Mental illness turns temporary emotions into permanent symptoms. These symptoms of powerful emotions will not simply go away and cannot be dealt with alone. It is important for society as a whole to be aware of the difference between mental illness and regular emotions, and to ensure it is taken seriously.

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Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of or kept in the dark.

There is hope for any situation, no one is too far gone. Surely nothing can separate us from the love of God.

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Mary Joens*, senior, says that her experience with clinical anxiety disorder has prohibited her from controlling her thoughts or emotions at times.

“My anxiety was destroying my life and relationships. Nobody understood what I was feeling.

What I was experiencing was not just nervousness or nervous butterflies, it was true terror and loss of hope,” Jones says.

Healing from mental illness is a difficult process, and does not happen overnight. However, at the end of the healing process all of the trouble and trials are worth it. It is unnecessary for people to be ashamed of seeking help for any medical condition, including mental illness. People often view asking for help as a sign of weakness, when it is quite the opposite.

Wanting to heal from a mental condition is a sign of immense strength.

Sarah Sanders*, sophomore, explains that she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders after going to counseling for the first time.

“I realized that it’s not what you think it is. I believed my anxious thoughts were simply anxious thoughts. When I went to counseling, I realized that I was struggling with actual anxiety,” Sanders says.

“The root of my anxiety was my friend group at the time, even though my anxious thoughts had nothing to do with my friends. Once I realized what the root of my anxiety is, I knew how to handle it. Handling this was not easy, but it was necessary.”

Despite her struggles, Sanders is proud of her growth.

“I learned so much about myself through my struggle with anxiety. I grew the most during the hardest times in my life. I would not be where I am

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today if I didn’t experience this difficult time in my life,” Sanders says.

Because of her experience with anxiety, Sanders is dedicated to helping others who suffer from mental illness. It is her goal to create her own Christian counseling agency in order to bring hope to those who feel hopeless.

Sanders says she is passionate about letting God use her struggles to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

It is easy to recognize the struggle of mental illness, but the victory of overcoming it is often overlooked. It is essential to recognize both the suffering and the overcoming of mental illness. Great things can come out of the worst situations.

Recently, the young adults pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, Jarrid Wilson, took his own life. This tragedy has taken a toll on the entire community of Riverside.

Wilson was the founder of an organization called Anthem of Hope which is meant to help those who battle depression, anxiety, self-harm, addiction and thoughts of suicide.

Wilson's ministry had a positive influence on many people in his life by providing hope to young adults who felt alone and helpless. He struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide while also pursuing a relationship with God. Regardless of his struggles, he was passionate about his love for Jesus.

The day before he took his own life, Wilson tweeted, “Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure suicidal thoughts. Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure depression. Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure PTSD. Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure anxiety. But that doesn’t

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mean Jesus doesn’t offer us companionship and comfort. He always does that.

As mental health issues become a more prevalent and pressing issue, many churches are finding ways to each out to those in difficult situations. One such church is Saddleback Church. Saddleback’s ministry, Hope for Mental Health, was established after Pastor Rick Warren’s youngest son, Matthew, took his own life in 2013 after a long struggle with mental illness.

The Hope for Mental Health Ministry’s website says the program acts to “extend the radical friendship of Jesus by providing transforming love, support, and hope through the local church.”

John White*, sophomore, has battled with multiple mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, addiction and suicidal thoughts.

His mental condition was a result of brain cancer, which he was unaware of at first. He called his journey of healing a “crazy series of miracles.” White had Christian friends who urged him to seek help, which lead him to identify the cause of his mental state.

“I think society treats people differently when they find out about someone’s mental illness. I didn’t want people to feel sad for me or treat me different; I needed people who may not have understood what I was going through, but still stayed beside me,” White says.“Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of or kept in the dark. There is hope for any situation, no one is too far gone. Surely nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

*Name changed to protect source's identiy.

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Dr. strangebot The Mastermind Behind the Robots Written by: Heather Scurti Photographed by: Reagan Lee Designed by: Joseph Smallwood

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s you step inside his workshop, your eyes are overwhelmed as hundreds of objects perched upon the shelves appear. Items such as corded telephones, antique cameras, vintage electrical heaters and old seasoning tins sit ready to be assembled. The smell of wood and years of history permeates the air. He sits on a stool, his hands dirtied from the metals, his arms filled with tattoos of robots he’s built — he is Dr. Strangebot.

At 66 years old, Dr. Strangebot, also known as Jim Behrman, is the ideal image of a big kid at heart.

Behrman has always loved robots — he began collecting them as a child and acquired around 30 to 40 throughout his life. The former mechanic and welder began building robots out of recycled parts nearly a decade ago.

“Ten years ago, I was online and I saw a guy had made a robot out of his car,” Behrman says. “He wrecked his car, which was a BMW, then he built a robot out of the (undercarriage) and engine parts, and I thought that was the coolest thing. So, I went

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outside in my work area and decided I was going to build a robot.”

His first try wasn’t quite a success. A month later, the feet broke off because he hadn’t welded the pieces together. Nevertheless, this minor setback did not deter him from persisting. Behrman continued to work at the craft.

“When you (make) artwork, your (work) evolves just like with anything else, even your job. You evolve and do better and better and better, as you go along,” Behrman says. “Well, that’s what happened.

I started making lots of (robots) and the guest room was getting full of (them). My wife said, ‘Now, you (have) to find an avenue for the robots. You’ve got to do something with them.’”

Upon his wife’s request, Behrman went to the Lunar Festival in Riverside where he spoke with a few local art galleries. He was quickly connected with Mark Schooley, executive director of Riverside Community Arts Association (RCAA). Schooley took interest in the robots and created a showcase of Dr. Strangebot’s

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work in his gallery, which completely sold out.

Behrman also met Cosme Cordova, 47, owner of Division 9 Gallery, at the festival. Much like Schooley, Cordova took notice of Behrman’s work and began featuring his art in the gallery, and has personally seen how his robots have evolved.

“I ended up liking his work a lot, especially the fact that he uses artwork, pieces of metal or objects that are no longer in use. He combines (them) together (to look like) like an antique robot,” Cordova says. “It’s interesting how people can recognize those parts, from older ladies who use certain pans to cook to a mechanic who has a certain tool that he uses.

He uses interesting parts, so I started to see how he evolved. His artwork has evolved, as well.

Previous page: Jim Behrman, also known as Dr. Strangebot, started building robots to fill his time after retiring from a career in welding and crane operating.

Top: Dr. Strangebot, builds robots out of recycled parts.

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He’s getting more and more to the point where you can’t tell how they are put together by his craftsmanship that he’s practiced over the years.

I really like the fact that you can’t see the screw or the glue, or whatever he uses to combine it.”

In addition to the robots, Behrman’s friendship with Cordova has also evolved.

“We’ve become friends. If I don’t call him every other two weeks or so, he’s like, ‘What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?’” Cordova says.

Similar to the concept of Division 9, Made.

Shop opened its doors to showcase the work of unique vendors in September 2015.

“We always had the idea of a maker ’s space.

There’s always antique markets and stuff like that but there’s no maker ’s space. We ended up coming up with the idea of Made., where we can have a makers collective. It doesn’t matter what

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you do — jams, jellies, soap, furniture, art — as long as it’s handmade, then it’s good,” saysRico Alderette, owner of Made.

Behrman’s robots stuck out to Alderette at the Riverside Festival of Lights years before his store opened — he knew he had to have Dr. Strangebot as a vendor in his store. Since 2016, Behrman has been selling his pieces at Made, and he’s built a friendship with Alderette over the years, much like he has with Cordova.

“Jim has been a vendor since the beginning and I consider him a close friend,” Alderette says.

“He’s got so much energy and it’s insane. He’s got a heart of gold. He’s just a really down-toearth, good guy.”

Throughout the years, Alderette has seen many unique pieces from Behrman, including work, outside of making robots, which he refers to as 'assemblage art".

“Jim does way more than robots. That’s what he’s known for, but he does a lot of cool stuff,” Alderette says. “Jim used to do furniture — we had some furniture pieces from him. He is a true artist.”

Behrman’s robots consist of old, vintage parts — electrical heaters and meters for bodies, candle sticks for legs, wrenches and forks for arms, and even video and still photography cameras for heads. Using these items and many more, he has made a plethora of different robots

— male, female, cars, motorcycles, tractors, dogs and more.

“I want old (parts). The older, the better — it has more character,” Behrman says.

In the past, he used to acquire these items from thrift stores and yard sales but these mostly consist of newer products now. Therefore, he usually sticks to estate sales, antique auctions such as the Redlands Antique Auction and even friends who are on the lookout for parts.

An average 2-foot tall robot takes him about three hours or less to build. The larger designs, ranging from 5 to 7 feet, average about seven to eight hours, with breaks in between.

Behrman is very particular about his artistry and will continue tweaking his designs until he is satisfied.

Despite his hard work ethic, he doesn’t set goals for his craft but rather focuses on the enjoyment of the build.

“The older I get, the more I’m happy when I wake up in the morning. When you get (to be) my age and you’re retired, you don’t set goals because you’ve probably met most of your goals anyway. Now, it’s just fun. It’s just play — every day is play,“ Behrman says.

Behrman lives and breathes his craft — he continues to wake up every day excited to take on a new project and bring another old part back to life.

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Finding Healing in Art How Art Therapy Can Aid College Students Written by: Randi Wuflestad Illustrated by: Bethany Brodwolf Designed by: Joseph Smallwood

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rt has many definitions — it can be inspirational, unpredictable, personal, figurative, realistic and pure. Art can also be healing.

Growing up, children are given coloring books and encouraged to draw animals, cars or princesses — anything they could possibly dream of. Even when children are not capable of voicing their emotions, art allows them to communicate their thought and feelings with colors and images.

The same can be done for adults who have experienced a traumatic event or are struggling with mental issues. Art allows people to return to a calm state of mind and express themselves creatively. College students are no exception to this.

College students’ stress and anxiety can be attributed to many different factors including sleep deprivation, loneliness, confusion, academic pressures and heavy workloads.

These combined stressors keep students from maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Art therapy exercises can help people confront their feelings in a non-verbal way.

According to the National Health Assessment of fall 2018, 63 percent of all college students in the U.S. felt anxious.

In addition, an article by Texas State University’s psychology department states that art exercises have an impact on students’ mental state. The study had students participate in three different projects, two of which were art-based. Following the projects, the students who participated in the individual and group art projects reported reduced anxiety levels, whereas the control group saw no change.

Olivia Cain, senior speech pathology major at California Baptist University, was first introduced to art therapy during her

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semester abroad in Florence, Italy. During her trip, Cain encountered many exciting experiences as well as challenges that came with living in a new country and having no knowledge of the area or language. Cain was able to better articulate her feelings and emotions through the art classes she took.

“I’m not an art therapy major (so) it was definitely intimidating at first. The coolest part about art therapy for me was that our teacher would always say, ‘It doesn’t have to look good, it just has to help you feel.’

If it helps you feel something, then you’ve succeeded,” Cain says.

After returning to CBU, Cain held art gatherings at her apartment with her friends. This allowed them to take a pause in their busy week and alleviate any stress or anxiety they were feeling.

Cain noticed that everyone benefitted from the gathering in one way or another.

She decided to make it into an official CBU club called the Art Therapy and Wellness Club.

The club works with prompts that help students target a specific area of emotion.

The most recent prompt had students draw three monsters in the form of something negative they had been told by others. After doing so, they were told to explain the drawings in writing. This exercise provided an opportunity for students to learn more about their feelings and express them in a calming way.

“I had done that project when I studied abroad but when I did it last night, I re-read my answers from before and could see the growth that has happened since then,” Cain says.

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“It appears like you’re drawing monsters but really that monsters design, shape and color — everything is very specific to one thing you believe about yourself.”

Carissa Brewer, junior mathematics major, joined the Art Therapy and Wellness Club because Cain encouraged her to give it a try. “(For) our very first prompt we had to paint a tree. On the left side we made the leaves look like fall and on the right side we made them look like spring,” Brewer says. “We had to have the leaves on the left side falling off the tree and attached to those leaves, write the things we want to let go of this year; for the spring, write things we hope to have accomplished by the spring semester or changed the habits that were falling from the left side of the tree.”

Brewer says art therapy can be beneficial to anyone. She sees all sorts of people come in, from those who simply enjoy art to others who are dealing with

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a lot and use these exercises to help them process their emotions better.

“I’d say we definitely think about it during the week or crave going back to the meetings once you finish. I started going by myself and then I told people how great it was and showed them the prompts that I did, and more and more people keep coming,” Brewer says. “I’ve definitely gained a new perspective on how to view past hurts or things that we struggle with throughout school right now.”

Art therapy has been known to benefit a whole host of communities in need, including adults with disabilities, kids, people in the prison system and survivors of trauma.

Kristin Lippire, associate professor of visual arts, teaches art therapy courses to students looking to serve the community. Lippire says she believes an art therapist is someone who interprets the metaphors within the imagery and colors that are being expressed visually

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into words. These techniques can be used in therapy to help people acknowledge and accept what he or she is struggling with.

“You’re using art to coax out a traumatic experience in someone who maybe can’t mobilize it,” Lippire says. “In family situations, the therapist would have everybody draw their role in the family. You have a picture in your mind but you don’t even realize the symbolism behind it (until) you have a professional that says, ‘Oh isn’t that interesting, these are guardian type figures,’ and maybe that’s how you see yourself.”

Lippire also stresses the importance of art therapy in various communities.

“What I’m trying to do in my classes is to show different communities in which people can serve at this level without the certification.

There’s a lot of different communities that could use art as a therapeutic type practice,” Lippire says.

Lippire has been teaching art full-time at CBU for seven years and seven years before that as an adjunct professor. Throughout her teaching, she has noticed the impact art can

have in students’ lives, specifically when they take one of her classes.

“When students are taking my art classes and they’re not art majors, they either hate it or they love it and if they love it, it’s because it’s using a different part of the brain,” Lippire says. “It’s very cathartic and you’re getting to do something that’s just for yourself, which is different. I think it’s more relaxing for students. They get a lot out of it. They’re very surprised at what they can make. They never realized they could do something like that.”

Lippire knows of several art students, who hold stress-free workshops at their apartments where they invite people to come over and draw together. This allows students to feel connected and express themselves outside of the classroom.

Art therapy provides people from all walks of life the chance to clear the mind and take a step back from daily stressors. College students who deal with many different emotions on a daily basis are no exception, and can benefit from the anxiety-reducing benefits that art therapy provides.

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Pursuit's

Literary Feature of the Issue

'The Humble Pursuit: Passion Meets Purpose' Alyssa E. Palmer "With that being said, though, I wanted this book to be relatable. To be convicting, yes, but also encouraging.

God placed this vision on my heart, a vision to be intentional with the people He has surrounded me with.

To not go through friendships and relationships without asking questions that matter — questions that allow me to have insight into their heart and soul. Questions that can't help but lead to discussions about the Creator of the world."

Excerpt, Page 187.

Alyssa Palmer is a junior Christian behavioral science major at California Baptist University. On June 18, 2019, Palmer was inspired to use her passion for the written word to write a book about people and use this passion as a ministry. The book is composed of 10 different stories from different individuals' testimonies and how their passions integrate with their purpose.

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Pursuit Pursuit magazine is a student-produced publication of California Baptist University that works to utilize professional, balanced journalism to tell the stories of CBU’s community and the real-life, relevant factors that affect that community.

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Email us at: Email uspursuit@calbaptist.edu at: pursuiteditor@calbaptist.edu

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