Volume 23 Issue 5: Inhibitions

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 5

INHIBITIONS

A C T S

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

1 7 : 1 9 - 2 0

PHILLIP WIEBE (1945-2018)

FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN

THE PRICE OF OUR CONSUMPTION

A philosopher-saint

The journey to finish my plate

“The clothing we have access to today is not magically cheaper”

PG. 4

PG. 10-11

PG. 9

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Our Our Team Team

Sabine Henderson Managing Editor

Janae Gartly Visual Editor

Kelsey Morris Academy Editor

Kennedy Dragt Arts + Culture Editor

Bailey Martens Web Editor

Ishita Wilson News Editor

The irony is that the drugs that inhibit normal chemical circulation in the brain work to relieve us of our personal inhibitions—shyness, awkwardness, fear of judgement.

Hence the appeal of common use drugs such as alcohol, they free us of everything that makes us less...ourselves.

Try to think back to the last time you felt completely uninhibited without needing to artificially lock down your inhibitions. If it was quite a while back, what has probably happened since then is this: you stepped out of your comfort zone once, and were met with an undesirable outcome. You tried again, and were once again rejected, not taken seriously, or ignored. You developed, subconsciously, a system to avoid the circumstances that caused you emotional or physical stress altogether. You have successfully built a wall around yourself, sheltering yourself from conflict, thus eliminating the possibility of rejection.

If that sounds familiar, welcome to the club. Most days, I cannot even remember what it is like to be a person, because of how often I limit my words and actions to stay in the safe zone. It seems as though the need to avoid rejection and failure has won over my need, a human need, to be myself. In pursuit of superficial integrity and perfection, I have begun to lose sight of the beauty of unavoidable mistakes. Our First-World culture has successfully solidified the pursuit of instant gratification as the number one drug on the market, and I sincerely believe that it is this emphasis we put in instant positive results that creates and secures our ever-growing inhibitions.

FROM THE EDITOR “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

- Harper Lee Manfred Dewsbury Layout Editor

Nyssa Morgan Humour Editor

Hannah DeVries Photo Editor

Richard Enns Advertising + Finance Manager

Bailey Broadbent Sports Editor

Sierra Ellis Illustrator

Emma Dykstra Staff Writer

Hazal Senkoyuncu Social Media Manager

“Inhibitors”—I first came in contact with the word in an upper-level behavioural Psychology class, where it was used to describe drugs that block or inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and dopamine, thus leading to their prolonged effect on brain functioning and behaviour. This is where the “high” comes from—the excessive extracellular amount of serotonin or dopamine in the brain causes unnatural feelings of euphoria, excitement, or relaxation.

Mars’ Hill Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, floated with funds raised by the Student Association. Mars’ Hill seeks to be a professional and relevant student publication, reflecting and challenging the TWU community, while intentionally addressing local, national, and international issues.

Editorial Policy Mars’ Hill encourages submissions and letters to the Editor. Mars’ Hill reserves the right to edit submissions for style, brevity, and compatibility with the Mission, Statement of Faith, the Community Covenant, and the Core Values of the University.

Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

Opinions expressed in Mars’ Hill belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, Trinity Western University, its officials or its Student Association.

This Issue Brought to You By: Either Yeet or be Yeetean Chalma NILL NILL NILL NILL The Earth without art is flat single origin TWUSA coffee (Sponsor us pls) Cinnamon Daisy sexistentialism 101

Truth be told, I do not know how to free myself of my inhibitions entirely. I do know, however, that simply identifying the bricks in the wall that I have built around myself and taking it apart bit by bit has given me more freedom. Freedom to make steps toward delayed gratification, instead of wanting to be perfect in the eyes of those watching.

If you feel the need to start the journey of recognizing your inhibitions and you want to hear stories from those actively fighting, this issue is for you.

Fight back, there is so much beauty beyond those walls.

Mission to Mars The mission of Mars’ Hill, as the official student newspaper of Trinity Western University, is to inform and entertain its readers, cultivate awareness of issues concerning the TWU community, and provide a forum for purposeful, constructive discussion among its members in accordance with the Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of the University.

Contributors: Chrisaleen Ciro Debbie Thiessen Dr. Grant Havers Hayley James Perry Hendricks Natalie Hoogstra Emilio Rodriguez Tyler Jones Madison Fleischer Ashliegh Kar Allison Reese Corrina Scholing Michaella Crema Gabrielle Fitchett Ansah Odoom Micah Morgan Brie King Eric Rodgers Kristin Anton Andrew Lochlan Kiimbell Veny Ye Vanessa Mjolsness Madison Evans Media Advisor: Loranne Brown

7600 Glover Road Langley, British Columbia, Canada v2y1y1 marshill@gmail.com marshill.news

What’s a red flag to look out for in a relationship?

-Niki Mara

Senior Editors:

Niki Mara

Editor-in-Chief

Sabine Henderson Managing Editor

Hannah Fletcher

Chief Copy Editor

Janae Gartly

Visual Editor

DE-CLASSIFIEDS The Lord yeeteth and the Lord yoinketh away Shout out to the girl twerking in the chicken costume in Robson Underground last year. Was hoping to see her again. </3 FeElInGs DoN’t CaRe AbOuT yOuR fAcTs FacTs DoN’T CaRE abOuT YoUR feELingS Your fish got our fish pregnant!

Mars’ Hill editors vomit up their gall and call it a newspaper –thus spoke Cal Townsend Cal Townsend vomits up a sticky note and calls it a declassified –Sabine Who is Cinnamon Daisy?

Goose + Schweitzer, has it been you two yellow lanyards I’ve been declassifying back and forth with this whole time? Legends. -Kenz Morgan Sefa is honestly the most amazing person with that sick Afro puff. I should probably talk to her Robson Underground: A bunch of first years pretending to be drunk Remember Gian…

Waste all of your study time: https:// findtheinvisiblecow.com Drew Akkerman is a hotty Hey Zack Stuvie, just wondering if as an RA clearly committed to his dorm you would still have time or be willing to be commit to being in a relationship?

Anyone else hearing the gunshots around canpigs or is that just me?

Hey Fritz, I HIGH KEY think you’re cute. Kay hit me up ;) Being a 4th year has really opened up my eyes to how oblivious I was to the things that went on in dorms.

Sam Vankevich is a real life Disney prince “We are all God’s forgotten neopets” - Chase Moloney PLEASE GET YOUR CUP BEFORE YOU GET IN LINE I’m sick of grabbing my cup when there’s no line and turning around to find the line 9 people long THANK YOU Also while I’m at it JUST DRINK WATER you don’t need to spend 8 minutes trying to find vanilla sprite How do you expect requited love if you can’t even spell Frits’ name right?

Can someone please calculate the rate of engagements in the fall versus spring? Need to know my odds I’ve been forbidden from reading the declassifieds... someone let me know if any of mine get in pls Dear Anonymous, regretting your fornication means you’re forgivable, not innocent. :)

Submit your declassifieds at: www.marshill.news/ declassifieds

and breaking stuff. (Fraser North Problems)

Don’t forget to shampoo your eyebrows!

*Reading Mars’ Hill at 1 AM* Person 1: “Someone wrote an article against vaping” Person 2: “But vaping is so liberal!”

In America, they don’t say “happy thanksgiving” they say FREEDOM EAGLE SCREEEEEAM MURICA, which roughly translates to “stuff your cake hole with turkey,” and I think that’s beautiful

is this community or conformity? https://soundcloud.com/cinnamondaisy “Forget You” sounds like how I feel when I have to sort through all the declassifieds –Sabine

I haven’t seen Andrew Richmond this year. Is he ok?

Still searching for eligible Catholic men. Serious inquiries only. Please, my pew is empty.

Is Thomas Kasteel still single? Asking for a friend.

Shout out to the 15 people that didn’t go to Portland over reading break.

“Artists must suffer for the art that’s why they call it PAINting” @ART 182

Popular opinion: Sodexo is an unethical monopoly; Unethical Monopolies create lower quality, more expensive items for consumers.

Group project partners are the most important choice you make before marriage yeet haw boiz abi thompson and sara sands are a hoot “Anything is a drive through if you hit hard enough.”

I wonder how lonely boy is doing these days sabine is a hoot

egg

Geese are the mobsters of this campus

Blessings to Domestic Monday in the Marlie <3 always makes my week!

are dating apps against god?? asking for a friend

Stressed? Of course you are! Calmingmanatee.com

h t t p s : / / w w w. yo u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=3bBKMeVa_p4

In September it was way too hot in the room, so you broke the window for more air flow, but now there’s storms and the window keeps flying open

“Justin Bieber is unequally yolked.” Lisa Owen

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Just to remind you, in case you had forgotten, just so that it doesn’t slip from your memory: we are all Spartans.

Dear Fritz, you study translate the Bie but instead you translated my heart <3 the most skidmore thing i’ve ever seen was when three guys walked out wearing near identical outfits and all carrying bottles of sparkling perrier water Not many know but Trinity is trying to give Sodexo more control on campus.

Facilities (maintenance, grounds and custodial) will no longer be employed by twu, but will be employed by Sodexo instead. So many ppl on campus have no idea what’s going on.

The Babylon Bee is satire for people who think God’s Not Dead “raised some good points”

Mars’ Hill editors reserve the right to edit or reject submissions based on content and/or length. A printed submission does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of any kind, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill staff, the student association, or that of the University. In fact, probably not.

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE ISSUE

What is your name?

Chrisaleen Ciro What is your major?

Political Studies, but I identify as an International Studies major. If I could be so cool. Seriously, guys, little known fact: International Studies majors run this school.

Where are you from?

Victoria, BC. Proud to be an island hippie.

What is something you believe in, something you’re passionate about and want to share with the world?

Socially engaged academics. School can be isolating. We often forget how the intellectual pursuit is a spiritual endeavor. I truly believe that when we seek to address the gaps in our understanding we discover God’s wholeness. Further, it is an integral form of service. One day I want to write an academic devotional to support students on their journey.

This could be you! Each issue, we will feature a contributor here that has submitted consistent, relevant, and thoughtful content. Send your submissions to marshill@gmail.com!

“Rees Morgan’s mustache” –Janae Gartly

Why do you write for Mars’ Hill?

I write for Mars’ Hill because when I was a first year, Christopher Townsend, then editor of the academy section, told me he wanted to hear my ideas. From that moment, I recognized Mars’ Hill as a place where my input, ideations and insecurities were heard, and edited into something edifying. In more recent years, I have used Mars’ Hill as a mechanism of building relationships around campus. I’d highly recommend writing for the paper because it is an incredible way to use your voice to serve the community.

What is your favourite body part?

My left collar bone. ʻCause that is where my tattoo is.

If you had to stand on one surface for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sacred ground.

What is your favourite book and why?

Frankenstein. Because Mary Shelley, a teenage mom, the daughter of proto-feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, wrote it before her 20th birthday.

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news Ishita Wilson

Phillip Wiebe (1945-2018) A Philosopher-Saint

Dr. Grant Havers (Chair of the Department of Philosophy, TWU) I knew Phillip Wiebe as a friend and colleague for 21 years. Given the greatness of this man, that is far too short a time. Still, it is a great blessing that I knew Phillip at all.

Phillip was born and raised in Manitoba. After graduating with his MA in Philosophy from the University of Manitoba in 1969, he won a Commonwealth scholarship that enabled him and his wife Shirley to move to the University of Adelaide (Australia). He graduated with his doctorate in Philosophy in 1973 after completing his thesis under the supervision of J. J. C. Smart. Phillip eventually came to TWU in 1978. In his 40 years of faithful service at Trinity, Phillip created the degree program in Philosophy, chaired the Department of Philosophy, served as Dean of Humanities, and worked on committees too numerous to mention. He also fought valiantly for faculty rights and better working conditions for TWU’s employees.

Most of Phillip’s research and scholarship was devoted to making sense of religious experience, including visions of Jesus. He also studied and lectured on the Shroud of Turin, and even enjoyed the experience of seeing it up close. Phillip constantly insisted that Christians employ the tools of modern science in order to provide a solid empirical basis for the truth-claims of theism. As St. Anselm famously taught, true faith seeks understanding.

I don’t use the word “lovely” very often to describe a person, but Phillip was a lovely man, colleague, friend, soulmate, mentor, scholar, husband, father, and father-figure.

And he was a lovely philosopher. Phillip didn’t simply teach philosophy. He lived philosophy, always seeking the truth and never tolerating evasion on questions of religion. Phillip was never satisfied with the easy answer. After all, God doesn’t give us easy answers.

Phillip and I could talk about any subject, which we often did during our monthly symposium at a local pub. Many others can testify to the ease with which one could talk to Phillip about anything while receiving his wise counsel.

Like St. Anselm, Phillip also believed in speaking truth to power as well as exposing dogma or falsehood wherever it lay. As a result, he suffered many trials and tribulations. Still, Phillip faced these challenges with gentle humor and resolve. He was the most saintly man I have ever known. My wife Therese, a former student of his, used to refer to him as “Father Phillip.”

I have this image of Phillip with God. The Lord is revealing the mysteries of the universe to him, and Phillip is saying: “Lovely, Lovely.” Still, he is probably asking God a few pointed questions too.

Phillip now belongs to the ages. May God bless his family with eternal comfort and grace.

Perry Hendricks, Former Student Dr. Wiebe was an analytic philosopher who worked primarily in philosophy of science and philosophy of religion. In respect to philosophy of religion, he worked mostly on the evidential force of religious experience. He published numerous articles and books on religious experience and how it could support theistic and Christian belief.

The problems Dr. Wiebe worked on are not currently popular in academia, and he was under no illusion that they were: he once remarked to me that “had Oxford not picked up my books, I’d just be that crazy guy in Canada writing about visions of Jesus and spiritual experience.” Despite it being out of fashion, Dr. Wiebe continued to do good and interesting work on this subject. And, while the subject of his research is still not popular in academia, it is no doubt more respected now than when Dr. Wiebe first began his research.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Wiebe was also a profoundly religious and moral man. His office was littered with icons, and he was a dedicated Christian. Dr. Wiebe was generous with his time and was ready to help students when needed. Often, I would stop by his office to ask a quick question, but found myself staying for long periods of time. He was easy to talk to and genuinely cared about issues—philosophical or otherwise—that his students were struggling with.

While Dr. Wiebe was easy-going, he had an extremely sharp mind and was forcefully critical when he needed to be. Since Dr. Wiebe and I did not see eye-to-eye on many philosophical issues (e.g. he was far more of an empiricist than I am), I was on the wrong end of this on many occasions. Though his criticism was sharp, he was nevertheless kind, and did not enjoy criticizing his student’s positions. I once asked Dr. Wiebe to provide comments on a paper I was working on, but he did not respond as quick as he normally did, so I sent him a reminder. He replied saying that he was slow to respond since he profoundly disagreed with my thesis—however, he begrudgingly sent along his critical comments.

I last saw Dr. Wiebe in April; he took me out for a drink to congratulate me on getting accepted into a graduate philosophy program. We talked about our plans, both academic and lifewise: he was working on a new book on religious experience that was to be published by Cambridge University Press. He seemed as well as he had ever been at the time.

The Christian community and the philosophical community have suffered a great loss with Dr. Wiebe’s death. I will always remember his welcoming smile, deep laugh, and how he would often end a story or class with the words “there it is, there it is.”

“Communism” –Kennedy Dragt

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The Golden State on Fire Ishita Wilson

California, the “Golden State,” is known for its endless drought and raging summer wildfires; however, this year, firefighters are fighting the deadliest fires in state history. The California “wildfire season” usually begins in mid-summer and lasts until early fall, but experts observed that this season is lasting for a longer and longer period of time every year. Some experts even believe that it may become a year-round problem due to the changing climate.

Although the drought in California is no longer considered to be a state of emergency, the amount of rainfall in the state last winter and this fall was below average. Furthermore, with its record-breaking heat waves, July was the hottest month ever recorded. With no rainfall and the hot weather, fires spread easily among the dry vegetation.

According to data collected by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (also known as Cal Fire) and the U.S. Forest Service, as of June 10, there have been 2,100 fire incidents in 2018 alone, all of which combined have damaged more than 16,867 acres of land. Additionally, the area of land burned in the past week is larger than the cities of Chicago and Boston combined.

Currently, the two most catastrophic fires are the Camp Fire in Northern California and the Woolsey Fire in Southern California. Despite attempts to contain them, the Santa Ana winds, which reached up to 50 miles per hour, only added fuel to the fires by bringing hot, dry, inland air into the coastal regions. Statewide, more than 300,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.

The Woolsey Fire started on November 8 in Ventura County and spread southward into the Los Angeles County. As of November 15, the Woolsey Fire took the lives of three people and destroyed close to 500 homes and 98,362 acres of land; 103 people were still unaccounted for. The fire was 91% contained by November 19.

A large concern surrounding the Woolsey fire is the fact that it burned near a former nuclear test site. The organization known as Physicians for Social Responsibility claim that the smoke and ash from the fire might have spread radiological and chemical contamination, but regulators found no irregular levels of radiation or hazardous compounds.

The Camp Fire in Paradise, California reached a death toll of 77 on November 19, making it the most destructive wildfire in the stateʼs history.

After the fire engulfed approximately 280 kilometres of the Sierra Foothills, authorities released a list of 130 people who were reported missing.

Over 12,794 homes and other buildings burned, and 50,000 people remained under evacuation orders; this number continued to rise over the next few days. Officials said that more than 5000 firefighters, both from in-state and out-of-state, were stationed around the Camp Fire.

The chief of strategic planning for Cal Fire lamented that the death toll from the Camp Fire may continue to rise as crews search for missing people. Brock Long, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said, “This is one of the worst disasters I’ve seen in my career.”

Despite the heartbreak that the Camp Fire caused, Paradise Mayor Jody Jones insisted, “We’re gonna come back; we’re gonna rebuild. We’re gonna make Paradise paradise again.”

Although the causes of the fire are still under investigation, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is facing a lawsuit for “allegedly failing to inspect and properly maintain its power lines.” In a document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, PG&E admitted that a fault in their equipment could have resulted in the fire. Furthermore, the utility company also might not have enough insurance to cover the expected cost of the damage. However, in face of this lawsuit, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said that “now is really not the time to point fingers,” as there are a lot of reasons for the fires and the first priority should be to fight them.

As a result of the Camp Fire, the air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area has been confirmed to be unhealthy. Officials at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District encourage people to stay indoors, and to keep their doors and windows shut. Residents who are outdoors are encouraged to wear N95 respiratory masks to filter out harmful particles from the smoke.

Furthermore, Alex Azar, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, announced a state-wide public health emergency on November 13. In an official statement, Azar explained, “This declaration will help ensure that Americans who are threatened by these dangerous wildfires and who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program have continuous access to the care they need.”

President Donald Trump blamed the wildfires on the “gross mismanagement of the forests” and threatened to reduce federal payments and aid towards forest management; however, November 10 he tweeted, “Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, the 52,000 who have evacuated, and the families of the 11 who have died. The destruction is catastrophic.

God bless them all.”

After approving an emergency disaster declaration, Trump made federal resources available to communities affected by the wildfires. Trump’s approval of the declaration of a major disaster will make wildfire victims eligible for grants for home-repair and small loans for losses not covered by insurance.

Currently, firefighters continue to battle the wildfires, and hundreds of people are yet to be located. In response to the Camp Fire, the most devastating wildfire in state history, Governor Jerry Brown stated, “It looks like a war zone. It is a war zone.”

“Refuses to try my five-star cheesecake.” –Kenzie Morgan

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The Central American Refugee Caravan

We Cannot Afford Irresponsible Ignorance

Emilio Rodriguez A caravan of 7,000 people, predominantly from Honduras, but also from Guatemala and El Salvador, is currently crossing Mexico to arrive into the United States and claim asylum. There are plenty of sources that give a more detailed explanation of the issue, but amid political polarization and confusion, allow me to clarify a couple of facts: 1. This movement is hardly an anomaly, and certainly not just an orchestrated event. The mass movement of Central Americans to Mexico and the United States has been constant for more than a decade. Hundreds of thousands have been fleeing violence in the Northern Triangle of Central America, an area with some of the highest murder rates in the world.

Efforts in public discourse have sought to delegitimize Central American migrants as drug dealers and criminals.

2. A significant percentage of these migrants are eligible for refugee status, given that they are running from “generalized violence.” This is confusing to some, because “generalized violence” is not included among the causes to flee from in the original definition of a refugee from the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol.

The crisis in Central America is mostly caused by gang violence—not necessarily violence from the state, or because of political opinion, ethnicity, or any of the other factors considered in the original definition.

to those who flee violence in Central America.

3. Mexico and the United States are obligated to provide due process to any person applying for asylum through a process referred to as Refugee Status Determination. Failure to do so, known as “refoulement,” is not an alien practice in these countries. Refoulement basically means deporting asylum applicants without properly allowing them to follow the process.

By doing so, they are violating the non-refoulement principle stipulated in international law.

4. The Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process is long and complex.

It features two main stages: in the first one, the officials check for exclusion clauses to filter non-eligible applicants (in this part, they conduct a thorough criminal record check); in the second one, called Credibility Assessment, they determine whether one gets the refugee status or not. The latter can be highly traumatic, because the officials must verify whether the threat that the applicant is claiming to have is valid. Acceptance rates vary, but the United States generally has a low percentage of applicants from Central America who receive refugee status.

In sum, the issue is far more complex than it is generally portrayed to be.

Luckily, a demand of due process for these migrants is not only a charitable request: Mexico and the United States are obligated to do it. Inflammatory and often false comments about this caravan are not only distasteful—they put people’s lives in danger. When the lives of thousands are on the line, we cannot afford the irresponsibility of ignorance.

Recent documents such as the Cartagena Convention of 1986 and the Brazil Plan of 1994 have expanded the definition of refugee within international law to include those fleeing generalized violence, thus giving eligibility

Stan Lee: In Memoriam Madison Fleischer On November 12, 2018, the world was greeted by the immensely devastating loss of the legendary content creator known as Stan Lee. Stan Lee (born December 28, 1922 as Stanley Martin Lieber) was an iconic American comic book writer, editor, and publisher from New York. Lee rose through the ranks of a family business to soon become Marvel Comics’ primary creative leader for nearly two decades, spearheading the expansion from a division of a publishing house to a global multimedia corporation dominating the comic industry.

In collaboration with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Stan Lee played an integral role in the co-creation of popular fictional characters including Spiderman, Superman, Ironman, Thor, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, and Black Panther. Lee was a true pioneer of a naturalistic approach to writing superhero comics in the 1960s.

In the 1970s, he challenged the restrictions of the Comics Code Authority (CCA). The CCA ultimately censored free speech by banning graphic depictions of violence and gore. In 1971, the Department of Health Education and Welfare asked Lee to publish a work that warned children about the harmful effects of drug addiction. Lee’s three-part Spider-Man comics on the subject were not approved by the CCA due to “violations of good taste or decency.” In defiance of the CCA, Marvel sold their Comics without the CCA seal for the first time, and the public’s response to the anti-drug message was tremendously positive. In light of these events, the CCA revised the Code to say, “Narcotics or Drug addiction shall not be presented except as a vicious habit.”

Lee retired from Marvel in the 1990s; however, he remained a public figurehead for the brand, making cameo appearances in movies based off of characters he co-created. This led to an honorary “executive producer”

credit. As he entered his golden 90s, Stan continued to create through an avenue of independent creative ventures leading up to his passing.

In July of 2017, Lee’s wife, Joan, died of complications from a stroke at 95 years of age. On November 12, 2018, Lee passed at the age of 95, after publicly battling pneumonia since early February. Lee’s successor as editor-in-chief, Roy Thomas of Marvel, visited him just two days prior to his death to discuss the upcoming biography, The Stan Lee Story. Thomas noted, “I think he was ready to go. But he was still talking about doing more cameos. As long as he had the energy for it and didn’t have to travel, Stan was always up to do some more cameos. He got a kick out of those more than anything else.”

Stan Lee’s ability to make people who feel different realize that they are special will live on through his legacy.

His creative DNA woven into each comic will be nothing short of memorable and unmatched Lee was much more than a content creator, and the outpouring of support on social media serves as a testament to his impact on people’s lives. Lee’s work gives hope and illuminates the potential of the outcasts of society, the comic nerds, and those who just do not “fit in” to the societal norm.

The worlds that Stan Lee created will live on forever.

“Not telling his parents we’re dating” –Juliana Chalifour

academy

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Kelsey Morris

EMPATHY JUS T ISNʼT ABOUT YOU Allison Reese

Let’s talk about empathy: as a nursing student, I wrestle with what this word means for me personally and professionally. The word sounds nice and our vague understanding of it makes its practice sound easy.

To be honest, this kind of empathy appears superficial, and potentially even selfish—because empathy has nothing to do with us. Timothy Keller, author of The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, speaks of “gospel-humility,” which he describes as a sense of selflessness that comes only from the freedom found in the gospel. He writes “True In To Kill a Mockingbird, the character Atticus Finch says, “You nev- gospel-humility means I stop connecting every experience, every er really understand a person until you consider things from his point conversation, with myself. In fact, I stop thinking about myself.” of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” And that sounds easy right? It sounds like empathy. We just have to see Empathy is about presence, not intellectual understanding of circumstances. It’s about putting ourselves to the side so that we can hear things from the other person’s perspective. the uniqueness in another person’s story and experiences. It’s not about trying to console, cheer up, or fix. It’s about sitting in the dirt But what if there is more to it than that? with people and going through the messy things in life with them.

Poet Morgan Harper Nichols writes often about empathy: “your soles are worn, / your strength is torn / under the weight of a story All of this sounds good on paper, but what does it look like in real life? As cliché as it sounds, the answer begins with the person of / I have never lived before. / Let me hold the door for you.”

Jesus.

As I experience more of this world and its people in varying contexts and see first-hand the brokenness, pain, and hurt so rampant Philippians 2:6-7 tell us, “…though he was in the form of God, did in the lives of people I deeply care about, I am seeing that empathy not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himis really about acknowledging the fact that we will never really un- self, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of derstand. Trying to understand is certainly a part of it, and that is a men.” Did you catch that? “[T]aking the form of a servant.” Jesus, beautiful and sincere place to begin; however, simply “stepping into the Son of Man, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, was a servant. their shoes” will never do their experience justice.

“Let me hold the door for you.” What if we lived in a world where We often try to relate to people by talking about similar experiences we opened more doors for people? What if we looked to serve our that we’ve had, or a story we once heard that sounds similar. We friends instead of simply relating to them? Maybe empathy doesn’t walk away from these interactions patting ourselves on the back start with us but starts with the other. Maybe empathy begins when thinking we have related to them in a tangible way. But are we really we choose to serve the other, humbly acknowledging that we will never understand. listening when we do this? Is that what empathy is?

The Blindness of Perfect Vision Debbie Thiessen

If you had to give up one of your senses, which would you choose? This question was a prompt for one of my grade eight reflections during a social science class—pretty deep when you are a 12-year-old girl who still wants to be a mermaid (even though you know they probably are not real). While most of the class said they would give up smell or taste, my young brain decided that if I gave up one of my precious senses, it would be sight. I was the only one in a class of 30—and I got some odd looks from my classmates.

The response from the majority of my classmates matches the results from a YouGov poll taken this past summer, which revealed that most individuals would choose sight over their other senses. The poll took into account age, gender, political preference, and even which area of the United States the participants lived in—and even with those variables, each group would be least willing to give up sight and most willing to give up smell.

While I do not want to give up my sight, my eyes deceive me and lead me to incorrectly judge people on how old they appear to be, how they style their hair, what clothes they wear, and a million other small details—most of which keep me from truly seeing who they are.

My eyes, the ones that allow me to drive a car, read my favorite books, and recognize my best friends are so good at keeping me from actually seeing the people around me. And I was reminded of this deception when I had my first nursing clinical shift on an acute psychiatric unit. Just thinking of standing in a psychiatric ward brought up deep anxiety and fear. And my eyes did not help when peers and I all entered the unit, with patients walking around its stark halls.

While nurses and doctors all walked with purpose, appearing professional, the patients shuffled around with eyes cast to the floor. Some spoke to

themselves and eyed us suspiciously, and some just sat staring at things only they could see. And that could have been it—I could have left the unit silently screaming, never to return again because my eyes told me that those patients were just crazy. But I did not run.

Instead, I silently prayed to the One who made us in His own image, asking that He remind me of the truth: that the people around me were just that—people. And as I stayed, I learned of the heartbreaking stories of the patients on the unit: how their lives were marked by unspeakable hardship, mental health issues and diagnoses that seemed unmanageable, lack of support from family and friends, and stigmatization by a society so unsure of how to help.

Nursing is a profession that not only requires mental discipline and a vast well of knowledge, but also a deep regard for all people under your care, from an innocent and suffering child to a sick inmate transferred from a local prison. This kind of care is no relaxing task—a study from Health Affairs nursing journal found that nurses involved in direct patient care in hospitals and nursing homes experience burnout at a rate of 30-40%.

So why enter a profession like nursing where the chance of becoming so exhausted and overwhelmed that you quit is so high? The answer is simple: if it is ever my turn to be admitted to a psychiatric unit, I want a nursing student looking at me not with fear, but with eyes free of judgement.

While I do not plan on losing my vision anytime soon, I do not want to be inhibited by what I first see in people. It is time to refuse to give in to first impression judgements—which only serve to make our lives more comfortable—and engage with those who may at first seem too “other” and unfamiliar. Errant human sight should never blind us to the image of God.

“They don’t like The Office” –Madison Powers

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ANONYMOUS Purity, Pt. 2

When I entered my teenage years, I begged my parents for a purity ring.

Bursting with pride at the decision to save my virginity until marriage, I wanted more than anything to symbolize my sincere commitment to God and my future spouse. My mother was pleased that I was willingly adhering to the Christian values I had been taught, and a couple of months after my thirteenth birthday, I slipped a small gold band onto my left ring finger.

The ring was to serve as a reminder to honour God with purity of heart, mind, and body—a good and noble pursuit, indeed. My dream was to stand before my future husband on our wedding day proud that I had brought my virginity to the altar with me, proud of the beautiful acts of self-control and sacrifice that would allow my virtue to remain intact over years that would surely be full of temptation.

This dream was beautiful. And in the cases where it actually happens, it is so completely glorifying and honouring to both marriage and the God who created it. But by the time I was sixteen, the ring was lost—likely slipped off for a shower or some other good reason, and after hours of searching, forgotten.

As the ring faded from my memory, so did the guilt the symbol had made me feel. While I lost the ring at sixteen, the virtue it represented was lost long before. By the time I wore it last, the small gold band was little more than a painful reminder of what I had truly lost: my worth.

The culture that emphasized the beauty of virginity until marriage had, maybe unintentionally, also emphasized that virginity and purity were practically synonymous—and even further, that virginity and worth were inextricably connected. With this belief fully ingrained in my heart, I grew to resent the symbol of my broken commitment, one that I was told was impossible to repair.

My defeat on the battlefield of virginity, and what I thought was also purity, gave way to an attitude that said, “I am not a virgin anymore, so it doesn’t matter what I do now.” I fell prey to one of the Enemy’s favourite lies: “You can not come back from this. You are already ruined.” The idea that I was a damaged good kept me locked in a world of sin and heartache—what was the point of stopping now? What difference did it make whether I had had one partner or twenty? It was not purity that mattered, after all—it was virginity.

My teenage self needed so desperately to hear the truth about purity: it is not a one-way, dead end street. The concept of virginity must be understood as separate from the commitment to holy purity. While we cannot recover lost virginity, we can recover purity.

Unlike this concept of virginity, purity is a choice made each day by virgins and non-virgins alike. Maintaining biological virginity does not indicate the purity of heart, mind, and body that God has asked His people to seek.

fill a gap in your program

What happens during the period of virginity is to be celebrated—it is important. But so is the period after virginity. The value of the period of re-dedication and renewed commitment following a loss of the “virtue” cannot be emphasized enough. What we do after “the first time” is crucial.

Now in my twenties, I fight back against the idea that my choice to be pure following the loss of my virginity is somehow not good enough. It is good enough. My continued choice to remain pure, regardless of the state of my virginity, is God-honouring. I do not believe that God cared more about my first time than He did about all of the times that came after; the sin was not greater the first time simply because I lost my virginity. And in turn, my first failure never had the power to negate my future triumph.

Today, I dream of standing before my future husband on our wedding day, having brought with me my purity, proud of every beautiful act of sacrifice and self-control that triumphed over temptation—and over the shame that told me I would never be pure again.

“Asking for my fries” –Hazal Senkoyuncu

Athabasca University has over 850 courses to choose from to meet your needs and courses start every month. AU has over 6,600 transfer agreements around the world (including with this institution).

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The Price of Our Consumption Michaella Crema, Ansah Odoom, Brie King, Kristin Anton Imagine this: you wake up in the morning ready for a great day. You complete your morning routine and instinctively walk over to your closet. When you open it, you are surprised by what you see. You look through your abundance of clothing, but you can’t seem to find anything to wear. Does this sound familiar?

With today’s consumption of goods being at an all-time high, we are surrounded by advertisements claiming to promote the next best thing. We begin to believe that what we have is not good enough, and we long for more. And with all of these pressures, we become ignorant to the ways that our consumption is affecting the world.

When looking exclusively at clothing, this excessive consumption can be referred to as “fast fashion.”

Livia Firth, executive producer of the documentary The True Cost, coined the term “fast fashion” to describe the “absurd circle of micro trends” present in consumer culture.

As a result of this suffocating phenomenon, we are buying too much clothing too frequently for too cheap— and then we dispose of it carelessly. But the clothing we have access to today is not magically cheaper.

Rather, big clothing companies are demanding more clothing to sell for cheaper prices. This means that the physical environment and the individuals in the global clothing commodity chain are paying the price for our consumption.

According to The True Cost, this commodity chain includes farmers who produce raw materials such as cotton. These farmers are forced to use dangerous chemicals and pesticides in order to get close to meeting the production demands. Additionally, those involved in the manufacturing in garment factories—mostly women and children—are given extremely low wages and work in unethical, dangerous conditions in order to create enough clothing to meet the great demands.

Furthermore, the abundance of clothing is manipulatively advertised in order to promote sales to the consumers. Consequently, as consumers increase their clothing purchasing, clothing disposal and waste increase simultaneously. As we continue to demand fast fashion, the commodity chain will continue to suffer.

We surveyed a group of 20 students here at TWU and found that students reported wearing only approximately 50% of their clothing on a regular basis. Additionally, 70% of surveyed students reported not paying attention to where their clothes are made. These results expose the undeniable need for awareness about consumerism and sustainable clothing trends.

So how can we change this consumer behaviour on the our campus?

It begins with fostering more mindfulness around the garments we are purchasing. The easiest way to do this is to research our favourite brands, considering corporation values, production location, and material composition. In addition, students can explore sustainable clothing brands, some of which are located in the Metro Vancouver area, such as Arc Apparel, I.O.N., Novel Supply, and Harley Jae. Because ethical and sustainable clothing is more expensive to produce, students often find that conscious consumption is quite costly.

These higher prices are understandably unappealing to university students on a strict budget. In light of this, perhaps one solution would be to re-evaluate how much clothing we truly need to purchase. The financial burden of conscious consumerism is lightened when we decide to purchase less.

Social challenges that force us to confront our excessive consumption are increasing in popularity; one such challenge, called the 333 Challenge, involves selecting just 33 items of clothing to wear for three months. It was created to bring freedom from the chains of our clothing. Laila Bedard-Potvin of Harley Jae encourages us to find our own individual styles, and to ignore all of the trends of fast fashion. She advises us to “buy clothes [we]’ll wear often and that are versatile.”

So what should we do with clothing that we do not want anymore?

The first step is to donate to a thrift store, assuming clothes are still in good shape, as thrifting can help minimize the effects of fast fashion. Another sustainable way to dispose of clothes is to swap used clothing with our peers. Whether we sell them to one another on the Facebook page “TWU Swap & Shop,” or simply make trades, we are able to acquire the diversity in clothing that we desire as our preferences change, without requiring the production of more items. Alternatively, we can research physical ways to dispose of our clothing that are environmentally friendly. This might look like giving them to local food banks or finding companies that reuse our old fabrics.

We have an opportunity to be part of a movement that contributes to a higher quality of life around the world. These habits can help reduce the very real suffering of farmers and labourers in developing countries. And ultimately, we may experience liberation from the societal pressures of wearing the newest and coolest clothing. Confronting fast fashion and consumerism will not only benefit the rest of the world, but our lives and bank accounts too.

“Puts ketchup all over his fries instead of dipping them” –Maritha Louw

Four Hundred Thirty-Seven The journey to finish my plate andrew kimball Trigger Warning: Eating Disorders

I am sitting in Republica Coffee Roasters in Cloverdale, alternating between writing a paper for a class and people watching. Spotify is pumping an early 2010s playlist into my head. A flurry of activity surrounds me, and I absorb the Saturday afternoon frenzy. There are about 15 people in here, from every walk of life. I see a professional in a vest and tie, obviously on break for lunch, and a family with three kids sitting down across from me. I am surrounded by people of all ages, and I feel out of place.

As I look around, I realize that the people around me are complete strangers, each with their own set of problems. For all I know, the professional ordering a London Fog is facing the biggest challenge of his day by ordering that drink.

I faced my biggest challenge by coming here today. I can only summon the energy required to do the bare minimum—enough to walk to my motorcycle to drive to my favourite coffee shop. I can feel what seems like every bone in my body, and I hate it. I barely have the energy to write the words I’m currently writing, and I feel detached from the energy of my surroundings. I see energy all around me, and I feel none of it.

I was on a trip a while back where I was struggling to finish the admittedly small breakfast that was provided to us. In my effort to consume enough food to last through the day, I packed up my omelette and took it in the car with me. As we arrived at our destination a few minutes later, with my omelette thoroughly untouched, I made the decision to leave it in the car. This turned out to be very much the wrong choice, as when the group returned to the hot car, the entire vehicle smelled strongly of egg. As I guilted myself for not finishing my food during the scheduled time, I heard members of my group begin to comment on the smell and complain about me leaving my food in the car.

To have an inhibition means to have an inappropriate voluntary or involuntary restraint.

This extends to anything conceivable, meaning that arguably all of us have inhibitions of different magnitudes. The biggest inhibition that I struggle with is eating, and in that moment, I was fighting with myself to eat enough. I am fighting a mental illness, an inhibition, and it beats me more than I care to admit.

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The comments from my group members regarding the omelette resulted in me locking myself in my room at the end of the day, because I would have rather spent time alone than risk the possibility of more criticism for something that I was desperately trying to find the strength within me to fight.

My concerns that my problems with eating were more than simply being too busy to eat were confirmed on that trip. Our time was heavily scheduled, with specific meal times planned, and yet I still was not eating enough.

My inhibition is more than a choice—---at this point it is something within me that I have to fight. It feels weird to fight myself. Even as I write, I realize that I have not eaten a meal in two days.

I have been consuming the bare minimum to keep me going: a butter tart here, a coffee there, just to mask the ever-present hunger pangs. My body has been starved of proper nutrients for so long that my entire being feels weak, and I cannot help but feel that my entire life is a battle with myself. I try to keep up a façade of being energetic, but often I barely have the energy necessary to formulate a sentence. My peripheral vision darkening as I begin to black out is a regular occurrence, and I see stars after completing the easiest of tasks.

From my time grappling with disordered eating, I’ve observed that the weirdest thing about inhibitions is that they rarely make logical sense. A couple weeks ago at the end of work the hole in my stomach was so great that I couldn’t formulate a sentence. I told my boss that I absolutely had to eat some food before I began class, and left early. I went directly to The Cog, and grabbed some food, only to stare at it for the majority of the hour and a quarter long class—unable to focus, stomach rumbling like the trains we all know so well. I slowly managed to unwrap the sandwich, before taking a single bite, returning the sandwich to the plastic wrap sitting on the table. In the last 15 minutes of the class the floodgates opened, and I was all of a sudden able to devour the sandwich.

I had acknowledged that I needed to eat in order to make it through the day without blacking out, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to take more than one bite for the better part of 45 minutes. To someone who didn’t know, it would have looked like I was extremely distracted, but in reality there was a battle raging within my body. Internally, I was crying out for the nutrients to last another day, but externally I could not make the physical motion required to do anything about it.

While inhibitions may not be things that we can change, we can alter our mindsets regarding them. Ultimately, we shouldn’t try to “fix” ourselves, but rather recognize our inhibitions and take specific steps to minimize our unhealthy habits.

In the time it took to write that last paragraph, Spotify changed songs, from one classic 2012 song to another—“It’s Time,”

by Imagine Dragons—and it’s time to build from the bottom of the pit that is my stomach. I walk up to the counter and buy the Mango Bango muffin in the display case that I have been eyeing for the last hour; it’s mango, banana and coconut, and I am looking forward to it. I may not end up being able to finish it, but at least I stepped out and fought my inhibitions, and that is what matters.

My name is Andrew Kimball, and I refuse to let my eating disorder define me.

I’m still in Republica, and I see the muffins in the display case. Every ounce of my being is telling me to eat, while simultaneously every fibre is telling me not to. My stomach is so empty that the pain is creeping up into my chest. My mouth is dry, and I’m having trouble swallowing. Jason Mraz just came on, the 2010s playlist is still playing, my headphones are saying “I won’t give up on us… I’m still looking up… God knows we’re worth it, No, I won’t give up.”

In the words of the 2013 Skillet song, “I’m running out of time for me to break this, I’m tired of feeling like I’m never going to make it.” I’ve scheduled a counselling appointment for tomorrow, and I’ve run out of patience. I refuse to let this eating disorder define me, and I promise to kick its ass to the curb. Ask me next time you see me, and I’ll ask you how you’re fighting your inhibitions. Let’s hold each other accountable as we brave this crazy world.

God, am I worth it? Do you see me? Should I give up? I ask these questions daily, only to be reminded that yes, I am. I am loved beyond belief. The music blaring through my headphones is telling me to eat. It’s telling me to not give up on today, and I decide not to give up. I am going to fight my inhibition today and get a muffin. This could very well be the only thing I end up eating for the rest of the day, but at least it’s a start.

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arts + culture Kennedy Dragt

Birthplace & the Biosphere Sabine Henderson On October 19 of this year, indie-folk artist Novo Amor released a new album entitled Birthplace—an enchantingly serene yet heart-wrenching collection of songs that makes for good company on a bleak, rainy day or on a nostalgic evening while lost in thought. The pure falsetto melodies, fingerpicking, accompaniment of classical instruments, and delicate rhythmic play are nearly hypnotizing, gripping listeners by their heartstrings, drawing them close and sweeping them away with every crescendo. This is an album to experience attentively from beginning to end, on repeat; its cool, serene tones are the perfect winter soundtrack.

Birthplace, like many contemporary albums, has been released for purchase on vinyl, but it has a special feature: each record is made from recycled materials. Thus, every single record and its packaging is unique in color and pattern, from faded grays to glossy purples, many of which the artist features on his Instagram. This decision to use recycled vinyl, however, does not stand alone; it is part of Novo Amor’s greater mission to produce music, go on tour, and sell merchandise sustainably.

In partnership with a number of U.K. organizations, he seeks to prevent all unnecessary food waste and packaging while on the road, to reduce emissions during travel on tour and invest in renewable energy projects, and to create merchandise only with recycled or recyclable materials, as stated on his website—all with the aim of caring better for the planet. Even in the music video of “Birthplace,” the first single released from the album, Novo Amor seeks to bring awareness to the tremendous amount of plastic waste that is harming the ocean and the creatures living within it, to “share

ideas on what we can do to turn the tide” as he so poetically states.

The video features a man walking on the ocean floor, encountering coral reefs and sea creatures in the refracted light of underwater peace, when he discovers a plastic bag hovering nearby and notices waves of garbage floating above him, clouding the once-effervescent water. Swimming through this wasteland, a whale made entirely of trash appears, and, slowly, the man enters and thus is consumed by the creature; he is finally caught within its trap of plastic bags, bottles, cups, and shiny wrappers. Through these calm yet poignant images, Novo Amor and the filmmakers shed light on the reality of the global environmental crisis and prod the viewer to do more than just sit, feel, and listen.

A large graphic, listing shocking statistics about plastic waste and its environmental impact, accompanies the link to the music video on his website, noting, for instance, that “the amount of plastic produced in a year is roughly the same as the entire weight of humanity” and that 8 million metric tons of it end up in the ocean. The ocean is one of the sacred spaces Novo Amor sings of, as the coastlines, tides, and surfaces appear in his lyrics about love. In recognizing the sublimity of nature, he also recognizes its value and humanity’s duty to protect it. The mass production, use, and disposal of plastic is an issue that currently does and will increasingly threaten landscapes, wildlife, the global climate, and ultimately, human life. Novo Amor’s call to action through song, image, and practice are thus a heartening stroke in the right direction.

SAMC Theatre presents: Upside-Down Christmas Nyssa Morgan & Natalie Hoogstra

Around this time of year, the majority of people can be divided into two groups: those who are listening to Michael Bublé and setting up their Christmas trees, and those who are on the verge of punching the others in the throat if they hear “Frosty the Snowman” one more time. Whether it’s celebrated starting on November 1 or December 24, the Christmas season is typically referred to as the “most wonderful time of the year.” The word “Christmas” brings to mind images of candy canes, presents, Jesus’ birth, family, etc. All this, of course, depends on who you are and what your expectations of Christmas are.

During the creative process, the cast and crew started by asking questions, lots and lots of questions. What makes Christmas the most anticipated holiday in the Western world? What are the aspects of the season that people look forward to or absolutely despise? How are the individual cast members’ personal views on Christmas going to affect the final product of the show? They looked at all the emotions that the holidays highlight, as well as what the general expectations are during this time of year.

Then, the cast and crew turned it all on its head, giving Christmas a fun and refreshing twist.

Upside-Down Christmas, brought to you by SAMC Theatre, strives to invite audiences to invert their exThe colourful and irreverent show is both familiar pectations of the holidays and to see Christmas from and full of surprises, keeping you on your toes the a fresh perspective. This show is a devised piece, whole way through. Upside-Down Christmas is a meaning that it has been created entirely by the cast captivating showcase of stories, dance, and songs, and crew based on their own ideas and experiencwith something for everyone, no matter what your es. It is completely original, conceived by a team of eight strong expectation of the Christmas season may be. Come out and see the women with different backgrounds and ethnicities. Thus, it is like show from November 20 - December 1! For more information and to nothing else you will see this Christmas. buy tickets go to www.twu.ca/theatre.

“They don’t go see SAMC Theatre productions” –Abbi Seidle

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Hayley James Mars’ Hill: When did you first begin to act? How long has theatre been a part of your life?

Hayley James: Acting is something that has always been a part of my life, even before I knew what acting was. Make-believe and playing pretend was a big part of my childhood. I put on skits with my friends and took “Intro to Drama” classes in elementary school. I was the kid who would far rather play dress up and create a story than play a sport or board game with friends. However, it wasn’t until I was 13 that I performed in my first formal play through a local middle school drama program.

MH: Why do you act?

HJ: At first acting was a way for me to put myself into other people’s shoes; I loved seeing things from other characters’ perspectives and experiencing their journeys. Empathy is still a huge reason for why I love acting. As I’ve grown up, though, acting has proven to be the one thing that—despite its challenges—brings me some of the most joy. Acting is a way for me to give an audience something, whether that’s joy by making them laugh, or expanding their own empathy. I’ve done shows that are deeply profound with themes of sacrifice and forgiveness, and I’ve done shows that are farcical and comedic and exist purely to bring people joy.

Acting is also a method of worship for me. I hope to serve others and give back to the Lord with my gifts and passions.

MH: What is your favourite show you have been in? What is your favourite role you have played?

MJ: I think almost every actor has one or two roles that have completely altered or changed who they are as an actor. While there have been many roles and shows that I have loved or enjoyed, for me that role was Bertha Mason in Jane Eyre: The Musical, as it challenged me both as an actor and as a person.

MH: How is acting similar to and different from other art forms?

HJ: One of my acting coaches in high school used to say that acting is “the art of being human.” What makes acting different from other art forms is that it is all-encompassing. In the theatre program we take numerous voice and movement classes and acting classes to work on things like breathing, physicality, etc., that help us better take on characters. Acting is far more than just memorizing lines; in actuality, that is only a small part of acting.

In order to truthfully portray a character, an actor must fully take on the role by living in their circumstances on stage.

MH: Where do you hope to take your skills in the future?

HJ: It might sound cliché, but honestly, wherever God leads. I think I will be happy as long as I am acting. I hope that wherever I am working, I am able to take the training I’ve had with me to do good, honest, truthful

acting work, whether that’s professionally, in community theatre, film, or otherwise.

MH: What do you do to get into character? Do you have a routine you perform before going on stage?

HJ: It depends on the character. Some characters take a lot of moving around to get into their body, or listening to a character playlist I’ve created. For my most recent role of Silvia in The Game of Love and Chance all I needed was to put in the pink hair strips and hear the electric swing music we used in the show and I was good.

MH: If you could be in any show, what would it be? Why? HJ: Oh man, I don’t know how I can pick just one… One of my dream roles for a long time has been Éponine in Les Misérables. Besides Éponine being so relatable, that musical is one of my favorites because of how beautifully it portrays humanity and redemption.

MH: What is your favourite part of the acting process?

HJ: As someone who struggles with line learning, I love the moment when I am finally, completely off book and start fully living in the circumstances of the character, following my impulses and making new discoveries.

MH: What is your greatest fear as an actor?

HJ: Not being able to act. I need a creative outlet in life, and acting is the one that fulfills me the most.

MH: Do you prefer to be cast as characters like or unlike yourself? Why? HJ: Some of my very favourite roles have been ones that are completely different than who I am. They are also some of the most challenging ones for me to discover and portray, but ultimately the most rewarding. While playing someone similar to you might be easier, you don’t act to be yourself; where’s the fun in playing someone who’s the same person as you?

MH: Why do you think theatre is an important art? Do you believe it has the power to influence people?

HJ: Partly due to its live nature, theatre is a powerful method of storytelling and I fully believe in its power to influence audiences. Throughout history, theatre has been used as a means of worship, political propaganda (there have been shows that have caused riots!), community building, and more. Though I won’t deny the power of other arts, it is powerful in ways that other arts, like film, can’t be. There is something profoundly different to watching something on live stage happening in front of you versus watching something through the safety of a screen, and it will affect you differently.

“When she dumps you” –Emmett Hanly

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Life as Art Kennedy Dragt

In this postmodern world, there are as many definitions for art as there are forms of it. The Oxford English Dictionary is not entirely helpful in setting bounds to our understanding of art; it defines art as “skill; its display, application, or expression.” Thus, any practice that requires the application of an applied skill is an art. Does this mean then that I embrace art as I tie my shoes in the morning or brush my teeth at night, as each of these actions is technically a skill which I had to learn? For something to be displayed, does it need an audience? Am I, the producer of the artistic event, enough of an audience?

If the dictionary leaves us with only more questions, perhaps then we should move on to a different definition. According to Thomas Merton, the American monk and poet, “art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Perhaps then, peeling sweet potatoes and listening to the beep of the preheated oven is also art; perhaps writing my paper at four in the morning and running out of coffee is also art. For it is in these things that my mind drifts, that I both “find” and “lose” myself.

Simone Weil, a 20th century philospher and mystic, explains the idea of life as art as attention, which she describes as one’s thoughts being “empty, waiting, not seeking anything, but ready to receive in its naked truth the object which is to penetrate it.” She goes on to note that such attention is itself a sacrament and by this, art. For, in this waiting (the losing and finding of oneself), which is refraining from searching, one encounters “moments of eternity” in time.

I encountered one of these poignant moments of art, of eternity in time, as I sat doing homework in my bedroom in my apartment in McMillan, in one of the rooms that has no permanent light fixture and comes furnished with only one floor lamp. A week after daylight savings, my room, lit by

this single lamp in the far corner of the room, was fairly dark. Two of the lovely quartet of my roommates were out. The third, I believe, thought she was alone.

From the false twilight of my lonely lamp, I chanced a rare opportunity to hear her sing— slowly, softly strumming her guitar with words I could not quite distinguish.

Sitting surrounded by these sweet sounds, I was lulled into prayer and peace. Peace, a precept of my faith that has been far from me for so long, came in a moment when I was intruding on a roommate’s intimate self-abandonment in her unawareness of my presence. This irony was not lost on me. Rather, her ignorance of my presence, one room over, only emphasized the peace which pervaded the sacramental moment—“moment of eternity”—the art of life and time, as her music allowed me to connect with God, myself and, through obscurity, with her as well.

Yet, such moments of life as art do not always come as dramatic experiences. Perhaps these moments of art can be seen as my dog curls up in a sunny spot on the floor, or as the milk swirls in my coffee, and the shadows dance on the sidewalk. Thus, I have come to see that life itself is art, if one chooses to be receptive, to accept its pervading presence. In every breath we create, apply, express life by imitating the Ultimate Creator. Perhaps, then, all that is left is to lose and find ourselves daily within our mundane lives—getting caught up in our menial tasks—breathing, reflecting, existing in art.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN’T DANCE? Madison Evans

My fingertips are cold to the point of numbness, but my palms are slick with sweat. I press my arms to my sides with a growing sense of mortification as I realize that this brand of deodorant is just not working for me. My face heats up, and I don’t need to be standing in front of a mirror to know exactly what shade of red my face is turning. This is middle school gym class: social dance edition.

For so many, even the thought of dancing in front of others evokes unshakeable feelings of anxiety. From personal experience, an invitation to dance was often met with the reply, “I don’t dance.” What people perceive as their own lack of knowledge or skill, combined with a desire to avoid the spotlight and avoid potential embarrassment, usually leads them to say, “I don’t,” or “I can’t.” No one wants a repeat of junior high gym class.

Because of past experience, or an overactive imagination, people will employ one or both of these phrases, severely limiting their potential to learn and to have a really good time on the dance floor.

That is part of the reason why dancing at clubs is so popular: after people have had a couple (or more) drinks, they feel less inhibited—then it’s actually possible to dance and have a good time! The buzz that kicks in

makes people liable to forget just how shy they thought they were. But this lifestyle is not sustainable, and as Christians, much of what goes along with nightclub culture is something we strive to avoid; many Christians steer clear of the entire scene altogether.

However, I stand by social dancing and I know that drinking is not a prerequisite to get that same endorphin-infused rush. Patience is both the key and the problem, as it is something that everyone seems to have in short supply, especially as we continue to create for ourselves a culture that neglects the practice of delayed gratification. We need the patience to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, one new dance move at a time.

This summer, I spent half of my Friday nights at Fly Right Swing in Calgary.

It could partly be because I became something of a regular there, but I found that this community of dancers was more welcoming than anywhere I had been before. Maybe it was also because I went into the experience with a couple of expectations of myself: that I would have fun with it, and that I would try to learn something. I did not impose any expectation on myself that I had to be at a certain level, and I checked my pride at the door. I arrived alone, and hoped that there would be people to dance with.

What did it take for me to get from awkward pre-teen social dancer to someone who arrives at swing-dance class alone? So much of it has to do with letting go of expectations, both for myself and for others. The swingdance culture itself also helped me to step away from my comfort zone.

After going the first time, it was impossible for me not to want to go back; letting myself become a part of a small and welcoming community of people united by their love of a pretty niche activity was one of the highlights of my summer. Swing dance culture, everywhere I have encountered it, has been one of joy and hospitality, where people are uninhibited because no one takes themselves too seriously.

“If your significant other confesses an unhealthy love for amputation” –Tina Fu

15

Potholes on Campus Nyssa Morgan

Most days, I count my blessings, and I am so thankful that I get to go to a school as wonderful as Trinity Western University. Then, I drive on the road behind Jacobson and I regret every single one of my life decisions.

The cringe-worthy “thunk-thunk-thunk” as I exit the Douglas parking lot on a midnight snack run has become the bane of my existence. Now, my 2001 Toyota Corolla is a pretty sturdy little car, but I am terrified to navigate those stupid potholes for fear that I make one wrong move and my baby will get wrecked.

it nearly impossible to drive down this section of pavement without hitting at least a couple of them.

If you don’t drive that way or you don’t have a car, let me explain why this jarring experience is very much rant-worthy. From the staff parking lot outside RNT to just behind Jacobson, a span of about only a few meters of road, several potholes have formed. And we ain’t talking two or three chunks of pavement missing, because then I could just drive around them and there wouldn’t be much to complain about. Instead, there are at least seven or eight deep holes obstructing the whole width of the road, making

Altogether, this whole pothole situation is really not cute. I have no idea who is in charge of fixing this kind of thing, but they really need to step up their game. Just grab some asphalt, pour it into those suckers and fix ʻem up because students are already broke enough as it is; we don’t need to be paying for car repairs courtesy of this chunk of road. So, TWU, please help us out. We need a little more smooth sailing and a little less “Highway to Hell,” if you catch my drift.

The worst is when it rains and the road just looks entirely flooded. This means drivers can’t even see where the worst potholes are and the road essentially becomes a guessing game. When that happens, you have to just say your prayers, send it, and hope your car makes it to the other side in one piece.

YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOUSINCE ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU COMING TO UNIVERSITY, YOU EXPERIENCED YOUHAVE ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU OR BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH YOUMENTAL ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU no HEALTH YOU 21% YOUISSUES? ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU occasionally YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU 21% YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED I am not sureYOU 7% YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU yes YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU 50% YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU I want to YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU 7% YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU no I do not have a 62% YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU mental health issue 10% YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED DO YOUANSWERED TAKE YOU MEDICATION YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED ANSWERED FOR YOUR YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU MENTALANSWERED HEALTH? yes YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU 21% YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED ANSWERED “Doesn’t do the frickin’ dishes” –Danica Hennig YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED YOU YOU ANSWERED ANSWERED

WE ASKED

16

sports

Chaos and Disorder: The Ottawa Senators Tyler Jones

The Ottawa Senators have had a year like no other. The organization has turned into a laughing stock as key players have underperformed. This, combined with foolish moves by the front office and off-ice drama, has completely torn apart the nucleus of a former Eastern Conference powerhouse. While the team was recently in Arizona as a part of a Western Conference roadtrip, the Senators were noted in yet another defaming news headline.

After a game against the Arizona Coyotes in which the Senators were crushed 5-1, a number of players were unknowingly filmed on their Uber ride back to their hotel room speaking out against their coaching staff and their overall distaste for the team’s struggles over the last year. The driver eventually sold the footage to the Ottawa Sun, creating yet another negative storyline for a team shrouded in controversy.

As this is not the first time bad news has come out of this organization, here is a quick timeline of the NHL’s most infamous dumpster fire.

May 25, 2017: The Ottawa Senators lose the Eastern Conference Finals in a heated 3-2, double overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins go on to win the cup over the Nashville Predators.

November 5, 2017: The Ottawa Senators are involved in a three-way trade along with the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. In acquiring Matt Duchene, the Senators surrender Kyle Turris, a first, and a third-round draft pick, Andrew Hammond, and an above-average prospect, Shane Bowers (currently playing at Boston University). Duchene goes on to score 49 points in his first season with the team.

April 7, 2018: The Senators finish the season with a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Boston Bruins. With a 28-43-11 record, the Senators owned the second worst record in the NHL at seasons end.

June 1, 2018: Senators Assistant General Manager Randy Lee is charged with assault against a 19-year-old bus-driver in Buffalo. Lee eventually resigns after being suspended by the organization.

June 13, 2018: Team captain Erik Karlsson’s wife, Melinda, accuses teammate Mike Hoffman’s girlfriend of prolonged harassment against her family. Hoffman and Karlsson are both taken to the trade market as a result.

Bailey Broadbent

Mikkel Boedker, Julius Bergman, and a sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft.

September 13, 2018: The Ottawa Senators trade Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks in return for two NHL players, two prospects, and two draftpicks. Erik Karlsson is the second highest scoring defenseman throughout the past five seasons.

November 5, 2018: The infamous Uber video is leaked by the Ottawa Sun newspaper, with star players Thomas Chabot and Matt Duchene joined by teammates Chris Wideman, Chris Tierney, Dylan Demelo, and Alex Formenton in disparaging their team.

The past year has been nothing short of disastrous for the Senators’ organization. There are very few collapses that have been remotely near Ottawa’s throughout the past two years. Unfortunately, things have not gotten much better. Along with their off-ice misfortunes, poor trades by management have occurred, leaving their future quite bleak, as prospects and important draft picks have vanished in order to make way for players like Matt Duchene. While Duchene is a great player, he certainly will not make an impact like prospective first-overall draft pick Jack Hughes could have with the team next season.

Now to the Uber incident. Although it may appear so, the players are not the problem here. Yes, collective positivity is the best way for an organization to rejuvenate itself, but athletes in every sport will always have issues and be critical of their team’s coaching. Former NHL player and member of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, Ryan Whitney said this via his personal Twitter account: “Every team in NHL history has had a cab full of guys ripping the coach or GM. That’s a fact. What a complete scumbag move releasing that video.”

The Senators’ front office team is the ultimate issue within the team’s struggles. Through trades for mediocre players, poor coaching, a poor stadium location, and many more issues, the team deserves little respect as an organization. Based on their recent actions, the front office of the Senators should expect scenarios similar to the Uber incident to arise.

The Senators’ front office is about as effective as putting Derrick Pouliot on the Canucks power play. It is just horrific.

June 19, 2018: The Ottawa Senators trade Mike Hoffman, a 2020 fifthround draft pick, and a defensive prospect in Cody Donaghey in return for Mars’ Hill: How did you first get involved in hockey?

Ashleigh Kar: When I was seven, I got a “come try hockey” pamphlet from school and decided that I wanted to give it a go. I’d been figure skating since I was two, but as a not-so-graceful kid who preferred the skating itself over the twists and turns, hockey seemed like the perfect alternative (much to my mom’s dismay).

MH: How did you hear about TWU and the Spartans?

AK: Trinity was always one of my top university choices, mostly because of its amazing community and education program. Then, when I did more research about the different sports teams and clubs, I discovered the Spartans women’s hockey team and it helped solidify my decision to come here.

MH: What made you want to continue playing hockey at university?

AK: Hockey has been such a big part of my life growing up, it seemed like a shame to drop it. At first, I was planning on just joining a “beer league” in whatever city I ended up in for postsecondary, but when I decided to come to Trinity, I figured I would just join the school’s team.

MH: What’s your greatest hockey related accomplishment?

AK: In my last year, I captained my team to a full

sweep in our last tournament of the year. It was a big accomplishment, as in the first two months of the season we had lost every game, so winning any games (never mind getting through an entire tournament undefeated) was huge.

MH: How does Spartans hockey compare to other teams you’ve played for?

AK: Since I was always busy with multiple sports, I’ve played house [rec level] hockey my entire life up until now, even playing on some teams that didn’t have any practices all season. So, playing on this higher commitment team is quite a big change. Also, the skill level of the players both on my team and on opposing teams is way higher than I’ve ever played with and against, which is fun.

MH: What’s the best part about playing with the Spartans hockey team?

AK: With all the skilled players on my team and on the opposing teams, I’ve been learning and improving a lot. I also now have a new family, and I love my Spartans sisters!

MH: Do you play any other sports than hockey?

AK: Not really at the moment. But, I used to compete in gymnastics and rock climbing, and otherwise I’ve dabbled in a bunch of different sports just for fun, which is what I’m doing now.

“Treats people who are in service positions (custodial, servers, etc) poorly” –Debbie Thiessen

Ashleigh Kar

17

Walk With Elias: Elias Pettersson’s rise to NHL stardom Bailey Broadbent The greatest honour a team can give a player in professional sports is to retire his or her jersey number, a distinction that the number will never be worn again in team history. It is a recognition of the accomplishments and excellence that a player has exemplified while donning that jersey.

In downtown Vancouver, hanging high above the rafters in Rogers Arena, the home of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, sit four retired numbers and their accompanying names. Over the team’s nearly 50-year history, four players have stood out and captivated the Canucks’ fan base: Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund and Pavel Bure.

While the Sedin Twins’ recent retirement sets the stage for the duo to join the group next fall, it appears another Swede is on the fast track to join the group. Hockey fans across the city of Vancouver are calling for his number to be retired among the franchise’s all-time greats.

That Swede? Rookie forward Elias Pettersson.

Pettersson made his season debut last month and recently set the National Hockey League record for the most points ever scored by a player aged under-20 through his first ten games, amassing 16 points in the process.

What the young centerman has been able to accomplish to begin his career in the NHL has been nothing short of remarkable.

The Pettersson hype in Vancouver and across the NHL hit an all-time high recently (which really is not saying much) after a thrilling 7-6 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche on November 2. “EP” lit up the game’s score sheet that night, providing highlight reel plays in the process. This included a game tying goal in the final minute and assisting on the overtime winning goal. That overtime assist capped off a 5-point night, as Pettersson became the youngest Canucks player ever to perform such a feat.

It is because of his creativity, hockey sense, and dominance each and every night that many have compared him to former Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky.

Dubbed “The Great One” as the league’s consensus greatest player in the history, Gretzky retired in 1999 after a 20-season NHL career. In the process, he amassed 894 goals, 1,963 assists and 2,857 points, all tops all-time. Gretzky’s elusive number 99 was retired league-wide the year following his retirement, and to this day it is the only number retired across the league.

He recently joined Vancouver sports radio, in which he shared his thoughts on the comparisons to Vancouver’s latest superstar. “From my point of view, he’s got a lot of my similarities…” Gretzky said, “his hockey sense and playmaking are as good as anybody’s right now.”

High praise from The Great One. While the Pettersson name has been followed with about as much hype as anything right now, it was not always this way. Just a year and a half ago at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft many Canucks fans questioned GM Jim Benning’s choice with drafting the then 18-year-old Swede.

While there was little doubt the young star was worthy of a first round pick, the selection was met with mixed emotions in Vancouver. Some felt his tall and lanky frame, standing at 6’2” but weighing a measly 161 pounds, would prohibit him from succeeding in the NHL, which seemingly favours size and strength.

Pettersson was instead viewed as a “project” player, who would need numerous years of seasoning and developing to build confidence and put on muscle. Many fans (including myself) wished the organization would have opted to use its first-round selection to pick a more physically mature player, who could step into the lineup sooner, such as Canadians Cody Glass or Gabe Vilardi.

Neither Glass nor Vilardi have played a game of professional hockey.

Touché, Elias.

Pettersson followed the 2017 draft by signing with Sweden division-1 team, the Vaxjo Lakers. It was there that he really took off. Despite being a teenager, he displayed next-level dominance against his opposition. In his first and only season in the SHL, Pettersson managed to rank second in goals (24), first in points (56), and in the process shattering the 42-year-old record for most points by an under-20 player.

Following the completion of his season with Vaxjo, Pettersson was named to Sweden’s world hockey championship roster, where he chipped in with three points in five games, ultimately taking home a gold medal whilst playing against some of the world’s best players.

The rest is what they call history. Pettersson signed a three-year entry level deal with the Canucks this past summer, and in the time since has become one of the most dominant rookies in recent memory.

Should we expect a regression? Maybe. But breaking records is something Elias Pettersson has become fairly well accustomed to over the last few years. While it may be too early for the Canucks to retire Elias Pettersson’s number 40, if the last two months have been any indication, fans in the city are in for quite the treat.

Maybe one day Pettersson’s number 40 will be retired league wide, and some university sports editor will be writing about the next “Elias Pettersson.”

One Canucks fan can hope.

“They don’t want to get to know your friends” –Linda Arce

18

humour

A Secret Message Just For You

Nyssa Morgan

Gabrielle Fitchett

Psst. Hey you! Yeah, the one with the gorgeous face. Don’t turn the page just yet! I have to tell you something, you see. It’s very important. Something just for you, you beautiful creature.

Okay. Here goes.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: what could I have to tell you? I’m just an article in a newspaper. You probably chose to pick this up because you were bored, or maybe you were looking for some useful or relevant information about the world. Well, I can’t promise you will find anything about the world in this column. This one is all about you.

Um.

Oh right! Yes, I had something important to tell you. Now don’t look at the end of this article yet—you don’t want to spoil it!

Heh.

I guess I’m kinda losing my nerve here. I mean, you’re just so incredible and good-looking, I’m a little blown away. No, I’m okay, I can do this.

Ahem.

You still with me?

You looked, didn’t you? You rebel.

Okay.

But that’s what I like about you. Not only do you have stunningly good looks and amazing talent, you’re a rebel. You think outside the box. You take risks and—

Here we go.

I’m getting ahead of myself. We’ve only just met, and here I am spouting poetic nonsense. This is not what you came for. You wanted to be informed or entertained (depending on how fast you skipped to the Humour section *wink wink*). Now, if only I had a good meme…

I love you!

…

Wait! Don’t go! I still had to tell you something! And it was so important, I almost forgot it! Now, you can’t tell anyone this, okay? Pinky promise?

Wait… never mind. Just promise you’ll keep this a secret?

Sto re s R u n n i n g O u t of C h r i st m a s D e co rat i o n s Corinna Scholing On November 1, major retailers including Walmart and Canadian Tire reported that Christmas lights are seeing their second major increase in sales this year, the other spike being in September, when female university students purchase the lights for their dorm rooms. The first one came as no surprise. Unfortunately, retailers were not prepared for the second wave of demand in November, and many stores quickly ran out of stock.

Going door to door throughout Langley last week, I surveyed residents to see if they had already begun their Christmas decorating. The first resident I surveyed, Eva Neezer, claimed she hadn’t yet begun. I felt comforted.

Perhaps things weren’t out of control. But then I saw the glimmer of what appeared to be a star on top of a tree. When I asked her about it, she said, “Oh, well that tree is for Christmas 2019! I assumed you were referring to Christmas 2020.”

My heart sank. The problem was worse than I thought. After surveying 23,436 more residents, it became evident that the increase in twinkle light sales on November 1st was not for this Christmas. It was not even for next Christmas. It was for the following Christmas.

Langley resident Angela Gabriel shared how she had to buy a new house because she couldn’t fit three Christmas trees in her home. Another resident shared that the only music she heard the past seven years has been Michael Bublé. And yet another resident shared that he lost his five year old son for eight months because he was buried under boughs of holly.

Celebrating Christmas so early is unsafe. I implore you: before you purchase Christmas decorations, consider the impact they will have on those around you. Please consider waiting longer before hanging them up. Otherwise, what kind of world will our children have to live in?

Trinity Student Petitions for More Foundations Courses Micah Morgan Patrick Merriweather, a second-year at Trinity Western University, has spent the last three weeks campaigning for the addition of more FNDN courses. Despite putting no discernable effort into his assignments at all, he cites “a thirst for flourishing,” “steps on the sojourn for the good life,” and “a more meaningful understanding of the dance between the student and the liberal arts” as needs that the current core curriculum falls short on. “It really is about personal growth,” says Merriweather, who attends classes only sporadically. “Adding FNDN 102 and 201 last year was a good move, but if the University really cares about the curriculum, they’ll add several 300 and 400 level FNDN courses as well.”

Merriweather is currently circulating a petition proposing the new class options, including FNDN 387, where students pet goats to align their inner chakras, FNDN 374, where students learn patience by watching professional golf, and FNDN 465, where students will track the number of times their right elbow itches per day for an entire year. Merriweather, who frequently tells his group project members that he cannot meet because he is too busy, splits his time between crushing his dorm mates at Black Ops 2, taking Sodexo surveys to win 50 flex dollars, and picketing RNT with sandwich boards that say, “YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE: FOCUS ON THE FOUNDATION!” Though his GPA is currently at 1.73, he remains optimistic. He notes that his A+ grades in FNDN 101, 102, and 201 are the only thing keeping it above 0.00, and that the addition of more classes will boost it even further. “One day,” he says, with hope in his eyes, “we might even be able to major in Foundations.”

“When they have a red flag outside their house” –Andrew Kimball

Eric Rogers

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ART 215 CP Beauty & the Sacred Arts

RELS 375 CP C.S. Lewis

ENGL 104 CP Intro to Poetry & Drama

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THE Vanessa Mjolsness

SHEVANGELIST Major: Psychology Height: Ideal hugging height (5ʼ4”) Hometown: Vancouver, BC

How do you know if itʼs love?

He respects my 8 1/2 hours of sleep

What do you put in your coffee?

Same thing that I put on my toast: butter.

How would you win their parents over?

Reverse psychology: they need to win me over

Best place for a first kiss?

Wherever my last first kiss is going to be

Favourite preacher?

The “greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes” lady

Top quality in a future mate?

MOG (Man of God)

Favourite snack?

Easy, John Mayer.

Age limit (max/ min) Itʼs like the speed limit: itʼs okay to go 10 over but always wrong to go under.

Favourite season?

Rhea. Does Poseidon have any other sons? (get it? sea son)

Favourite action movie The episode “Gossip” from The Office — I appreciate the parkour lifestyle

Skill that makes you “the one?”

Iʼm willing to settle for “number two” if God is your “number one”

Year: 2 Age: 20

How many kids do you want?

Orchids What is your favourite flower?

Four kids What skill will you pass on to your future children?

Confusion Best pick-up line?

“Schwing” - Wayne from Wayneʼs World

2018年1月份，我正式开启我在TWU的学习旅程。我和其他同学一样，这趟新的学习旅程对于我们都充满了 期待与挑战。由于对领导学专业了解得少，自己也不擅长人际交往和团队合作。这使我变得不自信，学习的 积极性也有所下降。后来，我渐渐意识到自己在学习中不该是这样的状态。在老师和同学的鼓励下，我决定 重拾信心，更加认真、努力地学习专业知识。在课堂上，我专心听老师讲课，也积极思考着老师提出的问题。 在课后，我积极地与老师和 learning coach交流，希望能够增加对专业知识的了解和提升自己的写作水平。 经过一段时间的自我调整，我的成绩得到了大幅度地提高，感谢帮助过我的老师和同学。我很荣幸能 够在这所拥有雄厚师资力量的学校中学习，在导师的指导下，使得我对专业知识的掌握和运用达到自 己满意的水平。同时，与志同道合的同学们一起学习和交流，促使我在较短时间取得了较大进步。 在TWU学习对我来说是一次重要的经历。TWU不仅从书本上传播基督教的知识，每一位工作者更是以身作则 地传播基督待人友好的文化。这让每一位初来乍到的国际学生更好地了解西方文化。而最让我感恩的是学 校的工作者，无论是授课老师，辅导人员，管理人员还是前台人员都非常关心学生的学习生活情况，让学生感 受到来自学校的温暖关怀。我想这是他们虔诚的信仰所带给他们的待人之道，这也将使我们学生终身受用。 Yi Ye (Veny), TWU Richmond

”They eat pizza with a fork and knife” - Nyssa Morgann