Mars Hill Newspaper Vol 19 Issue 9 by Mars Hill Newspaper

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DECEMBER FEBRUARY3, 18,2014 2015

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FEBRUARY 18, 2015

FROM THE EDITOR

Mars’ Hill 7600 Glover Rd. Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1 604 513 2109

THE TEAM

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.

PETER WOEKEL

MISSION TO MARS

managing editor

AMY GOERTZEN

visual editor

tara GORMAN

STEPHANIE REDEKOP

chief copy editor

COLTON MARTIN

layout editor

SIDSEL RICHMOND

illustration editor

ERIK DELANGE

web presence

REESE MARTIN

advertising & finance manager

Mental illness is scary; having to experience something so integral to us malfunctioning is unsettling. Mental illness is deeply personal and it makes sense that we are shy about discussing it. The unfortunate part is that so many people shy away from the topic and as mental illness is growing, many people begin to feel humiliated if they find themselves in that group which suffers from it. Historically, the church has had the tendency to depend on a twisted type of psychological prosperity gospel. Although we know that life will not be perfect or simple, we believe that we will always stay on a calm and hopeful mental plane. Because we believe in God, we have this vague expectation that He will protect our minds from any mental ailments. Through God, we are supposed to be immune. When someone deviates from this expected mental stability, the whispers spread quickly: “What’s wrong with her? She must be falling away from her faith.” There is an expectation that prayer and sanctification will provide a cure, and that receiving professional

R O F PLY

OFFICE tunes The Tree Ring Man Without Country James Vincent McMorrow Ben Howard

help or taking medications is in some way a personal failure, a separation from God. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that Jesus would have passed the DSM if he had been observed by a psychologist during those 40 days and nights in the desert, and certainly none of us can say that he was separated from God. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 20% of Canadians will experience mental health issues at some point in their lives. The Church has increasingly become more and more forgiving about the stigma of mental health, especially in a generation where depression is at an all-time high. We have come to the point where we are unafraid of addressing and discussing the issue of mental health. But I don’t think that the battle against shame has had the same progression. I want to tell you a little bit about my own story. In my first semester at TWU, there was a tragic and painful death in my family. I was distraught upon first finding out, but I later transitioned into a period of dissociation where I became numb to my responsibilities, including friends and school. This resulted in me failing one of my classes. Since then, when I have become overwhelmed by life, I have regressed back into that state. This continued on until last

Hootenanny!!!

6 1 / 5 1 L IL

H ’ S R A M

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Asgeir Bahamas

semester, where I felt myself on the precipice of yet another utterly apathetic state. I knew that this could not continue, and it was then that I decided to schedule an appointment to see a counsellor at the Wellness Centre. Seeking out help was just as daunting as the thought of succumbing to the numbness, if not more so. The first couple of sessions were stressful and tiring. I hated them. I hated that I needed them. I felt so much shame that I was often left shaking and feeling ill by the end of a session. I was ashamed of my own weakness, because no matter how much I prayed, meditated, and read my Bible, I could not find the relief that I was looking for. It was like God had abandoned me. But it turned out that God did not want me to take things into my own hands with empty prayers and pleas, but rather, he wanted me to trust someone else to help guide me towards true healing. One thing that the Church often forgets when discussing mental health is that God works through people just as much as he works himself. God showed me that there was no shame in seeking help, but he used another person to help me truly understand that fact. Shame is the enemy of healing, and it needs to be cast aside.

l l i h s r ma

What’s the least depressing thing? “Puppies. Specifically, fluffy puppies.” -Rachel Zmak

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.

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 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.

SENIOR EDITORS Tara Gorman Editor-in-Chief

Peter Woekel

Managing Editor

Amy Goertzen Visual Editor

SECTION EDITORS Sarah Grochowski News

Ellen Graham Academy

Mackenzie Cameron Arts & Culture

Connor Ewert Sports

Trevor McMahan Humour

PRODUCTION STAFF Sidsel Richmond Illustration Editor

Colton Martin Layout Editor

Stephanie Redekop Chief Copy Editor

OPERATIONS Reese Martin

Advertising & Finance Manager

Erik deLange Web Presence

CONTRIBUTORS Aline Bouwman Erik deLange Casie Gano Kirsten Gibson Maria Metcalfe Ryan Natwick Kevin Redekop Cassie Thorpe Christina Jacob Amy Korol Amy Kobelt Courtney Porra Leanne Witten

SPECIAL THANKS

Kat Grabowski for the team photos

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISOR Loranne Brown

www.marshillonline.com This issue brought to you by chocolate and brains.

NEWS

SARAH GROCHOWSKI

sarah.grochowski@mytwu.ca

TWU Ranks High on National Survey

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) asks current undergraduates about the current levels of engagement both on and off campuses. By asking specific questions designed to discover whether the best practices of education like collaborative learning or student faculty interaction occur at North American Universities. As it turns out in the 2015 NSSE report, Trinity Western stands a top contender in countless areas of educational excellence, often placing 2nd or 3rd, out of 72 other Universities.

Ceasefire in Ukraine

Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany have announced following a marathon of talks that a ceasefire will be planned in eastern Ukraine, beginning February 15th. The ceasefire includes prisoner exchanges and a withdrawal of Russian heavy weaponry. An amnesty clause is included for pro-Russian rebels. While some remain optimistic, many Ukrainians are skeptical of the good faith of the agreement, especially following the breakdown of a similar cease-fire in September.

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Canada’s Supreme Court Rules on Euthanasia On February 8, the Israeli Defense Force finished destroying a Hamas tunnel discovered during the summer war. This tunnel from Gaza to Israel was used to cache weapons and explosives, as well as a launching spot for attacks deep within Israeli territory.

On February 6th, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Canadians have the constitutional right to physician assistance in dying. The case, filed by Gloria Taylor (an ALS sufferer), found that the criminal laws against euthanasia violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A one-year period has been granted for Parliament to re-write Canada’s euthanasia laws, similar to the process undergone last year regarding prostitution.

50 Shades of Scandal and Sexual Abuse

Panel Concerned About Canada’s New Speed Limits

Gaza Tunnels Destroyed

The upcoming release of 50 Shades of Grey has been seeing significant criticism from both groups and individuals advocating against sexual violence. Megan Walker, the head of London Abused Women’s Centre, states, “This is about the life of a woman who is being abused. That should never be fodder for entertainment value; it should never be something for people to go see and support.” This film that released on Valentines Day has been said to glorify sexual violence within romantic relations. One U.S. grassroots movement is urging people to donate $50 to any woman’s shelter instead of watching the film.

The B.C. Coroner’s Service Death Review Panel is calling for a review of recently increased speed limits. The Panel released a report this week that unveils the fact that motor crashes are the primary cause of death amongst youth 15-18. Due to inexperience, speed, impairment, and lack of seatbelt use when driving, the Panel worries about the recently increased highway speed limits. The chief coroner was surprised that he was not consulted prior to this move by the B.C. government.

TWUSA Executive Elections Photos by Adriel Carey

Number of voters: 833

Noah Reich

Alec Gloanec

Sam Park

Josh Bustard

Tara Gorman Tara Gorman: 50.1% Alice Best 39.7% No Candidate: 10.2%

Noah Reich: 55.3% Sarah Williams: 21.1% Cam Thiessen: 19.2% No Candidate: 3.8%

Alec Gloanec: 79.7% No Candidate: 20.3%

Sam Park: 87.1% No Candidate: 12.9%

Josh Bustard: 45.3% Anna Benitez-Youngberg: 25.9% Mady Gallard: 21.8% No Candidate: 7.0%

President

Executive VP

VP of Finance

VP of Academic Relations

VP of Student Relations

3rd

Major:

Chemistry

Education

Business and Political Science

Bachelor of Business Administration – Leadership and Management Specialization

Applied Linguistics

Spirit Animal:

Water Buffalo

Adriel Carey

Honey Badger

Labrador retriever

Giraffe – poised, but a little awkward

Why did you choose TWUSA?

TWUSA is a rare opportunity to make a contribution to a school that has had a monumental impact on my life. I believe in this place and still think I have something left to give to it.

Because I see my abilities and desire to serve as lining up very well with the mission statement of TWUSA.

Because it is a venue in which I can serve the community. Although that sounds super chiché, my heart is in this place, and being involved in bringing the community together was reason enough for me to join!

To serve the students and continue the vision that has been started by the current TWUSA team.

I saw God leading me to this role due to my prior experience in student leadership, and I believe that this job will allow me to use those skills to their full extent while benefiting the students.

Maintaining TWU’s core values and working to represent the entire student body accurately, in a way that recognizes and respects its many diverse views. Serving students efficiently and building bridges to improve TWUSA’s relationship with every aspect of the Trinity community.

A mixture of “We Are” and advocacy. The students on this campus need a voice, and I want to facilitate their upwelling cry.

To continue the vision of “We Are” and to really emphasize serving the community, because in my mind, if we have a heart to serve and a passion to serve, then advocacy will come naturally – along with unreal events!

I want to assist clubs and faculties to have a great year. Also, I want to work to build unity within the TWUSA team while making TWUSA a place that students are comfortable coming to and being a part of.

I want to keep students informed and let them in know that TWUSA is on their side.

Most excited for:

Banana costumes

To work with a fantastic team of people to serve this campus to the best of my abilities.

Working with the new TWUSA team, and to invest in the community and the students!

Working with the new TWUSA team, especially the faculty reps, to make the most of the time we have together next year.

I get to talk to students as a part of my job! How cool is that?

Past Experience:

Resident Assistant

I am the current Education Representative on TWUSA.

TWUSA Director of Operations and Services

Being an RA this year, leading my group of 22 guys.

Ideal career:

Travelling Doctor

A teaching job where I can use my various talents fully, playing music, acting, and serving.

Hedge Fund Manager

Car business

Being a Speech Pathologist and working with children with special needs.

Most influential person in your life:

Uhhh, Jesus?

My older brother… or maybe Kanye.

Dad, for sure

My father

My bed, because it’s always helped me fulfill my dreams.

Election Results: Position: Year:

Vision for the year:

What’s the least depressing thing? “I guess… family?” -Ffion Davies

Director of Communications in TWUSA, Editor-in-Chief of Mars’ Hill

Depression is an illness

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

christina

JACOB

In this world we come across some really amazing people. People that make us believe that dreams can come true and remind us that even the sun comes up after the rain, bringing the colours of the rainbow. We’re not sure how they do it, but they manage to bring a smile to our faces on even our darkest days. They might be people we are close to or those who we look up to from afar. It seems like they’re made of kindness and are happiest when bringing joy to others. Sometimes, though, we forget these same people might also be the ones who suffer the deepest. We may not catch it right away, but when we do, it seems that so many of us are not really sure of how to help. Most know of Robin Williams, a kind-hearted legend of a man. His work in film and comedy are appreciated and enjoyed by many to this day. He brought a unique presence to the work he was able to accomplish in films like Mrs. Doubtfire and Dead Poets Society; his comedic and acting skills left a great impression on the entertainment industry. Williams seemed to give out a lot of himself. He was also someone who suffered with his own mental health battles, including depression. Many were heartbroken to hear the news of his death on August 11, and many shared their condolences and love

for a man who had done so many wonderful things for the world. Along with love, however, there were those who felt condemnation was an appropriate response to his suicide. Instead of offering words of empathy, they offered judgement, feeling that Williams was “selfish” in his actions. They assumed that his choice to end his life was something that he had consciously weighed out, that leaving his family behind was something that he was okay with doing. They were wrong. Depression isn’t as black and white as some of us think, and it is definitely not something that people choose to have. Depression is just as much a physical battle as it is a mental one, and telling someone with depression to simply “stop being selfish” is in no way helping them. As a member of the Church, I hardly hear about how we are supposed to take on depression, and if I do, it’s in the context of “pray more and find joy in Christ.” While it’s not wrong to say these things, I’m not sure if we entirely understand what those with depression are going through. Even worse is when someone who is suffering is told that they do not have a good enough relationship with God, faith in God, or that their depression is a punishment for their sins. I can’t tell you enough how misguided condemnation and

blame can be for someone who is experiencing mental illness. To use a metaphor, imagine a man carrying a very heavy box of rocks that is attached to his back; the man is unable to safely put the box down, and so he is forced to carry the box for as long as he can. Now imagine people walking by this man trying to tell him to just take the box off his back, reiterating that it is a problem in his life. They do not understand that taking the box off his back is not easy. Still, they try and continue to tell the man to the point of what feels like nagging: “Take off the box.” Whether they realize it or not, these

people add more weight to the man’s already-heavy burden. As you can imagine, the man in this example must be so very tired. Humans are not invincible. Our bodies and minds have limits. If we aren’t careful, we might be pushing those who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses past their own limit. Instead of heaping more stones onto people’s backs, why aren’t we doing what the Church was called to do instead? Numerous times in the Bible, God tells His people to help the weak and the needy. 1 Corinthi-

ans 12: 25-27 talks about how each one of us is a valuable member of the body of Christ; how we have to work together to see freedom and joy come. It also mentions that “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” I can’t help but imagine what the Church would be like if, instead of putting people down, we were willing to step down from our own pedestals and seek to understand and comfort them in all the pain that they feel isolated by. Whether it is Robin Williams or the student who feels lost and anxious, can’t we try to be an encouraging partner to them in their distress? To those who are going through depression or any other mental illness, we love you. You are not a burden. Your depression is not your fault. As Jesus said on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” I pray that as Christians, we try to support you more and let you know that this world wouldn’t be the same without you.

It’s not just a lifestyle

Canada’s hidden epidemic

sarah

GROCHOWSKI

“The majority of Canadians think that an eating disorder is a choice you make, but it is absolutely a mental illness,” says former sufferer Angela Rinaldis. “It was a coping mechanism, the only thing I could control was what I put into my mouth.” This Vancouver woman spoke in public recently about her battle with an eating disorder. She uses her own journey to recovery with the help of treatment as an appeal to those who cannot openly admit they need help.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week in Canada, February 1-7, has been marked by municipal proclamations and events in countless cities across our nation. This week coincided with the release of recent mental health reports by the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) that an estimated 600,000 to 990,000 Canadians are either former or current sufferers of an eating disorder. Within the past two years, the hospitalization for eating disorders in Canada has increased by 42% in women aged 10-19. The report conveyed the dire conclusions that there is an immense deficit in funding for eating disorder treatment, a lack of civilian awareness surrounding it, and an

overwhelming amount of both men and women going undiagnosed, as silent sufferers, every year. The most effective treatments, such as family-based therapy and nutritional counseling, are the highest in cost. These realities are only made scarier when we understand the high morality rate of this mental illness. More than any other psychiatric illness, 10% of individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa will die within the first 10 years of onset. To demonstrate the dangerous situation Canada’s eating disorder sufferers face, a current example: in Ontario, one of Canada’s largest and wealthiest provinces, there are only three treatment centers that have in-patient beds for a population of 12 million.

Only three. Dr. Blake Woodside, the medical director for the Program for Eating Disorders at Toronto General Hospital, says that this lack of available treatment for these sufferers is outright discrimination. Woodside concluded that discrimination occurs specifically when this illness is assumed to affect only wealthy young women, a demographic with such little political power in society. The reality is, though, that it is not just women suffering from this illness. Eating disorders can affect anyone, at any age, regardless of their gender or nationality. The amount of men afflicted has been on the rise for years now. One of the biggest problems that hinders those afflicted with

this illnesses from being provided with help is the stigma attached to them. “It is just a phase,” many may say about those who suffer. Others voice, “Just eat something already!” as if it was as easy as making one conscious choice to recover. Words do not adequately address the mental isolation and shame that so many face as they battle this illness. Experts say that the causes of anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating illnesses are complex and laden with many psychological and genetic factors. The chances are that you or someone you love struggles with this very illness.

Protest in Fort Langley Protest against pipeline expansion

SuperBowl suppression 593 pimps and johns arrested

sarah

GROCHOWSKI

Many of us students gathered in the company of good friends, salty snacks, and television sets on this year’s Super Bowl Sunday. The viewership record previously set by the 2014 Super Bowl was superseded by a new high of 114.4 million viewers watching this year’s NBC’s broadcast per minute. This means that for our neighbours to the south, the 2015 Super Bowl has quickly become the most watched TV broadcast in all of U.S. history. During this showcase of hard work and athletic determination from both the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, however, there

was something occurring that many are not privy to. “The Super Bowl is the greatest show on earth, but it also has an ugly underbelly,” Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott told USA Today in 2011. “It is commonly known as the single largest human trafficking incident in the United States.” Whether or not this assertion is factually true, there is an influx in the number of sex services being advertised online in host cities each year. “Super Bowl Specials,” they have been called, with posts saying things like, “If your team lets you down, we will PEP you up!” The hard part about understanding such an explicit and underground industry as the sex trade is the lack of trafficked survivors speaking about their traumatic experiences. Without experts ever being immersed in the universal

realities of sexual exploitation, we will always have a smaller-scale understanding of such a severe injustice. The former president

of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that 100,000 children in the United States are trafficked

into the sex trade annually. That’s just children. Those who have spoken up, like former prostitute Clemmie Greenlee, tell of the horrific pressure and abuse that occurs during the week of the Super Bowl. It is said that when the exploited do not reach certain client quotas, they are punished with beatings, rape, and other forms of torture. But there is still hope. Events that followed this year’s Super Bowl in Phoenix were ones of progressive and systemic change. The U.S. government, knowing about the influx in human trafficking during the Super Bowl, executed a two-week long trafficking sting where a total 37 law enforcement agencies arrested 570 would-be Johns (buyers) and 23 pimps through fake advertisements posted online. This came just after the House of Republi-

cans passed 12 new bills that have the potential to pave the way for more appropriate aftercare for victims, as well as a proposed move towards curbing the demand of Johns themselves. The biggest progress is evident in the words of an involved Sheriff: “Law enforcement is beginning to realize that arresting the girls over and over again is never going to effectively address prostitution. It is not a victimless crime, and Johns need to be held responsible for their role in exacerbating the sex trade.” More and more, law enforcement in the West has begun to understand the deeper, systemic problems responsible for the damages this industry has upon society and individuals. More and more, we are seeing prostitutes as those in need of protection, not prosecution.

What’s the least depressing thing? “Coloring in my dollar store colouring book.” -Cheryl Roest

sarah

GROCHOWSKI

Just shy of two weeks ago, a rally was held protesting the potential pipeline drilling on the Kwantlen First Nation Salmon River. For many of the students driving to campus on the afternoon of February 5, at the corner of Rawlison Crescent and Glover Road, a large roadblock slowed down their commute. The protest consisted of over 60 protestors, the majority

of whom desire to see the preservation of the unceded First Nation territory, as well as Langley City’s facilitative police officers. Holding signs showcasing statements like “No Kinder Morgan Surprises,” “Save the Salmon,” and “Clean Energy Now,” the peaceful demonstrators exemplified their unified opposition. To many of Fort Langley’s residents, the Salmon River is a sensitive forest and watershed habitat in need of protection, as it contains many endangered wildlife species. In 2012, the Kinder Morgan Company announced its plans to expand the Trans Mountain export pipeline to triple its size. As

it stands now, the pipeline runs through Alberta all the way West to an oil refinery in Burnaby, carrying various forms of energy like natural gas, crude oil, and refined petroleum products for distribution. Fort Langley’s Salmon River is just one of the drilling sites that nearby residents say have been examined, digging boreholes 30 metres deep in preparation for the expansion. Other cities within the Fraser Valley that will face similar drilling and inspection include Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope. Susan Cline, the proud owner of a Rawlison Crescent property that includes a pond fed by

a creek where the proposed expansion will go, shared during the rally, “We need to take care of the earth and promote harmony.” The co-organizer of the demonstration, Brandon Gabriel, expressed, “I would like to iterate that the people who come out to these events are not fringe groups operating on the margins of society and they are all people who live, work, go to school, teach, and who care about our environment, our economy, and are proud to call this place home.” He said one of his main concerns was the undisclosed, secretive nature of the Kinder Morgan drilling and inspection. Citizens are outraged

What’s the least depressing thing? “Puppies with bows and fluffy blankets.” -Alice Best

that no attempts were made to dialogue with the Aboriginal community who have territorial affiliation with the Salmon River. For these reasons, Fort Langley can expect to see more protests of this sort within the next few weeks. In response to this demonstration, the Kinder Morgan pipeline company said that they did receive legal confirmation from the Township of Langley as well as consent from private landowners where the exact drilling took place, but as many of the protestors voiced during the rally, that is just not enough.

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

ACADEMY

In defence of chess

aline BOUWMAN

On a checkered board of sixtyfour squares, two armies of sixteen men face one another over a field of immense potential. A strained silence rests upon the battleground, intercepted only by calm fingers tapping the timer intermittently. The sporadic noise is the rhythm that only endless creativity can yield. Joined in their trance of thoughts, two players show the calm of gods above a troubled field. There is no nobler game than chess. Before Candy Crush and Angry Birds and other nauseainducing titles out of the array of Social Media gaming, there was a game that sharpened the mind instead of numbing it. Chess is a matter of delicate judgement, knowing when to punch and how to duck. In chess, success relies solely on the player’s analytic skill and strength of will. And to succeed, you must brave the risk of

failure. But what has happened to the status of “The King’s Game”? Thinking of chess, one imagines a boring, stuffy game played only in retirement homes by decaying grandfathers, or in the corner of a lab by the spectacle-wearing honours nerds of math and science programs. But allow me to destroy these biases. As a young, female, humanities student who is

president of a university chess club, I would like to present a defence of chess. Chess demands the attention and concentration required to choose among a hosts of paths, struggle for control over critical squares, build sound pawn structure, develop and march vital pieces, come to see valuable lines, acquire advantages in time and material, anticipate your op-

ELLEN GRAHAM

ellen.graham@mytwu.ca

ponent’s moves, conduct logical problem-solving, and provide dynamic counter-play, all while safeguarding the king—and maintaining a calm demeanour. If anyone still dares make the argument that chess is boring (which would be indicative of insufferable ignorance), consider this fact: there are 318,979,564,000 possible ways to play the first four moves of chess. If a sport that

does not involve the senseless gratification of moving images and flashing colours can only be associated with “boredom,” then I mourn your death, for a life aimed at leisure is a life aimed at death—the ultimate leisure. Chess is not merely an idle amusement, like the games you play on your phone in the bathroom. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it so as to become habits, ready on all occasions. Benjamin Franklin once remarked that, “In Chess we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effects of prudence or the want of it. For Life is a kind of Chess.” To this, Bobby Fischer, former world champion, could only respond: “Life is Chess.” Compelled to join a Chess Club that does not meet in a retirement home? TWU Chess Club is looking for new members! Weekly meetings occur on Thursdays from 1-2pm in NEU 36. No prerequisite skills required.

How will you encounter mental health

maria METCALFE

For a long time, whenever I thought about mental health, I envisioned the Downtown East Side, my neighbour who “went over the edge,” and that lady who came up to me in McDonalds to tell me about recent stabbings in Walnut Grove. However, since coming to TWU, I have had to seriously reconsider my previous misconceptions regarding illness of the psyche. Not only have I met friends who

have been affected by one or more mental illnesses, but I have also realized that we have all had, are presently dealing with, or soon will encounter mental illness. With transition and stress being trademarks of the university experience, it is likely that you also will experience changes in your own mental health over the span of your degree at Trinity. So if mental health challenges are inevitable, how will you encounter them? Do you really know what you may be coming up against? Personally, I think the question much less concerns what you will face, but rather, how you will face it – and even more, by whose strength. As I seek to understand the many facets of mental health, a valuable purpose emerges. It becomes apparent to me, as I continue to work in group homes for people with psychi-

atric illness, that mental illness serves an inestimable purpose. Contrary to my previous stigmatized preconceptions, I learned that mental health can bring about gifts. Honesty, communal interdependence, and an enduring hope are only some of the invaluable lessons my experiences in Group Homes have taught me. One does not expect to be given a card of thanks or a genuine smile from someone who battles uncontrolled, harmful thoughts. Yet when those little moments of love unexpectedly greet you, it is clear that they originate from a place of authenticity. It is this authenticity that graciously reminds me to see Christ’s reflection in people who struggle with mental illness. After all, Jesus suffered too, and it was much less His suffering and much more His divine love that enabled

Him to endure such hardship. As such, it is much less about the painstakingly apparent symptoms of suffering from mental illness, which we too often draw our only focus to, and much more about the love of God that resides in us humans despite ourselves. Therefore, rather than regarding mental illness as isolated, absurd, and mysterious, we must recognize the lessons that it can reveal. Further, we must look beyond the symptoms of mental illness to view the transparent truths and moments of authenticity that it can present. Third, we must open our eyes to encounter Christ in others, i n

What’s the least depressing thing? “Sunshine!” -Meaghan Delaney

ourselves, and in the beauty of a patient moment where His Love illuminates the hearts, minds, and souls of the world alike.

Can I re-gift my gift?

Growing up, I was always told to save myself for the person I loved because my virginity was a “gift” for my one-day partner. I envisioned a perfectly-wrapped, white gift that I would be able to give to my future recipient. The vision of that perfectly-wrapped gift never did disappear – it just changed form. I chose to “give myself ” to a boy I “loved,” and we are no longer together and likely never will be. I gave my gift to someone who unwrapped it and returned it in a lessthan-perfect state. Now when I think about my gift, I see not the perfectly-wrapped white present, but an opened box with the wrapping peeled back from the top. The conception of self that is tied to virginity is something that has lead to the “virginity myth.” We’ve reduced an entire sexual being to a singular sexual item. If one were really serious about the legitimate nature of physiological virginity, they would have to search fairly hard to find it. Active girls usually lose their hymen well before they have sex. Regardless, the mystical physical marker of virginity has become a hot commodity – a rarity to be reckoned with. A friend of mine was raised in a Christian home and went to a private Christian school where, in fifth grade sex-ed, the teacher brought in a block of wood, a hammer, and a railroad spike. The girls-only class was about to be given a similar visual to what I was given. The teacher drove the spike into the block with one swift stroke, then pulled the spike out of the block and held it up to the class, “This is what happens to your body when you have sex, and this is not something that you want to present to your future husband.” Aggressive, yes; appropriate, maybe not; effective, yes. The message is clear; once your virginity is gone, it is gone for good and you are a marked creation. Some of my best friends are a group that loves to go hiking. On one of our hikes, we were talking about relationships and what I call “deal breakers.” I asked each of the guys what the “deal breakers”

casie GANO

would be that would make a potential relationship fall through. The first said smoking and swearing, the second said lack of athleticism. The last remained silent, so I asked him again. He said he was reluctant to answer, but I urged him on. His answer was, “If she is not a virgin, it’s a no-go for me.” His reasons for this were that there is “too much baggage” attached to a girl who has lost her virginity and that, being a virgin himself, he deserved to have someone that had also waited.

Touché. I wasn’t surprised. Most of all, I felt reassured of my previous conviction: that no matter what I did, I would never have that gift perfectly wrapped again. Here I was, talking to one of my most intellectually-stimulating and engaging friends, for whom I had the utmost respect, and I could not help but feel inferior. In the past, I have evaluated relationships on the

assumption that many people would have the same “deal breaker” as my friend, and have denied possible suitors on this assumption. If they are virgins and I am not, I best do them a service and break things off before they find out and are disappointed. And I’m fairly certain I am not alone. Shame is doled out according to a threat surrounding “the gift.” It points to the downfall of innocence and the awareness that a reciprocal experience of self-giving no longer stands. Coming to a Christian university, I swore myself to silence on my “virginity” status because I knew it was a big deal here. And, well, it is, and should remain as such. However, I learned over time that I was not alone in feeling a deep sense of shame around my past, as if I were an impostor walking around in a crowd of “pure” people. I also learned that a large number of my peers were indeed sexually active or struggling with sex, but that they too had felt the expectation to remain quiet. So what do we do when we falter? When we lose that “v card”? For me, coming to Christ well after my initial sexual experience has been a time of confusion and, often, of doubt. Scripture says, “If anyone be in Christ, they are a new creation. Old things pass away. All things be made new.” God helps us break the bondage of our sin in all aspects of our lives, but how can we be made new once we have given ourselves prematurely? Yet renewal of spirit and transformation of character seem all the more tangible to me because I have experienced them. Maybe our culture is a little sick for making virginity such a hot commodity, and perhaps Christians do a good job of contributing to all the hype, but honestly, chastity is something to be valued. Sex is an idol and virginity is just another element of that idol when it is obsessed over. For myself, I know that I have often felt pressure from somewhere, whether it be from culture or from the Christian community. And I know that this pressure affects a lot of people. Virginity, as I understand it now, is the decision to remain chaste until marriage. This is to guard the emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of your created being that you don’t want to throw around to anyone. I know that choosing chastity now may seem too-little-too-late for some (like my hiker friend), but for me, it is my way of honoring my Creator and my future partner (if I choose to have one) with what I have (left).

What’s the least depressing thing? “The sunrise.” -Matthew Schmidt

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Possessions, and how they possess us

ellen GRAHAM

The end of last semester found me trying to solve perhaps the most difficult puzzle I’ve ever had to solve: how does a person with about a million things manage to fit all of them into a tiny Douglas storage locker? It was actually astounding to see how much clutter I had managed to accumulate. Every time I turned around, there were more things that needed a place to live for the summer. I could only take a suitcase or two with me, which meant

that all my books and winter clothes and boxes of tea and bedding and random lamps had to fit in this tiny square of space. It was real-life Tetris. What really amazed me about this experience was the vast amount of useless crap I own. I lived in a tiny dorm room last year, of which only half the space was mine; you wouldn’t think I would need to – let alone be able to – own that much. Yet there I was, carting load after load of stuff up the stairs, things that I didn’t really need but couldn’t seem to imagine living without. This experience emphasized for me how dependent I am on my possessions. If I am

going anywhere overnight, I have to drag along the “essentials.” I rely on having a

“

A possession is not an evil in itself; it becomes an evil when we place our dependence on it and when we start to become obsessed.

”

certain number of things in my life. Even on an average

day, I am still fettered to my possessions. I can’t remember the last time I left the house without a purse. Or the last time I went anywhere without my phone in hand. I am constantly burdened with stuff, and that scares me. Despite the fact that I technically “own” these things, I don’t feel in control; I feel possessed my by possessions. Don’t get me wrong; I know that I am extremely lucky to live in a culture where I have this problem. I am grateful because that means I also have food on the table and indoor plumbing. But the line needs to be drawn. A possession is not an evil in itself; it becomes an evil when we place our de-

pendence on it and when we start to become obsessed. It becomes an evil when we give it power over us. It is difficult to escape the materialism that has become so central to Western culture. But I think that making an effort to loosen the hold that our possessions have on us is a first step. This looks different for different people; maybe it means getting rid of a couple pairs of shoes or maybe it means leaving your phone at home every now and then. Above all else, it means understanding that the stuff we own is just that: stuff. Don’t let your possessions possess you. Trust me, real-life Tetris is not fun.

The debilitating illness no one talks about

kirsten GIBSON

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association and Mood Disorders Canada, one in five Canadians will experience a form of mental illness in their lifetime, and 8% of Canadians will experience a major depression. Major depression is the fourth leading cause of disability and premature death in the world. By 2020, it is predicted that depression will become the second leading cause of disability in the world next to heart disease. I was 18 years old when I first realized that I was suffering from depression. It took several months to build up the courage to share with someone about it and unfortunately, the friend I confided in did not respond with love or support. This experience led me to the false belief that I should keep quiet about my struggle because mental illness isn’t common or normal. I began to believe everything about the stigma surrounding mental illness. For the following year and a half, I struggled silently with depression, slowly isolating myself until I had few friends left to notice the changes in my mood and behaviour. I spent hours crying, I had

no interest in the things I used to love, and I regularly turned down activities with the friends I still had, simply because I was too exhausted to do anything. I was afraid of the stigma and of what my friends would think, so every day I put on a brave smiling face and attended all my classes. No one noticed that something was wrong. I was relieved when I finally spoke up to another

friend about my experience with depression. They listened with compassion and spoke without judgement as they walked me through the different ways that I

could get help. I decided to attend weekly counselling sessions and regular doctor’s appointments. Another choice that was right for me was to follow through with taking medication for depression. Even with professional assistance, all has not been well. Depression does not simply vanish. It has now been almost four years since I initially thought that I was experiencing depression. The

What’s the least depressing thing? “The Love of God.” -Sam Ravensbergen

shame associated with mental illness results in fear. I’m afraid to talk about self-harm and thoughts of suicide, and I’m afraid that those who are uneducated about mental illness will brush depression off as a weakness or something that’s “all in my head.” Finally, I’m afraid of how long my depression will last. If you are struggling with depression or any other form of mental illness, I encourage you to fight the stigma and speak up. Tell a friend. Seek medical assistance from a doctor or attend a counselling session (for TWU counselling go to www.twu.ca/ wcintake). 80% of people struggling with depression respond well to treatment, and yet 90% of people fighting depression will never seek it. If you have a friend who you think may be experiencing a form of mental illness such as depression, I would suggest kindly and compassionately opening up the discussion. Chances are that they have been silently pleading for someone to notice their struggle. Whether or not you fall into one of these categories, you can still educate yourself about the different types of mental illness and talk about mental illness with your friends and family. Participate in raising awareness by donating to the TWU fundraiser Break the Cycle, happening from February 2-20. Fight the stigma and break the cycle.

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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What’s the least depressing thing? “I would answer that, but that’s kind of a lifetime journey.” -Noel Muddamalle

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

An interview with NLCC Lead Pastor Matthew Price

ELEPHANTS IN THE CHURCH What’s the least depressing thing? “Cats and chocolate. And tea.” -Cirian Mejia

Mental health is an issue about which the church has too often been silent. Therefore, in January 2015, North Langley Community Church began a three-week sermon series entitled “Elephants in the Church: Mental Illness.” Mars’ Hill talked with Matthew Price, NLCC Lead Pastor and TWU alumnus, to discuss how the church can better care for those struggling with mental illness. Mars’ Hill: Why is this topic important to address in the church? Matthew Price: The church is the body of Christ on earth. He has given the church the awesome responsibility to care for the poor, the broken, the marginalized, and the powerless. I can’t think of a better way to love our neighbour than to tangibly love those suffering with mental health issues. The number of people suffering from a mental illness is massive. From schizophrenia to an eating disorder, from ADHD to depression, and from anxiety disorders to PTSD – these are just a few of the mental health issues that affect all of us. To turn a blind eye to those that are suffering is failing to love our neighbour. MH: How has the church failed to love those with mental illness? MP: I think we have failed to love in numerous ways. We just completed a three week series at North Langley Community Church, and in our second week of the series, I explained that we have failed to love those with a mental illness in three specific ways: 1. Stigma. Stigma is a mark of shame that we place on people. When I place a stigma on someone, I fail to love them. In the church, we have placed a stigma on those going for counselling, on those taking medication, and on those who feel they can’t cope. As Pastor Rick Warren said in a 2013 sermon at Saddleback Church, “It’s amazing that any other organ breaks down in your body and there is no stigma. Your brain breaks down and there is stigma.” When we place a stigma on someone, we shut down the person suffering and label that person with shame. And when we do this, we fail to put on the love of Christ – it’s that serious. 2. Simple Answers. We love quick solutions, don’t we? We live in a culture of quick solutions, and when it comes to mental illness we are looking for a one-time fix. We think to ourselves: “If

that person would simply pray harder….” “If that person would simply read the Bible more….” “If only that person could just have more faith….” “Have they tried counselling?” “Have they tried a certain vitamin?” “Have they “chosen” to wake up every day with the right attitude?” We say these things as if someone struggling hadn’t thought of them. Those of us who have not struggled with a mental illness may see it as a simple problem that has a simple solution. But mental illness is a journey with highs, lows, twists, and turns all along the way. If we in the church keep caring for people with a mental illness as though they are going through a McDonalds drive through, offering them a quick and simple solution, then we are failing to love. 3. Spiritual Lies. One hard part about being a disciple of Jesus is that we are called to love by being discerning. Discernment is a massive task, and it means that we need to call out false teaching when we see it. Here are some examples of false teachings or spiritual lies when it comes to mental health conversations in the church: “Christians don’t suffer.” “Mental illness is simply demonic possession.” “When you are depressed, you just need more faith.” “Mental illness is a spiritual problem that requires a spiritual solution alone.” See what is happening? As we begin to believe these false teachings, this way of thinking leads to a false way of living and ministering in the church. These spiritual lies keep us from putting on the love of Christ. As Amy Simpson writes in Troubled Minds, “Spiritualizing mental illness translates to blaming sick people for their illnesses.” This is not the way of love in the church. MH: What are some ways in which the church can better love those with mental illness?

MP: This is a great question, and I look forward to learning from other churches who have already started down this journey of care. Four things come to mind: 1. Talk about it. This was massive for us at our church. I am in my third year as the Lead Pastor, and I have never had so much feedback or so many notes of appreciation on a sermon series before. People were desperate for us to talk about it – not just in small groups, but from the pulpit. I would encourage Trinity students to urge their pastors to speak into the issue. It is tough to walk through, but desperately needed. 2. Get educated. Education is so helpful in removing stigma and silence in the church. There are many resources out there, but two books that really helped me were Rod Wilson’s How Do I Help a Hurting Friend? and Amy Simpson’s Troubled Minds. Read these powerful books! 3. Group Care and Prayer. At our church, North Langley, we have started the conversation on how to care for those who are struggling with a mental illness and for those who are close friends or family members of those struggling with a mental illness. We are praying about starting a once-a-week evening where people can come and listen to each other’s stories, receive a deeper connection to care, and pray with one another. An evening like this has the potential to provide an incredible network of support within the church. 4. Offer Hope. The Christian faith holds to the truth that even if we don’t see healing in this life, that God will resurrect our bodies. We have the hope that He will give us new minds and brains, as Jesus’ own resurrection reminds us that we have the hope of a new body. God can heal and will heal, whether in this life or the next. This is our hope. Finally, I want to leave you with a beautiful picture of the love of Christ made visible in the church. I think that this is a perfect picture of how we are to care for those among us living with a mental illness: “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).

What’s the least depressing thing? “Erin Thiessen’s smile.” -Graham Gibson

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

CREATIVE

inspired by

[spaces]

A cruel angel’s thesis Norman’s Journal Entry dated: February 11

There was a time in my life when I did not regret investing in others. Is it not a peculiar thing? We invest such time and effort, so much of ourselves, in other people whom we call friends– sometimes even prefacing that word with boy or girl—most of whom we hardly ever see again the moment that proximity does not permit regular encounters. We graduate from high school, and along with that, we graduate from nearly all the relationships we forged there. I have no contact with any high school friend—and despite myself, I actually had a few. The friendships I did try to retain after graduation sputtered and waned into unrequited emails, as if the friendships meant nothing from the outset. We move on to university, form new friendships—most of which are broken along with the stamped seal on our diplomas. Is there anything more fleeting than friendship? Friendships we compromise at any opportunity for advancement in life—for our studies, for employment. Material objects—at least those you can carry with you from place to place! But friends? Relationships? Any such connections, perhaps outside of the blood-relations to which

we are condemned at birth? We best wait until middle-age, when we are settled in one place, before we consider acquiring friends. All friendships between people, say, under the age of thirty, are founded on two lies—one lie that is exchanged implicitly between the friends, and another lie to oneself. The first lie is that the friends will remain true to one another. It is on account of this lie that close friends are prone to forging unbearable promises with one another: “when we graduate, we will write every day,” they promise one another, “we will visit on holidays, even someday live on the same street...” Yes, they tell one another these lies, each knowing but not facing the reality that their relationship will someday not exceed Facebook messaging and Christmas cards. Eventually even that will become too much of a bother to either one of them. It is easier to discuss your career goals with a complete stranger than with a close friend. Grad school, employment opportunities— all these supersede friendships, and we as humans are ashamed of ourselves for it. The only friendships that last are ones that are convenient to our life plans— which are usually not settled until middle-age. As for the other lie, to oneself ? Our persistent delusion that

friendships are worth it. By nature, we are compelled to do only things that are worthwhile and have a return investment. But most friendships yield only short-term returns, as much as we struggle to delude ourselves otherwise. They are fun, entertaining— friendships are convenient so long as they are merely hedonistic. But when it comes to sacrificing for our friends, to serving them—is there any guarantee that any such gestures will be returned before the friendship has run its natural course? All broken friendships leave one thing behind: unpaid debts. I know this well enough myself. And even all this presumes that the relationship remains healthy and dies only naturally. Usually friendships, and more so, relationships, perish from disease—such as my relationship with Olivia. There is only one thing more delusional than friendship: romance. My flight from chapel last Friday doomed me. Not the act itself of barreling over Olivia and several other students to reach the exit door; this I could have rationalized to Olivia with some narrative lie. I could have claimed that the chapel song the band was playing then triggered within me some unresolved childhood trauma. Olivia, being a psychology major,

might have found that intriguing. No, the fatal error was in leaving Christopher and Olivia alone with one another, with every reason to discuss my shocking behavior. Before I had even crafted my justifying lie for Olivia, she sent me an email, claiming that Chris has disclosed everything to her. All that Chris told her I cannot know, but I can only assume that she knows at least that I am not a believer. She wrote that she needs some time and space to think things over before we see each other again. I imagine that she is not sleeping well. I, on the other hand, sleep well enough. I do not miss her. I am disappointed that my little experiment with her has terminated so prematurely—and on account of such a buffoon as Chris! I am curious as to how long her “thinking” shall take— Valentine’s Day is only a few sleeps away. A couple days have passed, and since then I have not seen Chris at breakfast. We have crossed paths a couple of times between classes, although he always pales and turns the other way. That poor, pious boy. Even Chris is suffering more from broken relationships now than I am. I do not miss Olivia—I write it again—nor do I miss his friendship. I used him, and he amused me for a time.

What more can one expect from a friend at this time in one’s life? This, really, is why friends are not worth the trouble. So rarely does a relationship run its natural course. Mostly they end tragically and leave all parties in desolation. I do not feel bad that Olivia is suffering, perhaps even with a broken heart—this is a kind of suffering that all humans endure at some point, and sufferings that are part of the human condition are difficult to lament, even when you are the cause. What am I but a token of fate? I still remember how I felt when that other, first woman left me. Initially I was broken—then I recovered. Once someone with a broken heart realizes that it is something that everyone endures at some point, it is easy to recover. Everyone around you becomes a role model for recovery. I suppose this is one reason that Christians are compelled to believe in Christ. Jesus: the one friend who accompanies the Christian wherever life takes them. In other words, the only friend who accompanies you everywhere is the one who is most absent in any way that can be felt.

Visit www.marshillonline.com/sections/creative/ to read the previous chapters of A Cruel Angel’s Thesis to get caught up in this tale of faith, romance, and heresy!

What’s the least depressing thing? “When you pick up a slice of pizza and the toppings don’t fall off.” -Steven Simpson

ARTS & CULTURE

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Why bother with art?

leanne WITTEN

There are numerous answers to the question, “What’s the point of art?” It’s beautiful. It brings us pleasure. It’s fun. Often, however, art is seen as unnecessary or superfluous because it does not have practical value. T.S. Eliot, the great twentieth century poet, essayist, and literary and social critic, viewed art as not just as a pleasant pastime, but

as a fundamental part of any culture. If art has no practical value, it certainly has aesthetic value – but Eliot would argue that art is also more than that. A painter, musician, actor, or author does not merely make something beautiful, but something that brings value to human existence. Eliot spent a significant amount of time analyzing the relationship between art and culture, and arrived at the conclusion that art is a significant part of culture because it gives humanity more than survival value. The philosopher Roger Scruton was heavily influenced by Eliot’s

views on culture. He distinguishes between what he referred to as “common culture” and “high culture.” Common culture consists of a culture’s signs, symbols, ceremonies, and customs that a person is born into, the culture that they share with other people of the same heritage. High culture refers to the world of art, literature, scholarship, and philosophy. The key difference is that common culture binds people together based on a situation they were born into; high culture requires effort to acquire and maintain, but the rewards are rich. Common culture is important. Shared race, language, and cultural norms are all crucial

aspects of culture without which there would be no foundation for high culture to stem from, but high culture brings a depth into human lives that would otherwise remain undiscovered. Originality and creativity are part of human nature. To dismiss these in favour of things that are useful for survival value alone is to neglect a significant aspect of humanity. One of the ways in which high culture is achieved is through education. Scruton states that without the emotional knowledge obtained through high culture and transmitted through education, people are divorced from

classic indie by erik delange This year marks a return to form for many classic indie acts, including The Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, Sufjan Stevens, and even Damien Rice. This playlist attempts to capture the indie movement’s biggest icons and mark their canonization. Indie is a thing now. It’s quantifiable, classifiable, and marketable. The ironic moustache is now just a moustache. Craft Beer is on tap at sports bars. This either means that the movement is over, or that millennials have come of age. Perhaps both. I’ll let you be the judge.

courtney PORRA

In Paradise Lost, John Milton describes hell as “darkness visible,” and it’s with that exact sentiment that I would describe my encounter with mental illness: my own personal hell, where I could watch as darkness set upon me and all light was barred entrance to my heart. In short, I was six years-old

MACKENZIE CAMERON

mackenzie.cameron@mytwu.ca

culture and consequently incapable of responding to the demands of freedom, subjectivity, and truth. As members of a liberal arts university, we all have the opportunity learn something about high culture, and can develop the ability to communicate on a deeper, more meaningful level thanks to our education. In Eliot’s essay “Notes Towards a Definition of Culture,” he sums up his views on culture with the words, “Culture may even be described as that which makes life worth living.” Eliot and Scruton adamantly urge us not to dismiss art as unnecessary or trivial, but to value it as an important part of our culture. Eliot’s words are a reminder of the sometimes forgotten purpose of art.

“Caring Is Creepy” – The Shins “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” – Neutral Milk Hotel “Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)” – The Decemberists “Amie” – Damien Rice “First Day Of My Life” – Bright Eyes “If You’re Feeling Sinister” – Belle & Sebatian “Casimir Pulaski Day” – Sufjan Stevens “Such Great Heights” – The Postal Service “Rebellion (Lies)” – Arcade Fire

Fading within yourself

when mental illness first got its claws in me. Not yet in the second grade, and unbeknownst to me, I was already battling GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), which creates overreactions and escalated fears out of a passing thought. Flash forward six years and I found myself not sleeping, engulfed in debilitating “whatif ”s, and shifting through my fair share of counsellors, landing in the children’s hospital for two months of weekly meet-ups with a psychiatrist. At the age of thirteen, I was officially diagnosed with GAD and OCD (obsessive

compulsive disorder). Upon diagnosis, I found there was freedom in knowing that healthy coping mechanisms existed. Over the next year and a half, I was able to get my anxiety under control and start living with some clarity. Unfortunately, upon managing my anxiety, I entered into a season where I felt the need to hide any stress, downfall, or failure in my life. For the next two and a half years, I battled a depression that stripped away all joy, friendship, and light from my life, leading me to a place of self-loathing, bitterness, and silent harm. The question I get asked frequently is why, after conquering multiple anxiety disorders, I chose to keep my depression silent. There are two answers to this question, and both have to do with the stigma attached to poor mental health. Firstly, mental illness has a way of turning your body against you; it locks you in your mind and throws away the key until you’re left fading within yourself. Your mind becomes its own worst enemy, telling you that there’s no hope in sharing your crisis because nobody wants to talk about mental illness. Secondly, we live in a society that, as much as we advocate progress, is still stuck shunning the “taboo” subject of mental health. This

characteristic of society isolates those struggling with things like depression and anxiety. It makes it harder to get outside your mind and to step away from self-harm into support and help. With many forms of mental illness, this isolation culminates in one of two results: you either ask for help or you take your life. Both ways, the burden it places on your life becomes too great and you hit rock bottom. For me, after days of contemplating suicide, I found hope in the most unlikely place: an argument with my parents. It took my mom confronting my health to remember that God could heal my brokenness. When the stigma surrounding mental illness is thrown away, hope and light can filter through. Maybe some part of my story resonates with you, maybe you face this yourself, but what can you do to cope? Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Despite the stigmas out there, resources are available to bring you through this. Also, step out of your mind and seek out self-expression. From personal experience, I can say that art – for me it was dance, and now, writing – helps to confidently address what burdens you head-on. Maybe you don’t struggle with mental illness, but it’s likely you

What’s the least depressing thing? “Being with my family.” - Tracy KornelsenV

know someone who does. You can help. This isn’t something we can ignore. Start a conversation; the more vocal we are, the more hope we can bring to those struggling. Let us be a generation with a voice for the battles unspoken.

Courtney Porra is an International Studies Major from Langley, BC. In her free time she enjoys serving in youth ministry, heading up a youth ministry blog, writing, and exploring the coast’s hidden treasures with Daniel. She blogs about life, faith, and poetry at “A Guided Wandering”.

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

15 GREGORY REESE

American Sniper

American Sniper is a truly powerful film for the twenty-first century world. A haunting portrayal of what soldiers go through, the film has a sympathetic view of the military. Because of its heavy patriotism, however, it doesn’t get to explore the complex issues that it presents as deeply as some other war films. While we see Chris Kyle making difficult decisions in war and mentally remaining in the war zone once he has returned home, the film doesn’t feel the need to explore these questions further. Nevertheless, Bradley Cooper is fantastic at conveying Kyle’s raw emotion. American Sniper does a good job of portraying an American hero, just not deeply enough for my liking.

Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

This is my favorite film of 2014, and I think that Michael Keaton is a lock for Best Actor. Shot to resemble a single take, watching Birdman feels like watching a real theater production. Keaton’s character, Riggan Thomson, is trying to reestablish himself as a serious artist. This film is a great representation of the way that people talk about pop culture and entertainment. It’s important to recognize not only what’s relevant, but also what truth and true art are. Birdman shows what our culture values and how we strive to seek truth and relevance in this world.

Boyhood

Boyhood is a perfect encapsulation of our generation. It reminds you of all the previous fads and stages of your life, but never feels dated. There aren’t any action sequences or massive conflicts within the film; it simply focuses on all those small and intimate moments. This is the film that will likely win Best Picture for being the true milestone that it is. In Boyhood, Richard Linklater creates a picture of a timeless story: growing up.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Grand Budapest Hotel is the only film on this list that I didn’t enjoy. Anderson’s ensemble, featuring Ralph Fiennes and newcomer Tony Revolori, is well acted; however, it is overcrowded and none of the storylines are well developed. It seems like Anderson throws all of his old tricks and techniques into this film, but doesn’t add anything to make this one special. He tries to create a comedy-thriller, but the thrills

by KEVIN REDEKOP

2015 oscars preview This year has been filled with many powerful films. With the 87th Academy Awards taking place on February 22nd, this is the time of year where we honour those great films. Here, I want to offer my thoughts on what the Academy considers the best of the year.

Selma

This is one of the most important films of this year, it covers an issue that is relevant today, and it’s the most snubbed film at this year’s Oscars. Director Ava DuVernay brings us into the era where the film takes place and forces us to witness injustice. It’s haunting to see the brutality that only occurred fifty years ago and see the passionate fight for something that we take so lightly today: the right to vote. David Oyelowo is magnificent as Martin Luther King Jr. and another snub for Best Actor. Selma reminds us of the history of equality, but also serves as a reminder of how much further we need to go.

predictions: Best Picture: Boyhood

Best Director: Richard Linklater (Boyhood) Best Actor: Michael Keaton (Birdman)

The Imitation Game

In this slow-paced thriller, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, the man who solved the Enigma code to help defeat the Germans in World War II. This is a true story, and one that I’m glad is being told. Turing’s story on its own is what makes this film really impactful, but Imitation Game contains some historical inaccuracies in depicting Turing’s character and tensions between characters. It is an intriguing film, but it’s too loose with its history and unimpressive with its direction to be truly great.

The Theory of Everything

Best Actress: Julianne Moore (Still Alice) Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) Biggest Snub: The Lego Movie and Selma

Theory of Everything is a strange but still-intriguing love story based on the true story of Stephen Hawking’s first marriage. Throughout the film, we see Hawking’s slow transformation due to ALS and his refusal to be overcome by it. The film’s main glue is the relationship between Hawking, played brilliantly by Eddie Redmayne, and Jane, played by Felicity Jones; however, it left me confused as to what the filmmakers were trying to say about love. While we’re supposed to feel immense triumph for Stephen and Jane, we’re left wondering: did their love really prevail?

Whiplash

Like jazz drumming itself, this film’s tempo is perfect. J.K. Simmons is fantastic as a ruthless jazz instructor who pushes Miles Teller’s character to perfection. What’s refreshing about Whiplash is that it isn’t only about musicians, but about hard work and ambition. The articles in this paper aren’t the first draft write-ups, the choir didn’t receive their sheet music right before the performance, and the star volleyball player didn’t just look at a diagram before she made the perfect spike; all of that took work and dedication. This film shows you need to be beaten in order to be great.

What’s the least depressing thing? “Starving puppies.” -Mark & Brandon

a conversation on Art & Faith with Chuck MacKnee

mackenzie CAMERON

MacKenzie Cameron: Do you think there’s any merit to the stigma that artists are more susceptible to mental illness than other people? Chuck MacKnee: I think there might be some merit, although I think it’s an unfortunate stigma. If you look at the research, there seems to be some connection with mood, bipolar issues, schizotypal behaviors, and artists. I tend to look at that more as a positive and not necessarily as a negative. Artists naturally exhibit a fair bit of unconventional thinking because that’s what makes them artists – that’s what makes them creative. Therefore, they might not be understood as other people are understood. Freud talked about the concept of “creative illness,” mostly from his own experience. He went through a pretty deep depressive experience when he became quite self-analytical in working through his dreams, thoughts, wishes, and feelings and in a sense he regressed a bit into some childhood things. Jung did the same thing, and both looked at it as a period of self-absorption, but also as a period of awakening in terms of discovering things that helped them formulate their theories. The question is whether they would have birthed some of their understandings and ideas if they hadn’t gone through that “creative illness.” I think there can be times of deep reflection and analysis that kind of border on what some people might call mental health issues, but in a way maybe it’s a doorway to illuminating some hidden penetration or innovation that is very useful. MC: What kind of messages do you think that our media repre-

sentations of mental health and illness are sending to people? CM: I think we’re treating it more honestly than we used to; society as a whole is becoming a little bit more educated when it comes to mental illness. We still have a long way to go because we have a lot of fear and anxiety about mental illness and about the people we think are mentally ill. It’s a matter of degree, because we’re all somewhere on the mental illness scale; we’re all neurotic to some degree. The media is becoming a bit more realistic but the media’s aim is to be captivating, and so over the span of a twohour movie, for example, they really focus on the most exaggerated parts of the illness as opposed to the subtle nuances that would be part of that experience. To me, mental health is essentially adjusting to whatever’s going on in our life. Clara Hughes has been in the media a lot for her open struggle with depression. She’s a Canadian Olympian active in speed skating and also cycling, and she’s making her depression public, and it’s certainly coming out more in other sports where people have suffered with depression. In professional hockey a couple of summers ago, there were three people that killed

themselves within a year and it brought awareness to the reality that professional athletes suffer from depression too. It needs to be in the open. What stays in the dark and undisclosed becomes a more dangerous force. MC: In what ways can the arts be considered therapeutic? CM: The arts can be considered therapeutic in a lot of ways. Artists express things that the general public have tried to express but haven’t known how to articulate. Then the artists bring something forward, and through the visual, or poetry, or music, the observer can really relate or connect; they can have a cathartic experience. I’ve used art therapy a great deal in my practice.

Recently I had a client come to me because she was tired, overwhelmed, and was feeling stigmatized, because she was looking for a physical reason for her difficulties and the doctors said it was depression. She didn’t like that because it made her feel weak, but she came to me anyway to see what we could do. I didn’t see a noticeable change in her attitude or her mood until she started painting. These weren’t great works of art, just colorful expressions of what was going on for her in the moment, but she’d bring them in and just start talking about them. The colors represented certain things and there was a flow and a progression to it that she couldn’t really express with her words – it came out in the art, and sometimes I think that’s what creativity does. It aids this part of us that we’re trying to find reason or logical understanding for by providing an avenue to let it out. Here’s something I discovered through doing 30 plus years of therapy with people: as people work through their issues and as they become more mentally healthy, they naturally release their creativity more. Now, that doesn’t mean that they didn’t have creativity before, but they just become able to let it out more, and that’s something I now look for as a sign of their healing. As a Christian, it’s one of the foundational ways that I think we represent God, because God ultimately is a creator. If I be-

What’s the least depressing thing? “Rainbows.” *confidently eats fries* -Rachel Thomas

lieve in God the creator and that we were created in the image of God, then one of the attributes that would come out as I let go of self and represent the image more clearly would be that creative side. It wouldn’t be held back or distorted so much. I believe creativity aligns with spirituality, which has been defined as “the process of becoming more fully human.” MC: Where would you like to see the arts go with their representations of mental health and illness? Do you think it starts with the general population addressing stigmatization, or do you think it starts with our representations as a model for what it could look like? CM: I think it starts from both sides and comes together. I’ve heard of places in Toronto where they have creative art therapy groups that meet with people struggling with mental illness ,and they call the groups something like mind-deepening groups. Instead of making it sound like a mental deficiency or deformity, they make it sound like a positive thing; they reframe it. I think we could do a lot to reframe mental illness. Even the use of the word “illness” is derogatory – that’s a strange and negative word. In order to reframe, we have to face a lot of our fears, get over our public insecurities, and just be real. I think what creates a lot of mental issues is holding all of those feelings and tensions inside until they finally emerge in some ways that might be problematic. We need to engage human struggles more honestly, and so the arts give us an opportunity to do that. I personally think that every Psychology major should take a theatre class, because it might help us to get in touch with how to better express certain kinds of emotions, or to just let go the façade of how we’re supposed to appear and break out of the illusions to realize a more genuine experience.

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

SPORTS

connor.ewert1@mytwu.ca

No one looking

The stigma of mental illness in sports

connor EWERT

We have all seen it many times. An athlete gets injured during competition and within seconds they are surrounded by medical personnel, mainly doctors and trainers. The athlete is helped off the playing surface, given a quick diagnosis, treated and rehabilitated, and often returns to competition within a short time period. But when that same athlete has a mental disorder, there are no trainers or doctors who take quick action, and the athlete is

STUDS

often abandoned. Mental illness is often overlooked, but it exists in every level of sports. Sport is all too often a masking agent that conceals the deeply rooted mental health issues of athletes. The better the athlete, the more desperate the individual becomes to reach the next level and the less likelihood there is of the athlete reaching out for help. It is essentially the “gladiator mentality,” and it remains the primary barrier. Evidence has suggested that athletes suffer from the same types of mental illness and at the same rates as the general population. Being an athlete does not protect against depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses. It

On second thought

CONNOR EWERT

is also important that athletes know that mental illness is not a weakness. Depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders are medical conditions; they can be treated and the individual can be given help. Athletes could be particularly vulnerable to mental illness for a number of reasons. The stress and pressure of performing and being constantly evaluated by coaches and sometimes media can lead to depression and anxiety. Head injuries, most common in contact sports such as football and hockey, can make some athletes up to four times more likely to experience depression. An example of this would be former hockey enforcers Rick Rypien and Der-

ek Boogaard. Both players suffered multiple concussions from fighting and both suffered from mental illness during their short hockey tenure. Tragically, both players also committed suicide, showing another example of how ill-equipped the sports world is to handle mental illness in athletes. A complicating factor is that many coaches are also ill-equipped to recognize and handle an athlete on their team with a mental illness. A new initiative started by Dr. Thelma Dye Holmes of the Northside Center for Child Development makes coaches better prepared. She states that coaches would be required to have a certificate, if not an advanced degree, in mental health. The professional

leagues along with the college and high school level governing bodies would also ensure that the coaches would work with leading mental health experts and doctors who could train them to look for signs of trauma, depression, and anxiety, among other mental health disorders. The larger problem is that there is a deep-seated sports spirit that has embraced a tradition and notion of immense mental toughness and emotional resilience that makes it difficult, and nearly impossible, for athletes to call out for help.

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

6 reasons the Seahawks play call was not all that bad

connor EWERT

It is easy to question the play call after a goal-line and gamedeciding interception. However, if Russell Wilson had completed his pass to Ricardo Lockette for a one-yard TD, Seahawks offensive coordinator and Pete Carroll would have been lauded for having the guts to throw when everyone was expecting a run. Some Patriots players could even appreciate the choice. Patriots cornerback and former Seahawk Brandon Browner said, “If I’m an offensive guy, that’s the play I want drawn up. It’s manto-man, you stack the receivers like this and boom. They had a good play, but we knew them.” Instead, Wilson’s pass was incredibly intercepted by rookie Malcolm Butler, which was actually good news for coach Bill Belichick. After the Seahawks completed the incredible 33-yard catch by Jermaine Kearse, Belich-

ick committed the largest coaching blunder of the night. Marshawn Lynch ran the ball from the 5 to the 1 with 1:02 left on the clock, plenty of time for Tom Brady to drive down the field for a tying field goal in the event that Seattle went up 31-28. But Belichick, with two timeouts left, decided to run the clock down. Forty seconds went off the clock, and had the Seahawks scored, Brady would have had 26 seconds left to go down the field to get into field goal position, resulting in a Belichick’s missed call being emphasized by the media. Thanks to Butler, the Seahawks look like the team that lost the Super Bowl, rather than the Patriots looking like the team that won. Over the last few weeks, the play call and coaching staff has been under criticism for running the quick slant inside to Ricardo Lockette. However, here are six reasons the play call was not all that bad. 6. Marshawn Lynch is no “sure thing.” During the regular season, Marshawn Lynch ran the ball from the 1-yard line five times

and scored only once. Lynch was no guarantee and to run the ball at that point in the game, you must be sure to score and secure the ball. Lynch struggled through the first three quarters of the game. The pass was a viable option and a viable play, it was open and well designed. The numbers say it was not a guarantee, and it was a great shot to throw it. 5. Turnover was less likely on a pass play. Running the ball on second and goal from the 1-yard line was not the safest play. Throughout the season, there were 112 passes from the 1-yard line and there was only one interception, the game deciding interception in the Super Bowl by Malcolm Butler. Teams were also 6 for 7 this year on the one-yard line against the Patriots, running or passing. 4. The Seahawks and Pete Carroll took chances all year long Pete Carroll and the Seahawks took chances and put risk up for reward all season long. They ran a trick play earlier in the year with Russell Wilson receiving a pass from a wide receiver. They ran a fake field goal while down to the

viously coached my coach at my old college in California. He remembered me when he came up here and the rest is history. MH: What are some accomplishments you had in high school or prior to becoming a Spartan? JP: had jumped at my junior college with a jump of about 15’7” or 4.80m in the pole vault. MH: If you could play any other sport other than your Spartan sport, what would it be? Why? JP: Football because I grew up playing it and I love the team atmosphere and the competitiveness. Not to mention I have three brothers, so I am no stranger to contact sports. MH: What are you afraid of ? JP:Well if you are asking me

what a boggart would turn into if I opened a wardrobe and stumbled upon one, I’d say it’d become a creepy clown or a spider, perhaps. MH: What excites or excited you about being a Spartan? JP: I get to continue to compete in a sport I love with great people, on top of getting a fantastic education. MH: Who is one person in your life that has been a mentor to you? JP: My big Papapotamus (dad). He has instilled in me a sense of hard work and determination, and has always been cheering me on in everything I do. MH: Where do you see yourself when you are done your time here at TWU?

Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. Even while they were trailing before the half in the Super Bowl, they threw the ball for a touchdown as time expired when they could have easily gotten the points for a field goal. 3. Ricardo Lockette was open. When Russell Wilson broke the huddle, he saw what he wanted to see. Ricardo Lockette was in man coverage and had a great opportunity to make an outstanding and aggressive play. It was a pick play by the receiver and should have been there, but rookie corner Malcolm Butler made an outstanding play. Everything was like it was drawn up, but it took a play by a player who no one had heard of to secure the victory for the Patriots. 2. The clock called for it. You can control the clock better with a throw on second down. On the third down, if the Seahawks kept the ball, they could run the football and keep their timeout, and if need be, do the same thing on fourth down as well. Pete Carroll was in control of the clock by throwing on second down, but he

wasn’t in control of his emotions. Carroll made a similar coaching blunder in 2007 when his USC Trojans ran the ball on 4th and 2. With the Heisman winner as a QB, he decided to run the ball and was stopped by the eventual BCS-winning Texas defense. Statistics called for a pass. This season, 50% of the run plays from the one-yard line resulted in touchdowns, while 59% of passing plays from the oneyard line resulted in a touchdown. So statistically speaking, they had a better chance to score throwing the ball. So was it still a bad call? It absolutely was! It was the worst play call in Super Bowl history. The energy and atmosphere in the building was increasing and it called for a run play. The best power running back in the NFL is Marshawn Lynch, and the previous play he ran four yards against a goal line formation defense. He was poised to make a big play in the biggest game of his career, and if he had the chance, it is very likely the Seahawks would be the winners of the 49th installment of the Super Bowl.

DUDS

University of Kentucky men’s basketball team remains the only undefeated team in the NCAA after two close calls last week against Florida and LSU, respectively. In both games they came from behind with single digit victories. They will most likely be the top seed going into the NCAA tournament in March. Connor McDavid is the top prospect in this summer’s NHL Draft and he is proving to be the best player drafted since Sidney Crosby. Since breaking his wrist in a fight earlier in 2014, in the 13 games he has played since coming back, he has posted 25 points in 13 games, with totals of 77 points in 30 games. Cleveland Cavaliers were 9-1 in their last 10 games as of last week. After a challenging start to the season with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving finding their roles behind LeBron James, the big three have found their groove and sit fifth in the east – and climbing. Trades by management have also provided the Cavs with much needed depth.

Some of The New England Patriots players have been spotted doing questionable acts since winning Super Bowl XLIX. They have been seen publicly drinking at the parade and a handful of the star players were found partying with underage students at Harvard. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn were interviewed last week on a Dallas radio show and the topic of the Sedin twins came up. Benn and Seguin both had inappropriate and homophobic comments about the twin players and made comments about their physical appearance. Henrik Sedin got the last laugh, saying, “I think it says more about them than it does about us.” The NFL and Roger Goodell are again under heavy scrutiny with the DeflateGate controversy surrounding the New England Patriots and their AFC Championship game. The commissioner was nowhere to be found during Super Bowl week, but handed out numerous fines to players for not being available to the media and for wearing illegal apparel.

What’s the least depressing thing? “Sodexo food.” -Jay Balletta

connor EWERT

Mars’ Hill: Why Did You Choose to Come to TWU and Become a Spartan? Jesse Phillips: TWU seemed like a great community that I wanted to be a part of. I chose to compete for the track and field team here because I love the sport; I love the challenges it presents me with and the happiness it brings me. MH: How did you hear about TWU and the Spartans? JP:My coach up here had pre-

Name: Jesse Phillips Birthday: February 5, 1992 Place of Birth/Where are you from? Anaheim. California Year of Schooling: Fifth Year Major/Program: BBA Sport/Club/Team: Track and Field Position: Pole Vault JP: After TWU, I will probably move back to Anaheim, continuing to grow my faith with family and friends down there. Every-

What’s the least depressing thing? “Happy children.” -Tunji Taylor-Lewis What do you envy most about the opposite gender? “They get more attention.” - Naomi

thing else is pretty much up in the air at this point. Disneyland is definitely in the foreseeable future after graduation!

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

What happened to Jay and Dan?

The rise and... rise of the most popular duo in sports

connor EWERT

Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole were household names across Canada for sports fans. Their never-before-seen personalities, inside jokes, and simple quirkiness had established them as the premier sports highlights duo in Canada on TSN. From making fun of a Winnipeg Jets fan for looking identical to Leafs forward Phil Kessel to Jay wearing a paper plate on the side of his face to represent the Phantom of the Opera, they were beloved by sports fans across the country, myself included. They had a weekly podcast where the two of them would simply engage in a conversation, and it was at the top of the iTunes charts. But all good things must come to an end. In 2013, Jay and Dan left their all-too-familiar desk at Sportcentre at 11pm/pt to be the co-hosts, along with Charissa Thompson, of a new network, Fox Sports One, and new show, Fox Sports Live. They moved down to southern California and began as the anchors for the much-anticipated highlight show. The show had a different feel. Jay and Dan led the main high-

light portion while Charissa Thompson led a panel of a few popular sports stars, including Andy Roddick, Gary Payton, and Donovan McNabb. The panel would discuss popular sport events and themes while Jay and Dan stuck to what they were used to, making fun of them on the spot and providing comedic relief for the night’s sports highlights. The show got off to a rocky start, but that did not waiver Jay and Dan. Shortly after the first few shows, Jay and Dan, along with Fox Sports Live social media, released a taped segment where the two of them read mean tweets about themselves and their first show. The video now has 374,000 views and the few mean tweets they have gotten surely do not out shine the popularity and love they have gotten from the American audience. They have grown immensely in the year and a half they have been on American television and the American audience has adopted them as their own. Jay, who got married last year, also came out with a book last year called Anchorboy, where he shares various stories, the good and the bad, of his career and college life, and what has brought him to where he is now. The book has been very popular in Canada and he plans to come out with another one later this year. He has

also continued in his tradition of providing his favourite music albums of the year, along with TSN and Canadian sport media legend Dave Hodge. Dan also moved his family to California and always shares about his daughters’ perspectives on Southern California life and, of course, Disneyland. They also have revamped their popular weekly podcast, mainly targeting their Canadian audience and fans and featuring a Canadian Hall of Fame. They have done 55 episodes so far, with amazing guests including Rainn Wilson, Martin Short, Ronda Rousey, and Mark McMorris. They also have recurring guests each week with former Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart and NFL analyst Peter Schrager, who both provide excellent stories. With a fantastic crew and hilarious sound bite drops, the podcast has grown to be one of the most anticipated Fox Sports One shows on YouTube and remains at the top of the iTunes charts. For outrageously funny commentary on all that is happening in sports as well as in Canadian current events, Jay and Dan provide week-after-week hilarious and engaging discussions and dialogues. To listen to their podcast, subscribe on iTunes and Jay and Dan Podcast. You will not regret it in the slightest.

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY February 17th, 1923 Ottawa Senator Cy Denneny becomes NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 143 goals February 17th, 1943 New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio enlists into the army February 18th, 1978 The first Iron Man Triathlon (swim, bike, marathon) held in Kona, Hawaii February 20th, 1974 Gordie Howe comes out of retirement for $1 million from Houston Aeros, WHA February 20th, 1998 Tara Lipinski wins Olympic Figure Skating gold medal February 21st, 1953 Longest collegiate basketball game (six overtimes) as Niagara def. Sienna 88-81

What’s the least depressing thing? “Grandma farts.” -Marla Larade

HUMOUR

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

TREVOR MCMAHAN

trevor.mcmahan@mytwu.ca

Your bi-weekly dose of LOLs and guffaws

Little known facts about sharks

ryan NATWICK

The shark is one of the most misunderstood animals in all of nature. What people understand about sharks seems to be limited to three things: sharks look scary, sharks act scary, and sharks are scary. I feel that sharks have been misrepresented, and would like to present you with true facts about the shark to help you understand them on a deeper level. There is only one place to find sharks: yes, planet earth. Although both sharks and camels live on the same planet, they are not related because sharks are allergic to camels. Sharks are, however, related to brown bears because they both have fish-based diets. Sharks don’t watch Shark Week. Most people see sharks as kill-

ing machines, but did you know that there were more people killed in World War I and II combined? Given the bad rep that sharks tend to have, you may also find it surprising that there has never been a recording of a shark committing adultery. Sharks don’t know who Kim Kardashian is, so that’s a plus. Sharks don’t work a single day in their life. If a human were to do that, they would end up in their mother’s house or on the streets. Sharks have sushi most days. Because sharks have new teeth that keep replacing old ones, they save millions of dollars by never having a dental appointment. Not even one. I hope that these facts have helped you understand sharks better. It kind of sounds like sharks have really great lives. I am personally jealous of sharks. Maybe next time you think about sharks, you will remember that sharks are nicer than you think, live decent lives, and are scary. Still scary.

Ask me Amything

with Amy Korol and Amy Kobelt Dear A-squared, I am in a long-term relationship and super duper ready for marriage. He knows it, I know it, my mom knows it, my dog knows it. He’s taking forever to get a ring – how do I subtly hint to him that I want it, like, yesterday? I clearly want to graduate with a double degree. Just kidding... but not actually. Sincerely, Graduating-with-one-degree Dear Future-MRS, Let’s begin by examining your motives: is it the prestige of having a fancy diamond to flash that makes you so eager? Or perhaps the thrill of hearing your first name followed by your double major while walking across the stage in April? You do realize that marriage means a ball-and-chain and living with the same smelly guy for the rest of your life, right? You may want

to think twice about jumping into such a serious commitment so soon. But it seems to us that the time for subtle hints is over. If you’re really that ready, we suggest proposing to him. The elusive double degree sometimes requires unconventional methods. If this approach feels too forward, you could always stage your own engagement. Tell your man to get down on one knee, put the ring in his hand, and then scream “I do” as loudly as possible. If he still doesn’t get the hint, then his IQ is probably too low for you to be truly compatible anyway. Can I be a philosopher of sassiness? Unfortunately, the fact that you’re asking this question indicates that no, you may never be able to attain Sass Master Status. One cannot simply become a philosopher of sass; you must

What’s the least depressing thing? “Trevor.” -Mary Gray

be born this way. Sass is one of the 13 spiritual gifts, and so in order to utilize your gift, you must be open to the leading of the spirit and learn how to use your gift wisely. In terms of nature vs. nurture, it’s 90% nature, 8% nurture, and 2% the spirit of Fat Amy descended upon you. If you can’t achieve the necessary levels of sass, try developing some form of dry wit instead. When in doubt, channel your inner Amy Poehler! Have any burning questions that need answering? Never fear, the Amys are here! Amy Kobelt and Amy Korol will do their best to answer any of your existential, theological, or relational questions. Submit your questions anonymously at http:// www.marshillonline.com/askme-amything/. No question is too big or too small.

FEBRUARY 18, 2015

DE-CLASSIFIEDS

marshillonline.com/de-classifieds

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. Bronte, I know that our date was blind, but I hope you are not blind to our love. You are the Chuck to my E. Cheese, my spirit animal for life.

Today at lunch, I had a conversation with seven people about Hannah Stover and how much we love her. You’re the best, Hannah!

I think I kind of have all the love languages. I feel loved by quality acts of physical service.

u can put emoji’s in the de-classifieds now! ⚓ ⚓ ⚓ ⚓ ⚓ ⚓ ⚓

One year anniversary since my blind date with Bronte #takemeback

The “road” behind RNT? More like a reconstruction of the Grand Canyon.

when my girlfriend told me to stop acting like a flamingo, i had to put my foot down Dear cute girl in brown hair with RNT, please go with a date to me.

THE HIMNAL

Honestly, the only reason I read the de-classifieds is in the hope that one of them will be about a girl with a crush on me. #alonethisvalentinesday #singleandreadytomingle I am friends with Anna Demian now!

Greame Geddes

you don’t like uptown funk? stop. wait a minute.

Interviewer: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Me: “I’m shaking hands with Dumbledore, I’ve won the House Cup.”

I think it’s time we leave that Trinity match making thing behind. We’re not in high school anymore. At least most of us.

I used to complain about TWUSA elections being popularity contests, then I turned 6.

Trevor’s new haircut makes me strangely attracted to him... #josephgordontrevitt

Rolls up the rim. Doesn’t even win french fries.

Hot singles in your area! Click here How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: 1. F this im hungry Backforty Owl, Trinity Goose, Parking Lot Baby Squirrel and now...TIMID BUNNY! Campus should become a zoo.

did anyone else see the brad pitt lookalike hanging with the neufeld beyblade crew? #jessezisback

Surely it ought to be possible to achieve at least one giggle out of every ten word plays? No pun in ten did.

wearing a turtleneck is like getting strangled by a really weak guy all day

I saw Kristy Simonson wearing army pants and flip flops, so I bought army pants and flip flops.

Tessa Barclay is one of the cutest girls on campus. No lie.

That moment when you need to cough in class but you already coughed twice so you’re just sitting there silently suffocating

year: 2

age: 19

HOLY TWUSA BATMAN!

major: Theatre??? (edt later)

height: 5’9ish COLTON MARTIN

Age limit (max/min)? I’m not sure what this question means, so if it refers to the max difference in age between me and potential datee, then probably Idea of a perfect date? Colton. Get out of my Best pick-up line? Hometown: What? 8 years. room. Doesn’t Mars’ Hill go to print in like 20 minutes? Denomination: Oh! Colton, I said no!

Views on courtship? Wait, what are you

Fave way to worship God?

typing?

How will you win her parents? This isn’t funny. I’m sick and I have a paper due tomorrow.

I won’t be in the Himnal for you.

Best place for a first kiss?

Fave Christian (non-worship song)?

Colton. STOP. TYPING.

How do you know if it’s love?

I don’t care if the other guy couldn’t do it. No means no!

Biggest deal breaker:

Top quality in a future mate?

These aren’t answers to your dumb questions!

I’m locking the door. Don’t try to come back in.

What’s the least depressing thing? “Having a chat with friends.” - Yentl Liang