Issue 7, Volume 103

The Collegian

“Everyone should take a good long shower.�

- Matthew Fennell, Columnist Editor for The Collegian

Service | Religion | Outdoors | Life | Culture | Sports | Feature | News | Food | Fashion | Creative Writing | Backpage

November 15, 2018 | Vol. 103 | Issue 07

Thanksgiving Time: Realizing That Gratitude Makes What You Have Enough

Photo by Life Celebration, Inc.

Sports p.7

Uplifting Stories p.11

Paradise Fire p.4

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Editor’s Note

C

Dear students and beyond, Congratulations for making it to week 8––we are so so close… hang on my friends! There is only one day separating you from the much-anticipated Thanksgiving break.

While many of us are packing our bags, cleaning our dorm rooms, and preparing to return home, not everyone has that luxury. The fires in California have caused massive destruction, changing the meaning of Thanksgiving and everyday life for thousands of families.

This break is a great opportunity to be thankful for what you have and help others in the meantime.

This week’s issue is jam-packed full of Thanksgiving stories and perspectives, advice on how to keep your skin moisturized during the cold winter months, and stories focused on the California fires.

We at The Collegian would like to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving. We hope that your Thanksgiving Day is full of love in many forms, whether that be the love of family, the embrace of friends, or some much-needed time with yourself.

So please enjoy issue 7 of The Collegian, because we created it with you in mind.

And by golly, may you have a holly jolly Thanksgiving Day! Afterall, you know how it be,

Requirements for letters to the editor: 300-350 words.

Be aware that we will be editing your work for grammar inconsistencies, so please be professional.

Email it to ASWWU.collegian@ wallawalla.edu before 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Josephine Baird Editor-in-Chief

Week in Forecast Thurs 11/15 54°/40°

Fri 11/16 46°/35°

Sat 11/17 43°/30°

Sun 11/18 42°/30°

National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day (Please do this, we’re about to be gone for a week)

National Fast Food Day

National Take a Hike Day

National Vichyssoise Day

ASWWU Social FREE Cinnamon Rolls

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Break

University Senate - Alumni Boardroom - 3-5PM

Vespers 8PM Thanksgiving Break Begins!

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Collegian Staff Josephine Baird Editor-in-Chief Angelica Chan Assistant Editor Kyra GreyEyes Layout Editor Amelia Pekar Feature and News Editor Matthew Fennell Columnist Editor Geoffrey Lopes Head Copy Editor

Feature and News Writers Meaghan Ashton Rose Sperl Zachary White

Copy Editors

Jocelyn Griffin Ella Meeks Audrey Tampake

Designers Columnists Megan Spracklen Emily Ellis Alex Parkhurst Inez Aguirre Griffin Leek Niqolas Rudd Isaiah Taylor Nicolette Horning Gabriela Hutuleac Tobi Brown Regan Hinshaw

ACA/SM/Service Religion Science Student Culture Student Life Outdoors Sports Food Fashion Creative Writing Humor

Mon 11/19 43°/30° National Play Monopoly Day Thanksgiving Break

Senate Updates

McKenna Butler Garren Miler Hannah Thiel

Distributor

John Cotter

Office Manager

Mindy Robinson

Tues 11/20 44°/33°

Old Business F.L. 2: ASWWU Budget 2018-19 APPROVED New Business F.L. 3: In Ear Monitors This bill aims to provide 7 new in ear monitors to be used during Vespers and other worship opportunities.

Wed 11/21 46°/35°

ASWWU Social will be giving free cinnamon rolls in Bowers on Friday morning. Go grab some before they’re gone!

ASWWU town hall meeting in the Atlas on November 28, from 6:00-8:00. Food will be provided!

Thurs 11/22 47°/35°

National Absurdity Day

National Stuffing Day

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Break

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WWU Students Affected by Fires in California

By Meghan Spracklen “WWU Students affected by Fires in California” by Meghan Spracklen Members of our Walla Walla University community have been deeply affected recently by the California fires. In the last week, multiple students of both the College Place and Portland campuses have lost homes and hometowns because of these fires. As a way to show support for them in this difficult time, the Missions Club and Circle Church under the WWU Chaplain’s Office have started a Pure Charity fundraiser to send needed sup-

plies to affected families and further the disaster response efforts in the area. Other ways to help include prayers and personal support for students who have been affected by this tragedy or feel the impact of it

in other ways, especially as Thanksgiving Break is approaching and some may no longer have a home to return to.

The link for the WWU Chaplain’s Office

fundraiser is included below: https://www. purecharity.com/paradise-relief-fund1 1 Paradise Fire Relief Fund. (n.d.). Retrieved from https:// www.purecharity.com/paradise-relief-fund

Paradise Fire. Photo by CNN.

Local Organization Combines Gardening, Educating Kids, and Nutrition Service

By Meghan Spracklen This week, I am excited to share a local service opportunity that combines gardening, child education, and nutrition.

All of this can be found within the Walla Walla Valley Farm to School (WWVF2S) program. This program supports school gardens for five elementary schools and two middle schools. It also provides lessons on gardening, farm field trips, the introduction of locally-grown produce into school cafeterias, and middle school cooking classes.

WWVF2S Garden Workers. Photo from Farm to School Facebook page

Beth Thiel, director of Farm to School, says that WWVF2S is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting commu-

nity families and nutritious local foods.1 They partner with the local food coalition to promote equal access to nutritious foods and support local agriculture. They do this by maintaining gardens that provide food for school cafeterias, educating kids on how farms and gardens function, and teaching classes on how to cook healthy meals.

WWVF2S Tomatoes. Photo from Farm to School Facebook page.

Beth Thiel shared her favorite part of WWVF2S: “I like connecting young people to science in the garden. Or when students think that they don’t like a particular food and then they do.”2 She shared that WWVF2S’s efforts are limited by funding, but that they still do as much as they can.

There are multiple ways for university students or community members to get

involved, depending on their interests.

WWVF2S could use volunteers to help with gardening classes and maintenance, farm field trips, and preparing food for their Food Focus Events.3 In fact, the Food Focus Events are some of the best ways university students can quickly get involved by signing up to help prepare meals or oversee activities.

These events are hosted in local elementary schools and reach the community involved with that school. An economic meal is provided using produce grown in their gardens and is followed by activities for the attending kids.

The next WWVF2S event will be garden maintenance at Sharpstein Elementary School’s garden on Nov. 17. A Food Focus Event will be at Rogers Adventist School tentatively at the end of November, followed by others at Blue Ridge Elementary School on Feb. 7, 2019, and Sharpstein Elementary on Mar. 14, 2019. Students interested in helping with these events can contact Beth Thiel at beth.wwvf2s@gmail. com or Erina Horikawa at horikae@whitman.edu. Any time that students share with this project will help community kids through education and nutrition.

1 Beth Thiel, Farm to School Director [Telephone interview] (Nov. 8, 2018).

2 Ibid 3 Walla Walla Valley Farm to School. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://wwvfarm2school.org/

WWVF2S Berry Beet Smoothie Bowls. Photo from Farm to School Facebook page

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Blessings in the Mundane Religion

gulfed her small frame, and a gray wrap covered her balding head.

By Emily Ellis It was my first day as an intern at the Volunteer Park SDA Church (VPC) and the head pastor, Andreas Beccai, and I were making the rounds visiting church members and discussing ministry. We were tired from walking around Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood in the brutal 90 degree heat (80 degrees is where we Seattle natives cap out at) when we finally found Charlotte’s apartment.

She began to tell us about how sick she is, and how she can barely walk now. She was unable to clean her apartment and found that she couldn’t afford to buy many groceries for herself. However, she told us that with every step she takes, she

gives thanks to God. Here she was with failing health, no family to support her, and so weak she could barely get out of a chair—yet she was praising God for each step she took.

Charlotte taught me a lot in the 30 minutes I was with her. She showed me that you don’t have to have a perfect life to

How often do I practice thankfulness throughout the day? God has given me an abundance of blessings, yet it’s so easy to overlook them and focus on the things that seem to be a curse. It is so easy to focus on the negatives in life instead of seeking to find the beauty that life offers.

Next week is Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorite holidays. Yes, the food is absolutely scrumptious, and the plethora of family around the table is even better.

But even more than that, Thanksgiving is a reminder to live like Charlotte. To live a life that seeks to find the beauty and blessings, rather than focusing on what seems to be going wrong. It is a reminder that even in the bleakest of circumstances, God has provided something good. And that in itself is something to be thankful for.

After finding our way into the apartment building, we went up to the fourth floor. On the way up the rickety elevator, Andreas mentioned that Charlotte was originally from Germany and that she comes from a variety of religious backgrounds. She had started coming to VPC’s prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings a few months ago, but had stopped coming due to medical complications.

We were greeted at the door by Charlotte who was beaming from ear to ear. With her thick German accent she said, “It’s good to see you! Sorry my apartment is messy, but please come in!” At around 90 years of age, Charlotte was all skin and bones and used a walker to get around.

Her big pink cardigan completely en-

be thankful, but that it is possible to be thankful in all circumstances.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.

In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” 1 Ellis, Beccai, and members of the Volunteer Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Photo by Emily Ellis.

1 Philippians 4:11-13 ESV

Ruud Remarks Outdoors

By Niq Ruud Thankfully, it’s almost Thanksgiving, the holiday that we just love when it happens, and loathe once it’s gone. I mean, come on! Only two and a half weeks of school between the end of Thanksgiving and the beginning of Christmas Break? Heck, I’d come to school two weeks early in September to get a six to seven-week long winter vacation!

vacation, giving you an easy last couple of weeks. Another idea is to catch up on all of that summer reading you slacked off on in August—that is, if you had a summer reading list. My last indoor idea for you this break is to write a book so that it can be on other people’s reading list this coming summer.

As you can see, while book-reading and

book-writing are both noble pursuits, none of these indoor activities seem all that adventurous. So, as an alternative, you might want to go outside. If you’re in Walla Walla (and it’s not raining), ride your bike to the Columbia River, take a swim, and ride back to Walla Walla. If you’re not into triathlon attempts, take a hike at South Fork and post a picture on your Instagram telling the world how cool you are.

And if you are really trying to get yourself into an adventure, go find the local warm springs (yes, you cold-blooded hermits, just as I said last year, there are hot-ish springs nearby).

No matter where you are this holiday, whether you choose to climb at Wallula’s Gap or simply look at all the pretty clouds in the overcast sky, do something outdoorsy this holiday. Get outside and enjoy the lack of sunshine. It will be good for you.

But alas, here we are, left with one solitary week of vacation. And the question remains, what can be done with it?

* The Collegian takes no responsibility or injuries or illnesses sustained while attempting anything in this article

The answer? Not as much as could be done with a seven-week trip to Patagonia, but still a good amount. And when it’s all boiled down, you really have but two options: stay inside or go outside.

Have a story or something even better from the out-of-doors you’ve just got to share? Hit up niqolas.ruud@wallawalla.edu and let’s chat.

If you choose the former, you could hunker down and do all of your homework and studying leading up to Christmas

Columbia Gorge. Photo by Travel Portland.

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Consumed By Consumerism Student Culture

of precious family time.

Thanksgiving break is upon us, and that means it’s time to dish out the delicious food, make good memories with friends and family, and, most importantly, take a moment to be thankful for everything you have in your life.

When I think a classic American Thanksgiving, a painting depicted by Norman Rockwell comes to mind. The picture, titled “Freedom from Want,” shows a family gathered around the dinner table.

Freed from the desire for excessive collection of material goods, they are content in each other’s company.

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day of being thankful for what you have; however, in my opinion, this virtue seems to be fading away as it’s replaced by commercialism.

It seems as though people nowadays seem to be thankful on this day only because being thankful has become expected.

It often confused me as a kid to sit at the table, eat good food and be thankful for everything in my life, and then hear about how people trample and kill other people for merchandise, only hours after spending the entire previous day being thankful for what they have. According to usnews.com, since the year 2006 seven people have died and 98 have been injured in the U.S. while Black Friday shopping. That means that you are more likely to injured or killed on Black Friday than by being attacked by sharks according to National Geographic, which reports that on average there are 16 shark attacks in the U.S. each year.1 The extreme contrast between these scenarios just didn’t make sense to me at all.

Why do we continue to celebrate Thanksgiving if people are so ungrateful that they often hurt other people in their attempt to get more stuff?

It seems like consumerism has shaped the way we view the holidays. Honestly, it seems like through the generations, people have started to forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving. I can’t help but think that big organizations and advertising are part of the problem.

We tend to forget the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving, continuing to celebrate thankfulness just because it’s tradition.

Doorbuster deals have changed the idea of being thankful and humble. Nowadays it seems as though we can’t be thankful or content until we have gotten the best deals––only after we have collected more stuff to add to our growing collection of possessions.

Even though the forties weren’t at all perfect due to legalized racism and accepted misogyny, I still appreciate aspects of this era. It seems as though there weren’t many outside distractions during that time. Back then, people connected more with each other during the holidays, and they didn’t let consumerism get in the way

There are not a lot of connecting moments in life––not many Thanksgiving dinner moments. That is why I don’t see why those precious moments should be wasted on attacking other consumers, just to get more stuff. This painting illustrates what I believe is the true value and spirit of Thanksgiving.

Consumerism is not the only distraction during those precious family moments. In this digital age, we often find ourselves being distracted by outside technology. That is another reason why I like Rockwell’s depiction. The painting has the feeling of a technology and commercialism-free era, with everyone using the most important form of communication— face-to-face conversation.

That is why I encourage you guys to be mindful about how much time you spend on your phone, during break.

Be mindful to make sure to treasure time with your loved ones, pay attention, ande be present. I think you’ll find more value in your relationships and you will connect easier with people than you can by tapping on your glass screen in attempt to connect with the virtual world.

Besides, our strained eyes deserve a break considering how much screen time we often use during the school week.

With that, I would like to wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving Break, and we’ll see you soon to finish off the quarter strong!

1 10 Black Friday Facts, U.S. News, Tom Risen, Nov. 23, 2015.

Freedom from Want, Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, 1943

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Jimmy Butler Traded to Philadelphia

Hey ASWWU! Hey ASWWU! In case you didn’t know, I just returned from the North American Division YearEnd Meetings (NADYEM) as the student representative of Walla Walla University.

I, along with the student body presidents from every Seventh-day Adventist university in North America, was an executive committee member with voting rights.

In short, the purposes of the NADYEM are to discuss issues, vote on new policies, receive reports from various departments, and lift up the church in prayer. Representing WWU was an honor, and I did my best to ask questions and express concerns that I’ve heard from all of you.

As would be expected, there was a significant portion spent at these meetings discussing the unity document that the General Conference recently passed. As young adults, we felt it was essential that the world church hear directly from us, so we put our heads together, prayed for the Lord’s guidance, and produced the first official statement to ever be presented by young adults at the NADYEM. You will find the statement below. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or swing by the ASWWU offices if you have any further thoughts or questions regarding what exactly happened at these meetings. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing student body.

-Katie Folkenberg

2018 NADYEM Young Adults Response to the Regard For and Practice of General Conference Session and General Conference Executive Committee Actions Brothers and Sisters, As representatives of the youth and young adults within the North American Division, we are speaking from a place of deep care and love for our church. Recognizing Christ as the foundation of our faith in the Seventh-day Adventist church, we strive to mirror the Savior’s ministry of love on earth by exemplifying the living gospel that bridges barriers and provides hope to humanity.

On October 14th, 2018, a document was passed at the Annual Council. Since then, we bear witness to the pain, division, and disappointment that the document has caused among our peers. It is disheartening to see our church in conflict, when it is meant to be a safe haven for all.

Despite the conflict, we affirm: •

The mission and purpose of our church

•

Christ’s desire for unity through diversity in our church

• •

The heartfelt desire to play an active role in our church The value of collaboration and mentorship from spiritual leaders in our church

Sports

By Isaiah Taylor Before the start of the 2018 training camp, Jimmy Butler demanded a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. On Nov. 9, nearly two months later, reports came out that Minnesota had accepted a trade offer to send Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The trade was first reported by NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski and then confirmed by multiple media outlets. Philadelphia received Butler and second-year center Justin Patton, and Minnesota received forwards Robert Covington and Dario Saric, point guard Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round draft pick.1 Philadelphia is excited to welcome Butler to their team as they look to take steps closer to championship contention. Currently, the 76ers are sitting at third in the Eastern Conference. 76ers General Manager Elton Brand said of the trade, “We have a championship window that’s centered around the continued progression of our talented young core, as well as our ability to add elite players who elevate our program… This move further strengthens our pursuit of a championship and gives us a formidable combination to take on the league’s top teams.”2 Minnesota has listened to trade offers from several teams, including serious negotiations with the Miami Heat and

the Houston Rockets, that eventually fell through. While he has played well this season, the Timberwolves organization believed that the longer they waited to trade Butler, the more the team would suffer.

This sems to be the end of the Jimmy Butler drama for now, as the longstanding tension between Butler and the Timberwolves is now in the past. Butler started in 10 games for the Timberwolves this season, averaging 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and ranks third in the NBA in steals per game.

Butler’s time in Minnesota, though somewhat successful, lead to frustrations within the team that forced management to choose which of their young stars was the better fit for the future. After Butler publicly demanded the trade, forcing the hand of the organization, his actions were not well-received by his teammates. His antics included a heated preseason practice appearance in which Butler taunted his teammates and coaches. In Butler’s single season with the Timberwolves, he helped lead the team to its first playoff appearance in 13 seasons.

1 NBA.com. (2018, November 10). Reports: Minnesota Timberwolves trade Jimmy Butler to 76ers. Retrieved November 12, 2018.

2 Release, O., & NBA.com. (2018, November 12). Sixers officially acquire Jimmy Butler in trade with Timberwolves. Retrieved November 12, 2018.

We long for opportunities to create intentional relationships with our church leadership and be actively involved, by facilitating conversations and making decisions about our church.

To the youth and young adults of the NAD: In the midst of uncertainty and confusion, hold fast to your faith, and do not be discouraged. We hear you, we see you, and we stand with you. We affirm your desire to further the work of the Lord.

This is not the time to walk away from our church, but a time in our history to speak out, to stand up, and to actively seek roles in restoring our local and global church.

Brothers and Sisters: We need you. Our church needs you.

Adventist Intercollegiate Association & Adventist Christian Fellowship NAD Executive Committee Members All-NBA guard Jimmy Butler is heading to Philadelphia after the multi-player deal was approved by the NBA on Monday.

Photo courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

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Thanksgiving Time

By Meaghan Ashton Hey there November, you’ve snuck up on us once again. It is time to get ready for cozy cuddles, joyful festivities, and the wonderful expectation of the holiday season. As our bodies and minds begin to relax at the thought of holiday break, this time of year is also often dreadfully tangled up with thoughts of uneasiness, anxiety, and depression. Not to worry— the Thanksgiving season is a collection of moments designated for giving, appreciation, and good wishes, a time when spirits can be lifted and happiness can gradually sink in.

The Thanksgiving mentality is one to live by year round. It is true that college students easily get tied up in exams and demanding assignments, so much so that they may be consumed by academics and forget to practice this thankful mindset and live life to the fullest. I’m not pointing fingers here; we all get so caught up in our to-do list that we can forget to count our blessings.

School is stressful, no doubt about it.

Research states that anxiety and depression are the most common mental health disorders among college students, a statistic that only continues to grow. Luckily, cultivating a sense of gratefulness can repel everyday stress.

Realizing That Gratitude Makes What You Have Enough

I’m not here to give you a survival guide on how to manage and overcome your stress level—as much as I’d like to, that would take a whole year’s worth of Collegian publications. Mental illness is a serious topic of discussion that has earned itself a piece of the pie. However, I trust that you have a support system in place and, paired with WWU’s resources, you are on your way to flourishing. To add to that system, I know of something that will boost your spirits, enrich your life, and give you energy. In celebration of Thanksgiving, let’s honor the power of gratitude.

Many people start to think about what they are thankful for around this time of

“Gratitude, to me, means never letting yourself become complacent about the opportunities and blessings you have been given.”

-Brooklyn Johnson, senior social work major.

An increase in the number of students requesting counseling help and guidance has risen 30 percent in the past five years, even though student enrollment has only grown by 5 percent.1 With that in mind, take this into consideration: eight in 10 college students report feeling frequently stressed in their daily lives, which is a 20 percent increase from five years ago.2 Both of these statistics are courtesy of trustworthy sources—the American Psychological Association and the American Institute of Stress.

It is not shocking, then, to know that students are reporting greater difficulty coping with and combating mental illness and the weight of school. Through several surveys, we know that many students struggle with these issues, often suffering a combination of several: anxiety (61 percent), depression (49 percent), general stress (45 percent), family problems (31 percent), academic performance (28 percent), and relationship troubles (27 percent).3 These struggles affect their social life, success rate, and their physical and psychological health.

Photo from Delray Beach GreenMarket

year. Having a regular gratitude practice— which is just consciously stating what you are grateful for—has been found to significantly increase a person’s health and happiness. As a college student who deals with an overabundance of pressure, social activity, anxiety, and strain, gratitude can enhance our college experience and further our academic success. Practicing gratitude and living with an optimistic outlook, regardless of your given circumstance, has surprising and incredible effects such as stress reduction, higher resiliency, a happier state of mind, and stronger relationships.4 Here are some ways you can implement gratefulness to improve your college life: 1. In college, social activities are plentiful and can provide you with many opportunities to make lifelong friendships and lasting relationships. Being sincere, appreciative, kind, and genuine in those relationships can make you and others feel joy. Easy peasy!

“Gratitude means showing appreciation for the small things just as much as the big things.”

-Lauren Hinshaw, English major.

2. Home and love life, social events, exams, and quarter grades can all obstruct your health once they’ve been jumbled with worry and stress. Worry and stress also have a horrible habit of ruining sleep schedules. By thinking of and focusing on the list in your head of the things you cherish in life, you will begin to notice the release of tension in your body. Try counting blessings instead of sheep—you and others will see a change in your attitude.

3. Every stage of life has its challenges, and choosing to concentrate on the positive things around you can shape a perspective that feeds off of a grateful heart, instead of a heavy heart. This optimistic mentality can fight off mental illness, working as a combative tactic toward anxiety and depression.

e 4. Gratitude induces relaxation and a positive outlook, which dramatically boosts concentration levels, which makes tackling those college assignments easier. When you can focus better, your productivity increases and your stress diminishes. Confidence and self-esteem shoot through the roof when you develop a sense of gratitude, and can enable you to do all kinds of things, like having a more enthusiastic and creative attitude toward a class assignment.5 Are you convinced yet? In psychological research, greater happiness is closely asso-

“Research on gratitude states that noting three items offers days of increased well-being.

I want that; I’m thankful for my time with God, hot chocolate weather, Lebron and the Lakers, my teenaged sons.

Oh, and of course, I’m grateful for my inquisitive, challenging, hard-working, big-dreaming, other-serving students.”

-Dr. Cindee Bailey, social work and sociology professor

ciated with gratitude. Want to feel happy?

Start with a gratitude list, simple and fast.

You will find that this list grows, and soon you won’t need a list as you will be able to recognize the happy things in the world that exist around you.

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A Walk Down Memory Lane Student Life

By Inez Aguirre This week I started reminiscing on some good times—those times full of family, friends, and food! I don’t know about you, but for me, Thanksgiving Day is a time of joy and appreciation. It’s a time to get together with the ones we love.

It has always helped me to remember all I have been blessed with, and to think about who I’m blessed by. So, I asked a few students about their Thanksgiving experiences and memories. Check out what these amazing people have to say, and maybe take a moment to think of the things in life that make you smile.

Basically, Happy Thanksgiving!

“It would have to be when I was younger and we had a Thanksgiving dinner with my whole family on my mom’s side.

It consisted of about 70 people at the time. Everyone gave thanks and reminisced over when my grandma was alive.

We also ate super yummy food and made empanadas with my cousins!”

-Mariela Smith, Sophomore

Hang your list it on your front door, tape it to your car dashboard, make it your phone wallpaper—do whatever it takes to remember it. Count your blessings: 1, 2, 3…

Walter Rios. Photo by ASWWU.

“Well, when I was like 10 or 11, we were hosting Thanksgiving at my place. I told my mom that I wanted to help get things ready, so it was then that she taught me how to make carne asada. The rest of my family arrived as I was cooking and they were all looking over my shoulder, making sure that I cooked the meat well enough and that it was not burnt. Later that night when we went to eat, they really enjoyed it, as did I. It was the start of my cooking career.”

-Walter Rios, Freshman

1 https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/09/numbers.aspx 2 https://www.stress.org/college-students/ 3 https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/09/numbers.aspx

“Thanksgiving was a full-day event! From the break of dawn until the sun went down, my mom and aunts would cook.

I love my mother to death. I don’t know about you, but I used to starve myself all day in order to have enough room to consume. There was a full spread and the food was finally ready. We all gathered for prayer. But, before we prayed, my beloved mother had us sing at least two special selections from the hymnal, and then everyone had to say something that they were thankful for. This was a test of true strength. I was deep in prayer.

‘Lord, I’m dying of hunger… help me!’ When I was on the verge of giving up all hope, God came through! We had prayer for the food and I heard the three magic words one desires to hear on Thanksgiving… ‘Let us eat!’ But now I understand why my mother did what she did. Thanksgiving is more than just eating food until you enter a coma. It is about being grateful and breaking bread with those you love. Cliché, but that’s the day I understood.”

-Jonathan Muriu, Senior

4 https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P4-2030132573/relationship-between-gratitude-and-happiness-in-college 5 https://www.moravian.edu/healthy-hounds/ post/4-reasons-college-students-should-practice-gratitude

Photo rom Mariela Smith.

Photo from Jonathan Muriu.

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“Good Grief!”: WWU Drama’s “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”

By Zachary White I was getting a bit burnt out. It was the end of week seven of the quarter. The weather was about to take a sharp turn into the 30s, and I still could not find my winter gloves. The topics for my global news Collegian column were growing darker and darker. Seeing the Walla Walla University Drama Department’s musical theater production of “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” was not on my weekend agenda, but it happened to be just what I needed.

protagonist Charlie Brown, delivering strong baritone vocals along with fellow players senior Bryce Weber as Schroeder and junior Michael Flores as Linus. Senior Meghan Heinrich stole the show multiple times with her hilarious embodiment of Charlie’s younger sister, Sally. Playing the infamously over-reflective dog Snoopy, Jared Sexton won rowdy applause from the crowd for his performance of “Suppertime.” Senior Gina Lincoln’s wordless and unexpectedly hilarious antics as Woodstock the bird made up some of my favorite moments of the show. The lovely soprano of sophomore Georgia Genobaga accompanied her performance as Lucy, and junior Kayla Nash portrayed Linus’s blanket in a whimsical dance number with Michael Flores.

“Something special happens when talented, dedicated, hard-working people come together to produce a show like this,” said

pianist Kraig Scott, who led the phenomenal musical ensemble whose closing number garnered a standing ovation from the crowd. “Ninety percent of the cast derives from I Cantori, and it is special joy to produce this show with and for them.” Indeed, the incredible vocals of the cast should have made both Scott and Christine Janis, the show’s vocal directors, proud. “Each of the seven singing members of our cast studies voice with me,” Janis wrote.

“Watching these talented students grow into their respective characters and listening to their voices develop and take on that character has been a real treat.”

Whether it was Georgia Genobaga and Bryce Weber’s performances of Lucy’s failed flirting attempts with Schroeder, Meghan Heinrich’s absolutely iconic delivery of Sally’s “My New Philosophy” number, or the group’s closing harmonies in “Happiness,” this show encapsulated for

WWUDrama Poster. Photo from WWUDrama webpage.

“I knew Charlie Brown from the cartoons many of us had to watch at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I assumed the play would be a bit... silly,” show director and drama professor David Crawford wrote in his director’s note to the program. “It turns out it is, and in the best way. A way that is both dry and philosophical. A way that I didn’t fully understand as a child, but now I savor.”

Everything about the production was marked by a beautiful simplicity. The cartoonish backdrop featured Snoopy’s doghouse in one corner and Lucy’s “Psychiatric Help: 5 cents” booth off to the other side. The scenes were short, resembling their comic strip origins in Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts.” The color-coded eight-player cast packed its punch. Junior Nicholas Ault played the self-doubting

“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” cast. Photo from WWUDrama Facebook Page.

me the ways in which human beings strive to make the best out of less than ideal situations. As a part of the audience, I was taken back to the simpler times of grade school pastimes and playdates. But my adult self was there too, finding resonance in the loneliness of Nicholas Ault’s Charlie Brown and the hopeless over-analysis of Michael Flores’s Linus. I left Village Hall Saturday night with a lyric from the show’s closing number in mind that is sticking with me this week: “Happiness is anyone and anything at all, that’s loved by you.”

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Uplifting Stories

By Rose Sperl What do mass shootings, political warfare, and natural disasters have in common?

All three have flooded news headlines this fall, devastating and enraging the public.

Lately, it seems like all news is bad news.

Every morning, my Apple News app notifies me of a new reason for sorrow.

While it’s important to be aware of current events, there are times for sorrow and times for joy. In honor of Thanksgiving, here are a few uplifting news stories that may brighten your day.

chancellor in 73 years to visit the place where the treaty that ended the Great War was signed.3

This Teen Pizzeria Employee Traveled 3 Hours to Deliver Pizza to a Man with Terminal Cancer Richard and Julie Morgan have compared every slice of pizza they’d tasted to Steve’s Pizza in Battle Creek, Michigan. Even 25 years ago as young newlyweds on a budget, they ordered dinner at the pizzeria every payday. This October, as Richard’s battle with cancer grew more difficult, the couple now living in Indianapolis were planning a trip back to Battle Creek. According to Julie’s Facebook post, Richard ended up in the intensive care unit days before they were scheduled to leave. Their son, knowing how much his parents were looking forward to Steve’s Pizza, called the restaurant in hopes that they might send a card to his father.

Muslim Groups Raise Thousands for Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims After the tragic Pittsburgh synagogue shooting last month, the founder of Muslim group CelebrateMercy, along with another Muslim organization, leapt into action and held a fundraising campaign for the victims and their families. The online campaign quickly raised over $200,000 in donations. This type of service is not new to CelebrateMercy founder Mr. El-Messidi. Last year, he raised $136,000 to fund repairs of Jewish tombstones that had been vandalized in St. Louis. Mr. El-Messidi said in an interview, “Putting our religious differences or even your political differences aside, the core of all of us is that we have a shared humanity. We really wanted to reach out as human beings to help.”1

French and German Leaders. Photo by Reuters.

Leaders of France and Germany in Poignant Show of Unity 100 years After WWI German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron held hands and rested their heads against each other at a ceremony in remembrance of the signing of the Armistice peace agreement 100 years ago.2 Because of Merkel’s call for peace, she is the first German

veterans who dropped out of high school to aid in WWII are being honored in this special way.5

Flight Attendant. Photo by Patricia Organo.

When Mother Runs Out of Formula for Crying Infant, Flight Attendant Offers Up Her Own Breast Milk After a newborn started to cry aboard a Philippine Airlines flight last month, flight attendant and mother Patricia Organo looked for a way to help. “I approached the mother and asked if everything was okay. Teary-eyed, she told me that she ran out of formula milk,” said Organo. As the wails grew louder, Organo said she felt a pinch in her heart. “I thought to myself, there’s only one thing I could offer and that’s my own milk. And so I offered,” she said. The mother gratefully accepted Organo’s offer and followed the flight attendant to the back. Organo was happy to help someone in a way that only another mom could.4

Dalton Shaffer, an 18-year-old employee at Steve’s Pizza in Battle Creek, Michigan, said he happened to be working on the night of Oct. 19 when he answered the call from the Morgan family. Instead of sending a card, Shaffer decided to deliver two pizzas to the Morgan home three hours away, after his shift.

“I really didn’t think twice about it. It was a spontaneous reaction from me, I guess,” Shaffer said. “When I rolled into the driveway at about 2:30, 2:40, the family was waiting up for me. The dad was there, and he came out and he gave me a hug.”

Afterward, Shaffer got back into his car and drove another three hours back to his

World War II Veteran Receives High School Diploma After Dropping Out to Join the War Effort William Enoch Morgan married his wife, Dorothy, and immediately joined the Army to serve in WWII before he got the chance to graduate high school. More than half a century later, he proudly walked across the stage in front of his family to receive his diploma. Thanks to San Bernardino’s Operation Recognition, many

WWII Veteran. Photo by CBS Interactive Inc.

home in time for his next shift.

“I am beyond overwhelmed and humbled by this act of genuine kindness. Dalton brought our family so much joy—and the best pizza in the world—at a really difficult time,” Julie wrote on Facebook.6 These recent stories are a reminder this holiday season of the impact an act of kindness can have. Despite all the negative media around us, there are many things to be grateful for. Despite our differences, we can all come together to share joy this Thanksgiving.

1 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/us/muslims-raise-money-pittsburgh-synagogue.html 2 https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/10/leaders-of-france-andgermany-in-poignant-show-of-unity-100-years-after-ww1. html 3 Ibid 4 https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/when-mother-runs-outof-formula-flight-attendant-offers-her-own-breast-milk/ 5 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news/world-war-iiveteran-receives-high-school-diploma-after-dropping-out-tojoin-the-war-effort/ar-BBPv5xu 6 https://www.today.com/food/pizza-employee-traveled-220-miles-deliver-pizza-man-cancer-t140184

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Tasting Notes: A Taste of Home Food

By Nicolette Horning Taste is not one-dimensional; it is not simply the sensation on a tongue. Taste prompts memories of people and memories of place. Memories so joyful they drip with honey. Memories so painful they char your heart. Whether you are aware of it or not, flavors and experiences mingle in your mind and become forever intertwined.

Stories accompany familiar flavors at the tip of my tongue. A certain cookie takes me back a decade or more to sitting on my grandmother Honey’s overstuffed couch—one quite demonstrative of the way in which she fed us. I remember sinking into its cushions and listening to her tell me about the first time she ever saw my grandfather, Pappy, as she grasped the gold nugget hanging lovingly from her neck with a weathered hand after Pappy had passed. I taste raw broccolini and can see Pappy grinning at me in the garden, telling me about how healthy raw broccolini is over the buzz of insects with the canyon towering above. The first sip of an almond milk honey latte reminds me of my exhilarating high school habit of sneaking off-campus to the drive-through up the street and around the corner—we

Savor the flavors. Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash.

all have our vices. The buttery essence of movie theater popcorn causes me to relive the horror I felt when my father showed up to my junior high movie outing with a huge plastic bag of popcorn and an even larger grin.

Thanksgiving pies, stuffings, spices, potatoes, and green beans remind me of the Horning Ranch. The smell of turkey reminds me of when I, a small vegetarian, opened the oven at the ranch and peered inside at the large bird, and, teetering precariously on my tiptoes, exclaimed, “Oh, mommy! Look! The kitty is hot!” The smell of pie reminds me of standing on a stool, rolling and cutting little leaves of dough with my mom to place on top of the apple pie. Sometimes when there was extra, I made my own little pies which I usually gave to my dad and brother.

Thanksgiving dinner was a day-long affair.

Growing up I helped sporadically; my efforts in the kitchen were punctuated by adventures outside on quads, beaver spotting, tracking bears, and listening to the sounds of wildlife at the ranch.

The Horning Ranch was home to generations of family history—five to be exact.

It was our home base. It was a place where my family has celebrated during holidays and mourned during memorials. It was

Savor the memories. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.

the place Pappy was born and the place he died. The ranch was a place emblematic of Horning Grit—best exemplified by Pappy and his brothers when they had nothing but chicken feed to eat for a winter in the early 1900s. This story was commonly discussed around a large table full of heaping plates on Thanksgiving at the ranch. The stark contrast between the story and the setting in which it was told always made me push my plate away, but caused Honey to scoop more mashed potatoes on it though I clearly had enough. The Ranch was a place of thanksgiving.

However much I enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving, the coffee from the drive through, the taste of fresh broccolini from Pappy’s garden, or Honey’s cookies, these flavors will forever leave a bittersweet aftertaste.

The Camp Fire started on the morning of Nov. 10, and by the end of the day had reduced the entirety of my home community to ash with its hungry flames. Honey’s house, the Horning Ranch, the movie theater, the church, and the coffee drivethrough are now charred skeletons of what once was. Over 135,000 acrews of life and over 7,600 structures have been destroyed.

The death toll has reached 48 and continues to rise, with over 200 still missing.

Businesses, schools, homes, and parks are now rubble and remains and smoke and ash. Unrecognizable. Paradise physical is in past tense.1 Flavors have the unique ability of transposing the past tense to the present. This Thanksgiving will be bittersweet. I am thankful for the memories I have and can share, but heartbroken too. Along with the

rich flavors will be a weight pulling me to Paradise, to the Horning Ranch, to a home community. The flavors and memories of my community remain mapped in my heart at the intersections of palate and place. I will forever grasp these memories the way Honey grasped her gold nugget necklace, which now rests on my neck.

This Thanksgiving I encourage you to savor. Savor the tight hugs, the lipstick mark your great-aunt leaves on your face, the pie your mother spent hours making (and perhaps a bit too long baking). Savor your father’s 10-minute pre-meal prayer. Savor the resonance of an “I love you,” and the glimmer in your grandmother’s eyes when you ask for seconds and thirds. Savor what is scarce, and savor what is plentiful. Savor the permanent and the temporary. Savor your family. Savor your home.

1 Camp Fire Incident Information. Cal Fire. Nov. 14 2018. fire.ca.gov

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Fashion Fashion

By Gabriela Hutuleac As the days are getting shorter, the air is getting drier and crisper, and your skin may be losing precious moisture that you didn’t even realize you were lacking. This is important because sun damage can occur during the summer without visible results, but dark spots and wrinkles can show up in the future. Transitioning your skincare routine from summer to fall and winter can help moisturize your skin and reverse any summer damage that has occured.

The first go-to item that I always have with me is a good chapstick. One of my favorites is Honey Butter Beeswax by Farmacy.

It is a 100 percent natural all-in-one lip balm and primer that helps to moisturize, condition, protect, and prep lips with Echinacea GreenEnvy honey, beeswax, and cupuaçu butter. This product is not tested on animals and is free of formaldehyde and artificial coloring.

Taking off your makeup with wipes in the winter can be harsh on your skin, but moisturizing makeup-removing balms get the job done. The Clinique balm is a lightweight makeup remover that goes

from balm to oil to milk in order to melt away every trace of eye and face makeup and sunscreen. Its non-greasy, non-drying, lightweight formula nourishes skin, cleanses thoroughly, and rinses off completely, so all that’s left is a fresh, dewy glow for the cold weather.

My friend Hailey and I have been using the Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask.

This sleeping mask has hyaluronic acid which moisturizes and evens your skin tone. Alpha hydroxy acids smooth the surface of the skin by exfoliating dead, rough surface cells, clearing the path for ultra-effective lasting hydration. With this mask, skin is effortlessly baby-soft and bright in the morning.

Clinique Take The Day Off. Photo from clinique.com.

All of these items are under $50, totally affordable for a college student, and can be purchased at Sephora. These items are perfect to incorporate into a winter skincare routine and are my personal favorites too. By switching out rough exfoliators for a soft moisturizer, you can preserve your skin’s soft tones and stay hydrated during the winter.

Sephora Sleeping Mask. Photo from sephora.com.

Farmacy Honey Butter. Photo from jcpenney.com.

Editor’s Picks Song of the Week: comethru by Jeremy Zucker

Weekly Obsession: Pie Poll

Collegian Staff Votes:

50%: Chocolate Cream

Chocolate Cream

37.5%: Apple 12.5% Berry

“Now I’m shaking, drinking all this coffee

Apple

These last few weeks have been exhausting”

Berry

Go to this link to participate! https://thecollegianpoll.typeform.com/to/Wu8oXx

Photo from genius.com

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Creative Writing Creative Writing

By Tobi Brown

As he got closer, he slowed to a jog, then to a complete halt. In front of him lay a long, wide frozen lake.

Steve thought quickly, the adrenaline rushing to his head. He took a few steps back, making sure the two-headed snake chasing him wasn’t too close, and then he ran towards the lake at full speed. As soon as the tips of his toes reached the ice, he bent his knees, ready to pounce. Like a penguin, he flopped on his belly and slid across the ice. His only hope seemed to be to reach the shore. His shirt lifted a bit so his skin was sliding on the cold, frozen terrain. Steve came to a complete stop only about five feet from the end of the lake. He wiggled his body in a frenzy, trying to reach the shore, but to no avail. The hissing of the snake was very close now.

“You’re not safe anymore, Warm-blood!” he heard from behind him. Steve, flat on the ice,

braced himself for the strange feeling of being swallowed whole. He put his hands to his head and thought of all the wonderful things he could’ve done with his life. He thought of his job and his goldfish and he especially thought of apple picking. What a wonderful thing it would be if he could do that one last time before he died, but his death was being prolonged. If the snake was coming at the same speed as before, he should’ve been dead by now.

Steve decided he’d best check up on the snake to see what was taking her so long.

When he twisted his head backward, he saw the bared fangs and hissing breath of Sententiae close to his feet. He flinched and looked away again. Still, his death would not come. He looked back one more time and realized that the snake was on the lake, but not moving at all. She was wiggling as hard as she could but could not move forward.

“Sister, stop!” The green half of Sententiae begged. “We cannot move on ice.” The snake stopped wiggling and laid its head on the

cold ground. She glared at Steve with anger in her fierce emerald eyes.

“You will not survive long here, filthy Steve” she hissed. “And tell any other Steves that may come by—we will not show mercy next time.”

Once she said this, her right eye rolled out of her head and towards Steve. It rolled right in front of his nose, so he picked it up and stuffed it into his pocket.

Steve scurried along the ice towards the shore and felt relieved when he reached the snowy bank. He pressed his hand into the soft powder and pulled himself up, then pivoted to look at Sententiae one last time and found that she had disappeared. A sliver of fear crept into his mind, but he shook it off so he could continue his journey.

It felt good to walk on actual terrain rather than just white paper. His foot crunched into the snow and water seeped into his socks, but still he was happy. As he continued, the paper trees melted into real ones, complete with brown bark, branches, and knots. The previ-

ous whiteness was painted with the colors of nature. Tall pine evergreens grew two times Steve’s height and thick needles stuck out in every direction. The forest got thicker as Steve walked deeper. Through his peripheral vision, he saw a flicker of motion. He turned to get a better look but saw nothing.

A drop of sweat rolled towards his brow, but froze in place before reaching it. Fear was beginning to resurface. He continued on his trek, trying not to think about the two-headed snake or any other scary creature that might lurk in the forest. He tried to convince himself that what he had just seen was a rabbit or bird. A gentle flake of snow fell on his nose and he brushed it off. Then two more fell on his eyelashes and he blinked them away. The snow began to fall so quickly that his facial reactions were no longer a match, so he decided to look for some sort of shelter. The precipitation accumulated on his glasses and he couldn’t see very clearly. To keep warm, he hugged himself and rubbed his arms up and down. His face became deathly pale except for his nose, which was bright red. The nip in the air was no longer calming and he feared that he might catch a cold or hypothermia. It wasn’t fair, he thought. He had just escaped a near death situation, why must there be more?

Snow gathered heavily on Steve’s head and began to weigh him down. The ground was frozen, the air was frozen, and the pine needles were frozen. Steve thought the next most likely thing to freeze would be his own blood. He was about to start collecting branches from the evergreen trees to build a fire when he caught a glance of gray clouds in the air. He wiped his glasses off on his shirt and looked back up, realizing it was smoke. Steve decided his best bet was to follow the smoke, though he wasn’t too excited to explain to the folks why he was wandering in the woods. However, he soon realized the smoke was not emitting from a campfire. As he got closer to the source, he saw the smoke wafting up from a brick chimney. A cozy-looking brick and wicker cottage was huddled in between the trees.

Photo from Tobi Brown.

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Ask Regan Hiya Regan!

Some friends and I are planning to go on a mini-road trip for the first couple days of Thanksgiving Break. My mom lives alone and I don’t want to hurt her feelings by not being home right away, but at the same time, I want to go on this trip so badly! How do I break it to her gently?

Sincerely, On the Road Again

On the Road Again, Y’know, the great thing about parents is their resilience. Much like babies, they tend to bounce back (although at times there’s a bit more crying). I’m kidding!

Suffice it to say, though, that I’m sure whatever plans you are making will work out fine. So, stick with the trip, and let your mom in on it sooner rather than later. Since she loves you, it may be a little hard for her to miss out on a slice of together-time, but as long as you make sure to keep her posted and send her pictures of the fun time you’re having, everything will come up roses.

Since you won’t be home for a few days of break, why don’t you plan some especially fun activities for you and your mom to do together when you’re there?

See a movie! Go shopping! Splurge on those really expensive facials that only serve to make your face feel like a slip’n slide covered in pizza grease! Whatever it is, your mom will love it because it involves spending special time with her kid (even if she does have to scrub her face for a while afterward).

Got a question you’re itching to have answered? Apply some ointment first, and then visit rebrand.ly/askregan to ask for advice!

College life is an interesting thing to get used to—juggling school and friends with your home life can feel a bit dicey.

Just remember that in the end, your family and friends both care about you and want you to be able to enjoy your youth while you can. Uh, that sounded … a lot more morbid than I meant it to.

Sorry about that. The thought is still there though, I promise!

Stay safe, On the Road Again, and remember: I don’t know how to give advice!

the SWEET ONION Last Week’s Fake Headline: Bad News, ‘Star Wars’ Fans: The ‘Episode IX’ Release Date Has Been Pushed Back 26 Minutes After J.J. Abrams Hits Traffic On His Way To Set

This Week’s Headlines: Find the fake! Look for the answer in next week’s issue.

Oops—Ignore That Email Invitation to a Cookie Monster Cat Party, U.S. Embassy Says Thousands of Polaroid Cameras Recalled for Emitting Noxious Green Fumes There’s No Stopping Toronto’s ‘Uber Raccoon’

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Faux Paws: The Gargoyle, Part II Humor By: Regan Hinshaw Last week, I gave you an introduction to the life of my glorious gargoyle of a dog, Gatsby. This week, I figured I’d give you a look at what makes this tiny bundle of bugeyes the true monster she is. So, let’s get back to it with another rapid-fire round!

• At the age of 1, Gatsby escaped our car in a mini mall parking lot and ran unaccompanied into an Ace Hardware store. My dad, unable to catch her, followed her into the store and chased her through every row, from paint to pliers. After making a hasty exit (leaving the employees’ heads spinning in confusion), she was tempted with a chicken leg from a passing woman’s

Verbatim grocery bag. Luckily everyone left the event unscathed (except for the poor rotisserie chicken, but I s’pose his story was pretty much over anyway).

“I get seasick when I see water and salt on the same table.”

- Professor Terry Gotschall

• Going with the theme of escaping cars, Gatsby Email askregan@gmail.com to be once jumped out the window of a moving featured in next week’s Verbatim! vehicle going 20 mph.

Despite hitting the ground at an almost 90 degree angle and scraping her tiny little elbows beyond belief, she still managed to book it three blocks before being caught.

Did I mention that this happened next to a pet cemetery? This dog defies death, y’all.

• Finally, Gatsby once ran out of our • Dressed as Yoda for Halloween, Gatsby front door and then directly into the once managed to literally take candy front door of our neighbor’s house (a from a passing baby. She’s got a thing person we did not know). We made for Toblerone, what can I say? direct eye contact with her as she proceeded to pee on their floor, steal • In addition to the above, just to give an unidentified decorative item from you a visual of how sneaky my dog is, their foyer, and exit, going on her mershe once stole an entire Eggo waffle out ry way down the street. I really don’t of my mom’s hand without her noticknow what to say about this, besides to ing. CIA, are you hiring? I think I have offer an everlasting apology to whoeva great asset for you, and she’s willing er’s house that was. Kids these days, am to be paid in string cheese.

I right?

• Once again escaping the rough confines of our house (read: an actual kingdom for dogs where Gatsby is reigning queen), Gatsby ran a total of five blocks just to sit down—literally—right in the middle of traffic. What did she get?

Adoring looks as people passed. What did I get? A heart attack that aged me 50 years.

Suffice it to say that this dog has provided me with moments that have given me a couple gray hairs. Even so, I wouldn’t change a thing about her, and at the end of the day isn’t this what our animals do for us? Give us anxiety attacks and then expect treats for doing so? Just mine?

Okay, that’s fine too.

Gatsby. Photo by Regan Hinshaw.

Missed Connections

at WWU

I saw you trip and fall from afar. You looked around to see if anyone saw, and I hate to tell you, but yeah, I did. The good news is, you seemed to stick the landing pretty well!

Signed, Innocent Bystander

I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you that I think we should go see a movie or something together. Haven’t quite gathered the courage yet, but I hope to soon.

Or, hey, maybe never.

Never’s good. Signed, S’nervous

Every day you wear the most incredible shoes, and every day I want to compliment you on them. But I also don’t want you to think that I’m just staring at your feet. So, consider this my compliment— nice kicks!

Signed, Adidas

If you have a missed connection you’d like to submit, visit rebrand.ly/wwuconnections to be featured in next week’s issue!