Vol. 61 Issue 5

e x p l o r at i o n w i t h i n t e n t i o n

The Inquirer The official sTudenT newspaper of canadian universiTy college

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a n au ro r a c h ro n i c l e s pu b l i c aT i o n

13-11-27 12:36 PM

Editor’s Note “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

Inside...

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- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

In the braIn

the thing that happened

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mIrror, mIrror on the wall

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noteworthy notes

ly put as The Thing That Happened in the Philippines. The two-hour long show’s theme was what every straight boy’s

ensued.

(who make special appearances throughout the Testosterone

members provided the crowd with mindless banter and jabs

With winter biting at our heels, it’s hard to stay focused on the litte things.

The way we smile at others, how we don’t ask how your day was The way we are quick to laugh how we don’t ask if the joke was funny.

It’s easy to fall into an ice-cold trap of what’s normally accepted what passes as good work what passes as standing up for what you believe in.

delivering aid by air is crucial. The airport in Tacloban is

ral Disaster. First, we must set the scene.

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and a Good day It Is.

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neal alex photoGraphy

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breakInG bread

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snakes In a Church

Come dine with me

Too soon we will enter into a new year-will it be taken on with old mindsets, old visions?

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food for thouGht

It’s time to let a chilly draft through-clear the space between your eyes and truly begin to see that

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the honest traveller

you are connected you belong you can be the change.

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the lIstener

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submIssIons

Typhoon Haiyan aka Yolanda is recorded as the second strongest typhoon to ever be recorded in history. It touched

given to those who could Chug Water, Make a Funny Face, and Do Push-ups.

Cafeteria feature

Interview with Jesse haddad

ing back, the preparations were not enough, especially in

“deeply saddened’’ by the death and damage in the Philipresiliency.’’

You’re probably anticipating the ending to the gang-

one about Peggy’s Cove? seemed pretty relevant to The Cause

Sapphire w.

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open letter to faculty and sa -

reports came out saying that there were little to no aid being To submit questions, response, art, or an article: - swoods@cauc.ca - sachronicles@gmailcom

Mindless Jokes, throwing money at Hilarious Contests done

by Involved Audience Members, cheered and voted number

ing.

Philippines-- all brought to you by our Student Association.

The content of this newspaper represents the views, opinions and interests of the students on the Aurora Chronicles (The Inquirer) Editorial Team. Readers should not assume that what they find in this newspaper is automatically endorsed or supported by the CUC Student Association, Canadian University College, its Administration or its employees. What you find here may very well be one student writer’s opinion. While we, the Editorial Team, do our best to ensure that the information provided is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the material. If you do notice any mistakes or you disagree with the appropriateness of any of the content please contact the editorial team directly at sachronicles@gmail.com

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THE INQUIRER

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MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

Welcome to the planet. Welcome to existence. Welcome to the journey of life.

You are one of the seven billion people that roam these age old paths. You are watched by the world around you. You are waited for by many.

People look at you. They search you. They starve until you make your move. This is your drug. This is CUC. I used to live that way. I found nirvana in feeding the hungry ears, eyes, and mouths around me. It fed my greedy pleasures, sprinkled with just a little bit of guilt on it. The hilltop loved me, and I loved it back.

Popular. Army of friends. Spotlights. Cameras. Action. Mmmm, why not? The system is tragically beautiful.

Why would anyone want to leave the security of the light?

Why would anybody sacrifice the comfort of being part of the ‘Theo-Pro Boys’,‘West Hall Hermits’, ‘Dorm Lobby Chillers’, ‘OP4Lifers’, ‘Mean Girls Trifecta’ or even the ‘B-Ball FivePeat groupies’? Let’s not forget the ‘ScienceBuilding Girls’, or the ‘Filipinas’ or even the ‘Couples’ (nuff said). Why would anybody in their right minds possibly want to walk past the safe zone ... the marked line ... Why? Welcome. Welcome to the world beyond the hilltop.

Oh! Didn’t you hear?! Well well. There is indeed a world beyond CUC. It’s the Promised Land minus the milk and the honey. There is life, there are dreams, there is war, bloodshed, tears of joy and tears of pain. A world that no number of Friday Night Vespers will ever prepare you for. Are you ready?

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I wasn’t. Probably still am not. But it wasn’t until I looked through the glass and asked, “Mirror Mirror on the Wall, What’s beyond CUC’s Calls?” that I realized that there was so much more to life than walking into class wearing stockings and shorts (stop, just stop it,its -40 people), or updating your Instagram posts on how many times you lifted that dumbbell, or flicking through the FACES book to rate the unaware folks of CUC. No judgment. Been there. Done all of that. But here’s the truth.

There are indeed fifty shades of cliques and groups all around campus. It’s cool. It’s fun. It’s safe. It’s the zone. It’s easier to fit in, go with the flow, and walk alongside the 500+ students that attend Canadian University College rather than breaking the flow. I know how it feels to be dumped by a clique that I was ‘SafeZoned’ in, all because I didn’t fit the required expectations anymore.

It was scary at first. However, when I look back on the ghost of college years past I will see that breaking free from the ‘Popularity Totem Pole’ was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Thing is, you can do it too. Who are you living for anyway?

Not the cute guy that sits next to you I hope. Don’t you know that life is too short to waste away living in these chains?

I dare you to move. I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor. I dare you to break free. To walk against the crowd. To lift your head up high and look beyond those walls.

I dare you to give me Fifty Shades of YOU. THE INQUIRER

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AND A GOOD DAY IT IS.

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ness, living consciously, and always learning is a great start.

I try to invest in something that can be saved.

up his earnings. The driver tried to bargain and plea with

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here to do a job and make choices. When your clock stops ticking and you no longer have to make choices, we die. I Two years later I saw a stray bullet rip through my neighgiven time while you possess it. stopped to assist in any way we could. Two girls were trapped ary school. Those who were present at the scene purposed to save the girls but were only able to rescue one. We helplessly

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Whether we like it or not, we shouldn’t live as individuals—

in disregard to others’ pain, or even joy. Whether you’re doing time at CUC or continuing on somewhere else, you are not keeping.

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Neal Alex THE INQUIRER

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BREAKING BREAD

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

come dine wiTh me

In Nigeria, or Africa in general, traditions are very important and it is also important that these traditions are kept. A few traditions I can recall are: respecting your elders and greeting them each time you meet, not calling Adults by their first name, thanking your parents after each meal and finally, offering to share your meal with people. I know this may come off as strange to some and you may ask, “What are you getting at?” but hear me out.

“Hospitality.”

Yes, a very simplistic term as well as a very rewarding one-- almost like humility. Have you heard of the phrase “A little help goes a long way?” If that is the case, then Hospitality goes for miles on end because it encompasses kindness, generosity and friendliness. Okay, going back to that phrase.

There are two real life instances I know of where this phrase actually worked. The first begins with Peter, (not his real name) a biochemistry major who took an elective in nutrition. When a test was given in nutrition, he finished last and was looking angry when he came to pass his paper. My mom told him to sit down and asked him what the problem was. He complained that he did not want to study biochemistry but his parents made him to. He wanted to study public health.

My mom spoke to him and encouraged him and told him: “You can do a masters in public health after a first degree in biochemistry.” His countenance changed from then on. He now graduated. After some months he got a call from her and he thanked her. In the second instance, Ngozi (again, not his real name), another University student, studied nursing.

This was a major that her father made her to study and she despised it. As a result, she wasn’t doing well. She later came to the department of nutrition and was crying because she wanted to change from nursing to nutrition. Although she was afraid of her father, my mom and another lecturer spoke with the father on the phone and he agreed and she would be transferred to nutrition. She is now happy and doing very well. This summer, my mom had four students in a course and it was Ngozi who scored the highest.

In every uplifting word, my mother was using God to encourage students, telling them that with God all things are possible. It is important that as Christians we remember that Christ is at the center of everything we do: our witnessing, our actions, thoughts and words. Why? Because how can we call December 3, 2013

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To Whom It May Concern:

ourselves Christians if we don’t represent Christ? Also, there is no weight or substance in what we do if God is not glorified. After all, didn’t the Bible say in Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man?” Moving on.

With just words of encouragement my mother was able to have a hand in leading Peter on to become a graduate and Ngozi to excel in her academics. This brings me to the main point. I noticed that at CUC, students are more independent than interdependent, meaning they work alone. In the Nigerian University I attended it was quite the opposite. In fact, because students helped one another it was more like a social family. This was done so much so that during my time there I never needed a tutor. Here, on the other hand, I needed a tutor a lot because I was having difficulty with my new major and for some reason I did not get the help I needed from any of my classmates I asked-- even the ones that were exceling in the course. Being ignored happened in three of my classes. In two of them I was ignored by the classmate I asked for help and in the other I told a classmate to help with the particular subject matter I didn’t understand and that person told me that they are struggling in that class when they were clearly on an “A” or “B” at that point in time.

I know it is a cultural thing where the Western part of the world is less family oriented and cooperative and more competitive or driven per say. But should culture be an excuse to turn a blind eye to your neighbor? No!!! With that being said, as Christians what does the Bible say about how we should respond to the needs of others? Philippians 2:3&4; 3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”.

And 1 John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” We don’t know where we will be tomorrow, we may be in the same situation where we need help and we would want to be helped in return. Also, what if the little things you do for someone could trigger them to help you in return when you find yourself in a worse situation? So I implore you again: learn to be hospitable and remember, “A little help goes a long way.”

As Christmas comes around in less than a month, my mind races with thoughts on ways to express my appreciation for the students of CUC. Along with the rest of the SA executive team, I am more than happy to let you know that we are taking necessary steps and procedures to receive Student Discounts and/or Student deals at local establishments and franchises in Lacombe. Working along with CUC’s Advancement Office members, we are excited about the potential prospect.

Attached is a glimpse of the formal letter that will be send out to various locations. We truly appreciate your patience and are looking forward to giving you more updates next semester.

Happy Holidays my dear friends!

Nisha Johny

As a representative of the general student body of Canadian University College, it is my interest to propose a potential Student Discount system with your establishment. Boasting a newly inflated number of 575 students, excluding faculty and staff, we are ecstatic to be part of the hospitable and welcoming community that the City of Lacombe offers us. Not only is it a home away from home to more than three quarters of this student population, Lacombe also provides us with a number of opportunities and facilities that we are more than happy to make use of and take part in.

We have done research and surveys that are particularly geared to the idea of Student Discounts at local franchises and establishments such as yours and were thrilled to see the response we received. I am confident in the knowledge that deals and/or discounts, negotiable to your convenient terms, will not only benefit our students in a positive way, but will also bring to you a surplus of new business that targets their friends and family as well. We want to support you as a company and in turn, support the City of Lacombe.

Enclosed within this letter are details of the survey, statistics, and specific numbers that deal with the proposal. I would consider it a learning experience to be able to meet with the Management of your establishment in person as well.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Nisha Maria Johny

Communications Vice President Student Association of Canadian University College

THE INQUIRER

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THE HONEST TRAVELLER i n T e rv i ew w i T h j e s s e h a d da d Taking the leap of faith to study abroad can be stressful, uncertain and nerve-wracking. If you’re thinking of doing so but don’t know where to start, take a look at the submission below from a friend of mine named Chandler Jordana, who’s currently studying at the Middle East University in Beirut, Lebanon. Through his unique experiences and insight, you just might be compelled to do the same. Check out http://www.aca-noborders.com/, or check out CUC’s upcoming study tours to whet your appetite for adventure (fundable through student loans).

and hostings, such as the upcoming Alumni weekend.

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and waste, to how many students are served per day. The

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As promised in Issue 3, I had the chance to catch up with last issue’s submission by Chandler Jordana (ACA student from Walla Walla studying in Lebanon), who interviewed our friend and CUC student Jesse Haddad (which happens to be the second most common last name in Lebanon!) about his experience so far in the hills of Beirut. Take a look at the interview and try not to feel too dejected when you remember we’re completely surrounded in snow.

- Serena Allen

ditionally, Camaron wholly welcomes and relies commu-

our campus.

what we’re doing well, or not well. Changes can be made quickly.” cuisine is very high. Camaron points out that “when you go to a restaurant, the vegetarian options you have there

new cuisine, new schedules, and these new transitions.

patient students have been, Richard Camaron would like

solely by Camaron, but was taken to the campus board ders, many dishes must be repeated. However, this is not to say that dishes served now are the same dishes that

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CUC students.

Camaron would also like to address that there has -

to add more value to your dollar. Camaron also stresses the bigger universities served by ARAMARK disregard

What originally made you want to come to MEU? You know I’ve been asked this question so many times you’d think I would have a good answer put together by now. I guess I just wanted to learn a new language and go to a place I’d never been before, [along with the opportunity to] experience a new culture.

What made you choose Lebanon over the other programs that ACA offers?

I wanted to do something different. This was a relatively new program and I hadn’t heard many things about it, except for Daniel’s [Daniel Hayes, an ACA student from Pacific Union College who participated last year] recommendation to come.

What were your first impressions of Beirut as a city?

The first morning I got out of my dorm room, I looked out at the view and it was incredible. It just doesn’t get old. The campus is beautiful and all of my classes are close-by. It’s such THE INQUIRER

a nice view of the Mediterranean and Beirut.

Could you tell me a bit about the classes you’ve been taking so far?

I’m taking Arabic conversation, grammar, reading, and writing, in addition to a class on Arabic culture. Arabic culture is my favorite of the classes so far. It’s a really in-depth history about the Arabic peoples and their cultures, where they came from and how it relates to everything that’s going on today. So far I’ve had one class period and I’ve already learned things that were definitely not taught in World History in high school or college. In the other classes, [since it’s only the beginning] they’re all similarly focusing on having us get a grasp on the alphabet and how to pronounce and write letters. Once we have that grasped then we will move on to many different aspects, the writing, reading and conversation.

The Honest Traveler cont’d on page 12.

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THE HONEST TRAVELLER

THE LISTENER

CONT’D

“D are Y ou T o M ove ” - S wiTchfooT

“T he h aMMer ” - D aviD r uDDer “G anGeS anD The n ile ” - D aviD r uDDer

w h aT ’s o n

tally created a unique modern instrument called the steel pan

“i h eaDeD f or

The

D oor ” - M oonface

“w inTer ’ S l ove ” - a niMal c ollecTive “M eDicine h aT ” - G rahaM w riGhT To anyone who watches the news frequently, we all know that Beirut and the Middle East in general is not exactly portrayed as an ideal vacation spot right now, what do you think of that?

excited about future trips that I’ll take.

Don’t believe what anyone tells you when you tell them you’re thinking of coming to Beirut. Their [premonitions] are mostassuredly false. It’s completely safe here; I haven’t felt a hint of danger. Don’t believe what people tell you unless they’ve been here recently themselves.

Oh definitely. I really want to go to Egypt, specifically to the pyramids in Egypt. I’d love to go to Syria, but right now I can’t [for obvious reasons]. But the one that’s definitely one of the highest on my list is Iran. Iran is one of those “forbidden travel zones” where you don’t really see anyone going there as a tourist. So it would just be a really interesting adventure. I’ve heard from someone who visited that people there are some of the friendliest in the region. And thankfully, I have a Canadian passport so I won’t have too much trouble.

This section of the newspaper is about travel, what ACA trip are you most looking forward to?

For me, the one that I’m most excited for is Jordan because I have relatives there and there’s just so much history. We’ll be visiting Amman, Petra, and the Dead Sea. So you’re interested in History, did the rich cultural heritage of the region have anything to do with your decision to come here?

One of the main reasons that I decided on coming to this program is because of all the history that’s here in Lebanon and the surrounding regions. I haven’t been to any of these places yet but I assume they’re awesome (laughs). Seeing pictures of the prior trips and the amazing ruins that they visited gets me December 3, 2013

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Back to travel; is there any personal trips within the Middle East you’d like to make while you’re over here?

“r equieM

for o . M . M .2”

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of

C.J.L.

“f u -G ee -l a (G lobal r eMix )”- f uGeeS

“n orMal P erSon ” - a rcaDe f ire “l ife i S h arD ” - e DwarD S harPe M aGneTic Z eroS

tion. Paramount.

anD The

M onTreal

“h eirlooM ” -S ufjan S TevenS “c aMeraS ” - w oMen

Si tu connais pas mon histoire,

Do not imagine could never destroy me

Do you have any last words or anything you’d like to say to CUC students who might be considering MEU?

Your child mentality who think that poetry is easy

If you’re even considering it, definitely do it. It’s fun to get out of your comfort zone. I know that a lot of you are like me and are bored in Canada. Give this program a chance. This is way different than CUC. It’s way closer to the big city. The Internet, which CUC students love to complain about, is like twice as fast here, and it doesn’t get [anywhere close] to -40 in the winters. Finally, most people in Canada wouldn’t even think of this, but within the same day you can go skiing and in an hour or so be swimming at the beach.

So come see what’s my directory

-S.W.

THE INQUIRER

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submissions

o pe n l e T T e r To fac u lT y a n d s a

Tell me how to be different in a way that makes sense

Stephen Chbosky December 3, 2013

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To Whom it May Concern, From my very first year at PAA to my first year at CUC, I have listened to faculty and SA members make the same promises of change, the same ‘touching’ words of how much they care and want to know all of us, and the same speeches of how much they want us to look back on our years spent on this campus and be proud that we went to school here, that we felt like part of a family. My first two years at PAA I believed it all, liked it all, and I was pumped for all of it ready to help every way I could to make it all come true. After every speech, after every promise, and as soon as chapel was over, so were those promises and dreams. My senior year I skipped that chapel. A person can only take so much fakeness and they can only hear the same old wishes, dreams, and promises knowing they will never come true. That is me, but its not just me, it is so many of us. As much as we want to believe it will all come true, that the flowery words those in leadership positions make are not empty and false, that is what we believe because we have yet to see otherwise. You say you want us all to feel like we are part of a family. If a family is what you want why are there still people on this campus that are ignored and invisible and will graduate with less than ten people even knowing their name? You want to know where to start? The wallflowers are where to start. The people who feel invisible, the outcasts, that’s where to start. You start by building a safety network. You start by making people feel like they really have people to go to people with some sort of power. The counselors, the teachers the security, they are not on the same level as us students. You guys are! You need to start at the roots of this campus, not just on the surface. You can’t plant a tree on the surface of the ground. You have to dig a hole and place the roots deep in the ground. You want to be THE INQUIRER

able to ask people “how are you”? Alright. Then be prepared and willing to possibly miss class, meetings, and meals to hear their answer. You represent the school, the faculty to us, and us to the faculty. So then not me or anyone else should be able to walk past any of you without being greeted. It works both ways but as leaders and as those who wish to make such a difference and believe it could happen it will have to start with you. If you work hard at it then it will grow, that is certain.

You ‘need us to survive’. Then show us you want us too. This letter is not meant to attack anyone. This is from someone who speaks for the wallflowers, the people who are invisible, and the outcasts. I’m speaking for those who don’t believe the SA wants to make a difference or wants us to be a ‘family’. Show us, prove us wrong because deep down we do want to be wrong. Be the security system all the students’ need.

All those who are suffering from the attacks of the rumor mill, the bullying, and sexual harassment. You are not just the SA; you are not just students because God didn’t create us to be ‘just anyone’. This is a battlefield you just stepped onto with the promises you made and the beautiful dreams and speeches. If it’s not hard for you then you are not leading and nothing is being done. Make a difference on this Christian campus. This letter wasn’t intended to hurt anyone or point fingers or lay blame. This was intended to show you what you are up against and perhaps offer a few pointers. I know what its like to be in a leadership position, to want so desperately to see a change, and make a change. I’ve messed up many times but I’ve learned that I must go to all of those I lead and I start with the outcasts. I start by giving them a voice and by being the audience they need. I know that if I wait for them to come to me nothing will ever change because they never will. I wish you luck in this battle you have decided to undertake and I will be praying for the SA. Page 15

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