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Feb. 21, 2019
F eatures
The Lorian
Movie Review:
staff writer If you are a lover of dramedies and tearing up due to both laughter and heartfelt moments, “Instant Family” is absolutely a movie for you. The film follows a young couple’s heartwarming, comical journey of fostering three children. Played by Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, Pete and Ellie Wagner had not been seriously thinking about having children until relatives pressured them into having the conversation that would soon change their lives. After semireluctantly attending a foster parents course led by two notably hilarious social workers (played by Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro), the couple attempted to find the child they would foster. Much to their surprise, Pete and Ellie find interest in a teenager, Lizzy, and talk with the social workers about fostering her. There, they are stunned yet again when they learn that Lizzy has two younger siblings that would be taken in as well. Suddenly, Pete and Ellie, not expecting any children in their near future, found themselves fostering three children. The film exhibits the many ups and downs that come with fostering in a real, raw way that may tug at your heartstrings, but also in a way that is comical and relatable. Though difficult to realistically depict every feature of the foster/adoption process, writer and director Sean Anders does address many aspects of
the roller coaster ride that is fostering. He illustrates the good and bad, the celebrations and fears, and the wins and losses that are all involved in this complex process. Anders is very familiar with these emotions and this process as much of the movie is based on his own experiences of fostering—and eventually adopting—his three children. After realizing that this film was based on his personal story, there was an added dimension of pureness and passion that I didn’t know I wanted. With an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 95%, there is no doubt that this film is worth seeing. Though the main critique being that the movie does not quite illustrate the intricacy of the foster/adoption process, it does accurately represent the powerful bond and unconditional love that the process celebrates; a painfully beautiful journey that is well worth it in the end. This wellwritten, thoughtfully-casted movie has the ability to make you laugh, cry, and want to immediately start fostering children (even as a college student). Though a PG-13 rating may appear adolescent to some, I believe the film’s humorous, heartfelt, and humbling content can tug the hearts of all ages.
Cheesy Potato Soup
Short Story:
Instant Family by MADDIE SMITH
F eatures
Seal
by SARWAN MOGHAMIS staff writer
Alexander McDonald came from different species. These species, once in water, can transform into a seal. When out of water, they’re human. Nobody knows the name of these species. They just called them the Unknown. Both of Alexander’s parents were killed when he was a baby. A farmer couple, George and Ethel McDonald, found him. They raised him as their own. Once learning about his ability, they kept him far away from water. Alexander never knew about his ability. He did feel different from the other kids that grew up with him. As life went on, he grew up to become a great farmer like his parents. During this time period, the Revolutionary War was nearing the end. Alexander was enlisted to fight with the other soldiers. By the time the war came to an end, Alexander was an adult. He returned home to take care of his elder parents. When going to the market, a merchant, Mr. Radcliffe tried selling him some goods. Alexander kept refusing. Mr. Radcliffe, with his short temper, dumped water over Alexander. Alexander instantly transforms into a dark brown skinned seal that flops on the ground. Once he was dry, he transforms back to his human self. He laid on the ground, completely naked as his cloths were washed away. Everyone looked at him with horror. Alexander ran back to his house, explaining his concerns with his parents. His parents confess what Alexander really is. Later that day, a mob, led by Mr. Radcliffe, charged to the McDonald’s household. They demand for Alexander to be killed
for his inhuman appearance. Alexander becomes filled with pounding fear for his own life. His emotions allow him to slowly carry water out with his mind. The more fear he felt, the more water appeared, circling around him. The water creates a force field surrounding Alexander’s body. He quickly transforms into his seal version. He flies in the air and charges toward Mr. Radcliffe, shoving him to the ground. Alexander then flies to the nearest ocean where he joins the sea life. Years pass and Alexander remains in his seal form, living among all sea creatures. Later on, he is lost in the Arctic Ocean. His body freezes, trapping him in an ice berg. The ice berg remains in the coldest parts of the Arctic Ocean. Decades and centuries pass and Alexander remains frozen in the ice berg. It wasn’t until the year 2011 when a group of marine biologist, sailing the seas, spotted him. The broke him free from the ice berg. When released, he transformed back to his naked human body. Alexander was heavily confused and overwhelmed, with no memory of his past life. The marine biologist turns him into the CIA, where he is further studied. The head of the CIA science department took control of Alexander’s case. The head of the department had a chilling name that brought a memory of fear to Alexander. That name was Mr. Radcliffe.
The End
The Fish Man by JOSH VOGT staff writer
Walking through the waters deep Never daring to make a peep Careful of the treasures he reaps Beware of the fish man If your life you seek to keep Run, run, run, from the horror of sleep
Coming forth at but a creep Poised to launch into a leap Flee from him, all you sheep Lest ye fall in one fell sweep Better not to make a peep Or doom us all into the deep.
by ANNA HEDGES staff writer
INGREDIENTS:
• • • • •
•
2 LBS OF FROZEN HASH BROWNS (CUBED OR SHREDDED) 1 PINT OF HALF & HALF 1 CAN OF CHICKEN BROTH 2 CANS OF CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP 2 CUPS OF SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE A SMALL BAG OF REAL BACON BITS
INSTRUCTIONS:
MIX EVERYTHING ALL TOGETHER AND PLACE INTO A CROCKPOT. IT IS READY TO EAT AFTER COOKING FOR 5 TO 6 HOURS.
The Lorian
‘Here and Now: Living in the Spirit’ staff writer
by ROSE GOTTSCHALK copy editor
1. The weather is changing constantly, so keep an eye on it
One of the worst aspects of this winter has been the drastic changes in temperature, causing snow to melt and then freeze as ice, and then having snow on top of that. Keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly, and be cautious when walking on top of snow in case there is ice.
2. The groundhog did not see his shadow
On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow. This was fantastic news, especially after the polar vortex we experienced. Since there was no shadow, we should be getting a much needed early spring.
6. You can easily walk around with a blanket
Again, people will think you’re a genius. You can be warm outside and then be cozy in class or during lunch. You can wrap it around your shoulders like a cape or pull it over your head so it’s a hat. It’s a perfect, practical way to stay warm.
7. Setting up shop in your building of choice is a smart idea
If all your classes are in Hoffman one day, bring food and enough things to keep you occupied between classes and stay there. You can hammer out a paper or a reading, be on time to all your classes, and stay out of the cold.
8. Spring is right around the corner, hold on
3. Inside is where the warmth is
Seriously, temperatures are getting warmer. Spring is so close, and we can make it until then.
but minimize how much you travel by planning ahead and bring an extra book so you don’t have to go outside.
This is an incredible thing that happens maybe twice in a lifetime. And Loras College survived it. Hold that over your future kid’s heads when they complain about the cold.
Avoiding going outside to stay warm, especially on the extra cold days. Still go to your classes,
4. It isn’t a crime to wear pajamas to class
It can be argued that pajamas are some of the warmest and most comfortable clothes around. Keep this in mind when choosing an outfit, because you can wear pajamas to class and bring the warmth with you during a lecture or exam.
5. Spring begins on March 20
In about a month, it will officially be spring. This thought alone should help us carry out the rest of the month and hold on through these last few winter storms.
9. You survived a Polar Vortex
10. Layers can keep out the cold Multiple socks or jackets will keep the cold out. Make sure you’re prepared so that you don’t freeze trying to get to class. It may not be as cold as it was, but it’s still possible to get frostbite. Avoid this and wear the proper gear outside.
11. Seriously, you’ve got this. Spring is so close
It may not seem like it, but Spring will come. Follow safety tips, keep an eye on emails, and be prepared for a couple more snow storms. But beyond this, Spring will come.
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Book Review:
by ANDREW HANSEN
11 Things to Keep in Mind during this WACK Winter
Feb. 21, 2019
“Here and Now: Living in the Spirit” by Henri J.M. As the title suggests, this book is about living in the moment. Normally the front cover of a book is forgettable, but what graces this cover is an intentional reminder of a life lived in the moment: Vincent Van Gogh’s La Meridienne (The Siesta). Not your typical spiritual guide, Nouwen isn’t inviting us to travel the world and join with missionaries, he’s not inviting us to any work at all. He instead invites us to recognize what God has placed directly in front of us and to rest in the holiness the current moment provides. An easy read of only 174 pages in 11 chapters he wastes no time expanding needlessly on any subject, telling us of his own experiences, reflections, and insights. Nouwen covers joy, suffering, disciplined living, the spiritual life, prayer, relationships, and many other subjects. Nouwen writes in the preface how he came to be writing his book, “One day I simply sat down behind my desk and began to write down thoughts and feelings that emerged from my mind and heart.” He goes on to say, “I found I was writing about myself, my friends and family, and my God, all connected in many intricate ways.” I read this book only a few pages at a time, taking from it a daily lesson and rarely more. As accessible as the author is, one could easily finish this book on a Sunday afternoon, but taking more time to digest and embrace the lessons taught may be more profitable. Nouwen writes directly to his audience, he is personal and relatable, not trying to write anything lofty, overly deep, or even necessarily original, but simply an honest account of his life and path to joy and contentment in his Christian religion. “Prayer is the discipline of the moment.” He writes this early in the book while speaking of distractions and all that pulls us away from being attentive to what’s going on around us. His own distractions include thoughts of family, friends, sufferings, complaints, and what
he calls a deafness, in which he doesn’t even listen to himself while he prays, let alone God. He spends much of the book addressing this deafness and constantly calling us out of it and inviting us to hear the call of God. “If we could just be, for a few minutes each day, fully where we are, we would indeed discover that we are not alone and that the One who is with us wants only one thing: to give us love.” Nouwen was born in Holland, and spent much of his career as a professor at Harvard, Yale, and Notre Dame. He served people suffering from AIDS, at a time when the disease was still highly misunderstood and stigmatized. For the last 10 years of his life, he lived and worked with physically and mentally challenged people in Toronto, Canada. People complained that he was wasting his talents. He writes of what he calls ‘Downward mobility,’ moving towards those who are suffering and sharing in their pain. The most striking chapter for me was on compassion. He writes, “When I reflect on my own life, I realize that the moments of greatest comfort and desolation were moments when someone said, ‘I cannot take your pain away, I cannot offer you a solution for your problem, but I can promise you that I won’t leave you alone and will hold on to you as long and as well as I can.’” Intimate and to the point ‘Here and Now’ is the book I recommend if all you need is a guide for how to live your day today.
