Art by Peau PorotesanoThree years ago, overenthusiastic volunteers in neon orange screamed, “Welcome to Pepperdine!” as my polite father smiled awkwardly in the car rental that was 80 bucks cheaper but not nearly spacious enough for a family of five. The sea of orange is a shade so striking that lawmakers in the 1970s reserved it exclusively for prisoners. I … [Read more...] about Don’t Worry, I wasn’t Thrilled About NSO Either
Perspectives
Rethink Your Water Use
Two years ago I began working for the Volunteer Center. Each year we began with a training exercise in which we were given acts of service to prioritize. My highest priorities were always people-focused and my absolute lowest was always riding a bike to reduce pollution. The director asked me to explain why I considered bikes a fruitless venture. I replied confidently, … [Read more...] about Rethink Your Water Use
Seniors Reflect on College
Art by Peau Porotesano One of the most fascinating shows I ever watched when growing up was “Do Over.” It was about a 34-year-old who was incredibly miserable and, after a freak accident, ends up being sent back 20 years in time with a chance to manipulate the future to his advantage. If I were in that same situation but found myself back at the beginning of my … [Read more...] about Seniors Reflect on College
Adopt, Don’t Shop: A Peck of Pouting Puppies
Art by Jenny RustdadBeing on your own is a lot different than living at home. You rely on yourself for meals, clean clothes and deciding how best to spend your time. It is also a time you have the option of owning a pet that is all yours if you’re not living on campus. A furry friend, like a dog or cat, is a great housemate who will love you unconditionally. Not to … [Read more...] about Adopt, Don’t Shop: A Peck of Pouting Puppies
Strike Homeopathy
TV pitchman Kevin Trudeau gained a considerable fortune writing books about “alternative living,” which he tirelessly promoted on TV infomercials. My parents bought one of them: “Natural Cures ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About.” I read this book and believed his argument, which was that pharmaceutical corporations, doctors and bribed … [Read more...] about Strike Homeopathy