Currency
By Brianna Anderson

Three stories, one family, unable to escape that ever-living demon we call “debt.”
The kind of black hole that sucks away the life of every soul.
The overwhelming load of bills piled too high to ignore or forget.

43 years old, father and head of the household.
He’s awake again in the middle of the night.
The tenants above him are fighting again, their drunken insults piercing through the thin walls of low income apartments.
He changes the TV channels a dozen times, too tired to care if he’ll find something worth watching.
The neighbors are enough entertainment for one night; he just wants to get some sleep.
Sleep needed for a 10 hour shift that starts at 6 AM, earning a paycheck that only brings him closer to bankruptcy.

45 years old, mother and educator of her children.
She can’t fall asleep because the pain in her back is so unbearable,
so she just lies there, praying the pain will go away soon.
Soon enough for her to start her day cleaning other people’s houses while putting away a few dollars she’ll never spend on herself because her children’s needs are more important.

20 years old, sister, student and oldest child.
The neon colored postcard in her hand practically screams “not good enough,” reminding her that tuition payments are late again.
Taking the semester off is not an option; she’ll have to work two jobs.
She refreshes the webpage of her online bank account, making a wish after every click,
waiting for a miracle to happen at the stroke of midnight.
But its 12 AM Thursday morning and payday is still another 24 hours away.

Three stories, one family, all part of a greater plan,
one that started long ago, starting with the fall of man.
Their souls were bought at the highest price; the blood of God’s son used as currency,
paying off their debts in full.

Father, mother and daughter alike have atonement for life.
The transaction of transferred holiness already made;
a kind of bond never to be repaid.

Happy is just an emotion
by Brianna Anderson

Joy. There’s nothing else like it.
It’s something we fight for
and never completely loose.
When your feelings are in an uproar,
joy sometimes gets caught on the emotional rollercoaster
and rides alongside depression and anger.
But when it gets off at its destination,
you find it again, in a higher sphere far above.

Happy is just an emotion,
that changes color quicker than a moodring’s touch can sensor.
Joy is an attitude pursued;
coming from something outside of this inward feud.
I am filled with joy when I am nearest to Him,
just as I feel the heat of the sun the closer I stand next to its rays.

Although troubles surround them, birds sing best in their cages.
giving praises to the glory of our brightest days;
the comfort of our nights.
We too can do the same.
Our souls will rise to see the light.

*I was inspired to write this after reading Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotions
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/morningandevening/morning-and-evening-7-or-2-am-551320.html

Learning to Forget

by Brianna Anderson

Your presence still lingers, a lost limb,
the scar scratches.
You killed what meant most to me.
Didn't know you'd change your mind,
that's now how it’s supposed to be.
You’re my missing puzzle piece.
Now you’ve left me here alone
picking up the pieces, scattered on the floor.
We don’t fit together anymore.

I’m learning to forget, everything you said.
Something greater than you or I
has to put the pieces back together.

He must be your all
before you give a piece of yourself away,
for those you love.
But don’t lose sight of what is true.

Eyes fixed on heaven, all I desire.
Fills my heart with joy
Lord make me whole!

This poem was inspired by various conversations I’ve had with friends about breakups and my friend with the crying heart tattoo ;)

Whitworth's tuition increase

After nearly 7 hours of video editing, our final project for our Interactive Journalism class is done!!



Video story final group project:
Brianna Anderson
Melissa Ross
Cherise Marron

Smoking at Whitworth-Podcast

Podcast project 1:
Brianna Anderson
Melissa Ross
Cherise Marron

Thank you Andy Schwartzmeyer for helping us convert the audio files!

Words Unspoken
by Brianna Anderson

He doesn’t say a word as he takes a seat in the pew in front of hers,
That pretty woman that goes to his same church each week.
He’s looking out into the whole world looking for “the one,”
When all this time she’s sitting right there!
My, that is some technique.

But wait, he’s afraid of affection,
He finally notices her, but is too proud to face objection.
Come on now, don’t be shy, modesty accounts for nothing
If it’s only pretense while the mind runs wild,
Just ask her out and be beguiled.

Women are not mind readers,
A wink or flirtatious glance is not enough.
Speak your mind and be a leader.
Take up your arms men, shoot and fire!
Arm yourselves with words of intent,
Filled with purpose and understandable content.

Words unspoken, hearts never broken.
But where’s the care in that?
How many women must you look at?
Before you decide that she’s “the one”
She’s sitting right there
Behind you in that chair!
Waiting for you to talk to her,
So please…just ask her out!

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day; it’s the holiday every single dreads. It’s bad enough that couples celebrate anniversaries every other day of the week, but on top of everything else they had to make it a national holiday.

What Are You Doing Tonight?
Valentine's Day at MOVIECLIPS.com

“It’s a corporate holiday that encourages me to empty my bank account for my significant other. I'm not celebrating it per se, but will be taking my significant other out for dinner the weekend before for funsies,” said Whitworth senior John Hawkins.

“It’s the holiday you don’t want to be alone on…and there’s always the expectation of having to get something,” says transfer Student Brie Geffre.

Geffre’s Valentine’s was saved however, when she received a care package from her friend filled with cupcake making goodies. Forget having a “ring by spring”, what could possibly be better than chocolate?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with traditions at Whitworth, the term “ring by spring” holds a certain importance on campus. Like any private school Whitworth has its traditions. The “Little Three” are specific tasks students need to complete before graduation:

1) Drop a tray in “Saga” a.k.a. the dining hall

2) Catch a virgin pinecone (before it hits the ground)

3) “Ring by Spring”-get engaged

These are of course unwritten rules and not taken very seriously.

“Ring by spring is actually not a very popular tradition at Whitworth, as most people don't allow themselves to get pressured into marriage, although we think others will. It's for those who've been in a long term relationship at Whitworth,” said Hawkins.

Thankfully Whitworth is providing a fun alternative event for those of us who would rather not put too much emphasis on celebrating the holiday. The dormitories Mac and Ballard are putting together an “Awkward Middle School Dance” in McMillan Hall.

According to the Facebook invite students will dress up in flavorful middle-school attire and “dine on root-beer floats and dance the night away to your favorite heart-throbbing boy-bands…When else will you get to sport that Abercrombie polo, or sparkle smuckers again?”

“Overall, Valentine’s Day is what you make it,” said junior Chris Frick.

For more info please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185867381447428
http://www.whitworthian.com/special-features/women/ring-by-spring-culture-limits-identity-1.1737720