Majors Abroad: Claire LePage (’11) Shares the Straight-Up Beauty of Honduras

Claire LePage graduated from Whitworth in 2011 with a major in English Literature and minors in Theology and Peace Studies. She recently sent us this dispatch and photos from Honduras, including this one of little girls in a pony race:

Hello Whitworth English Department!

I miss you all.  I’ve spent this year in Siguateqeque, Honduras, working as a preschool assistant and as an ESL teacher for adults. It’s been a challenging year but a good one. One of the best things about it has been the straight-up Beauty, capitalized, of this part of the world.  There’s a mango tree near my house that looks like this:

That little room where all the branches come together is perfect for reading in with tea, and is also the neighborhood casa del arbol. On different weeks, the kids have covered the tree with glitter and rigged it with a pulley system for secret messages. Love the tree.

Another tree near my house is blooming like this right now:

This is the view from the comedor where I teach evening classes, at about 6pm:

And here are some pictures of me as a teacher, just to prove I’m really doing it.

With the preschoolers:

With a class of parents:

But really, friends, I have seen the most incredible things this year. We travelled to Antigua in October to renew our visas and went to a kite festival celebrating the Day of the Dead. There were kites made out of crepe paper and bamboo that were 40 feet tall:

I got engaged:

Heather Wallace and I met up in Antigua over Semana Santa and saw 7-ton floats of Jesus and Mary carried over alfombras of sawdust and vegetables:

Last weekend some of the other teachers and I visited a waterfall named Pulhapanzak. This happened:

It’s been a spectacular year. I’ve missed the English department, but (to quote Pam) I feel like y’all have travelled with me in space if not in place.

So much love.

Claire

Laurie Lamon’s Poem “Danger” Featured at “Women’s Voices for Change” Site

Read it here.

Internship Spotlight: Jacquelyn Wheeler Coordinates Browne’s Addition 2012 Concert Series

EL major Jacquelyn Wheeler (’12) recently graduated from Whitworth. Jacquie’s many accomplishments include her role as editor of Script, Whitworth’s student-run literary journal, and the EL department’s Writing Track award for a graduating senior. Jacquie lives in Browne’s Addition, Spokane’s hippest neighborhood (in my unbiased opinion). This summer she’s coordinating the Browne’s Addition Concert Series. Jacquie submitted the photos, including the ones below of local band Six Foot Swing and of a happy audience at one of last year’s shows in Browne’s.

Jacquie on Jacquie:

I’ve been studying literature and writing. My primary interest moving forward is writing, editing, design, and oil painting. I grew up living just outside of Portland, Oregon. I’ve kept a blog for about four years now: thoughtsprayerspraises.wordpress.com (though it hasn’t been updated since fall, something about senior year, but I’ll get back to it soon).

Jacquie on Her Internship with the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council

I first got involved with the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council because I had just moved to the neighborhood for the sake of preaching the gospel alongside my church community that lived there. Part of loving a place with the love of Christ involves knowing its needs and striving to serve in that capacity. BANC needed a Concert Series Coordinator, and at least three different people approached me, saying that I would be great for the job. I accepted the position at the Christmas party in December, and I’ve been working since January to raise support, organize fundraisers, keep track of the budget, publicize, book talent, secure insurance and permits, design and print programs and posters, and coordinate volunteers for a series of nine concerts that take place every Thursday evening in July and August.

I doubt I would have had the confidence to take on a project so much bigger than me if it weren’t for the support of my church family. Another group in the neighborhood is in charge of the big fundraiser event, my roommate is taking on the challenge of getting sponsors, and my pastor is coordinating volunteers from the church. Another council member is a yoga teacher in the neighborhood, and she’s offered to teach classes on Monday afternoons with a donation for the series. They pay me a stipend of $1200, which I am trying to figure out how to invest back into the neighborhood, because I would do this job for free.

Jacquie on the Importance of Internships:

Talk to professors with connections in your area of interest, and be involved in the community outside Whitworth (where those opportunities are). I have had this job and one other internship during my time at Whitworth. The first was a job as an editorial assistant at Gray Dog Press, which I learned about because I asked for Spokane publishing connections from Thom Caraway, who then introduced me to Marcus, the GDP senior editor. I found this concert coordinator job due to my prior community involvement. I can’t advocate enough for the importance of dipping your toe in the practical-application side of a field. It gives you a taste of what you’ll be dealing with when you leave college life, helps you know how to market yourself in that field (and others) because you know firsthand what it demands, and allows you to give back to the community.

Students From Creative Nonfiction Workshop Publish in Airplane Reading

We’ve just finished commencement weekend at Whitworth. It’s a time of celebration for our graduates and their families.

I’d also like to congratulate students from EL 347 Creative Nonfiction Workshop who’ve recently published in the online anthology Airplane Reading. (The image above is one cover of Checking In/ Checking Out, co-written by the site’s editors Mark Yakich and Chris Schaberg).

Get a jump start on your summer reading by checking out their essays:

Mitchell Linn Harris (EL ’12): A Brief Guide To Winning the War (For the Armrest)

Lauren Hunt (EL ’13): Missed Connections

Elaine Bassier (Sociology ’13): Unaccompanied Minor

Krystal Valle (EL ’13): If I Lived In A Disney Movie, We Would Have Ended Up Married

Lydia Buchanan (EL ’13): When It Comes To Flying

Katie Harriman (EL ’14): Baby Vomit and the Pains of Single Motherhood

Jessie Hodet (Psychology ’12): A Birthday Jinxed

Susan Vander Kooi (Art ’13): Fears and Affections

Emily Roth (Communications ’12): Experiential Learning

Jourdyn McClain (EL ’13): The Airplane God Doesn’t Mind Me

Kyle Talbot (EL ’13): Please, Not Dallas!

Asia Stephens-Argraves (Biology/Chemistry ’13): Oh, Airplanes! Gotta Love Them

(The two photos above are from Airlines History.)

Nelsonic Philsophy: Special Edition for the 5/11 Senior Reading

You may remember Isabel Nelson (’12, and not pictured above) as the winner of the 2012 Shut Up & Cut Up Found Poetry Contest. But did you also know that she’s an advice columnist? And the coordinator of the 2012 Senior Reading (Friday, May 11, 6 p.m., Music Recital Hall)?

Here’s Isabel’s counsel for the big event:

Good afternoon, all. Almost done with finals week, are you? I see you’ve relinquished real pants in favor of those giant “finals pants” but that you’re still ahead of the point where you want to see how many people you can fit in them—it’s a good omen. The final pitfall, before you decide to pickle yourself in bottom shelf vodka, will be to navigate senior readings.

            Step one: Put on some clothes. Nope, take those off. People’s grandmothers are going to be there, what is wrong with you? Yeah, those are better, I guess. Maybe not the leather jacket, though.

            Step two: Look in the mirror and say to yourself “I can totally read my work to a room full of strangers and their Gam-gams.” Fluff your hair, adjust your clothing. “I can totally read my work to these people, because I’m never going to see them again.” Brush your teeth. Try again: “I can go sit in the Music Recital Hall and listen to some sensitive poets talk about birds for an hour. After all, there might be snacks!”

            Step three: Put on your shoes, you lazy grub. The reading is at 6 and it’s 6:02.

            Step four: Brace yourself: there might not be snacks.

 

In Which Annie Stillar Defies Weather Forecast For An Epic Hot Dog & Book Sale 2012

Among the many Whitworth rituals that wind down the academic year, the English department’s annual Hot Dog & Book Sale is one of my favorites. The event raises money for the courtyard garden between Westminster and the Lied Art Building. It’s a chance to take a break during the last Friday before finals, grab some lunch, chat with friends, and ponder the mysteries of the universe (such as those pictured above).

Our fearless leader, Annie Stillar, recruited student and faculty to help with the event, including grill master Jack Downs (above).

Folks from many departments showed up for the fun.

EL majors were well represented, including Ana Quiring (above) and Shannon Kelly (at the moneychanger table, below).

EL department spouses and offspring, including Liv Larson Andrews (below, navy cardigan) and Molly Shaw Johnson (below, rad red print coat), enjoyed the event, too.

After the sale, some of us shuffled off to class or office hours, and regrouped later for the Script reading in the HUB. What a great day to be an EL major!

Big thanks to Annie Stillar for convincing the clouds not to rain until after the event. Three cheers for all who stopped by yesterday, and for those who donated books, time, and effort for the Hot Dog & Book Sale 2012.

Have You High-Fived Your Administrative Professional Today? A Tribute to Annie Stillar

Last Wednesday, April 25, our department celebrated Administrative Professionals’ Day in the company of our beloved Annie Stillar (pictured above, between Laura Bloxham (left) and Michelle Smith (right).

Only Annie has the magnetism to pull the faculty (including Casey Andrews (below left) and Fred Johnson) out of our squirrelly offices for a festive lunch at the nearby Petit Chat Bakery.

In addition to our unflagging gratitude and occasional copier mishaps, Annie also received a multi-pack of fake mustaches, one of which she’s modeling in the photo below (stolen from her Facebook page. Oops).

Majors Abroad: Andrea Idso Puts the Zeal in New Zealand

Andrea Idso (that’s “eyed-so”), ’12, hails from “The Claw” and is a double major in English and Communication Studies. Last year, she studied in Palmerston North, New Zealand with her traveling buddy Oliver (pictured on shoulder). You can read about her adventures in Kiwiland at www.nzandrea.wordpress.com. She is very excited to experience summer for the first time since 2010.

Andrea submitted the photos below: Franz Josef Glacier, Cathedral Cove (think second Narnia movie), and a secret hot springs she and her friends found after solving a riddle in a guidebook. Perfection.

Whitworth English Blog: Did you pick New Zealand or did New Zealand pick you?
Andrea Idso: I’d actually had my heart set on Scandinavia. If you’ve talked to me for 10 minutes you know about my love for Norway, but ISEP didn’t offer a program there. So I began looking at Sweden, thinking I could hop over to visit my Norwegian cousins over Christmas, but the Swedish school didn’t have the classes I needed. Because of my connections in Norway, I decided I’d make the effort to go back another time, so I began looking elsewhere.

Being quintessentially American (that is, monolingual), I wanted to attend a school where English would be spoken. I’d spent a couple of days in New Zealand in 2007 but that trip got cut short. During my brief time there, though, I fell in love with the beauty of the country and found the people to be friendly. When I saw ISEP had a school there, it quickly rose to the top of my choices. I wanted a more in-depth, less touristy experience of the country.

WEB: What was the biggest surprise about living there?
AI: I couldn’t go a day without running into an American or some sort of American media. It made me realize just how pervasive our culture is. Although it seemed to bother me more than the Kiwis, I was a little embarrassed that America throws its TV shows, film, music, and news onto other countries when they already have a unique, fascinating culture of their own.

WEB:  What was the greatest challenge?
AI: Initially, I’d say the greatest challenge was training myself not to see cultural differences through an ethnocentric lens – learning to think, “That’s different” instead of, “That’s weird.” I made an effort to adopt the colloquialisms and the differences in spelling and grammar; to try the food; and to get to know more about their history. The result was outstanding. If you spend enough time in another culture (and even nine months felt too short), your definition of normalcy changes. Instead of simply thinking of myself as an American tourist who spent time in New Zealand, I feel like I’ve got a foot in both countries.

WEB:  How has this study abroad experience affected your writing?
AI: When I returned I had to retrain myself to stop writing “favourite” and “uni” and “flatting” (though I still write like that when talking to my Kiwi friends on Facebook).

WEB:What advice would you give to students who are considering studying abroad?

AI: 1)    Now is the time! I’m serious. Do it now before you’re settled down with a career/family/other “adult” responsibilities. You’ll probably come back poor, but it will still be worth it.

2)    Go for as long as you can. I went for nine months (and definitely felt the equivalent of buyer’s remorse on the flight over – “Why did I choose to come for so long?!”), and now all those months feel like an extended dream. Unless you absolutely can’t make it work, go for two semesters. One is not enough.

3)    Make friends with the locals. There’s nothing wrong with making friends with the other internationals, but it’s incredibly easy to get sucked into that group and not branch out. Strike up a conversation with at least one local student in each of your classes. They also make the best travel buddies because they know where to go and what tourist traps to avoid. They also tend to own cars/camping equipment/other things you can save money by borrowing (shout out to Suzie!).

4)    On that note, take every opportunity you can to travel. At my school, and many others, it was easy to create schedule with three-day weekends. Our mid-semester breaks were two weeks long. These times were ideal for traveling, and even though you’ll probably learn a great deal in class, your traveling experiences are what you will remember.

Internship Spotlight: Alyssa Explains It All (About Working for Gray Dog Press)

EL double major Alyssa Parkinson (’12) recently spoke with Whitworth English Blog about her rad internship.

Whitworth English Blog: Alyssa, tell us about yourself.

Alyssa Parkinson: I’m from Santa Clarita, CA, where the mountains are made of course giant hair and need to be brushed once a week or else disastrous wildfires occur. I just finished directing and acting in Almost, Maine, the culmination of my BA in Theatre. I am in charge of the Velociraptor Revolution and am currently accepting applications. Check out my blog:http://velociraptorapocalypse.blogspot.com/ or email me for more information at: aparkinson12@my.whitworth.edu

Vive le dinosaure.

WEB: OK, great. Sign me up. Also, please describe your internship. What are your duties?

AP: I am the intern at Gray Dog Press, a small independent publishing company in Spokane. I am in charge of marketing for three authors, which entails emailing fifty people a day asking them for reviews or interviews of books, getting in touch with distribution companies and television and radio, and research, research, research.

I also design flyers for books and help with the design elements of books in the process of publishing. I copyedited my first entire book and I am currently copyediting a second book for the company. I recently designed a little logo that will be seen throughout the most recent book in process, which was surprisingly exciting. I try not to get too excited, though, because as our final edits draw near, it could be taken out.

WEB: What do you like most about your internship? 

AP: Gray Dog Press is unique because it doesn’t treat interns like interns. I’m left on my own a lot to learn and try to make things happen. I feel like after this, and my crazy years lifegaurding and mixing acid for the pool, I can handle literally anything. It helped that I had extensive knowledge of InDesign and PhotoShop.

WEB: Right on. What have been the biggest challenges? 

AP: The biggest challenge has been keeping optimistic. Research can get lonely and it can feel like there are few rewards.

WEB: How did you hear about this internship? 

AP: An email was sent from the English Department—thanks! And Jaquelyn Wheeler gave me a run down on what I could expect as she had done an internship with Gray Dog last summer. But don’t wait for emails—there are hundreds of companies out there seeking applicants with information available on their sites.

WEB: What advice would you give to students who are considering internships?

AP: You HAVE to get out there and try what you think is your “ideal”  job. I worked as an assistant make-up artist to a professional make-up artist based in LA last summer. I thought make-up was my dream job, but I realized that it was not something I was inspired by or invested enough to do long enough to actually break into the make-up world.

Try things out so you can rule things out, and so you can learn things. After this internship, I feel like I could go into marketing, become an agent for an author—anything. In college is the time to experiment because you have a huge support group to fall back on. Internships prepare you for what you think you would never be able to do, or show you the truth of what you once believed would be your perfect job.

Majors Abroad: Katie Palmer’s Postcard From Milan

Katie Palmer, second from left, is a junior English major from Snohomish, WA. She spent a month in London on a Jan-term trip and is now studying in Milan for four months. Learn more about her adventures abroad at http:www.londontomilan.blogspot.com

Katie provided these photos of the Duomo (“perfect example of Gothic architecture,” she writes) and of a fashion show she attended during Milan’s fashion week.

 

 

Hello dear Whitworth English department!

 

I have been studying in Milan, Italy for three months now and I have fully come to understand why the “Eat” portion of Eat, Pray, Love took place in Italy. It’s pasta, pizza, and gelato every day, and somehow it never gets old. Aside from eating, I’ve been traveling a lot. So far I’ve touched down in London, Paris, Berlin, and Venice, and have an upcoming trip to Stockholm in the works.

 

English-wise, I’m taking a class on Dante and Machiavelli which is interesting, but oh so easy compared to Whitworth English classes. I’m missing the challenge of Whitworth. But then again, I have gelato.

 

I hope all is well in Westminster!

See you this fall,

Katie Palmer