Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / Aug. 30, 2013, edition 1 / Page 5
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Aug. 30, 2013 | The Clarion Opinion Page 5 A WLEE cool opportunity Who's the By Kayla Lead staff Writer w:: That is an opportunity? Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that it is a favorable juncture of circumstances. Foreigners would say that it is the ability to do what you want. I would say that it is a chance to do something extraordinary, and that passing it up is something only fools would do. That is what Wilderness Orientation was for me; it was an opportunity: An opportunity that trampled the trail of my life up a whole new mountain. What is this wilderness orientation, you say? Technically, it is a five day backpacking trip spent in Pisgah National Forest through an amazing program called. Mountain Roots. The trip was led and run by the lovely, Ali Lien, and myself and four other students came along. We all moved in a week before the rest of class, headed out into the forest on Aug. 12 and returned to campus on Aug. 17. But Wilderness Orientation was so much more than a simple backpacking trip. It was way more than bugs, heavy packs, and miles of downhill hiking—it was an opportunity. So, let me tell you a little about myself Growing up, my dad made it a point to make my sister and I go outside all the time. We went camping every summer with family friends and spent a whole lot of time exploring the place where the Atlantic Ocean kisses the Maryland shoreline. But backpacking? I was a newbie. I had ever gone backpacking. I was a bit apprehensive, but my love for the outdoors and new things outdid my nerves. Five days in the woods. Can you imagine the amount of thinking that was happening? Everything from, “Shoot, that rock looks like a broken ankle...” to, “I am really far away from my family, is this really the right place for me?” Man cannot create the beauty that the forest holds, but most importantly, man cannot perpetuate the feeling that nature creates. There is absolutely nothing like sitting under a water fall or on top of a mountain and observing the surrounding mountain range. By spending my time with new people that were just as passionate about nature, I was able to meet myself in a whole new way. I discovered that throwing bear-ties takes way more concentration than I had imagined, tarp tents are way easier to set up than they seem, and drinking/bathing from creek water is the coolest way to use water ever. Most importantly, I found an inner peace that settled my anxious thoughts, even if it was only temporary. Of all the things I learned through Wilderness Orientation, one thing that I especially appreciate is Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace is a program that teaches backpackers and all backcountry livers, how to live without, well, leaving a trace! All my life I have been a go-green, tree-hugging, tye-dye wearing, save-the-planet kind of gal. Though this trip helped me to better understand my meaning of life and harmony, it also made me more aware of what is happening to our planet in this era. This leads me to give all you kool-kat readers a friendly green tip (more to come in following issues): To cut back on paper towel use follow this super cool trick that I learned through a Ted Talk about a year ago (if you do not know what Ted talks are, Google it now. NOW). After you wash your hands, give them a good shake, maybe shake them up to 12 times. Grab ONE paper towel, fold it in half (this is the most important part—folding it will make sure that this will work even with the crappy, cheap paper towels), and BOOM! I guarantee dry hands, less waste, less money spent on paper, and more trees saved! YAY! Okay, so I went off on a tangent. Back to Wilderness Orientation. If you know any incoming freshmen and you want to give them peace of mind, time to think and write next to a flowing stream, and an opportunity of a lifetime, pass this amazing word on. I have never felt so connected in such a disconnected kind of way. Civilization will never look so absurd until you experience true peace. And yes, peace is attainable, even while surrounded by mosquitos. Opportunity is a rare chance for favorable circumstances, and only fools would pass it up. Do not let yourself allow anyone to pass this incredible opportunity up. It can and will change lives. Nature is that powerful. Dive in head first. If I can do it, you can do it too. jerk? Mailroom break-ins continue, and students are frustrated. By Olivia Fawcett Managing Editor M y freshman year at Brevard College some jerk broke into the mailroom, I have just started my senior year and it appears we have a copy-cat. Or someone beyond desperate to get their package, there must be some pretty important stuff in that box. Honestly, breaking into the mailroom is probably something that has crossed every Brevard College student’s mind since learning about the mail room hours; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. which are just ridiculous, because those just happen to be the hours that a majority of the students have classes. And despite the desire that all of us have, a majority of us (I say a majority beeause I have had to report about 2 mailroom break-ins now), have learned that pulling stunts like that is just plain stupid. All you do is cause trouble and just make people dislike you because now they can’t get their mail. And if you thought the mail room hours were ridieulous now... just wait. A funny fact is that if there was something super important in that package, say a puppy or a bottle of some important medication (aka a life or death situation), then all you had to do was call campus security and ask them to unlock the door for you. Didn’t think about that, did ya? So to finish this nice little rant off—don’t be a moron and don’t break into the mail room.
Brevard College Student Newspaper
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Aug. 30, 2013, edition 1
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