thoughts ^ ponderings
N’effable Student Orientation
by George Dobson
You drive through the stone
arches and for a second ask
yourself if you have come to
the right place. People jump in
front of the car waving signs,
chaos has descended. Instantly
you spot a giant with a Mohawk
standing next to a shrimp with
a beard like Grizzly Adams. A
complete stranger runs up to
your car, attaches a balloon,
and ecstatically welcomes you
screaming, “Is there a fresh
man in this car?” You do the
best you can to force a meek
smile upon your face and nod,
thinking, “What have I gotten
myself into?” Welcome to
New Student Orientation
(NSO) weekend, and by the
way, don’t forget to buckle-up
for the ride!
The opening scene of NSO
is definitely not false advertise
ment for the weekend ahead.
Everyone immediately sur
rounds you with the warmth of
the Montreat spirit, establish
ing friendships, and sometimes
even more. Once you begin
talking to people, you can actu
ally feel the presence of God on
this campus.
Not only were the people
by Jason Fisher
ood
For more information on this
topic or to respond to this
article. Please forward all
comments to Jason Fisher
Email: fisherjl@montreat. edu
great during NSO week, but the
events and activities planned
were great for beginning friend
ships, and getting the students
used to the campus. From the
first chapel on Thursday night,
(which set a great precedent for
the worship), to a softball game
which incurred a few injuries,
but had some great food if I
may say so myself.
The staff and students did
an amazing job in catering to
the new students’ needs while
adjusting to college life. Not
only was the \veek fun, but it
was a huge part of setting the
mood for a' great start to our
college education and settling
in to the new atmosphere.
Without this amazing week
end of fun, fellowship, and
friends, I know that my college
experience would not be nearly
as fun and exciting. Often we
tend to focus on ourselves once
we face a turning point in our
life. NSO reversed that ten
dency.
I want to make sure to take
this opportunity to say thank
you to everyone involved with
the NSO weekend: the teaching
faculty, the student leaders, the
(From left to right) Ashley Craig, Amanda Linsley, Erin Finley, Wayne Hines and Matt Duke hang out at the coffeehouse during NSO weekend.
kitchen staff, the maintenance
staff, and everyone else that
worked behind the scenes set
ting up the week. Without all of
you working NSO never could
have happened. I thank you all
very deeply for that. All of you
are definitely a blessing from
God, and I cannot wait to have
my chance to torture ... I mean
welcome the new students next
year.
Montreat Dating
So, as I start my fourth and last (knock on wood) year at Montreat,
I would like to be able to reflect back on issues that I believe never
changed. One ofthe big ones is “Montreat Couples.” There are more
couples at Montreat than anywhere I have ever been, because every
one is in a dating relationship of some shape or form.
Let me unwrap what I just said. If a guy is seen with a girl, it is
assumed they like each other, if they are seen multiple times they are
dating. If we stick by this “standard” of dating, then after a month
of friendship the majority of the girls in Anderson would be having
babies. However, if the guy is seen talking to another girl, he is
cheating on the first girl.
It is a sad thing that this happens anywhere, let alone in our little
bubble. It is because of living in such an isolated community, and
judging guys or girls by this “standard” that we have things happen as
they did at a certain male pageant last year, where a girl was judged
and feelings were hurt.
This “standard” reminds me of a time in my life that I like to call
my “Middle School Years.” Is this what Montreat has been lowered
too? Is Montreat a higher education middle school? Do we need to
change its name to “Montreat Middle?” Why is it that as a commu
nity there is pressure to be in a relationship? Why can’t a boy and a
girl just be friends? Why does there have to be something behind the
fact that a guy and a girl are talking (even if it is late at night)? Just
some food for thought.
Another Ode to Coffee
by Grant Metcalf
Sniffing you come
Drooling you are
Staring you wear
What kind of greeting is this?
In the Morning you make Me
You expect me to make you
On the petistool you put Me
In a cup you take Me
The unending thirst you have for Me
Unnerves Me
Yet, don’t you Know?
Through what, I Go
Fields, Hills, and Mountains I inhabited, originated
There where I grew, adolescent, and matured
Peace ended, they cut me, roasted me, canned me
Named me—Colombian, baby!
Transported by Cardboard
On a Mexican Floorboard
Sold at a price, to sit nights
On a store shelf, thought for life
You Saw Me sitting there
Demanded my company
I vividly remember the plastic bag
The bumpy back seat
Exiled, 1 was to your house
The cold, frozenness
To find, to be taken, to the torture
To the Grinder
In pieces, you put me
Fitting in the dry filter
Suddenly
Ahh! Oh, the Madness!! Why???
1 thought the roasting was harsh and heavy
But this burning water
Rushing and flooding
Through my aching grinded cut parts
Short company, turned to rapid dumping
My medium body mugged
Simmering, Stewing, Steaming
Acidity Sparkling
You are no Coffee Romantic
You can’t hear my Rantings
My muttered Revengeful thoughts unmerciful
I’ll get you. I’ll then addict you, and finally dehydrate you.
Sept. 16,2005, Page 3
The Whetstone