PULSE Fall 2014 | Issue One
S N A M HU U W C f o pg. 17
Yik Yak pg. 67
Fall Fashion
y r a M t r e b Lam pg. 79
pg. 58
l a c o L d n u o S pg. 7
Phillip Phillips pg. 41
EDITOR’S NOTE I was a recent transfer from Portland State University when Pulse faculty adviser, Jennifer Green, asked me to join Pulse. That was four terms ago. Since joining Pulse, I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless talented editors, writers, photographers, and designers. This term is no different. With the help of my amazing team, we have created something unique and truly special. As editor-in-chief, I wanted to shed light on stories that were not only relatable to college students, but to the everyday person. What we found was that everyone has a story and every story is worth telling. We took the concept of Humans of New York and went out onto the Central Washington University campus and simply asked people to tell their story. In our issue, we have individuals who recently came out to their family, those suffering from cancer, and individuals who don’t fit into mundane societal stereotypes. You can find their stories in Humans of CWU on page 17. Our issue is packed with interviews from musicians, Phillip Phillips and Pulse 8 with Mary Lambert. We also have DIY Halloween Tips and the must-know on your Seahawks. And for those that just transferred for the first time, I know that it can be hard. But there are a lot of positives. Check out our article Upside of Being A Transfer Student on page 7. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed making it. Lindsey Wisniewski Editor-In-Chief
PULSE MAGAZINE Editorial Editor-in-Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Designer Designer Designer
Lindsey Wisniewski Jess Macinko Katie Boyer George Rohwer Laurel Fisher Mackenzie Loete Ben Ulbright
Faculty Adviser Jennifer Green Student Media Business Manager Kristin Gaskill Advertising Inquiries Central Washington University’s policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and in employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender ecpression, age, material status, disability, or status as a protested veteran. The person responsible for CWU’s institutional compliance with various federal and state laws and institutional policies dealing with discimination is Staci Sleigh Layman, Interim Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Barge Hall 221, 509-9632205 TDD 509-963-2207. CWU is an AA/EEO/Title IX institution. Upon request, this document is available in accessible formats (Braille, large print, or audio cassette). Contact Disability Support Services at 509-963-2171 TDD 509-963-2146. Pulse falls under the auspices of the Student Media Board at Central Washington University. For more information, contact the Communication Department http://www.cwu.edu/~comm/
IN THIS ISSUE
OUR TOWN
Local Sound 1 Upside of Being a Transfer Student 7 10 Ways Studying Abroad Changed My Life 9 CWU Community Garden 13
SPOTLIGHT
Humans of CWU Living With Dwarfism Oktoberfest Phillip Phillips
17 31
35
41
MIND & BODY
The Health Benefits of Essential Oils The Rise of Veganism Coffee vs. Tea
45 47 49
Hawkspot Seahawks T.V. Schedule My Seahawks Internship
51 52 56
Fall Fashion
58
SPORTS
FASHION
LIFE HACKS
What the Hell Is Yik Yak Top 10 Apps On Campus Long Distance Relationships
AFTER DARK
9 Things You Never Say To A Server Halloween DIY
67 71 73
75 77
PULSE8
Mary Lambert 79
BAR CALENDAR
Ellensburg Bars 83
Local Sound “You have to feel good to get a good recording” Written by: Jess Macinko Photos by: Ben Ulbright
What Sam Albright really wants to talk about is the radio station. It’s not what I’ve been interviewing him about for the past 40 minutes, but when I mention it while wrapping up he says, “Oh yeah, this is cool,” and becomes genuinely excited, and it’s clear that this is what he really wants to talk about—Ellensburg Community Radio, broadcasting live from the 420 building on 5th and Pearl. Streaming 24/7 at eburgradio. org, FM frequency in the works. Local stories, local music, radio for Ellensburg, by Ellensburg. And yes, this means you. E’burg Radio wants your membership, E’burg Radio wants your volunteer hours, but most of all, E’burg Radio wants you to broadcast your own show. Which, according to Sam, can be pretty much anything. Pretty much. “Just about anything that’s not offensive,” he says. Sam is standing in the control room of his recording studio, which occupies a lone two-story in the heart of Ellensburg’s industrial district, the place where 3rd Street runs past Twin City Foods and the now-defunct recycling plant to end in front of the train depot. This is Velvetone Records, Ellensburg’s own record label, something of a historic site and something that until last month I never knew existed. For the past 40 minutes, Sam has been giving me and a Pulse photographer “the tour.”
“At first we called it Creative Fire Recording,” he says, “but we got all these phone calls like, ‘Do you, uh—I had a fire! In my garage! Do you guys come out and do assessment?’” Fire crops up more than once in this story. Holding a mandolin of his own construction, Sam tells us that this stone building stands on the ashes of its predecessor, a wooden version that burned to the ground in the Ellensburg fire of 1889. Sam bought the current building in the early 1980s and renovated it with the help of his father and an architect from Maui. The whole first floor is devoted to his main business: the manufacturing and distribution of tools for picture framing and quilt patterning, tools he and his father invented. Sam seems as interested in talking about his manufacturing operation—or, for that matter, the history of Ellensburg—as he is in talking about his studio. And when he speaks as a technician, it is in the sense of the word’s classical root, techne—a sense that draws no distinction between artist and engineer. In straightforward terms, Sam conveys the physicality of sound. He explains the significance that his recording room has no parallel walls, making it acoustically even. He explains that the
low-end absorption panels—rows of triangular, yard-long beige prisms that stud the ceiling— must be the size and shape they are because as frequencies get lower they get bigger, and in order to catch a bass frequency of, say, 100 Hz, you need something large and obtrusive, because that frequency has a wavelength of ten feet and will blow right by the less substantial, high-end panels. He explains where the term “loop” comes from. “We used to do real tape loops,” he says, tracing a flattened oval in the air. “You’d take a piece of tape, put it on two microphone stands, splice [the ends] together, record onto it, run it out to the microphone stand and then run it back. That’s why it’s called a loop—it’s an actual, physical loop.” Standing in the control room, Sam’s face is lit by a window that looks down onto Kleinberg Park. Behind him a larger window looks back into the
recording room. Instruments and equipment share the floor with woven rugs; on the walls, lengths of cable hang in neat coils next to abstract paintings. Beside them are thumb-tacked reminders written in black sharpie on printer paper—The Magic Comes From the Musicians. Does the Song Really Need that? Don’t Polish a Turd. These rooms embody the Velvetone philosophy: that the creative space must also be a comfortable space, a space the musicians can make their own. “My goal isn’t really to be this big commercial studio,” Sam says. “There are great studios everywhere—for about the same price you can get something that has a lot more gear than we’re ever gonna have. But they may not have a room like this. In fact most places don’t. In a room like this we can visually stay connected, but we can use panels to isolate acoustically. There’s leakage, sure. We don’t have isolation rooms all over the place. But that’s where things get broken up, and
then you lose some of that energy. Sure, you can get something that’s really tight. But I want that creative spark.” “If the energy’s there and the people are having a good time, then you can get a great recording. The equipment can be simple, but I’m really into people playing together. “You have to feel good to get a good recording. If you’re not smiling, then someone listening to it won’t be smiling either. Not all music is about smiling, but you gotta have it feel good, or whatever you’re going after. If it’s intense, then it’s gotta be intense; if it’s up, it’s gotta be up.” At the end of our tour, when I suggested the photographer get a shot of Sam sitting at the control board, Sam said, “Ah yes, the classic shot.” He said it with wry humor and posed for the photo; he’d given us all the information we needed and was generally a great sport. But earlier in the week, when I called him to secure this interview, when I explained who I was and what
I was after, he said “Oh ok, we’ve done this kind of thing before.” This is not the most enthusiastic response, and while there are any number of reasons a man might be less than thrilled at the prospect of having strangers photograph and record him in his own home, I think in this case it has something to do with the context of our profile, and something to do with history. In the mid-80s, Velvetone was one of a handful of creative sparks that preceded the wildfire called grunge. But back then it wasn’t grunge yet. The mega-label that is Sub Pop was then just a fanzine and some mix-tapes. Nirvana was some band from Aberdeen. The Screaming Trees—Ellensburg’s own contribution to the movement—were four dudes just out of high school. Everyone was young and talented, no one was famous. But that changed. The Screaming Trees recorded their first four albums with Velvetone, then got huge and signed to SST. The Seattle scene blew up. And Velvetone, in Sam’s words, “just ended up being this small place in Ellensburg.”
Yet that small place continues to make records. New connections are being made, sparks continue to fly. But often, in profiles like this, the same stripped-down information—Velvetone/ ScreamingTrees/HeydayofGrunge—gets repeated and condensed, condensed and repeated, missing both the excitement of what it was really like in the old days and the excitement of what’s happening now. For those who haven’t lived through it, history becomes a series of epitaphs. And this is the problem: there is of course the dictum that any press is good press, but for Sam, press in the form of a local interest story in Central’s online lifestyle magazine might be pretty close to no press, for two reasons. First, there’s a good chance that a target audience of mostly 1824 year olds won’t know who The Screaming Trees are and won’t care that Sam helped get them off the ground. Second, and perhaps more importantly, you could make the claim that any local interest story in a campus magazine is a bit like a comb in a room of bald men. To the student readership, “local interest” may be a contradiction in terms. Ironically, when I first moved here I heard a version of this sentiment—that aside from the bar scene, students don’t really engage with the town—from the owner of the 420 building, the building that now houses Ellensburg Community Radio. But
of course this is something of a generalization— ultimately, the reality of a town-or-gown divide is determined by students themselves. If you know where to look, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with the town. Some Central students find them; some even make their homes here. One who did so is Sam Albright. Leaving the studio, I pause to talk to Sam’s wife, who has been sitting at the kitchen table with her laptop and a cup of coffee, patiently riding out this media invasion. She asks me where I’m from. She asks me how long I’ve been here. We talk about Central, about Ellensburg, about the pros and cons of life in a small town. And, with the afternoon sun burning in the window behind her, she says, “I think a lot of people don’t know what an artistic town this is. It really draws creative people.”
upside of
BEING A
transfer T N E D U T S WRITTEN BY: KATIE boyer
IMAGINE THIS SCENARIO; It's your FIrst day as a new student at a big college... again.
That’s right, I’m talking about being a transfer student. I myself just transferred to Central Washington University from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the decision to leave behind a comfortable routine for the unknown is not an easy choice to make. Students everywhere are faced with asking themselves difficult questions such as: Am I getting what I need at this school,
can I afford to stay here, and would my time be better spent somewhere else? These were all questions I had to ask myself and it turned out that my answers lead me to where I am today. As hard as it was to say goodbye to the statuesque Flatirons and three hundred days of sunshine, I knew that my life needed a change.
T
STUDENTS LIKE YOU
Thousands of students across the United States transfer schools every year. In fact, The Chronicle of Higher Education stated that “one-third of all students switch institutions at least once before earning a degree.” Although transferring can sometimes be portrayed in a negative light, it is important to realize that there are a number of benefits to switching schools. I recently sat down with a young woman I graduated with from high school, who also made the decision to transfer. She discussed with me some of the benefits of transferring schools, and the result may surprise you.
You already have the hang of things After spending time at another school, you know how to go through the process of registering for classes, managing your time, and how to take care of yourself without the help and guidance of your parents. The transfer student, who now attends Western Washington University says, “Even though you are starting at a new school you do not need to worry about the stresses freshmen have because you already have the hang of how college life works.”
You’ve begUn to learn about yourself College is all about find yourself and discovering who you are supposed to be in the world. Being a transfer student means that you are going into your new college already having a sense of where you want to be later on in life and what steps you need to take to reach your goals. USA Today even mentioned that transfer students feel less pressure because they “often spend their first semester easing into a new environment.” In fact, the reason for your transfer could very well be linked to discovering who you are and taking the first steps in reaching that dream.
“one-third of all students switch institutions at least once before earning a degree.”
YOU GET A SECOND CHANCE For many students, going away to college is your first chance at independence away from your parents. Unfortunately, this means that you could make stupid decisions and pick friends that may not be beneficial to the success of your college career. If this is the case, then getting a fresh start could provide you with the incentive to push yourself more than you had before, whether it is academically or just being more involved in the community. “Transferring schools has allowed me to use the confidence I gained at my first school to shape who I wanted to be at Western Washington University,” says the transfer student. If you are thinking about transferring, or you have recently transferred, keep in mind that you are not alone! Transferring can be a great and rewarding experience as long as you take advantage of the new opportunities in front of you.
10 Ways Studying Abroad Will Change Your Life
Written By: Jenna Bays Photos By: Mackenzie Miller, Tessa Hansen, and Taylor Walters Imagine going into an entirely new country, not knowing a single person, and not speaking the country’s first language. The customs are different, the people are peculiar, and nothing is familiar to you at all. The food smells odd, the people stare at you because you don’t look like them and some of the locals are way too touchy. You have literally no idea what they are saying so you just laugh and nod. To some readers, this may seem like your worst nightmare. Why would someone in their right mind purposely put themselves into this situation? While all these things might sound scary, they are normal feelings that every study abroad student at one time or another may face. Mackenzie Miller, Tessa Hansen, and Taylor Walters, have all experienced these feelings but felt that their time overseas, was one of the best learning experiences of their lives. The three students we interviewed, have compiled a list of the 10 reasons why studying abroad is the experience of a lifetime. The three students that we interviewed are: Mackenzie Miller, a former communications student at Central Washington University, who lived abroad in Madrid for nine months, Tessa Hansen, a current CWU senior, who studied abroad in Costa Rica for six weeks this summer, and Taylor Walters, a current CWU senior, who is currently studying abroad in Rome, Italy. While all three of these students have had very different experiences abroad, they all seem to agree that this list is completely accurate. Reason #1 You’ll be introduced to new cultures, customs, and perspectives. Tessa Hansen seems to think that being introduced to new cultures, customs, and perspectives is the most important reason.
“I had no idea I was going to form such strong bounds and relationships with so many different people from so many different countries,” Mackenzie says. Reason #4 Studying abroad is affordable. Many programs cost the same as attending CWU (some are even less). You can also use your financial aid to study abroad and scholarships are available.
“I had never been outside the country before, so having that experience and seeing another culture really opened my eyes on how other people live,” Tessa says. In regards to the cultural differences between Costa Ricans and Americans, Tessa say they were abundant. “The people are so much nicer and they don’t say no to you no matter what you ask them,” Tessa says. “People are just so much happier.” Reason #2 Study abroad allows you to explore the world from a week to a full year – all while earning credits toward your degree. Taylor Walters said that she wished she would have known about the study abroad option prior to her senior year. “Right now I am earning 14 credits towards my degree, all while having the time of my life. If I would have known I could have this much fun, while earning credits, I would have taken all my classes abroad,” Taylor says. Reason #3 Living abroad gives you the opportunity to make lifelong friends with people from around the world. Mackenzie Miller says just because you are studying in a one country, that does not mean you aren’t exposed to people from other cultures. “I remember one night I went out with an American friend and by the end of the night we were sitting at a table with two Spaniards, a German, a Romanian, a Swedish girl, and two guys from Columbia,” Mackenzie says. Mackenzie says she is still in contact with some of those people and believes they will remain in contact over time.
While this may be difficult for some readers to believe, Taylor says that studying abroad is actually affordable. “I think some of the reason why I wasn’t originally interested in studying abroad was because I thought it was so expensive, but it’s really about the same price as I would be paying here in the United States,” Taylor says. “The only extra money I am spending is for my fall break and winter break trips to Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal.” Reason #5 Living abroad can help you become more independent and confident. It often sparks new interests and provides a better sense of direction for your future. Mackenzie says choosing to study abroad was one of the best decisions she has ever made. “Living abroad really forced me to grow up. I learned to truly live on my own more than just in another state. I am 100% more independent than I was before I lived abroad,” says Mackenzie.
Although studying abroad took some adjusting, kinds of questions about my experience. By the end of Mackenzie agrees it was well worth the experience. the interview, she was telling me how she was going to convince her daughter to study abroad”. “I mean of course it was a transition, going to a country and not speaking the language, but it really forced me Reason #7 You can gain real-world work experience come out of my shell and now I am more confident than by participating in internships and service programs I have ever been.” around the world. Reason #6 The skills you acquire from studying abroad, such as problem solving and adapting to new situations, will help set you apart from your competition when applying for jobs and graduate school.
“I am actually looking into doing an internship somewhere in England right now because one of my friends did an internship in London and now she has so many connections all over the world..it’s crazy,” says Taylor. Reason #8 Studying abroad offers an unparalleled opportunity to improve your fluency in another language. Tessa and Mackenzie both said although it was difficult to live abroad without knowing the language, people were more than willing to help.
Mackenzie says people really underestimate the “life experience” section of their resume.
“The way I learned the language probably wasn’t the most conventional way, but I just immersed myself in the culture and the people. I just learned as I went along,” says Mackenzie. “To be honest, even though I learned a lot in my Spanish classes, I learned the most by drunkenly attempting to talk to the locals.”
Reason #9 An experience abroad will help you discover “I actually attribute a lot of the reason for me getting what makes life here in the United States unique. You’ll my current job to studying abroad. The person hiring also gain an insight on how people from around the me thought it was so amazing that I was able to go to a world view our country. new country without knowing anyone and asked me all
Living abroad did not just impact Tessa’s life in Costa Rica, but also impacted her life back in America. “After studying abroad I definitely appreciate the privileges we have, especially how school is available for us. I mean yes we have to pay for school, but there they really have to struggle to go to college.” Reason #10 You’ll join an elite group of U.S. citizens that have studied abroad. Since studying abroad, Mackenzie has made many new friends solely based on the fact that they have also studied abroad. She feels like people who have studied abroad have a different view on the world than people who have not. “Finding out someone else has studied abroad is an automatic conversation starter. You just get so excited to talk about your experience and hear about the other person’s experience, its like you are naturally connected,” Mackenzie says. Studying abroad has seemed to impact all three of the students life in an extremely positive way. Studying abroad even for those short few weeks affected Tessa’s life in such a positive way that she even plans on going back to at least visit Costa Rica, if not live there again. Mackenzie’s study abroad experience impacted her life so greatly she is actually in the process of applying to be an English teacher in Madrid, which would require her to live there for at least one full year. “It’s crazy how much studying abroad changed my life. Two years ago, I never would have imagined myself applying to be a teacher, let alone in a country where the first language isn’t English.” Taylor is still currently studying in Italy but plans on attempting to stay in Europe and complete an internship there. While studying abroad may sound like some of your worst nightmares, for these students it became their dream come true.
u ccomwmunity n e ag rd Wr
lsea : Che y B n e itt
a
Aleag
It was the dead of winter
in February of 2013 and students, community members, and faculty members stood out in the cold. Bundled up in their scarves and jackets the group looked around at their very own garden. Their dream had come true, and in a couple months they could start planting. The idea of a community garden on campus was Dr. Rebecca Pearson’s vision when she first started here at Central. “I was interested in food and community,” says Pearson. “I would go to the Kittitas County food collision meetings and a community member thought that there should be a community garden on campus.” Being a new associate professor and director of public health, Pearson had too much on her plate to get the garden rolling. In early 2013, two years after the idea was presented, the university was on board. “The university has been so supportive through it all,” Pearson explains. “They gave us this big space to garden and installed eight water spikets without us even asking.” The vegetable filled abyss is located in the Wahle Complex North of the Psychology building. It used to be the playground for the complex. The convenient location makes it easy for students, community members, and faculty to access the garden. The early stages of the garden people just went in and started planting, regardless of their knowledge of gardening. Pearson admits, “So many students from all majors just came out of the woodwork. None of us are experts, but we all just come together and learn by doing. It’s just fun!”
d a e r p s d r Wo
that the garden had opened up and that anyone was welcome. The garden even acts as therapy for some students. David Sturgell, technology education major, Vice President of the gardening club, and Navy veteran uses the garden as a place to relax. “I heard a lot of veterans with PTSD coped with gardening,” Sturgell says. “The whole time I was in the military I wanted to garden.” Sturgell was deployed three times to Iraq. When he was sent back to the US in 2011 he decided to go back to school and finally live a relaxing life with his wife in Ellensburg. Along with the relaxing feel of gardening Sturgell uses the hobby as a health benefit. By growing his own vegetables he knows exactly where they are coming from compared to produce in grocery stores. “All mainstream supermarkets are essentially all the same company. It really makes me think where our food is coming from,” Sturgell explains. “By growing my own food it’s healthier and makes me feel better about what I’m eating.” The food industry in America has been exposed to using pesticides in food along with other chemicals that people don’t want in their bodies. “It’s my academic mission to help people eat better,” says Dr. Pearson, and that she has. “We produced so much food that we donated over 250 pounds of fresh vieggies to the FISH food bank. That’s even after everyone had all the food they wanted!” Other than donating fresh grown food to the food bank the group even wants to contribute to the university.“Down the road we want to produce easy produce for the university to use. Like basil and baby greens. It will strengthen the tie between the garden and the university.
The President of the Gardening Club Stephanie Betschart is a graphic design major and always wanted to plant, but never had the space for it. “I’ve been using the garden since spring quarter. A friend mentioned the garden because she knew I wanted to, but since I lived in the dorms didn’t have the room for it,” Betschart says. Most students in Ellensburg live in small dorms and apartments making planting and gardening difficult for them to access. With the availability of the community garden it gives the chance for every student and community member pick up a hobby they might not know they are talented in. The President herself didn’t even know she had it in her. “It’s weird because when I was younger and my grandparents tried to teach me how to garden I hated it,” Betschart admits. “Now that I’m older I appreciate her getting me involved in such a fulfilling hobby.” Having a community space where literally anyone can be involved in is such a comforting environment in Ellensburg. Age, race, gender, major, etc. doesn’t matter when it comes to the CWU Community Garden, so get your seeds and get to planting!
““It’s my
o t n o i s s i m academicle eat better,” help peop n cca Pearso -Dr. Rebe
Humans Of CWU Story by: Jeffrey MacMillan & George Rohwer Photos by: Hunter Lott, George Rohwer & Ben Ulbright
Dr. Stacy
“The first time I thought about teaching as a profession occurred when I was a junior in college. I was an English major. I hadn’t planned on what I was going to do when I graduated. One of the guys from my dorm came down and he was an English Major. He said ‘we are supposed to read Mount Blanc for Literature. I don’t get this poem and there are a number of other people that don’t know it. Could you go over the poem with a few of us and help us understand it?’ I set up a place and time for us to meet, which was a classroom underneath the dorms that might as well have been a custodial basement. Anyways, I show up and there was about 10 or 11 people waiting for me to teach them this stuff. I charged them a quarter a piece, because I knew I could get a beer down at Riley’s (the bar) for a quarter. After my lecture, I made enough money to take a few guys down to the tavern and have a few beers. I thought to myself ‘this is fun... Maybe I could do this for a living.’”
Ebony Morrow
“In high school, I was trying to figure out what I was good at. For me, the definition of being successfulwas being good at something that everybody liked. Music was a big thing for me; I played under my grandfather who was a drummer, but I started to realize that music would be a difficult profession to pursue. I didn’t really have a favorite subject. I would definitely say that I was a slacker until I learned about the ‘achievers scholarship.’ Before the scholarship, I had a GPA of about 2.0. I ended up graduating high school with a GPA of 3.0, then I came here. I always wanted to major in music until I took an English 101 course. They started talking about human nature and understanding people and covering different topics and issues, rather than just grammar and punctuation.”
Liv Halsne
“Well, during my senior year of high school, I didn’t know exactly know what I wanted to do. I started to look in to ROTC and found out that I really wanted to do it, and I eventually found an ROTC program at Central so I came here and immediately fell in love with the program.” The very first day—freshman orientation—they put you through the challenge course. So we pretty much just teamed up with other freshman and worked together to accomplish certain challenges. There was just such a big sense of comradery between every one during that class, and that was when I thought ‘I love this program.’”
Mikhail Munden
“During high school I became homeless half-way through my sophomore year. With a lot of work and the help of some very gracious people, I’ve made it to college and I’ll be graduating in the winter from Central Washington University.”
Nick Elliott
“Growing up I always thought I was an average kid until one day, I realized that I was the only one leaving with a different teacher when we would start the math and reading portions of class. At that moment, I realized I wasn’t like everyone else, I was that dumb kid. From that moment in my life, I pushed myself as hard as I could, striving for perfection. Anything less made me feel as if I had failed. I never wanted to feel the way I did in that classroom ever again.”
Lacey Shinners “For three-quarters of my life, my Mom has had ovarian cancer. She has had 33 major surgeries and been through eight rounds of chemotherapy. I’ve helped take care of my mom since I was old enough to take care of myself. When she was originally diagnosed she was told she would only have an estimated five years to live. My mom has beaten the odds and survived thirteen years so far because she is strong. Because I’ve had something like this affect my life for so long, I have learned how to separate the emotions I feel from my work and school.”
Mia Patterson “Growing up I was really involved in athletics, and found that I wanted to someday pursue a career in sports because I had such a passion for it. I feel that I’ve gotten so far because I live by a philosophy of being able to work hard, train hard, and play harder. I think people who have the perception that girls can’t do things in sports really need to step back and look around because girls are here doing so much in sports.”
Clint Lemkus “The critical point in my life was the transition I had to make from playing professional rugby abroad, and then making the decision to leave that and go to America to peruse my studies so far away from my family.�
Matt Mastey “During my mother’s pregnancy with my twin and I, there were complications in the third trimester resulting in the loss of my twin. When I was born doctors diagnosed me with something called cranial scoliosis. My skull, when I was born, was in a twisted form. When I was really young I had two major surgeries. I had metal plates put in my head. I have always hated being small. When I was a senior, I was 135 pounds soaking wet. My father introduced me to bodybuilding and I’m just truly happy when I’m lifting weights.”
Tayler Shaindlin “I’ve been sick more times in my life than I’ve been healthy, but I wouldn’t trade that for anything else. When you’re in a near death experience you learn much more about yourself and your life than you would normally plan to. That makes you appreciate everything a lot more than if you lived a normal, traditional life. “
Bryan Yancy
“Being an assistant coach here at Central Washington University is just amazing. I love those players. Inclusion is everything. It’s not a make-a-wish day, its being included every day.”
Cyndi Loveland
“It’s made such a difference in the quality of his life. I really enjoy watching Bryan enjoy something, because he loves it with 100% of himself. When he does something great and I get to share it, it’s just joyful.”
Hauke Harfst “I lived my life hearing people telling me all the things I can’t do because I was too young. But my dad has always told me to never let anyone tell you want you can’t do. So if you want to do something, just go out and do it. You can achieve anything if you’re willing to work hard for it.”
Michaela Meeker “My parents weren’t really around when I was growing up and they are very religious. It’s one of the things that made coming out to them difficult because I wasn’t sure how they would react. Because they love me they stayed open minded and are being supportive. I am also so lucky to have such amazing friends; they’ve stuck by me and have been such a crucial part of my life during this time. I am sure it’s weird to some people that I have come out as a lesbian cheerleader because you don’t usually hear about them. I guess to other people it’s unusual because I’m so feminine.”
DWARFISM LIVING WITH
WRITTEN BY: SHAUDAI VALDEZ
Having a baby is challenging. Having a baby with dwarfism while you’re going to school, working, and raising another child is even more challenging.
PHOTOS BY: MACAELA CROZIER
MACAELA’S CHALLENGE Macaela’s challenge began early, when she became pregnant during her junior year of high school. With her first son, Kyran Valdez, she was put on bed rest from 19 weeks to 30 weeks because Kyran wanted to come out early. Luckily, he waited, and was born at 38 weeks in November of 2011. Being a teen mom can be difficult. Teen pregnancy often leads to high dropout rates and low attendance, but not for Macaela. She saw no reason she couldn’t finish. Beating the odds, Macaela graduated on time as planned.
Mason does not have many serious health issues. He does however, have respiratory difficulties due to the small passageways in his nose. He was also recently diagnosed with scoliosis, which can affect his posture. If the scoliosis becomes more serious, it could affect his breathing by pushing against his lungs. “We are just praying so much and leaving it in God’s hands that he will heal his body and make him as healthy as he can be with no side effects,” Macaela says.
FINDING OUT
“
HE IS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER BABY OUT THERE BESIDES HIS SIZE.
“
Three years later, Macaela Crozier (21) and Adrian Valdez (24), welcomed their second baby, Mason Valdez in May of 2014. Their lives changed three months later on August 19, when Mason Valdez was diagnosed with dwarfism. Macaela knew something was wrong during her pregnancy when the ultrasound technician told her that his legs were measuring short. A month after he was born they noticed that his body shape was not normal and his feet were crooked. They were referred to Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, where a specialist did x-rays and told them the news. Mason had dwarfism. “Mason’s dwarfism was not inherited, it was a spontaneous gene mutation at the time of conception. It can literally happen to any pregnancy,” says Macaela. In September, Mason received a preliminary diagnosis of Kniest Dysplasia, a disorder of bone growth, which is characterized by a short stature and skeletal abnormalities. The side effects of the disorder include blindness, deafness, scoliosis, and arthritis. Kniest Dysplasia is diagnosed in fewer than one in a million births. Macaela and Adrian are still waiting for a confirmed diagnosis from a UCLA center in Los Angeles, California. If confirmed, Mason will be the 81st known case in the world to have Kniest Dysplasia.
Macaela and Adrian’s lives have completely changed since the news. While Mason goes to physical therapy twice a week, he also receives in-house therapy on his neck for his torticollis, also known as twisted neck. They are also monitoring Mason’s motor and social skills to make sure he is on track. Mason will also begin regular eye checkups soon and start going to the Seattle Children’s Hospital for all of his doctor appointments. “I lean on God in a way I never have before,” Macaela says. “He is so alert and so smart, he’s just an amazing baby.” Macaela currently attends Big Bend Community College for Nursing, while also working part-time. Father, Adrian also works a full-time job. “I’m not out with friends all the time, and partying or just living a carefree life, I’m home every night making dinner for my family, doing homework, housework, and caring for my family,” Macaela says.
MOVING ON Since having Mason, Macaela has huge respect for people and families with disabilities. Macaela’s and Adrian’s outlook on life has completely changed. “Everyone has their own problems in life and it’s not anyone else’s place to make fun of or degrade people” Macaela says. “People with disabilities are so special in their own way and deal with daily routines in ways that we can’t even imagine.” Agreeing with Macaela, Adrian, Mason’s father says that his son has changed his life entirely, including his outlook on it. “I appreciate everything more, especially the little things like good health and happiness; things I’m used to, and most people will always take for granted,” Adrian says.
“
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING MORE, ESPECIALLY THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
“
THEIR LIVES CHANGED
Since Mason’s diagnosis, Macaela and Adrian have been in-touch with a family from Seattle, who are involved with a foundation for children with dwarfism out of Idaho. Macaela and Adrian are looking forward to getting involved with the organization and sharing stories and feelings about their experience with the disorder. “His constant smiles keep me strong and remind me to never lose hope,” Adrian says. ‘I believe that my son has a special purpose in this world. Whether it be to educate others about diseases like this or just to make the world a better place, one smile at a time.” Macaela wants everyone to know that, “Mason is not mentally impaired because of this defect, he is just like any other baby out there, besides his size.”
FACTS: • About 80% of dwarfs are born to average size people • Adults below the height of 4’10” are considered dwarfs • Dwarfism is not an intellectual disability • The term “midget” is not acceptable and highly offensive
OKTOBE Photos By: Laurel Fisher
ERFEST
interview with
Phillip Phillips Written by: Jeffrey MacMillan Photos by: Tayler Shaindlin
Bright lights, big cameras, confetti falling from the ceiling and millions of people watching around the world. This is the start to a career that a huge television program like American Idol has given to winners such as Phillip Phillips. Phillips was just a young man from Georgia who was hoping for a chance to live his dream and pursue his passion. Idol took Phillips and molded him into something marketable to a large audience, and at the time, it probably felt exciting just to be a part of the huge corporate machine. But once the cameras turn off and managers step away, the young musician must find out if they are truly an idol or if they were just a piece of the advertising for the marketing machine known as American Idol.
Many former American Idol winners have a hard time transitioning from the show. They find themselves caught between defining their new identity as an artist and trying to live up to the expectations of the show. Phillips, however, does not seem to be overly affected by the spotlight that flickers on and off his career. Instead, he seems much like any 24-year-old, staying up into the early hours of the morning binge watching shows like Walking Dead and Breaking Bad on Netflix. He even has concerns about an impending zombie apocalypse and dreams of what is to come. “I dream about the zombie apocalypse,” Phillips says. “ (I’m) killing them every night, but who knows maybe one day.” Phillips, much like the average 24-year-old, has spent time searching through his life for opportunities, hoping to be put on the right path for his future. At one time , he attended a technical college in Georgia, where he graduated with a degree in industrial systems maintenance. However, a technical college was not his dream or passion because he felt music was his calling. “I was doing it [technical school] because I didn’t know what else to do,” Phillips said. Phillips is really no different than you or I. At one point in our lives, we have all dreamed of being like a baseball player, doctor, or even a rock star and much like anyone else, Phillips performed at a young age with the help of his imagination. “I used to have a microphone tied up to a guitar stand,” Phillips said. “I’d sing and play into it and it was horrible, but so fun.” What started out as just a dream when Phillips was young, has now become a reality. Phillips has now found success, away from the American Idol Stage, with his debut single “Home” going multi-platinum. But that doesn’t mean that Phillips does not struggle. As he continues to move further away from the American Idol persona that helped get him to this point, he struggles to find his identity. When one sees Phillips live, they do not see the young man from American Idol, instead they see a musician, wanting to demonstrate his musical ability while celebrating a special moment with himself. Once Phillips discovers exactly who he is, he will be able to make his own mark on the music world. Courtesy of 88.1 The Burg
the health benefits of
ESSENTIAL
oils
Written by: Kelsey Norvell
Have you eveR...
had a rough day at the gym that left you dreading that long walk to class? Or wondered how you could boost your immune system before this year’s flu season hits? One of the latest trends on the market today can help with all of these problems and more. Essential oils are considered one of nature’s best kept secrets and have been used for thousands of years. These all-natural oils are non-toxic to our bodies, pets and environment. They are typically obtained by distillation of flowers, leaves, roots or other elements of a plant.
Essential oils can provide immense physical and psychological benefits by delivering quick and effective results. Users can carefully inhale the scent of the oils, diffuse them, incorporate them into a massage or simply apply them to the skin in order to feel the benefits and improve their overall quality of life. Clare Fairchild, an esthetician at Studio II in Aberdeen Wash., has been using essential oils for years.
“Oils are absolutely amazing!”
Fairchild says.“I personally have transitioned my household to these chemically-free oils and love knowing how effective they are.”
Fairchild has also incorporated essential oils into her spa by adding them to her treatments and diffusing the oils into the air. There are many different brands of essential oils; it is simply a matter of which will offer the most benefits for you. Whether you have are looking to diffuse respiratory discomfort, digestive problems, or just looking to calm tensions, there is an essential oil...
waiting for you.
lavendEr
• helps with relaxation • aids in minimizing everyday stress • induces sleep • helps ease various types of body pain
oregano
•used as an antioxidant to eliminate free radicals that are known to cause disease •protects against both viral and bacterial infections in the body •used for treating bacterial infections •anti-fungal treatment •can be used as an anti-fungal to boost immune system against viral infections
s s a r g n o lem
• aids in boosting self esteem and confidence • helps eliminate feelings of depression • works as an antiseptic for external and internal wounds • can be used as a great body deodorant helps treat fungal infections
t n i m r e p p pe
• can be used on scalp as a cooling effect • used for skin care treatments to soothe skin • can enhance digestion patterns when added to a glass of water • can help to treat headaches
y r a m e s o R
• used to help eliminate bad breath • boosts mental activity • may help improve respiratory problems • helps support healthy hair and scalp • used to treat digestion problems
For More Information: http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatare.asp http://www.doterra.com/#/en/ourCompany/aboutUs/ ourStory http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/guide/ about https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-oregano-essential-oil.html
the rise of
VEGANISM
Written by: Clarissa Posner
! G N I M O C E R A S N A G E tHE V ! G N I M O C E R A S N A G E tHE V
No, it’s not an invasion, simply a growing lifestyle trend. According to a Harris Interactive Study commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, approximately 2.5 percent of the U.S population was vegan in 2009. Since then, that percentage has grown to 7.5. But what exactly is veganism and how does it differ from being a vegetarian? Pulse has the answers.
what is veganism
The difference between being a vegetarian and being a vegan is actually quite simple. When you are vegan, you exclude the consumption of meat, poultry and fish, just like the vegetarians do. However, vegans take it one step further and do not use or consume animal products and by-products, including things such as eggs, dairy, leather, fur, silk, wool, along with cosmetics or any kind of soap that is derived from an animal. This being said, it is obvious that committing to the veganism lifestyle is more intense to that of being a vegetarian.
HEALTH BENEFITS
So what gives? Many people have transitioned to veganism for the animals, however others also believe that the veganism lifestyle is better for their health and the environment. Some of the proven health benefits that vegans may experience are improved energy, and younger looking, healthy skin. In a world where people care so much about their looks, it is obvious that this diet could be very attractive to the younger audience.
THE ENVIRONMENT
The vegan diet also benefits the environment. There are a vast amount of crops and water that are used to feed the animals that are being consumed in our meat. In addition, there is much deforestation that takes place in order to produce grain feed. As we all know, deforestation leads to extinction of animals because they are losing their habitats in which they live.
the research
As you can see, this diet has many attractive factors that can easily draw people in. New research, conducted by the Harris Interactive Study, indicates that 33 percent of Americans are eating vegan or vegetarian diets more often since 2009. That is nearly 100 million people. So why the increase in the vegan diet? With an increased amount of research regarding the benefits of veganism and a growing mountain of evidence about animal products not being good for your health, more and more people are being turned off by meat and other animal products.
GOOD or BAD FOR YOU
Dana Ogan, a food science and nutrition professor at Central Washington University, believes that converting to a vegan diet may have both benefits and drawbacks. “By eliminating all animal products from your diet, one also eliminates the major sources of saturated fat,” says Ogan. “High saturated fat intake is associated with increased risk for coronary artery disease.” On the other hand, Ogan says that animal proteins differ from plant proteins, in that a complete protein is essential for maintaining proper nutrition. “Animal proteins are complete proteins,” says Ogan. “Most plants are not “complete” protein, therefore a smart vegan needs to match multiple proteins sources to achieve a complete nutrition.” It is crucial for vegans to make sure they are dieting properly, getting all of the essential minerals and vitamins needed to achieve complete nutrition. Although it may require planning, a vegan diet is for everybody.
8SEAHAWKS rEASONS why My WRITTEN BY: T.J EARLEY
PHOTOS BY: TJ EARLeY
Last summer,I had the opportunity of a lifetime inter
To recap this surreal experience, I have compiled a list of t
1 3
Being there in person while Seahawks players, coaches, scouts, football operations staff, and everyone else gear up for the season.
2
Getting to know and personalizing with all the players.
Sitting with the coaches in the front of the police-escorted team bus.
4
Standing on the sidelines at all Seahawks practices and preseason games.
internship
was the best part of my summer
rning for my favorite football team, the Seattle Seahawks. the 8 best parts of of my summer internship.
5 7
Working with the previous season’s Super Bowl winning organization.
6
Going to work in the incredible Renton-based Seahawks practice facility for two whole months.
Meeting Warren Moon, Seahawks legend and my favorite quarterback of all time
8
Witnessing how much dedication Seahawks players and coaches put into preparing for game days.
9 Nov 2 1:25 P.M.
Raiders on CBS
10 Nov 9 1:25 P.M.
Giants on FOX
11 Nov 16 10:00 A.M.
Chiefs on FOX
12 Nov 23 1:05 P.M.
Cardinals on FOX
13 Nov 27 5:30 P.M.
49ers on NBC
14 Dec 7 1:25 P.M.
Eagles on FOX
15 Dec 14 1:25 P.M.
49ers on FOX
16 Dec 21 5:30 P.M.
Cardinals on NBC
17 Dec 28 1:25 P.M.
Rams on FOX
Cable: ch13 Charter: FOX ch6 • CBS ch5 • NBC ch4
DISH Network: FOX ch41, CBS ch19, NBC ch25
Direct tv: FOX HD ch22 • CBS HD ch47 • NBC HD ch15
Comcast xfinity: FOX ch9 • FOX HD ch805 • CBS ch3 • CBS HD ch803 • NBC ch10 • NBC HD ch810
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Written by: Dillan Keene Photos: by Ben Ulbright
It’s game day, and you don’t own a TV, and the neighbors have changed their wifi password again. Time for this 12th man to fire up the car radio, right? Hell no! Pulse has got you covered. Whether you’re desperate for a working TV or just need to get out of the house, we know some great Hawk-watching spots right here in Ellensburg.
GO KS HAW
The Tav is a local bar that does game day right. The Tav has a full-service kitchen alongside their fully stocked, operating bar. If you start getting hungry during the game, don’t worry-- you can order a cold brew and the Tav’s tasty, Bacon Bleu Cheese burger, so you don’t lose your spot next to the TV. Along with food and drinks, The Tav also has pool tables, just in case you and your friends need to kill some time in between games. During Seahawks games, The Tav offers $2 Seahawks shots that vary in flavor from week to week. With TV’s spread throughout the bar, the Tav gives you a lot of options on where to watch the game. The Tav is located in downtown Ellensburg at 117 W. 4th Avenue
Wing Central is a local, hot spot where people of all ages can gather to watch the Seahawks play. Wing Central is best known for its friendly wait staff and infamous, spicy “hell wing.” During the Seahawks games, Wing Central offers a $3.50 Touchdown Shot. The Touchdown Shot is an orange Monster energy drink and vodka bomb shot, with a similar taste to that of a Jaeger bomb. Wing Central also showcases the Seahawks games on a massive, projector screen. That way everyone is able to see the action easily. Wing Central can be found just north of the Central Washington University campus at 1801 N. Walnut Street
Cornerstone Pie is a new, independently owned and operated restaurant that specializes in wood fired pizza. Cornerstone offers both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s most popular pizza is the spicy, “FireHouse” prepared with tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, KC-style bacon, italian sausage, chorizo, and chilli flakes. Cornerstone also has an eclectic selection of local wine and beers on tap. During Seahawks games, Cornerstone uses a projector to air the games, on the west wall of their building. When the Seahawks are playing, Cornerstone offers $3 beers, $9 pitchers of Coors, half off appetizers, and personal pizzas for $7. Cornerstone Pie is located at 307 E. 5th Avenue
The Palace Lounge is a bar that has both booth seating and wooden tables. TV’s are spread throughout the bar and there are several areas that offer connected tables perfect for big groups. The only problem that the Palace has is it can get very loud in such a small space that you can’t hear the person next to you let alone the game. During Seahawks games the Lounge offers a Seahawks Shot that will vary in flavor from week to week. The Palace Lounge can be found downtown at 323 N Main St.
Bleachers is a sports bar and restaurant that is lesser known to Central Washington University college students. Bleachers has a full menu and bar on-site with plenty of options to satisfy hungry or thirsty fans. The walls are covered in jerseys and signed memorabilia with TV’s located on the walls above the tables. Bleachers is open to minors in the dining area but the bar area is 21 and up. Bleachers happy hour can be experienced daily between 4-6 p.m. Bleachers can be found just south of the Central Washington University campus at 730 E. University Way.
Arnie’s Horseshoe Sports Bar is a prime example of a dive bar. With only a few TV’s, the Horseshoe showcases an open floor layout in the building. You won’t find anything too fancy in the Horseshoe, just tables for seating and a couple of older pool tables. During Seahawks games, the Horseshoe offers $2.50 domestic beers and $2.50 well liquor drinks. If you’re looking for a straightforward sports bar to catch the game, the Horseshoe is all that you’re looking for. Arnie’s Horseshoe is located at 106 W 3rd Avenue.
taking over
what the hell is Yik-Y ak?
an easy way to bully
controversy
the lighter side
good or ba
d?
TOP 10 APPS ON CAMPUS
Are you among the app in-crowd, or do you app to the beat of a different . . . app? Written by: Victoria Saelee With an abundance of apps being created every minute, it’s becoming hard to choose which ones to download. Shopping, music, banking, sports, current events, and apps that keep us connected with friends and peers, appear to the most popular. But which ones are the most important to use? Pulse surveyed CWU students to see which apps are the most used on campus. Here’s the top 10 our students found most useful: Amazon From textbooks to things we buy randomly, Amazon is one of the top apps that CWU students use on their phone to look for every day necessities. Plus, who doesn’t love Amazon’s Prime subscription for students. Did someone say two-day shipping?
BuzzFeed Filled with random news and lists of trending topics, CWU students love to read lists about world news and famous celebrities.
GroupMe This is an app where multiple people can exchange messages with each other in the same place. It’s great for nonApple users and has a vast selection of GroupMe emojis and pictures to make the conversation more exciting.
Snapchat Snapchat is just what the name entails. You get just 10 seconds to send a message in picture form to your list of friends. “Out of the other social media apps, I use Snapchat most commonly,” says Gamani Hayden, a junior in law and justice at CWU.
Yik Yak The newest app where people can anonymously post anything they want within a 10 mile radius of your current location. For more on Yik Yak please see our featured story in this issue.
Sports Center For all the CWU sports fans, we know you have this app! Keep updated with all the Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders news and games, as well as other team sports. YouTube This app is frequently used to watch videos that are trending. We know that you watched that new “Anaconda” video by Nicki Minaj using your YouTube app! Soundcloud/Spotify/Pandora All three of these music applications are useful to CWU students. If you don’t have these on your phone quite yet, all three are sources for music. You can pick your own songs, add stations to listen to, and get recommended artists based on your music selections. The apps are mostly free unless you want to avoid commercials.
Yahoo! News CWU students like to keep updated on current events and breaking news by means of Yahoo. “I like reading the news and current events that are occurring around the world,” says Jessica Macchi, a senior in communication studies at CWU.
Banking Apps US Bank, BECU, Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and all other banks are a must-download for your phone. CWU students use these banking apps to maintain how much money they are spending and pay bills.
Everyone has bad days; service workers have many. #6 “How many of you will be
And when waiters get pissed, burgers tend to get spit on. dining?” “Oh… 20, I think.” Avoiding these nine customer faux pas will guarantee that If you have a group of 10 or more, call ahead of time. If you walk away happy with your dining experience. you come in with 20 people on a Tuesday night, there is one waitress and one cook. Don’t expect your server #1 “I’ll tip you extra if you…” to be cheery and to constantly have your drinks refilled. If you want bacon on your cheeseburger you have to pay By calling ahead of time, we are able to call in another extra. That won’t change, whether you’re a regular or you server and your large group will have a server completely flash a flirty smile. It isn’t worth losing my job over, and dedicated to you. if you won’t pay the dollar extra for bacon, chances are you’re too cheap to give me the dollar you “saved”.
#7 Keep your children in order.
#2 “You’re pretty, call me!” (Leaves a small tip.)
Jumping on other booths, running around and throwing food isn’t okay. I once saw a child try to trip a waiter every time he walked by, even when he was carrying plates “Oh I hate that. When a guy leaves me a lame tip and a or drinks. You, as a parent, are responsible for what you phone number, I’ll text him and tell him to leave me a real bring into the world. Also, if your kids make a large mess, tip if he wants a date. He either leaves me a really nice tip tip a little extra. I’m going to be on the ground scrubbing next time or never comes in again. Fine by me. I wouldn’t that sour cream that your toddler threw on the floor. go on a date with him anyways after the one dollar he left me the first time!” – Single and not Mingling
#3 Asking for a different sauce every time we stop at your table. Your server will appreciate you asking for everything you’d like in addition to your meal, before your meal comes out or right when they drop off the food. We have 10 other tables to attend to, two of which just pulled the same sauce stunt you just did. Making our job easier improves your restaurant experience.
#4 “Yeah, I’m ready to order… Actually… Maybe not…”
#8 If you’re drunk, or your friend is drunk, stay at home. I have cleaned up puke numerous times, been sexually harassed, been yelled at because the establishment didn’t serve alcohol, had people pass out on their plate, and have had death threats all by overly intoxicated people. If your friend is really drunk, don’t hang out at my bar, go home and get your friend some pizza.
#9 Understand that servers have bad days.
I have worked an eight hour shift following the death of When we ask you if you are ready to order, and you say a grandparent and have watched too many girls cry in the yes, please actually be ready to order. If I’m waiting at storage room after customers have yelled at them. After your table for 10 minutes while you decide between toast having eight waters spilled on me, a customer yelled at or pancakes, there’s a good chance my other tables are me, even after she had seen said waters spill all over. When confronted, she said “It was just a joke, calm down.” shaking their drinks for refills.
#5 Don’t ask us why the food is taking so long, when we have a full restaurant. “Don’t get mad at me when your food is taking so long, when it is obviously busy. One, it is just food. Two, do I look like I’m in the kitchen cooking it?” – Not the Cook
Remember that we are people too and that your kindness goes a LONG way.
t r e b m a L r y a M PULSE 8 //
Written By: Lindsey Wisniewski Images From: Autumn De Wilde
She was the featured singer and songwriter on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love” that came out of a dark past into the bright light to tell her story on gay rights. She’s a Seattle native who rocks mom jeans and cat earrings, but what other “Secrets” do we know about Mary Lambert? Check out our Pulse 8 to find out.
My eventual goal is to have a complete balance of family + personal life, and my career. I want to be successful in my music with a continued message of love, understanding, and vulnerability, all the while creating music that’s catchy and accessible.
What words do you live by?
I live by two ideologies. The first one is “the answer to how is yes.” From a young age, as someone who grew up with abuse and trauma and in poverty, there were not a lot of options for me for hope that I would be successful. I like to think about scrappiness. Being resourceful is what has gotten me this far, and it is a continued mantra of mine. The other quote that I live by is: “Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your
actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character.” I believe in self-analysis and a conscious monitoring of thought processes. It is from there that you can evolve and realize your impact on the world around you. Awareness is so important.
“Every
mistake is an opportunity to grow.
“
What goals are you currently working towards?
What are you most proud of?
What mistake did you learn the most from?
So many mistakes! Every mistake is an opportunity to grow. I feel one of the major mistakes that I’ve made is doubting my self-worth. It was the hardest lesson that I’ve had to learn – worrying that my self worth was contingent on another persons attraction to me, or the outside world. I’ve since learned the importance of self-empowerment and for that journey I am grateful.
What do you look for in a partner?
I look for true kindness, empathy, a desire to evolve, and passion.
What’s your favorite song? Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car. It’s a beautiful song.
“Awareness is so important.
“
I’m a proud songwriter. I feel songwriting is one of my strengths and something I’m continually excited about.
What’s your favorite movie?
Love, Actually. I watch it every Christmas. But right now we have Hocus Pocus on!
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
I am a skilled bartender! I love making cocktails and I love cocktail culture. I can make you the meanest old-fashioned you have ever had.
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