Terrifying but beautiful
By Nicholas Ashenhurst-Toews
I am fortunate enough to live in an area populated by rich fruit trees and luscious flowering plants. It is no surprise, then, that this time of year I get to see the local bees buzzing around the plants, collecting nectar and pollinating.
In the past, I may have walked briskly by these bees, scared of being stung. Though I do not have an allergy to bee stings, I was acutely aware of the memory of being stung and the pain that followed.
Now, I am simply fascinated by their work, content to watch from a safe distance with no intention of bothering them. They go about their business, buzzing from flower to flower, unbothered by the existential thoughts that plague my everyday existence.
I like bees. I think they are endearing in their small, fuzzy way. I admire their work ethic. Even if the thought of being stung is still slightly terrifying, I think they are wonderful. Most beautiful things are a little scary.
Tigger the OG
By Darien Johnsen
I like Winnie-the-Pooh, okay? It doesn’t matter that I’ll be 25 this August; Pooh Bear is for everyone, and I throw it on from time to time during mental crises. I think of it as a healthy coping mechanism — to escape into the Hundred Acre Wood where problems can be solved with friendship and love is soothing. Recently I put on the original film, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and came to the realization that Tigger totally started text slang. In one scene, Tigger uses the term “TTFN,” which stands for “ta ta for now.” This movie came out in 1977, long before instant messaging became a thing. I also suspect that he started the trend of spelling out his name, which was after appropriated by rappers such as Biggie Smalls and Snoop “D-Oh-Double-G.” (See “T-I-Double-Guh-Er” from Tigger. It’s a no-brainer.) I think it’s appropriate to conclude that Tigger was setting trends from the get-go.
Youth Slang
By Andrea Sadowski
I just started working at a youth shelter where I am learning an entirely new language of the youth. As an elderly 27 year old, I often need them to translate what it is they are trying to communicate with me and to each other so that I can also be hip and cool, and so I know they are not talking about anything illegal right in front of me.
So let me be your guide to the language of the youths.
“Wanna douce a dart?” Translation: Would you like to share a cigarette?
“Yo I saw the police and was diddy bopping out of there.” Translation: I had an encounter with the police, and I ran away from them as fast as I could.
“You’re heating me out.” Translation: You’re snitching on me.
“Where are you posting up?” Translation: Where do you live?
“I’m skied up.” Translation: I’m fresh and ready to go out.
“Can you fill my cheeks?” Translation: Can you get me something to eat?
“You’re re-upping my style.” Translation: Honestly, I still don’t really know what this means.
“You’re lil bro’ing me.” Translation: Also still have no idea.
My summer school sadness is nonexistent
By: Chandy Dancey
When I first entered university, I hit the ground running. As a STEM major, you get immediately thrown into five-credit courses with weekly assignments, regular online quizzes, and separate lab sessions with their own homework and tests. I’m in my fourth year, and for the first time in my university career I’m taking a more laid-back course — and, surprisingly, the credits are in biology! I don’t have group projects; I have discussion boards. I don’t have midterms; I have projects that encourage creativity and thinking outside the box. Instead of stressing myself out trying to cram my cranium with as much knowledge as I can, I’m learning how to more effectively communicate and have dialogue with others. Having this sort of course in STEM is a rarity, but it is so deeply appreciated when you’re as far as I am into a science-related degree. I feel inspired instead of bogged down by school, and it’s giving me enough time to brainstorm and come up with ideas for my course’s projects that I’m excited about. Who knew summer school could be fun?
Illustrations: Rain Neeposh/The Cascade
Darien Johnsen is a UFV alumni who obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree with double extended minors in Global Development Studies and Sociology in 2020. She started writing for The Cascade in 2018, taking on the role of features editor shortly after.
She’s passionate about justice, sustainable development, and education.
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
Chandy is a biology major/chemistry minor who's been a staff writer, Arts editor, and Managing Editor at The Cascade. She began writing in elementary school when she produced Tamagotchi fanfiction to show her peers at school -- she now lives in fear that this may have been her creative peak.