AUSB Odyssey Summer 2011 Edition

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T h e A U S B O d y s s e y

The AUSB OdysseyThe “Transformation” Edition Fall 2011

Flight of the Butterfly

A story of transformation

Faculty close-up: Melissa Moreno

Calendar of Events

Board of Trustees Profile:Roy Mankovitz

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Writers

Shonna BerkChange is something Shonna was yearning for prior to moving to Santa Barbara. The BA program at Antioch University seemed to be the perfect place to explore her options and gain the knowledge she needs for her future. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, the beach was an escape from the heat. Now it has become Shonna’s second home. She couldn’t ask for anything better.

Stuart S. Light Stuart is a member of the adjunct faculty of Antioch University, teaching courses in the BA Program’s Psy-chology Concentration and the Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology.

Denise Thorpe-EhelerDenise is a MACP student. She works as an Inclusion Specialist for developmentally disabled individuals. Her passions are writing, dance, and going to her Buddhist Center. She is recently married; she and her husband have six children and two cats.

Christina ZeyssigChristina graduated from Antioch University with a B.A. in liberal studies in the summer quarter of 2011. She is passionate about wellness and the environment, as well as traveling and being outdoors. She is enjoying learning how to sail and grow a garden. Currently, Christina is taking time to travel, relax, and explore several different directions for her future.

Artists

C. Grace PurcellA single mother of two amazing teenagers, Grace’s goal was to get her BA before they entered college and she did it. This is her final quarter. She has worked with children in various capacities for

Contributors

Editor and Layout ArtistChelsea Bets Christenson

Founder/Contributor Megan Leigh MartelloAssistant Editor Melissa CervantesFaculty Advisor Hannah Holbrook

over 20 years, mostly as a preschool teacher. Grace’s future goal is to open a residential home and school for orphans and foster children. Her greatest joys are her kids, yoga and dance, the mountains, and cats. Her motto is to always look within (Personal Awareness Thru Heart) and follow your one PATH.

Jody WestheimerJody is a retired cinematographer, father of two, and lover of all expression and mediums. He is currently working on Masters in Psychology, and then a P.h.D. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology. He has drawn, painted, photographed, and sculpted over the years, as well as taught students of all ages his techniques and philosophy of creativity.

Megan DeAinza Michael Megan is an artist and environmentalist who has been focusing on the transformation of the human being and its environment for a solid decade. She finds, hopes and believes that each individual is capable in the depths of their soul of bringing about an eternal and external state of world peace. Megan has been transforming herself through Yoga and has been teaching here in Santa Barbara for the last four years. She majored in Studio Art at SBCC and now Liberal Arts at Antioch University Santa Barbara. Learn more about her at: www.megandeainza.com.

On the Cover

Hannah HolbrookHannah Holbrook, teacher and writing center director at AUSB, is always on the lookout for unusual moments in nature. Calling herself a “closet photographer,” she says she sometimes “gets lucky” and shoots something worth saving. Hannah enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.

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Table of ContentsEditorials

4 Flight of the Butterfly: A story of transformationChelsea Bets Christenson

Features10 Faces of Antioch

Megan Leigh Martello13 Faculty Close-up: melissa Moreno

Chelsea Bets Christenson16 Board of Trustees Profile: Roy Mankovitz

Megan Leigh Martello18 Inspiration: A guide to your personal odyssey

Reviews6 Transforming How We Eat

Christina Zeyssig14 tAPESTRIES OF hOPE

Shonna Berk

Non-fiction5 We are one

Stuart S. Light8 big Girls Don’t Cry

Megan Leigh Martello11 La Conchita: Commemorating the Deadly Mudslide

Stuart S. Light

poetry9 Living in The Present Moment

Denise Thorpe-Eheler15 Metamorphosis

Chelsea Bets Christenson17 Transparent Design

Chelsea Bets Christenson

Visual Art7 P.A.T.H.

C. Grace Purcell12 Master of Transformation

Megan Deinza Michaels15 Bubbles

Jody Westheimer

Events19 Current Events: Staff Picks20 Calendar of Events

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When I was eighteen, I chose New York University as the destination of my maiden voyage. My shakedown* included Palm Springs; it featured Costa Rica. It consisted of every night I embarked upon an adventure only to realize, I wasn’t ready. That fateful fall of 2005, I packed my bags and didn’t look back, unaware the world wasn’t ready for me either. My initial shock came after falling in love, at first sight, almost immediately upon my arrival. His name was Devin, and he was the first to break my heart. In the past, I’d always been the one who was chased, but this time, I had to do the chasing, or risk being left behind. Eventually, I would succumb to exhaustion, but it would take years before I realized, I wasn’t ready for love. Alone, confused, and vulnerable in a city of broken dreams, the aftershocks began. One after another, I lost my roommate to drugs, my health to indifference, my drive to depression, and my happiness to defeat. I returned home at the end of the school year in blatant retreat. Hitting rock bottom is a humbling thing. It occurs only after you’ve betrayed your lowest level of dignity, violating your final standard. I laid on the grass in my backyard, staring up at the Californian sun. I knew it couldn’t get worse. Cliche told me it was bound to get better. But instinct told me I had a long way to go. In the years that followed, I occasionally lost my way. The twists and turns of life deceived me at times, and I’d wake up in the morning staring at a dead end. It took a thousand mistakes to learn how to get it right. However, once I finally matched lock with key, I knew one day, I would fly. There were several people along the way who inspired me. There was one in particular who served as my guide for a time. But in the end, I was always alone, and I knew I had changed once I finally became at peace with that. My road to transformation was not a quest I could share with others. It was a dark night of the soul, searching for parts of myself I had only to discover existed within me all along. And once I had completed

my journey, I no longer felt so separate from the Universe that created me. It was then that everything changed. It was as though a veil had been lifted: suddenly, the years of confusion cleared. I woke up to find myself in Sedona, Arizona, standing on a vortex, with a wonderful night ahead of me. I didn’t know that things would turn out perfectly, but in the five years since NYU, I had learned to trust. Rather than chasing shadows, I could now stare up at the sun. In Sedona, I met a man named Jason who truly filled my heart for the first time. There was no chase; we simply arrived. Never before had I realized the pure bliss of being exactly as the Universe intended. There is no longer dissatisfaction within me, there is only the deepest gratitude for waking up in time to see my dreams come true. Now I’m twenty-four. Palm Springs was my initiation; Costa Rica, my education; and New York City activated my transformation. What wisdom I have, was not inborn, it was fought for. I know now, the world is ready for me, and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to take on the world. No longer earthbound, it’s time to spread my wings and fly.

*shake·down: A period of appraisal followed by adjustments to improve efficiency or functioning; serving to test the performance of a ship or aircraft.

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“It is hard to put into words what we have experienced and the feelings we have had. It is something far out of the ordinary. Something to do with the vastness and beauty of Africa beyond the cities, the feel and smell of the air, the silence and sounds of the bush, the play of light and clouds in the sky, the genuine warmness of the people we’ve met, and the astonishing variety of life that inhabits this part of the planet. I remember when I was in East Africa back in 1969-70 and came away with the title of Eliot Porter’s wonderful book ‘The Tree Where Man Was Born’ going around in my head. It is still going around. I think we all came from here. I think that we are all cousins, everywhere.”

-Greg Archbald, a dear friend and world traveler.

Cousins indeed. If only we believed, the bombs might stop exploding, guns might go silent, and hatred might begin to disappear. Peace would have a chance. Yes, cousins too have disputes, and no two people see the world in exactly the same way, but if we felt a deeper level of interconnectedness – when one suffers, all suffer, perhaps we would kindle the flame of passion to end suffering wherever it is found. If we humans, however many billion strong we are today, could come to appreciate how delicate and infinitesimally small we are in the vastness of the universe, we could begin to stand for each other, rather than against. The holidays never fail to get me. It’s not the gluttony of the Thanksgiving feast, or the stories of virtuous Pilgrims and grateful Native Americans. Nor is it the endless elevator versions of White Christmas or the awkward attempts to give Hanukah its due. It’s not the endless rounds of eggnog or the greasy potato latkes that fill my home with the smell of burnt oil for months to come. It’s not even the crass and rampant commercialism or over-abundance of things that serve as surrogates for real gifts. What gets me is the painful awareness that we

can’t seem to convert our mythical values into values to live by. The divide between “what is,” and “what might be” appears too vast. What is yearned for deep in the heart seems far beyond reach. Primitive fears, and ancient antagonisms refuse to yield their iron grip on modern times. The phrase “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men” resonates from a higher mind. It is the slogan of the season, but on a deeper level, it is the secret wish and the dream of a better world. It reminds us not to lose hope that some day we’ll come to value our common humanity, accept our differences, and learn that the energy we expend hating each other, defending against each other, and killing each other, could be used to create a living heaven on earth we now can only pray to find in the hereafter. A biologist once said, “I’ve found the missing link between the anthropoid ape and civilized men. It’s us!” And here we are in the 21st century, seemingly a half step beyond our origins and a thousand years away from our potential. Soon the annual ritual of putting up the Christmas trees will begin, the colored lights will be hung, and carolers will raise their voices in song to celebrate the birth of perhaps the greatest human being ever to have graced this planet. His messages of love, peace, and forgiveness, were the way he lived, and died. But if he walked among us today in robe and sandals, would he not seek out the poorest quarters where the least fortunate dwell, to offer warmth, comfort, and love on bitter winter nights? And would tears not flow from his eyes as he witnessed their suffering, and how little their fate had changed in over two thousand years?This season, as many conflicts rage on in our fragile world, let’s make an effort to listen for the barely audible sound rising up beneath religion, gender, race, political affiliation, sexual preference, and nationality, and hear the beating heart of common humanity.

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In this quarter’s “Readings of Social Justice Issues,” I was asked to write a reflection paper and action plan of how reading In Defense of Food and learning about food production in the United States impacted me. Specifically, I was asked to describe how the content of the course affected me as well as what new lifestyle changes have or will occur because of the information learned in this class. I felt that this class and everything it required was truly my favorite class and experience here at Antioch. I love learning about health and wellness, and this course really asked each individual to introspect into their own lifestyle to see how their food choices and purchases really connect to the rest of the country and world. The book, In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan, was not only an easy and entertaining read; it was also very insightful into the food production and food fads in the United States. I feel that it is extremely important to come to know many of the controversial issues about food in this country in order to start to bring about a healthy change for our society and world. Although I have been aware of the many issues facing food production in this country, I feel that there are certain foods that I am no longer willing to purchase because of the harmful outcomes to animals, people’s health, and the environment. One such example is with purchasing meat. I am not much of a meat eating person, but my husband is and I do a lot of the grocery shopping. I have been telling him stories about slaughterhouses in this country and the abuse to animals as well as unhealthy conditions that contribute to unhealthy meat. I have coined a phrase to try to get him to understand one aspect of the horrible conditions for animals at slaughterhouses that reminds us that animals are not healthy to eat unless they have been “happy,” so I call it “happy-meat.” This really just means that a happy animal frolicking in the grass and under the sun had a good life and will have good meat to eat. I feel that it is sometimes hard to get people to realize the atrocities of what goes on in order to get packaged meat into the supermarkets, and happy-meat is what I consider quality meat worth purchasing. I have not yet bought any meat

since watching films about food production in the United States and reading In Defense of Food, but I know I will and am glad that there are places to buy free-range poultry and grass-fed beef. The environment is also a subject that has been a main point of interest for me in past college years, and Antioch’s Social Justice Film Series as well as In Defense of Food cover many environmental issues that are directly related to our food systems in this country. One such issue that is very dear to my heart is that of the honeybees and colony collapse disorder. After watching the film Queen of the Sun, it is clear that our food production is directly related to the preservation or destruction of the honeybees. Besides all of the knowledge I have gained from this class and the social justice film class, I really enjoyed that we got to go to the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market as a class. I think this brought the classroom to real-life, which seems a difficult bridge to gap in most other classes. The applicability to everyone’s life made all the difference to me. I love to see people eating healthily, and we got to see how easy it is to eat healthily and locally by going to the farmer’s market in Santa Barbara together. Another highlight of the class was to prepare and enjoy food in the classroom. It was a delicious feast and felt like a time to further get to know other students in a less-academic but relevant way. I know that not every class can directly apply the course content of everyday life as this course did, but I think it is important to find ways to bridge this gap so that other issues can be relevant to everyday life as well. This is what made the class so meaningful for me! Our guest speaker from Windrose Farms was also a highlight to the class. I have recently been very interested in gardening, and it was great to get some expert advice on growing sustainable and healthy foods. It is also an example of a healthy business for food production in the United States and how it is possible to feed our country and world in a way that contributes to animal, plant, environmental, and human health. This class really pushed me to the next level of my lifestyle to live consciously about the planet when it comes to purchasing food. I feel that I could never live in a place without a farmer’s market after living in Santa

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Barbara, but if I did have to, I now feel more confident that I would be able to find organic farmers to buy produce as they are now becoming more prevalent. Also, I am learning the basics of gardening now, and I hope to grow gardens wherever I live for organic produce and herbs and also for flowers that honeybees appreciate. I have been in seemingly countless college classes over the last nine years, and this class was truly special to me.

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“I got my tans,” he told me. My knees gave out and left me crumpled on the sidewalk. This was before everyone wore ACUs, and tan uniforms meant one thing: desert. The phone lines echoed silence for a moment. Twelve days had passed since our last conversation, during which he had excitedly reported about his first two days in Germany. “Are you there?” His voice came through, soft and strong. “When?” I asked him. “I leave for Baghdad… today.” This can’t be happening. I knew this day was coming. Almost all of them were going now and it was only a matter of time before he joined them. I hoped he had escaped it, for now at least, when his orders sent him to Germany. I prayed for him to have an easy tour, with leave weekends spent seeing Europe. They can’t send you two places at once, I had foolishly assumed. Never assume anything with the military. I had also assumed one day I would be in the same boat. Never assume anything. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m here,” I told him. He was my best friend and he needed me more than ever now. Get up. I made my way from the sidewalk, stumbling slightly on the newly uneven ground. The phone slid from my hand as I reached to pull one of the wood chips from my sandal and I cursed. My sister looked out from the window of her classroom, which I was supposed to be helping her set up. Her movement to wave me inside changed to a look of concern as I motioned “one minute,” turning my back to her as I picked up my phone. “Yeah, I dropped my phone.” I traced my left hand along the white bricks, all the same, as I walked to the back of the building toward the playground. Swings. Those are comforting. Nothing was really of true comfort at the moment, but they would have to do. “Are the boots more comfortable than the black ones at least,” I asked, in a poor attempt to lighten the tone. He laughed, that infectious laugh. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

“You’re the one that’s crazy, crazy,” I retorted, as we returned to the days of drill sergeants calling us every silly name in the book in an instant. “I think we both might be,” he sighed. I nodded and knew he was nodding at the same moment. “When I get my leave, I’m flying you to Florida.” I wasn’t going to argue that. A young teacher pulled into the parking lot, blasting the local pop music station at full volume. Leaving her car running, she darted into the building, as that Fergie song drifted to me from her open window. Like a little school maid, in a school yard… big girls don’t cry… We remained on the phone until the sun turned low and orange, until finally, he boarded his plane. Not one time since that day have I heard that song without thinking of that exact moment…the heat of the afternoon mixed with the chill of the unknown, and how something as simple as a swing set can balance out the seemingly insurmountable vastness of what lies ahead. But, for what it’s worth, that song was wrong. I have never been ashamed to cry, for closely tied with sadness are love and appreciation for life’s blessings. Sorrow complements joy, giving laughter more meaning. And, because of life’s enormity, our bond is even stronger through a decade of lessons in love, war, illness, friendship, loss, and the miracles which have transformed us both.

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Be still, be in the zone, be happy Live and breathe, “mindfulness”

Focus, challenge yourself, be accepting of others and who you areAnd, “just be”

Appreciate time in the moment, standing still for us to reflect, and give pause So, hit the “pause” button – and go with the flow

Take the opportunity to explore, be thankful for the life you have been givenAnd, make a “choice” to do something worthwhile and wonderful each day

Give the gift of time to yourself and to othersStop the hourglass of time…

“Be there” to be happy, free, and to cut down on mankind’s suffering

Get closer to your own truthFind joy, find peace, find the “preciousness” of you!

Discover how you connect to everything “that is” and ever will be…

Enjoy being alive, live an authentic life, and let your inner light shine in the present moment Remember, to LOVE, it’s key to transformation in your life and others!

And, brings you much closer to the spiritual doorwayGranting you wisdom and inner peace

Breathe air in, feel the “life force,” use it for good, and to create the life you want The power of the Breath. Be still and know.

The power of the creator is in our spiritual body and heart’s center

Rejoice; find a peaceful moment in natureTreasure the view of a lake, an ocean

Know that our life is like the ripples in waterOur thoughts and actions have a ripple effect

And create good or bad karma for usSo, be mindful with your mind’s eye on watch

And, feel your emotional being shiftTo a new and better you; a “higher knowing” beingFilled with positive, neutral, and loving thoughts

Your “inner being” aware now

See all humanity as part of you, there is no divideWe are all inter-connected

So, remember the secret of life, give of your heartBreathe in the power of the breath

And, be there now in the present moment See your life expand and feel your spirit soar to new heights

By just being alive, still, and taking the time to reflect, Give pause, and special attention to living in the present moment

Enjoy, be happy, and be free!

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Carol Robinson is a Jamaican-born undergraduate student at AUSB, pursuing a degree in liberal studies. An admitted Ross “Dress for Less” shopping addict, she has lived in Santa Barbara since age ten and is currently considering options for relocation after completing her studies this quarter. She is a mother to a teenaged daughter, Natryce, whom Carol considers to be “the best daughter a mom could have.” Carol is proud to finish her degree, mainly due to the fact that she “never gave up.” She considers herself to be a fighter, because she fights for what she wants, what she believes, and for those who are being treated unfairly in life. If she could be anything for a day, she would be a hawk, because they have “great sight” and she would like to experience seeing the world from a different viewpoint while in-flight. Apart from her fear of snakes, not much sets her back in life, as she generally works toward being a happy person. Her personal mission in life is happiness. She always works toward setting the stage in life to be happy with the life she is living.

Carol Robinson

Born in Romito Guanajuato and raised in Riverside, California, Adriana Olguin is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in liberal studies. She has attended Norte Vista High School (in Riverside) and Santa Barbara City College. Self-described as loud, she enjoys spicy food and collecting Wonder Woman items. She dreams of going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. If she could be anything for a day, she would be a hummingbird because they are bright and colorful, they are always moving about quickly, and her mother always told her that hummingbirds are guardian angels. In recognizing another piece of her mother’s wisdom, she also finds that lady bugs bring her good luck. Her mission in life is to give back to the Latino community. She hopes to become an educator so she can help those who are less fortunate. She wants to help kids “strive for the best” in life.

Adriana Olguin

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“All are parts of one stupendous whole, whose body nature is and God the soul.”

– Alexander Pope

What does Mother Nature teach us that we cannot seem to learn ourselves? Since the beginning we Homo sapiens have obsessively invented ways of separating ourselves from each other, and her. Every manner of distinction has been conceived and ferociously defended. Through the lens of religion, race, ethnicity, class, gender, age, political party, sexual preference, and other markers of difference, we see our power defined by what we think we are, and are not. A monster wave races beyond its shores and washes away our ignorant conceits. Or an enormous slab of earth, liquefied by torrential rains, releases its grip on a mountainside and renders inconsequential the feeble armor of our imagined primacy. Suddenly all distinctions vanish like clouds, leaving only our common human vulnerability. We become habituated to our lives and each other, existing mostly in a state of semi-consciousness, sleepwalking through time, sustained by fairytales, and convinced of our power. Then the awakening from our slumber by, as A.E. Housman called it, “Nature, heartless, witless, nature.” Shaken to the core, our illusions, that we are better than others, that what we have will afford us special protection, and that we actually need those things we think will make us happy, scatter before us like dust. Thoreau spent a good deal of his life in nature. He found Walden, and told us that Walden is everywhere, if we ourselves are there. Thoreau was too rich in spirit to worry about amassing wealth, and too courageous to worry about security. Just by opening his eyes, he found that life provides everything necessary for peace and enjoyment, and that nature is bountiful with gifts and sustenance grand enough for all to share. However, in our modern, mechanized, and alienated existence,

we are more apt to experience confluence with nature when she is not so kind. We aggressively encroach upon her, and carve her into “private property.” Until the moment when she voids our deed with one mighty stroke of her random hand. The abandonment of illusion in the wake of a natural disaster can be nature’s gift to us, her teaching. All the best parts of humanity rush forth, though they never seem to stay long enough. However, in their expression, we learn about our potential, and we receive a glimpse of what is possible. We see the depth of empathy, the breadth of compassion, and we witness human kindness in all of its glory. We see hope for the human race, that there is evolution and elevation still to come, and yet, it is here now, too often hidden behind our walls. The sky will open and the rain will fall. The wind will blow and fires will rage. The earth will move and seas will rise, and our collective heart will keep beating. Our destiny is that of the universe, and of all the planets and stars that fill our eyes and inspire our dreams. Our work as humans is to recognize our connection to all of this, and each other, before our roofs are torn away and our foundations crumble. La Conchita has become another symbol of profound sadness and great hope. The tragic consequences of this event were a very high price to pay for its lessons of hope, but they were everywhere: in the heroic rescue efforts, the collective grief of the neighborhood, the response of the community beyond its boundaries, and the coming together, in memoriam, of residents and the many helpers that joined from the outside. Eyes were filled with tears, and hearts with mourning. People embraced, and stood arm-in-arm. It was humanity, once again, in its heartbreakingly finest hour. As of this writing, the clouds have blown away and the sun shines its light upon us once again. But are we illuminated? Will we remember the lessons we have been taught? Hopefully we

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can hold on to the feelings that rise within us during and after calamities, and learn to carry these feelings forward into our everyday lives. Nature, who has none, is asking us to give up our prejudices. Water, mud, fire, ice, and wind will consume everything in their path; so will empathy, compassion, understanding, and love. May La Conchita become a touchstone to help us remember.

-January, 2005

Transforming the ordinary to the extraordinary

Osmosis shares the experience

Recognizing the Oneness

All is well

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Growing up, Melissa’s father was a professor, which motivated her and her sister to teach at universities one day themselves. Seeing how much her father’s students enjoyed his courses, influenced Melissa to have the same impact on students’ lives herself. Ultimately, she became hooked after her very first time teaching. She is constantly inspired by the everyday ideas and stories students share. Students’ willingness to share ideas combined with their desire to learn, continues to be Melissa’s top motivator. She was recruited to teach at AUSB, where she found herself effortlessly gravitating toward Antioch’s “extraordinary sense of community and support.” Melissa wants her students to walk away from her classes with the knowledge that “you can mitigate the fear of failure, take calculated risks, and improve chances of success with careful thought, research, planning, money-saving, partnering, and mentorship.” Most important, when students are ready, she encourages them to “go for it!” Outside of the classroom, Melissa is always working on a new achievement. Last year, it was rock-climbing; this year, surfing. She strives to have balance in work, love, play, and travel.

Melissa has been an overachiever her whole life, but she never planned to go into business. When life presented her with the opportunity, she was determined to tackle business and entrepreneurship the same way she approaches everything – “with lots of enthusiasm, energy, practice and passion!” Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, was the first to inspire Melissa to become a proponent of social justice by supporting triple bottom line business models (people, planet, profit). She rarely meets a student without a cause or one who doesn’t think her generation has squandered the earth’s resources. Nevertheless, she sees a sea change in the world of business. According to Melissa, “Businesses are becoming inextricably linked to social and environmental change and less solely focused on financial performance.” If Melissa could change the world in a single way, she would “redirect military resources to promote technological innovation and businesses that solve problems in the world in a positive way.” With this power, she would ensure funding for all of her students’ entrepreneurial business ideas. When asked about her greatest accomplishment, Melissa notes that everyone defines success differently. For her, success is raising an “awesome daughter,” having provided her with a calm, funny, loving and supportive environment at home with her husband.

Melissa Moreno is the director of the Scheinfeld Center at SBCC and is in her second year of teaching at Antioch University Santa Barbara. She teaches an Entrepreneurship course every summer and has been invited to teach a Business Planning course this coming winter quarter.

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Though many of us are aware that the conditions in parts of South Africa are distinct from our own reality, the documentary Tapestries of Hope broadened my views on what women and children struggle with in Zimbabwe on a daily basis. This documentary focuses on the myths that virgins or young girls can cure HIV/AIDS. Starting from the early age of one day old, women and children are being raped by men, suffering severe trauma, both emotionally and physically. A human rights activist, Betty Makoni, born and raised in Zimbabwe, started an organization called “The Girl Child Network,” which aims to re-empower these young victims and provide a safe haven for them. The healing process consists of the girls speaking about the crimes committed against them. All of these young girls have hopes and dreams of becoming something, and Betty has given them a place to express that. After all of the abuse and victimization these young girls have been through, they are still able to smile. They are willing to speak about what they have experienced. These girls have so much strength and courage.

“The color blue is significant in Africa. It is reserved for boys. Imagine how a girl feels when she arrives at ‘The Girl Child Network’ and everything she sees is blue. The [organization] took the color blue and the limitlessness it represents, and gave it to the girls,” Michealene Cristini said in the documentary. A color in all its simplicity can mean the world to these young girls. “I asked my own boys what one thing they wanted more than anything in the world. They all squealed the names of various video games,” said filmmaker Michaelene Cristini. “I showed them the bundle of underwear I had gotten to take to Africa. Each girl asked for just one pair.” The hardships of some individuals cannot measure up to others. If you think you have it rough, you have to always remember that there is at least one individual out there that has it ten times harder. This documentary, and the moral behind it, has opened up my mind and my heart to the struggles that other people around the world encounter on a daily basis. The economic downfalls that the American people are experiencing do not compare to the struggles these young girls go through. I feel as though being raised in a First World country, we are spoiled and blind to the alternate realities of others throughout the world. There are many issues in our country that need to be addressed, but if we don’t concern ourselves with global needs, we defeat the purpose of healing the world one step at the time. Like the economy, humanity is an issue we all should be concerned about, across all borders. Michealene Cristini has brought to light the hope that was once lost in these young girls. Because of Betty Makoni, these girls have a safe place to transform these negative actions into positivity. They are able to be themselves and open up to others who have been through similar scenarios. They are able to be free. This documentary has impacted me greatly, and I feel that because of the way it affected me, it might do the same for others. For this reason, I am hoping to get the producer of the documentary, Michealene Cristini, to come to Antioch University and play her film for the students and faculty.

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“Transformation of a vision in my imagination into a physical rendering of the image in stone, by means of my hands taking directions from my heart and mind, is one of the most fulfilling and

peaceful experiences I know.”-Jody Westheimer

it happened in the nighttimeon the final night of my stayyour smile was true and genuinewhen you asked me not to go away

you had only known my namesince the afternoon beforebut you played no games when you touched my faceyour Scorpio eyes demanding more

our first kiss was unavoidablethere was no other choicethen to fall asleep to your heartbeatwith a silenced inner voice

you never asked for anythingbut you offered up your loveand you drove me back, my hand in yoursguided by synastry above

our first goodbye was brief and simpledeep down, we knew it wouldn’t be longbefore the energy within us,draws us back where we belong

the synchronicity of our unionstruck me to the corethere will be no going backto the way things were before

once touched by perfect chemistrya soulmate from the pastthe metamorphosis beginsthese lessons learned will last

you told me time is oursfor exploration and discoverythat if we practice patiencewe’ll be together

loved, and free.

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The Antioch community was saddened by the loss of one of its esteemed board members, Roy Mankovitz, who passed suddenly on July 10, 2011, at the age of 70. Upon his passing, he was living with his wife, Kathleen Barry, PhD, in Montecito, where they have resided since 2004. With his diverse background and interests, Roy led a life full of creativity and generosity. A graduate of Columbia University who studied electrical engineering, he went on to also pursue a law degree, specializing in copyright, trademark, and patent law. Mankovitz’s career in rocket science began at Rocketdyne, where he developed engine control systems for unmanned spacecraft. He then went on to work for the Jet Propulsion Lab, where he designed computer simulations for soft-landing Mars vehicles and ion engine powered deep space probes, along with directing studies in spacecraft systems, on-board computers, celestial censors, and power systems. He has written many scholarly articles and computer programs on the subject of rocket science. As an inventor and entrepreneur, he founded and sold companies in a variety of fields. During his time with Gemstar-TV Guide, he helped launch VCR Plus and the

on-screen TV guide before his retirement from Gemstar in 1998. As one of the four founders of WebTurner, he had a hand in internet-delivered pay-TV. Some of his other notable patents include: bra designs that minimize lymph flow restriction, as this has been connected to breast cancer, along with non-toxic plant-based sunscreen. He also funded research at UCSB directed toward understanding and preventing skin cancer. After selling his remaining patents, Mankovitz switched his focus to one of his lifelong passions, natural health. His main interests in this area included preventing and reversing illness, using natural remedies, diet, detoxification, and lifestyle changes. He wrote a book entitled A Rocket Scientist’s Blueprint for Health,which used engineer-based theories and techniques to prevent and reverse illness. His book showed that a body can return to its healthiest state when our lifestyles are aligned with nature. As a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Board Certified Holistic Health Practicioner, he was also Director of Montecito Wellness LLC, which he co-founded with his wife. He served on advisory boards of numerous other health-related organizations, including Price Pottenger Nutrition Foundation. In addition to his many talents and contributions, those who knew Roy Mankovitz describe him as having been a kind, generous, positive, and warm person. His many contributions have touched the lives of many and this incredible person will surely be missed.

Sources:http://www.antiochsb.edu

http://montecitowellness.com/abouthttp://www.independent.com/news

http://www.engineering.columbia.edu

17


She comes on like a phoenixanother ancient beautiful beneath the fermenting flame

advertising life with every breathher first dance is a wildfire;

her last kiss, a stormshe continues trusting like the day she was born

no matter whose eyes laid her barethey saw their grail in her smile

she was their obedient prostitute of paradisebut beneath their story lies the girl

betraying secrets of the worldhaunted by the ecstasy of friendship

he watched her conducting symphoniescomposed of pain and desire

imagining the lust of her final fireshe teaches ghosts the music

so her tragedy lives oninside every song about forgiveness

always naked before the orchestrashe confesses only to the moon

her drunken dreams divulge her soulmate searchbound by brilliance, fueled by love

guided by the zodiac aboveand every well-intentioned lie remembered perfectly

he saw her mangled heartauthor of a thousand apologies

sleeping beside the skeleton of romancehe tried to replace the bones

with the semblance of a homebut by morning that bitter boy was gone like fiction

she wrote him into a fairytaleremembering the truth

every empty promise illuminatedthe monster of the moment, she’d be the heroine of dreams

her love, more than what it seemsthe fire, waiting for her

18


“To truly transform, be open like a radiant flower, and be accepting and non-judgmental like a child. Give love, be kind in thoughts and deeds, and show compassion to everyone you meet. Be on a spiritual quest to learn as much as you can, and be receptive to higher knowing. Never lose hope. Be brave in the midst of adversity. Know that this life is like a schoolroom and is meant for our spiritual progression as we awaken to who we really are and realize the truth of the divine within us. Strive daily to be positive and peaceful, surround yourself with good people, and feel the bliss of nature. Know that true happiness resides within you!”

-Denise Thorpe-Eheler, MACP student

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.”

-Napoleon Hill

“In the kind of world we have today, transformation of humanity might well be our only real hope for survival.”

-Stanislav Grof

“Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.”

-Marianne Williamson

“The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it.”

-Marcus Aurelius

“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”

-Joseph Campbell

“The world is your classroom. Learn. Teach. Transform. Never waste a single moment that could take your breath away. Care for the earth, reach for the stars, and don’t settle for anything less than your dreams.”

-Chelsea Bets Christenson, BA student

“The Army taught me the phrase ‘Always forward,’ and this has applied to every aspect of my life since. Every day is a precious gift and every moment moves us forward. Every person I meet changes me, but still compells me forward. When times get rough, I remember that it will pass, and we will all keep moving forward. It is the many blessings in my life that move me forward... the faith I have in my tomorrows that moves me forward... and the wonderful people in my life who move me forward, always forward.”

-Megan Leigh (Marti) Martello, BA student

“Never give up on something you truly want, for it is those things that we truly desire that we end up trying the hardest for because they give us moments of clarity. Make the necessary sacrifices, do the inevitable dirty work, but never, ever sell yourself short on your journey. Always remember who you are and what you’re capable of, and don’t settle for less than what you’re worth.”

-Darien Lohof, BA student

“We know we have been transformed when we can see through the eyes of others. When we can stand in their shoes, on their street, in their time, and view the world from that place.”

-Cindy Rhodes, AUSB alumni

“Transformation literally means going beyond your form.”

-Wayne Dyer

19


Megan Leigh Martello

Zodo’s Tuesday Night Karaoke Nights(805) 967-0128

Food

Endless Summer Bar Café113 Harbor Way Santa Barbara (805) 564-4666

*seafood, grill food, great drinks

Sushi Go Go119 Harbor Way Santa Barbara (805) 966-9167

*lunch specials

Fresco Café North5940 Calle Real Goleta (805) 692-8999

*amazing salads, breadsticks, and desserts

Events

Walking for Emotional and Physical HealthMon & Weds, 7am - 8am

(805) 722-4599

Portraits of Holocaust SurvivalFri, Oct. 14, 12:15pm - 1:30pm

(805) 957-1115 x123 or [email protected].

Death Cab for Cutie Sat, Oct. 15, 7pm(805) 962-7411

Mitzvah Day of Community ServiceSun, Oct. 16, 9am - 1pm

(805) 964-7869

3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest & Wine TastingFri, Oct. 28, 5:30pm

(805) 966-5373

Chelsea Bets Christenson

Culture

Star Parties at the Natural History MuseumOct. 8, 2011 - Aug. 11, 2012

2nd Saturday of every month, 7 - 10 PM Admission: $2

Living Life as a Spiritual AdventureOct. 2 - 16, 2011, Sundays, 9:30-11 AM

Mehakankala Buddhist Center(805) 563- 6000

Santa Barbara Farmer’s MarketSanta Barbara & Cota Sts.

Saturdays, 8:30 AM - 1 PM(805) 962-5354

Whole Foods Local Artist MarketWhole Foods parking lot

1st Saturday of every month12 - 5 PM

Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts ShowEast Beach, Cabrillo Blvd.

Sundays at 10 AM(805) 897-1982

Music

Traditional Irish Jam NightMuddy Waters CafeThursdays, 6:00 PM

(805) 966-5906

Music Thursdays!Reds Tapas & Wine Bar

Thursdays, 8:00 PM(805) 966-5906

20


Unnamed Table

Date: Event: Time: Admission: Location: Contact Info:

Oct. 3, 2011The Infernal

Comedy 8:00 PM $43-$153The Granada

Theatre (805) 899-2222

Oct. 7, 2011Rocky Votolato & Matt Pond PA w/

Guests 8:00 PM $12 Velvet Jones Ticketweb.com

Oct. 8, 2011 - Jan 8, 2012

Picasso & Braque: The Cubist Experiment,

1910-12

11 AM - 5 PM$6 w/

student IDSanta Barbara Museum of Art (805) 963-4364

Oct. 15, 2011The Wayshower film screening 5:00 PM FREE

The Arlington Theatre

Oct. 18-19, 2011NYC Ballet

MOVES 8:00 PM $53-$153The Granada

Theatre (805) 899-2222

Oct. 21-23, 2011 Boo at the Zoo 5:30-8:30 PM$12 adults,

$10 childrenThe Santa

Barbara Zoo

Oct. 28, 2011 Pagan Talk & Beyond

7-9 PM FREERusty’s Pizza Parlor, 232 W.

Carrillo St.(805) 455-8904

Oct. 29, 2011

Carpinteria Valley Historical Society

Museum Marketplace

8 AM - 3 PM FREECarpinteria

Valley Museum of History

(805) 684-3112

Nov. 1, 2011 So Percussion 8:00 PM $25 Campbell Hall (805) 893-3535

Nov. 3-5, 2011New Noise Digital Music Conference

& Festival

3-5 venues throughout

Santa Barbara(877) 548-3237

Nov. 6, 2011 Charlotte’s Web 3:00 PM $20 Campbell Hall (805) 893-3535

Nov. 11, 2011Honey Honey &

Joshua James 8:00 PM $10 / 21+ SOhO Ticketweb.com

Nov. 15, 2011Whose Live

Anyway? 8:00 PM $38-$48The Granada

Theatre (805) 899-2222

Nov. 18-20, 2011

Santa Barbara National Open Western Horse

Show

8 AM - 6 PM FREEEarl Warren

Showgrounds (805) 687-8711

Nov. 19, 2011Homemade Skills: Grow Your Own

Bread9 AM - 5 PM

$85, students receive 15%

discount

Fairview Gardens

(805) 967-7369

Dec. 2-4, 2011 Gem Faire 12 - 6 PM $7Earl Warren

Showgrounds (503) 252-8300

21


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written work. We are always accepting submissions for current and future issues. Submissions can include: current

news, literary works, editorials, photography, artwork, reviews, or pieces on social justice, business, health, or

human interest. Whether you are a student in one of our various programs, a faculty or staff member, or alumni, we

would love to hear from you.

Please email [email protected] with comments, questions, submissions, and/or suggestions. We appreciate

your continued support of our humble publication.

The AUSB Odyssey is a student driven production, designed to provide an opportunity to share the AUSB community’s critical

and creative voices. The views represented are those of the authors and not necessarily Antioch University Santa Barbara’s.

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AUSB Odyssey Summer 2011 Edition

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