Here We Go!

Oh my goodness, what a weekend. It was full of excitement and stress, quite a stimulating pair. I guess I will get the bad half out of the way first.

 

Finals have begun. I have tackled two of them already, and have one more today, and one more on Thursday. Studying has always been a challenge for me, but I have tried to work through it. A lot of time this weekend was devoted to working chemistry problems and discussing ethical theories. It was rather exhausting. However, with each test, the stress level has been released a little. After today, my stress will be gone. Thursday's final is my contact improvisation dance final, which means no studying. It is a two hour jam session, for which I already feel prepared. So as of 5:30 today, I will be feeling pretty darn good.

 

Now I'll get into the fun side of this weekend. On Friday night, a much anticipated event occurred. A bluegrass band called Pert Near Sandstone played at the Steyer Opera House in Decorah. They came last year and I had a blast. It is nitty gritty style bluegrass that is perfect for dancing. It was fantastic dancing and spending time with a few good people listening to wonderful music. I am hoping they will decide to come back again next year.

 

Another nice break from studying was on Saturday night. We've had a bit of snow lately, but I hadn't had the chance to take out my snowshoes. So on Saturday night, after several hours of studying, I went for a trek into the cold and the darkness. It is amazing how much of a release this type of activity can be. I just walked for a couple of hours, exploring the wilderness areas surrounding campus. I followed the river, met up with a group of deer, and stayed surprisingly warm. I felt refreshed afterwards, which was much needed.

 

So overall it was a pretty good weekend. After Thursday we will be on break and I am going to spend some quality time with my family. It should be good to get away for a while and come back to a new schedule and a new year. 

 

I hope all is well with each and every one of you. If I don't speak to you beforehand, happy holidays. I hope this season and the coming year are the best so far.

 

Peace,

Collin

So here we are; the home stretch. The last week before finals has arrived and tension is in the air. There is a lot to be done, including studying, final projects, and making up for any slack throughout the semester. I am doing my fair share of preparing, but it is little by little.

 

Last night was a fun night. A Fair Trade Fest was held in Marty's. For those of you unfamiliar with the campus, Marty's is a social hangout in the Union building where food is served and oftentimes music is performed. So last night I made my first appearance on campus as part of a bluegrass band with an ever-transforming name. More commonly known as Country Joe and the Ginger Kids, last night we were the Almost Barefoot Band. Country Joe was not able to make it, and one other fella was absent, so the group was abnormally small, which threw us off a little, but it was fun nonetheless. It had been a while since I last played in a band, so to get with a group of musicians again is a good feeling. However, in the past I always played the guitar, and this time I am styling a banjo. Laugh if you want, but a banjo is necessary for bluegrass and I love it.

 

These types of events remind me how incredible some of the students at Luther are. Some of the music that was played last night by my peers absolutely blew me away. There was some amazing traditional Celtic music and some jazz that got me moving. It is really amazing how all sorts of individuals come out of the woodwork to perform for us. It is something I really like about schools that have great music programs.

 

That's about all for now. I had better get studying. I hope all is well for you. Stay warm in this cold season.

 

Peace,

Collin

Back at it.

So here we are, back from yet another break from the regular Luther schedule and community where we head back to our lives before college. What a strange experience it is.

 

Being from Decorah, I run into my family every once in a while. It is surprisingly rare, however, which is a good thing, not because I don't love my family, but because it contributes to the college experience and the independence that comes with it. So it is a bit strange heading home for a period of time when I am so used to my life here at Luther. It is very nice to get away from the usual and sleep in a different (larger) bed. It is also very nice to eat some food that does not come from the cafeteria, usually it feels a bit more natural and there tends to be more variety for a vegetarian such as myself.

 

It is odd, however, how easily it seems to switch back and forth between two different lives, in a way. I had this familiarity with living at my parent's home all throughout my childhood, and now I have relocated myself to a new location (even though it is within walking distance of my childhood home). There is no hesitation to get back into the rhythm that exists at home: sleeping late, eating whenever I feel, and taking in the lack of responsibility. But then it feels entirely natural to come back to Luther and have things directly opposite. 

 

Enough about the strange double life we all seem to be living. Thanksgiving break was nice and peaceful. I passed the time with my family, immediate and otherwise. It was nice to have time to take a deep breath and just relax. However, we are now entering the busiest, most stressful time of the semester. Finals are just around the corner, and any slack from the students or professors must be crammed into these last few weeks. I will do my best to keep my head above water, though and everything should be fine.

 

I hope this new snow is not frustrating or upsetting to anyone, and I hope all of you are enjoying each day. Take care.

 

Peace,

Collin

Almost there...

Hey everyone, I write to you with a sense of relief and of anxiety. Strange, huh. Relief because it is almost Thanksgiving break, but anxiety because I still have quite a bit to do before taking my break. Currently, I am studying for a chemistry exam and finishing up a philosophy paper that I have been putting off for far too long.

 

This weekend was pretty busy. On Saturday we held BWP's last event of the semester, which was an outdoor cooking clinic. We invited people to join us at a nice place called Twin Springs Park, where we demonstrated how to cook a few types of foods one might enjoy while in the wilderness. It went pretty well, and people were willing to join us, even though it was a bit chilly. Kudos.

 

There was a climbing event at the rock wall yesterday. It was called the Turkey Climb, but had little to do with turkey. It was more of a competition where climbers would choose three routes which were each assigned a point value. They would then attempt to climb these routes without falling to obtain those points. The climber with the most points won. Unfortunately, staff members were not allowed to compete. :) 

 

Last night I headed home because we had some dinner guests. In May, the largest immigration raid occurred at a meatpacking plant in Postville, IA, which is about 30 miles away from Decorah. Around 400 people were jailed or deported, many torn away from families and friends to find themselves in a very undesirable situation. Now, a few months later, many are still finding themselves displaced. There are several who ended up in Decorah, and are currently being supported and helped out by generous folks of this nice little town. Two of the guys, Javier and Oscar, joined us for dinner last night. It was really fascinating talking to them and hearing about their experiences in Iowa, and relating it to their situations in Guatemala. They both had families in Guatemala, whom they hadn't seen for far too long. They were incredibly nice guys, and we enjoyed their company very much. It was also fun because they don't speak any English, and I was able to poke fun at my dad in Spanish, since he is member of our family who has not learned it. We got a kick out of that.

 

But that is about it for now. I suppose I had better keep studying. I hope you all enjoy this holiday season. Remember, moderation is key. Also, the crazy day of shopping called Black Friday is also International Buy Nothing Day. I urge you all to think about what effect the enormous consumption and frivolous buying of this season has, both socially and environmentally. Ask yourself - is it really necessary? Thanks for reading!

 

Peace,

Collin

Dance like your hair is on fire.

My buddies and I are imitating a breakdancing move pictured in our book. That's me in the white shirt.

Currently I am taking a class called Contact Improvisation. It is a dance course, which is little abnormal for me. Don't get me wrong, I am very much a dancer, but would not have expected to be studying it here at Luther. I am more of a social dancer, and have not yet had the pleasure of studying it in a formal setting.

 

In Contact Improvisation, two dancers rely on one contact point between them that is maintained throughout a series of movements. It focuses on balance, giving and taking weight, and momentum. It is really a blast and is quite amazing to watch and try. Today our class had the opportunity to share it with others. We held an open class/performance in which we showed other students what we had been working on throughout the semester and offered them the opportunity to try. 

 

This is one of the beautiful things about Luther and the liberal arts education. I am a biology major, studying the scientific sphere of the world around us. I learn about the natural world in both micro- and macroscopic perspectives. However, every Tuesday and Thursday I find myself jumping, spinning, and moving in very atypical ways. Last semester I studied evolution, ecology and biodiversity, but also created bowls, mugs, and cylinders in a pottery class. Obviously, there are set requirements for each major. This is meant to give students a deep understanding of the field they choose to study. However, so much is left wide open for students to try new things, to take classes that normally would not have been considered, or to seek a degree in another field, as well. I have enjoyed, and will undoubtedly enjoy more classes that offer me a chance to form a very well-rounded education.

 

So that is my two cents regarding the desired breadth of a college education. Take what you will, but know that I am going to have a great time next semester studying about chemistry, the ethics of energy usage, Buddhism and animal welfare.

 

Peace,

Collin

I dream of a simple life...

Hello everyone, I hope you all are keeping warm as the mercury and snow start falling. We are doing our best here at Luther.

 

I want to take this time to chat about some ideas that have been dancing around in my head for quite a while now.

 

I think something is wrong with me. I am surrounded by the buzzing and whirring of college life. Everything is so fast-paced; incredible technology is everywhere and everything just keeps speeding up. Cars, computers, ipods, cell phones, TVs and video games are everyday objects. It just doesn't feel right for me. Don't get me wrong, I make use of many of these items; I have a cell phone and a computer, and they make my life far easier. However, I have this undeniable concern that my life has become too easy, in a way. There seems to be too much reliance on these items, especially in the college scene, where fellow students and teachers alike expect and require you to have and/or understand these tools. 

 

I want to slow things down. I want to take my time and enjoy that which is more natural in life. I don't want to stare at a screen all day. I want to do things with my hands. I don't want to rely on cars and cell phones like the larger American population. I want to use human power for transportation and I want to close the distance between individuals when talking. I don't want a lot of money or a high-power job. It seems silly to me that we concern ourselves with fashion and other trends.

 

I cannot help but dream of buying a plot of land, building a yurt (look it up, they are super cool), and growing my own food, creating a small, self-sustaining homestead. This seems to be viewed by the larger population as going backwards in time, and I think that is too bad. We have become so far removed from simplicity and so attached and dependent on electronics, and gasoline that we have lost all self-sufficiency. I don't want that to happen to me. I don't know if this makes me old fashioned or stone-age, but I just long for a simpler life.

 

I am sorry if this is more of a rant than anything. It is just because I have become more aware of these issues as I spend more time indoors due to the changing seasons. If you feel so inclined, leave a comment to let me know what you think about it all. Until next time, take care!

 

Peace,

Collin

 

p.s. I would like to say one more thing. I congratulate the United States of America for electing Barack Obama as the 44th president. I think it is a good change for us all, and I hope we all can become a little more united, just as our name suggests. It seems that we need it now more than ever.

Spooky!

Hi everyone, it is holiday time here at Luther. Halloween came bearing amazing costumes and fun times for young and old.

 

So this year I decided to take a different approach when it came to costuming. Most of the time we choose a figure outside of ourselves, whether it be a politician, an imaginary character, or an inanimate object like a pumpkin. However, I decided to be my former self.

 

Now, this may sound a bit strange, but I have gone through many phases in my life. So I decided to dig out all my old clothing (plaid pants, punk tee, spiked belt, etc.) from when I was a member of Social Dropout, a punk band for which I played guitar in middle school. It was really a nice blast from the past, and made me a bit nostalgic for the angry political music about which I was so passionate.

An athlete, a robot, and a punk; what a great combination! 

My friend Lauren had a get-together in her room at which we told ghost stories, ate candy, and listened to some music. It was really fun, but dorm rooms are not exactly the most ideal spot for parties, since they usually only hold 5 individuals at most. However, we jammed 15 or so people in there and made the most of it. Afterwards, we headed downtown and listened to a band play. It was great to see all the fun costumes at the venue. I saw several Sarah Palins, a huge amount of Jokers from Batman, and a mix of hillbillys, cops, and the traditional pumpkin and witch.

 

Now it is November, the second half of the semester is underway. It is time to figure out schedules for J-term and Spring Semester. I am hoping to get into all the classes I want. It is always hard to tell how things will play out, but we shall see. 

 

I am also getting very excited and quite nervous for election day tomorrow. It has been so long in coming that it is hard to believe that it is all coming down to tomorrow's events. If you haven't done so already, get out there and vote. Ignorance is bliss, but it doesn't help the situation at all.

 

Well, I hope you are recovering from the stomach ache that comes with Halloween candy, and I wish the best to you and yours. 

 

Peace,

Collin

Climbing and Biking and Snow, Oh My!

Hello everyone, I am writing to you on the day of our first snow here in lovely Decorah. It has been a very cold and incredibly windy day, but it is nice to be sitting inside, nice and warm. But I have a lot to share with you, so let's dive right in.

Since the last time we spoke, two major events took place. First off, the much anticipated fall break climbing trip. Second, the annual Night Shift mountain bike race. Let's start off with fall break.

So, as I mentioned in previous posts, I was one of the leaders taking a group of students to Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin as part of my duties with Backyard Wilderness Pursuits. It was a fantastic three-day trip to an absolutely awe-inspiring area of the Midwest. The fall colors were at their peak and the weather was in our favor for the three days we spent near the lake. There were nine of us total, each having different interests in the outdoors, but the main portion of our time there was spent hiking and climbing the beautiful quartzite rock that surrounded the lake. The climbing and hiking went flawlessly, and everyone had a great time. The only problems we ran into were with the locals. You see, the raccoons in the park really liked to advance on campsites and see what they could get their paws on. And it so happened that they were successful in getting our bacon and hamburger the first night, so we had to work that out. The second night, however, we were more prepared and I was ready when I was forced to chase off a raccoon that was trying to make off with one of our backpacks.

All in all, the trip was one to remember. I spent three days hiking and climbing with eight wonderful people out in the wilderness. There is not a lot more I could have asked for.

Last night was the 6th annual Night Shift Mountain Bike Race held on the trails of Decorah. It is a night race, which means every rider must have a headlamp to compete. It was about 7.5 miles on mostly singletrack mountain bike trails. Yesterday was beautiful, so last night treated us well, too. It was a little chilly as I rolled up to register, and the temperature continued to drop as we rode to the start. It was a mass start on a gravel road so that there was opportunity for the riders to spread before hitting the trails. It is always a fun experience to ride at night, especially with so many other people. There were 54 riders total, so there was always a light flashing in every direction as we wove through the woods and prairie.

I ended up placing 8th in my age division and 13th overall. I was very satisfied with my place considering I just entered a new age division upon turning 20, which spans ages 20-29. I say this because this group has some pretty tough competition, whereas my age class last year was a little easier (I placed first last year). However, the beauty of this race when compared to others is its relaxed feel. Each and every rider is racing because they just like to bike, and the friendly competition is more encouraging than anything. This is, by far, my favorite race to ride so I had a great time and am looking forward to doing it again next year.

So that was my exciting week. If only every week was so enjoyable and action-packed. I suppose it could be if I just took the time to seek out the adventure. I'll get working on that. Each of you should follow suit, and maybe we'll meet each other out there. Anyway, take care of yourself and others and we'll talk again soon.

Peace,

Collin

Sticky Hands

Breaks are truly wonderful things. It is so nice to just sit back, relax, and not have the nagging thought of finishing homework, attending class, or any of the other hassles of school life. No, I cannot say that school is overwhelmingly stressful, because it is far from it. However, it is always nice to take a break from the normal routine and take some time for yourself.

 

So tomorrow I am heading out on our first big Backyard Wilderness Pursuits trip. One of the other leaders and I will be taking 7 people to Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin for three days of hiking, camping, and rock climbing. We have stocked up on food, gear, and are hoping for good weather. 

 

It is surprising how much planning goes into a trip like this. It takes a bit to arrange payments, numbers, food, and all the general logistics of getting people from one place to another without any major mishaps. Hopefully this trip will be successful, and will encourage others to join in on some of the activities we have to offer. It seems like we are going to have a good group to spend some quality outdoor time with, so I am definitely looking forward to it. Be sure to check in next week; I am bound to have some photos and stories to share with you all.

 

One exciting thing that happened today was that I went and pressed apple cider with my girlfriend's family. You see, she lives out on 35 acres in a completely off-the-grid home and has a beautiful garden and an apple orchard. So we went out, picked bushels upon bushels of apples, and pressed them using an old, hand-cranked press and churned out somewhere around 17 gallons of cider. This was distributed to all who came to help, and my goodness, it was tasty!

 

Other than that, my break has been pretty low-key. Good times spent at home with my family. It is just a nice, warm feeling to be back at my home. It is a familiar place with a comfort that is not shared with any other location. So I am glad to be here. 

 

Well everyone, like I said, be sure to check in later so I can share all my tales of rock climbing and the wilderness. It should be good. Take care all, and I will see you soon!

 

Peace,

Collin

What an Adventure!

Start of the race. My partner,Brad, is in the nice pink shorts.

Hello again to one and all. I hope life is treating you all well. Let's jump right in...

 

So yesterday was a big day for me. It was the second annual Backroads Adventure Race here in Decorah. What it consisted of was a 5 mile canoe section followed by a 13 mile road/gravel bike ride, and concluded with a 3 mile trail run. It is a mini triathlon in essence, but with a little different attitude, you could say. It was really a blast. There were somewhere around 100 participants, which was more than last year, so that was fantastic. There were three divisions in which people could participate: solo, duo, or relay of three. My buddy Brad and I decided to team up again after having a successful race last year. This year felt even better. The bike ride was a little longer, but both of us really love cycling, so that was in our favor. Each member of the team of two does the whole race as if competing individually (except canoeing, which was done with a teammate) and the two times are averaged. We are still waiting for the official results, but when Brad checked the times, he found out that he had the fastest overall time, so congratulations to him. It appeared I ranked around 6th, so I am very pleased with that. We are crossing our fingers hoping that those two times put us first as a team, but we shall wait and see. 

 

I tend to be a pretty competitive guy, but this race really released me from it. Brad and I decided to wear some pretty interesting outfits in an attempt to lighten the mood of the competition, and it ended up helping out a lot. It seems as though when less emphasis is put on winning, and more is put on trying to just have fun, one performs better and enjoys it more. At least that was our experience, take it as you will.

 

Hopefully the same type of event will happen next year, and I assume it will based on the success of this year. My next race is in a couple of weeks. It is the annual Night Shift mountain bike race here in Decorah. It, too, is a fantastic time. It consists of racing on the mountain bike trails in the dark with headlights. So we will have to see how that turns out.

 

Anyway, I wish the best to all of you out there. Feel free to leave me any comments you have have. I always love hearing from you all. Take it easy.

 

Peace,

Collin

Small Town Boy in the Big City.

Hello all, I hope that things are going swimmingly for each and every one of you. We are back again, recapping another week in the life of Collin, a real, live Luther student.

 

I guess the most important event in the life of Luther College this week was Homecoming. That took place this weekend, so there were all kinds of Luther alumni of all ages coming back to visit their alma mater. It was fun to see some familiar faces of those who graduated last year. 

 

Although, I missed some of homecoming because I was in the Twin Cities visiting my brother in his new, fancy apartment. I hadn't seen his home because I left for the summer just before he moved in, and I hadn't had a chance to visit him. So I spent a night in Minneapolis. We went to a late night comedy club, which was a very good experience. That is the thing about cities, there is always something happening.

 

However, I don't know what I think about cities. I feel as though I am more of a small town kind of guy, since that is what I grew up in for the most part. I mean, I was born in Minneapolis, so I got to experience that a little bit. I also lived in a few big cities in Australia and New Zealand, so I feel as though I have experienced city life to know what it is like. And I do love the multitude of activities available. But I prefer a more modest approach to life. I am not a huge fan of all of the excess and glamour that a city possesses. I guess that is, in a big part, why I chose to come to Luther. I looked at a few other schools, some of them in pretty big cities, including St. Paul, but decided that Luther has the perfect balance of social pursuits and small town charm. Decorah is the perfect size for me, I love the balance and integration with the natural world here and the people are fantastic. 

 

I know that was kind of a rant, but stepping away from a place really makes you understand why you like it. Not to say that I didn't know that I like Decorah, but visiting a place that is so very different makes "home" so much more comfortable. So this is what I have to say: Life is for exploring, we must continue to go out and find new places to investigate and take advantage of all the experiences life has to offer, but there will inevitably be a place that just feels right, and I guess that is what we can consider our home. Good luck finding yours.

 

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods, and take care until we speak again.

 

Peace,

Collin

Stained feet and Native Americans

It has been a incredibly busy weekend. I haven't had this much to do as long as I can remember. Luckily, it was not schoolwork that was taking up my time, but rather things that I enjoyed doing. Where to start, that is the question...

 

Probably the most odd activity was the grape stomping I did. There is a winery just outside Decorah called Winneshiek Wildberry Winery and each year they have their grape stomping festival. It consists of what you would expect, stomping on grapes. The weekend held fun for all, from musical performances to tours of the brewing facilities and games for the youngsters. There was a lot to do, and it was a good way to spend a beautiful afternoon.

 

However, I had to run directly from that to our second slackline clinic that was held as a one of Backyard Wilderness Pursuit's activities for the year. It was a great success, with lots of visitors and good times had by all. Especially this fella:

I also attended the second Center Stage Series performance at the Center of Faith and Life. It was the Lakota Sioux Indian Dance Theatre. It was a really fascinating performance win which a group of Native Americans shared their traditional dances and information about their culture. I've always had a deep respect for the Native American culture, and so this performance was really intriguing for me.

 

I won't bore you with all the other events that took up my time, mostly it consisted of riding my bike in the woods, spending some time with a few good people, and enjoying the beautiful weather characteristic of autumn. I did manage to get my banjo to school because a friend of mine asked if I'd be interested in jamming with him and a few buddies, playing some bluegrass and folk, so maybe that will develop into somethings. Rest assured that you will find out straight from me. Thanks for reading, and I hope that all is well in your homes and lives.

 

Peace,

Collin

  

Another note:

If any of you are inclined to help me out with a conflict that I have been having, I would appreciate hearing what you have to say. I know it is still early in the school year, but I am currently planning my next adventure for next summer. I've narrowed it down to two options: 1) a few of my raft guide buddies want to head down to South America and travel a bit, or 2) a solo bicycle trip across the United States from the west coast to the east coast. Now, I've been to South America before, but would not mind visiting there again, but I'd also like to have an epic bike ride like this. So leave a comment, tell me what you think, or email me at thomco02@luther.edu. Hope to hear from you!

This year is the "next year" you worried about last year.

So you may want to ask me, "How does this year compare to last year's experience at Luther, Collin?" And if you don't want to ask me, that is fine, I will tell you anyway.

It is amazing how different of a place Luther seems once one year is through. The campus is no longer foreign at all, the flood of faces seen each day is full of familiar smiles, and living in the dorms seems pretty regular. Obviously I had some new adjustments this year; I have a new dorm, new roommate and a new schedule, but these were far easier after having the first year under my belt.

I must admit, at the end of last year, I was getting a bit burnt out with the whole college experience. I wasn't sure what I wanted to make of it, and wasn't sure if it was the right thing for me to be doing at this point in my life. However, I stuck with it (obviously) and I have a somewhat different attitude towards it now. I am still a restless individual, but I feel as though things have improved for me in regards to school.

One main contributor to this attitude is that I feel I have a larger impact on the campus community this year. I am leading a student organization, rather than just participating, I am meeting more people each day and taking part in various activities that intimidated me last year, and I just feel more at home among all the students here.

People kept telling me last year that freshmen year can be hard. It is not always easy for people to adjust, but everyone kept saying that sophomore year was so much better for them. I can now speak from experience that this is true in many ways. My first year was very taxing, I didn't know how to act or react to a lot of things that college life threw at me, but now it seems like I can take these challenges in stride with confidence and make the most of my time here. So anyone who is anxious about going to college, or is at college and is stressing about it, I will tell you this: I am a firm believer that college is not for everyone, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Some people will be much more productive and feel it is more beneficial to spend their time to do other things, and I totally respect that. But if you feel as though college is worth trying, go for it. And if it seems hard or not worth it, just give it some more time. You may end up feeling the same way I do now. So good luck.

Anyway, I hope I didn't scare anyone away, or make anyone uncomfortable, that is not in my intentions. Life is all about exploring; trying new things to find your place in the world. So I wish everyone the best, and you will hear from me again very soon!

Peace,

Collin

One week down.

So here we are, after the first full week of the 2008-2009 school year at Luther College. It went relatively smoothly, but it did seem a bit long. I've grown accustomed to Luther life again, but because of that it seems like I have been here several weeks, rather than just two. However, I know that at the end of the year it will seem like it flew by, just as it always does.

I jumped off a cliff the other day. I know that sounds like a bad idea, but it was actually pretty fun. A few of my friends and I decided it would be a good idea to go and do something adventurous in order to ease ourselves into Academia from our habits and love of summer. So I took them to a place near town where the river cuts through the limestone and we jumped from a 25 foot ledge into the water. It was really cold since there was no sun and the rain has chilled the water a few days earlier, but it was still a fantastic time. Definitely a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Speaking of pursuits involving the wilderness, our first Backyard Wilderness Pursuits activity - a meet and greet campfire - went really well. We had a surprisingly large turnout, and everyone showed a lot of interest and enthusiasm about the organization and activities. This coming Saturday, I will be instructing our first clinic on slacklining. I am very excited to see how that goes, because it seems like a lot of people are excited about it.

Another first happened on Friday - it was our first climbing event of the year. We hosted a headlamp/flashlight climbing party at the wall. Once again, lots of people attended, making it a huge success, and therefore, a lot of fun. I don't know what is different about this year, but it seems that more and more students are showing interest in things like BWP or the rock wall, so I am very excited to see where their (and my) enthusiasm will take us. I think it is going to be a good year.

One last "first" that I feel I must mention was the first Center Stage Series event last night. Luther does a fantastic job of bringing in quality performances for the students and community. Kudos to the Student Activities Council for all their hard work. Last night, as I said, was the opener of this series of events held throughout the year, and the performance was done by the Capitol Steps, a group of musicians/comedians that focused on political issues and scandals. It was a really funny performance, and they left no politician alone. They had a song or rhyme for every scandal, debate, and issue in Washington. So if you like political satire, check out the Capitol Steps.

All is well in our little corner of the Midwest. Now it is Sunday, so all the students are busy cramming all the homework that has been put off all weekend. So I suppose I must follow suit. Take care everyone, and feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Peace,

Collin

I like to ride my bicycle...

My best friends in Colorado, Ciara and Travis after we jumped seven consecutive waterfalls 

in Cascade Creek, right outside Durango, Colorado

Welcome back everyone. We are rolling right along on another whirlwind adventure that is the school year at Luther. The returning students are back in a familiar place, whereas the new students are going through the grand adjustment period. I hope all is well for everyone out there, and rest assured that things are going smoothly here on campus.

 

There is much to be discussed, since I haven't written in about three months, however, I will spare you some of the details, because I do not want to harm your eyeballs.

 

First off, my summer was fantastic. As I mentioned in my previous blogs, I spent the summer months in Durango, Colorado, working as a whitewater rafting guide on the Animas River. I worked for a great company called 4 Corners Whitewater (if you are ever in the area, look us up!). I spent every day in the sun, either floating down a beautiful river in the southwestern US (work?!?), or passing the time with activities such as rock climbing, hiking, biking, kayaking, or most anything else that Colorado has to offer. It was time well spent; I got to meet fantastic people, have a job I loved, and work outside all day. So if you are ever aching to take an adrenaline-pumping trip down some whitewater, look me up!

But now I am back at home, meaning both Decorah and Luther. I moved in early because of some training we had at the rock climbing wall. On the note of moving in, my experience was a little different this year. You all know me pretty well now, after a year of blogging, so you can understand why I decided to move to campus in the manner that I did. You see, I believe that our society tends to rely on cars and gasoline a little too much in our day-to-day lives. I think that most of the time, cars are not a necessity, but rather a convenience. I understand that cars are helpful at times, whether it be because time constraints or the need to carry multiple people or possessions. But because I live so close to campus, I decided to move in by bicycle. 

 

To do this, I first built a trailer out of 1/2" electrical conduit (metal tubes that protect electrical wires). It cost me a total of about $25 because I had a lot of the necessary parts at home. I spent several hours trying different designs and ended up with a pretty solid one. It evolved as I worked on it, and turned out really well. So when Friday rolled around, I loaded up all of my things onto my bike and pedaled down to campus. It took me three trips, but all of my possessions were carried without a drop of gasoline. I got a few strange looks on campus, but it felt good to relieve myself of the stresses related to parking, paying for gas, and concern for environmental impact. Moving by bike is not for everyone, it can be a pain, but it was definitely worth it for me.

Another adventure I have undertaken is the responsibility as one of the leaders of Backyard Wilderness Pursuits (BWP). It is a student-run group on campus that is involved in any and every form of outdoor recreation. We do everything from biking to hiking, canoeing to camping, skiing to snowshoeing. The Student Activities Council had their annual activities fair, and we had a table promoting our organization. It seemed like there was quite a bit of interest, so hopefully that interest continues, even as classes take up an increasing amount of people's time.

 

Speaking of classes, they just started today, so it is a little early to tell how the year will progress in the academic sphere, but I am entirely optimistic, and you will be hearing about it all as it happens. My schedule will be manageable, and hopefully a bit entertaining. 

 

Keep on doing what you do, and may good health and happiness come your way.

 

Peace,

Collin

What a slacker!

We are getting close to the last blog of the year, as finals are right around the corner, and I have my last lab and class today. It's very exciting to have the summer so close, and to have completed my first year as a true college student. 

 

The halls are full of talk of moving out, summer plans, and final exams. It can be very stressful for some people, however I try my best to avoid all of this hullaballoo. Instead, I have spent a lot of my free time recently being a slacker. Literally.

 

You see, recently I picked up the sport of slackline. If you have not heard of this before, it can be compared to tightrope walking, but with less of a circus theme. It involves a piece of tubular webbing (equipment often used in rock climbing),

 which is much like an inch-wide strap of nylon, and two anchors (usually trees). The webbing is strung between the two trees and what comes next is hours upon hours of off balance fun.

 

The first thing one must do is learn to balance on a wobbling, 

swinging, and oftentimes frustrating string. This can be done with a little help from friends who enjoy acting as spotters. After this, on

e progresses to balancing alone. If this is mastered, walking is next, and the trend continues until jumps, spins, and even flips are conquered!

 

To many people, this type of activity is very odd. You don't often see people tightroping between two trees, so it gets a lot of heads turning, but as soon as those reluctant individuals try it, the addiction takes control and the sport gains another fan.

 

It is a great way to socialize, as a lot of my friends have become very interested in slacklining as well. When the weather is nice and warm, the slackline is up, and lots of people are walking, talking, and laughing around it, just having a

 great time. We all support one another and offer tips and suggestions to improve balance, coordination, and enjoyment.

 

So while all of the other students are stressing over finals,

tearing out their hair, and trying not to cry, my friends are slackers, using our balance to relieve us of stress, strengthen our bodies, and to just have a good ol' time!

 

I'll see you at the end of the year!

Peace,

Collin

Photos taken by my buddy Abby

Photo 1: me

Photo 2: me again

Photo 3: Abby and me

Photo 4: Elsa

What a week!

Hello everyone, I hope all is well in all your lives and spring is giving you a bit of warmth inside and out. 

Well, I must say, I have had an exciting week since I last posted, and I also have a confession to make. I will start with some of my activities, and will end with a secret that I have been hiding from all of you, just to keep the suspense level up (are you curious yet?).

 

Well, as you may know, preparations for the year's end are being made. Finals will be here in just about two weeks, and there is definitely an excitement, but also a bit of stress, in the air. Our Paideia papers are back, we finished our second-to-last bio exam, and it has been hard to stay focused as the spring warmth floods our nice, little campus here in Decorah. As of now, I have the feeling that my finals will not be too terribly difficult, but it is a little difficult for me to know this early. It is nice to have a sense of what to expect, having gone through the motions at the conclusion of fall semester. However, it is a new set of classes, material, and professors, so there are bound to be some surprises.

 

There are also the preparations for living situations next year. I got a last-minute roomate, since my current roomate is leaving after the year to head back to Sweden. He is a swell fella who lives on my floor, and we will undoubtedly have fun together. I have to go through room draw on Tuesday, so I'll have to wait until then to see where I end up. It is up in the air as of now.

 

In other news, unrelated to school, is the bike race I had today. It was the annual Time Trials here in Decorah. The weather was quite nice for it, contrary to what was expected, having lots of rain in the last few days. This year's race was a little rough for me. I didn't eat anything but a banana for breakfast, and part-way through the race, my energy level dropped, and I had quite a hard time for the remainder of the race. It is always a good race in which to participate, so if anyone out there rides mountain bike, show up next year for the race on last Sunday of April.

 

Okay, so here is my confession. For quite some time now, I have been considering a transfer to another college. The college is one that I had been looking at since last year's college search, and it has been in my radar ever since. It is not that I dislike Luther; that is not true in the least. It is simply the fact that I have lived in Decorah for 13 years now, and I don't want to miss out on anything the rest of the world has to offer. Because of this, I applied and seriously was considering attending another school in the fall. This past weekend, I went for a visit to this particular college (my first visit, as it is on the west coast) and didn't know exactly what to expect. Let me tell you, going through the college visit is extraordinarily different after having completed a year of college. I was constantly comparing everything I saw to what I was familiar with at Luther. And, to be completely honest, this other place didn't stack up. The campus was absolutely beautiful - old growth forest, surrounded by protected state park, and a huge emphasis on all things natural - but besides that, I wasn't all that impressed. It seemed to me that every time I was expecting to find something more appealing than that which is at Luther, I was unable to do so. It made me realize that I do not really need to branch out at this point in time, Luther is a good place to be. There will be numerous times for me to explore more of the world, and I am looking forward to those opportunities, but for now, I am content. It also made me realize all that I have to appreciate at a place like Luther or Decorah. It is one of the cliché ideas that all things familiar tend to be taken for granted.

 

I am not saying Luther is for everyone, and that is just a fact of life. However, at this point in time, I am pretty confident in saying that it is a pretty good fit for me.

 

Have a fantastic week, and I will be talking to you soon!

 

Peace,

Collin

One year later...

It seems appropriate at this point in time (as the school year is winding down) to head back through the past months and put myself, once again, into the position that many high school seniors are in right now. It is hard to believe that I have been a college student for around eight months. It hardly seems that long, but I have surely grown into the position.

 

As I recall, the college decision was nowhere near easy. I was constantly weighing the criteria, including financial aid, campus beauty, distace from home, friends' school choices, and numerous others. However, these concepts do not always balance out, which makes it even more difficult. However, no matter how big of a decision it is, it is not irreversible, and chances are, something good with come of whatever decision is made. The experience you will have wherever life turns next is invaluable and should be viewed as that - it's never a mistake.

 

My choice turned out pretty well. Luther is a nice school that has a lot to offer. Granted, I knew that coming in, since I have grown up around it, and kind of know the ins and outs of the school, but I was pleased to find that there are still parts for me to learn and experience. It offers me a new perspective on the community and campus, and gives me a new place among all of the residents of the college and town. I am sure I would have had an experience that would have been rewarding in other ways if I had attended a different school, but that is all hypothetical. There is little one can lose when attending a school such as Luther or all the other schools that are very similar (except maybe some money).  Do not worry about the decision itself, for the college experience relies more heavily on what you are willing to do with it, than the place at which it is done. Your success at school is more closely related to your ability to adjust and be flexible, taking advantage of everything your school has to offer. So consider that just as much as how big the dorm rooms are, or how tasty the cafeteria's food is. I wish you all the best of luck with whatever decisions need to be made in the near future, whether they are school related or not, we all need a little help sometimes. 

 

Peace,

Collin

Catch up

Hey everyone, sorry it has been a while since the last post, it has been a little hectic getting back into the swing of things after spring break.

 

I suppose I must tell you all about my spring break in Colorado. First off, I must say that it was a fantastic way to spend my break. I had a great time with all the lovely people in an amazing part of the country. We left Decorah on a Thursday morning at six - not bright yet, but still early - and drove for around 18 hours. It was a long, partially boring drive. The scenery was quite flat until we got into the mountains, but by that time it was dark, so we didn't see much. I was one of the few who could drive a stick shift, so I did a bit of driving, considering that is what kind of car we had. We rented a couple hotel rooms in a city called Carbondale, which is about 30 miles from where we did our skiing and got a good night's rest.

 

The next morning we got up early, as we would for the next 3 days, and headed off to Snowmass mountain. There are four mountains that make up the Aspen ski area, and we visited two of them during our three days of skiing. We arrived at Snowmass right as the lifts were opening, and spent most of our time at the top of the mountain, skiing on very nice light snow, whereas the bottom had a little wetter snow (it was spring skiing after all). I was on skis the first day, and felt pretty good about it. The second day, we also spent at Snowmass but I switched off halfway through the day to a snowboard. I kept that for the third day, which was when we head to Aspen Highlands - a different mountain. The main reason I switched to the snowboard was because on the second day we got a really nice snowfall of about 4-5 inches, and it is really fun to snowboard in powder. So I split it half and half between the two modes of transportation, and I was really glad I did that.

 

The last day at Aspen Highlands was cut a bit short. Typically we skied from about 8:30 or 9 to 4 or 4:30, but there were rumors of a nasty storm hitting the area, and we wanted to outrun that on the way home. We left about 2:30 and drove for about 8 exciting hours before settling in for the night in Nebraska. We rose again early and drove the remaining 10 hours through the flat country and lots of rain before finally reaching Decorah and having a nice warm dinner in the caf. What a treat.

 

The skiing was fantastic, but something that was really neat and should not go unmentioned was the time spent with the people on the trip. The car rides, dinners, ski and hotel time were really great because of the conversation and developing friendships. I rode in the car with some really cool people and that made the trip fly by in a way it would not have if I had been making the trip alone. That is one thing all you prospective students have to look forward to. There are some really amazing people at Luther, and when you meet them and spend time with them, it really can change your outlook on things. You can make invaluable connections with the most unlikely people. It is fantastic.

 

I hope you all had a great couple of weeks. This is just a taste of something that happens at Luther that is available for students to take advantage of. Like I said, it was a fantastic trip and I would go again in a heartbeat. So all you students coming in the next years, hook up with the Backyard Wilderness Pursuits (BWP) group. It is a great thing with which to be involved! See you next time.

 

Peace,

Collin