Norse Notes: Collin

Here we go!

2009-05-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

We've finally made it - the last week of classes. It has taken a long time to arrive, but in hindsight, it seems like nothing. I've also received some good news about my finals schedule. Originally I was planning to have three finals on Saturday (the first day of finals) and one on Wednesday, but some recent changes have lightened my load substantially. Now, I only have two on Saturday, and am free. Well, not entirely; I still have a paper I must finish and submit by Wednesday, but I will get the bulk of my work done early and be able to relax while everyone else is stressing. Sure, I feel a little spoiled, but I do not think that my two finals on Saturday will be walks in the park. My chemistry exam is comprehensive over the entire year (not to mention it is at 8 am!) and my botany exam requires me knowing over 20 different plant families and their respective attributes. It will still involve a lot of studying, but I am glad to have a few days free before moving on to the next thing.

I am getting excited for summer, once again. I have my wilderness first aid course for 9 days in Iowa City and then am home for about a week before I head out to Colorado again to work as a whitewater rafting guide for the summer. I hope to do some training on the class V river, which, for those of you who do not know, is very intense - the hardest class run commercially. I am a bit nervous about leaving town again, trying some new things, and missing some folks back home, but I think it is good for all of us to step outside of our bubble for a while and see something different. I hope to be refreshed again upon my return and ready to start an even bigger adventure.

I must run to botany now - time to memorize all those families. I hope you are all having a great spring day; it is beautiful here in Decorah, so I plan to enjoy it as much as possible. Take care, everyone.

Peace,

Collin

One Down, Three to Go

2009-05-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a pretty hectic week, especially these last few days. Things are starting to pile up as finals grow ever nearer. I've been struggling to finish a couple papers, study for a lab exam, get some hours at work, and finding some time for myself, as well. College is all about time management. Unfortunately, I am not that great at it.

This past week was pretty typical. The normal schedule of classes and homework. However, I have rediscovered my addiction to mountain biking over the last couple weeks. It has been pretty warm and sunny, apart from a couple overcast days, and it has gotten me out on the trails once again. It had been a while since I had spent any significant time riding off-road, but it only took one good ride and I was hooked again. I have been trying to fit in some rides between work and school, but I wish I could devote more time to it. I may have mentioned before, but Decorah is a great spot for all types of riding. If you are interested in biking, you should check out the website www.bikedecorah.com. It's got all sorts of information about the local trails and road rides. It is also a good resource for hikers since it has electronic versions of the local trail maps.

This weekend was pretty fun. I went to a couple musical performances on campus, both put on by student groups. I spent some quality time outdoors, putting off homework, which was a bad idea because the weekend ended with a beautiful Sunday, which I spent inside writing an ethical analysis of climate policy options for my Paideia Capstone class. It was a bit rough.

Today was pretty tough, too. I spent most of the day studying for a chemistry lab practical that I just took tonight. It was a comprehensive lab exam that covered information from the entire year. Needless to say, it was pretty brutal. We shall see how that turns out. But I can now check one final off the list, only three more to worry about.

If you are a student, hang in there, we are almost done. If you are something else, I hope you are enjoying springtime and the blooming of the wildflowers. Go outside and enjoy it.

Peace,

Collin

The Numbers Just Don't Add Up!

2009-04-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hello all, I am starting to feel it. The slow, steady creeping feeling that can only mean one thing. Finals and the end of the year are lurking just around the corner. Yes, we still have a couple weeks of classes left, but that doesn't mean that there is still time to relax. It hit me last night at chemistry lab when we were reminded that next Monday is our lab exam, and shortly after that we have all the others. These last few weeks are really strange in that they make up a small portion of the semester, but they represent up to 40% of the class grade sometimes. Math can be tricky, but this seems a bit odd!

In all honesty, I have a bit of trouble stressing out about schoolwork. Some would envy me for this "problem," but it can be a curse at times. I tend to procrastinate because I don't have that nagging feeling to get me going. So we'll have to see how these next few weeks go; stress may be mandatory.

On Sunday we filmed the commercial footage I mentioned last week. I had so much fun dancing with all the other folks and doing a little acting as well. They gave us all free pizza, which got everyone excited, and those in charge seemed to be genuinely pleased with how it all turned out. So in the next couple weeks, watch for a link, I'll be sure to post it up here.

I mentioned earlier how I tend to procrastinate; here is proof. Not only is this blog late, but I also have to write a 5-page paper that is due tomorrow, which I have not even started thinking about yet. So I guess I had better get on that. I hope you all have a great week and wish me luck with these upcoming challenges.

Peace,

Collin

Sore Feet

2009-04-19T16:16:00.001-07:00

Hello all. I'm sorry, I guess it has been a while since I updated the ol' blog. So here we go.

Easter break was great. I spent time some quality time with my family. I saw my sister kick some major butt in tennis, my older brother was back in town, and we visited my grandparents for the Easter holiday. It was short, but sweet.

This week has gone by pretty quickly. There has been a lot to do. I have fallen behind in my readings a little bit, so I am playing catch-up. There was also a paper due for my Paideia Capstone class. It was a rather frustrating undertaking. I was having trouble gaining momentum when I started, so I ended up scrapping it twice and rewriting it. But I finally finished it and it was a relief to turn it in.

It is hard to believe, but we only have a few more weeks before finals are upon us. It is very exciting because that means summer is almost here, but it is a little unnerving as well, considering there is still much to do before I even think about finals. In addition to the stress of finals I have to keep in mind that I must move out and leave town early for a Wilderness First Responder (wilderness first aid) class I am taking in Iowa City at the end of May. So I will have my plate very full for the next few weeks. But that's what it always is like, and that's okay by me.

This weekend was pretty fun. On Friday, SAC Diversity, one of the branches of the Student Activities Council, brought in an Irish band called An Dochas. The music was really lively and fun, just like most Irish music. They played amazing instruments, too, including a set of Irish bagpipes, which was the highlight of the evening for me.

Last night we had a celebration for four of our friends who had April birthdays. We cooked a bunch of food, danced like mad, and just enjoyed each others' company. The four birthday girls were international students, and the international students tend to be some of the best cooks on campus so I ate way too much, but it was all very enjoyable.

Today was also a very interesting day. The photo bureau on campus is putting together a Luther commercial that I agreed to be part of. It involves a lot of dancing and music, so today we had a four hour practice during which I learned some sweet dance moves. I was a little nervous going in because I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had fun the entire time through learning dance steps that the dance groups on campus had prepared. I am not going to give too much away about the commercial, but when it is done, I hope to put a link to it on here so I can share it with all of you.

That is about all that has happened over the last week or so. I hope you are all doing very well and I will talk to you soon!

Peace,

Collin

Dancing, singing, and bowls.

2009-04-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

It is cold and snowy in Decorah, which is good because there was and still is much to do this weekend, and it would be hard to finish everything this weekend carried if I were to be distracted by warm, sunny weather. And, boy, has it been a busy week and especially weekend.

I had a chemistry exam on Friday that involved some preparation, but the rest of the school week was pretty normal in terms of workload. This next week is going to be a little different. I am finishing up a lab report for chemistry lab, I have a couple of papers that will need to get written, another paper I must plan for and start researching, and I get to top it all off with a hefty botany exam on Thursday. Wish me luck!

However, there have been a lot of positive things happening this weekend. On Friday, I went to the final Center Stage Series concert in the Center of Faith and Life. It was the New Zealand String Quartet and Richard Nuuns. I had seen the quartet while living in Dunedin, New Zealand, so it was a nostalgic experience for me. They are fantastic musicians, and this time they performed with Richard Nuuns, who is an expert in traditional Maori (New Zealand native) instruments. It was fascinating and very entertaining. Saturday was a busy day. I went to my friend's junior vocal recital, and was amazed by his talent. There are so many good singers and musicians at Luther. I have a hard time keeping up. After that, I went to a performance done by a group of guys from Guatemala and Mexico. In May, there was a large immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, which is only a stone's throw from here. It was a very chaotic, painful, and in my opinion, poorly handled occurrence. These guys decided to tell their story in a play form in order to explain to people the terrible things they had to live through and hopefully shed some light on the crooked immigration policies in our country. It was very eye-opening. I have spent a bit of time with a few of the guys who performed, so I had a vague background of their stories, but it was shocking to hear it in its entirety. They are truly amazing individuals.

Saturday night was a little less heavy. It was the first Highlandville folk dance of the season. Each month, a great band called Footnotes performs in a small schoolhouse in a town called Highlandville which is about 15 miles north of Decorah. They play folk music and we all dance waltzes, polkas, two-steps and others until our legs are too tired to hold us any more. I have been going to these events consistently for the past few years and it seems to have transformed more into a gathering of younger people. There were lots of Luther students, as well as Decorah High School students. It was such a great time dancing and having fun with all those wonderful people. I cannot wait for the next one.

Finally, today is going to be another busy day. Another couple of my buddies have their junior recital, so I will undoubtedly go to that. Pretty soon here I am going to head over to the Center for the Arts for an event called Empty Bowls. It is a fundraiser for a couple agencies dealing with world hunger. Potters from around the area come together to make hundreds of bowls to sell for $20 dollars, which goes on to these organizations. Local restaurants donate soup and bread to fill those bowls. So it is a meal that goes toward a good cause. I have gone the last two years, and the soup and craft are amazing. There is music, good company, and a pleasant atmosphere. It is incredible what people do with their talents.

So that is what my life has been like for the last few days. Hopefully this next week will be as enjoyable as the last. I wish you all the best. If you are getting snow, keep warm. If you are getting sun, send it our way. Take care.

Peace,

Collin

Spring Break

2009-03-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. It has been a great week for me, mostly because of the brief break from school, and all the adventures that came with my time off.

As I mentioned before break, we were planning on heading out to Aspen, Colorado to enjoy some spring skiing. This was a trip that I helped organize as part of my duties as a leader of Luther's Backyard Wilderness Pursuits. We left on Saturday at 5:30 am, drove all day long and arrived in Aspen around 10:30 that night. It was a long haul, but definitely worth it. The next three days we skied Snowmass and Aspen Highlands enjoying 4" of snow on the second day and a whopping 13" on the final day. We then made the long journey home.

We had a group of 15 fun, easy-going students come along. It was really great getting to know some new people and learning more about friends and acquaintances. On top of that, one of my best friends from Durango, Colorado (where I worked this summer) came to snowboard with me the last day. It was fantastic seeing her again, and she was lucky enough to come when the powder was perfect. We were fantasizing about the upcoming summer and the time on the river we are aching for already.

This break was unique in that I got the opportunity to help create an opportunity for students to do something a little out of the ordinary (being from Iowa) and also to see it come alive. It is really neat how Luther provides so many opportunities not only to take part in activities such as this, but also help make them available to others. It gave me a sense of responsibility for the fun other students were having, and it made it even better that I could enjoy it with them.

I hope that spring time is welcomed by all of you. And I apologize if you did not have any time off this last week and I am tempting or teasing you by describing the fun I have had. I am sure your time will come. Have a great week everyone, and I will talk to you soon.

Peace,

Collin

Spring is here

2009-03-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I hope I find you in good health and spirits. It is warming up here in Decorah, and the warmth brings a few things. First, all the people that had been hiding away inside their warm dorm rooms are coming out to enjoy the fresh spring air. Bikes are now out of winter storage, people are tossing frisbees again, and I finally got to set up my slackline again! In addition to the outward migration, spring is a sign of something many people are excited for: Spring Break.

In just a few short days, students will be heading away for a whole week of relaxation. Some are heading home to spend time with friends and families, whereas others are taking trips to places far away from home. There are student groups heading to Georgia, The Dominican Republic, Louisiana, Mississippi, and of course, Colorado. Like I mentioned before, I will be heading out to do some spring snowboarding in Aspen, Colorado, and could not be more excited to do so. However, there is still much to get done before break.

This week before break is also a time of midterms, which is surprising in itself. It does not feel as though the semester should be half over already. But it is here and with it comes last minute cramming and stress due to procrastination, lack of attention, or any other not-so-honorable practice. However, I seem to have it pretty easy this time around. I have only one midterm because my three other classes are either not requiring a big test, or we have already had some sort of exam to cover this requirement.

I do, however, have to aid in working out any last-minute details for our BWP trip. Because I am one of the leaders taking this group out to Colorado, I must help organize the hotel stays, the lift tickets, and the transportation, not to mention the funding. Most of this has already been taken care of, it is just a matter of tying all loose ends up before departing on Saturday.

The next time we speak, I will hopefully have some good news about our break and some pictures to illustrate the fun had. I hope this fine weather is making you all feel refreshed and I urge you to spend time outside. Reintroduce yourself to nature.

Peace,

Collin

p.s. There was a speaker by the name of David Abram who came to Luther on Thursday night. He prepared an amazing presentation about how humans are becoming disconnected to the natural world and no longer see ourselves as part of it. It was really fascinating and inspiring. So I hope you all will do some research on him and the Alliance for Wild Ethics, and take his advice to reconnect with nature (you've got a lot in common:)).

Energy and Community

2009-03-09T19:50:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone, here's the news from Luther College.

Friday was the end of the Energy Evolution. This is a campus-wide event that lasts for a few weeks and promotes energy awareness and conservation. There were all sorts of events, from blackout movie screenings to energy audits of rooms, as well as contests with great prizes for those dorms and floors that showed great initiative in conserving energy. Larsen hall, the dorm in which I live, managed to reduce energy consumption by 14% during the Energy Evolution month. Some halls did even better.

It seems as though there has been a shift, and it is most noticeable in the college-aged generation of today. There is such a drive for people to take action in order to understand and combat the negative effects of over consumption, dirty energy (coal, oil, etc.), and the lifestyles many of us lead that are hardly sustainable. It is a beautiful thing to see; heaps of college students running around campus, turning off lights and promoting wise use of electricity. This sense of energy awareness is definitely a large part of Luther's community and set of ethics. Not only is it present in the students, but large steps have been made to reduce the tremendous carbon footprint that a college community of this size leaves. From upgrading old architecture and energy systems and green building techniques to exploring the possibilities of wind power and biomass heating; Luther is doing its part to manage its emissions and sending a positive message about sustainability and possibility.

We learn from events such as Energy Evolution that each individual plays a part in the larger picture. We all must make some contribution to work towards a sustainable future. Change out those incandescent light bulbs, take shorter showers, buy second-hand items. It is not difficult, but it does require a conscious effort. It's up to you.

I hope everyone is well. All comments or questions are welcome. If you want me to write on a specific topic, or want to know more about something I have already written, don't be shy. I would love to hear from you.

Peace,

Collin

The Plight of the Student

2009-03-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the semester already. I am getting bogged down with studies for upcoming exams. I have a botany exam tomorrow, followed by a chemistry exam on Wednesday. In addition to that, I have had the never-ending load of readings, lab reports, and other homework. It is nothing unexpected, but it is also nothing to be grateful for.

This kind of perplexes me when I think about it. Why is it that we, as voluntary students, decide to complain about the workload that accompanies the role of student? I decided to come to Luther College to pursue a degree in biology. How could I possibly complain in any way about having to do work to expand my mind in ways that I desire, or to obtain fascinating nuggets of knowledge in my field of study. It seems almost exactly opposite of what I should be doing; that is, thanking professors, faculty, staff, my parents, and whomever else made this opportunity possible for me. I understand this all in theory, but it is a bit more difficult to rationalize all this when I must sit in my room studying photosynthesis until wee hours of the morning. Oh well, it will undoubtedly benefit me in the end.

So that is where we are at currently at Luther College; the first wave of exams and due dates. It is the authentic initiation back into "real life" on campus after the lull of J-term. I must admit, I am still in that mode a little, so I am struggling to make this new schedule and set of commitments work. However, I feel as though I am having an easier time understanding and engaging in the material which I am studying. It may be because of the set of classes I am taking, or it may be because it is still early in the semester. Either way, I hope to maintain this momentum for the rest of the year.

I hope I find you all in good health and spirits. Enjoy the coming of spring, even during those moments when it is still very wintery.

Peace,

Collin

The Sound of Music

2009-02-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

Hello all, I hope this last week as been good for you all. I am here to tell you that mine was quick, productive and entertaining.

I had one of those odd experiences over this past week in which time was a little messed up. I felt either a day behind or a day ahead each morning when I woke up. For this reason, some days seemed to whiz by, whereas others passed at a snail's pace. I am really liking my schedule for this semester, though. I have two classes each day, which provides some breaks in between for relaxation or homework. I've tried a few combinations now, I've had a semester during which I had no class on Tuesdays and Thursdays (although I did have lab), and I had a semester with heavy course loads on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have now reached a balance, and I think it is my favorite so far. I am loving my Botany class, which is mostly lab work. My religion class (Buddhism & Animal Welfare) is also quite fascinating. I am enjoying chemistry more than last semester, which is a bit surprising. The only class that I may have some complaints about is my Paideia 2 course. It is a little slow moving, and quite repetitive. However, the subject matter is really important (global warming, climate policy), so I find it worthwhile to read and participate.

Besides class, the semester has proven to be rather entertaining thus far. For example, we held an event at the rock climbing wall on Friday. Its theme was "Love is Blind," and people were encouraged to scale the wall blindfolded. Only a few people showed up, but it was a great time, nonetheless. Right after that, I headed to Marty's (a social hangout and cybercafé on campus) for a concert by a band named Maritza. They play eastern European music, which was amazing. After that, I went and played some music of my own with some of my buddies. The following night was the Center Stage Performance of the Harlem Gospel Choir, which was quite a treat. I have not seen a Center Stage Performance with so much energy and excitement. They were also quite fantastic. Check out the video posted below. It isn't the Luther performance, but you can get the feeling. Last night I raced downtown after a quick dinner to play a gig with my friends at T-Bock's (a sports bar and grill) monthly Open Stage Night. It was a very full weekend which tended to focus on music in one form or another. Not bad at all.

In other news, people are already discussing their plans for living situations next year as room draw is showing up on the radar. A lot of people are really excited to have new rooms, apartments, or roommates. I am not entirely sharing in this excitement, due to my current plan of taking a year off for myself. However, it is a definite indication of the coming of spring and with it all of the talk of the end of the year, the summer, and even next year. It is amazing how time can just fly on by.

I am off to do some religion readings on animal liberation before heading down to the rock wall. Take care everyone, and I will speak to you soon. Again, feel free to leave any comments or as any questions you may have. We can make this as interactive as you would like.

Peace,

Collin

I Want to be a Bollywood Star

2009-02-18T09:41:00.000-08:00

Hello again everyone, I hope you have had an excellent week since we last spoke. Much has happened in the last week for me, so let's dive right in.

First off, Saturday was the date of the annual Ethnic Arts festival here at Luther. I have been attending this since I was very young, and it gets better every year. Basically, it is a festival in which anyone who wants to represent their heritage or culture can do so in multiple ways. The day starts off with a fair of booths set up in the Center for Faith and Life (CFL). These booths represent specific countries or regions and there are arts, crafts, information, and activities about or from each location. The most popular part of the festival comes later in the day: dinner. Students and volunteers slave away in the kitchen for hours preparing mouth-watering dishes from all over the world. My plate consisted of food from Jamaica, India, Serbia and Wisconsin, and that was only a tiny portion of the variety that was to be enjoyed. After the dinner, there is the ever-famous talent show for which people prepare all sorts of acts. There was dancing from India and Egypt, songs from China and Rwanda, and comedy from all over the globe. Several of my friends were involved in the performance, so it was especially fun to watch. I am always amazed at how much talent is concentrated on Luther's campus.

In addition to the Ethnic Arts Festival was a Center Stage Series concert in the CFL. This series of concerts usually brings in some amazing artists, and this time was no exception. The Alison Brown Quartet featuring Joe Craven came and played a little bluegrass, celtic, and jazz music. They were quite fantastic and told some great stories. The next Center Stage Series concert is this Saturday. It is the Harlem Gospel Choir, which should be a very energetic and exciting performance.

So, this is what has been on my mind lately. Currently I am considering what I want to do next year. I am planning on taking a year off from school and doing some independent travel. I was considering doing a study abroad, but find the programs to be too confining, or just too expensive. I will come back and graduate at the same time as expected. I am thinking about doing some volunteer biological research abroad, some bicycle touring here and abroad, and visiting a few friends who will be scattered around the globe for study abroad experiences. If any of you have any tips, suggestions, or comments, I would love to hear them or hear of your own travel experiences.

Take care of yourself and others and keep warm.

Peace,

Collin

Buddhism and Botany

2009-02-09T08:48:00.001-08:00

Here we are again; a brand new semester, a brand new schedule, and a brand new workload. It is a time of refreshment, but some harsh realities come along with it. I'll explain a bit more.

I think I am going to have a very interesting set of classes. I am taking a religion course that investigates the link between animal welfare and well-being with Buddhist religious practices. I am also enrolled in a Paideia Capstone course that will focus on energy usage and ethical decisions regarding this topic, along with current policy regarding the US's energy usage. I finish it off with the second half of chemistry and a botany course, which should be quite enjoyable.

That is the refreshing part, it is nice to be taking courses that are interesting and new. However, after the first half-week of classes (we started on Wednesday) I had over 200 pages of reading to do and a hefty amount of supplementary work. I was pretty overwhelmed this weekend, especially after enjoying quite a bit of freedom during J-term. I think that this semester is going to really test me. I don't know that I have had this heavy of a workload for a semester, so it will be a challenge, but a good one, I am sure.

I've got some news regarding what I may be planning for next year that I will not go into right now, but will let you in on at a later date. I may need some input, too, so come back and help me out. But for now, I leave you. I need to do MORE reading for my botany class. I hope you are all well and happy.

Peace,

Collin

A Reason to Love Decorah

2009-01-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

Another reason why I decided to stay in Decorah for college became clear to me last night. The fourth Sunday of every month hosts T-Bock's (a bar and grill downtown) Open Stage Night. It is an open mic performance in which anyone can perform - music, comedy, anything. So the band with which I have been playing was scheduled to play last night. We arrived to find that the emcee and organizer of the performance was a no-show. This also meant that there was no sound equipment for the musicians who had arrived to perform. After multiple failed attempts to contact the fella in charge, we gave up on him.

People still wanted to perform and share what they had been preparing, so everyone came together and tried to figure something out. We pieced together a list of what sound equipment individuals had and/or were able to get a hold of. After a few different set-ups and changes, we had a full sound system with four microphones and several instrument inputs. It was just as good, if not better, than the typical system that is provided.

It was not so much the fact that people had equipment that we all could use, but rather the collaborative effort that went into maintaining a community event that would have otherwise not taken place. All the musicians and performers decided that, rather than give up and forfeit the event, we would use everyone's talents and contributions to have a fantastic performance.

The music that followed was great, and everyone had a little more invested in the performance, which made it even more enjoyable. I ended up running the sound system, and playing the last act of the night. Our set was so much fun to play; I absolutely love playing with my band mates. It was the four of us (vocals, guitar, mandolin, bass, and banjo) and another friend playing washboard and tambourine.

It was a fantastic night, not just because it was graced with good music and company, but also because it showed me something very impressive and heartwarming about the community in which I live. It is truly a wonderful place to be.

I hope you are all well. Come visit Decorah sometime and you will see what I mean.

Peace,

Collin

Congratulations America

2009-01-20T15:02:00.000-08:00

First off, I want to congratulate the US on choosing Barack Obama as 44th President. What a day.

I won't get too much into politics since that is not the purpose of this blog but more so because I could go on forever, and that probably would not be a great idea.

Let's examine life with a sharper focus. This is the news at Luther:

This past weekend held the annual Brandt Open Mic Bar (BOMB). It is sponsored by Brandt Hall Resident Assistants and Luther College Wellness. It was a fantastic open mic show with free "mocktails" all night. It is mind blowing to go to this sort of event because of all the musicians and performers that come out of the woodwork. I was incredibly impressed with the lineup this year, and had a great time. There were a few acts during which I could not stop smiling because of the quality. Some of my friends performed, and it was fun because it was not a setting in which I know them. These are people I live with or know from class or campus activities, and it is sometimes a surprise that they have such talent on stage.

Speaking of performances, I will be having a nice little experience of my own next weekend. A bar and grill downtown hosts a monthly "Open Stage Night" and the bluegrass band that I've been playing with is scheduled to make an appearance. We had a jam session on Friday night, which is always a blast and I think we are going to have some fun tunes to perform.

We are nearing the end of J-term already, which is pretty unbelievable. This is my last full week at the high school for my observation period. I think it will be good to start something new again, I am always a fan of semester changes. I am also looking forward to seeing some of my friends again who have been gone for the month on off-campus excursions, abroad and otherwise.

So that is mostly what I have for you today. It's been a tiring day, I'm still struggling with the high school schedule, so you will have to forgive me for that. I hope I am finding you all in good health and spirits, and enjoy the week.

Peace,

Collin

The Other Side of the Desk

2009-01-13T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I'm back to give you a little insight on my J-term experience.

It all began this past summer. I was riding my bike to work one day and thought to myself, for some odd reason, "Maybe I should be a teacher." It was quite a long bike ride, so I had a lot of time to think it through. I decided that elementary and middle school were not right for me because I wanted to be able to discuss more advanced topics in the field of biology. I was also hesitant to take the college/university professor route because of all the school I would have to go through. So I temporarily concluded that I was destined to be a high school biology teacher.

Now, this kind of made sense. I have several teachers in my family, and admire each one of them for what they do. I like the idea of having summers free to use how I please, and I also think that it would be very rewarding to have a positive influence on young minds. As I think back to some of my best teachers, I can recognize what influence they had on me. If I could offer that inspiration or support to someone else, I think I would have some sense of purpose or satisfaction in life.

So this is where I am at. I am currently exploring the idea of becoming a teacher further by taking the required first course in the Education department at Luther. It is an off-campus observation period in which I am thrown into a classroom and given whatever responsibility the teacher allows. I am currently at Decorah High School, the same exact high school from which I graduated a couple of years ago.

This is very convenient in some ways. For instance, I do not have to get up ridiculously early and drive an hour like some other students have to. Also, I am familiar with the school and how it is run. However, with this convenience comes much difficulty. It was stated that we must maintain a professional attitude while in the classroom. We are there as future teachers, and must separate ourselves from the students accordingly. For me, though, it can be difficult to maintain that boundary when I know many of the students in the school. They know me as Collin, not Mr. Thompson. They know things about my personal life and who I am outside of this professional setting. It is hard to balance the relationships I have had for years, for some, and this new obligation to be professional.

Along with that come other difficulties. I am having trouble getting really inspired by what I am experiencing. I am realizing the bland repetition that is required when teaching six sections of the same course. I am concerned that I would get burnt out by the end of the day and not be able to offer my full self to the students. There are several factors that contribute to this attitude, and I won't bore you with them, but this experience is serving its purpose. I came into it wanting to know whether or not teaching was something I could see myself doing years down the road. And although I am still not sold one way or the other, I am getting valuable information about what it means to be a teacher; what the struggles are, what a typical day consists of, and what the rewards are. I guess I will just have to see how I feel at the end of the month.

I hope this blog post finds you well and happy. I wish you warmth on these bitterly cold days. Remember, though, there is something to be said for each season.

Peace,

Collin

I'm back!

2009-01-08T13:59:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been a while since I last posted. I apologize for that, but it has been such a crazy time lately. First we had our winter break, and now I am trying to get in the swing of things for my new course during J-term.

Winter break was very nice. It meant the end of the fall semester, which in turn meant the temporary release from school-related responsibility. I did a bit of traveling; my family and I headed to Chicago to visit my mother's side of the family. These reunions are always exciting and action packed. I have a big and goofy family that is always sure to entertain. After that, we visited my father's side of the family in Moline, Illinois. Once again, this is always a treat. My grandmother is a firecracker. She always has something new up her sleeve and is still kicking hard at 94 years old.

Before I knew it, though, the break was over and I found myself starting a new course. The way January Term works is each student takes one course, which typically meets every day. These courses are usually the same workload as a full-semester course, but are a bit more compressed. This is also a time when a lot of students do off-campus studies. For example, I have friends who are living with the Maasai in Tanzania, attending several plays in England, and fighting off the cold in rustic huts in the Boundary Waters. I am doing a sort of off-campus study, but not exactly the same. I am currently observing at Decorah High School in the biology classroom. This is the first step of many in order to get an education major/minor, and eventually in becoming a teacher. This is something I have thought about for a while now, so I figured I would try it. It is too early to tell now if it is something I will still want to pursue after this month, but that is exactly what I am using it for. It is an exploration of the profession to determine if it is something I could see myself doing down the road. I'll get back to you about that later.

So there you have it; a recap of what has been going on in the life of Collin. Obviously it is not all inclusive, I've left out stories of snowboard trips, dogsitting, and seeing old friends. Maybe I can touch on that later. Have a fantastic week, and I will talk to you soon.

Peace,

Collin

Here We Go!

2008-12-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-12-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-11-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-11-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-11-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-03T14:15:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-10-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-10-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-10-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-09-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-09-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-09-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-04-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-04-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

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

Spring Break

2008-03-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone once again. Here I am at my home in Decorah, Iowa, and not the one on Luther College's campus. That's right, many students have migrated to their hometowns or to other parts of the globe to spend spring break as they wish.

I will be in Decorah for a while, but like I have mentioned before, the Backyard Wilderness Pursuits (BWP) group is heading out to Aspen/Snowmass in Colorado for three days of skiing. We will be leaving Decorah bright and early on Thursday morning, so I've got some time to relax at my house before leaving for another adventure.

Well, I just wanted to let you all know what was happening at Luther, in Decorah, and elsewhere. Sorry it is so brief, but you can expect a more extensive write-up of my spring break travels when I return. Until then, take care and enjoy the first days of spring!

Peace,

Collin

Yellow Paper

2008-03-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone-I hope life is treating you all well and you find yourself in good fortune and health. I am feeling well, but am lacking a resonating voice after a short illness. However, it is warm, the birds are singing, and everyone is letting out a huge sigh of relief.

Paideia papers are in and once again, a little relaxation is attainable. We had to turn in our first drafts of our papers on Monday, so you can imagine that the weekend was a little stressful for everyone. I must admit, I procrastinated a bit, but not up to a point where I hit the panic line. I finished it, and feel decent about how it turned out, so I am not worried. Sunday night holds the record for the most people in the Brandt study lounge at one time for this year. I have never seen so many people focused so intently on their computers and all working on the same project.

I really enjoyed researching my subject (relation between the practices of the Griots of West Africa and hip-hop of the modern world), and it was a really nice breath of fresh air when all the other papers had to do with Scandinavian immigrants and the such. I expected to have difficulty finding sources on my topic, but it was surprisingly easy. It is amazing how many scholarly articles have been written on hip-hop culture and related topics.

In other news, last Monday was the Ben Folds concert here on campus. It was a lot of fun. A fella by the name of Eef was the opener and had some interesting lyrics to share with us. Ben rocked the stage as always, and played a lot of music that has not come out yet, but is in the process of becoming a record. The crowd at Luther will be included in the record as cheering and sound effects! How great. But really, it was a good time, and if he is ever playing in a town near you, definitely check it out.

Well, kiddies, that's all I got for now. I predict that I am going to have a hard time focusing on a computer screen as the weather continues to facilitate outdoor activities, but I suppose I can make some time for all my Internet buddies. Thanks for reading!

Peace,

Collin

VDay

2008-03-03T08:06:00.001-08:00

Hello all - I hope you have had good health and sunny days like we have here at Luther College. Yesterday it was 51 degrees! However, I am not going to bore you with talk of the weather.

So it has been a busy week/weekend. Paideia is taking up the majority of everyone's time. If you are unaware, Paideia 1 students have to do a research paper during the second half of the year. Each section's professor assigns a general topic (in my case "Ethnicity in the Upper Midwest") that leaves it pretty wide open for students to find a more specific topic to write about. I am doing a study on the hip-hop scene in the Twin Cities and how it arose from the Griots storytelling of western Africa. It will be an interesting topic I think. However, a lot of work is involved; we need to have scholarly and primary sources, an annotated bibliography and endnotes, and all citations must be in the correct format. Also, there is a plethora of information that needs to be sorted through and compiled into a coherent, and interesting, essay of about 12 pages. It is a bit daunting, but it will be over soon.

On Saturday I went to a performance of the Vagina Monologues. It is a set of monologues written by a woman after several interviews with women of all walks of life. It is incredibly funny, but also has parts that really make you think. It is a fundraiser for an international group that is centered around the Vagina Monologues and works to create safe environments for women and girls across the globe. So not only did I get to watch a fantastic performance, but it is also aimed at helping people. Wonderful.

Today is the due date for my study abroad application for next year. I am applying for a semester program in Tanzania that centers on wildlife ecology and conservation. It seems like an amazing program and I hope it works out. If not next year, I am hoping for junior year. It took me a while to fill out this application - it consisted of 14 pages of paperwork, plus two essays, and a lot of reading on cultural learning. But I have completed it, and I am satisfied.

Well, I have to get to Biology. I hope you have a nice winding-down-of-winter period. Take care all.

Peace,

Collin

Ahoy.

2008-02-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

Hello all. Sorry it has been so long, it has been a crazy week(end). A lot has been happening and I have been caught up in it.

First item of business has to do with an very popular aardvark. As some may know, the Student Activities Committee (SAC) and Performing Arts Committee (PAC), as well as all those at the CFL, are really good about getting entertaining and impressive performances to take place at Luther. We have a big concert each semester (last semester was Paolo Nutini and this semester will be Ben Folds on March 3) and the rest of the time is filled up with other fun acts. The Center Stage Series is usually really good and students that have CAF cards (paid for at the beginning of the year) receive free entry to almost every performance or show. So I love to take advantage of this. This previous weekend I went and saw Arthur Live! in the CFL. It was quite the production; filled with fancy lighting, colorful backdrops, and music that made all the kids in the audience (including yours truly) get up and dance. It was surprisingly entertaining, even though the subject was a bit juvenile. I also went and saw Imani Winds, a wind ensemble that played some really impressive jazz music which led us through the life of a famous jazz dancer/performer named Josephine Baker. It was a really good show.

Yesterday a few of my buddies from school and I went to Rochester to climb at an indoor rock climbing gym. I had never been there before, and it was quite a good time. We spent four hours bouldering and top-rope climbing before we were too tired to do any more. It was nice to experience a different place after spending so much time on the rock wall here at Luther. However, I still appreciate the set-up we have at Legends (fitness facility).

Other than those activities, I have been busy doing biology lab reports, taking biology exams, writing Paideia essays and making a ridiculous amount of bowls in pottery. I feel like I have accomplished a lot, but have missed a lot of sleep. Now it is time to play catch-up.

With the semester rolling along, it is time to think about a student's favorite time of spring semester: spring break. We have about a week off, and lots of students take this time to travel or relax at home. I am planning on going with a group on campus called Backyard Wilderness Pursuits (BWP) to Aspen, Colorado, where we are going to do some serious skiing and such. I am really looking forward to that, and anxious to see the mountains again. It's been a while.

Well, that is about all I have for now. If I try to include much else about the last week, this entry would be far too long and your eyes would glaze over very quickly. We don't want that, now, do we?

I will be sure to keep you all updated as life progresses and brings on new adventures. Don't be afraid to ask any questions or to tell me something about your own life. I always love to hear from you. Until next time; take care.

Peace,

Collin

p.s. I now have a Spotlight on Luther's website, so you may just find my picture popping up on your screen when you visit www.luther.edu. If you want to read all about me, check out this link.

Another Busy Weekend

2008-02-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

Hello all, and welcome back to another edition of the exciting life of Collin. The semester is in full swing, the air is especially cold, and I am starting another week after a relatively hectic weekend.

The Black Student Union (BSU) held their annual talent show/fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of America in the CFL. It was a lot of fun and had a huge turnout. There were solo vocal and acoustic acts, but there were also full bands playing alternative and rock music. In between it all, there was humor, information, and good company. Overall, it was a great show.

After that, I went to Marty's where an African hip-hop group was performing. They called themselves the Gokh-Bi System. I really enjoyed what I saw, but I arrived late, meaning I only caught the tail end of it, which was kind of a bummer. There were fewer people there, but everyone was dancing and it looking like each person was enjoying themself.

After that, I went and hung out with a few friends and played with a ferrett named Gambit. It was kind of a late night, which was not good preparation for the following day. I had to work at 7 in the morning, which came too soon.

The rest of Saturday was filled by working on biology lab, some other homework, and being lazy, which is what Saturdays are for, I hear. Saturday night was a little more calm; just a night of conversation with some friends and a mini dance party. I slept like a rock that night, after the sleep depravation of the night before.

Sunday always seems to be the same. I can put off homework no longer. I had to work again, but the evening and into the night were filled with reading.

So that was my weekend, it was short and sweet, but now I am ready for the week. I am actually excited that it is Monday because I really enjoy my pottery class, and that is Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I have made so many bowls, I do not know what to do with them all. And yet I must make more to complete the assignment. Good gifts, I suppose.

Well, that is all for now. Once again, feel free to post any comments or questions. I think that to do so, one must create an account, which I think is pretty lame, so if you don't want to, but still wish to comment or have a question, go ahead and email me (thomco02@luther.edu) and I would be more than willing to chat with you. Until next time...

Peace,

Collin

Back Again...

2008-02-03T21:23:00.000-08:00

So here we are again, back from another short break and onto something completely different. J-term and J-break are long gone and spring semester is upon us. That means two things: 1)we can now say that the weather can only get warmer (maybe), and 2)We are in the home stretch (kind of).

It is strange to think that I have successfully completed over a half of my first year as a college student. I know it is cliché to say "my goodness, it flew by so fast," but it truly is surprising how quickly fall semester came and went, and even more so for J-term. It seemed more like a week or two than a month. I guess that is what happens when one is enrolled in a good class.

So I am still waiting to determine how strenuous and/or enjoyable my schedule will be. I have 16 credits and a biology lab (worth no credit), so it is a pretty full schedule. I have Paideia, Bio, Spanish, and Pottery. I was going to take French instead of Pottery, but it turned out that the books would have cost about $200, and that would have taken its toll on the pocketbook. That is something every prospective college student should know. Book companies/shops are evil. They charge ridiculous amounts of money for books. A semester's bill can be anywhere from $150 to upwards of $400. Be warned, check out other options, such as online bookstores or eBay. Also, selling back books is a rip off. You should also check out every option for getting money for books at the end of the semester. It is often more beneficial to sell online than to sell back to the bookstore. Just a few tips.

Bio will be time consuming, as will Spanish and Pottery. My spanish class is a composition course, meaning more time will go into writing than speaking, which will be a change from last semester. Pottery, so I hear, involves a lot of time outside of class. That may be difficult, but it will be great to have some nice dinnerware to show at the end. We have to make 10 bowls, 6 mugs, 3 pitchers, 8 vases, and 3 teapots. I will have a whole kitchen set of homemade ware. I am excited.

So I will keep you all updated as semester rolls along, and until then, keep on keepin' on.

Peace,

Collin

It is very cold in NE Iowa

2008-01-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

Hello again everyone. I hope you are all warm and cozy in your homes, surviving this very cold winter. It has been very mild here until recently. On Saturday, the low was recorded being -37 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill. Today wasn't that cold, but it was -17 without wind, so it is pretty bone-chilling. And yet, I still ride my bike in it...is that stupid?

Well, I want to thank those of you who posted questions and jokes (and promotional offers) on my blog, they were very appreciated. I like the interaction, so keep it up. If there is anything at all you would like to know about life and Luther, life in Decorah, or my life in general, ask me. Also, I know a few things about biking, music, wild and edible plants, kangaroos, and a mix of other topics. So in other words, ask me about anything and I will come up with some answer, whether it is relevant or not is an entirely different story.

To answer the question set forth by eri10 (where are you from?) ; I am from Decorah. How interesting that you happened to think that I was from somewhere other than the United States when I am a resident of the very town of Luther College. I have lived here for 12 or 13 years now and before that I lived in Minneapolis, MN. I have done a bit of traveling abroad, but I am a valid US citizen (as far as I know). Another note: that was a good joke about the pretzels, I have used it many times already.

Now, on to the business side of things. J-term is winding down. Tomorrow is the last day of classes and then we have a break until next week. It will be nice to have a short break before we dive back into normal semester scheduling. I could really get used to this concept of one class at a time. Especially when my class consists of constructing arrows. It was very nice. Speaking of my class, tomorrow we get to shoot the arrows we made. I am guessing the majority of those being shot will end up broken or damaged to some extent. They all seemed to turn out well cosmetically, but in function they may be subpar.

Other than that, there is not a whole lot going on at school right now. There are really no finals at the end of J-term. I had a 5-page paper to write that was not too terribly difficult, and some people had some more extensive assignments, but it is pretty low-key.

However, a few exciting things have happened in my life. First, my friend Abby just returned from New Zealand and has great stories to share. I am trying to convince her to accompany me on my own adventure this summer when I will be working as a whitewater rafting guide in Durango, Colorado. It is one of my dream jobs, and I am incredibly excited. You all must come and take a trip down the Animas River with me, and I will probably end up telling the pretzel joke that eri10 shared with me. Hopefully I will have a few more by then.

Well, that is probably enough for now. The lady in charge got some digital cameras for us to use, so I will try to get some photos up here sooner or later.

I will leave you with a joke that was told to me by my friend, Chris. If you have the time, tell me via comment or email (thomco02@luther.edu) if you understood it upon first reading. I have found that it has been difficult for quite a few people, but I find it absolutely hilarious.

Q: What did the zero say to the eight?

A: Nice belt.

Peace,

Collin

Busy like a bee.

2008-01-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

Sorry to all my loyal readers out there. It has been a while since I last wrote, but hopefully you have not lost faith.

It has been quite hectic in the life of Collin. This weekend I had several things going on and they all seemed to fall at conflicting times.

First:

The platform committee met on Saturday. (I mentioned this last entry, if you have no idea what I am speaking of) It was pretty interesting. I know some people get very bored with politics, but I am kind of intrigued by it all. We all sat in a room, divided into groups based on varying topics of proposals people submitted for the Democratic platform, and made small adjustments so they were clear and concise. I started out at the environmental/agricultural group, but had to move to the economy/taxation group (I know, fun). However, the work at the economy/taxation group went really quickly because all the proposals were very similar to each other and little revision took place.

Second:

My place of work, the Oneota Foo Co-op, is currently moving from one building to the next. It is a huge job, but it is going to be quite nice when it opens up. For this reason, I have been spending a bit of time there, helping with all the tasks that must get done before the grand opening (Tuesday). I urge everyone to stop by when it reopens and get some organic quinoa or fantastic, homemade deli items, I guarantee that it will be tasty.

Third:

As if these engagements weren't enough for one weekend, my rotation for work at the rock wall fell on this weekend, so I was scheduled to work at that job both Saturday and Sunday. Not only that, but a group of 15 4-H girls came on Sunday to climb, but they arrived an hour before we opened, so I had an extended shift.

Finally:

To top it all off, I had my KWLC radio show squeezed in the mix. It was only an hour, but it fell at the exact time I wished it hadn't.

Oh well, I am not complaining. I got everything done, I am still alive, and I feel healthy. It was fast-paced, but I enjoyed it. I hope you all had a nice weekend, too, but maybe a little more relaxing. Until we meet again (through this electronic wonderland)...

Peace,

Collin

p.s. I have a challenge for everyone out there. If you exist, and if you read this blog, post a comment. You can tell me a joke, just say hi, or whatever you would like. Ask me a question so I can make this more personal. I want to have some interaction here. Plus, I am running out of good jokes, and everyone is getting tired of my repeats.

Back again

2008-01-05T15:03:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a nice holiday season, and are caught up with sleep and obligations. I think I am for the most part.

Here I am, back at Luther College. It is a little strange to be back, mostly because it seems a little quieter than it was last time I was here. People are less frantic because of the lack of finals, each person only has the responsibilities of one class, and there are fewer people on campus. Oh well, there are still a few things going on.

The most exciting event since returning has been the caucus. It was Tuesday night for those of you who may not know, and involved a lot of sitting, standing, and rearranging. This was my first caucus, and it was a blast. You must understand, I enjoy politics. I find it to be an interesting subject, mostly because it can bring out people's passions on a plethora of topics. There was talk of health care, war, education, energy, and much more. I started out with caucusing for the best candidate, by far: Dennis Kucinich. However, people often make the mistake of not taking him seriously and so there was minimal support. Upon failure of that, I moved into the crowd for another very respectable candidate, John Edwards. I walked into the caucus knowing that this was going to happen, and was entirely prepared to support Edwards, and so was out there convincing others to take part in the Edwards revolution. It was a lot of fun to talk to a wide range of people and hear their concerns and try to convince them that Edwards is the best candidate for x and y reasons. In the end, we got two delegates for Edwards, and I am one of them. This means I get to go and cast a vote for Ward 5 for Edwards for Winneshiek county. Not only that, but I am also one of two who will be on the Platform Committee, which is responsible for hearing, debating, editing, and submitting proposals for the democratic platform which will be passed up through many levels until a solidified platform is established. It is an exciting thing to be involved in politics at such a grassroots level. It seems that people have lost their faith in the system, and I would say that it is hardly a democratic system in many ways, but it is exhilarating to be involved first-hand, and know how my contributions will be utilized. So I urge all of you to take action in any way you know how. It is rewarding and exciting. Also, if you have any proposals for the democratic platform (and you live in Ward 5 of Winneshiek county), pass them on to have your voice heard.

Have a wonderful January, all.

Peace,

Collin

What I've Learned

2007-12-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

Now that the semester is over, it is time to reflect. What have I learned thus far? What are the most valuable aspects of college life? How have I changed as a human being?

Quite the epic questions, eh? Here are a few things I have learned:

1. Dorm room odors are not pleasant, and are impossible to get rid of.

2. Caf food does not get better, you just grow numb to it.

3. Final exams are a lot of work, but it is so much easier if you keep up with the readings.

4. Washing clothes is not entirely necessary to have a social life. My mum has yet to be convinced.

5. Hammocks are beautiful things.

6. Facebook should be avoided at all costs.

That is what thousands upon thousands of dollars spent on a college education is teaching me. No, I am being silly, I have learned a lot, and my classes have been worthwhile for the most part. It took me a while to realize it, but finals week has really shown me how much information has been packed into my slightly above average-sized head. It's amazing how many pages I have read, and how many facts I have memorized in a few short months, and I am amazed to say I feel as though I know what I am talking about!

Now I am enjoying the much-anticipated holiday break, and everything that it involves. It's nice to be home, even though I am only two miles from my Luther residence. I am spending time with my family and old friends, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. I am afraid, however, that I may run out of things to do. I have already gone cross-country skiing, winter biking, been introduced to the world of video games, and eaten way too much. Life is good.

Well, I am off to have a boxing match with a couple of my mates; Jason, Daniel, and Paul, so I must go. Happy holiday season, everyone.

Peace,

Collin

Snow is cold.

2007-12-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

Hello one and all, this is an exciting day. I have only one remaining class and I am finished with the semester. Granted, I still have next week's finals, but the regular classroom sessions will be complete. And how grand that I get to go out with a bang, finishing it all off with a Paideia discussion about Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, followed by a quiz over the same material. How could I ever be so lucky.

All the loose ends are being tied up before everyone takes off for break. I am really looking forward to having some time off. I do feel, however, that it will be a lot different when I get back. This could be because I will have a different schedule, but there is also the fact that many students will be traveling abroad or elsewhere off campus for J-Term, meaning it may be a little less lively around here. Two of my good friends are having adventures during the month of January, one is going to France and the other to my adopted homeland of New Zealand. Both trips are going to be amazing, and I wish them the best of luck with all their travels. I also look forward to the study abroad opportunities in which I will have to take part later in my college experience.

Another strange sensation will be the lack of responsibility for a couple weeks. I have grown used to the never-ending deadlines and assignments, so it will be very, I repeat, very nice, but a little awkward to fill my time with other things. I look forward to seeing my family and long-lost Decorah natives returning back from their own universities or other callings. It will be just like the good ol' days.

I would like to wish all of you out there in cyberspace an enjoyable holiday season, whatever holiday you are celebrating. And for those of you who are not celebrating any holidays, have a wonderful winter season. If I get the chance, I may drop a few lines over break, but if not, I will see you in January of 2008.

Peace,

Collin

The End is Near...

2007-11-30T10:39:00.000-08:00

Now is the time where the tension begins to build and becomes nearly tangible across the campus. Yes, it is finals season! If this time of year were a recipe it could consist of two heaping cups of last-minute cramming, a pound-and-a-half of very late nights, 2 teaspoons of hair-pulling, and just a pinch of crying on the inside.

Honestly, it's not that bad, and a lot of it depends on the professor and the class. Some professors treat this time no differently than a normal couple weeks, finished with a typical exam. Others make a big deal of it. It is the luck of the draw, I suppose.

I was not exaggerating the feeling of tension across campus, though. Christmas at Luther is taking up the majority of a lot of people's time, and the act juggling that commitment along with preparations for finals is not something I envy. I really admire the gumption of those involved, they are true go-getters. I look forward to the performance tonight, I've heard it is fantastic.

In other news, we had our first significant snow last night. We have already had small flurries and whatnot, but this stuck and now we are all immersed in a winter wonderland. A flood of people migrated outdoors last night to experience the first mini blizzard of the season. I learned a new technique for sledding last night, as well. It involves wearing a trash bag like a diaper and sliding down the hill on your bum. It looks like fun, and I just may have to try it once I can get my hands on a trash bag.

I should start hacking away at my biology lab report, so to all of my loyal readers out there in the virtual world; take care of yourselves and give your mothers a hug and a kiss for the holidays.

Peace,

Collin

2007-11-25T09:09:00.000-08:00

Today's Sunday - the last day of Thanksgiving break. Like every other break in my past, I told myself that I was going to finish all of my schoolwork early so I could enjoy the last few days off with pure freedom. And again, just like every other break, I didn't and now I must spend my Sunday doing biology readings and finishing two papers, one in english and one in spanish.

I can't complain, though. I enjoyed the time off. It is really nice to have variations in a schedule that is often so repetitive. Although the security of knowing what comes next and what is expected can help avoid forehead worry wrinkles, I am the kind of guy who is fidgety and enjoys spontaneity and diversity in my schedule. So even a slight, and expected variation such as Thanksgiving break is welcomed with open arms.

But tomorrow it is back to the regimented schedule, back to classes and back to Luther's campus. No need to complain or moan, it is fine. Especially because I can rest easy knowing that soon there will be a new change, which is winter break and a new semester.

Everyone take care out there. Avoid the winter blues and flu's and keep on keepin' on. And do me a favor - go outside.

Peace,

Collin

Registration complete

2007-11-13T17:24:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the semester. Registration for the next semester is upon us. Not only for spring semester, but also for J-term. For those of you who may not know, J-Term is a mini semester during the month of January where one takes only one class, but has it every day of the school week. A lot of students also take this opportunity to study abroad. It's a nice way of getting out of here, but for a shorter period of time. However, all first years are required to do a first year seminar. Some of you rebellious punks out there might find this an infringement on your personal rights and freedoms, but I just want to tell you, most of the seminars that are specifically for first years are better than the other courses offered to other students. Do not fear, they are very cool classes. For example, I am going to take a class called "Experimental Archaeology." It may sound boring, but I talked with the prof. and he said that it will consist mainly of researching tools and weapons of ancient cultures, and recreating those utensils and seeing if and how they function. Not too shabby.

It is always nice to have a little change of pace, so I am really looking forward to the switch of the schedule. It can get dull having the same schedule every week, so the transition is welcomed by most students.

Another note for you prospective students out there; take as many college level courses as you can while in high school. It is very convenient in registration because those with credits are automatically put in the front of the line. That is a good thing, kiddies. Classes fill up fast and you want to get ahead in any way you can. Not only that, but it can also save you money, and the material is more interesting most of the time. That is my advice, do with it what you will.

Other than that, most things are pretty much the same as always. Students and professors

are gearing up for Thanksgiving break, which will be nice. We are all hacking away at the homework and the teachers never cease assigning more.

I will have some fun stuff in the future for you all. I may be getting a camera so I can give you some snapshots of my life, including where I live and the goofy Swedish kid who I call my roomate. You will get to meet him better; it's a good thing. So, be waiting for that. But until then, I say farewell, and have a wonderful week.

Peace,

Collin

p.s. Filip wanted me to note that his crazy hair is a result of the fan blowing. Nothing, however, explains either of our strange expressions.

The first of many...

2007-11-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

Hello all, as you can tell by the page you just came from, my name is Collin. I am a pleasant simpleton who claims 19 years of age, and am a first year at this nice, little college called Luther. Not only that, but I am also a townie. Yes, I decided, after living in Decorah for 12 years that I was just not quite satisfied yet. So I made the long, treacherous expedition from my house, which is a grueling mile away, and here I am, an official student at Luther.

My brother and me (left) in Perú this past summer

Some would say that it is a terrible idea to stay so close to home, but to be honest, it hardly feels as though I am only a few blocks away. The campus is its own community, very separate from the Decorah township in some ways, and deeply intertwined in other ways. I occasionally see familiar faces around campus and around town, but it is surprising how infrequent it can be. My father actually works in the same building as my work-study, but I hardly ever see him. I was told by other townies before I decided to come to Luther that it can be as separate as one wants it to be.

I do still enjoy the town as I know it. It is very convenient sometimes to be a natural in navigation and have an insider's point of view on the activities and happenings of Decorah. For example, I still have a job downtown at the food coop, and I do my weekly mountain bike rides on Decorah's amazing trail system (If you ride, you must come to Decorah. Our single track mountain bike trails are fantastic. I'll even give you a tour!). I am able to do my laundry at home and save a couple bucks, so there are many pros to the situation.

My work-study job at Luther

So that gives you a little insight on me and my life. Thanks for reading and I hope you will take the time to check back in weekly to see what is going on with me and around campus. If you have any questions or anything of the sort, feel free to reply, or email me directly: thomco02@luther.edu.

Peace,

Collin