VDay

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.

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

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...

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

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.

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

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