Posted 2:56 PM by Luke
Another year over...

My last day in Columbia for the third year. That means only one more, unless for some reason I just decide to stick around for awhile after a college. What a wierd feeling this is, all this mixture of past and present. On on hand I feel like I have been in college forever, on the other I feel like I just got here and now it's already nearing the end. Time stops for no one, I guess.I finished compiling my junior soundtrack, aptly titled "Lapa," a few days ago, and I'm listening to it now. I must say that I was really able to capture many of the emotions and events of this year. Last year's soundtrack, "Porfa Thanks," did it well, but not as well as this one. It was tough to pick the songs, because it was inevitable that some would be cut for the fact that only 80 minutes are available to represent an entire year of events. I will spare you a description of why I picked every single song, but each one has two, even three meanings to it, including the fact that I saw most of these bands live this past year :) I will say that the first 9 songs really run through the end of summer and all of first semester here. You'll notice a dark, sad section of songs from like 5-9. That first semester was a rough time of some loneliness, etc. So that's that. It changes moods sharply with Bebo Norman's "Walk Down This Mountain," which is what I came away from DCC feeling like. Second semester was a better one, though I faced different issues of dryness and feeling spread thin, which you can see in songs like David Gray's "Dead In the Water," and Shane Barnard's "Received." The latter song is about how all of the sudden serving God and being busy replaces knowing him, which is how I felt much of the end of this semester. The other big song of second semester is Derek Webb's "Take to the World," that represents my renewed conviction to share my faith with those that don't know Christ. All in all, the soundtrack is a major rollercoaster of emotions, which is how my year went, so it fits perfectly. But, there ya have it and there ya are. Wilco is the only band honored with 2 songs, of course, since they were by far my band of the year :) I would love to explain why I chose every single song, because beleive me each has a reason, but I'd probably bore you :) But here's the tracklist, since I know some of you care ;)

(Stars represent number of times I saw said band or artist from this band live this year :) )

1. The Eagles - Desperado*
2. Bruce Springsteen - Waitin' on a Sunny Day
3. Dave Matthews Band - Grey Street*
4. Counting Crows - If I Could Give You My Love*
5. Coldplay - The Scientist
6. Wilco - How to Fight Loneliness***
7. U2 - Running to Stand Still
8. Beck - Lost Cause
9. Ben Folds Five - Evaporated**
10. Bebo Norman - Walk Down This Mountain*
11. John Mayer - Why Georgia**
12. Son Volt - Windfall*
13. Derek Webb - Take to the World
14. David Gray - Dead in the Water
15. Guster - Happier**
16. Ryan Adams - La Cienega Just Smiled
17. Shane Barnard - Received
18. Wilco - Misunderstood***

As for the daily goings-on around here, I have just been workin and enjoying this chill time. I put in my last day (at least until the fall) at Lemstone yesterday, and hung out with those who were still in town - Erica, Pat, Ashley B. and Megan Retka. Twas good to see all of them again before I head away, fo shizzle. I feel like I got to see Erica for about 5 seconds between her London trip and my Vail trip. Alas, we shall hang out again consistently in the fall. And Garvin also, we must make more of a priority next year - yous a lapa.

Wednesday I went to Kansas City to visit my bud Mike Tan, whom I knew in HS until the end of 10th grade when he moved away. He has as a huge impact on my life since becoming a believer, and we now try to see each other at leats once a year by meeting up in KC. It was great to catch up and see how much both of us have grown since a year ago. God is really moving in both of our lives, and it becomes so obvious when you compare a year ago to now. I also got to hang out with some other folks in KC that night. Caleb and Jay were there, along with Sarah Babcock, whom we met in Denver back In January. It was cool to see her since we all wondered if we ever would again after ahs had clicked with all the MU people so well at DCC. Perhaps she'll transfer to MU next year ;) We shall see.

Into the unknown.....I'm leaving Como tonight for a couple days in StL before my parents and I go to Boston for a nice week-long family vacation. We haven't had one since our London trip after I graduated HS, so I am really looking forward to it. Plus, Boston is a city I have ALWAYS wanted to see, so I am majorly excited for that. After that, it's home for another stop in STL before I head out to Vail on June 5 with Caleb and Jay. God has incredible things planned for us there this summer, I just know it. So many things are kind of coming together as he's been preparing my heart for it, and I cannot wait to see what He does there - what lost people He impacts, how he reaches each student on the project. I pray some in Vail will come to know Him. It's been great to see how faithful God has been in raising my support. I have $2,200 of the $2,400 I need, and I know there is more coming in. He led me to go, and I knew He would provide. So, I hope to blog as often as I can in Vail and send out emails and such, but we'll see. Who knows how much I'll be around computers in the next few months. Into the unkown I go, but we shall meet again, sooner or later :)