Long overdue...

Sorry my posting has been so abysmally infrequent within the last month or so. I don't know really, I guess I just haven't felt the blogging bug as of late. So much and yet not a lot has occurred since my last real entry.

Summer is in full force. A wonderful group of about 13 of us spent a wonderful week in Texas after school and graduations (for some) were finished. I love being lazy on a lake in a boat. I also love getting some sun. I love swimming. I love the bayou....I felt so cajun for a few days ;) But best of all, I love Austin. I want to move there. Seriously. Weird, odd, unique town. Lot's of great music comes from there. Megan Crowley grew up there. I don't know what the future holds for me, but Austin just....fits.

Back in Columbia, I've been found working at Coldstone, chillin at my apartment, and mostly, hanging out with the gang. It was kind of a rough transition returning from the greatness that was our week in Texas, but I think most of us have taken great comfort in being able to chill with each other here. This is how I envision summer to be. It's never really been that way, at least not for a long time, so I'm really loving it :)

The last order of business for this here blog is to present ya'll with my soundtrack for this past year. It is entitled "Golden" as I really enjoyed using that word this year, particularly in describing things with Becky McCluer ;) Are you ready? Yes, it is the moment you've all been waiting for, I know ;) Here it goes:

1. Radiohead—There There--Chosen because the amazing album, "Hail to the Thief" came out over the summer. It was a big summer listen while I did nothing in Salt Lake. AND, I saw Radiohead live in August, right before classes started, literally. Woo hoo!!!!

2. Guster—Careful--Another song that reminds me of last summer in Salt Lake. Reminds me of driving around Salt Lake bobbing my head to new, catchy tunes of "Keep It Together". Definitely one of my very favorite albums released last year. Also, I saw Guster twice last year, and they are just so much fun!!

3. Sara Groves—Painting Pictures of Egypt--I seem to always come back to Sara, and the lyrics of this album always seem to hit home with me. This song in particular reminds me of early in the school year, realizing that things and people had changed. I had really been longing for what the previous year had been, and I had to realize that going back to where I was before is not what God wants, and He always has something else for me to learn and more ways He wants me to grow.

4. French Kicks—Wrong Side--Reminds me of meeting Sarah Protzman. Going to see the French Kicks was one of the first things we did together. Her friendship was such a significant part of my year, and I am so grateful for getting to know her :)

5. Damien Rice—Cannonball--One of my very favorite musical discoveries of last year. Damien's album "O" is just superb in my opinion. And "Cannonball" is my favorite tune off the abulm (caution: if some of you have only heard the radio single, the realy song is SO much better and worthy of a listen :))

6. Wilco—I Must Be High (live in Chicago)--Well, I kinda dig Wilco a little :) And since they are one of my VERY favorite bands AND I saw them in Chicago in September AND they played "I Must Be High" which they never play, I thought this song deserved to be on my soundtrack :)

7. Caedmon’s Call—Table For Two--This song was so pertinent last summer and throughout this year. It is such a good song and I really relate it to my walk with Christ this year. Realizing and being joyful that everything is in God's hands...from the big to the small details. This has been the year of ups and downs in dealing with being single, but through it all, I know that God wants me to wait for His timing, no matter how hard it is.

8. Coldplay—Everything’s Not Lost--Earlier in the school year, this song really hit me. I was really struggling with loneliness, and it gave me so much hope to hear "everything's not lost."

9. Ben Folds—Army--This is the year of seeing Ben live....finally!!! "Army" was such a fun live song with the audience singing different parts directed by Ben, so I thought it deserved to be in here :)

10. Outkast—Hey Ya!--THE tune of this past year. It was everywhere, and it is SO much fun!!

11. Bob Dylan—I Want You--I've always loved Bob Dylan, but this year Luke and I got into him even more. A superb song by a superb musician. Plus, I wouldn't mind someone saying "I want you.." to me someday...

12. Pink Floyd—Comfortably Numb--Well, this was the year o' Floyd. I had never really heard them much before. Luke became obsessed with them this year and pushed much of their stuff on me in his "stashes" of music this year, and I fell in love too. One of my very favorite Floyd songs, and I cam relate feeling numb somewhat to how I felt some of the time this year when I struggled with being lonely. Plus, I saw "El Monstero..", a great Floyd tribute band over Christmas break in StL. This was the year o' tribute bands.

13. U2—Beautiful Day--This song represents Lydia and Jimmy's wedding, as it was a beautiful day when those two gave their lives to each other, and they even acknowledged how fitting those words are by playing after the ceremony as they greeted guests :)

14. Chris Tomlin (Passion)—Take My Life--This is representative of Nathan and Elizabeth's wedding. One thing, I sang it at their wedding. But more importantly, it describes their committment to living their lives together first and foremost committed to living for God. Also, it reflects many of my conversations with God this year, praying that He will mold my life to Himself, that my will will be His will, and not the other way around.

15. Beatles—Mr. Postman--Mulitple reasons for this one. One, I saw "1964 The Tribute" this year.....SO much fun!!! Second, Courtney Allen sang this at her show right before school ended. But most importantly, and the reason Courtney chose to sing this song at her show, is because Cory and I caught a certain Luke Daugherty in the act of dancing and wailing to this song up in his room all alone one night. Hilarious!! One of the fummiest moments of last year ;)

16. Passion—Blessed Be Your Name--This song was the theme of our Jamaica trip. Praising God does not depend on circumstances nor does it depend on what God gives to us or takes away from us, as the song says. God does not change. He is ALWAYS goood, ALWAYS faithful, ALWAYS just, and the list goes on and on.

17. Derek Webb—Lover--Derek Webb is definitely one of my very favorite (if not my favorite) Christian songwriters, and "She Must and Shall Go Free" is one of the best Christian albums I've heard. I also included this song on my soundtrack because it was the sogn that Luke sang at Crusade at the end of the year. Elliot, Courtney, Jared, and I tagged along with him as he performed. It was such a cool moment of seeing God take away his fears and allowing Luke to share what's on his heart and also seeing others be impacted by Luke's vulnerability. It was just cool. And the song is such a meaningful portrait of Christ's intense love and passion for us, even though we so often run after lesser lovers. Christ is our lover, our perfect and unfailing lover.

And so, there you have a little musical glimpse of what my year was like. I know it was long, but I just felt a need to explain this significance of the soundtrack to you all. Until next time... :)