A New Beginning

It's true, second semester has officially started. Although, due to a strange British phenomenon known as "skiing week," my war and ideology class doesn't begin until next week. However, American history is up and running. I always feel as if I should be some sort of celebrity in that class. Hasn't panned out yet though. Baseball and band have also started up. We're actually playing some cool stuff in band, some of it fairly challenging. A Philip Sparke piece called "Year of the Dragon," an Eric Whitacre, a Lord of the Rings montage thing, and a really lame student composition. Baseball had a scary moment today, as our student coach Adam got hit in the face with a comebacker to the mound, which subsequently dropped him to the ground as well as breaking his nose. Needless to say, practice was cut short to get him to a hospital. He's alright though. The flat is fairly busy, as we have quite a few random visitors either from Luther or the States in general. So, it's nice to have some fresh faces around. The bag of coffee sent by my mom in early December is finally on its last legs, so I might have to bite the bullet and buy a new bag sometime this week. Exciting week, eh?

I don't know when it exactly happened, but we have passed the halfway point for our year abroad here in England. I thought it would be a good chance to talk on that for a bit before I watch the latest episode of 24. Things are going well here, no doubt. But especially since Christmas break, there definitely is a feeling that we (the collective Luther group) are careening towards June 5th (the departure date for many of us back to the US). It seemed like in the fall that we were here forever, now it seems as if we barely have any time left. The epic month long adventure in Europe is looming ahead once again, with the appropriate amount of planning and such. It's wild, in less than two months, I'll be back on the road. And once I return from break, it will be only a little over a month until I'm back home. Wild. A feeling of finality is confronting us I feel. It's confronting me, for sure. What do I need to do to make the next 4 months or whatever the fullest they can be, without breaking the bank (my dad's generous loanage) in the process? Tough question. I am fortunate enough this semester to not have class on either Friday or Monday, which allows me ample opportunity for small trips. I would like to make at least one, possibly hiking in the Scottish highlands or maybe a jaunt to a city such as Liverpool or Manchester. I want to more fully embrace the local music scene, starting with going to see the Moscow Symphony on Friday. I just want to make sure I can look back in 30 years and say "Yes, I LIVED in England," rather than just simply existing, waiting to leave. Although, the prospect of late night trips to Taco Bell, Twins season tickets, the driving of one's own car, and sunshine do comprise a homecoming to remember. Speaking of season tickets to my beloved Minnesota Twins, I might as well put up a public service announcement. I am indeed going to be purchasing an upper deck general admission season ticket. Seeing that I'll miss the first couple months of the season, I will most likely be selling my ticket at a discounted rate to anyone who wants to go see God's team play. My friend Scott will be the executor of my ticket, so if you want to help ease the financial burden of seeing the national pastime, that'll be an option. Anyway, 24 awaits. Later.