So a while ago I was casually looking over at my roommate’s desk when I noticed a bag of Starbucks coffee…it was a really nice bag of coffee.  I kept looking at it over and over again, just studying the design, layout, and color scheme.  I would grab it, put it on my desk, and slowly spin it around to look at the details.  Finally I decided, why not, to make a website design out of it.

I wanted something pretty simple, yet classy, to reflect the look of the bag.  It’s complete, for the most part, but something still doesn’t look quite right.  Something’s still bothering me for some reason.  Maybe the footer overpowers the rest of the design, especially the header.  What do you think?

For many years, when I was back home, I listened to Air 1 in the car.  They played “You Are Here,” “Streets Of Gold,” “Signature Of Divine (Yahweh),” and “Washed By The Water” regularly.  For various reasons, including the fact that it is usually hard for me to appreciate a song by listening to it on the radio because of the missing frequencies, I dismissed NeedToBreathe as any other band.

A month or so ago, however, I was in a movie theater watching trailers before the feature presentation when I saw the one for Extraordinary Measures.  When I saw it again before another movie, I noticed the song that played in the background of the trailer.  When I returned home, I immediately looked it up and discovered that it was “Nothing Left To Lose” by NeedToBreathe.  Then I thought, “Hey, isn’t that one band that I heard on Air1?”  Though I did not really pay much attention before, I recognized the band’s name.

I looked on their website to find “Nothing Left To Lose.”  I absolutely loved it. I listened over and over.  Discovering that the track was from their album, The Heat, I also recognized “Streets Of Gold,” “Signature Of Divine (Yahweh),” and “Washed By The Water” in addition to the album cover.  I then checked out Daylight and found “You Are Here.”  Then I thought, “Yep, it is them.”

I became addicted to their music, and I think I still am.  Unfortunately, I am currently not in the position to purchase the actual, physical albums from the store, I listened through all three of them on their website.  Bo Rinehart’s voice is just so deep and rich (reminds me a little of Caleb Followill’s), and the music is filled with so much warmth.  You can really hear the band’s small South Carolina town origins in some of their very soulful songs.  Listening to the tracks, I cannot help but be moved with the passion and emotion.

I noticed a transition from a pop/rock sound on their first album, Daylight, to a more folk/country-ish sound on their following two, The Heat and The Outsiders, which is interesting, yet they still seem to preserve some of their original pop/rock roots as well.  I do not usually like the folk/country sound, but NeedToBreathe is definitely an exception.  Somehow, I find their music comforting and fulfilling.  I also did some research on the band and discovered that quite a bit of their songs were featured on various television programs and commercials, as well as feature films including Extraordinary Measures.

NeedToBreathe is definitely a gem, and I am so glad I happened to stumble across them.  Hopefully, I will be able to purchase the albums soon, but for now, I will continue streaming the songs from their website.  This is probably my best find of the year so far.  I would absolutely recommend you check them out.

Now as we discussed this, a friend of mine in the Bible study brought up a valid point:  Of course, it would be ideal for us all to lay down our lives for someone we love.   However, in a moment when the time comes, it is honestly a very tough instinct to uphold.  I think we as humans are flawed with selfishness and conceit, and no matter how hard we try to deny or suppress it, that monster can sometimes take hold, even if we decide beforehand to not let it.  It is somewhat of a romantic ideal, a scene replayed in slow motion, to sacrifice you life for someone else.

Now, my intentions are not to belittle the sacrifice made by patriots for their country or anyone who has given their life for someone else, but honestly, it is tough, and when staring in the face, I think we would truly be standing on the line, and little we say now can decide what will happen at that moment for us.  That said, I also believe that at the heart of the matter, true love will show its face in the form of sacrifice if it is called upon.  I just point out that just because we say so now does not make it true for that time.

However, I think there is more to the verse than just the literal, obvious meaning.  As I pondered, I realized that life is not just “all or nothing.”  As in many matters, things appear in a gradient and not just in black and white.  Our lives are not just objects we pass around.  Our lives are the days we spend on this earth performing the actions we do everyday.  Life is how we spend our time.

When verse thirteen says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” it does not necessarily just mean dying for another person (although it could).  If we apply the other view of life with the verse, we get a different idea.  It definitely means sacrifice.  It means giving up what we normally do with our time in order to use the time to help someone else.  The very essence of this sacrifice is placing another person’s priorities above our own.

The blood of our lives is the precious time we have.  I think that is one of the most valuable things we possess.  We only get a limited amount, and how we use it is critical.  If we spend the time to help someone else, that is essentially one of the greatest sacrifices we can give.

Anyway, looking back on this year, I realize that it’s been crazy.  So much has happened.  Every new year, most people create their new year’s resolutions.  Although I do not really come up with a very concrete list things for the new year, I do usually have some goals, however abstract.

I hear most people say things like, “This past year has been great; hopefully the next will be better.”  I am not going to lie.  For me, this past year has been filled with failures and disappointment.  I have many regrets and things I wish I could do over.  But what can I do?  After looking back many times and tearing myself up, I can only keep moving forward.  Perhaps it’s a bit cliché, but really, it’s all I can do.

However, intertwined in my regrets are many fond memories.  Old friends, new friends, old experiences, new experiences, so much has changed, especially with the transition into college.  Right now, I truly am blind as to what the future holds.  It is a bit frightening approaching life this way, but I suppose that is how I must live it for the time being.  Hopefully something good will come out of all this.

I hope I can do something this new year.  I hope I can become someone worth becoming.  I hope I can change the world in some small way at least.  I hope I can touch someone’s life.  I hope I can live a life that is pleasing to God.  I hope I can be who I am supposed to be.  But all this must start with a year, a week, a day, only a small moment.  That is where it begins.

I just hope that I will not let the world pass me by as I stand watching complacently on the sidewalk.  Many times this past year, I have felt like this, and it has frightened me.  One of my worst fears is leaving this world without having done something, anything.

Some might just dismiss this as blissful ignorance, but this is my driving force, the fuel for my passion.  I watched The Blind Side today, and it has called me to action.  It is an incredible story.  Is this just another thing that will eventually die off?  Maybe.  But I hope I remember it.

A  new year.  A new day.  A brand new chance for something great.  I hope we all take advantage of this, and I hope that this new year is filled with many opportunities to be human, to breathe in the fresh air, to take in the beautiful sights, to enjoy every minute of life and not let it pass by without a thought.

I would like to thank all of my friends and family for being who they are.  I know that I am far from being the most attentive or the most kind or the most caring or even a good person.  I apologize and thank you for dealing with me, for putting up with who I am.  I hope that I will do better.  I hope this means something.

30. John Mayer – “No Such Thing” – Room for Squares
29. Hellogoodbye – “Here (In Your Arms)” – Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! and More!
28. There For Tomorrow – “Ice Box” – Punk Goes Pop, Vol. Two
27. The Summer Set – “Seasons” – …In Color – EP
26. Anberlin – “True Faith” – True Faith – Single
25. Saosin – “You’re Not Alone” – Saosin
24. Linkin Park – “New Divide” – New Divide – Single
23. Remedy Drive – “Stand Up” – Remedy Drive
22. Linkin Park – “What I’ve Done” – Minutes to Midnight
21. Valencia – “Where Did You Go?” – We All Need a Reason to Believe
20. Breaking Benjamin – “The Diary of Jane” – Phobia
19. Fireflight – “You Gave Me A Promise” – Unbreakable
18. Skillet – “Hero” – Awake
17. Fireflight – “Star of the Show” – The Healing of Harms
16. Kris Allen – “Live Like We’re Dying” – Kris Allen
15. Remedy Drive – “Daylight” – Remedy Drive
14. Jimmy Eat World – “Chase This Light” – Chase This Light
13. Seabird – “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” – Rocks Into Rivers
12. Taylor Swift – “Fearless” – Fearless
11. Stars Go Dim – “Come Around” – Love Gone Mad
10. Daughtry – “September” – Leave This Town
9. Michelle Branch – “Breathe” – Hotel Paper
8. Paramore – “Brick Boring Brick” – Brand New Eyes
7. Switchfoot – “Bullet Soul” – Hello Hurricane
6. Owl City – “Fireflies” – Ocean Eyes
5. Paramore – “Careful” – Brand New Eyes
4. Switchfoot – “You Love Is A Song” – Hello Hurricane
3. Kris Allen – “The Truth” – Kris Allen
2. Kutless – “What Faith Can Do” – It Is Well
1. Rob Thomas – “Someday” – Cradlesong

I have been anticipating this album for the longest time, and when Switchfoot decided to stream it as a whole on their MySpace, I was elated.  There is so much good to say about this album that I do not know where to begin.  I guess first of all, I must point out how personal the songs are.  I realize that the band struggled for a long time about the sound and direction of the album, and I know that when they made decisions regarding how they wanted to do things, they thought long and hard about them.

Hello Hurricane just seems to stand out to me, even among Switchfoot’s previous releases.  Their sound has definitely evolved.  There is just so much richness to it, and to me, the band has managed to find something new while still holding on to their old vibe.  The opening track, “Needle and Haystack Life,” is such a great, upbeat introduction to the record, and it definitely hails a new era for the band.  I must admit, I was even a bit surprised (pleasantly so) that the band I was hearing was indeed Switchfoot.  They bring so many new things to the table in songs such as “Enough to Let Me Go,” “Bullet Soul,” and “Sing It Out.”  In a way, I would say that they have become a bit more “pop-ish,” and I mean that in a good way.  However, I also realize that in this way, they are in fact returning to their mellower and less rock-ish roots as manifested in their early albums.  People may say, “o, wow, this doesn’t even sound like Switchfoot,” but it must be pointed out that they actually began more as a pop band.  At the same time, it is a bit more than pop.  For example, “Sing It Out” seems to me like a song with a sound of its own with lots of ambient synth, and the melody is so unique in terms of Switchfoot.  It’s just so different!

With that said, I am absolutely overjoyed to also say that the band still maintains the edgy sound that I love in many tracks.  The single, “Mess of Me” definitely has that rock Switchfoot sound, as well as “The Sound,” “Free,” and “Bullet Soul.”  “The Sound” is such an audacious song that is reminiscent of songs such as “Dirty Second Hands,” and the rock anthem was even featured in a Verizon Wireless commercial!  While we are on these songs, I must point out a few things.  First of all, although “Mess of Me” and “The Sound” have been the tracks that have stood out to many, I actually rather like “Bullet Soul.”  The rift is just so edgy and is quite reminiscent of the Muse in some sense.  I find it very groovy and can’t help but bob my head to it.  There is also a shredding guitar solo in it as well.  The other neat thing I wanted to pointed about “Free” is that its introduction reminds me of the introduction for the television show, House (“Teardrop,” by Massive Attack).  Also, the rest of the song reminds me of the theme song of another show, Lie To Me (“Brand New Day,” by Ryan Star), perhaps because of the chord progression or just the feel of the song itself.  I am just pointing these things out only because I think it is interesting to draw these connections and to point out how Switchfoot has expanded their sound, which is awesome.

The album has milder, more intimate tracks as well, such as “Always,” in which which I love the piano, and “Yet,” which reminds a bit of U2.  I love how Switchfoot can always manage to connect in their more calming songs with beautiful melodies.  Even the closing track, “Red Eyes,” is quite comforting, and it reminds me of “Golden” (off of Nothing Is Sound) in terms of both sound and sentiments.  It is an excellent conclusion to the album, and the fadeout at the end left me pondering about the whole album.

The title track, “Hello Hurricane” is a great statement of fortitude and quite reflects the band’s surfer origins.  I think my favorite track off of the album (for now, at least) is “Your Love Is A Song.”  When I first heard the preview on the band’s website, I grew attached to it.  It seems very poetic to me, and the moody melody really moved me.

Overall, I think Hello Hurricane is an amazing album, expanding new horizons for the band, yet still reflecting old sounds.  Switchfoot has definitely redefined themselves, and in a way strengthened the definition on which they stood.  I must say that I am biased for the band, but I truly do believe that this is a great album.  I absolutely cannot wait for the official release.  Congratulations, guys, for your success and your journey thus far.  I hope you continue to write from deep within.

It’s incredibly different for many different reasons.  The environment and the vibe here is so unlike what I have experienced back home.  I think it has a little to do with the regional separation, but mostly because of the type of atmosphere I am surrounded by.  Back home, I definitely felt more…comfortable.  Yes, that might have been due to the fact that I had been attending the same school for most of my life, but I think it also due in a large part to the socially conservative environment there.  Everything was so safe, so controlled.  Of course I’d be lying if I said that it was a perfectly blameless place, but it was definitely quite “perfect” in comparison.  I am not saying this out of pride or spite, but merely out of factual discourse.  I actually loved where I was before.  I enjoyed the guarantee that no matter who you met, the people there would be at least somewhat similar in beliefs and ethical values.  I loved that the “default norm” was Christianity.  However, at the same time, I realize that that was the problem.  I grew too comfortable.  When I enrolled, I knew that it would be vastly different, and that’s fine.  In fact, I welcomed it, because I believed that this would be a way to get out of my comfort zone and strengthen my faith.  It’s just that sometimes it’s hard (and I know it’s supposed to be).  Now philosophies, such as atheism and post-modernism, are the norms, and Christianity is the minority.  It’s tough, especially when all the professors denounce and try to humiliate the values and beliefs I was raised with, but fortunately I was blessed to be able to find a few places to drop an anchor.  I’m still trying to find the right campus ministry to join, but I’ve met a bunch of great people in the process so far.

My family visited me last weekend, which was a blessing.  The college had a Parents’ Weekend with different programs and lectures, but my parents decided not to waste the time or the money on it.  We just spent time together, catching up and just talking about various subjects.  Seeing them for a couple days was one of the best things that has happened here so far.  The hard part is that seeing them again made me miss them even more when they left.  I know it might seem overly sentimental when I say this, but I truly do miss my family, as well as everyone else back at home.  In fact, the more time I spend here in this new environment, the more I miss everything about home.  This is not to say that I do not enjoy my time spent here, but merely that I realize how different it is here and how comfortable my home had become.  I know that some people might shun hanging on so tightly to my home and to the past, stating that I “must learn to let go.”  While I agree that this is the time in my life to become more independent and responsible, this does not mean that I cannot miss my home.  Not at all.  I believe that it is always important to remember to keep those you love close to you, regardless of how old you are.

I was fortunate enough to have my high school marching band travel down here for a competition this weekend.  It was so weird watching them perform without actually participating, but I am so happy to have had the opportunity to hang out with my friends from back home.  We had so much fun, especially going to a mall, talking, and catching up.  For a day, I forgot that I had left and went to college, and once more I felt as if I belonged, as if I was exactly where I was supposed to be.  I almost expected to hop on the bus with them and ride back home, but then I realized that my place is not there anymore, despite always being welcome there.  It was with sorrow that I said farewell to everyone, but I know that I will see them soon when I return home for vacation, and I am looking forward to it.

This past week or so has been stressful having to worry about finishing a large load of homework, especially to get ready for the weekends.  However, the weekends with my family and friends made it all worth it.  Amidst the toil and hardship, I found a short, but priceless period of joy that I will treasure forever.  I believe it is those bits of sunshine that make life wonderful.