Final Leg

Well I'm back in America. It was a long day of traveling and done with about four hours of sleep for two nights. This whole experience was the trip of a lifetime and probably one of the best, if not the best experience of my life so far. Finished the program with a good grade, great friendships, and some very fond memories.

To everyone in the group, I just wanted to use this to thank you for everything throughout the summer. All the quotes and great memories. I am entirely serious when I say that I'm going to visit you all. I'm going to at least try and get to everyone in your town and hope that you will come to Madison at some point because we'll have a great time anywhere we go.

I can't wait to see where we all go in our lives because I know that we'll all do great things. It was great spending the past month with all of you and I hope you have fun in the second session. Don't let the new group take our place! Though I know it'll be tough to replace us :P

Anyways, the last couple days were devoted to school work and cleaning. We did get to go to Milla Milla Falls, possibly my favorite spot on the entire trip. Tied with Mossman Gorge at the very least. Really really cold water, but once you were in it felt great! We even got to swim underneath the waterfall. It'll be one of my most cherished memories from the whole trip, but the amount of memories I have from this trip is almost innumerable. It was an incredible experience and I wish I could do it again!

The trip home was very sad. It could have been a combination of being over tired and leaving the group and center, but there were lots of tears as we said goodbye to everyone. Bittersweet tears is the best way to describe it. My favorite part about this whole time was how close we all got as friends. It really does feel like a family and many friendships that no matter how long we have between seeing each other will feel like no time has passed. With so many great friends all over the US now, I can't wait to see you all again. Thanks for the memories! See you all real soon to make more.

Eli Young Band

For a long time I have been firmly anti-country music. I really liked only one country singer: Willie Nelson. The only reason for that was because I was listening to him since I was very young thanks to my mom. I do have to admit to a guilty pleasure of mine, the Dixie Chicks. But aside from those two country artists I hadn't really thought of diving into this genre of music.

Mainly because of the stereotypes: all country songs are about losing either a job, a lover, or a pet (most often a horse or dog). Who wants to listen to songs like that constantly? Apparently a lot of America.

But a friend of mine showed me one song off the Eli Young Band's newest album: Life At Best and I was hooked. Whether it was because of the simple beginning to the song or because of the lyrics the first 30 seconds enthralled me and made me excited to hear the rest of the album.

"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" is the opening track (video here) and the one that started to change my mind about country music. The harmonies they hit at 30 seconds into the song are perfect for this song. The power behind this chorus stays for the rest of the song. But the lyrics were what really drew me in. The opening lyrics remind me of why I love music so much. It was very reminiscent to me because it's a similar feeling I've always had about music.

"Way back on the radio dial

A fire got lit inside a bright eyed child

Every note just wrapped around his soul

From steel guitars to Memphis all the way to rock n roll"

I realize it may not be a typical country song, but something about it just touched me. From the opening lyrics to the chorus, reminding the listener to "keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart." A great, but very simple, beginning to a fantastic album.

The first single off the album was "Crazy Girl" (video here) and to be honest it took a few listens to actually appreciate this song. I don't listen to the radio so I wasn't aware this was a radio song. Another simple song, this chorus finally worked for me once I noticed that they change the meaning of the phrase: Crazy Girl. It goes from meaning a girl who is crazy to how much the lead singer Mike Eli loves this girl: like crazy, girl.

I have two more favorite songs off of this album. The first one is "Every Other Memory." I would have posted another link, but I couldn't find a link to the actual album version. Every link I found was sped up and messed with my head because I didn't remember it being that fast. Either way it's another great song. This one is about losing someone you love a stereotype the Eli Young Band doesn't fall into as often as other country bands these days.

My last favorite song on this album is "War On A Desperate Man" (best video I could find here). Unfortunately the video I linked to isn't the full Eli Young Band, but is just Mike Eli. Not that it's not good, it's just missing the harmonies present on the album. This song's lyrics are incredible and fitting of anyone who's ever been down or been in tough times. Ending the war on a desperate man by taking a stand and fixing your problems however you see fit. It may be one of the slower songs on the album, but it's an outstanding one!

Overall Life At Best is an album about life. How it can be a struggle, but rewarding at the same time. It reminds the listener to live through the ups and downs and appreciate everything around you. Definitely check it out! And when you're done listening to this check out the rest of Eli Young Band's music because it's all awesome! (Even though it's country)