As it turns out, Jorge Drexler is just Jason Mraz, but born in Uruguay.

So lately, my life has been so full. I've been painting new things, studying for classes, working on research papers and admissions essays, studying for the GRE, planning for the art show (November 15!), and getting excited about me and Abel's birthday/halloween bash on the 31st. And everyone is invited.

I've been listening to a lot of good music lately, though, and I think it's time to talk some of it up.

So, without further delay, albums you should buy and listen to on repeat:

1. Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie

Definitely one of the best albums DCFC has ever, ever made.  They released the album this summer, and it's a lot like the Photo Album in writing, but the production quality is like that of Plans.  Favorite songs: Cath, Your new Twin Sized Bed. Caviats: typical of Ben Gibbard, most of the songs are less than cheery. So save it for a sunny day.

2. Llueve by Jorge Drexler

So you like Jason Mraz?  Or how about Jack Johnson? Well meet their Uruguayan counterpart, Jorge Drexler. Same kind of up-beat, rhythmic acoustic guitar with wonderful vocals, but with a Latin splash.  Favorite songs: Antes, De Amor y de Casualidad.  Caviats: None of the songs are in English. Definitely worth the trouble of looking up translations of the lyrics (he's a very clever, very sweet lyricist) but even if you don't, the sound is great without understanding the words.

3. Rook by Shearwater

This album is one I picked up over the summer at a concert my sister took me to. These guys are kind of up-and-coming from Austin, and they even got picked up by Coldplay for their recent tour! Great job guys! Since you're probably reading this! Anyway, their sound is kind of haunting, a little spooky, but very cool. There's like 12 people in the band (all sorts of harps, violins, etc.) which is great; every once and a while a song will just let loose with this very rich, very powerful sound. The lead vocalist has a very interesting sound; he sings in falsetto a lot. But the lyrics are really powerful, and it's great for painting. Favorite songs: Leviathan, Bound and Home Life. Caviats: Their songs, while very powerful and inspiring, are also pretty dark. Not as sad-dark as Gibbard, but more of an angry-dark. Also, watch your volume knob with these guys; it can get very loud very suddenly.

4. In Our Nature by Jose Gonzalez

Before you get all excited, no, he only sounds spanish. He sings in English, and very very well. This album has a sort of "coffee-shop" / "sleeping kitten" / "hugging a sad friend" feel.  Definitely worth a listen. And pay attention to the lyrics. Favorite songs: Time to Send Someone Away, Killing for Love. Caviats: Could make you sleepy. I recommend mixing a cd of them and Shearwater. That should solve that problem.

5. Under the Iron Sea by Keane

I just heard a song off this album the other day, and I haven't gotten to listen to any other songs off of it. Nevertheless, I'm going to go ahead an slap the entire album on the list. Keane is just so good. You would probably put their cd on the shelf somewhere between U2 and Coldplay. Yep, you guessed it...British rock. This album has awesome cover art, too, which is definitely a plus.

Other artists to check out: Adele, Butterfly Boucher, Sean Hayes. 

Well, enough of that. It's time for me to get to work. But I think we should all be sharers. Of contageous diseases firstly, and of excellent music secondly.

Have a fabulous weekend.

well, things are going well. i'm actually kind of sad that i can't stay. I've started to build some good relationships with people in my bible studies, and kids, etc., so it's hard to trust them to others when i leave. But I know God's got it under control.

I painted last night, that was fun. Sadly, unlike holly, i do not currently have digicamera access, so i could not photograph it. it is not one of my better ones, honestly, but it's kind of interesting. it kinda looks like one of those pictures of the sun from Hubble, where there's a big nasty solar flare happening. I think i'll keep working on it.

so the plan: stop working here august 1, hang out in dfw for around a week, see holly, nathan, chris, steven, michelle some more since i don't have much time to do so while i'm working, then go home after that.

well that's all for now.  oh, and siegro means blind, soldo means deaf. period.

feelings: "whew."  happy. content. excited. tired.

I feel better about being here. for a while i was nervous. but now that i'm getting into the habits, it turns out this will be pretty cool.

later!