Last Updated by Tom on December 31, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I have been doing some thinking over the past couple of days about the new year. I can’t believe it is already upon us. I thought I would compile a list of what I hope to accomplish this year.
- Figure out my major: Yeah, I am a college sophomore and need to declare my major this spring. I have taken a fair number of Business courses, and am interested in running things and how businesses work. I might also be interested in Communication Studies. I work at the college newspaper and have a blast with that. I love talking with people, too. Lastly, I have always been really interested in technology and considered Computer Science. I think, however, it is probably a little too math-oriented for me. I need to get this figured out. I do not like not having a plan (for anything), so this is stressing me out. I know it will work out, though. The professors care about their students at the college I attend, and it makes a real difference.
- More frequent, focused blogging: I have had this blog (off and on) since 2006. It has never gained a strong following, and for good reason. It has been kind of like a diary. I want to start another blog where I write on a focused topic that others will (hopefully) be interested in, and try to grow that site.
- Cleaning: I have some boxes of paper, as well as a closet at home that need cleaning. Despite being at college a lot of the year, I hope to make progress on better organizing those this year.
I am thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life, and for the opportunities I have had. Although life is full of positive and negative events, I really have a lot to be thankful for, and a lot to look forward to this next year.
Happy New Year!
Last Updated by Tom on December 27, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Now that I am home for Christmas vacation, I have had some time to observe the “bird” feeder that my dad began to fill this fall. Everyone enjoyed viewing the birds that dropped bye when we filled the feeder last fall, especially the cardinals.
We thought our squirrel problems were over when my Aunt Ramona and Uncle Tim gave us a squirrel-proof feeder a couple of years ago. The feeder will close when a heavy animal trips the weight sensor. It has helped some, but it has not prevented squirrels from eating from beneath the feeder and jumping or climbing on the feeder, which have been big problems this year.
Six squirrels near our bird feeder this afternoon. We counted a record nine squirrels earlier today.
We have two squirrels who are special problems. One squirrel, is an absolute pig who we named “Tubby.” He sits beneath the feeder and eats frantically from sunrise to sunset and tries to scare the other squirrels and birds away. Another squirrel, who we call “Engineer Squirrel” jumps up on the feeder frequently, trying to get access to the big supply. He has not been that successful, however, as “Tubby” usually scares him away when he tries to climb the pole. He has tried jumping from a nearby tree, but my dad has cut some branches to make that route less feasible.
Our Aunt Ramona reports that she is using a squirrel feeder to keep the squirrels away from the bird feeder.
We don’t want to have to feed to piggy squirrels to feed the cardinals. Currently, the cardinals are often too scared to come to our feeder, as the are outnumbered by squirrels and other small birds.
We are contemplating trapping the squirrels and moving them, but that doesn’t sound like fun, either.
What do you think we should do about our squirrel problem?
Last Updated by Tom on December 26, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I had a nice Christmas with my family. We saw my grandparents, opened presents, went to church, and shoveled snow. We received about a foot of snow between Dec. 23 and Dec. 26. It was really beautiful, but it did keep us busy!
I feel relaxed and refreshed after being off from school for a week. It is nice to not have homework to worry about. I think I will have some time to work on some cleaning projects I have wanted to tackle for a while this next week.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
P.S. I am trying out a new gallery feature in this post. It is now possible to comment on individual comments in a series of photos, thanks to WordPress. Let me know what you think.
Last Updated by Tom on December 7, 2009 at 4:57 pm
It has been a busy fall. I had to switch my class schedule around (more than once), which added a bit of stress. I have also been working on the newspaper, which has been fun. I have posted links to my stories here, and hope you may have had a chance to read them.
Being just a couple of weeks from the end of the semester, I am busy finishing things off. I like it when big projects are complete.
I am happy that I will have some time to reflect during January Term, as being a sophomore any not knowing totally what I want to major in is a bit stressful.
Overall, it has been a good semester. The weather has been nice, which helps when the cornfields are closer than the cafeteria! We are supposed to get a lot of snow tomorrow. I think winter is finally upon us!
Last Updated by Tom on August 24, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I know I have had a wonderful summer! I went with my family up to Winnipeg, Manitoba a couple of weeks ago. I can’t believe that I still haven’t posted the link to the photos! Check them out here!
The summer has gone so fast. The State Fair starts in just two days! I can’t wait! I will be heading back down to Gustavus in less than a week, too!
Last Updated by Tom on March 20, 2007 at 7:07 pm
I have begun helping out with the sound operations at my church. It is a great ministry to get involved in. I am up for my first true test now… the person who typically works with me is going to be gone for a couple weeks. I hope everything works out!
Last Updated by Tom on December 30, 2006 at 10:23 pm
I just thought that I would wish everyone a very happy new year!
Welcome to 