The Heisman Trophy

Tomorrow night is the presentation of the Heisman Trophy in college football, the most prestigious award given. This award is given to the best overall player in Division 1. Out of all five finalists this year, i dont really have a favorite. In years past i have always had a favorite and rooted for him during the presentation. Throughout the campus there has been a lot of talk about all this and who should win and how terrible someone is. Its the same stuff every year haha. O well, it should be a fun watch tomorrow night.....

Just Cant Wait To Be Done

As iv said before, finals are getting the best of me. Im really running low on steam here. Good thing the weekend is here so i can get some rest. I just cant wait to be done and not have to worry about all this. All of Christmas break is going to feel amazing not having to worry about any assignments or tests. I might not want to come back to Wartburg when break is over! But in all honesty, this break is greatly needed. College is defiantly a little harder than i thought.

Animal Intelligence?

In IS 101 today a group presented on the idea of animal intelligence and it made me think of the squirrels here on campus. I thought to myself, "are the squirrels here smarter than the average squirrel population?" I thought about this because when you walk by these little guys they dont even move. You could be a foot away and they wont be phased. Its amazing how they apparently have adapted to people being very close to them and they know we wont hurt them, or we will get in trouble. Dont get me wrong though, they arent dumb. They will still run away from you if you try to go after them. I would know, i have tried. Nifty little creatures those squirrels are...

Boiling Point

Ok so now that i am being bombed with things to do for finals and final presentations and so on, i have been reaching my limits. You could say that im reaching my boiling point. I am not used to all of this right now. I really just need to step back and relax for just one minute. Now that i think about it, this blog is helping me do that. Thank you blog. I just need to keep plugging away at this mountain of things to do. Im gonna keep my music loud and my sugar intake high. I need something to keep me awake in this time of need.

Holidays

One thing i have noticed since i have gotten to Wartburg is how fast the time flies. I lose track what day it is all the time. I looked at my calender today and it said December 5th!!! I couldn't believe it. Seriously, i dont know where the time goes. It seems like yesterday when football just got over with and now its almost time to start offseason workouts. I also thought about the big picture, half of my first year at Wartburg is almost over! Time is seriously flying away. Twenty days from now is Christmas! And i havent done any shopping yet, this is not good. Haha. I really need to get on that as well as study for all my finals. Busy busy busy this time of year. I cant wait to go home and see all my  family and friends. A break would be greatly appreciated right about now.

Finals Finals Finals

This week is the start of the most stressful time of the semester, finals. I expect to be up for a long time each and every day this week. I am going to do my best to do well in all my classes. All the pressure is beginning to mount, even my parents are giving me pressure to do well. Every college student knows how this feels and what i takes. It's up yourself to do well during this time of the year, no one else. Well i should get back to studying........

Homeward Bound

I am hoping that this week goes by faster than normal because on Friday i am leaving Wartburg to go back to Cresco, Iowa for the weekend. I am going to see family and friends, but also to do a lot of deer hunting. I can't believe that i will have all weekend to myself. No football interruptions or anything. I can not wait for this. It will also give me more time to focus on my studies, which have taken a toll with football going on. It has been hard juggling football and homework. Now there is no excuses. No reason not to do well in the last part of this semester. That is what my main focus has to become.

Surreal Feeling

Last night, the Wartburg Knight football team watched and hoped to see our name appear on the D3 football playoff bracket. We were greatly disappointed after the show was done because we were not selected. A surreal feeling engulfed everyone associated with the team. We are done, done for a whole year. That feeling is not something new to me as i have experienced it in high school all to much. Now is time to take a break, but also to help better ourselves for next season. We did not live up to our expectations this year, but we plan to exceed them next season. I have learned a lot from this season and wont forget it for a long time. I thank all the seniors of have given so much of themselves for this program over the past four years. Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today. I know that my senior season will be here faster than i realize, i just hope that i enjoy the success that this years seniors have experienced in the past. "I am only, but i am one, i cant do everything, but i can do something, and what i can do, by the grace of God i will do." - Coach Rick Willis

In Need Of A Bigger Room

Since i am a freshman, i am living in the complex here on campus. Im in Hebron to be exact, where the rooms are very small in my opinion. My roommate and I are both on the football team, so we are not exactly the smallest guys in the world. Our room is beginning to fill up with a lot of stuff. We don't even have a futon or anything like that yet! We try to clean our room every week or so, but no matter what we do it still feels like it is getting smaller and smaller. I can't wait until i get to live in Grossman, where the rooms are twice the size at least. This is just part of the "college experience" though. Everyone has to go through it, so i shouldn't really be complaining. I'll just have to keep waiting until my dream of getting a bigger room comes true.

Music In My Life

Music has always been a part of my life. I listen to everything from country, to rock n roll, to hip hop. Music serves many purposes for me, it can pump me up for a game or it can calm me down. Even when im having a bad day, i can listen to some some of my favorite songs and my mood will completely change. I am that type of person you see walking around campus who always has his headphones in. I also have noticed that ever since i have gotten to Wartburg that i listen to my music a lot more. Maybe it is because i have a lot more free time, i dont know. With music being a part of my life, it has allowed me to share my interests with others here on the campus. A lot of my friends i have here also like the same music that i do. Music has and always be a part of me. Music is who i am...

Remembering the Past/Never Forget

Just recently i have being thinking about my high school days and how i wanted to get out of there so bad. I always told myself that when i get out of here, i ll be the happiest person in college. So far, this hasnt been the case. When i look back and reflect on my days at Crestwood, I recall taking that time for granted. I now realize that those were the best days of my life. I was good at sports, had tons of friends, had some fun..... the list could go on and on. I can't believe I wasted as much time as i did. If i could go back i would definatly do some things differently. I would spend more time with friends, work harder at my sports but always just have fun. I always took things seriously, like it was my job. I wish i would've stopped for a moment to think and soak up the moment. Especially my senior football season. It was there and gone in a flash. I would give anything now to go back for one more year of high school. I really do miss it. But now i have moved on to something better and more important: college. Here, the rest of my life begins and i cant wait to see what becomes of it.

Social Change

I was asked to identify what Wartburg College Social Change category i most represented. After i thought about for it a while, i think i fit best under the Direct Service category. I am a person who, when a problem is identified, wants to take direct action. I dont want to debate or argue about what different people think is the best solution. I am a person who wants to take direct action. But then i thought to myself that i am involved with my community also. So i also believe that i can fit into the Community Building category. Having a strong and united community is for the common good. Everyone can benefit from a community that is one. By participating in sports and music, stepping up and being a leader, and raising money for those less fortunate can do wonders for a community. I could do a better job of being involved in the community also. I hope that by being a Wartburg, my sense of community will continue to grow into something great.

Service

Since i have arrived at Wartburg, I have been involved in doing some service at Bremwood. This institution is for younger kids who either have a learning disability, have had a troubled life, or are misbehaved. The football team here on campus sends a group of players, each week, to Bremwood to play and entertain the kids. The first time i went there, i didnt know what to expect. I pictured in my mind that it was a place that was filled with bad kids and the place would have a bad vibe. I was greatly surprised to find that Bremwood was just like an elementary school, maybe even better. I saw kids that were having fun and learning! When i saw this, I couldn't wait to jump in and play with them! I was paired off with these four other younger guys. I would say that they were in the sixth grade or so. We started to play an intense game of Uno. I was so surprised on how good these kids were at this game! I couldn't believe it! I had a hard time just keeping up with them. Then it hit me, these kids arn't bad kids at all. They just needed a second chance and that's exactly what they are getting. After my work at Bremwood, i have much more appreciation for institutions like it. They are doing a wonderful thing in helping "troubled" kids get a second chance at a normal life.

The End Is Near

The end of my first Wartburg football season is upon us. With our game at Loras tomorrow, we will only have one game left after that. I have had some great experiences throughout this entire process. Starting way back on August 13th, I didn't know what to expect when i got here. I have met many different people from different places that i am good friends with now. I would have never expected to meet so many people that have so much in common with me. A lot of the guys on the team are from small towns, which has made becoming friends all the more easier. I am very grateful to have as many friends as i do here. They make being here at Wartburg more exciting and fun. I am looking forward to the season being over though, as strange as it may seem. I need a break to do my own thing for a while. Football has been my life for the past few months and it is beginning to take its toll. Overall, my football experiences has taught me that success can only be achieved through hard work and sacrifice. Not everyone was cut out to play college football, but those that have are truly the guys that i want to spend the next four years with.

Into the Wild

There are two things that i love when the fall season  rolls around. Football. . . .and hunting. I certainly have gotten my taste of football this season. Everyday from 3-6, sometimes even longer, has been dedicated to that sport. It has been different this year though. I haven't seen much playing time and i have had to do a lot of learning to get to where i am now. I am ready for a break and possibly the end of that. I can't wait until i have the weekends free to go out into the wild. Hunting is one of my favorite things to do. There is just something about it that makes my heart race. I finally got the chance to go out this past Saturday evening. It reminded me just how much fun it is. I need to get back into the groove of it. I used to go out every morning and every evening last year trying to get that big buck. Hopefully i'll get back to that shortly. But in the meantime, ill be planing out the day i finally get to go again.

Freedom

This past weekend was like a vacation for me. I had no football activities for three straight days and it felt amazing. I had one class on Friday at 7:45, and you can believe that after that i was out of here. I headed home to see friends, family, and go hunting. I realized when i was home how much i really do love that place. I missed it so much and it was great to get there. I got to go out hunting Saturday night, it is something that i love. With football taking up all of my time, I thought i would have no change to go out this fall. With only three weeks left in our season, i think ill be able to get out there some now! When i was home i also got to spend some time with some close friends. It was great to see them and catch up on all the crazy things that they have been doing. There is nothing like going back to the place that your from. Nothing.

Homecoming

This Saturday can't come soon enough! It is going to be a lot of fun. It's homecoming here at Wartburg, the football team will be playing Simpson College, there will be a lot of people there, and some of my family is coming to see me. I can't wait to see them in person and catch up on things. Even my sister from South Dakota is coming to watch! I have not seen her since this summer! She is also pregnant from the first time and i can't wait to make fun of here for having a "belly". Seeing my family will be a great experience! I can't wait...

Scrambling

Ok, so tonight was like being in rush hour. Stressful and hectic. I had an outline due for Oral Comm in the morning that i thought wouldn't take long to do. Boy was i wrong. I started working on this beast at 6:30 during study table. Five hours later i can say that it's finally accomplished. I hope other assignments aren't as time consuming, I don't know what i'll do if this continues! I am completed drained of energy from all the homework that college is throwing at me. I'm getting used to five hours of homework though so i really shouldn't be complaining. Is outfly going to come save me? One can only hope...

Living on a budget

Money, money, money! How i wish i had more money. I am learning very quickly that I can't go on shopping sprees anymore. I realized this when i checked my bank account the other day and wasn't to impressed with what i saw. Even though my parents chip in a little money every now and then, I have to learn to use my money for needs, not wants. No going out and buying the latest video game or newest electronic device anymore. Once football is over I'll be able to get a part-time job which will help out a lot i think. Being a student-athlete takes up literally all of your time. That's part of college though, taking on challenges and overcoming them.

Expectations

Life here at Wartburg is going pretty well for me at the moment. Classes are going well and my overall experience is good. Rumors have been floating around campus that Outfly is going to be this week. If this is true then I can't wait! I could really use a break. This whole college thing, although going well, is taking its toll on me. I feel like I am being overwhelmed with the expectations of everything, especially football. Right now its a lot of work and takes up all of my time. It's hard coming in here, being the one of the best football players on my high school team and not playing much at Wartburg. Even though I'm on varsity, I feel like I don't do much. Traveling with the varsity also takes a toll on me because I don't have the opportunity to come home on the weekends like many of the freshman do. I wish i could have just one weekend off to go home and see my family and friends. With all that being said, I'd say that I'm pretty lucky though and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that i have.

No one else, just me

Homework is becoming more intense as the weeks go by. Many hours everyday are dedicated to it, but it needs to get done. It's why I'm here at Wartburg College though, to get my degree. Unfortunately, homework is part of that process. No one else, just me..... what i mean by that is it's up to me. It's my responsibility to become the person i want to be. It has been a tough road so far, but i know i'll make it through. Other than that, there has not been a lot on my mind. I've been too busy to really think about anything else. Keeping focused will be the key to success and that's my plan, to succeed.

Disapointment

This past Saturday was the biggest game of our young football season. The previous week of practice was a long and intense one that had everyone itching to play. The day of the game couldn't have been setup any better, perfect weather and an unbelievable crowd. Everything was setup up for success for the Knights.
We came out of the tunnel as excited as we have ever been and i think the Kohawks saw that. I've never wanted to be part of a game as much as i wanted to be in this one. The first quarter was ours, scoring 17 points and completely dominating the game. Then the second quarter rolled around. Our coaching staff called   a pass play that would involve one of the better receivers on the team. Our guy went up to catch the ball and and landed very awkwardly. He was very badly injured and had to be helped off the turf. We would later find out that he would be out for the season. After that, our team didn't look like ourselves. We would later lose the game and be left wondering. This was a huge learning lesson for us. A challenge now is presents itself: how are we going to respond? Are we just going to quit because we lost a game? Or are we going to rebound and show everyone in the conference how much better we are. We will soon find out.

Adjusting to Chaos

My life has been taking a crazy and intense ride this last week. I have been feeling some feelings that I really have not really felt. Lately I have been feeling like I am living my own life, like I'm finally on my own. Part of me is feeling excited and ready to roll, but this other half is feeling alone and confused. In my last blog I talked about being very homesick, now i can say that I am feeling better about that. I saw my family the other day which helped a lot. As I said before, it will just take so time to adjust. Lately I have been covered from head to toe in homework and football. Homework and football, that is my life right, as sad as it seems. I am enjoying the college lifestyle more and more though. Keeping on top of my assignments has become something that I should get more on top of. I need to stop putting it off till the last minute. Other than that everything is well. We are 3-0 as a football team now, we have Coe this week at home which should be the biggest game of the season for us. We could really make a statement there. Life is full of surprises, both good and bad. How you deal with the problem and overcome it is what really defines who you are as a person.

Jurassic Park has Science?

Having watched the movie Jurassic Park for a college class has taught me many things. The most important being that people watch movies for many different things: for enjoyment, for critiquing, and for comparing to reality. For my college IS 101 class, I was asked to watch this movie and make notes when anything dealing with science became evident. I never watched a movie with that intent, it was a good learning experience for me. Jurassic Park is a movie that has some very interesting scientific ideas within. The whole idea that dinosaurs could be cloned from a fossilized mosquito, who right before it died had taken blood from a dinosaur, was a great idea i thought. At first I thought that it just may be possible that that could really happen. Michael Crichton has some great ideas show up in this film. If you are one of the few people in this world who has not yet seen this old film, i highly encourage that you do so.

New Life. New Challenges.

Never did i think that going off to college would be much different than high school. I am learning in a hurry that i am fending for myself in this crazy college atmosphere. It is up to me to get up in the morning, go to classes, go to football practices and meetings, and take care of myself physically. There is a lot on my plate right now, but i am capable of handling it. I suppose it just takes a little getting used to. 

Football is getting better each and every day. I am getting all the plays down and learning how the Knights's offence works. The coaches are rough on us, but that is what it takes to make a championship team. This Saturday we have our home opener against G.A., which should be an amazing game. It will be under the lights and the whole town of Waverly will be there to see just how good the Knights are. I know we'll make them proud.

I'll admit that right now homesickness is starting to hit me. I miss the life i used to know and all the people in it. There is especially one person, from back home, who i miss very much. She is an amazing person who i love to be around. We talk everyday by phone and catch up on everything that is going on back home. Whenever i have some free time i plan on going back to see her.

Overall my college experience is going very well. I am meeting new people everyday and making some friends. This is a great place and I can't wait to see what happens next!