About Tom

I thought it would be really nice if I could have someone interview me. You know, really sit down and have a one-on-one conversation with me to get to know the real person. But there's really no one out there (not even Barbara Walters) who will really ask the tough questions -- the questions you really want answered. Then I had an epiphany -- the only person who could ever ask all those questions is me. So, I set up an appointment, sat myself down one evening and had a hard-hitting interview with myself to get to know the real me.

Okay, so what's your full name?

Well, my full name is Thomas Andrew Sabbatelli.

Are you happy with your middle name?

Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I've heard a lot worse middle names than that, you know?

Exactly, I know what you mean. So, anyway, where do you call home?

Well, when I'm not at Penn State during the school year, home's Yardley, Pennsylvania. It's a nice little small town on the Delaware River, about 45 minutes to the northeast of Philadelphia. My family's lived there for 7 years now.

I'm sure it's lovely. Born and raised there?

No, actually. I was born on January 16, 1986, in Mineola, New York, which is on Long Island.

Long Island, huh? You don't have an accent.

I know, that's what people tell me. Lucky me, right?

Where did you go to high school?

Holy Ghost Preparatory School, outside of Philadelphia. It's an all-boys Catholic school.

All guys? Wow, that's rough.

Eh, it really wasn't that bad. Everyone there was really great.

And now you're in college, is that correct?

That's right. Penn State University class of 2008. I've enjoyed nearly every minute of my time at Penn State so far. This place is truly one of a kind.

And your major is...

Meteorology. Shouldn't you know that?

Hey, look, I'm just a journalist. Why meteorology?

Well, to tell you the truth, it's one of the few things that seem to fit growing up. I grew up as a Weather Channel addict, as I'm sure many other meteo students started out. I've always been infatuated with maps and geography, too, and I remember reading through the world atlas a lot. In 5th grade, our teacher had us track hurricanes during hurricane season, and I remember enjoying plotting the movements of the storms so much. I've also enjoyed working with numbers. I suppose the combination of maps, weather, and numbers really pushed me in this direction.

And I hear you're exploring a minor, is that right?

That's correct. I'm looking into a possible minor in Geographic Information Science. Ever since I was a little kid, I've been obsessed with maps, atlases, mapmaking, and geography. It's something I really have a lot of fun with and it really compliments a degree in meteorology well.

What kinds of things are you involved in at school. Any clubs?

Well, I'm involved in many activities within and outside my college. During my sophomore year, I'll be presiding as secretary for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Undergraduate Student Council. We plan social and important events within the college. I'm a member of the Campus Weather Service, which produces and broadcasts weather forecasts for the entire state of Pennsylvania.

When it comes to outside activities, I've been appointed to the Penn State Distinguished Speaker Series Committee, which invites well-known and inspiring speakers to give lectures on campus. Finally, I'm a member of the Nittwits, the Penn State student cheering section for the basketball team. I'm a big fan of high school and college basketball.

Alright, so what do you like to do for fun?

I really enjoy being with my friends and meeting new people. I love having a good time. I'd say I have a pretty good sense of humor, so I laugh a lot. They say it's healthy for you. But I would have to say that I would very much enjoy being surrounded by friends and family all the time.

Well, that's great. Do you have any hobbies?

Well, besides keeping tabs on my friends, I enjoy painting, playing volleyball and frisbee, listening to music, and watching reality TV.

Reality TV? Isn't that stuff trashy?

Well, I stay away from those trashy shows. I mostly watch Survivor and The Apprentice. Don't tell anyone, but I only really watch The Apprentice to see Donald Trump's hair. Woo. What an attractive hairdo.

You said to liked listening to music. Who are your favorite artists?

To tell you the truth, I really like everything. I have extremely eclectic tastes. But I really enjoy listening to a bunch of guitarists whom, it seems, nobody has ever heard of.

Like who?

My favorites include Matt Nathanson, Ben Lee, Marc Broussard, Gavin DeGraw, Josh Kelley, and Howie Day.

I've never heard of any of those people.

See what I mean?

How about musicians people have actually heard of?

Oh, okay. I really like listening to John Mayer, Maroon 5, O.A.R., The Beatles...like I said, I really listen to anything and everything.

Okay, cool. I've actually heard of some of them. How about movies?

Oh, sure. I love comedies. I'm not really into horror and all that scary stuff, though. I'm a wuss. But I'm a big fan of comedies. Especially smart comedies and satire.

Can you give us an example?

Sure. Best In Show.

I've never heard of that movie.

Yeah, well, trust me. It's funny. I also think the Monty Python movies are hysterical, too.

Well, we've just about run out of time. Also, I think that's enough obscure entertainment facts I can in one day.

Well, thanks for the opportunity! I really enjoyed it.

Academics	I thought it would be really nice if I could have someone interview me. You know, really sit down and have a one-on-one conversation with me to get to know the real person. But there's really no one out there (not even Barbara Walters) who will really ask the tough questions -- the questions you really want answered. Then I had an epiphany -- the only person who could ever ask all those questions is me. So, I set up an appointment, sat myself down one evening and had a hard-hitting interview with myself to get to know the real me. Okay, so what's your full name? Well, my full name is Thomas Andrew Sabbatelli. Are you happy with your middle name? Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I've heard a lot worse middle names than that, you know? Exactly, I know what you mean. So, anyway, where do you call home? Well, when I'm not at Penn State during the school year, home's Yardley, Pennsylvania. It's a nice little small town on the Delaware River, about 45 minutes to the northeast of Philadelphia. My family's lived there for 7 years now. I'm sure it's lovely. Born and raised there? No, actually. I was born on January 16, 1986, in Mineola, New York, which is on Long Island. Long Island, huh? You don't have an accent. I know, that's what people tell me. Lucky me, right? Where did you go to high school? Holy Ghost Preparatory School, outside of Philadelphia. It's an all-boys Catholic school. All guys? Wow, that's rough. Eh, it really wasn't that bad. Everyone there was really great. And now you're in college, is that correct? That's right. Penn State University class of 2008. I've enjoyed nearly every minute of my time at Penn State so far. This place is truly one of a kind. And your major is... Meteorology. Shouldn't you know that? Hey, look, I'm just a journalist. Why meteorology? Well, to tell you the truth, it's one of the few things that seem to fit growing up. I grew up as a Weather Channel addict, as I'm sure many other meteo students started out. I've always been infatuated with maps and geography, too, and I remember reading through the world atlas a lot. In 5th grade, our teacher had us track hurricanes during hurricane season, and I remember enjoying plotting the movements of the storms so much. I've also enjoyed working with numbers. I suppose the combination of maps, weather, and numbers really pushed me in this direction. And I hear you're exploring a minor, is that right? That's correct. I'm looking into a possible minor in Geographic Information Science. Ever since I was a little kid, I've been obsessed with maps, atlases, mapmaking, and geography. It's something I really have a lot of fun with and it really compliments a degree in meteorology well. What kinds of things are you involved in at school. Any clubs? Well, I'm involved in many activities within and outside my college. During my sophomore year, I'll be presiding as secretary for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Undergraduate Student Council. We plan social and important events within the college. I'm a member of the Campus Weather Service, which produces and broadcasts weather forecasts for the entire state of Pennsylvania. When it comes to outside activities, I've been appointed to the Penn State Distinguished Speaker Series Committee, which invites well-known and inspiring speakers to give lectures on campus. Finally, I'm a member of the Nittwits, the Penn State student cheering section for the basketball team. I'm a big fan of high school and college basketball. Alright, so what do you like to do for fun? I really enjoy being with my friends and meeting new people. I love having a good time. I'd say I have a pretty good sense of humor, so I laugh a lot. They say it's healthy for you. But I would have to say that I would very much enjoy being surrounded by friends and family all the time. Well, that's great. Do you have any hobbies? Well, besides keeping tabs on my friends, I enjoy painting, playing volleyball and frisbee, listening to music, and watching reality TV. Reality TV? Isn't that stuff trashy? Well, I stay away from those trashy shows. I mostly watch Survivor and The Apprentice. Don't tell anyone, but I only really watch The Apprentice to see Donald Trump's hair. Woo. What an attractive hairdo. You said to liked listening to music. Who are your favorite artists? To tell you the truth, I really like everything. I have extremely eclectic tastes. But I really enjoy listening to a bunch of guitarists whom, it seems, nobody has ever heard of. Like who? My favorites include Matt Nathanson, Ben Lee, Marc Broussard, Gavin DeGraw, Josh Kelley, and Howie Day. I've never heard of any of those people. See what I mean? How about musicians people have actually heard of? Oh, okay. I really like listening to John Mayer, Maroon 5, O.A.R., The Beatles...like I said, I really listen to anything and everything. Okay, cool. I've actually heard of some of them. How about movies? Oh, sure. I love comedies. I'm not really into horror and all that scary stuff, though. I'm a wuss. But I'm a big fan of comedies. Especially smart comedies and satire. Can you give us an example? Sure. Best In Show. I've never heard of that movie. Yeah, well, trust me. It's funny. I also think the Monty Python movies are hysterical, too. Well, we've just about run out of time. Also, I think that's enough obscure entertainment facts I can in one day. Well, thanks for the opportunity! I really enjoyed it.
Resume (pdf) Classes
Experience
Campus Weather Service EMS Student Council Distinguished Speaker Series
More About Me
Self-Interview Travel