It amazes me how much the weather affects my attitude and outlook on life. Each and every season is a gift. A new beginning. A fresh start.
The sun has finally come out and along with it, absolutely beautiful weather. The past few days the sky has been blue, the sun bright and warm, the wind blowing just right, and temperatures between 82 and 92!
Spring is here and I am glad to greet it with wide, out-stretched arms!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Dreaming
I don't know where I will be in 10 years or even what I will be doing next summer. However, I may potentially be doing any one of the following dreams I have!
Life Goals:
1. Visit every continent-4 down, 3 to go
2. Be an au pair
3. Own my own restaurant
4. Ride a bull or bull fight
5. Spend two years in the Peace Corps
6. Own or manage a dairy operation
7. Host a food or agriculture based show on the Travel Channel
8. Graduate some COLLEGE with a B.S. in Animal Science
9. Marry an amazing christian man and raise our children
in an agriculture environment
10. Learn to play guitar and piano
11. Become a famous singer or dancer
12. Fly a plane
13. Be a stewardess with an international airline
14. Speak German fluently
15. Change the world
16. Have a real positive influence in the agriculture industry
17. Share my passion for cows and rural America with everyone
18. Go on mission trips around the world
19. Work on a cruise ship
20. Live, Laugh, Love, and Dance like NO ONE IS WATCHING!!
Life Goals:
1. Visit every continent-4 down, 3 to go
2. Be an au pair
3. Own my own restaurant
4. Ride a bull or bull fight
5. Spend two years in the Peace Corps
6. Own or manage a dairy operation
7. Host a food or agriculture based show on the Travel Channel
8. Graduate some COLLEGE with a B.S. in Animal Science
9. Marry an amazing christian man and raise our children
in an agriculture environment
10. Learn to play guitar and piano
11. Become a famous singer or dancer
12. Fly a plane
13. Be a stewardess with an international airline
14. Speak German fluently
15. Change the world
16. Have a real positive influence in the agriculture industry
17. Share my passion for cows and rural America with everyone
18. Go on mission trips around the world
19. Work on a cruise ship
20. Live, Laugh, Love, and Dance like NO ONE IS WATCHING!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Believe It or Not
When one thinks of Miley Cyrus they think Hannah Montana, or older boyfriend, or little girls' idol, or Disney Channel.
I think of a young girl who is trying to make it big but also small in a complex world. I also think of an interesting, fun and safe television show.
Therefore, I was super excited to go see the new HANNAH MONTANA MOVIE. It was spectacular! Such a good movie with new, fun music, great actors and actresses, and a sweet and captivating story.
Believe it or not, but I actually got way more out of this "silly" movie than I imagined. Within the first half hour I had tears in my eyes. Miley had gone back home to Tennessee. Not everyone gets to have the life of adventure and realness in the country and to really know what God has given us. Miley had gone back home, and I realized just how much I've been missing mine!
So, yes, I cried at a Hannah Montana Movie. But, there's just so much more to the movie. The songs in this movie are so real. Take time and listen to Miley's new song, The Climb. Also, Miley was doing a little soul searching in the movie, and was also realizing what she was blessed with. Her song, "Butterfly Fly Away," reminds me of my fantastic parents who always let me fly away and spread my wings- THANK YOU!!
Before you judge a movie because it has Miley Cyrus in it, is a Disney Movie, or because its biggest fans are 10 yrs. old, maybe go see it and see the FULL picture! I LOVED IT!! :)
I think of a young girl who is trying to make it big but also small in a complex world. I also think of an interesting, fun and safe television show.
Therefore, I was super excited to go see the new HANNAH MONTANA MOVIE. It was spectacular! Such a good movie with new, fun music, great actors and actresses, and a sweet and captivating story.
Believe it or not, but I actually got way more out of this "silly" movie than I imagined. Within the first half hour I had tears in my eyes. Miley had gone back home to Tennessee. Not everyone gets to have the life of adventure and realness in the country and to really know what God has given us. Miley had gone back home, and I realized just how much I've been missing mine!
So, yes, I cried at a Hannah Montana Movie. But, there's just so much more to the movie. The songs in this movie are so real. Take time and listen to Miley's new song, The Climb. Also, Miley was doing a little soul searching in the movie, and was also realizing what she was blessed with. Her song, "Butterfly Fly Away," reminds me of my fantastic parents who always let me fly away and spread my wings- THANK YOU!!
Before you judge a movie because it has Miley Cyrus in it, is a Disney Movie, or because its biggest fans are 10 yrs. old, maybe go see it and see the FULL picture! I LOVED IT!! :)
Opportunities
When you go to college, you are expected to take part in organizations, clubs, and other special interest groups in order to meet new people, learn new things, and broaden your horizons. The last two years, I did not specifically really do that. In Montana it was really hard to get involved, and Europe was just such a huge playground to go run around in. Finally, I am settling in here at K-State in Manhattan, KS and really getting involved and taking many opportunities.
For anyone interested in the dairy industry in ANY way, Dairy Challenge is one of the best ways to learn more about managing a successful dairy operation. With three other girls, all from small dairy farms, we learned all the ins and outs of a dairy operation and how to find the strengths and weaknesses in the reproduction, milking procedures, nutrition, facilities, financials, etc. of an operation. Through two competitions, one in Minnesota and another in New York, we learned SO much. Although we were only awarded a Silver rating at the National contest, the experience we had taking part in this amazing opportunity was reward enough.
All the dairy professionals and producers were amazing and so much work and support goes into Dairy Challenge. Its simply amazing and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity!
Another simple opportunity I am involved in that is sending me to Atlanta, GA next week is NAMA, National Agriculture Marketing Association. This is a group where we come up with a new product and put together the business plan and head to the National contest to present our idea.
These are just two of the many opportunities that I am involving myself in here at K-State. I feel so blessed to be part of such wonderful groups and to be here at this great agriculture institution. Everything that I have and do are true Blessings.
For anyone interested in the dairy industry in ANY way, Dairy Challenge is one of the best ways to learn more about managing a successful dairy operation. With three other girls, all from small dairy farms, we learned all the ins and outs of a dairy operation and how to find the strengths and weaknesses in the reproduction, milking procedures, nutrition, facilities, financials, etc. of an operation. Through two competitions, one in Minnesota and another in New York, we learned SO much. Although we were only awarded a Silver rating at the National contest, the experience we had taking part in this amazing opportunity was reward enough.
All the dairy professionals and producers were amazing and so much work and support goes into Dairy Challenge. Its simply amazing and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity!
Another simple opportunity I am involved in that is sending me to Atlanta, GA next week is NAMA, National Agriculture Marketing Association. This is a group where we come up with a new product and put together the business plan and head to the National contest to present our idea.
These are just two of the many opportunities that I am involving myself in here at K-State. I feel so blessed to be part of such wonderful groups and to be here at this great agriculture institution. Everything that I have and do are true Blessings.
Reconnected
One of the most amazing opportunities in life is reconnecting with friends and family. Whether that means going down the road to visit a neighbor and saying Hi, driving across a couple state lines to hug a sister, brother or uncle, or flying across oceans to meet up with amazing friends in foreign countries, taking that chance is always well worth whatever it takes!!
After being delayed a day in Milwaukee, Julie and I finally made it to the magical city of Salzburg and was welcomed by my most wonderful friend, Miriam. It felt so great and natural to be back and to hear German being spoken everywhere. It was so easy to fall back into the swing of Austrian things.
I was able to hop back on a plane with my little sister, Julie, and revisit Salzburg, Austria over spring break March 14-21st. After living eight months in this wonderful place, Salzburg will always have a huge place in my heart and will always be a favorite place to visit.
Julie and SALBURG:
After being delayed a day in Milwaukee, Julie and I finally made it to the magical city of Salzburg and was welcomed by my most wonderful friend, Miriam. It felt so great and natural to be back and to hear German being spoken everywhere. It was so easy to fall back into the swing of Austrian things.Me, Julie, Miriam and SALBURG:
Fred! Are you going to make it?
Fred the Topfen Knödel is ALIVE!!
I made sure our trip was also a learning experience! I was able to show Julie all around the historic city and share my history facts as well and visit all the Sound of Music sites. I also tried to teach Julie some German...not really sure how that went! We stopped by Salzburg College and were able to catch up with Brigitte and Gretel and also stop by Mike and Liz Spangler's (Salzburg International Christian Church Pastor and wife) place for a visit. Connecting with everyone was so priceless and wonderful.
The few days spent in Salzburg was filled with revisiting my favorite places including Mirabell Gardens, Altstadt, and Hellbrunn. Also, Julie and I filled up with some other favorites: Männer, Schokoladig Nugats, Nimm2 soft candies, and Milka Schokolade...Tasty sweeet treats! Miriam was an amazing host, as always, and treated us to fresh homemade bread, super Gouda cheese, cheese fondue, caramel fondue, and various other specialties!
Schloss Leopoldskron (Sound of Music House + Lake), Julie, and Me:
CHEESE FONDUE:
We were also able to see Cameron, another friend originally from Kansas City, perform in the production of an Opera. It was a super performance! Veronika invited us to her place for Topfen Knödel, Lisa joined us for the fun filled night of caramel fondue, and Joo Hyeon also stopped by a few times to hang out. It was so amazing to just sit around and hang out with everyone!!
To Veronika's house we go:
Fred! Are you going to make it?Fred the Topfen Knödel is ALIVE!!
I made sure our trip was also a learning experience! I was able to show Julie all around the historic city and share my history facts as well and visit all the Sound of Music sites. I also tried to teach Julie some German...not really sure how that went! We stopped by Salzburg College and were able to catch up with Brigitte and Gretel and also stop by Mike and Liz Spangler's (Salzburg International Christian Church Pastor and wife) place for a visit. Connecting with everyone was so priceless and wonderful. All the wonderful friends at Bible Study:
Julie and I were able to spend quite a bit of time hanging out with my host family and visiting with them. I missed them so much and it was so crazy how natural it felt to be back in their home. It literally did not feel like 10 months since I had lived in their home! It was just so great to see them and catch up!! Everyone is doing quite well, including the new little one, Beatrix, who is now 10 months old!! Franz is still as funny and silly as ever and Sabine is just so wonderful!! Stefan, Lissi and Felix are also doing well and were still as comfortable with me as when I left! They are such a great family!
Joo Hyeon, Cameron, Me and Miriam-Just being us!
Before we knew it, Julie and I were back in the Munich airport ready to board our plane back to the U.S. Although it was a quick and short trip, it was so well worth everything to get to spend the time we did have in an amazing city I hold so dearly and reconnect with friends that will never be forgotten!
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