Deals. New Clothes. Deals. New Clothes. Deals.

I was crabby today.

I don't really know why, but I was.  It probably had a lot to do with people annoying me and not doing things I wished they would, but that's not the point.  The point is that I was crabby.

And when I get crabby, I like to shop.

And seeing that I have finally completely paid off my France trip and textbooks, I figured I had no reason not to shop today.

And since I made money at work today and have no bills to pay and currently do not see the value of a savings account (no need to yell at me, I know it's stupid) it only seemed logical to go to Forever 21.

Forever 21 just opened in the Fargo Mall and it's been huge hit.  My roommate, Cait, who works there, said on the first day they had over a quarter million in sales.  Seriously, this is the best thing that has happened to shopping in the state of ND in years!  Sure, I am usually not that big of a fan of Forever 21.  We, in the civilized state of MN, have had it for years and the Mall of America store is usually just a cluttered mess.

However, post-visit, I can confidently say the Fargo Forever 21 is pretty impressive.

And I stopped being crabby because I found a sweet shirt.

Which, put me in the shopping mood.

So, I came home and checked on a vest I have been wanting.  IT WAS ON SALE!  I bought 4.

Before you get too wild, know 1 was for me and were 3  were for friends.  Our $34.50 + shipping vests came out to $23 a piece. SUPER SAVINGS.

So I figured I am on a shopping roll, so why not check on some jackets my team and I wanted to order and no joke, I got jackets that normally cost $46.00 + shipping for $37.  GREAT DEAL. 

So point of the post...I am no longer crabby, I have lots of clothes coming in the mail, I have happy friends and I am still a strong believer in retail therapy and the positive effects of a darn good deal.  :)

Cows + Airplanes = Kazakhstan

Sure, I understand some of you may be wondering what's the connection.

In fact, some of you may be wondering what's Kazakhstan...? 

And I wouldn't laugh at you if you didn't know it is the ninth largest country in the world and borders Russia....because I had to look it up on the map myself.  :)  So you are forgiven....

Back to the cows though, their unusual presence at the Hector International Airport has been making headlines.  But heck...I agree, it's not everyday a bred Hereford heifer gets to board a plane and go to Kazakhstan.

 Photo by Red River Farm Network

It's all because Global Beef Consultants, LLC and Missouri River Feedlots of Hensler, ND have expanded their market well beyond the traditional agriculture states and have sent the first of many bred females to Akmola Oblast, Kazakhstan.  In fact, this ambitious project will send over 2,000 head of North Dakota's genetics to Kazahkstan to jumpstart their beef industry within the next year.  Yes, that's a lot of airplanes...

Let's just say, it redefines progressive.  

Many of my friends and ND cattleman have helped load and secure the bred heifers for departure.  They ride across the pond in a 747 and are held in wooden crates with 3-6 females per pen.  160 heifers rode on the inaugural flight on October 12th and they have at least one flight scheduled per week for the next month. 

Photo by Red River Farm Network

Photo by Red River  Farm Network

Now, as a North Dakota State University communications student...I admit I haven't studied a lot about the economics of this state.  However, my experience with breeders and state communication specialists have taught me how important the climates and countries on the same latitude as us are on our economy.  A lot of farmers, engineers and marketers share ideas, genetics and equipment in order to successfully conquer the challenging and harsh conditions.  So, why not share cattle?  Not only will it be a huge and immediate jump start to Kazakhstan's cattle industry, but imagine the impact on ours.

I am proud of North Dakota agriculture for embracing a market opportunity and making it a profitable venture for their state.  I read an article that claimed the best part of this multi-million dollar deal was that it reminded North Dakotans that their economy isn't just about oil...it's about agriculture as well. North Dakota have always been a state based on livestock and that will always remain.

Now that's something to talk about.

The Final To Do List

ATTENTION: In approximately one month, I will begin my career, my future and everything I have been waiting for.  It will kind of be a big day in my life.

Basically, I say a prayer everyday that it will be everything I dream about.   However, I am certain in will be.  Why?  Because we make our own destiny and I truly have nothing standing in my way.

Well...except a few goals I need to accomplish between now and then.  They include:

• Build a website because my diploma is depending on it.
• Complete a major research project on social media.
• Dominate the Royal & Louisville. Talk three 49's in one day.
• Have way to much fun. Become a Chubs regular.
• Get wild and maybe end up at the Northern.
• Officially end a job in order to start a new one.
• Clean, pack and move...away from my Fargo.
• Make sure the tradition of the Christmas Dinner lives on.
• Have one last Bison day.
• Make this an agvocate blog.
• Become ALUMNI ready and buy new NDSU clothes.
• Figure out how I am going to live with my parents.
• Convince my boyfriend to marry me so I don't have to live with my parents.
• Tell everyone how important they are to me...twice.
• Don't mess up the GPA you worked hard (????) for.
• Give about 2 million sets of reasons.
• Buy a really good heifer.

It's all totally doable.  I just need to get focused and do it.  It all starts now.

So I cleaned my room, bought myself some coffee and delicious creamer and put on my productive clothes...and then I paid off my credit card!  One step closer to becoming an adult :)  A trip to France is expensive people!  And now...I need to go work on that GPA thing.  Next week is going to be crazy...Kansas City here we come!  I will be back soon--I have a feeling a lot of procrastinating will take place in the next two days!

Crazy Beautiful Life

My life has been a race lately.

No actually, my life has been a marathon.

You see a race has an end in sight...these past ten days have been nothing but a major test of my endurance.  A 26.3 mile run across the country which included two flights, four long drives, two twelve and eights, hundreds of new faces and a once brand new judging notebook filled with classes.

And...it only took me twelve days to complete.  Do you think this means I can cross "run a marathon" off my bucket list?  Probably not.  :)

However, this blog is not about how busy I have been (I complain about that much to much!) but instead about how truly blessed I am. 

The last few days have been great reminders of what truly is important in life and how valuable each new moment is--and that every once in a while, I need to stop and take a water break and remember how great my life is.

I may be busy...but here is the thing, I am busy looking at really good livestock, traveling with some amazing friends, getting to learn every last thing possible before I graduate, traveling to Puerto Rico, listening to truly motivating stories and giving my life a reason.  And my hectic life is filled with people I absolutely love.  If it wasn't great enough to spend a weekend in paradise with so many people passionate about the beef industry, but then I get to come home to my happy family and a beautiful roommate.  What more could a girl ask for??

Yes, sleep would be nice.  But I did get some of that last night cuddled up to my favorite boy...so I should be set in that category for a week or so now too :)

So how is that for a little perspective?  I may have not slept in the same bed for more than 2 nights in a row for the last 12 days but  I am blessed to be healthy, have a great family to come home to, a very good looking boyfriend that picks me up every time I fly home and a month just as full to look forward to!  Oh and another positive...I haven't got bed bugs, yet! They say with my lifestyle, this could be a problem...yuck.

Here is the thing, tonight before I go to bed I am going to say my prayers for Kyle and everyone else out there who really needs a break and then I am going to thank god for each and every one of you that have made my crazy life...a crazy beautiful life. 

So why don't you stop and think about life in a new perspective.  You could be 17 again facing all those new life challenges or sitting by a hospital bed praying for someone you love or feeling totally alone...but I bet your not.  I bet you are surrounded by a overwhelming support group that gets you through your day...so take a little time to appreciate them and enjoy each new moment you are given.

"Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.”  --Storm Jameson

Road Block

Uurgh.

I need to write a speech...and the words just won't come out right. 

It's so frustrating. 

Any words of wisdom to inspire me would be greatly appreciated....

Until then I am going to open another work document and try again. 

I Place This Class of Crossbred Market Hogs 3421.

I actually placed that class of crossbred market hogs wrong.


And it wasn't the only class that I placed wrong that day that I still had to march into the reasons room and tell the officials why I felt the need to disagree with them so strongly.  On that particular Crossbred Market Hogs class, I simple busted it (which in the judging world means you messed up only 3 of 4 of them and didn't kill yourself but basically took yourself out of the top ten) and managed not to sound like too much of a fool in the reasons room.  I unfortunately can't say for one of my sets.

I was pretty disappointed in myself and I didn't really know what to think.

It only took a day and I decided that I needed to sound like a fool this weekend at the National Barrow Show.  Why?  I needed a reminder on why I am doing this and how hard I still need to work.  I didn't stick around for another semester for nothing.  Not only do I want another piece of hardware, but I want to know I did the best I could and be proud of myself.  I was not too proud Monday afternoon when I walked out of my last set thinking I talked really well...only too find out I simple busted every single class I so confidently just got done explaining.

Here is the thing...I have been so blessed in my past 22 years and have not experienced a devastating amount of hardships.  I haven't got declined from many jobs, have an amazing boyfriend, have won my fair share of awards and somehow I have consistently done well in school.  I think sometimes when life gets that good we just start to expect it to stay that good...without doing the work needed.

Whether it is a steer, paper, judging class or job....you can't succeed without a little determination and a lot of hard work.  I learned it the hard way this weekend and I am hoping I can save you from the trouble as well.  I strongly encourage you to take a moment while your reading this and think about something you could work just a little bit harder at--and then do it.
 

Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it.        -Unknown

You can take my word I will be prepared when we hit the road to Kansas.  :)

I'm Back...Again.

Long time, no blog.

Have you noticed the trend?

You know, "the wait a really long time between each post so you can start each post with 'long time no see/talk/blog'" trend?  If not, you obviously aren't one of my loyal eight followers that read my random and sporadic thoughts on life.

Sorry again!  I have a good excuse this time and it is that my roommates and I are way to cheap to get internet (yet) and I have no connection to the outside world except through my Blackberry.  It makes it pretty rough to blog, Facebook creep and stay on top of my two online classes and it makes me spend most of my nights in the IACC...which is where I currently am sitting.  Room 114 to be precise. 

So while I am here I will give you a quick update on life and then, after this I promise weekly blogs will solve this problem of disconnect! :)


1.  I moved back to Fargo on August 14th.  I started judging practice on August 15th and my life has been crazy every since.  If you think I am joking, ask my roommates.  I see them for maybe 20 minutes each day.  I run from work to judging to meetings to homework and then do it all again the next day.  It's really not too bad.  It's saving me from having to many late nights at Chubs mainly.

2.  And just saying the word Chubs makes me miss last year and the girls and everything about my senior year.  I feel old.  I know I am not and I know in approximately 4 months I will feel extremely young and inexperienced, but for now, when I load in a car with a bunch of minors to go to a house party, I feel antique.  And then I feel even older than antique when those younguns (like Kelcey Holm) ask me if I feel old.  Here is my plea--to my old friends that always made me feel young--COME BACK.  I miss you terribly.  I miss Mary Berg, especially, after this crummy judging weekend.  I miss apartment 13.  I miss my crazy Montana friend.  NDSU misses you too.  

3.  BWangs (Buffalo Wild Wings) is taking over my days.  I know this isn't a profitable job for me at this time, but it will make due until my real job begins.

4.  Which brings me to my biggest news yet--I am a future full-time employee of BEEF Magazine. Seriously, it's amazing.  My goal was to have a job before I came back this semester and I do.  How is that possible in this economy with soooo many good applicants?  I don't know, but I am smiling ear to ear. :)  

5.  My favorite time of the year came and went and it was just as good as always.  The MN State Fair is (by far hands down no use arguing with me) the best twelve days of summer.  And it didn't let me down in 2010. Jason and Matt both had an excellent year.  Matt was Reserve Supreme Breeding Heifer and Jason sold his steer on the Purple Ribbon Auction and was Reserve Senior Showman.  I was pretty proud of them both!  Check out the MN State Fair 4-H website for more pictures.

Jason with his Middleweight Friction Steer at MN State Fair 4-H Show.

 

Matt with his Saugahatchee x Lutton Angus Heifer at MN State Fair 4-H Show.  

6.  I started my final judging season this weekend at the National Barrow Show and well, it can only go up from here!  :)

Alright that's all I got for now folks.  Please look for motivating, exciting and sarcastic posts in the near future.  My mind is filled with things to say.  Enjoy your week!  Friday is closer than you think....