The Day all Hail Broke Loose...

Saturday morning, I woke up expecting an eventful day.  However, the eventful day I was expecting was not as eventful as it turned out to be.  I woke up at 7 to prep for the Monticello Society Brunch (a brunch to honor CAFNR's donors) and pack my bags for home.  I enjoyed the brunch and dashed back to the dorm to change and load up the car to go home.  I knew that I was going to be an hour late to my cousin's anniversary party so I dashed out of Columbia as fast as I could (legally). 

As I neared the Kingdom City exit, halfway between Columbia and home, they came on the radio to announce a severe thunderstorm warning for Callaway and Montgomery Counties (the two counties I go through on the interstate on my way home).  I brushed it off as just a strong thunderstorm and continued on home.  This girl was not stopping.  She had family and friends to go see. 

Sooner than later, it started to sprinkle, then pour, then pea-size hail, dime size hail, and everything after that I was not worried about size anymore.  I could hear it pounding dents all over my car.  Next thing I know, one came down and cracked my windshield, and more proceeded to do the same.  Needless to say, when I got off the Interstate to pull under a gas station overhang, I was happy to run inside and no longer hear the banging. 

Dad came up to see if the windshield (and driver) were okay enough to finish the drive home.  By then, I wasn't as shaken up, just nervous about not having a car for a week, especially right before I move.  So here I am, stranded at the mercy of those kind enough to give me rides.  To those of you who have and will, thank you!

My poor windshield when I got to the gas station.  Ouch.

The sad thing is that I was driving along a guy in a beautifully restored Chevy pickup.  Unfortunately, he got caught in the hail as well.

Stay Safe (and Hail Free!)
Julia

Never Leave Your Past Behind

The past two days between work and classes, I have been at the Hearnes Center for the 84th Missouri FFA Convention.  I attended the Convention all four years of high school.  I have stepped on that stage before thousands to be recognized as a Missouri Agribusiness Academy Delegate in 2009, Competed in Floriculture and Agricultural Sales Career Development Events, and received my State FFA Degree.  This year, I stood on the other side of everything, assisting with the state Poultry Contest CDE. 

Over the past two days, I have heard the dreams of young minds and the excitement of winning.  There is something that happens while you wear that blue jacket.  You discover a potential that is beyond your dreams. 

Now I know that sometimes 4-H and FFA can seem like opposing forces and I often say that without 4-H, I would not be who I am today.  You see, though, life is a brownie.  4-H is the flour, the stuff that makes a brownie a brownie.  If I didn't have the eggs from FFA, all I would be stuck with is chocolatey flour.  The two have gone hand-in-hand in making me into a responsible young leader.

On another note, I am very proud and happy for my hometown's FFA Chapter for receiving 3rd place at the Floriculture contest yesterday.  Back when I competed, we achieved 4th place, just shy of going on stage.  I congratulate all who have competed throughout the contest season.

Best Wishes,
Julia

Spring Break Trip to Home

This week while many of my friends are in Florida and the Carolinas, I am at home.  Not stuck at home, might I clarify.

Yesterday was filled with laundry and mowing the grass.  I had never used the new lawn mower before and since it was the only one with the deck attached, I had no choice.  It was quite the experience.  I had an extra foot of deck space, making it a faster job and a booger to navigate in some places.

After I finished the front yard, it was time to mow between the pasture and the highway.  As I was mowing along the ditch, the mower came to a stop.  No amount of turning, backing up or anything would get me unstuck.  So I called Dad to bring it to his attention for when he came home.

The ground is also extremely wet at the moment.  I would try to go up a hill, get stuck, back up, get stuck again, back up, get stuck once more, and decided that patch of grass can wait and took a little detour around the problem area.

Now there is a little blonde in me and as I am very prone to allergies, I was a little crazy to mow yesterday when the pollen was as high as it would be all week.  Today I am enjoying the allergy meds, tylenol, and a nap to overcome the monstrous pollen count.

Thursday I get to make a trip to Sedalia to interview for an internship with the Missouri State Fair.  I also get to pick up my nephew in Jeff City afterwards to make it all the more worthwhile.  Wish me luck!

Until later,

Julia

Securing our Safety

Today in accounting, a good friend of mine and I were talking about how the public does not understand why they are not allowed inside a poultry operation.  I urge all of you to help the public understand that this is for the health of both the consumer and the animal as the following video explains:

Have a great day!

Julia

Home Invaders

I had quite the weekend.  I had decided to go home with my boyfriend and see his family and newly redone house.  Friday and Saturday morning were pretty average but it was all soon to change.

After lunch, Aaron and I went over to his house.  He wanted to set up the laundry machines and I wanted to clean up after him.  Of course I decided to test drive the sofa and was sitting on there when I heard Aaron come up the stairs and cause a ruckus.  Strange.  I go into the kitchen where he is filling up buckets of water to pour over an unexpected guest.  Turns out the clog in the drain was really not one but two garter snakes.  Eek!

To keep them from running from the rubbing alcohol poured down over them and up through the floor drain, I put two bricks over the grate so they couldn't push it up and stick around.  After the laundry was going, we were standing back looking over the basement.  Near the roller skate next to the drain grate was a piece of black rubber...made of bones, guts, and nasty skin.  That was a snake and I made sure to scream and hide behind my Abraham Lincoln-sized man.  He proceeded to pull a shovel out of nowhere and repeatedly stab the beast.  I thought it was long gone, he didn't and went back to stab it a few more times.  Then I went into the living room upstairs so I did not have to look at it as it was drug to the pasture.

I guess we all have fears, even six foot six young men.

Peace

Julia

Part 1 of 2: Sustainable Agriculture

I recently decided to add a minor in Sustainable Agriculture to my degree.  I have gotten good and bad replies to this and I hope that I may be able to teach these naysayers that it does not necessarily mean that I am a tree hugger or a hippie. 

I know we each have our own definitions of sustainable agriculture, so I want to hear what you think.  Please comment below!  Once I receive at least 5 comments, I will reveal to you my own definition.

Spreading the Word

Hello everyone!  Several years ago, I gave my first speech at a county 4-H council meeting.  Last Thursday I gave my first college speech, more nervous than ever.  I have survived 4-H public speaking, countless high school speech meets, numerous winery tours, and even a few emcee events.

Now Thursday was nerve-wrecking to me but it all ironed out as soon as I walked into the dining hall.  Spicy chicken and tater tots were on the menu.  Two and a half years ago I had this very meal just before delivering my 1st place technology-assisted speech at the Missouri State 4-H Public Speaking Contest.  That was the moment I knew I would do well.

I admit that my introduction was a little shaky, but I have never given a speech that is perfect.

Enjoy!

Julia

Love is flowers in a mason jar and a treasured belt buckle

I don't know if you knew this or not (if you know me, of course you did), but I truly love my boyfriend, Aaron.  I don't like to send it out to the world but sometimes you just have to say it.  We have been together a year as of the 26th of January.  As I sat at my $500 Facebook machine Tuesday night, I realized I truly love him.  Why?  Because he gave me a bundle of flowers in a Kerr jar with a fuzzy blanket and pillow combo.  Because he had to go look at used furniture shops before we could go to Longhorn Sunday night.  Because he did not find it necessary to spend loads of money on me on Valentine's Day and let me study for calculus as he studied for soils.

However, I decided to be sweet and replace the buckle he broke a month or two ago.  This buckle read "The American Farmer feeds the World".  Aaron wore it when he won Farm Bureau Ambassador and I knew that I must replace it.  Unfortunately he knew what it was when he saw the size of the package and I was not there when he opened it due to the calc test but I think it made him happy.

This is the lifestyle I grew up in and hope to continue on in for the rest of my life.  I do not want to be given diamonds and rubies but rather love and compassion.  And mason jars.

Oh and as an added note, Aaron took that picture and pointed out that the clouds make a heart in the sky.

Love,

Julia

An FFA Speech 11 months too late

I am a very lucky person when it comes to my Communications 1200 class.  I forgot to read the chapters the day that we had a quiz at the beginning of class before a lecture over those very chapters.  Oops.  I also was selected to speak on the first day of speeches.  Go Julia!
Now this could be seen as an issue of not so much time to write a beautiful speech.  Rather, I am seeing it as a way to tell myself to get into gear and start writing this thing.

Okay self, so what do I talk about?  How to be blonde?  I'm good at that.  Nah let's try that one thingy they teach us about before we teach workshops on State Council.

The Experiential Learning Model.

Now to write.  See, being in college I find it difficult to write speeches with the lack of a huge mirror and expo markers to organize this beast for me.  Rather I am sitting in bed trying to apply my once amazing extemporaneous speaking prep strategy to a prepared speech.  Well that of course and Prezi.  In case you didn't know, Prezi is a great tool that allows you to create presentations that put the whole picture together.  Rather than flipping through slides, you zoom in and move around on a huge virtual posterboard.  I love it.

Now, as I began research tonight, I noticed one common factor between all of the various articles on Mizzou's online library pertaining to the ELM, The Agricultural Education Magazine has published several wonderful articles about how it pertains to the FFA motto, Doing to Learn.  Why didn't I think of this sooner for my FFA Speech?  Too late I guess.

Now, back to the grindstone,
Julia

Happy Birthday (plus one day) to Me!

Yesterday I became old.  Sure I am still considered a young adult but heck 19 is a big number in my eyes.  Now, as a college student with friends just as busy as myself, the only day this week that I could celebrate was Tuesday.  This worked out great since the bowling alley had $2 bowling.  Unfortunately there was a 45-minute wait that we could not handle.  We went to Walmart and got groceries to make supper and went back to the dorm only to realize that we had forgotten taco seasoning.  Courtney and I put together salsa, and several other spices left behind in the dorm kitchen to make the best taco salad I have ever had!  So, as I was doing dishes before we ate, Kathryn came in with 24 moist, delicious cupcakes.  We ate then went all around four floors of the 8-story dorm to pass them out to all of the wonderful friends I have made over the past few months.

Thursday marked a year for Aaron and I.  Unfortunately (or so I thought), I was unable to go on a date with him like he had wanted to.  I was working until 6 and had a two-hour meeting as well that night.  When I got back to his apartment, we sat around working on homework until he got up suddenly and said, and I quote, "Joyful Noise is showing at 10 and I can always stay up for Dolly Parton."  This is at 9:45 PM too.  I might have been dating him for a year, but he still knows how to shock me.  Might I remind you that he never purposefully will stay up much later than 10 much less go somewhere after 10.  I call him to talk at 10 and he complains it's bedtime.  I am still sitting on his couch at 10 and he sends me home because it's his bedtime.  The only time I have ever seen him stay up much later than 10 is for homework.  This kid is the only one I know who cannot miss his bedtime!  I do have to say that spending the first 15 minutes of my birthday with him was the greatest start to any birthday.

Now I may not have gotten to go out on the town or received a dozen roses from Aaron, but I was happy to have had such great people around me.

Great Opportunities

Thursday through Saturday this past week was spent at the 2012 Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture.  This was such a great opportunity.  For the first time, I was able to meet with industry professionals outside of the context of searching for a prosperous career.  I saw the true emotions of farmers who had been flooded out in Northwest and Southeast Missouri this past year.  Industry professionals repeated the common fact of how, in the next 50 years, we need to produce as much food as we have in the past 1000 years.  This time though, they did not say it was a barrier for our industry but rather an opportunity to grow.

Friday night, I was able to model off the wonderful 4-H items for the Youth in Agriculture Auction.  I have officially sold my most expensive ham.  $2000 for the Missouri State Fair Grand Champion Ham made and exhibited by Logan, a Missouri 4-Her.  For more information, go to the Department of Ag's article.

Saturday evening I was asked to sit with the Missouri Department of Agriculture employees during dinner.  As soon as we were finished, I was handed a backstage pass to meet Mark Chesnutt.  This was very exciting for me.

I thank everyone who gave me such a warm welcome.  It was in those three days, I realized that I am headed into the greatest industry in the world.

Peace
Julia

Are You on Tap?

Today was the first day of classes here at Mizzou.  I had Applied Macroeconomics followed by Accounting 1 followed by lunch and a nap which were unfortunately followed by another cold trek to Switzler Hall on the other side of campus where I was met with the most perplexing desks I have ever seen in a classroom.

As the other students entered the room, almost everyone of them pulled out an iPhone, Droid, or Crackberry.  Several came in listening to iPods, some with music loud enough to be overheard from across the room.  I admit, I pulled out my measly Samsung Sunburst to tweet about the amount of cell phones I could see.  All of this raises a greater question, "If we are so on tap with the world outside of the classroom we are in, how do we connect with more people, expanding our networks?"


I have reincarnated my Twitter account recently.  This is a great networking tool to give you an opportunity to connect with businesses and individuals with similar interests.  I urge all of you to give it a try if you haven't already.

After this wonderful Communications class, I went to work for a while.  I discussed with a dear adviser and mentor of mine the networking possibilities available at the Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture.  I am very excited for the opportunity to connect with all of these great industry professionals in a few days.  Let's hope Julia can find an internship too while we are at it.

TTYL
Julia

Life Mission

I decided to come back to the dorm tonight so that I can be settled in and comfortable before the stress of the semester comes along.  Unfortunately, the Pepsi I drank at 9 is working well and I cannot sleep.  As I sit here listening to oldies and watching Miss Congeniality 2, I caught a glimpse of the mission statement I wrote at AFA.  I really like reading this from time to time to bring me back to who I am.  Sometimes being with so many different people here you can stray from who you are at times.

I will...
Share my love with my family, my compassion with those in need, and my hands with the world
Have the strength to bear the difficulties and the ability to overcome them
Be inspired so I may be inspired and be caring so I may be cared
Remember this life is solely my own but, with humility, give up my selfishness to serve, to care, and to live for those I love
Never say I'm not good enough for I am the best I can be
Always remain beautiful, even if I have gray hairs and wrinkles, for I have love in my heart.

I guess sometimes I need to remember a few of these things.

Peace and Love,
Julia

Snow Birds

Well yesterday was in the mid-50s all day and short-sleeve weather.  Today is 15 degrees with a windchill of 1 and windy with snow on the ground.  Although I knew it was coming, I still was surprised to see the snow on the ground when I woke up this morning.  One thing I love about snow is how pristine it is.  The mole hills, brown grass, and little imperfections are gone away to a white canvas.  Like when you get a new notebook and are afraid to mark in it and ruin it. 

With all of the snow, though, the birds are out in large numbers.  As I sat on the couch eating my healthy breakfast of homemade chicken noodle soup and Pepsi, I noticed a large number of birds out on the bird feeder.  I grabbed the camera and took a few shots before closing the door and enjoying the warmth before I had to venture back out into the cold.

Here are some of my pictures I took.

Sometimes you wonder how their little feet don't get cold

These flowers were on the front door wreath but froze to the condensation on the door

This is my new desktop background.  I love the little bird.

I took this through a spot I cleared of frost on the front door.  I wish it did not have the purple tint so much.

Days at Home

The end is near.  Oh, goodness class starts Tuesday.  I bought $9 worth of notebooks last night (and wondered aloud why graph paper is sooo much more expensive).  I also got to take my fair queen pictures.  I cannot wait to see them.  I had so much hairspray in my hair that the tiara left dents in the side of my hair and when I woke up this morning my hair looked better than it does most days after I do my hair. 

While at Walmart, I decided to purchase my own GPS for my trip to the Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture next week so my huge blonde hair does not get me lost.  You see, I am amazed Aaron kept me around after I got us lost going to the movies for our first date.  Or so he thinks.  I also have never driven to Kansas City.  I live on the St. Louis side of the state.  I have venture to KC twice in my life.  Once for a 4-H trip when I was little enough to play on the park playground and once this past fall for a conference.

To pay for this wonderful gps, I told Mom that I would do cleaning today for her.  I have finished up the laundry, steamed the kitchen floor, sprayed the kitchen floor with bleach, scrubbed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees, done dishes, made dishes dirty for brownies, and thought about how much fun it would be to do some more sewing.  I made a headband a few days ago and have promised some to two of my best friends at school. 

Sometimes sitting here at home, I think about life in a few years.  I am two years, eleven months, and two days from graduation.  After that, I'm all grown up.  I will have a career I hopefully love, a family (not immediately of course), a beautiful home, and will no longer be a kid.  I like thinking about the future.  It's why my Pinterest account has a wedding board and there is no diamond on my finger. 

Aaron and I with the legendary Ronnie Milsap at the 2011 Gasconade County Fair

Best wishes everyone!

A Good Morning Workout

In this new year, weight loss is all the hype.  Everyone wants to lose weight and eat healthier.  As a part of my new year's resolution, I am beginning to work out again but for different reasons.  Truth is, I am trying to gain weight a very healthy way.  You see, there are many forms of body mass:  fat, water, and muscle are the three biggies.  Although I am thin, I have more fat than is necessary.  A key point a professor pointed out to a class of mine last semester is that no matter if you are 90 or 900 pounds, you can still have too much fat on your bones and not enough meat.


The reason for the working out is that it increases your muscle mass, which creates more healthy weight.  This along with eating a lot of protein with my meals will allow me to gain healthy weight.   Heart disease runs in the family and I cannot afford clogged arteries.  Instead of snacking on potato chips, I am eating a lot of cheese, chicken, pork, and beef from time to time as well.  (I am not a big beef eater)

Now, I will admit to you that my BMI (body mass index) is 20.2 and the normal range is 18.5-24.9.  Check your BMI regularly to find your target weight but also use meters to check your fat percentage.  My old gym had one that I loved to use.

For more information about healthy weight, go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/index.htm.  If you are worried about obesity or anorexia, talk to your healthcare professional.