Making Dreams Come True

Anyone out there starting your first day of college, or maybe your very last year of high school? Maybe you've got kids going off to their first day of elementary school. If so, I bet you were excited and anxious as you went to bed the night before classes began!

It's kind of like a little kid going to Disney World, a quarterback getting ready for the big game, or a singer thinking about performing in front of hundreds of people.

I know just how it feels...in fact I had that same problem last night, even though I've been a college student for almost 1,100 days! So why am I still tossing and turning before the first day of class? I can honestly say, on my LAST, first day of school, I'm more excited than ever. Sure I'll miss college like crazy, but the opportunities I'll find along the way will motivate me to take that giant leap in May.

Whether it's agriculture or finance, journalism or healthcare, students with passion and great training will succeed no matter what. Click here so I can tell you how exciting it is to dream about the future!

Sparking the Blogger

I've never been one to shy away from tension, which is the spark behind this blog. It's coming to you after a heated disagreement with my roommate about something I'm quite passionate about. You guessed it: agriculture.

So here I am, funneling my emotions into a productive use of my sleepless time. I'm consumed by our argument, not because I want her to change her mind, but because I want her to at least see all sides of the issues. Her main interest? Animal rights.

Now, after two years living together and endless stories about the farm, why doesn't she understand how much I care about my livestock? How can she think animal rights groups are actually trying to make her dog's life better?

I'm scared to death to see my closest friends and family, who've grown up on farms or in rural communities, have been fooled by myths and untruths circulating around these days.

So what's the roomie's deal? A closed mind. (Ironic, considering that's the slam I always hear against agriculture.) She's not even willing to hear my side. Like I said, I'm not asking for her to reform to my beliefs. All I'd like is a civil conversation to learn from each other. I've come to find that's certainly not something she's interested in. Hard to believe, huh?

So here I am, turning to the Internet to tell my story in hopes that it will reach people who actually care to learn more. One thing's for sure, I'll learn more just by initiating and moderating dialogue. Not to mention, writing is my secret weapon when I get upset. So there you have it, when in doubt, I can post when I'm stressed or can't sleep.

Hopefully my interactions with family, friends, and strangers will provide educational and entertaining reading for anyone willing to join me on this adventure!