Finals Week

Dear Friends,

School is hard. Life is even harder. And sometimes those two things come crashing together like a hellcat and seem bound to wring you dry of every last bit of energy and hope you have. Trust me, I know the feeling.  It seems like you can't ever get ahead and that the misery never lets up.  One thing after another goes wrong.  Wave after wave.

Many of you know what a stressful semester this has been for me. 18 hours, 5 labs and working a job.  Plus a boyfriend who deserves more attention and time than I can give him.  I've managed to keep my head above water in most of my classes, except for genetics.  I hate the class, the teacher is the worst I've ever had, and the material is unbelievably difficult. I don't know how to study and trying to teach yourself how to do things without being shown doesn't always leave you feeling confident in your ability to answer questions correctly. I'm barely passing that class. I'm angry because a "D" doesn't reflect my ability as a student, let alone that I have to keep at least a 60 just to pass!

We had our third test last week and I was so stressed about it, I couldn't focus. I was nearly on the verge of straight panic. Post-test, I felt even less confident in my ability to at least get a 60!  To me, that's just ridiculous.  When you have to teach yourself the material and you are so stressed you break down and cry, something is seriously wrong.  We have a final this Friday, and I honestly don't know if I can pass this class.

For all the stress and misery genetics has put me through, I have to keep reminding myself to breath and to trust in the greater plan.  There is ALWAYS a reason for everything.  If I fail, I have options; I can retake this class next semester, I can take it at a junior college.  I'll be okay. I want to remind all of you as we head into finals, that you have alternatives, and most importantly, YOU WILL BE OKAY. This isn't the end of the world. I know it sounds incredibly cliche, but keep swimming.  I believe in you.

My Favorite Waste of Time

Feb. 6, 2018 Update

Reading this, I can't help but smile how this is all still true. I wrote this blog 5 months into a whirlwind relationship with the person who changed my life. Two and a half years later, we're married now, and the passion and excitement hasn't let up a bit. If it's even possible, I dare say I love him more. 

I know, I know, I'm super sappy. But there aren't enough words or eloquent phrases in the world to describe what my husband means to me. In some small way, I suppose I want to show people real love does exist and that you can find a partner that truly does make you "more". Whenever I see blogs or hear people talk about how their husband/boyfriend isn't their best friend (and they are strangely proud of that??) I really question that mentality. I'm sure some might say we have an unhealthy level of closeness, but to each their own. We have always made a point to never "need" each other or "complete" each other. Instead, we are here because we both deeply desire to be, and our relationship only makes us a stronger version of ourselves.

Levi is so much more than a pretty sweet roommate. Or the person who heats up my bed so I don't freeze at night. He's my business partner, my life coach, and philosophical debater. In my humble opinion, if your relationship doesn't give you that, you're probably in the wrong one. I can't imagine settling for any less these days, and I can actually speak from experience on that topic.

We are not without imperfections and we do have our battles, but we work through them. Sometimes on our own. We hold each other to the fire and expect the other to become a better person and actively pursue self-growth at all times. Every challenge has been worth it and we are beginning to realize the efforts we have been putting in. I'm so proud of the people we are and the people we will become, and thankful to have someone who expects so much of me and holds my hand as I work through my personal deficiencies. 

Side note: Levi is 1 month into owning a Facebook these days. He's decided to get with the times and not be an "old man". Even though we still go around about how Facebook isn't going to hack his phone and share every piece of information he owns 😂. Yesterday, we had a lesson about how to "like" a post, and that, yes, indeed, people can see you liked it, and no, they won't think it's weird if you like your wife's post. Also, his fashion sense has improved a tad. We went shoe shopping this weekend and ended up deciding he needs 3 more pairs of shoes....

Diesels and Diamonds

I know he's probably not going to see this since he doesn't know the first thing about Facebook, let alone blogging, but I'm gonna brag on him anyway.  Levi is, and continues to be, a true blessing in my life.  I truly can say I found someone who makes me more, and who I feel entirely at ease with.

Definitely my PIC ;)

Firm in his beliefs, stubborn as a mule, and 100% true Texan; he's pesky, and persistent. He doesn't take kindly to not getting his way. He's perpetually running behind on literally everything and doesn't have the first clue about fashion. Perhaps his greatest offense is that of his ability to steal the spotlight from me with his good looks when we go out;) After several minutes of thinking, that's all I can come up with.  This man truly doesn't have many faults, and those that he does have just make me smile, because who I am to condemn him for being so like me?

We might have a little fun...

Everyone always said opposites attract, and they do.  It's easier to get along with someone who will step down and let you take control if you're a natural leader.  It's easier to be with someone who doesn't question your opinions and viewpoints.  Simply put, it make life less complicated. But what if you mixed two folks who are both dominant, headstrong, and passionate about being right?  We've been told our whole lives that makes for a bad combination; that you will bicker and nitpick at each other.  Somehow, that doesn't seem to happen with us.  We compliment each other, and have the same thought process.  That being said, this makes for a fantastic Partner in Crime and an even better friend.  So much of our relationship doesn't require words, we just know what the other one is thinking, and having that level of closeness and understanding is absolutely incredible.

Every time I spend any length of time with this guy, I am blown away by how we mesh.  He makes me laugh constantly, helps me design grand schemes, and dishes the sarcasm right back at me. Never before have I met someone who stands up to me and puts me in my place, nor someone who challenges me.  He makes me be a better person without doing a thing.  He spoils me, supports me, and loves me.  He lets me have my independence and gives me my space and freedom to succeed on my own.  I finally found the person I can get lost in. We might be sappy, grossly cute and get in trouble for PDA on a regular basis, but we have fun doing it and I wouldn't trade a second of it for the world.  Levi, you are most certainly my favorite waste of time.

After 5 months, he's starting to get the 

hang of this "Selfies" thing

You Better Belize It!

Clear Skies, Turquoise Water and the Sway of Palm Fronds Made for
a Dreamy Vacation and Culturally Rich Experience

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to travel with my boyfriend, Levi, to experience the culture and landscape of a different country.  Between our silly hashtags (#youbetterBelizeit & #adventuresofLA), culinary adventures and driving escapades, we did manage to absorb and learn plenty about this amazing little country.  Belize is located Southwest of Mexico, near Guatemala and only has a population of 350,000.  Though their driving could scare even the most seasoned professional, the people were incredibly gracious and seemed to genuinely enjoy tourists.  Below are a few of the interesting things I learned while we were there:

Chicken is A Way of Life

Don't get me wrong, chicken can be fantastic, but I sure did miss some beef while I was here!  Belizeans have a diet that is extremely high in this protein, and it is the centerpiece of their national dish.  We had stewed chicken, jerk chicken, chicken tacos, BBQ'd chicken, the list goes on and on!

Stew Chicken, Rice and Beans, Potato Salad and a Fried Plantain
- National Dish of Belize
(And of course Belikin Beer for those that are legal!)

The U.S. Has Nothing on their Fruit

Our fruit is a sorry excuse compared to that found in Belize.  I am a fruit fanatic, so naturally I had to get my hands on some everywhere we went!  I had some of the most flavorful strawberries in a fresh smoothie, and enjoyed a fried plantain with nearly every meal.  But the fruit that takes the cake above all others, were the fresh bananas we found across the street from our Villa.  Levi paid $1 Belizean (Which amounts to just 50 cents U.S.) for 5 bananas.  They were beyond good, and that is coming from someone who isn't a banana lover!

Right outside of Villa, we found this delightful fruit stand!

The Beef Scene is Very Odd

Well, in comparison to the U.S., it is very strange!  They raise Brahman influenced cattle or Nelore.  Unless you are from the South, I doubt you are very familiar with Brahmans, and Nelore cattle are a whole new type from what we have in the U.S.  These breeds are hardy under higher temperatures and humidity (such as that found in the tropics) and have a higher insect resistance, making them much more suitable for this type of climate!

Nelore Cattle

Mennonites Own Just About Everything

Strange as it seems, and we were just as surprised, the Mennonites have their fingers in just about any industry in Belize!  They own the citrus farms, raise most of the cattle, pave the roads, bring in the timber, and do many other things for the economy.  They are a vital part of Belize, and are treated as such!

River Valley Region of Belize, some of the richest farmland in the world

Traveling to a different country was one of the most enriching things I have ever done in my life.  I look forward to the many vacations I'll be taking with my sweet man (who seems to be okay with following me around the world!)

Continuing the Adventures of LA

It's Been Awhile....

Man, it's been awhile since I've posted something on my blog!  So much has happened, I can't believe it!  These past six weeks have really opened my eyes, and I can honestly say that I've learned a whole heck of a lot about myself, and life in general, during them.

You Find the Most Valuable People When You Aren't Looking

Some of my All-Time Favorite People

How many time have we all heard this one?  And my stubborn head thought that I could beat that rule.  Ha, try again. When I stopped trying so hard to find someone, I stumbled upon a special one.  And come to think of it, I've met my closest friends when I wasn't trying.  They were people who liked me for me, not for who I was trying to be.  I didn't have to impress them and they stuck around because they wanted to.  These are people who have seen me at my weakest and helped me through it.  That is something I will never be able to repay them for.

Travel is Good for the Soul

I have been blessed to travel so much this year, and this summer has lined out to include even more exotic venues which I've never visited.  Meeting the people, learning about the local culture and absorbing my surroundings are all things I love about traveling.  I may have some exciting adventures when it comes to planes, but I always have a good time once I reach my destination.

Forgiveness is Everything

I've always been a grudge-holder and the first one to take off when things get bad, but people deserve second chances.  If for nothing other than to prove a point to yourself, give someone a little extra time.  I've had experiences where doing so proved to me how much I needed to get this person out of my life, and I've had others that showed me that someone just made a mistake. Knowing what is, is better than wondering what could've been.

It's the Little Things

The simplest things are what make you the happiest.  I used to be a person that was only impressed by extravagant and/or expensive things.  But if you live life like this, you're only going to be sorely disappointed.  Being able to enjoy the simple beauty of nature or the company of good friends is what this life is all about.

Watching a Sunrise is some of the most relaxing
& rejuvenating things ever

Some Things Are Better as Memories

Letting go of your past allows you to move onto a better
future

Just like the title says, some things, and people, are better as memories.  Hold onto the good memories you have of them and leave it at that.  Because there are times when the person in front of you isn't the same as they used to be.  Don't be afraid to recognize that and to put them in your past.  Not everyone deserves to be a part of your future.  And maybe you'll get lucky and find that your past experiences weren't as good as you thought they were.  I know that if I wouldn't have let go of those things, I wouldn't have met the incredible guy I'm with now who has shown me how much better it can be.



Maybe it's been a culmination of the past 9 months, or maybe it's been having a new perspective in my life, but for some reason, it's like I can see things so much more clear.  I'm a happier person than I've been in a long, long time, and though I do occasionally miss what was, I'm more excited than ever about what is going to be.

With Love,

Alicia

The Girl From Everywhere

Ahhh the dreaded, "What's your hometown?" question.  I'm always at a loss of how to answer this.  Do I tell them where I went to high school?  Or maybe where I live now?  Or even where I was born?  Which answer represents me the best?

I used to despise moving around all the time.  It seems like we would pack everything up just as soon as I had made friends and gotten comfortable.  I can't say that I have a childhood best friend who I still keep in touch with.  And moving to a new town meant having to make friends all over again; something which gets exponentially more difficult the older you get.  When we moved to Safford, I made my Dad promise that I could finish high school here.  Two years before my graduation, he accepted a job in Tucson, AZ, which was two hours away.  He made good on his promise and commuted back and forth, staying in Tucson during the week and coming back to Safford on weekends.  Because of the failing housing market, we got out from under our house in Safford the start of my senior year and spent the rest of it living out of a camper.

Sure, my experiences may have been less that ideal, but looking back, I'm so glad for them.  Living in a camper taught you to value counter space in the kitchen, walls that were thicker than an inch, and mostly, bathtubs.  Moving around taught me that you have to make the most of what you have and that you need to do so quickly.  But the most important asset I garnered was the ability to get up and move.  I'm not afraid to go where is best for me and to deal with new people and places, because it's nothing new.

I've also had the opportunity to live in some amazing places and see some great things.  I've lived within an hour of Mount Rushmore, I've seen the Grand Canyon, I've hiked mountains, seen 40 mph winds take trampolines right off the ground, I've watched some of the best sunsets imaginable and walked in the same paths as men like Geronimo.  Living all these different places has given me chances to travel, and to experience cultures I once took for granted.  In addition to having lived all over, I've been blessed enough to travel frequently and have family that live in different states.

I am just now beginning to realize how valuable this upbringing has been.  I know people whose families have lived in the same home for over 100 years, all growing up in the same town and going to the same schools.  There are people that have never even left the state!  I simply can't imagine it.  I've been ingrained with a sense of adventure and a desire to see the world.

So in response to when I'm asked "Where are you from?" I just smile and say, "everywhere."

Future of the Beef Industry: Where We Are and Where We Are Headed

I’m sure we can all think of several problems the beef industry is facing today, and I think the overall picture has to do with consumers and their demand for our product.  This is a multi-faceted problem, with consumer confidence being undermined by anti-beef organizations, increasing global demand, and trying to keep up with this demand while using less land and resources.  Each problem must be tackled differently, so I will discuss each further in depth.

Consumer confidence plays a huge role in marketing our product.  Lately, it has fallen some with the onslaught of negative images plastered by anti-beef organizations such as PETA and HSUS, which the media has taken up due to their sensationalism.  We all know that this is not how we raise our animals, and that everything we do is in their best interest.  Thus, it is important that we, as producers, start sharing our story.  Whether it be through social media outlets, which allow for quick and easy communication to the masses, or talking to our neighbor at the grocery store, there is never a bad time to strike up a conversation about beef.  I personally have the opportunity to speak with hundreds of consumers through my role as a National Beef Ambassador, and I find that many consumers just can’t find the connection to make with a farmer or rancher, and thus rely on what they see on the news.  If we start telling people how we raise our animals, and the logic behind it, I am positive we can increase their confidence in our product, and possibly exceed previous levels.

      While our native consumers may have some doubts, globally, our product is in high demand.  Asian-Pacific markets know the quality of American Beef and are willing to pay a premium for it.  This influx of consumers has lowered our supply and caused some amount of price escalation.  By all means, I believe trading on the global market is a fantastic idea, and adds dollars to the value of that carcass, but it is a factor we need to keep in mind when we assess the amount of beef we need to produce to feed the growing population.

      This brings me to my final point about raising more cattle with less land and resources - in essence, our sustainability.  It is commonly known amongst ranchers that we care for the land and want to leave it good condition, because it is a large part of our livelihood.  We increase our efficiency drastically by using exogenous hormones, ionophores in feed and increasing heterosis amongst breeds.  These are terrific advancements, and there are many more on the horizon that we are beginning to see progress in, such as fetal programming and transgenetics.  I believe these last two technologies, along with the expansion of legal hormones and beta-agonists, will maximize our production and allow us to raise cattle effectively and efficiently, while still producing the quality product consumers desire.

As a whole, my generation is being set up to have an industry full of opportunities ripe for the picking.  We are in need of innovators that will perform the science behind these technologies and ensure they are quality, while also discovering new ones.  Personally, I plan to continue advocating for the beef industry by talking with consumers about their concerns, and sharing my own beef story and those of others.  Along with this, I plan to spend some time on Capital Hill lobbying on behalf of the beef industry and making sure regulations and laws are passed that benefit the our industry, while also convincing our nation’s leaders that beef is a delicious, wholesome and safe product.

My Cup Runneth Over

Spring Break 2k15

What a whirlwind Spring Break it's been!  I've got two days left and it will be gone before I even know it!  Seems like I just hop from one event to the next with hardly a breather in between!  But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Super Cute Outfits

The week started with traveling to Colorado for our "Denver Beef Experience."  And what an experience it was!  We began in Greeley, Colorado in an adorable Bed and Breakfast (one of my favorite things) and a 4 mile adventure to the convenience store.  The next day we had the amazing opportunity to tour JBS Greeley Beef Plant and Five Rivers Feedyard!  In essence, we were able to see the entire picture when it comes to raising cattle.  I was very excited to see production on such a massive scale, with nearly 80,000 cattle on feed and 5,000 being harvested per day. Those numbers are so incredible to me and a true testament to the efficiency of production present in the beef industry!

Bison and Elk Steaks!

That night, we traveled to downtown Denver.  We were put up in The Curtis (not too shabby digs *wink wink*) and had dinner at The Buckhorn Exchange.  The Buckhorn specializes in exotic meals, such as various wild game.  I settled for a bison filet and elk steak, both of which were pretty good!  The restaurant also had tons of mounts and I was actually pretty happy I was able to identify the majority of them!  I had to dig a little while back into my wildlife knowledge, but it sure did come in handy!

"Texas Gone Arizona Style"
Steak & Potatoes

The next day, we were able to spend some time taste testing different doneness levels, recipes and styles of beef.  This was probably one of my favorite experiences, as I now feel like I can understand what consumers are tasting.  All beef is nutritionally equal, but there are obvious taste differences between levels of doneness and grain finished and grass finished.  We were also able to cook Iron Chef Style and prepare our own beef dish to be taste tested by my fellow team members and chefs of the Beef Innovations kitchen!  We finished up with a very informative meeting at "Where Food Comes From," a progressive company specializing in source verification and then another delicious dinner.

On our last day, we went back into Denver for a meeting with USMEF (United States Meat Export Federation) on the value of meat exports.  Trading on a global market is beyond fascinating to me.  Did you know that exports add about $300 per carcass to beef animals?  We are able to create a market for products that consumers don't want here domestically, like liver, tongue, head meat and other organ meats.

USMEF

You might be wondering about any flying mishaps I might have had, and I proud to report that I did not get randomly stopped in security and only had minor problems on the flight back!  I had a tight layover in Dallas and had to sprint to make my plane to C. Stat (of which we then sat there for an hour due to technical issues. Of course).

About sums our friendship up.  Logan is annoyed, I'm laughing.

Catching Crabs!

When I got home, I decided to go to Houston Livestock Show (since I've never been) and watch the steer show.  The sisters of one of my great friends, Logan, were showing and I watched one of them show and then spent a couple days with their terrific family!  We spent the next day at Galveston beach, and even though it was cloudy and cool, I still managed to burn.  Lucky me.  We caught six crabs and I learned pretty fast they are aggressive little suckers!  The first crab we caught, Sebastian, would attack a stick and hang on to it with his claw.

It's been a terrific Spring Break, and honestly, my favorite one to date!  Surrounding yourself with good people and even better friends always makes for a good time!

Until Next Time Folks!
Alicia

Why the Show Industry is the Best Thing to Happen to Beef

As showmen and women, I'm sure you've all heard someone tell you that show cattle aren't worth their weight and that the show industry is just too extreme in their trends.  I've been told that we make 'em too big, too soggy, too hairy, the list goes on and on!  And for some commercial settings, I couldn't agree more, but there is value in the show industry.  In fact, there is lots!

At the end of the day, we are all still cattle ranchers and have
the same common goals in mind

I have to opportunity to talk to hundreds of commercial ranchers and let me tell you, I get some funny looks when I tell them that I show cattle.  I've actually had some good arguments about the virtues of each type of cattle and why they are valuable.  Now, anyone that knows me, knows that I am a die hard fan of hair cattle.  I know it's impractical and makes them hot and usually reduces gains, but they are just so beautiful when they are all fit and clipped!  And I personally have a lot of fun working hair everyday.  That being said, there are two things the show industry is excellent at, involving youth, and being innovative.

I'm just partial to show cattle!

We all know as ranchers that our industry is lacking youth.  As the average age of ranchers hovers around 57, and growing older, it is imperative we start getting youth interested in agriculture.  The show industry is helping us to do that by offering monetary incentives that are far better than what the market has to offer, and by giving opportunities to urban youth that might otherwise never become involved.  I am a product of the show industry, as I was a suburban kid with a passion for horses that has since led me into the field of agriculture.  I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it weren't for programs like 4-H and FFA.

Show cattle require several hours of work per day to
get them ready, including rinsing, blowing & halter work

More importantly, the show industry is innovative and willing to try new products and new ideas, far more than that of the commercial industry.  That is fact seldom few can argue over.  Only about 3% of the cattle in the U.S. are artificially inseminated, and the majority of those 3% are show cattle.  Technologies like embryo transfer, and cloning are also being pioneered and fostered within the show industry and are allowed to show their value on a large scale.  In addition, many supplemental feed products get their foothold here before moving on to production cattle.

Most show cattle are A.I.'d which allows quick increase
in the quality of the genetic pool

So, when somebody tries to tell you that show cattle are just too extreme and that you are slightly crazy, politely agree, but then tell them that we are driving the future of beef!!

With Love From the Heart of Beef,

Alicia

Cooking For One Made Easy

I don't know about y'all, but sometimes cooking for one is real tricky!  Between all the effort it takes to make the meal and "taste testing", I usually don't even want to eat it when I'm done!  Beyond the fact that most recipes make GIANT portions, so you end up eating the same thing for a week straight!  These factors sometimes make it easier to just go to Layne's (Our local fried chicken eatery) or CJ's Barbecue.  Especially because they are on the way home from work.  Now, we all know that eating out gets expensive quickly, and can cost you your waistline in a hurry!

Fancy Steak for one y'all! Recipe follows!

So what to do about this predicament?  Well, my solution is to figure out how to make recipes smaller, perhaps enough for two servings.  Now we all know that I LOVE me some beef, especially a good steak, but that usually requires grilling.  And I am definitely challenged when it comes to that job, besides, it it just so much effort to set up.  I much prefer tossing something in the oven and forgetting about it for 20-30 minutes.  Well, thanks to beefitswhatsfordinner.com, I learned that you CAN cook steak in the oven!  You just have to set it to the broil setting and about 400 degrees, and presto, you have a delicious steak!

Just the other night, I tried out this method with a couple of delicious choice tenderloins, and it was perfect!  I paired it with some roasted red potatoes, and had a nutritious, and delicious meal for one!  Below is the recipe!

This stuff is liquid gold!

• 1 Tenderloin Steak
• Season it as you like (I used salt, pepper and Bodacious Red Soppin' Sauce)

I cooked mine to medium (160 degrees) which was about 20 minutes at 400 degrees

• Red potatoes (no peeling required!) diced into 1 in. pieces
• Season with Salt, pepper, chile flake and Soppin' Sauce!

These took a bit longer than the steak, I think it ended up being about 30 minutes because I like my taters crisp!

So no more excuses y'all! This was one meal fit for a queen, and took about 45 minutes to make!

Alicia

NCBA Convention 2015

Little Texas Love for Y'all!

As many of you know, after a trip, I like to write a blog about what all went on.  I do this for two reasons - so all of you lovely people can read about our NBAP adventures, and so that I can document what I'm doing and be able to read and laugh about for years to come.

This past week, your NBA team has been attending the NCBA (National Cattlemen's Beef Association) 2015 Convention in San Antonio, Texas.  Due to its close proximity, I dodged the bullet that I consider airlines, and was able to drive.  We spent the week attending meetings, soaking up lots of valuable information, and most importantly, meeting industry professionals and cattlemen, alike.

The "Rhinestone Princess" found her glitter at Convention

The first day, Tuesday, I made the trip from good 'ol C. Stat down to San Antone (yes, I am now known for my Texas lingo, so I must continue for the sake of entertainment).  Instead of nice, "Sizzling San Antonio" that the convention advertised, it was bleak, and quite frankly a bit chilly!  We had a heck of a time finding the entrance to the right hotel (there are two Marriott River somethings side by side), but eventually made it there without turning the wrong way down a one-way street.  This was my first experience with valet parking, and it was quite cool to be honest.  I felt rather important.  We checked in to our hotel, found a delightful room, and then jetted off to our first meeting on social media and its incorporation into the beef industry.  After this, we attended a delicious german diner and had homemade root beer, and of course, I had to order wienerschnitzel just to say the name!


Wednesday morning came bright and early, after only 4 hours of sleep.  Our main mission this day was to attend Cattlemen's College breakout sessions and soak in the information.  I attended sessions on reproductive technologies, wealth management and finally, the science of grilling beef.  I would like to share a couple of tips with you about grilling meat, that I found extremely valuable:

• For every inch of thickness, cook approx. 8-10 minutes
• When grilling bone-in meat, first place the bone directly over the fire for about a minute, then move it to a location not over the coals so it will receive indirect heat to finish cooking
• Meat needs to rest 30-40% of its cook time (generally 2-3 minutes)
• Make sure to let your coals get hot before you put your meat on the grill

We love to take Selfies!

After Cattlemen's College, we attended a luncheon and lecture on "Why It's Good To Be in the Beef Business".  The presenter shared with us a few tips about how critical it is the we communicate, consult, represent and finally get involved with associations in our industry.  There is a changing social ethic in our country about the role of animals, and it is important we start speaking out about the practices we use and defending our livelihood.  Finally, we wrapped up the day with the opening general session titled, "The Art of Vision", where Erik Wahl used paintings to demonstrate how we should start thinking and why we should tap into the creative part of our brains and utilize it to better our position.

My adorable little Armadillo friend!

Once again, we stayed up way too late Wednesday, and Thursday morning came a little too soon for this night owl.  The day began with an outlook on U.S. & Global Protein & Grain.  I find these predictions about the future markets and weather to be beyond fascinating.  It is looking bright that we will continue to remain in a good position for the next 3-5 years in terms of demand, and grain prices.  After a couple more meetings, we spent time enjoying the 6 acre trade show.  It is crazy to me how many people want to meet us, take pictures with us and just interact!  We wrapped up the day with the induction of the new ANCW (American National Cattlewomen) officers, and wished the new team the best for the upcoming year, before heading on over to the "Nothin' But Texas" party.  This was quite a fun experience for me, as I got to hold an armadillo (one of my favorite animals after cows) and got to dance!  I found out real quick that we dance a bit different down here in Texas!  I had a nice guy from Idaho teach me how to swing, which I found absolutely delightful, before letting the Oklahoma boys show me how they two step (though I think they do it the lazy way).  

Enjoying the Riverwalk with Ms. Demi

Friday was our final day, and consisted of a few leadership meetings and another general session, this one titled, "The Obama Administration, Congress & a Look at Politics in America."  All in all, this has been an incredible experience, and one that I will remember for years to come!  There is much more I could tell you, but I think I'll leave it at the highlights.  Now it's back to the grind and getting ready for the next week of tests!

Your 2015 NBAP Team

Pennsylvania Farm Show Extravaganza!

Well y'all it's been a couple days since my adventure to Pennsylvania, but I have been taking the past week to recharge and actually have a break!  It seems like since I got out of school in December it's been a whirlwind of activity!

After my flying fiasco to and from Ohio, I was less than excited to board yet another plane to Harrisburg.  Amazingly, I was able to get there before Katie or Demi with only minor delays and no hassle at security!  Upon arrival, Katie and I met up and were assigned a dorky Nissan Sentra for a rental car - what a good time we had laughing at our little car!  Poor Demi must have acquired my luck for flying and had routine delays throughout the day and wasn't scheduled to arrive into Harrisburg until 11 that evening.  Thus, Katie and I headed out to find our hotel and a bite to eat.  Thanks to Google, we settled on a very authentic Italian "ristorante" for dinner.  Our dining experience was completed with a dracula looking waitress and a family yelling match breaking out in the kitchen! (LOL!)  After dinner, we ventured out to explore the night life.  We had a great time dancing and I'm pretty sure we gave the good people of Harrisburg a laugh at the cooky Texans dancing their butts off!

Demi arrived safely and we bedded down for the night and prepared for a long day ahead!  Saturday morning was opening day for the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the nation's largest indoor farm event!  We were to be stationed in the "Today's Ag Barn", where we would be talking with consumers about our cow calf pair and different feedstuffs used in cattle rations, including some non-traditional ones!  We had lots of interesting discussions throughout the day and befriended the barn hands who were helping us.  We convinced the two barn hands that, upon closing, we would help them take the cattle out to the tie outs (what a bad idea that was!).  However, before that, we attended a very informative session on veal, something which I have very little experience in.  I even got to taste some at lunch, and despite my worst fears and preconceived notions, it was actually pretty darn good!

Veal Training with Robert Supancik

So, back to helping the barn hands with the cattle.  First up was the cow calf pair, of which I willingly took the calf.  That was fairly uneventful, other than the subzero walk across the parking lots to the tie outs!  Next up were the dairy cattle.  Unfortunately for me, someone had put my cow's halter on backwards, with the lead on the left side instead of the usual right.  She was being a pain when I tried to put it on correctly, so I decided to leave it and figured it shouldn't be too much of a problem.  Boy, was I WRONG!!  She drug me, took me in circles and was an overall pain in my butt all the way!  30 long minutes later, we arrived at her stall, panting, and I gladly put her away.  (Come to find out the next day, these cows had never been on a halter.  Thanks guys!)

Dairy cows are not my favorite

Day two was much the same as the first day, save for one man telling us about his pet raccoons (weird).  We were interviewed by Dave Williams, and somewhere out there (I have yet to find it), we were on RFDTV, as well as American Farm Country Radio!  We were able to connect with some media interns and did an interview with them about their ideas on the beef industry. See that here!  We also had the privilege of meeting with the PA Secretary of Ag and the Governor!

Secretary of Ag, Mr. Greig seated left, Me, Demi, Katie,
Governor Mr. Corbett standing right

This was such a cool trip and I am very excited to share it with you!  And my return flight home was eventful as always (including one missed flight and another long day).  I hope that y'all will check out the Beef Ambassadors at http://beefambassador.com/ or on our Facebook to keep up with our adventures!

Until Next Time Y'all!

Alicia

Talking with the Secretary of Ag, Mr. Greig

Beefy Adventures!

It seems like every time I fly, I could write a novel about my adventures. In fact, it gets to be somewhat of a game for my friends to “See What Will Happen to Alicia this Time.”  From routine cancelations to security convinced I am the red-headed terrorist, I have plenty of stories!  Of course, being a National Beef Ambassador, I have the opportunity to fly plenty this year!  These past few days, I have been in Ohio for training with Certified Angus Beef, and this might be the most exciting flight adventure yet!

I left Tucson bright and early on Monday morning, headed to Cleveland with a layover in Dallas.  Upon arrival in Dallas, I come to find out my Cleveland flight had been canceled and I was rebooked to leave in 20 minutes to Chicago, then catch a flight to Cleveland.  Fortunately, the flight to Chicago was delayed, so I was able to make it to my gate and grab a quick bite to eat.  When I got to Chicago, I enjoyed a five-hour layover before boarding my plane to arrive in Cleveland relatively unscathed.  Being able to see my team (and maybe the fact they brought me a steak dinner) helped to erase some of the stress from traveling!

CAB Headquarters

The next morning, we attended a very informative training hosted by Certified Angus Beef pertaining to branded beef.  I certainly felt very special to be in the same class as CAB interns and members of the Junior Angus Board!  We had some awesome food and even were able to take a personality test – which I very much enjoyed!  After the day was over, we headed out to Columbus to our hotel.  For dinner, we found a Hibachi grill, which was very exciting (including the flirtatious couple at our table!). 

The Ladies

Wednesday morning, we made the short drive to Select Sires for a private tour of their facility.  It was so incredible to be able to tour one of the largest bull semen distributors and learn about their company!  At one of their facilities, I had a good laugh at the Jersey bulls; I wasn’t aware of how small they were and how incredibly aggressive and talkative they are!  I think I will stick to our sweet beef bulls!  Upon conclusion of the tour and picture taking (of course!), we headed to the Port of Columbus Airport.  This is where things really took an interesting turn……

We saw off two members of our team, Kalyn and Will, before sitting down to lunch outside security since Katie (our lovely chaperone), Rachel and I were on the same flight and Demi had driven.  Shortly, Demi received a text from her mom telling us that someone had been shot at the airport!  This caused a ripple of unease, but we figured that the news was just behind.  No, they were not.  As we walked Demi to her car, there were police blocking off the entire second level and reporters swarming.  At the time, all we knew was that the police had shot and killed a man.

As Demi left, Rachel and I headed back into the terminal and passed through security easily to meet with Katie and wait a few hours for our plane to arrive.  Typical of my flights, the plane was delayed an hour, and had me concerned I was going to miss my connection to Tucson in Denver.  Sure enough, we were late getting to Denver, but my Tucson flight was canceled anyway, so I spent the night with some terrific cattlewomen in Denver who hosted me for the evening!  I would be on the first flight in the morning to Phoenix, and then have a connection to arrive in Tucson.  So here is the scary part – I was able to get on and check out more about the shooting and found out the man had been acting suspiciously and tried to buy a plane ticket, before wielding his knives against police.  We were right there when all this happened!  I would be willing to bet we were checking in the same time he was trying to buy a ticket.

Real Snow! Typical Southern Girl

So, here is to another adventure and I fly out to Pennsylvania tomorrow morning!  Cross y’all’s fingers for no more delays or excitement!!