NEW CHAPTERS.

I have learned two major things since I started school here at Panola State in Carthage, Texas. One, being on my own is not as fun as it sounds. Two, don't get tricked into saying "mine."
The first statement probably isn't a big surprise. I'm sure every first year college attendee has said the same exact thing. It's the truth though, and it makes me rethink all the times I couldn't wait to get on my own. Yeah, what was I thinking? My perception is a little different now that I have laundry, ironing, cleaning, studying, grocery shopping and outside chores to do without my families help.


Some of the bulls I get to help take care of every day.

I guess it pays off in ways though. It's nice to be able to do whatever I want, whenever I want. Just having the will power to do all the things I need to do is sometimes a challenge. I am pretty proud of myself though, I've kept up pretty good. Well, other than the cleaning part. My dorm could probably use a good scrub down, especially after this weekend of knee high mud and rodeos. I'll get right on that!
The most important thing I've learned so far though isn't self discipline, it isn't anything I've learned in class. The most important thing is to not be tricked into saying the word "mine." It's definitely a game of cunning and challenge, and I'm going to warn everyone that as soon as you hear the rules, well all of you reading are entered for life. If someone knowingly gets you to say the word "mine," the person who says it has to lay on the ground for ten seconds. Doesn't sound bad right? I thought that too until some of the guys on the rodeo team got me in the return alley at the arena, the student center at the college (you would think people would ask why I was laying on the ground, but they sure didn't. They just stepped over me) and at McDonalds, all in one day. The whole point of the game is that you have to lay on the ground no matter where you are.


Waiting to buck a bull at the NBBA Finals in Fort Worth. I get to go to a lot of great bull ridings here.

You have to come up with new and interesting ways to trick people into saying that word, and it isn't easy. The best way is to not play for a few days, let everyone forget about, then get them in an embarrassing place. Like I said, most important thing I've learned.
Really, college has been a great experience so far. We have been getting ready to start college rodeo's and I can barely wait! I'm more than ready for it. My horses are working great and I'm pretty confident in myself too. Hopefully it all goes good!
I miss Montana way more than I imagined I would. I miss my family a whole lot and my friends. I also miss the animals I had to leave behind, especially my dog Huckleberry! She is living with my grandparents, and I hear she takes her job of keeping deer out of the yard very seriously.
Mostly I miss the little things about home. I miss my routine. Getting up every morning and checking horses and cattle, picking up feed or cake at the grain elevator, listening to the northern ag network on the only radio station that really picks up good in Ryegate, Montana, going to drink coffee with my grandpa and the other ranchers who are at the bar/coffee shop every morning.
It's not very ranchy here in Carthage. It's very ag based, but a different kind of agriculture than what I'm used to. That's been my biggest adjustment. I miss going out and checking cows, doctoring, heck even fencing. In ways it's been a good way to focus me completely on rodeo, but I am going to be more than ready to spend some time ranching when I go home after the semester ends.
The hardest part is that fall is my favorite time of the year at home. I love when the weather changes and weaning starts. I love pulling out the wool sweaters and wild rags out from storage (definitely won't be doing that here for awhile, it's still at least 85!). This is when we get a lot of colts in to start, and I don't have a single one to mess with this fall. I'm missing the leaves changing and all the colors of fall. It is still practically full on summer here, and will be for another few months. I only get home sick really when I think of those things.
I do really like it here though. I love most of my classes, my rodeo team is great and I love going out and helping with the 80+ bulls at the Williams' place. I also couldn't have gotten a better roommate. Danielle White, remember her name because she is going far! She is a great horsewoman and it's been nice to have someone to practice, travel and stay motivated with.
I do miss home, but it's great here too, just a different kind of great. The people who I've met are some of the most welcoming and good hearted folks out there.
I'm lucky to have this opportunity to do the things I love: write, rodeo and buck bulls. I'm learning so much and am doing my best to stay out of trouble!
I'm going to do my best to keep this up, though I'm sure some of you have lost faith in that! I will do my best and keep everyone updated, especially when college rodeo's roll around.