"I'll Be The One You Won't Forget."

Wow, y'all, I'm just ready to be done with this week. 

It was a long one. I think I've officially reached that point in the semester where I am just done. With errythang. So apologies in advance to my roommates who now get to deal with the full-on real me. It's a comin'. 

So Monday was boring. And so was pretty much all of Tuesday except when I got home and my lovely roommates informed me I had mail, which just happened to be the most adorable valentine from an equally adorable missionary. Like, what a sweetheart. 

(What do you know - I got a valentine after all! All the way from Alaska.)

Anyway, so that made my day and I basically smiled for hours. Super, super thoughtful. And because I'm the doll-face that I am, I wrote him a real-life letter back. Yeah, I know. I'm pretty much a peach. 

Wednesday was lab out at the livestock  center, but all we did was cattle performance data evaluation, so it wasn't anything super exciting. 

Thursday was meh. 

Friday morning I went out to the livestock center in the morning and did some work - got my farmer on. Then I hitched a ride with the foreman and two others over to Blackfoot for the Friday stock auction!

That was actually a really good time. We got six head, cows and heifers, for the school and got to check out the bulls which was my favorite part. I've decided that whatever area of animal science that I end up going into, it must involve bulls. They get me so excited, you don't even know. Still waiting for the day I get to ride one. Soon, so soon. 

After that, we drove back home, unloaded the cows, and then I had a date that night, which was a good time. But I'm gonna call as a one and only, then leave it at that. 

Saturday I literally just did math homework, hung out around the apartment, then went grocery shopping with my ladies, 'cause we called it as a much needed girls' night. 

This was the product of the grocery shopping spree. Needless to say, we'll all be fat before long. But ya know what? Psh, ain't nobody caring about that 'round here. Also, I've decided that in a perfect world, I would just live off of fruit snacks. They're like crack, but better. 

Saturday night we watched Pitch Perfect and dreamed about beautiful men with perfect cheekbones. 

Today was church and such. Also I decided to be brave and practice my cooking, so I made dinner for my little fam fam here. 

It didn't turn out too bad and it was healthy-ish too! I'm pretty proud of myself. No big deal. But I did cut myself, which was just unfortunate. 

Mm, but in general this week was just a little confusing. Like you know how there'll be that one guy that you'll be like, "Hey, you're chill and attractive and I'd be into you." And he seems to be all like, "Hey, ditto." And then it goes back and forth for awhile and like, he texts you, and y'all hang out, and you're like, "Okay, he's actually pretty cute in general." And then he's like, "Oh wait, JK." And you're like, "Well, that's awkward." And then you just end up a little turned around and sitting on your couch eating ice-cream 'cause I mean really, what else can you do in this situation? 

It happens, folks. I guess that's why Ben and Jerry were born. 

But hey, whatever works, ya know! I mean, after all, cows are forever.

Goodnight, you good-looking people, you.

"Well It's Bulls And Blood, Dust And Mud."

I have been thinking about home a lot this week. A missionary friend sent me this picture on Monday and I've pretty much looked at it every day since. They just don't make mountains like that anywhere else.

This week was kind of long, with ups and downs, but overall it was decent to me.

Monday I got my mish emails... my favorite way to start the week. I basically spend all morning checking my computer for the little email thing to pop-up and when it does I usually re-read the emails over and over again. It's all good stuff. :)

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were all kind of eh. Generic, ya know. Classes and such. I did, however, get the highest score in the class on my animal production test which basically made me way happy. This girl knows her livestock.

Friday morning was the ultimate highlight of my week. I went out to the livestock center that morning bright and early to do work - it was warm and just a really chill morning.

The back of the feed truck, out in the pasture, is my favorite place in this whole world. Every time I'm out there, I just get another affirmation that this is where I'm supposed to be and this is what I'm meant to do. This is my kind of life. 

We got the horses and cattle fed with no big deal, then we had a small group of steers that we loaded, trailered, and weighed. That was a bit of an adventure and I almost died when one of the steers got cocky, but it's all good. Not exactly my first rodeo.

I had the fun spot at the back of the chute, pushing the rawhide through. But that also meant I had to watch out for the feisty few that liked to kick. But no big deal, I'm a boss.

This good-looking guy was my valentine, since Friday was Valentine's day as well. We're kind of tight - it's not a big thang or anything. But you should probably be a little jealous.

There's an auction in Blackfoot next Friday that I'll probably ride along to. The school's getting a few new head and maybe a new breeding bull. That'll be exciting - I'm really looking forward to all that good stuff.

Saturday I just hung out during the day - practiced my cooking, which still basically sucks - and then I had a date, which was fun. 

Today is Sunday so I taught in Relief Society and now I'm doing nothing for the rest of the day. And guess who doesn't have school tomorrow? That's right, everyone. So boom.

Well. That was my exciting week. I'll be home in a month and a half though - so I'm holding on to that when the college times turn not so fun! Life would be a lot easier if I could just live out with the cows, if ya ask me. ;)

But anyways, peace out, girl scouts. And don't forget to keep it real. 

"And When The Day Is Done My Momma's Still My Biggest Fan."

Hello and welcome to another one of my "what college has taught me" posts.

Instant potatoes are a life saver. 

Sometimes cooking doesn't always turn out how you'd like it to. Especially if you're someone named Ashleena Roberts. So on those days when your stir fry looks like mush and the meatloaf is being stubborn, those are the days you realize why instant mashed potatoes were invented. To save you from starvation.

Do what you love and love what you do.

My first semester, I thought I would love being an exercise physiology major. But bro, I was wrong. I enjoyed it, sure, but I didn't obsess over it. Animal science, on the other hand, is where the love is at. This week we hung out in the meat lab and did some hog carcass evaluations.

Yummmmmay.

I am literally in love with all of my ag classes. They are hands on and I usually come home smelling weird, but honestly, I'm the happiest when I'm in my coveralls. 

For my animal production class, we're required to do some time out at the livestock center doing chores, so I've been going each with with some friends from class. I get up while it's crazy dark out, throw on my boots and baseball cap, and we make it out to the center just before seven in the morning. Being out on the feed truck out in the pasture is officially the best place in this world. I was sitting out on it Friday morning, legs hanging off the back, while we headed out to find the cattle and the feeling of contentment was amazing. I love the ag life. And hey, the ag life loves me. 

The cows love them some cake. 

I probably could have made it as a personal trainer, but this is what I'm supposed to be doing! 

Don't take yo mama for granted. 

Seriously, until I spread my wings and left the nest, I never realized how much I depended on my ma. I constantly call her with the most random of questions, like, "How long do I boil eggs?" and "Can you freeze spinach?"We didn't exactly have the most conventional relationship while I lived at home. I mean, our gossip sessions happened while milking the cow and our version of bonding time was like, castrating lambs, but hey, that's us Roberts' for you. She taught me more than probably anyone else - even if I never did learn how to boil eggs properly - and I really do miss mi madre. 

Guys and girls can, in fact, be best friends.

Honestly, it's possible yo. My bff here is male, y'all. And guess what, we're not dating, despite what everyone seems to think. Yes, we hang out constantly and yeah, he and I text more than the guys that I'm actually interested in. But you know what, it's a proven fact that we aren't meant to be together and so he's my go-to-man with my guy problems (and vice versa). And I love the kid to death. Platonically, of course.

Mondays are good days, despite what society will tell you.

Personally, Mondays are like my favorite day ever. Probably because it's P-days for my favorite missionaries. Which basically means I get emails. Which basically is a good thing. Basically yeah. And one of said-favorite-missionaries happened to run into my mother the other day and had her send a picture my way. Which kinda made me smile. 

Ah, he's a funny kid. :)

Rexburg is not cold and will never be cold.

I have no idea how many times I've been told to wait, because it'll get cold here. I've been waiting. It's February and 30+ degrees. You folks have lied to me. Done.

Siblings may be a pain in the butt, but dang sometimes you'll miss them. 

Lately I've really been missing the little sibs. I get to go home in a couple months and I can't wait to hug all of them. I got to Skype with the family today and I can already tell that they're all gonna be different when I get back. Colton has grown like three feet and suddenly discovered the secret to fabulous hair, Russel looks like a little man, and Canyon and Kayleena, well okay, they seem pretty much the same so far. But I can't wait to see them. And then I'm sure we'll all go back to killing each other again. I was looking through some old pictures today and found this little gem. 

My word.

We are one attractive bunch of folks. I think Kayleena gets her looks from me. 

________________________

Alrighty, well that's about that. I'm going to bed - big ag test tomorrow. Gonna ace it, like a boss. 

G'night, my people. 

"If The Magic Ain't Right, Time To Walk."

*sigh*

Guys.

Today was a sad day.

Manning, I trusted you and you smashed my heart to pieces. Hands down, that was the hardest game I have ever had to watch. And as a result, I owe one guys' apartment cookies. That'll teach to never bet again.

But I have faith in my soul that next season... next season Denver will take it spectacularly. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Alright, let's see what I did this week.Well, nothing life changing or extraordinarily spectacular. Homework kept me pretty busy during the weekdays. I've found myself loving Mondays because it's P-Days for my missionaries, so that means I get emails. I upped my squat this week, which was exciting. Workin' on those glutes, no big deal. I got invited to go out with the prettiest (in a good way) boy in our ward. Didn't go through, but it's the thought that counts.

Friday morning I got up uber early and went out to the livestock center with some friends to do chores. I'm pretty sure the Ag department is the only one that requires students to do like actual chores, but I'm not complaining. I forgot how much I missed actually working. We got to help run some of the cattle and get the bull loaded up, which was a bit of an adventure. I have this thing about being around bulls. I think my dream job would involve working with them on a daily basis. But anyways, coming home covered in hay and cow crap really made my morning. Can't wait to get back out there again!

Saturday kinda sucked a little, due to a migraine headache that decided to pay a visit. I spent most of the day asleep and then I wrote an essay all afternoon. It was relaxing, once the pain went away, but nothing super exciting.

Today was church and a really, really good fast and testimony meeting. The Spirit was incredibly strong today, through all of the meetings. In fact, I've felt the Lord's presence in my life very strong throughout this last week. I know that He loves and cares about us. We are literally His kiddos, each and every one of us. I think knowing that is the foundation of my entire testimony. I've been reading the scriptures more regularly now and when I do I've been trying to spend more time highlighting and finding passages that mean the most to me, as a daughter of a Heavenly Father. It has really changed my perspective on things and I've been able to see more of the blessings that He has sent my way. I'm a lucky girl.

Speaking of how lucky I am, I'd like to just take a moment to talk about the people here. Last semester I was blessed with some amazing roommates. Those girls are pretty much blood sisters to me at this point and I love them to death. When this semester started, I didn't have them and I was honestly terrified. I came into my new roommate situation with a bad attitude. I didn't want to like the new girls. I wouldn't like the new girls. Nope. Wasn't gonna happen.

The first few weeks weren't the best. Luckily for me, I had a couple friends outside of the room, made  the previous semester, so I wasn't completely alone. However, I was living with strangers that I was making no real effort to connect with and that's not an easy thing. This was the dumbest thing I've done recently though, because when I started putting an actual interest into these girls, I realized how hilariously amazing they each really are. I've got Netta for her sass, Amanda to vent over football about, and Allegra as my little shoulder angel. They are such a good support system and I love these girls. I really do.

I've also been blessed with the most caring and wonderful home teachers on this planet. This morning I was thinking about how I would like a priesthood blessing and half way through church Allegra texted me asking if I wanted one, because she had had a prompting to ask. So I hit up my home teachers and the amazing young men that they were, took time out of their evening to come by and bless me. I've been given so much - I can't even begin to give enough thanks.

This is our first picture together and I love it, just like I love the girls in it. How'd I get so lucky?