"This Is How We Roll - This Is How We Ride."

It's been another week back in the 'ole AK. 

I almost forgot what life was like here - muddy boots, my ball cap, cow riding, and clothes that are somehow always covered in dirt, hay, and probably some sort of animal hair. Started work again on Monday - potato sorting season - woot woot. I actually don't mind it - I missed coming home dusty and done for the day. It definitely confirms the fact that as dumb as the major sounds (beef production, I'll never hear the end of it here), I've definitely gotta go into something where I can get muddy and wear my boots (which are in sore need of replacing - just about breaks my heart). 

So yeah, worked this week, ran the Butte a few times. I'm not quite as fast as I was last summer, but I'll get it back before long. I'm figuring I've got to beat my 10 minute up record before I leave for Rexburg again. I think it can be done. 

Crazy how a baby mountain can have so many memories attached. I can hardly run the thing anymore without being back in last summer all over again. Guess that's a perk and downside simultaneously. 

This weekend I got out and went to the play over at the high school. It was fun being back and watching everyone on stage again. And of course, it was good to spend time at the VHO afterwards that night. I got to be with some people that I really missed (who woulda thought ;) - it felt alot like high school all over again. 

Then it was a girl's night with the little adopted sister - mostly consisted of eating our body weight in peppermint patties and Doritos, but hey, that's how we roll. Oh, and satisfying our latest obsession with Luke Bryan's angelic voice. I think we listened to Play It Again on repeat for about an hour. A little ironic, actually. 

(Dismiss the dumb facial expressions - Like my football blankie? Just checked out the 2014 NFL schedule. Gettin' excited. Go Broncos!)

Oh yeah, and snap chatting happened too, as is shown by the selfie above. But for some reason everyone was asleep when we snapped them. Crazies. It was only like 3am for pete's sake. 

Hand milking has also been a thing. I've lost my touch. I mean, I ain't bad, but I'm no where near as fast as I was when I left. Guess it's a good thing I'm not goin' into the dairy industry (just watch... I'll end up doing dairy.)

And I've seen a few moose! They're comin' out in full force. Probably outa be having their calves before long too. I felt a little like the city folk stopping on the side of the road to take this picture, but oh well. It was exciting. I didn't see a single moose in Idaho, despite the fact that there were apparently a couple there.

Annnnnnd that was my week. I've been tryin' to avoid thinking about the 'burg too much - I get homesick when I do. Got my grad plan all figured out though, so I know what classes I'll be (hopefully) taking next semester. Fingers crossed I get into the AI class... and the meats class. Talk about a fun semester if everything goes as planned. ;) 

Oh and a wonderful roomie from my first semester got married this weekend! So sad I had to miss the wedding (gosh Alaska, why you gotta be so far away), but so, so happy for Mr. and Mrs. Howard! :)

Keep it real this week y'all! I'll just be here in Palmer... playing with my cow. 

#signinout

"This Life I Live, It Might Not Be For You, But It's For Me."

So I'm pretty sure I skipped a week. Oh well. Life happens.

Alrighty, so I have officially finished my first year of college! Woot woot - I am no longer a freshman and it's about dang time. So I figured since I'm all experienced now, I'd do another "what I learned at college" post. Here goes.

Community laundry sucks as much as everyone says. It's expensive, you can never get a washing machine on the weekend, people steal your clothes (like come on, folks), and if you're .2 seconds late getting back to the laundry room, someone dumps all your freshly washed laundry on the nasty floor. I have never appreciated a private laundry room as much as I do now. 

You can escape the "Freshman Fifteen". It just requires lots of gym time. It is inevitable that you will eat like crap all through finals, midterms, any exams, roommate dramas, holidays, and basically every day. But as long as you run that off on the 'ole treadmill, your pants should still fit by the end of your first year.

Caffeine will save your life. Energy drinks were just another thing I never appreciated until college. But I tell you what, they'll get you through any last minute paper or homework assignment you're working on at three in the morning. Also they make a great substitute when playing pong. #mormoncollege

You will actually use that math that you learned in high school that you said you'd never use. Algebra, trig, and calculus may seem pointless now, but turns out, they're pretty handy when college comes around. I know I'm not the only one who complained all through high school because the formulas seemed useless, but I had to take back everything I said when those same formulas helped me to determine the yield grade on beef carcasses in class. 

Not everyone sticks around. Especially if you go to BYU-I 'cause everyone gets married. But in general, that was something I had to learn pretty quick. You'll make those good friends that'll stay with you through a few semesters (maybe even a few school years), but alot of people you'll lose touch with as soon as class ends. And that's okay - you don't need three-trillion friends to be happy. 

Go into the roommate situation with a good attitude. Having roommates is never really ideal, but I know from experience it works out better if you don't go into the semester hating these people you haven't even met yet. Heck, maybe you'll even love the girls! Also, don't judge future roommates by their facebook profiles - it seriously does zero good. 

Make sure you study what you love or you won't want to keep studying. I went into my first year as an exercise physiology major, because I knew a career in that field would make good money and I figured I'd enjoy it. However, after taking a livestock reproduction class as an elective, I realized that agriculture was really where my interest was. I put off switching my major until the last week of that first semester, because I didn't want to give up the exercise-phys-major status, but it was the best thing I did all year. Which goes right into...

Don't be ashamed of what you love. This includes your major. You think it was easy telling people for the first few weeks that I'm a beef production major? Heck no. That's gotta be one of the dumbest sounding majors on this planet. But I finally came to terms with the fact that, hey, I love cows - what of it? So whether it's beef production, knitting (*coughAllegracough*), or underwater basket weaving, be proud of that, man. 

You really can do it all. I swear, every time I get on Pinterest I see that little pie chart that says, "College Life: social life, good grades, enough sleep - pick two". Psh, little Pinterest pie chart, you're a liar. It doesn't take Superman to do it all - you can do it too. I did and I'm not even that organized. You just have to realize that occasionally you'll make some sacrifices. Like a couple hours of sleep in exchange for night out with your favorite people. Or a weekend of studying for a test instead of that party. There will be another one next weekend anyway. But yeah - don't listen to the pie chart - time management isn't rocket science. 

Document everything! Pictures, journaling, blogging, instagram, whatever the heck it takes. Memories are great, but you need something substantial to keep them around. Plus it's great to look back on. So take lots of pictures and write down the big things. #butfirstlemmetakeaselfie

Learn how to cook. Do this before you leave home. Or else you will be eating alot of Chinese take-out and instant potatoes. Every. Night. 

Remember who you are. If your teenage years were anything like mine, your father yelled this out the door to you as you left the house each weekend. Let's be real - it got annoying and you mostly just laughed it off. Then you go to college and suddenly you're on your own, without anyone to remind you anymore. Sure, your college years are a great time to discover what you really like and what kind of a person you'll really end up being. I know I learned alot about myself my freshman year, as cheesy as that sounds. I learned that I enjoy washing dishes, I have a knack for writing essays (I'm the master of BS), I fall in love at least once a week, and I have an incredible aversion to bacon. But the most basic things about me never changed and it was something I probably could have been reminded of a few times throughout my first year. You're not going to impress everyone, so don't bother trying. Just stay you and the whole thing works out. 

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Figured I'd throw in a few pictures from this last week back in the great state of Alaska. I've done my best to keep busy and out of too much trouble. 

I missed this little chubster. Can't believe he'll be six in just over a week. Cray.

Got in the first horseback ride of the year! This gal put up quite the fight, but as always, I won. My shoulders, thighs, calves, and basically everything were feelin' it the next day though. 

Went down to the riverbed. I forgot just how beautiful Alaska really is. Those mountains! Gosh dang.

Took a 24 mile walk with mom on Friday. I'll be honest, my feet were killing me. But this view though. 

Spent the weekend with the little sister - making no bakes, caramel popcorn, and watching movies. It's good to be back! (But I do miss Rexburg a little.)

Peace out amigos - stay classy. 

"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. 

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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.