Holy Cow!!! where did June go?

This morning I got to the office and turned on my computer only to notice up at the corner the date plainly read Monday, June 28. For a second there, I actually thought that my Mac was wrong. Of course, it was right, and now I was distracted by the memories this month has brought.

On the lovely first day of June, I was driving in a car back to Nebraska from Chicago. The flight from London to Chicago had been great, but the 5 hour layover, cancelled flight back to Omaha, and a 4 hour wait to retrieve our bags, had soured everyones mood. Needless to say I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping.

A canoe trip down the Niobrara river with my fun-loving cousins was the highlight of the first weekend in June. As the only girl cousin on that side of the family, I get my far share of teasing, but also enjoy the status of "favorite niece" among the aunts, so I can't complain much.

June provided me the opportunity to actually dig into my internship. I am working in the marketing department at Central Valley Ag, an Eastern Nebraska Co-op, check out their website here . I get to write articles and copy for mailings, do some online data capture, (and write my blog). I feel really grown up, I have my own desk, and work from 9 to 5. It's like playing pretend, except it's reality.

Of course June was also the month for beef activities. An early morning flight to Washington DC was not appreciated, however promoting beef in a neat "I 'heart' beef" shirt was a blast. It was hot, but it was a fun chance to answer consumer questions. One particular one stands out in my mind, a young man asked, "Is raising beef bad, and by bad I mean all corporate and stuff." I answered with a chuckle, and told him my small family operation was could never be described as corporate, and went on to share that 97% of all ranches and farms are family owned. With a smile and a high-five we parted ways, but I'm hoping my words will remain with him.

Doing a brief radio spot at the Food and Wine Festival in Washington D.C.

On Father's Day I celebrated with my dad by attending a cattle show. At the Nebraska Jr. Angus Show, I enjoyed showing cattle, and sharing time with beef enthusiasts, both the young and old, who also happen to be good friends.

Lastly I squeezed in some time with friends. We held a giant nerf war, (aka, 19 year olds running around in camo and face paint, shooting each other with bright yellow foam darts, and "dying" in very dramatic ways).

The Youtube video that inspired us!

My friends also touched my heart by throwing me a birthday party on June 26th. Although, my birthday isn't till July 6th, it was the closest day we would all be together. They made me a cake, and even decorated the cabin where we celebrated. It was the best birthday ever!

June flew by faster than a jet-plane, but the scary thing is July will be even busier. Stay posted for news of my birthday, the 2010 National Jr. Angus Show, and Midsummer NCBA meeting.

'till the cows come home,

Ellie