Summer sunset...

I'm old, ok not really, but today I feel old. I'm reminiscing about how fast this summer has gone, and the impact it has had on me. In just 2 short weeks I will be back at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and starting another year as a college kid. The summer's adventures have taught me some key lessons, and since I'm a big fan of lists here are the top 10 things I learned this summer.

10. The real world does operate from 8-5. When I get a real job that will most likely be my schedule. It's not a bad thing, working 8 hours a day, it's a reality.

9. Sleep is good, get it when you can. It may mean leaving a party early, or telling your friends that you're staying home tonight. That's okay, they will still be your friends.

8. Sleep isn't that important. If it's waking up early to spend a day with the folks you haven't seen in a while, or staying up late to have a crazy Skype or phone chat getting rest can wait. People are more important than your beauty sleep (trust me, it's not working to well anyway).

7. Act your age. At 20 whining is never appropriate, and won't leave a good impression on the folks around you. On the other hand, a mature conversation at a dinner table of adults will win you some points.

6. Don't act your age. A Nerf war or water fight is a good idea. The art letting loose and acting immature around your buddies and family is the best therapy, and helps me appreciate the little things, like a good laugh.

5. When one door closes another opens. I spent much of last summer moping about the state FFA officer disappointment. I regret that, but this summer has been the polar opposite. I have been excitedly serving not just Nebraska, but the whole United States as a National Beef Ambassador. I have traveled to neat places, and met the most interesting folks, and I wouldn't trade anything for those experiences.

4. Have a plan. It is a good idea to know what you are going to do or say before you have start. It makes things a lot simpler.

3. Don't have a plan. In London, we weren't sure what our experiences would be, so we didn't plan any outings until we got there. It was a blast! For at least part of every day we didn't have a schedule to worry about, and instead did our own thing (like seeing 2 musicals!)

2. Invest in the people around you. I have seen countless individuals involved in various organizations this summer miss the chance to have an impact on the people around them because they were too wrapped up in their own "group." I too have been guilty of this, but in a van/taxi ride to the Denver Airport, I chose to open up to the strangers around me. Not only did I get to share my story, but was enlightened by theirs too.

1. "You might as well jump!" Nothing is perfect, nothing goes exactly as planned, and nothing will be fun 100% of the time, but go ahead and jump in. Get involved, be engaged, and work. You may find something like co-hosting a national event is a lot of work, but also a huge amount of fun. You can't judge the temperature of the water by standing on the edge, you have to just jump in!

The Water was cold in Dover, but I'm glad I jumped in!

Those are the things I will be carrying over into my college experiences this fall. I would like to thank anyone who helped me out, cheered me on, or just listened this summer. Turn the radio up, roll down the windows, and sing at the top of your lungs, because:

"days go by...

I can feel 'em flyin'
Like a hand out the window in the wind.
The cars go by...
Yeah it's all we've been given,
So you better start livin' right now
'Cause days go by..."

'till the cows come home,

Ellie