To the Next Chapter
In May 2012, I was a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Communication. Of course I thought I was going to land a job that promised the big bucks and an early retirement. But, as we all know, trying to make our own plans for our lives doesn't usually work and will almost ALWAYS backfire. And my expectations of the big bucks and easy life ended up not being quite what I expected.
During the past 18 months of working at Homestead Dairy, LLC., in northern Indiana, I have learned so much. Learning how a 3,500-cow dairy works and how short your patience can get when trying to get 14-20 two-day old heifers on the bucket; the scars on my hands from their sharp teeth can help tell that story. Or the days trying to beat the rain to get the calves fed their milk and back in their hutches before it down poured rain. I also ran into the issue of language barriers working the the Mexican men. There were times where things were easy to understand and others were a challenge. But that barrier also allowed me to learn about their culture and the individuals they are. And I have a whole new respect for the Mexican, Honduran and Guatemalan culture.
I have had a couple of different job leads during these past months, but with each of those job doors that opened, each were followed by a closed door. It was a challenge to be "rejected" of so I thought. But as each door closed, I made myself realize that those jobs just simply weren't meant for me. That's the attitude I had to have because I knew there would be a better opportunity that would come along and it would be the one I was waiting for.
Today, October 28, I started a new journey. A journey where I won't have to put on layer upon layer of clothing along with my Carhartt bibs and jacket as winter approaches. Instead, I get to make the 8.5 mile trip, five days a week to my office at the Indiana Board of Animal Health on the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The state fairgrounds....a place I know like the back of my hand and a place where I can feel somewhat "at home."
I have only been in Indianapolis for 24 hours and I already miss my cows at home as well as the baby calves at the farm I worked at. But I know that sometimes you have to take an opportunity when it comes knocking. I'm sure it will take time to adjust to the numerous cultural differences and sights of Indianapolis to the cornfield country where I'm from. For now, it's my job to be excited about this new chapter of my life. A chapter that will be full of surprises, unexpected turns, joyful times, hard times, sad times and the quiet times. And to this chapter...I am ready to start writing.
During the past 18 months of working at Homestead Dairy, LLC., in northern Indiana, I have learned so much. Learning how a 3,500-cow dairy works and how short your patience can get when trying to get 14-20 two-day old heifers on the bucket; the scars on my hands from their sharp teeth can help tell that story. Or the days trying to beat the rain to get the calves fed their milk and back in their hutches before it down poured rain. I also ran into the issue of language barriers working the the Mexican men. There were times where things were easy to understand and others were a challenge. But that barrier also allowed me to learn about their culture and the individuals they are. And I have a whole new respect for the Mexican, Honduran and Guatemalan culture.
I have had a couple of different job leads during these past months, but with each of those job doors that opened, each were followed by a closed door. It was a challenge to be "rejected" of so I thought. But as each door closed, I made myself realize that those jobs just simply weren't meant for me. That's the attitude I had to have because I knew there would be a better opportunity that would come along and it would be the one I was waiting for.
I have only been in Indianapolis for 24 hours and I already miss my cows at home as well as the baby calves at the farm I worked at. But I know that sometimes you have to take an opportunity when it comes knocking. I'm sure it will take time to adjust to the numerous cultural differences and sights of Indianapolis to the cornfield country where I'm from. For now, it's my job to be excited about this new chapter of my life. A chapter that will be full of surprises, unexpected turns, joyful times, hard times, sad times and the quiet times. And to this chapter...I am ready to start writing.
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