Beginning a new chapter: Nebraska.

As many of you now know, I am no longest an Ohio resident. While my heart will always belong to the Buckeyes and the Buckeye state, my journey in the land of the Nebraska Cornhuskers officially started last week. I am excited, anxious, nervous, and optimistic about where this journey will take me, and am confident that residing out west will be a great move for me, both personally and professionally.

Plans for my big move began after I accepted at position with Beck Ag, Inc., a group of agricultural sales and marketing consultants specializing in experience-sharing marketing for many companies within the industry. Ranging from seeds to chemicals, and animal health to ag advertising, my coworkers bring a variety of rich experience to the Beck Ag team. I am very excited to be involved in "sharing the agriculture story" on behalf of our customers with the many growers and producers around the country. In my specific role I will be responsible for database support, conference metrics and result summaries, and will work with our AgTeleExperts and Project Managers to ensure the success of each project. This job will be anything but monotonous and is sure to challenge me and keep me learning each day.

As a part of my westward travels, I also got to spend Easter in Norfolk with Brian, his family, and my Dad and Cathy. The Wenig/Anderson parent meeting could not have gone better, and we had a ton of fun cooking, coloring eggs, playing cards, and coaching our star Easter egg hunter Michelle at the community egg hunt.

Looking forward to posting more often on life updates and my encounters in Nebraska.

Until then...
GO BUCKS!

Time and Change...

            The past three weeks have flown by. Between trips to Iowa, Nebraska, and Washington D.C. and interviews in Lincoln and St. Louis, I have been grateful for the time I have been able spend at home in between all of the commotion. While the majority of my time at home is spent preparing for interviews, doing laundry, catching up on sleep, and spending time with my wonderful family, I also have a to-do list of things I would like to get done. One of them is a blog overhaul.

 Following the trends of some of my friends and fellow bloggers, I intend to transform my blog a bit over the next few weeks. I hope to add some background info about my hometown, my life, and my passions, as well as showcase the talents of many of my friends in their agvocacy efforts.  I also hope to launch my own 101 in 1001 challenge as I began the next phase of my life.  As I try to conquer a more consistent weekly routine, I hope to keep you all updated on my life, pass along any newsworthy items, and post pictures of my latest adventures. In the mean time, I love getting blog suggestions or recommendations of other bloggers to follow! 

Brad and Brittany's Wedding and Washington D.C.

     As promised, I will now update on the rest of the month of March. Hours after graduation and packing up my house in Columbus, Brian and I started our road trip to Iowa to spend the week with his family and get ready for his sister Brittany's wedding. After 12 hours in the car together we finally arrived in Marathon, IA at his parents house. Brian headed off to Omaha for work meetings and I had a great time spending time with the Anderson's -- Loren, Lisa, Brittany and Michelle-- until he returned on Wednesday.

Brian's sisters, Brittany and Michelle

    The weekend quickly approached and we had a ton of fun on Friday at the rehearsal dinner. Saturday came, and the big day was finally here! Brad and Brittany had such a wonderful ceremony and reception filled with friends, family, and lots of fun. I was honored to be a part of their big day and wish them all the best in the future.

After a whirlwind wedding weekend, Brian and I headed back to Norfolk to get ready for a work trip to Washington D.C.. I was super excited to head to the Nation's capital, as it was Brian's first trip to the city. We had a great itinerary planned for the group of dealers he took and we managed to visit the Holocaust museum, WWII, Vietnam and Korean Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and many many more.

Cherry Blossoms!

     Excited for a busy week of traveling and interviews ahead. Will update you all in the next week or two on where my next move will take me!

How Firm Thy Friendship...

In the next few weeks I hope to catch you all up on the events of my amazing March. As I continuing my crazy travel and interview schedule, I hope to fill you in on my MS graduation, Brad and Brittany's wedding, and Brian and I's trip to D.C. So, to kick it all off....

On March 20th I officially ended my time as a Buckeye student. Notice I say student, because the Buckeye part, never ends. I was overwhelmed with the memories of the past 5 years as the day approached. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I feel to have been able to attend the world's best institution, study with some of the best professors and peers, and experience life through the glorious Ohio State lens. Your support has come in many forms, and has propelled me through the tests and kept my spirits high throughout the process. Know that I appreciate all of you and hope to keep in contact with you wherever my next journey takes me.

A few highlights of my weekend....

Yep,  I did it! And got the paper to prove it right away!

My wonderful Grandparents. 

Night before graduation. Dinner downtown with my family!

Now on to the next part of my journey. But as our wise President Gee says ... "I do not wish to bid you farewell, only that you fare well in your next endeavors."

Go Bucks!

March: In the Running for the Best Month of 2011

As a kid I often hated the month of March. Rarely did school close in March, March had no scheduled holidays, March was often filled with rainy, cloudy days that prevented us from going out to recess, and March meant we still had several days left of school.

But, as I have grown older, I have come to appreciate the month of March much more. Unlike the March's of my youth, this March -- March 2011, is going to be hard to beat throughout the rest of the year. Why, you may wonder, is this March so wonderful and deserving of such praise? Let me brief you on the many events that have happened, and will happen, this month.

I spent the first day of March on a beach in the Dominican Republic. Brian and I spent 5 days down south with a few of his co-workers. We enjoyed quality sun time during the day, fancy dinners in the evening, and rounding off the day with some blackjack in the casino. It was certainly my idea of a great vacation.

After returning from vacation, I spent March 3-16 finishing up edits on my thesis and completing my associateship work in the College office.  I was able to participate in the selection of the new College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Ambassador Team and helped organized the CFAES Buckeye Scholarship competition for high-school students.

March 20th will mark my second graduation from Ohio State. I am excited to once again walk across the stage in the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State and receive my Masters of Science in Agriculture degree from our honorable President, Dr. E. Gordon Gee. I am so grateful and thankful that so many members of my family will join me in Columbus for the celebration. 


Days after graduation, Brian and I will hit the road to head back to his hometown, Marathon, IA. We will celebrate our one-year anniversary on March 25th. Quite the celebration it will be, as Brian's sister Brittany will marry the love of her life, Brad Ganeff, on March 26th. Brian and I are both very excited for Brad and Brittany and are honored to be a part of their special day. 


March will be sent out with a bang as Brian and I head to Washington D.C. on March 31st. My Grandma Wenig has always said I have "Potomac fever" because of my love for our nation's capital. I am excited to be a tour guide for Brian on his first trip to D.C. and spend some time with him and some of his dealers. 


And March wouldn't be March without the glorious display of athletic prowess in March Madness. So very excited to cheer on my BIG10 champs, The Ohio State Buckeyes, as they tackle the competition throughout the tournament. 


Hoping everyone else is enjoying this month as much as I am!