Recap of Life in NC
Yes, I still live here. No, my cooking hasn't gotten any better. I successfully burnt banana bread TWICE as well as a couple other things. I really need to stop trying to multitask while I am baking because it never ends well. Life has been busy, but good. It's hard being away during the fall. There seems to be so much going on at home - school and sports and harvest and blizzards (I do not miss those) and my fear of missing out is kicking in. However, I feel like I have learned more about myself in the past 4 months than I have in the past 22 years of my life. It's crazy what moving to a new place by yourself will teach you!
Hurricane Survival
Thank you to all of the friends and family that reached out to me when good old Dorian was making his way up the coast. It was a little nerve wracking watching the news and hearing that towns not far away were evacuating. My boss at work explained to me that if I can survive a blizzard in the North, a hurricane in the South will be nothin. It turns out he was right - schools were cancelled and businesses were closed, but we only got 2 inches of rain and 40 mph winds (which is a typical day in ND). To make hurricane survival even more fun - I had a visitor! Blake came to visit me and flew right into the heart of the storm. We had plans to learn how to surf at the ocean, but we decided to head to the mountains instead. This was probably the good Lord sending us a storm to scare us away because he knew we would've broken multiple bones while surfing.
Work, Work, Work
I figured I should talk a little bit about my job because that is the very thing that brought me here in the first place. I am working for BASF - the Crop Protection company (not to be confused with the railroad BNSF). I am in a Sales and Marketing Development role with them. The role is designed to give exposure to the Marketing side of the company for 9 months at corporate headquarters before heading out to the field for another 9 months spent in Sales. I am currently working with the Soybean Marketing team helping with a number of things; primarily helping manage on-farm trials nationwide for a new fungicide launch. It's nothing too glamorous, but I enjoy it. It's been a great learning experience and I work with some awesome people.
Play, Play, Play
One of the main reasons that I haven't written in awhile is because I've been pretty dang busy with different adventures. Since I wrote last last time I have been to the mountains twice, home twice, Illinois once, and the ocean 4 times. That's a lot to pack into a couple months! I really enjoy heading west and exploring the Appalachian Mountains. There is something about driving the Blue Ridge Parkway with the windows down blaring John Denver - Country Roads that makes me feel like I am living the American Dream. The mountains are wide open and peaceful which I enjoy because it gives a chance to slow down from this busy life. The ocean still takes my breath away every time I see it. Something tells me that feeling will never go away - feeling so incredibly small standing in front of such a beautiful, powerful God given wonder.
Adult Things
I still don't consider myself an adult. To be quite honest, I don't think I'll ever hit that point in my life because I hope to always stay young at heart. With that being said, working life is kind of exhausting. I get home from work and make some supper and go outside for a bit and after that I am pooped. It's not like I'm doing incredibly labor intensive things throughout the day, but my brain hurts after a long day of work - it's strange. It's also strange paying bills and signing up for health insurance and having a 401k. They should have a mandatory course for college kids teaching them what to expect in the real world because man, it hits hard. While I do enjoy having a more routine life, I do miss all of the college shenanigans and memories made with friends. To those of you reading this who are still in college, savor your time and do not wish it away!
Home Sweet Home
Of all of the trips that I've taken, traveling home has been my favorite. When I boarded the plane home, my heart was racing like a little school girl. I miss everyone. It's strange living here and never seeing a familiar face in passing. I miss walking the sidewalks of NDSU and passing friends and professors and walking the streets of Rugby and seeing elementary school teachers and hometown heroes. It was nice to be back on the farm and see family that I've missed dearly. I can't wait to be back in the home land sometime soon, permanently. I've found that there are some pretty amazing views and destinations out there, but home is my favorite of all.
Arrivals and Departures
Airports have became a huge part of my life over these past few months, and boy oh boy they bring out all sorts of emotions. Airports are the place that I've said my hardest goodbyes and where I've experienced the most joy seeing those I love stand at the bottom of the stairs awaiting me with a hug. A thought came to me on one of my recent flights - airports are a symbol of opportunity. From any one place you can go anywhere, see anything, be anyone you want to be. They symbolize the opportunity for new beginnings and long-awaited endings. Oh, the places you'll go!!
My mom and dad are coming on Friday and I couldn't be more excited to show them around my temporary home. I can't believe Jim is making an appearance off of the farm that is not for a hunting trip!! I will keep you all posted with upcoming adventures and life learnings.
I hope that you all have a great week!
Best,
Elizabeth
Oh sweet friend! YOU are soaring in this new life. Simply standing on the firm grounding you have, and leaping into this unknown. Taking in each blessing. I love your blogs... thank you for sharing. Take care of you.... miss you.
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