Did anyone see June 2015?

And just like that June of 2015 is gone. Half of my internship is complete and there are only 7 weeks until I return to Penn State for my victory lap as a super senior. Woah... sometimes time needs to let me catch up.

June always flies by because there is so much going on. I want to highlight some of these events because some are milestones, others reoccur ever year but are extremely important to me, and the rest are just everyday happenings.

High School Graduation - My younger brother Clayton, the youngest Andrews, graduation from Lampeter-Strasburg HS and is gearing up to indulge in one of the most fulfilling careers, farming. Did I mention time flies?

My Father - June is extremely special for all father's because they have a day dedicated to them that falls within this month. My dad though gets to celebrate his birthday as well as fathers day. You know how everyone says they have the best dad? Well you haven't met Randy then... he will knock your socks off with his caring, hardworking, and jokester personality.

... and speaking of birthdays, there is this guy that I know that turned 23 this year and this is the fourth birthday I have been able to celebrate with him. Designing this day to make it perfect for him is always a highlight of this month.

State FFA Days - Here is another reoccurring event every June. I was able to participate for one day, where I learned all about tractor driving, had the opportunity to hangout and converse with my cooperating teachers, assist with a talented friend's research project, and attend an evening session where I felt like a high school student participating again.

Softball - If you hail from Lancaster you know summer softball is a BIG deal. There are games at every diamond, every night. Well CNHi has a team and my Wednesday nights have been spent playing slow pitch softball. I am positioned as the catcher and have one homerun for the season. Our team has two wins and one loss to date.

Teacher Preparation - Reading TLAP, completing assignments for the NAAE book club, starting my cooperating center video, studying and taking teacher certifications, and starting to layout unit plans have consumed many of my evenings and weekends. Getting a little taste for the year to come is both exciting and nerve wrecking, but I am getting ready to continue equipping myself professionally.

New Holland Internship Equipment Photoshoot - Well I never thought I would sign a modeling document. Guess there is a first for everything. Last week I was a model for the pro work tools photo and video shoot. I was able to drive three different small tractors with four different attachment pieces. Maybe I will show up on the next New Holland calendar? I will keep you posted...

Family Farm Days - Being a Lancaster county native you will know about the Family Farm Day event that is held annually at Oregon Dairy for three days. With New Holland being a large sponsor all the interns worked the event. I did anything from loading and unloading wagons, to being a tour guide, to scooping ice cream, to driving the tractor for tractor barrel rides. Oregon Dairy generously opens their farm up to the public to learn about agriculture and each year it grows in the number of attendees.

Ride and Drive - I know New Holland loves their interns because they gave us a day to go to the test track and drive all the equipment on site (with assistance and supervision of course). This was my first time driving a combine and a T9 tractor and I enjoyed every second of it.

Project Work - My manual project for the summer is on full speed ahead. I am working in Phase 2, writing the manual right and I am continually being challenged to think and articulate in a variety of different ways. Yes, the challenge can be frustrating and nagging, but I have already grown and learned so much in 6 weeks, I am looking for to seeing the result of 12 weeks.

I tried to put my June in a nutshell but I still feel as if there are other activities and events I could talk about! June moved quickly but it fell nothing short of memorable, challenging, and fun.

The Elaborated Elevator Speech

There is the traditional 30 second elevator speech that students usually give at career fairs or during networking events to briefly introduce themselves and captivate their audience. Well in recognizing I have had my blog for over a year now and no one knows the person behind the words that have been shared up to this point, I decided to give my elevator speech... except I am doing it as a list of 30 things to know about Katie Andrews!

1. My full name is Katherine Lee Andrews

2. I am an uprising 5th year senior at Penn State University

3. I am studying Agricultural and Extension Education

4. I have 3 minors in Agribusiness Management, International Agriculture, & Environmental Inquiry

5. I am an FFA and 4-H alumni

6. I grew up on a poultry and crop farm

7. I am one of four children, second in the pecking order

8. My favorite color is red

9. I was a student-athlete at PSU for four years on the Women's Field Hockey Team

10. I am one of those crazy, prideful Penn State people

11. I have extremely crooked pinkie fingers

12. I have achieved my FFA American Degree

13. Chocolate milk is my favorite beverage

14. Cheeseburgers are my favorite food

15. Take Fives and Cow Tails are my favorite candies

16. I have never changed my major

17. I was inspired to study Agricultural Education because of my High School Ag teacher

18. I went to 2 different high schools, Lampeter-Strasburg ('07-'09) and Lancaster Mennonite ('09-'11)

19. Sarcasm is a communication method I use often

20. I am a follower of Jesus Christ

21. I have been to 7 different countries: Italy, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica 

22. I love and utilize agenda planners and calendars 

23. My first choice of footwear are my pig slippers

24. Pigs are my favorite animal

25. Straws make every beverage better

26. My ideal vacation is adventurous and in the woods

27. In two weeks, I met 20 of my closest friends

28. I have never broken a bone

29. I was recruited to play Division 2 basketball

30. My favorite quote is stated below my blog title

Hopefully this gives everyone an idea about who I am. I am a conglomeration of energy, positivity, determination, and hard work. Feel free to post questions and comments as they arise. You can also follow me on Twitter: @klandrews_24 for more!