Monday, June 29, 2015

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.

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