Hixson Blog Post #2

My Bucket List


It is rather ironic that writing my bucket list is now a class assignment that I am required to do.  I have been telling myself for a couple years now that I need to make my own bucket list.  However, whenever I sit down to write it, I have had trouble coming up with things to add to it.  It seems like whenever I am out and about and busy, I think of major things that I would like to do before I die.  But when it comes to writing them down, I always forget what it was that I wanted to do.


So here it goes...I am now officially sitting down to write my very own bucket list.  


Things I MUST do at Iowa State:
-Get on the Dean's List
-Go Campanilling
-Have my picture on the Iowa State University web page
-Explain the answer to a difficult question in a lecture hall
-Take an art class at the Memorial Union
-Study Abroad
-Get a "B" in Bio 211
-Have three internships


Things I will do before I die:
-Win the Charolais Junior Nationals (or have my future children win it)
-Hold a snake around my neck
-Travel Abroad
-Get Married
-Have Children
-Buy a house with more than one level
-Own my own land/cattle
-Go to Paris
-Learn French
-Make a difference in someone's life
-Live a long and prosperous life
-Pray every day


After completing my list, I went back and proofread what I wrote (as always).  I realized that I somewhat stuck to a theme.  The majority of the things that I want to do in my life are not wild, crazy, and adventurous, but realistic things that I know will make me happy.  I feel like I live my life somewhat like this.  I am not someone who will go out on a whim and do something without thinking twice about it.  I always ask myself, "Is this a good idea? What will it be like during?  Will I be happy with the outcome?"  "Why?" is another question that I always, always ask.  I'd think of myself as safe, which is okay with me.  My list really reminds me of myself.  While some people's bucket lists might be wild and crazy, I am okay with mine resembling me as realistic things that will make me happy.    

Hixson Blog Post #1

MY "Best" 

According to Webster's Dictionary, "best" means:  excelling all others <the best student>, offering or producing the greatest advantage.  When I think of this word, what comes to my mind is someone or something that has/have proven their way to the top of a contest, class, or an opinion.  Being the best sounds like something that you want to be, but is it always necessary?  Is it something that I have considered myself as?  When thinking about this, I have never been better than anyone else in this universe.  I might have gotten a higher grade on a test than another student, or made a better first impression here or there, but I am no better than anyone else.  However, there are a few times where I can think of myself as having been the best that I can be.  

Last October, I competed in a contest to become Miss Charolais USA 2011.  For those of you who might not know what the term "Charolais" means, a Charolais is a type of cow derived from France that is white in color.  This contest was one that I had been preparing for, for a long time.  This was not just something that I wanted to do and get through.  This contest really meant a lot to me, and I was going to do my best to win.  Upon completing all of the major steps to apply for Miss Charolais USA, I started to work on all of the skills necessary. I was prepared to go through an interview, sell raffle tickets to breeders, social events, work the show ring, and much more.  Presenting myself to the best of my ability was going to be very important.  I had to have the mindset where I thought of myself as the "best" young lady out of them all for this position.  Selling myself to others is something I'm not really used to, but I had to learn very quickly.  This was definitely not the time to be shy or quiet, it was time for me to get out there and promote what I had to offer.  

And this is what I accomplished: 

I was confident in myself and my set of skills.  

I sold myself and what I had to offer to other breeders.  

I introduced myself to everyone that I met as, "Hello my name is Haley Stalcup, and I am running for Miss       Charolais USA 2011."

I answered every question in my interview thoroughly and to the best of my ability.

I even helped the interviewer when she wasn't able to come up with a term, she was very impressed.

These are not the only things I accomplished that weekend in October, I was crowned as Miss Charolais USA 2011.  What I had worked for definitely paid off.  Being confident in myself and putting my best foot forward had worked, it was one of the best feelings of my life.  Not only was I proud of myself, but my family and friends felt the same for me.  As Miss Charolais USA, my opportunities this past year have been amazing.  I have gotten to travel all over the country and represent the Charolais breed, as well as meet so many new people, some of my favorite moments being when little girls have asked me to sign their cowgirl hats.  This October I will pass my crown onto one other lucky and deserving young lady who will get to experience the same opportunities as I have.  I wish all the contestants luck, and hope that they can put their best forward, as I did that weekend.  

Now as a new experience, starting college, I hope that I can continue putting my best foot forward.  Two weeks and one day through, I feel as though I am doing quite well.  My goals for myself in college are extremely high.  Staying confident in my skills as I did throughout the Miss Charolais USA contest will help me tremendously.  As Webster's Dictionary states, being the best is producing the greatest advantage, which is the advantage I strive to produce here at my first semester at Iowa State University.