Current Affairs

I know I haven't written in a while, and I would like to say that I have just been too busy, but unfortunately I have just been too lazy. So here is an update:

Family and Friends

My father (whom I refer to as Fasha-don't ask) and my grandparents came up this past weekend for the annual stockholders meeting for the W.C. Morrison farm, which is a plantation located in New Roads, Louisiana that has been in my family since the 1850's. We had lots of good food, including shrimp dinners from Tiger (New Roads' best fast food), and we took lots of really great pictures of the plantation. There were so many beautiful trees in bloom this past weekend-I just wish my photography skills could do the plants justice. My personal favorite was the Red Swamp Maple. We also indulged in our annual tradition of ascending to the top of the levy in order to check out the Mississippi River and get a nice view of the plantation. Overall, it was a most excellent weekend, and it was really nice to see my family because my social life has been lacking in these past couple of months. I have fewer friends at LSU than I use to, and while I am trying to make new ones, the people I would really like to spend time with are very busy. Oh well, the wait is worth it, especially for one friend in particular. We only hang out about once every two weeks, and we hardly ever do anything outside of going to the movies, but I am always in a really good mood and have a good time in his presence. If only my best friend from back home in Dallas were here to hang out with me during those 2 week gaps. I really miss Skylar because she knows and understands me better than anyone else in the world, and I cannot wait to see her when I go home for spring break. It's only 8 more days away!

Swine Production

A lot more has happened since I posted about delivering baby pigs. I have acquired a few more skills in the field of reproduction. Last week, I was the first of my class to try my hand at swine semen collection (no pun intended), mostly due to the fact that my group members pushed me to the front. I felt weird about it at first, but then I realized that I was going to have to do this in the animal science field at some point or another, so I might as well learn now. I was very successful-it took 15 minutes, but I managed to collect 480 mL of future piglets, which is a very high volume (the normal range is 75-300mL). After learning how to collect the semen, my class learned how to use it. This week has been all about artificial insemination (AI), and I have personally inseminated 2 pigs. Part of the AI process is actually kind of fun. While the sow or gilt was taking in the semen, we had to recreate some of the things the boar would be doing. Part of this "being the boar" process includes sitting on the sow/gilt. Usually they stood still, but every once in a while they jerked forward. I would have to do some serious readjusting to keep my balance, and I almost felt like I was riding a bull in a rodeo.

Frustrations

I apologize in advance if any of the following offends anyone, especially my family, but I needed to get this off my chest, and I like to be as honest as possible.

This November will mark the first time I get to vote for president. I am really excited about this fact, but at the same time, I am extremely frustrated with all of the drama that surrounds the election. I am a firm believer in letting people make up their own minds about things like their political views and religion. I am a democrat, which is not the norm down here in the south. Despite the fact that I am not a republican, I respect those who are. Just like me, they decided how they felt about certain issues and chose the side that supported those feelings best. What bothers me is that I am not given that same courtesy very often. People feel the need to try and persuade me in another direction. I know they want their favorite candidate to win, but what they do not seem to realize is that nothing they say will change my mind. Everyone tells me that choosing a candidate is all about what the person has accomplished, but I do not fully buy into this philosophy. I cannot vote for someone who has many accomplishments under his belt if they do not hold the same ideals as I do. To me, it would not make sense. I DO want a president who will get things done and reach their goals, but I want that person to accomplish goals that I support. I do not tell anyone whose political views clash with mine that they are wrong (because who is to say what is right or wrong), and I do not try to convince them to believe what I believe. I just wish that people would accept my decision, and just be happy that I am among the minority of Americans who have made a decision and intend to vote.

Peace