100 Things I Learned About Nebraska or What It Has Taught Me

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1. Huskers or Bust.
2. “Farmers” grow crops. “Ranchers” raise cattle. “Trucks” are semis. “Pickups” are the things most people drive. 
3. Farmers never get tax refund checks.
4. Slow life is comfortable. Big cities are normally unnerving.
5. Many have never been farther than 100-200 miles from home, let alone in a plane.
6. Can't stand to be indoors.
7. Always willing to help. Even with the not-so-fun jobs.
8. Dogs are house hold commodities. Cats are a given (outside) for mousing purposes.
9. Small animal 4-H is a joke. Livestock showing is their art.
10. Can start driving at 13.
11. Beer is always available after a day of work.
12. To gain respect fast, don't be afraid to get dirt under your fingernails. Eating a fresh rocky mountain oyster does the trick too.
13. The older generation has been the most compassionate and caring to me.
14. As an outsider you will be judged unless you prove your worth
15. Politics and gossip are worse here than anywhere else I've been...and I lived in a sorority
16. Driving an hour or two to a store is common.
17. Booze cruising is driving around with a case of beer, “shooting shit”, and not returning until that case is gone. Wow. So dangerous!
18. Cowboy boots and big buckles are a must.
19. Horses are better for ranching than four wheelers. Can't beat a good working horse.
20. I've learned families I’ve visited are some of the most welcoming I've ever met.
21. Watch out for deer.
22. Rocky mountain oysters are bulls’ balls.
23. Heifers haven't had a calf yet. Cows have been mommas. Bulls have balls. Steers don't. 
24. “Pulling calves” could mean getting a chain and cranking it out. Ouch.
25. Cedar trees are the most hated tree. They suffocate the land and spread like weeds.
26. Angus beef is exactly like any others. Angus PR people are just better.
27. Herefords are the most versatile breed of cattle, or say Hereford owners say.
28. John Deere stores are everywhere.
29. If it snows enough, highways close.
30. Don't try to drive 1500 mikes in a snow storm.
31. Proud of their farm/ranch land.
32. Local cops are awesome. State cops will ticket you every time.
33. Cruise control is your best friend.
34. 1000 acres won't really get you that far, but depends on where you live.
35. Wind can be relentless.
36. May not be Ivy League, but I guarantee our students have worked harder and longer manually than Ivy students.
37. Endless time to reflect.
38. Change, revolution and evolvement is needed but not usually wanted.
39. Communication is key. You never know when you're going to need someone’s help.
40. Don't break bridges. It's a small town. Break one, good luck building it back on your own.
41. Don’t come into a town expecting to change a mindset. It's not your town.
42. It's typical to see a young kid driving a massive semi.
43. Hopefully you enjoy rolling hills and minimal scenery change.
44. Going to the bars to be social is normal.
45. Parties happen during the week as most students leave to go work on the farm/ranch on the weekend.
46. The stars are brighter here than anywhere else I've been.
47. Puddle jumper is a tiny plane route.
48. Taking a puddle jumper with one other passenger is normal. You can also watch the pilot and copilot fly. Pee before hand. Margaritas are served after 1.5 hrs in the air. Bummer it's only 45 min.
49. Roping for hours on end apparently NEVER gets old.
50. Computers are still not accepted for the most part in college classrooms.
51. Country music is king.
52. If you ever need a pocket knife just ask. Most everyone has one.
53. Rodeo team has more people on the team than volleyball, basketball and golf teams combined.
54. Chewing tobacco is socially acceptable but still gross.
55. Buckle Clothing stores are everywhere.
56. Graduating from high school with 10 others is common.
57. The Curtis Rotary must never sleep. They’re involved in everything!
58. Vet bills rock! Super cheap and awesome people!
59. Lucky to have a chain store in small towns. Ours doesn’t.
60. It's rude not to wave to every driver. Even if you don't know them.
61. You learn exactly who you are and who you want to be.
62. One finger off the steering wheel counts as a wave.
63. Most pets live and stay outside.
64. If you don't have a sporting dog for hunting or herding dog, your dog is practically worthless. Except my dog that students like for tricks and feeding pounds of pretzels and Twizlers to.
65. Buzzards really do flock to one tree.
66. If you want your car clean, put it in a garage or clean it practically every day.
67. Opinions are your own. They're also meant to be shared.
68. Theaters are community run. The only place you can still go to a movie for $3 on Monday.
69. Sheriff told students on their first day seat belts don't have to be worn in town.
70. The mall consists of a bank, flower shop , post office, and gift shop.
71. Signal lights, if any, are just blinking red or yellow lights.
72. County roads are all dirt.
73. Sometimes too much time to think can be dangerous.
74. Being cultured and randomly experienced is an asset.
75. Patience and flexibility is a must.
76. People tend to be more open about their thoughts and feelings than in other places I've lived.
77. Using studded tires during the winter is for sissies.
78. Tractors larger than dinosaurs drive on the freeways.
79. The first two numbers on NE license plates indicate the county it's registered in.
80. When asked for my ID people aren't used to letters.
81. Don't forget what county your in if you're on the freeway. If you call 911 and don't know the"closest" police force may be an hour away instead of 10 min. I.E if you hit a deer.
82. Owning 5 different pickups plus your daily use vehicle is normal on a farm/ranch.
83. If you aren't patient, you'll go insane...so that's what's wrong with me.
84. Fishing here is usually catch and release. What a shame!
85. My self titled "Oregon Trail General Store" carries all the essentials.
86. Most services are cheaper.
87. Helicopter parents are more vicious here.
88. It could be 16 degrees one day and 71 the next.
89. I have been in horse country and I’ve yet to ride one since I’ve been here :( Sad
90. It’s practically understood that when hunting season is here, most students won’t be in class.
91. During crop season (or whatever it’s called when it’s harvested...is it harvest? Lol) yet again, students will go home to help the family farm during the week. Again, totally acceptable. Never would that be allowed in the city.
92. You can make quite an impact. I’ve learned students here are very open and honest about their feelings, hopes and dreams. Hopefully I’ve been able to lead them on a path to success.
93. UPDATE: This was a repeat from above. New: Sushi IS available in Nebraska. Cowboys and girls are afraid of it, but some of them are gutsy enough to go with me to try it. (Then they find out the really like it...but may not admit it!)
94. If you buy showy cowboy boots, they’ll be called poser boots. “If they can’t get shit on them, what’s the point?” lol Obviously, I have poser boots.
95. They all know how to swing and line dance. Where’d they learn it?! I’m jealous.
96. Manners, courtesy, and care usually run strong through people here. Men open doors for women, women take care of those who are sick, etc.
97. Big and bold is better. Big, chunky necklaces, huge belt buckles, loud pickups, and lots of horse power.
98. Netflix has become my best friend.
99. Started blogging as my way to express my thoughts since I didn’t have my best friends here, but morphed into a personal project of trying to impact people through words. All part of that reflection time here.
100. Last but not least, Nebraska has taught me to appreciate the simple life. To slow down and take in the fresh air. To really learn to understand God’s purpose and to actually listen. It’s not something I am fond of, but being forced to slow down really makes you think about life.

What do you think? Anything I'm missing?

Boldly Challenging Status Quo, even in the rural country :)

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