Nevada Kid

I have officially been in Montana for a month as of today! I have loved every minute of it! I have met so many amazing people and have had quite a bit of fun in the last 30 days! I have helped brand over 1,800 head of calves, fixed too many miles of fence to count, changed the oil in 26 vehicles/tractors, and made a few friends along the way! I have also learned a few things that I thought I might share!

1) If you are from any state other than Montana your nick name immediately becomes your home state! (It took less than 36 hours for someone to saddle me with the name Nevada lol)

2) Folks up here are EXTREMELY friendly! I had car trouble my second week here and in two hours 21 cars stopped to ask if I needed help, I even got offered dinner or coffee from the folks across the street! In my first week here I was invited to a family dinner, a wedding, and church on any Sunday that wasn't during haying season!

3) Not having cell service is actually kind of nice! Before moving up here I used to get irritated and anxious when I didn't have service. Worried I was going to miss a text, a "very important" Facebook post, or some other notification. Out here I have cell service like 30% of the time. And it's actually relieving. Not feeling like I am tethered to my cell phone has allowed me to read more books, appreciate the beautiful country I live and work in, and spend a little more time appreciating the small and finer things.

3) Moving away from everyone and everything I knew made it really clear about the things and people who really matter. Growing up in a small town it's really easy to get wrapped up in the drama and small town thinking, sometimes forgetting that there is anything outside of the county limits. Moving away leaves room for seeing people for who they are. I realized their unhealthy habits such as alcoholism, gossiping, and simply never having anything good to say about anyone or anything. Having space leaves room for the good, the family that has always stood behind me, the friends who have turned into family, and the small town traditions & values that will always be a part of who I am.

4) As you grow older your parents really do become your best friends! I call my Mom & Dad both pretty much daily. I even got the old man to use Facetime (he's still learning the ropes but we will get there eventually lol). I don't know 2what I would do without them! They always give me a laugh on the hard days and smile with me on the good ones.

Montana is surely starting to feel like home! I love getting to do what I love day in & day out! I miss everyone at home and getting to see everyone all the time but I wouldn't trade this experience for the world!

Talk to y'all soon!

XOXO Syd!