Wow. What an exhausting and fun month it has been!!! As most of you know I left on June 16th to head to Mobile, Alabama for the America's Junior Miss National Finals. I was so nervous and scared. I had never flown by myself before and I even had to switch airplanes in Houston, TX. But I landed safely and as I walked off the plane I was greeted by the Trail Mades and my host family holding up signs for me. I was already beginning to feel like a princess. This was just the beginning. On that first day, my roommate from Idaho, Hannah, hadn't arrived yet so I got my bags and headed back to my host family home. It was nice to see there house and finally get to unpack. Soon it was time to head back to the airport for the welcoming cermony. Each girl got escorted down the stairs and introduced. The airport was PACKED! It is pretty safe to say that at that ceremony every girl began to finally get excited about the upcoming weeks. While I was gone I wrote on a blog online that NBC15, a local news channel, provided all the girls with. I didn't get to write on the first week that I was there cause boy was I beat. Both weeks we had 7 hours of rehearsal every day! To make sure I don't forget one little detail, here are all the blogs that I got a chance to write. ENJOY!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Sorry everyone for taking so long to write on here again but to be honest, this is the first second I've gotten to just sit down and relax. Im going to tell ya about the last few days, it just might be a shortened version.
Thursday- This was an amazing day. We did our Day of Caring. Some girls went to Habitat for Humanity, some went to Camp Smile for kids with disbilities, and I went to the Exploritorium. When a group of us girls arrived at the museum, the kids were already standing outside waiting for us to arrive, clapping and cheering. It as the most wonderful feeling. They were all so excited to see us. We had a lot of fun running about the museum and basically did the things that we would do at the Science Center. After we got back, we went to rehearsal for about 4 hours and continued to go to the Mardi Gras Museum. That was AMAZING! You must look at the pictures of that. My dream is to become a Queen of Mardis Gras here in Mobile. It is like a fairy tale. Once we left the museum we got to have a little barbeque with our host families. It was so much and really nice to finally take a break.
Friday: WOW. What a tiring a jam packed day. We woke up, had breakfast with the president of the Unversity of South Alabama along with a tour. If I would have chosen to go to this college, I would not only received a free ride with room & board, meal plan, and books, but also a free laptop! Holy Cow! Too bad MIZZOU doesn't offer that. :0) Sorry Mom and Dad. After the tour we had rehearsal for 7 hours and it between this we had lunch with our girl scout troops. That was a lot of fun. They were so excited to see all of us and just did not want to leave our sides. Once rehearsing was over, we got ready for the parade. Let me tell you, Junior Miss is HUGE here. We always get polive escorted no matter where we are going but we were about to be late for the parade and the city of Mobile jsut could not have that. We had cops with their flashing lights on in front and behind of our HUGE police vans that blacked intersections and everything just to get us on to the parade on time. How crazy is that? But we made is and it was a blast. Mardis Gras originated in Mobile and let me tell you, they love their parades! Originally we had 30 minutes to get dressed and ready for the Mardis Gras ball but since a float broke down we got ready in 10 minutes!!! Look at the pictures, I think we did a fantastic job getting dressed on time. The dance was amazing. We got escorted down this big spiral staircase where our date met us at the bottom. We strung beads around the neck and as we walked across the floor we were announced and everyone cheered. I truly felt like a princess. My date was a true gentleman and he apparently took ballroom dancing cause he had me flippin, spinnin, twirlin, and swinging all over the dance floor. It really was a lot of fun but boy were we tired.
Saturday: Today was so difficult. We were all so tired from the night before that I dont think I ever really woke up. We had a rehearsal for 7 hours and got to have lunch with our host moms. After all o ur rehearsals we went to the mall here in Mobile and did the Meet & Greet. We got to sign autographs for anyone and everyone in Mobile! The line was going out the door and the smile on the little girls faces when you told them that they were beautiful was priceless. You could just tell that you made their day.
Being down here really makes you feel like a celebrity, but also makes you feel appreciated. As you all know, Junior Miss isn't a big deal in Missouri and to come down here and be treated just like Alabama or Mississippi's Junior Miss makes me feel wonderful. People really do look up to us and it jsut goes to show you what difference one person can make. I miss you all so very much and really appreciate all your posts! I hope you'ev enjoyed the pictures as much as I have been enjoying myself here. I love you! XOXO
Sunday, June 22, 2008.
Today was a much needed day. We got to sleep in (kinda) and went to church. I had my first experience with a service at a Baptist Church and the pastor was great. He really caught my attention and made me want to listen. After that, we came back home for about 2 1/2 hours to relax and have lunch. We left for Dauphin Island around 2:25 and let me tell you, we all had a blast! We toured Fort Gaines and actually had to trees planted for AJM 2008 and all previous America's Junior Misses. How awesome is that? We will always have a tree planted with a plaque next to it all for the class of 2008. There was also a painting that a woman painted for the 2008 Junior Misses and we all signed these pieces of paper that will be framed and put in their museum right at the Fort. You really do feel so special down here. Once the ceremony was over at the fort we went to the beach. We had a sand building contest and had some dinner. It actually stormed and we had to run to our cars but of course I loved it considering how much I love storms. The sky got black, lightning was striking in the clouds, and the wind picked up a lot. It eventually cleared up and we got back to our beach party. We all needed today so bad and tomorrow it is back to rehearsal. Love you all and miss you so much! Can't wait to see you this week!
Chase- Thanks for my message. I love you so very much. I got asked what was one of my most memorable moments, and you know what I said? When my nephew was born! You are such a smart and cute little boy. I cant wait to play with you on the beach the next week. Hugs and Kisses! Aunt Nelle loves you! (I love you too, Nicole & Drew :0) )
Monday, June 23, 2008
After today, our first day in the the theatre, that things are starting to wind down. We didn't rehearse all day, instead we figured out spacing on stage and when we weren't doing that, we just rested. That was REALLY nice. Tomorrow we start rehearsing for our talents, thank goodness. FOr lunch we went to Wintzell's (hope i spelled that right) Oyster House, and no I did not eat a raw oyster. I couldnt even look at one or watch a person eat one. I got chills and felt sick. It was disgusting but none the less still fun. Tonight, we had a pajama party with some girls from Mobile where we got our hair and nails done, the Junios Misses each got a massage, and we also did a craft. It was such a nice and easy day. It is sad to think that it is actually going to end soon but on the other hand, I can not wait to see all of you. I miss you so much! Love ya'll!!! :0)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
I don't have much time to write on here tonight. I have my interview EARLY tomorrow morning and need to be getting ready for that. Today we ran our talents and mine went okay. We also went to the BayBears game. That was a blast. Before the real game started, we got to play a little game of our own. North vs. South. It was fun. THE SOUTH WON! (my team). I got to see Kristy for the first time tonight and it was wonderful! I actually cried when I saw her. It was just nice to finally see someone that I knew. Look at pictures. Hugs and Kisses!
p.s. watch the shows starting on Thursday night. Im sure the website here will give times, if not Ill post them tomorrow night.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tomorrow is the first night of Prelims and I can not believe it is almost over. I almost feel as if I just got here. I've made so many new friends that it doesn't matter who wins or loses. We will all be so happy for one another. We're more than just 50 states now, we're sisters. What a truly amazing experience this has been and I wish every girl in America had the chance to do it.
Tonight was Community Night and I got to see my best friend!!! I was so excited. We weren't supposed to see anyone but she came up on stage with all the little kids to learn a dance. It was so wonderful to see her. I didn't even realize how much I missed her until she had me laughing all over again. What a smile she brings to my face. I love you Emmy!
Uncle Franky- Im so glad I finally heard from you! I can't wait to see you! I love you and miss you so much!
Sam- I really wish I could say that I would be seeing you tomorrow but I know you'll be cheering me on at home. I miss you so much and can't wait to see you next week. Love you!
Everyone else, Ill see you soon!!! WISH ME LUCK!
My experience with Junior Miss was truly an amazing one. I encourage each and every one of you to tell any girls that will be a senior next year to look into it. I won't lie, i was terrified and stressed out to the max. But looking back on it now, it was all worth it. Im Missouri's Junior Miss 2008. How many people can really say that? Not many. In Mobile, so many people looked up to us and little girls thought we were princess'. Not only do I now have friends in all 49 other states, I have 49 new sisters!
[my family. Trey (brother), Jay (dad), ME, Hannah (Idaho), Ashlyn (sister), & Jennifer (mom)]
