An email from a friend that made me smile from my heart. Its people like this I wish I could give the world to:
Nov 23, 2009
"And get it you did. Just remember who you are, and who you can be – you make a difference in the lives of people around you regardless of any particular title or prestige – we’re all capable of being powerful and shaping the world for the better. You have an interesting responsibility now, though, because you get to represent something of a symbol – a cultural affirmation of beauty, yes, but also an opportunity to drive home all the rest of what constitutes your greatness – hard work, commitment and dedication to family, empathy, confidence, a burning desire to learn and understand, and most of all a person who speaks compassionately with actions. Regardless of where all of this goes in the future, titles or not, I’m thankful to have you as a friend, and love you as such."
Monday, November 30, 2009
Back on Track
I definitely let loose over the Thanksgiving Holiday as far as unhealthy eating and lack of exercise go – but now I’m ready to get back on track. I did an hour long treadmill run this morning while I watched the 5am news, and although I was a lot more tired than usual I still managed to make it 6 miles. Sometimes, even with the TV on I can get bored with the treadmill, but I found a great workout that makes the time pass rather quickly. You can modify it in many different ways including adjusting the speeds and/or intervals, but in case anyone is curious … the workout is below!
TREADMILL WORKOUT #1
6 minutes at 4.0
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
1 minutes at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
1 minute at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
1 minute at 4.0
1 minute at 7.5
1 minute at 7.6
1 minute at 7.7
1 minute at 7.8
1 minute st 7.9
1 minute at 8.0
1 minute at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
1 minutes at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
1 minute at 4.0
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
1 minutes at 4.0
TOTAL: 60 minutes
I think it’s going to be important for me to stay on track early on. Of course, it would be crazy not to cheat a little bit between now and the Miss USA Pageant, but I’ll have to pick my battles wisely. I very much desire to look my best during the national pageant … so what better time to start than right off the bat? At least this way I’ll be ready when the time comes instead of scrambling to tone up! Hasn’t it always been the teacher's request not to procrastinate anyway? Well, this is one of those times I’m most definitely going to listen. Better be safe than sorry, as they say.
Nationals, nationals, I’m so excited!
TREADMILL WORKOUT #1
6 minutes at 4.0
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
1 minutes at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
1 minute at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
1 minute at 4.0
1 minute at 7.5
1 minute at 7.6
1 minute at 7.7
1 minute at 7.8
1 minute st 7.9
1 minute at 8.0
1 minute at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.5, 0.0 incline
1 minutes at 4.0
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 7.3, 0.0 incline
1 minute at 4.0
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 2.0 incline
2 minutes at 6.8, 0.0 incline
1 minutes at 4.0
TOTAL: 60 minutes
I think it’s going to be important for me to stay on track early on. Of course, it would be crazy not to cheat a little bit between now and the Miss USA Pageant, but I’ll have to pick my battles wisely. I very much desire to look my best during the national pageant … so what better time to start than right off the bat? At least this way I’ll be ready when the time comes instead of scrambling to tone up! Hasn’t it always been the teacher's request not to procrastinate anyway? Well, this is one of those times I’m most definitely going to listen. Better be safe than sorry, as they say.
Nationals, nationals, I’m so excited!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Photos
I will post pictures when I get some. So far the only ones I have are those that others happened to get during the pageant! I don't really have a functional camera right now, but I ordered one that should be delivered on Tuesday. Hopefully once it comes in I will have more to share with you!
Dinner with Friends
Last night I met Jeff and Matt for dinner and we talked about what kinds of things I want to do with my year to try and make a difference. Jeff is really involved with the U of I community/campus, and he knows a lot about charity events and ways to help others. He was a great person to talk to about this sort of thing because he has such a good heart and really wants to change the world. I hope that together we can make some cool things happen this year -- I know I'm excited and I hope he is as well!!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Can't Stop Eating
Everyone wants me to eat! People just keep feeding me and feeding me and that food is wasting no time before going straight to my thighs! I guess I owe it to myself since Thanksgiving is this week and my huge diet paid off ... but still, I don't want to have put all of that hard work into it just to gain it all back! Alexis and I went shopping together and during the trip we decided that we're going to enjoy ourselves for the rest of this week and get back to the healthy lifestyle on Monday. One week won't kill us, and we'll have to be in shape for nationals -- might as well start early!
Day Two
This morning (Tuesday, November 24) Alexis and I met at the FOX studios in Chicago to appear on "Good Morning Chicago" as our Miss Illinois USA and Miss Teen Illinois USA Debut!! We were both really excited to be there and see how the television studio was run. Everyone was really nice and asked us lots of questions, then before we knew it, it was time to go on the air!
They interviewed us live, so we had to be very conscious of what we were saying. Somehow I didn't get nervous at all! It was great! I knew Alexis was scared but I tried to let her talk so I wouldn't take over the show. For as nervous as she was she did an OUTSTANDING job. I'm so proud of her! Plus, I know how much I can talk once I get excited and I didn't want to over-power her!! She did great. I think the segment ended up going really well and it was a wonderful first experience for both of us. My mom found someone who was able to tape it and burn it to a DVD for us so now we'll get to keep it forever! It was exciting too because they showed a little clip from when I was announced as the winner, and I didn't get to see that yet. In fact, I was so shocked and excited when that happened that the whole memory itself is kind of blacked out from my brain -- it was nice to be able to live it again from the video.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Day One
WHAT a weekend, what a night, what a day. I can't believe this has happened to me. I seriously put my heart and soul into winning the Miss Illinois USA Pageant this year and I am thrilled beyond all belief that my efforts have paid off to make my dream become a reality.
The whole weekend was nerve-wrecking. Well, nerve-wrecking and exciting of course. I was excited to be there, but I wanted to win more than anything in the world so I had to stay focused. I trained in the gym for months and had eaten the most healthy of healthy foods for weeks and weeks leading up to pageant weekend. To prepare for the big day I worked with a trainer, a pageant coach, make-up and hair-stylists, picked out wardrobe changes, perfected my interview skills, spoke with past winners, involved my friends and family for support, went to other state pageants to pick up tips and so very much more in order to try and achieve my ultimate goal. When pageant weekend finally hit I wanted so very much to just relax, but I knew if I didn't stay focused I would lose my chance at the crown. However, during the weekend the girls were all SO sweet I was able to relax more than I thought. We talked and laughed and got to know each other as we figured out how all of this pageant rehearsal was going to work. Many times people have asked, "Are the girls caddy, like in 'Miss Congeniality?" Not in my experience. During pageant weekend the girls are all so friendly and helpful ... it is hard to choose who should get the congeniality vote! I loved getting to know those girls and I hope so very much that they will keep in touch :)
So last night after being crowned (November 22, 2009 -- a day I'll never forget!) my family took me out to dinner at the Greek Isles restaurant in Greektown. It was wonderful because I hadn't gotten to eat "junk" food for such a long time. I got a little too excited though and all of that food ended up making me sick. Whoops! It was great to be able to spend time with family though. I am so grateful to all of the people who came to support me during the pageant. Having them cheering me on in the audience really helped break my nerves, and brought a genuine smile to my face. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and inspiring group of people to back me during my pageant experience.
Monday morning following the pageant Mom and I met all of the pageant staff as well as the teen winner in the lobby of the hotel for a photo shoot. I didn't have any of the right clothes and my hair and make-up was a mess, but I didn't sleep a wink because I was so excited, so I knew it would have to do. The photoshoot was fun because Alexis (Miss Illinois Teen USA 2010) and I got to chat and get to know each other. It also gave a chance to get to know the people we'd be working with all year. We did three wardrobe changes and shot pictures both indoors and out. It was something I thought I would be really nervous doing in front of all those people, but it really came easy. I can't wait to see how the pictures came out now, but I'll have to wait!!
Following the photoshoot the directors took Alexis and I (and our moms!) to lunch at the hotel restaurant. Again, it was great to have "real" food, but it made me a little bit sick to my stomach. During lunch the directors told us a little bit about what to expect during the year, we talked a little bit about nationals, they told us what was next on our agenda, etc etc. It was nice to be able to ask questions because I had about 15 million things I wanted to know. They tell you it's going to be an awesome year before you take the crown, but once you have it, it is kind of scary! Its nice to have such a wonderful team to help me through this adventure!
Monday night mom took me out for ice cream (MORE food that made me sick!) and then I went to boot camp. All of the women in my bootcamp knew I was preparing for the pageant, and I guess Toni (the bootcamp leader) texted them all the good news Sunday night, because as I walked in EVERYONE was already there cheering and clapping for me with their cameras in hand! Luckily I brought my crown and banner with to show the girls so we were able to get some pictures together!
I ended up talking with some of their daughters who had also come to see me, and doing that made everything worth while. Watching those little girls' faces light up and knowing that they were listening so intently to every word that came out of my mouth was the most amazing feeling in the world. It made every early morning 4:30am workout worth it. It made every sore muscle worth it. It made every bit of junk food I passed up worth it. They were so excited to hear what I had to say, to have their picture taken with me, to ask me questions ... and suddenly I knew ... OK, this is the PERFECT job for me. I knew I LOVED being Miss Illinois USA just from how excited those little girls got. If I could make such a small difference in their lives, just THINK about the difference I could make to people who really need it. I'm so excited for this job. I feel like I was made for it!
It's going to be a GREAT year. :) I can't wait!
The whole weekend was nerve-wrecking. Well, nerve-wrecking and exciting of course. I was excited to be there, but I wanted to win more than anything in the world so I had to stay focused. I trained in the gym for months and had eaten the most healthy of healthy foods for weeks and weeks leading up to pageant weekend. To prepare for the big day I worked with a trainer, a pageant coach, make-up and hair-stylists, picked out wardrobe changes, perfected my interview skills, spoke with past winners, involved my friends and family for support, went to other state pageants to pick up tips and so very much more in order to try and achieve my ultimate goal. When pageant weekend finally hit I wanted so very much to just relax, but I knew if I didn't stay focused I would lose my chance at the crown. However, during the weekend the girls were all SO sweet I was able to relax more than I thought. We talked and laughed and got to know each other as we figured out how all of this pageant rehearsal was going to work. Many times people have asked, "Are the girls caddy, like in 'Miss Congeniality?" Not in my experience. During pageant weekend the girls are all so friendly and helpful ... it is hard to choose who should get the congeniality vote! I loved getting to know those girls and I hope so very much that they will keep in touch :)
So last night after being crowned (November 22, 2009 -- a day I'll never forget!) my family took me out to dinner at the Greek Isles restaurant in Greektown. It was wonderful because I hadn't gotten to eat "junk" food for such a long time. I got a little too excited though and all of that food ended up making me sick. Whoops! It was great to be able to spend time with family though. I am so grateful to all of the people who came to support me during the pageant. Having them cheering me on in the audience really helped break my nerves, and brought a genuine smile to my face. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and inspiring group of people to back me during my pageant experience.
Monday morning following the pageant Mom and I met all of the pageant staff as well as the teen winner in the lobby of the hotel for a photo shoot. I didn't have any of the right clothes and my hair and make-up was a mess, but I didn't sleep a wink because I was so excited, so I knew it would have to do. The photoshoot was fun because Alexis (Miss Illinois Teen USA 2010) and I got to chat and get to know each other. It also gave a chance to get to know the people we'd be working with all year. We did three wardrobe changes and shot pictures both indoors and out. It was something I thought I would be really nervous doing in front of all those people, but it really came easy. I can't wait to see how the pictures came out now, but I'll have to wait!!
Following the photoshoot the directors took Alexis and I (and our moms!) to lunch at the hotel restaurant. Again, it was great to have "real" food, but it made me a little bit sick to my stomach. During lunch the directors told us a little bit about what to expect during the year, we talked a little bit about nationals, they told us what was next on our agenda, etc etc. It was nice to be able to ask questions because I had about 15 million things I wanted to know. They tell you it's going to be an awesome year before you take the crown, but once you have it, it is kind of scary! Its nice to have such a wonderful team to help me through this adventure!
Monday night mom took me out for ice cream (MORE food that made me sick!) and then I went to boot camp. All of the women in my bootcamp knew I was preparing for the pageant, and I guess Toni (the bootcamp leader) texted them all the good news Sunday night, because as I walked in EVERYONE was already there cheering and clapping for me with their cameras in hand! Luckily I brought my crown and banner with to show the girls so we were able to get some pictures together!
I ended up talking with some of their daughters who had also come to see me, and doing that made everything worth while. Watching those little girls' faces light up and knowing that they were listening so intently to every word that came out of my mouth was the most amazing feeling in the world. It made every early morning 4:30am workout worth it. It made every sore muscle worth it. It made every bit of junk food I passed up worth it. They were so excited to hear what I had to say, to have their picture taken with me, to ask me questions ... and suddenly I knew ... OK, this is the PERFECT job for me. I knew I LOVED being Miss Illinois USA just from how excited those little girls got. If I could make such a small difference in their lives, just THINK about the difference I could make to people who really need it. I'm so excited for this job. I feel like I was made for it!
It's going to be a GREAT year. :) I can't wait!
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