Looking back

Standing there one year ago, I knew that I prepared as much as I possibly could, I knew that I gave it my all, I knew that I wanted it more than anything, but I had know idea how my life was going to change when my name was called. I always said that if I ever won a title, I wasn't going to waste any time, that I was going to take full advantage of it and live my year with no regrets. As I look back on the past year, I am proud to say that I did just that.

In the past year, I have had the most amazing experiences, here is a look back at just a few of my favorite appearances...

Two Doors Fundraiser

First Annual Veterans Day 5K



Waitressing Meals on Wheels Pancake Breakfast

Get in the Game Mondays at the Corning Youth Center

One of multiple Wal-Mart fundraiser for CMN - total amount raised $1,689

Meals on Wheels Duck Race

CMN Bachelor Auction

Presenting a portion of the money I raised for CMN to the Finger Lakes Region

Juding the National American Miss Pageant

Judging Miss Colonial Days 2010

One of many parades

CMN Golf Tournament


This year has been a blessing and one that I will never forget. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey and best of luck to the thirteen young women who will be competing for the opportunity of a lifetime, Miss Finger Lakes 2011.

Miss Fulton County

When I began my journey in the Miss America Organization 6 years ago, I would have never guessed that I would drive 5 hours in a snow storm to get to a pageant that I wasn't even competing in! However, the weather could not keep me away from supporting one of my favorite people that I have met through this organization, My Miss NY roomie, Kieren Sheridan.

After the whole driving through a blizzard ordeal was over with my mom, sister, and Vicky Ripple, it was time for the pageant! My pageant sisters Keelie Sheridan and Courtney Sheridan as well as Miss NY 2010 Claire Buffie were in attendance. I have never been to Miss Fulton County before and I picked the PERFECT time to go, as it was the 40th anniversary of the pageant! Titleholders from the past 40 years gathered at the venue for a night of entertainment. This year, the Miss Fulton County Organization awarded ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS in scholarships to all of the contestants.

Miss Congeniality, a $440 award, was a three way tie between Kieren Sheridan, Colleen Gagne, and Misty Lyn Hilts. I am so excited for Amanda Boyer, who won both Overall Interview and Talent. I have had the opportunity to watch her grow throughout her Miss America Journey and am so proud of her success last night.

2nd Runner up: Amanda Boyer

1st Runner Up: Danielle Trumbell

Miss Fulton County 2011: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KIEREN SHERIDAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, for what you have all been waiting for - the Miss Fulton County Crowning Moment :D

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGAuiDAhX9io&h=1fc2f

Congratulations to all of the girls who competed! And a big congratulations to Miss Fulton County 2011 KIEREN SHERIDAN :D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Move it and Lose it Challenge #9

I met the ladies competing for Miss Finger Lakes 2011 today at the first annual Miss Finger Lakes workshop. I hope that the new titleholder will carry on this new tradition :) Will you know who the new Miss Finger Lakes will be the moment that it happens? I will!

February 26th at 7 PM at the Union Hall... Be there!

Move it and Lose it Challenge #9

Use a smaller plate! If you use smaller plates then you will eat smaller portions because the plate will be filled faster. I know, I know, difficult concept... But it really works!!

Move it and Lose it Challenge #8

I was watching the news the other day and a story immediately caught my attention and inspired Move it and Lose it challenge #8. A recent study was conducted that showed that people who eat lunch/dinner in front of a computer/television eat more than they would if they were to eat at the kitchen table. Guilty as charged. Not only do I eat my lunch at my desk at least 3 days a week (on a good week) but what is the first thing I do when I get home? If your thought was watch TV.. I wish. I reopen the computer and start studying for my exams with my dinner by my side.

The study concluded it that since your mind is distracted by the screen, you do not realize when you are full. I also agree with this because the other day I made it through almost an entire bag of pretzels without even a second thought. Oops.

Now this part wasn't in the study, but I have also found that it takes me way longer to eat when I am trying to work than if I would have just taken ten minutes to actually enjoy my meal. This may be due to the fact that I am eating more because I am distracted, or it may be because I am a bad multi -tasker. Either way, your challenge this week is to break away from the screen during meals. Good luck!

The true test

A few months ago, I was honored and overwhelmed with excitement when my best friend asked me to be the maid of honor in her wedding. She told me they had finally set a date. June 18th. Two weeks later, I was walking out the door for a Miss Finger Lakes appearance when my phone beeped, it was an e-mail that I had been awaiting from Kenny Mack.. the dates and location for Miss NY were being announced! The tears started coming on faster than I could read. June 13-19. I was devastated, as this is my last year of competition.

I dried my tears and immediately said, well that's it, I am choosing friendship, my time as a contestant in the MAO was over. How could I not be there for her on her big day? I tried everything that I could think of to get around the problem, even searching on the Internet for hours to try to find a possible issue with the date the Miss NY Organization chose. (didn't work)

As the days passed, my decision never left the back of my mind. It was all I could think about. I went back and forth for weeks over what I should do. Tonight, I made the hardest decision of my life. I called my friend and with her full support, I will not be ending my journey quite yet. I will be competing for Miss Greater Rochester this year only. If it is in the cards and I become Miss Greater Rochester 2011, then I will see you at Miss NY 2011, if it's not, I will be smiling as I watch my friend walk down the isle.

I contemplated sharing this story with everyone because the last thing I wanted was a debate over how bad of a friend that I am on the nasty board. But I decided to share it because this organization means more than anything to me. It has helped me to become the woman that I am and I am not ready give up on my dream. So I have one last chance. Please mark your calendars and come support me on March 13th for my very last local pageant.

P.S. Passed my second CPA exam today. OOOOhhhhh we're half way there!

As Promised

Okay so this post really isn't as promised because I promised for Saturday, not Sunday... but it's pretty close. I think you will forgive me when you hear my most recent fiasco.

Bed bugs are a growing epidemic in New York State. They have been all over the news for the New York City infestation, but not so much in Upstate NY. Well I must have been the lucky person because two weeks ago, I discovered one in my apartment. A common misconception is that you get bed bugs from being messy, however when they were discovered in my spotless apartment I did some research and found out that it has nothing to do with how clean you are. The way that most people get them is by traveling (which is how I most likely got them), they like to cling onto your suitcase. They are a very expensive and time consuming pest to get rid of. For example, I paid the exterminator over $700 and had to wash everything I own (23 loads of laundry). So, here are just a few helpful traveling tips so you don't wind up like me.

• Never leave your suitcase on the floor (use the provided suitcase rack)
  
• Make sure your suitcase is zipped up at all times.


• Don't throw your clothing on the floor, if you put it in the drawers make sure you put your dirty clothes right back into your zipped suitcase.


• Inspect the bed when you get there. Leave the lights off and use a small flashlight to look in the box spring and the seams of the mattress. The bugs are very small but you can see them.


• Check out bedbugregistry.com to see if they have been reported at the hotel you are staying at.



• When you return home, vacuum your suitcase before bringing it inside (you must change the vacuum bag when finished because they can live in the bag).
  

Okay now that I freaked everyone out, I have had time for some other fun things in the past two weeks other than bed bugs. Stacey Minchin, Miss New York International, and I teamed up to make some appearances!

First, we helped out at the Meals on Wheels pancake breakfast. Our job was to be waitresses and Stacey did a good job... me on the other hand, I tried my best :) The turn out was awesome and we had such a great time working together that we figured we would do it again the next week.

Our next event together was the inaugural Veterans Day Walk/Run. I think we were the only two that decided to walk haha, but hey, we crossed the finish line still standing!

Our next event together will be on Sunday at the Corning Parade of Lights!

P.S. If anyone is serious about going to watch Stacey in Chicago this July as she competes for Miss International, please let me know. My mom and I will be scheduling our flights/hotel in the upcoming weeks!

On the hunt...

... for Miss Finger Lakes 2011! The Miss Finger Lakes Organization has announced this year's pageant to be held on February 26th 2011. The pageant will be hosted by our very own Miss NY International, Stacey Minchin! If you are interested in competing, let me know and I will make sure to get you all of the paperwork.

Now that I am finally done traveling for awhile and am all settled in, it was time to fill up my calendar. Here's what is in the month ahead...

November 4th - Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House
November 7th - Showing off my Pancake Flipping skills at a CMN Breakfast fundraiser. *9:00-12:30 at the First United Methodist Church on Cedar St in Corning -- Stop by!*
November 14 - Inaugural Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk hosted by Elmira College
November 20 - CPA Exam :(
November 27 - Corning Parade of Lights