The Holiyear: As of Late...

The past few week have been suuuuper busy, I feel like I have been going going going and have hardly had time to stop and take a water break! Alas...I love it! I love constantly being on the go, however, I do understand the importance of rest and relaxation. You can't go go go if your body is sick sick sick :o(

The weather is changing, yay! The sun is coming out, it's warming up, neighbors are washing their cars and mowing their lawns, kids are playing in the streets, you can ride with the windows down, and in general, everyone is in a great mood! It is such a beautiful time of the year! And I'm glad it's finally here!!!

Cherry Blossom Fever!

DC Central Kitchen

Recently, I was able to go on a trip to DC with some of my Miss America sisters and we had such a good time out there! I truly enjoyed myself, as I have been wanting to visit DC for some time now...now I think I may want to live there! It's magical...kind of, haha :o) I really love the atmosphere and energy in DC, I've never felt anything like it. While I was out there, I was able to meet with the founder of the DC Central Kitchen, Mr. Robert Egger, and many of the staff and students there. DCCK is an amazing organization that provides many homeless and previously incarcerated individuals the opportunity to acquire proper job training and culinary skills to further seek employment within the professional food service industry.The also provide outreach and counseling service. I was able to talk with many of the staff and students there, and this is such a wonderful organization providing good skills and opportunities to those it serves!

Leader McConnell

Senator Paul

While in DC, we did a number of fundraising events, a little touring, lots of picture-taking :o), and also had the opportunity to meet with some of our Senate and Congress members. I was able to meet with Leader McConnell and Senator Paul. I also made a few new friends while I was out there! It was an all around good time. Miss New Jersey, Ashleigh Udalovas, was my roomate...as if I didn't love her already...she is my little love muffin for sure now :o)

The "Classic" Elevator Shot

The timing for this trip couldn't have been more perfect because the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and it was such a beautiful sight to see! However, as beautiful as they were to see, my allergies were not exactly excited about them, I lost my voice on our second day out! Some of the girl might have liked that though...less sarcasm and whitty banter??? No! More sarcasm and whitty banter in my scratchy man voice!

The trip to DC was a really great time for a lot of us "Miss America Sisters" to really get to let our hair down and get to know each other because although there was little to no drama while we were in Vegas, it was still a slightly different atmosphere being that we were all in "competition mode". So this time, we were all more relaxed and able to truly enjoy one another. I liked that a lot. I also made a few new friends out in there as well, who I will hopefully get to come back and see this summer!!! We shall see :o)

Emerging Young Leaders

As soon as I got back from DC, I had the honor of attending a VIP Reception and singing the national anthem at the 2011 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Regional Conference. Although I was still recovering from losing my voice while in DC, I was in just enough shape to sing and not sound like an American Idol auditioner...you know, the ones who DON'T make it to Hollywood, haha..anywho, with that being said, I did okay. I met some amazing women AND had some delicious shrimp and grits! I must also say I was very impressed and please to see their Emerging Young Leaders at the events as well. I got to speak with the young ladies, they were all very sweet and focused...kudos to you young ladies :o)

I did some BIG BLUE remote broadcast promotion with Tabitha from Hot 102 at the Stanley J's "Salute Your Jorts" Big Blue Lunch Party! Congratualtions to UK for making it to the final four, they had a significantly large amount of people running around Lexington in jorts. For those of you who don't know what "jorts" are, they are jean (cut off) shorts = jorts. Ha! Stanely J's also had some yummy big blue cheesecake brownies...I delighted myself in them :o)

I have still been traveling all over the bluegrass visiting schools...I must say, this is the best job ever. Every school I go to, the kids ask "What's the best thing about being Miss Kentucky?!?" and I always respond, "Getting to spend time with you." Every county, every city, every school, every child is a new experience. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to speak to these students and be a part of their lives, even if it is only for a short time, I know that there just HAS to be at least one young person in each group who has really taken what I have said to heart. That just means the world to me.

Picture Time!