The Vanbros girls

The Last Bootcamp

This weekend was my last bootcamp with Vanbros because I leave for Vegas on FRIDAY! Wow. That is absolutely insane! I cannot figure out where the last three months went at all. By this time next week I will be settled in Planet Hollywood. Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh. If you can't tell, I am just a tiny bit excited!

Tommorrow I am headed out to Topeka, KS to appear on WIBW Tv at 4pm! I am pretty pumped for this as well! This is the first live interview I will have given as Miss KS USA and I am very happy to have this opportunity. No fear. Its only tv! :-)

I am thankful this weekend that were able to go over any remaining questions that I had about Miss USA with Darryl Woods of Fearlessly ME and Jason & John Vannatta. These guys know what they are talking about and I am so glad that I have been a part of their program!

I am EXHAUSTED and am ready to crawl into my cozy bed! I am guessing I will dream something about Miss USA!

And Congrats to the KU Jayhawks on a great basketball season! But a big CONGRATS to my Mizzou Tigers on an amazing season that was beyond anyone's expectations!

:-)

Thankfully my two large boxes are shipped to Las Vegas and no longer a point of stress for me!

A special thanks to my wonderful friend ANDY for being brutally honest of what he thought of all my stuff (even the duck dress), and making sure I didn't look like a 16 year old but still as preppy as possible. I am so glad that you spent a part of your spring break kicking it with me, I had a great time and it really helped me get rid of my stress about leaving for Vegas. Mwah!
But unfortunately Andy goes to KU and has predicted a loss for the MIZZOU Tigers tonight. Boo on you my friend.


So, if you cannot guess my night will be consumed by college basketball and the gym tonight!

My Apartment Has Exploded!

Yes, Its true my little apartment in Olathe has exploded. Ok, not really but there is stuff EVERYWHERE! My mom and I have been trying to finalize this very large wardrobe I am taking to Vegas including way too many shoes and pieces of jewelry. To have my wardrobe boxes reach Vegas before I do I have to get them shipped by Friday and that sort of snuck up on me! But I am so glad I have my wonderful mom and faithful dog here to help me. My mom says she's really sorry for upping my stress level hehe, but she worries about and thinks of things that would never have crossed my mind. Plus we just happened to get her some FAB things for Vegas too!
Mickie, the doggie, is convinced we are trying to hem her in with boxes and clothes racks! But I am very pleased with my wardrobe and am pretty sure I now can face any activity the may throw at us for Miss USA! And I'll be happy NOT shopping for a very long time to come.

Thanks Momma!

The Olathe News

http://www.theolathenews.com/home/story/376862.html

Wow! Frontpage of The Olathe News

Today (Saturday) I was on the front page of The Olathe News!
I almost forgot to go out and get a paper! But don't worry- I got TWO! Just as soon as the post the the Saturday paper online I will put the story up. It is just not online yet, or I just can't find it. I am happy with the story and the pictures. Even though they are in my evening gown- you can't really tell what it looks like. Fyi- its amazing :-)

I just had a very long workout and am ready to call it a night. My momma is coming up tomorrow so I'd better be well rested!
And a shout out to my friend Cheri B! I am really happy you read my blog!

I love College Basketball!!

Oh I love March Madness! I am a huge college basketball fan so one of favorite parts of the year started yesterday with the NCAA Tournament! I am definitely having a low-key day today and watching my Alma Mater- MIZZOU take on Cornell. Go Tigers!
Also on the agenda for today is putting together my wardrobe boxes to ship my whole life to Miss USA! I am not sure how I feel about this just yet. But at least I do not have to lug 18 suitcases through multiple airports.
Basketball is calling my name- got to run!

Less than 3 Weeks!

I cannot believe I leave for Miss USA in less than three weeks! I am so excited I can hardly concentrate! Or sleep. Or think about anything else.
This week is filled with a few appointments for Miss USA and a few just for me. I do have my final dress fitting and I could not be happier. I love my dress and I hope you love it too. I am also concentrating on getting my wardrobe together. Three weeks and roughly three outfits a day equals a whole lot of luggage! So today I have had the tough chore of doing a little shopping... Sigh... Its really rough! hahaha. Plus it is the most beautiful day here is Olathe, KS so I am a pretty happy camper. I am actually getting ready to head back out.
Last week I had a phone interview with the Wichita Eagle newspaper and this week I have an interview with the Olathe News. I am more than happy to do these interviews and I can't wait to see them! The Wichita article should be out either the 23rd or the 30th so keep your eyes peeled.

Thanks to all my friends that are putting up with me endlessly talking about Miss KS and Miss USA. I appreciate you all so much- you have NO idea! And I am surprised how many people have mentioned they really read my blog. I love it!
Have a great evening & don't forget your green tomorrow!

FAQ

I thought I'd address some of the questions I find myself answering most frequently about being Miss KS USA & going to Miss USA.

When do you leave for Miss USA?
I leave for Miss USA on April 3rd! Its so close!
Is there a talent portion/Whats your talent?
Nope, there is no talent competition in Miss USA. Miss America has the talent contest.
What do you do all the time you are in Las Vegas?
During our time in Vegas we make many appearances throughout the city, we go to TONS of rehearsals both for prelims & television. I've heard we are going to be bust, busy girls!
What are the phases of competition for Miss USA?
All 51 girls compete in preliminary swimsuit, evening gown, and panel interview. The judges then select their top NINE girls, and from the remaining girls the Miss USA Org. chooses SIX more to round out the top 15. The top 15 are announced live on stage of the final night and go on to compete in swimsuit. The top 10 are announced and go on to compete in evening gown. Next, the top 5 are announced and compete in on stage question. Then, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st runner-up, and Miss USA!
What is the best advice you've gotten in this process?
Don't try to be anyone else, only be the best version of yourself.
What is your piece of advice to girls who want to win a state pageant?
Know who YOU are and what YOU believe in. Be confident in yourself and don't say the things you think a titleholder should say, say the things you say. State titleholders are not a cookie cutter, they come in a wide variety and thats the way it should be!

Dinner with Alexis!

Tonight I was really happy to have dinner with my friend Miss KS Teen USA, Alexis Rewalt! Let me tell you that she is so cute and is going to rock when she gets to Miss Teen USA. Time flew by and we sat and talked for over two hours about everything we could think of! Alexis and I think it is really funny that for the entire state of Kansas, Miss KS and Miss KS Teen live about 5 blocks from each other. Weird the way the things work. I am also really happy that Alexis and her family are going to Miss USA to cheer for me this April! Her grandmother is just the neatest little lady ever :-).
Its REALLY COLD and REALLY WINDY here is KS, so I hope its better wherever you are!

Ohhhh Thursday

Today I was honored to be a Celebrity Reader at Leawood Elementary School. I had a great time reading to four third grade classes in their beautiful school. I also tried to answer as many questions as I could for the children, and there were lots! I was very glad to read with the children because they still think I'm cool! Haha, friends my age know better! I am still waiting for the pictures from today to reach me and I will put them up asap.

Earlier this week I met with my personal trainer, Brian Atteberry, in Oklahoma to make sure everything is on track with my workouts etc. Brian is really cool and really knows his stuff. In his office he has a very impressive wall of fame of all the pageants girls he has trained and many professional body builders as well, including a 6 time Mr. Olympia that is the scariest man I've ever seen!

This weekend I have another Miss USA Prep Bootcamp with Vanbros & Assoc. and I am very excited! I'm not sure what we'll be doing but I'm sure it will be interesting!

Oh my!

Tonight I was checking the Miss USA website for ticket information and found that the delegate pictures are UP!!! Let me tell you that seeing the link and the faces of 50 other beautiful ladies made my stomach flutter! I'll be totally honest in saying that my picture was picked out for me and at first I did not know what to think about it, but the more I look at it the more I am liking it. Plus its taped to my refrigerator :-). I've been told this is sort of a sexy picture and that makes me laugh because I think it is really hard for me to be sexy!


Check out all the ladies at
http://www.missusa.com/2009/index.htm

I am very excited for tomorrow as I am going to be a "celebrity" reader at Leawood Elementary School. I have always loved to read and am excited to share this with young minds. Reading is the foundation of all education and I feel that is incredibly important to young people to make sure their reading skills are great. It doesn't hurt that I get to wear my beautiful crown and sash! I'll remember to take my camera.

Btw- Way to Go Mizzou!