I may have gained weight, but boy was it good!

O.k. Here's a little word of advice for my fellow pageant pals. Don't go to the South during pageant season if you are at all scared of gaining weight. My family fed me like a horse. The problem was...I let them and it was so good! Now I know why folks are heavy down there. There is just too much good food. Let me just recap a little of my menu. Cracker Barrel fried shrimp, green beans, mashed potatoes, hashbrown casserole, biscuits, cornbread. Buttered biscuits and jam with bacon for breakfast. Jim and Nick's barbeque sandwich, cheddar cornbread muffins, baked beans for lunch. Let's see what else, hmmmm. Oh yeah, country fried steak with mashed potatoes, green beans and onion rings. I'm tellin ya folks. I think I gained five pounds in five days. I figured it's all right, because I won't be able to eat like that for a year or so and I'll get back into my exercise routine (crossing my fingers) soon. When I look in the mirror I just don't feel the same. I guess it's a good thing I live all the way out west to get me away from the table. Hopefully I haven't scared you and don't scoff at lack of self control, because I know you secretly wish it was you!

Put your shoulder to the wheel.

Well, I think I'm going to keep going. I really do want this experience. Will I win?...probably not. But I'm o.k. with that. If that's what I was doing it for than it wouldn't be worth the investment, but I think the journey has taken me so far, and is shaping my life already, that I want to see what else I can gain from it. Maybe my little job will have to pay for it, or who knows, maybe I will find the sponsorships. I think it's good to be realistic about the time and energy I can put into this. Can I change the world right now. No, but I can make a small difference perhaps. Hopefully the judges will realize that and not expect too much. If they do, then I'm not the girl to win. I'll give it my all, but if it is not enough, then that's o.k. I'll hopefully get what I need to out of the experience and go home a happier woman.

Ahhhh, I don't know what to do!

So about a week or so ago, I decided to let the pageant thing go. It sounds really fun, but it is becoming such a stress. Finding the time and support to work on the platform has been impossible. Finding the money...are you kidding me. I feel like how can I ask businesses to donate money when economic times are so bad. It feels like pulling teeth. If I was rich and could cover the cost myself ,then sure, I'm all about doing it, but that's just not the case. I was, and am, really excited about getting to know these girls. I'm prepared to let it go, but in the back of my mind, there is a part of me that still wants to see it through. So many people know I am doing this and I don't want to be a quiter. I just don't know what to do???? Plus, I've already invested a lot in a gown. I'm really struggling, can you tell.

Dream on...

So I woke up this morning after having this crazy dream about the pageant. It was so ridiculous that I had to jump up and write it down before I forgot it. It was pageant day and all the ladies showed up with their outfits in hand. As we are signing in, I notice they are just starting to learn the choreography in some amphitheater. I'm starting to panic because I think I'm missing it and I knew we only had a small window of time before the pageant started. As I run down there I notice who's teaching the choreography. It's that good looking kid from High School Musical, Zack Heffron. Apparently he's trying to teach a cha cha and no one was getting it. I enthusiastically informed him that I knew how and he takes my hand and brings me to the front and proceeds to dance with me. (Of course in your dreams you are way better than you naturally are, so we looked and felt great dancing together) Then he puts on some Rhumba music, the dance of love, and forgets about teaching everyone else and continues to dance with me all romantic like. (Apparently he and I both forgot it was a MRS. pageant. I am so laughing my head off at the thought of this right now as I'm writing.) I asked if we were doing a Rhumba in the pageant and he says he and I were. I thought that's not going to fly real well with the other ladies.
Of course all good things must come to an end, right. I often have dreams about when I used to dance and they always create panic because I'm not ready. Either I don't have a costume, shoes, or I don't know the routine. Something. Well this dream is no exception. I showed up thinking there was going to be someone to do our hair and makeup. My hair was in a pony tail and the next thing I know the pageant is starting. I'm sitting off stage and I see the first contestant coming on. I become frantic trying to call my mother to bring my makeup bag in a hurry, but my phone runs out of batteries. Everyone looked gorgeous of course and I was ready to bawl my eyes out. I hadn't prepared so hard for so long to go on stage looking like a total mess. I guess all of the anxiety is what woke me up.
I'm pretty sure the hot dance choreographer is not going to happen and lets pray the makeup and hair fiasco doesn't happen come April. Oh, the things the mind will create.

Remember...I was an art major!

So, yesterday I got enough nerve to start calling businesses about possible sponsorships. I made a list of businesses that I thought might have an interest, got the phone book out, and away I went. It's amazing how the person who makes the decisions is never in. I did get someone who told me to come by in the afternoon. That was at least promising. Once there, she informed me that business is slow and they can't afford to do any advertising for themselves. So, I don't really think that one's goin' to work out. Then I thought, well I'm already dressed up...I might as well hit the streets of Provo. After four or five businesses and one man giving me a really crusty look and making me feel uncomfortable, I went home. When I got home, I kicked off the heels put on the tennis shoes, which made me feel much better, and was ready to call it quits. I was not made for marketing or advertising. I don't have a thick skin and being told "no" is a little tough. If I am able to raise this money it will be a miracle and a huge success for me. Remember... I was an art major not a business major.

Going to the Miss. Utah pageant

Last night I went with some gals that are involved with the Mrs. Utah pageant to go see the Miss. Utah Pageant. If these girls win they go on the Donald Trumps pageant on T.V. I think it made me more nervous. I not so sure if I can strut my stuff in a swim suit. I would just like to put a disclaimer on my back that reads, "Had 3 c-sections...have a heart." The ladies are nice, but can you say, "one of these things is not like the others." I was wearing my highest heels, but it doesn't count when all the other women wear theirs too. Oh well, I'm just glad they don't line us up in a row side by side like they did in this pageant. I realized I better get my tail on a serious workout regiment between now and April, because the bright lights don't do ya any favors and we are wearing white swimsuits. I'm biting my bottom lip just thinking about it. Just like my blog title reads...did I really sign up for this? From left to right: me of course, Emily Nelson (current Mrs. Utah), Alicia Warnock (former Mrs. Utah and the pageant director), Natalie Murray, Heidi Murray, and Karen Reynolds. All really nice ladies. I can easily see how you create a bond with these ladies, because only they will know what it's like to get on a stage in front of 700 people in a swimsuit. If that wont bond ya, I don't know what will!

Getting a Platform overhaul.

Last Saturday, we had our Mrs. Utah pageant orientation. It was nice to meet some of the women I've been corresponding with over the last couple of months and to see what kind of women would be doing the pageant. I was pleasantly surprised. I think I'm going to make some great friends out of this experience. Is it a little scary...most definitely. Is it intimidating...that's for sure. Will it be worth it...You betcha ya. My dear friend Amy is such a champ. She went with me. She is my adopted sister of sorts. She steps in for me when I need her because my family is on the other side of the country. On our way home, we were discussing my platform and I realized it needed some improvement. So here's my new and improved platform:

"Empowering Individuals through the Gift of English"

I am hoping to help create awareness in the Hispanic community of the opportunities available to them to learn English. After talking with many Hispanic members of our community, I found that the most difficult part of moving to the United States, is the language barrier. The children usually end up in ESL programs, but the parents tend to struggle. There is a lack of parental involvement in the school system by these adults, because they can't communicate with their children's teachers and they have trouble assisting their children in their homework. As a result these students will continue to struggle.
Members of this community also have a hard time receiving the medical care they need, because they cannot properly express their needs to their health care providers. They're job opportunities are limited and the American dream is harder to reach.
I hope to be able to give these people a voice and to help them gain confidence by helping them get the education they need in order to speak the language. How am I going to do this you might ask? Well I'm working on that part. There is a pilot program with the LDS Church that I'm involved in called the Daily Dose. It is a free English class offered 3 days a week at various chapels throughout the state of Utah. We teach basic and intermediate lessons that are applicable in their everyday lives. This week I taught a lesson on "Meeting Your Child's Teacher," and next week is on "Opening a Checking Account." You get the idea. I hope to create awareness and get as many people to these classes as possible. There is also a government funded program in Arizona that I would like to have implemented in our schools in Utah. It is called Sed de Saber, or Thirst for Knowledge. The state has provided Leapfrog Learning Systems that teach English to various schools that are then lent out to the parents of students at the school. They see a 33% increase in their speaking skills. It's at their own pace. Once they complete the course they are then offered a more formal type class to continue their learning.
Do I really know how to go about this. Not really, but isn't this whole process a journey. How empowering it will feel if I truly can make a difference for these people. I enjoy watching them learn in my own class and the friendships you make are priceless.

I know this is long, but if you made it this far, please leave me comments on any questions you might have. This would greatly help me in my preparation.