I am home sweet home after about a 5 day trip in Las Vegas to watch Miss USA. It was so interesting to see the whole concept from a “been there done that” point of view. Everywhere I went I thought “oh that’s where we did this…. and that’s where this happened, or that ‘s where we met this person…” The memories constantly poured in with each location visited.

After meeting Patrice, Miss Colorado USA 2009, at the airport we were quick to plan out our adventures. I blogged earlier about our amazing discount for the Cirque du Soleil show. It was incredible! Like I said before, I had looked forward to recording my TV introductions since I could ever even watch Miss USA. Even since I found out that I had to record them while the other contestants went to was Cirque du Soleil, I had been wanting to make up the lost experience. Finally, I saw the acrobats in action while they literally danced above water! It was breathtaking! The rest of our adventures included shopping at Caesar’s Palace, the Venetian, and on the strip, a visit to Madamme Tussauds to see what appeared to be true celebrities (but were only made of wax!), great meals, sunshine, and time with the contestants.

The first time I was able to see Kindra, Miss KY USA 2010, was when the girls were walking out of the beloved Spice Market Buffet. This is the buffet inside Planet Hollywood that we ate at last year for all 3 meals of the day during our rehearsal days. We were dined to extremes during the first week, but the second week meant business. However, I’m a huge fan of food. I almost consider eating and cooking a hobby! So the massive buffet with food from all around the world wasn’t too big of a pain for me! I was able to try many new things including escargot. And yes… I liked it! Steamed with pesto and parmesan made it taste very yummy! Wonder if you can get those in Kentucky ??? Anyway, family and Vegas pedestrians always lined up in the casino just to watch the girls exit or enter, and even eat, at the Spice Market. It was strange being one of those people, I almost feel a little creepy. Nonetheless, I figured it was worth it to see Kindra. My head was turned when all of a sudden I felt her leap into my arms and give me the biggest hug ever! It really showed how much she appreciated me being there. I Could almost feel what I felt this time last year when I first saw my mom in Vegas. It was then that it clicked in that I was really about to compete in Miss USA. OMG… I didn’t know what to think.

Patrice and I also went to open rehearsals in the auditorium where the pageant is held. The girls rehearse their steps and even the emcees and Trace Atkins practice to get everything down to a fine art. It took me a while to realize that it was the true Trace Atkins singing instead of a stand in, but as soon as I did, I jumped up during a break and grabbed a picture with him. He is so nice and was extra sweet. I have pictures of Kindra talking it up with him about how the Miss KY USA organization uses the same hair sponsor as he uses in Nashville. At least it brought them something in common to talk about, good excuse Kindra! I also touched base with many people of the Miss Universe organization. Many of these people were involved last year such as security and my “pageant mom” who was like a chaperon. Others are behind the scenes and are in charge of going everywhere with Miss USA, setting up appearances, doing online videos… the list goes on and on. It’s astonishing to see how big the organization really is. I think it would be incredible to have all those people behind you. Miss USA is only one face that represents many. It’s a huge responsibility! So much more than just “a pageant.” It’s an entire business!

While I sat in rehearsals, I once again felt the strange roll of emotions come over me. I’ve referred to this happening in previous blogs, but still am unable to pinpoint what it’s all about. Maybe it was the sad country song, maybe it was because I was so happy for Kindra… I’m really not sure. I know it wasn’t because I was sad that I didn’t win. Although becoming Miss USA was my goal, I’ve come to realize God had other plans for me. Maybe it was because watching the girls practice brought me back to that time last year. The entire event meant so much to me. It was more like the entire process, even before I got to Miss USA. It was something I had dreamed about doing forever, and can still hardly believe that I did it! Maybe the emotions were overwhelming because I feel that I grew so much during my time as Miss KY USA mentally, and especially during the Miss USA pageant. Maybe the emotions are just because I’m grateful and felt overwhelmingly blessed. I really have no idea, but do know those guesses are true and probably contributed somehow. Maybe you’ve wanted to cry sometimes and haven’t been for sure why. Or maybe not.. maybe I’m just crazy . Regardless, I was able to fight an actual tear rolling down, but if I was alone there would have been no stopping!

This brings me to the idea of the pageant all together. There were times in Vegas that I caught myself looking at it only as a pageant. I wondered “who’s going to win.” I realized that if I can get caught up in looking at it only from a “pageant” stance, than many people who haven’t been contestants or haven’t been involved in some way probably look at it the same. But it’s so much more than  a “win” for a night. It’s someone’s life getting ready to change! In that case, it’s each contestant’s life at stake. I still remember riding the plane home and suddenly I looked at everything differently. It was like my eyes were open to how wide our world really is. I was second guessing completely what I wanted to do with my life and trying to grasp what just happened during my 2 1/2 week stay at Miss USA. For the girl who does receive the crown, it’s so much more than just a crown. Her life will be changed not only for a year, but forever! Many Miss USAs move to New York or LA after completing their year at the Miss USA apartment in New York. Also, Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008, said she got to see her family 3 or 4 times during her entire year. That would be hard and a big change for many girls.

Before this gets too long, I just want to hit again on the subject of feeling thankful for what I’ve been through. I’m just going to assume that’s why I wanted to cry at rehearsals. I think we often overlook our blessings. Sometimes blessings come in small, discrete packages. For example, a blessing can be when the person in line at Kroger gives a couple pennies to the man digging in his wallet, or when someone just takes the time to put a cart back in the right location at Wal-Mart to prevent the teenage worker from walking an extra mile in the cold to go get it.  Maybe it’s the man who lets you cut in front of him regardless of how late he’ll be for work. Other times blessings come by bringing someone in your life, a surprise, a new job, or maybe by competing for Miss USA. Regardless of the blessing, I think it’s important to not just watch out for the ones wrapped in colorful wrapping but the ones that we bypass everyday. Life is made of mostly of small gestures and how one makes another feel. I hope to focus more on the little things that make up the color of my life instead of solely on the big details.

Next blog I’ll try to hit on the actual pageant, meeting up with other formers, the fashion shows I modeled in, and yes… those photos! I’ve got to get to work for now. I stayed the night in Nashville so I could model in a couple trunk shows. Check back soon!