Business as Usual & Busy as Ever

"A bee is never as busy as it seems; it's just that it can't buzz any slower."
- - Kin Hubbard


To those of you who have anxiously been awaiting my second installment, I urge you two things: first - pat yourselves on the back for such loyal and steadfast patience (it's appreciated!), and second - consider taking up a hobby... the musings I have here are likely not worth such fervent anticipation. (A little self deprecation never hurt anybody, right?)

With that said - let's get down to the latest "buzz!" I do believe that there is a time and date stamp to these blog messages, so I must preempt my brief *scoffs* note by apologizing to my platoon of parents for the late hour. Worry not - I simply do my best work at night. Late at night. So much has happened since we last corresponded that I hardly know where to begin. In that case, let's go back... way, way back to when it all began... aka - a week ago Sunday. Ü Two radio interviews and one delicious breakfast later, I was off to retreat to my home. To my dismay, the messes I'd left upon leaving for pageant week were still there and had not managed to clean themselves up as I had instructed. Funny how that happens. At this point, it is necessary to extend another very warm thank you to all of my sister contestants for their tremendous gifts! They were exceptionally heartfelt and incredibly thoughtful. I've lovingly enjoyed glancing through them on a daily basis - this is quite easy because not only do they still entirely cover my dining room table, but they've managed to start trickling onto the floor. Except the edible ones - those things were gone (and tremendously relished) in the blink of an eye.

Last Monday, I was accompanied to an in-studio radio interview with KOMO 1000 in Seattle by our esteemed Assistant-Producer, Sarahlynn Aanderud. Mid-week was fairly low-key for me, except for the oodles of time I spent on the telephone. I know what you're thinking: Elyse - - Chatty?! Get out of here! Ha. Actually, I did several newspaper interviews and of course had the obligatory nightly chat with my Pageant Dads and biggest fans, Gary and Jay. On speakerphone, of course. Doris Hayes-Clark, the other half of our exceptional Production team, accompanied me to a midday Rotary meeting with Rotary #8 of Tacoma on Thursday. We were greeted by friendly Rotarians, a delectable lunch spread, and warm felicitations. Much thanks to the lovely Kristen Eddings for arranging this appearance!


Steve Smith & I after the Rotary meeting

My hair appointment was thoroughly enjoyable and my time with Jill from Angelo Mendi's Salon in Tacoma was well spent. I'm now a back-combing machine! And for those who were crossing their fingers for the culturally appropriate, yet insanely awkward, Samurai pony-tail - I'm sorry to disappoint. On Saturday, Peggy and I made the trek down to Wilsonville, OR to have my "colors done" by the delightful Barb Wilson. It was genuinely an eye-opening experience. To be told what your most complimentary colors and patterns are sounds like something on the verge of ridiculous, but I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to consider it. Barb doesn't tell you what (and what not) to wear, rather she gives you new perspective on how to make educated decisions regarding clothing styles and colors. We simply had a blast. Sunday was devoted to hair and makeup. Literally. We spent an absurd amount of time at the MAC counter and I walked away a much more makeup-savvy young woman. As a self-taught makeup "apply-er," I had no idea I was so out of the loop.


Barb Wilson & I

I had the pleasure of spending Monday morning of this week with Sarahlynn again. Not only is she a fabulous traveling companion, but she graciously assumed the role of my personal photog! We were out in Gig Harbor at Gateway Fitness celebrating the opening of the New Tacoma Narrows bridge. We did a quick interview with 710 KIRO and chattered with the Secretary of Transportation as well as several on-air radio and television personalities. The highlight of the morning, though, was my stop into the child care center at Gateway Fitness. I was greeted by at least two dozen smiling little faces. All of whom wanted my signature on their respective fragments of construction paper. Ah, the simple joys in life.




Eating TOLLhouse cookies in front of the new TOLLbooths... clever..


Visiting Gateway Fitness's Childcare Center I made several new friends and exuberantly high-fived.

After some intense eyebrow scrutinization earlier today (by three separate beauty-industry trained professionals, mind you) Peggy and I returned from South Center with plans to meet up midday tomorrow. It's headshot time! My brows are groomed, my eye-makeup smoky, my wardrobe is packed, and I think I just may be ready for my closeup, Mr. Schulz.


G'night!

elyse*