~~ Assorted Photos from my Nevada Trail Journey ~~

“The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?”
-- Pablo Picasso

Here is a collection of pictures that either missed the cut-off or simply didn't make it into the blog - - until now. Hopefully you find them to your liking! If not - take it up with my family... Since I'm in most of the photos, I clearly can't claim credit for the photography. hehe.

Sorry Parents.

elyse*


http://plu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022833&l=e461f&id=44902634

"I Felt Like a Real-Live Celebrity..."

"I love deadlines. Especially the whooshing sound they make as they pass by."
-- Douglas Adams

I’m fighting the urge to pick up my newest reading adventure, The Da Vinci Code (yes, I’m far behind the times and started the book only two days ago). But – I have been boldly struck with the stark realization that I haven’t updated my blog recently and the list of those reminding me to do so is growing as long as a country mile. So with coffee in hand as usual, here I am to take care of business! But first an apology: not only for the tardiness of this entry *hangs head* but for my empty and unfulfilled promise that I’d respond with the official Miss America info in a prompt fashion. Are you ready? Is your heart simply brimming with intense anticipation? Has the suspense caused you to toss and turn late into the night? Do you enjoy my ridiculous use of goofy and leading questions to help build the tension? I assume the answer is no (to all of these), because the information is now available via this blog’s mothership – err, I mean.. www.missamerica.org. However, if this is your primary source for “pageant news,” I salute your diligence and am honored to share the following with you. We have a date, location, and network! Woo-Hoo!!

Our new home is on TLC - Miss America is back in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 26th! It’s great to know all those details but honestly, I would have settled for just knowing the date. Now that we have something to work backwards from, we can plan my preparation accordingly. There’s the customary shopping, working out, and paperwork business to tend to, but I’m also very interested in staying involved with the YWCA as a volunteer, promoting my platform, and mock interviewing. I believe my exact words to Mrs. Miller were, “Mock interview me to death.” But now that I see that in print, perhaps my words were too strong… Any-hoo, we have lots of work to do and I’m anxious to get to it!

I can’t seriously believe it is the 22nd of August. Where did this entire month go? Yipes! I’m really focused on savoring every moment and experience my year of service has to offer… but it’s increasingly difficult when time insists on flying by! If I can get my brain to switch gears, I’d like to share with you an incredible experience I had up in Bellingham several weeks ago. Evelyn Jefferson, Chairwoman of Lummi Nation, kindly invited me up to a very special event called “Paddle to Lummi – Canoe Journey 2007.” Carol Starcher accompanied me on this trip and we agreed that it was one of the most unique and inspiring appearances either one of us had ever been to. The website for this (www.paddletolummi.com) describes this event by saying, “The Journey seeks to honor the centuries-old custom of transport, harvest and trade by the Coast Salish tribes, many who traveled the waters to meet and gather for festivities. Relationships are strengthened, family ties are renewed, and young and old gather together during this drug and alcohol free event. Our Elders believe that through canoe-pulling, we achieve perfect harmony and balance. This is schelangen, the Lummi way of life.”

Canoes travel from as far as Alaska and for as long as two weeks to take part in this annual event. Very few times in my life have I ever felt such warm hospitality and genuine pride as I did on Lummi’s sacred shores. I was greeted with a hero’s welcome! I told Peggy, “I felt like a real-live celebrity up there!” I think she responded with something to the effect of, “Well… yah.” *giggle* Guess I’m still getting used to the Miss Washington persona. There were times during my tour of the festivities when I was surrounded – and sometimes bombarded – with young and old alike asking for autographs, photos, and simply a handshake. I hugged elders, kissed babies, and was showered with gifts. I came home with nearly a dozen new articles of clothing, the most exciting being my hand-made cedar hat (this sort of artifact is of the kind that are displayed in museums) and my shell and bead medallion. These traditional gifts are very dear to my heart and I will cherish them always. Another significant gift from several members of Lummi Nation was the honor song that was given to me while standing on the shore. The experience was moving beyond words. It was the kind of moment where your skin tingles and your insides are overcome with warmth because the reality of it is so surreal, like a baptism or new awakening. I can’t thank these people enough for their kind words or the loving prayers they sent to me through song.

I was given the opportunity to address the “Treaty Talk” session as well as the general assembly. I spoke briefly about my platform, the program, and how excited I was to represent Native America as the first American Indian to wear the Miss Washington crown. After several hours of mingling and visiting, we retired to the beautiful Silver Reef Casino where Evelyn hosted a grand dinner for Carol, my cousin Paul (who has several ties to Lummi Nation), Paul’s grandmother Bessie, and I at their Steakhouse. Carol and I were expecting BBQ’d meat on a Styrofoam plate and maybe an ear of corn. You know - nothing too fancy, just picnic/comfort food. So you can imagine our surprise when we are brought to a beautifully decorated and dimly-lit eatery and then served cuisine that rivals a seven-course meal! It was spectacular. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to spend time with so many Native people from so many beautiful coastal tribes. I look forward to participating in other American Indian events during my year and am hopeful that we can collaborate on several projects in the future.

Let’s see now... what else is worth mentioning..? Well, since returning from Orlando I’ve paid a visit to Jill Ogden for a trim, had lunch with my former Miss Seattle director Darrin Emerick and Miss Seattle's Silver Cloud Inn sponsor, engaged in some serious planning with Peggy Miller, and taped an interview with Comcast Local Edition. This is a program that airs daily on CNN Headline News featuring government and community leaders. I had the chance to chat with Stella Thurkill about my time “in office” and my plans for the year. One of my judges, Mr. Buck Dopp, helped put this together for me and I extend to him one more heartfelt thank you!

In the coming days, I have several meetings to attend and about a million emails to send. If there are grammatical or typographical errors in this post, please blame them on the partial numbness I’m experiencing in my phalanges due to excessive emailing. Ah, the glamours of titleholder life. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.


Until next time,

elyse*


Photos from Paddle to Lummi:
http://plu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023546&l=5cfa1&id=44902634

Hip, Hip, Hooray - We Love You, Genay!

"They may talk of a comet, or a burning mountain, or some such bagatelle; but to me a modest woman, dressed out in all her finery, is the most tremendous object of the whole creation."
-- Oliver Goldsmith

The Final night of competition at the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant begins in a matter of hours. Please continue to send Genay your best wishes, thoughts, and prayers. I pray that she be filled with joy, contentment, peace, and confidence as she enters that theater tonight. As I sit and type on Allie's laptop in our hotel room, my eyes are brimming with tears. It could be that I've been tremendously busy and entirely exhausted.. but I think I'm simply full of emotion - I'm so excited for Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen!

The last couple of days have been so exciting here in Florida! We saw the final night of preliminary competition, ran into members of the pageant family from far and wide, made treasured new friendships, went to Disneyworld, ate a private dinner at Maggiano's, attended a Gala at the Millenia Art Gallery in honor of MAO and MAOT, had lunch at Planet Hollywood Orlando, and didn't sleep enough. All in all, this week has been Awesome! As much as I've loved my time in Orlando, I'm anxious to head home and leave this humidity behind. It seems I'm in need of some much stronger hair products for my next trip this far south. My wish shall be granted at about o-dark-thirty in the morning. (haha.. that's a clever little turn of phrase I've picked up from Sally Lynch). I miss everyone at home and know your hearts and thoughts are here in Orlando with all of us. As usual, I don't have much time to sit and chat, but wanted to leave you all with another sampling of photos. I've been sitting at this desk for about an hour putting the albums and this blog together but I empathize with everyone back in Washington who wants details. I can tend to be an instant gratification kinda gal myself. I must now commence the beautification process for tonight's show.

Much love to everyone. Pray for a safe trip home for all of us and we'll see you soon! And one last time - just for good measure: Good Luck, Genay! Not that someone as talented, pretty, and sweet as Genay needs luck, but I 'spose a little bit couldn't hurt...

Cheers for now having a Miss America date,

( oh - did I forget to mention that little detail..? We Have a Date and Location!! Woo!! Sorry to titilate, but I must first check with the powers that be that its safe to release the info. Check back soon... aka, tomorrow for the latest! )

elyse*


Photos from Prelims:
http://plu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023238&l=2fb26&id=44902634

Photos from the last few days' events:
http://plu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023240&l=20d80&id=44902634

What are you going to do next? I'm goin' to Disneyworld!!

"It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change. "
-- Alice, Alice in Wonderland


Greetings from Orlando! I'm sorry I don't have much time to write. After my speedy-yet-satisfying five hours of sleep last night, I'm rather tired and must resume the beautification process - which has proven to be a daunting and perpetual task. The Miss contestants spent several hours touring a Children's Hospital and we will be leaving for dinner in about an hour. We're going to Maggiano's and I've heard its delightful! Immediately after, we're headed to the Linda Chapin Theatre at the Orange County Convention Center for the final night of preliminary competition.

As I'm in a hurry, I promise to fill in all the blanks in a future blog entry. At the moment, unfortunately, time is a luxury I don't have. I like to leisurely sit and write at my desk... making great and valiant efforts to provide you with witty anecdotes and fun lil' photos. This time - the photos will have to do all the talkin'. Please follow the link below (or copy and paste it into your browswer) to preview a small sampling of the photos we've taken from the week thus far. Again, more will follow when time allows.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023194&l=2e914&id=44902634

The most important thing here though is to tell you all about Genay - she's doing AMAZING! Alli, Sally, and I are so proud of her. She has her characterisitic sweetness and quick wit and is full of energy despite the gruelling schedule. She simply shines onstage and her personality clearly comes through. She is always quick to laugh and smile and the stories she's been sharing at visitation have us in stitches! Her wardrobe and makeup are simply maaaavelous and her talent was upbeat, engaging, and executed with perfection. We are so proud to see her compete and I, personally, am so grateful that I have had this incredible chance to cheer her on from the audience! Thanks so much to everyone who made this trip possible - - Thanks and thanks again! I can't wait to sit down and share all of my thoughts and memories once I'm back in the Pacific Time Zone.

*Pauses* What's that? Oh, sorry, my makeup brushes are calling me... Must get back to work. Please enjoy the photos and continue to keep Genay in your thoughts and prayers. Feel free to email Alli (allison@misswashington.org) with your best wishes and words of encouragement. We've been sharing all the mail with Genay and she really appreciates your well wishes! Also, we've had nothing but positive feedback from other spectators about Genay and her performance. She is truly doing a tremendous job!

I'll check in as soon as I can. And tomorrow is the BIG DAY! Is it Finals Night, you ask. Of course not - I'm going to Disneyworld. woo-hoo!!! I've never been and I hear we get the VIP treatment. Here I come Magic Kingdom... watch out Mulan - I just may try to put you out of a job.


Warm regards,

elyse*