I read an article in TIME magazine about 4-word film reviews, 5-word theatre reviews, 6-word memoirs, and 12-word novels. I think I will summarize the events of this past week in 7-word thoughts.

My muscles more sore than ever thought.

I am reading much about presidential candidates.

Getting ready to give speeches to kids.

Making appearance at my hometown's theatre tonight.

Making more contacts and meeting sponsors daily.

De-al rocks at cutting and coloring hair.

Numb after dentist and cannot apply lipgloss (I know this is 2 words, but it should be one)

Frame photo shoot for Grene Vision Group.

Begin running too early in the morning.

There you have it. The some of the events from the past week, each summed up in 7 words.

Please have a fantastic Labor Day everyone! <---notice...7 words

Much Love

Emily

I know, I know. As soon as an article is written about my blog, I quit using it. I feel terrible.

Due to being out of town for a week in Orlando, many days of traveling for platform development and appearances here and there, getting to the blog is difficult; however, it is no excuse!

Let's get to the chase now. Orlando was incredible! I had never been there before, and the Miss America Organization had really awesome activities planned for the contestants--48 were present.

Thursday we all went to Disney World, starting with some publicity activities and then getting to tour and ride the rides. My favorite thing, by far, was Space Mountain! Space Mountain is a ride that is very fast with quick turns and drops, all the while it is pitch black. The first time we rode Space Mountain, let's just say that my stomach felt a little crazy, but of course, I could not resist to go again. The second time was a little smoother--I did not cover my head the entire time. After Disney World, we all went to eat at an amazing Italian place, Maggiano's. What is there not to love about great pasta! To end the evening, we went to the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant, where our very own Alasyn Zimmerman, Miss Kansas Outstanding Teen, competed. For me, never having watched many pageants, this was a good experience to grasp everything a little better. Besides, Alasyn did great!

Friday we went to Sea World. With out a doubt, my favorite thing here was SHAMU! I have never seen a whale in person, and definitely not doing tricks. Shamu was SO BIG!!! Luckily, my group did not sit in the soak zone, but I know some of the contestants did. The whale splashed everyone down there with his fins. Sea Wolrd also had two roller coasters as well. I was able to go on both a couple times. The big, fast roller coaster terrified me the first time, so I kept my eyes closed. The second (just like space mountain) was amazing! I just said to myself, I am going to enjoy this. After we were done at Sea World we went to a party--The Sock Hop. Everyone dressed from the fifties--I was a Pink Lady, of course. At the sock hop there was dancing, eating, games, etc. This was just a nice way for the girls--Teens--competing to relax before final night.

Saturday was the day we were able to sleep in. We did not have a meeting until two. After the meeting, we got more free time until the final competition. The final evening of the pageant was unlike any pageant I had ever seen--judging by the fact that I have only watched one local, I am sure you can understand why. Oh, and let's not forget watching Miss America once as a little girl. I must say, though, I really love life after the pageant--the preparation, the appearances, the people, the self discovery--but please do not get me wrong, I secretly love the evening gown competition and of course the talent competition. Hopefully by Miss America, I will love the swimsuit competition and interview as well-- As long as I do what I am supposed to do, it will all be fantastic. Anyway, after the competition there was a celebration party for Taylor Hanna Fitch, the new Miss America's Outstanding Teen. I was able to get two hours of sleep before catching my plane back to Kansas.

I am now back in Kansas, doing what I do. I have some really great events coming up and cannot wait to tape the reality show in September.

Now, the day begins.

Peace

Em

I can't believe that it is almost time to go to Orlando already! Getting to meet everyone before the reality show taping will be great.

I have still been going going going. Even up to the day that we leave for Orlando, I will be going. The hardest thing about being Miss Kansas has to be having so much to do and so little time. That is better, though, than not having enough to do. There are really two jobs that you do at once, and even the the board keeps telling me this, I finally figured it out myself. Not only am I getting a chance to do things here in Kansas (meet people, speak to people, entertain people, etc.), but I am also preparing to go to Miss America, which is a whole different ball game. Time is just passing by so fast. Trying to figure out how to slow it down seems to be getting harder and harder each day.

Do not worry! I am still, kind of, finding time to relax and have a social life. Last night, I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday a little early, seeing as I will be out of town for my birthday. The opening night of the Olympics was on, so for my party, we ate pizza and watched that. It had to be the most amazing thing I have ever seen! I heard there were 20,000 individuals performing the entire thing. My good friend, Maria, who teaches in China was over last night and said that some of her students were in the performance. That would be so cool to be part of such a masterpiece! Watching it really gave me a sense of peace. To see that so many people join together to create beauty! I can just say, "Wow!"

A week has past already?!? Wow, time does fly!

I have been busy, busy, busy finishing up paperwork for the Miss America Organization. I love when that part is over and it is just around the corner. Before we know it all the contestants for Miss America will be meeting eachother in Orlando. I simply cannot wait!

Early this week I had the opportunity to make an appearance at National Night Out here in Augusta, KS. This was mostly a kid event with an air-jump, wading pools, a clown, Miss Kansas(that is me, the CERT team from Butler County, the Firefighters from Augusta, the police and the police dog, and PIZZA!!! The kids I was able to meet were really awesome. I even had the chance to really sit and talk with a couple--one of my favorite things to do is have one-on-one talks with individuals. By the end of the evening, I had eaten way too much pizza, played kickball, sprayed the firehose and taken a million pictures. What could be a better way to end a Monday?

Since then, I have been hard at work, as said earlier, on my paperwork. In between that, working out, keeping contacts, trying to stay up late and get up early (we know this will come into play for the reality show), and I could just keep going.

I am getting more and more excited about school presentations the closer they come. At first, I was a little scared of this, but everything is coming together so perfectly! I just love when things just work out and if you let them, I think they really will.

Even though every week is passing by so quickly, I am surprised to see evevrything just flow. The first month and a half as Miss Kansas have not been easy, but they have been fun and rewarding. I know now that only great things are in the future and look forward to the many more people I will have the opportunity to meet and the experiences I will have.

Soaring through the weeks!

Emily