An Empire State of Mind

Hello friends!

It has been quite a busy Tuesday-- a busy week for that matter! I just returned from my "home base" gym and smoothie shop here in Marietta, so I'm feelin' good! *Thank you Fitness 19 and Smoothie Express for making my day, every day!!
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Lately, I've been brainstorming ideas for some upcoming CMN fundraising events. If you have any ideas, please feel free to share! I have done everything from washing cars to teaching a ballroom dancing class, so I am open to any fun, creative ways to help CMN.
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This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Miss New York Pageant! We peaches were certainly well represented in the Big Apple! Faren, Jackie, Alyse, and Kandice were beautiful as always! As far as my travels are concerned, Mom and I ended up flying into Hartford, CT and driving up to Albany...lots of bonding time on the road, and we didn't even get lost! I met a few people with the Miss NY board, and they were all so wonderful to us! Most exciting was running into TWO Miss Americas, Kirsten Haglund and Kate Shindle! Kate wanted me to give everyone in Cobb County a shout-out--she still remembers how much fun it was to judge Miss Cobb the year Kandice won. :)

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Moving forward, I have my FIRST official Miss Georgia appearance this Friday at the Marine base in Albany! I hear these men look forward to this appearance every year, and I am SO thrilled to sing for them and spend some time with them especially this special holiday weekend. I will keep you all posted with pics when I return. Until then, have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!

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With love,
Christina

It has been exactly a week now...

Today marks one week as your Miss Georgia! I wish I could say I'm fully rested and that things have calmed down, but that would simply be untrue! Haha I have just returned from a night at Snooky's home where Mrs. Bias showed me my new room--It is absolutely beautiful! I also had the pleasure of meeting their sons, Ben and Brandon, and Brandon's sweet wife, Megan. We all went out to a Thai restaurant for dinner, and though I am half Filipino, this was actually my first Thai experience! I'm sure they never would have guessed, because I am the least picky eater out there, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Shana visited for a little bit, and we discussed my talent selection for Miss America!! It is still amazing to me that I'm really preparing for the big MA. We have narrowed it down to a few options, and I am just SO excited to make the big decision and then practice, practice, practice!

Today, I met with a friend of mine and my mom's who helps manage my personal website. We are working on updating it, so it will look more "official" soon. He also introduced me to the world of Twitter! If you like to "tweet," then feel free to follow me! My username is "MissGA2010." *Thanks, Charles!

In the morning, I will be catching a flight to NEW YORK to watch the Miss New York Finals! I went to High School with Faren and Alyse (the reigning Miss NY) and competed here in GA with Jackie, so I have a couple girls to cheer for! How neat would it be to go to Miss America with an old friend! The only thing I'm worried about is flying up to NY, because my mom and I will be flying Standby. That means we just have to hope the seats stay open, so we can catch the flight--Say a quick prayer that it all works out for us!

That's all for now folks!

My first weekend as Miss Georgia 2010

Hello Everyone!

I thought it would be neat to keep a blog going throughout my year as Miss Georgia 2010 so that I could share my experiences with you and maintain a fun record for myself. Here goes!

First of all, I am still on Cloud 9 and totally excited about the year ahead! Saturday night is a bit of a blur--I remember it in pieces, the most exciting of which being when I was the 5th and final contestant called into the Top 5. Talk about nerve wracking! I remember holding Jamie's hands and praying not to hear my name first (no offense, Jamie haha). Most of all, I remember how happy my fellow contestants were for me. I never thought I would cry after being crowned, but the energy and love I felt as they all stormed the stage to hug and congratulate me was just overwhelming. Katie, my little sister who competed in the Outstanding Teen pageant, was among the first to "attack" me, tears streaming down her face and a just-won-the-lottery smile. Morgan and Matthew touched up my running mascara before Camille and I climbed into the beautiful white limo which took us to the reception. Between my offstage interviews with some Columbus papers and my speech at the reception, I must apologize for letting my overwhelming excitement interfere with any attempt at eloquence--I only hope that everyone in attendance grasped the sincerity in my many thanks to all of you who have supported me and loved me throughout my 4-year journey to becoming Miss GA. This was a dream I have worked tirelessly toward, and I could not have realized it alone! Even if we have never met, if you have helped any Miss GA/Miss America contestant along her journey, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the reason this program exists and continues to be one of the most special and classic American traditions.

I spent that night at the Marriott with Shana in a gorgeous 2-story suite. After meeting with the judges (who were a LOT less intimidating in shorts and T-shirts), we got a solid four hours of sleep! I was too hyped on adrenaline anyhow, so I was up and smiling as this dream turned into reality at my contract signing the next morning. Mom, Dad, Stacy (my Miss Southern Heartland Director), Jim (my Field Director), Shana, Alta, Snooky, and Greg were all present as I "signed my life away" as Greg put it--and I couldn't have been more excited to do so!

That day, Billy (Miss GA media coordinator) took me to my Channel 9 News interview--that was so much fun! And we went on to Tate's house where I stayed the night. Miss Tate was beyond sweet to me, and I got to celebrate her son-in-law's birthday and Father's day with her two precious granddaughters! She had a "Queen Room" ready for me and everything!

Monday morning, Tate took me to the Kia Autosport Dealership where I received my NEW KIA SORENTO! It is absolutely gorgeous, and I am starting to get used to driving it around! I love, love, love this car, so if you're looking for a new SUV, go Georgia-made and get a Sorento! :)

I got to go home that day, and I was greeted by a "Welcome Home Christina, Miss Georgia 2010" sign upon entering my neighborhood! Isn't my dad the best! My family and I went to our favorite local Mexican restaurant and caught up on all the juicy details of my exciting time away.

Tuesday morning, I met Emily (Miss GA 2009) at the most adorable French restaurant in Marietta, Douceur de France. Yum! She was SO sweet to sit and speak with me about her year as Miss GA and experience at Miss America, imparting all kinds of advice and pageant wisdom to me. I have some big shoes to fill, but I am thrilled at the opportunity I have to serve and represent our wonderful state!

After breakfast, I partook in my first workout as Miss GA 2010 and climbed Kennesaw Mountain with my boyfriend Michael. He is the most dedicated person I know to exercise and nutrition, so I thankfully have a very strong support system in this area!

Here's to a promising year as your Miss GA 2010!