"..and if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans."

6:01 PM JilinTour.Com 0 Comments

I cut my hair on Friday! Well...Sal cut my hair on Friday. It's not too short, don't be alarmed. Right after that, I went to the Meals with the Masters event at the Chase Center at the Riverfront. It was a lot of fun chatting with people and selling guesses for the Cork Challenge. Only five bucks to guess the number of corks in the display! The winner took home a huge "Barrel of Cheer!" Would you believe the number of corks was 1124!! Whew!! That whole challenge took hours! All the while, I'm standing in the same spot, smiling, and inviting people to hand me their five dollars. I had the chance to break away for a few minutes though, to grab some food and sorbet! I even got a free cook book from Big Fish!! Not bad, eh?

As you can imagine, I didn't get much sleep Friday night since I had to drive home from Wilmington and get things together for....MISS DELAWARE ORIENTATION. Yes, it's true...orientations are already starting (which means my year as Miss Delaware is officially coming to an end). I woke up early Saturday morning on very little sleep, got my things together and started my hour-long drive down to Georgetown. Well I left a few minutes later than I had planned..so I guess I was traveling a little faster than normal. All I can say is, THANK YOUUUUU Officer Gallagher! Thank you. I had a nice little chat with the Trooper about my appearance with Troop 4 in December, and was on my way...at a slower annnnd safer speed :) Orientation was fun, but I really started getting tired once my RedBull began wearing off. That stuff doesn't last forever!

I had Church on Sunday then went to the mall to waste the 1.5hours that I had between Church and my appearance. Remember that I will soon be a college student again..I decided to swing into American Eagle. This is one store I have not shopped in this year because the clothes are not what I wear to appearances. Boy did it feel good to get some "campus clothing!" Then I went over to the Duncan Center for the Downtown Dover event..including a fashion show! I modeled a really cute dress and beautiful jewelry from Belle Boutique and Forney's. It was a fun event, however getting onto the runway that had no steps, in a short (not too short though!) dress was a bit challenging. I made it though!..with the help of two very nice escorts.





Miss USA was on Sunday night! We were well-represented by Kate! and I kept seeing her backstage!! I'm sure she had a blast out there and can't wait to hear about it!..if we ever have an appearance together hehe.

I was in the dental office all day today. It started going much better once I had my RockStar drink!..took my headache away. Then Jen and I went to get pedicures and manicures. It was a relaxing end to a raaaainy Monday.

April Showers....isn't it May yet??

6:30 PM JilinTour.Com 0 Comments

After days of constant rain, I am ready for the sunshine..and an opportunity to wash my car! Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the rain we get because I'm sure that we need it...but nothing beats the sun!!



Let's back up a week..orrrr two. On April Fools Day (AKA Trish's birthday!) I went down south to a fellow Methodist Church to perform and speak at a Bible Study. Being Methodist myself, I already had the correct hymnal and played a few hymns to get the group warmed up! I spoke a bit about my year, my medical mission trip to Guatemala, Miss America, why I started competed, etc..then proceeded to perform a classical piece as well as El Cumbanchero, my Miss America talent piece. I loaded up my things and traveled up to Philadelphia, barely beating the rain! I was interviewed on Comcast SportsNet about my involvement with the Children's Miracle Network and about CHOP's (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) affiliation with CMN as well. Seeing as the Children's Miracle Network is the national platform for the Miss America Org, I was pretttty familiar with it!



The next day, I got my butt kicked in the gym by Trainer Dan. The day after my workout with Dan, I got a text from Bob and Melanie, the coordinators of the Miss Delaware Golf Tournament. They asked me how it went at the gym (meaning, did you get a hole sponsorship), and I proceeded to text them back: "it went well, but I am SORE!" haha not exactly the answer they were looking for.



I joined Bill Yoast, the coach from Remember the Titans, down in Laurel for their Community Walk event on Saturday. He was such a nice man! and I really enjoyed sitting next to him to sign autographs all morning. He even called Herman Boone on the phone so that I could talk to him! Apparently he was relaxing in Florida while Bill and I tried our hardest to shield ourselves from the unrelenting wind!



The next week (last week), I forgot I was Miss Delaware and felt like I was a teacher! I was in schools all day most of the days. The first day of "teaching" was at Towne Point Elementary right in Dover for Dental Presentations. They were having a Science and Math Day. A couple of the kids and I were caught on video and shown later that night on the news, but as usual, I missed it and heard about it later haha.



Lord Baltimore Elementary was the next destination..and as promised..I've posted a picture of one of the classes (funny faces and all!). This school had some of the most well-behaved students I have ever seen, so kudos to them! I had a great day with the kids presenting for Right Decisions Right Now. They even convinced me to eat lunch with them in the cafeteria..and it just so happened to be their Easter Dinner lunch special that day. It made me miss the dining hall at UofD hah..well...maybe just UD. I could do without ever eating in a dining hall again.



Thursday came and I was visiting North Georgetown Elementary School for their Tobacco Fair. I had a Tobacco Exhibit set up with experiments ranging from tar build-up, to restricted breathing. Every seven minutes, I would get a new group of kids to present too. We did this for a couple hours and then I got to speak with the exhibitors next to me! I took a break, set up my Character Counts presentation material, and then spoke about good character to the entire 3rd grade.



The Mr. DE 2009 "Mangeant" was held on Saturday night. I arrived a few hours early to help, rehearse, and visit. I was one of the judges and also performed that night! The pageant was so funny, and the talent was incredible!! Judging it was a tough job, but I had fun with my fellow judges panel members. Congrats to Andrew Knopf, our new Mr. DE. It was a very late night, which required a 20oz coffee for the way home. Great minds think alike, because I saw Mandie (MDOT 08) and her parents in wawa afterwards too hehe.





Oh, and Ashley FINALLY had her baby!!!! Little Madalynn!! 7lbs 2oz.



Sunday was Easter so I started the day off in church. It was a little more crowded than usual, and since I was busy visiting in fellowship hall beforehand, I got to the sanctuary late and almost ended up without a seat!..oops! The service went well and reminded us all of the true meaning of Easter. Afterwards, I went to the hospital to see Ashley and baby Madalynn. She is too cute! and so tiny! I got to hold her and shared the visit with Kirsten, her husband Jeff, and her two sons Brighton and Ben. It was great to see Ashley, but I must say, I was far more fascinated by the size of the baby's fingernails!!..incredible.





That afternoon, we had a FULL HOUSE at home! Some of my mom's side, some of my dad's side..all together for Easter. It was so nice to see everyone!



Monday was another day of Golf Tournament work with Melanie and Bob. These are all-day affairs!! We were a little less successful that day than we had been in the past, but we still came out with more donations and sponsorships than we started with, so overall...success!! I learn more about those two (Bob and Melanie) when we take the Golf Tourney outings than any other time..they are too funny! Melanie even made me an Easter Basket!! She's too sweet =D



I was working in the dental office yesterday and met three young boys who's mom knew I was Miss Delaware...she told them that she had a surprise for them at the dental office hehe I was their surprise! The one guy, Nick has spoken to and seen me a couple times in the past, but would never believe his mom that I was Miss Delaware! Here are the incidents:

He came into the dental office in the past and his mom said, "You know who checked you in, right? Nick answered, "no, who?" She said, "That was Miss Delaware." He responded with a cool "Yeah right mom."



Then in church one Sunday just after the service, a little guy (Nick) came up to me and complimented me on my coat. Of course I thanked him and we chatted for a little while. Afterwards his mom again said, "You know who you were talking to, right?" and proceeded to tell him that I was Miss Delaware, but again, Nick told his mom that he didn't believe her.



Well, a few weeks later in church, I was asked to perform the prelude on the piano. In the middle of me playing, Nick got up from his seat and walked out of the sanctuary. After the service his mom, AGAIN, said.."you know who was playing the piano, right? That was Miss Delaware." He still, still didn't believe her!



When he came into the dental office yesterday, his mom told him that I was his surprise, so I signed him a photo hoping that he would finally believe her! haha He did! We even had a picture taken of the two of us on his phone and he kept coming to the front desk to visit throughout their appointments and as his mom checked them out. I guess he'll believe his mom next time hehe.



Last night, I was presented with a Tribute in Levy Court. They were very kind and wanted to honor me for my success this year. I also watched as Madison was honored for her incredible community service accomplishments through her involvement with Diabetes awareness, research, and fundraising. She is such an inspiration to young kids, teens, and even adults! She has been working with this cause since the age of five!..FIVE! She's now in eighth grade and has been presented with the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to join other honorary community members. She certainly has a bright future ahead of her!





Tomorrow I'll be trying on outfits in Belle Boutique to get ready for the Fashion Show this weekend. There will be pictures of the event to follow, but if you're interested..it will be held at the Duncan Center in Dover on Sunday at 2:30pm!



I officially have less than two months until I crown my successor and pass on the JOB of Miss Delaware! Someone's life will be changing dramatically in two short months!!





Here are a couple plugs for upcoming Miss Delaware events!!!!



MAY 3RD - "AN AFTERNOON WITH MISS DELAWARE" CELEBRATING GOD AND COUNTRY

FEATURING: GERALD HOCKER AND THE JAMBOREE BOYS

ALL 4 HIM

MISS DELAWARE (ME)

CHELSEA BETTS (MDOT 07)

2PM

GEORGETOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL, GEORGETOWN, DE

CONTACT SUSAN COLLINS (302.732.9366) FOR TICKET INFO





MAY 31 - MISS DELAWARE GALA

DUNCAN CENTER, DOVER, DE

11AM-2PM BRUNCH





Talk to you soon!! :)