Miss USA 2008: Day One in Vegas

Day one went well. Since I had such drama at the airport on Wednesday (cancelled flight + delays + overbooked flights + missed connecting flight + lugging around all my luggage back and forth) and didn't get to Vegas until fifteen hours later, I was behind on registration and fittings. I managed to catch up today and got fitted for my opening number outfit ( a sexy turquoise dress), fitted for my swimsuit (black & gold...lol, that's a good sign!), fitted for my sponsor clothes, and then got ALL my freebies including my new $140.00 Chi flat iron compliments of our Chi stylists. Then I had my makeup and hair done by some great stylists and then did a number of photo shoots for different outfits and sponsors. After that I did the FAMOUS photo shoot with the photographer Fadil Barisha who is absolutely great! We had such a good time and he is absolutely amazing to work with. His energy and direction were incredible and I just fed off of his and turned it into my own. He showed me one shot (out of a hundred he took) and it was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous! I looked like a Beyonce album cover! LOL.

Then we had a presentation show for the great people of Las Vegas, including a famed red carpet pulled out just for us. It was awesome to go through the crowd that gathered just to see us! Then we introduced ourselves, took TONS of photos, then went to another red carpet where they took more photos and did some interviews. After that, the owner of this very swank club, Koi, set up a light dinner and cocktails for us.

I am really enjoying the girls and I got to finally meet Rachel, Miss USA 2007, today. She is as gorgeous as you could imagine in person and very tall!

The girls are really sweet, some are kind of standoff-ish, but most are really friendly, and fun girls. I absolutely LOVE my roomie, Andrea from North Carolina. [Well, we actually roomed together before]. We are like the same person. She's organized and neat like me and we even tell the same jokes...scary, huh. We're having a good time and so far, so good. Will keep you posted!

You can also check out the Miss DC USA blog at http://missdcusa2008.blogspot.com/ where I'll post my pageant diary and more pics!

Countdown to Miss USA Pageant!

So it's two days before I leave for Miss USA and while I should definitely be sleeping, I've committed myself to sacrificing sleep for this night because I have a host of school work, client file work and pageant prep to get together in such a short time...so logical answer? Stay awake and do everything, then sleep in all day Tuesday.

I am really excited and slightly nervous about the experience I am about to embark on. But mostly, I am curious... curious to meet my new select group of "sorority" sisters in the 2008 Miss USA class, curious to meet the Universe organization employees, and curious to see how I'm going to get back to HUSL to graduate after I win Miss USA in a few weeks!

Ha, I know it sounds cocky, but it's not. I really am going into this pageant confidently because my weeks of preparation have allowed me to delve deeper into who I really am, and I am confident that I can go to this pageant and show them the best that I have to offer. And if that's what they're looking for, then I'm waiting for the Donald to say, "you're hired!" And if not, then I've gained an incredible experience, a larger network, and a whole bunch of free goodies compliments of the pageant's sponsors!

See, two days away and I'm still my same ol' silly self. I can finally and honestly say that...
I AM READY.