I hope you didn't spend too much time with that tongue twister! That is a little "camp" song that I learned a few years back at a leadership retreat and it was very useful tonight at my Dale Carnegie class. Dale Carnegie, for those of you who don't know, has sponsored all of the state contestants in the Miss America Organization. I just finished week 8 of the 12 week course that I am taking on being an "Effective Communicator". What a great course! I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone as it teaches you not only how to effectively communicate, but also how to become a better leader, speaker, and how to connect with people better.
Last week, I won the Humans Relations award for the second time! My next goal is to win an Outstanding Performance award because I have two of the same books (my awards) and would love to upgrade to a pen! :)
The course is VERY interactive and we took a picture tonight that I will share. Richard is in the background being enthusiastic and then from left to right is Amy, John, me, Bridgette, Oscar and John.
Other than that, my week has been fairly mellow and I am gearing up for a busy September! While I do enjoy the summer (and this summer has been a particularly good one!), the fall is my favorite time of year and I am very ready for sweaters, rain, the holiday season, oh, and I can't forget pumpkin spice lattes! I started my online classes yesterday.... and I am quickly learning how much I love to actually attend school. Shopping for school supplies, buying books, making my schedule, getting new post-its and re-organizing my desk are surprisingly some of my favorite things to do! (I know, call me crazy!) While I don't get to ride my bike to class or interact with live professors, the convenience of my online classes is wonderful and I am so thankful to USC who has granted me special exception so that I can finish my degree online. (A VERY special thank you to Joon who has gone above and beyond and has been more than wonderful through this process!!) Because of this, I will go to Miss America as a 21 year old graduate! Woohoo!
I am also in the process of setting up visits to all 9 of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in the state of California. It is imperative to me that I visit each one, and if you have a connection to any of them please let me or Chelle know!! What a great opportunity we as titleholders have been given to partner with the Children's Miracle Network and I am so excited about the opportunity to spend time with the kids in these hospitals and hopefully brighten their day!
Also, good luck and sending all my love to Jenna Harvey who is competing at Sweetheart right now! We believe in you Jenna and we are rooting you on in California! Congrats on winning prelim Talent!!!
Now on to the usuals...
Miss America countdown: 137 days!
Quote of the week: (Had to have two this week)
"Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude"
- Dale Carnegie
"Love strong. Believe strong. Forgive strong."
- Sheila Coleman
