Pageant Visit #5: Miss Placentia/Yorba Linda

It was time again to see another pageant!  This time it was the Miss Yorba Linda and Miss Placentia Pageants.  The theme was "Ever, Ever After" and it was so cute!  It was exciting to see some old friends competing tonight, especially Jordan Krinke.  She and I competed in the Miss CA teen pageant in 2007, and she won the teen title that year!  And I got 2nd Runner-up to her, so we were on court together! We go way back :) It was even more exciting to see her win Miss Yorba Linda! And the new Miss Placentia is Whitney Thomas!

Here's a picture of the Miss CA Teen 2007 court and Jordan at the gala.... we all looked like Disney princesses!

The picture on the right is Jordan and I in our interview suits...way back when they had us wear suits!

Because Stacy was an auditor that night, I had no chaperone.  But I was able to bring my Momma Sherry Cain to the pageant as my chaperone.  She brought her beautiful granddaughters Tamera and Denae.  We made it a fun girls night!  Before the pageant, we all went to dinner. We tried getting into our favorite Mexican restaurant in Placentia, but it was too crowded.  Instead made our stop to our favorite place, In-N-Out!  After the pageant, we all got some ice-cream at Baskin Robbins...ya we like food!  

Tamera and Denae...love you girls!

It was so much fun to catch up with my momma sherry....love you Sherry!

Special Person's Day

Today was Special Person's Day at Barker Elementary.  I went to this school as well and when I was there, I was able to bring a Special Person to school every year.  Never did I think that I would be someone else's special person!  Today I was Sadie's Special Person and it was an amazing day.  I have actually been Sadie's sister's special person for two years in a row, but this time it was Sadie's turn.  I have babysat these two girls since they were born and I have grown to love them as my little sisters.  I'd be willing to adopt them anytime, actually! :)  Since I was Sadie's guest, her sister Hannah was left to find a new special person.  Who'd she pick?  My mom, of course.  It was nice to partner with my mom as special people at Barker!  I was so excited to go to Special Person's day, especially because this time I was invited as Miss Garden Grove.  Sadie is SOOOOO thrilled that she is friends with Miss Garden Grove and that her special person this year is a celebrity!

I was to report to the Multipurpose Room to attend the opening ceremony where certain students read essays they wrote about their special person.  As I sat down, I noticed that Sadie was standing on stage amongst other essay readers.  I had no idea that Sadie had won the essay contest for her grade.  This meant that she was going to read an essay about me.  Her essay was so touching and I felt so lucky to be her guest!  You can hear it here:

After the opening ceremony, everyone rushed to other classrooms to see their special people.  Sadie and I met outside in the quad and we gave each other BIG hugs!  We took a few pictures and I gave her a little gift bag with some goodies.  My mom left to go meet with Hannah and Sadie and I were off to her classroom.  On the way to her room, I asked her who her teacher is and she said, "Mrs. Radosevich!"  Now, if you're reading this and you didn't go to Barker with me, you won't understand the excitement I felt when Sadie told me the news!  I was so excited to see her after all these years.  I didn't have her as a teacher, but we knew each other well.  She had my brother, Ryan though.  What a nice reunion!

When we got to the classroom, Sadie had a lot of activities set up for us to do.  She first gave me a little tour of her room and I was impressed with the great work she's done!  Then, we were given a blank map of the USA and had to name as many states as possible.  She should be on "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" because she got a few that I couldn't remember.  She's a smart one!  We then had to name a state that we would both love to visit someday.  See what we chose....so cute!

Sadie, I know I'm your special person, but I want you to know that you are my special person too.  I love you, Sadie!

Sadie opened her gift bag full of goodies, and I gave her a little something extra.  I gave her a signed autograph sheet with my picture on it.  Stacy got a whole bunch of them printed for me :)  I know Sadie will keep that forever!  We hung around in the classroom until the bell rang.  We got some yummy cookies and punch and we had so much fun!   After the bell rang, we met up with Hannah and my mom in the pouring rain.  Hannah's teacher this year is Mrs. Linda Brown and she was my first grade teacher too!  My mom said that Mrs. Brown wanted to see me, so we walked over to her classroom.  Mrs. Brown was so proud to see me as Miss Garden Grove.  We had a sweet reunion!  I will never forget you, Mrs. Brown!  What a great day!  Sadie got to parade Miss Garden Grove around!  I think her friends were jealous.  We made each other feel special today and I'll never forget it!  We all decided to go to lunch and Taco Bell was the best choice!

 Mrs. Brown and I

With the girls at Taco Bell!

YUMMY!!!

This is Hannah...love her

This is my mom and Hannah, they were partners for the day.  Can you tell they like each other?

Acacia Day Care Center Chamber Mixer

It was the time of the month for another Chamber Mixer! This time, the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce held their mixer at the Acacia Day Care Center.  The theme of this mixer was President's Day, which makes sense since that holiday is coming up this Monday.  Since Acacia is a senior's care center, they wanted to have us remember how much our former presidents and current legislatures cared for the senior citizens in our communities.  Here are some examples below:

Mallory Vega, the Executive Director of Acacia, gave a sweet speech about the services that Acacia gives and how we should celebrate and remember the work that our country's leaders did for senior citizens.  Acacia really is a special place and I know they help the seniors of our community feel loved.  It was really interesting to walk around the room and see what our leaders have done.  We also had a little fun seeing the favorite foods of our presidents and local legislatures as well.  I found out that Congressman Ed Royce's favorite food is spring rolls!  He's got good taste!

 

I got to sit with Patti and Marsha Stamper, who just married David "the Grizz" Stamper a year ago!  They are so cute together!  I see Marsha and David at all the Elk's Lodge events :)

This is Sandy Thomas....she is so much fun to be around, we have had some funny moments!  Sandy is the Chairperson of the Board for the Chamber of Commerce...love her!

After the mixer, I went across the street to meet up with Stacy...she wanted to show me my portrait that is hanging in the city hall!  I guess I am special! haha

Pageant Visit #4: Miss Covina!

This was the fourth pageant we've gone to so far and it was extra special because Stacy was one of the judges!  We've only been to four but there are a lot more comin'!  Last night was the Miss Covina pageant and it was fun to watch, as always.  Because Stacy was a judge, neither Jessica or I had an official chaperone, so this time we got to bring our moms. :)  It was a fun girls' night out!

After the show, we all went to IN-N-OUT!  We were all starving and Jessica and I were talking about how much we wanted a hamburger.  I, quite frankly, wanted a Double-Double really bad...yes, I ate the whole thing. If you know me, that shouldn't be a surprise!

It was another great night, being the queens of Garden Grove.  The new Miss Covina is Vivian Wei and the new teen is Joelle Roup! CONGRATS!!! The next pageant is Miss Placentia, so we'll see who the lucky girl is next week!

Megan and I....we were the blue blondes of the night :)

we were all dressed with color coordination again!

Jessica and I actually planned it this time :)

Sherry Blades and I (she was another judge for the night)....we go way back, back to the Miss Anaheim OT days

love you Sherry!

I texted Stacy as the show ended to see if she wanted to go out for food and I told her what I wanted.  She wrote it down to show Sherry...haha, typical me

Ya Sherry wanted my crown on inside... it was all good.

PS- that guy was in my HCOM class at CSUF and he was surprised to see me all "prettied" up because I would normally come to school looking the complete opposite I do in this picture...haha

Stacy and Sherry

My mom and I with our hamburgers, mine is a Double-Double, of course

Pageant Visit #3: Miss Fullerton!

And the new Miss Fullerton 2011 is....CARLY VALDES!  Jessica, Stacy and I called it!  She really was fantastic and totally deserved it!  We were also SO excited to hear the name of the new Miss Fullerton's OT 2011, ALLY ALEX!  Ally is very close to the Miss Garden Grove Org. because she has competed in the teen pageant for a while and has always been on court so we were proud of Ally for winning a title!  Another former GG contestant, Tiffany Lewis, competed for the Fullerton teen title too and she did so well!  She was so beautiful in her evening gown and we loved her talent.  We're so proud of you too, Tiffany!

an old picture with Tiffany. :)

After the Rotary Club Dinner I went to Fullerton to see the Miss Fullerton Pageant.  Stacy, Jessica, and I were in the third row and had a great view!  As usual, it was fun to visit a local pageant.  There are going to be some great girls competing in Fresno this year!

we matched and we didn't plan it, I promise!

With the lovely and amazing Miss CA, Arianna Afsar

This is the new Miss Ventura County 2011, Megan Wisler.  Come to find out, we competed together in the CA Teen 2008 pageant!  It was a nice reunion! :)

GG Rotary Club Sweetheart Dinner

It's that season again, the season of L-O-V-E!  The Garden Grove Rotary Club had their Sweetheart Dinner again.  This is the third year in a row that I have attended this lovely dinner.  As usual I played background music just to enhance the romantic and elegant ambiance...only this time, I'm finally Miss Garden Grove!  If you know me well, you know how much I love the GG Rotary Club.  The members of this district are very close to my heart.  This rotary club and I go way back.  I received my first scholarship in 6th grade and it was a $100 award from the GG Rotary Club.  They started my savings account!  Ever since then, they have been very dear and significant in my life.  The GG Rotary Club was my sponsor last year when I competed for the GG title.  

Bill Annan, president, and I

I was honored once again to be at this dinner.  Since this was a Sweetheart Dinner, I was able to bring my sweetheart, Keith.  I think the Rotary Club likes Keith too.  Because I planned to attend the Miss Fullerton Pageant later that night, I was only able to stay in time to play for about an hour.  I didn't get to stay the whole time, but I am glad I got to be there for a little bit.

Talking with Bill Annan (President) and Don Alexander (VP)

They were so nice...they gave me a beautiful bouquet.  And just a side note, you're probably wondering why Errol looks so tall (he's really not)....he was standing on a chair just so he can be taller than me for that second...haha

my sweetheart and I

I will forever be grateful to the GG Rotary Club for supporting me throughout these past few years.  'Til next time!

Republican Women's Federation Luncheon

After singing the National Anthem at the ball fields, I drove to Spires Restaurant in Garden Grove.  The GG Division of the Republican Women's Federation was holding a meeting there.  The National Federation of Republican Women is one of the largest and most influential women's political organizations in the country. This organization works to promote the principles, objectives and policies of the Republican Party, elect Republican candidates, inform the public through political education and activity, and increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. 

www.NFRW.org

Stacy and I were the guest speakers.  I felt honored to be there because I am a Republican woman myself.  I definitely felt welcome there!  Stacy talked about all the wonderful things she is doing for the city of Garden Grove, including the Miss Garden Grove Org.  I am still amazed to hear how many things Stacy does.  I am so lucky to have her as my director/chaperone.  After Stacy spoke, it was my turn.  I spoke to the women about my experience as Miss GG so far and I was able to share with them my passion for my platform, "Compassion for the Convalescing".  I have had so many wonderful experiences that have enhanced my love for my platform.  I've played at Senior centers, Retirement Villages like I did last Friday, and of course at CHOC Hospital.  After speaking to the lovely ladies, I played a couple of songs for them.  

with the president, Carol Litle

The guest speakers!

I jumped on the bandwagon and sent a postcard to President Obama.  We all wrote our opinions about his Healthcare bill.  Hopefully some practical changes will be made. :)

I had to order my favorite..... the Bacon Cheeseburger!

I was asked to pass out my business card a lot too. I might get a few gigs!  Again, I was so honored to be able to speak with them.  I met so many wonderful women and made some good acquaintances.