I noticed I haven’t really updated my blog in a while. I’ve had a difficult time trying to find the time to write.. and when I get the moment to just sit and gather my thoughts again, I’m not even sure what it is I want to write in a new entry. So I figured why not write a quick post with a little insight on what it is I’ve been busying myself with the last few weeks. It is my personal blog after all, right? 
I believe the last event I wrote about on this blog was when I Continue reading
I love watching documentaries. It probably sounds a little nerdy, but a part of me feels that if I’m going to devote time to watching any type of television then I should be enriching my mind in some way and gaining from the time I put in. Don’t get me wrong, I also love movies, various TV series, sitcoms, and just mindless TV in general.. but documentaries have always been my favorite.
Lately, I’ve been watching different documentaries focused on the universe around us. These have included The Pluto Files: Nova and Discovery’s How the Universe Works series. Astronomy has always been incredibly fascinating to me. It’s completely insane to think of how our Earth came to be.
I grew up thinking there were 9 planets rotating the sun.. And like many, I always had a soft spot for little Pluto all the way at the edge of our Solar System. So it makes sense that when Continue reading
So a few days ago, on Leap Day, I got kind of fed up with my sedentary lifestyle. It’s not that I was completely unhealthy.. Living in Manhattan, I take part in a decent amount of walking throughout the week.. And while I appreciate some very tasty (fatty) foods, I tend to be more drawn to things that would be typically considered good for you – fish, fruits, vegetables, etc. But I lacked any type of real workout in my routine. I was tired of not really having a good healthy exercise schedule, and I wanted to make some healthy changes in my diet.
So I finally decided to make that change on February 29. Since Wednesday, Continue reading
In today’s society, we are bombarded on a daily basis with images of various brands in the media. From clothing, to makeup, to cars, to furniture, to perfume, to pretty much anything you can think of, we see advertisements with ideas of what each brand represents. These ads attempt to appeal to each shopper’s emotions whether we make our purchasing decisions based on price, quality, convenience, or simply the idea of owning the brand itself. This is all a reality of our current economic system.
It is our responsibility as consumers in such a society to Continue reading
It’s Valentine’s Week! I may have missed a post about Valentine’s Day by a couple of days, but it’s the thought that counts, right? It’s one of those “holidays” that’s interesting, because if you’re really in a loving relationship, it should be evident each day regardless. But I’m not going to complain. I enjoy any excuse to celebrate love. 
It’s funny, because I’ve heard Valentine’s Day described as “Singles Awareness Day” on quite a few different occasions. But in my opinion, Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be reduced to just celebrating romantic love. It’s about showing appreciation to all those in your life that you care about. Love is love regardless what type of relationship it’s applied to. 
Of course, it’s only realistic to prioritize your sweetie during this holiday. But in deciding on a gift to give him, I wanted something that would bring a smile to his face on any regular day as well. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything that is life and to mistakenly take for granted what that other person does for you, so when I saw this on Pinterest I was convinced of what I would make! A gift always means a little more when time is put into it, doesn’t it?
I decided that this gift would be a bit more personalized with a photo framed inside of it, so I got to work on my own little version of it. Continue reading
Smile!
It’s National Dental Health Month!!! Okay… according to the American Dental Association it’s really National Children’s Dental Health Month, but I think proper oral hygiene is important for all age ranges. I’ve seen next to nothing posted in regards to this month, so I figured I’d be the one to do so. It’s such an important topic that people seem to take for granted. You use your teeth multiple times a day to chew and eat, and ideally you’ll have your natural set of teeth throughout your life. Cavities can cause quite a bit of pain, and dental work can be extremely costly.
I am not a dentist myself. I just happen to have quite a few friends as well as a boyfriend in the field. I hear firsthand how frustrating it can be for a dentist when patients neglect their teeth. When a dentist invests so much time into our oral health, the least we can do is make an effort to maintain it. It’s so easy to develop lazy habits, but I feel that this is something that deserves special attention. So here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way.
We all know that we are supposed to brush twice a day, morning and night. But did you know that Continue reading
The New York Giants won the Super Bowl my first winter in the city! I’m not going to lie, I’m not a big sports fan. Until dating my boyfriend, I didn’t even really follow football. I prefer basketball or soccer. But I’ve definitely gained more of an appreciation for the sport. Apparently, New Yorkers appreciate it quite a bit. I was not in attendance due to my booking during the day, but there was a parade today in honor of their Super Bowl win. Judging from photos, the turn out was pretty insane! I guess Giants fans can now find comfort in the idea that if the world is really supposed to end later this year, they’ll be the eternal champions.. haha. I suppose I’m a fan by default since Kentucky does not have an NFL team.
One of my friends made an excellent point, though, when he posted his disappointment in the fact that a Super Bowl parade occurred within 2 days of the win, yet it’s been over 10 years and there’s still no sign of a parade for the first responders and the heroes of 911. It’s wonderful how we all have our priorities in order, isn’t it?? That just makes me sad.
On a lighter note, another status update on Facebook jokingly declared Continue reading
I have a confession to make. It probably doesn’t sound very believable considering my line of work, but I used to be shy.. VERY shy. It’s something that I’ve dealt with my entire life.. I believe I’m just naturally a very reserved person. It’s my personality.
I remember being absolutely petrified as a child to do the simplest tasks.. even ordering food at a restaurant was difficult. I hated speaking to strangers. It scared me. I always wanted to take part in extracurricular activities, and I tried putting myself out there to overcome this fear. In Middle School, I joined my Quick Recall team. For those unfamiliar, it’s basically a competition based on trivia knowledge where participants buzz in to answer a question. I actually knew the material.. I actually knew the answers, but I pretty much NEVER buzzed in. I couldn’t handle the idea that I might be wrong and cost points for the team.
In High School, Continue reading
Miss Kentucky USA headshot
At the time of writing this, I’m pretty exhausted. I was seriously debating taking a nap, but I decided I should capitalize on this free moment to put my thoughts about this weekend into words. As you may know, I am now in Bowling Green, Kentucky as a co-host for the Miss Kentucky USA and Miss Kentucky USA 2012 pageants. I flew into Louisville Friday evening from New York, and I made the two hour drive down to the Western Kentucky University campus for this weekend’s event.
Immediately, I was thrust back into pageant world. I entered the auditorium to a crowd of excited contestants as they listened to the state director give them information concerning the game plan for the weekend. It really doesn’t seem that long ago that I was in the same position as each of these women. That all changed 5 years ago, in 2007, when I was awarded the prestigious title on my 4th try at the crown. I really can’t believe how quickly the time has flown.
And seeing all of these beautiful, anxious faces brings back wonderful memories of competing. I’ve been asked Continue reading
I have so many thoughts that race their way through my mind.. Random ideas, moments of inspiration, memories of the past, ideas for the future.. I would imagine that this is much like how others think. I’m often better at coming up with the perfect words to say in regards to a person or a situation when I’m given a moment of solitude. I enjoy my alone time to reflect.. It’s my time to truly get to know myself without all of the noise of the outside world.
In the midst of this solitude while in bed last night, my mind produced a few lines that I felt compelled to post as a status on Facebook:
They’re not the most mind-blowing, earth-shattering words in the world. It’s not even a unique thought. But that’s what I was inspired to do in that moment.. to speak to the countless people who for whatever reason feel inadequate. I wanted to reach the people who lose sight of what a miraculous gift life truly is. But most of all, I wanted to reach the narcissists who cannot think of anyone but themselves.
Despite some of the input received from those who messaged me afterward, Continue reading