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Showing posts from 2013

Houston Aquarium--Shark Week

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So I got the opportunity to visit the Houston Aquarium during 'Shark Week'. I have actually never been to an aquarium before so I was super excited. It was a great learning opportunity to see the different types of fish. I actually saw a blue catfish that was massive: Here fishy fishy... There was this massive eel that at first I thought was just a log in the tank until it started to move. Each type of fish was grouped within its family/species. I got the opportunity to touch a stingray and I was freaking out the entire time. There was one there that was splashing all of the participants around the pool. this one matches my carpet The sloth...or is that an eel It's Dory from Finding Nemo!! What's Shark Week without an actually shark...

Saint Arnolds Brewery

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Last Saturday I had the opportunity to visit the Texas based brewery that is right here in Houston. St. Arnold's was started 19 years ago and has recently flourished to a craft beer delight for those who lose IPA's and home brewing. The tour guide was the owner and founder himself of the St. Arnold's which was a awesome delight. To here from the founder himself how St. Arnold's came about was amazing. We toured on Saturday so it was available to walk the entire area and see the big barrels. The tour guide explained the process and whats the difference between the beers out there in the market. I also learned that the brewery is named after a saint and not just a made up one. St. Arnold is not well known but he did spread the word to drink beer instead of water, I believe this is because you we less likely to die from dysentery. For eight dollars you got four tokens and a souvenir glass to try some of the different beers the brewery has to offer. I tried

Photogenic vs Telegenic

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I must confess..I'm not that photogenic in my opinion. I have taken a mini class with Kim of Exquisite Coaching and learned what was my best angle to not look like a 12 year old (hint hint..that's why I try to stay towards the center and have full on frontal photos). I say this to state that late last year and before my bout of influenza I participated in a tv commercial on a whim. I did it more so to say that I had done something and check it off my list. I also learned through my pageant career that I am not the focus of the commercial and merely a seller of a product. Below is a photo and video from the same shoot, you be the judge. Here is another promo I did last year for Miss Florida USA sponsorship package. I really had to mentally prepare for the fact that this was not about me and more so about the product. So all in all I think this post was more about remember that everything is not about you.

Random

Made the Daytona Times about my trip to Washington DC!!

Pageants and Politics

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One of the many benefits of competing is that a pageant contestant must stay up with current events. More importantly they must know where they stand on certain issues. Now we all know that everyone does not agree on every issue and that is what makes America great. If everyone was the same it would be boring. So whether you are a liberal, conservative, or honestly don't care. As a pageant contestant you must be ready to answer the hard hitting questions. I myself am a political junkie and I proudly say so. I like to know what is going on in Washington so that unlike those who only get there information from television or family. I can put together my own opinion on the subject and be comfortable about it. I believe everyone should come to their own opinion and not let others decide for you. I was lucky and my parents never talked about their political affiliations while I was growing up and we do vary on what we believe. Had they chosen for me when I was younger my views would b

Presidential Inauguration

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So this past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. It was a great honor to be in the presence of so many people who wanted the president to fight for change. My mother and I were lucky enough (or should I say she was lucky enough) to get tickets to be closer. We did go the last time and got tickets but this time we we in front of the pool instead of behind it. The crowd around us was very friendly. DC had this very welcoming vibe that weekend. We took the metro a couple of times and if someone left anything on the subway people would help out. One event that if you were in the green section would remember was the lone protestor in our section. He decided to climb a tree and protest abortion and Planned Parenthood. It was kinda pathetic, he was only in a crowd of people who probably had already made up their mind on the issue and tickets come in two so it seems no one would come with him. In terms of pro-choic