Antelope Valley Fair

My next adventure was to attend the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California. The fair has been around since 1938 and its signature event is called the Rural Olympics where people compete in such events as hay bailing, tractor races, and gravel truck transfer. I know when most folk’s think of California, hay bailing contests is one of the last things that would come to your mind. But here in California we really do have a little bit of everything city, everything country, and everything in between.

I spent my day at the fair of course sampling some of the delicious fair foods as well as browsing through some of the contest entries for baked goods, quilts, dolls, canned food, and table settings. There were tons of rides, food booths, and live entertainment. Some of the entertainment included turkey races which was ironically located very close to a booth that sold barbecue turkey legs. Since it was Sunday there was an entertainment stage that had various performances scheduled from local churches including drama performances, singing, and praise dancing. One of my favorite areas of the fair I must say was the petting zoo. I couldn’t wait to take my almost 2 year old daughter over to see and touch the animals up close and in person. She had a blast and giggled every time a pig or goat licked her hand. So of course I decided what a great photo opportunity to take a picture with the animals wearing my crown and banner, right?

WRONG! This photo looks innocent enough right? Let's look again at a photo taken a few seconds later....

Notice where the goat’s neck is, does it look a little strange? Well it turns out while my mom was snapping photos, a goat was eating my banner, YUCK! I guess they like the shinny rhinestones. Well all in all my banner did barely survive (thank goodness), and I had a great day at the Antelope Valley Fair.

Birthday Bags for Kids

It has only been five days since I was crowned Ms Earth 2011 and I am already off and running. Today I made a donation to the “Birthday Bags 4 Kids” organization. They are a non-profit organization that provides toy filled birthday gift bags to disadvantaged children. Each month they take on the challenge of providing more than 50 toy filled birthday bags to children ages 1 to 18, which are then distributed through local social service agencies. Although the organization is only 1 ½ years old they have already provided more than 900 birthday bags. The organization accepts donations of gently used gift bags, toys, and candy or even cash donations and they will do the shopping for you. You even have the option to adopt a child or two listed on their website each month and donate a gift filled bag specifically for that child. Today was the organization’s monthly bag stuffing day where I had an opportunity to donate toys, candy and gift bags. I also meet the organizations founder Julie Farquhar and her group of volunteers. What a wonderful group of women doing a small part to make more birthdays’ happy days. I can’t wait to go back again and help stuff gift bags. I know I remember my birthdays as a child and the happiness I received from getting presents.  Why not brighten a child’s day by giving to someone who’s family maybe can’t afford a nice birthday gift, especially when it only takes about $10 to provide one bag for one child. What better way to combine the love of shopping and giving than by adopting a child to give gifts to. I know we can all afford a $10 gift even if it means spending a little less on your own personal shopping or beauty needs. I encourage you all to considering gifting to this wonderful organization, so get shopping! (company product donations are also encouraged as well)

Check out the website http://www.birthdaybags4kids.org/

Help save a life and fight against Cancer

Did you know that becoming an advocate for the Cancer Action Network which is part of the American Cancer Society only takes a few minutes. You can play a role in helping get funding for early detection by contacting your legislators and voicing your opinion.  By signing up on the website you will receive emails with links to form letters that will be sent to the your state legislatures on your behalf via email.  This is a quick and easy way to make your voice heard.  So many of us have been personally affected by the devastating affects of cancer whether you have had friends or family pass away, or you may know someone who is battling cancer right now.  Please check out the website and do your part to make a difference in someones life because cancer will not go away but whatever we can do to fight back helps.

http://www.acscan.org/

Ms Earth Pageant

On August 21, 2010 at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, I was crowned Ms. Earth.  I must say it was a wonderful weekend spent with 12 incredible women from around the world and the US and I was honored to be a part of this group.  We competed in interview, fitness wear, fashion wear, and evening gown.  I even won best in interview for my division.  It was definitely a weekend to remember.  My 1st runner up and winner of best in fitness, best fashion wear, and overall photogenic was Rena Arellano from Florida.  The 2nd runner up and best in evening gown was Jeanette Josue from New York.  Both of these women were gorgeous, intelligent, funny, accomplished, and wonderful role models as were all the women who competed this weekend.  Now it's time for me to get busy promoting my platform, making appearances and doing charity work. Stay tunned.... (photo's by http://www.edipphotography.com/)