Prelims.

Interview went well yesterday, and now I sit here typing this with sopping wet hair and waiting for my tanning lotion to dry as I prepare for the other 50% of judging - swimsuit and evening gown tonight. I also get to show off my great George Washington costume (because NJ is "The Crossroads of the Revolution") lent to me (and made by!) Mrs. New Jersey America 2004 Christie Elders-Tighe. Excited!

Chatty McChaterson.

Interview today - we have five judges: a former Mrs. World, a representative from the MENC, the first Mrs. America of the Marmel era, a Broadway producer, and a member of the music group The Young Americans. I am in group 7, which goes into interview at 2:28 pm Tucson time.

Getting close.

Last night we were given some relaxation time, with a trip to the mall (but some of us convinced the bus driver to take us to Starbucks instead) and an Italian dinner. The chef is known as "Jersey Joe," so I felt right at home.



Today is the last day before competition starts. We got up very early to have breakfast and a lecture from the MENC about The National Anthem Project, which is a very exciting cause I'll talk more about later. Then rehearsals with Frit and Frat to block the opening for preliminaries. Tonight more rehearsals, and contestant gift exchange, then tomorrow interviews!! So important!!

I can't wait for my family's arrival!

Off campus!

Today was "evening gown day" at rehearsals. We learned the very tricky manuvering necessary to show off 51 ladies with trains on a stage with steps! For preliminaries, we won't be doing the opening number, but a swimsuit entrance (with sarong), all ladies will model swimwear (taking the sarongs off), all ladies will model evening gown, then all ladies will model state costume. At finals, we'll all do the opening number (in the wrap dresses), then only the top ten will model swimsuit and evening gown by themselves. In an unexpected twist, I have a lot of responsibility leading ladies in swimwear and evening gown, because I am the first person in the fourth group. The fifth group always stays on stage after modeling, so Mrs. New Mexico and I lead all the ladies back on for final comparative judging in both parts. We hope we don't mess it up! I am glad that I get to go first in my group - I'll already have been scored by the time I have to worry about "the shift" - moving over (or up or down) to take the place of your neighbor when she goes to model.

We're "off campus" tonight - first a tour of Tucson, then dinner at an Italian restaurant.

Fancy pants!

Last night was a formal dinner with the president of Loews Ventana Canyon. We presented him with state gifts as a small way to say thank you for the amazing experience we are being given here. The staff truly is the finest I have ever seen - so gracious and professional - they want to make us all feel like queens, and they do.

I presented a Lenox vase with a seashore theme, since Lenox is manufactured in New Jersey and we are known for our beautiful shoreline. There were a lot of sporting memorabilia gifts, so the president said mine was a great gift his wife could enjoy!

I love this shot of Shelley after the dinner, back in our room. We spend a lot of time trying to "get bars" on our phone due to our location in the beautiful mountains of Tucson!



Ta da! Here's a picture of our swimsuits - we had a photo shoot before the sun came up over the hills this morning - all 51 ladies in swimwear and hats!




Rehearsal this morning, then a tour of Tucson this afternoon - more pictures soon!