Miss America Day 5

Day 5= Interview and theatre rehearsals!  Wake up call seemed to come too early this morning but with some breakfast and some prayers I felt confidant only moment after waking up.  I went down to get my hair and makeup done and after a little tweaking I was ready to face the panel of judges.  Alana, Miss Nev and I were able to walk down to the interview room together and for the first time I got to see my directors.  Okay, so they knew where I'd be and I very quickly and sneakily grabbed a hug from them before heading to the holding room.  We had the most wonderful hostess taking care of us and reassuring us how great the judges were.  Normally before my interviews, I've spent my time breathing, saying a few prayers and focusing on remaining focused.  This pre-interview time I spent with Alana watching this video.  Needless to say it put me in a very happy, relaxed place.  Alana and I were both totally excited to do our interviews and after wishing me luck I walked around the corner and into the judges room. 

I'm sure most of you are wondering, "What did Kris Jenner ask you?" I know you're wondering this because I think 50 people have asked me that since I've returned from Miss America.  And to be perfectly honest, I don't remember what she asked me.  One of the things I've been telling people is that it didn't feel like they were celebrities.  Yes, I've watched them on TV and in movies, but today was about me, about each contestant.  It felt like I was the celebrity.  They were firing questions and fighting for my answers and that was such great feeling.  I was asked about a variety of things both political and fun and very personal.  I explained to Mark Ballis that I would have taken him as my dance partner in Dancing with Omaha's Stars last year, and explained what it was like living without my father in my life to Teri Polo.  The ten minutes of interview time flew by and I wasn't disappointed in anything that was asked or how I answered, I only wished I could stay in that room and speak to each of these judges for hours.  The moment the door to the interview room was opened, my Alana was standing there and I literally jumped into her arms.  I was thrilled with my interview and was so anxious for hers!

Needless to say, rehearsals become way more fun when you're done with interview as you will see in the next few pictures! 

Got ya' Brucy!

Cousin IT?

Getting my dance on!

It was indeed a very successful day of rehearsal and our first time on the stage to practice was great!  While we were rehearsing swimsuit and evening gown walk I was looking at the backstage hands and there was something terribly familiar with this guy Chris.  When I got up to him I asked how long he'd been helping with the pageant, he said somewhere around seven years and then he looked at me very carefully.  He noted that I looked very familiar and then I told him I was on that same stage four years before as Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen when I had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem.  He immediately remembered me and told me it was all in my eyes :)  See the crazy connections I've made over the years?  Who would have known we'd meet again.  And I must also note in here how absolutely wonderful the dressing room staff and hostess were.  This day was really the first time we were able to work with the seamstresses and the ladies in the dressing room and I felt so taken care of!  

Our evening plans were dinner at PF Changs and then shopping at the Miss America trade show!  We celebrated Maria, Miss Delaware's birthday and I'll admit it, I had a piece of cake and it was fabulous.  You'll notice that I tried to enjoy every aspect of my time in Las Vegas, lettuce hats were a perfect fit in this situation.

Lettuce hats?

Shopping with Miss Louisiana and Miss Alabama

With Miss America 2009, Katie Stam!

I learned about the wonderful designer Twenty Cluny from Miss New York, Kaitlin.  What wonderful pieces they have, makes me wish I were in New York shopping right now!  To quote from my journal entry this night:

"This show is over in three days.  I am anxious for His outcome and will wait patiently.  Today I found out Brian (one of our choreographers) is Adam Sandler's stunt double."  

I had to laugh when Brian told me this because since when does Adam Sandler do anything crazy enough to need a double.  Asking about this led me to information I didn't want to know!  And, I forgot to mention earlier, but both Brian and Stacie danced with Michael Jackson! So jealous!  And I was feeling in a dancing mood and talked Brian into dancing with me.

And I don't know why I wrote this down but I noted in my journal that Miss Utah, Danica loves cats!  Maybe because we share that :)

My ending to this night and thought for the next day was from Colossians 3:23-24
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

We're almost halfway there I think,
Kayla
Miss Nebraska