12/13 DC International Holiday brunch

Filomena Restaurant in Georgetown has one of the best and most beautiful brunches, especially during the holiday season. Our friends and supporters joined Juliana, Rita and I to celebrate the season and our fabulous year thus far. The food was amazing and the decorations were some of the best I've ever seen. Some of our guests included Mrs. DC International Erika Parkhurst, Miss Maryland Galaxy Nicole Almodovar and our former Mrs. DC International 2009 Diane Lebson.

12/07 Pearl Harbor Day Wreath Laying Ceremony

Pearl Harbor Day is a very important Day in our history. Every year at the Navy Memorial there is a ceremony performed by the US Navy in observance of the lives lost that fateful day. It is short but definitely worth viewing. After the ceremony everyone was invited into the memorial museum. There is nice room there with portraits of all our US presidents that served in the Navy, the directors are very engaging and the exhibits are interesting well put together. There are also rooms that can be used for events. This was another District jewel that I was able to enjoy.

12/03 Mayors Annual Turkey Giveaway and Union Station Christmas Tree lighting ceremony

12/03 was a busy day for me. That afternoon I volunteered at the Mayors Turkey Giveaway. Thankfully that was a fairly mild day with the occasional wind gust. The giveaway was designed to assist the needy and elderly of the District during the holiday season. People were lined up in side and in several lines outside the DC armory. I got the chance to talk to some of the people that came out, and tried to encourage them through the long wait. The volunteers with the Mayors office are amazing people and always have a need for more.

That evening I switched gears and got dressed up for the Union Station Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. The Norwegian Embassy has been decorating Union Station for the holidays for 13 years. This is Norway's way of thanking DC for it's assistance during World War 2 and to acknowledge the participation of Norwegian Americans in the war and how they aided the US army and stopped a potential ambush by the German army. Present were representatives from the Army and the Norwegian Embassy as well as the Mayors office. Special Guest General Casey, Secretary of the Army was present to give awards and highlight the importance of the occasion.

Fresh Cupcake Social

September 24th My dear friend Kim had a fun and delicious cupcake social at her Georgetown boutique called Fresh. I have been shopping at fresh for at least 5 years, and almost always do my seasonal shopping there. The cute and chic cocktail dress I wore to the couture show was purchased at this store. As a favor to a friend (and of course a fun opportunity for me) I attended the event and modeled some of the new merchandise. This social was in part sponsored by Red Velvet Cupcakery which has a location in Georgetown and offered it's support to a community friend. There was a dj, an open champagne bar, and dozens of bite sized cupcakes. This social in particular was to celebrate the opening of the purse/bag room. All the vegan bags you could ever want in all colors and different styles, and of course I own one of the first bags she sold in her store, and have been carrying it for years. There were photo ops in front of the Fresh sign and on the "pink carpet". It was an amazing.

Miss DC USA Pageant

November 25 I attended the Miss DC USA pageant. One of the great things about being a title holder is being able to support other DC systems. We really are one big family and it is fun and important for us to encourage each others purposes and goals. The pageant was great to watch. All the teen and miss contestants did a great job. Lots of smiles and personality. In the end two wonderful young women took home the crowns. Jennifer Lopez is the new Teen and Mackenzie Greene will be representing us in the Miss USA competition. The were both wonderful and very deserving. One special treat for me was watching my good friend Ciara Famble compete in her first state level pageant. She made top 5 and of course looked gorgeous. So proud of her.

11/14 Greater Washington Heart Walk

I got to be a celebrity guest and mc at this years National Heart Walk for the American Heart Association. Working with the AHA is always so much fun. Roxana one of the coordinators is one of the nicest sweetest women you'll ever meet. I got to see Anita Brickman who was there to mc and Lou Katz from 97.1 a station I have listened to for years. I got to greet walkers and dance to the great music provided by the dj. I also got to meet a young girl and her family. This beautiful little girl and her equally pretty and sweet older sister danced the Macarena with me. I found out later from their mother the youngest had had a heart transplant when she was just two years old. It was a bit sobering but amazing to see her dance and be a normal five year old, able to live her life. It was also a reminder of why this organization is so important.

Young Womens National Conference, Queens Reunion Lunch

October 24th was a busy day for me. That morning at 11:00 am I attended the Young Womens National Conference. This conference is designed to help young women gain brighter futures by teaching them how to improve on everything from grooming and hygiene to life after high school. I was honored to be asked by Mrs. Erica Parkhurst, the founder of The Young Womens National Conference to be a penelist at this years event. I along with two other amazing women was asked to speak to a group of young women about goal setting and planning for the future. Events like this are always a challenge because you want to offer sound advice and you need to be careful to offer a delicate balance of encouraging and candid examples and advice. My message to the young women was that life won't always turn like you though/planned, but continue to push yourself to improve in all areas of your life, follow your heart and your faith and the future will always be bright. To support this amazing organization you can visit the website of join the group on facebook.

Later that day I joined Rita Sinha (Miss DC International 2007), Titi Williams-Davies (Miss DC International 2008), and Mrs. DC International Diane Lebson who was our gracious host for a queens lunch at her house. We had a delicious pasta salad, cupcakes from Red Velvet Cupcakery provided by the Diane's husband, and were given a tour of the house, which is beautiful. We had such a great time talking about everything from relationships, pageantry, and our goals for the year and future. It was such a nice reminder of how important it is for us to come together and share ideas and experiences as queens and women. Diane ended the afternoon with books for each of us. I received "Manners" by Kate Spade. Diane made sure to tell me she didn't necessarily think I needed the book, but she though I would enjoy it, and I have very much. It doesn't hurt that Kate Spade is one of my favorite designers, and a lady who's style I admire. Thanks Diane :)

Miss Teen DC cities of America pageant

October 17th I attended the Miss Teen DC Cities of America pageant. It's a pageant that I hadn't heard of before and has four categories. Miss junior pre-teen, Miss Pre-teen, Miss Junior teen and Miss Teen. My official hair stylist and good friend entered her daughter into this pageant and I gladly came to offer my support. It was fun to see so many young girls and teens participating and having fun. Annaya was in the Miss Pre-teen category and did a great job, and it was her first pageant. I was so proud of her. There was also another young lady who entered. Her name is Bethany and she did not place but was so poised and gave a very articulate and intelligent answer onstage. She sent me a picture she took with me. I got to meet a lot of the contestants and it was nice that they were so excited I was there.

DC Fashion Week International Couture Fashion Show

This past Sunday, September 20th I was a VIP guest at the DC fashion week International Couture show held at the French Embassy. I was able to sit in the front row at the top of the runway. I also was presented during the opening scene and got to model on the runway. It was such a thrill and an opportunity someone who is only 5'2" rarely gets. All the designs were amazing and the designers were from all over. Many of the fashions shown could be bought in boutiques around DC. I chose to wear a dress I bought from one of my favorite boutiques in Georgetown called Fresh. My friend Kim, also the owner helped dress me for the event and plan my over all look. It was my first time attending a show of that nature. It's nice to see DC embracing all genres of art. I'm sure next year DC fashion week will be even bigger and better.

DC Fashion Week Networking Party

9/13 through 9/20 DC embraced it's creative side and welcomed DC fashion week. Local and international designers were celebrated through a series of public and private runway shows and events. Thursday 9/17 I had the pleasure of attending the networking party which was held at the Senate Square, a gorgeous condo community. There models, and designers, and anyone interested in getting to know more about the local fashion scene. There was also a swimwear runway show featuring female and male models. The event was originally to be held on the rooftop by the pool but because of the rain it was moved downstairs to the main courtyard. The last minute change was done so gracefully you never would have known it wasn't the original site. I received VIP treatment and the paparazzi was there to great me as I walked in the door. I got plenty of pictures taken on the red carpet in front of the DC fashion week sign.

Great Week!!

I had a fantastic labor day weekend, and the following week wasn't bad either. One of my fraternity sisters hosted a cookout at her place so I got to see some of my favorite people that I hadn't seen in forever. Monday the 7th I got to celebrate the final Monday of karaoke at the Irish Chanel in Chinatown until after football season. Tuesday the 8th was the Recess at the River hosted by the American Heart Association and affiliate organizations, along with the Mayors office and the Washington Redskins. The Recess at the River took place at Watkins Elementary in SE. There were several stations set up where the kids could learn about hydration, proper eating, and fun ways to exercise. Some players from the Washington Redskins came to do drills with the children, and the Washington Redskins Cheerleader taught them a routine. I got to be the team leader of the purple group. My job was to usher my group from station to station. Me and 23 kids. I was tired, but I had a blast.

Today September 11 has been written into law as a national day of service. It was important for me to volunteer my time to not only honor those who have fallen, the victims and their families, but also to join those all over our country by giving back. Today I had the pleasure of visiting our veterans at the VA hospital in DC and celebrate the 102 birthday of Mrs. Alice Dixson. This remarkable woman served our country in WW2 and has spent the last nine years at the VA. I was there to join representatives from the mayors office, and volunteer organizations from around the city. After the official part of the afternoon (the remarks and citations) we all got enjoy ice cream and cake and sing happy birthday a few dozen times. Every time I go to the VA hospital I always come away with such a sense of fulfillment. I get to meet the most remarkable people and the veterans that you've gone to work with end up brightening your day and reminding you how important it is be positive and to count your blessings. One young lady asked Mrs. Dixson, what is the key to living a long and healthy life? She replied "be kind."

Finally a new post

So, I have to be the worst blogger in the world. I go through the trouble of creating one, and then don't make any posts for... roughly a year. So much has happened, definitely too much to include everything within the gap, so I will resign to starting NOW!!

First let me say that I had an amazing year as Miss Black DC USA 2008 and am extremely proud of young lady who took up the title.

Second, I proudly won the title of Miss DC International 2009 and had my crowning moment on May 10th of this year. I had the opportunity to travel for the first time to Chicago, Illinois and compete in the Miss International pageant, and met so many amazing women that will hopefully be friends for life.

As Miss DC International I got an amazing young woman as my teen sister Queen Juliana McKee who is by far a much more diligent blogger than I could ever hope to be.

I chose Character Education as my platform and it is my mission to pump it into the schools of DC and get out the mission of the Character Education Partnership, and fantastic non profit organization I have the pleasure of being a spokesperson for.

I performed in a concert this past Sunday, performing four solo songs, and two group songs for three sopranos. It was an amazing opportunity to do what I love to do best SING!!!! and I will be more focused on finding more chances to share my talent.

On a sad note, my beautiful SAI sister Diane Grainger passed this afternoon of a head injury due to an accident. Her family is in my prayers. We love you, and will never forget you and your amazing talent.