School is Fun

I made a great choice! I love my program, studying to be a certified Holistic Animal Chef. The class work is interesting, relevant and fun. I have finished the first of four modules and am trying to pick a book for my final essay. The internet has been a good and a bad source, as I am sure many people know. One of the diets that is frequently advocated for animals is a raw meat diet. After doing some reading about it and studying the physiology of animals, in this case, dogs, I decided that it made sense. Now this was a bit of a struggle for me as a vegetarian. Of course, I understand how horrible pellet food is for dogs and cats, but fresh meat for my dogs was almost nauseating after two years of not eating meat. But i found some organic, humanely raised/killed meat and tried it out. Of course, instead of waiting to read my whole section on this (and relying on the internet recommendations), I went both guns blazing. WRONG APPROACH. After cleaning up large quantities of vomit and diarrhea in the house, I decided to read my college books, and remembered how important it is to make gradual changes to my pups diets. So we are rebooting and starting from the beginning. A little at a time. I am starting with cooked meat and veggies and will slowly make the change and then gradually convert to raw. Hopefully, this approach will be less traumatic for all of us. Food report to soon follow!

New Beginnings

Lately, I have found that something is lacking in my life, and decided it is because I lack any goals. So I have done some soul searching and concluded that I need to look at something new and stimulating. As I have grown through out my life, my needs, desires, and interests have changed. So I have been looking for something that would fit with the current me. And I think I have found that. Much of my focus over the last few years has been directed towards healthy living, including going vegetarian, primarily eating organic food, and studying supplements. Also because of my love of animals, I have also flirted with the idea of veterinary school. With that in mind, I have found an online program that provides a certification as a Holistic Animal Chef. Anyone who knows me, knows what a good fit that would be. So I took the slightly scary step of enrolling in the program last night. I am very excited because this is such a great opportunity for me. I have needed focus and have always enjoyed school, so this should be perfect for me. As I pursue this course of study, I think I am also going to beginning growing my own medicinal herbs. My vegetable garden does well, so I am hoping some of these skills will translate to herbs. Time will tell.

Pyro Project

Tonight is the night for the "Big Burn"! Tim is writing and directing a movie that requires a mountain cabin to burn down. Well, that is not an easy proposition. I was challenged with building a replica model of the cabin that can be burned for the movie. So I have spent some time making a cabin, complete with a porch and chimmney. This afternoon, we put the cabin on the board and I have been adding the "scenery". I make several trees that were similar to the ones in the reference photo I was using. Those have been placed. Then I added brush, grass, and real moss. Now they are setting lights and practicing burning small objects. And soon, the big burn!! I am pretty excited. This is a new and unique experiment for me.

As far as my experience in St Louis...FABULOUS. I had the best time with Claudia and Jessika, not to mention all the wonderful gals from California. what I really loved about this pageant is how it brought together people of all age groups. I love watching the young gals compete!! There were actually two pageants happening at the same time. The Young American Miss Pageant where I was competing in the 16 years old and up division. I won the highest modeling score in my division and came in 2nd runner up. Not bad for competing against 16 year olds! And in the Dream Girls USA Pageant, I won the Supreme Sister title with Claudia. That is probably the coolest part. We got to compete as sisters and then WON that division. For those who don't understand the joy of pageantry, one of the best parts is sharing the experience with those you love and the new friends you are making, and this pageant reaffirmed that love for me! But Claudia and I only got one trophy :-), so we are sharing. I have it for now, and will send it to her this month!

Wow...time flies. I just realized I haven't posted anything on my blog in MONTHS. well, summer is here in Los Angeles. I love the heat. I am such a recluse when it is cold.

Tomorrow I leave for the Dream Girls USA Pageant. I competed at the state pageant in March and was awarded the Supreme Spokesmodel title. So off to nationals I go. The best part about nationals is seeing my friends that I made at the state competition. Jessika is such a doll and I adore her. It will be fun to hang out. My biggest challenge will be the talent competition. I haven't comepted in talent in sooooo long, but I decided to belly dance. I learned to belly dance when I was doing choreography for Theater Arts for Children and had to choreograph "Aladdin." So I took some lessons, loved it and am now trying it out as part of my pageant experience. In addition to using a veil, I am also dancing with a sword on my head. This should be interesting. Stand back!!

My vegetarian quest has been doing great. I rarely miss meat and love the feeling of eating lots of fruit and vegetables. I have decided to work with a trainer in pilates, so am starting the new regimen when I get back at The Absolute Yoga and Pilates Studio. The trainer is concerned about my getting enough protein as a vegetarian, but I don't think she is used to working with veggie people. We get plenty of protein.

The dogs are doing great. Shauna is slowly overcomign her fear. If I am home by myself, she is energetic, happy and playful. She just isn't too keen on anyone else. But progress can be slow and I expect her to get better as time goes on.

I guess I will close for now. I just couldn't leave my blog so lonely and empty! Oh, and I am working on a reality show pilot. More details to come....

Fall Fun

Wow! I have been a slacker. No updates in the last several months. I managed to slip in a wonderful pageant in September, over Labor Day weekend. I competed in the Ms. America Pageant in Ontario, CA. First of all, what an amazing title...I knew I had to compete. And after I talked with the director, Susan Jeske, it made up my mind. Susan is straight forward, very pageant savvy, and intelligent. I liked her mission and her goals, so I signed! That was less than a month before the pageant.

On pageant weekend, I was delighted to reconnect with Shannon Morgan. I had met year several years earlier at the Mrs. united Nation Pageant but didn't have a chance to get to know her very well. I am so glad I had this chance. She is truly a gem. But lest I stop there...I was so thrilled to meet so many women at this event. Many faces that I have seen or read about on line but had never actually met. And it made me happy to just visit with them. Everyone was supportive and encouraging and kind. And I was fortunate enough to receive 4th Runner up. That really made me excited. Though I have competed a lot, I haven't placed a lot. It was such a thrill to be among the outstanding women in the court. And those who didn't make the court as well!

What is next? I am sure there is another pageant in the near future. After such a great experience, I am fueled up to do some more? Why do I do them - everything I just said above. It is fun, invigorating, and refreshes my belief in the goodness of human nature. I live in LA so sometimes it is easy to forget that most people have a kind heart and giving spirit. Everyone is in a rush, thinking only of themselves, and particularly rude. I try to distance myself from that, but it isn't always easy. Pageants give me the chance to celebrate the good, the positive, the uplifting. So here is to the future pageants in my life!! Have a glorious fall!

Summer Update

It has been a great summer in general. Work has been busy, the weather is great and my garden is thriving. I have a bounty of fresh tomatoes and am enjoying putting them in a variety of dishes...or just eating them off the vine!!

My mom is healing well after her heart failure followed by a fall which left her with a broken wrist and hip. Poor thing. She has had such a rough year with my dad's death and now all these health issues. but her spirits are picking up and I am so proud of her. She has even managed to lose 40 pounds, some form good eating, some from loss of appetite. But we keep talking about the importance of good nutrition for good healing and recovery. I love her so much.

As some of you know, "mom" is my step mom. We are so close and I love her so much. She has been such an important part of my life. Her words of wisdom, her encouragement and simply her love have made a huge difference throughout my life!! My biological mother is not part of my life, but I wish her well. I just found out she was hospitalized for acute diverticulitis. Last year, she was also diagnosed with colon cancer. So she is having some struggles with her health, and I am keeping her in my prayers. All these things reinforce my change in eating to vegetarian choices. I am a prime candidate for colon related issues. I knew I better start caring now!!

As far as the pageant front, I am still considering my options. I was set to do the United America pageant, but I might have a time conflict with that pageant as well!! It is frustrating because I love pageants and feel like I have missed out on meeting some great people since I haven't been involved lately. I also have this drive to use a title to impact LA. This is a huge city and people are so "indifferent". Everyone is caught up in their own world and I am finding it hard to get anyone to listen. In the past, pageant titles have helped open ears and maybe, that would help again. So what is a girl to do? The opportunity will present itself!!

I had the honor of performing the wedding ceremony for my dear friend's Tanya and Jeremiah. Officiating weddings is wonderful but when it is someone you know and love, it is hard to describe the honor. I feel so blessed. While I was in Spokane for the wedding, I stayed with my dearest friend Leah. Not only did she open her home and heart to me, but she threw me a surprise party. No one has ever thrown me a surprise party. It was so special!! I had the best time. It is such a blessing to have such wonderful friends. I am muy blessed!!

Change in Events

The new date for Ms US Globe is May 2010....very exciting. But, sad for me. I will be out of the country for that month and will not be able to attend the national pageant. It just broke my heart. I have wanted to compete at the globe pageant for years, but only now have things fallen in place. And now out of place. I know everything happens for a reason so I am at peace. I will be spending time with family, and after what has happened over the last few years, I realize nothing should take priority over that. As many of my friends know, I almost died several years ago. I sustained a heart attack and stroke after suffering anesthesia complication. The road to recovery has been very difficult. As I struggled to regain, strength and endurance, I gained quite a bit of weight. I finally now have the lung and heart capacity to exercise and get back on track. Last October, my beloved dad died after an 8 year battle with cancer. And of course, the divorce. So the Globe pageant gave me some direction and inspiration. Of course, I don't need a pageant for that, but I love their message and cause and that helped fill me with hope.

I am considering a different pageant this year. Probably one I am familiar with and have competed in before. Pageants offer so much and miss being part of them. I have been criticized in the past for my involvement. Because I have tried repeatedly and not won, many feel I should give up. But there is more to competing then winning the title. And I hold that in my heart. Yes, I would love to win a national title some day, but I love the friends and people. Two of my best friends I met through pageantry and I cherish those relationships so much.

On a different note, my family has grown. I have adopted a new puppy. She is about 8 months old...supposedly an akita-shepard mix. I don't really see the akita, definitely the shepard, but I see some sort of hound. She has the body habitus of a greyhound, though some of that maybe because she is starving. She is terrified of everything but has been slowly warming up. Finally, she has eaten some full meals and come to me for "love time" when the other dogs get praise and affection. With her sweet disposition, i think it will only be a matter of time before she adapts. The other 2 puppies are fine. Bernie ignores her most of the time. But I think she has a soft spot for him. Tatum is more aggressive and wants the new baby, Shauna, to know who is boss. I love them all!! I wish I could have a farm full of rescue dogs....someday.

I have a quiet weekend planned. My garden is doing so well. I think I will have enough tomatillos to feed half of the San Fernando Valley. At least to donate a lot to the food bank!! Have a Blessed and peaceful month!!