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The Odyssey is a Greek Life newspaper at the University of Minnesota and they published an interview I had with them about my upcoming trip to Nationals. I knew I was going to have my interview in the paper, but I didn't know I was going to make the front page! The publication goes out to all Greek houses on campus which means it reaches over 1,000 students.

To read the article, go to the link below and read pages 4-5.
http://theodysseyonline.com/content/issues/Minnesota/11.15.12/

 
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Winning photo
Preparing for a National competition is a lot of work and in my case, a lot of time driving from college to home in the suburbs. It's planning, organizing, rehearsing, working out, eating healthy, and LOTS of talking to yourself in the car (Personal Introduction, Spokesmodel, Interviewing myself etc.). On top of that I'm also preparing to miss 4 days of school which is a LOT in college. This week I have two tests and lots of reading to try to stay up with or even get ahead. In all, it's a lot to do and at times can feel like my To-Do list is never going to get done. However, with such amazing people in my life, I've been given that something extra to keep me going.
Below are just a few reasons I'm having a fabulous week.

  • I talk about Nationals at least 10 times a day. All of my sorority sisters are just as excited as I am about Nationals. I love talking about the week to come and everything I'll be doing.When you're part of a family that supports each other and genuinely cares about one another, you have the love and encouragement of over 100 women.
  • I just won a photo contest! On a whim I entered a contest at my college for submissions of photos abroad (specifically maroon and gold, our school colors). When I was in France I ended up taking this great picture and when I saw the contest, I knew just the one to enter.
  • This Friday is a very special time for our entire chapter because it's when our new members officially become Alpha Chi Omega sisters! It's a lot to get ready for, but I know I will leave the night even more in love with each and every woman in my chapter (if that's possible) because of the special bond we have. 
All this paired with the fact I'm now 100% packed and ready for Nationals, I know I can make it through until Saturday when I get to leave this crazy Minnesota cold behind and head to the land of dreams!


 
SHOUT OUT to all the NAM Minnesota contestants this year. Because of your donation of a book or stuffed animal, I am able to give over 340 books to Women's Advocates, a local women's shelter in St. Paul that my sorority and I closely work with.
I love the title of Miss Minnesota for the fun and glamorous events (like NATIONALS in just a week!) but also for the positive impact I can make on my community and the entire state. I know the children at Women's Advocates will love this addition to their library.
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It's always great to curl up with a good book
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All packed up and ready to go to Women's Advocates
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So many great books were donated
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Can't wait to give these to the kids at Women's Advocates

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
                    ― C.S. Lewis

 
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Eden Prairie News
Okay this is cool. My community is supporting me in my journey to Nationals! The article to the left is from Eden Prairie News and was published November 1st. It talks about my upcoming trip to California to compete at Nationals and lists a few things I've involved with on campus.
To see the online version, click here: http://www.edenprairienews.com

In addition, I just finished an interview with a reporter from The Odyssey, a publication on the University of Minnesota campus specifically for the Greek community. It will be published November 15th, just two days before I leave for Nationals. Can't wait to read it!

 
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NAM NATIONALS is in 13 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been working so hard recently getting everything ready and packed, and this includes getting in shape. I'm trying to make really healthy food choices, make working out a natural part of my day, and forcing myself to get some sleep. With three tests before I leave, the last one is sometimes the hardest.
But I'd like to focus on working out because that's something I've struggled with before in getting ready for pageants. I don't work out to necessary lose weight. I do it to get in shape and feel better. Yes, it's always an extra bonus when the dress fits a little bit better or the suit hangs in a different way but working out is meant to keep your entire body healthy, body and soul. When the stress of school and my schedule get a little too much, I've recently found an escape by hopping on the treadmill and blasting some music. However, in previous years this has been a struggle as my endurance was low and I was quickly out of breath.
This year is different and for awhile, I didn't understand why I wasn't dying. Then it hit me: I bike everywhere on campus. The University of Minnesota has such a large campus and for these last couple months, my path has literally been a triangle across campus most days. There was just no way I could walk or take the bus across campus because I didn't have the time. Instead, I've been biking everywhere. To class, work, and back home. Because I bike everyday, most days totaling between 30 and 40 minutes, my stamina has increased. And that means when I get to running on the treadmill or doing a stair step climber, I can do it!
So here's to being healthy, working out, and a prayer for no snow so I can continue to bike on campus until Nationals. Which, by the way, is only 13 days out. 13! That's less than two weeks. Wow, 13 days and I'm in California. 13 days until I see palm trees. 13 days to get everything packed, forms filled out, garments altered. 13 days! (Can you guess what's on my mind?)