48 hours, 650 miles, 5 stops

I have done little in the way of blogging over the last couple months, because, simply, I have been doing little other than study and business via my computer!  And no-one wants to read about that!

BUT, last week marked the last of six consecutive exams, giving me a little room to breathe this weekend - FINALLY!!  And just like a little bird that has been trapped in its cage for far too long, given a peek of freedom, I took it for all it was worth and hit the road!

STOP 1: Business in Ellensburg (enough said)

STOP 2: Pumpkin carving with my sister and nephews in Moses Lake!  To get a little bit of the Halloween fever before the season is out, I gladly helped my 7 year old nephew with his pumpkin.  And before the evening was out?  We literally had a pumpkin food fight going on in my sister's kitchen!

Carving Pumpkins with my two nephews!

My sister and nephew after our pumpkin fight!  (Note my sister's full body protection from the slime.  Hehehe!)

STOP 3: Motivational speaking at Chief Moses Middle School in Moses Lake.  One of my very favorite things to do, is share of my heart and passions with the middle schoolers of my hometown, and this year marks the fourth consecutive year of my doing so.  On Friday, I spoke to moderate sized groups of students during each of six class periods, for an hour each.  During my time with the students, I use Haiti (and my experiences there) as an example of international poverty, and explain to the students that they may be the poorest individual in the room, and are still incredibly blessed compared to those living in Haiti.  I go on to explain that given the blessings we have, we also have immense opportunity (and duty!) to serve the world around us, and lead the students in brain storming ways in which they can impact the world around them.

Chief Moses Middle School has a particularly special place in my heart, as these are the students currently sponsoring the education of six students in Haiti, through me.  Over the coming weeks, these middle school students will continue to explore the idea of international poverty, and their power to make a difference.  I truly count myself INCREDIBLY blessed to be able to take part in this discussion with them!

(Holding up my crown and sash) "While yes, I am Miss Moses Lake, I chose not to wear the crown and sash today, as what we are going to talk about is far too important to get distracted by pretty sparkly things."

One of the student's parents contacted me the day after I worked in the classrooms to let me know that her daughter thinks I should run for president. Love it!  But I'm afraid that is not my calling...

STOP 4: Family Time in Yakima!  Friday was my nephew's 7th birthday, and so we all packed into cars and headed to an arcade in Yakima.  As my brother had joined me earlier in the day at Chief Moses Middle School, he rode with me!

 While in Yakima, we were also able to spend time with my Grandma Isherwood, and Great Aunt Ruth!

Racing my brother!  I won!  (So he had to drive home....hehehe!)

My Grandma Isherwood and 7 year old nephew!

STOP 5: Miss Clark County 2013 Pageant in Vancouver!  Pageant sisters have the tendency to grow incredibly close, and over the last several months I have developed a particular fondness for Miss Clark County 2012, Sadie Johnson.  Saturday afternoon, Sadie was featured in the Miss Clark County 2013 Pageant as she passed on her reign to the next lucky lady.  You are lucky if you know her, because she is one incredibly beautiful (on the inside and out) lady, and I am incredibly fortunate to have been there supporting her.  Love ya, Sadie!

 And congratulations to the new Miss Clark County 2013 Alicia Cooper!

SO happy to embrace the beautiful Sadie after the pageant!  Love this girl!!

STOP 6: HOME IN SEATTLE!!!  After all that driving, I was incredibly glad to arrive home in Seattle Saturday night.  And next up?  Slippers, sleep, and (more) studying!  I will check in again at the next peek of freedom!

Psalm 139:16  ...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be!!

Queen, MD: From Royalty Duties to Medical Duties

Three weeks ago, I removed my crown for the last time for a while, and picked up a stethoscope in its place.  While I have truly treasured serving in the position of a local "queen", I also look forward to one day soon serving as a "medical doctor".

For a small amount of background, medical school is four years.  The first two years are spent (mostly) in a classroom, learning the science of medicine; the third and fourth year are spent doing clerkship rotations in hospitals and clinics, learning the art (ie the application/real-life) of medicine.

The first year can be spent in a number of regional locations, and, as a true small-town girl, in effort to avoid the big city of Seattle, I spent my first year in Spokane with only 19 other students (the UW serves as the only in-state medical school for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, and as such, there are regional locations with 20 students at each of these as well).  It was a fantastic way to be introduced into the medical field with a tremendous amount of 1-on-1 with incredible faculty.  For the second year of medical school, however, all 220 students (20 from each of six regional sites, and 100 from Seattle) have no choice but to come to the big city of Seattle in order to study at the UW Medical Center.

Soooo.....three weeks ago, I begrudgingly kissed my puppy dog good-bye, packed my little car full, and headed to Seattle.

The halls of the UW Health Sciences Center

I arrived on a Monday (the day before orientation began) in order to orient myself to campus, but my trepidations were only deepened as I became lost (LITERALLY!) for 45 minutes in the health sciences building.  You may wonder how any person can be lost in a building for so long?  But let me tell you, endless white, lifeless hallways with absurd orientation to one another, and with numbering of lecture halls and offices beyond anyone's understanding...does not lead to encouragement!  At one point I found myself on "Floor 1" where I mistakenly walked into a metal shop with active welding, and when I turned around, found myself face to face with a loading dock!!

After getting myself straightened out (with the help of dental faculty), I returned home near tears, and prepared for three days of orientation to begin the next day.  While an extensive "orientation", the three days consisted of team-building exercises (so that students from the various 1st year sites can get to know one another), listening to various deans, receiving required immunizations, touring the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, and learning of the storm ahead of us.

With Jessica, a second year medical student from Alaska, on our tour of "The Ave".

Admittedly, orientation was not so bad.  It was long, but it turns out that I am far from the only one with anxiety surrounding second year, and it was great to meet so many incredible people that I am to share this year with!

 And then....after a nice and friendly Labor Day weekend....the doors of all that is evil flew open for what is known as MS2: Medical School Year 2.  (Cue evil music....)

Class with 20 in Spokane

Class with 220 in Seattle

Sooooo......okay, the above pictures are a tad bit biased :).  But, I am sitting here reflecting on the fact that Moses Lake has one of the lowest higher education rates in the state, and suddenly I get it!!  Moses Lake, or "Moses Hole" as many are known to call it, is a comfortable environment which does little to foster those reaching beyond; the nearest "city" of any kind is 1.5 hours away!  As such, the bigger world can become a scary place...Particularly big cities with sirens, yelling at night, nothing but parallel parking (my personal weakness!), and a whole lot more strangers than friends (and strangers who, oddly enough, don't cheerily greet one another as they pass in the morning :) ).  But if I stayed in Moses Lake, what is left for me there?

I have never in my life wanted something as badly as I want this "Medical Doctorate", and the life of serving others that comes with it.  I choose to hold on to this quickly fulfilling dream, and with it forge into the wind of the next year in Seattle.

I am slowly learning the bus routes, my way around the endless white hallways, and to not wave and smile at every stranger I pass in the morning ;).  Coffee with a few (non-medical school) friends has helped.  And quite frankly, with the incredibly large work load suddenly on my lap between Urology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and random clinic/patient duties, I am finding myself with less and less time to worry about the fact that I am in a city!

And the parallel parking?  That might just have to wait for another year :).

Stay tuned for (hopefully) more cheery updates as the year goes on :).

Miss Washington Week: Day 7 – Final Competition, Backstage Madness, My Thoughts on the Results & My Pageant Future

Exhausted from the night before, Saturday morning came all too early for us ladies.  One of the difficult things about being “royalty” that I think many may underestimate (I know I did before taking on this role), is the need to continuously be presentable.  And as was Saturday morning: going on 5 hours of sleep, we are all “hair and makeup-ed out” from the week, and we all have to be at our very best that night for competition, but yet we still got ourselves up extra early and made ourselves pretty once again.

After a morning rehearsal at the theater for some cleaning up of the opening dance number, and some last minute instruction on where to stand for the various awards, we headed back to the hotel for one of my personal highlights of the week: the Miss Washington Alumni Luncheon.  The Miss Washington Alumni Luncheon is a time for all of the previous Miss Washingtons (who fly in from all over the country) to gather and share about where their lives are now, and how their year as Miss Washington helped shape them.  While this may not sound all too thrilling, in fact it was a time of great enlightenment and inspiration for me personally.  Former Miss Washingtons have gone on to do absolutely amazing things with their lives (doctors, lawyers, performers, teachers), and seeing their continued bond with one another, and hearing of how grateful they continue to be for what their year as Miss Washington did for them, truly demonstrated to me what this program is all about!  And what better note than that to go into the final night with?!

With Dr. Allison Porter, Miss Washington 2004.  Allison is currently in her third year of general surgery residency, and was one of only two other medical students to ever run in Miss Washington.

After mingling with the former Miss Washingtons, the 22 of us ladies headed up to our rooms for last minute preparation before we departed for the theater one last time…for the final competition.  While most of the contestants scurried about with all-consuming anxiety, nervous about whether they would be called into the Top Ten or not, I was filled with an overwhelming peace.  With growing realization of just how poorly my interview had gone (read here for details on the interview), I knew that there was little chance I had made the Top Ten.  But rather than be upset, I had a great calm knowing that I could be proud of how far I had come, and the way I had represented myself, Moses Lake and my Lord throughout the competition.  (You can read my thoughts during this time here.)

You see, just two years ago, I was an over-weight and self-conscious individual who would have never dreamed of walking across the stage for anything other than purely academic reasons (I was valedictorian and the commencement speaker at Western Washington University’s graduation June 2011).  Then, fears conquered and a large amount of weight lost, as the newly crowned Miss Moses Lake four months ago, I claimed that I could give an interview and play piano, but anything with regards to stage presentation (walk, hair, makeup, stance), you could count me out.  BUT, a huge amount of work later, it was a strangely satisfying coincidence that the one portion of competition I felt I had failed at, had nothing to do with the stage!  In fact, looking back now, if I were to choose one area of competition to fail at, make it the one single area that I already know for myself that I can conquer!  I already know I can interview (on any other given day)!  But to feel good about, and receive outright compliments from complete strangers, on every single other area of competition….those that I had been a complete embarrassment in at one point….showed me just how far I have come, and just how much this program and my mentors have done for me!  I was now a graceful, presentable woman on the stage, with a very competitive level of fitness, and I had EVEN overcome the anxiety attack in dress rehearsal to successfully make it through my piano piece!  For me, personally, I had reached SUCCESS!!!

Backstage, getting ready for the show.

At the theater, I continued to have a great peace as I got ready.  Where the night before I had anxiously shoved earbuds into my ears, this night I calmly got myself ready, and took the time to chat and pray with any contestant who seemed open to such.  Once again we gathered on the stage and waited for the curtains to part.  And when they finally did, OH MY GOODNESS was the theater moving!!!!  Every single seat had been sold (plus some), and not only were they filled, but they were filled with some incredibly energetic and excited fans!  When my name was announced, I could hear my personal section, filled with my friends and family, and I beamed with pride and appreciation for each of them! Top Ten or not, this was my time to shine!

 

Following the opening dance number and introductions, each of us 22 ladies found our spots on the risers and prepared for the academic award, service award, Top Ten and top non-finalist talent (in this order) to be announced.  Standing there, I decided I would be just fine to not make Top Ten, so long as I was called out for one of the others: presumably the academic (which many thought I was a shoe in for) or service awards.  But when Miss East Cascades, Connie Morgan, was called for the academic award (very deserving, I might add, even if I was temporarily jealous ;) ), and Miss Eastside, Mandy Schendel, for the service award, I was admittedly disappointed.  And then one by one the Top Ten were called out: Brittany Cozza (Inland Empire), Ramya Ramanathan (Evergreen), Daniela Ferrell (Northwest), Alexandria Henderson (Pierce County), Jean Sun Hannah Ahn (Seattle), Kara Jo Morris (Puget Sound), Kenzi Novell (Spokane), Mandy Schendel (Eastside), Catherine Watters (C.B.) and Reina Alece (Yakima County).

Just as I had predicted, I was not one of them.  I stood there, taking a deep breath, ready to quickly exit the stage in order to collect myself.  But then, my name was being called.  I stood there confused for a second, as surely it was not for my anxiety-ridden piano performance that I had completely botched in dress rehearsals!  But sure enough it was!!  Contestant number 5, Miss Moses Lake Analiesse Isherwood was the winner of the non-finalist top talent award, and was going to be coming back out on stage in just a few minutes to perform her solo piano piece for the sold out audience!

Coming forward to accept my Top Talent award.

I was, as instructed, the first one to exit stage, and had the amazing Ladies Director, Patti Belik, waiting to personally escort me.  I began to shake with instantaneous anxiety!  I couldn’t do this!!  I had made a fool of myself in dress rehearsal with an anxiety attack, and then only with a half hour of the song blasting in my ears and singing my way through the piece had I made it through the night before.  But I was going onstage IMMEDIATELY!!  Patti and another hostess helped me quickly change into my piano gown, and I whipped my hair up with a clip (not enough time to fix it as I normally do).  I tried to bend over to put my shoes on, but was shaking so much I fell to the ground!  How was I supposed to perform?!  My shoes were put on for me, I grabbed my ear buds (no time to review sheet music!), and ran to the stage door!  As I made my way to the stage, I passed the other non-finalists who had broken down into exhausted and frustrated tears!  Oh how I wanted to join them!  But there was no time…no time to comfort or to feel the frustration for myself!  It was then that it occurred to me.  The Lord had given me peace for a reason!!  I went into the final night knowing that I would not make Top Ten, giving me the calm and mental-with-it (kind of) to keep it together long enough to perform one last time!!  And this was my time to shine!!

Playing "All of Me" by Jon Schmidt

As I walked out onto stage, I could hear my family and friends cheering for me, and I was suddenly very thankful that I had this last opportunity to perform for them.  I sat down on the piano bench, still nervous, and heard a baby cry out from the audience.  I laughed and nodded in agreement with the child’s sentiment, and with that had the audience genuinely laughing with me.  I began to play, and made a few mistakes, but about half way through the piece realized that the judges and audience were no longer judging me; this was purely my chance to play my heart out for me!  And with that I took off into the song and played it better than I ever have in front of an audience!  I re-claimed the piece in that moment….for ME!  And when I was done, I had one of the largest applauses of the night!  I had done it; I had shown the audience, the judges, and myself that I truly could take to the stage on the piano!

Soaking in the support of the audience following my performance.

The moment I returned backstage, I could finally let it out.  With a stifled deep breath, I took to the sides of the other non-finalists to encourage and comfort.  When I was done there, I was able to return back to the dressing room (of course, downing a few very unhealthy snacks on the way given I no longer had to worry about fitness onstage), and helped the finalists whip in and out of their gowns for the various phases of competition.

With the night nearly over, the Top Ten were whittled down to the Top Five.  And the Top Five were then giving their on-stage interviews.  The remainder of the contestants hushed one another and pressed themselves up tight against the backstage speaker in order to hear the responses of the Top Five to their individual questions (the questions given the final evening were much more difficult than the previous evening).   

The scene on-stage during the Top Five On-Stage Interview.

The scene backstage during the Top Five On-Stage Interview.

When the Top Five returned backstage, emotions were high on all levels.  Some were thrilled and shocked they had made the Top Five, and others may have anticipated placement in the Top Five and were truly hoping with all they had that they would be named the next Miss Washington.

  Four of the Top Five nervous in waiting for the final results!!!

 As the contestants all took to the stage one last time, we held hands tight as we anticipated who would be our next representative.  And then they were called:

                4^th Runner Up: Miss Pierce County, Alexandria Henderson!

                3^rd Runner Up:Miss Northwest, Daniela Ferrell!

                2^nd Runner Up: Miss Inland Empire, Brittany Cozza!

The final two!  Reina and Mandy!!

                And then the final two stood there, clasping hands; each of the other contestants silently pleading for their pick of the two to be called out.  And there it was, “And the first runner up is Miss Yakima County, Reina Alece, making your new Miss Washington 2012, Miss Eastside, Mandy Schendel!!”

Mandy Schendel being crowned Miss Washington 2012!!

                The audience thundered, tears flowed and flowers flew, and with that we had our new representative for the year!

                After greeting a few dear friends at the front of the stage (love ya, Shannon!!), we returned backstage to grab the last of our belongings and loaded the bus for the Awards Ball, to be held at a formal reception hall in downtown Seattle.  There on the bus, emotions flowed.

                As for myself, I am thrilled for Mandy!!  Mandy and I were crowned together at Miss Moses Lake, back in March, and since then I have had the great privilege of attending a few appearances with her (including the baseball season opening parade in Moses Lake), and have had private meals and conversation with her.  Going into Miss Washington week, I had a very high opinion of Mandy, and have counted myself a “fan” of hers for quite some time (I even jokingly claimed “president” of her fan club back a couple months ago).  But, no matter who is named to a title, I believe there will always be someone frustrated.  It is simply my prayer that those frustrated will put away their hurt, and put their full energy into support behind Mandy in order to give her the chance to shine in the way I know she can and will.  I have no doubt she will make us ALL proud, both through her year of service, and on the Miss America stage in January 2013!!

                And as for Reina?  The other of the final two standing?  I truly, truly, TRULY hope, with all that I am, that she returns to the Miss Washington stage in one of the coming years (age wise she is 20, and has until she is 24 to run), and takes home the title!  And if this is something she decides that she wants, I have little doubt that it will happen exactly this way!!  In the meantime, she has the great honor of representing Washington State at the American Sweetheart pageant (intended for the first runner up in every state) in Illinois this coming August!!

                At the Awards Ball, my father was a wonderful escort (thank you, Dadddy!), and we all chowed down on delicious food and danced to live music well into the early morning hours!

Dancing at the Awards Ball!!

With my Daddy at the Awards Ball, my Top Talent award in hand!!

Thank you, again, to all of the amazing, amazing people who have played a part in this journey.  In unpacking my MANY pieces of luggage, I made a very large pile of all the items I borrowed and need to return to others, and the pile simply acts as a loving reminder of just how many people aided in my journey.  From the wisdom and ears of friends; to the person who inspired me to give Miss Moses Lake a try; to the coaching and support of sponsors and local directors; to those who selflessly offered their closets as mine; to my church for offering up their building and piano to me on numerous occasions; to those who left gifts and notes of support throughout the week, via e-mail, text, Facebook or written; to my friends and family who came from near and (VERY) far to support me in person; to the MANY INCREDIBLE directors, hostesses, sponsors, photographers and volunteers who put their heart and soul into making the state pageant possible at no cost to the contestant; AND to the 21 other incredible ladies who so graciously made their way through this journey with me.  To each and every one of you: THANK YOU!

 I have learned an incredible amount about myself and about life, have grown leaps and bounds in personal poise and presentation, have earned scholarship dollars, and have made life-long friends.  And this has been a journey I shall never forget, nor regret!   

As for me, for now?  Never in my life have I been so excited to continue on in my path of service to others, or to become a doctor in just three short years!!!!  And as for another attempt at Miss Washington, as so many have asked me to consider?  We’ll just have to wait and see what the Lord has in store ;)!

Miss Washington Week: Day 6 -- Parent Breakfast, Preliminiary Competition and the Fight for Top 10

Before we go any further, for those not familiar with the Miss America Organization, I wanted to give a brief break up on the nature of competition.

Interview - 25%

Talent - 35%

Physical Fitness in Swimsuit - 15%

On-stage personality in evening wear - 20%

On-stage Interview - 5%


Friday morning started with the parent orientation breakfast.  My mother came, and all the contestants stared as their parents wolfed down delicious food (okay, some sarcasm here, but the incredible food was semi-cruel given we were going to be on stage in swimsuits shortly ;) ).  The point of the orientation is to give the parents an idea of the pressure their daughters are under, as well as what will be expected of her and how to best support her should she be named Miss Washington - things always better coming from a voice of authority than the contestant herself.  I personally learned a great deal from what Gary Umemoto (father of Miss Washington 2007, Elyse Umemoto) and Brittney Henry (Miss Washington 2011) had to say, and walked away very appreciative of their insight.

After the breakfast, the contestants loaded up in the escort bus, and the parents followed as we all headed to the theater.  We gave the parents a tour of the facility, and afterwards excused the parents so that we could rehearse in private one last time before showtime!  Then, at 12:30, we were released to our parents or director for two hours of last minute prep.  For me?  This meant greeting my aunt who had just flown in from Texas (YEA!!!!), and then running around like mad to crunch in both a new manicure (a super sweet, complete stranger gave up her seat with the manicurist so I could get in and out) and a spray tan.

With wet nails and a sticky spray tanned body, I waddled my way back to the hotel for final preparation, and by 4:15 we were loading up and heading to the theater for the real deal!!

Backstage, anxiety was high on all accounts, but particularly on my personal end!  With memory of my failed talent dress rehearsal the day before (read my Day 5 blog entry), I was already incredibly nervous for the approaching competition.  To calm myself down, I plugged music into my ears, and continued on with my preparation.

For the preliminary competition the contestants are grouped into alpha and beta groups, and the two groups complete the four phases of competition in different orders.  As an alpha, I had physical fitness in swimsuit, followed by evening gown, then on-stage question, and finally talent.  I had initially thought that putting talent last for me was a disadvantage, but with my unexpected problems with talent the day before and resulting anxiety, it being last was suddenly a very good thing as I could have some audience/performance exposure before the biggy (talent is worth 35% of the total score).

After a group huddle, at 7pm the curtains were finally parting for the opening number: VOGUE!  And boy was the audience a moving!  And so was my heart rate!!  ....But only in a good way!

The first thing the audience saw when the curtains finally parted for the opening number!

 As soon as the opening number was done, and introductions had been made, "Good evening ladies and Gentlemen!  I am Analiesse Isherwood, Miss Moses Lake!!  I am a medical student at the University of Washington and my platform is Lighting a Fire Within: Inspiring Others to a Life of Service!".....the alpha group ran backstage to get ready as fast as we could for fitness in swimwear.

Up until this last month, I have held that I can interview and play the piano....but anything that involves walking/modeling on stage is not so much my thing.  But after working incredibly hard, and with incredible support and expertise from the amazing Rosalie Black in Moses Lake, I was feeling confident!  PLUS!  Not to brag ;), but I was lookin' good!  And sure enough, after "Contestant Number 5!!" was declared, I strutted my stuff across the stage, and did so perfectly -  at least in my head!  (After competition, I had complete strangers complimenting my swim portion of competition.)

After swimwear, I ran back to prepare for evening gown, and again executed my modeling walk perfectly!  THANK YOU Rosalie!!!!!

Evening Gown Competition

 After evening gown, we prepared for the 2nd half opener: an 80's number.

Dancing to the 2nd half opener!

 
Now in the second half of the show, I recognized that suddenly talent (again, the biggest portion of competition, and the one that had shown dangerous the day before) was approaching, and consequently my heart rate began to race again.  But first up was on-stage interview!

On-stage in my interview outfit, Miss Washington 2011 Brittney Henry asked the first question, "You are extensively involved in aid work in Haiti, and in inspiring others to become involved.  Can you tell us what inspires this work?"  This question was not a problem, and this was my chance to show the judges, and myself, that indeed I could answer an interview question eloquently, and inspire in the process!  And this I did, indeed (as I briefly told my story, I heard several gasps and other verbal reactions in the audience)!  The next question, "Tell us about studying music for three months in Salzburg, Austria." proved not a problem, either!  (Gimme questions, really.)  Success!  And on to talent preparation!  Gulp.

As soon as I was backstage and pulling my piano gown on, my heart began to race again.  I knew that I had to get my mind off of the enormous audience, the judges waiting to critique me, the amazing performers before me, and my failed attempts the day before.  So, what did I do?  I plugged my headphones in, turned up the music loud, and then took myself outside to do some dancing....literally ;).  No, I am not a dancer, but I picked up the giant skirt of my dress and spun myself in joyful circles to the beat of the music in my ears....all the way up until the moment they called out my name to announce my entry on stage!

Performing my piano piece during the preliminary competition.

I made it through the piece with out stopping, but still would only give myself a 6/10 on performance level.  BUT, I felt good having just got made it through the piece!  I had done it!

When I returned backstage, the other contestants turned my way with the same big question (most all were familiar with my struggles the day before and resulting anxiety): How did it go?!?!  All I could do was lift my hands straight up, and with a BIG smile on my face, declare "ALL GLORY TO GOD!!!!"  I had done it!!!

Soon enough the show had ended (congratulations going to Miss Columbia Basin, Miss Seattle, Miss Tri-Cities and Miss Spokane, the preliminary talent and swimsuit winners), and we were all packing up for visitation, followed by an early bed time!  The next day we would find out who had made the top 10, and those top 10 would then battle it out for the title of Miss Washington 2012!!!

Miss Washingon Week: Day 5 - Interview, Dress Rehearsal & What Went Wrong

Thursday morning, it was finally time for the first phase of competition to begin: interview.  I have always done well in interviews (I mean, I would not have been accepted into one of the most competitive medical programs in the nation if I did not), so in preparing for Miss Washington, the 10 minute interview with the panel of judges was not a large concern of mine.

That morning, however, everything went to the dumps in my preparation.  I am truly not sure what started it all, but my preparation (hair, makeup, clothes, mentality) quickly became one of chaos and frantic scurrying.  I looked at the clock at one point, and realized that I had 20 minutes before I was to be escorted down to the holding room (where you are kept for the 20 minutes prior to the interview beginning), but I still had way too many things to do before I was ready.  Then I got a discouraging e-mail from one person, a bad text from another, in my running about my toe nail got ripped off, and suddenly there was a knock at the door telling me it was time to go….10 minutes early!!   When I arrived at the holding room, I was so stressed and frantic, poor Reina (Miss Yakima County who interviewed after me) was trying her best to fix my hair and calm me down.

A very frazzled me 30 seconds before stepping into interview.  BLEH!

When my escort came to take me to the interview, I knew instantly that I was in trouble in terms of my ability to eloquently answer questions.  But I smiled, and stood for the first question: “As a woman going into medicine, do you think it is possible to be successful in both raising a family and caring for your patients as a physician?”  I knew the answer to this!!  This was something I have thought about time and time again, but yet I still talked myself in circles to an eventual “yes”.  What was I doing?!  About five minutes into the ten minute interview, a handful of butchered questions later, I knew that I had already blown my chances for the entire weekend!  (OKAY, you absolutely CANNOT stop reading here, as this actually ends up not being such a bad thing!!  You MUST read day 6 and 7!!)

After waiting around with the other contestants for a few hours (eating lunch, catching up on Facebook and having random dance parties), we packed up and headed to the theater for talent run-through’s and dress rehearsal.

The way talent run-through’s work is that you get one chance on stage for a solid run through of the talent (complete with lights and microphones), and then a five minute conference with your director, followed by a second run-through.  And then that’s it!  No more; you’re done!  This is also the first chance that the contestants get to see one anothers’ talent, and admittedly, there is a fair amount of “sizing up” going on.

As I was preparing for my first run through, I found myself beyond nervous.  I may have still been wound up and discouraged from the morning’s interview, but suddenly I felt as though I couldn’t breathe, my heart was pounding in my chest, my fingers would not work, and my leg was shaking so badly I could not control my pedal use.  It was a full on anxiety attack!  I have had a small number of anxiety attacks in the past, but always with regard to important exams, and never surrounding the concept of a stage performance.  But then again, a solo stage performance of this magnitude was entirely new to me.  As I worked my way through the 90 second piano piece, I stopped and started so many times, I eventually walked off the stage choking back tears and incredibly humiliated. 

After a delay involving a few deep breaths, I conferred with my director (which basically included a “just give me another chance” and a “try taking it really slow”), and was soon preparing for my second and final attempt.  The second time through was better, but I was so nervous I cut the song out 15 seconds early.  This was NOT a good sign!!  And I was going to be going on stage for competition with not a single successful run through that week – NOT GOOD!!!  (BUT AGAIN, you CANNOT stop reading here!!!)

After talent run through, we did a full dress rehearsal (minus talent), and then headed to bed for as much sleep as we could get before preliminary competition the next day!

At dress rehearsal with our choreographer!

Miss Washington Week: Day 4 -- "Miss Congeniality"

After a morning rehearsal, for the first time in the week the contestants were all allowed a few hours off!  I was checked out by my director, and then headed to practice piano for a few hours at family friends' house (thank you John and Roxy!!).  After piano, I headed to grab a few things at Macy's, and then relaxed with a coffee and to catch up on e-mails.  And at 6 sharp (not a single minute late, and no more than 15 minutes early), we met back at the hotel for an enjoyable showing of the film "Miss Congeniality".

If you have ever seen the movie "Miss Congeniality", then you already have a very good feel for what this week looks like.  There have been several incidents through out the week when I (and others) have stopped and laughed because, naturally so, what we are doing is identical to what is portrayed in "Miss Congeniality's" Miss United States week.  But it makes sense given that the script of the movie was framed after the Miss America pageant system!

Similarities include rehearsals, transportation, meals, regulations, and the details within all of these, etc. etc.  Watching the film together, and we all laughed and laughed (and spoke out our favorite parts) as so many parts were even more relevant and "deja vu" like as we watched them again after experiencing it for ourselves :).  I personally took claim to the terrible, off-beat and un-synchronized dancing Sandra Bullock's character portrays during rehearsal, as well as her terribly embarrassing fall in front of the audience (read my Day 3 blog ;) ).

Here is a clip from Miss Congeniality. Check out 1:25 - 1:35, 2:40 - 2:53 for an idea of my dancing skills during rehearsal :)

Movie Night!  All of the contestants (and their families) lounging in pajamas for a viewing of "Miss Congeniality".

Pre-Final Competition Night Thoughts :)

This is a rare type of posting, particularly with the time constraints and pressure we are under at the moment (we leave for the theater shortly, where we will be given exactly 2 hours in order to do all preparation), so please enjoy and consider with sincerity my thoughts :).

Last night was the preliminary night of competition, where I competed in physical fitness in swimwear, evening gown, talent (piano) and on-stage question.  The morning previous (Thursday), I also had my private interview with the judges.  Tonight?  After the opening dance number, the top ten finalists will be announced, and those top ten will then compete for the title of Miss Washington 2012.

Tonight, as I sit here listening to the other contestants scurry about, anxious for the night to officially begin, I sit here with an overwhelming peace.  Peace because I think I have a great shot at winning?  Not at all.  I can tell you honestly that I truly do not think I will be one of the top ten finalists announced; I don't believe so not because I am not good enough as an individual, but rather because I am surrounded by 21 INCREDIBLE ladies who I have SO much I could learn from.  I have peace tonight because I know, personally, just how much I have overcome to be here, and just how much I have learned and grown through this process.  And I have ZERO regret!

When I became seriously ill with Cholera two weeks ago, the illness stripped me of the external body I had worked so hard for months for.  And while devastated, I also felt an overwhelming voice within telling me that my preparation needed be more inward, and less outward.  You see, it is my true belief this evening, as I sit here about to go into the final night of the largest competition I have ever (or may ever) take part in, that God brought me here for bigger reasons than I can comprehend.  Most feel that they were led here to potentially be the next Miss Washington.  But what if I were led here to be an example and a light to the 21 other AMAZING women with me?  And what if I were led here to learn and grow in ways I did not know possible, that have little to do with the claiming of a state title?   I sit here this evening, filled with peace, because I believe that I was brought here, and have succeeded at both these things.

Yes, this evening is going to be emotional.  How could it not be?  I used to laugh (and still do) when I think about the typical "beauty queen" tearing up.  But think about!  All 22 ladies here this evening have been working months (and some for years) to perfect their bodies, their talent, their personal presentation, and their interaction with and service to others.  All to lead up to this week.  Then this last week, we have spent 7 incredibly fun, but long (think MANY nights with little sleep and very full, demanding schedules) days growing as individuals and bonding as tight-knit sisters.  Tonight, we are ALL exhausted, we are all ready to showcase what we have worked so hard for, and we are all anxious to see which one of our new sisters will represent us, and the greater state, as Miss Washington 2012.

Chances are, yes, I will likely tear up tonight.  But not tears of regret!  I have none of those!!  But tears of exhaustion!  Tears of finality!  And tears of the overwhelming emotion that surrounds my love for these ladies and my hope for each and every one of their lives, whether they become Miss Washington 2012, or not.

Thank you all for your support.  I am so very, very grateful for this opportunity to represent the hometown I love and am proud to call my own.  As am I thankful to the INCREDIBLE volunteers who have made this experience possible, and to these AMAZING, AMAZING (have I said that enough yet? ;) ) ladies for making this week so special. 

To my supporters, please pray with me that God will be given the glory this evening!  Amen, amen, AMEN!!!!