Snap back to reality, oh there goes gravity

February 11, 2010

By Emily Cook

Well I dove back in to being Miss Georgia over the past few days.  After taking the first bit of this week off to sleep (and eat) I have really enjoyed my first two appearances post Miss America!

On Thursday I went to Metter, GA (near Savannah) and got to hang out with the girls of Metter High School as they competed for Miss Metter HS.  The 10 girls competing really represented a large swath of the school and I couldn’t be prouder of how they competed and carried themselves throughout the day.  They competed in interview, casual wear, evening gown, and on stage question.  The winner got a 500 dollar scholarship—which I think is absolutely fabulous for a high school pageant!  I also have to comment on the amount of support the pageant has.  From the principal of the school taking the judges and I out to dinner and attending the pageant to the 200-ish people who came to support their girls!  It was so great to see that much enthusiasm and excitement for pageants.  Although there was only one winner, I know each of those girls will take what they have learned from that experience with them.

Right now, I’m just getting back from Little Miss Troup County.  They promised me it would be one of the easiest appearances I would have all year, but what they didn’t tell me how was how much fun I would have!  There were 30 young’uns competing and they were absolutely adorable all afternoon!  They had this little interview onstage with each girl…even the 4 and 5 year olds….so you know some funny things were said!  Highlights include:

The first runner up in funny comment land..

Pam Kennedy: “What’s your favorite food?”

5 or 6 year old: “Everything because I have a hollow leg.”

and the winner for the afternoon.

PK: “What do you like to do for fun?”

6 year old: “I like to play with rocks.”

PK: “Do you collect rocks?”

6 year old: ” Well, yeah.”

PK: “How many do you have?”

6 year old: “Well I don’t want to count that high!”

Brianna (GAOT) and I absolutely died laughing during the ‘rocks’ episode.

The whole afternoon was wonderful.  Brianna played her violin, I played my Gershwin, PK sang two songs–I had never heard her before; very impressive; and both Miss Troup and Miss Troup OT sang.  The afternoon moved along very well and I think all the girls had a great time.  Wonderful turnout too!

For now, I’m off to a post Miss America celebratory dinner!  Happy Superbowl!

ps…I’m still basking in my post Miss America glow.  I had so much fun and it is literally one of the coolest experiences I have ever had!

Update from Vegas

January 21, 2010

So I’m just getting back to my room after my fittings and round of interviews for today. Everything went well, but I think the phrase “hurry up and wait” is very appropriate for the next 11 days. There is going to be a lot of that!

I started off this morning at 7:50 with fittings for our opening number dresses. They are WAY cuter than I expected! We’re gonna look fabulous!

I’m starting the meet the hostesses and get closer with the girls. It’s nice that we already know each other from Orlando!

For now, I’m about to enjoy a salad and get a little bit of sleep before the arrival ceremony this afternoon!

For the record—yes, I’m excited! I can’t believe I’m here!!!

2 weeks out!

January 05, 2010

By Emily Cook

This week has been a blur of Miss America preparations!  I can’t believe it’s getting so close!  I know all the other girls are freaking out too, we are all just so excited!

I have done almost all my shopping for the days when I’m out in Vegas, which, to put it mildly, involves a lot of clothes!  Now I’m trying to figure out which outfits goes for each event and how in the world I’m going to get it all there.  It’s much more difficult to be dressed to the nine’s all the time than it is to be “normal”.  —On that note, we were de-Christmasing my house and discovered that Santa left me a present in my stocking.  It was a coaster for my car that has a queen on it and the words high maintenance!  Now I don’t know where Santa is getting his info, but I’m not high maintenance, being Miss Georgia just requires a lot of maintenance!!!!    Hopefully Santa means it in a good way!

My new oboe arrangement is AWESOME!  I’m actually excited for talent, which is new for me.  I still have residual nerd issues from all the time I spent in a band uniform, so for me to love playing a piece of music and feel cool while I do it, is amazing!  I literally can’t wait for Tuesday, January 26 and to play my oboe for everyone at Planet Hollywood!  (I’m grinning as I write this I’m so happy)

Finally, I had one of my favorite treats today: oreos!  The only time I allow myself to have oreos is when I donate blood, because I figure they cancel each other out!  So besides saving as many as 3 lives with my donation, I got delicious chocolaty goodness.  And the Red Cross is giving out these awesome aluminum water bottles that are very pretty and save the environment, so winners, winners, everywhere!

Till next time.

17 days out btw.

And then (wo)man made fire

By Emily Cook

I am up in the N. Ga mountains tonight spending a little time with my family before the holiday’s are over and everything gets crazy again. I have definitely enjoyed my time off this holiday season. I think it’s good to have a bit of downtime before the last minute prep and especially the week of Miss A gets here, though I’ll admit the task ahead has never left my mind!

So anyway, the whole reason I was writing it because I’m so proud that I made fire! We’re in a log cabin and it’s very chilly up here, so naturally, we need fire. (I’m intentionally omitting the presence high speed internet, central heating, and cable. What can I say? We rough it in style!). Although my dad tried to start it initially, my mom has gently pointed it out that I’ve kept it going! It’s been fun and I feel a little bit like I’m back at summer camp! Who knew that a beauty queen could be a lumberjane too!

Anywho, I’m having fun and hope your holidays are wonderful as well. For the moment, my fire is blazing and Georgia is finally making this game exciting so there is hope for football yet! Have a good night!

Busy Holiday Week!

December 10, 2009

It’s been another busy few days for me!

I drove up to Atlanta on Friday and attended a Christmas party with my parents that evening.  Saturday morning wasn’t too early, but man was it cold!!!!!  As I got ready in the morning, I even saw snow!  Despite it being 31 with a wind chill of 20, my mom and I went to downtown Atlanta for the Children’s Christmas Parade.  I had no idea it was as big of a deal as it was!  There were giant balloons like at Macy’s (I had Mr. Potato Head behind me), marching bands, dancers, and TONS of people braving the cold!  I’m not going to lie…..I was colder than I have been in months.  A convertible in a drafty downtown may be a classy way to travel, but it is definitely not the warmest.  Still, I made it and finished the parade,  smiled and waved my heart out, and hopefully made some people happy along the way.

That evening I participated in the Kingsize Entertainment holiday show.  It is an annual show that helps Toys for Tots and I must say it was a great success!  I just got word that we raised upwards of 3500 dollars for ToTs and collected 3 carloads of toys!  I actually sang “I’ll be home for Christmas” and helped out the show as much as I could.  I think it went well and was definitely well received by the crowd.  Great job to all the performers!