Since it is getting so late, Im just going to copy and paste what I had to write for my Junior Miss Jounrnal. I love you all. Can't wait to see you! Hugs and Kisses!
Wow! What an amazing day full of surprises! America's Junior Miss has been more wonderful than I could have ever expected. All of the girls participating in this years compettion have already had the chance to have some amazing experiences, and its only the first day! Early this morning, all of us met at Bellingrath Gardens to have breakfast with our host dads. The food was deleicious and of course I got to experience the wonderful humidity here in Mobile. There are these wonderful girls called the Azalea Trailmaids, bless their hearts. Not only did they stand in those big, fluffy dresses all morning to greet us, they even came back to Springhill Baptist Church to help us. They made sure that every peice of our costumes ffor the shows next week had our initials in it so we wouldn't misplace misplace. Speaking of coustumes, what an experience that that has been today. Junior Miss found a way so that everything for our opening number and fitness routine, from our dress to our jewelery, to our tennis shoes was given to us. How unbelieveable is that? In the weeks prior to arriving in Mobile I really stressed about how I was going to get my hair and makeup done for all the shows. Junior Miss even has professionals coming in to do our hair and makeup! I felt like jumping for joy. Words could not even describe how I felt after I found that out. After rehearsal we went to the USS Alabama Battleship and for me, that was quite emotional. As you drive in the entrance of the battleship, there is the Vietnam Memorial and I was deeply touched. I knew as soon as I saw it, I needed to go and pay my respect. My father was in the Vietnam war, and from that I have witnessed what it is like, emotionally and physically, to serve our country. Ultimately, that was the highlight of my day. The battleship was fantastic and I was absolutely amazed that there were actually alligators in the water! Needless to say, the only place we have those in Missouri is at the zoo. Line dancing was a blast too and really gave all the girls a chance to bond with eachother and our host families. Although, this is just my first official, full day in Alabama, I can already tell that it is going to be hard to leave at the end of these two weeks. Ive been so stressed about coming and now I hope it goes on forever.
Love,
Aunt Nelle
