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Ok so I know I'm late... I told you this thing was going to be hard to keep up with!

Friday--- We had a day full of rehearsal (just like every other day!), but that night was a blast! At lunch we were able to eat with our girl scouts, and they were all so cute. They made me a good luck t-shirt with a picture, and they signed it. That night all the contestants got to ride in the Mardi Gras parade. We threw beads and candy along a looong parade route, and we learned that proper parade etiquette is if one float breaks down, the entire parade must stop and wait for it to start working again. So needless to say... we waited! This ended up making us late for the prom, but I can assure you, we made a fashionable entrance! Every girl was paired with a guy according to height, and my date was Michael. We had a blast! Even though we were paired by height, it was really weird the things that Michael and I had in common. All the girls ended up having a blast (even though there were a few tragic date stories!).

Saturday--- We learned the non-finalist dance and ate lunch with our host families. Trish McEvoy, the make-up artists for the competition, was there to offer goodies and to teach us the proper way to wear make-up. That night we all felt like celebrities. We went to the mall and signed autographs. Some people even waited in line for at least 40 minutes just to get our autographs. You kind of walk away thinking- hmm... I could live with this! (haha)

Sunday--- We went to SpringHill Baptist Church which has been the location of our rehearsals this past week. I had breakfast with all the other contestants and their host families. After church, we went to lunch and then traveled to Dauphin Island for a day at the beach. We may have had a rain delay, but we didn't let that stop us from having a sand castle building contest. Ours was, of course, the best... even if others may think otherwise! Misty, Mr. Teeto (my host dad), and I even made the front page of the newspaper!!! It was because our sand castle was amazing... in case you didn't figure it out- we did not win the contest! :( but we made the front page so it didn't matter!!! haha

Today--- We had our first day of rehearsal at the Civic Center where the actual program will be held. It was very stressful, but we accomplished a lot. We went to Wintzell's Oyster House for lunch and had a raw oyster eating contest. I, being the non-picky eater that I am :), decided, and got talked into, eating my first raw oyster. Although I put the actual oyster in my mouth, it did NOT go down my throat! Yes mam.. I spit it out in the trash can!
Tonight--- We had a pajama party at Dauphin Baptist Church with little girls that attended surrounding churches. We had a lot of fun being girls and giving and receiving some pretty crazy makeovers.

Tomorrow--- We will finally be able to do our talent routines which will be a lot of fun seeing everyone's talent. Tomorrow night is the annual North vs. South Bay Bear's Softball game. You know me and my competitive spirit... the south is going to dominate!

still a little nauseous from the oysters but feeling like a celebrity,
Lauren

P.S. Sorry it took me so long to update!!!

Hey Lauren - I know you are having a blast and I am so proud of you making it this far. 

YOU ROCK!  Believe in yourself, do your best and you will go far.  I will be praying for you. 

Love ya,  Mark

Sweet!  I was obviously liked well enough to get mentioned!  This makes my day...

I had a great time... I wish you the best of luck!

-Michael