Apr 7th-Apr 11th - Mom's Birthday & Miss New York USA Appearances!

On Monday I headed back to New York! While I was traveling I worked on memorizing my speech for the Resolutionary Awards ceremony where I was going to be the keynote speaker. The next day was my Mom's birthday! We had a nice relaxing day shopping at Eastview Mall and having dinner together. My parents don't get particular excited about their own birthdays but they are special days to me! Mom, you are such an incredible Mother, Sister, friend, teacher, scientist and the list goes on! HaPpY Birthday, I love you!!

The next morning I went on WROC News to talk about preparing for Miss USA and my support for Resolve of Greater Rochester which works to intervene and prevent domestic and sexual violence against women. 

Later that day my Miss USA gown that I designed with Sherri Hill was delivered from Michelle Holmes at Joyce's Boutique (pageantroom.com)! I was a little nervous but mostly excited to see it! I opened it and it was so stunning my reaction was "oh my gosh, I love it, it is amazing!" I wanted to post about it but my pageant consultant advised to keep it a secret until Miss USA.

Thursday morning I went to the Rochester Country Club for the Resolutionary Awards ceremony. I gave my speech focusing primarily on sexual assault on college campuses and how Resolve of Greater Rochester is working to prevent this but we want everyone to assist with prevention. It went well and I hope that I made an impact on people because this is an important issue. Then members of the commenting were recognized for their efforts in preventing sexual abuse and/or helping those affected by domestic violence. 

It was very moving to hear how these people have made a difference and to see them be applauded and honored for their service to others. Thank you Resolve for inviting me to be a part of this inspiring event! After the ceremony I had fun working at Scott Miller in Pittsford and later I enjoyed helping my Mom teach karate at her dojo, Fairport Karate Academy! 

The next evening I had an appearance at my alma mater St. John Fisher College for the Relay For Life event! I remember participating in this event when I was in school and I think it is great that the students raise money and awareness for an important cause. When I first got there I enjoyed meeting some of the members from Colleges Against Cancer, which I was a part of in college.

Then I greeted the walkers as they came in to the registration table. It was fun taking pictures, signing cards and talking with some of the students! 

I met a young woman there who spoke to everyone about her experience with having caner. She shared how she was nervous, then what happened to her and how she overcame it. She did a great job sharing her story and it was a pleasure meeting her!

Then I got to witness something incredible. Lindsey Kocher, a student at St. John Fisher College, volunteered to shave her head in front of everyone at Relay For Life to bring awareness to cancer and to make someone who is affected by it have a better life. Lindsey said "If my tears can take away someone else's, by them getting this wig... I think that is a really beautiful thing - I can get through it, but they are already struggling with so much else, so if I can give them one little thing to make them happier, I would do it in a heartbeat." Even now as I am recalling her message and thinking about watching her Mom shave her head I am trying to hold back tears. That day Lindsey made a difference in many people's lives, including my own. 

I wish that I could have stayed for the entire event but I had to go to NYC for another appearance! 

Apr 1st-Apr 6th - Trip To Los Angeles!

On Tuesday Mike, his parents, his sister, her husband and I all went to Los Angeles! We landed and ate at Stella Barra and after going to some stores we had dinner at our favorite, Spoon by H! We had tons of food like usual and then Yoon surprised Helen with a birthday cake!

It was Alex and Jon's first time visiting Mike in LA so afterwards we showed them around the apartment. We went to one of the fire pits and enjoyed the view facing downtown. 

Mike's family was staying at the W Hotel connected to Mike's building so I went to their hotel in the morning to workout together. During the day we all went to Toast for lunch and then walked around to stores in Beverly Hills. My parents at home told me that my Miss New York USA autograph cards and phone case came in the mail!

That night Mike and I met up with Miss Nevada USA, Nia Sanchez, and her boyfriend Daniel. We hung out at the W Hotel and got to know each other. Then we all went to St. Felix and met up with Mike's brother-in-law and some members of Daughtry who Mike is friends with. We all had a great time and I was glad that we got to meet! 

The next morning I worked out at the W Hotel gym again and then Mike and his family and I went to Spoon to indulge in a delicious brunch! 

Then we all went to Beverly Hills and shopped around and then got a little lunch on the outdoor patio at Chaya and it was really nice! Later for dinner we went to RivaBella which was so beautiful. We were surprised to see that they made an ice-cream dessert with liquid nitrogen! 

On Saturday we went to the Beverly Center to shop and I bought some dresses to wear at Miss USA. Then I told my friend who owns Spoon By H that we were coming there and she had a table of food ready for us when we got there! The next day was Scott's birthday so they made a birthday cake for him!

We had such a nice time and we left feeling so full! Then we all went to the Los Angeles Zoo! I loved seeing all of the animals but Mike and I especially care for elephants. 

There was also a lion there that was roaring so loud it was a little scary! 

The next day was Scott's birthday and we all went to Delphine at the W Hotel for breakfast. We gave him presents and had a nice morning together! Then we went to Santa Monica to walk around the Third Street Promenade. After some sightseeing and shopping we went to the Redwood Grille for lunch and had such a great time on the outside balcony! 

It was nice relaxing in the sun and then we headed back to Hollywood and got ready for dinner. We went to Katsuya right by our apartment and model Coco Rocha and RJ Mitte from Breaking Bad were there. We enjoyed dinner and of course loved being together for this special day celebrating an amazing person. Happy Birthday Scott, we love you! 

I was thankful to go on this awesome trip and I was sad to pack to leave the next day but I was excited to get back to Miss New York USA appearances and to celebrate my Mom's birthday!

Mar 25th-Mar 31st - Umuganda Day & Helen's Birthday!

On Tuesday I found out that the Miss USA head shots were up online because I saw the Road to Miss USA fan page post my head shot.

I have looked at all of the contestants on Miss USA's website for years so it was a littlee surreal to see my picture on there.

The next few days I worked at Scott Miller and had a lot of fun assisting clients and learning more about the makeup products! 

Later in the week Mike, his Dad, and I went to the archery range and then Mike and I had a nice lunch with our friend Winni at the Cheesecake Factory!

Then it was Mike's Mom's birthday! I worked at Scott Miller in the morning and then I had a meeting with the Executive Director of Resolve of Greater Rochester which worked to prevent domestic violence and provides counseling and resettlements support for those who have been affected. My Mom and I have fundraised for the organization before and I wanted to do more to bring awareness by using my title. This meeting was because the Executive Director asked me to be the Keynote Speaker at the Resolutionary Awards. I was extremely honored!  

That night for Helen's birthday we went to Osteria Rocco which is one of our favorite restaurants! We all had such a great time together celebrating the life of an amazing woman. Happy Birthday Helen, we love you!

The Miss Universe Organization asked all of the titleholders to do an act of service for Umuganda Day on March 29th and post about it online. I did some research and found out that Umuganda means community service and that it is a mandatory day on the last Saturday of each month in Rwanda. I thought that was an amazing idea and I was excited to participate here in America! 

I volunteered at C.A.S.H. where low-income families can go to get their taxes done for free. Another part of my work as a Cash Advisor is to inform people of the services available in the community that can help them buy a home or or get food assistance. It is really heart-warming when someone is grateful for the tools that you provide them and want to use them to make a difference in their life. 

Then I went to RockCastle Florist because I was asked to be a judge for a corsage contest! All of the entries were so beautiful and unique which made it difficult to judge but I had fun and it was sweet of them to give me a bouquet of beautiful flowers!

Then I went home and snuggled with my kitty Cookie Dough! 

The next day I spent time with my Mom and we got lunch at Cole & Park and relaxed while drinking hot cider. 

That night a bunch of Mike's family friends planned a surprise party for Mike's Mom at a bowling ally. It was awesome walking in and seeing everyone surprise her! Everyone had fun eating food and cake and bowling together! 

The next day I got my nails done at Scott Miller and got ready to go to Los Angeles!

Mar 19th-Mar 24th - NYC For Miss Universe Organization Interview & Skin Care Appearance

On Wednesday Mike and I went to NYC and I looked over some questions that the Miss Universe Organization said that they might cover in my Road to the Crown interview. In the city we stayed at Sixty LES and ate at the Blue Ribbon Sushi restaurant in the hotel when we got there.

The next morning I did my hair and I got my makeup done by Lauren Conklin who Scott Miller put me in touch with because they sell FACE Stockholm products and Lauren works for them.

I got to the Miss Universe Organization office and they brought me back to a room to record my on-camera interview for the Road to the Crown video. We talked about my childhood, hometown, my family and ethnic background, my hobbies, the craziest thing I have done, how I got involved in the pageant and what I was most excited about for Miss USA. After we were done filming they asked me answer a couple of pages of questions at a desk. While I was writing my answers the reigning Miss USA, Erin Brady, came into the office and we talked for a little while. 

I finished my answers and then on my way out I saw Paula Shugart, the President of MUO, sitting in a room off of the lobby. We made eye contact and I didn't want to interrupt but she looked as though I could say hello. I introduced myself and told her that we met at Miss Teen USA 2006 when I competed. We briefly talked and I left feeling like it was a good visit!

Afterwards Mike and I ate lunch together and then I changed to go to the IMAGE Skincare Worldwide Launch event. The view from the venue was awesome and before the event started I got settled in and looked over the speech that I wrote.

I greeted guests as they came in and everyone was really nice! The guests enjoyed h'orderves and looked at the product lines IMAGE Skincare has. 

Then everyone sat down and I gave my speech about skincare and their products and it went well! When the event ended I left with some of the guests and we took an elevator selfie haha

Then I went back to the hotel to change for dinner and Mike took me out on a beautiful date to Pepolino! Everything was delicious and the ricotta cheesecake was the best I have had anywhere! 

The next morning I went to Dentist Dr. Connelly's office to try on the model that they made of what the veneers for my teeth would be like. We both agreed that they were way too big and I told him that I wanted better, whiter teeth but not too different from how mine are. The next day Mike and I went to brunch with Nana Meriwether (Miss USA 2012), stylist Nathan Helsel, and some friends!  

Later for dinner we met up with our friend Rick and went to a cool place in Brooklyn. Then a bunch of friends went to Rick's friend's house to hang out for the rest of the night. The next morning Mike and I had a yummy breakfast at our hotel. 

After digesting I spent a while working out in the hotel gym. I also had to decide that day when I was going to fly to Baton Rouge for Miss USA. I decided to go a day early and then I wouldn't have to be stressed about getting there for registration and making sure that my belongings arrived. I told my director my decision so that the organization could book my flight. That night Mike worked on music with Rick and I hung out at the hotel and packed our suitcases since we were leaving the next day. 

The next morning I looked online to try to find an interview dress for Miss USA and Mike and I got breakfast at a cafe near our hotel. Afterwards we got a cab to head to the bus station and as I went to jump in the cab I smashed my head against it. I took some medicine when we got on the bus because I started to get a headache. While we were on the bus someone sent a picture of Greece Life Magazine to me because the interview I did with them was printed! 

We got back to Rochester, New York and I realized I was having a metallic taste in my mouth. I went to the bathroom and I saw that my pupils were two different sizes! I started to get nervous and I looked up concussion symptoms online and sure enough I had some of them. When I told Mike he was so concerned and tried taking me to the hospital right then. We ended up talking to an emergency doctor over the phone and they did different tests on me and said I probably had a mild concussion but did not need to go to the hospital. 

However, they also said that sometimes concussions develop over the first couple of days so if I did stay home that I should wake up every two hours to make sure that I could answer questions correctly and walk straight across the room. It was a tiring night but Mike and I woke up every two hours and I was fine, thankfully!