This weekend was a long one for sure! On Thursday I left early in the morning for Lynchburg, VA. I was on my way to the Standout Productions Retreat with Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005, and AT Dunn. I had a very long 8 hour drive and I couldn't wait to finally arrive and meet all the girls. I was told to meet at the airport and someone would be there waiting. When I got there though it was a complete ghost town. I called Rima to see where she was and she had told me that she was being driven with a whole bunch of the other girls to the campsite. I was then given directions to the Master's Inn (my GPS didn't pick up the address) and I was ready to just pass out! When I finally arrived to the site, I got out of my car and was approached by none other than Chelsea Cooley herself. She gave me a great big hug and shortly after AT Dunn was there asking about my trip. They both were very worried about me and if I would be able to find the campground. I immediately threw my bags in my room, made my name tag, and walked to the dinner hall which was filled with about 50 girls from all over the country. I saw Bridget and Rima and ran to them to give them all hugs! I have not seen Bridget since our crowning.!! Right after dinner all the girls went to a roller rink to skate and then play a game of in line hockey. The Misses kicked the Teen's butt! I even scored a goal! I love hockey but I am absolutely terrible with skating (I fell several times, but had a blast doing it!). When the long day was finally over we went back to the lodge to talk about what would be happening the next couple of days and then we were off to bed. I roomed with Miss Arizona (my bunk buddy), Wyoming, and Rhode Island. They were some amazing ladies! Our heater was on the fritz the 1st couple of nights and we all kept waking up because it was literally about 100 degrees in our room (I was right next to the heater of course).
The next day was a lot of fun! The Miss and Teen did a little paintball competition in the morning (once again the Miss slaughtered the Teens). Then we had to separate into our groups. Rima, Bridget, and Catherine were in a group together and I was left on my lonesome. But I got to make friends with a bunch of the girls in my group! :)We 1st went horseback riding (of course I had the crazy one who just wanted to do his own thing). We then got to do some lassoing and bull riding. No not a real bull! Once that was done we switched activities with the other group and went and did some rope courses. We did a rock climbing wall and once you hit the top, you had to stand up and zip line down. We made it into a competition with a Miss vs. a Teen. Who do you think won again?? :) When it was my turn, I went head to head with Miss Wisconsin (all the teens were done). Let's just say your Miss Ohio kicked some butt!!! It was such an awesome feeling zip lining down. It really was a rush! After everyone was done, we went to do what is called "The Leap of Faith". The name of it says a lot about what we had to do! We had to climb up a telephone poll, stand at the top, turn around, and then jump to catch on to the hanging bar. The entire time the poll was shaking, probably because my legs were shaking! I was able to do it and it felt amazing holding onto the bar and then letting go.
Later that evening it was time to get down to business! We had a walking class with Chelsea, a nutrition and exercise class with AT, and then a mock interview. We later ended the night with a bonfire with all the Misses. "What happens at the bonfire, stays at the bonfire." Finally after a very long day, it was time to go to bed. Sunday many girls were getting ready to leave, even Rima :(. But Bridget and I stayed behind till Monday. Sunday was a really relaxing day where we did some interviewing with Standout Productions. Later at night we went to Church with AT and Chelsea. I loved the message that AT left us with! When Church was let out, we went to a Skiing Lodge where we could do tubing, snowboarding, or skiing. Not to many of us did it because it was raining. So we stayed in the lodge watching football playoffs. Bridget, Arizona, Utah, and I had the great idea of ordering pizza! We ran it by Chelsea, who was fine with it (she even had a couple slices herself) and Bridget called in the order. We had so much fun just sitting on the couch with all of us eating pizza and laughing. AT finally came in and was shocked with what we were doing, he even blamed it on Chelsea. We had so much fun that night though!
I woke up that next morning, getting ready to make my 8 hour drive home. I said goodbye to everyone (can't wait to see them again in Vegas!). I gave Bridget a BIG hug and thanked Chelsea and AT for this awesome weekend. I will never forget it!!! This weekend we also had a surprise baby shower for Chelsea. I bought her all Ohio State stuff (a onesie, dress, pacifier, booties, and sippie cup). She loved it!!
The next day was a lot of fun! The Miss and Teen did a little paintball competition in the morning (once again the Miss slaughtered the Teens). Then we had to separate into our groups. Rima, Bridget, and Catherine were in a group together and I was left on my lonesome. But I got to make friends with a bunch of the girls in my group! :)We 1st went horseback riding (of course I had the crazy one who just wanted to do his own thing). We then got to do some lassoing and bull riding. No not a real bull! Once that was done we switched activities with the other group and went and did some rope courses. We did a rock climbing wall and once you hit the top, you had to stand up and zip line down. We made it into a competition with a Miss vs. a Teen. Who do you think won again?? :) When it was my turn, I went head to head with Miss Wisconsin (all the teens were done). Let's just say your Miss Ohio kicked some butt!!! It was such an awesome feeling zip lining down. It really was a rush! After everyone was done, we went to do what is called "The Leap of Faith". The name of it says a lot about what we had to do! We had to climb up a telephone poll, stand at the top, turn around, and then jump to catch on to the hanging bar. The entire time the poll was shaking, probably because my legs were shaking! I was able to do it and it felt amazing holding onto the bar and then letting go.
Later that evening it was time to get down to business! We had a walking class with Chelsea, a nutrition and exercise class with AT, and then a mock interview. We later ended the night with a bonfire with all the Misses. "What happens at the bonfire, stays at the bonfire." Finally after a very long day, it was time to go to bed. Sunday many girls were getting ready to leave, even Rima :(. But Bridget and I stayed behind till Monday. Sunday was a really relaxing day where we did some interviewing with Standout Productions. Later at night we went to Church with AT and Chelsea. I loved the message that AT left us with! When Church was let out, we went to a Skiing Lodge where we could do tubing, snowboarding, or skiing. Not to many of us did it because it was raining. So we stayed in the lodge watching football playoffs. Bridget, Arizona, Utah, and I had the great idea of ordering pizza! We ran it by Chelsea, who was fine with it (she even had a couple slices herself) and Bridget called in the order. We had so much fun just sitting on the couch with all of us eating pizza and laughing. AT finally came in and was shocked with what we were doing, he even blamed it on Chelsea. We had so much fun that night though!
I woke up that next morning, getting ready to make my 8 hour drive home. I said goodbye to everyone (can't wait to see them again in Vegas!). I gave Bridget a BIG hug and thanked Chelsea and AT for this awesome weekend. I will never forget it!!! This weekend we also had a surprise baby shower for Chelsea. I bought her all Ohio State stuff (a onesie, dress, pacifier, booties, and sippie cup). She loved it!!
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