Happy Earth Day!

Good morning everyone!

In honor of Earth Day, how about we try a few new and simple things to make a long term difference!

• When you get your afternoon Java today, take a reusable thermos instead of wasting a paper cup!
• Be sure to recycle your water bottles, newspapers, aluminum cans and boxes instead of throwing them in the garbage!
• Bring your own bag to the grocery store! I always do :)
• Reuse old water bottles to make ice packs for sick days (fill it up with water and store in the freezer- pull it out and cover with a sock when you have a fever or for a post-workout cooler)
• Waste less water AND play a game with your family- put a kitchen timer in the bathroom and set it for 6 minutes. See who can wash their hair and body and finish in time!
• Whenever I forget my grocery totes, I ask for plastic bags and save them to clean up after my dog outside!
• Make your daily "to-do" lists and weekly grocery lists on your cell phone. This way you aren't wasting paper every day!

These are just a few of the fun tricks I have incorporated into my daily life to try and help the environment!

What do you and your family do to help the environment?

Red Light, Heart to Heart

Hello Friends!

This week has been full of busy things with school, and we are finally down to the two week countdown for the semester! Amidst all of the stress of finals, it is refreshing to have an experience that makes you step back and appreciate the good things in life.

Tonight, on my way home from school with a classmate, Daniela, I had the greatest thing happen to me! I was at a red light in Arlington, and a woman rolled down her window to get my attention. Lucky for me, my air conditioning is broken in my car, and my window was already down- so her attempt was successful! When I first saw her I noticed she was wearing a scarf, and the first thing she said to me was, "You are so brave!" She was amazed that I was out and about with a bare head, and no wig. She was such a beautiful woman, with a stunning face, but she shared with me (while thankfully at the longest red light in history) that she can't stand to see herself in the mirror anymore. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and lost her hair less than 8 weeks ago, so this is still very new for her. We joked about how uncomfortable it is to wear a wig this time of year, and she opened up to tell me that she was afraid she wouldn't every re-marry because she has lost her hair. We had such a wonderful conversation, which ended with both of us in tears, because everything she said meant so much to me. Anyone who has the strength to not only endure, but defeat cancer is a hero in my book- and that is exactly what she is.... a true hero.

It is moments like this that remind me of why I want to become Miss Delaware. My platform may deal with Alopecia but I can relate to so many women, men and children across America who have lost their hair from chemotherapy, Alopecia, or even stress and old age! :) Just as I told the woman in the navy Nissan tonight, God would not give you anything that you cannot handle. And the best thing you can do is look yourself in the mirror and say, "You are beautiful!" It might be difficult at first, but I promise it will be worth it. If you can love yourself, and embrace whatever it is that makes you unique, I believe you can overcome anything.

I am so thankful that God allowed me to meet her and I am even more thankful that Daniela was in the car to wipe my tears of joy away as I was driving my manual Ford Focus ;)

Have a wonderful night, and before you go to bed I think you should do exactly what I tell my students to do- go look at yourself in the mirror with your makeup off, in your oversized PJ's with your lime green retainer in and tell yourself you look beautiful :)

Spring has Sprung!

Hello Friends,

These past few weeks have been very busy. School is winding down, and I began teaching a new session for Barbizon with a wonderful group of girls. Working out has become a top priority in my preparations for Miss Delaware along with continuing to work with my platform, find sponsors, and shopping for the perfect competition wardrobe!

I was notified today that I have been nominated for the second year in a row for the TOYA- Ten Outstanding Young American Award. I will find out the results on June 4th, shortly before Miss Delaware! This past week I was in Delaware for the Miss Delaware Orientation meeting which went very well. It was great to see all of my fellow contestants and friends, since I am not home as often as I would like. I was fortunate enough to work on my talent piece and have my wigs styled by the superb and generous Salon Rispoli! They have sponsored me for the past year and a half, and without the owner, Mario and his talented stylists I would look as if I have a rat's nest on my head!

On the drive from Delaware to Virginia on Saturday I found a little dog on the side on 301, a relatively busy highway. I pulled over and was lucky that she didn't run away from me. She ran right into my arms and thankfully I saw that she had an ID tag. While we waited for her owners to call me back, ZITA and I played in the field with one of Bridgette's balls. After about an hour, her owners were on their way and were so relieved to know Zita was safe. We really bonded, but I know that Kevin and my family were thankful that Zita returned to her rightful home, and not to mine :) Then, on Easter Sunday I went to Philadelphia to watch the Flyers win a fantastic game!!!

I have begun my final Children's Miracle Network fundraiser, and will make a separate post, for the sake of length to update you on the details. I pray that you all had safe and happy Easter's that were spent with your loved ones. Thank you so much for following me on my journey to Miss Delaware 2010, and wherever else life leads me.

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Love, Kayla