It began on Friday as Joe, Kati, DanaMarie (Miss SD O/T) and I left from San Diego. I knew from the beginning that we were going to have a fun-filled road trip. It got even better when we picked up Shelby (Miss Cities of San Diego), Lauren (Miss Southern California Regional) and Ryan (Miss County of San Diego) from LA. As we all packed into the minivan we rented, we got nice and cozy and began creating memories that we will never forget!
Before we even got on the road, we stopped at Michael's to buy car paint and rhinestones for our new matching sweat suits. Right away, we had a problem... we couldn't agree on what type of rhinestones to buy!! I had already put Silver ones on my jacket, and I thought it looked very classy. But Shelby insisted on getting AB because they sparkled so much more. Ryan agreed with the silver ones and Lauren started to lean towards the AB ones as well. Oh the dilemma!! Finally, Ryan got the bright idea that it was totally OK for us not to be matching. How we didn't think of this in the first place? I have no idea. But it was settled! All was great, except for the store clerk who assisted us with unlocking the rhinestones and then proceeded to carry them to the counter for us because "we were not allowed to do it by ourselves". As if six young girls with matching jackets, with names embroidered on them would be silly enough to steal rhinestones! Well, this lady thought we would. But soon enough we made it out of the store and back on the road!
The rest of our road trip was such a blast! It included a very interesting dining experience at Don Perico's Mexican Cantina just past the Grapevine where Shelby thought we were going to be food poisoned. I insisted on it for the chips and salsa... and luckily, the food was delicious!
Finally, at 11:30 on Friday night, we made it to Fresno!! As tired as we were, we went upstairs and finished rhinestoning our jackets. Then it was off to bed for the long day that was ahead. Saturday morning, we went down stairs for the best meal of the day, breakfast. Soon after we turned in our paperwork at the registration table and picked our numbers for the lottery. These numbers would determine which order we were able to pick our spot in the lineup for Miss California competition. As Russ Gladden joked with me about picking first, sure and behold, I drew number ONE! I was in shock, but quickly grew excited to pick my spot. After much thought, I became number 13 in the Delta group. This means my week at Miss California will go as follows:
Monday - Interview
Tuesday - On-Stage Question
Wednesday - Evening Gown
Thursday - Talent
Friday - Swimsuit
I am very excited for this lineup and it just makes me so much more excited for competition week to arrive!
The rest of the day went very well. It included a mock interview, a talent review, and a few meetings with Bob about current events. There are some very opinionated girls in this group! It was great sharing ideas and butting heads with different ladies.
At dinner, Team San Diego won a few dresses in the raffle. It's always very exciting to win stuff!! ;) Then as Ernie announced there being only ten minutes until rehearsal started, we inhaled the rest of our food, grabbed a few cupcakes from Shelby (Miss CA O/T's) birthday celebration, and ran upstairs to get changed. The show this year is Salsa themed!! The opening number dance is a little difficult for some of us who aren't dancers, but it is still a very fun dance. Being in group 3, I get to spend time with some NorCal buddies from last year - Marissa Santana, Sara Risvold, and Felicia Alvarez.
Saturday night, I crashed hard!! It was so difficult to wake up the next morning. I think Ryan, my roommate for Miss CA got a small preview of how much I hate mornings... I promise that this will not happen during Miss CA week! As soon as we were dressed and ready, we dragged our still-sleeping bodies downstairs for another dance rehearsal. This time, we learned the evening gown routine. A very sexy number to Santana's "Black Magic Woman." Thank goodness, our choreographer let us out after only 45 minutes to let us go eat breakfast. Then for the rest of the day, we had another pow wow with Bob, Arianna (Miss California), and our lovely hostesses. Being a returner, it was exciting to hear information that reminded me of how much fun I had at Miss California last year. I can't wait to share this experience with my new roomie Ryan!
After our meeting, we went to another dance rehearsal. Little did we know that it would be a very exciting one at that. Only twenty minutes before we were supposed to be released from rehearsal, the FIRE ALARM GOES OFF!! We quickly evacuated, not knowing if it was a drill or a real alarm. As we stepped outside, some of us realized how long it had been since we had seen daylight! Before we knew it, we were back inside, finished learning our swimsuit walking pattern, and were given the thumbs up to head home. It was such a relief!! We had a long drive ahead of us. As sad as we were to leave, all of Team San Diego were very happy to head home.
We dropped off the girls in LA, about the same time we learned that Osama Bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan. It is always a sad day when a human being loses their life, but it does bring a glimmer of justice for the United States and the families who lost their loved ones on September 11th, 2011. I am proud to be an American just as much as I am proud to be a San Diego girl!!
This weekend is one I will never forget! I can't wait for Miss California to come!! Less than 8 weeks away!! I will update you again soon as my preparation for Miss Ca starts to kick into full gear.
From my heart to yours,
Marina Inserra
Miss San Diego 2011
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