Miss CA Day 1: Mayors Lunch, Kiwanis BBQ, Workout!

Hello!!
So I have to admit that I'm a little bummed right now... I just tried posting a video update on facebook but the microphone on my computer isn't working correctly!! :(  Hopefully I will get it fixed soon so I can update through video... since I'm not that great at blogging. =l haha

Well I will at least give a quick recap! This morning we visited Fresno's City Manager on behalf of the Mayor of Fresno to present gifts as thanks you's for their hospitality. Every girl explained how their gift pertained to their city/title/likes and in exchange we received a wonderful goodie-bag from the Mayor of Fresno! It was a great start to the week as we were able to meet every girl competing. There are many new faces and many old ones too!! (Well young, but previously seen faces!! ;) haha!)

Some pictures of our awesome Red/White/Blue outfits!

with Ryan Osborne, Miss County of San Diego *my roomie* :)

with Lauren Berlin, Miss Lake County *teenie buddies* :)

with Saundra Combs, Miss Hollywood *former roomie* and Chrissy Alcaraz, Miss San Fernando Valley *Alpha Buddy* :))

After many many pictures later, we headed out to lunch at The Habit Burger Grill. Yummmmmm!!! :) Veggie burgers and chicken salads were a delicious alternative to the burgers we have all been avoiding for the past few weeks! Once our bellies were full, we went back to the hotel for the first group of interviews to begin!

As Alpha group (1-14) were in their interviews, the rest of us were able to relax, workout, and even practice our opening number dance. A few hours later, we were back downstairs dressed and ready to go a BBQ sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Fresno at the Lester home. Such a GORGEOUS home overlooking a river right in the backyard! The food was delicious, even though the man tried to convince us it was pelican.... and wonderful scenery! I will post more pics soon because most of the pics here were taken on other cameras! haha
Here is one of me playing around in the backyard!

After the yummy BBQ, we came back to the hotel to relax, settle in, and workout!! Saundra, Chrissy and I had a quick talent rehearsal. :) They both sound wonderful! And then while Chrissy read current events, and Ryan took a cozy bath, Saundra and I found our way into an empty ballroom downstairs to do our "Power Half-Hour - Thigh Trimmer" with our BEST friend Tony Horton! Yay! lol Thank you Lady GAGA for providing fun, energetic workout music!!

Alrighty... it is now past midnight and I need my beauty sleep! :D Haha No really, I just know we have a longggg week ahead. Sleep now or forever hold your eyelids open...

I will update again very soon!!!

I love you all so much. Please keep reading. Ask me questions of Facebook!

Love always,

Marina Inserra

Miss San Diego 2011 <3

We have arrived in Fresno!!!

The Miss California week has begun!!
Ryan Osborne, Miss County of San Diego and I arrived in Fresno this afternoon ready to settle in and prep for the crazy week ahead! Before we even made it to unpack we went grocery shopping with Dana Marie, our teenie Miss San Diego's Outstanding Teen. 3 hours later.... we are back in our room, unpacked, and crawling into bed. Don't worry Moms! No need to tell us to get some rest! Ryan and I can barely keep our eyes open enough to brush our teeth and put our pajamas on! Lol Who knew traveling all day could take so much out of a girl!?

Anyways, it is now bedtime... we have a 6am wake-up call to get ready for a luncheon with the mayor of Fresno and the 57 other Miss California contestants. I will update again as much as I can throughout the week.

Much love!
Marina Inserra
Miss San Diego :)

Children's Miracle Network needs your help!!

Hello Family and Friends!!

In less than two weeks, I will be leaving for Fresno, California to
compete in the Miss California Pageant. As you may know, as Miss San
Diego, I have been involved with the Susan G. Komen Foundation supporting
my personal platform of Breast Cancer Awareness. But you may not have
known that the Miss America Organization and all of the contestants at the
local and state level have been working closely with Children’s Miracle
Network to raise funds for local children’s hospitals. The Miss America
Organization has teamed up with Children's Miracle Network to help raise
money for children’s hospitals in communities throughout the United
States. My personal goal is to raise $250.00 before Miss California. The
money I raise will benefit both Children's Miracle Network and the Miss
America Scholarship Fund.

I invite you to help me touch the lives of sick and injured children by
making a secure donation today by clicking on the "Donate Now" button to
the left or on this link
https://missamericaforkids.org/m.aspx?i=14875+41F779AB59E. I would
appreciate any donation as small as $5 as it will help me to reach my goal
by the deadline of June 10th. If you want to see the impact of your
donation and who it will help, take a moment to view some of Children’s
Miracle Networks incredible miracle stories by clicking on this link.
These are just a few stories out of millions of kids who are helped by
Children’s Miracle Network hospitals each year.

Please forward this email to other friends and family who may be
interested in supporting the Children's Miracle Network!

Thanks so much for your support and for helping me make miracles happen!

With much love and appreciation,
Marina Inserra
Miss San Diego 2011