Dining Out with the Air Force!

AS 300 Cadets-Chris' class and I, in front of what looks like a giant penny.

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity of singing the national anthem for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 465 annual Dining Out.  This opportunity came to me only moments after I was crowned Miss Omaha 2011.  After greeting my close family and friends I went out into the hallway and found Jessica States, Chris Jeffers, and Kayla Decker all running towards me in congratulations.  After some pictures and talk with friends I noticed that Chris was still hanging around.  He finally aproached me again and asked, "What are you doing November 20th?"  I almost had to laugh, because with the kind of schedule I run, thinking more than a day into the future is a challenge let alone an entire month.  But I found out what the event was and that it would be a Saturday night (usually a pretty safe free night in my planner) so I agreed.  It wasn't until the next day that I found out Miss Lincoln/Star City would be that same evening.  I will say that as Miss Omaha, I almost felt a sort of responsibility to be at the pageant.  But after consulting my director and my mama, we agreed that singing at the ROTC event would be a great place for more doors to be opened to me.  And I was a wonderful experience!  I am definintely satisfied with the decision I made. I do have to confess something here though...because the pageant was happening at the very time I was eating...I may or may not have been hiding my phone under the table at times awaiting updates from Miss State Fair, Kayla Decker :O....shhhhhh don't tell!!  Congrats to Jessica States, the new Miss Lincoln, and Rachel Foelinger, Miss Star City and Meghan Thalken, Miss Lincoln's Outstanding Teen! 

The fabulous Chris Jeffers, planner of the evening. 

Dining Out represents the most formal aspects of Air Force social life.  This event has been a tradition for many years for the Air Force, but not exclusively.  These dinners have become traditions in all the the branches of the armed forces.  It was interesting and entertaining to see some of these very traditions that were a part of the evening.  After the commencement of the Mess, I sang the National Anthem.  I had a different experience than ever before when I didn't get an applause after I sang.  I didn't take any offense to this when I realized the traditions and military procedures.  After many announcements and explanations of the evening, we were able to sit down for our wonderful meal.  I took this time to catch up with Chris and the Jeffers clan and to read the program book.  At the beginning of the night, a few rules were stated...little did I know that these rules covered an entire page in the program.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

• 5.  Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened.  Military protocol overrides all calls of nature.
• 9.  Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English.
• 15.  Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the President first show approval.
• 23.  Thou shalt express they approval by tapping thy spoon on the table.  Clapping of thy hands will not be tolerated.
• 24.  Thou shalt enjoy thyself to the fullest.     

You may consider some of these rules a bit...ridiculous (no clapping, no obnoxious laugher) but don't worry, we were allowed a 15 minute intermission! :)  All in all, the evening was great, even with the harsh rules.  Along with dinner and some commentary provided by Mr. Vice and Mr. Versa, I had the honor of witnessing another tradition...shown below!

The grog.

Yes, this is indeed a toilet bowl, and in my hand is a cup full of the concoction that was inside that very toilet bowl.  The bowl was filled with mildly distasteful beverages including: pickle juice, ginger ale, kool-aid, mustard, lemon juice and a few other ingredients.  Although I though it would be of great entertainment to be sent to the grog myself to drink that nasty fluid...I didn't get sent!  There were a few ways to be sent to the grog.  If you were caught committing a serious breach of protocol or violating any of the 24 rules of the mess, you would be punished by being forced to drink from the grog.  Chris was actually sent because, as the coordinator of the whole event, he set the date during a Nebraska Husker football game.  At the time everyone thought that was a horrible thing, when after seeing the results, I think we were lucky to miss it!  Cadets were also sent with rhymes.  Rhymes were created to, in a sense, humiliate or poke fun at other cadets.  One cadet had a rhyme recited to him about driving a VW bug...while his girlfriend drives a Mustang!  I would have to say this was my favorite part of the evening.  The creativity of the rhymes was very impressive, many even came up with rhymes to throw back and defend their own trip to the grog.

I asked Chris if I could be invited back again next year to sing, and when I do I will come fully equip with a stack of rhymes to send people to the grog! :)

Mr. Vice and Mr. Versa, myself, Chris and a couple lucky cadets chosen for this photo shoot.

Lt. Col Golda T. Eldridge Jr. was the guest speaker of the evening and the newest Hall of Fame inductee.

The evening ended with a speech from the distinguished speaker and Detachment 465 Hall of Fame Inductee, Lt. Col Golda T. Eldridge Jr.  His speech was directed at the cadets but I found it to be very conveniently comparable to the normal citizen, like myself, as well.  Lt Col Eldridge shared with us things that he wished someone would have shared with him; setting goals, making decisions, mistakes, and failures and how to handle them.  He explained that many of us usually seem to have short term goals and long term goals, but we lack the goals that link those two things together.  He challenged the room of cadets not only to consider the immediate goals and the big picture but also the little things that lead up to that, because those are the goals that are sometimes the most important.  In making decisions, he shared that there are three different kinds of decisions; good decisions, bad decisions, and no decision at all.  He encouraged us to make a good decision as often as possible, and when you couldn't to make a bad decision, because any decision is better than no decision at all.  "We all make mistakes," he said, but he emphasized that when those mistakes are made, make them only once and learn from them, and don't make the same mistake again.  The same idea went to failures.  We will all have failures in life, but it is key to learn from them and move past them.  I enjoyed his speech because I was able to relate to these things.  I feel that we can all relate to these situations and I felt that it was very helpful information to be reminded of.

Family picture minus Britt and Charlie.  This is my Team Jeffers...or Batt now I guess!

And this section of my blog is dedicated to my Jeffers family.  I am blessed to have them in my life!  I don't remember exactly when I officially met each of them but they have been watching me since I was a 17 year old competing for Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2007.  At that time I only knew them as Brittany's family, but over the years I have had the opportunity to get to know them personally and am honored by their support.  I specifically remember talking to Mama Lisa after my performance at the Saturday morning brunch at Miss Nebraska 2008.  It was the morning after I gave up my title and I was performing two songs, and afterwards Lisa came up to me and shared that I had nearly brought her husband, Scott to tears with my performance. :)  Now I don't know if that's entirely true but I was so happy to hear that.  Since then I have had their support.  It's such a great feeling knowing that I have supporters outside of my immediate family, who know the ropes, and are always there to root for me and encourage me when I need it.  It was wonderful getting to catch up on my National Sweetheart experiences and my year as Miss Omaha with them.  (By the way...Scott was one of the first people to wish me good luck finals night at National Sweetheart!  It completely made my evening!)  I am so very thankful for each of you and I love you all.  You've been some of my biggest fans, and that means the world!  I cant wait to hear the increase of cheers at Miss Nebraska this year :)

My date for the evening.  We made quite the stud-ly couple!

And for Chris, thank you for inviting me to perform and for being my date.  I had talked to Chris just moments before I arrived at the Cornhusker Marriot Hotel, and he told me to walk in the doors and look for him.  I suggested that he be the one looking for me since you don't exactly blend into a crowd with a shimmery crown on your head.  I walked into a room full of navy blues and thought I was going to have problems finding the man of the hour, luckily the whole crown search worked and he found me.  As I mentioned before, Chris planned this entire event, and because of that he looked a little bit like a chicken with his head cut off, running around making sure everything was done.  And I must say that it helped because the evening went wonderfully!  He did a fabulous job with the entire thing, proud moment!  At some point during a mini photo shoot we were having Chris told me that some of his friends were mistaking me for his sister, Brittany.  I guess the crowns do look the same...although if I remember correctly, there is quite a height difference between Britt and I :).  And not to worry, he explained that, no, I was not his sister but Miss Omaha, and his date.  I was thrilled to participate in this event and I had a blast the entire night.  Plans for the community service book page have already been thought of, thanks to Mama Lisa :)

Despite the Friday night full of doing laundry, the Huskers loss, this was a perfect weekend.  Quite frankly, I've been running into those more and more these days and I've got to admit, I LOVE it!  I am eagerly anticipating the holiday season and can't wait for Christmas.  The YouTubing experiences begin! :)

Potentially my new favorite Christmas song for the year!

A clip from one of my favorite Christmas movies :)

Of course I can't completely focus on Christmas just yet.  So I will share a couple songs I couldn't get out of my head yesterday.  A great weekend to make a great Sunday!

New bumpin' jam!

I'm all dressed up in love <3

The short week is nearing an end already, and I've got an extra kick in my step as it is...this week is going to fly!  I'm anxious to see my family and to spend my only Husker game of the year with some of my closest friends.  I am also doing something crazy this weekend but I can't explain until after I've done it!

Oh ya, yesterday was my half birthday!  The count down to my golden Birthday, the big 21, has begun!!!

Full of love,

Kayla

Miss Omaha

ps.  I purchased tires for my car Bernice this weekend (I feel great about it because I paid for them on my own...and it's not exactly a small purchase) and while at Graham Tire here in Lincoln I met an incredible woman named Judy.  We had great conversation about Toyota's, football, school, pageants (her niece is a former Miss Ohio) ballroom dancing, and life.  It was just a humble experience to hear her stories coming from Germany, being a medic in the Army, teaching ballroom dancing, to raising her family.  Her encouragement for my own experiences, is what caught me off guard.  I could tell that she was genuine.  She laughed while saying that when I become famous, I wont remember ever meeting her.  I told her that I have come to the realization that it is often the little things and little people and experiences that make the biggest impacts in our lives.  Judy, has definitely impacted my life and I am thankful for our meeting and for our conversation.  She is someone that I will not forget. 

lovin' life and everything in it <3

Pictures, Doctor, and NEWS!!!!! :D

I have so much to share today, but I thought I would start with my photos.  I explained my experience in my last post, but these are the results.  Jackie gave me a flash drive of 110 edited photos...do you realize how difficult it is to narrow 110 photos to...hmm..lets say three different headshot photos...I'm ready to pull my hair out!  I just can't decide :/  SO I decided to post 20 photos in a Facebook album and take opinions!  I have a hard enough time deciding what color of socks I'm going to wear in the morning (just for the record, I only have black, white and 4 pairs of colored ones...) so making this decision has become far more challenging that I anticipated.  I have included four of my favorites and I hope you enjoy them!

New headshot?!

This photo makes it into the top 5...I love the colors!

My last post also included a big, nasty, green, mucus man...I was suffering a very nasty cough (still am...a little bit).  I had mentioned that I was going to go to the doctor on Tuesday if it hadn't cleared...well I caved!  After struggling with sleep Sunday night and waking up for work at 5:30am, I didn't know if I would survive (over-exaggerated of course).  I got to work at 6:30am (I work at a daycare in the infant room) and as I was hacking my lungs out, trying to contain my slobber and germs under my armpits my kind-of-boss, Brenda shared with me this:  "I just don't think parents want to hear that right before they pass you their child for the day..."  So, for the first time in my life...I got sent home from work.  I took advantage of this free time and after scheduling a doctors appointment, I slept, and slept, and slept.  I've gotten into this teeny habit of completely filling my schedule with work, school, and activities and then shoving social life into whatever is left.  Because of this...I get a little rundown.  

I'm thinking this one might be perfect for autograph pages!

Extra sleep and the far from delicious medication from the doctor, and I am finally feeling better!  I have lost the constant ab workout from the severe cough attacks...at least I was considering it a workout.  But I did gain quite the two-pack from all the cough-influencing crunches :)  


On to the "NEWS!!!!!!" I mentioned in the title.  As you know, my platform has recently changed to "Make Music Rock" the importance of music education.  I have been looking into different ideas on promoting my platform in the community and I found it.  For the first time I'm announcing...I just teamed up with the Academy of Rock, here in Lincoln!!  Academy of Rock is a non-profit organization that reaches out to children and youth in the community, and teaching them "how to rock".  Professorial musicians around Lincoln  are the instructors at AOR teaching basics in guitar, drums, voice and keyboard.  They offer classes from beginning levels to advanced and place you with other students to create a band.  "AOR builds self esteem and confidence, triggers creativity, and taps into a part of each kid that is just screaming to get out."  I met with the director, Bob Okamoto, and discussed different things that I will be helping with.  I will be volunteering in some of the after school programs AOR does in the community, working with K-2 grades, providing vocal direction.  I will also be sitting in and working with some of the advanced classes and original bands.  

 A few things that I hope to accomplish, being teamed up with AOR, are getting their name out in the community (many people aren't even aware of this organization, even after being around for four year), helping them with their funding (something that Bob told me was their biggest need.  They only charge what is absolutely necessary not leaving much for supplies or instruments), and being the support that they are giving the kids.  I want to make it my own personal goal to raise enough money for Academy of Rock to purchase two guitars.  Bob gave me a tour of the classrooms and I asked him if the kids had their own instruments or if AOR provided them.  He told me that most of the children bring their own but one of the things he would love is to have guitars for children to use, especially those who may not be able to afford them.  Bod showed me the guitars that they have and referred to them as "junk."  With upwards of 140 students playing of them, they will get worn out but guitars in better condition would be very appreciated.  It was then that I made up my mind to try and raise money to purchase two quality guitars to be kept at AOR for students to use.  CRAZY right?!?!  I am beyond excited and thrilled and ecstatic to get started!  Fundamentally, AOR is exactly what I want to promote.  They aren't a public school affiliation, but they are providing children with a huge opportunity to follow their dreams in music and their passion for something that isn't offered in school. 


Academy of Rock Mission Statement:
Through positive mentorship and instruction from professional musicians and artists, the Northeast Family Center’s Academy of Rock program will provide the opportunity for youth of all ages to explore their musical and artistic interests, engage these youth in a creative atmosphere, and empower them to become strong leaders and outstanding team members within a group and their community, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or income.

So there you have it: my news, my health update, and my new photos.  I am off to figure my crazy schedule for next semester.  Juggling full time student status, a full time job at daycare, 4 piano students, a boyfriend (yes I have one...a really good one at that), volunteering at AOR, and my newest edition: directing a show choir, scheduling can be quite difficult.  But I can do it!  I think I can!  I think I can!  I know I can!  I know I can!  Keep me in your thoughts as this crazy life of mine continues and I will continue to update!


YouTube favorites of the week!
It makes me wanna DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!
Great jam :) I hope you enjoy!

I leave you with this photo...wouldn't it make a great autograph page...typical Kayla I'd say :)

Your Miss Omaha,

Kayla :)

Winter (cough) is (cough) COMING!!! (cough, cough)

In my last week...mucus has been ruling.  The title of this blog includes "cough's" because I can't seem to have a normal conversation without being constantly interrupted by this big nasty green guy.  Now, some of you may know my mother and her stubborn self, well, I must inform you that I have picked up on that characteristic from her and because of it, refuse to go to the doctor.  I find sheer dissatisfaction filling out paperwork, to be poked, gagged and prodded at, for the doctor to inform me that, yes indeed I have some chest congestion.  BUT...for everyone who is worried for my health I have made a deal with myself that come Tuesday, if I am not feeling better, I will indeed go to the doctor.  The crazy thing is...my mother requested, or rather threatened that I go.  I fully understand her concern (which in reality isn't necessarily for me, but herself) because she got bucked off her horse on the 2nd of the month and has a broken rib and one fractured one as well.  She informed me that if I have this cough of mine at Thanksgiving, and I give it to her...she'll die.  SO, to avoid the death of my mother, I am dedicated to the healing process.  (Mother is doing much better too!)

(I must insert this here because on Wednesday afternoon I got some very exciting news....BUT I can't share just yet as I need some details first!  This little note acts as my reminder to include this news ASAP!)

My weekend adventures started with my drive to Omaha for my rehearsal for "Dancing With Omaha's Stars!"  I actually headed up myself for a lesson and ran into my sister title holder, Mindy Schreiber, as she had her lesson right before me.  It was lovely seeing her :) and I got to officially meet her beau as well.  After Mindy had left, my dance partner, Jeremy and I, began.  We had already decided that he and I would be dancing the waltz for the competition and Friday we choose the music I will be dancing too!  I am SO very excited for this fundraising event!  I am a musician, not a dancer, although I'm trying really hard! :)  A lot of the waltz is posture and a lot of it is in the back and shoulders, and it all seems so much easier than it is, but I am loving it!  Jeremy and I started some of the choreography on Friday and will continue until the final performance on January 22nd in Omaha!  I sometimes catch myself looking in the mirrors when we rehearse and I get so excited when I see that I really can look like a graceful lady!  I know that's a difficult image to picture but I'm making it happen!  My excitement makes me giddy and jump around like a child in an ice cream store!  I'm thrilled to get this experience.    

After a little bit of a busy weekend, I got to wrap it up with an amazing photo shoot at Holmes Lake in Lincoln, NE.  Yes, I had my photos taken outside in today's 45-50ish degree weather.  The photographer, Jackie (whom I mentioned in my last post) was bundled up in a turtleneck, sweater, and jacket with a hooded scarf.  I was wearing a short sleeved shirt.  Brrrr!!!  Not only did the cold air chill my bones...but you must not forget what state we are in and take the wind into consideration.  The combination of wind, cold, and the amount of time I spent staring directly into the sunlight, forced my eyes to water causing me to have tears rolling down my cheeks throughout the whole shoot! 

 I had to take a photo of Jackie, taking a photo of me :)

Jackie did a great job with the photos and is actually editing them right now so I will have them by tomorrow and will be able to post some of them in my next blog!  Out of the three or four she showed me today, I'm going to have a hard time choosing!  The sunlight was great today, minus the tears, and gave us some great light to take photos.  There were many times I burst into laughter though.  As I was standing in my short sleeved shirt with a crown on my head, smiling brightly at the camera, many spectators were bundled up power walking, jogging, or simply driving by.  I couldn't help but notice their heads turns and the brakes come on as they passed me.  It was this that caused my laughter.  I am very curious to know what they thought of me standing there in a crown, very obviously freezing my tush off. :)  After about five different backgrounds and a couple outfit/earing changes, decided to call it quits.  After trying to figure out how to sign my name with frozen fingers, and a frantic search for my 'lost' phone (I stuck it into my boots while I was sitting so I wouldn't loose it out of my back pocket, you know...like I would remember where I placed it!) I headed home to bake some brownies, make supper and cuddle with my kitty.  

Despite my yucky cough, and the surprise snow this weekend, I am anticipating the coming winter months.  I am anxious for the appearances and activities on my calender and will continue to share!

   

Fancy and Me :) I think this may be our Christmas card photo. 

I leave you with some more favorite YouTube obsessions of the week!

Great Jam #1

You'll be sore if you try this...and I do EVERYTIME! :)

Have a fabulous Monday tomorrow!  Mine will be great!

Ps. Jackie just sent me a sneak peak photo from our shoot today!

Until next time,

Kayla

Miss Omaha :)

It's decided!

This is a look, somewhat like the one I had on my face today, processing my thoughts!

After hours upon hours of mind boggling ideas, I have chosen a new title for my platform.  Make Music Rock.  That's it.  You may be wondering why it would take me all day, my director, and two sisters to come to this conclusion, but it was quite a process.

I began my search on Facebook and got ideas like, "Striking the right chord: the importance of music education." or "Tune in.  The importance of music education."  But, these just weren't hitting the spot for me.  Mulling ideas around in my head brought no new ideas so I choose to start my business card creation on vistaprint.com.  After searching through hundreds of layouts, I narrowed down to six options.  A few girly, feminine ones, a couple music related ones, and a guitar one.  I spent a couple of hours typing in my information, back and forth, to and from one layout to the next until I had finally come down to three.  One was a piano, one a pretty purple and gold swirly one and a rockin' guitar.

Here is where I got stuck.  Because I couldn't decide on a name for my platform, I couldn't decide on a layout for my cards.  So the YouTubing began.  After seeing the returning McDonald's rib sandwich commercial, Matt White was stuck in my head so I began listening to his music, "Love," particularly, over and over and over again.

Song of the week!-Matt White, "Love"
Song of the week 2!-Matt White, "Best Days"

Also, during this time of contemplation, I had the opportunity to speak with a classmate who will be taking new head shots of me!  I am very excited myself, as well as for her!  Our inspiration, so far, is from a photo of Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund.


Jackie and I just LOVE it!  Jackie has just recently taken her hobby of photography deeper, photographing a wedding and I now me!  The plan is to do some outdoor photos next Sunday...in the predicted 51 degrees. :) Guess that means I can bust out my long sleeves.  Jackie doesn't have a website, but as soon as she does I will share it in a blog and as soon as my photos are done they will be here as well!

In this time, I also searched through many sites looking for ideas for potential evening gowns and talent costumes for Miss Nebraska as well! :) I'm oh so excited!


After speaking with my director, Marianne Grubaugh, and both my sisters, Chabree and Brett.  I decided on, Make Music Rock.  Since this decision was now made I could finally move forward in the business card area!  Before choosing my title, I was sure I was set on the piano...but since my platform is rockin' now...I chose the guitar.  It's not necessarily the most feminine, or typical card, but it's definitely me. :)  And I think that is very important.  After editing color, and font and going through twelve pages of products that I could have bought, I ordered my business cards and can't wait to receive them in two weeks!

All in all, it was a successful day to follow a very, well deserved, lazy weekend!

Hello to a new week!
Kayla
Miss Omaha :)

ps. I just started a Twitter account too!  Add that to the list of productivity for the day. :)