Thursday in the "Sleepless City"

I’m starting this in hopes that I finish what I started…and that’s my week at Miss America.  Since I posted my first Vegas day over a week ago, it might be assumed that I've died, forgotten how to type, or didn’t have anything else to say about my Vegas trip.  All of those are false, of course, and I’d love to come up with a really cleaver excuse…but it seems like I’m out of whit at the moment and have to give the “ I've been really busy, with school and all” excuse.  Jumping back into the full swing of things since Vegas has been difficult.  But I’m going to try to wrap it up in these next posts. 

NE, NH (Megan), AL (Taylor)

My Thursday was filled with the joy of having not only my Alabama with me but I also got my New Hampshire!  It was so great to finally be together again and because of that we spent the entire day together shopping and trying on…you guessed it, more dresses.  A lot of the “Sweetheart’s” came in today so it was GREAT running into familiar faces!  It was also a fantastic night because Teresa, Miss Nebraska, won the talent prelim!  She did a wonderful job and I was so proud of her! 

Teresa and I

In all the excitement at visitation, I ran into some former judges of mine and some more former competitors as well!  Miss America is such a great place to rekindle all of these relationships.  It was great seeing the girls from sweetheart as well as judges from the last year, but what really made the trip worth while to me was seeing the girls I competed with in the Outstanding Teen program.  It was so great to see how we all transformed from these wild and hyper teenagers to the poised young women we are (possibly still wild and hyper at moments).  Looking back at pictures and recollecting memories from my weeks in Orlando and comparing them to who I am today, is such a crazy experience.  So many of us have stayed in the Miss America system and I hold such a high amount of pride for my former competitors and dear friends they've become.

Miss OK OT '07, Miss NM '10(Miss NM OT '07), Miss NE OT '07

Former judge at Miss Nebraska, Rick Tedrick

NE, AL, Sweetheart Judge, David Weincek, NH, HI

NY & NE (Sweethearts)

And don’t forget the after party photo shoots with my girls and my newest boyfriend!

This is Drew, a patient at CMNH.  Such a precious young man!

Miss Nebraska directors, Jay and Amy

My dear friend Brittany Jeffers (Miss NE '09)

Minnesota's Sweetheart, Lauren and I making faces!

Infamous 'moving face' picture with my AL and NH

Kisses from Hawaii, Alabama, and Nebraska

The prelims were over at this point and that left me with one free day and then FINALS!  I was originally going to incorporate Friday in here as well, but turns out I talked too much for it all to fit in this blog so I will type that one up very soon!  The atmosphere made me want to be at Miss America (as a contestant) so badly.  I had this overwhelming satisfaction being there and I can't wait to continue this adventure of life as your Miss Omaha.

That's all for now ya'll.

Kayla

Miss Omaha

ps.  I found some great videos!

A beautiful cover of this song. I fell in love with her voice!

Wanna smile inside?

A Wednesday in Vegas

Hello trade shows!  After such a long night our hotel room opted to lounge in the room until about noon (we realized if we did this that we could skip breakfast and the rather large bill that would come with it).  Before continuing, I must put in a teeny note here of thanks to my poor uncle who had to put up with Taylor and I’s makeup/flat iron/curling iron/brushes/toothpaste/etc. in the entirety of the bathroom.  For a man who only lives with one woman, putting up with such things could be quite a pain.  But I’m going to take a wild guess in saying that spending quality time with his lovely niece and her beautiful friend wasn’t too terribly hard. :P 

After a lovely lunch in the café of the casino, Taylor and I decided to take advantage of our all access badges and check out the trade shows.  For all of you non pageanty people, the trade show at Miss America is full of dresses by all designers and BLING galore!  Tay played a bit of the mom role today while shopping as she gave me her best insight.  Since having been involved in pageants and being some sort of fasionista (even to the point of having a degree in fashion design) I trusted her opinions.  She was so incredibly helpful in guiding me into the right colors for my skin and my hair and also with the neck lines and cuts of dresses.  I was just trying to get ideas for gowns for Miss Nebraska, and that I did.  We eliminated many different colors right away and decided on a few.  We thought through talent ideas and swimsuit colors…the whole she bang!  It was great having her with me and I can’t wait to complete my wardrobe for Miss NE…who am I kidding…I can’t wait to START my wardrobe for Miss NE!

Ps. I met Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron…even got her autograph on my book!

Our shopping led to the exploration of the infamous “Strip.”  And to put my Uncle Mark at ease, we promised to use the buddy system…no getting stuck in cement tubs! (You may be wondering what the heck I mean by this statement.  It has turned into a bit of a joke but was definitely not a laughing matter when we were watching the news this same day and heard about two girls being kidnapped that were later found in a cement filled bathtub.  Horribly innumerous turned to inside joke.  Oops.)  Fighting through the crowds of inappropriate card holders (you know who I speak of) we managed to find a Monopoly man.  I tipped him a dollar and kindly asked to stand on his box with him for a photo…needless to say he complied.  Then Captain Jack Sparrow himself jumped out to scare the twang right out of Taylor.  We both got our photos with him and may have pretended not to hear him when he told us three times that he accepted tips…I just paid the Monopoly Man, what does he expect? 

Our hotel and home of the Miss America Pageant!

Taylor and I completely enjoyed our day and by the time we had made our way down part of the strip and back up the other side we were ready to sit and relax before the show.  It was then that two men stepped into our vision and begged us for a date.  Now normally I would have declined for more reasons than one.  First, I have a boyfriend, second, I sometimes share too much of myself on a first date and third, I’m kind of picky.  But these men…attractive at that just pulled us right in their direction and forced us to comply.  But after all they are irresistible.

Jerry & Ben

Taylor & Jerry

Ben & I

That’s right.  Say hello to my date Ben and Taylors date Jerry.  The perfect treat.  (Don’t worry; I let my Uncle think long and hard about this one before I told him who the men really were.)

Prep work in the bathroom, assisted the beautifying and before we knew it we were headed to the theatre for the show!  Teresa competed in Lifestyle and Fitness and Evening wear and looked entirely amazing!  I was unable to make it to her send off so I didn’t get to see her wardrobe.  But as many of you have now seen, her dress was gorgeous.  And for a little change in the program, a young boy, Drew and his parents were indrodced and asked to help give awards.  Drew was/is a patient at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and it was such an overwhelming experience to hear his story and the gratefulness his parents had for the MIss America Organization and all that we do to support CMNH. 

Drew, his parents and Miss America's 2008 & 2009

Teresa & I

My Miss New Mexico, Madison Tabet

A lovely conversation with my Miss Vermont :)

AND my sweethearts from SD and AL

Unfortunately, I didn’t have any wild adventures after the show this evening but was incredibly thrilled to get out of heels for the day and momentarily rest my feet for the night.  I was in complete anticipation in seeing my girl from New Hampshire the next day and could not for the white plush of the pillow hit my face as I called it quits on day two in Las Vegas. 

As for my present day (11:06 pm on Thursday evening) I have died my hair, I have chosen my gown for Dancing With Omaha’s Stars, I have not yet completed my homework (but in complete honesty am actually thrilled to do so), have checked off my list of things to do and am ready to go to sleep.  But first I will leave with a set of lyrics and a song that I received in an email from another Aunt.  In all the struggles in life and with every moment in each day, there will be ups and downs.  She helped me realize that in all of that, I can’t become blind to the glory of God’s greatness. 

"Don't Miss The Glory" This is sung by Gordon Mote, who is a blind man. 

Lryics 

I leave you in love,

Kayla

Miss Omaha 

Tuesday Night Prelim at Miss America

The stage at Miss America!

An hour and a half flight, jumping ahead two hours and BAM…I’m in Vegas folks.  So in all actuality I am back home but I will be sharing my everyday from last week with you.  Until I heard and felt the tires on the plane hit the landing strip I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that I was going to be in Las Vegas at the Miss America pageant.  Until that moment, I was just on a plane but after…complete adrenaline coursing through my body in anticipation of seeing my family and my friends and cheering on my girls at the competition. 

Taylor and I (my BAMA Sweetheart)

Right when I made it to the baggage claim my Auntie and Uncle were there waiting for me.  After hugs and loading all of the luggage (mostly mine) we went to get a taxi and I warned my girl Tay from Alabama that’d we’d be at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in no time.  Since the National Sweetheart Pageant in September, Taylor and I have stayed in contact via text and phone calls and I was SO entirely excited to see her.  (and all my other sweethearts, you just come into the story later!) 

I was so completely pumped to experience my second Miss America pageant and to see all of my wonderful former competitors and closest friends.  And of course I was eager to watch Miss Nebraska, Teresa Scanlan as well as my former MAOT’s Caroline Bright, Miss Vermont (my roommate in Florida) and Miss New Mexico, Madison Tabet.  The first night of prelims was fabulous!  Taylor and I were actually able to sit with the Nebraska board…meaning our seats got a lot better!  Teresa did a fabulous job answering her onstage question.  Never would have guessed she was 17!  :) 

Miss New Mexico, Madison Tabet (OT '07) and I

Miss Vermont, Caroline Bright (OT '07) and I

Miss Nebraska, Teresa Scanlan (Miss America 2011) and I 

After the meet and greet, Taylor and I had to find food.  Apparently in all of our excitement to see each other and the show…we forgot to eat.  Since it was after 11pm we were forced to dine in P.F. Changs in the casino where we ordered take out and while waiting for our food rested our incredibly sore feet.  I’m telling you, we pageant girls may be able to walk in heels for an entire week…even dance in them, but we don’t enjoy it one bit.  We got our food though and because my auntie and uncle were already sleeping (they couldn’t compete with our youth) we changed into our jammies and ate on the floor in the hallway.  While sitting here people kept walking by with questioning looks in their eyes until two women just came out and asked, “Are you Miss America contestants?”  As to which we responded with a simple, “No.” although we both would have liked to express our concern that would be in the organization if they really did let two contestants sit in the hallway to eat with chopsticks.  Oh, the things people think of.  

NE, AL, MA, PA, KY (all sweethearts of course)

For my first day in Vegas, I would call this a success. 

More to come as always,

Kayla Batt

Miss Omaha 

Long Time, No Talk

          Does it seem like forever for you too?  In all of the holiday hustle and bustle, I have managed to set aside my duties as a blogger, but not to worry, I’m back!  I’m going to throw this into rewind mode momentarily to do some catch up.  Since my last post I finished my fall semester of school, had two piano recitals, and a Christmas program at work.  I traveled home to Alliance for Christmas, where on my journey I experienced driving on black ice for my first time.  Luckily, with my mother’s warnings and my cautious driving skills I made it past the miles of ice only to find myself staring into the back end of a huge buck in the road.  Again with those cautious skills, I dodged the deer and made it safely home to spend a few days with my family.  It was a little different as it was just my little sister, parents and I (no big sisters) but I had a great time and even got to catch up with some old friends.  I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home and another amazing Christmas celebration. 

And with the New Year comes new adventures.  I will begin my new schedule next week, with 13 credit hours of school, 40 hours of daycare, 6 hours of piano lessons/choir, 4 hours of babysitting, and 11 hours of volunteering.  Crazy I know!  I love that I will be busy and I’m eager to continue this great start to 2011. 

This Saturday I had the opportunity to go to an Omaha Lancer’s hockey game in support of Leap-for-a-Cure for brain cancer.  My sister title holder, Mindy and I were asked to come, crown and sash prepared, to help sell raffle tickets (pie a Lancer in the face!) and raise money for the organization.  (Mindy also got to sing the National Anthem and did WONDERFULLY!)  Before I headed over to the Civic Auditorium though, I made a stop at Nicole Pannenton’s new store, Sublime Couture.  Nicole graciously offered to loan me some of her dresses for my upcoming week and I was eager to see the new store.  IT’S BEAUTIFUL!  I had a wonderful experience and the help was amazing!  I highly recommend this store to girls looking for any kind of dress, whether it is for prom, a wedding, homecoming, or pageants!  There were SO many fun options and a ton of gorgeous jewelry and accessories as well!  So a HUGE thank you to Nicole (Mrs. Nebraska 2009) for loaning me some dresses!

Mindy and I with the mascot, Frogen-daus!

Mindy, Jean & I

Mindy, me, and an adorable little fan!

A Lancer player who just NEEDED a photo with me.

Mindy and I with our dance partner Jeremy :)

Back to the Lancers game: Mindy and I had a great time catching up while we strutted down the hallways anxiously hoping for donations.  We were pretty great at what we did! :)  We met many fans of the team and also of our own…even got asked out on a couple dates…which we did turn down.  As we finally took our seats to watch the game (and rest our feet…that we both choose to unwisely to dress in horrifying high heels) we looked down the row and saw our dancing with the stars partner, Jeremy.  What a small world!  We had an amazing time and despite the swollen feet, can’t wait to participate again.

RAFFLE TICKETS LAST CALL!!!

     And as I leave you now know that when I return I will have endless words to say, stories to tell, and pictures to flaunt.  In a few hours this girl is headed to Vegas to watch the 53 most beautiful women in the country, compete for the title of Miss America 2011!  I get to reunite with my fellow MAOT’s and my Sweethearts!  (Also the most beautiful and talented women in the country!)  So to all of you stuck in the snow…I’m sorry…hah, who am I kidding!  I can’t wait to see the sun shining and feel the 60 degree weather upon my arrival in the beautiful city of Las Vegas, Nevada!

Goodbye Nebraska....Hello Las Vegas!

Kayla

Miss Omaha 

The goods, bads, in betweens and understandings.

Originally, I was going to dedicate this post to my entire Thanksgiving weekend.  That would be my Wednesday-Sunday of last week.  No secrets about it.  But I’ve decided that’s not all I’m going to focus on.  I will post some photos and share some details about my weekend but I want to share how happy/thankful/grateful I am for the people in my life.  This last week has seemed to open my eyes to how truly blessed I am and I can’t ignore that.

But to start my weekend:  A drive to Sioux City watching the rain turn to drizzle and then to ice, on my car.  Upon my arrival my little sister Dani and I had a bit of a photo shoot.  

I had to catch up on the, apparently, new ‘cool’ wear-your-pony-on-the-top-of-your-head hairstyle.  (I beg to differ)  Thanksgiving eve and day were filled with tons of cooking and baking.  And after thanking God for the many blessing we all shared that day, my mama Teri, sister Dani, and sister Chabree and her boyfriend Travis and I got to enjoy all of our hard work.  I must say, no offense to Gma Mary, but this was indeed the best Thanksgiving dinner I have experienced. 

After dinner we all got on the computer and Skyped my sister in California, Brett.  It was great being able to see/talk to her and my bother-in-law and niece.   It has been a blessing to have a sister so close in Iowa, and a struggle having one all the way in California.  Although visiting is always a nice vacation, Brettie and her family are missed greatly.  (Here’s that shout out Bettie! Love you!)

My Friday began with dragging the sis out of bed at 6am, to get on the road to beat game day traffic.  Again, a photo shoot was a must, although my sister wasn’t thrilled with the idea, she caved.  

I then got to spend my entire day with my boyfriend Joel, my best friend Sarah, and my best friend Abby and her boyfriend Reid.  Cheering on the Huskers at the Colorado game was (much to my dismay) my first Husker game this year!!  But I bundled myself up in layer upon layers and stayed warm and had a great time.

Sarah, Abby, and I

Me and Joel

Saturday began much later, as I took a well deserving opportunity to sleep in.  I spent a ton of time trying to figure out what I would wear to my Out of State Performance and with some opinions via phone by my mom and from Joel, I decided.  I left Lincoln around 4pm and chatted on the phone with my Alabama’s Sweetheart Taylor Yates, and it wasn’t until I got off the phone with her (40 minutes outside of Sioux City) that I realized I had forgotten my cocktail dress for my performance.  With some frantic searching at the local Younker’s, mom and I found a wonderful dress (on sale at that) and I thought my problems had been solved. 

I forgot my hair product.  I forgot my tennis shoes for work Monday.  I forgot my toothbrush and toothpaste (luckily I keep an extra at my sister’s house!)  Mother and I had our fair share of arguments on the drive to Minneapolis, and a fair share of wrong turns on the way home.  By the time we got back to Sioux City after my Out of State Performance, I was eager to get home.  So instead of spending the night in Iowa I packed two pieces of pumpkin pie in some Glad-wear and left town for Lincoln.  I had a half tank of gas and nothing to drink so I pulled over at a gas station to get a redbull…and couldn’t find my debit card.  It was this moment that I nearly lost it. 

I was once asked in an interview, “Many titleholders, especially state title holders, have blogs.  All of them are always positive.  People clearly realize that not everyone is perfect, like these girls are making it seem.  Do you think its okay to include negative things in a blog that everyone can see?”  Folks, this is my negativity coming out right now.  Not everything in the life of a titleholder goes smoothly, just like anyone else.  Thanksgiving weekend was stressful and overwhelming and I take all the blame for it.  It was my decision to cram everything into the weekend that I did and understood that it would be crazy.  And it was.  But just because I’m a titleholder, I’m not excluded from stress or arguments with my mom or forgetful mishaps or complaints.  I am human like everyone else and these things happen.  But a phone call, Christmas lights, a clean house, candles and a hug solved it all.  

And the gratefulness begins.

Through all of this stress I dealt with, I began realizing how many things I have to be thankful for.  And how many people count on my good attitude daily and the smile I wear on my face.  Yes, because I am a real person, a real girl, I suffer real problems, but at the same time, I hold certain expectations of myself to turn those things around as fast as possible.  The week continued with little stresses here and there but it seemed with every stress I had, I was able to see a positive side of the same situation.  I sometimes forget that my behavior affects so many people.  I usually do a great job maintaining my normal carefree, happy, excited-self, but there are times where that fades.  But as the week progressed, my attitude was much better and my appreciation for everyone surrounding me has grown.  I got to spend my Friday night at Beta’s Formal with Joel and then family Christmas Saturday.  In the short amount of time I had to make relationships with everyone this week/weekend, I could see and feel the care in their eyes. 

As Miss Omaha I am representing so many positive programs and organizations…it’s inspirational to tell everyone all the things I get to do (like the Polar Plunge next weekend!) and everything I represent.  I find joy in being a part of such an amazing program.  At this point in my… everything, my heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude.  Despite all the things that have gone wrong, that are going wrong, or that could go wrong, I am in the happiest place I have ever been.  During my entire week last week I felt the need to cry because of my negative stresses, but this morning I fought back tears of joy; in realization that I am loved by those around me and in acknowledgement that the little negatives in life, can’t take away, me.  I’m always going to be who I am just polished at times and crazy at other times. 

Thanks for listening to my complaints, conquers, and sap story.

Youtube adventures of the day: 

 This song is for my Abby.  Cheers to a private laundry party and watching old episodes of GLEE on my own :)

I think this song does a great job in describing my realizations this week.  Please listen & I hope you enjoy.

Sealed with love,
Kayla
Miss Omaha 2011 :)

Out of state performance!!

This particular blog has been mulling around in my mind for an entire week now and I have finally found time to post it!  To all my readers, particularly Rance, here is the blog you’ve been waiting for.  I had quite the adventurous Thanksgiving weekend full of family, food, friends, and traveling.  In the course of my five day holiday, I spent 17 ½ hours driving.  Crazy, yes, but definitely well worth it.  I’m going to leave out a huge chuck of my weekend for another post to follow and focus on my BIG experience on Sunday. 

In September this year, I had the honor of competing at the National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Illinois.  I competed with 37 girls from different states and had an amazing time.  I have been trying to stay in contact with many of the girls via phone calls and Facebook creeping.  If part of my daily creep attacks of the Sweetheart girls, I noticed that Miss Minnesota’s Sweetheart, Lauren Johnson(current Miss Twin Cities), was going to be performing at the Mall of America.  I thought to myself…”That’s only seven and a half hours from Lincoln…I wonder when she’s performing, maybe I could go watch!”

So…the adventure starting churning.  I asked Lauren when she’d be performing and told her all about my idea of coming up to visit her and make my first trip to the Mall of America.  She told me she and her sister title holder, Aja Majkrzak, would be performing on November 28^th.  A little side note here: Lauren’s pageant director, Kathy Shellum, commented on my Facebook post and told me she had judged me at Miss Omaha last year and that I should come and perform with her titleholders!! :D  Great idea?  YES!  After working out a few kinks, I had agreed to be at the Mall of America on the 28^th at 11am. 

This was originally supposed to be a trip of my own because I couldn’t find anyone who was willing to ride with me and home, but it turned out that I needed to be in Sioux City (where my big sis Chabree lives) on Saturday, making the 7 ½ hour drive only 5 hours.  And after a little convincing, I was able to talk my mom into making the drive with me.  Let’s just say that 4:45am isn’t usually my typical holiday weekend wakeup call, but in order to get to Minneapolis in time we needed to be on the road at 6am.  I conned mom into driving so I could catch some more shut eye and before I knew it, we were in Minneapolis pulling into the Mall of America parking garage.  A little wardrobe swap in the car and the mounting of my crown and I was set!

Me, Aja & Lauren

Lauren performing. 

I was SO anxious to see Lauren that I nearly screamed when I saw her beautiful face coming around the corner!  After some pictures and catch up we were ready to begin the performance.  Lauren started the show playing the piano, followed by Aja playing the violin. During their performance, I sat in the audience in my crown and sash watching the shoppers showing interest in what was taking place on stage.  One particular shopper stood out to me.  Her name is Ella. 

          Ella was with her dad and grandpa, and I caught her staring with amazement at the two “princesses” on stage.  She looked so eager to run right up on stage to say hello to them.  I got her dad’s attention and after a few minutes of trying to peel her eyes of the stage she turned, looked at my sash and then my crown, and as her eyes grew wider, so did the smile on her face.  It’s these moments that make everything worthwhile for me.  I waved and smiled at her and coaxed her into coming to talk to me.  She told me all about her day, how she was going to go on a ride in the Nickelodeon Universe.  We spent some time talking about her family; she has one brother.  When I asked her if she was older than him or younger than him she responded like this: “I’m older than him…but, but he’s older than me too.”  SO precious!  She told me that her brother was shopping with mom, and I asked if she liked to shop too.    We also counted how many princesses there were and took some pictures too. 

These moments, these little girls, make it so clear of the importance we, as titleholders have.  Ella, among thousands of other girls, looks up to each of us in so many ways.  Seeing the joy in her eyes as I took 10 minutes out of my day to talk to her, is indescribable.  I like to think that this is a moment that she won’t forget for many years.  Her grandpa told me as they were leaving; that she LOVES dressing up like a princess and that spending time with her, really made her day.  She left the rotunda with a smile on her face so large that it lit up the room.  She turned around, ran up to me and said, “It was so nice meeting you!”  She melted my heart.

I went back to watching the performance on stage where Aja and Lauren had switched things up (Aja on piano and Lauren singing).  Lauren had mentioned she hadn’t ever really performed in front of an audience, so I took the liberty in recording it for her. :)  Unfortunately, I can't share that video with you, as my blogger wont allow it...hummph.  But it is beautiful :) 

I was then asked to come on stage and talk a bit about myself and my platform, before we all performed together.  I loved watching the audience and shoppers as I was singing, especially the younger children who got big smiles when I waved to them.  After singing a few Christmas carols the performance was over.  I would have loved to perform more but I still had a great time.  It was lovely meeting Aja, and seeing both Kathy and Lauren again.  The bittersweet moments of goodbyes ended with a small photo shoot and the joys of seeing each other in a little over a MONTH at Miss America in Las Vegas, Nevada!!  WOOOOO!!

Speaking about my platform, Make Music Rock.

Performing with Lauren and Aja.

My beautiful friend, Lauren!

I had a wonderful time I gained experience as well.  I received some helpful critiques and got to do a little shopping.  I must say though, I don’t think I will be making many trips back to the Mall of America…I don’t think it was exactly my cup of tea.  I like the internet, and California, and Denver, Vegas…etc.  But I loved my first trip and am very thankful for my Sweet<3, Lauren, and for the opportunity I had in performing.  Can’t wait to see you in VEGAS!!

The real us :)

In conclusion, as always, I leave you with some videos from YouTube :)

Laughter from Sarah during our study date!
Song obsession of the week...or maybe longer :)

I have been a little loopy this week as the semester is wrapping up.  I think that it's finally getting to me, all the hustle and bustle I do on a daily basis.  This song makes me smile when I'm thinking about all that's good in my life instead of the struggles, even makes me dance :)

And a little Christmas music!

Off to bed, for the beauty sleep I'll need for my exciting weekend.

Until next time,
Kayla
Miss Omaha :)