Hi Friends,
I'm writing to you from my on-campus apartment, as my roommate unpacks and holiday music is blasting through our paper-thin walls...gotta love college. We all have just returned from our Thanksgiving Break, and what a wonderful weekend I had out in Seattle, Washington!
My Aunt Jenn and Uncle Pat moved out to Seattle in the early '90s. I have never been out there to visit their home, but what better time than as I'm preparing to become Miss America to travel across the country for the first time? I flew from coast to coast, adjusted to the time change, and am now working on re-adjusting to our Eastern time zone. It's almost 1 am here, yet I am not quite tired enough to retire for the night. I'm not sure what my roommate's excuse is for staying awake!
Before I dive into my most recent adventure, I just have to say that airports fascinate me. They really do. The fact that you can see so many people from all over the world, with completely different life stories, in one building in one moment...and then possibly, or rather, most likely never see them again. It's intriguing huh? I love seeing faces--and the many expressions that can be seen in the airport. Perhaps I'm being bizarre, but I enjoy airports.
On Wednesday morning, my dad dropped me off at the Logan Airport in Boston where I had a quick flight to Washington, DC. I found my gate right away (my mom gets nervous when I travel alone and always makes sure I call her right when I find the gate) and luckily had some time to grab a bite to eat before my 6 hour flight to Seattle. I have never been in a plane for 6 hours, and before I even boarded the plane, I found myself looking through my bags to find ways to entertain myself. I brought a book to read, one of my current event magazines, a notebook to write down my ideas (I brainstorm A LOT) and headphones to listen to music on the plane or watch whatever movie the plane provided for entertainment. However, to my surprise, I found that I did not need these items to keep my entertained. For 6 hours, I had a blast talking to my new friends Swen and Isaac, who I happened to be seated next too... somehow I always get the middle seat in the plane. My plane companions were both college-aged students, one from PA, and one who is from Seattle but goes to school in RI...both on their way to visit family for Thanksgiving. Somehow the plane ride flew by (no pun intended) as we shared stories and looked at photos and movies saved on Isaac's computer. You can meet interesting people any where you go, as long as you're willing to open up and reach out. Little did I know that my simple question of "would you like some gum?"--would turn into a fun conversation that lasted for hours. It's great that I now have two more people from different areas of our country supporting me as I work towards becoming Miss America 2010.
I have never been to the west coast (I'll probably mention this over and over), and it was really a big deal for me. When I think of the west coast, I think of Hollywood, Glamour, Movie Stars, Fashion, Sunshine, Surfing. I guess I never really picture normal, every day life. Well, now that I read what I just wrote, I guess that I associate the west with my vision of "Los Angeles"--but nonetheless, the west coast has always been as place I wanted to travel to and explore. I remember when I was younger I would write letters to my favorite stars--John Travolta, Mary-Kate and Ashley...anyone who I thought would read my letter and want to star with me in a movie. I had an urge to be famous. An urge to be known all over the world. I would dream of being famous on a daily basis. At a young age, I realized how those who were famous had a great influence on "us common people," and I wanted to use my fame to help others. I thought I had to be famous in order to make a difference. It's funny to read through my old diaries, as I read about how I wanted to be an actress, singer, dancer, writer...I would write musicals, plays, movies, songs. I would create dances. I would recruit my friends and neighbors to learn my songs and dances, and would knock on all the doors in the neighborhood to have my neighbors watch our performances in my front yard. I will never forget recording one of my songs with my class in the 2nd grade, or how I wrote an application to be a contestant on "The Mole" at age 13. I'm pretty sure the minimum age requirement was 21. I've always had big dreams and big goals, and for many years, all of those dreams could be found out in the West. Luckily, I've learned you don't need to be famous to make a difference. But, back to the story: It was great to start my exploration with Seattle, a truly wonderful city.
My first night in the "emerald city," I went to my aunt's home and met with my makeup artist who will be joining me in Vegas. We went upstairs to practice my look, and I had a blast learning some techniques. I have never been skills in the hair/make-up department, but I've enjoyed learning along the way. I went out to dinner with some of my Aunt and Uncle's friends, and then we went to a club that my uncle was taking photos at for a charity event. It was a great evening, except for my exhaustion from a day of traveling and not being use to the 3-hour time difference. Too bad I don't drink coffee!
Thanksgiving day was one of the most relaxing days I've had since being crowned Miss Vermont. I slept in, which for me, sleeping until 9am is sleeping in, and then I spent the majority of the day reading. I read Sam Haskell's "Promises I Made My Mother"--a wonderful quick read, and then began reading "The Lovely Bones"--which I'm 3/4 finished. I can't remember the last time I've had time to read a non-school related book. It was glorious.
Thanksgiving Dinner was delicious! I sent text messages to many of my lovely Miss America Sisters and enjoyed hearing how we all threw our Miss America diet out the window for this feast. Although, I don't think I call my training a "diet"-- since I still eat the majority of my favorite foods, including chocolate! Yum.
Friday was filled with shopping with my Aunt Jenn...we walked all over the place and I ended up buying three items that I love and will take with me to Vegas. I also got to see the original Starbucks! Although it was Black Friday, we did not seem to be stuck in a crowd until 5pm at night....when a Tree Lighting Ceremony began. Seattle sure loves their Christmas Lights--I don't blame them. Their streets were beautifully decorated and reminded me of Church Street. In fact, there are a lot of similarities between Seattle and Burlington, VT. I felt comfortable in this city right away. My aunt and I had to fight through the crowd like a fish swimming upstream, in order to get to the car. Right after our shopping mission I met with my hair-dresser for Miss America and discussed different styling ideas. I'm so thankful to have this team helping me present the best Laura Hall while in Vegas.
Saturday morning arrived far too soon...but, I did have something to look forward to when I arrived at the airport. Miss Washington came to greet me! Devanni and I exchanged numbers while in Orlando this August, and I'm glad she was available while I was in town! We met at the Starbucks in the airport...very appropriate, right?! (Starbucks began in Seattle)
I'm writing to you from my on-campus apartment, as my roommate unpacks and holiday music is blasting through our paper-thin walls...gotta love college. We all have just returned from our Thanksgiving Break, and what a wonderful weekend I had out in Seattle, Washington!
My Aunt Jenn and Uncle Pat moved out to Seattle in the early '90s. I have never been out there to visit their home, but what better time than as I'm preparing to become Miss America to travel across the country for the first time? I flew from coast to coast, adjusted to the time change, and am now working on re-adjusting to our Eastern time zone. It's almost 1 am here, yet I am not quite tired enough to retire for the night. I'm not sure what my roommate's excuse is for staying awake!
Before I dive into my most recent adventure, I just have to say that airports fascinate me. They really do. The fact that you can see so many people from all over the world, with completely different life stories, in one building in one moment...and then possibly, or rather, most likely never see them again. It's intriguing huh? I love seeing faces--and the many expressions that can be seen in the airport. Perhaps I'm being bizarre, but I enjoy airports.
On Wednesday morning, my dad dropped me off at the Logan Airport in Boston where I had a quick flight to Washington, DC. I found my gate right away (my mom gets nervous when I travel alone and always makes sure I call her right when I find the gate) and luckily had some time to grab a bite to eat before my 6 hour flight to Seattle. I have never been in a plane for 6 hours, and before I even boarded the plane, I found myself looking through my bags to find ways to entertain myself. I brought a book to read, one of my current event magazines, a notebook to write down my ideas (I brainstorm A LOT) and headphones to listen to music on the plane or watch whatever movie the plane provided for entertainment. However, to my surprise, I found that I did not need these items to keep my entertained. For 6 hours, I had a blast talking to my new friends Swen and Isaac, who I happened to be seated next too... somehow I always get the middle seat in the plane. My plane companions were both college-aged students, one from PA, and one who is from Seattle but goes to school in RI...both on their way to visit family for Thanksgiving. Somehow the plane ride flew by (no pun intended) as we shared stories and looked at photos and movies saved on Isaac's computer. You can meet interesting people any where you go, as long as you're willing to open up and reach out. Little did I know that my simple question of "would you like some gum?"--would turn into a fun conversation that lasted for hours. It's great that I now have two more people from different areas of our country supporting me as I work towards becoming Miss America 2010.
I have never been to the west coast (I'll probably mention this over and over), and it was really a big deal for me. When I think of the west coast, I think of Hollywood, Glamour, Movie Stars, Fashion, Sunshine, Surfing. I guess I never really picture normal, every day life. Well, now that I read what I just wrote, I guess that I associate the west with my vision of "Los Angeles"--but nonetheless, the west coast has always been as place I wanted to travel to and explore. I remember when I was younger I would write letters to my favorite stars--John Travolta, Mary-Kate and Ashley...anyone who I thought would read my letter and want to star with me in a movie. I had an urge to be famous. An urge to be known all over the world. I would dream of being famous on a daily basis. At a young age, I realized how those who were famous had a great influence on "us common people," and I wanted to use my fame to help others. I thought I had to be famous in order to make a difference. It's funny to read through my old diaries, as I read about how I wanted to be an actress, singer, dancer, writer...I would write musicals, plays, movies, songs. I would create dances. I would recruit my friends and neighbors to learn my songs and dances, and would knock on all the doors in the neighborhood to have my neighbors watch our performances in my front yard. I will never forget recording one of my songs with my class in the 2nd grade, or how I wrote an application to be a contestant on "The Mole" at age 13. I'm pretty sure the minimum age requirement was 21. I've always had big dreams and big goals, and for many years, all of those dreams could be found out in the West. Luckily, I've learned you don't need to be famous to make a difference. But, back to the story: It was great to start my exploration with Seattle, a truly wonderful city.
My first night in the "emerald city," I went to my aunt's home and met with my makeup artist who will be joining me in Vegas. We went upstairs to practice my look, and I had a blast learning some techniques. I have never been skills in the hair/make-up department, but I've enjoyed learning along the way. I went out to dinner with some of my Aunt and Uncle's friends, and then we went to a club that my uncle was taking photos at for a charity event. It was a great evening, except for my exhaustion from a day of traveling and not being use to the 3-hour time difference. Too bad I don't drink coffee!
Thanksgiving day was one of the most relaxing days I've had since being crowned Miss Vermont. I slept in, which for me, sleeping until 9am is sleeping in, and then I spent the majority of the day reading. I read Sam Haskell's "Promises I Made My Mother"--a wonderful quick read, and then began reading "The Lovely Bones"--which I'm 3/4 finished. I can't remember the last time I've had time to read a non-school related book. It was glorious.
Thanksgiving Dinner was delicious! I sent text messages to many of my lovely Miss America Sisters and enjoyed hearing how we all threw our Miss America diet out the window for this feast. Although, I don't think I call my training a "diet"-- since I still eat the majority of my favorite foods, including chocolate! Yum.
Friday was filled with shopping with my Aunt Jenn...we walked all over the place and I ended up buying three items that I love and will take with me to Vegas. I also got to see the original Starbucks! Although it was Black Friday, we did not seem to be stuck in a crowd until 5pm at night....when a Tree Lighting Ceremony began. Seattle sure loves their Christmas Lights--I don't blame them. Their streets were beautifully decorated and reminded me of Church Street. In fact, there are a lot of similarities between Seattle and Burlington, VT. I felt comfortable in this city right away. My aunt and I had to fight through the crowd like a fish swimming upstream, in order to get to the car. Right after our shopping mission I met with my hair-dresser for Miss America and discussed different styling ideas. I'm so thankful to have this team helping me present the best Laura Hall while in Vegas.
Saturday morning arrived far too soon...but, I did have something to look forward to when I arrived at the airport. Miss Washington came to greet me! Devanni and I exchanged numbers while in Orlando this August, and I'm glad she was available while I was in town! We met at the Starbucks in the airport...very appropriate, right?! (Starbucks began in Seattle)
I had an incredible trip...and I am just thankful for all of the opportunities that I have been having this year.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for your love and support.
I am Thankful for being your Miss Vermont.
Warmly,
~Laura
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