February 27, 2011

Honoring Women of Color at Miss USA


In honor of Black History Month I wanted to share this chart. I must admit that I am not the original author (Butler, R. originally cited from Francis AKA Pageant Fan). Needless to say, with only two more days left in February, i.e., Black History Month, what better reason to make a post like this. It is most important to pay tribute to the many women, including myself, who have made history and/or competed in the Miss USA system! If you are interested in competing in the Miss USA or Miss America system, do not hesitate to message me with any inquiries!

<3 Michelyn


Miss Ohio USA 1960 Corrine Huff Semi finals
Miss Idaho USA 1964 Dorothy Johnson....In 1963 the state of Idaho did not compete at Miss USA...The next year Johnson won the title and made it all the way to the Semi finals
Miss Ohio USA 1986 Halle Berry
1st RU to Miss USA
Alabama: 1993, 1996, 2000 (part black), 2002 (biracial)
Alaska: 1979
Arizona: 1976, 1999, 2003 (part black), 2010 (part black)
California: 1994, 2003, 2006, 2007
Colorado: 2000, 2004, 2011
Connecticut: 1976, 1995, 2000, 2002
District of Colombia: 1985-1988, 1990-1998, 2000-2011
Florida: 1987, 2009
Georgia: 1999, 2005
Idaho: 1964, 1988, 2005
Illinois: 2007, 2011
Indiana: 1976, 1993, 2002
Iowa: 2000
Kansas: 1974, 1995 (part black), 1997
Kentucky: 1973, 2008, 2011
Louisiana: 2005
Maryland: 1994, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007
Massachusetts: 1973, 1979, 1988 (biracial), 2001, 2002
Michigan: 1967, 1978, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994 (biracial), 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004
Minnesota: 1973, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2006, 2009
Nebraska: 2001 (Korean/black), 2005, 2007, 2010
Nevada: 1986 (biracial), 1988, 1992, 2004
New Hampshire: 1976
New Jersey: 1970, 1986, 1991, 1994 (afro-latina), 2003, 2004, 2009 (afro-latina), 2010
New Mexico: 1992, 2003, 2009 (biracial)
New York: 1965, 1966, 1972, 1985, 1998, 2000, 2006 (afro-latina), 2008, 2010 (biracial)
North Carolina: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2010
Ohio: 1960, 1970, 1986, 2000, 2003, 2005
Oklahoma: 1985, 1992 (Japanese/black), 1995, 2003
Oregon: 2001, 2003, 2007
Pennsylvania: 1993, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011
Rhode Island: 1997
South Carolina: 1991
South Dakota: 2008
Tennessee: 1990, 1991, 1997, 2000 (debatable), 2007, 2010
Texas: 1995 (biracial), 2008
Utah: 1979
Vermont: 2010 (Afro-Latina)
Virginia: 1994, 2003
Washington: 1985, 1998 (biracial), 2007
West Virginia: 2002
Wisconsin: 1996, 2008, 2011
        
Miss Florida USA 1987 Clotilde Helen Cabrera.. First African American Women to Win Miss Florida USA 1st RU to Miss USA
Miss New York USA 1972 Alberta Phillips 1st RU to Miss USA
Miss Nebraska USA 2001 Sujoing "Sue" Drakeford... First African American women to win Miss Nebraska USA

February 24, 2011

Busy Little Bee


Today I returned from my last trip for the month of FEBRUARY! Oh, you have no idea how excited I am to know that I will NOT be traveling the month of March and am crossing my fingers for the same in April. I am a person who really enjoys routine and all my constant traveling has put a wrench in my daily planning. And, lets not even discuss my productivity... Sigh.


But on a good note, a participant at the conference approached me and shared that my presentation (I was lead author but 3 other ladies from my program also presented and contributed equally) was by far the best she had attended at the conference! WHAT?!?! I still can NOT believe it! Ha, goes to show you that hard work + dedication= SUCCESS!!!

“Michelyn Productivity” begins TOMORROW! I do have a dissertation to propose sometime in this century!

<3 Michelyn

February 15, 2011

Put Your Best Foot Forward

On February 11th my boyfriend turned 30 years old. To commemorate this milestone, I bought him a nice pair of dress shoes! See, I believe that the way a person dresses tells you a lot about their character and where they are headed in life. As a basketball coach, dress wear is essential! I always check out the coaches’ wardrobe. 

Oh wait! This is not normal? So fans do not attend games to view the coaches' wardrobe? Check out the cheerleaders? Ok, haha. I know. Only I do this....

Anyways, I respect a sharp-looking dresser-- they always seem to have more swag and overall professionalism.

Here is a picture of J in his new Allen Edmonds.


He is destined for success!

<3 Michelyn

February 11, 2011

Time is Ticking Away……



Or, is it?


A few posts ago I explained why I enjoy running so much. Specifically, I shared with you my five reasons for running. Reason #3 stated that running is a time in which my mind processes lots of my thoughts. Well, back in November I had a “brain fart” mid-run… I literally forgot how old I was! I actually stopped running and began calculating my age. “Wait”, I thought. “Am I really 28 years-old?... O-M-G! I am!” So after my brief calculation break, my disbelief at my age, I began running again. As an aside, I cannot be certain if the cold weather (20 F) or the long run (9 miles) was the culprit to my inability to recollect my age. I figure both are valid hypothesis.

I continued my run reflecting on the milestones that at one time I had planned for myself. These included that I was to be married by 25 and have my first child by 27 or 28 (there were a host more, but these are the important ones for this post). Well, obviously those milestones did not occur, lol. But what I really realized is that age is just a number and that I am on a journey through life.  Sometimes you can’t put an age criteria for accomplishing a goal or life experience.

This topic resonates because today is my boyfriend’s 30th birthday! This morning I asked if he felt any different and he responded: “I feel like an old man.” Well, I hope he is kidding because I do not think 30 is old at all. Hasn’t he just started?!?

I guess I look at my parents who are nearing sixty and don’t view them as elderly one bit. My mother is still out here dressing fly as ever, going to the gym… Shoot she even decided to be a flight attendant in her 50s. She wanted to do something for herself. She explained that she has lived for others (following my dad around, raising me, etc.) that she now wanted to do something adventurous. I am so proud of her. She travels worldwide and loves it (My father on the other hand... Well, he would be happy if she sat at home, lol).

So I guess this post is for those that are feeling the “clock ticking” or for those that are tired of people asking when will you graduate, get married, have children, start a different job, buy a home….. My message is to make these steps when YOU are ready. People and society, in general, place too much pressure on conformity to certain age-like milestones. I just do not think they are fair! Be you, be different!


<3 Michelyn

February 7, 2011

E-Y-E-B-R-O-W-S

It seems that I am the person that incurs the most traumatic beauty experiences. November 24, 2010 was the last time I had my eyebrows shaped! Can you believe it? Yes, it has been quite a stressful 2 months. I typically have my eyebrows threaded and there is only one lady in Madison who does this procedure. Well, she was definitely experiencing an “off” day and I left her salon the day before Thanksgiving with NO EYEBROWS! Ugh, I was so distraught! I decided on that day that I would allow my eyebrows to “grow out” so that I could have them re-shaped at a later time. Well, over the weekend I traveled to Philadelphia to celebrate my best friend’s baby shower and realized that an intervention (aka eyebrow waxing or threading) had to occur.

My eyebrow horror stories are making me consider a more permanent eyebrow fix. Perhaps I will have them tattooed or laser hair removal. What are your opinions?

I like her eyebrows (and eye make-up):



What should a girl do? I truly must apologize to those individuals that I have encountered over the last two months. My faux pas…


<3 Michelyn

February 1, 2011

Konfession

When getting my mail on Saturday I found the USPS slip for an over-sized package. Now, I must admit that I have an obsession for online shopping and began "jogging" my memory of my last online purchase. At that time, I could not think of anything that I had bought within the last few weeks that I was waiting upon. Well, I had made a purchase for Jen's babyshower, but I was certain that I had that sent to her house...

On Monday morning I went to the post office to retrieve my package and was SURPRISED that it was a gift from my boyfriend <3! I was so excited to open the package and even more elated with what it contained! He bought the "Kardashian Konfidential"book as well as a Vera Bradley notebook. Isn't he the sweetest ever? I called him as soon as I opened the package and thanked him wholeheartedly. Isn't Valentine's just around the corner? He noted that he was aware of the looming holiday, but thought it would be nice to just send me a lil' something. Aww....



Ok, so this gets to my konfession. I am OBSESSED with the Kardashians, especially Khloe! I am really hoping she and Lamar have a show soon. Well, their whole family is my guilty pleasure! I so enjoy following Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe through blogshpere! And Jason is TiVoing all the Kourtney and Kim Take NY! Yipee, I can not wait to watch those :) I know, I have a serious problem.... I was so relieved when my girlfriend Yolanda konfessed she loved them too! That definitely made me feel better, lol!

So, last night I rewarded myself and read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of my new book. I must admit that I am not impressed with the print (i.e., what the girls are writing), but am loving all the pictures! But then again, what should I expect from them, lol. Pure entertainment!

What is your confession?

<3 Michelyn