Fin

The past year has been so incredible. It's hard to believe it's over already, and being back in Mobile for National Finals again brought around deja vu in all the strangest ways.
The two weeks I spent down in Mobile for finals were so fun and fast and furious. Amid speeches, rehearsals, costume hunting, moving in and out of my host home (twice), meeting new people and visiting old friends, governors visits, interviews with radio/newspaper/television, and more official dinners than you would think you could consume in a lifetime, the nostalgia of these final moments settled in lightly. I wanted to be sure that I didn't miss the gravity of the end. Still there were still some moments when my stomach would catch up with my mind, and I can't say I was a fan of the feeling.
Finals came and went, and the flurry of performances were just as exciting as last year, if in a different way. A huge congratulations to Madison Leonard, The Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2009! Her year's about to spin.
Thank you so so very much to everyone who has helped me throughout this whirlwind adventure. I could never, ever, ever have done it without you. From my little sister helping me steam my dress over a pot of boiling water before my local program almost 2 years ago, to the travel pillow from my girl scouts, that gave me a fabulous sleep on the plane home just last week. It's been great fun, and I owe that all to all of you.
Life's not slowing down too much. I just spent the last 10 days in China, and am currently sitting in a crowded airport terminal waiting to go to Maine and New York. Life never stops being exciting, and of that I'm very grateful.
I believe that there are a few exceptional experiences in one's life that will truly embed themselves into who we are and shape us as people. I am proud and thrilled to say that this program has provided so many of those experiences for me. I am a vastly different person now than I was two years ago, and I have learned so much. My gratitude is deep, my memories are sweet, and my future is brighter because of this year. Thanks for everything, and I'll see you soon.