Life is oh-so good

Hello everyone! I hope life is treating you well and that you are enjoying the warm (and early spring?) weather we are having! Here is what your Miss Chain of Lakes has been up to lately.

New Year, New Job—I started out 2017 at a brand new place of employment. I am still a CNA, still working in memory care, and still learning so many valuable life lessons while spending a lot of time with wonderful residents. I love getting up, going to work, and putting smiles on the faces of my residents, even though some days that means waking up at 4 am!

Living out my platform—Kindness doesn’t take a vacation. Before heading to the airport to catch our flight home from our family trip to California, I walked the San Diego streets handing out bottled water to homeless people. If you have ever been to California, one of the first things you notice is the considerable number of homeless people everywhere. It turns out that roughly 20% of the U.S. homeless population lives in California. After driving through downtown Los Angeles and around the Pacific Coast, I decided to act instead of just being a bystander in the situation.

It was a simple act, but it still made an impact on each person I encountered. Even if you cannot save the world, you can help in some way, so go out and do it! 

The Red Affair—I had a great time volunteering at The Red Affair fundraiser hosted by Jungle Red Salon! It was a fun event for a great cause. Proceeds were donated to Avenues, a non-profit that provides housing and support services to homeless youth in our community. Through these services, Avenues helps youth make a successful transition into young adulthood.

Job Shadowing—I love to take advantage of all opportunities I can find to get out in my desired field. This time, I shadowed in pediatric bone marrow transplantation. What a truly eye-opening experience to do rounds on brave, courageous children with an incredibly intelligent and compassionate team of health care professionals. 

Miss St. Croix Valley/River Valley Pageant—I love attending local pageants as a titleholder because I get to meet more of the Miss Minnesota class and welcome the new members! Another highlight of that night was that I helped in the crowning of MY NEW TEEN:)

My Teen—Team Chain of Lakes is now complete! My new teen queen, Eden, and I have done so much together in just the short amount of time we have known each other. How did I get so lucky to have such an awesome sister queen? I cannot wait for our year together and to cheer her on at state. 

Miss MN Wardrobe—I am truly grateful for the wonderfully generous sponsorship Aubony Bridal provides the Miss Minnesota contestants. Thanks to Pam, I found the perfect wardrobe for the Miss Minnesota stage. Want to see my beautiful gowns??? Well, you will just have to wait until Miss MN week to see! ;)

JDRF Walk—I had such a great morning with part of the Miss Minnesota class at the Mall of America supporting our Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen and JDRF at the JDRF walk to end T1D. JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. I love participating in events that raise awareness for important causes, especially T1D because it is so near and dear to my heart. I walked for my mom and the millions of others battling this devastating disease. #CrownsToCureT1D #AWorldWithoutT1D #MissMNServes #TypeOneToTypeNone

IHOP National Pancake Day—March 7 was National Pancake Day at IHOP which means you received a free stack of pancakes in exchange for "putting your money where the miracles are" by donating to Children's Miracle Network! Eden and I went to IHOP together, greeted guests, thanked them for donations, and enjoyed some delicious pancakes :) Thank you to all across the nation who donated to make miracles happen for CMN kids <3

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Well, Miss Minnesota week is officially less than 100 days away! Every day, I wake up thankful for my health, my loved ones, and this opportunity I was given to represent my community and change the world. I am not taking any second of this for granted. 

Be kind to one another,
Allie