Weekend in Ohio <3 May 1- May3

Posing together Ohio and Michigan Teens <3 If you look closely to the left there is another picture of us hanging on that wall!
A sneak peak from my photo shoot with Deb!
Kelsey (my roomie) and I <3
Travis and I on stage as he makes "the fine lines disappear".
Travis and I before going on stage.
Travis and I after he made me beautiful!
The happy drive there. (Nothing like the drive home lol)

Over the weekend, I took a road trip down to Cincinnati, OH to spend time with my wonderful director, Melissa! It was a long 5 hour drive with my sister, Tiffany, and my cousin, Ashton. We played road trip games and video taped ourselves singing songs-- it was hilarious. We got to Melissa's house, where we met up with Ohio Teen as well, and went to sleep right away because it was so late. We woke up extremely early, 4:30 a.m. to be exact, and got ready for a busy busy day! Macy's at Kenwood Mall was having an event with Dior, where we were scheduled to appear and be models for different makeup lines. I was a model for Travis at MAC (everyone loved him). Immediately after that, we went to meet with Deb Knoske, a local photographer and one of my judges (you can see why I love her so much), where we had a photo shoot; she even took some photos of my sister and cousin. I love Deb's photos because she likes to keep them very natural. After, we went back to Melissa's house to watch Miss Teen USA 2008 and really analyzed it. Oh, yeah! And just when we thought we were ready to go to bed at 12 a.m., Melissa was sure to get us up for walking lessons! It was really fun though. The next morning we woke up really late. I worked out, and by the time I was done Melissa's husband made me the most amazing smoothie in the world! Because of him, on the way home I stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond and got myself a Magic Bullet! Overall, I had a great weekend... Minus the long drive home!

<3 Kristen

VEGAS! Miss USA 2009

A few of the other teens, Trump's son, and me!
Me, Miss Photogenic (Jessi, Miss West Virginia), and Ohio Teen <3
YEAH! Michigan
Nevada teen, me, and Kentucky Teen <3
At fashion rocks!
My new best friend and Ohio Teen
Arriving at the airport.. look what I SAWW!

Going to Vegas, I sacrificed my week to study for final exams that I had to take the day I got back. I have to say, it sure was worth it. Miss Ohio teen and I had a lot of fun attending the True Beauty Expo, fashion rocks, Planet Hollywood's pool and after party, and many meetings with our directors. While in Vegas, we also took some photos with Deb Knoske who is SO GOOD its scary! And the pageant itself, was so surreal. I can't explain what it feels like when you know that is what you are going to be doing in a few months. It's really hitting me now. My lovely Miss Michigan-- I could not be more proud of her. Even after the pageant, she was still very grateful and happy that she had that opportunity and did not let anything effect her, proving again that everyone is a winner!

I want to take this time to say I hope everyone comes to the Miss Teen USA pageant on JULY 31, 2009 at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Get YOUR PASSPORTS ready!

<3 Kristen

Carter Studio Photoshoot

Over the weekend, Heather and Jonathan Carter informed me that my proofs were ready. I have never been happier with photos, hair, and makeup! I think they did an awesome job. Here are a few!

<3 Kristen

Lasik eye surgery update!

I got my surgery and it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. My recovery is going really well. The first day was a disaster. My eyes were burning and I couldnt even open them, but the doctor told me that was going to happen. I wanted to cry but I was so scared to because it literally felt like my eye balls would fall out, lol. It's hard to take showers and I have to wear sunglasses all day, but I started to feel MUCH better the nextj day. I will not fully recover for another week and a half, but I could not be happier about doing it.

<3 Kristen

Lasik Eye Surgery

This Wednesday I am getting Lasik surgery on my eyes. I am so nervous. One of my biggest fears is going blind. I do, although, have the privilege to go to one of the best doctos.. in fact he was the first person in North America to perform this surgery on near-sited people (which is what I am), so that relieves a lot of my stress. In the meantime, I am praying for a successful surgery and recovery. Please pray for me as well. I'm sure many of you have gone through surgery as well and know the feeling, but I haven't and I can use your prayers. Thank you!

<3 Kristen

So Much To Do In Pittsburgh

Don Baker, me, and my fabbbbbulous director!


Me, Miss Ohio, and Miss Michigan

Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia girls

My photo shoot with Carter Studios. The best photographers I have EVER worked with!

Me and Chelsea Cooley (Miss USA 2005)


Pittsburgh was so much fun. We met with Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005, Don Baker, a communications guru, AT Dunn, a fitness guru, and our directors to prepare even more for our pageants. They had such important keys to success at our national pageants. These people are the best of the best at what they do, and we have our directors to thank for the time they gave us with them. It was such a fun, relaxing, bonding experience. We had a mock interview session with mock judges, and later had a dinner with the judges. During the weekend, I took photos by Carter Studios. They did everything from the photos to my makeup. I was more than pleased. At the end of this weekend I was so relieved to be at a hotel that was connected to the airport; it allowed me to leave 20 minutes before my flight took off. Unfortunately, I lost my phone and my luggage on the way home (I ended up getting them back two days later!)

<3 Kristen

Fox 2 News

Video Clip from Fox 2

Working Out.

Posing with the Fox 2 news anchor, Kerrie Trompics, and a future contestant in the Miss Michigan Pageant

I had my 5 minutes of fame on Fox 2. I got my makeup done by Barbara Deyo at Touch Salon (I know what your thinking, who wears makeup to the gym.. it was being filmed!). She did a great job. Kerrie Trompics, who usually trains pageant girls, was the trainer in the video clip. She is tough but the things I love about her 1. She talks the whole time making time go by fast 2) She is very hands on 3) You really feel the burn, I mean REALLY! and 4) She really knows what she is talking about. Everything was filmed at Snap Fitness in Birmingham which has a very modern and downtown/city feel. This event was definitely different from the norm and I loved it. I think the video clip explains the rest. Enjoy!

<3 Kristen