LOST IN LOS ANGELES

Dear 2009, Well it's your last day with us and I have to say that it's been an interesting year.  We have had our good times and bad, our ups and downs, we have found love and lost our hearts, found our inner strength,  and the courage to go were other fear to tread.  We have dealt with the heartbreak of losing loved ones, the joy of new experiences, and the thrill of changing history! While I morn your passing, I look forward to a new year - a fresh chapter, ready for the experiences to unfold!  With another pageant to compete in, I know 2010 will be challenging me to be the best that I can be! And so many plans for Queen For A Day (www.qfad.org) as well as for my pageant consulting business... OH! the victory of succeeding simply by applying myself ... So ... so long first decade of the 21st century. There were some great times, and other times I'd like nothing more than to forget about. Thankfully, I met some wonderful people and have made some excellent...

With Channukah now over & Christmas just a few days away, I feel very not in the holiday spirit.  Not in a "Grinch" kind of way, but one where we're just done with the holidays & onto a fresh new year.  I mean, was it just me, or did the whole shopping for Christmas thing start in October this year??? Watched "Julie & Julia" last night.  Very cute, but I'm not sure if I'd rent it again ... One thing I will say is this: I wish for a love like that ... Woke up this morning wanting to make spaghetti & meatballs.  No idea as to why since I don't eat red meat, but there you have it ... I'll be going to the store tomorrow & then making it with garlic bread & fresh steamed broccoli.  mmmmm .... Tonight I'm making roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, & for dessert, raspberry tortes.  I've been in a cooking mood lately ... Waiting until January to start looking for THE dress for ...

I love my MAC!!! Great colors and perfect for competitions!!! Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper for M.A.C. - This Week - What's Right Now - Fashion - In Style

John Stamos, most famously known as Uncle Jesse on "Full House" received a Hollywood Star on the infamous Walk in Los Angeles on Nov 16, 2009. I was fortunate enough to be downtown on another errand & was able to see a man who is not only a wonderfully talented actor, but a guenuinely nice guy too! Congratulations!

So I just offically threw my "hat" in the ring for Ms California Plus America. The MPA believes that all women are beautiful, both inside and out, and deserve a chance to shine regardless of their size! They celebrate the essence of the full-figured woman. So, I am excited to be promoting TWO platforms: Queen For A Day which works with children fighting cancers, and Organ/Tissue Donation Awareness. Both are causes I truely am passionate about! If you wander back in my random blogs, you can see that I am the local director for QFAD here in California. And yes, I will be posting more about that later! But it will give you a general idea about how awesome the organization is! :) Also, there are a few blogs about Organ/Tissue Donation & I even think I did one about why it is so important to me. I'll look, but if not, please keep an eye out for that blog! I'm going to be setting up some fundraising events for my run for the title to help cover costs, so please ke...

Oh my goodness - where has the year gone??? Let's see, tonight is the Miss Chugiak/Eagle River Pageant in Alaska - obvi I'm not there, but I wish the girls the best of luck! And then I have three girls competing in the Miss Division for Alaska USA on the 21st!!! Good luck to Michelle, Paola, & Sarah - anyone of them can take the crown! :) I'm volunteering for the Day of The Child Project on the 22nd. http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp599780.jsp I'm very excited to get back into volunteering the way I used to. It's my first actual volunteering event without a crown in three years!!! How strange is that going to be? And then I turn around & am judging the National Pageant for National American Miss from the 24th-30th! Thanksgiving in Disneyland ... it'll be interesting! I don't know if I'm judging Teen or Miss yet, but either way, I am excited to see a new queen crowned! :) I am also talking to several hospitals about bringing Queen For A D...

(Video) Sexy Twins Win Pageant! Tracy Turnure (PHOTO)

Abby Hancock, Miss Anchorage 2010 Hannah Rockwell, Miss Anchorage Outstanding Teen 2010

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ' What! You too? I thought I was the only one ~C.S. Lewis quotes~

Photos will be posted on my facebook & myspace tonight, but I wanted to let you know that if you haven't been to Bottoms Boutique you are seriously missing out! Amoung the models was Miss Alaska USA contestant, Paola Terry, who was stunning! Also in the crowd was former Miss Alaska America 2008 & Miss Alaska USA 2004, Cari Leyva. She is just an awesome person & I was glad to hear she's finishing up school & graduating in May!!! I'll make sure that once the photos are downloaded onto my laptop, I post them here. Alaska has some hotties!!!

I've stopped twittering long enough to realize I've severely neglected my blog, and for that I do apologize. But seriously, if you aren't on twitter, climb out of your cave and join us crazy people! And by crazy, I mean John Mayer, who bought his own breath-a-lyzer to take to Vegas and test out while he got drunk! Genius! I'm still in Alaska for the rest of this month & decided to extend it for two more weeks to see Jessica Chuckran and Veronica Temple crown the NEW Miss Anchorage titleholders! I need to go back to California just after that, which I am looking forward too, but I will be missing my girl Sarah Temple (Veronica's sister) vying for Miss Alaska USA on the 17th! I know she'll rock it & already have my spare room set up for when she visits as our Miss Alaska USA! :) For those who have been wondering what I'm doing back in Alaska ... I came up to help out my sister by freely doing her PR & Marketing for her tanning salon (www.aksun...

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. ~Noam Chomsky~

I don't know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. But what I learned to do many years ago was to forgive myself. It is very important for every human being to forgive herself or himself because if you live, you will make mistakes - it is inevitable. But once you do and you see the mistake, then you forgive yourself and say, 'well, if I'd known better I'd have done better,' that's all. So you say to people who you think you may have injured, 'I'm sorry,' and then you say to yourself, 'I'm sorry.' If we all hold on to the mistake, we can't see our own glory in the mirror because we have the mistake between our faces and the mirror; we can't see what we're capable of being. You can ask forgiveness of others, but in the end the real forgiveness is in one's own self. I think that young men and women are so caught by the way they see themselves. Now mind you. When a larger society sees them as unattractive, as ...

Queen for a Day (QFAD) is a non-profit organization designed to raise the self-esteem and self-confidence of girls coping with cancer. QFAD events, called "tea parties," are held at local hospitals and counseling centers where girls diagnosed with cancer are invited to participate in a day of beauty. Volunteers provide refreshments, crafts, jewelry making, manicures, makeovers and lots of love. Each girl benefits from the royal treatment, where they are dressed up in a queen's robe, pink feather boa and rhinestone tiara. The tiaras have been worn and donated by real beauty queens from around the country. The girls get to keep the tiaras. Recent addition to the program is our Heroes. It brings in firefighters and police officers to participate with boys diagnosed with cancer. Their parties are given simultaneously with the girls. Established in 2000 by former Miss Teen USA All American Jenna Edwards, QFAD now operates internationally in 19 cities, including a chapter in So...

In just a few days (12 to be exact) it will be my birthday. Instead of presents and parties, I am asking my friends to make a donation to Queen For A Day. Here is the link: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/birthdays/105857?m=e0bc6388

I have been utterly horrible at keeping up with my posts. I try to remember, but when I do, I have nothing to say! It's the worst, to say the least! However, I am hoping to be able to report on stuff soon. I have Queen For A Day stuff in the works, plus I am hoping to have several appearances once schools start back up in September! Checking with the local communities in regards to parades & events to appear at. Look for updates & photos soon! In the meantime ... my favorite spot lately! :)

I am taking an Intro to Sociology course this summer. Our final paper is due at the end of the class (in just four weeks) and I need help! I have to choose a topic that will allow me to relate it to a social problem of some kind that we will have covered in class. I choose pageantry in realations to the social interaction and groups within. I'm also thinking about looking at the stigma that negative press and preconcieved notions have placed upon the pageant world. Problem is this: I can only use internet data - I'm not sure why only that, but that's the case! What I am asking for is any sites - positive or negative - to use. I'm also looking at information I can use of actual pageant websites (coaching, news, states, locals, etc) to help. If you have any websites I can use to do research, please email me at btwilinski@gmail.com. I'm going to also ask the instructor today if email correspondence can also be considered as internet research & if he says yes,...

Last night while talking with Bill Alverson, a very insightful pageant coach who has served on the Miss New York board, and who has coached many titleholders to success, our conversation turned to the top questions that will be asked during interview. Here are pageant coach, Bill Alverson’s top 5 subjects/questions to be prepared for when going into interview. These questions are listed by the subjects of which you need to be knowledgeable and the possible questions regarding these subjects: Top 5 Questions You Will Be Asked During Interview 1.Economy – Should GM be part of the government bailout? How has the economy affected your lifestyle? 2.Gay Rights – Do you think that same sex marriage should be legitimized in all states? Do you believe that marriage is between a man and a woman? 3.Obama – Do you think that Obama is fulfilling his promises while he was campaigning? 4.War in Iraq – What are your thoughts on the increase in troops in Afghanistan? What are your thoughts on the new p...

I've been so busy, I can't even think straight. I wanted to share though, how awesome kids are. I have spent every single morning with 20-30 four and five year olds. At first, it was crazy and hectic but by the second day, it was fun and by day four, I was sad to part with them. A small, dimpled little hand reaching up to stroke your hair for comfort is amazing. Making eye contact and for no reason, other than being alive, a smile so bright it makes you involuntarily smile. Granted, kids can be...challenging but thankfully four year olds are easily distracted and redirected to happier things. Although, I've had my fill of Simon Says and don't plan on spinning in circles while hopping on one foot anymore this week.

These children of Al-Tawilah left their house to say to us 'hello' when we arrived. In all the crossed villages it is the same scene of the children who come to our meeting. We are always astonished by clothing that they carry. They do not obey any fashion. The three children photographed here have us particularly surprised by their vestimentary behaviour. If the two children of right-hand side have the air in good health, that of left appeared very pale to us and weak in spite of its smile.

For Immediate Realease May 11, 2009 - Bridgette Wilinski, Ms. California Classic Beauty, is collecting tiara's for use in the Queen for a Day program within the Los Angeles and Orange Counties. She is currently trying to organize a few dates in local hospitals that treat pediatric cancer patients. The events are held at local hospitals, homes and counseling centers where children diagnosed with cancer are invited to participate in a day of fun. One day to not be sick and just be a kid. We do this through personal visits and group parties where we offer makeovers, crafts, manicures, games, temporary tattoos and entertainers. Girls receive boas and tiaras donated by beauty queens, boys receive fireman hats, and a badge. All children receive a keepsake photo and gift. Queen for a Day is a non-profit organization established in 2000 by Jenna Edwards of Clinton, Mississippi. The program was designed to raise the self-esteem and self-confidence of girls coping with cancer. Tea parti...

Have you ever wondered how you could give back to the Miss Alaska program? Or maybe you've wanted to help, but can't find the time? This is your chance to join us in our annual K Larkin Memorial Alumni Scholarship Fund. We are inviting all past contestants, titleholders, volunteers, parents, friends, fans, and anyone who loves to give!! Last year, with the help of so many generous donors, we were able to raise more than $650 in preliminary award scholarships. This year the K Larkin Memorial Alumni Scholarship Fund is determined to double that amount!! We look forward to this continued tradition and the opportunity to honor such an incredible woman that K Larkin was! Some of you may have never had the pleasure to get to know K, but remember that this is still an opportunity to support this organization and what it does for so many young women today. In this year's program book you will see a page similar to last year's only we will list all 2008 contributors as wel...

The Susan Boyle phenomenon ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY ) is what educators call a “teachable moment.” Just look at the reaction of the audience of the British television program as Boyle steps on stage. Boyle’s is a face that you wouldn’t notice twice walking down the street, a newspaper said, certainly not one to raise expectations. But when she opened her mouth to sing jaws drop en masse. Remember the adage about not judging a book by its cover? Well, the audience in the auditorium (and no doubt also the viewers at home) prejudged Boyle based on her appearance. And appeared stunned by the quality of what they heard. “It wasn’t singer Susan Boyle who was ugly on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ so much as our reaction to her” was the headline above a piece by Tanya Gold in the British newspaper the Guardian. “Is Susan Boyle ugly? Or are we?” Gold wrote at the start of her commentary. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/16/britains-got-talent-susan-boyle Ca...

I spoke with Jenna yesterday & it's official! I'm the Director of Queen For A Day in both the Los Angeles & Orange County Chapters! I will have a Co-Director, maybe, and I'm just so excited! I am waiting for the official paperwork to sign, and then I'm off! I have so many ideas that I want to do & make a positive experience for all involved. So now I'm going to start getting my volunteers together, start getting donations, getting paperwork started, etc ... If anyone in the Los Angeles & Orange Counties would like to volunteer or donate, please contact me at btwilinski@gmail.com with your name & number!

This is just to let everyone know I will be going home hopefully Wednesday until the 18th to attend a funeral of a family friend who died in an avalanche & also the State Meeting for Miss Alaska. I'm flying standby at the moment ...

I just applied to be the Director of the Queen For A Day in California. Don't know what it is? Queen For A Day was founded by Jenna Edwards (Miss Florida 2004). QFAD hosts parties at hospitals with pediatric oncology/cancer units or out-patient clinics. When Queen for a Day comes to the hospital, we give the patients a reason to be a kid again. We host tea parties for girls to be pampered with makeovers, manicures, and their very own coronation ceremony. Each patient receives a real tiara donated by beauty queens across the nation! When a child smiles in the mirror after her makeover and laughs, she has defeated her illness. The Queen for a Day crown symbolizes victory as she is a champion over her illness. For the boys, we encourage the qualities of bravery and courage through the Heroes program based on firefighters and police officers. We invite local heroes to attend the ...

I've gotten addicted to twitter. Have you heard of it? www.twitter.com/alaskaqueen So now I'm part of the twitter generation along with facebook, myspace, & all the emails I have for different things. Funny thing is that with all the different ways to reach out, we still only have a select few we actually talk to!

I know, I haven't been updating this!!! I feel like a slacker because I have had so much to share & because I didn't write it down, I can't remember the order!!! I PROMISE to update more frequently! I will be in Alaska this weekend to visit some friends & I will make sure I have photos to share! Until then ...

Just really briefly - I still have to get things packed to go back home ... For those who watched the inauguration yesterday: what did you think?

Well, I'm sitting in my hotel room in Washinton DC. I'm here for the inauguration of the 44th President, Barak Obama. The entire Capital has been abuzz since I got here Friday - so many celebrations going on. It is totally awesome! I left my camera at home, but I did get a disposal one & hopefully will get some great pictures!!! I would of loved to been at Miss America this weekend with everyone, but this was an opprotunity I couldn't pass up! I'm here not as a title holder, but as a delegate with the French Consulate. I'm one of the many translators over here - so it's a good thing I speak five languages! (and now Iwant to burst out singing the song from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - "I Speak Six Languages") I wish all the young women vying for Miss America 2009 the best of luck (Go Alaska & California!) as I will be flying home as you are introducing yourselves to all of America.