Day Four!

It was another gorgeous day in Kaliningrad.  After breakfast I went for a walk around the seaport and canal near the hotel.  Can’t wait to show you my gorgeous photos!  Luckily there’s a lot of Security Officers and Policemen around here so we feel very safe.  The contestants did a fabulous job during the Preliminary competition this evening. I’m so proud of all of them.  I was asked to say a few words and thought it was a good time to thank David and Elaine Marmel, CEO of Mrs. America/ Mrs. World Organization and their wonderful staff for giving me this incredible opportunity.  As soon as I started to speak Elaine started to cry, so of course I starting crying too.  After a couple of deep breaths, I got through it and then got bombarded by the press!  David immediately stood up to give a very warm and heartfelt speech and thanked me and my family.  After Prelim, contestants and I had dinner at 11 p.m.!  I sat with the choreographers, Frit and Frit, and Paul, the Stage Manger of the “Ellen” Show!  We had a great time taking pictures with everyone and ordering two desserts! Looking forward to another exciting day tomorrow. 
 
Love,
Diane

Day Three in Kaliningrad!

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting the Emcee of the 2008 Mrs. World Pageant, Florence Henderson!  It was wonderful meeting her beautiful daughter and boyfriend.  I grew up watching the Brady Bunch and I was thrilled to chat with her!   I’m having an amazing time here. The weather is perfect and everyone’s is so warm and friendly.  My Mrs. World picture is on buses, bus stops, and billboards and I’ve been approached for interviews from local media, Korea, and Vietnam!  The contestants looked gorgeous in their interview suits and their interviews went very well. Several told me it was their best job interview ever!  They had the opportunity to tell them about their charity work and how they are involved in their communities.  This evening we had rehearsals until 11 p.m.  I had a blast helping them with stage presence, modeling, and posing.  The opening number looks fabulous and I love the Latin music!  It 1 a.m. right now so I better get some shut eye.  I’ll have to use ear plugs because there are hundreds of Russian soccer fans outside my hotel watching the game and the sky is lit up from the fireworks.

Thank goodness we have the morning off to sleep in!

 

Love,

Diane

 

Day Two in Kaliningrad!

 
Hello!  Unfortunately I’m unable to attach photos on this computer so I’ll send them as soon as I get back on the 1st.  Today I met and spent the entire day with the beautiful 2008 Mrs. World contestants!  The ladies seem really anxious and nervous so I gave them a little pep talk and let them know my prayers are with them.  I spoke to them a little about the organization, Mrs. World’s duties and responsibilities, time management, and my platform Breast Cancer Awareness.  It was such a pleasure to see David and Elaine Marmel (President and Vice Pres. of Mrs. World), Batsheva (the Contestant Coordinator) , John (Announcer), and the entire Mrs. World staff.  The choreographers, Frit and Frat, gave me a chance to teach the contestants modeling, posing, and stage presence during the rehearsals.  The opening production number looks a little more difficult this year, but the contestants look like professional dancers!   We ate dinner at a local Russia restaurant and I sat with Batsheva, Mrs. Russia, and Mrs. Mexico.  They were so fun to talk to and had so many questions. Looking forward to touring the city tomorrow while the ladies are in their first phase of competition, Interview!
 
Love,
Diane
 

Just Arrived in Kaliningrad, Russia!

Hello!  I arrived in Moscow at 11 a.m. and my flight to Kaliningrad was scheduled for 11 p.m. Vasily, a Mrs. World staff member for the last three years,  took me to a Four-Star Resort, The Imperial, where Mrs. Canada, Switzerland, and South Africa, and I stayed last year for one night.  The General Manger greeted me with a dozen pink roses, champayne and a huge fruit basket.  He showed me our picture in the lobby his friend took of us during the Mrs. World reception last year.  It was next to former Russian President Vladimir Putin’s photo! Then he escorted me to my four bedroom Presidential Suite to take a nap.  I had a delicious shrimp, scallop, and crab salad for dinner at the Imperial Room, took more photos with the Manager and staff, then flew an hour and half to Kaliningrad.  It’s a wonderful feeling to have finally arrived here after flying for fifteen hours! Loving it here!  It’s so green and beautiful and everyone’s so nice.  Looking forward to meeting the contestants in the morning.
 
Love,
Diane

The 2008 Miss Arizona Pageant!

Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Arizona 2008 Erin Nurss.  Erin has done an outstanding job promoting her platform Healthy Habits.  My family and I are looking forward to seeing her compete for Miss America 2009 in Vegas! Congratulations to 1st Runner Up Rachelle Gurule, 2nd Runner Up Stephanie Brooks, 3rd Runner Up Christine Solis, and 4th Runner Up Katie Blodgett.  It was great to see friends Diana Jung with Silver Spoon Studios (my amazing website designer), Wally Nason (the best Miss Arizona Producer ever), and Brandi Milloy (Top 3 contestant on Oprah’s Big Give)!  It was also a pleasure to see my good friend Bob Whitney awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Congratulations on your success as a mentor and judge for young women in the Miss Arizona system.  Looking forward to seeing you again at upcoming charity events!

Speaker at the Safeway Women’s Network Group

Thank you so much to Marian, Betty, Joyce, and Barbara for inviting me to speak at the Safeway Women’s Network Group at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Hall in Tucson, Arizona.  It was a pleasure to speak about the Mrs. America/ Mrs. World Organization, breast cancer awareness, and leadership and communication skills.  Thank you to Safeway for being one of the largest sponsors for the Southern Arizona Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  We appreciate your generosity and continued support!

Love,

Diane

My Visit to Caledonia, Michigan!

Thank you to my Aunt Judy and the General Federation of Women’s Club-Caledonia, Michigan for inviting me to speak to more than 300 senior class girls and their mothers at the “Caledonia Senior Girls Coffee.”  The GFWC event presented a number of awards and scholarships to graduating seniors.  I delivered a message on the importance of goal-setting, leadership, career advancement, the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, The National Anthem Project, and the Mrs. America/ Mrs. World Organization.  It was a pleasure to meet my generous sponsors at the Caledonia Women’s Club Reception as they celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Senior Girls event.  Thank you to JB Harrison Insurance, Mike and Carla Kelly, Dave and Barb Dykstra, Dan Valley Excavating, Robin Vaughan DDS, and my wonderful Harrison family.  Thank you to Aunt Judy and Cousin Jill for giving me a beautiful tour of Caledonia, Holland State Park, Zeeland, Ottowa County, Lake Michigan, and Lake Macatawa.  Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

 

Love,

Diane