Okay, story time. PS - I can't post any pictures in the blog because apparently technology is going to hate me for my entire life and my new phone keeps getting denied by my computer and I don't know how to fix it and it's been a long day and I don't care anymore.
So it's Friday.
I didn't want to go.
I had a really bad headache and nobody I knew was going to be there that night and I didn't want to drive to the lake.
But I got out of bed and went anyways.
So I show up to Shady Gators and have no idea what I'm doing or where I'm supposed to be. So I stood there awkwardly outside of the bar like the awkward person I am.
Finally I was directed to the correct location INSIDE of the bar and met up with the group. We filled out some paperwork then literally sat around until like 10:00.
Then we did a preview thing where we walked in two circles in a swim suit on the stage and the announcer told everybody to come back the next night for the competition. Then we walked off the stage and left to go to our hotel.
Also, the cool thing was that it was all paid for. So I enjoyed that. And I got a bunch of free stuff like shirts and stuff.
I shared a condo with three super cool girls. Two of them actually live in Columbia so I'll most likely see them again. We all stayed up pretty late just chatting. Then I realized how early we had to get up the next morning and I went to bed.
If you know me then you know that the two things I require to keep me the chill cucumber that I am are food and sleep. I was deprived of both of those this weekend. I deserve a gold medal for keeping my composure both days.
Then it's Saturday. The big day.
We left our condo at about 8:30 for Shady Gators on a shuttle.
When we got there we started the photo shoot. This lasted like three million hours.
Also if you know me then you know that I'm really not good at taking a serious picture. I like taking silly/dumb pictures so much more.
Okay so I'm being a little dramatic. The photo shoot was actually a lot of fun, just super exhausting. And my face hurt from smiling so much. But it was a really cool opportunity that I probably won't get again. Like, it was a real life photo shoot where I wore three different swim suits. How many people can say that they have been able to do that in their lifetime? (If you're a model and/or have actually done this in your life then I am not including you in the previous question.) Anyways, we took a ton of group shots and then I was able to take some individual pictures. Super cool.
After the photo shoot WE GOT TO EAT LUNCH. I was starving. I had a BLT and fries. Most people ordered some type of salad and I just didn't understand them.
Following lunch, we rehearsed for the actual contest that night. That entailed a lot of me standing there pretending like I was listening to the instructions then just following the girls in front of me. I know, I know, me not paying attention is really shocking for a lot of you to wrap your minds around. Chloe would be the most shocked out of everybody probably.
So then we got to do my FAVORITE part of the day.
We rode on a yacht.
To the boat races.
Then rode around all of the people and threw stuff out to them.
GUYS. I was on a yacht. I was practically a celebrity.
But actually being kinda serious because I think 700 people took pictures of us. I don't like to think about that thought because it's kinda creepy. But whatever.
But the yacht really was my favorite part of the day. I didn't have much fun at the competition. It was super hot and too spaced out. But I'll get to that part, quit getting ahead of me.
Then the boat took us back and we took the shuttle back to the condos to get ready for the competition.
SATURDAY NIGHT COMPETITION: Spoiler alert - I didn't place.
So we get there around 9:00 fully dressed in our cocktail dresses ready for round 1. We did the first round at around 10:15 or so. We walked in two circles, walked off, walked back on stage one at a time, walked off, everybody walked in one more circle, stopped, then walked off. I used so much brain power I didn't even know how to handle it...... Lol.
Then we went back to the dressing room, changed into our swim suits, and waited for another hour.
Round two. We all walked in two circles, walked off, walked back on stage one at a time AND answered an interview question, walked off, everybody walked in one more circle, stopped, then walked off. The interview question for everybody was just a question about themselves that described them in some way. Not a big deal. World peace. Applause. You know.
Then we just waited for like 10 hours in a room to the side of the stage for the results. Let's just say at this point in the night I was HANGRY. Like, it was bad. Also, I thought I was going to pass out from being so hungry. I'm not dramatic.
Finally we all lined up to walk back on the stage for the results. This is when the most classic Andi moment happened.
So I've been in heels like all night. And I had no food. And I wasn't wearing my brace. I was weak.
I'm about to walk down the two steps on live tv, ANNNNND, I trip. The lady who runs the competition reached out and I grabbed her arm before I face planted. And I looked into the camera and walked away laughing.
So then we stand in a line and the top 6 girls get announced and I honestly was super happy for them. And I was happy for myself that the day was finally over and I could take my makeup off and go back to Columbia and sleep in my own bed.
All in all it was a fantastic experience. I'm really truly happy that I did it. Also it's my August bucket list item and also was totally unexpected. I'm proud of myself for doing it.
Now for a few well deserved shout-outs for this whole experience:
Grant - for yelling that I was the best at the prelims and making everybody mad around him for being so obnoxious and also for catching me a t-shirt
Hannah - for having to be Grant's girlfriend during that experience and then for literally finding all the stuff I needed for the competition because let's face it I wouldn't have had clothes to wear if it wasn't for you
Sug- for cheering me on at prelims and being awake to laugh at me when I told you about me tripping on live tv during finals
Rach - you're just my bro and you were at prelims too cheering for me and well yeah thx, man
Reid - YOU THE MAN. You taught me everything I know, Coach. Unfortunately I didn't "shake it" like you wanted me too and you'll probably yell at me for that when/if you decide to be cool and hang out with us tonight
Chloe and Baylee - you came shopping with me and helped pick out my swimsuit and who knows what I would have picked if I would have been by myself....yikes
AND FINALLY...
Mom and Anna - Thanks for coming to watch me on Saturday and getting a group of guys on a bachelor party to cheer for me too. And then for driving me back to Columbia so I could sleep in my own bed. You both rock.
So that's it. Now I get to go back to being just Andi who loves pizza and wearing Nike shorts and t-shirts.
And last but not least....
What is the one most important thing or society needs? Harsher punishment for parole violators, obviously. Oh, and world peace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3st-Hai1y54
Peace out.
No comments:
Post a Comment