Pageants, America's Favorite Pastime
“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”
- Babe Ruth
I’m not sure if it’s my passion for baseball, or Yankee legends in general, but this quote by the Great Bambino (that wimpy deer?) made me fall in love with the Yankees the game of baseball even more.
As my spray tan slowly begins to fade, I am left with the distant memory of my strike-out at Miss Hawaii USA pageant.
To some, a pageant consists of cookie cutter women, strutting around in bikinis and answering every on-stage question with the response of “world peace.” In my opinion, pageants are a unique development of self.
I learned so much about Gennah through this entire experience than winning a crown and sash would have ever taught me.
1. I Became Aware of my Incredible Drive.
My journal entry on 7/28 reads:
“I have so many ideas and dreams, I’m scared I won’t have the drive or time instilled in me to make them all come true. You know what you need to do. Don’t wait for opportunity, take control of your life and make it happen.”
I signed up for the pageant the following week.
I created this opportunity for myself and worked my ass off to get sponsors, pay for my wardrobe, sell tickets, look fierce in a bikini and even design my own program ads. I had no idea how hard I was willing to work to make a dream come true until after this pageant. I can confidently say as long as I continue with this drive, I will end up exactly where I am supposed to be.
2. The Importance of a Challenge
Setting a goal is one of the easiest ways to obtain happiness. A new focus helps you grow as an individual by pushing yourself to encounter higher extremes. As proud as I am for making it to the stage, that wasn’t the challenge (that was the fun). The real challenge of this pageant was accepting defeat, while regaining my optimistic mindset.
3. Staying True to Gennah
When it came time to stand before a room full of judging eyes, I never questioned myself, or conformed to everyone else’s expectations of a “beauty queen.” When you are genuinely at peace with yourself, you will be able to hold your opinions and values to the light of scrutiny without breaking hesitation.
4. How to be Confident in My Skin
I love every single inch of my body because I work so hard for it. No plastic surgery or photo shop here, just countless hours at the gym, 10 mile runs and a strict diet consisting of only bananas and peanut butter.
5. How to Pick Myself up When I Fall
Allow me to beat around the bullshit, disappointment was an understatement as to what I felt that night. I wanted to overcome the odds and live a true underdog story. I envisioned that crowning moment for two months without ever doubting myself. So when it didn’t happen, rather than asking myself why? I am trusting in my intuition to lead me to the opportunity of a life-time my next home-run.
Any girl would die for a chance to play princess for a day, but that’s not the real Gennah.
(This is the real Gennah)
Pageants? …Really?
Hello, I was raised in a house full of sarcasm, testosterone and baseball.
This pageant was just another life at-bat, and I struck out swinging.
Growing up watching my brothers play the persevering game has helped me realize, it’s only a matter of time before I step into the batters box again. And when I finally hit my “home run” it will lead me to my life-long dream of covering Game 7 of the World Series in the Bronx, talking story with Yankee legends.
Because let’s be real…I’m a Rodriguez, chances are my home run will be a walk-off.
xx Fins & Kisses,
The Mermaid