My interview with the 2015 BC Ambassador Judges

All along I feel that  I was one of the few candidates who wasn't quite so nervous for the interview with the judges. Although, the interview did rank quite high points wise accounting for 70 possible points and lasting 20 minutes. It still didn't phase me all that much. As  I said to the second last candidate who hung out with me while we waited, they've already been judging us this entire time. So what is the big deal really? I knew that if I went into the interview relaxed and not over thinking it, I could be my genuine self and portray myself as honestly as possible. 

When I walked into the room I shook hands with the three judges and submitted my two Impromtu questions to our head judge which were as follows

1. What words do you live by and do they align with your life goals? 
2. How do you define Success? 

After that I sat on a chair in the middle of the room facing the table of three judges. Some of the questions I remember them asking me included what is the Tourism motto for the Province which was easy - "Super Natural British Columbia." Also they asked me questions about climate change and perhaps it included what I would do. Which was pretty funny as I had literally been asked that very question during my Summer Toastmasters meeting in July! 

I was also asked this "If you had travel back in time 100 years taking you to 1915 what would you take with you from the current time." To which I replied an atlas because the world has changed so much and I thought it would be the easiest and most logical way to explain it. I also felt that it wouldn't be something that would overwhelm those living in the past. 

Some of my other questions were things like what would I change about the Province today and I said nothing political but rather focused on Social media, as I do feel the Province could use Social media to their advantage when it comes to Marketing our beautiful Province as well as connecting with and reaching out to everyone who lives here. 

Another question included my future goals/aspirations to which I replied that my dream goal was to be a life coach but to have my business centered around Social media. At the very least I would like to attain a career focused in social media. I told them I planned to take Social Media analysis at school through online courses enabling me to have a job when I eventually went to college. I would then take a mix of Social media/Public relation courses as well as leadership and if possible Life Coaching courses. 

I talked about how long I've been passionate about Social media and in particular Youtube. I also said that my back up career could be going into Special FX makeup and posting videos & tutorials online. As I have already established myself as a self-taught Special Fx MUA having even won more than one international Makeup contest. 

Some of the other questions included my intentions for participating in the program, what I got out of the program during my candidacy, what I would change about the program in the future and lastly if I would take on a title if given one. 

The last few questions were the most difficult for me. First they asked me about the current Canadian Federal Election for which I couldn't remember the names of everyone running but made a joke saying no one can seem to get much social media coverage here in Canada with Donald Trump's campaigning and Social media craze. Which made everyone laugh! 

I was also asked what would be an advantage to having me reign over one of my other candidates & what qualities/traits and skills I would bring with me to the team. 

The most difficult question was being asked to chose 3 of the 2015 Candidates to make up the 2015 British Columbia Ambassador team. Which was a tricky question because you could play it so many ways, being diplomatic and not naming yourself, providing a balanced answer and naming yourself alongside two others, or simply describing the best traits you think a team should have over all and honestly naming the three people [even if it's you] who exhibit those qualities. 

After that last question my twenty minutes were up and I was rushed off to the Saloon. As it was now quarter to one with the Luncheon starting at 1 p.m, the question soon became would I make it to lunch???? 

My Final Morning as a BC Ambassador Candidate

Around 7 a.m sleeping beauty aka me awoke from my rather short slumber excited for the day and also extremely sad as I knew it was my final day as a British Columbia Ambassador Candidate, That this part of my journey would end by the end of the night.

Since tasha an I had Both packed in the night we has time to record one last video of me opening the curtains as well as taking plenty of photos during our last few moments as official roommates and reminiscing in our fairly empty  room #107 at the Ramada as we had already taken some of our stuff to store in Coleen and Teresa's room for the day as they were keeping their Ramada LTD room for another night. 

I would like to graciously thank the Ramada Limited Merritt for graciously hosting the 2015 British Columbia Ambassador Candidates, the Committee and the 2014 BC Ambassadors as well as the newly crowned 2015 British Columbia Ambassador Team. I had a fabulous stay and found my room incredibly comfortable, especially the luxuriously comfy bed! 

After everyone was all checked out, Tasha and I  took our last morning car ride with Coleen to the Merritt civic centre for our Second to last meal cooked by Anna brown which was yet another fabulous breakfast.

Afterwards I had time to sneak away into the stage room which was totally dark and whistle before heading to the dressing room to get ready for my interview with the.judges

As I was once again lucky number nine my interview  with the judges was ages away and I had plenty of time to wait. Which I spent relaxing and basically waking up. I also spent time taking lot's of pictures of the two main pageant areas, as I knew there wouldn't be time to do it that evening. I took pictures of the Community standing banners that you see as you enter the hall, pictures of our Program & Candidacy Fundraising can table as well as other random pictures. 

 However it was mostly a cherished morning as I spent as much time  [which seemed to be dwindling] as I could with my fellow British Columbia Ambassador Candidates. I decided to get ready Once after half of the candidates had disappeared having left for their interviews with the judges followed by leaving for hair appointments right after they finished. 




I was able to take my time doing a very light make up [so that my face wasn't weighed down with it by the end of the night] before touching up my hairstyle. Which I had left in after Rachael had made it look so pretty for the night before, before eventually getting into my suit and quietly going over potential questions with my last few fellow candidates as we waited. 

I even had time to record a vlog while I waited!  Find out what happens during my interview in the next blog. 
DUN DUN DUN 

Sadness during Late night packing

Packing my things late Friday Night/Early Saturday Morning

Good news Cinderella made it back to the hotel only a minute late for curfew. Shayla said good bye to me [a very sad Cinderella] at the door of my room at the Merritt Ramada having even guided me to Teresa and coleen's [my BC Ambassador pageant moms] room before taking me to my room to make sure no one yelled at me like the night before. 

I came back to my room thoroughly hyper from a combination of an adrenaline rush,performance high and the after effects of a royalty dance, Meanwhile my roomie tasha was basically already asleep. 

I also had a huge mix of emotions from excited, relieved, proud, nervous for the pageant and lastly Nd most prominent I was feeling incredibly sad. Not because of how I had done thus far nor so much sue to the end of my journey. It was because I dreaded the thought of saying goodbye to my new family from Merritt - my fellow British Columbia Ambassador candidates, my backstage moms Teresa and coleen and our handy helper Edward not to mention my role models of the reigning BC Ambassador Team. 


The thought of packing everything up to leave my room brought tears to face. So I avoided it for as long as possible and than decided to draw it out for as long as I could. Which I did so By piling every single thing on top of my bed and recording a vlog before I even started. 



 However it came time to face the music and start packing. An activity that took me until just before 3 am to complete. 


I will admit that this
was the most
meticulously I've
ever  packed my bags. I took the time folding every 
single thing nicely. 
I also Put everything 
into the suitcases 
logically. 

I even packed up the food/drinks for Tasha as we agreed she would take them home. 

It goes without saying but this was also the most emotional 

I've ever been whilst packing and more than a few tears were shed                                                    during the night.

 The final items I took down and packed were my vision boards I had hung up on the walls and I took down the good-luck cards I had taken with me that people back home had signed. I also took with me some of my old-cast cards from previous SOAP productions which I also read to give me confidence boosts. 



Once my bags were packed including what I needed with me at the civic center ans the things I would use in the morning I crashed just after 3 a.m which gave me a few hours of sleep.

My Cinderella Moment

                                                         Royalty Dinner & Dance                                                                          Friday August 14th, 2015 at the Merritt Desert Inn 

So after our Speeches everyone including my fellow candidates, the reigning BC ambassadors, visiting royalty, community co-ordinators family and friends all headed  to the Merritt Desert Inn for a dinner and small dance. 

As I mentioned in the previous Blog my parents had to head home to Osoyoos right after the speech presentations so my mom could be at work by 7 am the next morning. I was then one of two candidates who had no family there to drive me to and from dinner. 

So enter my pageant bestie shayla who lives in Merritt and became like my has-been sister who was able to drive me to and from dinner. As well as come to the Saturday luncheon to support me. 


Dinner was fabulous and I spent the evening sitting beside the Osoyoos royalty and a large group of the other visiting royalty. 

During dinner I also handed out the gifts I had brought for my fellow candidates and the reigning BC Ambassador Team. Which were held in the watermark beach resort bags that had been sitting under my table. Now I chose to hand them out on Friday and thus alter my table (slightly) as that way people could be able to pack them up that night and it would mean one less thing for me to think about on Saturday. 

I put together everyone's gift by hand dividing up things equally and putting thought into each person. Inside their gift bag from Watermark Beach Resort  included a Pen & Brochure from the resort. I also included Old Osoyoos town Coins from 1977 donated by Osoyoos Town Council member Mike Campol  I also included several Avon Makeup Samples all donated by the local Avon lady Lisa Ondejko who runs In Touch Wellness in Osoyoos. I myself donated a full size container of my home made Sunscreen, Lemon Lip Balm and a Mary Kay Cleanser & Moisturizer sample as I am a Mary-Kay Rep. For Ethan I included a small gift donated by the Osoyoos Duty Free since I didn't include any makeup samples for him!

At one point during dinner there was afunny yet awkward moment when the royalty were having a cake eating contest. When i proceeded to ask if I could record people eating literally saying "can I record you eating?" Which caused a small laugh riot and delay in the contest. However once it stated the winner managed to eat his cake in 30 seconds! 

Shortly after the dance started and Shayla and I were stoked and the first ones out on the dance floor. It had been years (since 2010) when I had last been at a royalty dance. And I was eager to get the dance party started. Alas the last song I could stay for was the traditional royalty song which is Saturday Night by Whigfield  and everyone got up to do the Royalty Dance. This song has played at every ball/Dance/Pageant for as long as anyone can remember. In fact many people have the tradition of the reigning royalty teaching it to the new candidates before they take on their new titles.

Eventually I had to be like Cinderella and leave the ball in order to make it back to the hotel by my 11 p.m curfew. But not before I signed the guest book which basically hasn't been signed since 1013. 

Now the question is did Cinderella make it back home before the stroke of midnight (ahem 11 p.m)that is the question...

Friday Night Speech Presentations

2015 British Columbia Ambassador Speech Night ~ August 14th, 2015

After having Dinner with the judges we had a bit of down time in the Dressing room before people started arriving and we went out into the Lobby to visit everyone! The 2015 Osoyoos Royalty Team gave me lots of hugs and presented me with a Bouquet of Flowers & A Vase as well as warm wishes before I went on stage. 

I also ran into Marji Basso who was involved in the 2015 V-Day Oliver/Osoyoos Spring Production, having been the director. So she was 

one of the first people to support me 

once I had announced my intentions 

so it was a joy to see her once more 

towards the end of my journey. 

Another person who came out to Support me was Shayla who was a former Merritt Ambassador in 2009 and was one of my best friends during my reign as Osoyoos Princess. Since I've been attending the BC Ambassador Pageant since my time as an Osoyoos Princess starting in August of 2008, I had the pleasure of watching Shayla as a candidate when she ran in 2012. 

I also got to see Bill Greer a fellow member of the South Okanagan Toastmasters Club #7791 who was also a club member during my previous toastmaster experience as an Osoyoos Royalty Candidate in 2008. He and his wife Ruby made the Trip out to Merritt to support myself as well as the other candidates! 

I also briefly got to see my parents and when I say briefly I meant it. As my family was traveling back to Osoyoos right after our speeches were over, as my mom had to work at 7 a.m the next morning! So Unfortunately they were unable to attend the Dinner & dance that was to follow the Speeches. 

However I was thrilled they could even make it to the event and were able to get home safely having had to travel through the Forest Fire zone! 

After greeting everyone it came time to head back into the Dressing room for a few last minute makeup touch ups before heading out onto the stage for presenting the first of our two Speeches, which were the speeches on the topic of our choosing.

In all honesty I wasn't really nervous for the speech presentation. In all honesty I was vastly more anxious during our speech Rehearsals the day before.

 I knew that I had personally had many supporters in the crowd who were there to lend me their unspoken support from the audience. I also kept the mentality that the crowd in general was supporting me and wanted to see me to excel.

I feel like if you go into any situation where you performing in front of any kind of public crowd whether you are Speaking, Acting, Singing, dancing, performing, or even just posing [as a model] it is best to go into it with a positive mentality & perspective on your audience whoever they might be. So I like to maintain the positive mentality of everyone making up the audience is only there to SUPPORT me than it helps me feel more at ease personally regardless of whether I'm acting, speaking, singing, dancing or even Rapping [Throwback to playing Sister Amnesia last fall in South Okanagan Amateurs Production of Nunset Boulevard.]

I felt even more at ease after I had presented my speech entitled Acting through the ages it was time for a short intermission [me being number 9 & Lucky Last] During which we were once again allowed to mingle with the crowd before heading backstage once more to put on our community costumes.

During the intermission I was able to talk to people about how I did which helped me feel even better about presenting my second & final Speech. I was also able to get some last minute advice from Bill Greer who was there representing the South Okanagan Toastmasters Club #7791 

After the intermission ended and I was dressed and ready to go in my Community costume I was positively GIDDY backstage. I was even Dancing around in my gorgeous blue metalic floor length and very swishy/swirly dress [Representing Osoyoos Lake] with bright yellow Shirt & Necklace adding to my cheerful disposition with my Sage Satin Belt tying in all of that which represents Osoyoos to me, the water, the sun & the unique landscape surrounding our town.

Which was able to really pump me up before going on stage where I feel like I totally rocked my Community Speech! It also helped that I was able to practice my speech over and over and OVER again the green room as it became more empty. I was not the only one using the empty space to hurriedly practice before it was time to go on stage. Picture below is Rachael in her community costume & Mary Margaret or should I say Stin-qua the legendary Cowichan Lake Water Monster.  

Lastly I don't have any videos of my choice speech which I called Acting through the ages but here is one of the practice recordings of my Osoyoos Community Speech that I recorded and Uploaded onto YouTube