queen of the gorillas.

Someone just asked the other day why I haven't blogged in so long.
I said it was because I haven't had anything really interesting happen.

That was a lie, because I have.

All of my dreams came true.

I'm not entirely sure how, but I won Homecoming Queen.
Feel free to act impressed while I give you the droll details of this extraordinary event.

 

This is how it works: Each organization on campus nominates a king and queen candidate. Then there are a series of interviews with judges from the community and campus. They ask a LOT of questions. THEN the judges narrow the candidates down to the top 12. After that, the student body votes online for who they wanted to win.

I was nominated by ROTC...the day before the entry forms were due. It was a great start.
Next were the group interviews. I don't remember much, but I think I sweat a lot.
Then were the individual interviews. It was pretty much speed dating with the judges. Incase you haven't noticed yet...I don't do well with dating. The whole socially awkward thing kicks in at full force. A few personal favorites memories from this session include:
  
Judge 1: You seem like a busy person, what do you like to do whenever you get any free time?
Me: I am not nearly as busy as I seem, I pride myself on that illusion. I have a lot of free time, which I typically spend napping with my cat.

Luckilly, this judge had a cat too. We shared pictures, got off topic and I didn't even realize how horrible my answer was until later that night. For once being a cat lady paid off.

 

Judge2: What would you like to do after you graduate?

Me: Ideally? Marry someone really hot, and really rich, and move to an island where I never have to pay for anything.
Judge2: find someone with a brother and take me with you.

Here is proof that honesty is clearly the best policy. She later told me she thought I was a good role model for young women. Take that feminists.

 

Judge3: I thought your group interview answer was great, I have been looking forward to speaking with you again **ring ring** **ring ring** Oh...I am so sorry, it's my kids
Me: No No! It's fine! You can answer!
Judge3: Answered her cell phone. We never spoke again. But she smiled at me a lot.

 

Gorilla Games was the next event. This is where all of the campus organizations come together and compete in random physical-ish competitions. I competed with ROTC. We lost the water balloon toss to the Gay-Lesbian-Bi-Transgender-Lady GaGa fan club in the first round. We continued to go downhill capping off the night losing tug of war to the honors college. Go Army!

Gorilla Games is also the night the top 12 is announced. I made the cut. I then proceeded to spend the next 8 hours avoiding sleep and sending facebook/twitter/email messages to every person I may have ever possibly met in a 50mile radius of Pittsburg shamelessly promoting voting. At that point the red blooded American kicked in in me and I decided I needed to win.

Apparently along with honesty, holding countless on line small talk conversations with a gagillion people at once, is a recipe for a win. The next day was convocation, and I got a crown. I also got flowers, which unfortunately I ruined within five minutes being handed to me (they did not read the fine print on my entry form weeks before explaining that I can not have nice things.)

Jokes aside- it was a HUGE honor. I kind of cried a little. Then a combination of not sleeping the night before and forgetting to eat and nerves about the skirt that kept riding up my hind quarters, all led to me being the epitome of the phrase 'shaking like a leaf.'

It was cool. The king and I did interviews, took pictures with little kids, rode in a parade, and got a LOT of free drinks later that weekend. Now as I sit here almost a month later wearing pajamas at 4:15pm, blogging to FOUR followers and eating cold Chinese food, I really wonder how it all happened.
As long as I'm not wondering the same thing ten years from now when I weigh 250lbs and am typing with four cats on my lap and yelling at a naked kid running around my house...I think I might actually turn out alright after all.
Best part? Now every time I screw up I get to say “Ah...but remember that time when I won homecoming queen!?” I've already used it three times, and it worked fairly well each time. Chalk one under reasons why I make my parents crazy.
    
So what did I learn from this incredible experience?
Mostly that I have a WHOLE LOT of untapped potential and could really be a productive member of society on a daily basis... if I just didn't love nap time so much.

It's not easy being royalty. Life is a balance. Some days are sweat pant days, and some days are crown days. You have to embrace them both.
(okay, most days are just sweat pant days but I'm in college still so it doesn't count.)