Hey, June!

I feel like my summer has finally arrived, now that Miss Ohio has concluded. I was out of school the entire month of May, but due to strenuous Miss Ohio preparation in terms of shopping, mock interviews, working out, doing appearances, and catching up on current events, I was holed up inside of my house much of the time. But now, summer has begun! :) 

Today, I had the wonderful opportunity of making an appearance at the Defiance Relay for Life. This event has always intrigued me, but I have never had the opportunity present itself for me to be able to take part in this wonderful event. It is an issue that lies very close to my heart, because my wonderful grandmother lost her battle with leukemia in the fall of 1996. I was blessed to have had her a part of my life for 6 wonderful years, and I constantly think of her, and try to make her proud in everything that I do. I know she would be so proud of me with my recent Miss Ohio accomplishments, especially due to the fact that a lot of my musical talent and inspiration stemmed from her. She was a lovely soprano, and I hope she can hear me sing from Heaven. :) 

In other news, I started my new job on Monday! I was blessed to have a job guarantee waiting for me after Miss Ohio concluded, if another job didn't pan out on Saturday night. ;)

The job I have is serving as a driver to transport food from Northwest State Community College to a site in Fayette, Ohio and in Bryan, Ohio. At the Bryan site, I serve food to low-income children who are in need of a meal. Here is an article of more explanation on my job:

"In 2009, NOCAC (Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission) reinstituted a program to serve lunch to low income children in Northwestern Ohio. In 2010, the program is expanded to eight sites. The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Education, which also administers the school and pre-school lunch programs. They work under the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Division,

to carry out its mission to provide children and needy families better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. Those sources provide some reimbursement for the service. Other grant funds are being pursued in order to supplement the reimburse for meals. All low income children, age 1 through 18 (21 if there is a diagnosed disability) may eat without charge." (NOCAC "CONNECTIONS" newsletter, April 2011, Deb Gerken)

In essence, I get paid for roughly 3 1/2 hours of driving and 1 hour of serving food, which also allows me the opportunity to see their faces light up as they receive a meal. It is a job and community service all rolled up into one perfect package! It is by no means going to bulk up my savings account in huge ways, but I am extremely grateful I even have a job at all at this point, due to the difficulty I was having in finding a job throughout the month of May. And, in reality, I get more satisfaction and fulfillment out of helping others than any paycheck ever could grant me. So this is my dream job, for this summer.

I am travelling to Lafayette/Indianapolis area for a long Fourth of July vacation to visit my boyfriend and some other college friends. It will be a much needed vacation to recharge my batteries. Hopefully you will be seeing an update within a few weeks about that weekend, and also any other appearances I may be able to manage to schedule around my job and my three online college courses.

God bless, and thanks for stopping by!

Courtney