Announcement and Pictures!

Just in case you cannot read this! The Peddler of Spartanburg will be hosting me for a Mother/ Daughter Dinner Buffet! The price is 25.00 a person and I will speak about the importance of the Mother/Daughter relationship, my personal stories, goal setting, and have a heart to heart with everyone so that they are able to ask me any questions they like! Pictures will be taken and great food will be served! It is Sunday, September 26th and there is a 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. time slot to pick from! Call 864-583-5874 to make your reservation! Proceeds will go to CMN!

Here are some more fun pictures.....

"Ain't Nobody Gonna Hold Me Down"

Hello everyone! It has been since I was Miss Pendleton that I wrote a blog... Well now it is time to fill everyone in on what I have been up to! Well, I WON! I now have the full time job of serving South Carolina and preparing for Miss America! I said in my last blog that I just know this is my year, and I was right! I worked so hard to get this job and am so proud to represent and serve South Carolina!


The year started off with a lot of Media coverage whether it be on the news, newspapers, or all over the internet! Every media outlet was utilized to promote me as the new Miss South Carolina! But this is not all! I have been getting very busy working accross our state and meeting my 52 other Miss America sisters in Orlando! We are the class of 2011 and are so proud to serve our states!

While it was very important to meet the contestants, I have also been busy participating in Golf Tournaments for varoius charities, I have had the honor to work with Palmetto Pride promoting a clean South Carolina and teaching children about litter! I have traveled to Indianland Middle School, Blythewood Middle school to speak about college prep, as well as Pageland for our very first preliminary for Miss South Carolina! Some other exciting events were modeling flowers for a floral show, attending the Big League World Series, visiting Greenville CMN hospital, delivering toys to Shriners, and attending Princess Birthday Parties! I have been able to empower student councils about being leaders, encouraging children to expand their education through college, and promote CMN every where I go! In between all of these events I have been preparing for Miss America, having photo shoots, and making an impact on children and adults every where I go as Miss South Carolina, but also just as Desiree Puglia.

"Baby I'm Amazed By You"

Hello everyone! Ok so when I said I was going to blog everyday I really meant every couple of days! But that is okay at least I keep you up to date on what is happening and preparations!

So this week was great. I have been working out like crazy of course and it is paying off! Walking alot, eating healthy (even though I always do so that's nothing new) and doing pilates!

I have an official orientation with Greenville's CMN hospital, which I am totally siked about. I cannot wait to be allowed to visit those children whenever I wish. They really teach how to appreciate life and never take anything for granted. Also since I want to become certified as a Child Life Specialist I will speak to those holding the orientation about interning soon!

On Saturday I was the emcee at Katie's School of Dance, dance recital and I was also able to perform! This was alot of fun and it is always great to be able to perform your talent because it is extra practice for Miss South Carolina!


I CANNOT wait for the week of Miss South Carolina to get here. I am so ready and very inpatient for it to get here! Tickets are on sale so work on getting some!!!!!



XoXo
Desiree

.::. There Can Be Miracles When You Believe.::.

"Ain't No Mountain High Ain't No Valley Low..."

Good Morning Everyone!

All weekend I was in Columbia with Dan. He is living in Florida this summer so I will not see him again until maybe Miss South Carolina. But, we are strong and can handle it.

Preparing for Miss South Carolina is not just a few thing. This is something that I dedicate my life to. Walking my legs off lol, watching the news and staying up to date with everything that is going on in the world, and making sure I can articulate the thoughts I want to present to the judges come interview time takes everyday to prepare! Being involved in the community is also part of the preparation of Miss South Carolina. I am making sure I am rested and both physically and mentally prepared to take on this challenge.

We found out placement for Miss South Carolina and I am number 41 out of 42 contestants. I think is the perfect spot! I am so excited and cannot wait for the week to come!


I am sick... which totally puts a damper in some things right now. I hope it goes away quickly!

.::. There Can Be Miracles When You Believe.::.

"I See My Name In Shining Lights"

Well everybody I left my job today. They could not give me a part-time position, so I had to leave. This next seven weeks is going to be the best preparation for Miss South Carolina. I am so excited and cannot wait until I am there!

This week I am helping the organization Let There Be Mom with creating memories for those children who are losing their mother or father. This organization was founded by Kipra Anderson. She donates her time to making the time these parents have left on earth the absolute best it can be with their children. I admire Kipra alot to donate her time to run Let There Be Mom.

Also on Friday I will be going to Anderson Mall to see if my bone marrow matches a young girl named Alex who suffers from Leukemia. She needs a transplant and is having trouble finding a donor. EVERYONE PLEASE COME OUT AND GET TESTES FRIDAY MAY 15TH AT THE ANDERSON MALL IN FRONT OF HALLMARK BETWEEN 10am-6pm!!!! HELP SAVE A LIFE. Everyone keeps asking what I will do if I am a perfect match, and I answer by saying I will donate than! This is not the easiest process, but I would do anything to help save a 14 year old girl.


Today I also completed many online courses for Greenville Children's Hospital so that I am able to get in the hospital as often as I would like!



I am making more plans and working working working ! Every little thing is so important right now to prepare for Miss South Carolina. I know that I am Miss South Carolina I just need to prove it to 5 people!


Goodnight everyone. I love you.
xoxo
Desiree

.::. There Can Be Miracles When You Believe.::.

"I'm on Top of the World Looking Down on Creation"

Hello all! Oh how I have missed you! It has been a couple days since I posted because I was at what we call, May Forum! This is where all of the Miss South Carolina Contestants showcase their swimsuit and talent! I have a blast as always. I love seeing all of the Miss South Carolina contestants we have nothing but laughs and good times!

I love my support system that was there this weekend. Without you guys I don't know what I would do!

Ok so there is only seven weeks until the competition! I am so excited! It is now crunch time and the pressure is on. I had to make a tough decision today. I informed my work that if I was unable to take a part time position I would have to resign. I know that you all are thinking I am crazy, but I do not see myself as anything but Miss South Carolina right now. That is the exact attitude you must have when going into this. There is no other job I would rather have. I know what I need to work on so please pray for me along the way.

I will be posting everyday for now on, I love you supporters! God Bless

xoxo

Desiree

.::. There Can Be Miracles When You Believe.::.

"There is Nothing Better In Life Than to Love and Be Loved"

Hey friendsss! I am so sorry it has been about two days. Today I am feeling real lovey, so when you're out and about today make sure you tell your loved ones that you love them!

OK! What have I been up to.... well like I said I was in New Jersey and practiced my dance for what is about to come this weekend... MAY FORUM! This is when all of the contestants for Miss South Carolina perform their talents and model swimsuit to be approved and so that the line-up can be determined for the pageant! This is such a FUN weekend. I love seeing all the girls while we get to show everybody what talents we have to offer this great state of South Carolina.

On Tuesday I was able to go see Deb again. I love her dearly. She is by far the best speech coach I have every spoken to. She does not change you, but helps you bring out who you are!

Today I have work all day, then tons of stuff to get ready for Forum! I wish it was Friday. This has been such a long week.

I have been in the process of finishing up an online class at Ashford this week and classes for Greenville Memorial Hopsital!

I will write tomorrow, but I am pushing time to get ready for work.



Have a safe and beautiful day. God Bless!

xoxo
Desiree

.::.There Can Be Miracles When You Believe.::.

I'm On Fire

Hello everyone! I know I did not post yesterday! That is because I am in New Jersey. I had some family issues we needed to tend to in New Jersey and while I was here I was able to work on my TALENT for Miss South Carolina.

It is always so nice to see your family you have not seen in a while. While being in NJ I was able to have a bonfire with my family! It was tons of fun! This weekend was so great because my cousins, who were my prince's last year in the Miss South Carolina pageant,(we have a prince and princess program where we mentor children) were around and I have been able to mentor them all weekend. I helped tutor, do school projects, we played basketball, and of course spent quality time by the bonfire.

You know spending quality time with your family can teach you so many things. It allows you to learn what it is like to appreciate your loved ones for who they are. It teaches you how to be the most positive, outstanding mentor you can be to young ones, and teaches you the true meaning of love. I am still in NJ right now, and it is time for me to get back to helping my cousin with his school work.

PLEASE do me a favor take the time right now to go spend time with a loved one. Take in the moments you are together and realize all the reasons why you love them. It will make you feel great on this beautiful Sunday the Lord has made. Appreciate, love, laugh, and relax often... that is my equation to life. SO take this advice, get off my blog and go do it!

XoXo
Desiree

Have a Blessed Sunday, Talk to you tomorrow.



.::. There Can Be Miracle's When You Believe.::.

"I Think I'll Go For A Walk Outside Now The Sunshine's Calling My Name... I Hear It Now"

Good morning friends. I will tell you again it has been a struggle to get out of bed, but that is because I have had late nights all week preparing for paperwork hand in and May Forum!

May forum is when all of the contestants get together to showcase their talent and swimsuit/physical fitness. Of course you want to look your very best at that time because as we all know the world me live in people will be judging you.

When you show up at May Forum you must REALLY show up. Strut your stuff and make everyone realize you are Miss South Carolina. Now you are probably wondering why I am giving advice or giving away secrets, but I am not. Every pageant girl knows this!

I do not think I ever told you why I started pageants... Well, I was always a very shy child. I mean so bad I would not leave my mother and would throw a fit if she left the house. It was not a good situation. My aunt had participated in pageants and I loved to watch. One day when I was 11 years old I told my mom I wanted to be in a pageant. Of course she was shocked. But I did it and ever since then I have competed. If you know me you can back me up with this, but I am one of the most outgoing, friendly, silly at times, open, love to public speak type of person. See what pageants can do for while providing scholarship! I would love for my daughter one day to compete in pageants ONLY when she is OLD ENOUGH to tell me she wants to. I will not have my infant showcased on stage when they do not even know what is going on!

Ok lets see what is on the agenda for today... Oh yes! More coffee sales, work, workout!, and get some rest because it is off to New Jersey tomorrow.

Listen... I have not heard from one person who has read this blog that they would like to buy coffee for CMN... that hurts my feelings. Think if an ill child asked you to buy coffee from them to help raise some money so that they know they will still be alive the next day. So that they know they will be able to breathe the next day because they had the proper care and medicine. So that they can see their brother or sister again because the hospital was able to assist them in procedures they needed. Think about it people while it is only $10.00, that money can make the biggest difference!

If your excuse is you are not a coffee drinker than I have a solution for you. Take that $10.00 or so dollars and deposit it into the CMN account I have........

www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=2873c4458ba

There you go ! No excuses... NOW HELP THESE KIDS!

XoXo

Desiree <3

.::. There Can Be Miracle's When You Believe.::.

Mariah Carey y Whitney houston When You Believe

"There She Is....Miss America..."

Top of the morning to you. I know I am such an early bird. I actually slept later than I usually do because I just could not get out of the bed!

Anyway, I am sorry if my prior post brought tears to your eyes, but at the same it needed to so that people truly understand the meaning of life and understand that we do not walk alone.

Last night I was able to work with the amazingly talented Deb Sofield. I just love her. Anytime I am with her she brings out only the best in me. (For those of you who do not know Deb Sofield is the best speech coach around) Now I know what you make be thinking, how can you be Miss South Carolina if you need a speech coach.... Well, it is not that you need a speech coach, it is that they notice the bad habits you have and bring out the best in you, well Deb Sofield does at least.

So what is on the agenda for today... Work as always at Carolina First Bank. I am a teller if you did not already know. I am working to help pay for school and Miss South Carolina, which is why I decided to finish my degree online at Ashford University. I love online school and when times are tough you need to step up to the plate and handle things as needed. I plan to be Miss South Carolina and I do not see myself anywhere else after July 3rd.

Also, that paper work I talked about in my first blog... well today I get to hand it all in! YAY.. It is so relieving to get the paperwork done and out of the way so you can focus on what you need to, THE COMPETITION.

Today I am also continuing my coffee sales for Children's Miracle Network. If you have not already bought a bag I'm upset about that and you NEED to. Come on people it is for CHILDREN! Also I will be speaking with the Child Life Specialist to get back into the hospital and work with the kids some more. I need THEM in my life. It is amazing how children can be such positive role models in your life and really teach you lesson you need to learn. While they are looking up to me when I visit them, I am looking up to them.

What else today... handing in paperwork, networking, setting up appointments, work, and what did I leave out..... WORKOUT of course!

Please everyone have a blessed day. Enjoy it tomorrow is FRIDAY ! Also if you ever have any questions for me or want to ask me some pageant questions or about life just to get to know me... comment to my posts and I will comment back!

XoXo
Desiree

.::.There Can Be Miracles When You Believe.::.

Real Miracles at The Children's Hospital, Colorado

WHO DOESN'T DRINK COFFEE IN THE MORNING!!!

Good Morning Everyone,

I know it is now 5:25 a.m. I get up crazy early so that I can workout before I go to work! And then again when I get home!

Let me tell you a story.....

There is a reason Children's Miracle Network is my platform. When my mother was just three months pregnant, she found out she was having twins! Well, she became very very ill and found out that she was having a tubal pregnancy-- with who would have been my brother, Daniel. There was only a 50% chance the doctors would save my life. 1 in 100,000 was the odds of this situation ever happening to my mother losing Daniel and saving me. But, the doctors succeeded.

As we all know I am here, living and well. I thank God everyday for the wonderful life he has allowed me to have and keep. I know that Daniel is my Guardian Angel, and not one person could tell me otherwise. He watches over me and leads me in the directions I need to be going with. You see I have an advantage-- When I walk on that stage at Miss South Carolina, I have no reason to be scared or nervous because I will not be walking alone-- Daniel will be right beside me.

This is why CMN is my platform. I know the Lord has called me to help Miracles happen for these children. Now I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

I am currently selling LIQUID HIGHWAY coffee products... REGULAR, DECAF, TEA, HOT CHOCOLATE. It is a 12 oz. bag that will have my picture on it as Miss Pendleton and my name, Desiree Puglia. Liquid Highway does a tremendous amount of philanthropy and now they are helping CMN!!! The bag of coffee is only $10.00!!!! Come on people the money goes towards CMN!!! Please buy at least one. Daniel would want you to.

******* You can reply to this post or contact me at dlp1987@yahoo.com-- Cash or Checks accepted (make payable to Desiree Puglia) ********

.::.Miracles Can Happen When You Believe.::.

Two Months to Miss South Carolina

Hello Everyone,

Everyday I will be blogging for the last two months of my preparation for taking on the job of Miss South Carolina. Since the world revolves around technology, I thought this would be a great way to keep everyone connected with what I am up to!

Well, today I spent a lot of time wrapping up my paperwork so that it looks perfect to give to the judges! (For those of you who do not know, we must create a resume, essays on our platform,and other tedious paper work to submit to the Miss South Carolina Organization and judges!) Once paperwork is all out of the way, I am stress free and able to focus on taking over the job of Miss South Carolina!

Since this is my first blog, let me get you up today on what I have been doing since January. I have become a volunteer at Greenville Children's Hospital. Now I am able to work with the children whenever I would like. My first visit with the children was wonderful. I was able to read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and make caterpillars with the children. There is truly nothing better than bringing joy to the children that are ill in the hospital. These children seem as if they have not a worry in the world. They are so light hearted while being hooked up to IV drips, heart monitors, and other devices that monitor and keep them functioning and well. It is a blessing to have such miracles in my life right now! (Also for those of you who do not know Children's Miracle Network is my platform as I am a miracle child!)

I have also been training like a dog to be in the best physical fitness state I can be for both swimsuit competition and my talent!

I was able to attend a good bit of preliminaries to cheer on other contestants towards their journey to Miss South Carolina.

One of my favorite parts of becoming Miss South Carolina is taking on the task of the Mentoring Program Miss South Carolina offers. This is called the Prince and Princess program. I have the best Prince(Brandon) and Princess (Morgan) I could ever ask for. I love every minute of being with them and mentoring them with whatever they need. Being a positive role model is one of the number one job duties of Miss South Carolina. I am so blessed to have them in my life !

I also work full time at Carolina First Bank and go to school full time online at Ashford University! I am obtaining my degree in Early Childhood Education-- I love children!

This is just the first blog of many more to come. I just wanted to give everyone a taste of the different things I will be addressing in my blogs!

XoXoXo
Desiree
Miss Pendleton