It has been quite a while since my first journal entry here. So much can happen in a matter of months. Zannah is still doing pageants every now and then. After being out of them for so long, before diving back in head first (last November); it is taking a lot of time to get her polished. The more experienced contestants are outstanding talents, well seasoned, and full of projection. You know that it has taken a lot of dedication and hard work, when you see them perform.
Even though we may only do a National every now and then now, we're still in the dreaded 'newbie' phase. I don't want her to feel pressured to win on any level, although she does talk to me on occasion about what it takes to win "the BIG, BIG crowns" (Supreme titles). I know that in reality, it's going to take a lot of time and work for her to completely become a "total package" contestant. That doesn't stop her from trying though, because she's okay with just putting herself out there, and just doing her best. We're proud of her no matter the outcome. In due time, we know that all of the hard work will pay off for her. Everything has been a learning experience for all of us. A win is a win, no matter the title...and a loss is just a learning experience.
We're trying to keep a positive outlook in such a competitive environment. Most of the time we just stay to ourselves and observe, but, we try to be friendly to anyone we meet along the way as well. Zannah has meet many new friends through pageants, and also looks up to those who are role models to her now. As a parent, I'm trying to give her opportunities in life.
It is difficult not to lose sight of things, because pageants can become an entire lifestyle. Even though we enjoy participating a great deal, we try to have a life aside from the hobby too. I don't think Zannah is ready for such a commitment, as far as a strict regimen of practice and competition goes. At this pace that she's at now, it is up to her to decide how much time and effort will go into preparation, on her end. When she's in the mood to practice, she does her thing - when she's not, she'll let me know it. Kids will be kids, and sometimes their attention span gets short. When she competes, it goes the same way. When she's "on", she's in the mood to project and give a good performance, and she will. As far as an "off day", she's had her share of just having a bad day. Then there are times were the competition is very tough with seasoned contestants; even with her best performance, it can be very tough to win a title.
So we try not to get 'above our raisin' when it comes to predicting an outcome of a pageant. It's going to take a lot of hard work for our little one to be on top of her game. Miracles don't always happen overnight; the contestants that win big work extremely hard to get to that point. With each pageant, she improves with the experience though. But her personality is much more outgoing now, because she has become more confident. Every now and then she does still get shy, but she's really come out of her shell, so to speak, through pageants. And I'm so proud of all of her accomplishments so far, and her efforts to achieve them.
Right now we are in the process of remodeling a house we just purchased, as well as Zannah preparing for her next dance recital. For now we have been taking a break from pageants until things slow down. When Zannah is ready to get back into the swing of things again, well be at another pageant again soon.
Take care everyone!
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