From NAM to ROME , BFF+F

So....after a LOOOOONG NAM summer touring the country....a few of us NAM girls decided to take it "out of the country" for a final vacation before we headed back to reality(AKA - our "big girl" jobs). I mean, besides - we have had to put up with all you crazy girls all summer - who wouldn't need a break (*wink*wink*) Just Kidding.....

Joy Suprano( pageant mc and assistant director at any Schnieder state), Julie Thomas( Maples' head choreographer), and Molly Briggie( choreographer for Palmgren and Maples), and ME - of course, wanted to see the world....so we packed up our NAM luggage and went to beautiful ITALY!!!!

We had a TON of fun visiting the Colosseum, The Vatican, The Pantheon...we even took a trip up to Florence where we saw the statue of David, in person as well as ate TONS of delicious authentic food and gelatto( which by the way they sell gelatto over there like they sell hot dogs on street corners in NYC - its everywhere).

While we were there - we still wanted to pay homage to NAM and tried to find any local pageants that were taking place. But, like us - "pageant season" was over for the year there, as well!

So....after catching up on sleep ( I traveled for 21 hours to get home!), and not to mention the time change - I wanted to share some of our FABULOUS NAM trip with you.

BUT - the REAL reason I wanted to share it with you ALL is to remind you all of something VERRRRY important. Regardless of if you took home the crown this year or not - dont ever forget the REAL reason you love NAM so much.......because of the friendships you make. Julie, Joy, and Molly - while they are some of my closest friends, I know that if it wasn't for NAM - they wouldn't be a part of my life and we wouldnt share a special and unique bond ( like sorority sisters!)

AND who knows...if you are anything like the four of us - when you gals are "old" like Julie, Joy, Molly, and I...it just might be that special friend you met at NAM yeeeaaarrrs ago who you travel the world with...that special friend who is your bridesmaid in your wedding...that special friend who you count on...and BEST OF ALL... who you call your BFF!!!!

Yes...Molly and I were teahing the Italians how to "sit pretty" in a chair for interview!!!

After we climbed the Spanish Steps in the Piazza di Spagna!!

Julie and Joy in front of "the Duomo" in Florence!!

Julie and Molly looking on as I throw a coin(making a wish) into the famous Trevi fountain

Joy and I "gladiatoring it up" inside the Colosseum.

Headed home after a great trip!!