I know that you all have not heard from me since Cleveland!!! That's crazy!!!  I was having some technical difficulties and since we hit NYC I have been one busy girl.  So here is my brief recap and a look at what is next for me.

Washington DC was great!! I really like the event that we did at the National Mall.  I was my very first time being to the National Mall though I have been to DC before.  We got to inform a lot of people with the posters that we had with the "Startling Environmental Facts"  By the time it was all over...I had to jump for joy!!!

 You all know I am known to go a lil' crazy from time to time!!! But I LOVE this shot!!

 

 

 

Then after DC it was back to NYC....my home town.  Needless to say I was more than anxious to get back to my tiny Park Slope, Brooklyn Studio...there really is no place like home!! I rushed back to NYC and hit the track running!!! I don't feel like I have had the chance to sit and relax since I got here!!

 Miss Earth New York and Chelsea...fellow Environmentalist!

 

 

 

 

 My Good Morning America Weekend Edition Interview!!!  It was great!!

 

 

 

 Just a part of the gang that gathered for a Live Earth Eve Dinner at NYC's Ultra Hip Restaurant, Tao.  It was great.  I don't think I have ever seen a Buddha that big...or a fortune Cookie that big either!!! It was great experience!!

 

 

 

 

 There was no rest for the weary.  After a  long night, McGuire and I had to get up VERY early on 7-7-07 to do a live TV interview with Channel 7 Eyewitness news.  This one was EXTRA special to me! As  native New Yorker this is MY morning news program of choice.  It meant a lot to me to be there and meet the anchors in person!!!

 Next we all met up at Port Authority to go to Live Earth.  This is what we all had been working up to!!! This was it, the Grand Finale of the Eco Trip.  It was exciting yet bittersweet.  We boarded the bus arrived, and I got to the business of enjoying the concert.

 

 

 

 This is me  at the base of the Live Earth Stage as John Mayer performs.  He was my favorite act of the concert....I do love him so!!

 

 

 

 

 

 He was REALLY into his set and feeling the music.  It was an experience to say the least.

 

 

 

Before I knew it the day had come to an end and I was on the bus back home.  I barely gave Lesie and Hedge a Proper Goodbye.  I don't do goodbyes.  So rather than make a big deal I simply hugged them and was on my way.  I didn't even get to give McGuire so much as a hug.  I couldn't find him at the time and I was ready to go. The Eco Trip was over and it was time for me to move on to what was next.

I have had an amazing time being Miss Earth New York.  It really opened up a lot of doors for me. I know that this title played an integral part in my being selected to do this Eco Trip...that and Favor!!!  But Miss Earth New York is not the end of the road for me.  Since the Live Earth concert I have been in Full Preparation mode for Miss Earth USA!!!

On Wednesday August 1st 2007 Amanda Helen Pennekamp the reigning Miss Earth USA 2006 will crown her successor.   I will be flying to Portland Oregon this Friday July 27th to represent my state, New York proudly!!!  I am so excited.  Through all of this buzz I did take a few days of from training to go to Florida for my family reunion.

 Myself and just a portion of the family that gathered for the VERY first Robertson Family Reunion!!!

 

 

It was really good to see all of my family again.  They were all so proud of me and excited to see me in my sash for the VERY first time.  Though they will not be accompanying me to Portland for the pageant...they wish me all the best and will be there in spirit.

So here I am with just FOUR days to go until I fly to Portland!!! I feel as though I am going to burst the walls of my tiny studio apartment with my excitement!!! It's just crazy!! Everything has fallen into place...the dress, the shoes, the hair, the talent...everything.  Thanks to my participation in the Eco Trip, I have gained VAST knowledge about the environment and how I can help.  That is what miss Earth USA is all about!  This trip has prepared me for this pageant in a way that NO Pageant Coach EVER could and I am ETERNALLY grateful for that.  Between now and the pageant I do plan on blogging daily and possibly blogging while I am at the Pageant.  I will have to see about the Internet connection while I am there.  I really want to share this experience with all of you.  You all have been with me thus far and I want you all to see me through the rest of the way!!!

 

Take Care!!

Marshana Dahlia

Miss Earth_____________!!!!

 

Cleveland was the Eighth City of our Ten City Tour.  We had some great things lined up for Cleveland and I was looking forward to it.  However, on my FIRST day in Cleveland, I came down with a BAD case of hives!!!  I even missed our first "Green Challenge" because of it.  I was tempted to let it get to me.  I even thought I was allergic to Cleveland, and was almost certain that my time there would suck.  As it turns out, Cleveland Rocked...and it's not because of the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.

 Me holding some of the Re-usable Tote Bags that we distributed at Tower City Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Two in Cleveland, the team and I headed over to Tower City Center armed with some Re-Usable Tote Bags.  We wanted people to know that when you are shopping you have more choices than you think.   The next time you're out shopping and they ask if you want paper or plastic tell them neither.  Using a re-usable tote back instead saves trees and sends less waste to Landfill. 

 People were excited to see us and have a bag of their very own!

 

 

 

 Even the kids got in on the action.  They put their new Re-Usable Tote Bags to immediate use.  Ditching their plastic bags in favor if the more "Eco-Friendly" option.

 

 

 

 

After a successful day at Tower City Center, our next stop was on Eco-Friendly Conference the very next day.  I do apologize that I do not have pictures from that conference...there wasn't much, if anything to photograph there. 

Before we knew it our time in Cleveland had come to an end (Sad Face).  Faced again with the task of transporting ourselves, bikes and luggage to the Train Station... we were able to call on the help of a friend that Leslie had met Tuesday Night in Starbucks. 

  From left to right: Leslie, Dada aka Mr. London & I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initially, I gave Leslie a hard time for befriending total strangers while on the road.  However, I must admit that I have never been so happy for her "craziness".  Dada, was most kind to us...opening his heart and vehicle to me and ALL of our stuff.

Before we knew it, we were at the station, the bikes were in their boxes, our luggage was checked and my time in Cleveland had come to an end.  It was bittersweet because I had met some amazingly wonderful people in Cleveland.  But for this bittersweet moment...I have the perfect remedy. I will return to Cleveland...sooner rather than later, because Cleveland Rocks!!!!!!!

'Till Next Time,

Marshana Dahlia

Miss Earth New York 2007