marshana's space

Hello Everyone,

I know that it has been quite some time since I last posted on here.  I've been very busy.  Here's a quick update.

The Miss Earth United States Pageant was great!  It was a ton of fun!  Though I did not "win" I still felt like a winner.  Being Miss Earth New York opened so many doors for me.  It was an experience that I would never trade for anything.  That night belonged to Lisa Forbes...she has worn the title well, and I am proud of her.

 Miss Earth United States, Lisa Forbes and I....congrats Lisa.  (P.S. I made my dress as well!)

Congrats Lisa, I am so proud of you!

In November of last year I returned to The Miss New York USA Pageant for my final attempt at the title.  As you all know my first attempt was in late 2006...where I won Miss Congeniality!!  This time around I finally made it into that top 25!!  With close to 150 girls competing, making top 25 is a HUGE accomplishment.  That night, my dear friend Makho got First Runner up!!  Then to top all of that off...another friend of ours, Danielle Roundtree, WON!!!  It was all too much for us!  We cried happy tears for each other, it was so moving.  Right now, as I type this, Danielle is in Las Vegas competing at Miss USA!!  Makho and I will be watching together, this Friday night to see what happens!!!  We love Dani and we are rooting for her...win, lose or draw, she is fierce and we love her!!

Myself, Makho and Danielle...Top 25, First Runner Up and Winner.  Collectively known as, The Brown Trio!!!

Myself and Danielle before the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition!!!  We look and feel so Fab!

Kick Butt at Miss USA, I'm rooting for you girl!

Now 2008 got off to a great start.  Most of you all know that currently I am on a Reality Show.  My contract with the show prevents me form blogging about the show or even mentioning it on here.  While I will mention nothing of my experience on the show or the outcome...I will say this.

This is me with the ones that matter most to me, My Family.  In the front row, my Dad, Mom, Sister Kedesha, Myself, Jaylen in my arms, Sister Ogah and a host of Aunts Uncles, Cousins and more. I miss you guys!

People seem divided on the issue, they either love or hate me.  But to all of my friends and family who have supported me along the way, I want to say thank you.  You all have known me the longest and the best. You all know who I REALLY am.  You all see and know ME, the Marshana that not even editing can destroy.  You all know that things have not been easy.  Life took me on a long and winding road before it led me here.  With all of the obstacles, I am glad. 

                                                                                                                                              Here's a perfect example of someone who is going through WAY more than I could imagine right now.  My dear friend Chadd is defending our nation in Iraq right now.  He reminds me of what is most important in life...that's love for God, Family, others, and if you have anything left...self.  Chadd I miss and love you, come home safe and soon...my prayers are with you.

The good book tells us that ALL things work TOGETHER for the good of them that Love the Lord.  Note that it said ALL things....that includes all of the good that has been said about me and all of the bad...WILL work TOGETHER for MY good, for my benefit. I pray just as diligently for my enemies as I do for myself and those that love me. 

My BFF Nikki and I chillin' in The Hamptons with...some random guy!!  What would life be without Friends!  Can't wait for summer Nikki, we're taking over!  I missed a BIG portion of last summer with you due to the Eco Trip..but I'm back and we're taking over! 

My faith and happiness do not depend on the weather.  It may be raining in some areas of my life right now...but I STILL have praise!! Praise always proceeds  VICTORY!!  So I rejoice, and thanks to all of you who have sewn good seed in my life.  Thanks to all of you who lifted me up with your words when I was feeling down...these things mean so much to me...more than weak words could EVER express.

                                                                                                                         Who could be sad when you have these guys?!  My nephews, Jaylen and Kayleb always make me smile...even though the live FAR away in FL.  Auntie loves you! You're the apple of my eye!

Sewing and reaping is a spiritual principle that CANNOT be negated by belief.  Some think that just because they don't believe in something, that it does not apply to them...if only it worked that way.   So let's all rejoice together and ask that God have mercy on those who slander me.  Because when it comes time for harvest and they are reaping all the negativity that they have been sewing...then and only then will they realize, that their negativity will destroy them....and not me.

Much Love and Blessings,

Marshana

P.S. Earth Day is fast approaching!  What will you do to help make every day Earth Day?  Stay tuned, I will be making appearances in conjunction with Earth Day...remember Go Green, not in between!

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

Who knew that corn was so versatile??? All along I thought corn was jut another vegetable.  Turns out that it has more uses than one. 

Today our Green Challenge for Chicago was distributing some alternative "Take Out" Containers!!

 Me holding a stack of the Eco  Friendly Containers.

Though they didn't look any different than the typical plastic containers... they were.  Made from Corn Resin, these containers are re-usable and bio degradable.  We visited the Local Restaurants and informed them about this Eco Friendly alternative.  The containers were very well received at the restaurants.  They were excited to share this new option with their patrons.

 These Lovely young ladies tried out some of the Corn Resin Containers.  The lady on the right's College used Corn Resin Containers in their Cafeteria!!!

We then took a stroll down to Trader Joe's to offer them the option of using some of the containers.

 We were surprised to learn that Trader Joe's was already using Corn Resin in their establishment to package goods.

We offered our new friends at Trader Joe's some of Our Organic Cotton Tees. Were about to be on our way when they offered us some tasty Trader Joe's Beverages, on the house, to keep us hydrated on our "Green" Adventure. We were most grateful for that...thanks guys!!!

Next we headed across the Street to a Mexican restaurant that we had spotted just across the Street.  We figured they might be able to use the containers as well.

 The Sign of the Su Casa Restaurant on East Ontario Street.

We strolled into the restaurant and got a chance to speak with the Manager, Jesus.  We told him about the Corn Resin containers and how they were a more Eco Friendly alternative for the environment.  He was interested in what we were doing on this Eco Trip and gladly accepted the containers.  Jesus then went one step further and asked us if we had lunch yet.  When we replied no, he then offered us to have lunch at the restaurant, on the house!!

 McGuire, Our Server Cesar, Me, The Manager Jesus & Leslie.

Needless to say we were MORE thank grateful and appreciative of  the offer.  We Gladly accepted.  We had some of the best Mexican food I have tasted since The Red Iguana in Salt Lake City!!!! As a thank you to the staff, we left them all with some of our Organic Cotton Tee Shirts.

If you are ever in the area, you have to check out the Su Casa Restaurant, for great food and STELLAR hospitality!!!

We weren't able to finish all of our tasty meal, so the restaurant sent us on our way...with our leftovers in the Corn Resin Containers we had given them.  It was good to see that they were going to use immediately!!!!

That was a great end to a great Green Challenge today.  Les and I took some time afterwards exploring the City of Chicago.  Check out the new photo album to see photos from the rest of our day. Tomorrow we head to visit some local Green Businesses to talk  with them and get a feel for how they are helping the environment.

'Til Next Time,

Marshana,

Miss Earth New York 2007