Miss Universe 2011: My Top 16

After watching the preliminary show I have decided my Top 16. Usually there is a Top 15, but this year the MUO is allowing the public to vote a contestant to enter the Top 16. I was impressed by some of the contestants performances, but a few of my favorites were disappointing and I expected way more than I imagined!

16. PHILIPPINES

It is quite obvious that the Philippines will get the public vote, simply because they are "pageant fanatics". But overall Shamcey's performance was very energetic! I wouldn't be surprise if she was in the Top 5! Her evening gown was so much better than last year's contestant and she also looked very elegant.

15. INDONESIA

Nadine was definitely a dark horse during the preliminary show. Her evening gown was so flowy and spectacular! Although before she arrived to Brazil, the gown wasn't my favorite but it looked so much better in motion! However, I think she needed more energy and enthusiasm during the swimsuit round. But overall she was absolutely a surprise in the show! Indonesia has sent one of their best participant since 2009.

14. BRAZIL

Since Brazil is the host country of the pageant, I think she will get placed. But I believe this lady Priscila deserves to be in the Top 16. From the beginning she was never a favorite of mine, but she proved me wrong. I enjoyed watched her evening gown performance!

13. FRANCE

Laury was a dark horse to me before she arrived to Brazil. Every day she just keeps improving and she looked beautiful in her white evening gown! It's been a while since France sent a stunning contestant.

12. NICARAGUA

I never caught my eyes on Nicaragua until the last few days before the preliminary show. She is just simply elegant and she presented her evening gown very well! But I am also impressed with her web interview.

11. USA

Okay firstly with Alyssa I am just disappointed with her overall performance at the preliminary show. I thought she would've done so much better than that and I had high hopes for her! Even before she won Miss USA, Alyssa has always been a big favorite of mine and I just instantly knew that she was going to win Miss USA for sure. I also thought that she would win the 8th crown for USA and she has dropped down my list in the Top 16. But she will definitely be in the Top 16 because of the sash factor. I liked her evening gown, but I expected more. What also worries me is her body! She looked so unhealthy to me :/

10. CHINA

I love her height which makes her stand out from the rest and she is also the tallest contestant for this year. I'm pretty sure she will be in the Top 16 because of the sash factor. I liked her top bit of her evening gown, but the bottom part wasn't a favorite of mine. Although she did carry that gown very well and I wouldn't be surprised if she also won the first crown for China!

9. PANAMA

Sheldry's strongest asset are her lips! She was so energetic during her swimsuit round and she also looked lovely in her white gown. She just seems to be a bubbly girl! Sometimes she reminds me of Amelia Vega, Miss Universe 2003 for some reason.

8. COSTA RICA

This girl is naturally stunning! She has one of the best bodies in the competition and I am expecting to see her in the Top 16. Her red evening gown during the presentation show was a let down for me, but she did a fantastic job overall!

7. MEXICO

Once again Karin also has one of the best bodies in the competition. She is just naturally beautiful and very elegant. I wouldn't be surprise if she won the crown again for Mexico. Who said it was impossible to have another back to back victory!

6. AUSTRALIA

Sherri is such a natural beauty and I love her smile! She also looked very lovely in that gown and maybe it's time for Australia to win the crown again since Jennifer Hawkins?

5. GREECE
She is such a Greek Goddess! I love her height and her red lipstick which is her signature look. She really does have the chance to win the crown! Also I actually liked her national costume.

4. PUERTO RICO

Viviana for some reason was never a favorite of mine since the beginning, but my whole perspective during the presentation show changed. She looked stunning in her evening gown! Overall, she did a great job!

3. MALAYSIA

Deborah has been the strongest representative of Malaysia for years! I would love to see her win the first crown for Malaysia! She is just simply elegant and very intelligent.

2. VENEZUELA

When Vanessa first won her national competition, I thought she looked old. But she is such a stunning lady! Her performance was just amazing! She also has one of the best bodies in the competition and her preparation towards the Miss Universe Pageant was totally worth it!

1. PERU

I believe Natalie can become the next Miss Universe 2011. She is just simply gorgeous, young and modern! She did such a fantastic job during the preliminary show and she also looked wonderful in that gown! I also love her hair-do and she was just fierce during the swimsuit round! She also has such a good body as well!

Overall I believe any of these ladies can become the next Miss Universe, you just never know!

Dark horse: Ghana, Finland, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and Portugal.

Vice Captain Report - Jirra Magazine No. 43

As I reminisced about the past, it literally felt like just yesterday that I had to deliver my speech to Year 12. I can still remember how my speech started off. “My Dad has always told me, if there’s any opportunity out there, go for it! It is true what people say, the only things in life that you regret are the risks you didn’t take.” Being Vice Captain of Randwick Girls High School has been a truly rewarding experience and an absolute honour. Although it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, the lessons I have learnt are countless and have taught me that I can make mistakes and learn from them.

I have always looked up to and admired the past Captains of our school, ever since I was a Year 7 SRC member. They have been such an inspiration to me and I too used to always dream about being one of Randwick Girls High School’s School Captains. I have now achieved what I dreamt of and hope that I have done my position justice.

The Vice Captain’s role isn’t all about chairing assemblies or meeting politicians, it is about being a role model and being there to care and support for each other. I have always been passionate about fulfilling my role as Vice Captain and have learnt that “The key to successful leadership is influence not authority.”

I just wanted to thank Mrs Emerson, Mrs Posener and Mr Raskall for believing in me and always encouraging me to do the very best that I can. I truly do appreciate all the support and guidance that you have given me this past year. I have really enjoyed working with you all and have learnt so much from you that I will definitely take on board for the future.

A special message to all the amazing teachers that have taught me throughout my six years at Randwick Girls! You are such wonderful teachers who have done so much for me. You have passed on priceless lessons and I thank you for that. You have created such memorable moments in class that will stay with me forever. Without my teachers, I would have been lost. Thank you so much for guiding us, inspiring us and making us who we are today.

To all the SRC girls, I just wanted to say that I am so proud of every one of you! I’ve had such a fun-tastic time working with such wonderful girls and I am proud of what we’ve achieved together this year as a team! (GO TEAM!) Also, a huge thank you to Ms Mack and Ms Jordan for all that you have done for us. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you, thank you for putting in so much time and effort to accomplish our goals.

To my lovely ladies, the Class of 2011! One of the best gifts that I’ve ever received is the love and friendship you have given me. Our memories won’t just stay for a while, but for a life time. We’ve grown up together for the past 6 years and we’ve all gone through our ups and downs. However, in the end we always strived to be there for one another. I’ve never met such beautiful young ladies in my life and I’m so glad that I got to know you all. I want to thank you so much for having faith in me and for helping me through the hard times. Can you girls believe it? We made it through, because (sing this with me) - we’re all in this together!!

Of course, we wouldn’t be able to do this without our amazing year advisor Mrs Randall, who has been so supportive of all the Year 12’s. Mrs Randall do you remember our Year 10 Graduation Assembly when I chaired the event and you sat right next to me and told me how much we had grown and how proud you were of us? I still remember that moment till this very day and it felt like it had just happened yesterday. I thank you so much for always looking out for us and for your endless kindness.

To my beautiful best friend Anna-Marie Venites, we’ve seen each other grow for the past 11 years. What in the world would I do without you in my life? All I can say is thank you so much for being there for me no matter what. I must say we truly have a “unique” friendship. We have been through happiness, laughter and tears, and how can we ever forget our funny moments! You are so beautiful inside and out, never change because I love you!

All I can say is that my time at Randwick has been the best moments of my life! The friendships, experiences and lessons will always remain forever in my heart. Although I can’t believe that this chapter of my life is ending, I know that “It is just the beginning”. I have also learnt that “Time is precious” and to all the girls out there, please make the most of it at school because you don’t realise just how fast it really flies. Enjoy your time at school, work hard, stay positive and be happy!

Lastly, I would like to leave you with a message:
Remember that there is always going to be the good and the bad, but never give up your dreams. Anything is possible, always aim high, believe in yourself and stay strong. If you’re passionate about something you are most likely going to achieve it. Ultimately, it’s all about the effort you put in, because, "Action speaks louder than words". To reach your goals in life, facing the different and difficult obstacles are inevitable. Your dream is right at the end, waiting for you.

Love always Claudia.

19/08/2011

I haven't blogged for a few days, been busy with assessments! Like give me a break from trials please! -.- But anyways I just finished my assignment and Ms Symthe is too nice to let us give our assignment by 12am hehe :)



But anyways, remember how we won the Talent Quest Show? Well we finally celebrated with our $100 gift voucher which we used it for dinner at Pancakes in Darling Harbour. Unfortunately the weather was horrible since it was soo cold and it was full hard core raining. Although we had our funny moments haha! We went karaoke and we had so much fun, we literally sang our lungs out which was pretty hilarious! We went back to chill at Rina's which was so good and relaxing. I know I had a good night and we realise not long till Rina goes back to Japan :(

I love you my five amigos!! LOL

TRIALS ARE FINALLY OVERRR!

3/5

Finally my English, Legal and Society & Culture trial exams are overrr!

Monday - I had Paper 1 English in the morning and Legal studies in the afternoon. I can't sit on a chair for 3 hours, it felt like I was there for years lol!

Tuesday - Day off, but it wasn't even enough to study!

Wednesday - Paper 2, English in the morning and Society & Culture in the afternoon. Suprisingly Society wasn't that bad since I didn't study.

If I didn't do Society, then I wouldn't have to do that PIP and I would've used those 2 weeks of school holidays to study hard for my trials! But I can't complain anymore, but now I feel soo relieved because I just need to study for Business on Friday. Now's my chance to finally concentrate on one subject. I wished my time table for the trials wasn't too crowded. Oh wells, what can you do and I've tried my best! I've just been so exhausted and stressed out for studying like 2 different subjects for the same day, since I've only been getting 3 hours sleep per night cause of fasting as well. But it's almost overrr.. then we can partaaay! Well not really, LOL! I still have 3 assessments to do after trials, fml :(

2 MORE EXAMS TO GO BAYBEHHH!