All Good Things Must Come to an End

In five and a half more weeks, I will be crowning the next Mrs. Tennessee International.  I am lucky to have had the opportunity the hold the title for almost one and a half years instead of the usual one year.  As it all winds down, I am starting to reflect upon this experience.  It is overwhelming, and I am so thankful.  Everything happened just as it was supposed to, and I just could not be more pleased about the journey I have taken.  I did it my way from the beginning until the end, and I have no regrets. 

Talk to you soon!
Mary-Marsha Riley
Mrs. Tennessee International 2011

Happy Holidays from the Riley Family in Tennessee!

I hope everyone is enjoying preparing for the holiday season!  David and I spent last weekend with my family in Arkansas, and we had such a wonderful time.  Sometimes we get so busy in our lives and with our obligations that we forget just how important our families are.  My family is small, but we are fiercely close and loyal to one another.  My love for them is as solid as rock.  My wish for each of you this holiday season is that you have someone in your life who you treasure, who you would fight for, and who you love unconditionally.  If you are lucky enough to have that, you are truly a fortunate person.

Merry Christmas, and God Bless you all,
Mary-Marsha Riley
Mrs. Tennessee International 2011

L to R:  My sister, Gina; my dad, Bernie; my mom, Judy; me; my husband, David

And in the front:  Ashton, our joy :)        

Christmas Challenge

I want to challenge each of you to spend time this holiday season giving something of yourself and your talents to help another person.  You will never regret a second you spending helping someone else.  Share your gratitude for the blessings you have been given.  I always keep in mind that if not for a simple twist of fate, I could have been born without the opportunities I was lucky enough to be blessed with.  This fact rings true to me every week when I tutor my ten year old friend, Devon.  He and I have been working together weekly since he was seven.  Devon faces huges challenges; none of them of his choosing.  Making him believe he can and will succeed is a big part of my life.  I feel it is my responsiblity.  And, you know what?  Spending time with such a determined, kind-hearted little guy lifts my spirits every week.  I leave my time with him feeling revived, energized, happy, and grateful. I challenge you to do the same thing in your own life.  Pay your gratitude and your blessings forward this holiday season.  You will be changed as you change the life of someone (or a dog or cat :) that needs you!  Get out there and make a difference this month! 

God Bless,
Mary-Marsha Riley
Mrs. Tennessee International 2011      

Me and my husband, David, with Devon

My First Commercial!

This has been such an amazing year! My first job as a working model was a holiday commercial for Laurelwood Shopping Center.  It was a bit surreal to live the experience. I think it turned out great!  Click on the link below to see what you think!  And, to all my Memphis friends...consider coming to Laurelwood for your holiday shopping!    

http://vimeo.com/32328733

Happy Birthday Devon!

 If you know me, you know that I have been tutoring my little buddy Devon Leonard for four years now.  We started together when he was a 6 year old first grader, and yesterday my awesome fourth grader turned 10.  I am so proud of Devon.  In the last four years he has evolved from a shy and quiet little boy with no confidence into a happy, capable, confident, and fun loving little man.  He received his highest marks ever on a report card this past quarter, and he is no longer behind in his reading.  Devon is terrific.  I am determined to see him make it; despite some challenges that most of us will never have to face.  I will continue to be his biggest cheerleader.

Here are some photos of my sweet little buddy as he opened up his brand new Nintendo DS on Friday morning.  He was so incredibly happy, and his happiness touched and uplifted my heart.  If any of you are looking for a way to enrich your life, take a few hours a month and devote them to changing the life of an at risk young person.  You will be glad you did.  If you are in Memphis, contact Sarah Quintal at Streets Ministies and get started today!

     

More Official Mrs. International Photos

Yay!  I was so excited to see my Mrs. International photo CD in the mail today.  Thank you to Paula Preston for working so hard during pageant week to capture our memories!

 Getting off the bus about to board the boat for the tour of Chicago!

 Me and David during the Evening Gown Competition 

 Us again...David was the perfect escort :)

 Fitness Competition

 This is my favorite Evening Gown Competition shot.

 My announcement as a Top 12 Finalist!  

 Third Runner-up!!  I was SO happy!!! :)

 Happy, happy, HAPPY! 

 Top 5 and Our Husbands

 Mrs. International 2011 Top 5

 David and me at the Cornonation Ball after the Finals of Mrs. International 

My favorite dress of the week...at the Meet and Greet with the Judges

SO MANY GREAT MEMORIES!!

A Bit of Self Reflection

I am a dreamer.  I have always had high expectations for myself, and I have worked hard to reach my goals.  But, as we all know, sometimes life happens.  "Stuff" gets in the way, and sometimes that "stuff" makes us doubt who we are and what we are capable of.  I certainly have doubted myself quite a bit along the way.  I have lost my way more than once, and I have almost given up on my dreams more than once.  But, for as long as I can remember, I have believed in myself, and I have always felt that I deserve to be treated well, especially by myself.  We all deserve to be treated well, and we all deserve the opportunity to reach our potential.

Throughout this past year, I have been blessed with so many meaningful opportunities; opportunities for self growth, self reflection, and most important, I have had opportunities to create positive change for causes close to my heart.  I am lucky, and I know that.  If the whole "genie with three wishes" was a reality, one of my wishes would be that all people (and all animals) would be blessed with the same opportunities in life.  It is easy to forget in the midst of our busy lives that we are significantly blessed, and if not for a simple twist of fate, we would have been born into a completely different situation which would have required us to travel a far more difficult road.  We owe it to this world to do good; to help; to improve our little portion of this world.  That is success in my book.

Be happy and do good,
Mary-Marsha Riley