Today was the real start to the second big week here in Mobile, and I'm excited for all the newness and changes, even if it means an increase in overall tempo! Today, we all met at the Mobile Civic Center to begin our new adventure in the actual venue in which we will be performing in three short days (time is flyyiiiinnngg). Short side note, what is with the AC down here? Naturally, folks would like a refreshing way to get out of the Alabama heat/humidity down here, but really? 45 degrees inside (slight Leonard exaggeration)?!... Anyways, the CC (Yes, I know Mobile slang) is a beautiful chilly kingdom and the stage is just gorgeous! Smaller than I imagined, but it will be a really nice place to perform. Throughout all of the morning and afternoon, we simply blocked all of our routines on stage, meaning our physical placement and lighting, etc..
  In between rehearsals today, we had the huge event of the week: Wintzell's Oyster House Oyster Eating Competition. We had some delish sea food, then the host there at Wintzell's asked us girls who wanted to compete in the actual oyster contest. Now, I don't think I'm the MOST competitive person on earth, but my family may be able to testify to this referencing one too many Phase 10 card games ending in tears and balled fists. But anyways, I decided to try the contest, and got a seat at the bar with 15 other Junior Misses as gutsy as myself. Armed with lemons, tobasco, and numerous napkins, our "shuckers" started handing us the oysters and we started slurping them down. OH. MY GOODNESS. I don't know what the Gulf people are feeding these oysters down here, but some of these oysters were the size of the palm of my hand. I managed to gulp down about 20 before I didn't know the difference between what was coming up or down...and had to stop before I got sick right in front of local tv. Sadly, Kentucky out swallowed all of us having 74 oysters in 15 minutes (absolutely un-human). But it was a great time :)
    This evening, we were also able to have some fun at LuLu's Restaurant (Lucy Buffett, sister of Jimmy) where we were again treated like royalty.. but mostly I enjoyed it for the marvelous burger and fun in the sand around the restaurant. It's soooo nice to have fun events like this at night to just unwind and rewind all of us the reason we are here.
    I better get to sleep, more intensive rehearsal tomorrow! Missing Idaho and family and friends (thank you soooo much for the letters, you know who you are!). 
    In the spirit of Junior Miss,
          Madison Leonard
            Idaho