The Sun Shines Bright.

Happy Monday!  It was quite the weekend here in KT-land.  A weekend full of uke playing, sunshine walking, rose ball attending, and announcement making.

Full disclosure: I didn't win.  But I definitely felt like I did.  I seriously had the time of my life on Saturday...I wouldn't change a thing, and I mean that.  I was surrounded by people I love, celebrating my heritage, and having a ball (literally).

My family for the night included Beth, Sarah, Jessica, and Marcus. Beth live tweeted the event (thank GOD), and was later tweeted at by the emcee himself, Bill Meck. Because I was sequestered backstage for the majority of the night, I was very happy to have her updates streaming to my phone.  It provided me with some awesome entertainment. 

Here are some pictures from backstage while the dinner and auction were going on: 

My escort, David. 

Cami and Me in our pretty white dresses.

Love her.

Madison, Irish dance extraordinaire!

The escorts for the night.  Love these boys! 

The night culminated with our onstage interviews and talents.  Every girl did such a great job, the judges definitely had their work cut out for them.  Some highlights of my interview were talking about my hero, Shirley Temple, describing the first time I saw the Rose of Tralee, and waxing poetic about Angela (by the end of the night, everyone there was talking about her like she was a person.  I've never been more pleased).  For my talent, I sang a mash up of "The Fields of Athenry" and "My Old Kentucky Home" (accompanied by Angela, of course).  The performance was something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  Seriously, it ranks up there with singing "Blue Wind" in Spring Awakening and opening night of The Philadelphia Story.  The entire crowd was singing along with me.  The sense of connection in that room was electric.  Everyone was there with me, in that moment, living through the music...it was truly magical.  

From "Annie" to the Rose of Tralee! 

A HUGE congratulations to Claire, our 2014 Rose of Tralee!  She will go to Port Laoise this summer and represent our Old Kentucky Home.  I'm so excited for her, because she's never been to Ireland!  It will be an experience of a lifetime, and I couldn't be more proud. HASHTAG TEAM CLAIRE!

As for me and Angela, you'll find us soon at McCarthy's pub, providing music for the great people of Lexington.  Because that's what we DO (scurries away and works on a new set list).

And then it's on to the next big adventure...

Oh, St. Petersburg?  Don't mind if I do...see you soon, Sunshine state!