Wednesday, October 19, 2011

BINGO at Ronald McDonald House

I was blessed to spend an evening hosting "Bingo" for the adults and teens of Ronald McDonald Charlotte this past Monday night. While there, I met this sweet little angel! She was too little to play, so I made her my official "wheel spinner" which she happily did, while seated on my lap for nearly two hours!


The red backpack has a puppy in it and was her prize for being such an amazing helper! She named him "Princess".

As always, nights like Monday make me so grateful for the opportunities to serve others that this crown has given me and for the joy I am able to bring to others because of it.  Looking forward to Halloween night when I will get to make and serve dinner for all of the house's families, along with my team from Planet Ballroom! And of course, get to see my sweet little angel again!


Friday, October 7, 2011

Grateful for the Journey....

While pulling together some photos for an upcoming ad, I stumbled across this picture. It literally stopped me and my heart in its tracks! It's a photo of me and my husband (although not at the time!) six years ago, building our first-ever dance studio! I can't believe how YOUNG we both look...babies! It makes me smile to look at our faces and think what the "me" today would tell those two.... The up's and down's, struggles and successes that will occur within those walls and in our lives. That this little space and school will become an empire. It will become two schools (and eventually more), one of which is a two-story, mega-complex of dance and fitness in the heart of a downtown. That 100's of amateurs and pro's lives will be changed. That we will spend nights on-end pacing and frustrated. that we will experience utter joy, pride, and happiness beyond our wildest dreams. That while we will meet 100s upon 100s of people, we will also be blessed to encounter a few who will become more than just staff and students, but part of our very hearts and lives. There is so much I would tell these two "kids". And yet, I guess I wouldn't. Life's gifts to us are the unexpected moments of laughter, friendships that we never see coming, and the struggles that stregnthen and define us. And if we are truly lucky, photos like this that cause us to pause and reflect, and just be so incredibly grateful for the journey....



Fall is Flying By!

Yesterday was  my big "Avatar" video shoot and it went even better than I could have hoped!! I got to see a few unedited clips and am SO excited to see the final product!

                                             (A sneak peek behind the scenes at my avatar shoot!)


                                      (My sweet husband came with me for my morning-long shoot!)

Up next on my agenda for this month is a "Pajamas, Hot Chocolate, and Spooky Stories Night" at the Charlotte Ronald McDonald House! No better way to celebrate this fall season than with a group of little angels, curled up by the fire in jammies, drinking hot chocolate and reading Halloween stories!

                            (My husband and me last time we were able to serve dinner at the Charlotte House)

And on Halloween Night I will be joining Planet Ballroom in cooking and serving dinner to all the families residing at the Charlotte RMDH. I can't wait to get all dressed up in my costume and spend an evening with some of the most inspiring families and people you could ever hope to meet!

(Team Planet Ballroom at RMDH Charlotte!)

I am still putting together my team for the South Carolina St. Jude's Walk on November 19th!! I can't wait! A while I can't say much, I am in the middle of a HUGE project with Mrs. International 2011 that I am so SO excited about! Hopefully there will be news to share soon!

                                                             (Me and Mrs International!)

Don't forget that for up-to-the-minute updates, you can follow me on twitter: MrsSCIntl2011. :)

Blessings and happiness,

Elizabeth Malvasia - Mrs South Carolina International 2011