Wow, I don't even know where to begin. I guess I will start from the very beginning!
Friday night - July 9th I laid my head down at 9pm, my flight to Toronto was leaving the next morning at 8am which meant I had to be at the airport at 6am. I wanted to get to bed early to ensure I had a great sleep to prepare myself for the upcoming week. I could not fall asleep for the life of me, the day was finally about to arrive and I was more then thrilled. I tried every tactic to fall asleep but there was nothing that could stop my mind from anticipating the experience that lay ahead. Around 3am I finally fell asleep, I was woken up by my alarm at 5:30am - Now let me tell you that was not the full nights sleep I had planned to get, no no it was about a fifth of that. No matter how tired - I was never so excited to hear my alarm clock go off, I jumped right out of bed did my walk all the way to the bathroom, turned and flashed my pearly whites to the mirror. I was so concentrated on making my hair perfect that I ended up taking an extra 15 minutes to get ready and we were late getting out the door. Normally that would stress me out BUT I was on my way to The Miss Teen Canada Pageant and that plane was going to wait for me lol.

With my suitcase now in the car and my seatbelt on, I was on my way to the airport. My grandfather surprisingly drove the speed limit (instead of 15km/h under the speed limit) and we made it to the Halifax airport just on time. I walked in with my Miss Teen Halifax sash on, dragging behind me a massive suitcase and one extra bag - I nearly broke a heel trying to drag that thing. A few heads turned to see what my sash said and surprisingly a lot of people came up to ask me about it. I handed my bags over and started towards the gate, I called my parents to say goodbye and they wished me good luck. This was the first time I was taking a plane by myself and I was a little nervous. I got to security, put my purse and cell phone through the scanner. Then the security guard asked me to remove my stilettos, I was a little bit hesitant - my shoes made me look so tall lol. I took them off and shrunk about four inches, it felt pretty weird walking bare foot in the airport, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I had a lot of congratulations and wished the best of luck by almost every employee. I walked onto the plane and was upgraded to first class!! Who knew there were so many perks to being a title holder. My two hour flight to Toronto I was treated like a queen, it was crazy. The flight attendants were constantly checking up on me and bringing me beverages. I felt famous almost lol
We were in Toronto and I could see the city in the distance, we were getting closer by the minute and then all of a sudden the plane starts taking a sharp right.. I really started to panic, totally thought I was going to the wrong airport. My heart was pounding and I was trying to figure out what I was going to do when I landed at the wrong airport. About ten minutes later the plane turns left, straightens itself out and were on a clear path to the Toronto airport. Must say I felt so relieved! I landed at the Toronto airport and went to baggage claim to get my bags - One thing I was most nervous about was my bags getting sent somewhere else, it's happened to me before - but I was in luck my bags came out on the conveyor belt and with every muscle I had, I pulled my giant suitcase off and stood it next to me. I headed for the main doors and was greeted by my fellow Nova Scotia girl - Miss Teen Central Nova Scotia Rebecca Drover and a new Rebecca, Miss. Teen Southeastern Manitoba. We got into the van and headed for our hotel, while on the way chatting about our plane rides and the scenery. Arriving at the Delta Chelsea, we were so excited - we were taken up to a conference room on the 12th floor where we met a few of the other girls who had arrived before us.

I'm typically a shy person when it comes to meeting new people and carrying on a conversation, but there is something about the Miss Teen Canada World Pageant that brings out the chatty kathy in you. As soon as we got into the room with some of the other girls, the conversations started flowing. The Miss Teen Canada World Pageant brings girls from all over Canada together - with a variety of personalities and hobbies and somehow we all manage to mesh together. I never thought it would be so easy to get along with a group of girls who I had never met, it was like we already knew each other.
Coming into this competition I had no idea what to expect. I was thrilled to see how welcoming the other girls were and how they wanted to get to know you. People outside of the pageant world have a total misconception on what it's about and what the girls are like. I'll admit I thought everyone was going to be very standoffish and catty but it was the complete opposite. Every single girl introduced herself and within an hour we were sharing stories and talking like best friends.

After hanging out in the conference room we went down to the ballroom to meet up with the rest of the girls. We took our seats and continued to introduce ourselves to the other delegates who were already in the ballroom waiting. Girls were arriving all throughout the day, so new faces were constantly being added to the group. Almost everyone had arrived so we began what was going to be a week of hard practice. We turned the music up and strut our stuff. 
I know we were all excited to find out who are roommates were, we had been talking about it all day. The first day was a roller coaster ride, we settled into our rooms and it had finally sunk in - we were finally in Toronto beginning our Miss Teen Canada World journey ! I hadn't been on a trip by myself since I was younger and a gymnast, I used to travel all the time with my team and without my family, I forgot what it was like. When I was younger I never ever got home sick, but the older I get the more the home sickness gets to me. The first day we were there was amazing, but when it came time to go to bed I felt lonely and missed my family. I wiped my tears crawled into the amazingly comfy bed and fell asleep. I woke up with the complete opposite feeling, my home sickness was replaced by excitement and anticipation!

Every morning we got up just after the sun rose and got ready for the day - There was no time to waste sleeping, we had to make every minute of this trip count. We went over our walks, turns, posture, smiles, poses, grace, basically everything. The wild adventure was only beginning !
One of our first couple days in Toronto we had our photoshoot, I personally have never had a photoshoot. I know quite a few of the girls had but not me, I was so excited. Our hair and make up was done by professionals, we put on our best dresses and waited for our turn infront of the camera. I was nervous for some reason but as soon as I let loose and got infront of the camera I had a blast. I definitely want to have more photoshoots done with my sash and crown now that I have experienced it. Far better then any photo you can take yourself lol.

We had a routine formed for the first couple days, we practiced, ate and got to know each other - we had to get into the groove of things. I think it was the third day in we finally got to explore Toronto. We went out on a tour bus, well two tour buses since there was so many of us and viewed the city. The bus reached the waterfront where we slowed down, this was no ordinary bus it was a bus/boat. We stopped at the edge and had to get the bus motivated to get in the water so all together we yelled "GO HIPPO GO". After the bus tour we went to a latin restaurant where we went upstairs and were partnered up with each other to learn latin dancing, which I must say was a lot of fun. After the dancing we went back downstairs and ate lunch. Being in Toronto you learn there is many different cultures and traveling with Miss Teen Canada your sure to try food from all the diverse cultures. A couple days later or maybe it was the next day we were told we were going on a boat and ET Canada was going to be there. I had no idea what to expect and let me tell you this boat beat all expectations I had. It was huge and old fashion looking. I cant even tell you the amount of fun the girls and I had. There was three floors to the boat, the bottom had a giant layout of every fruit and baked good, the middle level had our "Damn Heels" shoes and giant papers with individual lipticks to sign our names and the top level - the best part - was the dance party, also where ET Canada was. The music blared and all of us danced in the 32 degree heat. It was without a doubt the best dance party I've experience. The next day we went for a work out in the park with a former olympian also an extremely hot day and was quite the work out. The following day we went to the CN Tower, a site I've always wanted to experience. The elevator is quite fast, any faster it would be considered a ride.. We walked across the glass floor looking down on the city and also went out on the terrace to get a great view.

Every where we went we took the two buses and the more we took these buses the more fun each trip got, we had the music turned up loud singing, dancing, waving to all the people on the street. I remember the day we took the bus/boat out for the tour there were no windows so everyone had a clear view of all of us dolled up in our crowns and sashes, It was our mission to see how many cars we could get to honk and what we really wanted was a big truck to blow his horn, we finally got one to just as we were pulling up to the hotel.

I personally love dancing, I was a ballerina as a child and over the past couple years have fallen in love with contempory and hip hop so I was excited to get our dance routines started. We had many coreographers, who by the way were all amazing - not only dancers but in personality too. We did ocapela for our opening number dance by kelis and the theme was alice in wonderland. So perfect !Our bathing suit number was to California Girls by Katy Perry, which was what everyone was hoping. I couldn't get enough of the dance I practiced it all day everyday, In the ballroom, in the hall way, in the bathroom, in my room.. in my sleep for crying out loud. It was so much fun. I still do the dance whenever California Girls comes on, and maybe sometimes I turn the song on just so I can do the dance... maybe lol.

We recieved many things during our stay in Toronto, A gift bag full of hair products, make up etc, this tall t from me to we which I wear alllll the timeeee, its very plain but so cute! Im in love with it. We also got our heels for our dances during the pegaent, the swim suits and our opening number dress which I also wear allll the timeee!

Finally it was time for preliminaries and a little bit of nerves kicked in but mostly excitement. We got all dolled up once again, professional hair and make up. We went over our routines, walks and turns and finally it came time to shine. Every girl walked into that room and did amazing! I was proud of everyone. Preliminaries is the night when they pick the top 20 although they dont tell you who the top 20 is until the final night. 
The day after prelims was our interview and talent night. If your like me and are extremely nervous with public speaking and interview have no fear because one thing I gained from Miss Teen Canada is this confidence I never thought I could have with public speaking, I used to get so nervous my cheeks would shake when I talk and so would my legs. I looked like a deer caught in the headlights - not an attractive look lol - but being at Miss Teen Canada they help you overcome that fear and when it came time for our interviews I rocked mine. I was so proud of how I did and was amazed that my nerves didnt overcome me. Later on during the night was time for the Talent portion. I was a gymnast for 11 years and won many championships and traveled the world unfortunalety a broken neck and knee ended my gymnastics career and it sadened me I couldnt perform my talent during talent night, I tried to prepare a routine but my knee was too sore. The girls who did perform however were incredible. Lots of singers and dancers!

We headed back to our hotels to get a good night sleep because in the morning we had to get up early and get ready for the final show. Hair and make up began early but there was way more of us then the stylists so we all scattered accross the floor, some took naps but most of us talked and goofed around. I know when your looking at the Miss Teen Canada website and you see Channing - Miss Teen Canada 2010 or Siera - Miss Teen Canada 2009 you cant imagine knowing someone who's won the title or being the girl to win the title because I know just a few short months ago when I was looking at the site and girls were in pictures with Siera I was thinking thats so insane they knew her before she won, before she had this incredible title. I tried to pick out who was going to win amoungst all us girls but I couldnt. There was sooo many of us and any girl could take home the title. I didnt talk much to Channing at the beginning of the trip but once we got in to the California Girls dance, Channing and I were side by side practicing over and over again. The day of the final show when we were all scattered across the floor Channing had my house coat on and was cuddled up with Polina (5th runner up) and Mary (top 20) I wanted my house coat back because I was cold and Channing lol she wouldnt give it back, instead she said get on the other side and spoon with us. We lay on the floor laughing and joking enjoying the final moments of a life time experience.

The place where the pageant was held was everything I imagined and more, rows and rows of seats for everyone to come watch. Gorgeous lights and elegant decor, this was going to be an image for ever imbedded in my mind. The time came we were all done getting ready and we headed out on stage to practice one last time before the show started. Shawn Desman was performing and we all got to meet him! The show began the music was bumping and this time I wasnt nervous, I was so excited we went on stage and did our Alice and Wonderland opening number and then they annonced the top 20! After that we did our swim suit California Girls dance and modeled our swim suits. They then picked top 10, then top 5 and from there each runner up and then the new Miss Teen Canada. The girls cried and laughed and were all happy for our new Miss Teen Canada, I was not surprised Channing won. For those who dont know her, I can only tell you what I learned about her from the time I spent around her. She is an amazing person, full of life, laughter, sillyness, humour, grace, elegance, just a complete down to earth girl and she deserved to win. She has star quality all over her, and is going so far in life. I am happy to have met her along with all of the girls.

The show was over and we headed back to our hotel rooms, some of the girls left that night - like my roommate so I had another friend I met in the pageant come back to my room for the night. We had a blast on our final night. We pulled an all nighter, took lots of silly pictures, danced to California Girls when it came on the radio, played mash on paper - who all those who know that silly game you played in elementary school. I was sad to have to ever part from her as well as a couple other girls I became very close with. Back home Im more of a guys girl, I have mostly guy friends and it was amazing to meet girls and be able to bond with them on a different level. I hope to see each one of them in all the years to come.

Your going to hear lots of stories from the girls who have gone the years before you, I really hope you girls get this opportunity. You will have so many stories to tell, so many pictures to take and reminice with, friends to last a lifetime, self confidence, motiviation and so much more that I could go on and on. Your going to love it, believe in yourself and let your beauty shine! For all the girls in the maritimes reading this I hope to see you in Halifax next year and am so excited to crown the girl taking my place. Good Luck to all of you !

I want to give a great big shout out to Michelle Weswaldi , the pageant director. Thank you so much for believing in me, giving me my title and the experience of a lifetime. You instill confidence in every girl that becomes part of the MTC-W family. Your doing an amazing job, katie, siera and channing are living proof of that. Cant wait to see you again next year when i crown my successor !

Me to We donates 50% of their annual profits to Free The Children, The worlds largest network of children helping children through education, love, support, encouragement and hope. Like many of Free the Childrens partners Me to We joined the global movement to help children in need and save the world from poverty day by day, month by month, year by year.. how ever long it takes to end the cycle of poverty.

Craig Kielburger in the year 1995 was a 12 year old boy who grasped the attention of the world when he spoke out boldly on child labour. He stood up for what he believed in, speaking out and using all of his resources to create Free The Children. The world was captivated by this 12 year old boy who had more passion and heart then adults twice his age. He was giving a voice to those who did not have one, speaking up for children in dier need. Free the children is now A Global Movement with dozens of partners who joined to help carry out Craig Kielburger's dream of helping the children of our world who are in need. Active in 45 countries building schools, feeding children, saving lives and lifting the spirits of children all over the world. He gathered millions of teens who were passionate and driven about changing the world. In starts in North America where there is local programs to educate and empower kids to become leaders and stand up for others in need. The adopt a Village Campaign works in partnership with with communities here at home and overseas to break the cycle of poverty. Adopt a Village has built over 650 schools, over 55,000 children attend those schools - where they can receive knowledge, love and support, the basic guidelines to live life and experience education like every child should. Over one million people have received access to safe clean water, health care and sanitation facilities. Sometimes you may feel like giving up and that is what Free the Children is here for, to bring back hope to those who thought there was nothing left to hope for, so share love with those who thought they could no longer carry on, to bring medical care to those who are sick, a place to rest their heads at night, a place to learn, laugh and enjoy life like every child deserves to. Free the Children is devoted to helping the lives of children all across the world, one huge movement at a time. There are millions of people taking action with Free the Children to create a better world

http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/volunteeroverseas/

http://www.metowe.com/

If I were to host my own television show it would be much like the Tyra Banks show. Covering many topics like health and wellness, struggling teens, family in crisis, self acceptance, fashion and beauty plus much more. I would want to help people overcome obsticles in their lives that may be holding them back, help others see their beauty and resolve everyday issues. Its a great feeling to know you've helped someone and can make a difference in their lives. Television shows that focus on the positive of helping out people is not only great for the guests on the show but for the viewers at home that can relate to it, I would love to be part of something that big. You could help thousands possibly millions by addressing one persons issue on national television. Beauty and fashion has always been one of my interests, I'm facinated by trends constantly updating, changing and evolving - to be constantly updated on new trends and new products and being able to share that with the public would be an awesome job. Having a guest on the show that pours their heart out to the audience and nation is brave and touches the viewers, a sense of understanding if you can relate to what the person is sayin. Telling your story can possibly help save someones life and I would love to be apart of that. I would focus my show on helping and enhancing the lives of others.

I think Faze Media and Goody would fund my show because it promotes life in all aspects from fashion to health and wellness. It would be a good image to represent. Faze Media and Goody are well known and have a reputation to uphold, my show would bring positive publicity to the companies, carrying the same values. My show speaks to all types and all ages just like Faze Media and Goody, publicity and fashion go hand and hand.

I am happy to report I have everything ready for nationals, plane ticket, my dress, the money, my hair done, my sash. I guess the only thing left to do is keep tanning, for everyone who knows me knows thats a struggle lol. I am so excited for Toronto and its creeping up quickly. I cant wait to reunite with my east coast girls and to meet the rest of the finalists. I have been working hard on my talent, its been years since I quit gymnastics and Im not at the level I used to be. Im stil deciding if Im going to do talent night, I really want to but I dont want to do less than what I used to be able to do, so Im working extra hard as well as exercising. My hurt knee is slowing that process down, but hopefully I will get everything together in time for Miss Teen Canada World.

For awhile I was trying not to count down the days because I wasnt ready, now that I am the count down begins! 11 days weooo !

http://www.district2news.com/news/community/2010/06/21/miss-teen-halifax-has-her-sights-set-on-the-miss-teen-canada-world-pageant/

Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins.. the rest is still unwritten

Hey Everyone, My name is Rachael Gordon - Miss Teen Halifax. I am 18 years old and a high school graduate. I am a very silly upbeat person, I love my crazy family and my friends. I am an animal lover and addicted to sports. I am so happy to be chosen to represent my home town, it gives me great pleasure to tell you a little bit about where i"m from, so keep reading :)

On the East Coast of Canada, the heart of Nova Scotia almost completely surrounded by the cold glassy waves of the Atlantic Ocean, is my home town Halifax. A rare city that feels more like home then where your from. Halifax full of natural maritime beauty is a place where you can enjoy a day in the city walking downtown shopping and experiencing some of the most delicious restaurants or stroll on the white sandy beaches.. From the vibrant city centre to the quaint South Shore, home to Peggy’s Cove, and rugged Eastern Shore with surfer’s paradise Lawrencetown Beach, my personal favorite. A dose of Canadian history at Pier 21 or an afternoon drive along the seacoast. Wherever you are, you’re sure to experience our famous maritime hospitality. Halifax has an endless amount of new things to experience, I have lived here my whole life and still have the entire city to explore, Halifax is upbeat and always evolving.  From comedy clubs to pubs playing traditional Maritime music, to major festivals like the TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax delivers on lively entertainment options year-round

I love waking up in the morning hearing the birds chatter and the sunshine peaking through my blinds. Getting the car all packed up and heading to Lawerencetown beach where the beaming sun glistens off the warm sand, and soft wind flows through your hair. The warm weather is only around for a short time and no one wants to waste a single day of it. Halifax like any other place in Canada is very patriotic, especially demonstrated on July 1st. CANADA DAY , fireworks and red and white all around. Welcoming smiles and friendly chit chat is a given in Halifax, there must be something in the water. There isn't many places where you can carry on a conversation with a complete stranger while standing in line on the boardwalk waiting for your "Cow's Ice Cream" (a famous treat around these parts), If you've never had one, theres your reason to come here. It is simply the best ice cream ever ! You have to come at the right time to witness the Tall Ships, truly an amazing experience which only comes around every few years. Downtown Halifax has so much going on, from the museums to the metro center, freak lunch box and my personal fav.. shoe stores!  Summer rush is one of the biggest events of the year, a concert with a variety of artists and too many fans. Its always a blast ! I love Nova Scotia and there is no better place to live then in the heart of NS. Born and raised, I'm representing the East Coast, a place I'm proud to call home.

I'd have to say my favorite place to be is at my house just outside the city, laying on the back deck in the sun with my puppy. The constant flow of family members in and out of the house is comforting. The summer is here now and it brings out the best of nature, everywhere is filled with giant green trees and chirping birds. My family is so supportive of everything I do, they are all very proud of me and excited for nationals. I cant wait to find out who I'm rooming with and meeting all of the other girls. I have talked to a few of them on facebook, but cant wait to actually meet them in person.

I am thrilled to be the new Miss Teen Halifax, the journey to get here was filled with adrenaline and excitement. I met so many incredible girls during the process and wish they were all coming to Toronto. I wouldn't have gotten this far without my sponsors of course, so I'd like to take a minute to thank the people who so generously helped me. Cleveland's One Floor and Home, Best Toyota, Harbour Side Realty, The Swim wear hut, J. Douglas Havill, Stanley E. Havill and Jack Craig - To each and everyone of you thank you so much for believing me and helping me reach my goals. Its generous people like all of you that make dreams come true, thank you so much ! I'm sure I will have more thank yous to hand out by the time nationals get here, and I am counting down the days ! Miss Teen Canada World here I come, representing the East Coast and my city, Halifax :)