My Rose of Tralee Experience: Why I’ve left the Pageant World to focus on my Balcony Garden.

Ok, so ‘left’ makes it sound like I had a choice in the matter. And really I didn’t. Laura Foley is one of the kindest, most thoughtful, gracefully spoken, talented, not to mention heart-breakingly gorgeous women anybody would be lucky to call their friend. And I guess one of those people is me 🥲🌸

With her natural warmth, she was the first to try to convince me of my relevance within the Irish community. While failure in this pursuit could indicate her skills in rhetoric may need some work (I’m pretty happy just liking them 🇮🇪🍀), it’s still no wonder the judges saw what they did in our new Sydney Rose, because I do too 🌹❤️🌹.

✨💕Our Gal 💕✨

Look, I won’t try and pretend there wasn’t an inkling of expectation on this end.  (Sometimes I wonder where the confidence comes from 😂). I mean surely brownie-points should be proffered for the temerity to enter on such shady grounds. The Indian escort may also have been a subtle appeal to inclusivity…I see now that Adrian is too white-washed for that ploy to have worked.

Anyway, I guess the deal’s been closed and bolted, and I’m slowly coming to terms with the reality I’ll never be royal. The situation is simply out of my control.

A new wardrobe still would’ve been nice ;)

…

My housemate Amelia, is a wise-woman. According to her, most of our issues will be solved by moving to the country to raise ducks. At this sluggish rate of social-ascension, I don’t seem to have much of a choice. Though I think flower raising is a little more my style.

See the best thing about my pageanting experience was that it elevated my interest in gardening - (she’s insane, but secretly a genius 😉).

It’s so simple, but we seem to forget that when we pursue the success of others, we inadvertently highlight the noblest qualities that are truly our own.

While it’s fun getting dressed up, there are only so many photo-shoots one can bear with. Fostering the growth of others, conversely, brings unending satisfaction, and I’d happily ruin these French-tips any day for it 🪴💅

~ Our little nurse-wannabe 🥹💕

Some final notes on Ball Night <3

On Saturday morning, I awoke to the news that an interstate relative had clandestinely booked herself a seat at our table. While fishiness had been perceived for some time, there are things which you simply can’t prepare yourself for until they rear their heads.

Weirdo that I am, I decided I wanted to be glad that my worst nightmare was about to wedge itself into the little dream I’d been so excited for. And honestly, I truly am thankful things happened as they did, because it made the night the beautiful memory it’ll always be for me.

You see, whether it’s to do with modesty or simply oblivion, many of us can’t see ourselves for what we really are.

It’s been 5 years since my family have stood in the same room together. While champagne helps with most things, the fact that WW3 didn’t break out in the Grand Ballroom may also have been because, thanks to decades of practice, my tact and diplomacy skills are at AFP level.

I’ve known for a while I don’t give myself much credit for who I am and what I’ve overcome. Entering a beauty contest might suggest I’ve tickets on myself, and really sometimes I wish I did. The multi-planet bypass, also known as her visit, put my little world into perspective, and it turns out that while small, it’s more heat and pressure resistant than authorities expected.

Thankyou my little darling x

And while I could go on about myself, I think I’ll stop just there. I wrote this article for my friends, and as usual they’ll get less than they deserve from me.

To everyone who helped to make Saturday night such a joy amidst the chaos, this article (and my heart) is yours: my housemates, I know you too well and yet somehow I still think you’re both perfect as you are. To my escort, whose clear mind and patience infused tranquility and composure into this scatterbrain. To the rest of the Bondi crew; you know how much I utterly adore you 💕✨. To my fellow Roses and the beautiful event organisers…you let me be one of your own even with these feeble roots 🤭 And finally for my family; you certainly know how to keep me busy, but nothing you ever do to me will stop me from loving you ❤️

Had to have one pic of us here x

Lots of girls want to be princesses (most of them are 7 not 27). While the Laura Foleys of the world can have their sashes and crowns, it’s really just my hope that all of us will one day see the diamonds and pearls we already have and which make us who we are…and that we help others see theirs when they can’t xx

Thanks for reading this far 🥲🥰

The rebel princess with the biggest heart x