Most Eligible

August 18, 2016 Ashley Thompson

It has been a while since I’ve blogged. This summer has been crazy busy and a lot of fun. It’s one of the hottest summers to date and although I love pool days and sundresses, I am ready for fall and football.

Pretty exciting for me this month – being featured in Atlanta’s Jezebel Magazine as one of the city’s ‘Most Eligible.’

The experience was amazing. I had so much fun getting my hair and makeup done and taking pictures at Westside Ironworks. The whole thing has been a blast. When I went to interview, I honestly didn’t think I had a prayer. There were very impressive women in my group – Ivy League graduates, corporate bigwigs, entrepreneurs… I was pretty inspired by some of them so getting the email that I was selected was pretty neat.

I shot in two different outfits and this red Bebe dress was the one chosen for the feature.

Everyone has been nothing but encouraging and supportive. I am so thankful for the people God has placed in my life right now.

There was another event at Tongue & Groove. I was so sick (runny nose, congestion, sore throat, chills, etc...) but I went anyway and I'm so glad I did. It was blast with my favorite ladies in the world.

I found this beautiful leather dress from NASTY GAL on sale. It was pretty heavy (about six pounds) but it was so pretty and I luv it. Not sure where I'd ever where it again so it was fun to be costumey for a night.

Facebook has exploded

July 8, 2016 Ashley Thompson

It’s been a complete mess this week. After hearing about the seven (?) Dallas police officers shot overnight, I didn't even want to log in today. But of course, I ended up scrolling through my feed...reading opinion after opinion.

I have to admit, I haven't yet watched either video of the police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I know it would probably make me absolutely sick. When I see videos like that, I think of my dad and my brother. What if it were them? It’s horrifying. I also know how this story tends to end…Nothing changes. There will be another hashtag in a few months.

It blows my mind how disconnected people are. There are many aspects of other religions, cultures and races that I don’t understand…but I wouldn’t dream of getting on Facebook and blasting my ignorance to the world. Just because you don’t understand the Black Lives Matter movement, doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold value.

We all see life through our own lens, our own experiences, upbringing, friends, family... So when you’re having a hard time understanding someone else’s point of view, try to put yourself in their shoes (cliché, I know). Or…instead of getting mad about something you can’t comprehend, why not ask someone who does. Why not have a conversation? Why not try to inform yourself? You may not change your mind, but you’ll at least open yourself up to how someone else may be feeling. You will consider someone else’s feelings instead of just your own.

My heart breaks for all those who lost lives this week. There is no justifying murder.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 3:28

Miss USA

June 8, 2016 Ashley Thompson

Can I just say I am so excited for this year's Miss USA?! It's so obvious that the USA system is moving in a new direction - post Trump. I have to admit, I didn't have Miss DC winning it all...but I was happy to see her advancing with each round. Of course, not everyone shared my glee.

Look, I get it. It's a beauty pageant. I've been involved in things that are somewhat superficial my whole life, from dance teams to TV news. So I understand that not everyone is going to like what you look like, what you sound like, what you're wearing, etc... And it's all a part of the game. You don't get to participate in these types of things and then get upset when you're being judged, in my opinion. You almost need to expect it.

But a lot of the backlash against Miss DC, now Miss USA, was ridiculous. Some people said she threw her military experience around too much. That's so asinine. If I'm a commander in the army, I'm letting errrrrrrrbody know. That's an amazing, non-basic, accomplishment that some people just can't wrap their mind around.

Why are we so pro-military until someone actually benefits from it? I think it's the ultimate sign of bravery and sacrifice to serve in the military. I'll admit - I ain't cut out for it...so I can appreciate women who are! (Sidenote: Bingewatching Army Wives on Netflix is a good idea)

Others on twitter/facebook complained about the way she looked. "She won't do well at Miss USA." I have to wonder what people mean by that. So many thought Hawaii was a better choice. I didn't even have Hawaii in my top 10 (my mom did). But both girls were beautiful on stage.

I love watching pageants with my mom/sisters. I competed once in the Miss USA system in 2013. I made top 15 in Miss Alabama USA. After a three-way tie, I was booted from top 10 haha. But I'll never forget the feeling of having to walk on stage in a swimsuit (EW)...All this to say, it takes A LOT for these girls to not eat for a year, spend thousands of dresses/hair/appearance, and then put it all on stage to be judged. And to be somewhat active duty military on top of that, is pretty dang awesome...