Kentucky Derby
So not too bad to have your first horse race be the Kentucky Derby. Add to that seats in the second row right before the finish line. I wore an amazing Louis Vuitton dress and a custom made hat from Louise Green. I felt like a proper princess. Since neither Ludo nor I had been to a horse race before, the whole betting thing was new to us. We learned how to actually place the bet - first you say the amount of the bet, second the type of bet and third the horse. I am pretty certain that if there was a camera rolling it would have been entertaining watching Ludo and I place our first round of bets. Since I clearly do not like to go the “safe” route in life, I did not pick any of the favorites. I figured if I am going to place a bet I wanted to earn quite a bit on that investment (especially since I knew that it would be an hour wait in line to collect the winnings after the race). So my bets were on horses that paid 50-1. I made a few middle line bets, but only to “win.” I had horses in the 8th and 9th race that placed 2nd, but I only bet to win, therefore, Ludo and I left empty handed!! Regardless it was such a wonderful experience and I am so grateful to Playboy and Crown Royal for the fantastic seats. Ludo and I can’t wait to go next year now that we know what we are doing.
The Playmate of the Year Luncheon
Sorry it took a while for me to write about the PMOY luncheon, it has been quite the whirlwind of a few days. The luncheon was an amazing experience. In addition to my dear husband Ludo joining me, my best friend, Michelle, who lives in Minnesota came out to join me at the luncheon (I think she was most excited about meeting Holly). Derek from Apprentice LA and Bradford from Apprentice 2 also joined me. Of course a girl must bring her favorite make-up artist everywhere she goes and Brett Freedman joined me that day, after doing a sensational job on my make-up that morning. It is truly a surreal experience standing in front of a crowd of approximately 500 with a larger than life-size blow-up of my Playboy Magazine cover behind me. It is kind of crazy to think that just a few weeks ago I was vying for a job with Donald Trump on The Apprentice (where I underwent quite a bit of scrutiny for my presentation skills) and now I was speaking to the largest crowd I have ever addressed. I wish that Mr. Trump could have made it to the luncheon, if for no other reason than to tell him to sit there and “zip it” about my presentation skills because I was officially on Hef’s payroll now. And may I say it is a much better payroll than Trump’s. The speech went fantastic. For some odd reason I was not nervous and happy to actually let people learn a little bit about the woman behind the glasses. I am certain that not too many of them knew that I actually worked the drive-thru at McDonald’s in my day. There was lots of applause and laughter so I guess that means I did an ok job. I had to run out right after my speech because I was on CNN Showbiz Tonight later that evening, so I did not get to hear Sara Jean’s speech. I then headed over to Louise Green to pick out my hat for the Kentucky Derby.
My Apprentice Experience
When I began my journey as a contestant on The Apprentice Los Angeles I had no idea what a life-changing experience I was undertaking. Six months prior to the beginning of taping of The Apprentice I had undergone a radical hysterecomy due to cervical cancer and about six weeks prior to the beginning of the show, Ludo and I had failed in our attempts to adopt a baby girl in Indiana. I entered into the world of reality television at the absolute lowest emotional point in my life and had no idea what a rewarding and life-restoring experience it would be for me. I did not win the the title of “The Apprentice” but I received a much better prize, I got my life back and the soul of who I am a person was restored. So I personally thank Donald Trump and Mark Burnett for giving me the opportunity to be a part of The Apprentice Los Angeles. I also met some really wonderful people during the show that I know will be in my life forever (yes, Derek, I am speaking about you). I want to congratulate Stefani and her win and wish her nothing but success as part of the Trump Organization.