Of course, everyone immediately associates December 8^th with John Lennon. Looking a little deeper I discovered it is also Bodhi Day. According to tradition, this holiday celebrates when Siddhartha Gautauma resolved to sit under a tree and meditate until he found the root of all suffering. After several hours, I imagine that was whatever root he had sat upon… a little something for everyone on this day.

Miss Mexico, Lovena Allen

Lovena: I’m just a normal, down to earth, fun loving girl who happened to find a passion for this fabulously fashionable world and that I’m always eager to help them find the same love of this industry….simply by just asking….I’d show them why this is such an amazing and intricate part of a fabulous Second Life. ~smiles~

Kate: So can you share some of the other things you do in SL, hobbies or businesses?
Lovena: I have a few other “passions” as well…of course the shopping is just beyond words. I also work as Model Manager at Bliss Couture and blog for Bliss as well. I’m a model trainer at Trendy, another fashion venue. I also model for Opium Fashion Agency…so I keep extremely busy. The most important “hobby” I have would be spending time with my partner, Brent Constantine. He’s the smile on my face ~smiles warmly with a look of bliss~
Kate: That’s nice. Honestly, I could never make a go of an SL relationship. Too virtual, I guess, for me.
Lovena: It is very difficult at times. The trust one has to give to the other to know they aren’t doing things behind your back was the biggest obstacle for me. He’s helped me tremendously to learn how to not be so….jaded and to not always expect the other shoe to drop…so to speak. I’m a very lucky woman
Kate: That reminds me I need a pair of white Maitreya Gold. I love those shoes.
Lovena: lol. You and me both. ~winks~

Kate: I love your blue picture! I was very happy to learn that Mallory Luke had returned to Opium… how is that going?
Lovena: Thank you! It was indeed a definite blessing. She’s an amazing woman and knows so much about how to make a business successful. As for how it’s going….Opium has been and is continuing to put on multiple shows a week and some even repeating shows. They are definitely on their way to being THE #1 agency across the grid.
Kate: That’s great! I hope they make a lot of money!
Lovena: Yes, I feel much honored to be a member of the Opium family
Kate: How do you like representing Bliss?
Lovena: OMG!! It has been the most exciting, humbling……I really have no words to describe how much I love my job at Bliss Couture. I feel like Amutey DeCuir is by far the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. She’s generous and sincere, she knows no enemies. Her designs are impeccable. I truly am blessed she took a chance on me.
Kate: Her gowns translate well to the runway. Just the thing for a MVW finalist!
Lovena: snickers with a wicked smirk and ponders a moment “hmmmm…Well, just between you and me…yes, she’s absolutely helping me with my gown as well as my traditional attire. The woman is a designing genius and I’m so excited for the actual pageant just to walk around in my outfits…lol
Kate: That’s an incredible advantage. You are very fortunate.
Lovena: lol….to be perfectly honest…long before I even made it as a finalist….it was decided she’d be doing my gown
Kate: Nice. Would you like to talk a little bit about your model training work at Trendy?
Lovena: Well….I work there with another finalist, Preciouss Metall. We both are the model trainers there and we basically just coordinate the walk for the shows held there. My best friend, Jillian Convair is the CEO and it’s more like a bunch of sisters playing dress up when we do shows ~giggles~
Kate: That sounds like fun. Okies… time for the serious stuff…
Lovena: looks worried “uh oh I thought that was the serious stuff” chuckles
Kate: The grand finale is almost upon us. Are you ready? Are you nervous? What are you thinking about?
Lovena: Yes, I’m basically ready. I have a few poses to put in my AO but other then that…tweaking is all I have left if I come across a better one of something I need. I’m only slightly nervous. I knew going into this that the things leading up to the finale would be my weakest points. I’ve always loved all forms of modeling but I worship that runway. I respect it and what it stands for and in return *knocks on wood* so far lag has been just an annoyance rather then an enemy. As for my thoughts…I try not to over think or stress it. I know me and when I over analyze…I start messing things up. I’m happy with what I’ve got put together and know I’ve done my best and that’s all I or anyone else can be expected to do.
Kate: Is there anything which you wanted to cover but we haven’t talked about yet?
Lovena: Well, I did want to say that I’m so beyond honored to be a finalist and to be among the absolutely breathtaking women that are also finalists. The things I’ve learned from them have been priceless things that I myself would have never thought of. They are all so talented and special and each one have their very own something that makes them so stunningly beautiful that any of them would make a wonderful Miss Virtual World. I may not be as experienced…or as well known….but I can assure you that there is not another finalists that is more dedicated or determined and although I may not know everything about this amazing industry….I know I could and would do everything possible to represent the Miss Virtual World Association as well as the modeling industry with the fire and passion like no other has.
Kate: For the person reading this… thinking of maybe applying for MVW next year… do you have any advice or suggestions?
Lovena: I can only say this….If you are sincere in your desires, truly passionate about wanting something, determined to not stop until you’ve achieved your goal….AND….not go with what the in crowd is wearing or following the latest releases as most do….you’re guaranteed to make it and will most likely win. It’s easy to go to your favorite store and buy the newest release and click replace outfit….but if you can do that with let’s say, 3 or 4 of your favorite outfit(s) then you’re already strides ahead and well on your way.
Lovena: Mix n match is so in right now, lol.
Kate: lol

The Grand Finale for MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2010 will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday 11AM SLT. There is nothing else like this in Second Life. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a featured columnist for Best of Second Life Magazine, a retired SL Mentor and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.

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