Rachelle

(a Miss Universe 2006 Analysis)

PERCEPTION   
Contestants train and compete in beauty pageants for years before ever winning the crown.

REALITY 
Most titleholders never competed in the pageant system before being crowned. For example most recently, Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001 and Marissa Whitley, Miss Teen USA 2001, had never competed in pageants before winning their state and then national crowns!
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PERCEPTION    
A beautiful woman can be created! Contestants competing in pageants are encouraged to undergo or have undergone cosmetic surgery.

REALITY  
The majority of our contestants have not surgically altered themselves. In fact, at the international level many countries, including Sweden, France and Israel, have banned plastic surgery from their events completely. We do not encourage or endorse any kind of unnecessary surgery. As a matter of fact, there are no height, weight or measurement restrictions for any of our competitions. However, we must also respect our contestants’ individual rights to choose for themselves what makes them feel most confident and comfortable.
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PERCEPTION   
Beauty Queens all want "world peace", and don’t have any understanding of current events and issues affecting the world.

REALITY   
The Miss Universe Organization has targeted three issues and aligned them with each of our titleholders to maximize fundraising and educational effects. For example, every MISS USA lends her support as an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer research. She works with organizations, such as American Cancer Society, The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fun, the City of Hope, Gilda’s Club, the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as a goodwill ambassador, educating women on early detection of these deadly diseases.

Each MISS UNIVERSE works to see the end of the global AIDS pandemic with organizations such as amFAR, The Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and the Global Health Council.

MISS TEEN USA works with organizations such as Do Something, Seeds of Peace, Sparrow Clubs and MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) to instigate change.

Recent examples include: Mpule Kwelagobe, MISS UNIVERSE 2000, created a not-for-profit foundation during her reign which funded and built a 400 bed pediatric AIDS hospital and orphanage in her native Botswana – one of the African nations hardest hit by the disease. After earning her law degree, Wendy Fitzwilliam, MISS UNIVERSE 1998, Created the Hibiscus Foundation for children stricken by HIV/AIDS in her native Trinidad/Tobago, where there is a hospital wing named after her and dedicated to her work. Michelle McLean, MISS UNIVERSE 1992, established a charitable trust with her prize money to aid the children of her homeland, Namibia, and has worked the Dr. Christiaan Barnard to develop an international heart transplant foundation. Wendy Dascomb, MISS USA 1969, developed a ground breaking therapeutic equestrian riding program and center for accident victims and the physically challenged. Lynnette Cole, MISS USA 2000, works as a bi-partisan lobbyist in Washington, D.C., for the Congressional Coalition for Adoption. Charlotte Lopez, MISS TEEN USA 1993, penned a book bringing national attention to the foster-care system.
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PERCEPTION   
Upon the conclusion of their reign, titleholders fade away.

REALITY   
Former titleholders continue to make great strides in their communities and the nation through their chosen professions or philanthropic work. Whether they choose careers in the medical, legal, business, civic, political, entertainment arenas, or choose motherhood our titleholders continue their legacy of empowerment and activism throughout their lives.
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PERCEPTION   
Beauty pageants exploit women.

REALITY
These competitions provide the access, means and guidance to help contestants maximize their strengths and achieve their professional and personal goals. Our judging system awards points based equally on personal interview, style (evening gown) and fitness (swimsuit). Additionally, consideration is placed on self-confidence, poise, public speaking skills, knowledge of current events and personality

ARIES 
March 21 - April 20

Nothing seems to ruffle you more than a lack of discipline, disloyalty and decorum.
But Arians are also known to go into a rage very easily when challenged. Those of you who have
been on the receiving end of the Aries temper know that if not calmed down they can even get violent. But one thing is certain if the opponent remains calm and does not react to their outburst, Arians cool down very fast. They are also the first to apologize, which makes them easier to forgive

TAURUS
April 21 - May 20

you are generally quiet and have control over your emotions. It is difficult to predict what will upset you, so when you do lose your cool, people don’t know how to react. Your temper is like that of a raging bull, and anyone trying to pacify you will be the first one to get a verbal bashing. You generally get upset when you are cornered or when people accuse you of doing something wrong. You also hate being reminded about mistakes you’ve made in the past. You also have the potential to be terribly vindictive if rubbed the wrong way.

GEMINI
May 21 - June 21

You are recognised by your cheerful disposition and your jovial nature is not easily susceptible to anger. In fact, you are the best person to have around when there is an ugly scene at a party you can bring the warring factions together quite diplomatically. But when you lose your cool, you yell and scream and will not listen to reason. You must have the last word in a wordy duel. Your capacity to argue aggressively is matched only by your seductive charm.

CANCER
June 22 - July 21

Considering how charming, caring, and kind you are, you dislike unpleasant scenes, much less creating one yourself. You have great tolerance and rarely get provoked into losing your temper. If someone is unreasonable or trying to create trouble, you are more likely to walk away quietly. But that does not mean you do not have a temper. When angry, in your effort to control your emotions, you tremble, your hands get sweaty, and sometimes you fumble for words. Tears roll down your eyes easily and the pponent is touched by your innocence and will seek an apology immediately.

LEO
July 22 - August 21 

If anyone has total control over their emotions, it is you. But then, you can be described as stiff, cold and uncaring. You are known to lack spontaneity but you really don’t care about opinions. You don’t like to create scenes and will never accept invitations to a party where you suspect the presence of an unruly lot. But your very presence seems challenging to some and they take vicarious pleasure in your disquiet. When angry you can use very critical language. A dressingdown can humiliate your opponent, causing a strain between both of you forever

VIRGO
August 22 - September 21

Most of you are gentle and have full control over your emotions, but those of you given to temper tantrums can certainly get violent. When see thing with rage, you yell and shout and tend to break things lying close at hand. You can even harm yourself by banging your hands on a glass top table or wall. You should never get into any argument, for you are a sore loser. You feel that others are trying to persecute you and don’t quite respect your opinions. When hurt, you can also hold grudges forever.

LIBRA
September 22 - October 22

Did someone say that you are the charmers of the zodiac? Well, it’s true. Few have ever seen you ruffled or angry. You are very conscious of your image, and you believe that anger distorts your face and personality. You also think you are above things like anger. But wait before you get into self-congratulatory mood. Your family or those very close to you know u better. You have an unmatched temper amongst all the zodiac signs, and what makes it worse is your capacity to justify it.

SCORPIO
October 23 - November 21

Of course you don’t lose your cool. But your very demeanor (manner) projects haughtiness (arrogance, pride), pride and grand disdain (disregard) for lesser mortals(humans). Others are often found saying that anger sits on your nose, and you are raring to give your peace of mind to the first person who tries to act funny with you. You are selective in the choice of your friends, and have a low tolerance for the superfluous (extra) types. Your tongue-lashing (attack) is generally in a soft hissing tone, for when you scream your voice tends to get shrill and loud, and you do hate drawing attention to yourself! When upset, you are angrier with yourself for having shown weakness, for the last thing that Scorpio wants to show is being out of control.

SAGITTARIUS
November 22 - December 20

You are insensible and generally have complete no control over your emotions. You do get angry quickly and others marvel at your anger levels even when provoked. Actually, you get tonguetied when angry and you will remove your anger waiting for the other person to calm down. Then you will reason with your opponent and convince the other person in a very gentle manner that the whole thing was just his mistake . You’re also likely to totally sever ties with someone when you’re upset with them.

CAPRICORN
December 21 - January 19 

Few will believe that a hardcore practical and materialistic person like you is capable of sensitivity and genuine emotions. You project a hard exterior but are actually very sensitive, a trait you successfully hide from others. You can be seething with anger but will not betray your feelings. But then there are times that even you cannot control your temper. Under such circumstances you can shout and scream, more with frustration at the situation than with anger at any particular person. Your outbursts can shock others and can make them feel guilty too.

AQUARIUS
January 20 - February 18 

You are noble and kind and dislike losing control over your emotions. It is very rare for you to get angry. You are also the pacifier in situations that involve arguments. It is always your endeavour to be perfect and socially correct in your behaviour and attitude, but if misunderstood and slighted you can give in to an angry outburst. You will shout and scream and then walk out from the scene. You cannot easily forget the situation and will be bitter about it for a long time.

PISCES
February 19 - March 20 

The only thing that can be said about you dreamers is that you appear even more attractive when angry. You are very sensitive to others’ feelings, so you rarely hurt them. But when others tend to hurt you, then things take a nasty turn. You will yell and use harsh words, and feel inclined to shake everything and everyone up. Your creative imagery is at its best when angry, and you tend to get pretty dramatic. When upset, you refuse to listen to reason and wish to be left alone. But once you calm down, you repent your tantrums and seek forgiveness. So nobody can be upset with you for too long.

Hiccups occur when the diaphragm, the muscle at the bottom of the lungs, begins to spasm. The spasm causes the vocal cords to close quickly, which results in the loud, distinctive sound associated with hiccups.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says hot or spicy foods and strong fumes may help trigger hiccups. Pleurisy, pneumonia or damage to the area of the brain that controls the “hiccup center” may lead to more frequent outbreaks.

The NLM suggests holding your breath, drinking a glass of cold water or eating a teaspoon of sugar can help stop hiccups. You may also try holding a paper bag to your mouth and breathing in and out for a few minutes.

While it is rare for hiccups to last more than a few minutes, if yours continue for more than a few days, the NLM says you should see a doctor.