My family & friends
Life as a American Teenager
Welome to my blog! I haven't updated this thing in a while, but I am going to try and write as much as I can when I have the time! Thanks for checking it out!! :)

NEWEST TOPIC: COLLEGE :P (just scroll down)


Hey everyone reading this! I'm Brittany and I guess I'm just writing about my life in the USA. I'll talk about school, sports, the latest music, etc. It will definently be like a blog, i'll try and update it as often as I can. I live in Minnesota which is highlighted in red on the U.S. map above. I've traveled to many states in the u.s. and have been to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. I'll post things and feel free to comment, ask questions, or message me about a subject to talk about.


Picture: Rainey, My Sister Brianna, and I after a soccer game

First I'll introduce myself. I'm Brittany, I'm 17 years old, and am an American Teenager. My favorite color is purple and i love italian food. I am a competitive swimmer and I also play soccer. I'll be a junior in high school in the fall and my school colors are red and black. I love all types of music. My hobbies include swimming, soccer, photography, watching movies & t.v., hanging with my friends, and sleeping!!

Pictures: Me at a swim meet
States I have been to
Minnesota --> I live here
North Dakota
Wisconsin
Michigan
Indiana
Ohio
Illinois
Pennsylvania
New York
Tennesee
Missouri
Maryland
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
Alabama
Georgia
FLORIDA!!
CALIFORNIA!!
Iowa
Nebraska
Nevada
Colorado
Utah
and Wyoming

Favorite Vacation Spots that
I have actually been to
*DisneyWorld
*DisneyLand
*Fisherman's Wharf
*Mille Lacs Lake
*Gull Lake
*HollyWood
*Treasure Island
*Vero Beach
*Niagra Falls
*Orlando
*Discovery Cove
*SeaWorld

All About My Home State
MINNESOTA
state bird: Common Loon
state flower: Lady Slipper
state tree: Norway Pine
state fish: Walleye
state drink: Milk
state butterfly: Monarch
state fruit: Honeycrisp Apple
state gemstone: Lake Superior Agate
state motto: L'Étoile du Nord
state muffin: Blueberry
state mushroom: Morel
state sport: Ice Hockey
state grain: Wild Rice
state song: "Hail! Minnesota"
Nicknames: "Land of 10,000 Lakes", "Gopher State", "Land of Sky-Blue Waters", "North Star State"


Picture: Minnesota's State Flag
More About Minnesota!

Climate: In Minnesota we have Hot Summers and Cold Winters. The climate is extreme reaching on average 85'F-95'F in the summer and then below freezing with lots of snow in the winter!

Highest Point: Eagle Mountain
Lowest Point: Lake Superior

Population: 21st in the USA with 5,344,861 residents (in 2010)

Area: 12th in the USA with 89,939 sq miles

Capital: St. Paul
Largest City: Minneapolis

32nd state admitted into the union in 1858



Picture: a view of Minneapolis at night- I took the picture for photography class


T.V. Show of the Week: White Collar
Favorite Actor from the Show: Matt Bomer (in the gray suit)
who plays "Neil Caffery"
Good T.V. Shows

-White Collar-Castle-Criminal Minds-Bones-Jane By Design-Pretty Little Liars-The Glades-Glee-The Glee Project--XFactor-Teen Wolf-Psych-Make it or Break it-Dance Academy-Blue Water High-Kickin' it-House of Anubis-The Big Bang Theory-That 70's Show-Blue Mountain State-GCB-Better off Ted-CSI-Cake Boss-The Mentalist-The Nine Lives of Chloe King-Switched at Birth-The Vampire Diaries-Hellcats

If you ever get the chance to watch an episode of any of these shows, you will definently love them and want to keep watching. If you're not sure which would interest you most you can message me and I can help you pick one.
When i was in Burbank, California this summer I was able to take a tour of the studio that films Pretty Little Liars! It was super cool to see all the sets, building, and stuff that makes to show come to life. (I toured Warner Brothers Studios with a VIP tour)



Me in San Franciso, The Golden Gate Bridge!


Driving in Beverly Hills!
The famous palm trees that line the street!
California
Recently my family took a vacation to California
These are the places we went...

*San Jose
*San Francisco
*Los Angeles
*Burbank
*Hollywood
*Anahiem
*Universal City
*Beverly Hills
*Saucilito

Elk River High School
This is my high school




you can visit the website: http://www.elkriver.k12.mn.us/elkriver_highschool.cfm

St. Cloud State University---This is where I will be taking some classes for high school, I will recieve college credit and high school credit.



Pictures: Ariel view of the campus and the school's mascot
You can visit their website: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/

Brenden Hansen
He is my all time favorite olympic swimmer!
I met him when I was 9 years old at a swim clinic my swim team hosted, ever since then he has been my favorite athlete. He swims Breastroke which is my favorite and best stroke, that is why he is my idol when it comes to swimming. In Beijing he did not do as well as he was expected to do (he did win a gold medal in the medley relay), however he retired after the 2008 olympic games, but came out of retirement because he did not want to leave the sport the way he did. So I hope he makes his big comeback in the 100 m Breastroke in London!!!!!! He is a huge inspiration!
The 2012 Summer Olympics in London!
Athletes I'm looking forward to watch compete
Brenden Hansen- Swimming- USA
Michael Phelps- Swimming- USA
Ryan Lochte- Swimming- USA
Missy Franklin- Swimming- USA
Tom Daley- Diving- Great Britain
Gabby Douglas- Gymnastics- USA
Jordyn Wieber- Gymnastics- USA

Who are your favortie athletes???

2012 Athletes...(left to right)
Michael Phelps-most know him for his accomplisment of winning 8 gold medals in a single olympic games...well he is still one of my favorite swimmers, i have acctually given him a high five and a hug before, both on different occasions (olympic trials 2008 and Grand Prix @ u of m in November 2011), I have also had the opportunity to meet and talk with his mom!
Ryan Lochte- One of Phelps' biggest competitors
Missy Franklin- another athlete I have met and got her autograph...she just turned 17
Tom Daley- Great Britain's top male Diver who is only 18
Gabby and Jordyn- Two young gymnysts


T.V. Show of the Week: Greek
Favorite actor from the show:Scott Michael Foster (on the far right)
who plays "Cappie"

Music... My top 5 songs this week
1. "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen
2. "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay
3. "Whistle" by Flo Rida
4. "Love Hangover" by Jason Derulo
5. "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry

MICHAEL PHELPS
Broke the record for the most medals won by a single athlete in their olympic career, by winning his 19th medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay (gold medal). He still has 3 more events to compete in so the record could be set at 22 medals won by an athlete.
Brendan Hansen!
3rd in 100 m Breastroke!
He made is comeback.




This is one of my favorites! It's a picture of the lake where my cabin is at.

PHOTOGRAPHY
It's a hobby of mine, i took a couple classes in school and loved it!!
My teacher, Net (short for Mr. Netzinger), is the awesomest teacher ever! I learned so much by taking the class. So here is some stuff that is in last years portfolio, let me know what you think!





Friends!
I have lot of friends. Some from School, some from sports, some from church, some from camp, and activities.
I have a variety of them. All different an unique in their own ways. I love them all and they complete my life without them life would be boring. I love to go to movies, shop, talk, txt, play sports, etc. with them. Here are some pictures of some of them.




1st picture: The Boys Swim Team Managers
From left to Right: Emily, Me, Shannon, and Tia
2nd picture: The managers plus Ben, who is a swimmer





1st Picture: A couple friends from drama, in the dressing room for the production of GREASE
from left to right: Hannah, Elise, and Me.
2nd Picture: A couple friends from math class, during the day of Homecoming. We are wearing our designated colors: Seniors-Black, Juniors-Red, Sophomores-White, Freshman-Grey
from left to right: Lauren, Kara, and Me.




1st picture: A group of some swim team friends, at the end of the year banquet
from left to right: Chloe, Lorna, Me, Jessie, Sam, and Olivia
2nd picture: My friends and I at a swim meet
from left to right: Emma, Me, and Katelynn




1st picture: A bunch of friends from the swim team, we are wearing pink in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month: too many names to list
2nd picture: The group of kids I got to work with at this program called Youth In Government, I was Humphrey House's Administrative Assistant..."my boss" was the speaker of the house...Youth In Gov't is a 4 day moch gov't run by students from all over the state
from left to right: Back Row- Mary, Samantha, Mariel, Jenna, and Me
Front Row- Phoebe, Mitch (my boss), and Connor



My Friends Lorna and Sam!
Sam is the one with brown hair, Lorna has Blonde hair
We are like the Three Muskateers on the swim team
Sam and I are in 11th grade and Lorna in 8th Grade
We do some crazy things, and we just try to have a good time!




1st picture: One of BFF's Molly and I in French Class
2nd picture: My Friends and I at the homecoming football game
from left to right: Abby, Meghan, and Me


T.V. show of the Week
The Breakout Kings
Favorite actor from the show: Jimmi Simpson (on the far left)
who plays "Dr. Lloyd Lowery"

Music...My top 5 songs this week
1. "Lightning" by The Wanted
2. "Good Time" by Owl City (ft. Carly Rae Jepsen)
3. "Hey Princess" by Allstar Weekend
4. "Loser Like Me" by Glee Cast
5. "Make You Believe" by Lucy Hale (A Cinderella Story soundtrack)




If you get the chance go on YouTube and listen to the songs, you may like them!

One Direction!
Now they have been around since 2010 in the U.K. but they recently (i believe) in May bacame huge where i live!!! in the USA, Like i know at least half the girls in my high school would faint if they met one of the members...crazy fans! Personally, I like their music. They are a Pop group and my favorite type of music is Pop, so i love their songs. I had no idea who they were until i was on facebook in March and realized i was getting newsfeed from thier page that i had liked. I remember reading the description "british boy band" , thinking to my self who would love a british boy band, like the page then forgot to google their music. Well in March i finally did and fell in love with their single What Makes You Beautiful, i told my friends at school and they thought i was weird for randomly finding this group on facebook. Then my state's hit radio station started play their songs when the album debuted in the USA and my friends suddenly didn't think i was that weird anymore.

If you haven't heard of One Direction...I'm not sure how you avoided that...but go on YouTube and search their music, you just may like them.

Plus they are all very good looking!! and they have some pretty amazing accents! :)

One Direction on the X-factor in 2010

One Direction at the Brit Awards in 2012
One Direction Performing


So which member is your favorite?
Harry? Louis? Liam?
Niall? Zayn?
Leave a comment in the forum above ^^
A picture of each member is down below


Harry Styles


Niall Horan


Liam Payne


Louis Tomlinson


Zayn Malik

WOW!!!! I haven't updated this in forever! But today is Election Day in the United States....and things are getting pretty intense in the presidential race between Barack Obama (the current president) and Mitt Romney...I wonder who the new president will be?

Vs.

The President Elected was Barack Obama so he will serve another 4 years in office.



TWITTER!!!!!!!!!!
So I recently got a twitter and well I love to Tweet!
Follow Me @B_DeValk
New Friends! from SCSU
Since I started going to school at St. Cloud State University, I've made a ton of new friends! Below are just a few I have pictures of. I'm so glad I have a group of friends like this to stay grounded in college, considering I'm really only 16. They help me study, I help them study, we love going to Cherry Berry, the Mall, watching movies, and hanging out around campus.


(Katie and Kyle shoveling out the car)


(Me, Soraya, and Ali excited for finals)


(Study party with Kyle, Sarah, Bryan, Tom, and Akheem)


(Sarah and I studying for math)


(My "BFF" Kyle)

Swimming Update
The season went well and I was elected to be our team's captain next year!!!


(Most of the team at the swim banquet)


(Some of my best friends in swimming)


(A few friends after practice at a dinner)


(Swimming Friends @ a swim meet)

I love my team so much, thank you all for another great season! I am so excited to be one of your captains next year and I want to send a HUGE thank you to my Coach Colleen Killpatrick who retired this year :( without you I do not think I would still be swimming, I loved the sport, but you kept me in love with it! You pushed me past my limits and because of that I have achieved goals I never thought were obtainable! I will miss you so much next year, thanks again for your hard work and putting up with me through the years, although I wish you could stay until my senior year is over, you have inspired me to continue with the sport and I'm glad I had the time to be one of your many swimmer's through the years. THANK YOU!

MOVIES/T.V./MUSIC


The best movie of the Year!! (in my opinion)


Glee!! One of my favorite T.V. Shows, it is on its 4th season


Blake Jenner...gorgeous...my fav. new character on Glee


Obviously One Direction
Check Out their new album
My top 3 songs from it but I love them all
1. They Don't Know About Us
2. Heart Attack
3. Over Again


My new phone...Galaxy S III (I love it)

HEY!!! Everyone...I'm not sure how many people read this blog more than once, but that's okay because I love sharing my life as a teenager in the good old U, S of A...haha USA
Well things have been crazy, I personally celebrate Christmas and that was fun this year. I spent it with my family and got to see some cousins I only see once a year. I don't go back to school until January 14th, but I'm going on my now annual trip (4th time) participating in Youth in Government a program run through the YMCA. I'm headed to Minneapolis and St. Paul to spend 4 days at a mock government session run by students!!! This year I am on the Governor's senior cabinet as the commissioner of Finance and Commerce...fun right??? haha well I'm excited!!

WOW! I have not updated this in a while.

ABOUT 2 months ago I traveled to France with a group of 12 other students, I stayed with a french host family for 5 days in Gif-sur-Yvette, visited Versailles, and spent 5 days in Paris sight seeing and touring. It was an amazing experience I will never forget, I hope to visit Europe again sometime very soon!! J'adore Paris!

First off I finished my first year of college at St. Cloud State University on May 9th!
Moved off campus the next day and have missed seeing my friends everyday since.

I took a giant college road trip out East and visited my dad in New York at the same time. I was in Virgina, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont! I visited about 4 colleges and well I liked Hood College and will always like St. Cloud State.

I am the assistant coach for my Brother and Sister's U14 soccer team and am glad to stay a part of the sport even though I am no longer playing.

Recently, I got back from a trip to the University of Pittsburgh for the annual NACURH conference. I went with a group of 8 others to represent my school's (St. Cloud State) Residential Halls. It was an experience of a lifetime! I will never forget bonding with my school's delegates and making friends from all around the country!! I can't wait until next year, NACURH will be held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin...about a 2.5 hr drive from St. Cloud, I hope I will be able to go represent SCSU again, connect with old friends, and meet new ones.

Next week I will be attending the annual girls state conference to further my interest in Government and just to learn even more on how everything works.

Once that is over I have 2 day before I am on a plane to ORLANDO< FLORIDA for my family's annual trip to Florida/Disney.

When I return from that trip I begin swimming again! I haven't been practicing since November and can't wait to dive back into the pool! I don't know many people considering I have only swam with the team for about 5 weeks last summer...but my brother and amazing swimming friend MacKenzie will be there to make practices fun!

Hey Ya'll what's new?
For me, it's been a busy year so far with school and everything! Since I'm finally a senior in high school this year I have to worry about applying to colleges:0 So far I have briefly taken a look at applications...I'm kinda putting off the process, so that I don't have to decide on where to go and what to do with my life. Everything is just so complicated now. I will go to a college or university for academics first and if they happen to have a swim team that wants me that is a bonus. There are a few schools out east I have been offered spots at and I really do like that schools.



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Life as a American Teenager (My family & friends)    -    Author : Brittany - USA


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last update : 2013-09-29

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