California Competitions

Hey everyone! This week I spent with my family traveling to different areas in California and attended some exciting events before I leave for college. First, my family headed south to Del Mar in San Diego for the horse races! This is an ongoing event throughout the end of the summer. Most people travel to the Del Mar horse track to socialize with family and friends and see which horses win the races! It's fun cheering on your favorite horse to win, especially when it's friendly competition against a sibling. It's always fun to pick the winner! And you can't forget your big floppy hat! A must have for any summer horse race event. Check out my photos with my brothers and my cousin at the horse races below!

And they're off! Which horse is going to win?

My brothers, my cousin, and my hat!

 A few days later, my family traveled north to Anaheim to watch the baseball team the Angeles play. However, this wasn't any ordinary game for us, we had dugout suite tickets! This meant our seats were right next to the field next to the players' dugout. It was amazing! We could see all the behind-the-scenes action and had an up close look at the players on the field. It was a great way to feel connected to the game and experience it like a player would! And to top it all off the Angeles won - what a great day! Check out some pictures below!

My brothers, their friend, and a player right behind us!

Our seats

Right next to the action!

What events do you like to go to with your family? How far do you travel for them? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

It's the Final Countdown

Hey everyone! I have been enjoying my last few weeks of summer before I head up to Stanford University. Since school is just around the corner, it is important to get in any last minute summer adventures. Because all of my friends are traveling all over the country for college, we wanted to do some fun activities specific to California before everyone left. I've spent the last couple days of my summer doing some pretty exciting things!
One day, my friend and I drove to Los Angeles to hike to the top of the Hollywood Hills. This is a very popular hike in southern California because trail leads you to the Hollywood sign! Although it was a long way up, the view was amazing! Check out the pictures below to see our hike experience! It was so fun to spend time with my friend before she leaves for college, and hiking to the Hollywood sign is something we can only do in LA! It was a great end of summer adventure.

The beginning of the hike--see the sign in the background?

The Hollywood sign behind me

The view from the top!

There is the sign--success!

My other friends and I are obsessed with music, especially Taylor Swift. We thought the perfect end of summer experience would be to go see her live in concert! We even got to take a limo to the arena. It was an amazing concert and I loved being able to share my love for Taylor Swift tunes with my friends! We danced and belted the songs all night long. My voice was even gone in the morning! It was so fun to see one of my favorite artists live and if one of your favorite musical artists plays a concert near you I really recommend attending!

With the limo on the way to the concert

In the arena--there is the stage behind us!

However, summer isn't all just fun and games. Most people, like me, have a summer job to save up spending money for college. While work can be boring, I lucked out because I teach tennis at a summer camp for little kids. I guess my summer has more fun and games than I thought! I stretch with them, teach them how to hit a killer forehand, and even go in the pool with them to cool off since playing tennis all day and hot summer weather doesn't mix well. Finding a fun summer job that caters to your skills is the best way to earn money and fill in the long summer hours before school begins.

My fellow camp counselor and awesome campers

Starting off the day with some stretching

Don't want any injuries!

If you and your friends are leaving for college soon, or even just going back to school, having some last minute adventures is a great way end the summer right. Try to seek activities native to your hometown because it will make the experiences even more special. Have fun and let me know in the comments how you spent the end of your summer!

xoxo

Summer Break Bliss-Graduation Style

Hey everyone! Since I recently graduated high school I have been enjoying my first summer as an incoming college student! Since my friends are going to universities all over the country, it is important we see each other a lot before we are separated!
One fun thing graduates do during the summer is throw graduation parties! Graduation parties are held at the graduate's house and involve lots of food and fun. The parties are normally during the afternoon or evening and for the entire family. It's a great way to celebrate with family and friends the accomplishment of graduating!

Eating tasty food at my friend's graduation party

Another fun part of summer is attending theme parks! As you know, I live very close to Disneyland so my friend and I went there to celebrate our graduation! We found Mickey Mouse graduation caps and even got pins that said "just graduated" to wear all day long. It was a great day knowing that how hard we worked in high school to relax and have fun now!

Our Mickey Mouse graduation caps

My graduation trip to Disneyland

What do you do during the summer? How do you celebrate graduation? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

5 Tips for the College Application Superstar

Hey everyone! Now that summer is over and the school year is upon us, I will be starting a new segment all about the college application process. I am starting my senior year of high school here in the United States, and my blog will keep you updated on everything you need to know about the college application process as I go through it! Here is an overview of some of the things I will be talking about that you can do in high school to get ready for the application process.

1. Enroll in challenging classes and take them seriously

We all know that hard classes can be, well, difficult. However, colleges also know this and will reward you for challenging yourself. The level of coursework and your GPA (Grade Point Average) is important. Honors and AP (advance placement) classes, generally, add extra points to your GPA, so you may get an extra boost. Beginning in freshman or sophomore year, take the most challenging classes you can and do your best. Seek outside tutoring (often available free from older students) on difficult subjects. 

2. Get involved outside the classroom

Show that you have passions outside of school. Whether it's sports, music, drama, debate, community service, or other school clubs, select  2-3 extracurriculars that interest you. Don't join every club you come in contact with. Instead, focus on a few that demonstrate your interest and work towards leadership positions. Show the admissions team that you have leadership qualities.

3. Prepare for the SAT or the ACT early

Your score on these tests matter, so take the time to prepare early in your junior year. You can take these tests as many times as you want, so start early incase you may want to retake them. You can study review books or attend review sessions to help improve your score. Give yourself time to take the tests more than once to improve your score before senior year. 

4. Research colleges and universities

There are almost 3000 colleges and universities in the US, so you can find a school that is a perfect fit for you. Take time to research the details of different schools online. Schools vary by size, location, specialties, student body, and cost. Many offer generous financial aid and scholarships. If you are able, try to drive or fly to visit schools that interest you. Get a feel for the campus and meet current faculty and students.

5. Choose summer experiences that highlight your interest

Use your summer breaks during high school wisely. Look for summer jobs, programs, classes, or camps that demonstrate your interest and give you experience in your areas of interest. Internships are another fun and responsible way to show colleges your interests and responsibility

How are you getting ready to apply to college? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Even the Sun Sets in Paradise

Hey everyone! This will be my last post in my summer series here on American Amanda! Next, I will begin to write all about school and the college application process.

Since summer is coming to a close, last weekend my friends and I all traveled to a nearby vacation spot for a fun girls weekend! We traveled to Palm Springs, which is a few hours inland from where I live. Since it is in the desert, the temperature was around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, or 40.5 degrees Celsius. Talk about your heat wave! Since it was so hot, we spent most of the time near the pool. Don't forget your lemonade smoothies to keep cool! It was fun to be able to have a mini-vacation without being far from home.

Lots of people are going on vacations now before summer ends. Some are traveling far places, like sea cruises to Canada or trips to Europe. Most people, though, are staying close to home and traveling to places like Palm Springs, Lake Havasu in Arizona, or Lake Tahoe in Nevada. Since the weather is so hot, its important to be near water! Happy tripping!

How are you spending your last few weeks of summer? And if you are already in school, what was your favorite summer memory? Let me know in the comments!


xoxo

Olympic Antics

Hey everyone! These next few weeks, the world will be working together, putting problems aside and competing in 30 different sports. Why, its the Olympics of course! The Olympic Games is a major international sporting event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. Over 200 nations participate in the Olympic Games which are considered to be the biggest sporting competition. The Games are held biennially, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.

Currently, we are celebrating the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England. The last summer Olympic Games occurred in Beijing, China, in 2008. The opening ceremonies were on July 28th and the Games go until August 12th. Since all countries are competing, it is always fun to cheer on your home country.
My friends and I are big fans of the Olympics and watch the games every two years. This year, there are big rivalries and big competitions. On the United States team, two swimmers, Phelps and Lochte, go head to head against each other for the gold title. They are both great swimmers, but Phelps is more well known will Lochte is a new-comer who must prove his way! Because of this, many people choose a side of which one to support. Also, there is huge competition between the United States team and other teams for different countries. Some of the sports with the biggest rivalries is in gymnastics and diving. Luckily, the United States Women Gymnastics's team won first in the team division! The biggest country competitor for the United States is China. Right now, China and the United States are tied with 23 total metals, but we are only on day four! Get updates on all the metals awarded to each country here! 

What country are you rooting for in the Olympics? What sport is your favorite in the Summer Olympics? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

On an Island in the Sun

Hey everyone! This summer is a great time to travel to different places. These locations can be far away, but you can have just as much fun close to home as well! When I want a fun weekend vacation, I travel to the island only 27 miles off the coast of Los Angeles: Catalina Island! I took a boat trip to get there and it only took one hour. Talk about a paradise close to home! There are many fun places like Catalina Island that have great activities to keep you busy. You can go to the beach, eat at nice restaurants, kayak and fish, and even zip line! I went on a zip lining eco-tour through the mountains of the island and it was amazing! I got to see many plants and animals that only live on the island. Plus, I got to zip through the trees with nothing but a harness holding me up!

For people who have a busy summer like mine, its great to go on a mini vacation to get away for a few days. Although Catalina Island may not be close to you, with a little research you can find your own local paradise!

What do you like to do for mini vacations in your hometown? Let me know in the comments! 

xoxo

Summer Sports Camps are Here

Hey everyone! Although high school is out for the summer, sports are never done! Almost all fall sports and some winter and spring sports have summer camps during the summer. This is an extended practice to keep returning players in shape and introduce beginners to the sport. Although this is a good time to practice, it is also a key point in deciding which players will make the team, and which level they will be on if they make it. That is why it is important to come to camp everyday, and come prepared!

When freshman enter high school, it is important for them to try new sports without the fear of not standing up to the competition. This is why many sports have a freshman only team that does not cut anyone. This way all freshman who want to try out the sport have the opportunity to and can learn the sport at their own speed. Unfortunately, once you get to the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels, the competition heats up and you gotta bring it!

If you want to practice your passion or learn a new sport, summer camps are the perfect time to do so. Hey, you might even find a hidden talent!

What do you do during the summer? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Beach Bums

Hey everyone! Now that summer is in full swing and the June gloom is behind us, the beach has been the perfect place to spend my summer days. In California, there are over 1,000 miles of beaches along the coast and about 118 beach cities. There are so many beaches all about a half hour drive from me that I can go to a different beach each day of the week if I wanted to. Of course, my friends and I find our favorite sports and repeatedly venture there. Unfortunately, California beaches border the Pacific Ocean, which contains very cold water. Although the weather is in the high 80s Fahrenheit (almost 30 Celsius), the water is normally in the 60s Fahrenheit (above 15 Celcius), making for cold swimming. However, I aways end up swimming but there are so many other things to do as well on the beach. You can play games, go exploring, even see sea life! The other day when I was at the beach, and eel came onto the shore and you could hold it! There are always fun things to do at the beach, and summer is the perfect time to enjoy it.



Do you go to the beach during summer? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo

School's Out Summer's In

Hey everyone! Now that Graduation is over and schools around the country are done, it is time for summer vacation! In the United States, summer break is a two to three month long break from school during, you guessed it, the summer time! Once all the hard AP tests are over (check out my AP test blog if you don't know what those are!) it is much needed to have a long break from school.
People use this time off to do different things. Some travel, near or far. Some go to fun locations around us like Disneyland or Palm Springs. Others spend the time to travel to further locations, like Las Vegas or even Europe. My friend and I spent the weekend in Las Vegas with her parents, seeing all the sights and shows. My other friend spent the week in Germany, taking tours and eating culinary masterpieces.
However, this vacation from school is not entirely a break. Almost everyone in high school has summer work to complete before the returning school year. This includes reading books, writing essays, and reviewing for new material. I have lots of summer work, especially with International Baccalaureate work as well. Wish me luck! Luckily the weather is great and I have all the time in the world. Summer will truly be a fun time! I cannot wait to share all my summer adventures with you!

What do you like do to when you are on a break from school? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

First Day of School

Hey Everyone! So today was my first day of school! It was very hectic, but also exciting! My schedule of classes consists of English, Spanish, Physics, Calculus, United States History, Model United Nations, and Tennis. I am in the Advance Placement program at my school, so all my classes go a little faster and are a little harder than the normal class. I also moved everything into my locker today, and its  a bottom locker! Having to scrunch down every day to reach it is no easy task. At the end of the day, we change for our sports and go straight to practice or games. This makes for a long day, especially in hot weather! It was over 100 degrees at school today. This weather makes me want to go to the beach or go swimming, but instead I'm back in school.

First day of school!

Holding all my stuff before
school! Luckily we have lockers
to put everything into.

It was great to see all my friends at school, but I am not looking forward to leaving summer behind!
What was your favorite summer memory? And what's a good outfit to wear in any weather, hot or cold? And if you wear a uniform, how do you spice up your uniform to let your individual style show? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Nothing's Sweeter than Summertime

Me and my friends before the concert

Although summer is coming to a close, that doesn’t mean these last couple of days can’t be special! Americans love music, and a great way to listen to your favorite artist is by attending their concert! I went to one of my favorite singers concert last week, Taylor Swift, and it was so fun! The concert was in Los Angeles, which is a big city where the best concerts take place. Since its about two hours away from my house, my friends and I took a limo to the concert! It was a great beginning to a great night. Taylor Swift is a great performer whose songs are truly inspirational. Below are some pictures of my favorite moments of the concert. Who would be your favorite person to see live in concert? Let me know in the comments! 

Since sports are starting up again, my tennis team had a pool party to ring in the new season! Pool parties are another great way to celebrate summer. With warm weather, there is nothing better than cooling off in a pool or sliding down a water slide. My whole team fit on the slide and stayed long enough to pose for a picture! It wasn’t easy though! For lunch, we made panini sandwiches and drank cool lemonade. When the weather is hot, we love to drink homemade lemonade! What’s your favorite thing to do on a hot summer day? Comment and let me know! 

Some of the team members

On the slide!

Hope you guys all had a great summer and are having a great school year

xoxo