Belgium: Land of Waffles, Beer, and JANE!

I had the past week off of school for Semana Santa (Holy Week), which is our spring break here in Spain. I was very luck to be able to visit Jane and her family in Belgium for 5 days! (Jane was an exchange student during my senior year of high school and it was great to be able to see her country!)

DAY 1: I arrived on Monday and Jane showed me around the capital of Europe, Brussels! We visited the touristic sites, of course, and got Belgian waffles to start the trip off right. I was able to see where Jane goes to school, a couple cathedrals, their city hall, and the King and Queen's palace (which they actually do not live in, it's more like a museum and they reside elsewhere). Next, we traveled to Leuven where Jane has an apartment with her sister during the school year. It is a beautiful city! To end day one we arrived in Genk to have dinner with Jane's family; they are so much fun, friendly, and made me feel very welcome in their home.

DAY 2: Tuesday I finally got to see a little bit of Genk, where Jane is from! We visited the center of the city and her mother's shop, Boutique Suomi. She carries fabulous clothing and it was so neat to be able to see the shop that Jane would always talk about in Minnesota. After that, we took a train to the historic town of Gent, Belgium. After visiting the cathedral and walking through the city a bit, we went to a popular bar for a couple Belgian beers. There, we met up with her cousin who was kind enough to let us stay with her for the night. It was a great night with good company and conversation.

DAY 3: Wednesday morning we finished walking through Gent; they have a really neat area where they allow graffiti art as well as a castle. After Gent we popped over to Antwerp, which is another gorgeous city! We ate traditional Belgian fries for lunch, got a panoramic view of the city, went to a chocolate bars for milkshakes, and did a little shopping.

DAY 4: Thursday we biked across town to an open-air museum called Bokrijk, which was super cool! Basically, you walk around to different buildings, barns, and homes which are set up just as they were a century ago. There are actors there as well who carry out traditional roles and are in character the entire time. Jane taught me how to walk on these stilt-type things that were a form of entertainment back in the day; she is so good at it! After lunch with her family we were off to Maastricht in the Netherlands to spend the night with her friends. It was a great time and I enjoyed meeting all of her friends who made me feel welcome.

DAY 5: My last day in Belgium came way too quickly, but we still had a great day! We went to downtown Genk again to buy some delicious Belgian chocolates and get ice cream. It's a good thing the chocolates are sealed for everyone at home, or I probably would have eaten half of them by now. After that we were off to the airport and had to say "see you soon!" again.

I had such a wonderful time in Belgium; it is a truly beautiful country rich with culture, history, and warm people. I cannot wait to go back! Thank you to Jane and her family for showing me Belgium and welcoming me into their home.

Next up: Finals Week. Yup. The dreaded time of year is upon us. I will be spending the next week, my last in Spain, trying to study and soak up my last few days in Alcalá. I am determined to make the most of each day, studying and all!

After my finals are complete on the 29th I will be rushing off to meet MY MOTHER in SWITZERLAND!

While I am pretty sure I could stay in Europe forever, I am looking forward to getting back to the USA!

See you all soon!
Victoria

April: Time Flies

It's hard to believe that in just about one month, I will be back in the USA. March absolutely flew by and I have yet to find a city in Spain that I do not love. Generally, each city in Spain has a "new" part and an "old" part, which leaves tons of history, culture, and food to explore everywhere I go. I did not travel much in March, but I have enjoyed spending time in Alcalá with my family getting more familiar with my host city.

Fridays are excursion days at school and I went along to visit Cuenca, which is about 2.5 hours outside of Madrid. There, we toured a cathedral, explored the city, and visited a modern art museum. Much of the art was inspired by history in Spain so the exhibits were very interesting. Cuenca is sometimes called the first "Manhattan" because of the tall building there. During the 15th and 16th century, many people inhabited Cuenca and because of it's location in the cliffs. "Hanging houses" are unique to Cuenca as well as the St. Paul Bridge. There are many hiking trails in the surrounding mountainous area and the city is surrounded by two rivers; so beautiful!

St. Paul Bridge

The last weekend in March my CIEE group had a trip to Valencia! Normally, Valencia has some of the best weather in Spain and I was looking forward to spending a little time on the beach and running around by the Mediterranean Sea. Unfortunately, we went on an "off" weekend and the sun barely came out at all. But, we made the best of it and still had a great time! We visited more cathedrals and learned about the importance of Valencia during the Spanish Civil War; the Republicans (against Franco) housed all of the works from the Prado (in Madrid) in Valencia during the war because Valencia was more stable than Madrid and at less risk of being taken by the Nationalists (Franco's side).

The weather didn't stop us from as least getting our toes wet. In my case, most of my jeans.

We also visited a museum of Las Fallas. More or less, each city in Spain has a town festival that has historical roots and in Valencia that is Las Fallas. Artists spend all year constructing giant sculptures made out of flammable materials. They are incredibly detailed and intricate. These sculptures, the fallas, the displayed throughout the city during March and are all burned on the same day. We were in Valencia the weekend after the festival had concluded, but it was impressive to see the museum. After the museum we made a quick trip to the sea before touring the "hippy" neighborhood of Valencia.

A falla. This is made out of all flammable material! 

Valencia is famous for their oranges and "Agua de Valencia"is a famous orange flavored wine-like cocktail. We also tried horchata (right), which is another famous beverage of Valencia. It has a thick consistency and the flavor reminded me of rice pudding. We enjoyed some buñuelos (left), which are a popular fried dessert in Valencia during Las Fallas. The paella valenciana is supposed to be the best in Spain and I would definitely agree! While a bit more spendy that your average paella, paella valenciana lives up to the hype.

Paella Valenciana

*Spanish travel tip: some restaurants serve you bread during your meal or while you are waiting for your food. This may or may not be included with the price of your entree. Be sure to ask before you grab a piece...it may end up costing you as much as 5€ for a small basket of bread! 

This is a saint's arm in a cathedral in Valencia. An arm!!

The weather here is absolutely amazing and we have bee enjoyed it by spending time outside! Last weekend Jess's (a girl in my program and one of my friends here) host father invited us over for homemade sangria and tapas. We spent the afternoon in their backyard drinking sangria and enjoying the beautiful day. I was also able to spend the night at Diana's house (another friend and girl in my program who is also from Madison) to watch the Badgers take on Kentucky in the Final Four! Even though we lost, it was worth staying until 5am to watch the game!

Badger pride all the way from Spain! 

Our homemade tapas! Thank you, Juan Carlos!

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, started yesterday and I am excited to be traveling to Brussels, Belgium on Monday to spend the week with Jane! Jane was a foreign exchange student at my high school my senior year and I am thrilled to finally get to go to her country!! Semana Santa in Spain is very religious and many families take vacations since the majority of the country does not have to work. There are many processions in nearly every city of Spain which include pasos (floats) that depict different scenes from the gospel related to The Passion of Christ. The men and women who carry these very heavy floats (yes, carry) are doing so as an act of penance and don robes and headdresses of many different colors. I am looking forward to attending a few processions and will be sure to post photos!

After Semana Santa we have one week of classes and two days of final exams the following week. After the conclusions of exams on the 29th I am off to Switzerland! I am meeting my mother in Geneva and from there we will travel to visit her host family in the mountains of Switzerland from when she worked abroad. After that I am meeting my best friend, Zach, in Interlacken. We will be traveling to Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, France, and back to Spain together. I am looking forward to traveling Europe, but right now I am focused on making the most out of my last few days in Spain!

xo,
Victoria

65° and Sunny!

The time is passing so quickly here in Spain, I somehow managed to get through February without blogging...oops! Here is a quick update on what I've been up to for the past month in wonderful España!

The first week of February we took a day trip to Segovia, Spain to see the Roman Aqueducts and were also able to tour a castle and a palace. The preservation of historical building, streets, walls, and other structures completely amazes me. History in Spain is on a whole other level in comparison to history in the United States.

My CIEE group and I in Segovia. Love them all!

They do celebrate Valentine's Day here in Spain, but much like the US it is very commercialized.  Nonetheless, those of us who were not in Paris (I know, doesn't Paris for Valentine's Day sound romantic??) ordered in pizza, made a chocolate and dutifully ate our Valentine's Day chocolate. Afterwards we headed to one of our favorite "discotecas" in Alcalá and enjoyed a night of dancing (without boyfriends!).

The Valentine's Day crew!

My friend Diana and I spent the following Sunday skiing in Segovia! I was a bit rusty since I have not been on skis for about two years, but it was still a great day. Diana has been skiing practically since she could walk and is AMAZING! She was so patient with me while I got back into it, thanks D! I underestimated my abilities and we decided to try out a red run for our second run of the day. (IMPORTANT: Red indicates the most difficult runs) It was a struggle to say the least. I spent more time horizontal in the snow than I did skiing down that hill, but it made for a few good laughs and was a great test of my determination. The views of the mountains were absolutely breathtaking and totally worth the bruises I had all over my body for the next week.

^How I spent a large portion of the day

The lovely Diana and I!

We spend the weekend of the 21st-23rd in Sevilla, Spain with my CIEE group. It was 65° and sunny the entire weekend, which felt so warm in comparison to Alcalá and especially to Madison and Waconia. I definitely do not miss the snow and cold and from what I hear, I picked a great winter to be abroad! We were able to visit a lot of historical sites in Sevilla and do a little exploring of our own. The most interesting part was learning about the Spanish Inquisition and seeing where many of the events associated with this period took place. Sevilla is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and I would highly recommend visiting if you are ever in Spain!

Jess and I in Sevilla

Also, a bird pooped on me. Good luck? 

Right after we returned from Sevilla we jumped in midterms week. Naturally, I did not do much other than study study study, so the past week was not very eventful. On Friday I had a class trip to Toledo for my Spanish Literature class and, of course, I loved Toledo as well! We visited several historical sites and tried mazapan, which is a traditional sweet from Toledo. I loved it.  Luckily we had lots to celebrate this weekend between the conclusion of midterms and Nancy's birthday! We surprised Nancy with a cake earlier in the day and then headed out for a night in Madrid to celebrate at a mexican restaurant. The staff at the restaurant were so sweet and played some special mexican music for Nancy as they brought out her cake with a candle; she was so excited!! Even though the food was not as good as her mother's authentic mexican cooking, it was still delicious. Afterwards we spent the rest of the night (and morning*) in Madrid partying to celebrate her 22nd birthday! ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Nancy!

Nancy's birthday dinner

Toledo! 

*The "party" schedule is Spain is very different from that in the US. Most college-aged people do not head out until around 11pm or midnight to spend a couple hours at a bar before heading to a "discoteca" (club) at 2 or 3 am and then spend the rest of the morning dancing until about 6 am when they, finally, return home. It is definitely a different schedule than the US and takes a little getting used to, but I like it! 

I think that brings us up to speed! I don't have too much on the schedule for the next two weeks, but later this month I will be traveling with my CIEE group to Valencia! I've been in Spain for just about two months now and it feels like I arrived just yesterday. My spanish has been greatly improving and I am learning new things every day. Study abroad is proving to be just as good and even better than everyone tells you it will be. As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask! 

Besos, 

Victoria 

Gachas, Gatas, y Granada

Hola a todos!

To say I am loving Spain would be an understatement...there are not enough words to describe how much I am enjoying my experiences here!

Over the past couple weeks I have been further adjusting to my home here and the Spanish culture. A few observations:

1. The schedule here is very different. We eat lunch at 2:30 and dinner at 9:00. Every day, most businesses close mid-day for lunch and "siesta" time.

2. Drivers here are NOT pedestrian friendly. In Madison, if there are a couple seconds left on the crosswalk, people walk. Here you do not want to risk that; the drivers are ruthless and own the road!

3. Classes here are different in the sense that professors do not seem to have much regard for the syllabus; the schedule is more laid back and we complete things taking as much time as needed. This also is a characteristic of the more laid-back culture here. Everything is the US has to be done as quickly as possible and the sense of hurriedness here is not as prominent.

The title of this blog, "Gachas, Gatas y Granada", is basically  a summary of what I've been up to! Gachas are a traditional Spanish dish from the Andalucía region of Spain, which is south of Madrid. Mainly composed of flour, gachas can be served with a stew consistency or more like a paste. It is commonly eaten with bread. My host parents invited me to their neighbor's home last weekend for a lunch of gachas and other Spanish food. It was all delicious and I had a wonderful time experiencing more of Spanish culture!

"Gata" is the Spanish word for cat. There are TONS of stray cats here! I want to play with all of them, but unfortunately many are infected and have fleas, so it is safer to just look. But I love kittens!

This weekend my CIEE group and I took a trip to Granada and Cordoba! Both are beautiful cities in the Andalucía region of Spain. Granada is home to the famous "La Alhambra". The Alhambra's architecture is like nothing I have ever seen. The intricate details are remarkable. We also spent some time hiking to a waterfall and to different viewpoints in Granada, which is surrounded by mountains. Between the many tapas bars, white houses and Arabic influence, I cannot decide what I love most about Granada!

A view of Granada from inside The Alhambra

The bridge we walked over while hiking to the waterfall; can you say adrenaline rush?!

Granada from the hills at the top of the city 

We also spent two days in Cordoba, which is the most precious city I've been to yet! The narrow, cobblestone streets lined with cute restaurants and Roman architecture is charming. There happened to be a Roman festival this weekend, so we were able to experience even more culture than expected! We visited the famous "La Mezquita" which is a Catholic/Muslim mosque. Again, the architecture is amazingly intricate and beautiful. We were able to attend a Catholic mass there during the day, which was pretty neat. While I wasn't able to understand the entire mass, I was able to follow along and identify where we were in the mass. It is amazing that Catholicism is spread so widely across the globe and that we all are welcome in the House of the Lord no matter what country the church is in or what language the mass in performed in.

Cordoba at sunset 

Other than that, not too much is new with me! I am enjoying my classes for the semester and am making a ton of friends through my program and at the Institute! For now, the next big adventure on the calendar is Seville towards the end of February, but I may have to book something before then; I've got the travel bug!

As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!

XO
Victoria

¡Bienvenido a España!

Hola a todos! (Hi everyone!)

Welcome to my blog! Here I will be documenting my experiences as I travel abroad in Alcalá de Henares, Spain for the spring 2014 semester. I am very excited, as I have never traveled to Europe before and am looking forward to enhancing my Spanish speaking skills while learning about Spanish culture. I will also be taking classes here to continue my majors of International Studies and Spanish and my Certificate in Business. I am here through the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a program called CIEE. There are 3 others students from Madison here and 11 total from the United States in my program. I will try to blog at least once a week, but I cannot make any promises. Please let me know if you ever have any questions, I would love to answer them! So here we go:


After several hours of travel, I have finally arrived in Spain and settled in to my host family's home.

Day 1 &2:
I left Minneapolis at 7:00am on January 7th and flew to Boston, where my 9-hour layover turned into a 10 hour, which then caused me to miss my connecting flight in Paris to Madrid. Once I arrived in Madrid, I had missed the group shuttle to the hotel, so I had to navigate the metro and train on my own. Air France also managed to lose my luggage, so it was getting to be a very long trip to Alcalá. Luckily, I met a very nice woman who works in Madrid and had studied abroad in Alcalá during college as well. She helped me make sense of the maze that is the metro and I arrived safely to my hotel. After relaxing a bit, I had dinner with my group from CIEE in the hotel and then got some rest.

My mother and I at the airport very early in the morning!

My bag weighed exactly 50 pounds; I was quite impressed. Packing for 4 months is one of the most challenging things I've ever done; I am a notorious over-packer. 

Day 3:
Today we had an orientation session for most of the day where we covered some general rules and guidelines and received information about our classes and the culture in Spain. Fun fact: It is illegal to talk on the phone and drive at the same time in Spain! After orientation we took a trip to "El corte ingles" which is a store that I can best describe as a cross between Macy's and Target. They have EVERYTHING. We arrived back to our hotel, Hotel Campanile, and our host families came to pick us up and bring "home" for the next four months.

My host family is wonderful. There four members: Santiago, the father, Antonia, the mother, and Laura and Cristina, who are their daughters. They are all so sweet and welcoming, I could not have asked for a better family. I have my own room in their beautiful home, which is in Alcalá de Henares. The language barrier is a challenge and I am constantly asking my family to repeat phrases or to explain what they are trying to say. Of course, this is the objective of studying abroad and I know my Spanish to going to improve my leaps and bounds before May.

This is my room in Alcalá; I love it! 

Over the past three days I have discovered that traveling is wonderful...when everything goes as planned. A one hour flight delayed turned my trip upside-down, but it was a great learning experience! I am looking forward to sharing more and sharing my study abroad experience!

If you would like to contact me, please either messaged me on Facebook or email me at haler@wisc.edu. I am available via iMessage, whatsapp, or text free so please let me know if you would like one of those numbers.

All my best,
Victoria

ALPHA PHI: My Third Sisterhood!

If you have not noticed from your Newfeed being blasted with photos already....I am a new member of Alpha Phi at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and I am thrilled beyond words!

As a sophomore, it is less common to rush and I do regret not rushing as a freshman (rushing is the process of joining a sorority!). But, better late than never! One year ago I did not think Greek Life was for me and did not consider myself to be a "sorority girl". After watching my new friends at college experience greek life at Madison, my opinion changed as they shattered my preconceived stereotypes of what it meant to be a sorority girl. I now understand that there is not a single type of young woman who fits into a sorority. Rather, each chapter is different and encourages members to be themselves; I am so lucky to have found my fit in Alpha Phi.

Rushing is quite the process at Madison! We started last Sunday with First Rounds, which took 10 hours. That day we visited all 11 chapters on campus and were able to meet and chat with current members in their houses. At the end of the day, we ranked our favorites. Monday was another long day, 9 hours, as we completed Second Rounds. Second Rounds entail returning to up to 7 sororities that invite you back. We spent a little more time talking with the members and participated in a short activity to benefit their philanthropy. Again, at the end of the day we ranked our favorites.

Next up was Preference Rounds, where we returned to up to 3 sororities on the following Sunday. This round was more intimate and each chapter shared a special ceremony with us. At the end of the day, we ranked once again. While my decision was not easy, I knew I made the right choice and hoped for the best on Bid Day!

Bid Day was just yesterday, Monday, September 9th, and it was a day I will never forget! We reported to our assigned meeting spots where our envelopes with invitations to join our respective chapters awaited. I was surprisingly calm; I know that everything happens for a reason and that there is a plan for everyone. I kept this in mind as I opened my bid to Alpha Phi. I was ecstatic! Alpha Phi had been a front runner for me throughout the two week process and I enjoyed every minute I spent there; I am so excited to be an Alpha Phi! After a short ceremony, all of the new members were off to the house to meet our sisters for photos and socializing. Rushing was a great experience and I am so thankful I made the decision to participate.

Alpha Phi. I feel blessed to call this my new home filled with 150 new sisters who have already welcomed me with open arms. The Red Dress Gala and the Escape from Alphatraz events are held annually to benefit our philanthropy, Women's Cardiac Care. APhi stresses the importance of community service, which has always been an important part of my life. In addition to giving back, I know my time in Alpha Phi will be filled with social events and many memories while balancing my academics at UW Madison. I am proud to be a member of the 2013 Pledge Class and join a sorority comprised of beautiful, intelligent and compassionate women who constantly strive to be better. I look forward to sharing my experiences in Alpha Phi as I learn more about this amazing chapter!

This is third sisterhood! My older sister, Chaneen, is currently in Ecuador for the fall semester and is enjoying her time immersing herself in the Spanish language while continuing to work towards her degrees in Agricultural Education and International Agriculture. My younger sister, Jeni, is loving her first weeks at the University of Minnesota as she begins her studies in Spanish and Animal Science. My second sisterhood is ever-growing and I am continually amazed by my fellow pageant sisters; Kara competes for Miss SD International this weekend, my Miss Teen United States sisters are accomplishing great things in and outside of the pageant community and my Miss United States family is experiencing unprecedented growth and success! I cannot wait to see where my newest sisterhood, Alpha Phi, will take me over the next two years.  

Always,
Victoria

My Pledge Class! 

Me and Talia! 

Danielle and myself outside the house!

Back to the Books

With the start of a new school year approaching, I thought I should make it part of my routine to blog more often! So here we go:

A quick update on what I've been up to since giving up my title of Miss Teen Minnesota United States: I completed my first year at UW-Madison and moved home, in Minnesota, for the summer to work as a waitress at Jake O'Connors in Excelsior. I also had the amazing opportunity to work for the Miss United States Organization as the Director of Contestant Relations and Assistant to the National Director. In addition, I took three classes online over the course of the summer. It was quite busy, but I enjoy having a full schedule.

Back to the present, I just moved back to Madison yesterday to start my Sophomore year of college! I am excited to be living with three awesome roommates in a cute apartment on Lake Mendota. We are still getting everything settled in, but I will be sure to upload some photos of our new place. I am looking forward to an awesome school year continuing my undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Spanish. Because I am only taking three years of undergrad, my schedule is full once again. I am also returning as the Volunteer Chair of the Spanish Club on campus and taking on a new role as the Social Chair of the Wisconsin International Studies Major Association. Just earlier today, I finished submitting my application to study abroad for the spring semester. I am hoping to study abroad from January through May in Seville, Spain. Classes do not start until September 3rd, but things are already in full swing as I prepare for the fall semester.

I am hoping to find a little time to blog at least once or twice a month. I have found blogging is a great way to relax and reflect on all the blessings I have been given in my life.

Best,
Victoria

Signing Off- Miss Teen Minnesota United States 2012

This past weekend was absolutely spectacular and I could not be more pleased with our new queens. I am confident that each contestant took away something very special from the experience.

Our weekend started out with Friday's orientation and check-in. Everyone looked fabulous in their cocktail attire and we all enjoyed meeting and socializing. We had a red carpet to take pictures and the food was delicious. After a quick run down of the Miss United States rules and ethics and distribution fo the adorable opening number dresses, we got underway with rehearsal. Rehearsal can get a bit boring and long, but we all made learning walking patterns a good time! James Netz Photography captured most of the rehearsal on video, which I am sure will produce a few good laughs. Then it was off to bed for early morning interviews!

Interviews went wonderfully! Each contestant walked out smiling and confident about their answers. All the of judges worked very diligently to make good comments and detailed feedback. They seemed very pleased with the ladies. We were able to shoot short interviews with James Netz Photography about our Miss United States experience. After interviews were complete, we packed up our things and headed to The Landmark Center for lunch and rehearsals. After learning opening number, which did not include dancing (I think we were all grateful for that!) we reviewed walking patterns and practiced the all-important on stage question and crowning moment. As soon as we completed rehearsals, everyone rushed off to finish hair and make up.

I was so pleased with the how final production went. Chris Wilmer, our national director, was able to join us as the guest emcee, which was a very special treat. He does an outstanding job as national director and brought great energy to the Midwest pageants! Ashlea, our regional director, honored us all on stage with a sweet and heartfelt farewell. There is no way I will ever be able to thank her enough. As the crowning moment come closer and closer, the realization it was all coming to an end really hit. I would do it all again if I had the chance. I wish I could be going back to nationals in July with Maddy and Madison and experience the thrill of the national stage. I will truly miss it.

That being said, a HUGE congratulations to my successor, Myah! I am so proud of her and I know she will do great things as your new Miss Teen Minnesota United States! She is beautiful, smart and has big plans for the future. Please follow her year of the MN United States Facebook page! Each of our new queens, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, Tarron, Kayla and Meredith, are gorgeous and have exciting years ahead of them! The return of the Miss United States Pageant was a success and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the pageant organization I am proud to call my family.

As for me, I am certainly not going anywhere! I will be changing the name of my blog to "Así es la vida", which is Spanish for "That's Life". I am looking forward to blogging about my life as a student at UW Madison majoring in International Studies and Spanish. I will be keeping everyone updated about my mission trip to Mexico in June and anything else that comes up along the way! In the pageant world, I will be taking at least a year off. I am studying abroad in Seville, Spain in spring of 2014, so I will be gone for about 4 months and believe it would be unfair to whatever organization I would be representing to be absent for nearly a third of my year. But, I am excited to explore new opportunities in pageantry!

Officially a Former Miss Teen Minnesota United States:

xoxo,
Victoria

Two Zero One Three!

Happy New Year! 2013 is in full swing and I could not be more thankful for a blessed 2012 and for all that is in store for the upcoming year.

During the end of December, I was able to make a few appearances while home on winter break! My younger sister, Jeni, and I rang bells for the Salvation Army at our hometown grocery store on December 18th and we had a blast! Jeni is also Miss Waconia, so we have two queens in the family:) It was heartwarming to see familiar faces and strangers donate to such a worthy cause during the Christmas Season. Later that same week, on the 20th, I helped with a Toys for Tots distribution in North Minneapolis. I worked with Northpoint Health and Wellness Center during their toys pick-up for their patrons. I met other wonderful volunteers and also got to see Santa! It was a day filled with fun, new faces and holiday cheer. It reminded me to count my blessing and be grateful for all the wonderful things in my life.

Myself and Jeni, Miss Waconia, bell ringing! 

Dan, another volunteer, and myself at Northpoint checking patrons in! 

After spending Christmas with my family and overeating; I helped with a meal delivery with WeCAN Meals on Wheels in Mound, MN. Meals on Wheels in a government program that provides meals for those who are in need on a weekly basis, Monday-Friday. I met with Carolyn Dillon, the director, and shared her route for the day. I met two of wonderful chefs behind the programs, as well as other volunteers who deliver every day, out of the goodness of their hearts. We delivered meals to a variety of people; one man was 100 years old! Most of the recipients were quite surprised to find me at their door; but I believe it was welcomed. I certainly enjoyed my day!

David, a volunteer, and I before deliveries! 

Felicia, myself and Julie. They are the amazing chefs! 

I'm hoping to make a few more appearances before I head back over the border to Madison on the 20th. I am looking forward to my photo shoot on the 18th and working on a few surprises for our pageant in February! As always, if you have any questions about Miss United States or an appearance, please do not hesitate to contact me!

The entry deadline for the Miss Minnesota United States pageant is January 31st. If you or someone you know would like to compete in the Jr. Teen, Teen or Miss competition, encourage them to enter! Our fees are very low and the prize packages are out of this world! Contact me or visit www.missminnesotaus.com for more information.

I hope 2013 is everyone's best year yet!

xoxo,
Victoria

An Unusual Holiday Gift

It is crazy how fast the time flies during this time of year. I hope this blog finds everyone safe and healthy as the Holidays begin. A very happy belated Thanksgiving to everyone, also!

When the Holidays roll around, I am always excited to shop for gifts for my family and friends. Giving presents, and expecting nothing in return, is such a wonderful feeling. This year, I would like to present a challenge to all of us "givers" out there. Instead of that cute Vera Bradley bag or a new sweater, try purchasing a charitable gift! Many foundations and charities have created options that allows you to "purchase" a donation in someone's name. This is a great way to make a difference in someone's life and give a truly unique present; the gift of change. My personal platform, Smile Network International, is always accepting donations; you can give the gift of a new smile to a child! Now that, is a very powerful gift.

The Holiday Season is also a time of age-old traditions; light the tree, opening presents on Christmas morning, attending the Holidazzle Parade and baking cookies. Even though we can all find ourselves busy and overwhelmed by all there is to do, it is important to keep those in need in mind. Start a new tradition this year. Volunteer with your family at a soup kitchen, or donate toys to a drive for those who cannot afford presents. Many shelters accept tie-blanket donations; pick the print with the family and tie it together! With so many options, even the smallest act can make a monumental difference in someone's life.

Let's go out, make a difference, and spread Holiday cheer!

xoxo,
Victoria

The Freshman 15 (Reasons to Love Yourself)!

Before I dive into my first blog of October, I have a very exciting announcement: my sister queen, Maddy Thoele and Miss MN United States, has recently gotten engaged! I am beyond excited for her and would like to wish her and her fiance, Adam, all the best. Maddy is the best mentor a girl could ask for; she is confident, smart, successful and a truly beautiful person inside and out. I cannot wait to see what her future as a married woman has in store for her, but I am sure it will be wonderful and fabulous just like her. I love you, Maddy! 

Now, The Freshman 15. Competing in pageants has taught me a lot. I know how to work a stage in various types of apparel, how to hold myself with poise, grace and just the right amount of spunk during an interview and how to do my hair and make up to near perfection. This summer as I competed for Miss Teen United States, I learned for the first time how to prepare myself for a swimsuit competition. It was one of the most challenging, frustrating and rewarding experiences of my entire life. I was beyond pleased with how I looked on stage. I felt extremely confident, mainly because I knew I had worked so hard to get to where I was. 

As a college freshman, people often daunt about gaining "The Freshman 15" pounds. As a young woman, the thought of gaining 15 pounds is terrifying. Over the first month of college, I have found myself comparing my body to my friends and complete strangers I walk by on my way to class every day. 

Since Nationals in July, I have not been following a diet and exercise plan that is quite as strict. And let's face it, college food is simply not as healthy as it could be. When your mom can buy fresh fruits and veggies once a week, it's much easier to maintain a balanced diet. But, that does not mean you don't have a choice. True, I could have pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I don't. 

Through my experiences in preparing for Miss Teen United States, I learned much more than I ever wanted to know about diets and eating right. But eating healthy gave me much more than a healthy body; it boosted my confidence and made me good about how hard I was working. So, I stopped comparing myself to other girls I see on the sidewalk. I feel good about myself because I know I eat well and workout when I should. That's the most important part: feeling good about the decisions you make. Instead of thinking about the 15 pounds you could gain, find 15 reasons to love yourself. Find 15 healthy new foods you want to try, or 15 new exercise moves to try! Staying positive is key. 

I simply cannot thank Jason, from Youngquest Fitness, Cheri Kennedy, my coach, Ashlea McLeod, my director, and Maddy, my sister queen, enough for helping me on my journey, always believing in me and giving me reasons to love myself! I just may have found inspiration for a new platform:)

xoxo,

Victoria 

Crossing the Border...I'm a Badger!

I have officially completed my first full week of classes here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Move-in day was hectic, but my roommate, Olivia, and I made sure our room looks fabulous! Adjusting to college life has been exhausting, fun and exciting. The Badger spirit here is out of this world. I got to experience my first "jump around" at the Badger game two weeks ago. Sitting in the student section at a UW-Madison football game is enthralling; there is so much pride for this awesome school!

On an academic note, I am loving my classes! I am in what is called a First Year Interest Group, or FIG. It is entitled Race and Ethnicity in Latin America. It perfectly into my major, International Studies and Spanish. I have attended meeting for student organizations, visited the study abroad fair and eaten at some delicious restaurants that are unique to Madison. I really do love this city and my campus!

As a first year college student, I have complied a short list of things everyone should bring to college, but forgets.

1. An extra face washing cloth. You need somewhere to set your wet shower caddy!
2. An shower curtain, rod and hoops. Not for the showers, but for your closet!
3. Your camera charger. Guess who forgot theirs.
4. An extra full-length mirror. It's nice to have two, so you and your roommate can get ready at the same time!
5. Storage bins for shoes. It makes everything more organized!
6. Magnets. These are great to hang up flyers on your fridge.
7. A pitcher. During the winter, you won't have to go to the bathroom to get water for hot chocolate and tea.
8. A blank bulletin board. It's important to have pictures of your friends, but you need for new ones, too!
9. Blow dryer, straightener, curling iron. If you share with your sibling, like me, you'll need your own now!
10. Crown and banner. This may not be applicable to everyone, but you never know when a volunteer opportunity will arise!

While I am enjoying my time at college, I can't help but miss home at least a little. Since I am fairly far away, I do not make it home much. But, I will be home the weekend of the 23rd of February because that is the Miss Minnesota United States Pageant! I am looking forward to a great event and encourage every one to check out the website to become involved as a contestant or volunteer! www.missmnus.com

xoxo,

Victoria

Good Things Come in 3s

What an exciting past week it has been! I started off on Monday arriving in Roseville and our host hotel for the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition. All the young women got moved into their rooms and we spent some great time bonding! Then, we were treated to dinner at Osaka; it was not only delicious, but entertaining as well. Tuesday morning we were up bright and early to begin judging. I was contestant #2. Personal interview went very well and was followed by lunch with the judges. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them and it made us all feel more comfortable in the judging room. Mock media interviews flew by and then it was on to the speech competition. I practiced my nearly-memorized speech just one more time before heading into the room and am happy to say I nailed it and only glanced down twice! Extemporaneous remarks were a challenge, but we made it through and moved on to group judging. I was put into a wonderful group and we fed off each other really well during the discussion which made it go super fast. That completed judging and I couldn't have been more relieved! We went out for pizza that night before heading off to the Kare11  Backyard where we appeared on the 10 o'clock news with Belinda Jensen.



Wednesday morning we had a few hours to get ready for the day before traveling to attend the Midwest Dairy Association board meeting and have lunch with all the members. Lunch was great and we had some intriguing conversation with fellow dairy farmers. After lunch we headed over to the state fair  grounds for a quick rehearsal then back to the hotel for final preparation before the big night. Family and individual pictures were taken before our banquet.  A few short speeches and some yummy chocolate cake later all the finalists were backstage. We had so much fun and each of us got a moment on stage to be introduced and speak with our host for the evening. It was an incredible three days where  memories and friends were made to last a lifetime.


As we all paraded back onstage for crowning, I stayed calm. I knew that my fate was already decided and everything was out of my control. I gave judging my best and felt confident it all that I had said and done. First they announced Miss Congeniality; Kelsey Mussman was named and I couldn't have been more excited for her! I am happy to call her my friend. Next, we moved on to the announcement of the top three. I was thrilled to hear my name called first, followed by Kelsey Mussman and Christine Reitsma. Then the big moment, as Mary walked by each of us, we stole one last glanced at the crown. She held the crown over each of our heads before placing it on the 59th Princess Kay of the Milky Way's. Christine could not have been more surprised or excited, I am so happy for her. I am confident she will make a fantastic Princess Kay and serve as an energetic ambassador for the dairy industry in Minnesota. Placing in the top three for Princess Kay is an honor.




After Judging!

Before our Luncheon

Matt Addington Photography

Top 3

Just a little later today I will be headed back to the state fair to spend my three days there. I will engage in several activities with fairgoers, present a My Farm, My Story presentation in the Moo Booth and on Sunday the 26th (tomorrow) I will be getting my head carved out of 90lbs of dairy butter! I am so excited to follow in my mother's and sister's footsteps.

So, if you're at the state fair be sure to check out all the butter heads in the Empire Commons and grab a treat from the Dairy Goodness Bar! See you at the Great Minnesota Get Together!

xoxo,

Victoria

Princess Kay of the Milky Way

As many of you may have noticed, I am a finalist for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way. So, what exactly is this and how did I get involved? That's what this blog is all about!

I grew up on a dairy farm outside of Norwood, MN. Today we milk 66 holstein cows, farm about 25 acres of land and raise calves, heifers and bulls. Growing up on a dairy farm has been a wonderful experience that has taught me so much; the importance of hard work, independence and what it feels like to be part of a tight-knit community. The dairy industry is a vital part of Minnesota and has a variety of healthy, wholesome and nutritious products to offer. Promotion of our industry and keeping consumers updated with how milk goes from the farm to your kitchen table is important; that's where the Dairy Princess program comes in.

Girls ages 18-24 are eligible to run to be a dairy princess, they must be graduating or out of high school, must live or work on a dairy and must not be married or have children. It starts at a county level where many counties have their own dairy princess contests. In Carver County, the competition is held in mid-April each year. The contestants compete in personal interview, mock radio interview and a deliver a speech. Each girl is crowned and a top three are named to continue on to compete at what we call May Event.

May Event is held in St. Joseph, MN each spring. County princesses from across the state come to compete to be named as a top 12 finalist for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way. We compete in personal interview, mock radio interview and deliver a speech. When we are not being judged, we go through a series of media training and sessions to learn how to effectively reach our audiences when promoting the dairy industry. This year, we had a special guest speaker; Miss Oklahoma America, Betty Thompson. Betty shared her story with us and told us about her platform (Milk, it really does a body good). Betty was first runner-up at Miss America this year and we were honored to hear from her.     The next day after a luncheon, the 12 finalists are named. I was thrilled to be called as the 3rd finalist, following in my mother's and older sister's footsteps.

The 12 finalists spend their summer promoting the dairy industry with their other county princesses. We spend two weekends together, as finalists, and with the current Princess Kay of the Milky Way. I absolutely adore each girl and have enjoyed our summer together so far! Next up is the Princess Kay competition. We stay for three days in the Twin Cities and compete in personal interview, mock radio interview, deliver a speech, group judging and extemporaneous remarks. On Tuesday the 21st of August we will appear on Kare11 in the Backyard with Belinda Jensen. On Wednesday the 22nd of August, coronation takes place at the Bandshell on the state fairgrounds. That night, the 59th Princess Kay of the Milky Way will be announced!

I have had a wonderful experience as a Carver County Dairy Princess and Princess Kay Finalists this far! I would like to invite you all to the following events:

Carver County Fair: August 8-12, 2012
Princess Kay Coronation: August 22nd, 2012 @ 8:30pm. State Fairground, Bandshell.
Ride the fan bus: Leaves from Waconia High School on August 22nd, time TBD.
Order a fan shirt: Contact me with your name and size by Tuesday, August 7 at noon.
My butterhead carving: Tuesday, August 28th. State Fair, 8am-5pm. (Unless I am named as Princess Kay)

Contact me for more information on any event or visit www.midwestdairy.com for all types of dairy information!

xoxo,

Victoria

Miss Teen United States

I cannot believe that nationals has already come and gone...it flew by! I had an absolutely wonderful time in Washington, DC and could not be happier with how I competed.

After competing in swimsuit for the first time, completing my round robin interview with confidence and feeling so beautiful in evening gown, I know I competed at my best. Unfortunately, I did not make it into the Top 16. Of course, I was disappointed; I went to Nationals in hopes of being the next Miss Teen United States. I do not view any of my efforts though as a waste of time and money or as a failure; instead, I am looking to the bright side. I learned so much while I prepared and competed. I know my walks and interview have never been stronger. I can do all different types of my make up on my own. I can set my hair in curls and walk in heels for six days straight. :)

I need to stop and thank so many people who supported me on my journey to the national crown. Cheri, for helping me compete at my strongest and encouraging me every step of the way. Jason and Jill, for pushing me and making sure I had a rockin' swimsuit body! Maddy and Megan, for being my big sister queens and helping me in so many ways at nationals. Ashlea, for being a fabulous director and providing me with everything I need to be Miss Teen Minnesota. Kara, for my elegant evening gown, jewelry and rhinestoning my opening number cocktail; you are the best! Shantel, for my opening number cocktail. Minnetonka Moccasin, for donating moccasin keychains for all the contestants! All my friends, thank you for your good lucks wishes and support, I could not do anything without you. My parents, you guys are amazing and your unconditional love it what keeps me going.

If I forgot to thank anyone, I sincerely apologize!

Now, it is time to continue my journey as Miss Teen Minnesota United States. I have 7 months left to fulfill my duties and promote the Miss United States Organization. I look forward to making appearances and working with Smile Network International!

If anyone is interested in learning more about how to compete in February of 2013, please contact me at   tori3311@hotmail.com.

xoxo,

Victoria

Swim Prelims- Night #1

Today was an exhausting, but exciting day here at Miss Teen United States!

This morning we swapped contestant gifts, then headed off to rehearsal for a few hours. A HUGE thank you to Minnetonka Moccasin, who donated moccasin key chains for each of the contestants; they were a hit! After rehearsal, we had a sponsored lunch at King Street Blues in Crystal City; it was delicious. Then, we all rushed back to the hotel to make our final preparation for swimsuit prelims. My hair has never been so big!! After a fun and upbeat opening number, we competed in swimsuit. This was my first-ever swimsuit competition and I was surprised and delighted to learn that I love competing in swim! It was such an adrenaline rush and I though it went wonderfully. Shout out to Jason of Youngquest Fitness and Jill Schmitt, my personal trainers, who helped me achieve the ultimate swimsuit body; I could not have done it without you. But, I can't eat pizza just yet! The top 15 will re-compete in swimsuit Sunday, so I will keep dieting in hopes of competing again:)

Thank you to all who watched tonight and sent me good luck wishes; it means the world to me to have so much support and love from MN!


xoxo,

Victoria

An Update

Today has been busy busy busy! I woke up bright and early to set my hair and get a quick spray tan to look competition-ready for swimsuit. After orientation, where they approved my swimwear and opening number cocktail, we headed over the Synetic Theater for rehearsals. We learned our walking patterns for swim, evening gown and opening number, so we're almost all set!

Now, we have a little down time before the Runway Competition tonight. We received a cute rhinestoned black top for the competition that we wear with our favorite heels and skinny blue jeans. I am super excited to work the runway (think Victoria's Secret fashion show!!). After the runway competition concludes, we have a director's reception. Then, it is off to bed to prepare for a full day of rehearsals and swimsuit prelims!

For those of you who would like to watch:

You can go to www.missunitedstates.com, on the homepage, you can click on the Heritage TV link, which should bring you to their website. Under "Internet TV" the pageant prelims and finals will be broadcasted live. Swimsuit Prelims are held on Friday, July 6, at 5pm (4pm for Minnesota). Evening Gown Prelims are held on Saturday, July 7, at 5pm (4pm for Minnesota). The Final Pageant is Sunday, July 8, at 4pm (3pm for Minnesota).

Hope you all can tune in!

xoxo,

Victoria

Red, White and Sparkles

Happy 4th of July! First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has fought to protect our freedoms, those who continue to fight today and those that will fight in the future.

I have having a blast here in our nation's capital for the 4th of July; what a patriotic place to be! I woke up bright and early this morning to get a quick work out in then it was off to our parade on Capital Hill. It was quick warm; but we had a great time marching with our American flags and mingling with the public here in DC. After the parade we have free time, so my mom and I grabbed a quick lunch at a cute little restaurant nearby. Now, after a much-need nap, I am going to practice my walks and stage presentation with my good friend Ashley, Miss Teen North Dakota. Tonight at 9pm we have a fireworks show; I am positive it will be fabulous!

Hope to blog again soon!

xoxo,

Victoria

'Twas the night before...

Tomorrow is the big day; at about 10:30 am I will jet off for Washington, DC in hopes of becoming the next Miss Teen United States! Whoa.

The past two days have been hectic with final preparations and packing. I am a bit worried my one jumbo-sized suitcase will be over the 50lb weight limit...but hey, one suitcase is pretty darn good! Today I was humbled with all the good luck wishes everyone has sent my way, it truly means so much to me. Friends, family, my fellow PK finalists and complete strangers have all bit me good luck and are confident in me to represent Minnesota well. That is my exact intention! After over six weeks of dieting and exercising hard I feel confident that I will kick butt at Nationals. I cannot wait to meet the other 41(not every state is sending a representative) girls I will be spending my time with in DC.

You think the weather is hot here in MN? Try DC! The weatherman has predicted upper 90s all week that will feel well over 100. Here's hoping my spray tan doesn't melt off. A quick intinerary for those of you who are curious as to what we will be up to in DC:

Tuesday: Check-in
Wednesday: 4th of July Parade, Fireworks
Thursday: Orientation, Lunch/Shopping, Runway Competition, Director's Reception
Friday: Rehearsals, Swimsuit Photoshoot, Swimsuit Prelims
Saturday: Interview, Evening Gown Prelims
Sunday: Rehearsals, Miss United States Final Pageant

I have a busy and exciting week ahead of me. I will do my best to blog each night and hopefully get some pictures up as well. Stay tuned for info on where to view the pageant live! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far and who has been involved in my pageant life in any way; your support keeps me motivated and determined to bring home the national crown!

xoxo,

Victoria

A New Blog is Born!

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is surviving the heat here in Minnesota! Of course, I welcome hot summer days, because they give me the chance to do exactly what I love; be on the lake with my family and friends!

I'll back up real quick for those of you who don't know me. My name is Victoria Haler and I am your Miss Teen Minnesota United States 2012. My platform is entitled "Reconstructing Childrens' Lives, One Smile at a Time". I work with Smile Network International as a volunteer and advocate. Smile Network provides free surgeries to impoverished children with cleft lips and palates in third-world countries. They are truly an amazing Minnesota-based company that give children a new chance at a happy and healthy life. I cannot wait to see where my journey with Smile Network takes me.

This past June, I graduated from Waconia High School and am attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall to major in International Studies and Spanish; Go Badgers! I was widely involved in high school in numerous sports and clubs, as well as volunteering in my community and state. I am also a 2012 Princess Kay Finalist and will be getting my head carved in butter at the Minnesota State Fair come August. :)

Since it is after midnight, July is here! Which means Nationals is just two short days away. I will be traveling to Washington, DC on Tuesday to compete for the title of Miss Teen United States 2012. I am  excited, nervous, anxious and thrilled to be competing at Nationals! I have never felt more prepared to compete in my life thanks to my wonderful supporters, coaches, trainers and sponsor, all of whom I thank very much! I will do my best to post after each day to keep you all updated on our activities and 4th of July celebration at our nation's capital.

I invite you all to follow me on my journey as Miss Teen MN United States until I crown my successor in February of 2013!


xoxo,

Victoria