WOW, what a journey the last 2 weeks have been. We have done so much as a community and bonded so well with one another. We’re all getting along really well and treating each other with the ten traits of a healthy community that we all decided on.

I’m loving it here so much!! The people are so kind, caring and respectful. I feel like I’m at home and it hasn’t even been a fortnight yet. The activities here at Snowy are very informative and fun, they are developing me into a better person. I really enjoyed being Student Leader on the 29th of July, I got a lot of positive feedback from it that was really great, helpful, kind and supportive. Everybody is getting along as if we’ve known each other for a lot longer than what we really have and the expo groups are awesome!

The past 24hrs has most definitely been my favourite. Starting with last night’s Bush-dancing, which I’m pretty sure I can speak on the behalf of all the students here, when I say I had an absolute ball! The whole class was spent smiling, laughing and changing partners as we joyfully danced together in our fashionable flannelettes and country attire.

This morning I had my first surfing lesson and let me tell you now, it was amazing! Allow me to share a short story called ‘The All-Mighty Wave of Glee!’

So there I am, paddling out in an endless sea of beautiful blue, the sound of waves crashing left, right and center, the scent and taste of salt. Then I see a mighty wave brewing out in the distance, straight away I know it’ll be mine so I spin my board around and I see it rising behind me as I start paddling back towards shore. I feel it pick me up as it breaks so I paddle twice more before pulling my hands in to my ribs, next I hop up and pull my feet in between my hands. Before I know it, I’m standing up, instinctively in a Taekwondo ‘L stance’ with my hands out keeping me balanced, I’m focused on the sand ahead of me in the direction I want to go. I’m riding it in and I hear one of our instructors say, “look at this one go” referring to me. Funniest thing ever! You should have seen the grin on my face!

Bring on the next 8 weeks!!

By Tiana (Red Cliffs)