OVERVIEW

This month has been spent preparing for my departure. I have been improving my language learning methods, trying to fit in as much Spanish as possible before I am there. I have also been preparing a farewell party to celebrate (or commiserate) with my friends later this month. I will be sad to leave behind the world I know; all the friends from my school who I have known for my whole life will be absent from my life for a year. I don’t regret it though, it will be an exciting and interesting experience and they will still be my friends when I get back.

EVENTS

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS FIRES

Recently my family has been getting worried about the fires spreading through the Blue Mountains, but this month gave us a shock. Only a few kilometres away a fire started in the valley near Katoomba. When I first heard of it, it was only 55 hectares but by the end of the day it had grown to over 400. Our home is built in the bush, so bush fires are more threatening too us than most. We began to clear around our house and be ready if need be – checking our hoses and water tanks. Currently, we have been unscathed by the 700-hectare fire!

SCHOOL FAREWELL

On the 5th, my school hosted an event as a formal goodbye for me. I gave a speech about how grateful I was to have had such an amazing school and community over the last 15 years. My principal made a speech and gave me a special necklace made from the metal of a bombshell. That was it, no more Kindlehill.

ROTARY CHRISTMAS DINNER

On the 9th I attended a Rotary Christmas dinner for the club in Katoomba. It was held at the Hydro Majestic Hotel and was a complete success. My club presented me with my green jacket as well as the Australian pack and a letter from Susan Templeman. One of our district coordinators dressed up as Santa and gave us all brightly coloured water bottles. Both me and Molly (the outbound students) prepared cookies for the occasion and they disappeared very quickly. It was a wonderful evening!

CONCLUSION

December has been a great month (if a little scary due to the fires) so far, full of the excitement of leaving and the company of friends. I am looking forward to January and have an inkling that it will be quite busy!

Thank you Rotary for supporting me during my exchange preparations and thank you also to my friends and family.

THE MONTHLY

“There is calm before the storm, when no clouds sleep on the horizon and the waves they wash gently on you feet washing away all your nervousness. You cannot think a bad thought and all stress around you looks like nothing… nothing in the world could disturb you. you are complete.”