I have recently returned from Waihi Beach, where I spent five days of bliss with my four best friends: Natasha, Saskia, Erika and Eden. We had been planning this road trip from the start of the year and it was one of the things that kept me sane when everything at school was getting a bit too much. I had a countdown in my diary and it was the key topic of most lunchtime conversations.
Planning and executing a road trip was a really good experience as it forced us as young adults to think about reality. We had to account for where we could stay, what we could afford, what we would need to do, meal plans and so on. Because we were going by ourselves there was no running to mummy when the chocolate biscuits ran out; in other words we had to be independent!
Once the planning was all done and dusted time flew by, exams were over and before we knew it we were lying on our blow up mattresses staring at the roof of our tent, knowing that for the next five days we could sleep until we wanted, eat our ten bags of chips and wear our pajamas all day if we wanted. Our days consisted of reading, eating, swimming in our blow up pool, bike rides and walks, finding and screaming at hermit crabs, licking ice creams, accusingly playing Cluedo and long hours of loud music (sorry neighbours!) It was a fantastic experience that was very relaxing and allowed me some time to think and reflect …
This past year, 2011, has been busy but fun filled with school, social activities and family. A key element in my year has been elocal. Being the elocal cover girl has been a rock in my year, providing me with many opportunities I never thought I could possibly achieve. Modelling and writing for a magazine has allowed me to extend myself and experience things I wouldn’t have otherwise been offered without my involvement with elocal. Reading the blog responses on Gossip Girl has shown me that my words can influence people and that people actually care what I have to say.
Elocal has helped shape me into the young woman I am today. Sitting here writing this final piece and reflecting on 2011 even further extends my desire for a career in media. Elocal has forced me to step up and out of my comfort zone and I have met fantastic people I will never forget. I am now entering my final year of high school as a prefect Head of Student Council, and using my skills developed in Gossip Girl as a teenage voice will translate into being the head of the student body at my school. As a prefect I received over 200 votes from my peers at school and this further confirms to me that you CAN make a difference. I hope everyone reading this realises that you can make a change and it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
Thank you so much elocal, for the foundation you have laid for me to enter 2012. You are an amazing local group that I have immense respect for and will never forget. Happy New Year Pukekohe and congratulations to our newest cover girls - Shana Larsen, Dayna Johnston, Gina Petrie, Jessica Etherington. Go in strongly and always be grateful.