KIMBERLEY - Week 8: Celebrity

Dear Diary,

This is my eighth week in Australia and after I vented to my mother ? last week I feel more self-confident. These last two weeks have been amazing. First of all I had my first date with Ben; everything was fantastic. We went to the cinema to see the last Steven Spielberg’s film ; after that   then we watched the sunset lying  on the beach. It was so romantic. Eventually, he took me home and he kissed me on my cheek.

On day of the week there was a big surprise for us: the Australian celebrity, Ian Thorpe, came to our school to make a speech. Ian, who is one of the most successful swimmers in the history of the Olympic Games, came to our school to talk about how important sport is for teenagers. He collected great success among the students, especially when he recalled his wins, in particular his five golden medals in the Olympic Games. After the speech, Ian came to our group. There were Neah, Kate, Nerissa and me, and he gave us an autograph, and we  shivered with excitement. I’m thinking how jealous my friends back home would be.                                         

                                                          

Finally, yesterday afternoon, my mum called me to know how I was and at the end of the phone call she told me she IS coming to Australia next week; unfortunately my father can’t come because he has to work hard these days. At first I was shocked because I couldn’t believe her words, but after a few minutes I realized that I wasn’t dreaming and it was all true. I was very excited so I ran downstairs and I told Eliza  about the news, Eliza hugged me so tightly that she made me feel at home.

Now it’s time to plan several activities, so that I can show my mother around this fantastic place in the best way. This morning, during breakfast, I asked Holly to give me some advice about what I could plan for my mother and she gives me some tips. Then, in the afternoon, I stayed all the time with Eliza to plan the next week. In conclusion we decided to visit some other important cities in Australia such as: Sidney, in particular the Opera house, Adelaide and the capital city, Canberra. We also wanted to visit Perth but it is too far from Melbourne. After the sightseeing I want to show to mother the fantastic Australian sea.

                                                            

I’m so nervous but I can’t wait to see my mother.

Enrico Gaspari

LYUDMILA - Week 2: Getting Around

This is only the second week I have been in Sidney,  but I feel it like home. The subway, the difficulties with the new city, the language, the new school and the new classmates don’t terrify me like a week ago. In addition, the family is so friendly and in these days I’ve  started to get more familiar with their daily life. I really like living here because in the morning things are so different from Moscow, because of the school and the new activities I do, (and I love new experiences) and in the afternoon I love watch Jennifer helping Mark with homework stay with Amber!! I'm  so happy with  this new friendship.  The first half of the week has been perfect, except for Friday, which was a totally disastrous day!! At school I've met many classmates and  they are really friendly with me, except for one girl. Her name is Greta and she is the captain of the cheerleader team of the school. She is one of the most popular and beautiful girl in the school and obviously she is a close friend of James’, the guy of my dreams!!   Greta  doesn't to want be only a friend to him...she wants more! Like me she wants to be her girlfriend  and for this reason she does everything  to discredit me. Friday morning was terrible because she made fun of me all the time and James was there, too !

When I got back home I was quite sad and a bit nervous! I sat to the sofa and I watched the television all   afternoon!! Even when Mark  arrived (he wanted to to play with his new play station)  I didn’t let him use the TV and so he ran off crying!!

After dinner I apologised with him for my behavior,  but he sulked  until the following day. Christopher and Jennifer saw that I was a bit sad because of my argument with Mark and they also saw that something at school had  happened ;   for this reason they decided to take me to around the city at the week end and  to show me some of the major tourist spots.

First of all we went to the Opera House. It was fantastic and I took a lot of photos. Then we went to Darling Harbour; it is a nice neighborhood full of shops and nice restaurants. After a lot of shopping and a substantial lunch,  we visited the Sidney Aquarium and the Sidney Zoo, with fish and animals from all over the world.  

                                         

On the way back home we went to Port Jackson, the largest harbour in the world and finally to Bondi Beach, where people surf all  year round.  There I saw something unforgettable:  James was surfing and when he came ashore,   he waved me helllo. I'll never forget this!! The most poupular boy of the school   greeted me, the "beetroot"!! That's incredible!! I definitely love Australia:)  

                                                                                                  

                                                                  

Matteo Fontana