Ella, My eldest has here first Faction carnival tomorrow! Not sure who is more excited, me or her ;)
She also just so happens to be in the same faction I was all through school - GOLD!
Back when I was in primary school it was most certainly a highlight in my year and one of the reasons I loved 3rd term so much.
The smell of the oil lines being drawn into the grass on the oval.
The rivalry.
The practising in phys ed in the lead up.
Making pom poms.
Chants.
Running bare foot and in just bloomers and my GOLD tshirt.
The parade onto the oval.
Screaming so hard I'd lose my voice (who me? Never! LOL!)
Ahhhhh.... Factional carnival :)
I matured early which I'm sure helped in year six and seven when I won champion girl. I used to go up the school and my Dad would help me train for my sprints. I didn't do any other athletic outside school but certainly loved it.
I remember going back to my primary school to visit once I was in year 8 and my phys ed teacher was horrified that I was doing no sport, having shown so much promise, but by this time a social life had taken over ;)
I played netball in year 9 and did dancing from year 9 - 11 but sport was not a big thing for me in those high school years. It wasn't until I was 19 that I started going to the gym and then group fitness classes.
I'm hoping that it may be different for Ella (and April) and that they will stay more active than I did in those years in whatever way they choose.
When I think about how staying fit makes me feel now I am that 11 year old girl again, striving to jump further, run faster, be champion girl. Maybe that's why I love it so much :)
Tomorrow I will be wearing gold, I will be waving my home made yellow pom poms and screaming for my Ella, hoping that she is as caught up in the joy and atmosphere of getting out there and giving it her best shot. First or last, no matter. A full heart and a big smile is all that matters. Ribbons are just a bonus
GO GOLD!!!!
Jen
xx
