This November was a busy month of traveling! First, I traveled to Chicago for another weekend visit. Then, I had the final ESA contest. After that, we traveled to Orlando, Florida, to go to Disney for my little sister's birthday. Not before long, I was traveling to Pensacola, Florida, for a NSSA contest. To wrap up November and celebrate Thanksgiving, I went on a cruise. November was a busy month full of traveling, celebrations, and surfing.
First, I traveled to Chicago for a weekend in the city. Because my dad had a trade show, he brought my mom, me, and sisters Sadie and Celia Tate. While we were there, my sister Sadie ran the Day of the Dead race. It was a great experience to try new food and experience different culture. Also, we had just learned about the Day of the Dead in Spanish Honors at school. While in Chicago, we went to the aquarium and explored the city. Chicago is one of my favorite cities because of the diversity, delicious food, and different places you can go to and have fun at.
After Chicago, my mom, dad, sisters, and I went to Tybee for the final ESA contest. This time, the water was freezing and so was the air. Because it was windy, the air felt much colder than it actually was. The waves weren't huge, but they were super fun to surf. All in all, I placed first in Girls, Womens Longboard, and Open Bodyboard. Also, I finished second in Menehune Bodyboard and Menehune Longboard. This was a fun contest, and I earned double points! I love the ESA because it is fun, great to meet new people, and I love competing for such a great organization.
As soon as the contest was over, we headed to Disney World for Celia Tate's 7th birthday. We went to all the parks and celebrated with eating out and getting desserts. It was so much fun to ride rides in the 80 degrees weather. At home, it was 22 degrees, so this weather was so nice. I loved seeing the smile on Celia Tate's face when it was her birthday. All day, we did what she wanted to do, and it was nice.
After a short break at home and some school, my mom and I headed to Pensacola, Florida, for a NSSA contest. It was much colder than Tybee, so I was freezing. I got to see some friends down there and I got to surf some more before taking a break in the winter. The waves were about six feet and barreling. But because the current was ripping, it was super hard to get out. After it was all over, I finished 3rd in Open Girls and 1st in Explorer Girls and Explorer Longboard.
To wrap up the month and celebrate Thanksgiving, I went on a family cruise. It was my mom, dad, both sisters, two cousins, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, and me on a five day cruise. We went to Cozumel, Mexico, and Belize City, Belize, on our excursions. While on the ship, we rock climbed, swam, used the workout room, and ate some delicious food. In Belize, our first stop, we went zip lining and cave tubing. It was so much fun to not only explore the country and learn some history, but to also have an adventure. We were able to see wildlife and meet locals. After Belize, we went to Mexico. We went snorkeling in Mexico, and that was cool! We got to see some really cool fish and coral. I loved the cruise, getting to explore more countries, and spending time with my family.
This November was full of traveling, surfing, and celebrations. I enjoyed spending time with family and having a good time. I can't wait to travel more and surf sometime soon.