In the month of May, I created many special memories and shared meaningful moments with my friends. It was a time filled with fun, learning, and new experiences that I truly enjoyed. Through music and dance, I explored a wide range of genres. I experienced the unique rhythms and cultural sounds of the Cook Islands and Tahiti, as well as the energetic and lively vibe of K-pop. Each style brought something different, and it was exciting to learn and move to such diverse music. Alongside this, I have been practising the box step in preparation for our upcoming ball. At first it was challenging, but with consistent practice, it became easier and more natural, which made me feel more confident. During our Girls Group sessions, I spent quality time with my friends at Quirks Café, where we enjoyed fluffy sprinkles together. We shared lots of laughter, conversations, and stories, making it a warm and memorable experience. I have also been working on my mask for the upcoming masquerade ball. I really loved the creative process of designing and decorating it, and it allowed me to express myself in a fun and artistic way. One of my favourite memories this month was our High Tea. We made pikelets ourselves and enjoyed them with passionfruit herbal tea. It was such a peaceful and relaxing time, and it gave us the chance to unwind and enjoy each other’s company in a calm setting. In my sensory sessions, I was very hands-on and engaged. I particularly enjoyed using square and triangular magnets to create different shapes and designs. It was both fun and satisfying to experiment and see what I could build. I also found it very calming to write down the names of different animals on a poster using my animal books as a guide. It helped me focus and relax at the same time. For one of my outings, I visited Farmers and spent time exploring the different perfumes. I really enjoyed smelling the variety of scents and discovering which ones I liked the most. It was a simple but enjoyable experience that added to my month. I also was very lucky to meet paralympic cyclist Devon Briggs. Devon came to Arohanui to share his amazing story with us and gave us the ins and outs of what it’s like to be in the Paralympics. He shared many inspiring stories that were very interesting. Devon even brought in his bike and his silver and gold medals. I really enjoyed holding the gold medal. It was very shiny and heavy. Overall, May was a month full of creativity, connection, and personal growth. I made lasting memories, learned new skills, and spent meaningful time with the people around me. - TR
