The 6th HUPE in Storyland competition Ranking

Every year, since I was a small baby, I go skiing with my family on winter holidays. For us, skiing is really important because a whole family likes this winter sport, we spend quality time together and have a lot of fun. For our winter holidays we are always in French Alps because it’s high altitude and snow isn’t a problem. But we were already, also in Italy & Austria on ski holidays. Skiing is my favourite winter sport because of the wonderful mountains, fresh & cold air and lot of slopes, where we are skiing a whole day long. My dad is a really good skier, my mum middle-level and I have to learn more skiing skills so that I can go with my dad on black slopes and off-piste. That’s why I’m still going to ski school, and every year I learn a next level of skills. Last year, this wasn’t possible, because all groups were beginners and we decided to ski as a family that I’m going to learn a few new skills with my dad. This was fun, but I like more to have afternoon fun with my family than to have a ski school by my dad. It’s a little bit exhausting because there is no group, it’s just me and I have to do a lot of skills with more repeating. That’s why I was very happy when I heard that there are many different groups in ski schools of all levels, so it’s going to be possible that I’d join a group. My dad went to ski school, managed everything and came back with all details. He explained that I’m going to be in a group of ski instructor Gordan, who is one of the best and most experienced ski instructors in this ski school. He’s also from Croatia and he is known for his patience, knowledge and friendly personality. At first, after my dad finished with the details, instead of feeling excited, I felt very nervous and stressful. My stomach was full of butterflies and in my head, thousands of thoughts. I was thinking how is going to be tomorrow in ski school, because I didn’t know any other members of the group and I didn’t know this instructor Gordan and I was really afraid that I might not be good enough or that I would fall in front of everyone. I couldn’t sleep because I was worried about making mistakes, maybe losing control on the skis, maybe not be able to follow the group and disappointing myself or my parents. Finally, I fell asleep, still having a lot of questions & fears in my mind. The next morning, when I woke up, it was a little bit different. I felt a strange mix of excitement and fear. But I was more excited than afraid. My mum was waiting for me with a nice breakfast: fried eggs and 2 big slices of bread with Nutella. After we had a breakfast, I talked to my parents how I felt, and they listened kindly and carefully. They told me that it was completely normal to feel scared when trying something new, and with lot of other people around that we don’t know. My mum smiled warmly and said that carriage doesn’t mean being fearless, but I have to try to be brave even if I’m afraid of failure. My dad encouraged me also, and he said that I should be brave as knights, who are going into battle, as in my history books, that I like so much. After a good breakfast, and these words from my parents, suddenly, I felt strong, confident and comfort. I decided: “I’m going to try to learn and have fun at the ski school”. When the first hour of the school was behind me, all my fears slowly started to disappear. I met many interesting boys and girls, who felt just like me: excited, nervous, eager to learn. We laughed together, when someone fell softly into the snow, we helped each other to stand up, and we’re celebrating every small success. The atmosphere was friendly & welcoming, and our instructor Gordan made us feel relaxed. He explained everything, very clearly & calmly, using simple words and positive encouragement. We practiced many important elements, as putting on skis correctly, keeping balance, stopping safely, and how to make turn correctly. All those were challenging, it was also incredibly fun, the time passed very fast, and, before I even realized it, the first ski lesson was over. At the bottom of the slope, my mum and dad were waiting for me, with proud smiles on their faces. I could see how happy and relieved they were. I felt very proud of myself, too, because I had faced my big fear, and I didn’t give up. We talked about everything I’d learned, and we talked about ski lesson, and I was so excited that was talking very fast and very loudly. At the end, they congratulated me on my bravery, and determination, and then we went to have lunch, and some pancakes with Nutella. That first day in the ski school truly changed everything. From that moment on, I went to ski school, happily, every day, until the end of week, and I became more confident, more independent, and more willing to try new things. That week I had lot of fun with all group members. The weather was wonderful, and I learned really a lot. But most important I also learned, lesson for life: Sometimes, we have to be very, very brave, and believe in ourselves, even when it’s really hard, because we are more capable than we think. As my mum said, it’s totally normal to be nervous, and a little bit afraid, when we do new things, or getting new experiences, but we have to believe in ourselves, and be determinate. That day, on the snowy French mountain, will always be in my heart, as the day that changed everything, and helped me for my life.

Every year, since I was a small baby, I go skiing with my family on winter holidays. For us, skiing is really important because a whole family likes this winter sport, we spend quality time together and have a lot of fun. For our winter holidays we are always in French Alps because it’s high altitude and snow isn’t a problem. But we were already, also in Italy & Austria on ski holidays. Skiing is my favourite winter sport because of the wonderful mountains, fresh & cold air and lot of slopes, where we are skiing a whole day long. My dad is a really good skier, my mum middle-level and I have to learn more skiing skills so that I can go with my dad on black slopes and off-piste. That’s why I’m still going to ski school, and every year I learn a next level of skills. Last year, this wasn’t possible, because all groups were beginners and we decided to ski as a family that I’m going to learn a few new skills with my dad. This was fun, but I like more to have afternoon fun with my family than to have a ski school by my dad. It’s a little bit exhausting because there is no group, it’s just me and I have to do a lot of skills with more repeating. That’s why I was very happy when I heard that there are many different groups in ski schools of all levels, so it’s going to be possible that I’d join a group. My dad went to ski school, managed everything and came back with all details. He explained that I’m going to be in a group of ski instructor Gordan, who is one of the best and most experienced ski instructors in this ski school. He’s also from Croatia and he is known for his patience, knowledge and friendly personality. At first, after my dad finished with the details, instead of feeling excited, I felt very nervous and stressful. My stomach was full of butterflies and in my head, thousands of thoughts. I was thinking how is going to be tomorrow in ski school, because I didn’t know any other members of the group and I didn’t know this instructor Gordan and I was really afraid that I might not be good enough or that I would fall in front of everyone. I couldn’t sleep because I was worried about making mistakes, maybe losing control on the skis, maybe not be able to follow the group and disappointing myself or my parents. Finally, I fell asleep, still having a lot of questions & fears in my mind. The next morning, when I woke up, it was a little bit different. I felt a strange mix of excitement and fear. But I was more excited than afraid. My mum was waiting for me with a nice breakfast: fried eggs and 2 big slices of bread with Nutella. After we had a breakfast, I talked to my parents how I felt, and they listened kindly and carefully. They told me that it was completely normal to feel scared when trying something new, and with lot of other people around that we don’t know. My mum smiled warmly and said that carriage doesn’t mean being fearless, but I have to try to be brave even if I’m afraid of failure. My dad encouraged me also, and he said that I should be brave as knights, who are going into battle, as in my history books, that I like so much. After a good breakfast, and these words from my parents, suddenly, I felt strong, confident and comfort. I decided: “I’m going to try to learn and have fun at the ski school”. When the first hour of the school was behind me, all my fears slowly started to disappear. I met many interesting boys and girls, who felt just like me: excited, nervous, eager to learn. We laughed together, when someone fell softly into the snow, we helped each other to stand up, and we’re celebrating every small success. The atmosphere was friendly & welcoming, and our instructor Gordan made us feel relaxed. He explained everything, very clearly & calmly, using simple words and positive encouragement. We practiced many important elements, as putting on skis correctly, keeping balance, stopping safely, and how to make turn correctly. All those were challenging, it was also incredibly fun, the time passed very fast, and, before I even realized it, the first ski lesson was over. At the bottom of the slope, my mum and dad were waiting for me, with proud smiles on their faces. I could see how happy and relieved they were. I felt very proud of myself, too, because I had faced my big fear, and I didn’t give up. We talked about everything I’d learned, and we talked about ski lesson, and I was so excited that was talking very fast and very loudly. At the end, they congratulated me on my bravery, and determination, and then we went to have lunch, and some pancakes with Nutella. That first day in the ski school truly changed everything. From that moment on, I went to ski school, happily, every day, until the end of week, and I became more confident, more independent, and more willing to try new things. That week I had lot of fun with all group members. The weather was wonderful, and I learned really a lot. But most important I also learned, lesson for life: Sometimes, we have to be very, very brave, and believe in ourselves, even when it’s really hard, because we are more capable than we think. As my mum said, it’s totally normal to be nervous, and a little bit afraid, when we do new things, or getting new experiences, but we have to believe in ourselves, and be determinate. That day, on the snowy French mountain, will always be in my heart, as the day that changed everything, and helped me for my life.