Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Me and my mother have done around 5 presentations in the last 2 months and we have 2 more booked.  My stage fright has surprisingly gotten much much better.  I no longer shake, however when I start a speech I talk really fast but that wears off quickly.  The best part for me is that I don't have a written speech.  I have a slideshow which gives me a suggestion of what I should be talking about but I have mainly been winging it. Which is so much more comfortable than having a written speech.

When we did our first speech my mother talked the whole time, and not because she wanted to but because I made her.  Now she is a part of the audience. Except for when I look at her with a look of panic when I have talked myself into a hole and need saving.  Which happens quite a lot which is not surprising at all.

Another thing that has happened recently is that two lovely papers (The Guardian and The Buzz) published our trip to Africa!  I am so thankful to both of them for taking interest in our trip and helping me pursue my dreams by showcasing my writing and our trip.  I am so grateful for their support and interest.  A lot of people have contacted my mother and I because they found out about our trip through either of the papers asking if we could do a presentation for them.  Which is fantastic being able to talk to people and show pictures and laugh at the stories is so enjoyable and lovely. 

There are a lot of important messages that the trip to Africa taught me and so much I want to tell people about.  By doing presentations I get to tell the stories on a more personal level. I think telling the stories in person something that people can relate to and that they can absorb easier.  I also enjoy the instant feed back.  I find it so fascinating hearing people's reactions to the stories and hearing their opinions.  

And I am so thankful to The Buzz and The Guardian for getting the word out that I am here and talking and have stories to tell.  Everyone has something to tell the world and I am so so so so very thankful that I am supported by so many amazing people to tell my stories and crazy adventures and the messages they have taught me.  

So thank you for supporting this crazy 15 year old who wants to share her stories.

-Z