Sarah & Shar attend Inclusion Conference, San Diego
In July, Sarah and Shar travelled to San Diego to the Inclusion Conference, to enjoy 4 days of learning at workshops and lectures, along with exploring San Diego and its shops.
After sleepless nights and hours of planning the day had finally come, and we were heading to the airport for our 7.45pm flight.
Driving along the motorway past green countryside, we were looking forward to spending the next 10 days in the hot dry drought of San Diego, and we couldn’t wait to get to work on our tans.
Arriving at the airport, full of excitement and fear, mixed with tiredness, we sensed adventure in the air. We headed into the departure area and checked in……this is getting real now!
Anxiety built up as we headed through customs and into the departure lounge…but not before a bit of shopping at duty free. Waiting for the call to board the plane, we scanned our tickets, and soon found the seats that would be our safety zone for the next 12 hours.
Five movies, two music CDs, one TV show and a little sleep later, we heard the announcement to prepare for landing, put seat belts on and chairs upright. We were set for the five-hour layover at LAX, followed by a short flight to San Diego.
We took a shuttle ride to the UCSD to unpack, chill out and get some rest. With plans for shopping during the next day, we wanted to be fighting fit.
After our day of shopping we prepared for the next night, when we would meet the people we would be learning, developing and expanding our bubbles with for the next 4 days……let the fun begin!
On Day 1 we gathered as a large group, and together built the platform from which our individualised pathways to learning would be created. With many talented people and so much knowledge to absorb, we filled the afternoon sessions with a variety of workshops run by the people participating in the conference. The mornings were to be spent in learning from the teachers of our choice.
Once we had chosen our sessions and booked in our plans, Days 2, 3 and 4 were set, but it was in the evenings when all the magic and learning really came to life. Beach parties, dinners off campus and bus trips filled the afternoons and evenings with opportunities to interact and challenge all we had learned during the days, with a little time for a wine or two with our new friends.
Before we knew it, our time was up: goodbyes were said, Facebook requests made and plenty of hugs given. We gathered our possessions and enjoyed our last lunch, and then we were off to our hotel for 3 days of rest and recreation.
The next days were filled up with biking around Coronado Island, visiting the world-famous San Diego zoo, eating out, munching on fish tacos, and even more shopping.
With money all spent and arms tanned, it was time to head home ………more movies, more music, and some sleep, and then we were landing at Auckland Airport.
Feeling very tired during the shuttle ride home, and struggling through the next few days, taught us that jetlag is not as much fun as the trip was.
Thanks to ConneXu for making this trip a reality. The learning and reignited passion for whom we are as individuals, and what we can achieve together, still inspire me. And as for Shar, she gained self-confidence, self-belief and a desire to travel……but where to go next?
Written by Sarah Hobden, Quality Practice Leader
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