First surf! - Burleigh Heads

n.spi.rat.ion.

Noun:

The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative

I'm often inspired by nature, books, philosophies, pictures, music, silence. It was my intuition that inspired me to move to Australia, and again to wander down the coast. More importantly, I've been fortunate enough to have two amazing sisters as inspiration. Each in their own unique ways have guided me through the curves and hurtles of life - even though sometimes they literally threw me in to said hurtles -

Although it lingers in faces and spaces all around us, sometimes it takes inspiration to see inspiration. Meeting the Smart brothers opened my eyes a bit wider to what, and who, really inspires me. Most travelers I have met are wandering and creating themselves as they go. Some are running from their roots, or a criminal record (just kidding mom!). Most are just trying to figure out who they are and what they stand for, others just to get a better understanding of where they come from.

It's exceedingly refreshing to meet genuinely good people.

Ones who aren't afraid of who they are and where they come from. The ones who embrace every thing that's ever happened, good and bad, because it's made them who they are today. We embrace bonds as siblings, friends, humans, all in a giant push to better, not change ourselves. The Smart brothers inspired me to be inspiring and if you are reading this, Thank You. It's not often I stumble upon other like minded individuals who are driven, down to earth and truly warm hearted.

Our time with these men should have been recorded for a television sitcom. Few things are as hilarious as two Americans stuck with three English people. I thought we all spoke the same language...until I was thrown into a room with all of them. Note to all: Fags are not homosexuals, slag is NOT a compliment, "taking a piss" isn't literally taking a piss at all, and the English people suck at monopoly - Big Time! - :]

I will give them this though; their native dishes are superb: Spag Ball (Spaghetti Bolognese), Beans and toast, Bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes w/gravy). These were the fuel to our surfing endeavors.

Whilst in Burleigh we were able to catch part of the Billabong Junior Championship. Such talented young kids all confined to just one part of the ocean made for quite the spectacle. It made me itch to get more comfortable on the surf board and in the ocean.

Sam was patient enough to teach us all how to stand on the boards, and to catch a wave - he is like a man sized pair of training wheels! - His passion and enthusiasm reminds me of myself sometimes. Always stoked to teach others about what we love to do in hopes they will love it to. Anyways he got each of us standing in no time at all. In fact, the day after we learned Marley and I set out to the ocean on our own. Now that was an interesting experience. The waves were banging in multiple directions, the wind was rough, the surf board was ridiculously heavy. It took all of our energy just to get the damn thing in the water and the rest of our energy was spent skulling (chugging) sea water. Without Sam we were rubbish, but with him we felt like pros! He successfully started a spark in both of us.... now we are dying to get better!

As for Abbie, well surfing wasn't exactly her cup of tea...but damn she looks hot tanning on the beach! :] Our plan was to get her a body board but with all the rain, we haven't been able to step foot in the ocean our entire road trip. But! I'll leave that story for the next post.

Enjoy the video. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your friends, your experience.

Aspire to be inspiring!

Avit!

<3 :]