Emma’s diary entry

Diary entry

Read Emma’s diary entry. When you have finished reading, go to the quiz section on the next page and answer the questions.

December 17, 2020

Sometimes it isn’t easy being back home in New Zealand. I lived in busy cities for many years in countries including China and South Korea and now it is difficult to sleep at night because everything is so quiet!

Yesterday I went hiking on the Alderman Forest Trail. One of the best things about New Zealand is nature and I enjoy the clean, green spaces so close to home. I want to try and walk at least three trails a week while the weather is good.

There are several things to remember when I go hiking. It is important to take enough food and water to last for two days as well as extra clothing. Even though most trails are signposted, sometimes people get lost and spend the night in the forest. It is warm during the day in the summertime but at night the temperature drops. If something goes wrong, I want to be prepared.

The trail I walked yesterday was so beautiful! It wasn’t so different for the first hour, but I went around a corner and suddenly I was at a viewing platform. The view was amazing, and it was such a clear day that in the distance I could see the Pacific Ocean. It was a very pleasant surprise.

That wasn’t my only discovery. Two hours later after walking a long way, I was hot and decided to stop for lunch. I sat down under a tree that was hundreds of years old and opened my pack to get my food out. Then, I heard a sound coming from somewhere close-by. I stood up, walked through some bushes and discovered a freshwater stream. It was so good taking off my shoes and bathing my feet in the cool water. I decided to eat my lunch next to the stream.

I wish I had started writing in a diary years ago. Everything I’ve written about since I moved home four months ago shows me how many small but important things happen every day. I am going to write a new entry as often as possible. Maybe one day my children will be able to read this diary and compare their own lives to mine!

Question

Do you keep a diary or journal? What are some positive reasons for writing in a diary or journal?