White Shark Obession

Juvenile Male White Shark 2014
Ok - so the obsession stared, in a book, in the midwest.  Actually it started with the story of the USS Indianapolis, labeled as the worst shark attach in US history.  I was fascinated with the science not the horror of the event.  (I do not want to discount the horror and it is part of the reason it has taken 4 years to get my Scuba Certification.)  But when you read about how the sharks were attracted and why they attacked- and why they attack in general it all makes sense.  (At least to my scientific mind)

 So this midwestern girl, starts to study sharks and becomes OBSESSED.  Not being close to salt water- my obsession is not an issue.  After I graduated and moved to Washington, DC, things start to change.  But I am not in a place to sort through my issues/desires with the water.  

 Fast forward, I meet an amazing adrenaline junkie- with whom I fell in love- who is a certified diver.  So let's try this dive thing again.  2103 - Experience Scuba afternoon in Northern KY (yes you read this right).  Ok equalization is tough, but ok.  Let's do this thing.

 2014- Graduate from my Doctoral Program, but there is a Groupon of Scuba Cert.  LETS DO THIS!!!  Hmmm well, lets see.  I am struggling to be in the water and not cold.  I am struggling being bouyant- I spend my time upside down.  But HELL YES I carry on.  

As a Graduation Present AND Megan's 40th we venture to South Africa.  "Let's dive with Whites, Let's Dive with Whites"  I chant.  So we did.

 Oh SNICKIES, they are big, and beautiful, and powerful, and I am but a speck.  NO MORE WATER FOR ME!!!!

 Until . . .

It took some time, and some patience.  We went snorkeling, some trips went well, some, not so much, but I started to learn about myself.  I ONLY like warm water.  I don't like things to touch me.  I like lots of visibility, I don't like the pelagic- I like reefs.  I like warmth.  So that means certain of my beloved Apex predators DO NOT like the same space I do.  So Breeeeaaaatttthhhheeee - and below the water I go again.  

 Next Up- Study, Study, Study.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Celebrate Earth Day with Some Meditation

Image
A National Survey of Americans reports 14.2% of adults practice some form of meditation (2017). Meditation is a mind-body practice that helps to focus the mind which increases calm, physical relaxation, coping mechanisms, and overall health & well-being. How to get started? Meditation is easy to start and hard to master. Like Yoga, Meditation is a practice . You need to let go of expectations and embrace the process. Many types of meditation exist, below we will describe one of the most common. Seated, Quiet, Meditation Step 1- Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down.  Step 2- Close your eyes. Step 3- Release. Your first meditation will not be perfect. Focus on a mantra (phrase) or word. Repeat the Mantra as a means to focus your mind on the present, not on the list of things you have to do. If your mind wanders, bring it back to the word, or mantra. An Earth Day Mantra suggestion:   om shanti shanti (om= universal sound, shanti=...
Read more

Health & Fitness Evolution or Transformation- Imperfect Progress and Failing Forward

Image
First off, thank you all for the love on my posts.  I am truly humbled by the support.  That being said, I have had a lot of questions about how did I get here, and statements like:  "I want to be you, or I could never be you."  If you want this, it is yours.  If you think you can't do this - let me be real.  You are just wrong! This health and fitness journey path that I am isn't hard to duplicate.  I copied it off of someone else.  You know what, that is OK and you can do it too.  Here is my path, if you want to walk this journey together- join me in my next challenge group. Meal Prep 101 I am going to show you how I have gotten here through Imperfect Progress and Failing Forward . So let me start with Step 1 Exercise . You can't talk about it.  You can think about it.  You have to do it, do SOMETHING.  That first "something" may not be 100% correct but it will help you to make the next step. I read a f...
Read more

BVI Day 2 & 3

Image
Never a dull moment for the Heil Clan!  I want to start by stating that we do have GREAT traveling partners, they have been so easy going and flexible.  So our adventures over the last two days. When ever you lead a larger group there is a constant battle to keep the group together.  We call that "Herding Cats"!  Our cats have been starting "meowing" whenever we refer to them.  Super cute. Friday night the entire group made it safely to St. Thomas in the USVI.  On Saturday AM we headed to the British Virgin Islands, specifically the island of Tortilla.  We have been assigned a 42' Lagoon named Bear.   (Yes we think this is cool BearCat friends.)   Here is where the adventure starts and the Cats had to be flexible.  Bear is brand new!   Bear's Specs  You too can own her for a mere $573, 000.  This will be her maiden voyage, after sea trials in France.  Why is this important?  (Other than being just cool:)) ...
Read more