missing u

i miss you, diving, i really do. i didn't think it would happen so soon. i was all dived out just a few months ago - so i happily sent lucas off to papua new guinea and the solomon islands. but it's 36 degrees outside and i am longing to be underwater. . .in a dry suit.

happy hour

We went to a seafood restaurant for happy hour when we were in seattle. I went to the bathroom and was surprised to find a line out the door. Another lady walked up and exclaimed, "Holy Mackerel!" To me, that was funny.

bug guts

I am finally getting used to them. I just killed a bug on my arm and another one on the wall with my hand. I went right back to typing on my computer. I have about 10 mosquito bites on my arms and legs. This feels normal.

the kindness of strangers

mike gave me antibiotics
liza gave me tagalog lessons and manila info
jeff gave me a great tip about mailing stuff overseas and movies
martha gave me her mosquito wipes
the crew gave me the princess treatment
george gave me his subsee
maria gave me ear drops and even put them in for me
mel gave me the inspiration to float the grand canyon
indra gave me her massage stick
keri gave us his gorilla pod
rob made me coffee

i just met these people.

dinner conversation

After a day of diving and looking at fish, we eat fish and talk about fish. Someone mentions a beautiful big fish off the coast of Mexico. Another guy quietly says "I wonder who's gonna eat the last one."

Huh?

After surfacing from a dusk dive in Anilao.

Rob: It's the Lord.
Me: What?
Rob: It's the Lord.
He points, I look.
Me: Oh. . .yep. There He is.

There was a white Jesus statue with outstretched arms lit up on a cliff overlooking our dive sight.

Undergarments

Want to go to REI? my husband asked. Yes, of course. I can drop some serious cash at that place. All that stuff! It appeals to my inner active person, almost everything in there save the dog toys. Today I was looking at biker gear and kayaking gear with desire and longing, even though I detest biking. But it’s all comfortable-looking and sporty. There are exciting bright colors and lots of black. The clothes in there seem to say, “If you buy me, your life will be one big adventure.” I don’t know. I just like it.

I was on a mission to find undergarments for my dry suit. I had formerly fallen in love with a kayaking top that I promptly lost. No idea where it went. Lucky for me, the same top was on the clearance rack with some matching pants to boot. I tried them on and felt like a stuffed animal - in a good way. I was soft and cuddly from head to toe. The hot pink thread stitching me up and the fleece inside keeping me warm made it a must have. At $100 on sale, it wasn’t cheap, but I am pretty sure I’ll wear it for the next 10 years, if I don’t lose it, and if I don’t have kids. I must add this to the pro list for adopting.

Anyway, as I stood in the dressing room, while someone’s child screamed bloody murder (it was next to the sporty stroller section), I could see myself in this super cool thermal underwear (made for kayakers) swimming along whale sharks in donsol or tonga or anywhere. It seems like a good snorkeling get up for me. My super sensitive skin cried out for me to buy it. Instead of gritting my teeth and feeling surges of anger at the stinging pain of all things irritating in the water, I’ll have a layer of goodness to protect me and keep me a little bit warmer. Since it's black, when I get back on the boat, all I'll have to do to warm up all is go sun myself on the bow of the boat. Or I can take it off, wring it out, and put it back on almost dry. Oh, the joy of synthetic fabrics. I have, once again, spent money on scuba gear, and I think I’ll be pleased.

What Would Brian Boitano Dive?

Our next trip. Canada! On Sunday, we are heading north to dive again. Ahh. . .It feels like it has been a long time since we were in the water, and I am ready. I live in perhaps the coolest neighborhood in Seattle, eat out every meal, get to see my friends whom I have missed, and still I want to go diving. It feels almost essential to my well-being, and it surprises me. I am part diver. When did that happen?

So Lucas is getting a new regulator while mine is being serviced, and this week we will pack up once again and head for the border. After 2 weeks in a perfect place to call home, I feel bored, restless, and hungry for excitement and adventure. I am thankful for the down time, but I am also ready to go. Luckily, we have the time, money, and flexibility to do just that.

Where should we dive? Browning Wall has been on our must-see list, and it is supposed to be the best time of the year to go. We have wanted to return to Vancouver Island since our weekend trip to Nanaimo. That trip included snow and seals on the same day. Two things I love but not together. A longer summer road trip sounds divine. We can drink in the beauty of the Northwest - towering evergreens, majestic mountains, and driftwood beaches. We can inhale salty breezes and the heavenly smell of cedar. Then we can plunge beneath the surface of the ocean together to contemplate new creatures and capture colorful life on camera. It makes me want to leave today, but we aren’t packed and I want to go to church which I enjoy almost as much as diving.