Diving Diva

So, most of you know that I just got done doing my scuba diving certification. I've shared some on facebook, but I'd like to go into more detail, and I don't want to bore those of you who aren't interested.

So, visibility wasn't amazing either day we were out there. The first day was amazing though. We swam out to the 'big buddha' here in the bay by Hawaii Kai. There are a few others there, two small ones, and another 'big' one that is laying in a sandy area. The Buddhas are incredible in their own right. I love seeing the corals growing on them, and how different they all are.

As we approached the big Buddha, there were three green sea turtles swimmung up and around it. One was a huge one, just MASSIVE! The other two were smaller, then smaller again. They were so perfect and beautiful. And to see them swimming up around the statue like that? Breath taking.

Then, swimming around the crater, we saw a moray eel hiding in a little space under the edge of the crater. He saw us, watched us for a while, and then swam out. He followed us around the edge of the crater as we swam. He was probably 3 feet or more!!

There were so many tropical fish, I couldn't begin to describe them all. Several different types of clown fish, trigger fish, tangs, and so many more. I can't wait to get a camera so that I can get great pictures to share with you guys.

On the second day we swam by the two smaller Buddhas, to the one laying in the sand, then over to the big one. On our second dive (Turtle Cove), we swam over the reef beds, back and forth. The surges were pretty intense!! We swam past a VERY young turtle, and he was SO close to me! It wouldn't have taken much for me to have touched him. Of course, I'd never do that, because it's a $25K fine if you do!!

I wish I could fully describe the utter beauty that is diving. If you haven't, and want to, GO! You won't regret it. I've always had dreams that I could fly or that I could swim underwater and breathe (a la mermaid). Diving is the perfect combination of the two. The current/surges feels like wind against your face, and it feels like 'flying'. Getting to see those creatures in their natural habitat is absolutely incredible. Seeing them in an aquarium, no matter how well done it is, does not even begin to compare to getting to swim next to them.

My door is open, couch is available (and air mattress). Y'all come visit us and go diving with me.

Aloha!!!

Running is Hell

So, I decided to take up running. I'm not fully sure why. Partly because I need to get in shape. Partly because it's a cheap workout. I definitely think I picked the wrong excersize hobby.

Running is hell. I don't care what anyone says. I'm on my "second" week of Couch to 5K, and I feel like death. My legs are sore as all hell. My calves are cramped and sore. I haven't felt a 'runner's high' yet. I'm awaiting on it. I'm praying for it.

Today, I pushed my three year old in one of those bike carriers for kids that turn into a stroller of sorts. I thought just running was hell. Add in an extra thirty pounds of kid. Holy crap. So much worse.

But, I'm not going to quit. I'm going to keep it up. Why? Because I'm going to make running my bitch. I'm going to keep pushing. I'm going to get to the point it doesn't hurt. I'm going to get there. It's just going to take a while. It won't be easy. I'm probably going to complain a lot more. I'm probably going to hurt a hell of a lot more.

I am going to set an example for my girls that just because something is hard, you don't give up. You keep going, and you fight to get better. Running is hell, but it's also one hell of a life lesson.

Here We Go Again

I took quite a break from blogging. I'm back. Life sure has a way of bringing us back to where it thinks we should be. Nevermind what we want for ourselves. I sure have learned that the hard way over the last few years.

I've learned and grown, I've loved, lost, and gained so much in the last few years.

I'm not going to try tyo use this like a diary, but since I've been gone so long, I figure updating on who I am and what not is in order.

Still a milso, added a kid, and now we are back at our very first duty station, a half a world away from family. I have lost all of my grandparents, and several friends since I started this blog and took a break.

It's hard to believe that the support system I've had my whole life has changed as drastically as it has in the last three years, but here we are. I know I'm lucky in a way because I knew my grandparents far better than most people my age. My parents had me VERY young. My grandparents had them VERY young as well. I got to have a relationship with those men and women that not so many people get. Losing my grandmother was ungodly hard. She taught me to cook from 4500 miles away, over the phone. I talked to her every day. And now she is just gone. In a year and a half, my other grandmother went from the most bad ass, I don't need shit from nobody, hell on heels woman, to having to go to dialysis and chemo. Breast cancer is a bitch. Especially triple negative. It will take someone from you in just 6 months.

The worst is that I never really got to say goodbye to any of them. I wasn't there. I didn't even get to go to all the funerals. That hurt.

Now we're 4500 miles away again. My baby brother isn't a baby anymore. My sister has been widowed. My other brother, well, God has his eye on him. Family changes, grows, and fluxes. But somehow, you always end up back exactly where life wants you to be. You can plan all you want to. Life is going to laugh in your face and pull out all the stops.

So, I'm back. I'm going to try to keep this and a business blog going. Let's see how that goes. I'm going to have some Aloha spirit, try to get healthy, stay active, and kick life's ass for a while.

Hold on to your asses.