Learning New Stuff.... :)

Recently, as my 32nd birthday resolution, I have decided to start learning new things and explore new adventures! I wanted to finally take time out and spend a bit of money to do the things that I have always thought of doing but never thought I had the time to...

All I can say is that I am so glad to have finally start putting those plans into action..

The first on the list was scuba diving and I am glad to share that I have finally completed my basic Open Water Divers Course! For once, I did not 2nd guess my decision or to try and rationalize.

Sure, I always loved the water and anything to do with it. I loved beaches but I have never immensed myself in salt water for more than a little bit of dipping and splashing for fear of jellyfish or worse -- SHARKS! so silly of me isn't it? I have not even snorkelled in my whole life. Imagine that? My underwater experience was limited to the chlorine purified swimming pool.

So on faithful June 16th, I finally flew to Kota Bharu and found myself ferried to Bubbles Dive Resort at Perhentian Island. I did not know what to expect but it was very different to the kind of urban holidays which I was so used to. Shopping, room service, concierge, white linen covered beds and fluffy pillows were nowhere to be found... You would think what a shock that wud be!!

Surprisingly, the scene to which we arrived to was very welcoming despite a modest one. Libby the lovely host, welcomed us with a big smile and gave us a quick rundown on what to expect as well as the house rules.

We were showed to humble yet comfortable rooms and Hazel was "excited" to see that the shower had no roof :P We also found that there was no mobile phone reception in our rooms which caused serious withdrawal syndromes for all of us as we were so used to being contactable at all times.

Before we know it, we have headed down to the dive shop and taught all the ins and outs of scuba diving... All the equipment and putting it together.. and I never wud have thought there is so much learning required to qualify for some open water diving.

I thought it wud just involve a quick brief on the safety requirements and then off we go into the water floating gently with all the equipment.. swimming with nemo for hours! How wrong I was! With all our inexperience, we were using up the oxygen in less than 30mins.

The four days training was pretty intense -- it involved a textbook, videos and lots of skills learning and practise for 3 full days. We had no time to miss our phone and was crazy happy lugging kilos of equipment and weights. Of course, I was so light :P (not!) that I need to have almost 9 kgs of weight strapped to me before I wud sink properly.

Poor Shrimpy (our instructor) -- he had his hands full trying to grab all of us. 8 legs to two hands -- that is quite a challenge! Never thought just staying still in the water would be so difficult without flipping around helplessly and kicking someone wif our fin unwittingly. The most challenging remain trying to 'hover' without shooting right up to the surface of the water - which turns to be possibly quite deadly to your human body if you were deep in the open waters.

Anyways, to cut a long story short -- we were having such a good time that we reluctant to return to civilization.

My 2nd new experience is belly dancing! For about three months now, I have been attending weekly belly dance classes at 'The Dance Space' in Plaza Damas. This was another activity I underestimated -- I went into the class all confident that I would pick up everything within a few hours. After all, you just need to shake your butt and make your belly jiggle right? I have plenty of belly to jiggle for SURE!

My goodness -- I must tell you I have never sweat so much in my life (besides the first time I attempted yoga). I never thought the activity was strenuous but after the class ever single muscle ached and I still look like a fool doing the moves while my instructor, Karen looks so sensual and beautiful doing the same moves. But GUESS WHAT? I totally enjoy it and can't wait to attend the next. Somehow the beats of the lebanese tunes and all the techniques required from every inch of your body to make the dance look beautiful has a hypnotic effect on me and I am hooked!!!

In conclusion, the saying is true 'You are never too old to learn new things' and though not everything you learn may have a clear practical use for it but it enriches our lives, making us a much more healthier and happier person. Also, I noticed both of the new experiences teaches me to slow down and that sometimes moving quickly is not always the way to go.

Cheers -- Age 32! :)