tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68631046372802633422024-03-05T12:54:14.242-06:00Skittles Skates, Sculls, Scubas?I started a blog to chronicle my adventures through ice skating.
Then I started rowing.
Then I started scuba.
So basically I use this blog for sporty endeavors. Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-14124917825437617332015-02-23T12:51:00.000-06:002015-02-23T12:51:00.174-06:00A figure skating book: One Wish by Robyn Carr<br />
Recently, a publisher contacted me and asked me if I would review a book for them. Why me? Because it is a figure skating book. I'm all about figure skating getting more attention from all angles, so I agreed to post about the book on the blog. They did send me a copy of the book- and I read most of it, but in the end, I decided I couldn't really review it. See, I'm not a professional book reviewer, so I don't really know how to post critically about something that isn't really my style. This book has a figure skater as a main character, but it isn't really a figure skating book- it's a romance novel.<br />
<br />
If romance novel's are your style, you might enjoy this one. The figure skating bits I read rang true enough to the real world of skating that you won't be distracted about them as a skater (The only thing that stood out to me as weird was one point where the skater was warming up doing double axels, figure eights, and spins- and it seemed like an odd mix of skills to just throw out there, but it was a 'fun' warm up, so maybe?), and might enjoy the interplay of your figure skating with your reading. <br /><br /><b>"One Wish" comes out in March 2015.</b> It is 7th in a series about the same town, but I think it stood alone having not read any of the others.<br />
<br />
From the press release:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNiM3l7Lt8tYqrIK5M6MxLuKIkDINgo_tTm6mVckFAwiXD1wpvPNxK0zu45yfgIZAudvTNbcBA26qUNKK0hDZWMKFpuKW_PLk-9QE_Wu1eiVBxZLONJ9M_-kgt8QcNsixspZHsE6SUhQi/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNiM3l7Lt8tYqrIK5M6MxLuKIkDINgo_tTm6mVckFAwiXD1wpvPNxK0zu45yfgIZAudvTNbcBA26qUNKK0hDZWMKFpuKW_PLk-9QE_Wu1eiVBxZLONJ9M_-kgt8QcNsixspZHsE6SUhQi/s1600/Capture.PNG" height="320" width="205" /></a> Growing up, all Grace Dillon ever wished for was to be like everyone else. She was still known then as Izzy Banks, the fiercest and most renowned competitor in the world of figure skating—a world that excluded her from any normal life while her overbearing mother’s great wealth and expectations prevented her from fitting in with her athletic peers. So, when Izzy Banks, after winning Olympic gold at age twenty-three, chose to walk away from it all (including her family fortune) to reinvent herself as quiet, unassuming Grace Dillon, owner and operator of a thriving flower shop business in Thunder Point, Oregon—where even her friends have yet to recognize her—she did so without regret. Now, five years later and loving her new life, there’s only one thing keeping Grace from feeling completely normal...having a real romantic relationship for the first time in her life.<br /> High school teacher and weekend warrior Troy Headley may have a reputation as an easygoing, carefree bachelor who prefers his romantic attachments to be brief and uncomplicated, but his <br />broken heart tells a different story. Still healing from the wounds of that failed romance, all Troy <br />wants for now is someone with whom to have some fun, no strings attached...and Grace Dillon <br />looks to Troy like someone who could use a good fun coach to show her how to enjoy life before it <br />Grace knows what the score is with Troy—he’s still licking his wounds from his last relationship,<br />and he’s just reaching out to her as another lonely heart—so she needs to guard her heart because it <br />would be easy to lose it to him. For his part, Troy knows Grace is a bit of a mystery woman who <br />likes deflecting attention away from her past, which is a definite warning sign to him not to get <br />serious, but despite that, Troy finds himself wanting more with Grace than he ever has with anyone <br /> When Grace’s former life finally catches up to her in Thunder Point, however, she knows things are changing and getting more serious than anything Troy signed up for in this relationship. Grace isn’t prepared to be completely real, though, with a guy who’s known to like his relationships <br />uncomplicated, but as long as she isn’t ready to open up to him, Troy can’t tell if she’s someone to <br />whom it’s worth giving his heart. Unless something gives between them, Grace’s wish for real love <br />will remain just that—a wish.<br />
<br />
<br />
Note: I was not compensated for this post, but I did receive a free copy of the book.Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-11466021563877177382014-10-13T12:43:00.004-05:002014-10-13T12:44:00.923-05:00Skating and dancing updateI started ballroom dancing with Hawkeye Ballroom when the semester started. However, owing to the fact that I've been incredibly busy with work and life, I've only made it to 1 social and 2 lessons. Still, it is quite fun, and I hope to become more involved with them next semester and maybe compete. It is a lot more affordable than the studio close to me (same instructors though...) but sadly all the way across town. It is also mostly college students, though there are enough grad students mixed in, and I look young, that I don't feel out of place. Anyone can join, so it doesn't matter that I no longer work for the university.<br />
<br />
Thus far I've had a cha-cha, tango, foxtrot, and east-coast swing lessons. We do 50 minute lessons, working on 2 dances each lesson. You rotate partners the entire lesson, so you dance with everyone, and are only partner less (there are a few more girls than guys) every few rotations. It's a fun system.<br />
<br />
<br />
Today was Columbus Day, and also the skating rink manager's birthday. Why do these two things matter? Well the first meant I didn't have to work. The second meant ice skating was free today.<br />
<br />
So I went.<br />
<br />
Here's my thoughts: thank goodness it was free! Thousands of dollars of skating lessons have been washed down the drain. I'm a pretty solid "ready to enter freestyle" level. I've got very tenative crossovers, decent forward stroking, good in place turns- but not so pretty while I am moving. I did not try any jumps (still a bit nervous about the neck....) and I have a decent beginner backspin (that foot is no longer crossed, and it is wobbly, but on the outside edge) and an okay first scratch spin (I can cross the foot, but it is slow with only a few revolutions.)<br />
<br />
The biggest issue was my feet HURT. My boots are way too stiff for me now. I upgraded to the Premier's because I was getting better, but it is way too much boot for me now :( I still like the blades though- they still make pretty edge noises when I lean on them in crossovers. I only managed about 30 minutes (a bit less) before I had to leave.<br />
<br />
<br />Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-27080464440126326872014-05-08T10:59:00.002-05:002014-05-08T10:59:49.561-05:00Group dance classes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_MailAutoSig">So, my ballroom adventure is
prematurely on hold. I was rear ended at a stoplight on Monday and have a
fractured vertebrae (the transverse process of T1). There is probably no
surgery needed, but I have to spend time in a cervical collar to let it heel.
This means 1) I can’t drive, so I can’t get to class and 2) I can’t really hold
my arm up well to hold a ballroom frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thankfully the dance place let me put the remaining 3 lessons on hold,
so at least I don’t lose the money, just the time.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">But, I did take one
group class last weekend and was really excited about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a dance studio in our town, but they
had no groups this month, so I was going to their branch in a city about 30
minutes from here. They also didn’t have beginner classes this month but I was
told to take the second level class. I’m glad, because this class is really
basic that I can’t imagine how slow the beginner class is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">The class covers
East Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, and Salsa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
our 40 minute class we covered some swing and cha-cha.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">For swing, which I’ve
done before, we learned a left under arm turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like I said- very basic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
cha-cha, which I haven’t learned before we learned a step I can’t remember that
opens up to the sides, and then a right under arm turn. Since I hadn’t really
done cha-cha before, I also learned the basic step. I just pretended I already
knew it, and followed along </span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">The groups were
neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this class there were the same
number of men as women, so that was nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We learn the new steps in two lines facing each other (leads/follows)
and then pair off. But rather than stay with your own partner, we would do the
step once (sometimes with music) and then rotate to a new partner. I thought
this was really nice because you got used to doing the steps with someone else’s
style; but also if (for example with the cha-cha basic) I wasn’t real
comfortable with the step, but the guy was also not comfortable with it; I
rotated to a new partner, where the guy could help me out a bit, so by the time
I got back to the first partner (there were only 3 guys) I could help him out;
rather than us both fumbling through it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">I’m really looking
forward to picking up classes once I’m cleared to have the brace off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more I’m looking forward to sleeping
again and for the pain (which isn’t too severe, but still sucks) to go away.
But also dancing!</span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-48238797749519111372014-05-05T08:26:00.002-05:002014-05-05T08:26:57.216-05:00First Waltz<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Last Friday I took my first ballroom private lesson. A grad
student who dances with Hawkeye Ballroom and who was captain (?) of her college’s
ballroom team when she was an undergrad offered me lessons. She isn’t a pro-
but that means her lessons are a lot lower in price than the pros at the
studio. Much more in line with what I paid for skating.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I had previously done some waltz when I took an 8 week
ballroom class at Kirkwood, but other than 1-2-3 and a box step, don’t really
know much about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I told her that I was more interested in the route of
competition dance, not social dance (even though I doubt I’ll actually compete)
and that I wanted to learn the technical side of dancing. I think that made her
happy because she (let’s call her E.) only competes, and doesn’t do social
dance.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we learned the basic box step, and I also learned how to
use my feet in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First- feet always come
together, and are in parallel. Despite having horrible turnout for ballet, every
time I looked at my feet, I could see them slightly turned out or with a gap
between them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oops! Need to work on
parallel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also learned how to lead with my heel on certain steps, or
toes on other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a bit about the
rise-fall, and having a long stretched out floating step on “2”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We did box steps for awhile, and then in hold, and then
adding in more specifics of feet, and then took it to travel across the floor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of the lesson we started working on what I think
she called a “whisk” which is the step needed to turn the corner. Apparently
you can’t just step on your partner’s foot, say sorry, and then face the other
direction. I don’t know- it’s always worked for me before <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>. Anyhow, the whisk is
a step out of the basic step, where you cross over and shift your weight (I
have problems shifting) and then chasse forward (also have isssues here) and
then you are facing 90 degrees from where you started, so you can continue down
the next side.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So mostly, what I came away from this half-hour with was “waltz
is hard.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are going to wait until finals are over and set up
lessons for the summer. E. has a year left with grad school, so then I will
have the same issue I had with Carson- but she is applying to med schools, so
hopefully she gets in the one here!</div>
Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-11890197109653547602014-04-25T09:10:00.003-05:002014-04-25T09:10:33.691-05:00Adventures in ballroom<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_MailAutoSig">So with skating gone, scuba being
only for vacations and rowing not seeming to be happening (now I have an arm
injury!) I decided it was time to once again try to find another hobby.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">I miss dancing as
much as skating (I do miss skating, but it just isn't working to be doing it anymore), but didn’t want to do the ballet classes again. The adult
classes don’t seem to go anywhere, and I’m a bit tired of hanging out with kids
(part of the reason I’ve grown slightly less fond of skating- the other is that
I was always getting hurt.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">I decided that I
would try ballroom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">Um, how did I manage
to find an activity that costs more than skating? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group classes are somewhat reasonable: 50
dollars a month for 45 minute classes. I paid $45 a month for 30 minute skating
classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the privates- OMG! It is
$85 for a 45 minute lesson. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">I’m not sure if my
husband will social dance with me (he tells me if I really like it, he’ll give
it another try) so competition dancing seems to be where I’m going with this. I
would need private lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT OH MY
GOSH! I thought skating was too expensive. I’m a bit worried this isn’t going
to last too long…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">Anyhow- my only
previous experience with ballroom was through the community college. Kevin’s
friend wanted a group of us to sign up for it, so Kevin and I did. It wasn’t a
great experience. The class was huge, so there was no personal attention. The
music was AWFUL (how many times can you listen to Mack the Knife in a single
day? And then again and again every class of the session).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our dancing wasn’t that great.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">This time, I decided
to try class at a studio closer to my house. They do a free 45-minute private
lesson, so I did that yesterday. I met with the instructor and we did basic
steps for Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, Cha-Cha, Rhumba, East Coast Swing, and
Samba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Samba is out- that bounce is
HARD! (He only showed me that because I said Samba and Quickstep are my
favorite dances to watch. They don’t teach either of those in their group
classes.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">From that little
intro, I realized 1) If dancing with someone who is leading me well, I know
these basic steps pretty well, but not much else. And 2) Rhumba is totally
different than I remember it being in the community college class. There I just
remember it being a disaster…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had
never done tango before and it was fun- I like the little lungey moves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><br />
Also, the closed hold was way easier to do in ballroom than ice dance. Unlike
the number of times I stabbed Carson with a toe pick, I never kicked the
instructor </span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">So, I had hoped this
lesson would let me pick between the Ballroom and Rhythm classes, but I couldn’t
decide which I liked best, so I decided to do both for the first month. Here’s
the awful part: Group lessons are at 9:00 PM!!! I’m usually in bed by then.
Uggh… but I’d really like to try it, and not through Kirkwood, so I figure I’m
just going to have to stay up late. It’s like when synchro got their ice time
changed to super late. It was worth it though.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">So starting Monday I
have ballroom (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot) and Wednesday Rhythm (Rhumba, Cha-Cha,
Swing) classes for the month of May.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">I bought a pair of
dance shoes, because while they say you can just wear any dress shoes and don’t
need specialty ones, well, I have exactly ZERO appropriate shoes in my house. I
own a single pair of heels and they have no backs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say they take a week to get in, so
hopefully I’ll have them for at least half the classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig;">I’m excited to see
where I go with this. </span></div>
Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-60343427687369492292014-03-25T20:56:00.004-05:002014-03-25T20:56:51.183-05:00A postI interupt this totally empty blog to say:<br />
<br />
I'm going to Skate America!!!!<br />
<br />
When they announced it was going to be in the Chicago suburbs, it was a given. I can drive there- and unlike nationals which takes a week, the event takes just a weekend, so only a day of vacation time.<br />
<br />
When they release tickets, I hope to get an all event pass. Guess I will just have to wait until prices come out to see if I get nosebleed seats...<br />
<br />
My hotel is booked though. I'm working on finding a roommate, but it was pretty cheap even if I don't.Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-16438438536191137062014-02-04T07:40:00.002-06:002014-02-04T07:40:39.181-06:00Scuba Trip ReportNote: This will be very long. This is the report I posted to scubaboard- over multiple posts.<br />
<br />
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Skittles's Trip Review- December 2013
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Okay, so this review is going to be really
long... I'll start with the dives and then post about the trip in
general, since I'm sure you mostly want to hear about the dives.<br />
For those who don't want to read the whole thing, here is a quick recap:
Scuba with Alison was AMAZING, Cozumel diving was AMAZING, I didn't
suck nearly as much as I thought I would, I didn't get legionnaires
staying at the Sabor and the hotel was actually fairly nice.<br />
<br />
<b>Dive Op</b>: Scuba with Alison. This was a FABULOUS choice. I can't
imagine anything better. I had a lot of pre-trip contact with Alison (I
tried to keep it down, but I think it was like 8 emails...) and she was
extremely accommodating, knowing that I was a beginner, and a very
nervous beginner. She promised me that the first day we would stay at
depths that were my comfort level (and she kept the promise). We used
her rental BCs and regs and they were excellent quality. She also
provides a computer with all rentals, and we noticed others who used
rental fins, masks, and shorties- so she's full service. The use of
rental gear was included in our quoted price. We brought our own SMBs
(and my husband uses an air transmitter) and we left them attached to
the BC (/reg) all week- so we used the same gear everyday. We also left
our fins onboard which meant we didn't have to carry stuff around
everyday.<br />
<br />
We got picked up every morning on the dock at the Sabor (which no longer
charges!) by the Maximus. Okay, so in Cozumel, from my observations it
appears there are slow boats, fast boats, and then the Maximus. When
Carlos put the boat to speed we FLEW by the other boats that were
already flying. My commute was short, but if we were coming from the
Caleta, I would be happy to be on the Maximus. It was a very
comfortable boat as well: nice shaded area, padded seats, plenty of room
for 8 divers and Alison and Carlos. You can giant stride or roll off
the Maximus, and are assigned to a position and group for your entry. I
mostly did giant stride but had to roll one day.<br />
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<br />
Alison runs her dives by letting each person dive their own
tank/computer. She gives each buddy pair the pre-determined choice of
going up together or the better air consumption buddy pairing up with
another team and staying down longer. She accompanies each diver on
their safety stop, and watches them surface AND get picked up before
rejoining the group waiting below her (though she does a good job of
watching that group too- quite the multi-tasker. She is very safety
concious, going to the extreme of actually checking her new diver's
gauges for them! I noticed she did that day 1, asked me a lot about my
air on day 2, and by day 3 she left it to me to tell her, knowing that I
paid good attention. She stayed with the more shallow divers and let
the better divers go deeper with their buddy (or pony).<br />
<br />
Carlos was an excellent Captain and I don't think I ever waited more
than 2 minutes to get picked up after surfacing. And that "long" wait,
Alison actually popped up out of the water to yell at him, to make sure
he saw us. The first day we watched two divers float for over half an
hour- we could see their boat, but Carlos couldn't get them on the
radio. Those divers were in no danger, with like 20 boats around and
pretty calm seas, but man, I'm sure that was a long float. That's when I
learned it is important to know your boat's radio channel, in addition
to its name <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Alison also went out of her way to pick up some sea sick meds for my
husband, since we were not staying in town. It was a 'going the extra
mile' thing we really appreciated.
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<b>Dives</b>: Day 1<br />
<br />
On the pier the first day I was ready to run away. I seriously had no
idea what I was thinking. Why the hell did I want to do this? Once on
the boat, I was clearly showing my nervousness, because halfway through
the briefing Alison actually stopped and asked me if I was okay. I told
her I'd be fine once I was in the water (I was) but I'm sure I didn't
instill much confidence in her, or those who would be diving with me. <br />
<br />
Before choosing sites, she asked me if I wanted to go to 20 ft, 40 ft,
or 60 ft. I told her 60 would be fine, and she said okay, maybe a bit
lower, don't go beyond 70, and we headed to Palancar Gardens.<br />
<br />
<i>Palancar Gardens<br />
</i>Max depth: 67 ft, Average Depth: 47 ft<br />
Temperature 82 degrees (it was this everywhere all week, so I'm not going to include it anymore)<br />
Dive time: 42 minutes<br />
<br />
This was a great first dive. There was basically no current, so it was
easy. I was one of two people who got to giant stride off the boat, and
the giant stride from the boat is a million times easier than giant
striding from a dock at the quarry (I usually freak out after jumping
in, I didn't) I mostly held onto Kevin's hand (Alison had actually
offered on the boat to hold onto mine...but I told her I'd let my buddy
deal with me.) I had trouble descending and got a reminder to exhale. I
think I was having trouble exhaling, because I didn't put ANY air in my
BC the entire dive.<br />
<br />
The coral here was absolutely beautiful as were the large variety of
fish. We saw a nurse shark, a green moray eel, and a jawfish. I had no
problems at all during the dive, so it was a good start! We agreed
ahead of time my husband would come up when I ran out of air, and he
told me today after looking at the graphs he did his safety stop with
1000 psi. Sorry honey! However, as nervous as I was, going up on my own
would not have been acceptable!<br />
<br />
<i>Columbia Shallows<br />
</i>Max depth: 30 ft, Average Depth: 23 ft<br />
Dive time: 76 minutes<br />
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I wasn't at all surprised to go to this dive site as research here
showed it was an easy one I'd be at for sure. I was surprised how long
my dive was! (I think the longest dive in our group was 2 hours!) I
noted that the coral here was less colorful than at Palancar gardens but
there was a lot of life. We saw schools of fish, a spotted eel, sting
rays, nurse shark, a scorpion fish. <br />
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Because I hadn't used any air in my BC the previous dive, Alison added 2
pounds of weight to my belt (putting me at 16 pounds), but she took it
out when I was having trouble holding the safety stop. Turns out 14
pounds was right (at the end of the week, I think I could have gone to
12), and I was just holding a lot of air in my lungs. <br />
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This was one of two dives shallow enough to take our camera on (husband
manned the camera, not me- though I have dove with a camera before. It's
a little point and shoot, so it doesn't really take much from the
dive.)<br />
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<b>Dives</b>: Day 2<br />
<br />
Day 2 I felt a lot better on the pier, and was raring to go after such a
great day the day before. Well, it was Friday the 13th and I didn't get
off to a good start. Instead of stepping into the boat, I decided to
belly flop into it... Alison was holding my arm to help me step in when
it happened, and she pulled up, which probably cushioned my fall quite a
bit, but I have a bad shoulder, so I started off the day in a bit of
shoulder pain, and later found that my hip was bruised fairly well, to
the point I had to start sleeping on the other side for a few days.
What an entrance!<br />
<br />
<i>Palancar Caves<br />
</i>Max depth: 68 ft, Average Depth: 47 ft<br />
Dive time: 44 minutes<br />
<br />
Palancar Caves also had beautiful coral and I saw my first turtle. We
mostly saw small fish. It was here that I decided I did not like swim
throughs. We obviously only did very small ones, with lots of light- but
I still did not like the single file line. I didn't like to worry about
getting kicked, and I didn't like that it was hard to determine if my
buddy behind me was okay. Thankfully, we only did very few of these
during the week.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Cedral Wall<br />
</i>Max depth: 62 ft, Average Depth: 44 ft<br />
Dive time: 50 minutes<br />
<br />
This was the first dive I did that was a real drift dive (and while
there were a few others with current, this might have been the only real
drift of the whole week.) I thought it felt like being on a moving
walkway at the airport, but set to a slightly higher speed. In general,
I liked the drift, but I was really frustrated when we'd stop to look
at something, because it was very hard to kick against the current.<br />
<br />
However, this was the dive where there were really things to stop to
look at- saw 3 GIANT eagle rays. It was just the most amazing thing (I
think people who stayed down longer than me saw even more). We also saw
tons (more than 5) big turtles (including one that had a whole bunch of
fish on his back- beautiful) and lots of large fish. There was also a
nurse shark that was out swimming. <br />
<br />
Seeing all the awesome stuff made the difficulty of drifting worth it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Paradise Reef<br />
</i>Max depth: 38 ft, Average Depth: 31 ft<br />
Dive time: 66 minutes<br />
<br />
During the day, we planned a night dive- I think almost everyone on the
boat came. For night dive, instead of going up individually at 700 psi,
we would go up as a group at 500 psi. We had one major air hog on the
boat, so I think the plan was to get him a 100 tank instead of an 80.
IIRC, that happened, and he still used his air up so quickly that Alison
changed the plan and she brought him up and the rest of the group
stayed together, and then we went up together about 25 minutes later!
I'm also happy to note, I was not the catalyst to going to the safety
stop (not sure who was, actually- I think it was the girl who was the
buddy of the guy who went up first.)<br />
<br />
For this dive, Alison provided everyone with rental flashlights and
CVChief gave us all glow bands he had left over from Carnivale. We put
them in pairs by color so you could tell who buddy pairs were. Alison
had briefed me that this dive might be a little harder for me, maybe a
bit more claustrophobic, but it turns out training in a mudhole was a
good way to get ready for this, because it was my best dive to date and
the first time I had more air than my husband at the end of the dive (I
had 750 back on the boat, he had about 550). I actually thought one of
the cooler things about the night dive was seeing the flashlights of the
other groups. It was like being in an alien movie with dim lights
everywhere.<br />
<br />
The dive itself was very beautiful. The coral that is dull orange during
the day was a brilliant red, but wasn't "coming to life" as much as I
expected. However, we saw a ton of huge crabs and lobsters and a ton of
octopodes (see other thread for discussion on how to properly pluralize
octopus). I loved seeing them change color as they would situate
themselves on the coral. <br />
<br />
This dive did make me wonder what the "night dive" cert class is-
because it seemed like the only difference for night diving was waiting
until the sun went down to do it. Of course, our dive was very shallow.<br />
<br />
Thanks to CVChief for breaking me out of the Sabor and driving me around the island <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" /><span style="color: silver;"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<br />
</span><b>Dives</b>: Day 3<br />
<br />
<i>Palancar Bricks<br />
</i>Max depth: 73 ft, Average Depth: 43ft<br />
Dive time: 52 minutes<br />
<br />
Our tour of Palancar continued (I found out when we got home we missed
Horseshoe- guess I'll have to go back to Cozumel). This dive was
another beautiful one- saw a giant nurse shark hiding under a rock, saw a
few turtles (turtles are the best, except eagle rays). This dive kept
my "I hate swim throughs" mantra- but for other reasons. See, my fear of
swim throughs is because of other people who aren't watching what they
are doing and screwing me over. This was a problem TWICE during the
swim through- first was the embarassing one- I saw a guy who was above,
and behind me, was descending to get into the swim through. He didn't
see me at all. I reached my hand up, to so that he wouldn't just fall
right on top of me, and rather than hit his chest, or his leg, or you
know, any other part of him, I basically grabbed his junk. That was a
fun one. And my husband flooded his mask laughing because he saw it
happen. Right after that happened (he was a good sport about it on the
boat- basically saying it was his fault since he had no idea I was there
and wasn't watching where he was going), he kicked to go ahead of me
and so his buddy- who was quite a bit behind me, then starts kicking to
try to pass me- kicking me in the face in the process. Don't pass
people in swim throughs! I was not amused. <br />
<br />
This dive was also the one where Alison went into a head first torpedo
ascent to grab a guy from about 95 feet. Turns out his computer was
dead, and he didn't think to mention it to her- so he had no depth gauge
at all! About 10 minute of this dive was also spent hanging out around
35 feet waiting for a girl who was having trouble equalizing. She spent
so much time at 5 ft, we all thought she had thrown in the towel and
was waiting for the boat to come get her! There is a thread in the
basic scuba discussions about how to piss off a DM, and I wanted to
contribute something someone else did on this dive: dive through caves
at 60 feet while the rest of your group waits at 30-40 while the dive
master is at 5-10 feet and can't see you! (The guy was a decent diver,
but terrible at being in a group.)<br />
<br />
During the surface interval this dive was described as a "circus down
there". It made me feel slightly better about my diving that she'd tell
me that...<br />
You will all be shocked to hear that these were all cruise divers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>French Reef<br />
</i>Max depth: 59ft, Average Depth: 44 ft<br />
Dive time: 45 minutes<br />
This was the first time we saw lionfish. I feel so bad they have to die,
because they are so pretty. My husband spotted the first one, but
Alison missed it (she got the second one). It was funny watching him
try to signal what it was- we have no idea what the signal for lionfish
is. First he tried to show a mane around his head to me, then he punched
at it, and we have this inside joke about how he wants to punch a
dolphin, so I got really excited thinking there was a dolphin there!
Finally, he went with a machine gun like signal, and Alison figured out
what he was saying. It was a nice display of what real skill looks like
the way she whipped her BC off to get her spear and then put it back on.
I basically go through a cirque-du-soleil routine when I doff and don
my gear underwater.<br />
<br />
On this dive we were promised to see a pipe horse, and of course, I'm up
at my safety stop when Alison writes on her slate "pipehorse below" and
after I went up the group saw a giant loggerhead turtle, so this was
more about could have beens than actually saw for me <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/sad.gif" title=":(" /> We did see a number of giant lobster, and again the coral was really pretty.<br />
<br />
I went up early because my tank started 200 psi short (that's my story
and I'm sticking to it) and I think I was a little stressed because this
was the first dive where my NDLs were getting low at all. We were in a
swim through (do not like! And this one was long) when it got down to
like 8 minutes... I swam up a bit, but I still don't like it in the
single digits!<br />
<br />
CVChief had called us on the boat (it is really hard to hear a phone
conversation on a boat) and told us to invite everyone on the boat for
dinner. Alison and Carlos had plans, 4 of the divers were cruisers, but
the other pair and Kevin and I all went to dinner with them- more about
that after the dive part of the review. </div>
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<b>Dives </b>Day 4</div>
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So the night before (day 3) it was looking like the port would be closed
on Monday (day 5), so day 4 was our last day. I had asked Alison if we
could go somewhere shallow enough that we could take our camera and
Carlos suggested Paradise Reef. Alison was NOT interested until I told
her we would take a taxi home (knowing that the reason was likely
because Paradise was way North, and she'd have to take the boat all the
way down south to drop us off again.) Thankfully, my taxi ended up being
CVChief, so it's really affordable (for me...)<br />
<br />
The night before she also told me we would be going to Santa Rosa Wall
or Columbia deep. This set my nerves off big time again, as I know both
of these are not 'easy, beginner' type dives. (Maybe some of the others
I did aren't either- but I didn't know their reputation by name.) I
know Santa Rosa is a dive that TONS of people do, but I also recognize
it as the dive that a fair number of divers are lost at each year...
So I was kind of freaking out again.<br />
<br />
We get on the boat, and we are going to Santa Rosa. Additionally
because of the mix of divers on the boat, of the two of us who giant
strided the day before, one of us has to give up our spot to a veteran
who always has claim to it. I had been doing so much better, so I gave
up my spot and did a roll. I asked to roll in group 2, knowing that
Kevin (and Alison) would already be in the water- for some reason, that
made me feel a little more comfortable. Except that I was told I did a
backflip, my first roll went really well, except I didn't go right when I
was supposed to, when Carlos said go, I said "I can't yet!" but then I
went and it was no problem. My second, not so much on the okay- I
actually screamed a bit from the pain, but wasn't seriously hurt.
However when I got back to the hotel I found out that my upper calf has a
huge, 3-inch bruise from hitting the boat. Apparently I straightened
my legs out when rolling. Don't do that. Luckily, the Maximus was
okay. (The bruise is currently like 10 vivid shades of purple, yellow,
and red.)<br />
<br />
<i>Santa Rosa Wall<br />
</i>Max depth: 72 ft, Average Depth: 52ft<br />
Dive time: 48 minutes<br />
Despite being terrified of this dive, it turned out to be one of my
favorites. The coral life was absolutely beautiful. And seeing the drop
off was really incredible. I'm sure you can tell by my depths that I
didn't go over the side of the wall at all, staying on top of it
instead. Thankfully because of the way Alison runs her groups, my
insistence on not going deep didn't really effect others, who were still
able to do their dives over the side. I don't have any note about
seeing fish or anything else here, I just remember it was beautiful and I
can really see how it is one of the signature dives of Cozumel. We
were really lucky that there was just a light current and a beautiful
day. I don't know if I would have liked it as much if the currents were
strong.<br />
<br />
<i>Paradise Reef<br />
</i>Max depth: 42 ft, Average Depth: 33 ft<br />
Dive time: 62 minutes<br />
<br />
Compare this to the picture of me at Columbia Shallows- I got so much
better! I never had terrible buoyancy issues, but my trim got so much
better as the week went on.<br />
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Lots to see- and totally different from the night dive. I would have
never known it was the same place. Spotted eels, jawfish (that I found
myself!), black durgens, rays, queen angelfish, splendid toadfish (I
found one myself too!), and a drum fish. When we came up it was pouring
rain, brrr. But you'd never know underwater. I also was really amused
this dive by all the snorkelers that were overhead.<br />
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</span><b>Dives</b> Day 5</div>
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So unfortunately for Alison, who was doing a happy dance the day
before about a potential day off, the port did not close on Monday. She
sent us an email saying we had to have a late start for cruisers, the
port was open "with caution", the water would be really rough and
potentially tough on Kevin's stomach- are we sure we still wanted to go?
I felt really badly, but since this was our last chance to dive for
probably a couple of years, we said we really did want to go as long as
the cruisers didn't cancel (we didn't think she would run the boat with
just 2 people).<br />
<br />
The cruisers did end up coming out, so we attempted to stay on the dock
and not get blown over by the wind until the boat got to us. Thankfully,
despite the rough water I was able to get on the boat without issue (I
think everyone was waiting for another belly flop). They weren't kidding
that the water would be rough. This was the first day I wore my fleece
at all, and the poor cruiser was a teeny tiny girl who wore a 1 mm skin
and TWO shorty wetsuits and was shivering the whole time. This ended
up being one of our best days, so I am so glad we went.<br />
<br />
<i>Columbia Deep<br />
</i>Max depth: 74 ft, Average Depth: 54 ft<br />
Dive time: 46 minutes<br />
<br />
So, was this the shallowest dive at Columbia deep ever? Today was a
nice relaxing day because these cruisers were not crazy. Columbia deep
had beautiful coral, but only a few fish. I was pointing out a large
lobster to Kevin and noticed a beautiful lionfish right next to it. I
machine gun signaled to Alison and she came over and got it, and fed it
to a large fish right away. We hadn't talked about the lionfish on the
boat, so I think the cruisers were a bit mystified by what was going on-
but really amused by the great video they were able to get. I did my
safety stop at 800 psi because Kevin was at 700, the last few days I
started either being equal to him or out breathing him just a bit. While
we had gotten comfortable sending me up and leaving him below, I wasn't
comfortable staying down without him. The waves on the surface were
absolutely insane and getting onto the boat was a huge challenge. I'm
really glad I went up with him, because I would not have wanted to deal
with that on my own! The cruisers joined us on the boat about 5 minutes
later, so we were a pretty even group.<br />
<br />
<i>Delilah<br />
</i>Max depth: 63 ft, Average Depth: 46 ft<br />
Dive time: 57 minutes<br />
Our last dive of the trip was a real show stopper. At first, it was just
a few fish, and nothing too exciting. I floated quite a bit above
Alison because again my NDLs were ticking down and I kept thinking "I
want time left if she sees something cool and I need to dive down to go
see it." I am SO glad I went with this plan, because when she signaled
for shark I was able to dive down and keep my NDL at 6 minutes (we were
taught to never let it get below 5...). Well, that nurse shark didn't
stay in its hole, and went swimming across the reef. THEN it was immediately followed by a turtle who was doing circles between the reef
and the surface. And THEN, we heard Alison screaming through her
regulator (not her typical noise maker...): a green moray eel (which
apparently she was looking for in the cave she found the nurse shark)
was our swimming on the reef. It was HUGE! We all did our safety stop
together as a group, and then getting back on the boat was even harder
than the first time- the waves were just crazy.<br />
<br />
So that sums up my week of diving. I'll be back later with some above
water activities and hotel reviews, but this novel should suffice for
now. </div>
<div class="postrow has_after_content">
</div>
<div class="postrow has_after_content">
<b>Top side: Eating Out</b><br />
This is going to be a pretty short section because we didn't go out
much. In general, when not diving, I was sleeping- an afternoon nap and
then early to bed. I'm just really exciting like that. But we did make
it out twice.<br />
<br />
The first time out we went to <a href="http://www.parrillamission.com/" target="_blank">Parrilla Mission</a>
This was the night El Jefe and his group had caught some great fish,
and invited all of us to go out to eat. (Thanks CVChief! It was a
highlight.) There was a group of 8 of us, including 2 divers CVChief
hadn't actually met yet (but would be diving the next day). We met up
at the restaurant, they gave them the fish and asked them to cook it.
They made us a feast. I don't eat fish- so this will be my general view
based on what I saw on others: everyone was really happy with how it
was prepared. The tuna was prepared as sashimi and the wahoo 3 ways.
There was also a chicken soup, a rice and vegetable plate, chips and
salsa and guacamole, and flan for dessert. I had chicken tacos, and
everyone had 2 drinks (beer or soda mostly it seemed) and it was one of
the most affordable meals ever. I'm sure part of that was providing the
main fish, but it seems like they could still really mark up the
'cooking' part of it- so I thought it was a great value.<br />
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<br />
The second time we went out was to <a href="http://www.moneybarbeachclub.com/" target="_blank">Money Bar</a><br />
Money Bar actually gets credit for us wanting to return to Cozumel. We
stopped there on a cruise and it was just wonderful. I was glad we went
back. After a dive at Paradise Reef, Taxi CVChief offered to take us
back to Sabor. We stopped to eat on the way. Their Chicken Nacho plate
is huge and was enough that the four of us shared it for a decent
snack. We like Money Bar because it has a great view, great snorkeling
(though we didn't take advantage of it that day), and fairly affordable:
we had the huge plate of nachos, 3 margaritas, 1 smoothie drink, 2
cappuccinos and with tip it came out to just over $50. This was also
the stop where I got in my scubaboard "buy CVChief a drink obligation" <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" />
Since he was my taxi for the week, the margaritas were well earned.
If you don't drink alcohol, this is also a great stop because there are
so many good non-alcoholic smoothies available- YUM. <br />
<br />
That's it for eating out... we might need to stay in town next time. I
just worry that I'll be too asleep to ever go seek out food. </div>
<div class="postrow has_after_content">
<br /></div>
<div class="postrow has_after_content">
<b>Top Side: Chankanaab Park<br />
<br />
</b>For our no fly day of the trip we decided to spend the day at
Chankanaab Park. We ended up only spending about 3 hours there because
this was the day it rained the hardest (or maybe the day we noticed it
rained the hardest because we weren't underwater- but we never noticed
it stop raining, whereas all the other days were relatively dry on the
boat and just drizzly in the afternoon).<br />
<br />
A taxi from Sabor to Chankanaab is $13, and at this point we were out of pesos so we paid the dollar surcharge <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" />
Entrance to Chankanaab is $21 per person or included with the
encounters. Despite being a good person who doesn't pet the wild
turtles (still kind of in shock some of the people diving did that), I'm
a bad person who participated in the manatee encounter. According to
the guide though, 2 of the manatees were born in the park and the third
was a medical rescue, so I feel kind of less bad about it. And while I
know manatees are intelligent, they are also pretty slow moving, lmore
localized in their movement, and mostly just like to eat. I have to
imagine they don't mind it as much as the dolphins who are underwater
geniuses that travel great distances and are made to perform for the
humans. You don't ride on the manatees! Okay, that's my defense. I'm
conflicted but it has been a lifelong dream to be in the water with a
manatee, so I took it. <br />
<br />
So we started the day with a quick walk to the snorkel area of
Chankanaab. It was lightly raining and it was histerical watching people
in swimsuits dash around with towels and bags over their heads trying
to stay dry. We just decided to get wet. Chankanaab has lots of
seating covered with umbrellas so there were plenty of dry areas.<br />
<br />
There are signs that say <a class="skimwords-link" data-group-id="0" data-skim-creative="300003" data-skim-product="1960061" data-skimwords-id="1960061" data-skimwords-word="life%20jackets" href="http://skimlinks.pgpartner.com/mrdr.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fskimlinks.pgpartner.com%2Fsearch.php%2Fform_keyword%3Dlife%2Bjackets" target="_blank" title="Shopping Link Added by SkimWords">life jackets</a><span style="position: absolute;"></span><span style="position: absolute;"></span>
(not snorkel vests) are required, and they will provide one free with
an ID as deposit. When we went begrudginly to get one, they said they
weren't required, just recommended, so we did not wear them. However,
I'm always a little nervous swimming in the ocean with nothing (we
weren't wearing fins either) so I compromised and took my SMB and
whistle in <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" />
(For those that don't know part of taking up scuba diving was I hoped
it would help me with my snorkeling. Last year I was so bad at
snorkeling I couldn't go 5 minutes with my mask on without freaking out.
I couldn't even sit on my COUCH for 5 minutes. Scuba diving definitely
helped, though I prefer it to snorkeling, where I still find it hard to
breathe.)<br />
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The snorkeling was excellent and rivaled the fish life on some of the
reefs we visited. There were no rays, eels, turtles or sharks though so
I give the edge to diving. There was only one really pretty coral
feature.<br />
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We snorkeled for about an hour, the rain water was really cold on my
back and legs- which I can't get to stay underwater even if I try (I
need ankle weights or something, just a pound or two to make me slightly
less positive), and then we went and wandered the park. They have an
alligator exhibit and some beautiful gardens. By this time it was
absolutely pouring so we skipped the 'archeological area' though I was
curious what that was. After watching the dolphins for a bit, it was
time to check in for my manatee encounter.<br />
<br />
The encounter was $59, including the admission fee, so a fairly decent
deal I thought. Turns out manatees are not very popular, as I was the
only one to do the encounter. I got 30 minutes with the 3 manatees, all
by myself <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" />
(Plus the trainer.) The encounter consisted of standing on a platform
taking requisite "kiss", "hug", and "handshake" photos and then I got
to jump off the platform and free swim while feeding the manatees. They
apparently eat all day long, and I was given like 5 heads of lettuce
and quite a few handfuls of papaya and pineapple to feed them. The
manatees LOVE the papaya and will fight you for it- all three ganged up
on me, and they would grab your legs and pull on you. It was really
cool, but quite honestly, I was glad for the life jacket!<br />
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Everyone get a nice long look at those photos because the photo services
at Chankanaab are more of a rip-off than a cab paying in USD. It is $37
for one photo, or $72 (900 pesos, at least they exchange fairly) for a
CD with all of them. I wanted 4 photos printed, so I bought the CD. I
got 138 images, but since manatees are generally underwater they are
mostly picture of me looking goofy petting a gray blob. But still, I'm
glad I bought them. Apparently they charge for photos by person in the
group, so it's a good thing Kevin decided he didn't want to do the
manatee swim <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" /><br />
<br />
I think the only thing that would have made this better was if I could
have put on a scuba tank and just sat below them and watched them. The
interaction was great, but getting to dip my head underwater was the
best part- really seeing them clearly. Of course, if it was scuba, I
couldn't do it on my off day <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/More%20Smiles/icosm14.gif" title="Wink" /><br />
After the manatee swim we thought about snorkeling more, but it was
still a constant pour, not a light drizzle, so we called it a day and
headed back to the resort. </div>
<div class="postrow has_after_content">
</div>
<div class="postrow has_after_content">
<b>Topside: Hotel</b><br />
<br />
We stayed at the Sunscape Sabor which was selected predominantly by
price. We got a package, but if we assumed $600 per person for our
flights (which is low, as I think they were more in the $700 range), the
hotel came out to $100 per day- for two people at all All Inclusive,
that seemed like a darn good bargain. I will say I in the AI sense, I
did not "get my money's worth". I had a sip of a margarita that I deemed
to strong and gave away...<br />
<br />
So, we went into it thinking if the food was as good as Applebees and the rooms about the same as a <a class="skimwords-link" data-group-id="0" data-skim-creative="300003" data-skim-product="586996" data-skimwords-id="586996" data-skimwords-word="Holiday%20Inn" href="http://www.hotels.com/PPCHotelDetails?hotelid=105966" target="_blank" title="Shopping Link Added by SkimWords">Holiday Inn</a><span style="position: absolute;"></span><span style="position: absolute;"></span> Express, all was good. In the end, that was about right.\<br />
<br />
The most important thing was the pier. It was just a few minutes walk
down the beach from our room and no charge for use. That was a major
plus.<br />
Our room was basic but looked surprisingly like the photo on the website. <br />
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<br />
We were asked multiple times if we were on our honeymoon. I really hope
whomever assigned our room didn't think we were- as the double beds
weren't that romantic. We thought about asking for a king, but liked the
location of the room (right by the snack bar and main pool- about as
close a walk to the pier as you can get at the Sabor.) We've seen
people describe this place as "small" but walking to the back of the
property seemed pretty long to us, so we didn't want to chance a long
walk to get a king bed. We were on the first floor but our patio was
railed off, which I preferred as it made me feel a bit more secure
leaving my stuff out to dry on it. (The ones without rails people did
the same...)<br />
<br />
The rooms floor was tile and concrete and I found it to be sticky at
times. We usually put towels on the floor to act as area rugs. The pool
towels were much more comfortable/soft than the bath towels, so we kind
of hoarded those. The room had a fan and A/C that worked really well.
Still, the A/C could not combat the humidity, so we chose damp over
freezing, and as the rainy week went on, things in the room just were
really wet feeling. There was a mini bar that was replenished daily: 4
sodas, 2 beers, 2 waters- they had no issue giving us more water on
request. We got 4 waters daily, plus the other stuff. The beds were
hard but comfortable enough. Bedding was not super soft, but it was
serviceable. There were too pillow choices: too hard and too soft.
Goldilocks was not pleased, but I slept.<br />
<br />
The bathroom was not overly large but the tub had a ledge on the back
and around the side that made sitting and shaving nice. It also was
fairly flat which made standing to shower in a tub easier. There was no
plug though so you couldn't bathe, and the tub was kind of sketchy
looking, so I'm not sure I'd want to. The bathroom had no fan, just a
window you could open, so it got really really humid and gross. The
sink area was separate from the tub/toilet and had a <a class="skimwords-link" data-group-id="0" data-skim-creative="300003" data-skim-product="1959232" data-skimwords-id="1959232" data-skimwords-word="hair%20dryer" href="http://skimlinks.pgpartner.com/mrdr.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fskimlinks.pgpartner.com%2Fsearch.php%2Fform_keyword%3Dhair%2Bdryer" target="_blank" title="Shopping Link Added by SkimWords">hair dryer</a><span style="position: absolute;"></span><span style="position: absolute;"></span>
though I never used it. The lighting in that area was poor, but there
was a second mirror so you could get closer to it than the one behind
the sink. Our sink leaked if you stopped it up and then released all
the water at once- upon inspection, it was held together by <a class="skimwords-link" data-group-id="0" data-skim-creative="300003" data-skim-product="1958307" data-skimwords-id="1958307" data-skimwords-word="electrical%20tape" href="http://skimlinks.pgpartner.com/mrdr.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fskimlinks.pgpartner.com%2Fsearch.php%2Fform_keyword%3Delectrical%2Btape" target="_blank" title="Shopping Link Added by SkimWords">electrical tape</a><span style="position: absolute;"></span><span style="position: absolute;"></span>.<br />
<br />
The facilities of the resort were basic but nice. There were multiple restaurants, I'll go into when I talk about food.<br />
<br />
We only ever went to 1 bar, but I think there were 4 of them. The
drinks were poured heavy. I got drinks for my husband and one was
literally half a glass of vodka. He didn't drink much due to the diving,
but had no complaints. I had pineapple juice most of the week. If you
asked, they'd make blended smoothies, but they weren't really anything
more than juice and ice. The bar had swings, which seemed like they'd
be fun, but in the end I decided it was over-rated.<br />
<br />
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There were 3 pools: the main pool, a smaller pool in the back of the
resort and the scuba pool. The scuba pool can only be used if you are
under instruction. I'm in the picture for scale. It was tiny. 1/3 of
the pool has a ledge at 5 feet and the other 2/3 were about 15 feet I
think.<br />
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<br />
The main pool wasn't huge, but it was never crowded. There were lots of
chairs around it, and occasionally they would string a volleyball net.
There was also a basketball hoop- which Kevin hurt himself dunking while
jumping into the pool. His heel is still bothering him and he's using a
cane. He said he was worried about catching his fingers and didn't
think about landing. At least he made the shot.<br />
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<br />
The final pool seemed to always be filled with kids. We didn't go there much. <br />
<a href="http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=174236&d=1388262995" id="attachment174236" rel="Lightbox_6989058" target="_blank"><img alt="Click image for larger version.
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<br />
The lobby has free wi-fi. It wasn't super reliable but we were able to
post to facebook, scubaboard, check email, basic websurf (how much do
you really want to do on vacation) and most importantly communicate with
our dive op. It's free, which is way more important to me than being
in room. Plus, since we had to go to the lobby, it made me not want to
spend TOO much time on the internet. The lobby was often crowded with
people on devices but there was usually somewhere to sit. <br />
<br />
My biggest complaint about the resort comes because I'm an old
fuddy-duddy. It was INCREDIBLY loud at night. The 7:00 movie in the
lobby (usually when we were checking email) had volume so loud we would
seek out how far we could go before we were out of range. It hurt my
ears. And at about 9:30 each night there was a show, and that was
usually when I was trying to go to bed. The room by the pool was nice
during the day to get to things, but right by the 'action' at night and I
just wanted them to be quiet! It was generally quiet by 11. There is a
club to dance at at night (never went there) and we could not hear
that. <br />
<br />
I can't rate the entertainment, because I have no idea what was
available. I saw about 30 seconds of the fire show while trying to see
what the noise was, and just ignored the other shows. Most of the
scheduled activities during the day took place before 2:00, and we were
diving then. I did see the tail end of a dance lesson, and it was just
sad: 3 staff members teaching one lady to do the dance. Participation,
for that one at least, was not high.<br />
<br />
The overall feel of the resort was "kind of run down, but pretty". We
didn't really use the beach, but we snorkeled one day and it was decent
enough.
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-62981111570363192242014-02-04T07:34:00.002-06:002014-02-04T07:34:09.290-06:00Updating<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Wow. It has been a really really long time since I have
updated.</div>
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If anyone is still reading, here is what is going on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Skating</b>: I’ve skated twice this year. Skating after a long
break is very very hard. The good news is I can still spin fairly well, the bad
news is I suck at everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
still good enough that the kids on public skate say they try to copy my
stroking to learn to skate, so I look like I know what I’m doing if I’m just
skating circles- but otherwise, I’ve got nothing else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My boots are way too stiff now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been getting fairly serious and moved
up to Premiers. Even without doing the top hook, they still make my Achilles tendon
hurt a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My back crossovers are still
good in one direction and okay in the other, front crossovers are okay in one
direction and dreadful in the other. I am having to pick my foot up and clomp
it down again, no more nice progressives <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inability to do crossovers basically
means dances are out of the question, which isn’t all that surprising since my
confidence on outside edges also sucks now. I can still do them, but I don’t
have great lean into them with lots of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jumps are totally gone- I’ve tried a few waltz jumps and they are teeny
tiny. I’ve done toe loop take-offs but haven’t worked up the nerve to actually
jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said, my scratch and sit
spins are still there, my backspin is okay. I haven’t had the nerve to try
camel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 3-turns are all just okay,
though the good news is they are all the same, no sideness which I think is
positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t tried back insides
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My inside mohawks are okay if I’m
just doing them, I can’t do them “in the field”- no nerve to try outside
mohawks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So basically, by taking a year
off- I wasted many thousands of dollars of lessons over the past 10 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope to go back, but it might be awhile. Kevin and I are going to take
Spanish classes on Tuesday which is the best day to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until I can get better parking, I can’t make
it to the rink after work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday I’ll
skate, and get to Nationals!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Scuba</b>: Kevin and I went on a fabulous trip to Cozumel in
December. We did 11 dives, and I’ll post the dive logs in my next post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went SO well- nothing like the dives I’ve
done here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a little freaking out
before we did our first dive and before we did our first “advanced” dive, but
mostly that was just me wanting to run away from the pier, no real freaking out
on the boat, and definitely none in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, I don’t think I want to do anymore cold water diving, and
a tropical dive vacation isn’t in the cards this year, so who knows when I’ll
go again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Rowing</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I volunteered
at an indoor rowing challenge and am excited about getting back onto the river
to row because of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except the river
is frozen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a 500 meter on the erg
and it took me 2:35 (which is weak) and hurt my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no stamina for this either, but want
to work up to being able to do 2,000 meters. Right now I have to stop after
1,000 if I’m going slow; or that 500, which I was trying to pull fast times, it
would have been really hard to keep going… I’d like to get good enough times
that I can participate in the indoor races next year. And possibly get back
into rowing enough that I can race for real this summer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Gym</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin and I
still go 5 times a week; arms on Monday, usually step on Tuesday, I now do
Combat on Wednesday instead of the dance class (it’s too late at night), and
spin on Thursday and Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m in
pain from something I’ll skip the class and walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to start running and my ankles are
kind of off/on with agreeing to let me do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My stamina absolutely stinks though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I usually alternate a run/walk lap for a mile. I’m up to being able to
run 1/3 of a mile without needing to stop, but am panting when I do it…</div>
Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-30678411712028751482013-08-15T10:03:00.001-05:002013-08-15T10:03:16.069-05:00Dive #6 and #7, first dives with KevinThis weekend Kevin and I went up to
Turkey Ridge Quarry in Cedar Falls. This is the same place we both did our
checkout dives, but our first time diving together in open water, and our first
time diving without an instructor with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yep, as certified divers, we were on our own.<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1005814_10103624316991574_1432406812_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1005814_10103624316991574_1432406812_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
almost didn’t get to dive, as we got to the shop to rent equipment (they won’t
reserve it- they told us to just come in in the morning) and there was a HUGE
beginning class, and we were told there were no regulators left. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
we had drive all the way to the shop (it’s about 20 minutes), so we figured
we’d use the time wisely and try on wetsuits. They had a sale last weekend
(when I got my computer) but we decided not to get wetsuits, got home and
immediately regretted the decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
would have saved about $30. Oops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we
spend a good amount of time trying on wetsuits and Kevin and I both find a suit
that fits us. I was quite pleased as the one I got was a size<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the pool class they had me in a size 13/14
(huge!) based on my weight. No idea what they were thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two styles, and both of us
preferred the less expensive style, which was a nice savings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the prices must have gone up
recently, because the price on the wall was $15 more than the price on the tag
of my suit, so that was disappointing to have to pay the higher price (though
it was clearly marked).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shop was
really helpful, and we spent quite a lot of time there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also bought a little beanie hood for me, a
dive flag and line, as we’ll need to tow it next week in Wisconsin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we
were checking out we said something about how they must have hid all their
regulators to trick us into shopping more. The store owner’s wife (also an
owner?), said “we should have regulators” (it was a sales associate who said
they were out) and went back to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sure enough, all the regs were rented, but there were two on the
workbench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She texted a bit with the
owner, and determined there wasn’t really anything wrong with them; one had a
console that was different from others so he wanted it separate from the
class’s regs (but no big deal, as Kevin disconnects the console for his air
integrated computer), and we never heard what was wrong with the other
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we were able to get rental
equipment after all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin rented a
Halcyon Backplate and Wing BC to try, I just went with the standard stuff. It
cost less than $100 for us to both rent gear and one tank each, so not too bad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then we
drove up to Turkey Ridge, stopping at ScubaToo to get the gate code and
register our C-cards. (And eat at Panera!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1005814_10103624316991574_1432406812_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1097998_10103624316866824_1508732992_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1097998_10103624316866824_1508732992_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1005814_10103624316991574_1432406812_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got to the quarry we went to the dock
that Kevin did his certification dives from, not the one I dove from. That
really doesn’t make a difference, but we found 1) it is easier to drive down to
his dock, 2)there is a little platform to stand on while getting in/out of the
water, and 3) that side of the quarry is deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll bring up 2 and 3 again, briefly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got our gear together, and put on and MAN
it was hot in 90+ degree weather wearing wetsuits while Kevin fiddled with
getting the harness of his BC just right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ended up standing waist deep in the water waiting for him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To get
in the water, Kevin climbed down the ladder and then stood on the platform
mentioned as #2 and put his fins on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That looked like the easiest way to do it, but I knew I needed to
practice my water entries. When we go to Cozumel, I’m going to have to jump off
a boat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I did a giant stride into the
water. Like my first dive during certifications, my mask flooded. I really hate
that, but handled it okay this time. I still hate entering the water
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, I understand why you do
it the way you do (in case you –are- negative), but I feel like just getting to
hold my breath like a normal person and jumping in the water like I was
swimming would make me a lot more comfortable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once in
the water, we set to swim out towards the middle and start our dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About halfway to the middle Kevin realizes
his straps are too loose. We turn around and swim back to shore…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wait in the water, he gets everything
fixed, and we swim out again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
just surface swimming, but with fins on (and heavy gear), it is
exhausting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1148771_10103624316796964_121688323_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1148771_10103624316796964_121688323_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once
everything gets adjusted we go back in again. As much as I’ve had to say about
getting ready to dive, there isn’t much to say about the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin and I planned to dive 30 minutes, and
didn’t really have much else in the plan. The quarry is only 25 feet or so…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we swam around, saw some fish. Visibility
seemed decent, maybe 7 to 10 feet at times, but then just as I’d be thinking
that, we’d run right into a fallen tree branch, and I realized I didn’t see it
until we almost hit it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin and I didn’t
really hold hands, but I held onto his arm the whole time. It seemed to work
very well for the low vis, and I kind of ‘steered’ him, trying to keep us out
of weeds (he said I pushed him into them, oops. Well, I stayed out of
weeds.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No crashing down into the ground
like on my first dive after checkout. I think it went really well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We practiced hovering a bit, and that went
well near the ground, but our safety stop was pretty awful bouncing up and down…
Need to work on buoyancy a lot more!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
about 28 minutes we got out of the water and took a short break. The second
dive (also 30 minutes, we just had one tank) we practiced towing a dive flag
(Kevin towed) and I took the camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
giant stride in went much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
flag is apparently a lot of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
time we stayed on the deeper end of the quarry (got down to 25 feet- brr cold!
We mostly stayed at about 17 ft where it was warm) so there was nothing to see,
since we weren’t near the ground. Saw a very few fish, but mostly just swam
while Kevin wrestled with the flag and I took a few pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t even windy, so I think the dive
flag could potentially be very difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are going to Wisconsin this weekend to dive again- and a flag is
required, thus, why we practiced with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end of this dive we flooded our masks and cleared them. Kevin
made me do it twice because he said I barely go any water in my mask. Well, I
got it up my nose, that should have been enough. The second time I fully
flooded it. I did make him hold onto my BCD while we did it, but we did it
neutral, not kneeling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did notice I’m
breathing out my nose more when I swim, so I think that is progress. Next time
we dive I might want to practice taking my mask off. We also should practice an
air share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554969_10103624317854844_1381706656_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554969_10103624317854844_1381706656_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Underwater self portraits are hard.</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Overall,
a pretty good day of dives.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1005814_10103624316991574_1432406812_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<![endif]-->Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-82168868753415396302013-07-28T18:41:00.004-05:002013-07-28T18:41:33.353-05:00Certified! Dive #5<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374449_10103562467987474_1292017968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374449_10103562467987474_1292017968_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture on the dock after the day was over</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My first dive as a certified diver was dive #5 in my log book. The instructors told us to go have fun and surface when we hit 800 psi (we ended up surfacing at 1000 psi and were the last group to come up...)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_922992697">We were told to plan a dive, and then go do it. Well, there isn't much to see in the quarry, the deepest we ever got in the class was 25 feet, and we mostly stayed around 15 (so the whole checkout dive was just a safety stop!) and the quarry isn't really even big enough that you can get lost; you might just surface a good swim away from the dock. So we set the following plan: let's dive for 20 minutes, and then we'll check in and see if we want to keep diving longer. </span><br />
<br /><span id="goog_922992697"></span>
So Anna and I go down to dive and swim around a bit. But at one point, after about 5 minutes, we float up and find ourselves on the surface. Oops. Anyhow, we kind of mention to each other that we felt like we weren't getting anywhere (we started in really shallow water) and because it was so shallow (5-10 feet deep) we were just mucking up the bottom and the visibility was like 1 foot... So we agree to snorkel out to the platform, descend next to it (not on it), so we are at least 15 feet deep, and try again.<br />
<br />
This time, we descend (free descent, not on the line, but next to the platform) and go under water. We notice the computers start adding time to the previous dive, not logging a new one (but also didn't count the time on the surface- nifty). We just swim around, trying to turn right every once in a while, since we noticed we both tend to vear left. We tried to stay around 15-20 feet, and I know this is going to sound stupid, but it was really hard- because we kept running into little hills in the ground. You'd be floating along with good buoyancy and then all the sudden the ground was there and you'd be in the grass kicking up much. Needless to say, despite our best efforts, if we didn't want to dive at 5-10 feet (and end up floating to the surface) our visibility sucked because we couldn't stay out of the mud. I tried the little ankle circle frog kicks the DM told me about the day before, but those sure didn't get me anywhere.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dive finished* </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We muddle around, see a fish or 5 or 6, and are just aimless. Quite honestly- this dive was horrible. There was nothing to see, and dirt and grass everywhere. When our clocks read 20 minutes, we agreed to swim a bit more, at 25 minutes, I thumbed up and she said okay. We went to 13 feet and did a 3 minute safety stop. I was somewhat impressed with us, as this was with no line, and I managed to stay between 11 and 15 feet (bottom was probably 20), with probably 80% of the time at 13 feet. 3 minutes feels like a long time when you are trying to stay in one place.<br />
<br />
We surfaced, found out we were nearly at the dock (um, I think we had intended to go the other way...) but also we were the last group in the water! We were at 1000 psi, so I think everyone quit early? No one else really seemed to be an air hog, and I think Anna thought they really expected us to dive until we had 800 left, so she was a little worried about surfacing early.<br />
<br />
So the dive sucked, but it was kind of fun we got to do it on our own. Kevin had originally planned that we'd try to go up 2-3 times a month until the quarry gets too cold, just to practice; but having done that, I don't think so. It's like $50 in gas, $120 in rental gear for the both of us, and 30 minutes under water seems like a lifetime. Once a month is probably going to be enough for me... (but I do think it is important to keep practicing...so we definitely have to go.) There are a few other places to dive around here, one that is a lot closer- but when we asked the instructors they told us this was definitely the best. EEK!<br />
<br /><span id="goog_922992697"></span>
Now we just have to wait until December. Cozumel here we come!<br /><span id="goog_922992697"></span><br />
<br /><span id="goog_922992697"></span>
<br /><span id="goog_922992697"></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*Notice the backwards mask. I HATE having my mask on when I'm in the air.
I feel like I am suffocating. But they have this ridiculous thing about
your mask being on your forehead meaning you are a panicked diver, and
give you a really hard time about it, so I turn it around instead. I actually read about it on scubaboard and started doing it my second pool session, and then at OW I noticed a few of the instructors do it too, and by the end of the weekend, almost all of the divers were. I've been a
panicked diver multiple times in the pool and my mask was never neatly
placed on my forehead with me floating calmly waiting for what comes next! I tossed that thing off my face as fast as I
could. Also, the thrashing to stay above water (because in irrational panic you forget about the handy inflator button), and hyperventilating
were probably better clues that I was panicking...</span></span></h3>
Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-73136017914861658692013-07-28T18:23:00.001-05:002013-07-28T18:23:05.095-05:00OW Checkout dives day 2: Dives 3 and 4 So today was Day 2 of certification dives. How do people do this for a week vacation? I woke up EXHAUSTED.<br />
<br />
Today we left the shop at 8:00 and drove up to the quarry. Different people in the van, and mostly tired ones, so no conversation today, just napping.<br />
<br />
Get to the quarry and we got our gear unloaded and then put together, and then we went to the parking lot to learn about using a compass. What I learned was that there is a 'lumber line' (it's called a lubber line) and that once you set your course you NEVER move the bezzle (which would make it impossible to following a course other than a straight line. I think he meant 'today, never move the bezzle...) Also, when you follow a course to someone's car that you can see, pretty much anyone can get there. They should have put little Xs on the ground or something that you can't just visually walk to. Still, it was a nice flashback to orienteering in Girl Scouts (before they kicked our troop out of the Camporee for being too good- true story- they told us it wasn't fair we always won.)<br />
<br />
So then we put our gear on and do a giant stride into the water. I seriously have an issue. I jumped in, my mask didn't flood, I didn't tip over, nothing. The regulator is in my mouth, I can breathe, the BCD is inflated- I can float. I signal OK to the instructor, swim to the DM to get a weight check and break down. WTH? It wasn't nearly as bad as yesterday- no almost crying, just a feeling of panic and stress. But while I'm having this sort-of panic attack I'm also thinking "why are you doing this, nothing is wrong!" I don't understand. This alone makes me think I should get a private DM the first day we dive in Cozumel, just because I need a moment to calm down in the water before descending, and I don't think you usually do that. So he does my weight check and tells me I'm fine.<br />
<br />
Today's dives only had a few skills, so they were really short- like 10 minutes under water. The water was MUCH warmer, maybe 70 degrees, and on the platform visibility might have been 5-7 feet; it was better conditions than yesterday.<br />
<br />
We started with some surface exercises. We swam a straightline with our compass. I vear left when I swim, so you really have to watch the compass! And then we removed and replaced our weight pockets.<br />
<br />
Dive 1:<br />
To start we did the fin tip bouyancy exercise by orally inflating the BCD (so you take your regulator out of your mouth, breath air into the BCD, put the regulator back in- a few times). Again I had the weight issue that I couldn't stay down, so after two breaths I actually flipped over sideways and my fins went above my head. Not really a big deal, as you just turn over, but not really what the skill is supposed to be. I think maybe my BCD was slightly off centered on my tank so my trim was bad. I put the equipment together, so that's my fault.<br />
<br />
Then we flooded and cleared our mask. That was fine, but the instructor signaled OK at me (meaning he thought I was done) way before I thought I was done. I just get a bit of water under my nose and think I'm still filled with water. It takes forever of me blowing really hard out of my nose to move it out of my airway...<br />
<br />
Then we did a CESA (controlled emergency swimming ascent). Kevin got yelled at for swimming too fast, so I made sure not to rise too fast- but I went too slow. I took a breath about 4 inches before I got to the surface (my hand was above water). That meant I had to do it again, and the instructor told me I wasn't kicking at all (not true). So the second time I did it just fine. We did these from like 20 feet. I'm pretty sure I'd die if I had to do it from 60 feet. Note to self: don't run out of air.<br />
<br />
Dive 2:<br />
We descended this time without using the line, just to the middle of the platform, where we hovered, not landed on the platform. Since my biggest problem has been getting down and staying on the platform, I killed this one! Woo! Hovering!<br />
<br />
Second skill was to kneel on the platform and remove our mask and put it back on and clear it. I did this in the pool with NO issues at all. Confident. My buddy took a long time to clear her mask, and again, I was having trouble staying on the platform. I think these two things (but probably more the fact I couldn't kneel) gave me a lot of anxiety. The kneeling thing is stupid, because if your mask ever came off you wouldn't be kneeling, but I've never had to deal with water in my nose because of the weird way I hold my breath when I swim, but I can't do that with a regulator in my mouth. Since I kept tipping over I was really really worried it would happen when my mask was off. Again, stupid since the instructor is holding onto you (due to horrible visibility we did almost every skill with them holding us). So the instructor comes over and tells me to take my mask off. I take a deep breath, put my hand on my mask and mask strap. And don't take it off. I shake my head, and give him a 'hold on' signal, take a deep breath, get ready to do it- and don't. After about 5 tries, just shaking my head no, he points at my compass and we do the next skill.<br />
<br />
The next skill is to swim a straight line under water. I don't do great at it, but the whole time I can tell I am off course and trying to get back on, so at least I know where I'm supposed to be going- I just can't seem to swim straight, so it takes a lot of adjustment. I do manage to find my way back to the platform though. Navigation was a good skill to do in the quarry, because if the water was Carribean clear, wouldn't you just look and say 'hey- there's the platform, swim that way" where here, you can't see it until you are like 5 feet from it.<br />
<br />
So we get back to the platform and he gives me the thumbs up symbol to finish the dive. I point at my mask, knowing if I don't do that skill, I won't pass the class (I think they would have just taken me back down and tried again). So this time. I take a deep breath, take the mask off, put the mask on, check that my nose is in the right place (mistake I made once in class), and clear it. No problem at all. (In fact, when we get to the surface the instructor was wondering what the heck was wrong with me, as when I did the skill he said I was one of the fastest to do it; so why would I refuse to do a skill I'm good at? Yeah, I'd like to know that answer...)<br />
<br />
So then he makes the "pair up with buddy" signal, but since she did her compass nav with a different instructor, she is nowhere to be seen. I shrug my shoulders and he makes a "look around" sign. Um, if she isn't within 5 feet of me, there is nowhere to look! So I look around for awhile, then I look at my computer for the dive time, look some more, and then signal to him that I've looked for 1 minute and can't find her and thumb to go up. He agrees, we go up, do a 3 minute safety stop, while holding the line (what's the point of that as a skill? Anyone can do a stop holding a line!) and surface.<br />
<br />
I think it was a surprise to both of us that my buddy was not on the surface either... After a few minutes she and the other instructor surface like 50 yards away. Apparently her first compass swim didn't go so well. So they were surfacing to take a new heading, and then went back underwater and she was able to navigate to the platform.<br />
<br />
After that- we're certified divers!!!! <br />
<br />Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-71929980931886073102013-07-27T20:14:00.002-05:002013-07-28T18:46:04.799-05:00Scuba checkout dives: Day 1: Dive 2After dive 1 was complete we waited on the surface for all the other groups to do their first dive. We didn't actually get out of the water between dives. Even though the water was very warm up there, it got quite cold on the surface with the wind blowing. It almost would have been better to just wait 3 feet under water. It was probably a 40 minute wait, since multiple other groups had to go down. And I don't think ANY of the groups managed to stay together as a group of 6. That made us feel a little better.<br />
<br />
Dive 2 is the first dive to test skills.<br />
We did fin pivot, a partial mask flood, a full mask flood, regulator recovery, and air sharing.<br />
<br />
I couldn't do the fin pivot. In fact, at this point, when I got down to the platform, I couldn't get myself to stay kneeling on the platform, I just kept floating. They kept telling me to dump air from my BCD, but there was none in it. I'm going to add 4 pounds of weight tomorrow, I clearly didn't have enough. So I do a BS little hover in front of them, he gives me a so-so sign, and I'm cleared on the skill. I think the fact that I was able to hover in the same position is actually a bit better than planting my fins onto the platform and going up and down...so I'm not too bothered that I didn't do the actual skill... We do it again tomorrow with oral inflate, so hopefully with proper weighting, I'll be fine.<br />
<br />
The partial mask flood was the skill I had problems on. Ridiculous. I never had problems with these mask skills in the pool. I flooded my mask, and immediately got a nose full. I must have been inhaling when I did it and am still inhaling a bit through my nose without realizing. I put my mask back on, get it cleared, but still have too much water in my nose. I thumb up at my instructor and he holds my shoulders and shakes his head no. I blow out my nose a million times, I cough like crazy, and I'm able to get a good clean breath and signal ok. I really did want to go up when I thumbed the dive, but unlike in the pool, I didn't start kicking in panic to get there. It was more of a "I have a problem and would like to surface" and he said no, and I solved the problem. That was good and productive.<br />
<br />
Full mask flood was no problem at all.<br />
<br />
I misunderstood the instruction for the regulator recovery, because the kept talking about regulator clearing, so I thought we were supposed to take it out, put in our mouth, clear it, and then do the other skills separately. So I take the regulator out of my mouth, breath for a second, and put it back in. The instructor looks at me like I'm an idiot, takes it out of my mouth (this caught me off guard! Thankfully, I wasn't inhaling when he did it) and tosses it away, and I recover it. No problem at all. I was pleased to see my buddy did the exact same thing as me, so the instructions weren't clear :) it wasn't just me.<br />
<br />
Air sharing was happily no problem at all. I still don't like doing it. By the time I take the octo out of the holder, I've taken a second breath. It seems like that won't really be an option if I'm out of air... Buddy and I surfaced swimming together no problem. Kevin's buddy nearly pulled the octo out of his mouth with a quick ascent, so I'm glad I didn't have that problem.<br />
<br />
On the surface we did some skills: tired diver tow, BCD doff/don, snorkel/regulator exchange. I can take the snorkel out of my mouth and put the regulator in, but regulator out and snorkel in took me 3 tries to be able to breath, despite blowing hard to clear the snorkel. And I supposedly have a dump valve in the snorkel. Bah. I hate snorkels. Also, I'm not clear why I can't just pull my head out of the water- even if there are waves, I can hold my breath while I take the regulator out and shove the snorkel in, and it won't get flooded... But I did it, so it's all good.<br />
<br />
<br />
I now have a post dive headache and jaw pain. Oh fun. But I am happy today went well. I think tomorrow should too- and then I'll be certified.Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-55384478478858693212013-07-27T20:01:00.001-05:002013-07-28T18:45:47.612-05:00Scuba Checkout dives: Day 1: Dive 1So today started with an early morning at Seatasea to catch the van to the quarry. It was mostly DMs and Instructors, just two other students. I was surprised that in a class of 13 most people drove. It's a pretty long drive- almost 100 miles from Iowa City. I know not everyone lives in IC, but a number of other people did, and most people live somewhere close to Cedar Rapids (or else they wouldn't have gone with Seatasea for open water...). So yeah, I took the free ride and didn't pay gas. Figured my course fee was going for that.<br />
<br />
It was a LONG ride, where I learned a lot about how tough the Marines are, about being in the Army reserves, about how the government is trying to take away our guns, and how the Instructor who held me down two weeks ago (today they actually told us they'd do that...but being warned kind of makes it different!) thought Perry should be President. I joked with him that I'm now not sure I can trust him with my safety....<br />
<br />
So we got to the quarry, unloaded stuff and got geared up. It was a chilly 60 degrees with wind blowing. Most of us put on our 7 mm wetsuits to get our gear together- I didn't pull mine up, just on the legs, but it was worth it for the extra warmth.<br />
<br />
We got our stuff on, buddy checked, and jumped into the water (giant stride). And this was where my freak-out of the day happened. I hit the water, my mask flooded, I pulled the mask off, put it back on, and started crying. WTF? Absolutely no reason for this. I'm floating safely on the surface, BCD inflated, and freaking out. My breathing is fine, but I'm literally fighting back tears. I was terrified, anxious, and panicked. The water was warm-ish, I wasn't UNDER water, it was absolutely ridiculous. I have no explanation, and it took me longer than it should have to calm down. I'm embarrassed, but except the DM who was doing the weight check, I don't think anyone really noticed.<br />
<br />
After everyone was weight checked (mine was wrong- I needed more...) we went over to the platform. The quarry has two platforms that float about 15 feet under water. There are lines on them that go from buoys so you can follow the line down under water. Because of a storm, the visibility was terrible (estimated at 3-5 feet), so the 2 instructors and 2 DMs decided that it was not a good idea to take 13 people underwater. The original plan was for 1 instructor to lead, 2 buddy teams to follow, and 1 DM to be the caboose for Dive 1. Dive 1 of checkout is just 'explore the dive site'. We were briefed that if we lost site of our instructor to immediately surface (standard rule is search for 1 minute than surface. They decided that once someone was lost there was no way they'd be found, so just go up.)<br />
<br />
So my buddy Anna (whose stated goal of the day was "do not drown") and I volunteer to go in the first group. We get down on the platform, and I can't see the instructor, but can see the buddy team in front of us. They take two kicks, and I can no longer see her white fins. We lost our group within 5-10 seconds. Anna and I are looking at each other like "uh? Go up?" We swim a bit further, and look at each other, not sure what to do. Then the DM behind us taps us on the shoulder. Oh yeah! Him! Thank goodness. So we gone on with our dive. At the 15 foot mark, the water is relatively warm (we're in 7mm suits). I think it was maybe 66 degrees. We hit a thermocline at 17 feet, the water is about 60 degrees. At 20 feet there is another- down to around 56 degrees. 60 degrees is cold. Under 60 is VERY cold. VERY cold.<br />
<br />
After the near lost experience of losing our group, Anna and I are holding hands. I'm doing fine- but honestly it was really stressful. I was so worried about losing her. (Losing the DM was a bit of a concern too, but if he disappears we surface. If the girl who tells me her only goal was to not drown disappears and then something happens to her- OMG. Thankfully, that didn't happen.) Since our DM kept us around the 20-25 mark, the water was very cold. I kept looking at my computer to see how many minutes would pass hoping it would be over. (We were told it would be about 15 minutes long.)<br />
<br />
After about 7 minutes we were feeling more comfortable and let go of each others hands, still just half a foot between each other. We tried to practice our buoyancy with hands in front of us. Anna and I have opposite problems, I crash into the ground, she floats up to the surface. She would go floating and get about 2 feet away and start getting blurry, so I'd reach up and hold her hand while she came back down. The DM would turn around and OK every minute or two, but I don't think he saw any of this... The quarry was very grassy, and we saw 3 fish. After 17 minutes we swam up, did a 3 minute "safety stop" and ended the dive.<br />
<br />
We talked with other groups and none of them went below 20 feet, so they didn't hit the really cold water, and their DM kept them above the thermocline so they all go to stay in the really warm water! No fair. Still, the depth was kind of nice, because I guess it makes it a bit more of a real dive.<br />
<br />
Also, the buddy pair in front of us went to the surface probably about the time we lost them. They said they were under for less than a minute; they lost the instructor too (he took off into the thermocline, which has the worst visibility- less than a foot) and then the guy went to let air out of his BC to surface and pressed the wrong button and shot to the surface. He said he probably caught air upon hitting the surface- kind of scary. Rapid ascent isn't good! <br />
<br />
And while I was anxious and ready to be done the whole time, I made the whole 20 minutes with really no problems at all. This does make me wonder if I'm going to be able to handle a whole hour (well 45 minutes, maybe, with my crappy breathing...) underwater when we go to Cozumel. Maybe with things to look at time will pass faster?<br />
<br />
The most amazing thing was the visibility. It was literally 5 feet at its best, and in the theromcline where it was so silted up (where we lost the instructor). When I've heard about poor visibilty I always thought about like dusk, when it is hard to see around you. But it isn't like that at all. What you can see, you can see perfectly clearly. You hold your hand in front of your face, and it is clear as day. But then 3-5 feet out it is like there is a wall. You can see absolutely nothing. So you can either see, or you can't. It isn't like some stuff gets blurry. I actually think, for me, that made it less claustrophobic, but I could see how for other people, it might be worse. I'm happy that claustrophobia hasn't been an issue for me in the diving. I just wish I knew why I freaked out jumping into the water. That was just ridiculous. I think all my other panics have been somewhat justified, but that was not.Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-6096251099541040102013-07-14T15:58:00.001-05:002013-07-14T15:58:06.689-05:00Back to SCUBA<b>But first: If you are a skater still reading this blog, I have a pair of Jackson Competitors (older style), size 3D</b> <b>with pink Paramount Blades, <u>signed by Alissa Czisny,</u> for sale. They are scuffed up, but in skateable condition. Life left in blades, though used. I'm asking $125 shipped ($25 of that is likely the shipping.) Please let me know if you know anyone with small feet looking for skates!</b><br />
<br />
So today I went back to the pool to re-take the second day of the SCUBA class. I passed last time, but not without major panic, so I wanted to try again. Today went MUCH better. There were two instances of minor panic, but I think I handled it mostly okay, and overall things went MUCH better.<br />
<b> </b><br />
The first thing we did was the snorkel skills. This time, I actually did the whole snorkel swim! Last time I barely made it 10 meters and did the regular swim instead to pass the skill (you can do 300 m snorkel or 200 m swim). I was very proud of myself for doing this- but I still do not like snorkeling. I feel like I hyperventilate the whole time, no matter what I do- I cannot get a good deep breath. The fins also hurt my ankles kicking for so long (and I was doing good from the hip kicks, not bicycle kicks). But I am SO proud of myself for doing this. Then we did the tired diver tows, and that was no problem, again. (Though my buddy was harder to tow than Kevin, because he was a much larger man.)<br />
<br />
I skipped the float to get my gear together (I'm a master of floating, sadly. We found out that Kevin, who is absolute non-floatable deadweight, can float if he puts his ankles on top of mine. That' how buoyant I am. I need to work to get rid of some of this buoyancy!) I remembered how all the gear got together and me and my buddy were the first ready and the first to hit the water.<br />
<br />
The giant stride into the water was no problem at all. This pool had a much steeper drop off (like 2 feet) from the edge to the water, so it was a long fall. I'm glad I was able to practice that, since I don't know what the boat will be like.<br />
<br />
Then my buddy and I swam around a bit, practice regulator in/out, I did the oral inflate of the BCD- it was going well. I was pretty happy, though honestly, still not REAL comfortable underwater, but doing fine.<br />
<br />
When the class got together, since I was buddied up with someone, I just stayed as a normal participant in the class (my original plan was to do the oral inflate of the BCD, then just practice regulator skills- I think this worked better.) We started with the fin pivot using oral inflate of the BCD, and I had NO PROBLEMS!!! I was so proud of myself. Then we did the hover and I think I did better than last time (when I kept crashing to the ground). They didn't have me take off my BCD and put it back on, but that isn't something you do much of- it likely would have taken me forever. The final skill on this time down was to take the weights out of your pockets and put them back in. I wasn't able to do it last time, and then had no trouble at all this time. In fact, I was the first one done. YAY! Things were looking good.<br />
<br />
<br />After this, we surfaced for more instructions and then went back down. This was where my first freak out happened, on the same skill as last time. No mask swim- I swam just fine, and then I went to put my mask back on. I couldn't get it to clear. After about 8 tries, I now had so much water up my nose I couldn't get breaths anymore. I thumbed up, and needed to get to the surface to breathe. The effing instructor HELD ME DOWN and wouldn't let me surface. I think he wanted to encourage me to give it another try, but no, I had tried enough, and I wanted to breathe without water in my throat. I fought him a bit (this is all like 2 seconds) and he let me surface, where I was choking water and gasping for air. It only took a few seconds to regain breath, he told me the problem was that my nose piece wasn't correctly over my nose, and then stayed with me to let me calm down. I told him he could go back underwater to keep the class moving, and when I was ready I would just get in the back of the line and go again. I'm again proud of myself for this- because I was able to calm myself down quickly and go back and do it again with no anxiety. The second time, I again had no problem with the swim, and then couldn't get the mask to clear. This time, after 2 tries clearing, I calmly checked the position of the nose, and then all around the mask. On one side, the plastic skirt was tucked under itself, so not sealed. I straightened that out, cleared the mask and signaled OK, so I did it, and I know more things to check if it doesn't go smoothly the first time next time. But I really do feel like I did my best to spend time trying before freaking out the first time, but there is a point where I think it is normal to say "I'm not getting it, I'd like to breathe." Overall, I was MUCH calmer than last time.<br />
<br />
The next skill is where my second freakout occurred- out of air swim on the alternate. My buddy and I had practiced me switching my regulator in and out, and also taking his alternate. I had noticed his alternate was breathing in a bit of water, but didn't think it was much of a problem. Well, here, it turned out to be a problem. I took his alternate, and four or five breaths I still couldn't get one that didn't have water in it; everytime more and more water was getting in my mouth. I was blowing out, I was using the purge valve, I couldn't get it clear. So I put back my primary in, but by then I had a lot of water in my windpipe and couldn't get a clear breath. I thumbed up, and AGAIN the guy held me down for a second, and I kicked against him and surfaced. This was much worse than the last surfacing- because I was seriously gasping for air and choking on water. This is when I realized how easily it is for a panicked diver to down on the surface (no, I was not in danger here)- I was so busy gasping, and trying to tread water to fight against my weights and my tank, it never occurred to me to press the power inflator for buoyancy. In a real emergency, I might not think to ditch weights. When you are panicked, thought doesn't happen. The instructor had come up with me, pressed my power inflator for me, I threw my mask off (I did NOT put it calmly on my forehead where I like to rest it but can't due to "panicked diver" BS- that thing flew off so I could breathe!) and got some breaths. The instructor asked me if I was okay and I said "no, I can't breathe" and then immediately said "oh, wait- I'm talking, I'm okay, give me a second". So it took a bit longer, but I was able to gain my rational behavior back, and explained to the instructor how much water I was getting in my mouth, even with cautious breaths. He went down and checked the guys octo and came back and told me I wasn't crazy- it was leaking a bit, you just have to use your tongue as a splash guard and breathe carefully... UH, Kevin is getting a high quality octo, or I'm stealing his primary, because if I'm ever truly out of air, there is no way "breathe carefully" is going to be happening... <br />
<br />
So the instructor did the exercise with the other guy and then had me do it again. Again, I was getting water in, so I switched back to my primary. I just shook my head that I couldn't do it. So he had me do it with HIS octo, which didn't leak at all, but I really had to bite down on to get it to stay in my mouth when we were swimming, but the skill was no problem. So to any future buddies- please have very well maintained equipment!!! <br />
<br />
It was around this point that I had to get extra weights because I just could NOT stay down. Turned out my tank was leaking a bit (they decided to not replace the o-ring because I didn't really need much air for the class anyway) and was down to about 800 PSI- and it is amazing how much difference not having the air is. I sunk like crazy and he called me "maybe a bit overweighted" during the check.<br />
<br />
Afterwards we came to the surface and did BCD off/on, and weight removal (harder on the surface because of the inflated BCD). <br />
<br />
Then we just swam around with our buddies. My buddy was excellent and practiced out of air drills with me again, and I was able to breathe around the water a bit better (though we did it in the shallow end).<br />
<br />
I'm going to do the open water checkout in two weeks. Here's hoping it goes well. Today was not perfect, but it was definitely much better than last week, and I think overall I was rational and didn't have freakouts over nothing like last time, and for the most part my regulator in/out was much better. (I do want to look for a smaller mouthpiece before we go to Cozumel- my jaw is killing me; it's like going to the dentist having to hold my mouth open to fit the regulator in.)<br />
<br />
The only thing I had a real hard time with that we didn't practice again was the breathing from a free flowing regulator, but I don't think you do that for checkout. I'll just have to make sure to practice it again sometime on a dive, since I'm sure it is a good skill to have.<br />
<br />Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-85456273843264347412013-06-09T18:13:00.001-05:002013-06-09T18:13:39.522-05:00SCUBA- Day 2So today, was Day 2 of confined water (and then afterwards the last few
classroom lectures and the final).<br />
<br />
The skills today went much much better. I kind of ended up having a
private lesson, because I got behind on the first scuba skill, and
didn't really catch up.<br />
<br />
To start, we did some free diving skills, just in swim suits. The first thing we did was the 300 m
snorkel/fin swim, and I couldn't do it. The snorkel freaks me out if I
have to use it continuously like that- stopping was not allowed (though I saw another woman stop a number of times, and they didn't make her restart, still I suck at swimming above water in fins, and I just can't snorkel continuously) Apparently the shop does not
normally offer it, but they let me do the 200 m swim, that PADI training standards allows. No fins, no snorkel, just normal swimming. That was no
problem.<br />
<br />
Then we did the snorkel dive skills (dive under, blow out
water, dive under, etc). That was okay, but after a few dives I'd have
to stop, lift my mask up, breathe a second, then start again. I plan to go to the city
pool and try to snorkel practice a bit. I thought getting more
comfortable in the mask would help my snorkeling, as I've always blamed
that for my crappy snorkeling, but I'm not sure that is the issue. I am
much more comfortable in my mask than I used to be, I still don't like
it on at the surface, but I can breathe through my mouth now. Just can't
see anything because the nose exhaling fogs it up (can see underwater
though).<br />
<br />
Next we did the 10 minute float, and that is my one A+ skill. I
float so well I probably could have taken a nap, just closed my eyes
and relaxed. I had to do a 30 minute tread for rowing, so this was
nothing. <br /><br />
So then we got all our gear on, I was nervous about the giant stride (giant step off the side of the boat/pool, apparently the rolling off is just for Navy SEALS and television shows),
but when I did it did fine. We checked weights, they said since I was anxious
and breathing a bit heavy, to go with about 2 lbs more than I needed,
and I was good to go. <br />
<br />
We did two different type of "tired diver tows" and I'm able to pull Kevin on the surface. No problem there.<br />
<br />
So the first SCUBA skill was to manually inflate the BCD. I got a
really good breath in it, switched to my regulator well, switched again, got a good breath
into the BCD, then couldn't get the regulator in. I blew into it,
but it still felt full of water. I purged it but still couldn't take a
deep breathe. I thumbed it, and went up, exhaling. So I "bolted", but did
it at the "safe rate", guess that isn't really bolting, just giving up. When I got up there one of the instructors
talked to me for awhile, asked me if I was doing this because my husband
wanted me too (good question, but no- it was my idea), asked me if I've
always dealt with a fear of water (nope, no fear of water, fear of not
breathing...), asked about claustrophobia (little of that), and took me
over the shallow end. This is where we then took a lot of time, and why
I got so far behind the class. He had me put my reg in, breathe, take
it out- exhale slowly (slower, slower...), put it in, probably 10 times.
All above the water. Then we did it below the water. Then we moved
over to the deep end and did it again.<br />
<br />
So that got me a lot more comfortable with it. Then I went down, did
the BCD manual inflation, did the fin tip exercise, hovered, etc. My
boyancy isn't great, but it is improving. By the end of the class I swam
across the bottom of the pool only killing one tiny patch of "coral",
didn't annihilate the entire reef like yesterday. <br />
<br />
Then I did the BCD off and back on underwater. This had the instructor
laughing at me. I could not get the darn thing back on. It was major
underwater acrobatics. He said he was about to thumb me up to talk
about it, but I didn't look like I was panicing and kept going, so he
let me. I finally got the stupid thing on, probably head over heals 3
times. But like I said, I'm not scared of water, my regulator was in my
mouth and no one was making me take it out, so it was just a matter of
time, trial and error, and feet floating over my head (my legs are
"light", that means fat...) <br />
<br />
Taking the weights out of my weight belt was fine, getting them back in
was a bit tough. BCD removal/put back on on the surface was fine. <br />
Out of air exercise in the deep end went just fine. By this point we'd
done regulator in and out a million times and I got it in one try. I
also got to experience a slightly different thing from yesterday because
this instructor had his octo around his neck and donated his primary.
It also had a 7 foot hose, so I swam next to him, instead of holding on.<br />
<br />
The only other thing I had a little trouble with was the no mask swim.
But I shouldn't have. The swim was absolutely okay. It was getting the
mask back on, but not really. I was wearing a hood (just to get that
variable out of the way before the quarry dive) and when I put the mask
back on, I couldn't find the hood. So I couldn't figure out how to make
sure the hood was clear of the mask, and since I felt water under my
nose, I thought I couldn't clear it. I wear contacts so I couldn't open
my eyes, so I didn't know how to ask what I should try to do (I was
breathing okay). I thumbed it, so I could go up to talk to him. The
instructor was wondering what the heck was wrong. Apparently my mask
WAS clear (I almost always breathe out through my nose, mask clear is
not an issue- if this happens during checkout, he told me just to open
my eyes a little to check if they are dry, because I'm probably done
with the skill) , I just had some water under my nose so it didn't feel
clear. Dumb. He just had me go under water, take it off and on again,
and it was fine.<br />
<br />
At this point the rest of the class was in 20 minutes free time, so I
got 10 minutes free time. I did regulator in/out of my mouth about 20
times. I swam to work on my buoyancy. While I had a few errors today,
there were no major freakouts, no hyperventilating, and the things I
couldn't do yesterday I practiced today.<br />
<br />
So in the end, I passed my "final exam" (I missed a question, out of 50- I'm so mad, because I debated the options for a bit...) I decided I am not going to go on to the Open Water checkout dives yet, but spend a little more time in the pool practicing skills. Kevin is going to do the checkout dives in June, then I'll go to the pool in July, then hopefully the check out dives in July. It might be better to do them separate. That way he doesn't have to worry about me, and I don't need to worry about what he thinks about what I'm doing...<span style="color: silver;"><br /></span>Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-12270339648719766302013-06-09T03:14:00.001-05:002013-06-09T06:42:22.650-05:00SCUBA day 1, part 2So we moved to the deep end.<br />
<br />
After a number of minor panic attacks (mostly during 'remedial' time- where I was starting to feel a lot of pressure about the fact that I couldn't get it, and that I was disappointing Kevin (he never voiced this, but I'm sure it was true) and that I was getting so far behind the class), deep water is where I had my major panic attack.<br />
<br />
Oh wait, I remember the thing I forgot from shallow water- disconnect the BCD hose. I don't know what they'll write on this skill. With a TON of effort I did it above water, after the instructor did it first on my hose (does that make it easier). I never could underwater, and even later when we were out of the water and the gear was off, I was only able to do it once someone else did, which I think took some of the pressure off it. To be honest- if my BCD breaks and the button sticks, I think I'm screwed. It took me so long, even if I'm able to do it- and my hands just may not be strong enough, partially because I'm weak, and partially because my nerve damage is mostly in my fingers, it takes me so long, I'll be on the surface before I'm able to. Being on the surface is what we are trying to prevent.<br />
<br />
Anyhow- the deep end.<br />
<br />
First, we swim there underwater practicing equalizing our ears. My ears don't hurt, but I don't feel that nice pop I do when I do the movements we practice above water. I guess if they don't hurt, I'm okay. They we ascend, and this is freakout number one: I cannot kick hard enough to get up. I know if I inflate my BCD, I fail the class- so I don't. But I can't get up. I start kind of 'screaming' underwater, but at this point, it's moot, as no one is still underwater and you can't hear much anyway. Then I realize I have plenty of air, calm down a bit, but I'm still stuck underwater. An instructor kind of pushes me up. I think this is the major factor in why I am so scared for the next thing- I know if I want to get out of the water, I am over-weighted, and cannot. I am stuck underwater. <br />
<br />
So here we are told they are going to turn our tank off so we can feel what out of air feels like. Then turn it back on. Then, (with the tank on this time), we are going to tell our buddy we are out of air, grab their octo and breathe on it, just like we did in shallow water. This is where I start telling Kevin I can't do it. He, in a somewhat annoyed voice, tells me I'm fine. The class descends. I don't.<br />
<br />
The instructor who helped me before comes over and I tell him I'm not ready for this. He told me once I had the confidence I did these things fine in the shallow water. I'm not buying it. I did them once. Let me tell you a story:<br />
<br />
In driver's ed, we had to get a 4.0 before we could pass a skill. The first time I went over 40 mph I cried, I got a 1.0, and had to do it again. It took me like 10 tries before I fully passed highway driving. I am now a damn good highway driver. On the other hand, I parallel parked absolutely perfect the first time I tried. I got a 4.0, we moved on. I have NEVER successfully parallel parked again. Never. Even with someone in the car explaining to me how to do it. I didn't get sufficient practice, and doing something once does NOT show mastery. That's what I felt about the shallow water skills. I had in no way mastered them. I did them once. And now they wanted me to do them somewhere I can't stand up.<br />
<br />
To his credit, the instructor is incredibly patient. He tells me if I "thumbs up" he can have me on the surface in half a second. Still, I'm hyperventilating, literally. In a sport of long, slow, shallow breathes, I am on the surface in need of a bag to breathe into. (I don't actually get one, I'm able to calm my breathing after a few minutes, take a few deep breaths and tell them I'll try.) He promises me, that if I thumb the dive, I will be on the surface right away.<br />
<br />
So we go down, the tank turn off exercise goes well. I forget to look at my pressure gauge (SPG), but it is handed to me, and I see it go down to zero. As soon as I see that I want to signal for him to turn it back on, but I am still breathing, so I realize I shouldn't yet. I wait until breathing gets hard, and then signal. That went okay. <br />
<br />
Then it comes time to do the octo exercise. (Remember, my regulator is fully functioning at this point). I signal to Kevin. I grab his octo, I take 3 deep breathes (um, that won't be something I can do if I'm really out), I take my reg out, and try to get his in. I press the purge and I still have water in my mouth, I thumb, and true to his word, the instructor lifts me up to the surface, very quickly. He asks me what went wrong, I had it. I did, but again, I couldn't breathe on it.<br />
<br />
We go back down again, and this time I think I do it with one try (I don't remember for sure). But again, he and Kevin signal OK? to me when it is in my mouth, but it takes me a good 3 breaths before I can say OK back. I just don't trust that I'm breathing.<br />
<br />
So next, I think, we did what is called "fin pivot". This is supposed to be an exercise in neutral buoyancy. I totally don't understand what we were supposed to do here. All I know is I just wiped out a thousand years of coral growth. Hurricanes have nothing on the level of destruction my buoyancy causes.<br />
<br />
Then came our CESA. This is a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent. So you do NOT use the inflator on your BCD- you swim to the surface. The pool is too shallow for this, so we swim horizontally. You have to swim 30 feet while exhaling. If the instructor sees you inhale, you don't pass this. While waiting for my turn, I think about exhaling as slow as possible (i'm a fast breather, even relaxed). I practice the long slow a-hhhh sound. Then he signals for me to go. I take my last breath (our regulators are still on) and well crap. I'm standing and stuck. I can barely even start swimming before I run out of air. I take 2 really small breaths over the course of the 30 feet, but decide it is best to keep going, to at least practice swimming. I get to the end and stand up and tell the instructor "well, I just drowned twice" and he says "what are you talking about? You did it!" Um, no I didn't? I took breaths. Apparently, they were so small, it didn't count? I know on a real CESA, you get more exhale power as you go up, and sometimes you get more air in your tank. Maybe I'll be okay? I mentioned this to the other instructor, and he told me "if he says you did it, you're fine", so I don't feel like I cheated. But Kevin and I plan to go to the pool and (without scuba on) practice me swimming while exhaling. Maybe more cardio too.<br />
<br />
At some point we also practiced manually inflating our BCDs (while above water), and this was no problem.<br />
<br />
The final thing we did was breathe off a free flowing (purging)
regulator. This took me three tries, and I wasn't able to breathe well
(Kevin said it was 'easy') but three small breathes before I started
choking on water. But enough to probably be able to switch to his
alternate, and I know it is possible. The third try, the instructor (Kevin?)
actually lightly held my head down in the water (no resistance if I
pushed up, but just to encourage me to not give up right away) which got
a great laugh from the class. <br />
<br />
I think that is everything, except we also practiced taking our fins off while holding a ladder and getting out of the water. We were told since our tanks would be almost empty, they would be much lighter. Well maybe a bit, but holy crap- those suckers weigh alot out of water!<br />
<br />
So all in all- lots of little panic, 1 major panic attack, and two skills that I don't think I did.<br />
<br />
But here is my final problem- I now feel like I have strep throat. My throat is so dry and scratchy. I had a lot of mucus in my throat during the diving, and kept coughing, a lot, underwater. I just couldn't swallow to clear it where I felt I could breathe well. We were probably never underwater for more than 15 minutes, if even that. How do people stay under for an hour? Kevin says his throat doesn't hurt at all, so I think it is from all the coughing while breathing such dry air.<br />
<br />
And I'm awake at 3:00 in the morning typing this because I am really worried about the water work today. I'm pretty certain we have to do all the mask off skills in the deep water. And while I did them fine in the shallow water, again, doing something once doesn't mean I'm ready to do it without a safety net of being able to stand up.<br />
<br />
I'm really worried that even if I can get out of this pool session, I'm not ready for open water check out. And even if I can pass that- I'm not ready for real life without an instructor. I feel so bad that I'm not good at this, because I really want to be able to do something with Kevin that he'll really enjoy. And to be honest, except for all the emergency scenarios, I'm way better at this than snorkeling. I suck at snorkeling.<br />
<br />
The only thing I take small solace in, is the instructor told Kevin my freak outs were not even close to the worse he's seen. Since I was full on hyperventilating, wow. Kevin says the guy told him he doesn't tell people who freak out that- likely because it doesn't help them and it kind of trivializes how they're feeling, but it would have kind of made me feel better to hear "I know you are feeling like you aren't doing well at this, but this is somewhat normal to freak out like this." Although I still wish this was a little more time to master a skill, rather than just demonstrate it.<br />
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<br />Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-64660857674480635012013-06-09T02:48:00.004-05:002013-06-09T02:48:25.498-05:00SCUBA day 1, part 1So I haven't been skating this year (this weekend was when I would have taken my dance tests if I hadn't stopped. I was kind of sad, but honestly- I don't really miss skating.) I also haven't been rowing- our city has been flooding, and we can't use the river. The club has almost secured the rights to use a local resevior, but the times are all in the morning, and after I'm at work.<br />
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So I needed a new hobby. After getting away from the expense of skating, I was thinking something affordable. I picked SCUBA. Oops.<br />
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The benefit is that Kevin and I can do this together. He is a fish in water. I am not, but I do enjoy being in the water.<br />
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About two weeks ago we picked up a DVD and a classwork book. The DVD mostly emphasized the importance of high-fiving while diving. Also, that diver's are fun people. The book was a little more serious, but for all the ways to kill yourself while diving, I worried there wasn't enough information in it! Yesterday (Saturday) we did 4 hours of a classroom session, reviewing the book - still very basic- and having a very enthusiastic instructor tell us how fun this is, how rare problems are, etc.<br />
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Then, we went to the pool for about 5-6 hours. We have an in-joke in my family, after my Mom was absolutely hysterical (not funny) on a Carnival ride, and she came off and said "I think I did rather well" (she did not). At the end of the day in the pool session, I told Kevin "I think I did rather well". Um, in fairness, I probably did better than my Mom did on that ride, but it wasn't a pretty day for me.<br />
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I had a few minor freak outs and one big freak out. I had to be taken aside for remedial instruction. I'm up at 2:30 today because I can't sleep since I'm worried about the pool dives tomorrow.<br />
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I'm sure I'll leave a few things out, but here's what we did:<br />
-Put together gear. I can do this okay. Problem is, I absolutely cannot lift the air tank, which is kind of an integral part of the gear. That might be a problem, though Kevin can probably help me quite a bit. I mean, I'm never going to dive without him.<br />
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- Wear a wetsuit. First- I never saw myself in it, so I have no idea how unflattering it was, but man, I am going to need custom made. Surprisingly, the one I had the knee pads actually hit my knees, but the crotch was insanely baggy, and the arms were so long it was like wearing an elphant skin. I probably could have had 8" longer arms and still fit this thing, I think when you have baggy folds you lose some of the insulating properties! That said- this was very cool. It was like being a trainer at sea world.<br />
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- Get in the water, breathe underwater: Okay, I am just very tentative every time I have to go underwater. It's like I don't trust the regulator will work. It does. I also find that I tip over insanely and my feet try to fly above my head. The instructor puts more weights on me, but I'm not sure that is a real world solution.<br />
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- Take regulator out of mouth, put it back in. Surprisingly- I did this fine. Surprisingly, because later it doesn't go well. We did this using the purge button and blowing it out with our mouth. I do fine on both, and we are told to start blowing out with our mouth because it is easier. Later in the class, I always use the purge button, because this is a major source of freak outs.<br />
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- Show two different ways of recovering the regulator when it is out of your mouth. This is where things start going badly for me. I can "recover" the regulator with my hand, but by the time I am able to get it into my mouth and attempt to purge it, I've usually run out of bubbles to blow out ("never stop breathing") and take on a mouthful of water. I stand up a number of times (we are on the shallow end) and can't do this. The instructor tells me to just move on, we'll try again later.<br />
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- Signal buddy out of air, take their back-up (octo) and breathe off of it. Same problem with the previous one, by the time I get it in my mouth, I'm having mouthfuls of water and freaking out. This is when I get told I have to go work one on one with an instructor, Kevin, my buddy, gets relegated to remedial instruction with me.<br />
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So over in remedial instruction, I freak out a number of times. I just cannot get the damn octo in my mouth and breathing before I take on so much water (up my nose too) that I freak out. A few times I stand up out of water with both the instructor and Kevin going "what the hell, you had it, why aren't you underwater breathing?" but it's just like I can't fit the thing in my mouth, and even when I do, and purge it, I still can't breathe. Finally, I do it, but when the instructor signals okay (they do that a lot! Okay is the only option, things are okay or things are going to hell in a handbasket- there is no signal for "no, not really, but don't worry, I'm not dying) it takes me like 5 breathes before I can signal okay back, because I'm just not confident in my breathe. <br />
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So then we do the hose recovery, and I do it the first way, and he signals OK, and to go up, and I signal back the 2nd way, so we do that first. That was my mini moment of being proud of myself, because I could have stood up, which would have been kind of nice.<br />
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During my remedial instruction, the class had moved on ahead of us. They had practiced clearing their mask, breathing underwater without their masks, and taking their mask and putting it back on underwater. These are skills that I think a few people actually had to do a few times, because it took them quite awhile. I, however, actually did really well here. The reason- I think my mask may be a tad too big (we might get a new one), and I had been exhaling through my nose a number of times, so I can clear my mask without a problem, both partial and full flood. It was hard for me to get underwater without my nose covered, but once the instructor told me I could hold my nose, I could get underwater, stop holding my nose and did fine. In theory, if my mask is kicked off underwater, I'm not sure how it will go. But I was able to take it off and put it back on okay. I want to get a neoprene strap for my mask, as the plastic one was tearing my hair to shreds.<br />
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I think this is the point where we put our fins on and then had to swim on the surface (with BCD inflated- so like a life vest) with our snorkel. This was SO HARD. You tip over while you try to swim. We also had to take the snorkel out of our mouth, and put the regulator in, which I did fine, and then put the snorkel back in, which I did not. No matter how many times I blew air to clear it (and I have a purge valve on it) I couldn't get a strong breathe. Being at the surface though, was it really cheating to stick my head out of water and breathe?<br />
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I feel like we did something else next, but I can't remember what.<br />
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At this point, we moved our class over to the deep end. This post is getting really long, so I'm going to start another.<br />
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<br />Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-48371823140313753102013-05-24T19:03:00.001-05:002013-05-24T19:03:22.257-05:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7539109/?claim=x5tw6me6zmj">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-980362729557493582013-05-04T10:48:00.000-05:002013-05-04T10:48:11.894-05:00Spin...Today the RPM instructor had a sub who just does 'Spin' (meaning a freestyle class, not a structured program). It was definitely a different experience. One thing I've really taken for granted is how much the music in RPM is carefully chosen to enhance the ride. RPM the sprints top out at the speed of the music, so to get 135 RPMs, you count the music and really try to fight to get to it (or in Kevin's case, ride with the music). In this class, we sprinted only at 110 (woo! I can actually do that...) but the music playing was often much slower than the sprint, which made it hard to sustain, because you had to watch the number and fight the instinct to drop to the beats you were counting. Music was just background noise.<br />
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My numbers were 83/84 rpm/watts, so interestingly I went faster in this class than RPM (though I did much easier climbs since my knees hurt, and I think that helped with speed) but worked way lower than my last class. I really want to try to get some higher watts.<br />
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I got my bike shorts in. Bike shorts are not good for the ego. Mine are an XL. I will be so happy the day that I grow out of them and have to buy a new pair! (I think L would have been fine, but the size chart made me worry.) They definitely helped though. My butt wasn't sore until about 20 minutes in, and then only on the left side.<br />
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Still need to figure out how to adjust my bike 'just right'. My right shoulder hurts quite bad during class, and that doesn't make sense.Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-38000191020042176812013-04-27T10:21:00.001-05:002013-04-27T10:21:11.872-05:00RPMRPM went much better today. I decided to not pay too much attention to my revolutions (because I can't come close to the numbers the instructor calls) but instead try to work the hardest I can in higher gears and pay attention to my watts. Watts are what burns calories (though I don't even burn off 3 slices of bread in the class!<br />
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So today my RPM/Watt average was 73/95. I worked a heck of a lot harder, and only a little slower than the last class.<br />
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I also got a much better bike with a seat that didn't slope. I think that made a huge difference because I didn't feel like I was going to fall off the bike. Kevin got a sloped seat and he did NOT like it. He moved two bikes so hopefully if we get "our" spot, we'll get good bikes.Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-40229383761808967632013-04-26T07:07:00.001-05:002013-04-26T07:08:21.255-05:00Skipping class.I skipped ballet yesterday. I feel very guilty about this because ballet is pre-paid for. But I don't enjoy it. The class is not what I was hoping for. So I kind of dread going. There are 3 more left, including one that is combined with kids classes. I don't want to go to those either, but I'm going to make myself. It's paid for.<br />
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Anyhow- since I skipped ballet, I went to RPM (which is going to be my replacement once ballet is over). It went really well. My physical therapist told me no standing on the bike, so I stayed seated during climbs, but my knee also didn't hurt nearly as badly as on Saturday (when it hurt during the climbs). It hurt a teeny bit while on the bike, but I'm not sure if that was the bike set up, the class, or the fact that this was the end of the day and my knees always hurt.<br />
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It was a really good class- I worked at higher gears than on Saturday (my first class ever). During the quick sprints, she wants us at 130 rpm, and I can only hit about 100- there just isn't enough time to make my legs get that fast, but at the sustained sprints, I hit 115, which I thought was decent. At one point, I had my watts (which hover around 95-100) at a sustained 130 and hitting 150. That was a really good sprint (I love the sprints in the class, on a real bike, not so much).<br />
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Since I thought I was doing better to keep my RPMs and Watts high I was a little disappointed to see my averages after class were 75/78- but it is something to work to improve on (it also contains the super lows that we do in between sets, but still- the wattage especially should go up).<br />
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My only complaint- the bike that I was on, the seat was really tilted (that's not adjustable). I kept literally sliding off. Not feeling like I was tilted, but when we'd sit up, I'd slide. That was super annoying.<br />
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I've also made the decision not to row seriously this year. There is a punch card per row you can get and it is more expensive per row, but will allow me to just row Sunday (when Kevin can paddle). If I paid per month, I'd feel like I should go 2-3 times per week to make it 'worth it'. I really enjoy rowing, but with the gym already paid for, there are only so many days of the week to fit it all in!Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-61943783387608950092013-04-22T15:15:00.003-05:002013-04-26T07:08:27.481-05:00SpinningMy husband really loves to bike, so when we joined the gym I encouraged him to try some spinning classes (it was winter, so biking was off limits). He resisted for awhile, telling me indoor bikes were too different from normal bikes, but finally he went. Turns out he LOVES spinning (but not as much as outdoor bicycling) and goes multiple times a week.<br />
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Part of working out in the gym rather than skating is that I spend more time with him and less with elementary schoolers. Of course, this doesn't work if we are always doing seperate classes, so I tried a spin class called RPM (rotation/revolution per minute).<br />
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The class was good- with RPM as the focus I expected more sprints and fewer climbs, but they were about even. The climbing (high resistance, standing on the pedals) really hurt my knees, but when we were seated I did okay.<br />
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My "numbers" (RPMs and gear) are lower than what the instructor suggests for the class, but considering I really don't care for cycling, I think I did an okay job of keeping up with the class. Kevin is a freaking rockstar and outdoes everyone in there (there are other men too)- the instructor seems to have a goal to beat Kevin in wattage. She would ask him what he was at, and he'd say like 420 or something and I'd have to try not to laugh because I'd be working my butt off and be at like 93.<br />
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So this is definetly something that I think I'm going to keep trying to do. I will definetly need to get some bike shorts though. My behind is SORE!!! <br />
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(Also went to PT today and she told me not to stand when I climb...)Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-53358672429006863062013-04-14T11:11:00.001-05:002013-04-14T11:11:11.574-05:00It's been awhile.So I had high hopes of a comeback, at least to Saturday skating. Sadly, I haven't been back to the rink in a long time. Without a lesson to get me there, 8:00 is really early on a Saturday! I've been going to the gym now, and go 4-5 times a week, plus ballet on Thursday. I'm enjoying working out with my husband, skating was very solitary. (Though I do aerobics classes while he does spin on some days.) I hurt my knee again, working out with a trainer. It didn't hurt while I was doing things (I am assuming it was squats and running stairs) but it has been two weeks and I'm still waking up in pain from kicking the comforter on my bed, needless to say, I didn't even think about going skating this weekend.<br />
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Adult Nationals was this weekend. For so long my goal was to pass the Bronze test and get there. I am a little sad that I'm not there. I decided not to go long before I stopped lessons- it was just way too much money between a flight, hotels, entry fees, etc. Kevin and I could go on a vacation together for that amount (we really want to go on another cruise- but OMG airfare is insane! The cost of a 6 hour flight is more than an 8 day cruise!) Reading about it on icenetwork was sad. And seeing that Adam Rippon was wandering around there- that made me even sadder! <br />
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Once the knee heals, I'm going to think about getting back on the ice. However, with warm weather approaching, I think it is time to start rowing again. So that might make even less time for ice!Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-34003504916722985112013-03-24T16:13:00.004-05:002013-03-24T16:13:47.078-05:00Every other weekSo I seem to have an every other week thing going. I didn't skate this weekend (I meant to, but then we stayed out late at a basketball game, and I slept again)- but I did skate last week.<br />
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It was not as good as my previous time back. The rink was CROWDED- insanely so. The Cedar Rapids skaters had all come down because their rink was shut down for a wrestling tournament (yeah, wrestling). So the ice was very crowded, with fast movers, and a coach giving a group class. Groups are tough, because it is hard to skate when people are moving as a pack. Ice times like this make me wish I didn't skate CW, it was very very hard to set up jumps.<br />
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It was also not a good session to not be able to stop on! So the fall out of the blades- the sharpening was good. It was nice to have good bite on the ice and my skating was pretty good. I CAN tell he moved the blade- I'm kicking up a lot of snow near the front of my blade (not the back, like I sometimes do on sit spins) when I spin. However, I centered 3 or 4 really excellent scratch spins (and did 3 or 4 awful ones) so I can't really blame the blade for things being off, I think I just need to get used to it.<br />
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So no harm, no foul I guess.<br />
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Just need to make it back to the rink... My schedule really just doesn't let it fit in much anymore. I was kind of thinking about doing the club show next month, but the rate I'm training, it just isn't going to happen!Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6863104637280263342.post-49887408856303004862013-03-03T15:08:00.004-06:002013-03-03T15:08:57.992-06:00SharpeningThis is just an FYI for me. I got my blades sharpened.<br />
It had been quite awhile since I got them done, so I expect a bit of an adjustment period.<br />
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I didn't want to drive to Cedar Rapids to have them done, so I had Burton sharpen them for me. He's done a nice job in the past. <br />
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He said the right blade was off centered so he moved it (?!!!) for me. Since I've been skating on these skates since June 2011 with the blades where they were, I'm a bit terrified of this. I wish he would have asked me first. I'm going to give them a try and see what I think before taking them to my regular sharpener and having her move them back, but it seems like if they were as bad as he said I would have noticed by now (he suggested I'd have a hard time holding outside edges.) Maybe they will be a huge fix and I'll be able to mohawk or something better than before. It isn't my landing leg, so at least that shouldn't be different.Jessimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05442665425448000014noreply@blogger.com2