On Saturday and Sunday I finished my Open Water scuba course.¬† Saturday I was diving at the pier finishing most of the “skills” we needed to do.¬† Taking off my mask underwater is my least favorite.¬† I will try not to do that one often.¬† If the mask is just filled with water but still on my face it is fine but I found that I try to breath through my nose and get loads of water if my mask is off.¬† I am glad I never have to do that again (at least on purpose).

Sunday we headed off on the boat and went to a reef (60 feet below the surface).  It is like swimming in a big aquarium!  Tons of fish and colorful plant life.  The second dive was amazing.  There were fish swiming all around me and seals.  They can do flips and somersaults better than I can but I was trying anyway.  I was amazed at how warm I was in the 10 degree water (50 F).  It gives me confidence that I can scuba pretty much anywhere.  The next step is to do some fun adventure dives and see more of the fun!

Ok, I know I have been bad.¬† I have had things to write but just haven’t found the time to sit and type them up.¬† Three weeks is a long time and lots is happening.

To start, I have been getting my Open Water scuba certification.  That was last weekend and this coming up one.  I have to get up at 5am to catch my ride down to where we are going to go so I think it will be an early night for me.

Scuba is fun once you learn to control your breathing and get past some of the unfamiliar things.¬† Like having to locate an air source after you lose it and remembering to breath out until you find it.¬† If I lose a way to breath I want to hold my breath.¬† Hopefully I don’t drownthis weekend.¬† Work was joking a little bit how bad off they would be if I didn’t come back.

I have had some friends come visit which is great but keeps me up late on a work night.  I feel like an old man being all responsible and worrying about work n things.  The job is going excellent and I may be asked to stay on another five months.  I am not sure how this affects things with my New Zealand visa but I will work that out when I know a little more.  It should be settled in a couple weeks.

Well, I hope that clears up a little of what I have been up to.  If you harass me a little I will post more often.  I just get busy with life and forget.

So, I finally got an apartment.  Yeah!  It is on the Southbank and is a 15 minute walk from work.  Not that I really need the extra time before or after work, but it means I can walk home for lunch.  The place has a pool and a gym so I hope I will get some physical activity.  Sitting in an office for 9 hours means I am not getting as much exercise as I should. Having a gym in the building I might actually use it.  At the very least I will be walking a couple miles a day.

I missed many things not having an apartment; a big bed, my own room and oven.¬† I’ll be off baking cookies several times I am sure.¬† Sleeping will be nice not having to stay in the same room as 5 other people.¬† I haven’t had more than 4 hours of solid sleep in months.