Thursday, April 12, 2007

Where's My Life Jacket?

I know the ocean.

I can hardly help it, living as I am in a country made up of more than 7,000 islands. Beaches have been a fixture in my life, as they have been and are for so many Filipinos. So I know the ocean.

Wait, I take that back. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that it's a familiar presence, one whose moods and appearance change on a regular basis.

The same ocean can look and feel different in any given location at any given time. Variations in the water's azures and aquamarines; waves that either roar tumultuously or lap playfully at one's feet on the shore. It's full of strange creatures, its depth in certain areas is unfathomable. It's full of both beauty and tragedy.

I've swum in it, but never too far out and never when I'm uncertain of my footing. And I've never gone too far out alone. So no, though the sea is a familiar presence, I'm afraid I must admit I don't know it as intimately as I would want to.

What I'm trying to say (and failing dismally) is that I'll be attempting to swim out to a different part of the ocean that I've been swimming in all my life. To explore the unfamiliar places within the familiar. To improve my swimming technique or heck, even learn new styles. To examine the patterns of the waves and learn from them, though I'm sure to inadvertently swallow a mouthful or two of seawater when I least expect it. I'm apprehensive yet excited.

Since I'm going to be Out There you might not find me that often Over Here or over at Your Place in the coming weeks. My apologies.

It's just that I should stop being too comfortable in the shallows. Time to stop just gazing at the horizon. Time to get up, brush the sand off this fat ass and get more than just my feet wet. Time to take a deep breath and venture farther out.


Smart alecks (you know who you are) shouldn't take everything in this post literally. Just saying. :-)

31 comments:

houseband00 said...

Tra-lala-lala...

Uwi mo ako ng kape-e.

Tra-lala-lala

=)

Photo Cache said...

i have got wave pictures to post in the coming days...will dedicate them to you. go venture into the unfamiliar and swim with the sharks....

Anonymous said...

HB: Gusto mo ng 3-in-1? Ibibili kita sa 7-11. I told you not to take this post literally, hindi naman ako aalis eh! :-D

Photo: Oh, cool! Thank you very much. :-)

Ian said...

So what's your new venture? Are you *gasp* going to write a book? Start a business? Come visit me in Colorado? Enquiring minds want to know...

Ian

Anonymous said...

Ah, I hear you...I should spend less time blogging and more time writing so I can be in Ian's enviable position of having a completed novel to peddle. But he earned it. He's a writing fiend. Anyway, I might not be blogging as much either. I understand.

Anonymous said...

Ian: To write a book is one of my goals. I'll get there one day. :-) I'll keep the new venture under wraps for now. But it does involve writing. And of course I want to visit you and Sunrunner someday. You'll be my Rockies guide. :-D

Gale: Ian is like one possessed (in a good way). I noticed you've been posting less frequently recently. Good luck to you too!

Michael C said...

Enjoy the adventure!!!!

BeckEye said...

I love the ocean. But it also freaks me out a little. I hate when I can't see what I'm stepping on. I need to go check out the clear water in Mexico.

christine said...

Lizza, I'm excited for you! It's never easy slipping out of our comfort zone but it is always rewarding. Whether you come out unscathed or wounded, you will always come out a better person. Good luck to you, and more importantly, enjoy every minute of the new adventure! :)

Odat said...

I thought I was very comfortable around this ocean over here on this side...I love the water, I'm a Pisces.....but the fish swim in opposite directions..so I'm often conflicted...lol....sooooo...whatever waters you chose to tackle...here's wishing you that you never get knocked down by a wave!!!
Peace

Prometheus said...

Awww.. ya had ta put in that warning for smart-alex?

Liz Hill said...

Ah the ocean--doesn't matter the underlying meaning is different--my brain just starts to float.

Sugar whatever your venture is you have my best wishes. I know the feeling and am sticking my toes in a little. Don't be a stranger

Smooch

Anonymous said...

What an adventure ... Heh!

(:

Schmoop said...

I poosted something similar to this the other day Lizza...Go For It and Cheers!!

Frank Sirianni said...

Hi Lizza,









Above comment is posted in secret, invisible smart aleck font. Please use lemon juice and blow dryer to read

Seriously, good luck with 'whatever' the undertaking. We're all behind you. Dive in, I hear the waters are warm and the currents are gentle.

Frank

Debo Blue said...

Lizza,

if we never explore and always wade in the shallow part we'll become limited and shallow.

The tide will always bring you back.

Have fun and I'll be looking for your comments.

Anonymous said...

Michael: Thanks!

Beckeye: Go! And have fun. :-)

Christine: Welcome baaaack! Looks like you had a great time in BKK and Dumaguete. I'll catch up on your adventures soon.

Odat: I'm a Pisces too, and my swimming skills are crap. :-D

Prometheus: But of course. Couldn't resist, actually. :-D

Turnbaby: Thanks darlin'. I appreciate it.

Kyels: Yep!

Frank: Haha! I like that invisible code thing. Thank you very much, you sweet man.

Matt: Yes, I remember that post of yours. Full speed ahead to you too. Cheers!

Debo: You got that right! I'll stop in from time to time.

Kiyotoe said...

all of my favorite "bloggies" are leaving or going on hiatus, etc. Makes me wonder why I even came back. :(

but i understand and I'll be here with the rest of your fans when you decide to grace us again.

Anonymous said...

Hija mia...

Saang dagat ka sisisid hmmmm???

Magbabalik- shokoy, este sirenang anyo ka?

Psstt, na-miss ko kayo ni kulet prof...

Swathi Sambhani aka Chimera said...

wow, poetry in prose...
having grown up in a seaside town myself I know what u mean by those different colors and moods of the ocean but then one thing I dont know is swimming (missed out on that experience totally!)

Sidney said...

Sounds like a nice project. Don't drink too much ocean water. It might upset your stomach!
Enjoy !
Sure, we will miss your posts! What about WIFI @ the beach!

Anonymous said...

Kiyotoe: I'll still be here, I'll still be posting. Just not that often. And I'll still visit you guys too.

Dyesebel: Sa malalim na dagat. :-D Shokoy sirena ka diyan. Butanding kamo. Hindi pa nga pala tapos ang lecture ni prof ano? Prof? Asan ka?

Chimera: Thanks. And you and I are alike on the swimming thing.

Sidney: Alas, I don't have a laptop. Don't worry, I won't drink too much ocean water. I love the sea, but it isn't my beverage of choice. :-)

Anonymous said...

A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. When you complete the circle, it won't have been like your imagination can't help telling you what it's going to be like though - this doesn't sound like me! Perhaps I'm off on one myself - good luck!!

Scott from Oregon said...

It's sex, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Swimming? Sounds fun, can I join
:)

little things said...

Good for you....we tend to get lazy blogging and reading blogs, don't we?
Be sure to post where you swim to!

JHS, Esq. said...

Lizza-

We have started a new awards site. At: http://therisingblogger.blogspot.com/

You've won our first award, for this post. We award posts, not blogs. Congrats! We have emailed you winning badge code to you!

Anonymous said...

Daddy Papersurfer: Thank you very much for the advice! Good luck to you if you decide to do something new. Btw, it doesn't matter if you sounded unlike yourself this time, I still like you. :-)

Scott: Hahahaha! That was funny. But to answer the question...no.

ZI: Why not?

Marlayna: I will in time. Have a good weekend!

Judd: I was rendered speechless for a few minutes there. Thank you very much, I am deeply honored.

ShadowFalcon said...

I have equal fear and love of the ocean

CS said...

Oh, good for you Lizza - sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and venture into uncharted waters. With any luck, you'll come out of the journey a stronger swimmer. Post once in while, so we know you're still there, okay?

Lizza said...

Shadowfalcon: So do I.

CS: Thank you, and I will!