I'm so stoked! I completed my PADI Open Water Certification course this past weekend. What a great time! I met so many people from all over the place, got to spend the weekend in the sun, and now have another excuse to travel :) The first dive was my best because I saw a sea turtle. My other dives I saw a bunch of clown fish, other fish I don't know and should probably start studying, and string rays. The world underneath our feet is magnificent. 16m/53ft is the...

I thought it was about time to put some of my graduation money to good use. Today, I can check off my first New Years resolution....#1: Get certified to scuba dive!!!!!! I am so blessed to learn to dive in one of the most beautiful dive spots in the world, and my home for the last 8 months, Malaysia. I started the 3-day PADI Open Water Diver Certification today. I think I started a new hobby and cannot wait to finish the course! The sensations, the feelings, b...

A family member of mine sent me this e-mail a while back and I was so encouraged by it. May you read it and start your 2011 and new decade with purpose and standing for truth. <3 Gina -----------------------------------------What would it take to get you to do what you think you cannot do? What dream, what purpose, what goal will inspire you to engage with life more fully than you ever have?What is so important to you that it will have you ignoring all the ...

I've been in Malaysia for over 6 months now and today was my first time going into the villages. Upon arriving we had 6 or 7 little boys jump onto the back of our truck and ride in to the village. The kids are so beautiful, have big smiles on their faces and welcomed the "orang putihs". I walked through mud, trash up to my ankles, broken wood, river water and never felt out of place. Even in the midst of unfamiliarity I embraced my surroundings and...

The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout, down came the rain and washed the spider out, out came the sun that washed up all the rain, so the itsy bitsy spider crawled up the spout again....REMIX. (My housemate, Mel, and I had an interesting experience today....enjoy our remix of The Itsy Bitsy Spider.) The big black hairy spider crawled out of our washing machine, screams filled the air and on came the pursuit of death, out came the water pipe to drown ...