Though it only felt like yesterday since I wrote my last post, over one week has passed - incredible. It's all a bit of a blur as I have been on the boat diving for 7 consecutive days. There has been some rocky seas, strong currents, reduced visability but consistent sunny days and cool breezes.
I have now had a lot of exposure to the ins and outs of a dive centre - both from a customer perspective and from behind the scenes. Yesterday was my first day as a Dive Master Trainee - This is my first professional status in the dive world. After two weeks I will be accredited and this enables me to work as a Dive Master - Guide and teach students :) As a trainee, I assist in the mornings with registering the customers - getting them the required equipment - setting up their gear boxes and assisting in the co-ordination of travel to the pier where we get on the boat.
Once on the boat, I am briefed on what training dives I will be doing for the day and assist with setting up & cleaning up food and being a point of call to customers with anhy enquiries. I have my official Dive Asia T-shirt which I wear all day so I can be easily identified (because the social Aussie isn't enough ;) Its great having the opportunity to rack up a lot of time on the boat, getting to know the processes and proceedures as well as the boat boys and the Dive Masters/Insructors before I jumped in myself. There's a bit of horse play on the boat - usually play fighting Muay Thai with the boat boys - they are a pretty cheeky bunch, but make the day light and funny though there is no communication in english!
Also in the last few days I picked up my very own set of dive equipment! A very expenive but essential investment to launch me into my professional career. There were some teething problems and most of it needed to be exchanged. Fortunately, this was able to happen and was a big releif on my behalf. I was so kindly gifted with a set of diving booties and a pair of fins which saved me so much money that I was able to put this towards my dive computer which I was hesitating on. The decent models are between $450 - $1000+ so I was so fortunate to recieve this hand of kindness so that I could no longer hesitate in purchasing my watch (aka power rangers wrist band / captain planet ring). From the words of my favorite Aussie hip Hop band - Horrorshow - "I'm getting by with a little bit of kindness from stangers, under the sky scraper lights I wonder aiamless".
Now I have my equipment, the BCD I am still quite uncomfprtable with, and slightly regret not taking more time in exploring other options - particularly those which are simularly effective and half the price. But, what is done is done and I just have to think about the future of my career - listing my equipment on my CV and presenting myself as a self sufficient diver. Im sure these teething problems will work out over the next couple of weeks with more use and familiarity. The bonus is that it comes with a 2 year replacement warranty which gives me a strong piece of mind, apposed to getting something second hand or from a less superior brand. You could say I am set up as the Aqua Lung embassador considering everything I got from them - mostly on part to their crazy charasmatic Canadian sales man! i still have a lot of accessories to get, i thought i could shop around but I think i should just suck it up and get the last of everything and know that I am completely set!
There is very little money in diving (particuraly in comparison to the job I left) however I was willing to put my money where my mouth is and explore that 'happiness and lifestyle is more important than money and possessions". I have very little to get by, but a very supportive family tro call upon should I get in trouble. I am so lucky to have such supportive parents who are always there for me to call upon when I am in trouble and need, they always know that I am a woman of my word and always return the favor when I am in a position to do so. Perhaps I should touch a little more on my parents as they are a big part of why I am here - particularly my mum - "Marce!"A woman who was not so indifferent to me growing up. She travelled the world and has always wanted this for me. Some people come from backgrounds where their parents may have had their futures set out for them, in particular careers or study. I am so lucky that my parents have never pushed me into anything I didnt want to do (expect high school, but you cant really get out of that one - despite my non conformist definaces). They have wanted me to travel and explore the world. Experience life to the fullest while I am young, before the time comes when I may settle down and start my own family. Because of this, they have provided me with lots of support to getting me here and there is no doubt without them, I would not be here. They are my rocks. Thank you mum and dad, I owe my life to you. Literally.
The evening before last, I had the pleasure of being an attendee at my first professional meeting put on by PADI. It was hosted by Tim Hunt and Andy Auer. After the presentation, we had a couple of beers and got to chat about of lives and our jounryes in diving. This is such a common and interesing conversation with everyone you come across. Rather than the stanadrad" what do you do" "oh your a spary...okay"... Its, where are you from? how many languages do you speak? how long have you been diving? what is your story of how you chnaged your life to persue it? where is the most amazing place you travelled? what is your favorite dive story"... its such an amazing job, the things you do, and the people you come across. I had such a great evening getting to spend time chatting with and getting to know Tim and Andy a little more. I look forward to where my future will be from here - and how they will be a part of shaping it.
Today I had a day off the boat - the first time I think since I got here that I don't have sea legs! But, now i have dead legs! I knocked out some of my stamina testing.. I had to do a tired diver tow where I pulled Scott by his air tank with all of our euipment on for 100m in the pool. I then had to swim 400m with no euipment on, and then 800 with fin, snorkel and goggles... I was shot by the end! Luckily some of the old swimmer Kassie was still in me and I passed with flying colours. After this we went to Kata Beach and did a beach dive. The second day I have been home at 5pm, before the sun has gone down - such a delight to have an afternoon to chill out.
Something that is so special that I greatly apreciate in what I am doing, is that even in days that are difficult, I still see wonders that make reassure me of what I am doing. The oher day when I first tried my equipment out - it all fitted wrong and gave me pain & discomfort. We did 3 dives and I wasn't having a good day. I was stressed and upset about some news from home and I was not myself. On the very last minute of my third dive for the day.. I was slowly ascending to the surface when I saw a wonder which I had never seen before. It was like a transluscent ribbon, with neon coloured lights running around it. It was absolutely stunning and took my breath away (metaphorically of course! When diving - you breath continuoulsy and never hold your breath!!) I showed it to my buddy diver - Paul from the UK and he was so amazed. When I got hom that night, I googled my little heart out and I found what it was! Its called a 'ctenophora' (venus girdle) and was described as the 'jewel of the ocean'. Just magical. The next day Pual was diving again and I ran up to him and told him what it was - I showed him photos and a video I found on the internet and he was so amazed. He was so thankful for the effort i had gone to and to share it with him. An experience that only he and I had shared. I think i'm going to be a great mermaid!
I will be departing here in 16 days to head to the Maldives. I have a very assertive instructor who has had much experience in the Maldives and is adequately preparing me to be in the best possible position when I get over there. I have not only much to learn, but a lot to retain over this time before I put it all into practice in my internship.
Unfortunately, despite my bets efforts to avoid soft drinks, junk food and the like - I have somhow been.... growing haha, damn rice and noodles - cant't avoid that stuff here! ... I hope the extra lifting as a Dive Master this will shart to shed away and I look forward to being on a island far away, where I intend on doing plenty of excercise (famous last words!)
As for now, the boys have just set up a make shift bbq and have headed to the shop to buy some chicken and beer and we are going to have a celebration tonight at home. Scott is now a Dive Master, Dima's birthday is tomorrow and leaves the following day, Dom arrives in the next hour and.... well, even if not for all of that - we would probably do it anyway!
See the best of each situation, even in the worst, try to see a positive - if nothing else, it is a lesson that you have learned, to avoid repeating in the future. It may be costly, it may be painful. But know that you did all that you could do, despite your best efforts sometimes, things out of your control go wrong and are pushed upon you. So long as you know that you are the best person that you can be, and that the more you give, the more you recieve. Things will bring you down. Even when you seem to be prevailing above previous defeats, you will still be challenged. Dont worry. Be happy.
Things that multiply once shared - smiles, love, laughter, kindness, peace & happiness. Get your multiply on.
Love and peace,
Kassie
Sunday, 23 February 2014
Saturday, 15 February 2014
the drop off !
It’s been 8 days in Thailand, though it feels like I have been here for a month. The days are long and begin to all mesh into one; though filled with such fun and happiness, you never want it to end.
The days are hot and humid, with a nice breeze in the afternoon. The sunsets are forever memorable and the sleeps are deep and soothing.
I have been out for five days on the boat in the last week. Wee have been to dive sites at Racha Yai, Koh Bida Noc, Koh Doc Mai and Shark Point to name a few.
A standard day entails meeting up at the dive shop (which is a small walk up the driveway) at 8.30am, where we load the cars with people and equipment, and head to Chalong Bay. Once there, the cars drive us right down to the end of the pier where we get on the Dive Asia II. All the equipment is loaded and we all sit up on the top deck there the staff instructor briefs on the trip. We then have mandarines, bananas and bread rolls for breakfast. I always go for the chicken cucumber, tomato and lettuce - but i’m partial to a crossaint with tomato cheese lettuce and cucmber too! I’m sure it’s no suprise that after the first day it was made known that I love to eat! We then head to the bottom deck and set up our equipment and then have some free time to start mingling.
As the head towards our first dive stop, we get together in our dive teams and organize our dive plan - I’m always most interested for the ‘what we might see there’ part and without asking, everyone already knows to alert me if it’s likely we will see turtles - they know me so well already! 15 minutes before we drop in, we head down to the bottom deck and suit up. Final checks are done and off we go for an adventure under the sea!
We descend slowly until we reach our first point, give the okays and continue on. I have swam with a hawksbill turtle, black tip reef sharks, leopard sharks, saw a bamboo shark, moray eels, white eyed eels, jellyfish, clown fish, barracuda’s, snapper's and an abundance of small reef fish. The scenery is laden with hard and soft corals in many colours, sand, rocks, and some times a random shoe! The feeling of serenity when diving is like nothing I have experienced. It is soothing, calming and absolutely awe inspiring. It’s incredible the majority of people that you speak with, dived once or twice and then quit their jobs, left their country and everything in between to peruse a life as a scuba diver.
After we dive, we surface and swim to the boat where we enjoy a buffet lunch. It usually consists of a curry, a stir fry, dim sims or chicken wigs, something western and a delicious salad. We wait about 1 hr 30 mins - 1 hr 45 mins before our next dive to give our body’s enough time to recover before we dive again. Again, we have an experience so different to the previous which we never want to leave.
For the most part of each dive, I have Finding Nemo quotes running through my head - all appropriate to my experiences! "The drop off!", "Hi, my names Dory, I can't say I have ever eaten a fish before", "Jellies!", "anen en an an en anemone", "thbubbles!thbubbles!thbubbles!thebubbles! my bubbles." I always give a wave to Nemo (clown fish) and give a head nod to Gill (Moorish Idol) as I see them every dive.
Between this dive and our last, we have fruit platter and plenty more time for mingling. Each day on the boat, you meet people from all corners of the earth, with different reasons for being there and stories to tell. They impart dive experiences and fun facts and information which is completely expanding my understanding of not only this world below us, but also around us.
By the third time there is a little fatigue and it is usually the most cruisy. We average a bottom time of about 45 minutes each dive. When we come up from our third dive, we pack everything up and head up stairs for dinner. Again, similar to lunch but different every day. I always where possible, sit outside on the deck to eat my dinner and watch the sunset, and fading islands as we come in to dock.
I arrive back to my room at around 7pm, where I can sometimes make it to the shower and change before I have a friend calling me through my front door to go out! Sometimes, a friend will just arrive and say “no time for make up, no time for shower, we go out” or “tonight we go for a BBQ in the jungle, we go in 2 hours”. 90% of the time I have no idea where we are headed, but I get in on that! For the nights we stay in, I have great stretch of neighbors in the long house which I stay - A couple from Iran, me, a Russain girl, a Japanese man, a guy from the USA, an instructor from Iran and a holiday maker from Kazakhstan. I hang with the boys (standard) and we stay up late in fits of laughter - all trying to communicate in broken english making random conversations and listening to music over a couple of beers. We do terrible magic tricks, pranks on each other, and cry in fits of laughter over personal jokes. I laugh non stop with Dima regardless, such a character, he sounds so much like Borat, just hearing him speak makes me giggle.
I am now known as the flower girl to the neighbors as once night after a couple of tallies, I decided to pick some of the purple bougainvillea and decorate a couple of their motorbikes - hehe. I decorated the Japanese man’s bike basket in flowers, and Dima’s (K/stan) with palm leaves and pink flowers. They love them so much, they keep them on as they ride around all day and the japanese man waters his every night!
In return, I have been gifted with beautiful flower arrangements, bags of fruit, some honey “from the north” and some seaweed rice crackers! We share special friendships and maintain a give/take relationship, I will do something kind for them, and in return they kindly do favors for me like - laundry/trips to the shop/beers and food. We give in full circle - how it should be. Give generously, and accept kindly.
This coming week I will be investing the big bucks in my professional diving kit - i was slightly hesitant at first, but now that I have seen some of the stuff, I can’t wait to put an order in and roll in my own gear! Fully sick pro! The most exciting is a dive watch! Personally, I think of it more like a power rangers wrist cuff, or a captain planet ring!
On evenings where we head out for dinner or a drink, we watch the sunset if not already set, look out over the water from the jungle/mountains talk and laugh and I ride home on the back of a motorbike with the wind in my hair. I try to close my eyes for a moment and just take it all in. This is my life, and I am living it exactly how I want to. I couldn’t have even imaged the dream that I am living. As a friend said to me the other night, people dream to have a weekend like what we experience every day, and night.
Between these good times, I spend time reading textbooks and attempting to memorize the endless stretches of dive knowledge.
Taking a leap of faith, has put me in some wonderful directions, and this is one of them.
All credit to the worst times in my life, the self help books, the soul searching and the spiritual path, all to which have been crucial in moulding me into pursuing the best time of my life. Every event is a stepping stone along your path, happy or sad - it is thinking that makes it so.
Everything is possible. There is no light without darkness in this world of duality, but to which you give your thoughts and energy, is the light/darkness in to which you will live.
Give sad or bad times credit, pat attention to negative thoughts or anger. Let it sit with you. But then, let it go. Choose light and happiness and pursue your dreams.
Dream big, live big.
Love Kassie xx
Friday, 7 February 2014
fight on...
It was a reasonable flight from Gold Coast to Phuket. After arriving, it was over a 1 hour wait in immigration to pass through, and by that stage my nanna bladder had enough, and I could have just ran through those officers to get to the toilet on the other side!
It was arranged that I would have a driver waiting for me, name on card, pearly white smile (well that's what i imagined) ready to drive me to the dive centre. After passing through customs (Thai man sitting on conveyer belt waving me throgh) there were half a dozen people with signs coming up to me, to indicate if it was me they were waiting for....it wasn't... after waiting for a few moments, I stepped outside - perhaps he was there... nope... I went to go back inside for another check, but an officer denied me re-entry to the airport. Not only did I want to check inside again, but soon as I crossed that door line, the free airport wifi switched off.
I waited, and I waited... until I decided to e-mail Andy ... then i remebered he sent me his number incase i needed to call. Lucky i didnt use my phone battery playing candy crush and I had enough aussie credit on the phone to make contact. I spoke with Andy and after a couple of calls it was concluded that the centre made a mistake. I needed to get a taxi to the centre on my own... I had no thai baht so I was coached on where to go for a metered taxi where I did not have to pay upfront, and then after calls from Andy between myself and taxi driver... I arrived at the detsination after a little over an hour.
After working in travel insurance for a few years, you only tend see the bad things and some of them came to memory... did the driver leave my laptop bag behind accidently on purpose? Calm your farm Kassie.
It was a releif when we arrived after a couple of wrong turns and premature street arrival, that I had his beaming smile, and open arms to greet me. Andy then put me in the care of another instructor as he had further commitments for the day. I was briefly shown around and then found my room where I could potter for a couple of hours before meeting a few of the guys for lunch.
When I hit my room, I went to unpack my suitcase... body wash had exploded and went all over one quarter of my bag - great... I cleaned it, and then continued to unpack... but my clothes smelt very frgrant, too fragrant... as I went on... my conditioner had exploded in another quarter of my bag. awesome. much worse than the first. As I continued to unpack I realised how much crap I had shoved in there and how much practical stuff I left out which would mean unnecessary expenses for me.
I was tired, I was hungry, I was in a country I didnt know. I was really distressed. I was completely second guessing myself and I was really down. After having a cold shower which I didnt know how to work, rearranging the furniture a couple of times and changing my clothes a dozen... i braved it to meet the guys for lunch. Up I went.... the table was set.... for everyone.... but me.... how embarassing. By the time I ordered myself something, they had finished eating before I had started. They spoke in their thick accents and I could hardly understand a word; competely disabling me from joining the conversation. I was invited to get in the water with a snorkel as they were doing some IDC prac in the pool after lunch.
By this point I was hardly consolable. I was weak, vulnerable and felt like a fool. A far cry from the dream expectation that I and many otehrs had. I got ready, and hopped in the pool with the guys... instantly, I felt some relief. Water soothes me like little other, and I have always had a connection with it. In observing the guys display their skills, I realised, they weren't perfect. In fact, watching them, made me feel more confident in what little skills I had. After the pool, I went back to my room and I concisouly tried to change my thoughts. It was painful and I was reluctant. I told myself, new people are good for a number of reasons, perhaps I will discover new music, perhaps ones with common interests and those who could teach me about phuket to make me more confortable. Later that afternoon I met with my CD (course director) and he was taking me to exchange some money, drive around Kata and get my a sim card. After a drive, we hit Central Festival - A large shopping centre in Phuket - things started to feel a little better. As we started ticking off some of the things we needed to do, we chatted a lot and I realised how much we had in common - upheaving our lives from another country to follow a dream, for one. We learnt a little about each others history and what I could expect from diving and Thailand and I was starting to feel much more comfortable.
We hit a grocery store and that pretty much fixed everything! Orgnic fruit & vege, cheese, cured meats... all the neccessities I need in my life! As I gesture of gratitude for the time he took away from his family to help me that evening, we had some dinner. Four cheese pizza! If anything was going to really turn my day around, it was four cheese pizza! On the way back to the centre/my apartment we discussed music, and found some more common ground, even introduced me to some new artists. It was such a releif that I no longer felt so alientated from everyone else. Maybe I was in shock and completely over reacted.
On contemplation back in my room, I was in a whirl-wind. The emotional roller coaster did not stop when I got on the plane, nor do I think it has stopped yet. But the difference 12 hours could make... incredible. In a matter of hours, I felt a little more comfortable with my career change, confidence in myself, a little more knowledge of Phuket, and a introduction to some new artists! After staying up for another hour or so chatting with a couple of loved ones who were so concerned of my state of mind a few hours earlier, I felt much better, a far cry from how I felt that morning.
Today, I had my first classroom experience, I had a refresher on some dive theory, a small written test and then after lunch - the pool. I did my first confined dive in 2.5 years and I was so proud of myself for the skills i was able to display underwater. We were in the water for about 3 hours or so? and once I got out, packed up my dive gear for the boat tomorrow!
Since then, I have found myself in my room, chatting with loved ones from home and just taking a break. I have some study and homework to complete by 8.30am tomorrow morning which I would like to get out of the way, shower and then perhaps meet a couple of the guys for dinner (and a beer - oh please a beer - i havent had one yet!) and a relaxing evening.
Tomorrow morning I will do my first open water dive and we have two planned. I have no doubt, that once I hit that open water, see the underwater life, and experience some of the best dive spots in the world... that everything will all just melt away....
This next week is packed with theory & prac for emergency first response & rescue diving. The following week is all diving - in fact, I have to get about 22+ dives in that week alone. Full on!
Then I begin my Dive Master course - this is the most intense and important of all others so its going to require 100% in order to adequately prepare me for the IDC in the Maldives!
Change is scary, especially big ones. It doesnt mean give up and go back to your comfort zone. Stick it out and it gets easier. Not only does it get easier, but it may just turn out to be the best thing you ever did!
Fight on xx
Kass
It was arranged that I would have a driver waiting for me, name on card, pearly white smile (well that's what i imagined) ready to drive me to the dive centre. After passing through customs (Thai man sitting on conveyer belt waving me throgh) there were half a dozen people with signs coming up to me, to indicate if it was me they were waiting for....it wasn't... after waiting for a few moments, I stepped outside - perhaps he was there... nope... I went to go back inside for another check, but an officer denied me re-entry to the airport. Not only did I want to check inside again, but soon as I crossed that door line, the free airport wifi switched off.
I waited, and I waited... until I decided to e-mail Andy ... then i remebered he sent me his number incase i needed to call. Lucky i didnt use my phone battery playing candy crush and I had enough aussie credit on the phone to make contact. I spoke with Andy and after a couple of calls it was concluded that the centre made a mistake. I needed to get a taxi to the centre on my own... I had no thai baht so I was coached on where to go for a metered taxi where I did not have to pay upfront, and then after calls from Andy between myself and taxi driver... I arrived at the detsination after a little over an hour.
After working in travel insurance for a few years, you only tend see the bad things and some of them came to memory... did the driver leave my laptop bag behind accidently on purpose? Calm your farm Kassie.
It was a releif when we arrived after a couple of wrong turns and premature street arrival, that I had his beaming smile, and open arms to greet me. Andy then put me in the care of another instructor as he had further commitments for the day. I was briefly shown around and then found my room where I could potter for a couple of hours before meeting a few of the guys for lunch.
When I hit my room, I went to unpack my suitcase... body wash had exploded and went all over one quarter of my bag - great... I cleaned it, and then continued to unpack... but my clothes smelt very frgrant, too fragrant... as I went on... my conditioner had exploded in another quarter of my bag. awesome. much worse than the first. As I continued to unpack I realised how much crap I had shoved in there and how much practical stuff I left out which would mean unnecessary expenses for me.
I was tired, I was hungry, I was in a country I didnt know. I was really distressed. I was completely second guessing myself and I was really down. After having a cold shower which I didnt know how to work, rearranging the furniture a couple of times and changing my clothes a dozen... i braved it to meet the guys for lunch. Up I went.... the table was set.... for everyone.... but me.... how embarassing. By the time I ordered myself something, they had finished eating before I had started. They spoke in their thick accents and I could hardly understand a word; competely disabling me from joining the conversation. I was invited to get in the water with a snorkel as they were doing some IDC prac in the pool after lunch.
By this point I was hardly consolable. I was weak, vulnerable and felt like a fool. A far cry from the dream expectation that I and many otehrs had. I got ready, and hopped in the pool with the guys... instantly, I felt some relief. Water soothes me like little other, and I have always had a connection with it. In observing the guys display their skills, I realised, they weren't perfect. In fact, watching them, made me feel more confident in what little skills I had. After the pool, I went back to my room and I concisouly tried to change my thoughts. It was painful and I was reluctant. I told myself, new people are good for a number of reasons, perhaps I will discover new music, perhaps ones with common interests and those who could teach me about phuket to make me more confortable. Later that afternoon I met with my CD (course director) and he was taking me to exchange some money, drive around Kata and get my a sim card. After a drive, we hit Central Festival - A large shopping centre in Phuket - things started to feel a little better. As we started ticking off some of the things we needed to do, we chatted a lot and I realised how much we had in common - upheaving our lives from another country to follow a dream, for one. We learnt a little about each others history and what I could expect from diving and Thailand and I was starting to feel much more comfortable.
We hit a grocery store and that pretty much fixed everything! Orgnic fruit & vege, cheese, cured meats... all the neccessities I need in my life! As I gesture of gratitude for the time he took away from his family to help me that evening, we had some dinner. Four cheese pizza! If anything was going to really turn my day around, it was four cheese pizza! On the way back to the centre/my apartment we discussed music, and found some more common ground, even introduced me to some new artists. It was such a releif that I no longer felt so alientated from everyone else. Maybe I was in shock and completely over reacted.
On contemplation back in my room, I was in a whirl-wind. The emotional roller coaster did not stop when I got on the plane, nor do I think it has stopped yet. But the difference 12 hours could make... incredible. In a matter of hours, I felt a little more comfortable with my career change, confidence in myself, a little more knowledge of Phuket, and a introduction to some new artists! After staying up for another hour or so chatting with a couple of loved ones who were so concerned of my state of mind a few hours earlier, I felt much better, a far cry from how I felt that morning.
Today, I had my first classroom experience, I had a refresher on some dive theory, a small written test and then after lunch - the pool. I did my first confined dive in 2.5 years and I was so proud of myself for the skills i was able to display underwater. We were in the water for about 3 hours or so? and once I got out, packed up my dive gear for the boat tomorrow!
Since then, I have found myself in my room, chatting with loved ones from home and just taking a break. I have some study and homework to complete by 8.30am tomorrow morning which I would like to get out of the way, shower and then perhaps meet a couple of the guys for dinner (and a beer - oh please a beer - i havent had one yet!) and a relaxing evening.
Tomorrow morning I will do my first open water dive and we have two planned. I have no doubt, that once I hit that open water, see the underwater life, and experience some of the best dive spots in the world... that everything will all just melt away....
This next week is packed with theory & prac for emergency first response & rescue diving. The following week is all diving - in fact, I have to get about 22+ dives in that week alone. Full on!
Then I begin my Dive Master course - this is the most intense and important of all others so its going to require 100% in order to adequately prepare me for the IDC in the Maldives!
Change is scary, especially big ones. It doesnt mean give up and go back to your comfort zone. Stick it out and it gets easier. Not only does it get easier, but it may just turn out to be the best thing you ever did!
Fight on xx
Kass
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
it starts with a dream....
After what has felt like months of a fantasy life, the day has arrived. In a matter of hours, I will be embarking up not only upon a flight, but a journey into the unknown.
In early September it began. I had a very private, yet life altering event occur, which made me questions everything I was doing, and realise how quickly everything could be taken away. I promised myself that if I could get through it, I would travel. At this time, I was in a job which I had worked towards for some 9 years. I had worked in the insurance industry, across a range of specialist roles, and it brought me to what I felt was the top of the crop. In that role, it had been sold to me by the agency as a sure thing and that I would have a permanent position within 2-3 months, by Septemeber, it had been at least 6...
Over the space of a couple of weeks, I was considering upgrading my car, moving into a new place, planning a holiday and preparing for a future.. that I had been sold to me as being absolute. I was in talks with my manager, though all decisions were being made by 'the board' and no indications could be made as to when my position would be secure. My contract was being renewed every couple of weeks and I couldnt even have the income security of buying a 6 months vehicle registration certificate, let alone a gym membership. My manager so kindly said "If the business isn't going to look after you, you need to look after you; you must put yourself first, and do what's right for you".
Walking back from my lunch break, it dawned on me. This isn't what I wanted for myself! What happened? How did I get sucked back into 'the system' without even realizing? 18 months earlier I had returned from a life changing trip to Italy (two, actually). My intentions when I returned - was to finalise all commitments I had at the time, pay off my debts, get back on my feet, save enough money to travel the world and do so freely, with no ties.
The penny dropped. I laughed at myself for how I was so blinded by the every day monotomy of life, that I forgot my true intentions, my hopes and my dreams, all to satisfy the status quo.
That evening, I came home and I thought. I really thought. When I had the opportunity in Italy to disconnect from all comforts of home, and deeply delve into my soul, what were the things i wanted to do with my life? What did I really enjoy doing? Scuba diving! Amongst the dozens of achievements I hope to acomplish in my life, being a scuba instructor was one of them. Though I have only dived about a dozen of times, I had some very surreal moments which I will cherish forever. In realizing this, I recalled a conversation I had with an old friend many months earlier who spoke of a friend of hers doing an internship in Mexico - more hands on experience and much more cost effective.
I turned on my laptop to refer to my good friend GOOGLE and grabbed an old journal to start taking notes in comparing dive companies. As I flicked to the back of the journal, there was one light - it read "Scuba Diving - Koh Tao Thailand". Talk about a sign! It was a diary I wrote when I had my early life crisis at 25, quit my destructive job and realtionship and ran away for a couple of weeks in Bali. No doubt by this point, I was feeling like I was on the right track.
I looked at companies all around the world which offered internships, I refered to the PADI website on the ranking of centres and began to make enquiries. I made about half a dozen enquiries to which I had all quick responses back which all threw themselves at me to choose them. Enormous emails packed with information, but none really grabbed me. In my research, I noted one website which suggested that internships in Phuket were more highly regarded then in Koh Tao for a number of reasons. As I began to narrow my enquiries with companies in Phuket, very highly recognised by PADI, I found Dive Asia.
I began to read their website, read about the course directors and there I found the information on Andy Auer. It took me to a link to his website Project Dive which was clear, concise and even offered internship opportunities at the Four Seasons Resorts in The Maldives! This was singing at me.
I wrote myself a very specific, open and honest enquiry, expressing my interest in becoming a scuba instructor. In no time at all I had a response from Andy. It was not a long winded reply, hard selling his business, telling me how recognised he was or what his favorite fish was.... He politely thanked me for my enquiry and advised he would love to talk to me over the phone or skype to find out exactly what I would like in order to customize a program to me. I was blown away. How prompt his response was and how personal it was.
After a couple of days, I spoke with Andy, we discussed what I would like to do, and I expressed my willingness to change my life in order to follow my dream. Andy was willing to give me a shot, he said he would tailor a program for me, and also offered a place in his internship in the Maldives in March 2014. I had to really hold back from jumping out of my skin with excitment!
As life does, it then threw me a curve ball, the NEXT day at work, there was an indication that permenant positions would be available in a matter of weeks. When it rains, it pours! I asked for signs, I connected with the universe and asked for signs to show me - should I take the position at work, or should I follow my dream in being 'a scuba diving mermaid'. Overthe space of a couple of days, there was a window cleaning company parked outside of work called 'Mermaids window cleaning'. I acknowledged and thanked for the sign. That weekend in Burleigh, there was a mermaid barbie display in a shop window, at the markets, a giant sign that said Mermaid, watching Big Brother that night, two of the guys dressed in mermaid costumes... and the list goes on. I don't think the universe could have provided me with any more signs, other then a mermaid flipping out of the water and slapping me with her tail!
In only a couple of weeks, I had signed sealed and delivered my contract to complete my dive master qualification in Phuket, and follow on to the Maldives for a 12 week internship at the Four Seasons Resorts. The following day... I had been awarded a quiartly recognition award by work for my outstanding achievements. Talk was permenant positions were on the horizon and I should hold out hope. Life was really display a clear fork in the road and it was letting me know all about it.
I spoke with my manager who was such a kind mentour. Though she said her heart was breaking that she would be loosing me, she believes in following your dreams and that I should take this opportunity with both hands.
I had a momentary scare in late December when Andy requested to speak with me over skype. Instantly I htought the worse and that the internship would be cancelled. Andy advised he had wonderful news in that he had a new job. He quickly advised me that the internship in the Maldives is most likely going to be th last one! I scraped in by the skin of my teeth! Oh what a relief. In the thought of 'what if this was taken away' I was even more thankful for the opportunity I had and would excel beyond belief!
I finished work on 20 December 2013. Following then, I had a holidays in Kingscliffe, Byron for the Falls festival, Burleigh, Sydney and played the social butterfly role that I do so well. My weeks since then have been jammed packed with meaningful relationships - new, and old. I had some quality time with people that I love, and that I will remember forever, with tears in my eyes and love in my heart.
It all felt like normal to me. I lived my life everyday with a full heart and only concerntrated on the moments I was experiencing as they happened. I didnt think about what laid ahead, I only lived in the now. I loved every moment fully.
On the 1st of February, I had my mermaid and pirates farewell party! I had the most wonderful day I could have ever hoped for. Wonderful friends and family - very close nit only. We partied until 3am and were up at 7am the next day to have a recovery of swims, beers and food by the pool. Two days with the people that mean the most, it was heaven.
Monday morning came around next. I recieved a call from my doctor personally requesting that I come in that morning. I knew that my pap smear results were late and they must have arrived. She booked me in and a couple of moments later, her receptionist called. In confirming my appointment she said "are you coping okay". after confirming the appointment, I got off the phoen in shock at the comment she had made. "coping okay?" that was a far cry from "how are you". I started to get quite worried and had to wait a couple of hours before I would find out. Soon enough I had my appointment and my life was turned upside down.
In short, she told my that I had high grade pre cancerous cells. I was to cancel my trip and she wrote a referral to the hospital for urgent investigation and treatment. She told me that the next steps were a biopsy and an operation to burn of my uterus. She said June would be too late for me to have the biopsy and treatment (which I asked was possible after my trip) because it was so aggressive. I got home and burt into tears. the few loved ones I told - we were all beside ourselves in fear. I began to take steps to cancel my trip, and plan there where-to from here. The next few hours were an absolute whirl wind of emotion and distress......
A few hours later I recieved a call form the hospital from where they had recieved the urgent referral. She had a copy of my results in front of her and she told me to calm down. She advised that it was not definitive - is was POSSIBLE. She advised that they were abnormal, not pre-cancerous. She told me that the next step, is to have another pap smear done in 6 months time, and if the results are the same, thenthe next step is a biopsy to further investigate. She then asked to call me back so she could show my results to the specialist doctor, who had been in the field for 30 years and specialized in this particular area. she called me back right away and re-confirmed what she had told me plus a little more.
We all cried in releif. What the hell had just happened. In a space of about 4 hours our lives had been turned upside down, inside out and back again. I can't even begin to descriethe thoughts we had, the steps we had already to begin to take plus more. My father is ready to prepare a formal complaint to the medical board agains the doctor (GP) for providing so much incorrect advice on a subject to which she obviously held no speciality and caused so much anguish.
On reflection of the day, it was outstanding, the effect of an idea could have. How much destruction it could cause. Thoughts are so powerful. Best to use them for pure and positive thoughts only. I know when I change my thoughts, it changes my life. Sometimes I forget and I see lots of things 'going wrong', I make a concious decision to change them, to give thanks for what I have and what I am going to recieve; then I only see an abundance of things 'going right'.
In a positive light, I feel as though I have a new lease on life, and again, I am so thankful for the opportunity presented to me and I am going to make the most of it, and truely live it to the fullest.
Make the most of your health, your sound body, and mind. Respect it, listen to it, nurture it. You never know, in an instant it could be taken away.
This journey I am about to embark on, whilst in holiday locations, it is no holiday. I will be studying and working hard in a field I know little no nothing of. I intend to be kind to my body, hope that my brain regenerates enough brain cells to retain the knowledge I need, in order to do my job safely and effectively.
I, and many others hope that this works out as intended - to live what I believe to be the best job in the world. Travel to exotic locations, conserve underwater life, explore, be amazed and be happy. There is an abundance of opportunities out there for me, and i'm going to find out what they are.
Above all else, it must be noted that during the past 7 months, I met one of the most wonderful, caring and patient people I have ever met. I had the most fulflling, happy and enriching relationship in my life, and to that I am eternally thankful and I look forward to when we meet again.
Live life, give thanks, and release.
Love and Peace, Kassie
In early September it began. I had a very private, yet life altering event occur, which made me questions everything I was doing, and realise how quickly everything could be taken away. I promised myself that if I could get through it, I would travel. At this time, I was in a job which I had worked towards for some 9 years. I had worked in the insurance industry, across a range of specialist roles, and it brought me to what I felt was the top of the crop. In that role, it had been sold to me by the agency as a sure thing and that I would have a permanent position within 2-3 months, by Septemeber, it had been at least 6...
Over the space of a couple of weeks, I was considering upgrading my car, moving into a new place, planning a holiday and preparing for a future.. that I had been sold to me as being absolute. I was in talks with my manager, though all decisions were being made by 'the board' and no indications could be made as to when my position would be secure. My contract was being renewed every couple of weeks and I couldnt even have the income security of buying a 6 months vehicle registration certificate, let alone a gym membership. My manager so kindly said "If the business isn't going to look after you, you need to look after you; you must put yourself first, and do what's right for you".
Walking back from my lunch break, it dawned on me. This isn't what I wanted for myself! What happened? How did I get sucked back into 'the system' without even realizing? 18 months earlier I had returned from a life changing trip to Italy (two, actually). My intentions when I returned - was to finalise all commitments I had at the time, pay off my debts, get back on my feet, save enough money to travel the world and do so freely, with no ties.
The penny dropped. I laughed at myself for how I was so blinded by the every day monotomy of life, that I forgot my true intentions, my hopes and my dreams, all to satisfy the status quo.
That evening, I came home and I thought. I really thought. When I had the opportunity in Italy to disconnect from all comforts of home, and deeply delve into my soul, what were the things i wanted to do with my life? What did I really enjoy doing? Scuba diving! Amongst the dozens of achievements I hope to acomplish in my life, being a scuba instructor was one of them. Though I have only dived about a dozen of times, I had some very surreal moments which I will cherish forever. In realizing this, I recalled a conversation I had with an old friend many months earlier who spoke of a friend of hers doing an internship in Mexico - more hands on experience and much more cost effective.
I turned on my laptop to refer to my good friend GOOGLE and grabbed an old journal to start taking notes in comparing dive companies. As I flicked to the back of the journal, there was one light - it read "Scuba Diving - Koh Tao Thailand". Talk about a sign! It was a diary I wrote when I had my early life crisis at 25, quit my destructive job and realtionship and ran away for a couple of weeks in Bali. No doubt by this point, I was feeling like I was on the right track.
I looked at companies all around the world which offered internships, I refered to the PADI website on the ranking of centres and began to make enquiries. I made about half a dozen enquiries to which I had all quick responses back which all threw themselves at me to choose them. Enormous emails packed with information, but none really grabbed me. In my research, I noted one website which suggested that internships in Phuket were more highly regarded then in Koh Tao for a number of reasons. As I began to narrow my enquiries with companies in Phuket, very highly recognised by PADI, I found Dive Asia.
I began to read their website, read about the course directors and there I found the information on Andy Auer. It took me to a link to his website Project Dive which was clear, concise and even offered internship opportunities at the Four Seasons Resorts in The Maldives! This was singing at me.
I wrote myself a very specific, open and honest enquiry, expressing my interest in becoming a scuba instructor. In no time at all I had a response from Andy. It was not a long winded reply, hard selling his business, telling me how recognised he was or what his favorite fish was.... He politely thanked me for my enquiry and advised he would love to talk to me over the phone or skype to find out exactly what I would like in order to customize a program to me. I was blown away. How prompt his response was and how personal it was.
After a couple of days, I spoke with Andy, we discussed what I would like to do, and I expressed my willingness to change my life in order to follow my dream. Andy was willing to give me a shot, he said he would tailor a program for me, and also offered a place in his internship in the Maldives in March 2014. I had to really hold back from jumping out of my skin with excitment!
As life does, it then threw me a curve ball, the NEXT day at work, there was an indication that permenant positions would be available in a matter of weeks. When it rains, it pours! I asked for signs, I connected with the universe and asked for signs to show me - should I take the position at work, or should I follow my dream in being 'a scuba diving mermaid'. Overthe space of a couple of days, there was a window cleaning company parked outside of work called 'Mermaids window cleaning'. I acknowledged and thanked for the sign. That weekend in Burleigh, there was a mermaid barbie display in a shop window, at the markets, a giant sign that said Mermaid, watching Big Brother that night, two of the guys dressed in mermaid costumes... and the list goes on. I don't think the universe could have provided me with any more signs, other then a mermaid flipping out of the water and slapping me with her tail!
In only a couple of weeks, I had signed sealed and delivered my contract to complete my dive master qualification in Phuket, and follow on to the Maldives for a 12 week internship at the Four Seasons Resorts. The following day... I had been awarded a quiartly recognition award by work for my outstanding achievements. Talk was permenant positions were on the horizon and I should hold out hope. Life was really display a clear fork in the road and it was letting me know all about it.
I spoke with my manager who was such a kind mentour. Though she said her heart was breaking that she would be loosing me, she believes in following your dreams and that I should take this opportunity with both hands.
I had a momentary scare in late December when Andy requested to speak with me over skype. Instantly I htought the worse and that the internship would be cancelled. Andy advised he had wonderful news in that he had a new job. He quickly advised me that the internship in the Maldives is most likely going to be th last one! I scraped in by the skin of my teeth! Oh what a relief. In the thought of 'what if this was taken away' I was even more thankful for the opportunity I had and would excel beyond belief!
I finished work on 20 December 2013. Following then, I had a holidays in Kingscliffe, Byron for the Falls festival, Burleigh, Sydney and played the social butterfly role that I do so well. My weeks since then have been jammed packed with meaningful relationships - new, and old. I had some quality time with people that I love, and that I will remember forever, with tears in my eyes and love in my heart.
It all felt like normal to me. I lived my life everyday with a full heart and only concerntrated on the moments I was experiencing as they happened. I didnt think about what laid ahead, I only lived in the now. I loved every moment fully.
On the 1st of February, I had my mermaid and pirates farewell party! I had the most wonderful day I could have ever hoped for. Wonderful friends and family - very close nit only. We partied until 3am and were up at 7am the next day to have a recovery of swims, beers and food by the pool. Two days with the people that mean the most, it was heaven.
Monday morning came around next. I recieved a call from my doctor personally requesting that I come in that morning. I knew that my pap smear results were late and they must have arrived. She booked me in and a couple of moments later, her receptionist called. In confirming my appointment she said "are you coping okay". after confirming the appointment, I got off the phoen in shock at the comment she had made. "coping okay?" that was a far cry from "how are you". I started to get quite worried and had to wait a couple of hours before I would find out. Soon enough I had my appointment and my life was turned upside down.
In short, she told my that I had high grade pre cancerous cells. I was to cancel my trip and she wrote a referral to the hospital for urgent investigation and treatment. She told me that the next steps were a biopsy and an operation to burn of my uterus. She said June would be too late for me to have the biopsy and treatment (which I asked was possible after my trip) because it was so aggressive. I got home and burt into tears. the few loved ones I told - we were all beside ourselves in fear. I began to take steps to cancel my trip, and plan there where-to from here. The next few hours were an absolute whirl wind of emotion and distress......
A few hours later I recieved a call form the hospital from where they had recieved the urgent referral. She had a copy of my results in front of her and she told me to calm down. She advised that it was not definitive - is was POSSIBLE. She advised that they were abnormal, not pre-cancerous. She told me that the next step, is to have another pap smear done in 6 months time, and if the results are the same, thenthe next step is a biopsy to further investigate. She then asked to call me back so she could show my results to the specialist doctor, who had been in the field for 30 years and specialized in this particular area. she called me back right away and re-confirmed what she had told me plus a little more.
We all cried in releif. What the hell had just happened. In a space of about 4 hours our lives had been turned upside down, inside out and back again. I can't even begin to descriethe thoughts we had, the steps we had already to begin to take plus more. My father is ready to prepare a formal complaint to the medical board agains the doctor (GP) for providing so much incorrect advice on a subject to which she obviously held no speciality and caused so much anguish.
On reflection of the day, it was outstanding, the effect of an idea could have. How much destruction it could cause. Thoughts are so powerful. Best to use them for pure and positive thoughts only. I know when I change my thoughts, it changes my life. Sometimes I forget and I see lots of things 'going wrong', I make a concious decision to change them, to give thanks for what I have and what I am going to recieve; then I only see an abundance of things 'going right'.
In a positive light, I feel as though I have a new lease on life, and again, I am so thankful for the opportunity presented to me and I am going to make the most of it, and truely live it to the fullest.
Make the most of your health, your sound body, and mind. Respect it, listen to it, nurture it. You never know, in an instant it could be taken away.
This journey I am about to embark on, whilst in holiday locations, it is no holiday. I will be studying and working hard in a field I know little no nothing of. I intend to be kind to my body, hope that my brain regenerates enough brain cells to retain the knowledge I need, in order to do my job safely and effectively.
I, and many others hope that this works out as intended - to live what I believe to be the best job in the world. Travel to exotic locations, conserve underwater life, explore, be amazed and be happy. There is an abundance of opportunities out there for me, and i'm going to find out what they are.
Above all else, it must be noted that during the past 7 months, I met one of the most wonderful, caring and patient people I have ever met. I had the most fulflling, happy and enriching relationship in my life, and to that I am eternally thankful and I look forward to when we meet again.
Live life, give thanks, and release.
Love and Peace, Kassie
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