the magestical manta

Holy moly, these weeks are just flying by! The past 7 days have by sure been the fastest so far. When I sit down and reflect on the week that has been, there are definitely some very memorable moments. Between the early starts of cleaning the centre, preparing guest boxes and dive equipment, changing in and out of wetsuits and uniforms in 32 degree heat and high humidity, long hours of skills and theory exams... there has been some times of reprieve. I really enjoy hanging with the boat crew who I am starting to get to know. They are all locals and as usual there is always a bit of cheek. They distract me with hot chococlate and when I go to get up - they have tied my wetsuit strap to the pole and I get pulled backwards! They are often up to some trickery which is always fun, i think that means they like me!

I am loving finally starting to feel on top of the daily schedule's, the running of the centre and somehow having order and routine in a constantly changing environment, it keeps you on your toes. I am now averaging marks of 18/20 (often 19 or 20 out of 20) in my practice exams. When I first arrived, I was hardly able to even answer most of the questions, and after 3 weeks, I have improved dramatically, from nothing more than repetition, discussing concepts with my fellow interns and from hands on experience. The relief that is felt from being comfortable and confident with the knowledge I have learnt is really something.

On Wednesday I had a day off which is always highly anticipated. I enjoyed spending the morning in my room, skyping with loved ones, pottering around, cleaning and tidying (if you did not already know, pottering is one of my most favorite things to do - for someone who only a few years ago dreaded having time to themselves and despised their own company - to now, basking in it..). It's funny, I realised that on my lunch break, I look forward to hanging out in my room in the airconditioning - at not at all feeling guilty for it. Considering I spend over 8 hours a day outside in the sun and water. The opposite to when I worked in airconditioning for 8 hous a day and on my lunch break I wanted to get outside! At lunch I was with a colleague who suggested that I join on the sunset fishing cruise at 6pm if there was room. She made an enquiry and it was agreed that we would meet in  few hours and go on the fishing cruise. Until then, I enjoyed spending some hours on the staff beach, sun-baking and reading the encyclopedia of diving and having a swim. When I went for a swim, there is a ‘hole’ a short swim from the shore - where the ocean appears to be pale blue and then there is a circle where it is deep blue - the depth is much more than that which surrounds it. I was daring and swam out to where it drops out, took a deep breath and did a skin dive down a few meters. It was a thrilling experience though once i did it once or twice, I was quite comfortable to head back on to the shore!

At 6pm we went for the fishing sunset cruise. It was like a giant gondola type boat and the entire top deck was surrounded in mattresses and pillows where you could lay back and relax. Definitely a great way to spend a day off, if only for a couple of hours. We then went back down to the bottom deck where we had hand reels and bait waiting for us. We threw the line in and before long, people were puling in fish from every corner of the boat! I caught two tiny little guys which I did a Rex Hunt on (“catchin’ em kissin’ em throwing them back”). It was a little strange and didn't feel quite right, being an advocate for underwater life and then going fishing... something that I am feeling much more deeply about each day, and though i do come form a fishing family and I do enjoy the experience - I prefer to send them back home once they are caught to know they will be around tomorrow when I go to visit them in their home under the sea.

During the week we had the pleasure of inviting a new member to the team. Little Coco. Coco is a 6 month old green turtle and she is the first to experience the newly build tanks so that we can rehabilitate more turtles. She is an absolute cutie and is a favorite to all. She is quite playful and has a gorgeous personality. Every day I stop by her tank and say hello and have a little chat with her. Yesterday I was lucky to be there at the time the guys were feeding her, so I fed her some dinner and also helped them to feed one of the older Olive Ridley turtles who is blind and was having some difficulty feeding. It was great to be able to do that.

On Thursday I was able to pick up a promotional T-shirt from HR. They are for the Baa Atoll which is where our resort resides. The pick of colours were bright blue, pink or green (and black, but boring). Im sure it takes not a second thought at all that I went straight for the bright green, and when I say bright its almost fluro lime! I just love it!

On friday, it is Fisherman night at the resort which is the most popular buffet dinners available here. I was discussing this with one of my pals here and because we get a discounted rate on food, he suggested that we get a few of us together and go there for a meal one Friday before we leave. It is still a very expensive meal (for me), but considering it might be one of perhaps two while I am here, I can lash out! I look forward to this very much - lobster, prawns, oysters & mussels, fish and sushi to name hardly a few, and then the desserts!! I am really forward to this now that I think about it! I have seen some photos of the buffet table and I am going to make it mine! In the meantime, we stake out in the staff cafe until 11pm when the left over food comes in for those who are awake to enjoy it. There was a small amount of sushi, mussels and prawns and I also enjoyed some lemon honey chicken and dessert! It was well worth staying up that late to enjoy - such a treat.

On Saturday we had a morning of going through some dive theory and then we jumped in the house reef and practiced some rescue skills and dive skills. We breaked for lunch, came back and spent another 2 hours in the water practicing our skills. It really takes it out of you. It was a strange day ad because I was using my full wetsuit - when usually i would just wear board shorts, my buoyancy was off and so I was having difficulty figuring our how much lead weight to use - as I need to practice this most importantly because this is what I will be wearing when I am being assessed, so I need to get it right. I was uncomfortable and irritable and feeling grumpy. Nothing significant happened though it was just a build up of lots of little things and I was drained to the eyeballs. Just one of those days. I spent the evening doing washing and ironing and had an early night to bed. I woke up the next day feeling still a little ho-hum, however before getting out of bed I made a conscious decision on giving thanks for all that I had and that I would have a wonderful day full of gifts and miracles.

While on this point, I will let you in on my secret. I have a mantra which I say, and it just so happens that since I began saying and believing in this mantra, it fulfilled my life. Perhaps you have your own, perhaps you do not. But I will tell you mine, because it works for me. Create your own, or use mine, and see if this helps you as it has me.

“I accept good graciously into my life. All of my needs are met abundantly for me now and always.” 

I said this deeply with conviction before getting out of bed. As I began to rise I looked at my camera, I thought hmm maybe I should take my camera today. Then I second guessed myself (which I still do to often) and did not bring it with me. I got to the dive centre and I set up the guest boxes and prepared all the equipment on the boat. We left to go on our first dive site.. On the way one of the boat crew spotted some dolphins, the boat slowed down and we saw half a dozen or more dolphins swimming near the boat, it was just beautiful. Before hand I was speaking to a guest and he said it is difficult to wake so early to come diving, and I said to him “it is worth it”. When we saw the dolphins we looked at each other and said “it is worth it”. Before much longer the dive crew then spotted a Manta ray!! I was so excited and leaped to the side of the boat to watch her (she is a her in my eyed). She swam around back and forth and continued to get closer to the boat. We watched her for a good five minutes or more before the Dive leader suggested we grab our mask and fins and ump in the water. I don’t think I could have moved fast enough! I grabbed my things and jumped in the water with three others. We swam over closer to where we last saw her and then we waited. She came swimming right towards us, head on and would make a turn just two arm lengths away from us and would continue this patter for the whole time we were in the water. She was so majestical in the way that she moved. Flying through the water with grace, so intrigued by who these people were coming to greet her. I was in complete awe at this magnificent creature. People talk about Manta’s with such beauty and it was nothing I could truly appreciate until I experienced for myself. It was such an incredible experience and I am still blown away that I got to do that. As she continued to show off and prance around us, the dive leader suggested we get our equipment and jump here instead of continuing on to the intended dive site. Considering some people come to the Maldives purely to look for Manta’s, and we incidentally came across a very friendly and curious one, we would take advantage of the opportunity at hand and scuba with the creature.

We climbed back on the boat and prepared our scuba units. We then took a giant stride of the side of the boat, gathered together and descended into the water below. The beautiful Manta never went far and continued to be around us for a few more minutes. No doubt that those of us who snorkeled, we got the true experience. We continued along the reef which had at times some very strong current which we were swimming against. Thought it is very tiring and can sometimes feel ‘too much’ I think - wow this is great for my legs! I consider all the incidental exercise I get while diving and it pushes me through against the current and feel very fulfilled afterwards.

We continued on to our next dive site after a 45 minute surface interval. This is a very popular and one of the most favorite dive sites that we go to. It is a tila (which is dehlvi - Maldivian language - for pinnacle). IT has a very strong current and because you swim around it, you get the current with you for half and against you for the other half. When we jumped, we stayed at one place for a few moments looking for sharks as it is a popular place to see them. After a few minutes, none appeared however we saw the Napoleon fish - wow! When then swam through a cave and when we came out of the other side, there were two gorgeous Eagle rays! I think these would have to be one of my favorites, they are so pretty. I then was able to find and point out a nudibranch to my guest and then we continued on whilst I spotted out a couple of varieties of moray eels, a very large scorpion fish, trumpet fish, lion fish and a few other more unique marine life to the area. It is a very rewarding feeling being able to identify certain creatures, know where they tend to be and how to find them, and then share those findings with guests who are just overwhelmed with your knowledge. For me, this would have to be one of my favorite parts of diving - being able to share it with others.

We came up and everyone was a buzz with the day. Dolphins, Manta, Eagle rays, Napoleon fish.... It was incredible. Hands down the most wonderful dive I have done so far in the maldives. The water and the marine life here has set the bar so high. I don’t know how anywhere else in the world could compare!

After cleaning and packing up all the equipment, I went for lunch. As I walked towards the staff cafe, music was pumping and there were decorations everywhere - it was “happy subday!”. They had two sub stations set up where we got to pick our own ingredients and enjoy a sub sandwich. I was starving and being able to enjoy a fresh foccacia with some of my favorite ingredients was a real treat. Everyone seemed so happy and it was so delicious it was hard to stop at one!

After enjoying a sub and having a coffee and catch up with some of my pals from around the place, I got changed and went to lay on the staff beach for an hour. Thought I am out in the sun and water just about all day everyday - I am very sun smart with a full rash guard and a full wetsuit - so my skin does not see any of the sun. It is great to get in the sun and feel the heat re-energize my body for an hour before coming back in the afternoon. Perhaps it is the fact that I am a sun sign that I so deeply love feeling the sun on my skin. Laying on the beach getting some sun also doubles as a sauna. It is so hot and humid that I sweat quite a lot so it also feels very therapeutic to have the toxins released form my skin, it is like a full body treatment! A quick swim in the ocean and then I am back into my uniform and in the dive centre for the afternoon.

At the end of the day it was my turn again to go the sunset cocktails and mingle with the guests. It is such a lovely experience to meet both the guests which I work with in the dive centre, and to meet new ones and speak to them about where they are from and how there experience at Landaa is going. As usual, I am hardly recognized and when I greet people I have met in the centre, they are sure that it was not me! Come on - do I look THAT bad in my baggy board shorts and polo shirt each day! haha apparently so! The miracles of a dress and a little make up! A couple of glasses of white wine with the guests and a small treat of finger food is greatly enjoyed by me as I am sure as much as the guests. We watch the sun set over the ocean and watch the locals display some drumming and dancing, which yesterday many of the guests got involved and danced with them too - it was so beautiful to see.

Back to the staff cafe for a small dinner, a catch up on the days events with my roomie and then a deep sleep for me!

Today I have the day off, as it may be the last one I will have for some time until after my IDC (Instructor development course) which starts in a few days - Saturday I think. I do look forward to this starting, and especially to seeing Andy. The man who has made all of this possible for me. To him I owe him so much, so accepting a girl with a dream, off little more than an e-mail, and allowing it to come true. It is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. His beaming smile, bright and bubbly personality will be a very warm welcome to his arrival.

Today I am going to enjoy some pottering around, running a few errands and this evening sharing in some delicious birthday cake with a colleague.

To finish off this week, I just want to give my heartfelt thanks to the overwhelming support and response I have had to my blog. Many people have contacted me personally to share how my experienced has helped them between little and large ways, inspired them, encouraged them to make changes in their lives, or even just appreciate what they have. I think we are living in a world now where change is needed. And for the change to happen without, it first needs to happen within. If I can in any way help people to think differently, let alone live differently, to follow their dreams or live more happy and free lives, it gives me such a wonderful sense of purpose.

Three years ago when I was having my ‘early life crisis’ things were very bad for a very long time. Things constantly piled up and got worse and worse, from relationships, my job, and my health especially. I was so miserable. If I had recognized what was going on, i don’t know if I would have been able to make the changes required. For me, it took to reaching absolute rock bottom, where there was nearly no getting back up. Then one night, something inside of me snapped. I could have made the choice to end everything, and I would have had no chance to start again. However, If I chose to end my job, destructive relationship(s), loose in excess of tens of thousands of dollars, all of my possessions.... but start again... at least I had that... to be able to start all over again, and create the life I wanted. As my Pa (grandfather) always said “you always learn through your hip pocket”.

What got me here, was no more than contemplation on how I would like to live my life. I wanted a job where it feels like i never worked a day in my life, a hobby. A job where I would be outdoors, in the sun and in the water. I love animals and could travel the world. I tried diving only a few times but I liked it, so i thought, maybe I should try that. I sent an e-mail to Andy after doing some internet research, expressing my interest in the diving industry and that I was willing to change my life, to follow this dream. I laid it on the line, that I had little to no experience, but I was willing to learn. 

This is what I have suggested to others. If you have a dream, go for it head on. Don’t just sit back and dream about it. Write a list of things you love and see if you can roll them into a job - then find it and hit them up directly. Time is moving to fast, for us to sit back in jobs which we fell into, or are only there to make money for us to live. But what is to live? To make enough money for us to have a house, food and buy the latest phone, car, fashion and jewelry? More money, more problems. As I said previously, if happiness and lifestyle was your wealth, how would you acquire it?

Personally, I would rather live a beach lifestyle, getting by week to week, having a relaxing and enjoyable lifestyle, through nature, hobbies and music. To meet wonderful people and share our experiences. To travel freely and move without ties from one place to the next. I would rather do this than live in an endless cycle of debt, acquiring things that a short lived and provide me with stress and money woes. For me, it is about getting back to basics. Basic needs - to love and be loves, to eat well, have a roof over my head and a pillow beneath it. To help others and make a difference - for the better. To wonder in glory at the world around me and experience new and exciting things, and to learn. 

I was asked a couple of weeks ago, to think of a memorable experience I had. I said, that when I was sick, my boyfriend took care of me. He made me a cup of tea, rubbed some vicks on the bottom of my feet, tucked me into bed and kissed my forehead. This was the most memorable experience that came to the foreground of my mind in the past 6-12 months. Not gaining money or gifts. Buying the latest and greatest. We had some wonderful times in the past 6 months, many wonderful times, but this is not what i remembered. This was the most memorable experience that came to mind. Meeting my basic needs. 

You don’t need much to get by, but often we are tricked into thinking we do.

Create the life you want.

Love Kassie

mermaids and shooting stars

A friend and colleague of mine was having a guest visit from India. She was Italian, however had been living in Auroville, India for 5 years which is where they met. When I talked about my mermaid blog and my connection with the mermaid, he said I would have to meet her. Cinzia was a beautiful mum of two, who had been invited over here on a short project. Between myself, Cinzia and her friend who i met two days following, Caroline, we were three women all connected by the theme of the mermaid. Cinzia has been a swimming teacher for 15 years and a few months ago she was gifted with a monofin (mermaid tail type flippers). Her friend Caroline has a business venture in India called 'Mermaid India' where women can have a 'mermaid make over'. Needless to say that we all connected immediately. I was so grateful to be extended the invitation to borrow and use both the monofin, and also a full mermaid costume & go for a swim in the ocean. I entered the ocean and kicked around with my mermaid tail, I swam up and down, doing sommersaults and flips through the air. I sped through the water with my long hair flowing through the water. The experience was so beautiful and I am so lucky that I met these wonderful people. I was photographed and wait with excitmenet to see the photo's.

When the photo's are ready, they will be uploaded on the 'Mermaid India' facebook page, and I will be able to have access to them to share. I was so overwhelming grateful at the kindness and opportunity given to me to 'become a mermaid' and Caroline and Cinzia were so touched that they could make my dream come true.

As the days pass, I am slowly more confident in my abilities as a Divemaster and I take every single moment as a progress in my experience. Whether I forget to do something, say something which is not accurate, oversee something, or otherwise, it immediately sits in the foreground of my mind for the next time. Each time I am assisting an Instructor, I learn something new, or remember something for the next time. It is something that overtime will be second nature, and though I was wishing to 'skip' the parts until this point, I am now enjoying the learning process and seeing the development within myself. Each Instructor may like their divemaster to do different things and have different expectations of them, so before each time, I ask what they expect of me and how they would like me to assist, and after each dive I ask for their honest feedback on what I could do better, or any suggestions that could give me to improve. So far I have had all positive feedback and one suggestion that perhaps I could look more confident in myself so I appear more confident to others - Or in my terms... Fake it until I make it!

The other day, while I was expecting to be the assistant, I was placed in a position of leading the orientation from start to finish. Though this caught me some-what by surprise - I believe I totally blitzed it. I have worked closely with several guests over the past few days and have built some very good relationships with them. I have been getting wonderful accolades and thanks, and today I was told a guest I guided yesterday (and had two days prior) was asking before they left the island "what was the name of the Australian dive instructor again" in a positive way! Also, another guest had requested me to be included in additional dives and had given me some wonderful personal feedback about how relatable I was to him as a guest and friendly and fun. This is what I am for. It also gave me a great sense of achievement when he was so inquisitive about diving, and asking many questions about diving, weather conditions, nitrox and air expansion etc. that I was able to answer them for him!

We have been doing more practise exams, three in fact. And though my confidence was quite down initially about have soo many blanks from the physics and physiology specifically.. after revised the questions today - i have improved so much. After three exams, I now have a clear understanding on the specific topics i need to study more, and no doubt, through Andy's teachings in the IDC, I will succeed!

On Wednesday however, I was having a rough day. I was having difficulties with a situation back home which was making me very upset. Cinzia and I discussed it and had some deep conversations. I then asked if she wanted to come to the beach and look at the starts as it was something I loved to do that made me happy. We walked down to the beach and just before getting there, I looked up at the stars and squealed! The entire sky was draped with more stars than I could ever imagine. We grabbed each other and jumped in excitement like little girls. We went to the beach and she pulled out a shawl and we laid down and looked at the stars. We could clearly see the milky way above us, and created our own constellations - The Mata Ray, and the Mermaid! We saw three shooting stars and also what I could only describe as a possible star exploding? I went down to the shore to put my feet in the water and as I looked back to her, there was illuminisecent blue plankton glowing on the shore. We played around like children again with the glowing plankton and were just so content with the beauty around us. We sat back down and reflected on how much the simple things in nature, are the ones that bring so much joy. An evening which we will cherish for a very long time to come. I will now walk to the beach in the evening with a towel and lay under the stars, enjoy the salt smell in the air and the crashing waves on the shore to bring me back down to earth when I am feeling detached and distracted by perceived problems in my life..

Something that cannot be underestimated here is the exhaustion I experience after each day. Whether we are doing theory in the class, or up to 3 dives in a day and all the tasks in between, it is most definitely a tiring and exhausting process. I hang until my day off where all i want to do is stay in bed. Between the 32+ degree days and very high humidity, 28 degree water, squeezing in and out of swimwear, a rashgaurd and a wetsuit back into a uniform 2-3 times in a day... It's hot and hard work! Even though there are so many things to be done and so many opportunities to enjoy tours and activities on the island.. it is perhaps something that i will build up to when I am a little more used to the new life i lead. As I had mentioned yesterday, I have not had a job where i stand on my feet all day since I was 16... however, even then it was no where near as labour intensive as this. I love that the work is so manual and that lifting air tanks, gear boxes, scuba equipment set ups and more is great for the guns! Also pushing a loaded trolley and walking everywhere instead of driving a buggy is also helpful!

I am managing with my back injury and some days it is much worse than others, I just have to know my limitations now and remember that pain does not necessarily mean stop. I still have function and over time it will get better. It makes me quite upset when I think of how intense my training was and that is was these massive weights that I was pushing that created this injury.. I know so many of my friends are sill involved in such intense training regimes, and though they may not have any problems now, when you learn about the constant wear and stress you are putting your spine and discs... there is really little doubt that you will have a problem in the future. I was told to NEVER lift more than your body weight. And that you can get the same affects that you are aiming for with massive weights, as you do with lesser - if your not going to be a weight lifting Olympian, than really there is no need to be so hard on your body. I can only imagine how seamless, pain free, and enjoyable this job would be without a niggle in the back. I look forward to the future when my body has adjusted and I can load weight more comfortably.

I absolutely used to take my health for granted, and quite often i still do - leaving problems until the point where they are absolutely unbearable before getting them checked out. But this is one thing i must completely stop. I am not to consider myself weak if i seek consultation in the first instance, I need to consider myself as strong in having the ability to have it addressed before it gets any worse. I know it is something that so many of us do, but it's not the best way. Good health is not replaced easily, nor sometimes at all. Take care of your body and it will take care of you. 

Last night when I was looking through the limited clothing I had, I realised that subconsciously i was sorting them in a particular order once i had worn them, back into my cupboard. On the top shelf, i had piled running from left to right, in a way which i could only describe as being a scale from hard left - 'it's do-able' to mid range - 'likely wearable but sniff test required' through to the hard right of - 'incase of absolute emergency only'. Until I have time to wash, this is the order that my clothes will remain until cleaned and put back on the hangers in the 'im perfectly clean and nice smelling and have not been worn yet' area. But don't worry, I just put a load of washing on now and soon the top shelf will be free from worn clothes again!

Yesterday evening I went on my second night dive. It was on the house reef and immediately upon descending  found an octopus! a As the dive went on I found two more, As well as 4 lion fish, 2 hermit crabs, two varieties of eels and many more underwater life. Though it is so amazing to look around and not only see the creatures acting so differently to the way in they do in the day, or creatures that are not so easily found in the day... but my favourite thing to do... is to point the torch on a 45 degree angle from my chest to the surface, where the light illuminates all the plankton, miniature worms, and minute life in the sea. It glows and appears like a million stars in front of my. As I swim, it is like I am flying through space, between all the stars in the sky. This is the closest thing I will ever come to such an experience. It is breath-taking.

Something that I have been trying to determine is whether I want more to continue eating without discrimination, but compromise and exercise, or begin to discriminate against some foods and the quantities and not exercise... I cant seem to find the lesser of two evils, and it was suggested i take a little form column A and a little from column B... It's going to take sometime because right now i am thoroughly enjoying the oatmeal cookies on the boat, and the 11pm stake-outs in the canteen when the left over guest food is delivered and those staking out pounce on the dessert delicacies that make it back! Its great how they manager the food here i think. If there is left over food from breakfast or lunch, they will re-create a new meal, which is often better than the original. The variety is great and i am starting to remember the sequence of particular meals on particular days... like hot dog and hamburger Friday's, and stir-fry station Wednesday's - personal chef at your service!

Without fail, the social butterfly within is flying around without little effort. I think i completely underestimate my ability to make friends so easily, and genuine friends at that. There are a few select people which I have spent more time with than others in the past week and I have really enjoyed both sharing my story and seeing the interest in their eyes when i tell it, and asking about their history and experience up until and including what bought them here. Each person is from a different cultural background, jobs which ware so far removed from each other, and have such vast experience working on other industries prior and living and working in different countries. The conversations are so broad and interesting and i just love talking with everyone i meet. When it comes down to being ridiculously tired and exhausted, and considering it best to do a little study before bed... or spending a couple of hours to talk, laugh and sometimes share a beer with my fellow colleagues/friends.... it is the latter which always prevails. This will most definitely be compromised as the days go on to enable me to maintain a healthy balance, but for the time being, building the foundation relationships with those around me is of utmost importance and enjoyment.

This evening was the General manager cocktails on the beach where some staff come and meet and greet with the guests. It was the first time that I have been dressed up in a pretty frock and make up... which is a far cry from the over sized board shorts polo shirts i wear each day. When i arrived, this beautiful older couple who had been diving with us for a few days saw me and their jaws dropped! They thought it was just wonderful to see me out of uniform, and well... just looking like a girl!

I enjoyed a couple of wines and mingling with some guests and before leaving we had an astronomer fixed with a telescope who i went to see! A second dream come true in a week! Looking through a telescope! I saw Jupiter and it's three moons - just amazing. I then asked him to point me out a constellation... and the only one i could think of was Leo - my star sign. He got out his laser pointer and shower me the Leo constellation - And i could actually see it! I was no just bluffing! soo cool!

We then made it out with plenty of time to have dinner before the canteen closed. It was also movie night! so i caught the end of the movie 'The delivery man' ? I think it was with Vince Vaughn.. then I went back to watch movies with some more pals before finishing off this blog and hopefully soon going to sleep!

Take joy in the simple things in life, a walk on the beach, gazing at the stars, conversation with friends or strangers. Money and possessions and not the most valuable items in your life. Your helath and happiness is. Take care of your body and your body will take care of you. Dont make the mistake in thinking that you can buy your health - it is one thing that is not easily done.

Wish upon stars and give thanks for all the gifts you have recieved, and are yet to recieve in your lifetime. When you are following your passion, your dreams, and you align with your true self - everything wonderful in your life will multiply and you will experience more miracles than you could have ever imagined - trust me - i'm proof of it!

Let your dreams be your guide.

Love Kassie xx

the fisherman and the business man

Welcome to the first edition of Mermaid Mondays! In a bid to keep my stories updated regularly, I endeavor to update at least once a week on or before each Monday (AEST) for all of those playing at home.

As usual, the days have been such a flurry with adventure and experiences that it is difficult to differentiate between each day, most of the time I don't even know what day it is and it doesn't help that my dive computer displays the day ahead. Reading the computer manual is high on my list of things to do - but with what feels like a forever growing pile of paperwork and materials to learn and read, it s difficult to prioritize one over the other, or when I feel I have time to begin, something else will come through with higher importance..

My calendar tells me that I departed Thailand shores last Tuesday. It is incredible to believe that I have been in the Maldives for almost one week! Last Tuesday was an emotional day. I packed up and left what had been a very comfortable home for little over 5 weeks. It was strange to say goodbye to friends in dribs and drabs as I had seen them around one or two days prior, and as my taxi was waiting for me at 7am, there most definitely was no one around to wave me off!

Dom and I travelled to the airport very sleepy eyed and had some breakfast together before I left. He was traveling back to Australia and his flight was 3 hours after mine. Before leaving to the departure gate we said "see you in a few hours" as we were both having a 6-8 hour lay-over in Kuala Lumpur. We were both dreading the long time at the airport until we realised that we would be together... well.. at least that is what we thought.. When I arrived in KL, I was surprised that the airport to which I arrived was actually rather okay. It was clean and modern and was nothing like the airport which I arrived in.. I walked through the airport, had a "hot and roll" and a bottle of water and thought I should check what Gate Dom was arriving at so that I could surprise him when he stepped out. To my surprise, there was no arrivals for the airline which he was flying. I walked to the information counter and asked why there were no arrivals for this airline. She told me that they arrived at a different airport. I said that was fine, which shuttle do I get on to get there - as it was a large international airport and I assumed that I could just jump on the shuttle to another terminal. She said "No, it is another airport, you will have to leave through the airport immigration and customs and travel 20 minutes by taxi".

Immediately my heart sank and my eyes welled up. I could not believe that there were two International airports in KL and we were so unlucky to be both stranded at separate ones for 6-8 hours. I was lost and confused. Not only was I so upset that  would not see him, say a proper goodbye, and be alone in the airport for 6 hours stewing on this... but he was still on the plane and would have no idea until he arrived... I crawled up on a bench and cried very heavily for at least 45 minutes. It was uncontrollable and I was so upset. I got in touch with his sister and told him what had happened. Mum had also checked in on me and I told her what happened and she immediately requested that I contact her on Skype in an attempt to calm me down.

I called mum and we spoke for just short of an hour. We hadn't had much time to speak or e-mail at all in the past two weeks, so it was very soothing to be able to speak with her and hear her words of reason. Perhaps it would have been all too hard and emotional had we prepared for a 'proper farewell' as we had in Australia.. who know's but eventually by the end of the conversation I was much more settled. All my equipment was starting to go flat and I had the wrong adapter type to charge anything at the airport. Dom contacted me once he arrived and realised the worst. We spoke on the phone for a short while and continued to message until my flight was leaving.

On the flight, I was so pleased that I was able to continue watching a movie that I was half was through on the first flight; I watched a couple of episodes of friends and ate as much as I could of the meal which was given to me. I was tired and I wasn't sure what to expect when I arrived in Male, so I got a broken 1-2 hour sleep in to prepare me for what laid ahead.

When I arrived, thankfully it was an efficient process through customs, and as I walked through my luggage was passing on the carousel, things were starting to look up! I was so concerned that I would not have anyone waiting for me at the airport after my previous experience - but when I walked through and saw two smiling Maldivian's holding a sign for the Four Seasons resort, I couldn't be more relieved.

We jumped on a speedboat which was taking us to Kuda Huraa resort. As I was a later arrival that evening, I stayed at the closer resort for the night and would be catching a sea plane to Lanadaa Giraavaru the following morning. I had a bedroom with two bunk beds for the night. I can't remember sleeping on such a comfortable mattress since home and I slept quite well. The following morning I was feeling quite lost as I usually do coming in to something so new. I went to the canteen for breakfast which had a great array of foods and drinks. I was walking around lost unsure of where to collect a plate when one of the staff walked over to me with a plate and showed me where to start.. It was a couple of hours until the seaplane so I forced myself to refrain from hiding in my room and have a walk and take some photos of the resort. The place was spectacular. It was just like any photos you had seen of the turquoise waters, white sand and immaculately manicured vegetation. I was blown away by the beauty and had to pinch myself to see if it was real. I found the Marine Discovery Centre where there were several pools with turtles. I saw there was a staff member there so I went to have a chat. His name was Sam and a really friendly and kind dude. He told me about the turtles, their injuries or sicknesses and about the program they run there for hatching and rehabilitation. It was so interesting and I immediately felt more than just okay. I don't know what it is with turtles but they absolutely mesmerize me and I love them immensely.

Soon following, i jumped on a small boat which carried me to a platform in the Indian ocean where a sea plane awaited. We had a 25 minute ride to the Landaa where I had the views which you could hardly even imagine. This alone made everything worth it. We landed on another platform where a small boat arrived and drove us to the island. Waiting to greet us was a generous amount of staff with beaming smiles and friendly welcoming words. My luggage was placed on a golf buggy and I was taken to my room. My bags were dropped off and I could see that I already had a roommate who was not yet home. I enjoyed some lunch at the canteen which was the most spectacular spread of foods and drinks. There were 6-9 hot dishes, a generous salad bar, a dessert and fruit bar, bread table, soft drinks, hot drinks and much more.

After lunch I met with HR to go through some important documentation, I had a tour of the staff village which includes basketball court, soccer field, volleyball nets, a staff beach and many more places. I was then taken to the laundry/uniform shop where I was measured for my uniform. Many hours after arriving, I finally made it to my room where I could open the lovely card and gift from the staff as a welcome token and enjoy a shower and a fresh change of clothes. The Maldives is a strict Muslim country and therefore I must respect their laws. I am to cover my knees and my shoulders in community areas such as the canteen, and it best that I just do this regardless of where I am in the staffing area. It is home to some 400+ staff, many from The Maldives or India and the rest from all corners of the globe. It is such an enormously vast community of backgrounds and cultures, I would consider it hard to get bored here if you were just talking to people and learning about what they do and where they come from.

Since arriving I have had the pleasure of spending much time with my fellow 3 interns from Germany, Italy and the UK. There are 3 others on Kuda Huraa that I will meet when we begin our IDC. Until then, we help out as work experience in the Dive centre. Our days are generally broken into two parts - Morning 8am-12pm and Afternoon 2pm-6pm, though it is common we don't go to lunch until 12.30-1pm and leave the centre until 6.30-7pm. In the morning upon arrival, we sweep, mop, wipe clean and tidy. we change over the water in all the areas where we wash equipment, fill the air tanks, prepare the shop and set up equipment boxes for our guests for the day, and much more. We may then spend some time in the classroom learning some further dive theory, doing some training dives (skills or orientation on the house reef) or going out on the boat. I have been out on the boat twice on two dive sites and needless to say - the diving is first class.

On Friday we did a NITROX course and I got 100% on the exam! What the! If I can apply the same sort of result to the instructor course I will more than happy with my result!

There are many people in the Dive centre at the moment with us interns, the staff instructors and dive masters and three hilarious young Maldivian apprentices. They are always up to some sort of cheek and keep the day form being anything but boring! For example today, I facilitated the orientation dive on the reef and underwater we were constantly making each other laugh - really hard to explain in this forum, but when I am home I will have many tales to tell! As I was trying to leave the shower after the dive - one fella kept flicking body wash on me so I had to return to the shower 6 times before I could make a quick escape soap free!

Also this afternoon, I had many photos taken of me and two other interns by a photographer for the business class magazine for an international airline. Should it make it to publication, I will no doubt get a copy for bragging rights! Regardless, he is going to send us the photos anyway which will be really cool of us all in our gear doing our thing! Tonight I did my first EVER night dive - for those who saw on Facebook, the night dive I was meant to do two days ago... I missed the boat! I was a few seconds late and I waved it off from the jetty. I really unfortunate set of events but, they say everything happens for a reason and during the time that the boat was out, I made some pretty rad friends around the place who look like they will be some of my rocks around here. I was not at all scared whilst diving tonight and I found the experience to be much more relaxing. It was a full moon so there was not very many creatures about, but I loved the experiences none the less.

I have also enjoyed a couple of beers at one of the bars on a couple of occasions, the staff discount makes the beers much cheaper than those in Thailand so it appears that my room account at the end of my staff will be 90% beer and 10% other!

All in all, I am having a wonderful time so far in the Maldives. All the staff are so friendly and kind, they always greet you with a smile and a kind introduction of themselves and a small chat, even just when passing by in the staff village. It is a lovely community and I think I am fitting in quite well. The general feel is that people here are pretty rad.

I have a day off on Tuesday, and I am looking forward to settling into a new room which I moved into tonight after 4 days of putting up with a complete fruit cake (to be polite) in the first room that I stayed. The staff beach has hammock chairs, surfboards, kite surf boards, snorkel gear, volleyball nets and so much more which I hope to enjoy. Tuesday is also the day of the week we can collect toilet paper and alcohol - two clear necessities!

Tomorrow I may be taking a guest on a discover scuba diving dive on the house reef and was said that I can go alone. This is a pretty big step though I may ask for one of the apprentices to come with me as I am not completely familiar withe the reef and where to find the aquatic life.. but I will see how I go.

It is now just shy of 1am and I am exhausted after one of the most tiring days I have had since abroad. Time to enjoy my comfortable single IKEA bed and rest the night away. I hope to get more than one blog down per week with so much happening, it also acts like much of a diary for me to write down many things that happen in my weeks.

Until next time, please don't be "jealous" of my experience and what I am doing, or believe that I am here by luck or chance. It was a very peculiar set of circumstances in the past 3 years which has brought me to this place. I looked into my heart and asked myself what I enjoy doing, and how I can turn that into a lifestyle.

The sun, the salt water, the environment and turtles, and scuba diving are all things that I love. I explored the options which were available for me to make my dreams and my passions a reality, and now I am living it. It sounds far fetched or almost unreal what I am doing, and most days I still surprise myself that I am here, doing what I am doing. But I got myself to this place, and I have myself to thank for being here.

What do you love to do? What do you care about? If you removed money form the equation and happiness was your only form of wealth - how would you acquire it?

Follow your passion. live your dreams. Inspire others.

If you have not already - Please read the below parable. This story changed my life forever. And I cannot thank the person enough, who read this to me at a time in my life when I was very lost. This has stayed with me since the first time it as read to me, and has become the underlying way in which I choose to live my life.

Thank you Alyssa, the cheese, figs and champagne, overlooking the sea at Cabarita when you first told me this story is a forever memorable moment and I credit you for sharing it with me. I hope that this inspires you, as it did me. Be more with less....

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna.  The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos.  I have a full and busy life.” The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part.  When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire.  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Be more with less....

Love and inspiration,

Kassie

divemaster official

First and foremost, my apologies for letting such time lapse between my posts! Some of you good friends have contacted me and requested I provide the next installment, and here it goes!

The internet can be often unreliable where I stay and unfortunately this is what occurred the other evening when I had intended to write my next post. Between the last post and now, I have been busy completing both prac and theory assessments for my DiveMaster course. In the evenings when I get home, most of the time the moment I lay down, which is the first time I stop in the day,  I cannot get back up and fall asleep!

Some of the assessments I have completed are leading a 'Discover local diving' guide, a 'Discover Scuba diving' course, Scuba review, and acting as an Instructors assistant on an Open water course, to name a few. The hands on experience with 'real life' customers has been challenging and interesting - Facing he true reality of what life as a Scuba instructor may have installed for me. On the Discover Scuba diving course, I was assisting and we had three students that day. One of which who was a gorgeous 16 year old girl from Finland. It was the first time she was diving, and the poor love was quite upset and nervous about getting in the water. I promised her parents I would take extra special care of her. After we got in the water, she was the most capale student of the three. She was graceful underwater and very attentive and mastered the skills she was required to perform. After returning to the surface, she was very much a different person and was looking forward to our next dive. It is remarkable the affect that diving has on people, and it is so true, that it really does change lives forever. Most of the time people are nervous and hesitant at first (as was I), though that moment when you enter the water and experience the weightlessness, freedom and awe of the under sea world around you - you truley are changed forever.

It was a delightful suprise to me last week when my Instructor was going through a presentation with me, and he asked - "What category do you think scuba diving falls into?" I though, sport, adventure, conservation, exploration - there are soo many.... he came back to me and said "Life transformation". As a diving professional, you help to transform lives of people forever. Enough said. This is exactly what I want to be doing.

Thinking back to the events which have occurred since where I left off, there are but a few which really stand out. There were several times that when they occurred, I was very tempted in the emotion to blog so openly and detailed about some events, but with some time and perspective - I can just touch on these so you get an idea of what it has been like. There have been many challenges. I choose not to dwell on them or let them define me, but will share openly. To remain honest and transparent about my experiences, to which many of you have commented on your appreciation of this, I will share.. One of the most difficult experiences to date has been dealing with a very egotistical, demeaning, rude and humiliating person. There are a couple of less-savory characters which I have encountered, however this one takes the cake. In brief, this person lost their shit at me on the boat infront of all the customers (to which I am also a paying one) about washing my BCD in the same large tub of fresh water as where there was one underwater camera soaking at the bottom.  This person went completely off their tree. Carrying on about ho expensive the equipment was, not using my brain, and blah blah blah... Prior to me washing my BCD, there are two fresh water tubs, I walked to one, saw there was an abundance of camera equipment so I did not use it. I waitied until a colleague had finished using the alternative tub of fresh water to which I saw a camera at the very bottom (it is quite deep) so I inflated my BCD with air, dunked it on the surface and then filled the inflator hose with water. Consiously aware and using my initiative to work around the camera equipment, to wash my brand new expensive equipment (equal in price to the camera). As he stopped to take a breath in his humiliating display infront of all the customers, I began to explain my position... "I...." and then he abruptly cut me off, got right up in my face with his finger and yelled "YOU DONT SPEAK. YOU LISTEN" without giving me an opportunity to speak he continued his disgusting display of behaviour.

I was appaulled. Not only for being spoken to in such a horrible and humiliating way, not letting me speak, infront of a boat will approximately 30 customers, me being a paying customer myself, and this person was meant to be a role model, representing not only himself, but a business, and an industry. I was both very angry and upset. Adding to all of the above, one of my pet hates is someone assuming or claiming I had not done something, that I had or asking me to do something I am doing. I was already in a fragile state with another difficult personal situation I am experiencing at present, and it quite well have just been that straw that broke the camels back in that moment.

The next day I did not want to go on the boat. My morale was down and I was doubftul about continuing on. I had so much on my plate that I was being torn between pushing through following my dreams or letting the things getting in my way, block my path. I sucked it up and went on that day. The usualy loud and egotistical person was very quiet that day and hardly said boo - much like a dog with a tail between its legs. I am not naive, I understand that there are 'diffficult people' everywhere in the world and you will always come across them, you just need to inact the right skills to deal with them. Soon following, the appropriate people heard about what happened (as well as several other situations to others) and from what I can understand, the appropriate action has been taken. Unfortunately there is another dragon, and despite this rather large occurance, this other dragon is still acting in much the same manner to a new customer which I found out about yesterday evening. Some poeple eh. It gives me some sense of victory knowing that people with these type of attitudes, lack of care and service are the dinosaurs to which I hope to be replacing. They may have an abundance of experience - but I think, who is more employable - an experienced asshole who is going to drive out customers. Or someone who is fresh and eager to learn, who is going to draw in customers and gain experience over time? With my strong customer focus, love and enthusiasm for the underwater world, and care and respect for people and the environment, I pledge not to turn into a resentful mole.

In the past couple of weeks I went out on two occassions to get a massage. On both occassions I have been asked by Thai woman if I am having a baby! Man, some cultures and people just have no sensitivity. Fair cop, I have been enjoying food and beer whilst over here, but way to blow the lack of confidence which I was already sporting. The first occassion I was very hesitant about going out in the first place because my clothes were not complimenting my bootilicious body so well. And then to go out and get asked this - I nearly blew my top!

On the Phuket homefront, we have some new neighbours. Very sadly Dima went home to Kahzakstan and he has been very sorely missed. In his apartment there is a lovely girl from India, and next to me is a French dude. With the exception of the French dude, we are all quite close and go out for 'family' dinners and trips out and have bbq's in our yard.

Last week I had the pleasure of picking up my very own wetsuit! I got a full length 3mm piece which should hopefully start protecting my skin from the delightful shorty wetsuit tan lines I have on my arms and legs! I got to give it a trial run for just one day before completing the last of diving on the boat.

Something which I had not thought to take into consideration was just how many cuts, bruises, bumps, blisters and scratches I would encounter as a diver, particularly on my feet! They look so battered. You would think that being in salt water every day would be great for healing.... and it is, to some degree, however always keeping the scars moist (yep i dropped the M word) it takes about 3 weeks before the healing truly takes place (with the big blisters in particular). Furthermore, the first person to encounter a mermaid and depict that she had long hair was clearly mistaken. Perhaps she was tangled in sea weed, because i'll tell you something for nothing - it is not practical what-so-ever! Each day I sport a different hairstyle in an attempt to find something practical and effective! Also - nails! They are brittle and flaky and are best kept at a 1mm length! #diverproblems

Over the past week and a bit some friends from home were visting Thailand. By friends, well, we had met once... A good mutual friend of ours Gian ( www.stil-hora.com - check his stuff out! ) had introduced us at a gathering at his place one time and we just instantly became BFF's. You know those poeple that you only meet once, but feel like you have known for a lifetime. Completely on your level and are immediately life-enriching friends. Anyway, they were over here and so we caught up over a couple of nights and had two of the best times not only in Thailand, but very memorable forever. Lots of laughs, stories and more laughs. Beautiful company with beutiful people. On evenings where we were all experiencing a array of problems in our lives - but we would leave them behind and just soak up the joy in the moments we shared.

Yesterday after a big day of dive theory, I sat my exams late in the afternoon. I made it below the margin for aceptable errors and passed! I am now a Dive Master! Such a great achievement, however I am being to hard on myself about not getting a higher score, regardless of the fact that I had passed. I have learnt so much and have so much more to learn. It is so amazing being interested in study - completely incomparable to school!  Thankfully my drive for success is going to steer me in the direction of additional study and practises so I get everything down packed. I dont just want to do what I need to do to pass. I want to obtain the highest possible result and attain the largest wealth of knowledge to support me in being a very wise and skilled diver who is best prepared for any possible situation. Yesterday evening all the neighbours wanted to celebrate my achievemnt (how gorgeous of them). So we got some BBQ food, plenty of beer and hang out, having a little 'party' at home. We drifting into the evning teaching each other swear words in Persian, Hindi, and English. Enjoyed watching the Persians clicking their fingers in some special way - dancing amazingly, and I.....  I sculled beer from a snorkel!

Today is my first legit day off. I have a few errands to run, but I am just so enjoying pottering (and you know how much I love to potter!) around my room, and though it is such a gorgeous hot day outside - its so nice just to lay in bed for most of the day because I have not done it once. And I dont feel even a little bit guilty. I cant wait to have a little nanna nap.

Rumour has it that tonight we may go into Patong, though it has become quite the norm now that it's "we'll go tomorrow" and tomorrow never comes. Nothing crazy, just head in there, watch a ping pong show or something quintessentially Thailand-like.

Being Saturday, it is now only 3 sleeps until I depart for the Maldives. It is remarkable how much the jam-packed days have flown by and late Tuesday evning I will find myself at the Four Seasons resort at Landaa Giraavaru ( www.fourseasons.com/maldiveslg/ ) . This is where the magic truly happens. I endevour it to be both challenging and extremely rewarding. Again I cannot express my gratitude enough for Andy who has taken a leap of faith and accepted me in this internship program. I caught up with him on Wednesday evening and he instilled so much confidence in me and adrressed so many questions I had about the upcoming experience. There are some very exciting possibilties an projects on the horizon and I can't wait to share my experiences with you as they arise.

Each person is on their own journey, they experience their own hardships and challenges. Some people wear them on their sleeve, others keep them private. It does not mean that those who choose not to share or display their hurt is not experiencing ay difficulty. In fact, it is most likely that what they are experiencing in their lives is much more diffcult and less trivial than those who dwell in their sorrows. You never know what man people may be going through. Don't compare your life with anyone elses. We are eaching finding our way through life on our individual paths. Be kind.

I will endevour to post once per week around the same day so you can check in and see what I have been up to. I like the ring of Mermaid Mondays, so I will best try to post on or before each monday so you can keep track of experiences. If you would like ask questions, comment or share, I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings and respond.

The next couple of days will be relaxing and pottering about. I think it is also time I bite the bullet and invest in an action camera so I can share some wonderful photos and videos with you from the sea.

Until we meet again, share love and respect and be patient with others. You dont know what they are going through and how much a kind smile, a kind word, or a selfless gesture may mean to them. What you give out, will come back to you ten-fold. Give miracles that you would like to recieve.

Love and kindness,
Kassie