People keep telling me I should write a blog about my adventures....my reply was always "why"? I mean it isn't really that interesting right......while I have been convinced that my life is quite entertaining......lol.....who woulda thought?
So I guess I should start by telling you why I am writing this. A couple months ago, July 29th to be exact. I left my comfy life in Taiwan for the adventure of a life time. I sold almost all of my stuff, some would say I enjoy "things"......and it was time to give them up. So with 70kg I embarked on my journey...................
First stop: Borneo - Kota Kinabalu - Malaysia, my FAVOURITE place on Earth. I arrived a little tired from the previous nights' shenanigans. Ready to take a nap and crawl under a rock wondering if leaving Taiwan was a good idea. I threw my stuff down on the floor in the hostel and ran to the beach. It was if the waves and the familiar sound of the ocean settled any concerns I was feeling at the time.
After my first couple days it was time to get down to business and back underwater. The real reason I returned to Borneo was to complete my PADI Instructor Exam, and dive. First day back in the water was like riding a bike. I felt at home underwater, like I was meant to be there. However, the second day wasn't as amazing as I ended up with an ear infection. So down to the pharmacy I went to pick up the ear drops and start my 3 dry days on land until it passed. Feeling a little frustrated as things were not off to such a great start..........and continued to get worse as the ear infection wasn't going away. I head down to the local clinic to get some professional advice. I get in to see the doctor and he begins to tell me, it is in the middle ear and I MAY need surgery. WHAT???????? SURGERY???????? My mind is now in panic mode. He suggests I go the see a specialist, and I agree as surgery is NOT what I wanted to hear. So off I go (taking a taxi to avoid being lost in translation), see the specialist, drains my ear, and I pay $50 CAD as he tells me I need another 5 dry days out of the water.
Skip 5 boring days of drinking, tanning, sleeping and studying. Back in the water on the following Wednesday, I will never forget that day. I was so worried my ear would cause problems and my idea of a diving career would expire before it even began. Though as it expected all was fine and I met this really nice lady I was guiding that day, talking about how much better the drivers in Malaysia were than Taiwan. Up bright and early the next morning to get down to the dive shop and help the crew, I get hit by a car on my way. Scratched and bruised but me and my motorcycle seemed to be in pretty good condition. I figured a few bandaids and some disinfectant I would be good to go. So all patched up, off to work I went. People are stunned and surprised I still wanna dive, asking over and over again if i was okay. Didn't really feel the pain till the next day, when I woke up the next morning I felt like I had been run over by a bus. Remembering I was in Asia, and massages are super cheap I spent the better part of that day paying a nice Muslim lady to massage around all the bruises and cuts.
The following week I had the pleasure of working for an amazing couple who own a dive shop here. They gave me the confidence I needed to assure myself that this was a great dream, and I would do great at it. That week I met some awesome people, saw some cool things, and had my heart touched by someone very special :). Things were looking up.......
IDC TIME...................holy heck, people told me it would be stressful, they told me I would be tired, they told me it was tough. They call it a development course for a reason, it KICKED MY ASS.....and my confidence. But as my Course Director told me prior to the course, "you WILL pass". And I passed the IE with flying colours. Proud of my accomplishment, and meeting my goal a big night of dancing, eating and drinking was planned. Those nights are kinda a blur, but I've been told I was a riot, full of smiles, fun, and just plain old me. It didn't really sink in that my dream had come true until the Monday following the exam. I got an email from PADI saying I was officially in active teaching status. Meaning I was actually an instructor. Looking back today, time flies, and I wish I had tried to enjoy it more, but I was too busy.
The last two weeks.........have been relaxing, fun, and exciting. I am flying to Thailand this weekend to begin the next chapter of my Southeast Asian adventure. I will get to see my cousin, one of my best friends from Taiwan and more awesome people I have met along the way.
Stay tuned......I am sure Thailand will have its quirks and I can't wait to share them with you.....
