The Four Agreements

I just listened to The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz - love love loved it! Do it, you won't regret it.

*photo from  http://www.miguelruiz.com/index.php?p=Resources 

It Just Makes Sense

“It takes practice to hear your true desires. Your passion will often come as a whisper or serendipitous event that reminds you of what's important and what makes you happy.” —  Eckhart Tolle

Ambergris Caye, Belize - May 2007

Why wouldn't I sell everything and move to a group tiny islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean? It just makes sense, really. 


I have always wanted to visit the Seychelles. I used to get one of those "Islands in Paradise" type calendars almost every year growing up and would gaze at the white, sandy beaches and turquoise waters daily. I quickly figured out that the best and most pristine beach pictures were always from this magical place called the Seychelles, so I decided that I would someday visit this tropical paradise off the coast of Africa. In fact, I used to (jokingly) tell my parents that I would not get married until I could afford a destination wedding or a honeymoon in the Seychelles (this was YEARS before William and Kate honeymooned there, by the way). My friend Sara and I first bonded over the fact that we both knew where the Seychelles were and kept ourselves sane on brutal days at work by emailing photos of the beaches back and forth. And the ocean, oh how I love the ocean!


My fondest memories usually involve the ocean; vacations to Panama, Belize, Bermuda, Hawaii, and Florida snorkeling, kayaking and hanging out on a boat waiting (im)patiently to jump into the crystal clear blue water and explore the world below. I would spend hours hovering above the coral reef watching the fish dart in an out of their little hiding places, watching the sea anemones sway with the waves, waiting patiently for a sea turtle to come visit or holding my breath as sting rays and nurse sharks gracefully floated by. Then there were the parrot fish with their brilliant colors and funny beaks.... I could go on and on about snorkeling, but as someone once told me - snorkeling is like watching your favorite game from the side lines, but scuba diving is like actually playing the game. 


I finally got my open water scuba diving certification in 2007 before a trip to Belize where I did my first ocean dive. Though the waves were choppy and it was a bit rough on the boat, I was THRILLED and couldn't stop smiling (which make it hard to keep the regulator in my mouth to breath) as we swam through the reefs 30+ feet below the surface, getting and up close and personal view of the marine life down there. There was nothing like swimming with the fishes and not the mobster sense, and being a part of that world (insert The Little Mermaid song here). Except for the eels, I could do without the eels, showing off their sharp ugly little teeth. Those things are like the snakes of the sea, ugh. I loved my diving experience and wanted to do more, but it is an expensive hobby, so I told myself that when I was rich and retired, I would scuba dive around the world.


Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I was researching vacations and opportunities to volunteer abroad next year and stumbled across a nice little six month marine conservation program complete with a dive master internship in a place called....the Seychelles.  My first reaction was, "that sounds UH-MAY-ZING, but I could never do that!" After thinking about why I held such silly limiting beliefs, I realized this is actually my dream come true and combines so many things that I love. So I applied. And now, I'm going. It just makes sense, really. 

Ticket to Paradise

It has come to my attention that I am turning 30 in two short weeks. (I know, I was surprised too. I don't look a day over 23.) As my birthday present to myself, I will be spending the second half of 30 scuba diving in the Seychelles, becoming a PADI certified dive master, learning about marine conservation and possibly interning at a local dive shop. 

Wait, WHAT?!!!!! 

Basically, I'm moving to paradise. If you want to read about the program I am doing, here is the link. It starts on June 30, 2012 and runs through December 15, 2012. 24 weeks of hard work and bliss. Conveniently, my lease here is up on June 30, 2012. Coincidence? I think not! 

In the mean time, I will be selling almost everything I own (except a few swimsuits), continuing to work on the project that I am currently on, donating plasma for $$ and doing anything and everything I can to earn a few extra bucks to buy my ticket to paradise. Oh and convincing someone to take care of my cats (for $$) while I am gone. Anyone want to hang out with two adorable but low maintenance fur balls for 6 months in exchange for everlasting gratitude and a little cash? 

 I have seriously never been more excited about anything! Seychelles is THE paradise I have dreamed about for my entire life, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to live, learn and work there for 6 months. Oh, and possibly jump start a new career in adventure travel or something even cooler that I haven't encountered yet. 

Follow me as I prepare to embark on the greatest adventure of my life!