keep on swimming

I mentioned in a previous post that I went on vacation for two weeks in the tropics. As I said, a couple nights in San Juan at the Gallery Inn, a week on a boat with Groom's family,

the view

and a few days at a house overlooking the water and near a small beach that we could afford because it was on the road to the airport. Plus it had cockroaches the size of my thumb.

right next to the airport. kinda neat.

Let's go back to the good stuff. I swam every day--something I don't do. Ever. I don't kick. I don't run. I don't swim. I mean, I know how to swim. But, I never really learned, per se. Rather, I walked into the lake when I was a kid and hoped for the best. I was the last of five kids. I didn't expect a swimming lesson. In fact, I didn't expect much--I spent the first six years of my life facing the wrong way on top of luggage in the way back of a Gran Torino for crying out loud.

I walked through the muck and leeches and lily pads and kept walking until I was close to the big rock in front of our camp, up on my tippy toes. A boat and waterskier screamed by and the wake hit me. First lesson about boating: Wakes disrupt the calm water. My head went under water and I gasped. I remember very little about my childhood, but I remember this very clearly. Air. Water. Air. Water. Air. Water. Air. Dogpaddle. And, voila. I could swim.

For the rest of my life, I've hated to get my face wet. I wouldn't jump into water. I wouldn't swim under water.

his ridiculously good looking family

yeah, I jumped

Now I think I might. First day in the Caribbean, I went snorkling. By the end of the trip, I had jumped off the bow of the boat. I had my nose blocked, but still. It was worth the effort. (As for getting actual exercise, I was unable to stand for any length of time on a paddleboard and I definitely couldn't haul myself up on a kneeboard. And, no, I did not feel incredibly demoralized when my ridiculously good looking sister-in-law with two kids did all of it with barely an effort. Shut up.)

I still haven't worked up the courage to sign up for a swimming lesson. I just feel like such a dope, but Groom and I did go to the Y. We both hopped on stationary bikes. Groom went to work and I took a few laps around the indoor track. (God, I love to jog.) That was Saturday. On Sunday, Groom and I went to Sugarloaf where I got my ass kicked in the late spring snow. Yesterday, I was sore from all the activity and wanted to get some work done, so I skipped exercise altogether. But, I swear I will overcome my fear of talking to people and will sign up for swimming lesson this week. After I conquer that fear, I will face my fear of wearing a Speedo in public. Then, we'll talk about actually getting my face in the water for laps.

vegetables, not much dressing

For eating, I've been sticking to vegetables, unprocessed foods, fruits, grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, an obligatory Bag Burger with fries (I'm not a superhero, but I did skip supper), plenty of yogurt, and Kashi 7-grain waffles. Please don't ruin those waffles for me by telling me about GMOs.

Crap. I know. I know. I'll stop eating them.

No I won't.

Today, I woke up with a new lease on life, did a little work, ate my Kashi waffles, and then quietly consumed an entire jar of artichoke hearts.