I phoned. I booked. I surfed.

For the longest time I was afraid of the ocean. For the longest time I was more than happy to be mesmerised by the waves from the safety of my parked car in the parking lot in Mouille Point.

I used to try – really try to enjoy getting into the water. Thirteen years ago I was jumping off some big rock, off some big beach in Cape Town and I jumped a little too far out. I got caught by the current and had to hold on to the seaweed to pull myself back to safety. Looking back it doesn’t seem too bad. But for an eleven year old, it was pretty daunting. So much, that it kept me out of the sea, preferring to just watch.

Strangely I have always had a relationship with the ocean. Having a bad day? Go visit the sea. Having a great day? Go visit the sea. I found myself constantly drawn to this body of water; feeling myself relax and centre.

One day I’d had enough. I was tired of sitting on the beach looking out to the ocean. So I decided to try surfing. I’m certain of death so if it must happen, why not by the hands of what relaxes me.

I phoned Gary’s Surf School in Muizenberg. I booked a 2-hour session. And I surfed. I didn’t die, surprisingly. I had a tutor for the lesson. Anything I did on the board was amazing – she built up my confidence with patience and encouragement. I knew the tricks she was using but I welcomed the confidence. You need it. If you’re keen to surf, go to this school.

This was huge for me. Like for real-real, not for play-play.

Surfing, on its own, is refreshing and exhilarating. For me, every time I walk TOWARDS the ocean, I feel awakened and alive.

“Danger is real. Being afraid is a decision.”

Less yada yada, more learning-learning

I am never a fan of planning too many things. In fact, I prefer seeing where Life takes you and moving with it. At the same time I think there is some freedom in structure. If you’re not a silver-spooned child and you want to go travelling India, you need to work to save the money. 

So at the end of 2012 I set myself a five year plan. I made the table on Excel and plotted what I’d like to do for each of the coming five years. This was easier because I’m contractually bound to work for the next few years anyway. For 2013 I was not supposed to study; I was to do investments and fill up my time with other aspects of my life.

Having said that, in fifty minutes I am to write the first two of seven e-Learner exams. Sometimes plans give you the freedom to make changes which suit your life. Oh, and next Thursday I begin my (long-awaited) German course in Cape Town at the German International School in Cape Town. Oh and in a few weeks I begin a course in Ruby on Rails, a software coding program in Ruby the programming language. 

I have a feeling studying is ingrained in my bones and blood.

Is this such a bad way to divert from plans? Who knows where life will take me: go prove you’re computer literate and you can write software programs in Berlin, Carla. Okay – here are the docs to prove it.

I know that I’m rather excited to make myself marketable while picking up different skills along the way.