Skills Upgrade

Today, was probably the most exciting day in my life so far. Filled with the first time I ever drove, ATVs, and new pairs of snorkels and fins, it's funny how these few items would make me feel so--and I know this sounds cliche. but--awesome. Yang Instructor handed out lifeguard uniforms yesterday as we walked into the swimming pool. It was a yellow T-shirt, and a red short short with my name stitched on the side. I didn't know if it was only me, but seeing your name patched onto something felt good, in fact, happy. It almost felt like you mean something, like someone idolized you and needed desperately to engrave your name onto a plague. Then again, I do have a history of pride issues.

Learning how to swim is the easy part throughout the lifeguard training sessions; the difficult part was knowing how to cope with the strain and pain, how to bring people back to shore, and how to revive them with CPR+AED. Swimming has always been my favorite sport, it's relaxing, sweatless, and all around healthy, thus, a passion grows. That passion has led me into the 11th day of lifeguard training, and I realized that the combination of swimming +apparatus+the coolest bunch of people for class+a military trained instructor--yet still has a great sense of humor=Happiness (at least for me). Previously the month before, I spent at least 5 hours playing Modern Combat 4 on the iPad and yet continued the day after. However, I noticed that the act of trying something new brings joys. A fulfilled accomplishment describing those acts.

In addition, today I rode a 4-wheel drive ATV along the shores of Bali in Taipei, Taiwan (you wish it was the Bali in Polynesia). That can be considered the first time, physically I drove a more than 100 kilo vehicle, any other time is virtual. Although the annoyance of the dust and sand in my eyes led my first experience to be overwhelmed with tears, I grinned the entire way--still avoiding the sand and dust. I tried to drift, fly over hills, and popwheelie stunts (failed), which left my hand with several blisters, red swollen fingers, and a sweat soaked top. If ever, I could ride one of those again, no questions asked, get on the ATV.

Minutes after riding the ATV, I hopped into a car for my very first driving lesson, taught by a fellow lifeguard classmate. Number 11, we called him, what a coincidence since today is July 11th. I felt the worst butterflies in your tummy anyone could perceptually endure, honestly. The adrenaline kicks in, and all you want to do is drive fast; turning and braking have been a "pre-taught" chapter, since experience have been earned by playing Gran Turismo 5 on PS3. Nevertheless, driving in the real world is different from a physical engine provided by Nvidia. It's crucial to pay attention to the road due to the fact that there is no pause button, and you feel the forces acting on the car that acts upon you as well. Furthermore, knowing that your passenger has sacrificed his life to sit inside of the car with you adds to the pressure of the car not owned by you. Luckily, there were no scratches...for now. As I drove, I thought to myself, as usual instead of paying attention to the road, my sister would by super jealous of me since she is 13 months older than me. Interesting how people expect the eldest sibling to be the first at everything than the youngest sibling, perhaps something like that happens if you are close to your sibling and have an accrete childhood. However, turns out, my sister caring little about driving, she'd much prefer someone else driving her around rather than wasting the time she could be spending inside the car sleeping or studying. Soon, my mother called me to "check up" on me. She asked what I was doing as usual, but this time, I told her I was driving. She freaked out. I'm the kind of guy that would tell you a complete lie, yet you would believe due to the way I deliver my lie, well, my mom realizes that. So, she thought I was lying. The conversation goes on for about another few seconds, and finally my mom says with those famous words of a wise man: "PROVE IT!"

The Tan-like complexion of a Redwood Tree due to outdoor lifeguard training.