Do you understand this difference?
Prepare yourself for the tests. Learn the lesson, preferably on the first attempt, because who really likes taking tests over and over again? Get out of your head and get out of your way. There’s so much to see, do, experience, feel and explore in this vast world; we’re wasting time and precious moments re-taking tests!
~Natasha L. Foreman
P.S. Thank you Arleen for sharing this image with me this morning. As you can see, I’m paying it forward!
I don’t know how you spent your weekend, but I spent mine having fun.
Saturday was all about movies, hot dogs, warm pretzels, a teddy bear named Besos, hat shopping and relaxing. We went to see the movie Adrift, which I truly loved. I love hot dogs and warm pretzels, and I was so happy to nibble on both while watching the movie.
Adrift is not just a love story, it’s a life story. It’s based on a true story that serves as a reminder for all of us—when life hits you with a storm you have a choice: give up or fight to survive. Either we have hope and faith to persevere and make it through, or we don’t. It is also a reminder of how powerful our minds are and the balancing act we strive to master.
I love how the story was visually depicted. It drew me in and made me feel as though I was there. Kudos to the writer, director, and crew for a job well done.
My new buddy Besos entered my life while browsing stores. He was hanging out with other teddy bears and when given the option to choose, I chose him—even over the huge ones that were there. I simply liked his look and how I felt when I looked at him. I felt like a teenage girl, and that feeling made me light up and giggle. So he was the one, and I named him Besos—which means “kisses” in Spanish. I chose his name for personal reasons—reasons that I’m sure will keep me smiling like a teenage girl for many years to come.
My Sunday started off early with a 7am rise, yummy breakfast cooked for me and with me in mind, and an hour drive to one of Georgia’s newest state parks to go for a 2-mile roundtrip hike. It was a short hike but still beautiful and sensory-teasing.
We saw a snake zoom past us on the path. It was hurrying to get out of our way. Since I was walking in the back I didn’t get to see it in its fullness–just the tail-end as it hid in the brush, which was a bummer. I enjoy capturing glimpses of snakes, seeing their skins, especially when the sunlight hits them just the right way. Have you ever seen one sunbathing? It’s such an awesome sight.
They are beautiful creatures, to me—even if some of them can kill me with one strike—it doesn’t take away from their beauty, at least not in and through my eyes.
I thought often about my doggy Bishop and how much fun he will have hiking on these wooded trails, through creeks and streams, and up rocky hills and mountains. I’ve been exploring various state parks for the past two months so that I can see which ones are dog-friendly so that I can return with him, and he too can have some fun.
After leaving the park, we drove to Lake Lanier where we rented a 2-seater wave runner. We ate yummy sandwiches during our drive up, so by the time we reached the lake I was sleepy from the food, sun and heat, and the drive. But it didn’t stop me from climbing on the wave runner, for the first time on a lake (my other experiences have always been in the ocean) and for the first time ever I chose to be a passenger and not captain—yes, I allowed someone else to navigate the wave runner while I held on and felt the splashing water soak me. It was unnerving at times because when you’re the one steering the wave runner you can brace yourself better when a wave approaches, you can navigate the wakes, and you’re holding on to handles for stability.
When you’re the passenger, you have to trust the captain and you have to pray you don’t somehow lose your grip and go flying off the side or back of the vessel. There were times when we caught major ‘air’ and we were soaring high above the water. There was also a time when while up in the air a big wave came our way and without notice (because I’m in the back and couldn’t always see what was going on in front) that wave came crashing over our heads as we were heading back down into the water. It literally felt like we were a submarine for a second. I squealed and then laughed like a child. We were drenched and loved it.
A windy day means choppy water and choppy water means tons of dips and dives on a wave runner.
As we zoomed, jumped, and glided across the lake we looked for shallow areas where we could jump off, weight down the wave runner, and go for a swim. This was also another unnerving experience for me, because I can’t recall ever going swimming in a lake. I’ve been in canoes, kayaks, sail boats, yachts, and small boats on a lake. I’ve never been on a wave runner in the lake, and I’ve never swam in the lake (if I did, I was a small child and the memory escapes me).
I’ve always felt grossed out about what’s floating in the lake. I guess because the water is less active than the ocean I somehow feel as though there are more things just lying in wait to grab my feet, entangle me, or whatever.
Which is strange when you think of it.
I’ve swam in the ocean where there’s sharks, eels, stingrays, jelly fish, and all sorts of creatures and contaminants from oil rigs, waste dumping, and leaking sunken boats and ships—all of which can kill me—yet, I’m scared of the lake—no real logic there. Just fear.
What I realized in a matter of moments is this: You have to trust fully and completely whomever you are with, especially whenever you are facing a fear. Yesterday I put my trust in my faithful companion to gently hold my hand and guide me into the lake, and swim with me away from the shoreline. Before long I was so comfortable that I looked up and began floating on my back. Then I felt a hand on my feet, as I was slowly pulled farther and farther from the shoreline. The sensory deprivation of having your eyes closed and ears under water makes you feel as though you’re being pulled fast, when the reality is, you’re barely moving—that’s the power and magnificence of water.
After spending quality time swimming around and looking at the scenery, it was time to swim back to shore, unweight our wave runner and jump back on for more fun. Boy howdy did we have fun.
At some point we decided to ask the coast guards for the time and we were shocked to find that we had been in the water for almost two hours. It’s funny how time flies when you’re having fun. It was time for us to head back to the dock and return our rental.
We had a small dilemma.
We couldn’t remember exactly where we were in proximity to the dock.
We had been zigging and zagging all over the lake and lost our frames of reference. We headed in the direction that I was feeling drawn towards and we then stopped and asked a couple to point us in the right direction. Thankfully, we were going the right way, we just needed to get around the islands that we were next to—which was also heading in the direction where my beloved ‘captain’ had also pointed. In a matter of seconds we were back to hitting waves and soaring high above the water, and I was squealing and laughing all the way back.
I did wonder a few times, “how long after I slingshot off of here will my absence be noticed?” and then I was always reassured when I would hear, “are you okay back there? Hold on tight. I have you…” and I trusted those words to be true, smiled, and held on.
We made it back to the dock with plenty of time. We asked some passersby to take photos of us. My hair was wind blown but I didn’t care. I hope to never forget those memories from my three firsts.
We went and scarfed down some food at a nearby restaurant. Oh how yummy it was. Since it was a hot day, I chose a cold sandwich (a huge triple decker) with sweet potato fries (that were some of the best I’ve ever had), a glass of water, and a mango-peach smoothie (with a juicy pineapple slice hanging on the side).
The cheeseburger that was staring at me from the other side of the table was mouth-watering and looked oh so delicious, so did the house chips–two of which were placed in my mouth with a touch of ketchup—and I savored bite after bite.
After lunch I changed out of my now-almost-dry clothes and slid on a sundress and flip flops, and then climbed back into the plush SUV that drove us home—as we listened to music, sang songs, and reflected upon our amazing day together and how much fun Bishop will have with us at the lake.
What a weekend I had. I’m so grateful that we had great weather so that we could experience fun both on land and in water. Georgia’s weather can be wishy washy. I’m also extremely excited about what we have planned for the next three weekends. One adventure after the next. I’m focused on having a summer and year filled with new experiences, numerous adventures, and long lasting memories.
I hope that you’re making the most out of each day and not just letting time slip by, opportunities pass you, the past restrict you, and life move forward without you. Seize each moment of every day!
Love,
Natasha
Natasha 