Belize - pt 2: Scuba Diving

In January, Jake & I got scuba certified and our trip to Belize was our first open-water dive trip. It was fun, but I struggled. I am paranoid of deep water! (good sport for me, huh?!) Our first of four dives in Belize did not go well at all. I've never had an anxiety attack before, but based on what I've heard about them, I'm pretty sure I experienced one. We were on the boat about a mile out, ready for a 60-ft. dive and I just could not bring myself to get in the water. I was giving myself a big pep-talk to convince myself to do it. After all - I am certified! I've trained for this! I know what to do if anything goes wrong! Nothing worked. It was 85 degrees and I was in a cold sweat. I started crying. CRYING! So I bowed out and stayed in the boat, vomiting, while Jake went on the 45-minute dive. FAIL. The dives after that went a bit better because we dove to only 30', inside the reef. I think I just need to start out smaller & easier before I go to the big stuff! Anyway, we did get some pretty cool pictures. It really is a totally different world down there! You know what I do to calm my nerves if I get anxious in the water? Sing The Little Mermaid in my head. Just think about it: swimming 30' under, looking at the fishes and coral, singing.."Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?!.." It works!