Scuba Diving Bonding

One of my new favorite things to do is scuba diving. If I had the time and the luxury to do it more often, I most certainly would. However what makes the scuba diving more enjoyable and special is that it has become a father/daughter bonding adventure.

Mai and Dad have their motorcycles so they get to go riding every weekend. My mom even joins them, they are the cutest motorcycling riding family. There is a little twinge of jealousy since I am unable to join them in these adventures. But now that I have scuba diving (and Mai doesn't enjoy it), it's become the perfect father/daughter adventure.

This past weekend, as a birthday gift from dad, he took me on a dive trip to Catalina. We woke up at 4:30 in the morning and trekked our way to the harbor. I am the worst morning person but watching the sun rise over the harbor is magnificent and makes the early wake up call worth it.

• long beach harbor, 6 am•

Although I have about thirty dives since becoming certified last year in Thailand, I still get nervous on the boat ride over. Maybe it's because I try to stay focused on not getting seasick or the worry that I will forget some crucial step with all the gear, like turning the air on.

• i always have that look of uncertainty at the boat's edge•

But once I descend into the clear blue water, I become a happy diver (one who will sing either the Jaws theme song or the Little Mermaid's "Under the Sea" happily in my head since I can't really sing underwater).

• so blue and perfect while i swim with the fishies•

On this trip, Dad didn't bring his spear gun so he didn't do any fishing (which I'm happy about, it's something I don't like to watch). Instead, he was the underwater photographer who kept trying to get me to do things for that cool shot. Do you know how hard it is to communicate when you're underwater?! It's very difficult and charades come in handy.

• dad kept flailing his arms, still not sure what he wanted
me to do but the photo came out nicely •

• garibaldi fishes are my favorite because they aren't shy•

Every once in awhile, Dad let's me snag the camera away from him so I can play. It a huge challenge trying to take photos under water, it takes a lot of practice and patience.

• i love that little fish to the side, checking my dad out•

Our underwater adventures are a lot of fun and I need to do them more often! But the water will soon becoming a tad cold for it.


• dad capturing me swimming with the sardines•