Done With Swim, Learning ASL, and Seeing Another Session of Swim Lessons Ending.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, hasn’t it? Last time was the end of January, and now it’s nearing the end of February. I hope everyone had a good Valentine’s Day, and even if you didn’t get a Valentine, I’m sure Sam Okto would give you one if you asked. He’s quite the gentleman.

Your pal here did have a Valentine ; ). You’ll never know who, though. That’s the beauty of being able to control this blog post. No Gossip Girl here to spill my secrets. Cough. Apologies—I’ve been watching Gossip Girl with my mother lately. Quite the interesting show. Good, but interesting.

Anyway, let’s see. I am indeed done with swimming. It’s not worth it—not for the swim team I’m on. Toxic environment, coaches who don’t care, and sets that don’t help us improve. I did make a little goodbye note to the team in my notebook, though.

“Second to last meet. My time swimming for you is coming to an end. Whether this is the end of my swimming career forever or just for now, I don’t know. Silvers will always be a meet I remember. Fifth event, yet still not swimming until an hour after the meet starts. Classic swim meet moment.

I’m going to miss swimming, though. The rush of adrenaline, the splashing of water as swimmers kick and pull, shoving water in and out of the pool. The roaring screams and piercing whistles as coaches and swimmers cheer on their team, friends, and family—hoping they get the qualifying times they need, hoping they get a personal best, or hoping they get a team record.

I will miss Coach [inserting code name next] Sunray. She has been on my side through everything that has happened to me. Silent cheerleader, wonderful coach, and of course, a sunray in the storm.

I won’t miss the toxic environment I’ve been trapped in for so long. I will miss my friends. Bubbles, Captain America, Giggles, Cowgirl, Ace, K-pop—you have all been pillars, and even though your humor is absolutely horrible (talking to you mostly, Cowgirl and Ace), you’ve all been amazing and supportive. I hope your swimming careers continue strongly and you keep going best times. K-pop, we wish you well in college. Remember this: you’re a genius.

Goodbye forever, Riptide. You used to be my home. Now it’s time to set free like a bird.”

In addition, I’m watching my swim lesson kids move on once more to bigger and better opportunities—moving up levels, learning new skills, and no longer having me anymore. Maybe one day I’ll have them again. But for now, I’ll see new kids. Maybe even some familiar faces. Alas, new kids do mean new parents. Help me get through this.

Anyway—ASL. American Sign Language. I was bored one day, and I’ve been wanting to learn sign language. YouTube exists. And now I can sign some basic phrases. It works out perfectly. At swim meets, that’s what I did instead of being bored. Productivity at its finest. It’s easier than Spanish.

Alas, now I shall give you your insight into how my writing is going.

Under the Surface of Writing

Book 3 is finally being revealed to you guys! Are you ready? Yeah, you are.

In the Barrier cover.

Enjoy! See you guys next time.