I just got back from Lake Rawlings, VA, where I earned my Open Water Diver certification in scuba diving. I signed up for the whole thing on a whim, but it turned out to be a pretty substantial investment of time, energy, and money. My basic motivation for doing it isn't so much to go check out reefs in the Caribbean, as it is empowerment to be able to travel through a pretty fundamental part of the planet.

I have a feeling I'll dive again, but regardless of whether I put that power to use much in my life, I really pushed my comfort zone at being natural and athletic in the water, and at taking some serious personal responsibility for my own survival in a foreign environment. Not to mention I got to meet some interesting people, and spent quality time with a couple of good friends who dove as well. Plus I saw my first shooting star ever!

The all-consuming nature of it - two consecutive weekends, and more than several hours of reading and test prep ahead of it all - made the rest of life a bit more stressful for the time, but it was well worth it. My instructor, Scott Kane, is leading another class in September and another in October, and I can definitely recommend it.