May 21: Coral Rocks!

That's exactly what Juliette said right after our first scuba dive in the wide, deep Atlantic Ocean. We were both down there together, with the rest of our scuba class. In a world of water. And the only word I can think of to describe that experience? "Awesome!" Really, for once that's totally the right word. So we're down there underwater for a long time and then come to the surface together, Juliette and me. And she takes the scuba tank regulator out of her mouth so she can talk and pulls up her dive mask. She's smiling like the widest smile. And Juliette just says, "Coral rocks!"

I started laughing so hard I almost choked on all that sea water! ROFL. Except there was no floor - just the ocean. :-) Really I know you know what my great BFF meant by "Coral rocks!" But it's just that some coral really looks like rocks, even though it's really tiny creatures that are alive and everything. But - oh anyway, I thought it was so funny. Like my dad says sometimes,  "I guess you had to be there." LOL.

Oh yes, I should tell you again that I'm Isabella, your faithful blogger bud. In case you're new to my weekly blog or something. Remember last week I told you Juliette and I were going on our first big ocean dive? Well, wow - it wasn't just "awesome." It was a totally, totally amazing thing for anyone to do!! Because once I put on my mask and fins and jumped in for the first time, I couldn't believe how I felt. I wasn't scared at all, like I expected to feel. No, I felt all calm and very happy to see this strange new place for the first time in my life.

When you're underwater, everything seems really peaceful and pretty. I've watched all those YouTube videos and TV shows about diving under the ocean but you have to see it yourself to really understand. But I'll still try to describe it for you a little bit. Remember, I want to be a famous writer when I grow up anyway, right? LOL.

The first thing you notice is how light you feel. It's like being in space or something, I guess. Astronauts on the space shuttle even train underwater. Somehow it's different when you're in the ocean instead of just practicing scuba diving in the little pool. Then you start swimming under all those waves and you know it really is a whole new world. Big schools of purple fish and yellow fish and tiny white fish floated by, right past Juliette and me and the rest of our scuba class. I really have to just say "awesome" again.

Then our instructor, Bob, took us to see some of the coral that's just off the coast of Florida. It's even right here off the famous beach in Fort Lauderdale. That was the most beautiful thing of all. Some of the coral looks like colorful plants waving in the wind. And some of it looks like cactus. Kind of. And some of it looks to me just like ... rocks. Hahaha. Just like Juliette said, right? "Coral rocks!"

But she's really right, even if I like to tease her about that. Coral DOES rock - and so does scuba diving! I can't wait to go into the ocean again on another dive and Juliette feels the same way. And best thing of all, guess what? We both passed all our tests so far and we're now almost officially certified scuba divers! Next week we do some more ocean diving with Bob and and our class. And that's it. Certified! How cool is that, right? For sure I'll tell you more about some of the other underwater adventures we'll definitely have later this summer, blog-o-buds. Ok? But next week, I think I'll have something new to talk about. Ever heard of a Segway? I'm going to try one for the first time in a couple days. I just hope it's half as fun as scuba diving. Then maybe in the next blog I can say, "Segway Rocks" too! TTYL! Have a great week!!!