Storms are a brewing every which way we look, and it’s definitely a time of chaos and uncertainty. Luckily that is not the reason why I haven’t posted in awhile. I’ve just been busy working, diving, living the good life. I figured there are only so many posts about sunsets, rainbows and weekend mermaiding that readers will tolerate.

This is the only turtle I’ll get to see this weekend because, for me, there is no diving. The ocean is getting bullied by some storms, which aren’t expected to do much harm to Guam, but the boat can’t go out today (nor do I want to fight the surf). I’m flying on Monday (for work), which means I can’t dive tomorrow. Sooooo, I have time to sip from my sassy mug and share my bits of living.

First off, it feels like I began the school year lassoed to a tornado. I’m not complaining, but it’s been busy, and it included a week in Georgia followed by a week in Okinawa. I was so jet lagged, I hope I came off coherent (then again I hope that regardless). I’ll be back in Okinawa next week, and I’ve brought my Christmas list with me — fingers crossed I can fit in some after-work shopping. I’ll definitely be eating well. Oh my goodness I will never get bored of Japanese cuisine.

I’ve also had a few personal setbacks, the biggest was discovering that I can’t vote during this year’s presidential election. People born in Guam are U.S. citizens, but, while living on island, they can only vote for Guam officials (their taxes also remain on Guam). If they move stateside and register there, then they can vote.

Little ole privileged me thought I’d be exempt from that since Arizona is listed as my home of residence, and I pay federal taxes. What I didn’t take into account was the minute I surrendered my AZ drivers license to get my Guam one, I gave up my absentee ballot. Worst part is, of course, deep down inside I had to know this (hello? Social Studies person), but obviously I didn’t think it through (or do my due diligence). I needed to renew my car insurance, and because I’m not military I don’t have military-affiliated insurance, I needed a Guam drivers license for the local insurance (it’s also law; you’re supposed to get a Guam license when you move here — however, there are exemptions, which I’m sure I could have dug up). Lesson learned: don’t give up your state license; find the loophole that makes it legal for you to keep it. Anyway, this is my too long of a ramble that I feel so disenfranchised that I can’t vote. I guess in some ways this is metaphorical for the way I feel about so much of what is going on: I have no control of the crazy (except my own).

Another setback is health care. It can be such a pain. Luckily my issues are minor, so it’s all good (until it’s not). I’ve been using a medical facility that’s affiliated with a church, which means after examination the doctors ask if they can pray for you — I’m never going to say no to divine intervention. But, lol, I recently had to go in for a urinary tract infection, and my young doctor asked our heavenly Father to smite the bacteria in my nether regions. Soooo, there’s that.

As always, with any overseas gig I have, there’s the distance from my family. Oh how I hate that I can’t mourn and celebrate so much side-by-side with them. I’m grateful I have the internet to keep us connected (and oh how I loathe some of its bits as well).

And, yet, my good still outweighs the bad. I love the pace of living here, the tribe I’ve been accepted into, the work I get to do, and the seasons of our ocean. Perhaps I am one of Poseidon’s daughters because whenever I do my time under water I am at such peace and awe, and then I get to celebrate it with my fellow underwater enthusiasts.

There is so much magic above and below our waters — how lucky are we! Of course there’s danger too, but that’s just part of our bargain with living.

And that, my friends, is probably way more than you wanted to read about my life’s spells. Stay safe, enjoy the treats that come your way, and do your right thing.