Our Swimming Pool

Months ago, I was asked by a friend to create a blog about our swimming pool (I asked her to create a blog about education system in the Philippines, if I remember correctly). But it was an instant dilemma for me. What can I write about our boring swimming pool? It is almost always lively what with kids swimming there and all. But aside from them kids, whoelse? There are a number of big, and I mean really big, dark-colored and hairy guys (I don't mean to discriminate here but I'm just writing what I see!). That's all. And, uh, I forgot. There are old aunties from time to time. I mean, it really is discouraging to swim specially for young people like me. I'm not insinuating anything but it's just that young people want to go where other young people are. So, what can I say good, for that matter, anything, about our pool? A request is a request, so I'll still try...

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When the big, hairy one arrives, it's time to shower, dry up and go home.

Not being able to swim, swimming pool is not really a good place for me. But a few consecutive boring nights without choice of doing anything forced me to take my swimming attire and towel and head down to the condominium's pool. During these nights, I always try to stay where few people are swimming, stay low profile, and act like I know how to swim. During these nights, after about thirty minute or so, a man, about ten times bigger than me and hairy (if you've seen pro-wrestler King Kong Bundee just try to imagine him) goes down to the pool. I'm just thankful it is illegal to dive.

And I am just amazed by the way he looks. But what is more amazing is, he can swim! Shame on me, the big guy actually floats! And with a lot of splashes, he will always start swimming the length of the pool, stopping and floating in the middle (The design of the pool is that the deep part is located in the middle) then proceed. It was a sight to behold for me. Sigh. I guess it has something to do with those hairs.

After a few more minutes of watching him, I always go out of the pool, take a shower and head back to our unit.

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I'm in the pool, please don't bother me.

Well, not really a good swimmer, err, not really a swimmer, I tend to stay at one side of the pool. I don't try to learn how to swim specially if no friend is with me to see if I am doing it correctly. I don't want to look ridiculous to other swimmers. From time to time, if I'm sure nobody is watching, I'll do some few quick strokes and evaluate my accomplishment. But all the time I am disappointed. So, instead of studying how to swim, most of the times I just go to the deepest part, of course by the side of the pool, and walk underwater. It's still a very good exercise. Then I try to hold my breath as long as I can. But in-between doing these underwater exercises, my mind always fly somewhere. I can't help it. If there is a chance, I keep on reflecting about my past actions and decisions. Well, I don't regret making them but still there's always a time you can't help but wonder. Then I'd go on and think about my future. Am I in the right track for the future I want? Lately there is the cockiness in me that tells me I can't lose -- that everything will turnout just the way I see it. I don't know. I know it's got to do with my trust in HIM. For some reason, after I did some stupid (based from my standard) things in college, I developed this sense of calmness knowing everything will turnout for the best. Yes, from time to time, I get rattled. I freak out. But most of the times I tend to think I am in control of the situation, of course with HIS invisible hands as guide. Then the worries will banish.

Then some big splash of water will break my concentration. I'll look around and see the big hairy one. It's time to get out of the pool, take a shower, and go home.