I Am Prepared to Make Snorkeling My Entire Personality
Off the coast of Kefalonia, there's an underwater cave where a school of fearsome lionfish holds court. To call on them, you must gulp in enough air to last about 30 seconds, plunge a few feet below the water's surface, and hold yourself down by clutching onto a rocky outcrop. 'Just stick your head in and you'll see them,' a fellow snorkeler shouts at me. What I've yet to mention is that the lionfish's venomous sting is agonizing. I read somewhere that thrusting your hand into a pot of boiling water hurts less than a lionfish sting. And I'm supposed to just 'stick my head' into their lethal sanctum? When I finally work up the courage, three are floating motionless, staring back at me as if to say, don't even think about it. They are a peculiar species with riotous stripes extending out onto a flamboyant mane of fins and spines (hence the 'lion' moniker). Like a fish that swallowed a grenade and is halfway through exploding. I pop back up and spit my breathing tube out. 'Incredible!' This was two years ago, and one of my first real snorkeling experiences.
I more or less grew up in the water. My dad, a surfer from Santa Monica, put me on his board before I could walk. My sisters and I used to choreograph dances and songs to persuade our parents to take us to the p-o-o-l. Summers were spent camping at Refugio Beach along the California coastline. And despite all this, I've only arrived at this love of snorkeling in the last few years. Among the irrational fears I inherited from my mother, an anxiety surrounding not being able to breathe is one of them. But here's the thing about anxieties: usually when you confront them, they chill out. This Kefalonia excursion was part of an 'earlymoon' in Greece that my fiancé and I went on, and in an effort to share his passion for snorkeling, I rearranged outdated assumptions about myself. In this case: That I can't inhale and exhale through a tube while submerged underwater. And reader, I'm glad I did.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
How To Prepare Your High School Student For The Competitive College Application Season
Stanford, California, USA - March 17, 2019: Aerial view of Stanford University in Stanford ... More California. Stanford is a private university founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford. The college admissions landscape has grown increasingly competitive and complex over the last five years, and students must start earlier than ever before to build an applicant profile that will stand out to admissions officers at their dream schools. The moment a student begins their freshman year of high school, their choices—from summer activities to course selection to extracurricular involvements—contribute to the application narrative top colleges will see when they apply. As such, parents play a critical role in helping their students develop a tactical and thoughtful approach to their high school careers in order to reach their collegiate goals. Whether your student is anticipating their first year of high school or putting the finishing touches on their college list before the start of senior year, the question is not whether you should be talking about college, but how to talk to them about the particular stage of the process they find themselves in. The latter is a common cause of confusion and frustration for students and parents navigating the high school years—parents who are unsure of what their student should be accomplishing or who struggle to motivate their student quickly find themselves overwhelmed and disconnected from their child. Avoiding the stress and tension that can arise from college applications requires that parents start conversations early, understand what their child should reasonably accomplish in each stage of their high school career, and take a supportive and open-minded approach when talking to their child about their future goals. Summer, with its lighter schedule and fewer distractions, is the perfect time to initiate a dialogue with your student about college admissions. Here are three tips to keep in mind as you kick off the conversation: One of the most effective ways for parents to guide their students while encouraging autonomy and introspection is by asking questions. In the early years of high school, these questions should be aimed at helping your student consider what they are truly passionate about and where their skills lie. Some of the most productive conversations begin not with questions like 'What do you want to major in?' but with 'What subject do you want to keep learning more about, even outside of class?' or 'What are you most proud of trying this past year?' Asking such questions will help students to narrow their involvements, critically select the advanced courses they enroll in, and progress toward the subject-specific expertise that top colleges are looking for. Even after these initial stages, parents can approach the college application process itself with curiosity rather than checklists. For instance, when considering competitive summer programs, internship opportunities, or potential fields of study, consider asking questions such as: 'What would it look like for you to challenge yourself? What is something you want to learn more about? What do you envision your life looking like after college? Is there anything new you're interested in trying this year?' Similarly, you might help your student evaluate their balanced college list by asking: 'What draws you to that school? Do you think you're better suited for a rural campus or would you fare better in a city?' Introspection, authentic passion, and a clear point of view are some of the most essential qualities that Ivy League and other top schools are looking for. If a parent dictates what their child 'should' be doing in the process, their fingerprints will be evident to admissions officers on their child's college application. Encouraging autonomy through thoughtful and open-ended questions will instead support students in the process of articulating their own identity on their applications and beyond. The college application process is highly stressful for both parents and students—and even the most supportive and encouraging guidance can begin to feel like pressure if it becomes a constant topic of conversation. For this reason, just as important as starting the conversation about college prep is knowing when to stop. Particularly when discussing college prep during the summer, it is critical to make space for fun, relaxation, and the non-academic parts of life that are essential to fostering a healthy and positive relationship with your child. One of the best ways to mitigate the pressure of the college application process is to designate specific times to check in with your student, ask questions, set goals, and discuss their progress. You might choose a 30-minute window on a certain day or days of the week (depending on where your student is in the process) as a planned time to discuss all college-related things, and do your best to avoid the topic outside of that agreed-upon window. Ultimately, it is important to remember that college planning is just one small part of a student's growth and development during these critical years; parents can model balance and perspective by being intentional about how and when they talk about it. Finally, while parents are the cornerstone of a student's support network, getting into a top college requires an enormous amount of time, strategy, and skill-building, and you simply cannot do it all. Instead of trying to be your student's tutor, mentor, essay editor, and college counselor, you should view yourself as the architect of their support apparatus. Your role is to help your student determine what they need and find the best resources to meet those needs. This may include academic tutors for tricky subjects and standardized tests, writing coaches, school college counselors, or a private college consultant. Encourage them to build strong relationships with teachers who might later write recommendations and connect with alumni or professionals in fields they're curious about. Like every other aspect of the college admissions process, a support network should encourage students' autonomy—in other words, parents should not secure a flashy internship, fancy summer job, or high-profile recommender on behalf of their student, but teach their teen to identify their needs and goals and advocate for themselves in the process. Connecting your student with a diverse network of experts can keep them motivated throughout the often exhausting process, ensure they receive the most up-to-date information about what colleges are looking for today, and allow your relationship to thrive without the full burden of college preparation falling on your shoulders. This summer, make the most of the time you spend with your teen by encouraging conversation about their future goals in a supportive and low-pressure environment. The more you lay the groundwork for open and positive communication, the more prepared your student will be for the demands of the competitive admissions process.
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
Who has the best fast food french fries? New study reveals the top 10 — and an NYC favorite made the grade
Ronald McDonald is gonna be salty about this list. In a new nationwide ranking from Seating Masters, based on over 40,000 Yelp reviews, one burger chain's golden spuds are un-fry-gettable, according to WWLP. In-N-Out Burger topped the list — scoring a crispy 3.86 out of 5 average across 25 locations. 5 In-N-Out Burger was named as the fast food chain with the best french fries in the country. REUTERS Despite its limited reach, the California-based chain has been recognized for its fresh-cut fries, prepared in-store daily. Shake Shack sizzled into second with a 3.7 average — the crinkle-cut fries, which have been removed and added back to menus throughout the years, have since made a triumphant comeback. The store began as a small hot dog stand operating out of Madison Square Park in New York City in 2001 and has since grown into a gourmet fast-casual restaurant with more than 377 locations internationally. 5 The California-based chain scored a crispy 3.86 out of 5 average across 25 locations. REUTERS 5 Shake Shack's crinkle-cut fries were ranked second with a 3.7 average. Toronto Star via Getty Images Meanwhile, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers snagged third with 3.59 stars, thanks to its crispy shoestring style. Bojangles, a Southern regional favorite, landed in fourth with a 3.51 rating for its seasoned fries and Chick-fil-A's waffle fries, beloved for their dip-ability and crispy crunch, kept the chicken chain from getting grilled with a 3.4. 5 Chick-fil-A's waffle fries, beloved for their dip-ability and crispy crunch, landed in the middle of the list with a 3.4. Bloomberg via Getty Images Notably, Raising Cane's large crinkle-cut fries landed in 6th place with a 3.24 average. Zaxby's, Arby's, Hardee's, and Checkers/Rally's completed the top 10 list, all scoring between a 2.98 and a 2.84. Left at the bottom of the bag, KFC, was fried with an 1.77 average rating — making them the worst. Surprisingly, McDonald's, typically believed to be the best, received a soggy acceptance. Despite decades of the golden arches, its fries only mustered a 1.91 — second worst in the nation. What makes for this supersized disappointment? 5 Surprisingly, McDonald's, typically believed to be the best were listed as the second worst in the nation. Getty Images According to experts — and thousands of Yelp users with strong snack opinions — freshness, quality, and consistency reign supreme. And while massive chains may have the volume, it seems the best fries are hand-cut, not mass-produced. Seems like some popular fast food chains may-o need to ketchup. Top 10 best fast-food french fries: In-N-Out Burger – 3.86 Shake Shack – 3.7 Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers – 3.59 Bojangles – 3.51 Chick-fil-A – 3.4 Raising Cane's – 3.24 Zaxby's – 2.98 Arby's – 2.89 Hardee's – 2.86 Checkers/Rally's – 2.84
New York Times
8 hours ago
- New York Times
My Best Friend Ghosted Me, and I'm Devastated. Help!
My best friend and confidante of nine years has simply vanished from my life. Last year, she stood by my side as I married the love of my life. She was listed as my sister in spirit in the wedding program, and that joyful day brought us both to tears. Since then, we have had exactly one dinner together, during which she told me she had started seeing someone on the West Coast. I have reached out to her many times since then, sending love on her birthday and over the holidays, but she hasn't responded. I know that she continues to watch my busy life on social media, but I am tortured by the loss of my dear friend. I feel sad and very confused. What should I do? BEST FRIEND Occasionally, when we upset people inadvertently or they decide they need a break from their relationship with us, they aren't forthcoming about their feelings. (It would be infinitely better if they were, but conflict is hard for some people.) In these situations, sending good wishes on birthdays and holidays — even repeatedly — is insufficient to get to the root of the problem. We have to be more direct: 'I miss you! Do we have an issue to discuss?' I certainly don't blame you for the rift with your friend, and I sympathize with your strong emotions about it. But I would caution you to tamp down the drama when you speak to your friend about your relationship. Focus less on expressing your feelings and more on listening to her perspective. It may make it easier for her to speak honestly and productively with you. Now, I am not going to speculate about the role of your recent marriage or your friend's new relationship in the cooling of your friendship, and I encourage you to keep an open mind, too. The best we can do in situations like these is approach our friends with humility and patience as we ask for clarity. This is the only way I know to get important relationships back on track. Count Us In (Until Further Notice) My wife and I accepted an invitation to our neighbors' wedding that is taking place in a couple of weeks. They are kind people, and we like them very much. The issue: Our daughter's seventh birthday is the day after the wedding, and we are now thinking of spending a long weekend at the shore to celebrate it. Can we bail on the wedding? We would rather spend the whole weekend with our children than an evening at the wedding without them. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
