Abstract: In my essay I took a look into the ways of the ocean. I expanded upon my love of surfing. I take you into the ocean with a new perspective. I show my love of surfing through imagery given to you by the words I spin into your mind through the telling of my story. I am defining my sense of place as my place among the waves in the ocean, a safe place where I feel free, a place for me where anything is possible. I show my environmental ethic by showing my connection to the ocean and the ecosystem around it. I show my love of the ocean and all it offers through my writing. I take you on a journey into my love of the ocean.
“I look out over the water with fond eyes remembering my childhood memories. I feel my connection with the ocean surge through me giving me a head rush of happiness. I value the sea life surging around me, the ecosystem and the water. I feel the protection of my beloved ocean.”
The Oceans Mystery
The sand softly brushes my feet as I make my way to the ocean. The salty breeze kissing my face with a soft touch. The sand feels warm against my feet as the sun beats down on my back like a blanket of warmth, covering my body. I become aware of the weight of my surfboard as it rests comfortably under my arm weighing me down like the thoughts racing through my mind. Attached to me by a cord, buckled to my ankle, the board feels like my only lifeline, keeping me near the surface, and the ocean around me, reality. I make my way down to the water walking slowly, feeling the sand under my feet. The warm comfort of the sand slowing my step, with slight hesitation my mind drifts to the scene set before me, taking my attention from the warm sand tickling my toes.
I stand drinking in the view of the deep blue expanse of the ocean set before me outlined by the bluest of skies. I look out over the water with fond eyes remembering my childhood memories. The salt and the sand as much a part of me as my heart. I feel my connection with the ocean surge through me giving me a head rush of happiness. I value the sea life surging around me, the ecosystem and the water. I feel the protection of my beloved ocean. This is home, where the land meets the water, where anything seems possible, where children become adults and secrets float away on the salty breeze carried out to see like forgotten songs, lovely and mysterious. My heart lightens taking in the scene again, happiness resonating through the entirety of my body. I move closer to the ocean, the smell of seaweed tickling my nose, the wetness of the water hanging in the air filling my body with excitement. My feet hit the water, the sharp blue water swirling around my feet in rhythmic patterns like an old familiar friend beaconing me in. Taking a second, I live within that moment, feeling the seconds present around me. The board heavy under my arm, I revert back to that feeling of safety and life, the beauty of water brightens my soul extending its fair hand as far as I can see, disappearing only where the sky rests its gentle touch on the surface of the ocean.
Wading into the water, I feel the warm hand of the ocean swirling around my body, drawing me in, pulling me further into the blue waves, I feel the water inch by inch move up my body as I continue my journey forward, sending shivers up my spine, the unrest of the ocean splitting vigorously through me. My board springs to life beside me, loosening itself from my hold as if on its own accord, coming to a rest on the blue surface of the water bobbing in the next to me playfully. The life of the ocean takes hold of me and I spring to life. I pull myself onto my board, belly down swinging my legs onto the slick surface. My newly waxed surfboard making it difficult for me to keep my body from slipping off into the fiery cyan colored water. I look forward feeling the water around me, the water is so close to my touch lying in wait.
I begin to paddle, my hands cutting into the water like blades propelling my body and my board forward as one, I have become one with my board. Feeling the power of the ocean under me, I harness its energy as my cold bitter heart softens coming to life. The sound of the ocean hits me in waves cutting through the blinding colors swimming beneath me in vivid gasps, creeping into my consciousness. Looking forward past the beauty, the swell of the ocean appears, making its way towards me with the quickness of a laugh. I feel the tug of the wave, the wall of beautiful water making its quick journey straight for me. I dip my head tipping my board down to go under the wave. Hitting the water I feel the warm salty water wash over me cleansing me of doubt, engulfed by the hands of the ocean my body slips into the wave. My head goes under, all noise muted if only for a moment, the sound of the world slipping away replaced by the rush of life encased beneath the surface. The energy of the ocean surging around me playing off my skin with zapping force, with slick grace I shoot forward under the clear blue water. I open my eyes slowly, the beauty of the ocean blinding me. I look up as I pass beneath the wave, the rippling of the water passing above me silently, like a mysterious creature, untouchable and majestic. The sky bleeds through the water touching my eyes giving me the sensation of flying.
Within this moment time freezes, all the worries once present in my mind vanishing. All that is left is the freedom of the ocean. Then the moment is gone. I burst from the water air filling my lungs as gasp for air, my hair cascades down my back like a brunette silk waterfall. Everything comes into clear focus as I look forward at the next approaching wave. This is the one.. my wave.
The ocean rises beneath me lifting me up, whispering its secrets to me through the swell of the water. I turn my board toward the shore so far away now as the wave approaches, peering over my shoulder, I wait. The shift in water awakens my surfer instincts. There it is, the nudge, to many this might seem like nothing but to me, a child of the ocean, this small shift couldn’t be more clear than the written word. I feel the rush of the water against my skin, flowing and thriving passing all around me, reflecting the energy of my heart, now alive with the oceans heartbeat. The wave is behind me now, coming up fast I pattle putting all of my fear, anger, loss and stress into each stroke, propelling forward with empowerment, the power of the action sharpening my mind like a sharp blade dangerous and terrifying. I place my hands firmly on the board pushing myself onto my feet the exhilaration of the action shocks me to the present, getting me out of the silent thought inside my head. The world appears brighter from my perspective on my board. I glide over the wave, making my way sideways across the glassy surface of water, the world shifting under my feet in a blue mass of energy. A smile splits my face, the love of the ocean shooting through me from the tip of my toe to my head. My board glides on the surface of the water with ease, I lean in bending my knees as the water begins to curl. The water begins to tube becoming a pipeline, I shoot into the center, my body surrounded completely, encased in a tunnel of water. Looking forward I see the through to the otherside. I bend my knees balancing feeling my board fly over the water, surfing the pipeline. Time moves more slowly, all of my senses burning like fire, the colors of the water dancing around me wild and free. I become aware, aware of the breeze on my skin, my wet hair on my back, the spray of the ocean against my face and the life all around me. I shoot through the tube of water hearing it crash behind me, the crashing of the water chasing me but I am out of reach, I am ahead of the wave I burst from the tube of water, flying out the tube of water I whip my board, the back end of my board hitting the crest of the wave spraying my face with water and making me laugh.
My heart takes flight and in this moment I have found my place, in this moment I remember why life is so beautiful.This moment is all mine, in this moment I am free. This is where I belong, on the waves, a part of the great swelling ocean and salty air a small part of a big plan. I am part of the life unseen by the world. I am the mystery and the secret, I am the cold and the unforgiving but I am also the beauty found on the other side of the tunnel. Surfing is my gateway to a greater understanding of life for me, surfing reminds me that life is short and like a wave it’s never predictable. Life when it comes down to it, is only as good as you choose to make it. Take your heart and choose to lead yourself with nothing else.
“I look out over the water with fond eyes remembering my childhood memories. I feel my connection with the ocean surge through me giving me a head rush of happiness. I value the sea life surging around me, the ecosystem and the water. I feel the protection of my beloved ocean.”
The Oceans Mystery
The sand softly brushes my feet as I make my way to the ocean. The salty breeze kissing my face with a soft touch. The sand feels warm against my feet as the sun beats down on my back like a blanket of warmth, covering my body. I become aware of the weight of my surfboard as it rests comfortably under my arm weighing me down like the thoughts racing through my mind. Attached to me by a cord, buckled to my ankle, the board feels like my only lifeline, keeping me near the surface, and the ocean around me, reality. I make my way down to the water walking slowly, feeling the sand under my feet. The warm comfort of the sand slowing my step, with slight hesitation my mind drifts to the scene set before me, taking my attention from the warm sand tickling my toes.
I stand drinking in the view of the deep blue expanse of the ocean set before me outlined by the bluest of skies. I look out over the water with fond eyes remembering my childhood memories. The salt and the sand as much a part of me as my heart. I feel my connection with the ocean surge through me giving me a head rush of happiness. I value the sea life surging around me, the ecosystem and the water. I feel the protection of my beloved ocean. This is home, where the land meets the water, where anything seems possible, where children become adults and secrets float away on the salty breeze carried out to see like forgotten songs, lovely and mysterious. My heart lightens taking in the scene again, happiness resonating through the entirety of my body. I move closer to the ocean, the smell of seaweed tickling my nose, the wetness of the water hanging in the air filling my body with excitement. My feet hit the water, the sharp blue water swirling around my feet in rhythmic patterns like an old familiar friend beaconing me in. Taking a second, I live within that moment, feeling the seconds present around me. The board heavy under my arm, I revert back to that feeling of safety and life, the beauty of water brightens my soul extending its fair hand as far as I can see, disappearing only where the sky rests its gentle touch on the surface of the ocean.
Wading into the water, I feel the warm hand of the ocean swirling around my body, drawing me in, pulling me further into the blue waves, I feel the water inch by inch move up my body as I continue my journey forward, sending shivers up my spine, the unrest of the ocean splitting vigorously through me. My board springs to life beside me, loosening itself from my hold as if on its own accord, coming to a rest on the blue surface of the water bobbing in the next to me playfully. The life of the ocean takes hold of me and I spring to life. I pull myself onto my board, belly down swinging my legs onto the slick surface. My newly waxed surfboard making it difficult for me to keep my body from slipping off into the fiery cyan colored water. I look forward feeling the water around me, the water is so close to my touch lying in wait.
I begin to paddle, my hands cutting into the water like blades propelling my body and my board forward as one, I have become one with my board. Feeling the power of the ocean under me, I harness its energy as my cold bitter heart softens coming to life. The sound of the ocean hits me in waves cutting through the blinding colors swimming beneath me in vivid gasps, creeping into my consciousness. Looking forward past the beauty, the swell of the ocean appears, making its way towards me with the quickness of a laugh. I feel the tug of the wave, the wall of beautiful water making its quick journey straight for me. I dip my head tipping my board down to go under the wave. Hitting the water I feel the warm salty water wash over me cleansing me of doubt, engulfed by the hands of the ocean my body slips into the wave. My head goes under, all noise muted if only for a moment, the sound of the world slipping away replaced by the rush of life encased beneath the surface. The energy of the ocean surging around me playing off my skin with zapping force, with slick grace I shoot forward under the clear blue water. I open my eyes slowly, the beauty of the ocean blinding me. I look up as I pass beneath the wave, the rippling of the water passing above me silently, like a mysterious creature, untouchable and majestic. The sky bleeds through the water touching my eyes giving me the sensation of flying.
Within this moment time freezes, all the worries once present in my mind vanishing. All that is left is the freedom of the ocean. Then the moment is gone. I burst from the water air filling my lungs as gasp for air, my hair cascades down my back like a brunette silk waterfall. Everything comes into clear focus as I look forward at the next approaching wave. This is the one.. my wave.
The ocean rises beneath me lifting me up, whispering its secrets to me through the swell of the water. I turn my board toward the shore so far away now as the wave approaches, peering over my shoulder, I wait. The shift in water awakens my surfer instincts. There it is, the nudge, to many this might seem like nothing but to me, a child of the ocean, this small shift couldn’t be more clear than the written word. I feel the rush of the water against my skin, flowing and thriving passing all around me, reflecting the energy of my heart, now alive with the oceans heartbeat. The wave is behind me now, coming up fast I pattle putting all of my fear, anger, loss and stress into each stroke, propelling forward with empowerment, the power of the action sharpening my mind like a sharp blade dangerous and terrifying. I place my hands firmly on the board pushing myself onto my feet the exhilaration of the action shocks me to the present, getting me out of the silent thought inside my head. The world appears brighter from my perspective on my board. I glide over the wave, making my way sideways across the glassy surface of water, the world shifting under my feet in a blue mass of energy. A smile splits my face, the love of the ocean shooting through me from the tip of my toe to my head. My board glides on the surface of the water with ease, I lean in bending my knees as the water begins to curl. The water begins to tube becoming a pipeline, I shoot into the center, my body surrounded completely, encased in a tunnel of water. Looking forward I see the through to the otherside. I bend my knees balancing feeling my board fly over the water, surfing the pipeline. Time moves more slowly, all of my senses burning like fire, the colors of the water dancing around me wild and free. I become aware, aware of the breeze on my skin, my wet hair on my back, the spray of the ocean against my face and the life all around me. I shoot through the tube of water hearing it crash behind me, the crashing of the water chasing me but I am out of reach, I am ahead of the wave I burst from the tube of water, flying out the tube of water I whip my board, the back end of my board hitting the crest of the wave spraying my face with water and making me laugh.
My heart takes flight and in this moment I have found my place, in this moment I remember why life is so beautiful.This moment is all mine, in this moment I am free. This is where I belong, on the waves, a part of the great swelling ocean and salty air a small part of a big plan. I am part of the life unseen by the world. I am the mystery and the secret, I am the cold and the unforgiving but I am also the beauty found on the other side of the tunnel. Surfing is my gateway to a greater understanding of life for me, surfing reminds me that life is short and like a wave it’s never predictable. Life when it comes down to it, is only as good as you choose to make it. Take your heart and choose to lead yourself with nothing else.
Artists Statement
In my painting I brought my idea of life. In my watercolor I made the ocean colorful along with the sky to show all the beauty and excitement the world holds if you choose to except . I made the girl and her surfboard however black and grey to show the lack of life she holds within herself without the ocean. This reflects how I feel about the ocean. I made the painting focusing on the girl who is completely lacking color to show that you are lifeless without your place in the world. It is up to you to find your place. My watercolor is about internal growth, finding your sense of place.
In my painting I brought my idea of life. In my watercolor I made the ocean colorful along with the sky to show all the beauty and excitement the world holds if you choose to except . I made the girl and her surfboard however black and grey to show the lack of life she holds within herself without the ocean. This reflects how I feel about the ocean. I made the painting focusing on the girl who is completely lacking color to show that you are lifeless without your place in the world. It is up to you to find your place. My watercolor is about internal growth, finding your sense of place.