We completed the paperwork for our divemaster certifications today. It seems we’ll have to do a rescue scenario tomorrow, but other than that we’re clear. I got fives (out of five) on all my assists, most of my skill demonstrations and all professionalism evaluations, which is quite well in par with Eeva. We were told that competent people normally get fours on those subjective evaluations, meaning that our hard work is paying off. How nice.

And our deep throat inside the shop mentioned the IDC course director praising our exam results to other instructors on the course. Seems like he’s pleased with our results on the DM course.

This seems like an excellent starting point for the IDC, which starts tomorrow with some pre-course workshops. Let’s try to keep up the good work.

Oh, we also got the new bike:

Don’t you be messing with me, boy!

Tags: divemaster internship, instructor internship, it's good to be me, PADI IDC

Yesterday was one of the most productive days I’ve had here so far. We got our instructor manuals and candidate workbooks, completed the initial exam of the IDC (Instructor Development Course) and got a little bit of studying done as well. I did an 800 metre snorkeling test, a 100 metre tired diver tow and the stress test all in one session, which guaranteed a good night’s sleep. Not that I still wasn’t feeling a bit sore from the strain.

There was also an exam to see where we come from, but I didn’t find the results very conclusive. I aced physics, failed equipment and passed all the others, but many of my mistakes had more to do with the English language than actual knowledge. I sure hope the instructor examination (IE) doesn’t have that many trick questions.

Anyway, the IDC should start next week. More on that later.

One of the reasons for yesterday’s productivity was weather. By the time I had finished the swims, it was raining so hard I could spot pikes swimming on shoulder height. At the same time there was a power cut, so all we could do was to study. The rain caused a bit of a problem by reaching our terrace-like outdoor office (regadless of the roof and straw mat walls), so I had to tuck myself in the corner and face the wall in order to keep my paperwork dry. I have to take a photo of the manuals at some point to illustrate what I was dealing with yesterday.

Finally around seven the rain gave up and we could go home. I grabbed us some McD’s, we ate it in candlelight and crashed to bed. It’s been a while since I’ve slept this well.

Tags: divemaster internship, exams, instructor internship, it's good to be me, PADI IDC, studies

Our first anniversary was thoroughly celebrated on the 13th. We also did some celebrating on the account of my birthday, which was three days before the anniversary, so it made sense to combine the two.

First, we had some excellent diving in Tulamben, simply brilliant. Sun was shining, we had good bottom times and saw lots upon lots of stuff (barracudas, the usual little fish, moray eels, a white tip shark!! and lots more). Then it was back to Sanur, and party.

In case someone was misinformed, we’re on an island that’s surrounded by beaches. The closest one is five minutes from our place, and is framed with restaurants, bars, scuba/snorkel places and the like. There are also wave-breakers with gazebos on top, like made for having drinks with friends in the evening. Which is exactly what we did. We bought a bag of ice, some beers, some gin and rum (with tonics and cokes), some snacks and a few candles. We also bought some plastic cups and some lime fruit to go with the gin & tonics and rum & cokes. Forgot the Leatherman ™ at the Bedroom, but made do – Divemasters need to be able to improvise with even the non-existent tools we had…

There were a few of us, sharing drinks and laughs and stories and taking silly pictures (several of them are censored and will never appear online, sorry). Lots upon lots of merriment was had by all. Nobody wanted to take off to the discoinferno of Kuta. We stayed out until about twoish in the morning, and slept in the next morning.

On Sunday we had a day off, and that was all good and deserved. We managed to get out of bed for lunch and dinner, but otherwise it was a pretty much horizontal day. And come Monday, we went snorkelling with some guests and had a good training day.

We might be making the outings on the beach a tradition of sorts, methinks.

Tags: friends and family, it's good to be me, party

It’s half past seven in the evening and the power is out. A faint glow from the street lights illuminates parts of the inner courtyard and cars are roaming the street on the other side of the building, but mostly it’s dark and silent. I’m sitting on our part of the balcony, listening to tunes from back in the day and relaxing after an eventful day. A couple of other interns are having a balcony beer on their side.

I could be there socialising with them, but I have something else in mind tonight. While it’s brilliant to have nice people around me, I also need time for myself. This is one of those moments.

The more I think of it, the more I like what I am, what I’ve been and what I’ve accomplished so far. There are not many things I would change from my past, even though several of them may have had been better left undone. All of it has lead me to this place and moment where I find myself on the light side of the Force. Peaceful. Calm. Content.

Life is simple and sometimes rather busy, but I’m way happier than back in my Corporation days. I may not have the wealth, the power or the glory, and for what may be the first time in my life, I don’t care. There may be a time when I do care again, but right now I’m happy with what I have. I’ve found my peace, my safe haven. My happy place.

All that work and stress is finally paying off, and I’m enjoying every moment of it. Life is good.

Tags: it's good to be me

Oh, the joy of endorphines after a good swim. We did our 400 metre test today, along with the 15-minute float (last 2 minutes with hands on the surface) and a mapping exercise on a dive site in Nusa Penida. We still have to do an 800 metre snorkeling swim and a 100 metre tired diver tow. The total score from these four skills must be 12 or above, and after the first two I’ve already got nine. The float was an easy five since you only lose points for not being able to float the whole time or by taking your hands underwater during the last two minutes. Even I with my ridiculously low buoyancy could ace it with ease, let alone the ones with natural flotation aids.

Tomorrow we’re doing more guiding practise in Tulamben, and Sunday is again a day off. We’ll be having a beach party on Saturday to celebrate Eeva’s birthday and our first anniversary. Feel free to join us

Tags: Blue Season Bali, celebration, divemaster internship, diving, friends and family, it's good to be me, parties, swimming, training

I can’t believe it’s been two weeks already. Days go by so fast it’s not real. Usually it’s get up, get to the centre, go dive, go eat, sleep, repeat. We haven’t had too much time to explore the island, but Sanur is pretty easy town. You can find pretty much anything you’d want, and life is very easy when it’s simple. Relaxing not to have to want all sorts of stuff for a while.

So what’s up? There’s the sun tanning us up, and the rain cooling us down every once in a while. The art shop outside our homestay (a.k.a. Enny’s) has live music every night except Sunday, so we fall asleep to covers of Sting, Bob Marley and lots of others. There’s a coconut palm growing behind our bathroom window, which only has a grille, so we can look at trees while washing. There are too many gekkos to count, but only one of them is pink. (really cute and quick too, so no pictures, sorry).

Our daily commute is 5 minutes on a scooter and then depending on where we dive either 10-60 mins on a boat or 3 hours on in a wheezing minivan (to Tulamben). We get to dive almost every day, and when we don’t dive there’s the centre’s swimming pool to satisfy the need to get wet. All in all, life’s pretty sweet.

Today (that would be Saturday as I’m writing this) on the second dive of the day we saw two turtles swimming off on the reef. Apparently they’re pretty rare hereabouts, judging from the enthusiastic comments later back on board. We rode some pretty strong currents today, and I can feel the effort it took in my muscles.

Also we’ve been taking good care of the random Finns who come to Blue Season to dive. Of course we’re talking with the other customers too, but somehow it’s nice to talk in your mother tongue with people. And I suppose it can’t really hurt the business either…

Long days mean short nights and I have to take what sleep I can. Diving again tomorrow.

edit on Sunday:

We just came back from the boat, this time we’ve been thoroughly bumped on the way back. Saw some manta rays (pictures to follow, keep checking the gallery) and some turtles and I managed to drop my brand new mask into the current. My language was very foul for a while. Will try and replace it as soon as possible. Otherwise things are just peachy. I’ll also try and get some rest, this stuff takes its toll too.

Tags: it's good to be me, natural beauty, oh bugger, time, transportation

A few more weeks and we’re off to Bali. Apart from visas everything is paid and settled, now all we have to do is to pack and go, but first we’ll have a nice Christmas with our families and friends. Good food, sauna, some wine, reading and board games for a couple of days – I mean, what’s there not to like?

Happy holidays to everyone!

Tags: food, friends and family, holiday, it's good to be me

Oh, how I love being European in the world economy of 2009.

The guys in Bali have decided to operate on a steady currency instead of Indonesian Rupiahs (a wise choice as such), so everything is paid in US dollars. However, while the steadiness of euro has been rock solid, the value of USD just hit its all-time low at .66 euros. I just paid our 5-figure course fees and accommodation, saving several thousand dollars just by living in the this specific part of the world!

So, we have the flights, we have the course payment on its way, and we have accommodation waiting in Helsinki after New Year’s. And it seems like we’re getting to visit Vuohijärvi as well!

Tags: it's good to be me, money, planning, practical stuff

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that everything is proceeding like planned. I left my laptop and stuff to the office today, brought some pulla to my colleagues and said goodbye to everyone. Next I have to visit the employment office and we should be good to go.

The bad news, on the other hand, is that due to my non-disclosure agreement I can only say that my name is on the paper and that’s it. Not that there would be a lot to tell, but still.

Anyway, we’ll be staying in Oulu for at least three to four weeks before leaving. Can’t wait to have fish eggs, smoked salmon and ham on Christmas!

Oh, right. Since we’re not going to Bangalore anymore, this blog has a new name.

Tags: blog news, holiday, it's good to be me, work