Slowly I Awoke From A Deep Sleep To The Sweet Smell Of

The waves end at my ankles and the water and sand rushing through my toes feel great. I shiver and shiver until I finally get used to the water. I make my way farther out to where I'm leveled off to my waist. Quick breathe, then dunk under. I quickly pull my soaked head of the salty sea and comb my hair back with my wrinkled fingers. My sun kissed face makes my freckles pop when you could never see them. To be safe, I slowly get out of the salty wetland and make my way under the colorful umbrella my mom set up when I was away from them, enjoying the water.

The waves crashing around us reminded me of the distant thunder you hear at the start of a storm. My hands were gripping the rope handles tightly, my knees scratching against the rubber that lay beneath us. As we soared over green, murky water, I could smell the fishy stench from the creatures that lived below. I was having emotions of excitement and fear, but soon the excitement sank as we drifted out of line from the boat leading us.

I run into the water and tumble into the waves. I feel them strongly hitting against me,I see my sister riding against the rough waves. I taste the salty sea water I got itchy sand all over I stood up just to be knocked back over.

The waves gently tug you further along. You offer no resistance nor caution. In seconds everything goes wrong. The waves begin to feel like smothering hands, gripping your ankles; upon looking down- the waters seem to form circular chain-like grips upon your ankles.

The wave grew nearer, and I began to lift off the board. I had completely lifted off as the wave reached the rear of the board. I then reached the sand, still standing on my surfboard. I became ecstatic. My parents, who were watching me, as well as my instructor congratulated me, and were greatly proud. Being able to ride this wave allowed me to become a much better surfer throughout the day.

After traveling for 3-hours, my family arrived at our beach house in Ocean City Maryland. After making a quick trip for groceries, we decided to go to bed and set alarm clocks for early in the morning. After a good nights sleep, I woke up to the pleasant smell of bacon and eggs. After feasting on a delightful breakfast, my brothers and I began to get ready for the beach. We went down the creaky wooden stairs of our beach house and unlocked the storage room located beneath the home. I decided to carry both of the floral umbrellas while my brothers took the portable beach chairs. After grabbing all of our gear, we headed back up the weathered stairs and towards the distant sand dunes. As we approached the entrance of the sand dunes, the satisfying sounds of the ocean's waves started to become closer and closer. Once we traveled closer, the vivid orange sun began to ascend from the deep sea. At this early point in the morning, the sand walkway enclosed by

I take a deep breath, my nostrils are filled with the pleasant aroma of the salty sea air. This is my happy place, this is where I belong. As I sit with my freshly painted pink toes in the sand, I am overwhelmed with all that is happening around me. To my right, there is a family of four; a mother, father, and two little red headed girls that look like twins, laughing and jumping around, taking in the big world around them. The children are in their bright red and purple flowered bathing suits, running and screaming, attempting to get their toes wet in the chilly water that churns back and forth on the shore. After a few attempts they decide to run and jump full force into the crystal clear abyss, unaware of what creatures they could find if they dive deep enough.

Moving inward, steam and the smell of espresso drift from the pot of fresh coffee that has witnessed many breakfasts over the years. Next comes the pale green ceramic platter that holds large stacks of fluffy pancakes slathered in liquid maple sweetness. A delicately woven straw basket contains golden brown toast with oozing butter dripping down each slice like a faucet. Directly in the centre sits the hickory smoked bacon. The quiet sizzle of each crispy piece was music to the family’s ears. This breakfast was a feast for the senses.

At the time I lived in Santa Cruz, California on the east side of town, not too far from the ocean. That morning at 9 a.m we arrived at Pleasure Point, a famous surf spot in Santa Cruz. It was a cold, stormy, windy day. A old school professional surfer friend of ours, “Perry”, offered to teach me to surf on my birthday. I had never really liked being in the ocean unless the water was calm and it was a hot sunny day. Today was very different. The wind was howling and caused the waves to be very choppy. Big black thunderclouds waited above. The waves were much larger than I expected and seeing them my stomach started to turn. Only a few experienced surfers could be seen out in the water. In California the water is much cooler than in Hawaii so you must wear a wetsuit. Even then, after a few hours your feet will go numb and your joints will start to lock up. As a birthday present my dad had just bought me a black O’neill wetsuit with blue accents the day

The ocean strokes land with calm and reassuring hands, lacing water with sand and lifting seashells in its wake. My heart urges me forward, to walk among the peace, to capture the sweet smell of sea salt. My brain reasons with the rest of my body. Turning sharply from the churning water I force my feet to leave the warm imprint they have grown to love

The crash of the waves hitting the sand, the crisp scent of salt in the air, the soft grainy texture under the toes, the vast blue water stretching out in front looking endless, as I step into it ever so carefully. I descend into the refreshing water, with just a snorkel sticking above the brink. I am surrounded by neon colors of corals, fish and many other sea creatures. Encompassed by the sea life, I felt like they accepted me as one of their own as they whirled around me. The strategic way of swimming is new but life changing. Swimming amongst many other living species was difficult because you really couldn’t use your legs; if you did you could possibly disturb the life around you. Swimming without using your legs is quite difficult because you are then force to use just your arms to project yourself forward.

Just as I sit down on the sand my mind starts to unwind. The many spectacular sights jump at my eyes. As far as I can see there is turquoise water in front of me. Surfers wearing their bright colored suits grab their

I headed out to the water after setting up my towel. The shock of the frigid water took my breath away and I was momentarily stunned. However, I quickly recovered; finding my body adjusts rapidly to the cold water. I waded a few feet into it before leaning forward and swimming out. I didn't dare to go too far though, instead turning to swim parallel to the shore. I was comforted by the sounds of the ocean; the rhythmic pounding of the waves represses all of my worries. I looked into the cloudless cerulean blue sky and see the perfection of life. Just when I was starting to get tired and wanted to go back to the shore, I saw something.

The sand was a scorching heat, it burned our feet as we eagerly walked down to the ocean shore. Sea oats (tallgrass important to sand dunes and beach plant life) and tiny red and black ants were seen everywhere, covering the sand until we got closer to the sea. Small pieces of bright seashells were scattered all over the place, cutting and poking our feet as we walked around. Cigarette butts and trash from past visitors littered the beautiful sand. The beach was deep, making our feet sink down with every step. Shoes made walking around the sand hard, as they would just get filled with the white sand and make our feet heavier to lift up from the ground. People were everywhere, their brightly colored umbrellas and towels covering the entirety of the beach, adults and kids alike were rushing out into the waves with colorful surfboards and animal floaties. My purple bag chair was sitting just in the right spot for the waves to flow up to my feet and back down again. After awhile, the sand that's being taken in from the soft waves starts sinking the chair legs down. The chair starts leaning forwards, almost completely knocking me into the wet, sticky sand. Brightly colored Seashells come floating up next to me with the crashing waves, where I am low enough to the ground that I can quickly scoop them up before the ocean takes them away again.

I woke up from my nap. From that nap I went to school and I was given a challenge. Something that sounds almost impossible, go twelve hours without any electronics unless an emergency. As the assignment was given out. I thought to myself without my phone and tv, how would I go hours being awoke with no electronics devices. So, I brainstormed that entire day.