Personal essay (Draft)

When I look back into my past, one moment I would do anything to return to is my first scuba dive. Ever since I could read, I was always fascinated by the subject of the mystical marine world, being constantly amazed by the otherworldly aura given off by the life in our waters. Through the lens of marine encyclopedias, nature documentaries, and visits to the aquarium, I crafted a fantastical image of a wild blue ocean teeming with life.

Unfortunately, this cerebral scenario of an aquatic utopia started to change as I witnessed the atrocities done to our oceans. From overfishing to oil spills, I became more and more aware of the intricate underwater ecosystems collapsing under the stress of human intervention and greed. I felt the ocean’s pain. In this period of bleak realization, I came to know someone who would inspire me to make a difference and help the aquatic environment I cared so much for. This figure was marine biologist, underwater photographer, and conservationist Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The inventor of the first scuba diving apparatus, Cousteau used his influence in the zoological community to spread awareness of the worsening plight of the ocean and inspire others to make a difference. This inspiration moved me to start fundraising for coral conservation foundations in middle, and even begin strenuous training to become a scuba diver myself.

To say that this training was challenging is an understatement. The long hours of studying the complex functions of the scuba diving breathing apparatus along with physically draining sessions in Basic Life Support were demoralizing, to say the least, and there were multiple times I felt I couldn’t keep up with my demanding training regime. But despite all the mental discouragement, I kept moving forward with the sole desire of fully experiencing the ocean. I could say that doing this herculean training course weakened my morale, but this tiresome experience changed my work ethic for the better. Not only did I become more disciplined while slowly learning the ins and outs of scuba diving, but I also learned to manage my time when working. These skills helped me succeed in school, Improving my mental health and giving me more time to do the things I loved.

In the end, no amount of words could describe the emotions I felt as I suited up for my first scuba dive. Excitement, mixed with pride in achieving all of my training, flowed through my veins. The build-up to this experience has changed me and made me a better person. As I Went through the final checks with my dive partner, the fantastical imagination of the underwater world that I had dreamed of as a young child reappeared in my mind. I would finally experience the ocean's embrace. As I fastened my buckles and felt the cool air of the scuba regulator blowing into my mouth, I blissfully jumped from the ship into the deep blue. As the cold water touched my skin, I felt as if I was being transported to an otherworldly environment. The ocean was deep and dark, mysteriously clouding my view of its depths. I recollected myself from my shock and calmly proceeded to descend with my dive group.

As we slowly descended to the bottom of the seafloor, my mind started to wander. What if the underwater kingdom I had imagined was long gone? What if, despite all of my diligent work, I was too late to experience the true wonders of the ocean because of the atrocities committed by humans. But I was wrong. As the seafloor came into view, I began to see flashes of vibrant colors contrasting the hazy blue water, and the shiny glimmering of schools of fish came into my periphery. We had uncovered a hidden paradise under the sea, pristine and unaffected by all the tumult and destruction surrounding it. The vitality of this sublime ecosystem inspired me and gave me hope that I could make a difference in saving the underwater world I loved.