"F^&*!!!!!"
My pool-mates laughed hard for the next 2 minutes or so but my coach didn't seem amused. I guess Americans are even more conservative than I assumed them to be. Next time, the temperature of the water is not to my expectation, I am going to bite my lip or perhaps mouth another word that I often substitute for the harsher version: "frack" (which I picked up from my Canadian friend). Perhaps even "fish".
So nothing very exciting to report about this time but for the two athletic looking Indian guys who walked in midway through my class and barely even returned my gaze. I guess it's not our culture to be amiable to random strangers and we smile rarely, if you haven't noticed already. You walk down campus and get a smile from almost everyone walking by but Indians. The corners of their lip extend just about .08 mm or so for a sec and then they are back to the straight faced matter of fact look. It's like they cheat you into thinking "yes I'm smiling at you" but they don't land up doing so and as a result you are left grinning wide faced like an ass because your reflex has already jumped into action with that .08 muscle movement from the Indian opposite you.
Anyway, enough love for my brethren. So back to swimming class. Yesterday, I was taught a free hand stroke and forced to be pinned against a wall while I got it right. My hand co-ordination isn't right apparently but as soon I had the pool to myself, I practiced the stroke for close to two hours.
I find it hard to get out of the water once I get in. That block of time from 7-9 is mine and only mine. All the stress and mind wandering of my professional and personal life completely disappear when I am in the water.
Every muscle in my legs and shoulders hurts but I can't believe the brilliant work-out this proving is to be.
Winter, I am sticking my tongue out to you..
Bleah!
