Committing to the backwards roll

Wellington, NZ

You’ve found me! Welcome to “In an Octopus’s Garden,” version 2.0. This blog initially appeared as a chronicle of my second summer at Woods Hole as a Summer Student Fellow (SSF) and is now accessible through the WHOI SSF website. I'm now a graduate student in the Joint Program with WHOI/MIT.

I arrived tonight in Wellington, New Zealand as a Fulbright grant recipient. This is the first of what I hope to be many entries this year.

The clearest analogy I can conjure to describe my state of mind is from my limited experience SCUBA diving. I was certified in the spring of last year in Madagascar while volunteering with the British NGO Reef Doctor. One of the most challenging aspects of my dive training was getting used to the backwards roll—laugh all you will, it was a challenge for me. For those of you unfamiliar, the backwards roll is one of a few ways you can enter the water from a dive boat. First you perch, seated, on the edge of the boat in full gear—mask on, regulator in your mouth, tank strapped on and hanging off the side of the boat (abs flexed so as not to tumble backwards). Yes, it’s uncomfortable. With your back to the sea, you try to breathe normally, and on the boat captain’s count you roll backwards to hit the water with your feet up. In Madagascar, our boat captain Manjo would give a forceful “One….Two….Three…… Go!” The “Go” always came out very short, a little late, and quite abrupt, propelling us off the boat and into the water.

There are a few long seconds of disorientation before you right yourself and find the surface again. I found this to be scary. But as with all things, it’s less scary if you truly commit to it and embrace its necessity.

On Sunday night, I gathered with friends at my favorite bar near MIT in Cambridge, and celebrated my send-off. Starting on Monday afternoon, my five flights and many, many hours of travel represented a form of prolonged backwards roll. To come is a scary but brief disorientation. And, as is the case with every SCUBA experience I’ve had, the initial hurdle of tossing myself into the water will be followed by exploration, adventure, and wonderment.

The next couple entries will detail my impressions upon arrival, give you background into the research I plan to do while here and give you a chance to get to know me better.

I am so excited to share my experiences with you—both personal and scientific—throughout this journey.

One....Two....Three............

-Ellie