sand and seaweed.

I had internet fatigue today. Too much Facebook, too much Twitter, too many blogs, too many shoe sites. I needed to get out of the house – a desire made even stronger by the beautiful blue skies and the disconcerting fact that it was warmer outside than it was in the house. So I took off to Ocean Grove, a ten minute drive away.

It was an unseasonably warm day. Even though I had donned my trackies, a hoodie, scarf and hat, there were people in the water: a couple of wet-suited surfers (though looking at the picture above, I’m not sure what they thought was going on out there), a kayaker and a sailboat. On the sand, fathers were kicking the football to their sons and couples were strolling along the water’s edge, arm-in-arm. Groups of friends threw tennis balls to their dogs, some people strode along determinedly, while other weirdos ran past, checking their watches intermittently.

Even though it was beautiful and lovely and the air was crisp, I was still feeling a bit off kilter. Even this song wasn’t helping me out. In frustration, I took the buds out of my ears.

Once the noise stopped, I felt nothing but peace. Not just the music, but all the white noise, all voices in my head (not schizophrenic voices, thank you). Everything shut off and I was just there.

I don’t know what it is about the ocean. There isn’t anything like a swim to get rid of the cobwebs but even just being by the water is refreshing. Fresh, salty air. It grounds me. I walked to the Barwon Heads point and back, the light fading as the sun slowly sank behind the sand dunes and the transparent clouds making lazy patterns in the sky.

Tonight, I feel tired but rejuvenated. University starts back tomorrow and I am excited to be back. Engaging and challenging my brain.  I never want to stop learning.