swim test

the experience this year was a little different...i felt like i was doing this for MYSELF. sure, the other 6 times i've completed this process i was motivated by the dream i've had since i was a little girl, but this time signifies a new time in my life, one where i don't have ANYONE holding me back and second-guessing my decisions...i have people surrounding me who REALLY, TRUELY support me (and not just SAY they do). it really made a big difference on friday.

before the morning even began, jannee (my roomie) woke up extra early so i could practice my microphone test speech one last time before i left...it just boosted my confidence a little more and she and reid were sooooo encouraging through everything. i left super early because i wasn't sure how long it would take me to get down to seaworld, and there's no way i wanted to risk getting stuck in traffic and being late...i didn't hit any traffic and got down there and had time to relax. i spent some time going over the speech, and praying, and then i opened my Bible to get a little encouragement from the word of God. i turned to Isaiah 41 and read a verse i underlined a while ago. i've read this verse many times but it just seemed to calm my anxiety and understand i have nothing to worry about.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.

Don't be discouraged for I am your God.

I will STRENGTHEN you and HELP you.

I will HOLD YOU UP with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10

then i turned the page and found the verse that my mom used to write out for me before any big swim meet i had...

"When you go through DEEP WATERS, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown..." Isaiah 43:2

it was finally time, and i whispered a little prayer, "Lord, be with me..." and let the process begin.

There were 14 people doing the swim test. it's always interesting to meet the people who share the same dream with you...it's hard because i WANT them to be successful, but at the same time, i'm competing against them. there were 4 of us who had done seasonal animal training and the other 10, it was either their first time swim testing or they didn't pass in other years. dolphin stadium is still a construction site, so we all had to wear hard hats while we were out of the water waiting. they had just finished painting the stage and slide out so there wasn't much traction for your feet when you dove in. the freestyle swim went nice and relaxed...yeah, the initial shock of the freezing cold water hits you, but once i was moving, it's not so bad. i always get nervous for the underwater swim...it seems farther then it really is, but the fact that i could slip when diving in, caused a little more butterflies in my stomach. but honestly, the underwater swim was the easiest...once i dove in, i just started kick-glide-pull and followed the lip 15ft down and eventually made it to the other side...i wasn't even winded. the rest of the test went fast...climb up on the bridge, dive in (making sure to squeeze my butt and point my toes), swim to the middle, free dive 26 ft to pick up a weight (remembering to PUSH OFF the bottom to get me to the surface faster), and then pull myself out of the water. everyone passed the swim test (which is unheard of)...one girl did drop out during the freestyle swim, but the other 13 of us passed and went on to the audition (after warm showers, of course).

the audition was really laid back...not as crazy as last years. i was really hoping to do well during the audition because the last swim test i took in san diego, i got cut after the audition (apparently i didn't dance well enough or something). this year, we did the mic test first, and we didn't even have a microphone. i was 9 in line, so it was hard to sit there and listen to the first 8 people go and second-guess myself. i did mess up a little bit during the mic test, but at least i got through it. the improv games went ok...just glad i got through them. AND we didn't have to do a choreographed dance this year. after the audition, they informed us that everyone would get an interview (again, a little surprised), so mine was scheduled for the afternoon.

i tried to study my notes and packets i have on animal training and think of possible answers to their crazy questions, but it got to a point where i just needed to relax and have confidence that i could get through it. the interview was short and went pretty well. i used situations from my short time in san antonio to answer most of the questions, and it just made me realize that my time there really prepared me for those questions...who would've known?

thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement on friday. the swim test went really well, i made it through the audition and then i felt good about my interview. i was told i'll have to wait 2-3 weeks before i hear anything, BUT i really hope i find out sooner.

until then, i'll just wait patiently...