Category: Texas

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Last month I was visiting two of my dear cousins in Texas. Having grown up with them since I was aged four, they are more like siblings to me than distant cousins. Being similar ages our lives are often similar 'chapters' and this past visit made me think quite a lot about the current stage of our lives.

At aged eleven and nine (Craig) we had big hopes for our futures when we first left Zimbabwe and moved to America. Having returned to the States three times since leaving I have felt the change in all of us towards our career paths. Each year our plans would get more detailed and centred around a more specific area. In so many ways, our family has shaped us and the career paths we are currently pursuing. Our original goals for our careers have changed quite considerably since our arrival in Texas but what stood out more from the visit was that we had finally reached the next chapter of our lives. During my two-week visit the 'next stage' was frequently brought up in conversation. With Kirsten and I at University now and Craig due to start next year it was no surprise really but it seems like only yesterday we had high hopes for the future that seemed like it would never come. Well, we're in that 'next stage' zone now.

At aged nineteen, I am now thinking about post-university life and thinking of possible positions I can undertake as a career. Thinking back to that young, naïve child eight years ago I realise just how far I have come. I'm not sad to be growing up, our lives are just getting more exciting but part of me misses that mystery of what I pursue as a career. Not that what I want to do is set in stone, it's just that time seems to be speeding up and already I can see the pages turning as the next chapter of our lives are in sight. I guess I'm just surprised how quickly we have reached this stage as I wonder what the next stage of our lives will bring us.

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Earlier today my cousin - Kirsten - and I were swimming out in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the coast of Port Aransas. Just as the shore begun to get to small to see we decided to begin swimming back to shore on our boogie boards. Glancing up I realised that we could see my uncle and other cousin - Craig - on the shore and noticed my uncle waving at us with his arms. The next thing, Craig joined in the waving too. Kirsten and I guessed it was just time for lunch when suddenly I noticed Uncle Roland frantically pointing to our left. That was when we saw it.

This sharply pointed fin swimming in a straight line, a mere three hundred yards from us. Kirsten shouted 'shark' and we began frantically swimming towards the shore. Adrenaline pumping, heart trying to burst out my rib cage and mind convinced that we weren't moving at all. Feeling like we were doomed I kept telling Kirsten that I wanted to live, Kirsten just kept telling me we had to move faster. Watching my uncle and Craig swim hastily towards us, leaving my aunt on the shore clueless as to what was happening my worst fears were confirmed. We were swimming in open water too deep for even me to stand in with a shark within danger's reach.

Finally we all were together and in knee-deep water but still eager to get out quickly, baby sharks were known to swim in that depth of water too. Just as we thought we were fairly safe, my Uncle yelped in pain and stumbled.

Not knowing what had attacked him and with emotions already on a high we continued on our hurried pace to get out of the water. Never before had the shore seemed so far away. My uncle was now limping, stumbling and very clearly in pain. All sorts of horrid thoughts were running through my mind and I half expected the water around his leg to turn red signifying the worst. Suddenly my foot brushed up against something slimy and hard, screaming I scared my cousins to move even faster than we already were.

On land at last, my aunt was frantically asking us all what had happened. My uncle's foot had a large puncture wound on it that as bleeding quite a bit. Thankfully Kirsten and Craig are both training for medical positions and had fairly advanced first aid skills. Upon returning to our apartment everyone dashed about trying to attend to Uncle Roland's wound which we had concluded was a sting ray puncture wound. After a while the wound began to heal nicely making us all relax a little bit.

I must say it was a frightening experience but not one that I will forget in a hurry. Although I may think twice about where I go swimming next time!