Help is a precious gift.

Days have become a bit overwhelming and hectic since I started Triathlon training. And as a result, I've started to lose a few personal belongings. I lost my sister's matching bracelet, my Polar watch, and even my soft tissue pouch! =(. The most recent item I lost was one of my diamond stud earrings - that happened two weeks ago. I was immediately shocked and upset by it, but because my mom and dad was not (and even offered to buy a matching one in Hong Kong for me), I let it go. I decided to continue wearing the other earring just so it can remind me to keep searching for the missing one. Dumb idea? I didn't think so at the time.

Today, while. showering after my swim session, I felt my ear lobes and realized that the other diamond was gone. **ck I blurted. Joy how can you be so stupid??? I quickly rushed out of the warm steamy shower stall and jumped right back into the cold pool lane. I searched the lane with a man who offered his help. He said "Don't worry! As a kid I loved searching for things under the water. That comment whipped a smile to my face. We planted our eyes to the bottom of the pool four times over until I gave up. The pool staff Esfra Lopez put on his glasses to help me look from along side the pool. He suggested that I come back when everyone is out of the pool during lane change so the water is calm. That I did, and after observing the pool floor slowly and carefully, I noticed something by the deep end. Teddy (Mr. Japanese lifeguard, who later coached my flip turns), Lopez (the gentleman with the intelligent suggestions), and Peter (the security guard) were all hopeful for me. They brought out the long net to fish for what could be my earring, but none was found. I jumped in and attempted to search but I didn't know how to dive down underneath. Stranger #2 offers her help as she was able to hold enough air in and get down to the 9 ft deep end. After several tries, I thanked her. It was amazing to encounter so many people willing to help a stranger. Mr. Japanese lifeguard comes out holding something black and asked "Who's Speedo is this?" Obviously it didn't belong to him but he was willing to put it on to get into the pool! He grabbed clear goggles (which mine were dark and tinted - not for indoor use) and dove in. This man can hold his breath for super long! After his first dive, he came up out of the water with the back stopper of my earring. It was in two broken pieces. We then knew the other part of my earring shouldn't be far. He went down for the second time as I floated, I watched him search. It looked like slow motion but no more than 30 seconds later, he picked something off the pool floor. I froze for a second and watched Mr. Japanese Lifeguard come up for air. He showed me what was between his fingertips and indeed it was my diamond.

Help is a precious gift.
Lucky are those who get it without asking.
Successful are those who seek it.
Generous are those who give it.

Today, I thank all those who lent me their hand. =)