Catching the California Wave

Let me start by saying that after spending the morning surfing, you will find sand in body parts you didn’t even know existed. In addition to my oceanic microdermabrasion, my scalp was completely covered in sand. I have a bruise on my hip from falling off my board in shallow water. Hard. But, I can now get to my feet and stay there longer.

After surfing today, I was invited to a drum circle. My hair was dripping wet and filled with sand, but I decided to go. I was the first to get there from the surf school, but the leader, Aki, instantly made me feel at home. I told him I never had drummed before. He gave me a bear hug and picked up a strand of soaking wet hair.

“Did you just finish surfing? Wow, you are tense for someone who just was surfing. You white girls really need to loosen up,” he laughed.

I agreed and the drum circle began.

Dr. Luis, a dentist from South America who donates his time in free dental clinics, taught me the basic beat.

While everyone else was pounding away elaborate drumming, I stuck with the one-beat.

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.

And then the surfers showed up.

Everyone had such unique backgrounds and life experiences, but all were joined by one thing: they were all brilliant at drumming.

Around this time, I eventually graduated to the two-beat.

Bang-bang. Bang-bang.

I may not have had many beats, but I was having fun.

Aki went around the circle, showcasing each brilliant drummer.

“We have Shoshanna (insert drum solo).”

Around the circle he went, each drummer better than the last.

I was the last in the circle.

“And now we have Jenny, just doing her own thing!”

And I was, I was doing my own thing. I now had three beats and was pretty damn excited.

I closed my eyes and followed the beat, letting the music wash over me.

And then it was over.

Aki reached to me, taking me by the hand.

“I knew it. I knew you had it in you.”

Strong praise for someone who only has three beats, but I’ll take it.