Jaws

I don't remember how old I was when we watched the movie Jaws. I don't even know why we watched the movie and who was with me when I watched it. All I remember was that there many of the scenes meant to scare the living daylights out of you (yikes!), while others were there to gross you out with people's body parts getting bitten off left and right, complete with blood and gore (yuck!). And worst of all, I remember having a nightmare that night wherein a big shark attacked through my bedroom window and followed me as I ran through the hall towards our kitchen and dining room.

I can honestly say that I am not a huge shark fan.

In spite all that, the past week has reintroduced me to sharks.

It started with a birthday gift to RD. Mumoffive and family gave him a 3D shark puzzle for his birthday. It was sitting in his room all summer until Z came to visit. They decided it would be a good project to work on while she was here (and not at the library). They looked for a box with a big enough surface to work on and cleared one side of the living room floor. Then out came the puzzle pieces.

They managed to get the sides connected on the first night. After a while, the shark in the middle was formed. Over the next couple of days, the puzzle started to take shape. The pieces were organized by shape and orientation. There were 'verticals,' 'horizontals,' 'standing up people,' 'lying down people,' 'triples,' 'doubles,' and the elusive 'cheese piece.' Since it is a 3D puzzle, the surface had vertical ridges which helped identify which way the puzzle piece was to go.

As the more discernible pieces got fit into the puzzle, the more obscure ones were left. RD was surprised at how I would pick up one puzzle piece and return it with at least four other pieces connected to it. At a certain point, he forbade me from working on the puzzle because he wanted to be sure he was around when the last piece was put in.

What can I say? I have way more experience than he does. And I am a very patient, persistent and persevering person. A 500-piece puzzle, which practically tells you whether the piece is vertical or horizontal, is a piece of cake compared to the ones we've made in the past.

On Sunday, when the puzzle was completed, we had gone off by bus to the Sydney Observatory then walked to Circular Quay and ridden the ferry to Darling Harbour. When we got off, RD saw a huge poster advertising a free exhibit on Sharks: Predator or Prey. He said he wanted to check it out.

We missed passing by the National Maritime Museum that day so when we did the Hop On, Hop Off Sightseeing tour last Tuesday, we made sure to hop off the bus when we reached the Maritime Museum so we could see the exhibit.

I'd be perfectly happy even if I don't see another shark in my life. This shot is enough to last a lifetime.