In movie, "The Sandlot" the boys find themselves obsessing over a hot female lifeguard. As kids, we found ourselves relating to them. However for the past few years, I've found myself relating more to the lifeguard. I've worked as a lifeguard in my local neighborhood pools for the last three years. I've spent more than 30 hours every week making sure everyone stays safe on their summer afternoons. I've also spent many hours sitting and wondering why I'm doing this to myself.

Here's 10 thoughts I've had sitting through a 12 hour shift:

1. Oh no, that person walking in isn’t even wearing a swimsuit. And they're walking towards me. I have to answer questions and try to watch the pool at the same time.

2. “Walk, please.” “WALK.” “WAAAAALLLK.” Where are this kid’s parents?!

3. Ma’am why are you changing your child’s clothes on the middle of the pool deck? We have very nice bathrooms with a changing table that I cleaned this morning. No one wants to see your toddler's naked hiney running around the pool.

4. Oh you boys look like you’re having so much fun splashing me and the six other patrons around you. It would be quite a shame if I were to call adult swim right now.

5. That’s a really pretty car passing by on the road. I like that car. Wait Sarah, pool. Children, swimming. You are responsible here.

6. My thirty minutes on stand must be almost over, right? Oh it’s only been four minutes. Great.

7. Oh crap I got another bleach stain on my swimsuit. Why am I so bad with the chlorine?

8. That kid keeps holding his head underwater for a while. But how do I know if I need to jump in? Let me hold my breath and if I get uncomfortable before he comes up I’ll jump in.

9. I have the whistle, I have the power. Take that middle school boys who think the pool is made for them to have chicken fights and wrestle under the water.

10. Was that thunder or an airplane flying over? Did anyone else notice? Is it possible I could close the pool for the afternoon?

11. I didn’t just hear a vomiting noise did I? Of course I did. On the slide? Thanks kid, that’ll be super convenient to clean up.

I may complain about my job a lot, but at the end of the day I know that the best feeling in the world when a little kid smiles at me and knows my name by the time they leave the pool at night. And holding the lifeguard tube does in fact make you feel like this: