checking off THE list

We all have a list. Some write it down. Some keep a running list in their mind. Personally I have mine written down and folded up and kept in my desk at work. This list is not the grocery list or the to do list of the day. Though it is a to do list of sorts. It's a daily reminder that there is a ton of stuff that I want to do during the dash of my life.

Some items on my list are: (not the complete list)
run with the bulls in Spain
be a guest judge in Kitchen Stadium on Iron Chef America
eat at my favorite Food Network chefs' restaurants
make my own pottery
paint my own place setting for home
cycle through Ireland

You might wonder why I'm talking about my list this beautiful Monday morning. Well, one of the best things about lists is being able to mark things off of it and this weekend I was able to do just that. What did I do, you ask?

SKYDIVE!!!

What an experience! What a thrill! All my sister says about the dive is that I'm that girl. Let me explain...

Being the ultimate beginner that I am, I'm jumped tandem (the company would have it no other way). I show up in Lumberton (yes, Lumberton) for the appointment I placed almost a month ago with friends and family. There are five total jumping. After a little bout of rain, the sky clears and we report for our quick yet thorough 10 minute training. My brother-in-law and I are going on the first plane, so we suit up in a not so flattering jumper that makes you oddly aware of your butt. The videographer gets some footage of my being my natural self- silly. Then we board the plane. Thankfully I was placed with 'The Best' tandem master (or so the people working say, but I do agree). When we reached an altitude of 14,000 feet people start jumping. Okay right here is the second scariest part of the jump (the first is yet to come), looking over the edge of the plane, knowing you are about to jump out of a perfectly functioning plane just for fun. Scary or not, you have no choice. The guy strapped to your back is calling the shots here. I have to say plummeting to the earth at 120 mph for two miles is quite an experience and FAST (and addicting). Then with a graceful jolt, you are no longer laying flat but sitting up and peacefully sailing through the air.

Well not quite peacefully yet. The last thing you want to hear while skydiving is the professional that has your life in their hands cussing. Yes, cussing. And yes, this is what I heard. I heard cussing and felt tugging.

I try politely asking, "Is everything okay?".
No response, only cussing.

Worry.

Then he says, "Here we go".

What?! We've already gone! Suddenly we're in a flat position again with the sensation of free-falling. The only thing I'm thinking is I don't quite remember this in the training. Maybe I should start paying closer attention. Then we're upright again.

Again I politely ask, "Is everything okay?"
A response this time, "Yeah we just had a slight malfunction."
"And now? Now, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, you're doing good."
Ahh, the peaceful drift to earth starts.

When I get to the ground, my friends and family run to me, "Are you okay?! Do you know what just happened?! Did you know your main chute was cut and you landed on the reserve?!"

What?! Are you kidding me?! That was the SLIGHT MALFUNCTION! The main chute didn't fully open? My sister then tells me, "You're that girl. You always hear about how it happens to that other person, but you're that person. You're that girl!"

This slight malfunction didn't keep the other three from jumping after me though (and I'm glad). Even with the slight stress that comes with a slight malfunction I had a blast! I recommend it to anyone!

Would I go again? Oh yeah! Just let me save for a while.

pictures are to come later promise promise