Skydiving Over Mission Beach, Australia!

Skydiving was one of those things I put on my bucket list because it looked gnarley, but something I felt like I’d never go out of my way to make sure I checked off. 

I said in an earlier post that when in the sky diving meeting with the other students who were seriously considering it, I was shaking a bit. The thing is, my coach and life mentor John Adams, who passed away after a horrible car accident on Aug. 9^th 2010,  said skydiving was one of those liberating things you just had to experience. He never wanted us to live in fear, feel the pressure of weakness and think failure in life was an option. He wanted us to be a badass, go big or go home and empty the tank and push the car to the gas station…bare foot..and uphill to get the job done. 

When I was on the tightrope of whether or not I’d walk out of the store with a free day that week or walk to the front desk and set the date to literally choose to jump out of a plane, well I didn’t have a choice. The song, “Just a Dream” by Nelly came on inside the store and the decision was made for me. This song was constantly playing around the time of the accident when I wanted to believe what had just happened was just that, a dream. The song played when I told my friends, when I found out John was passing away and when I just rather not have heard anyone speak at all. This song now plays on my ipod before every single game as I warm up around the field and when I’m on the last leg of a bike ride or run. 

The next morning we took a 2 hour bus ride to Mission Beach (South or Cairns) and paid for somebody to jump out of a plane with us. So far, Australia has no record of a commercial sky dive accident and has technology to release the parachute if God forbid something happened to your guy and he couldn’t release it once you hit a certain altitude. 

After a couple hours we watched our friends Hannah and Olivia land on the beach and soon came Alex and Ryan. The rest of the group (8) were filling the whole next flight up to 9,000 ft., but in the meantime we played spud on the beautiful beach. Our names were then called and we were strapped into our gear and I was interviewed by my guy about what the hell I was about to do. 

We all then boarded a bus with our parachutists and drove 20mins. To the mini airport where we got on an even smaller one engine plane and a clear door that would slide over our heads when we were ready to take the plunge. We were sititng on the laps of our parachutists as we climbed to 5,000 feet and I thought we must already be at 9,000. From that height we could see the islands off the coast, the coastline, banana fields and wild river making its way toward the ocean. 

To calm our nerves we all sang the fight song together as we were getting ready. I opted to go 3^rd because I didn’t want to go 1^st but I really didn’t want the anxiety to build and go last. Once the green light came on, the door slid up over our heads and I buckled it. 

Kelsey was the first to go and she disappeared immediately. We all gasped with excitement and disbelief as Desiree disappeard behind her and we were up 10 seconds later. 

My instructor and I slid into position. I had to put my legs outside the plane and tuck my legs under the plane. I then put my head against the parachutist’s chest with my goggles on and bowed my body. In a flash I was cutting through the air in a whirlwind of excitement so fast that I could barely keep my eyes open and I couldn’t find the breath to scream, whether it be out of excitement or plain paranoia. 

As we were free falling I looked into the camera showing the bracelelts of my friends who inspire me to attack life and was so happy to share the moment with them.

 I held onto my harness and then the parachute flew open and we were then gliding over the most beautiful coast with friends flying above and below me. I felt a little nausea(I wasn’nt feeling the best that day anway), but it didn’t distract from the amazing sites and feeling of bliss, liberation and freedom. 

My guy let me grab the reins and turn the chute so that we would do a downward spiral toward the sand below. We were sailing around for about 5 minutes before we touched down.

Some of our friends who landed before us decided it would be funny to draw a huge picture of a male body part in the sand where we would land.

As everyone landed we were all jumping with joy in celebration at what we had accomplished together. Hugs were going all around and tears of joy and utter shock. As we waited for photos and video to develop for some of us, Brent, Aj, Alex and I jumped in the warm ocean we just flew over and went bodysurfing. A perfect end to a thrilling day. 

Later that day, Brent and Zach knocked on our door and told Adelle and I to close our eyes because they had a surprise for us. It was…JEAMIE DEACON…AGAIN!! By the grace of God, Jeamie booked the same Hostel we did and happen to be there the same dates we were! We ended up going out to dinner to Woolshed’s with her, Desiree and the cross country girls. Thanks for reading and I’ll be sure to update you on more Aussie Goodness!!

LOVE,

ME

The Great Barrier Reef!

With the beauty this earth has to offer, theres good reasoning for the 7 wonders of the world to be more like 10 or is it 20 by now in m opinion. The Great Barrier Reef, however, its like a world all its own. After USA brought home a few wins last night in the clubs, we were ready to try our luck out at the reef.

We boarded the Reed Experience double decker boat at Marlin Wharf in Cairns, where we would take about an hour cruise out to the reef. As we boarded the ship we were handed a pair of fins, goggles, snorkel and wetsuit. Being the athletes we are, we jumped on the egg and bacon sandwiches they served for breakfast to jump start our day. 

We then headed to the upper deck and sprawled out on the cushioned seats and took in the warm sun and thin ozone layer that Australia lacked. The trip out to sea was smooth sailing with clear visibility in the water, lovely blue skies and a mountainous backdrop behind us.  

When we reached the reef, we put away the sunglasses and put on our goggles. We were given a quick tutorial on scuba diving procedures and then we were all permitted to go in the water to snorkel until our group was called to put on the scuba gear. 

The reef was nothing short of incredible. It was vibrant in color, diverse in plant, animal and terrain life. It dropped off at parts where you didn’t dare dive down to and other parts it rose to just beneath the surface, so close that my knee is still scraped up from trying to glide over the shallow coral. 

If you’ve ever seen Finding Nemo, we found most of the fish in the movie, but thankfully the sharks didn’t make a show. I made sure to bring my underwater camera, which I will hopefully be able to upload photos from soon once I develop the film back in the states. The parrot fish were my favorite because of their rich colors and shimmer when they wiggled by you.

Once Adelle, Julie, Bri and my group was called to scuba, we were suited up in heavy equpment while sitting down and given our regulator to practice breathing in and out of. We had to spit in our goggles (our enzymes keep them from fogging up) and hop into the water, where our instructor deflated our suits one by one and we sank underwater. As we held onto the underside of the boat, we went through the tests where we had to take the regulator out, take in water through our mouth, put the regulator back in and spit the water through the device by saying “TWO!” with a force.  Julie had to go back up because she had trouble breathing and then as a grou we linked arms and further deflated our suits to sink deep into the clear blue water. We had to continuously pop our ears, but the sound of only our breathing was soothing as we swam around in awe of the scenery.  Adelle and I took photos underwater and really enjoyed the scuba experience. 

We got out and took a break laying in the sun again as we traveled to a different portion of the reef. There we had the option to pay for another scuba dive experience go out and snorkel or take a tour snorkeling with a marine biologist later on. I opted to snorkel first and with that I had the opportunity to spot the most beautiful sea turtle that I must have followed around for 20 mins. A handful of us hovered over top of the turtle and would take turns diving near the turtle so the professional underwater photographer could get a picture. I saw the photographer scratching the turtles back so when I dove down I rubbed the turtle’s smooth shell and it was an amazing moment to be out in the wild with this guy in the environment we were in. 

On the smorkel tour I also had the opportunity to pet a giant clam. If you could hold your breath long enough, we were allowed to swim down and rub the inside of the clam’s mouth so it would slightly shake, then close as if catching pray swimming inside its big mouth. I felt like I was in a cartoon watching the clam move its overgrown shells. We also spotted the clownfish and their babies and they were very protective of their home but I got a great picture I think. 

As we boarded the boat we then had the chance to go out in a boat with a glass bottom so I can still show you guys some of the reef, but it won't be as colorful and clear as the photos I haven't developed.

As we were heading back we mostly fell asleep laying out in the sun on the top of the boat because the day was pretty draining. To top off the day at sea we also saw humpback whales surfacing and giving our boat some great entertainment.

Later that night our professors took us to a local pub called Woolshed to commemorate the trip with a private dinner, dessert and drinks as funny awards were handed out. 

There was obviously the award for best grades, but an award for “best alternative way to pay for a taxi” by barfing in it and also making “nice” with the most Australians were given out to other students.

 It was also Ladie’s Night so us girls were given free champagne the whole night as we listened to a live band play popular American 90’s music. 

Later on in the night there was a painted body competetion where two of our girls participated in by having the American flag painted on them as they danced across the tables to American music. 

One of our girls came in 2^nd place and won $50. Thanks for reading, I hope you’re ready for the next post on skydiving!!

LOVE,

ME

Cairns tour and the Party Bus!!

We landed in Cairns at 9am and were taken by vans to Gilligans Hostel. We took a quick tour around and were shown a man made pool/beach (picture to the right) where people could swim because the waters off the coast of Cairns had alligators and murky waters.

After the tour we camped out at the beach pool at our place and this guy named Bud came up to us promoting a party called The Party Bus Experience. We agreed and 11 of us paid the $30 for later that night.

 Adelle Desiree and I went on a run in the meantime. On the run we ran down the coast of Cairs where there was a boardwalk, bands playing for a large public laying out in the grass, a flea market and tropical palm trees.

We then had the skydiving meeting across the street and the promo videos definitely got me nervous. Then I heard the song “Just a Dream” by nelly that always reminds me of John and the Renegade gang and I decided I was going big. 

The start of the bus party was at Gilligans and I had one drink to toast the night. Then a few of the girls and guys in our group participated in this bubble gum competition on stage and then blow the biggest bubble possible. Our girls didn’t win but it was fun to watch.
They then took a big picture of the 250 people at the event and we were in the front row. The next pub was shenanagans two other 2 guys and 1 girl from our group did the competition at the next club. Brent and Olivia won a free bungee jump and wake boarding trip blowing up a big balloon and having it pop first.

At the next club we were taken to, The Mad Cow, one of our girls participated in the dance competetion. There was an American who did the ho-down, an Aussie who did break-dancing and then there was the Italian who did the strip tease. I was sitting in the front row on the floor with a bunch of others when the guy (mid-strip tease) walked toward me and handed me his shirt. I was laughing hysterically as he continued to dance and it was absouluety hilarious. 

Next up our very own American did the air guitar and was amazing. We were all cheering like crazy for her!

Next up was a kid dressed in a SpongeBob Squarepants outfit. He had to do a ballet rendition and for the finale he “attemped” a jump and landing splits. It looked quite painful, but he did come away with the win.

The last pub we were taken to, Adelle and I decided to participate in the competition. It was a two person competition of Simon Says. You needed somebody to be the knight and the other the lady, and since Adelle is stronger than me she offered to be the knight. In the picture to the left is Kelsey and Brooke in the competition.

 She had to catch me in her arms, jumping on her back, have me sit on her knee and fly into the wheel barrel postion. Of the 25 two person groups, it came down to the final five and Adelle and I were still in it. We were then eliminated during the super-speed round, but two of the guys in our group were still in it together for the final against a guy and girl Aussie group. We had USA chants going and our guys pulled out the win!!
 We went crazy jumping all over them and they won a free skydive and also sweat like they just ran a marathon in Michigan’s heat wave.

Our night commenced of singing the fight song on top of the double decker bus and we couldn’t have been happier. Thanks for reading, and I’m sorry for the delay in posts. Tune in for my next post on the great barrier reef!!

Manly World, Crazy Ferry Rides and Eggs to the Forehead?

I've been M.I.A for sometime, but the memories haven't gone anywhere. On the Wednesday before we left to Cairns, I took the train and ferry to Manly World at Manly Beach. Before getting on the train I asked an attendant at the gate if this was the right one and all I saw was this fat fist come into the picture and punch the old man attendant in the jaw and neck. I screamed “Oh my God?! What the hell?!” and looked at this red skinned guy who looked part drunk in his eyes and also like he was on steroids. I couldn’t even understand what he said to me and then to the attendant. The attendant called security. 

I then took the ferry across the harbour and in between the two syndey Head’s (rock cliffs at the entrance of the harbor) and it was a little bumpy because a storm was coming.

Manly world was kind of a bust. It had sharks you could dive with and some stingrays but it was really small and just not that great. I left and caught the ferry back and that is where I found my entertainment for the day. 

I was sitting inside the ferry with my rain jacket, uggs and a winter hat on and thought, “come on Molly, how many times do you get to ride on a ferry through Sydney harbour.” So, even though it was windy and cloudy I went and sat outside the front of the ferry in the closest seat to the front of the boat. I was basically could’ve been in the movie the perfect sotrm because I caught video of us dropping into waves and getting sloshed by tons of water. One kid fell on the ground and started screaming for his mom to take him inside and please that were inside the boat were watching through the glass windows as we weathered the storm outside. If you watch the video, about 4mins. in is when the craziness begins, but the harbor is what you'll see in the beginning!

Thursday, Zach and I did a presentation on HIV/AIDS in Australia and it went really well. Friday we had two exams and both went quite well. Friday night we had everyone in our room and listening to music.

Amanda then taught adelle and I how to crack eggs on our head and we caught that on film and I was beyond excited and I’m going to do it everytime I make eggs now which is a lot. The video is hilarious so you should definitely check it out!!!



 Security was called on us eventually, but we were just over it at that point. I pulled an all nighter uploading videos and hopped on the bus at 4:15am with everyone else to go to the airport. Good Bye Sydney..hellllloooo Cairnssss!!

Love,

ME