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. 9th 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 3rd because I didn’t want to go 1st 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
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