Happy Birthday to ME!

Well, I did it! I jumped! I jumped out of a perfectly good plane. Whewwwhooo! That jump suit did me no justice and neither did the camera BUT I was cute enough to work it!!…Sorry, vanity moment.  My friends Virginia, Melinda, and Tiffany were there for support.

In any event, it was great. That first toss out of the plane is a doozy. My friend Virginia described it best….”sensory overload.” My eyes were closed initially but a few seconds later I had eyes wide open. It’s a little scary, I was trying to adjust to the falling and the wind in my face. Ya know, ya never really know a lot of skin until it’s flappin’ in the wind…not attractive! I was trying to adjust to the rapid wind inundating my face…I wasn’t sure if I could handle breathing. I thought the written directives that said breathe were just a “calm down” joke.

I was supposed to hold on to my harness after we jumped out of the plane until I was given the okay to spread my arms out. Wouldn’t you know it, the independent “she-ra” in me let my arms fly before being given any sort of notification. What, I’m supposed to remember everything once I’m up in the air?!

My legs were back like they were supposed to be my arch was on point and I didn’t scream, like Virginia. I pulled my own rip cord (parachute), yes, after being reminded to look at my altimeter. Once the parachute was out, I was good. It was smooth sailing from there. We went over how to land and then we spun in circles. It was too cool! My instructor asked while we were parachuting if I would do it again, I said and pardon my French, “I don’t know, that initial jump out of the plane is a bitch!”

Even though I looked like Medusa at the head once we landed, I had a good time, my instructor said I did very well. Whether or not he says that often even if the jumper has thrown up on him is beyond me! I’ll take the compliment.

Well, I’m off for Thai….food. Yeah, no more planes today.