well, i did it.

i knew i wanted to go skydiving someday. ever since i babysat for a family, where the dad was a skydive instructor. i would idolize the insane photos that hung on their walls- groups of skydivers making figure 8's and creating images using their bodies. they moved away five years ago and although we have kept in touch, i always felt saddened that i would probably never have a chance to skydive with them and that i would no longer babysit their two adorable boys.

yesterday, my sister and i drove on to Santa Barbara. we were more than happy enough to see the smog-infested skies fade away as we welcomed 73 degree weather, sunny and blue skies ahead, well aware that we would soon be in the midst of such beauty.

on the way their we did just as any girls do. we sang to the radio and discussed what may or may not come to our minds and mouths as we leaped 13,000 feet to our death :D

we arrived to skydive santa barbara at 11:43 a.m. we checked in and watched a four minute video on what we can expect, but we were to busy to really incorporate the meaning of the documentary because we were too busy signing and initialing our lives away. we paid our dues and waited. and we waited as we saw many types of men and women gear up for their debut in the sky. and then i saw him.

i saw the dad, the skydiving instructor i once babysat for five years ago. our eyes met, we hugged, and surprisingly my nerves went away. i couldn't believe that our paths had crossed on this very day, the one day of the week he works and the one day i chose to jump out of a plane. it got even more incredible. it turns out without even having to request him as my tandem partner, i was already scheduled to be attached with this old friend of mine. i was ready now, more than ever.

i got geared up and took my seat on this 8-seater plane; next to my sister and packed in with a few other jumpers/instructors/camera men.

13,000 feet later, i just had about ten minutes to safely see the skies and the ocean shores from my seat. it was my turn. knees to the edge, head back, arms crossed. AND YOUR OFF. i can't explain to you the feeling, 120 mph against your skin feels incredible, just as does the view from above. you somehow catch up to the camera man and do what you do, smile :D the parachute departs and all you have is panoramic bliss and complete silence. not the silence you get when you plug your ears, this was silence i had never experienced before in my twenty years of life. it was awesome and overwhelming.

it's over before you know it. i left with pictures, a dvd, and two ropeburns on my armpits from when the parachute jerks you. oh yeah, and i scheduled my next jump.

i feel sorry for those who will never jump out of a plane and experience the rush i had yesterday. whether that be because you are afraid of flying, heights, or just plain chicken. i thank god im not one of those people. i have one life and i'm gonna live it to the fullest!