5-4-3-2-1...GO!!

Yes, I did it. I actually did it. I am sure everyone is wondering why I didn't post about my choice of jump or my last will and testament, but I figured it would be better not to for fear of getting too many comments like "you are crazy!"and "don't do it!" which would have made me 10x more nervous. This particular jump (head first into water) is the one I fear the most, the one I promised myself I would never do, the one that makes me cringe thinking about it. I was given the option of the Sky Tower, but I knew Brian would never let me live that down if I chose that. A controlled fall is for sissy's.

So to Tirol's great dismay I didn't die, unfortunately I can now hold this one over her head for the rest of her life because I know she would never be able to jump. HA! So I feel quite accomplished. This birthday present definitely ranks up there with best ever! Hayley got the whole thing on tape which I will post when we get it all edited and whatnot.

So dooms day was yesterday. We decided that Hayley would come up to the little cockpit tucked right under the bridge. We had about 20 people jumping in my group and it took forever to get everyone harnessed! Hayley got to wear one as well since we would be scaling the bridge. It took about 10min to walk all the way up. On the last little bit of stairs to the cockpit I began to get a little anxious. The guys strapping everyone in were covered in tattoo's and piercings...typical. I looked down and discovered that it wasn't nearly as far as I thought it would be, but as the first person went I counted the seconds he was falling in my head...1-2-3-4-5...6!!! Ahhh!! The fact that I was looking down at water completely distorted my depth perception. I knew that as long as I wasn't last then I would be fine. I waited and waited and waited for my turn. The names were being called randomly. No one had backed out and no one had died...yet. So after about 12 people had gone I started to feel more comfortable being so high. You would think that being up there longer would make it worse, but it actually made it a little better. I could also asses what way i should jump and which would be the least detrimental to my neck. I decided I would do a graceful swan dive.

After an hour of waiting I started to notice that there were not many people left...at all!! Fate had put me last!! What a cruel world!! Hayley of course noticed this as well and was highly enjoying herself and the situation. So my name was finally called. I sat in the chairs that elevate your feet so I could be strapped in. I looked at the actual bungee cord...well I wouldn't even call it that, it was tiny! It looked like a bunch of rubber bands all weaved together. At this point I started to hyperventilate. Hayley was filming the whole time and trying to make me laugh and I was trying to focus all energy on making my self jump. When I was strapped in I hopped over the to plank...yes an actual plank! I was grabbing the guys shirt as he practically shoved me up to the edge. During this whole process they make you take pictures and smile, I was trying not to vomit. They also tell you that because of the boat traffic you had to jump on their count down otherwise you will die. So not only did i have to worry about sharks, but I also get to worry about being impaled by a boat mast! Anyways, I am standing at the edge of this plank and realizing that I actually cannot do this. There is no possible way I am going to jump off this thing. I am going to die! Then I hear the count down..."We are go for jump...OK Sarah in 5-4-3-2-1 GO!"

I don't remember much from that point. I remember watching my sights of the bridge disappear and then having my cord kick in to pull me up. At that point I realized that this was actually really fun. I can't possibly explain the feeling. Its was nothing like i thought it would be, very serene and peaceful mixed with terror, adrenaline, and awesomeness! Oh wow! I felt no pain, all my limbs were still attached, and i was still breathing. They pulled me back up to the bridge and did all the unstrapping. I was so relieved and could not believe I had actually done it. I had to have Hayley show me the video she took cause I couldn't remember how I jumped. So I have done it! Nothing will ever be as terrifying/amazing/cool/fun as that! I think all those years of standing at the edge of a freezing pool every morning and making my self jump have finally paid off.