Purchasing a one way ticket to Iceland conjures many emotions for me. This past weekend I coordinated the flight to begin my brilliant adventure. I chose the name of this blog in homage to "My Brilliant Career" - here's to you Ms. Sybylla! (Rent the movie folks- thanks Mom for sharing it with me so many years ago)
A few years back my dad's partner told me he was surprising my dad with plans to skydive for his 50th birthday WITH ME. Much like the leisurely trip around Europe, I have always wanted to skydive. As the day dawned I was filled with such a range of emotions. Meeting my tandem partner, being suited up, practicing in the hangar all filled me with a panic-y excitement. Yes- I might die. Yes- this was going to be a life changing experience in some way. Yes- I was challenging myself to do something that scared the poops out of me. The adrenaline of anticipation receded as we flew up in the plane watching the ground disappear and morphed into a quiet state of zen. My sister told me later she initially thought she was going to have to convince me to jump, but after watching me in the plane was amazed at how peaceful I was. All I could think about was how exciting to push myself to a limit that I didn't know if I could get past and how amazing it would be to survive that.
And so I jumped- from 14, 000 feet above the soil of Georgia. Flying thru the air at over 100 mph is one of the most amazing sensations I've ever experienced. When I finally planted my shaky feet on the ground, after puking somewhere above rural Georgia, I felt like I was the goddess of my own destiny. I could have done anything! I loved that euphoric self-empowerment.
And so I anticipate my newest adventure with the same sense of panic-ed excitement. I'm going to travel to Europe alone. I'm going to explore and attempt to meet people in their own countries. I want to see the places of the world that will make me a better person. When I board my plane on July 29 I expect to feel the same sense of nervous excitement. I'll probably be a tad bit anxious and with any luck will be able to keep the vomit to a minimum.
I truly can't wait!
Well luckily they have those specially lined bags on the plane for just such an occasion ;)Though the sky diving assoc. fails to supply them? Perhaps they accurately assume the velocity would rip them from your trembling hands. Well, just don't go for Micky D's this time and your nerves might not get the better of you. Haha. Oh, save room for Icelandic coffee & yogurt instead!
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