Life Out Here: June 2015

Maybe I thought I would be able to figure something out. Maybe, I was just feeling daredevil, adventurous, what with the risk, the buzz, the danger, the high speed and the thrill! Or maybe it's a little more personal.. But one thing is certain, skydiving is a different kind of rush! It is like a 14,000 feet kind of high!

So, okay, first things first. Here are some reminders from Skydive Guam Inc.

WHAT TO BRING

· I.D (i.e. PASSPORT, DRIVER’S LICENSE)

WHAT TO WEAR

· T-SHIRT, SHORTS AND SNEAKERS

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

· SKIRTS OR HIGH-HEELS

JUMPERS MUST FIT THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

1. MUST BE BETWEEN 18 – 65 YRS. OLD

2. MUST WEIGH LESS THAN 220 LBS.(100KG)

3. MUST NOT BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL

4. MUST NOT HAVE BEEN SCUBA DIVING WITHIN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO SKYDIVING

5. MUST NOT BE PREGNANT

NOTE: When a jumper does not fit the mentioned criteria above on the day of their jump, a cancellation fee will be charged.

So, don't chicken out!

Tandem Skydiving from 8,000 feet, insurance included costs $289.00. An upgrade to 14,000 feet would cost an additional $120.00 and of course if you would want to immortalize the epic jump with a video and photos it would be another $140.00. But alas, it is all worth it!

There were 7 pairs of us, the first three jumped from 8,000 feet. I refused to think of anything when the door opened. I was there, I didn't want to think, I wanted to feel.

Do not debate why go skydiving with anyone not even with yourself! Never ever entertain questions like, what if parachute does not open?! Don't analyze! And never, ever let anyone talk you out of it. Danger is everywhere, you can die or sustain injuries in doing just about anything. Statistics show that there is only 1 fatality for every 100,000 skydives. Now, I don't feel special enough to be that lucky one. And if I were the one, I would have died happy.

You can never justify or reason enough why you would risk your life jumping from 4,200 meters until after you have experienced it. Just do it, jumppp!!

After briefing, the flight to 14,000 feet will take about 15-20 minutes. It takes roughly 10 seconds to fall the first 1,000 feet and then 5 seconds for every subsequent 1,000 feet. The professional skydiver with me, Brandon (he's cute by the way!) will deploy the parachute at about 5,000 feet. That gives us about 60 seconds of freefall!

The freefall is what defines skydiving. I cannot describe exactly how it feels, I thought I would have that clenched stomach feel of 'dropping' or that kind of rapid deceleration when riding a Free Fall Drop, but I did not! That moment I spread my arms was when I realized I was not falling. I was flying! Actually flying!

The wind rushing past through me was too loud that I cannot even hear my own screams. The wind's impact on my face was funny, my lips touched my nose. I felt my neck trying to reach my chin, and my ears my cheeks! My face muscles and ears were still trying to recover minutes after returning to earth.

I realized the time is indeed relative. I was just a few minutes in the air but the firsthand experience froze me. It was fast, yes, but not fast enough for me not to take pleasure of every second. All my senses basked in! I felt the charge of the cold wind, I breathe the freshest of air, my eyes feasted!

I tell you it is beyond beautiful up there. There is wonder and poetry.

In that moment I was a bird, an eagle soaring high. I was free, I just let go. I marvel.

Maybe I literally saw the big picture. The One who created such delightful miracle, heavenly creation that surround me is also the One who breathe life into me. He will never abandon me. All that is required of me is to keep my faith in Him. Amazing.

The experience is both humbling and pleasing. The world is big and wide, it looks quite frightening. But knowing that someone up there holds you in the palm of His hands gives you peace. The very same One wants you to be overjoyed by the symmetry of His creation.

There seems to be no end of the Pacific Ocean on one side and Guam is as breathtaking as it can be on the other side. The Marianas just took my heart. I was not only in awe I was reverential. There is grand design of infinity up there.