Scene Stealers: Jessica's Bucket List #21

Video Song: "Moment 4 Life" - Nikki Minaj

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What up!!!

Since you got a nice little dose of Samantha last week with her recap of her press trip to Colombia...I'm here this week to include you in on my quest to complete my bucket list.

Why do I even have a bucket list at 25?!...Well folks, not to sound morbid but you just never know...and I want to look back on my life with the cofidence that I truly experienced everything this world has to offer and enjoyed every single minute of it...and why not bring you along for the ride?

So with that, here it is...my bucket list adventures with you all, in no particular order.

#21 - Skydiving

"Jumping is fun! Skydiving is not just falling; it is flying—the closest we have been able to come to free, unencumbered, non-mechanical individual flight." - Mike Turoff, The Skydiver's Handbook

I totally, without a doubt agree! I mean seriously, who grew up not wanting to be able to fly, like a bird or their favorite superhero?!

Anyway, my skydiving trip was totally random. Christi (my linesister) hit me up one day about going with a group of people skydiving to celebrate our mutal friend, O'brian's birthday...I said was down...and boom bam!, the following week I'm putting down a deposit and finding coverage for work.

Saturday August 20th, I woke up super early to meet Christi in Queens and grab some breakfast. It was about 45-minute drive into Long Island to reach our destination, the Long Island Skydiving Center.

I wasn't nervous...not even when I was signing my life away (and I mean literally signing my life away). I wasn't nervous as I watched others in our group suit up, walk away and eventually fall from the sky.

It wasn't until we were on the plane...this plane that only took 2 people at a time...this plane that was small and rickety as hell...this plane that took the longest two-mile climb above the ground, which is about 10,000 feet in the air.

The professionals opened the plane door (fyi we were tandem jumping). As I looked down I was able to see Christi, who had already jumped. Then his crazy man, Joe, behind me gave me my instructions:

1. Put my left leg over his leg, on the ledge of the plane's wheel
2. Let go and arch my whole body back, holding on to the straps of the chute
3. When he taps me, spread my arms

Man, that step on the ledge, whew! Adrenaline was pumping...then we let ourselves go. Those were the most interesting and enjoyable seconds ever. For approximately 40-50 seconds, its a complete freefall...at about 120 mph. After a few seconds, it doesn't seem like falling anymore...but almost like your floating in the air...then Joe ripped the chute.

The chute opened (thank goodness, lol) and it was a bit of a jolt. The canopy flight, though much slower than the freefall, was just as amazing...the sight beautiful.

We grew closer and closer to the drop zone...and then it was time to land. My only instruction...when Joe told me to, pick up my legs. The landing was super smooth...I landed on my feet with complete exhilaration.