Let's Jump Out of a Plane

Sky Diving

I've wanted to sky dive for a long time now.  I had originally planned to do this in Switzerland with friends.  But unfortunately, the weather had other plans for us.  Fast forward a few years later and I'm having what some would call a mid-life crisis but instead of impulsively buying material items, I am having experiences.  I don't personally feel that it is a mid-life crisis....but I have to admit I am having an emotional crisis.  My most recent melt down was a 90 minute crying session.  Post crying, I pulled myself together and forced myself to look at what I'm doing.  I thought having 39 experiences would make turning 40 easier.  Clarity brought forth for me that 40 is not the issue, but the fact that I will have to deal with the reality that I may never have children.  I don't want to look back on my life having regret and honestly, I'm grieving.

Details

I paid a deposit and set up the dive.  Sky Dive Oregon likes cash...who doesn't??? They give you a break if you pay in cash.  $285 for the tandem dive and dvd/photos.  A co-worker of mine, Andrew wanted to go and so I had a buddy.  Thank you Andrew!  They said show up at 1 pm and expect to stay for 4-5 hours.

Pre-flight

What did I sign up for?

There is a ton of paperwork to fill out.  Basically so you won't sue them.  In multiple places it says "Sky Diving is dangerous" and discusses broken bones and death.  There is even a section that has you acknowledge that you have set up arrangements in case of death for partner/spouse and children.  Well, the silver lining is this ~ not having a family works in my favor.  I started to get a little anxious.  I was appreciative that Andrew was there as we could chat, watch the sky divers come in both singles and tandem.  (Without rough landings and broken bones). After about 45 minutes, my butterflies started to go away.  3 hours later, I was more than ready...."let's get this dog and pony show on the road!"....we thought for sure our names would get called.  Nope.  Big sigh and continue to wait.  4 hours later we were called to "gear up".  

"and/or death".

Flight Instructor - Archie

Archie is not super personable....he doesn't say much and my overall initial opinion is that he is cocky.  But if you've been doing this for 20 years, I guess you can be that way.  He says he doesn't get the adrenaline rush anymore.  Anyhow, I can't really complain, as I'm here typing about my experience.  

Archie put all my gear on and Pete was my videograher/photgrapher.  We climbed into the plane.  There were 9 of us.  There are no seats, you line up into two lines leaning back into the next person.  Archie, attached us together and tightened up the straps.  If you have an issue with personal space....this is not for you.  He then gave me instructions that we would slide/scoot to the door, I would tuck my feet under the door, hold onto my straps, turn my head to the right and he would give a count and out we would go....once in the air I needed to put my feet on his butt (again personal space means nothing) lift my arms and head....and have fun.  Archie said have fun multiple times....so maybe he is a bit more personable than I pegged him at first.  He also was very clear that I was not to reach or grab for him.

Andrew & I look like we should be a part of SNL coneheads.

We're halfway there???

Archie behind me & Pete is in the corner of the shot!

Pete who was sitting in my lap turned around and took a bunch of pictures and said to me we're are only halfway up are you ready?  I responded out of disbelief 'we're only halfway?'  I couldn't stop grinning and the butterflies came back.  Everything on the ground started to decrease in size.  From above it looked like a patchwork quilt.

Free Fall

Free Fall

The door was open and the three single sky divers jumped out...next was Andrew's photographer, Andrew and his flight instructor, Kirk.  Moving in a seated position with a person on your back is awkward.  So we scooted to the door.  My legs dangled over the plane at 13,000 feet up - a one, two, three and we dropped out of the plane.  We fell and spun the photographer came up and took pictures.  I couldn't stop smiling.  It was like a feeling no other.  I felt light and free.  It was hard to breathe because we were rushing so fast towards the ground.

Falling towards the earth

Check out the force on my arm

60 seconds of free falling and a quick jerk and I was dangling.  My ears were killing me!  The pressure and popping was intense.  Archie had me hold on the to controls of the parachute and he loosened up my straps which allowed me to breathe a little easier.  He informed me that I would have to yell to talk to him, which I figured as my ears were plugged too.   He had me try lifting my legs for the landing and pointed out Mt Hood and Mt Adams.  The view was breath taking and at the same time a sense of calm washed over me.  I took everything in and allowed myself to fully experience every sensation.

My chute opening up

We had to get away from another sky diver so he made multiple hard left turns, we were basically spinning.  We floated in.  I lifted my legs, flexed my feet, attempted to stand up but didn't rise up quick enough so I had a soft slide landing.  Ears still plugged, I was grinning.  Pete my photographer came over and said he got great footage and that I was the "most smiley" jumper ever.

Coming in for the landing

It was good!

I have to go with each moment - experience life to the fullest.  I know that I am privileged to be able to basically do what I want, when I want.  Not everyone has the opportunities I have had or the support from family and friends. I've had some amazing moments in my life and amazing people to share them with and I am truly grateful.

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea

The Heathman Hotel has an afternoon tea daily at 2 pm.  On the weekends there are two seatings available at noon and 2 pm.  The afternoon tea is held in the library.

I took my mom as my date to tea.  Laura and her mom, Kelly, joined us.

(To give you a bit of background....I have watched Laura grow up from a young adolescent to an amazing woman.  I have been a part of her life on and off the ice including major events in her life from birthdays, graduations and even was in her wedding. Our relationship has evolved from coach-student, mentor-colleague to close friends.  So this was a great opportunity to have another moment to share and experience with Laura).  

At afternoon tea, you start with your choice of a pot of tea and then a three tiered serving tray is brought out with an assortment of scones, banana bread, sandwiches, deviled eggs, cakes, lemon bars and house made marshmallows.  I think I had the best scone ever at afternoon tea.  It was moist on the inside which was surprising being often scones are so dry and crumbly.  The assortment of food is a carbohydrate lovers dream and a celiac and diabetic's nightmare.  So far I do not have either of these issues and had just put in a long run prior to tea.

Tea & Treats

After much sipping, noshing and talking we ended up taking a few left over items home.  It was fun to dress up and take our moms out for a nice time.  It's important to have those moments of bonding between parent and daughter and as women.

Kelly, Laura, Me and my Mom

I know that Laura and her mom would like to take her grandma to tea.  As for my mom...she informed me she would prefer just going to lunch or dinner there.  As a person of color I have found that food in general has special meaning in the aspect of sharing food and the social connection for me.  One of the great things of afternoon tea is you can take your time to sip, talk and eat.  I would definitely go to tea again....but for a new experience I might try it a specialty tea house or another hotel like the Empress in Victoria that offers a high tea.

Something is always blooming

Trifecta of Blooms, Garden & Pollen

The particular posting has come about because I have not had time to write.  Somehow I have let writing on a more consistent basis slip away from me.  So I have decided to go with a theme  - Trifecta - 3 months of flowers, 3 gardens and a little bit of pollen.

BLOOMS

For years I have said I should buy myself flowers and I have on occasion.   In deciding that I should buy flowers every month it was important for me to not only have experiences but do things that I have wanted to or found myself saying.  As I created the list I did not realize this but it has come to my attention lately that NOW is the time to do this.  It's not like if I wait I will have more time in my life.  The best part of buying flowers is when I can purchase them from the farmer's markets.  Post 39 experiences I have decided that I will continue to enjoy fresh cut flowers in the spring/summer from the market.  I not only support local farmers but the blooms last so much longer and are truly exquisite.

~May 

Flowers from Portland Farmers Market

~June 

Flowers from Ballard Farmers Market

Well the problem with summer and wanting to have so many experiences is that one's schedule becomes quite busy.  So at the end of July no trips were made to the farmer's market.  For kicks I paid the same price for flowers as you can see the bouquet is just not the same.

~July

$15 bouquet from the store - just not the same....

THE GARDENS

I find it interesting that most people (including) myself will travel and visit different attractions but hardly do this in their own back yard.  So right here in my back yard are 3 gardens:  Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Oregon Garden and the Japanese Garden.  I have actually been to the Japanese Garden but it had been such a long time I thought it needed a visit.

Lan Su Garden

Lan Su Chinese Garden is the newest of the three gardens.  Located in Chinatown, the garden opened in 2000 and is the smallest of the three gardens, approximately 40,000 square feet.  The day I went there were different peony flowers and trees within the courtyard.

One of the Peony's 

As I walked into the garden there were a group of people practicing their Tai Chi forms.  The were so relaxed but focused at the same time as they moved in a methodical rhythm.  The garden has many nuances as the walls  of the city block encompass the garden and the foliage encompass the lake within the garden.  With my recent interest in updating my yard I found some things I would love to plant but of course am completely clueless on what they are.

Notice the detail of light green against the dark green to have a striped effect.

At one point, I was watching the tai chi practice. While I was sitting and reflecting, I looked up and noticed the dichotomy of the garden with traditional fixtures against the newer building of downtown Portland.

The dichotomy

THE POLLEN

Oregon Garden

A sea monster amongst the lily pads

The day started out with an event at Willakenzie Vineyard and Winery.  Run Now & Wine Later was a 3-6 mile run (by choice) around the vineyard.  I ended up running around 4.5ish and breakfast.  After breakfast we had a guest speaker, Sarah Bowen Shea, author of Run Like a Mother and Train Like a Mother who shared insight and funny tidbits about running followed by wine tasting.  We then headed to Silverton, OR to the Oregon Garden.  It was fun to drive through wine country and then through farmland and small quaint towns.  The Oregon Garden is the largest of the three gardens, boasting 80 acres and 20 specialty gardens.  My favorites were the water and pet friendly gardens.  There was wedding going on in the event center and I did not realize they actually have a resort where you can stay.

We poked around the garden, gawked at the gaudy bridesmaid dresses and groom's metallic suit and then caught a tram to get an overview.  This would have been great with the exception that my nose became a sieve and I blew (literally) through two packs of tissues.  As my eyes watered on the tram a bug flew into one eye.  I ran out of eye drops and overdosed on allergy meds.  After we got off the tram I forced myself between sneezes to check out the garden.  I emphatically told Karen - "Remind me to never get married here or attend any events here as I might die".

I felt like this guy

I did appreciate the garden and under other circumstances it would have been a better experience.  I recommend the garden unless you have allergies....then you might consider dosing up extra, taking two boxes of kleenex and possibly stuffing toilet paper or cotton up your nose.....hey you got to do what you got to do when you are desperate and suffering.

Part of the Pet Friendly garden

Japanese Garden

Strolling Pond Garden

The trip to the Japanese Garden was on one of the hottest days we've had recently in Portland.  So it was a nice reprieve to walk through the shade of the garden.  There are five gardens within the 5.5 acre garden itself.  My favorite of the five is the strolling pond garden.  At the lower pond is a connecting bridge or yatsuhashi through a bed of iris to a waterfall.

Heavenly Falls

After my travels in Japan and experiencing Ryoanji, the stone and sand garden did not make much of an impression.  As you can see below, this is all of the garden.  Some thing just can't be replicated.

Sand and Stone Garden

I did appreciate how much the mix of native plants and trees were intermixed within the garden.  Again, I found a flowering shrub that I would like to plant in my own back yard, but I have no idea what it is.  So if you have a green thumb, please let me know what the name of it is.

What is this????

Post garden tour, we ventured over to the Rose Garden.  I have to say I applaud gardeners for all the work they do to maintain such beautiful gardens.  I think roses are pretty, smell nice but I would not like to have to maintain them so it is nice to enjoy the thousands of different roses they have displayed.

I couldn't get over how big this rose was!

Plants provide structure and create spaces that can be of utility, relaxation and enjoyment.  As I develop my own yard I realize how important the space, structure and design is, in addition to choosing the right plant or shrub or tree.