I didn’t want him to do it. I thought it was the craziest idea I had ever heard. In my head, anyone who was remotely interested in doing it was on crack. For real. I tweeted about it more than once to make light of the situation, I tried to distract him with a Playstation 3, I even asked my mom to help me pray that he’d just get over it. But deep down, I knew he wouldn’t. It was something he wanted to do. For himself.
What I did NOT expect was an urge to go with him. Not gonna lie, I begged his best friend to go with him. I was all, I have the PERFECT idea. Like, seriously, you’re gonna thank me. You should jump out of a plane with Steven so he doesn’t have to go alone! Doesn’t that sound awesome? I felt bad selling such a wild idea to him, but when he agreed, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. So it was set. And I was off the hook.
As the scheduled date approached, I had an itch. It was definitely unexpected. I didn’t tell anyone about it, because I figured it was temporary. I mean, I’m a girl who takes risks, but 100% of those risks are made ON THE GROUND. So I thought surely this would pass. But it didn’t. It was something inside telling me to just take a chance. This past year, I’ve learned so much about myself. I feel like I’ve shed all of the walls I used to put up. I used to block myself off from making new friends, from letting people love me, from opening myself up. I didn’t think I was worthy. And yet, here I am today, knowing that I have come so far. It was kinda like I had to do it. For myself.
Image taken by Nick Fener of the Perris Valley Skydiving School. I highly recommend this location if you’re in a daredevil state of mind. Can you imagine doing this for a living? I think it may be cooler than my job!
On Saturday, I jumped. I just let go. I wasn’t afraid. It was like a moment of clarity. And it was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had. The best part about it was that I had my best friend by my side, cheering me on. As I approached the edge of the plane, even though it was his birthday and we were there for him, I could hear him screaming at the top of his lungs for me, “GOOOOOOO ALA!” So yes, I will continue to GOOOOOOO and live an invigorated life. For me.
LOVE it! 🙂
Ala, i am so jealous! I have always wanted to jump out of a plane but of course Ralph refuses. I will do it someday, even if alone. PS your new site is of course nothing less than amazing!!!
Okay so I am smiling at my computer and have hairs on edge on my arms!! I love stories like this! So happy for you! Good for you Ala!! So fun 🙂
you GO!!.. I love it. Not sure if I could ever do that but my hubby wants to too. eeks 😉
xo
marianne
So proud of you! That picture is AWESOME!! Go you!
That is SO awesome!!!
You go with your amazing self! Wooo hooo to you girlie that is AWESOME!!
Wow! No FEAR! Leap and jump, free falling indeed. And what a great shot. Can you share who took it and how (point and shoot or big camera)?
I just wanna know who took that awesome picture!! Definitely frame worthy (:
That is the epitome of crazy/beautiful.
Holy Moly, Heavens to Betsy! Better you than me girl! You still managed to look great! WTF?!
I’m jealous!
I am so freaked out just looking at the picture!! You go girl! What an amazing experience and to share it with someone so special, you two are adorable! 🙂
Love it! Next time can I come? Or maybe you can come to Aus go again over the bridge…??? 🙂
That is AWESOME!!!! I’ve toyed with the idea, but I’m still pretty scared! 🙂 So glad you and Steven got to do it together!
Holy moly! This is Amazing! GOOOO ALA!
That’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to try it, but I have a feeling once I’m up there I’m going to be a big chicken. hahaha
Woohoo!!! Good for you!! I don’t know if I would’ve had the guts so I admire you greatly for doing this 🙂
Wow – kudos to you girl,Girls ROCK!!! 🙂 I am so proud of you. This is something my husband and I have wanted to do for a long time, but have yet to do it. It’s amazing to see how far we have come, and definitly knowing who we are, and liking ourselves for who we are.
you look awesome up in the air. i’m glad you had fun free fallin 🙂
LOL! That is crazy girl! By far the best picture of a photographer that I have seen! kudos to u! that takes guts =)
What an amazing post. You go girl!
I was exactly the same! I went to watch my brother and his friend do it for their 18th birthday….I said they were crazy! When we got to the sky diving centre I decided to jump as well.. it was ammmazzzing! 🙂
I think it’s brilliant that you did it! Goooooooooo Ala indeed!
soooo amazing! I’m dying to do this. Glad you let go!