4. Ride a motorcycle

A report on one of my items from my 30-before-30 bucket list.

May 17, 2014.
So, I rode this motorcycle.

My dad and I took it out for a spin, and it was pretty cool. It felt a little crazy, being so vulnerable with only a helmet and trust in my dad for protection, but I think it was good for me. Nice to be free and feel the wind. I don't think I'll be buying one in the near future, but it was pretty neat.

Helmet selfie

2. Go Camping

A report on one of my items from my 30-before-30 bucket list.

While in Moab skydiving, I went camping. This goal was just to get back to time in the outdoors, and that is what we did. Even though we camped in the KOA and we couldn't have a fire, we had quite a lovely time exploring Arches National Park and some wonderful eats in Moab.

Our tent was ginormous. I could barely reach the ceiling. Thanks to our friend Jordan for letting all the ladies share it.

Views from the KOA

Arches National Park

Panorama of the North and South Windows.


We also got the pleasure of seeing Yodelin' Dave at the Moab Backyard Theater.

Thanks to this lady, Kate, for arranging such a wonderful weekend!

It was a wonderful 3 days with good friends old and new, willing participants in a plethora of adventures, consumption of delicious food, and some great memories.

5. Go Skydiving

A report on one of my items from my 30-before-30 bucket list.

Well. I did it. I jumped out of a perfectly good* airplane. Here are my thoughts on the experience along with a few pictures and such from Skydive Canyonlands in Moab.

Post-Jump Excitement

The evening group post jumps. We all survived.

Skydiving certificate holder, near said tiny plane.

When you first jump you have to arch your back. We were practicing.

Matching camo.

I am glad I did it. While I don't think I will ever do it again, I am truly glad I did it. It was a good, learning, eye-opening experience. I don't think it is for everyone, but it was good for me. Once.

I don't really know what I expected, but there were a few things that surprised me.
- The landing didn't hurt. Although, I still kind of crumpled when I landed.
- The harness for skydiving is actually a lot more comfortable than for rock-climbing, repelling, or zip lining. Not sure why, but it didn't really hurt at all.
- It is really hard to breathe during free-fall. I had never considered this problem, and it definitely affected me. I realize now I should have just held my breath when I first jumped. But I then figured if I passed out

I learned a lot about myself
- The moment the plane door opened, and I found myself looking outside into thin air, up until right after the jump, were beautiful. That was by far my favorite part. While you free fall for 30 seconds, it is only in those first few seconds that you feel truly weightless before the wind messes it all up.
- I am not a very good listener. There were lots of directions I had to follow. It wasn't that I didn't hear the instructions, but the stress of it made it hard for me to follow for some reason.
- I am super weak and need better flexibility. You have to pull a lot and move weird ways. I'm just a weakling.
- I like being in control of things. Skydiving tandem does not allow me to be in control. But really, there are many times in life I need to just let go and trust in the mechanisms and other people. It will all work out. My instructor kept saying "we are a team" and I loved that. I really need to remember that in real life too, and trust in God. We are a team too, and taking that leap of faith is important.

Now... my landing video. Please enjoy my beautifully botched landing.

*"Perfectly good" is up to interpretation, as the plane was a tiny, sketchy little thing with I am sure a few issues. But it would have at least returned me to the ground safely.

Birthday and 30 Before 30

I turned 29 a few weeks ago. It was lovely. I don't have any pictures from the day, but I felt so loved. My SIL made me a beautiful cake. My office got me a cake. My friend Kate made me a pavlova. Delicious treats were had by all. Enjoyed some Indian food with some friends. Played some Rock Band with more friends. Got a video of my dad singing a song he wrote for me for my birthday. Heard far too many nice things about myself from wonderful people. Thank you to the many people who connected with me that day and made me feel so blessed. I am truly lucky to have so many people who love me in my life.

This day also made me feel a little old, but I decided to embrace it. While my life will likely not change dramatically when I turn 30, it does feel like a time to make the most of my twenties. So, here is the cliche list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. I'll try to blog about some of them as they happen, but no promises. Wish me luck!

1. Pay off my student loans Yeah, this will be tough with all the traveling I want to do, but totally do-able.
2. Go camping Planned for May 1 in Moab.
3. Get a massage Not that I have never had one, but I really need one, and it seems like I have to make it a goal to make that happen.
4. Ride a motorcycle With a helmet and an experienced driver, of course.
5. Go skydiving Planned for May 1. Skydive Canyonlands. Slightly terrified.
6. Read 30 new books Open to suggestions. Checkout my Goodreads for what I might like ;)
7. Lose 30 pounds Maybe make some money in the process with dietbet.
8. Read the Bible I don't think I've ever read the whole thing through.
9. Run a 30 minute 5k This does not have to be at an official race, just 3.1 miles in 30 minutes or less.
10. Leave the country again My passport is just looking a little empty. Maybe it will just be Canada, but still...
11. Visit all Utah temples Maybe do a session at each, but not required.
12. Do a triathlon Just a sprint one. Sometime. 
13. See the Grand Canyon I usually fly to Arizona. Next time I'll drive. Winter trip.
14. Write and mail 50 thank you notes Inspired by this book, but I'm starting small.
15. Find 30 geocaches Many of these can be found while accomplishing other things on this list, but I love doing it.
16. Teach Mackenzie how to make monkey bread As requested by her. Good sister-in-law bonding too, I am sure.
17. Complete the Love in 90 Days practical program I needed some relationship goal.
18. Unplug for 48 hours While on a vacation does not count.
19. Sew a dress I just got a sewing machine, so I've got to put it to use.
20. Swim in Lake Tahoe I love this place and got smoked out of going because of the Yosemite fire last year.
21. Visit the Dinosaur National Monument I've been wanting to do this forever. Sometime this summer.
22. Sing at a Karaoke bar Like in front of people. People I don't know.
23. See Mount Rushmore Another weird one on the list. Looking at going in July. Road trip!!
24. Ride in a hot air balloon Who hasn't wanted to do this. Hoping to go with my Dad.
25. Try 10 new restaurants Open to suggestions.
26. Swim in the Great Salt Lake Yeah, I've lived here far to long to have not done this yet. But I have not.
27. Leave my mark on the Pike's Place Gum Wall Because there really might as well be a piece of me in Seattle for all the time I spend there.
28. Read Lectures on Faith Because I've had a copy forever.
29. Learn to water ski I've always been bad. The goal is just to get up. I count that as learning.
30. Make 30 new recipes Taking suggestions.

* Thanks to all the ideas and input I received from many of you in creating this list. I appreciate all the thoughts as they spurred my own thought processing.