megan123

All of my skydiving dreams have to do with final approach and landing. I am never under a good canopy but I always land just fine. In one I had a few weeks ago, I was still kicking out line twists 10 feet above the ground, but everything somehow took care of itself. I had another where I lost my rig in freefall (????) but had the perfect landing.

Last year as I was in the plane and seconds away from doing my first jump in 6 months, I realized that I was completely frightened. I kept thinking, ug..what the hell am I doing??? My hands were shaking and my heart was pounding like crazy. I looked at my instructor and said, "I'm scared." I will never forget what he said to me: "You should always be a little bit scared. If you ever get to a point where you are 0% nervous, you shouldn't be in the sport." Being a little bit scared keeps you on your toes and that is a good thing. Being "scared shitless" scared is scary in itself. The fear breeds more fear (for me, anyway). When I get to that point, I always think of the euphoric feeling I get the second I jump out of the plane. There's nothing like it in the world, and that always helps to calm my nerves.

It took me 8 months to get my A license, but without winter it would have been more like 2. I started AFF in Sept 2001 and got my A license in May 2002. Work and other obligations don't allow me to get to the dropzone as much as I'd like to. I started skydiving almost two years ago and I still only have 35 jumps. I just go when I can fit it in and when I can afford it. Just go at your own pace. Everyone has a different pace. Just because others are able to find endless time to spend at the DZ doesn't mean you have to.