Skydiving

I did it! Yes, me.

All my life I wanted to do skydiving, but have not really necessary thought I will build up the guts and actually do it (then of course there's the financial aspect as I always thought it would be crazy expensive).  Then last year, thanks to a Groupon special, I did!

My flatmate, Alastair, and myself went to Robertson Skydive (http://www.skydive.co.za/) on 8 December 2012. There we were trained the whole of Saturday all about skydiving. 

Then, the Sunday came and the skies were cloudy. We hoped & prayed and kept our eyes on the skies for any small sign that it will clear up.  The jumpmaster (person who trained us) does not want us to jump through the cloud as we can become disoriented seeing this is our first time.  Trained/experienced skydivers can however.

Then, at last, as the afternoon wore on and just as our hopes were starting to fade, the skies started to clear... at first only a little and then gradually more and more.

My nerves were definitely there as I knew this is it... I am going to actually jump out of a plane!

So, we suited up (put on overalls and then the parashoot and helmet). And off we went to the plane... approaching it from the angle we were taught the previous day. We embarked the plane the way we were taught to do and once we were all in it was lift off.

At 1000 feet, our jumpmaster went through our 1000feet check where you check again if you have all your gear on and that it is fastened the way it should be, etc.  There are a lot of safety checks and this is the last one before you jump out of the plane.

Then, we reach altitude, the jumpmaster opens the door and the jumper first puts his hand out to get a feel for the wind (what to expect when getting out of the plane)...

The exit strategy is as follows:
The plane is a Cessna 206 and has a step outside the door and a handle on the inside of the door... there is a wingspan and a bar underneath the wing.

You are first at the door on your knees with your left hand holding the inside handle. You then say each step aloud that you are going to take (to keep your mind in check as well as you have rehearsed this many a times the day before in training and after training, even in your sleep).
Holding the inside handle with your left hand, you put your right foot out onto the step, then your right hand goes onto the bar (that runs underneath the wing mentioned previously). Then, your left foot goes onto the step, then your left hand releases the handle and goes onto the bar. Then you shuffle along a little bit, then you take a step off the step and hang onto the bar. Then you should look left to the jumpmaster, then up (to position your body right for the next move) and then the jumpmaster should ideally say go, then you release and off you go! (I am again excited as I mention all these things as I remember it so clearly and want to do it again.

This is the point where I was able to look into the plane to the jumpmaster, look up and before he could say GO I went as I could not hold on any longer.  My brain was like OH @##$!, here I go (as I thought I had to wait for him to say go)... I know I gave a panicked look to the jumpmaster as I went... but then all you can do is go to the next step...

The next process is to keep counting aloud (to keep your mind calm and going)... ARCH 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, by then the parachute should be open and you continue your safety checks...
ARCH is to remind yourself the position your body needs to be in... you basically have your arms above you wide out and your legs beneath you wide out...

Then, you say CHECK - pointing with both hands to the shoot, looking up, saying FLOAT (are you floating?), SHAPE (is the shape of your shoot right?), SPIN (are you spinning violently?). If all fine, then normally your ropes is a little tangled from the release out of the parashoot bag (this will not be SPIN, as SPIN is violent and you will know it is wrong)... to get the ropes untangled... what you do is put your hands in the middle, push it apart and then kick with your legs, you will go round and round till it is untangled (same as if you were on a swing and you tangled yourself up by going the one way the whole time, you push it apart, kick and untangle yourself that way).

Once that is done, you say FLARE, pull your brake handles loose from their velcro position and pull it all the way down (at down position your arms will be straight down next to your body or a little in front of your body). You then count, FLARE 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and release the brakes (still keeping hold of it, but letting it into a slack position which takes your arms above your head again).

Then, you look right, then bring the right brake down and turn 180 degrees all the while checking there are no other skydivers close to you, once you have turned your 180 degrees, you release the brake.  Then, you look left, and follow the same procedure. 

Then, you bring both brakes down again FLARE 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and release.

Once that is all done, you check for the landing zone (to know where you are)... and always look below in between your feet as that is normally where it will be.  Once you located your landing zone, you float/fly/play around in the air (trying to keep in the area your jumpmaster pointed out to you before exiting the plane).

At this point, I looked down and thought to myself, I am actually flying here, this is sooooo cool!

Then, as you near 1000 feet, you look for the batton man/woman (in my case it was a man). You pretty much follow his instructions on the direction you need to be as he will bring you in to land straight in the landing zone area.  Then you should flare and land right near the bottom.

Now, this is where I made a mistake.  Due to the fact that I had a knee surgery 1½ years prior to my jump, I asked the jumpmaster beforehand about landing possibilities etc for me to avoid hurting my knee on landing impact. He suggested to me to keep my knees and feet together, then land on my feet, but slide in on my bum (as I would break my bum if I landed direct on it).  So, I followed the batton man's instructions all the way, but when I realised, this is it, this is landing time... no more going left or right or anything, now I am going to land, I concentrated... ok ok knees together, feet together, land on feet, slide and land on bum. Doing this meant I looked away from the batton man a little early and thus did not see his instruction to FLARE and concentrating too hard on my knee issue that I forgot to flare... So, my landing was rather hard (I remember thinking, @##$! the earth is coming very close very fast). When I landed, I seemed to instinctively roll into the landing, thus not breaking anything. I stood up soon afterwards and someone else came in to help with my parashoot.  I was able to walk away from that... later the day - very very soon after actually my foot/ankle started swelling due to it having been sprained. Then the next few days I had a sore & stiff body.

But it was soooo worth it! I want to do it again!

Has anyone seen my dignity?

I found myself sprawled all over the sidewalk this afternoon.  At least that was what it felt like. 

I was walking out of Gardens Shopping Centre towards the street to cross it on the way to my car when it happened.  I just fell.  It seemed like my shoe hit a piece of brick standing out, although in all likelihood I just tripped over my own feet.  It was almost like things moved in slow motion.  I knew I was falling, but could not stop myself.  Next thing I was on the ground probably looking like the biggest idiot.  My grocery bag on the sidewalk with one of my mangoes having fallen out and away from the bag.  My handbag lying not far away from me.

I picked myself up as dignifyingly as humanly possible (although that is a far reach).  Gathered up my run away mango and grocery bag and handbag and started walking again towards the street... this time really wanting to get away quicker than Superman or Flash or any of those really fast superhero characters that is so fast you don't even see them go past.  Of course, this was not possible.

A car stopped and the people inside asked if I'm ok. I tell them this is typical for me and I'm fine. Others also stop and ask if I am ok, same answer.  Another person asks if I need some help... yeah my dignity back please (although of course I did not say this out loud)!  Again, gave the same answer.

Now I walk as quickly as possible up the hill towards my car, just aiming to get away.  I discover my left knee is scraped and that means my plans of going for a lekker brisk walk with a friend and then a swim at the gym has to be cancelled.  My next goal - a pharmacy and anti-bacterial & mercurochrome... any pharmacy but those inside Gardens. I was not, absolutely not going back there right after I fell just outside!

So, has anyone seen my dignity?

Old places & new discoveries

This year I have decided to visit my aunty and grandmother on my mom's side for the Christmas holidays.

Thus began my journey of discovery.  Let me explain:  I recently read 2 of Francine Rivers' books called: "Her Mothers Hope" and "Her Daughter's Dream", also known as "Marta's Legacy".  These two books I read in 5 days' time after work, etc.  They were those typical can't-put-down-till-finished books! (For me at least.)  The books are about mothers and daughters stretching over 4 or 5 generations, see Marta's Legacy by Francine Rivers for more information and description on the books.

These books made me curious about my gran's life as she grew up and how she experienced things and such.  

She is an amazing 94 year old lady (born 1917) and is still going strong.  She has such a good memory and told me some of her growing up experiences and also of my mom's growing up years, etc.  It was really great to hear these kind of stories... to get to know her and my mom from her perspective on life.  What an amazing lady!

I am actually writing this with her sitting across from me reading a book and she has no idea (until I tell her anyway :-) ).

My sister, Lisi, wrote a blog piece about her as well - you can check it out:  Age Old Wisdom by Lisi Mallinson and it includes a lovely pic of my gran!

Knee recovery update

Today was my 6 week check up on my knee!  6 weeks ago today I had a knee surgery - it is crazy.. it did feel long, yet it went quite quick.

The doctor was very impressed with the recovery.  He said I am much further along in my recovery than expected (or most people with similar knee problem at 6 weeks post-op).

I had a physio check up the afternoon as well.  The physio told me the doctor said to her that I am at the stage in recovery he thought I would only get to at about 3 months.  Even one of the other physio's congratulated me.

The doctor seemed to think the reason for my excellent progress is that I have been really careful.  I think that the Lord is so amazing and that He is helping my recovery along with the effort I am putting into it (physio exercises) and being careful!

I had to walk with crutches since the surgery (actually before it already when I re-injured as per my previous post).  I have been walking on 1 crutch for a while and today I am finally OFF the crutch!  I have been in a state of euphoria all day! It is totally AWESOME!!!  :-)

Now you may ask why I am so excited to be off my crutch - especially since I was walking with 1 and not 2... the crutch is annoying, my wrist gets really very sore from using it (switch to other side and then that wrist also aches), it slows me down and is in the way and makes it difficult to carry things (like groceries) etc.  I could go on, but don't wanna bore you or start sounding negative - too happy for that!!!

I am not allowed to bend my knee very much (as in doing squats or stuff like that where my knee really bends hectically).  I have to still be very careful and all that.

Good exercises to do for knees:  swimming & cycling.  I will start out on a stationery bike at first...

When I started walking without my crutch it felt sooo weird... limping in my walking and such, but it will get better.

Thank you Lord!!!

Knee recovery

I have never before now had to have an emergency operation of any kind.  Operations, yes! Emergency, no!

On Monday, 11 July I went to work with crutches and then went to the doctor. At the doctors office (knee specialist) I was told to have an emergency surgery that day - after they sent me for a g-scan (new style MRI scan).

Ok, let me start at the beginning...

In April 2008 I fell from my scooter basically on my right knee in the street.  I went to the emergency unit and they did x-rays, but nothing was broken or fractured (yay for me).  I then went to see a physio as I could not bend or straighten my knee from the position it was in.  The physio was of great help and soon enough I could walk normally again.   

But I found that every now and again my knee sort of "popped" out of place - it would hurt bad for a few minutes and then be ok again mostly. 

Then one December (2010) I went to the beach (Clifton) with friends and was walking from the one beach to the other and at one point you have to climb over rocks to get to the next beach and at the end of that I jumped from the rock to the sand (not very high and sand looked nice & soft) and landed correctly on both my feet, my knee badly popped out of place and walking was excruciating.

I then went back to the physio who then informed me that I have movemement in my knee that should not be there. I could either have a surgery (that won't fully fix it and will be very expensive or I can do specific exercises he gives me).  So, as I did not have the money for an expensive surgery and did not want to have one if it could be fixed on its own, I opted for the exercises.

So, I tried to be careful with my knee - no running or jumping.  But every now and again it still popped out.  I must admit that I was battling to always do the exercises - my fault!

Then, on Sunday I went with some of my family to Kirstenbosch for a lovely picnic and then played with my nephew - throwing a tennis ball to each other.  One of my nephew's throws went a bit wide, but I caught it, but in order to have done that I had to step to the side.  That is when my knee popped out again - but BADLY this time.  I had such a mission to get back to the car.  I did not think of the fact that Kirstenbosch would offer a wheelchair so said to my sister I'll push the pram as that will help me to walk as well.  The most painful walk in my life - Ilse even took a video clip of it!

Then, when I got home I phoned my flatmate/friend and asked him to bring my crutches from upstairs (3rd floor flat - no lift in our building) down so that I can get up to the flat and such.  Yes, for those who didn't know - I do actually own crutches - the same pair I got when I origininally hurt my knee... and knowing me... I kept it.  It has been useful.

Anyway, then I got to work on Monday with my crutches and then my one boss suggested I go see a specific knee specialist and hey presto - here we are! 

So, that is the story about my knee injury.

Now, it seems I have a meniscal tear (right knee).  See http://www.ssoc.co.za/meniscal-tear.html or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tear_of_meniscus for more info on that.

I have quite a bit of rehab time ahead of me as I am not allowed to drive for at least 2 weeks (to be determined if I may drive when I go for my next check up).  I am also going to go for regular physio for a while at least.  I did damage some of the bone in my knee, which nothing can be done about.  My knee was not in the greatest state unfortunately.

Here's for hoping for a speedy (and painless as possible) recovery!

Till next time!

Holidays

Isn't it crazy how we sometimes wish our lives away?  Living from one weekend to the next... come Monday, wishing it was Friday already?  That's how it has been for me as of late (mostly)... and no real reason it should be.  Maybe I need a holiday?! 

Well, luckily Easter and all the extra holidays is just around the corner.  I am taking the 3 working days off in between and going to the Garden Route area to just get away from the routine... 

Ok, so that is also a kind of routine, to go there for my holidays, but when you miss your friends and family from that area it is nice to go there (and it helps if you don't really have much money to do anything that you don't have to pay for accommodation). 

To my family & friends - please don't think I come there for only free accommodation!  I come to see you and spend time with you.  I love you and I love to spend time with all of you!

So, for those taking time off, relax, kick of the shoes and just chill!
For those that will be working, good on you!

Enjoy the holidays!  Safe travels!

Moving

As most of you probably know by now, I have moved! No, not countries or even cities, only from one neighbourhood to another in the same city.

This was one of the most frustrating moving experiences I have ever had. Let me explain:

We (my friend Alastair (Al) and myself) have given 2 months notice at the end of October (as our contract at the place I was at expired at the end of December 2010). So, since then we have been looking for a place in the CBD area of Cape Town (Oranjezicht, Gardens, Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, etc.). Each place we looked at and liked were 3-bedroom and via agents and each tenant had to apply... so those basically fell through due to the 3rd person issue (we did not have someone confirmed, and when someone did want to share, things took long and it just did not work out).

Then, at long last we found another place, this one in Tamboerskloof that was quite sizable. Once again we had a 3rd tenant issue, but that kind of got sorted out as we found someone and all applications were in as such. Then, we had to wait for approval. By this time it was my last week at work in December (week of 13 Dec 2010) and I was planning to go to George for the December part of my holiday and I did not want to go before I had the flat sorted out. By the end of the week we have not had a confirmation yet and I decided to go to George after all (hoping and praying we get the flat). While I was away in George (left the Sat 18/Dec/10) I got word on the Monday from the agent that we have the place as long as we adhere to the rules (email from owner with rules included attached to the email). We were taken aback by the tone of the owner's email (very bossy-like). We discussed and agreed to accept the rules as we needed the place.

Something else about the place - the previous tenants' contract ended only at the end of January and we needed it from the beginning of January. However, the tenants wanted to move out early, so it was not going to be a problem. So, once we informed the agent that we accepted the rules, I asked which day we can start moving in. She then checked with the tenants and then confirmed that it will only be the end of January as the current tenants decided to stay till the end of their contract as their other flat option fell through! What a sinking feeling I had!

Immediately upon finding the latter info out, I contacted Al to let him know and ask him to let the 3rd person know. He then had a chat to his boss about it and his boss generously offered for us to possibly stay in a place he had that were not far from Tamboerskloof for the January month (interim period). This was not ideal (as moving twice in a short time is HECTIC), but at least we will have somewhere to put our things and also to stay without inconveniencing family and friends.

We decided we will look for another flat in the meantime that was hopefully available sooner and possibly nicer than the Tamboerskloof flat.

At the end of December we returned to Cape Town (Al went to George as well for a few days). Then, we started looking at other flats in earnest, but there were not many that suited our needs (price, size, area, etc.). Then, we found out that we cannot stay at Al's boss' place anymore as his daughter needed the place urgently. So, now we really had to scramble to find a place!

On Wednesday, 5 Jan 2011 we went to see a few flats at Skyways in Zonnebloem area. We eventually decided on 1 of the options (a 3 bedroom). We gave our details to the agent and then later the same day we got confirmation that we can have the place! This was excellent news as we can move in on that Friday already (we got extention from our landlady from the Newlands flat that we can stay till Sunday, 9 Jan 2011 at the Newlands flat, but had to be out by then - after explaining to her the situation of not having a place till Feb).

Then on Thursday we had to sign the contracts and pay deposits before we can get our keys for the flat to start moving in. Needless to say, we did all of that and started moving in on the Friday. We were moving up until Monday morning at 1:30'ish. I only had 4½ hours sleep before I had to go to work on the Monday 10 Jan 2011. It was NOT good as I do not function well on little sleep. It had to be done though and I survived!

Before we started to move in, we asked the ladies that cleans and also used to clean our flat to come in and help to get the new flat clean (it had a basic clean, but lots of things still needed a proper clean). This flat also has a cockroach problem that we need to get sorted out (we had the same problem at the Newlands flat before we moved in, but quickly got rid of the cockroach issue there and were rid of bugs at that place - now we had to do it all over again).

In the meantime I had to buy myself a bed as I did not own my own bed. We also had to buy a fridge and washing machine for the same reason. All this has been done!

As I said - this was the most frustrating moving experience in my life and I hope I never battle to find and secure a place again! Hopefully the next place will be cockroach free before we even move in!!!

That's all folks!

Living healthy

Hey all readers of my blog... hehehe.

So, as some of you may know, I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle, by eating healthy and ... yes... you guessed it - exercising!!!

For exercising I have started to do some nice brisk walking in my neighbourhood (for those who don't know my neighbourhood - it is in a hilly area - very beautiful). After a few times of doing this, I woke up one day with my knee aching very much, which continued to happen the rest of the day. Needless to say - I did not go on my intended walk that evening. (Knee injury from falling of scooter in bad weather a long time ago.)

At first it seemed like the weather could have been the only reason for my knee being aggravated... but then I started to think (yes this happens occasionally) that maybe the walking is doing it to the knee. So, the second day after the knee ache I went for another nice brisk walk... I did not get as far as I normally do, and the knee started to give me trouble again.

Having mentioned this to my sister, Ilse, she suggested I try cycling. Ilse & her husband, Natie, was kind enough to lend me a bicycle (seeing I did not own one - BIG SURPISE :-) and I did not want to buy one either - at least not yet).

Natie then also suggested I download an application to my mobile from the website Edomondo (click on the Title of this blog as the link is created there). This site is totally free and it helps you to track your exercising - like where you cycled, how fast, how far, your speed, etc. This is not just for cycling - it is for just about any sport - check it out on their website! One catch though, it will only work on a mobile phone with a GPS (no problem for all you yuppies out there like myself hehehehehehehehehe).

Today (Sunday, the 1st of August 2010) I went for my first cycle, unfortunately I forgot to download this application before I went, so that one won't show on my workout history. I did do a quick test run and saw how it looked on my workout history. Very cool - it is a google map and clearly shows my exact route and speed, altitude, etc.

This is a really fun way of keeping track of how far... now if anyone asks me (after my next cycle and the ones thereafter) how far did I go - I can check on the site - totally awesome!!! This way I can also see the regularity of my exercises and ensure I exercise at least 3 times a week if not more.

So, go on the internet from your laptops/pc's/mobiles/whatever... download the application (if your phone is supported - they show which ones are supported) and start exercising! Join in the fun and get healthy in the process!

Well, that's me for now - till next time!

Nothing really new...

Hey All,

Just a note to say I am still alive and for the most part kicking! Hehe... no really I am... so feel free to email or comment on any of the blogs... even to say why am I so quiet (probably nothing to say...hence this title).

I know I should be contacting all y'all :-) instead of telling people to contact me.

Sunshine & smiley faces.... something nice to think about.... yes you are seeing the strange inner workings of my mind... I am kinda typing whatever I feel like here... so I can have a new blog up and who cares if it is not in a proper order or makes total (OR ANY) sense!

Anyone know any good jokes out there? Laughing is fun and healthy!

Have a nice day!

MM

World of Birds

I had a lovely time on Saturday, 13 March 2010 with my friends, Lu-Gerda & Belinda.

We went to World of Birds in Hout Bay (South Africa). Yes, I have been living in Cape Town since I came back from Mercy Ships in April 2007... which makes it 3 years! Wow... how time flies... ok, going off track (which is my usual thing - plus waaaay too much detail) :-)

Anyway, what I was going to say is that I have been living here for 3 years and only found out about this place (like really knowing about it... not just seeing the sign and forgetting about it) mid February 2010! So, when Lu-Gerda informed me she is coming to Cape Town for the weekend from Mossel Bay where she resides... and said she wanted to do something fun this weekend... I thought - World of Birds in Hout Bay! She loved the idea, so the 3 of us ended up going there on the Sat. morning. Wow, what a lovely place, and so big with such variety of not only birds but other animals as well! I would definitely recommend to view this place if you have never been, but be sure to put at least 3 or 4 hours aside for it... maybe even the whole day - they have an area you can take your own picnic to and enjoy!

Here are some pics, enjoy!