Week 7 ---> Do the Bungee Jump at Wonderland

Try the Bungee Jump at Wonderland

So- I decided my posts were looking a little lonely/old lady style (bake a pie/knit/movie alone). I needed some action week. So I recruited some friends to head to Wonderland with me. Fact-lots of people like going to Wonderland. But not so many want to bungee.

Now I am aware 'THE EXTREME SKY FLIER' is not actually bungee jumping but for the sake of this blog I am going to call it bungee jumping. 

I was so excited to do this one but it almost didn't happen for a few reasons.  My friends were not all willing to do this with me but I did have a great friend who braved it- for the sake of my blog. The problem was- we came to Wonderland separately and were on very different timelines. My friends and I arrived later in the day (to watch the firework show) and she arrived(with her friends) at the parks opening. 

When I arrived at Wonderland she was stopping for lunch, then we tried to meet at rides but kept missing each other.  It's  very hard to check your cell phone in the sun- so I didn't think it was going to happen. In the back of my mind I wad slightly relieved. Maybe I wouldn't be able to jump today afterall. But finally, we connected. We both tried to chicken out but eventually we put down our visas and committed.  We tried to convince another friend to join us... And I yelled, 'who wants to be our third'. I guess I yelled too loud because when we were paying a lady joined us to make it three. We happily welcomed her...it also made it cheaper.  Our friends patiently waited and acted as our paparazzi.

Once committed, we set out to plummet to the ground.  We got fitted in our harness and I drew the short straw.  I had to pull the release cord.  I could not have been more upset.  It's one thing to plummet towards the ground- but being the one who starts the fall is another.  I started to get worked up about it and then I saw the group ahead of us.  A Father with a daughter and son.  The son was pulling the release cord.  He was about 7.  I felt pathetic.  If this kid could be man enough so could I. 

We only had time to watch one group go before it was our turn.  As we walked up to the loading box- I felt nothing but excitement. .  It turns out I am the tallest so I had to go in the middle- meaning I could not pull the cord.  My poor friend, now terrified had the responsibility.  As they hooked us in I was shocked at how few nerves I had.  Everyone was very reassuring and it didn't seem like a big deal.  The scariest moment was in the little box we stood in.  We were hooked in, in the standing position, and suddenly the floor gave way and we were horizontal!  It is a shocking feeling to have your face race toward the floor with no ability to use your body to stop yourself.  Now that we were dangling- I felt even safer.  This harness had more protection than most of the coasters at wonderland.

We were finally being pulled up.  Though I wasn't scared- I did keep thinking, "this has gotta be as high as it goes".  It seemed to never stop.  When we got to the top we looked at the view of the park.  It was gorgeous, and shockingly peaceful up there.  I wanted to stay up there for longer but the annoucer said, "3....2....1....FLY" and without a second hesitation we were flying.  I expected to jolt as we hit the ground- but it literally felt as though we were flying.  I didn't make a sound but kept a smile painted on my face for the entire way down.  We swung back and forth.   My friend and I made superman arms and started to sing the superman song, which I later realized was the Indiana Jones theme song.  Is it me or are the two similar? 

Before we knew it, our turn was up.  We were back in the little box getting unhooked.  I wanted to go right back on it.  I'm not sure I will ever go to wonderland again WITHOUT doing this.  It was such a rush of excitement.  I'm now worried where my excitement will take me.  I just may turn into a adrenaline junkie. This made me want to go sky diving.    So, this first was a great one!  One I will definitely do again:)

Week 6---> "Bake A Pie"

"Bake" A Pie
Anyone who knows me, knows my strength is not in the kitchen.  Though I do enjoy to make a nice meal for others, when I cook alone... I definitely do not do anything fancy.  I decided I would try to add some new cooking/baking challenges to my list- and baking a pie seems like a task everyone should try, at least once.

I decided to tie my pie with mothers day. 

Though I'm not sure, I thought my mother's favourite pie was coconut cream so that's what I set off to make.  I looked up the easiest recipes I could find and went to the grocery store to find my ingredients  I bought lots of coconut, butter, milk, pudding mix, cool whip... and that was it.  Is that all it takes to make a pie?

 It turns out I selected the easiest recipe of all time to bake for my mom.  I didn't even need to bake the pie.  I did bake the crust and toasted the coconuts.  But that was it.

Step 1: was to make the crust.  It was easy; a mix of butter and coconut- 10 minutes at 340 degress.  

Step 2: Mix milk, vanilla pudding, coconut and cool whip.

Step 3: Fill pie.

Step 4: Put cool whip on top and sprinkle with toasted coconuts.

Who could mess this up? 

I feel like a cop out... I didn't have to "bake" anything.  My mother told me later that there are coconut cream recipes that do require more work....I wish I had of found one of those.  I would have felt more accomplished.

When I brought the pie to my Mother's Day Dinner- my family looked at it with uncertainty.  They have tried my cooking before... though it often tastes ok- it rarely looks good.  At first they were concerned when I mentioned I hadn't cooked any of it. When I started to cut the pie... it wasn't pretty.  It flopped onto the plate like a pile of pudding.  Though the rest of the pieces were better.... there was a lack of shape to each piece.  The family tried it with skepticism.  My brother, especially, was eager to make fun of me (he was a cook for a while so anything I can do he can do better :( ).  The taste wasn't terrible- but how could it be with those ingredients.  The best part was the crust.  My dad discovered if you mash up the crust and mix it in... the whole thing tasted better.  Overall this was a fail.  I should try a harder pie in the future.

My Brother, of course, had to fake that the pie was disgusting. Funny guy. 

Week 5 ---> Learn to Knit

Learn to Knit

I am constantly inspired by those around me.  There are so many unique skills that people have, and I am always eager to learn new hobbies.  Knitting generally does not interest me- and to be honest- I associate knitting with grandmothers, but I still think it is an impressive skill to have.   I have watched my grandmother knit for years.  She makes blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats- you name it -she can do it.  I’m not sure that I can actually prove it- but I do believe my Grandmother may be the best knitter in the world.   I wish I had photos of some of the crazy sweaters I had from her as a child.

Before I even begin to explain this process I must admit- my Grandmother would be ashamed at my first attempt.  Knitting takes some serious patience and attention to detail.  These are not my strongest attributes.  I once took sewing lessons….I spent more time picking out stitches than sewing- and most of my projects ended up being sewn by my teacher in frustration.  I would have been in grade 5 then, but sadly, not much has changed

One of my good friends knit me an amazing headband this year.  I loved it! It was such a kind gesture- and I thought it would be great if I was capable of making something for someone else.  I decided to recruit my friend to be my teacher, and a good teacher she was.   We set out to the West End to spend the afternoon at The Knit Café (Queen and Ossington).  The first part of our day- may have been my favourite part- picking out the Yarn.  There are so many options.  Being a first timer it was suggested that I use thick wool- and a cheap wool- as I would probably not perfect knitting on my first project. Since I decided to start easy(making a cloth) I had minimal selection- because it had to be a cotton wool.  I choose a pretty blue colour, bought myself a drink and sat down to get to work.

My friend was such an incredible and patient teacher.  She helped me start to knit- and I probably couldn’t have been worse.  The needles felt awkward in my hand- and I couldn’t seem to get the flow.  She showed me the simple first step- wrap the yarn around my needles and pull the yarn through.  It could not have been easier.  I messed it up almost every time.   My friend, sat beside me knitting a sweater.   She looked calm and serene.  There were a few others in the café- also enjoying the music and calmly knitting away.  I felt the need to scream- perhaps this was not ever going to be something I could do.

Eventually- I got into an awkward rhythm and started to make some progress.  I wanted to go quickly to impress my friend, but every time I did I would make a mistake and she would have to stop her own knitting to fix mine.  Nevertheless after a short time we had both made some progress and decided to head out to reward ourselves  fried chicken and doughnuts (Side note- I highly recommend trying Paulette’s Chicken and Doughnuts in Leslieville- mmmm). 

When I got home- things got tough.  It’s one thing to knit beside someone who can correct you.  It’s another to knit alone.  Though the steps follow the same pattern, whenever I made a mistake I had to improvise how to fix it.  Sometimes I was right and sometimes I was wrong.  I sent many a photo text to my friend to try and get her to fix my holes, loose stitches etc but sadly there was little she could do through text.  Each night before bed I continued to knit a little more.  I would send my updates to my friend in hopes to receive some positive reinforcement- which she providedJ.  I started to notice my “rag” was changing shape (due to one of the many mistakes I was making).  Instead of a square- my cloth was getting wider- making it more and more triangular.  Despite my mistakes- the actual knitting starting to become relaxing.  I could watch tv while knitting- and sometimes I would actually look forward to it.  I finished the rag in a few days and though it looks like complete crap- at least I finished my first project.  Since my friend has such a passion for knitting I hope to continue to try new projects with her and maybe even get better.  My goal is to make something that I could give to someone.
I will have to report back if that day ever comes.

Knitting will never be my favourite hobby.  I will never be like my Grandmother- or even like my friend- but at least I now know how to knit and can strive to make people some hats and mittens for next winter.