'Bring spare clothes,' he said. 

'Are we going sailing?'

'You'll see!'

I totally thought we were going sailing. If I'd only known, I wouldn't even have bothered with the extra clothes. I also wouldn't have eaten such a filling breakfast. But then again, if I had realised what was on plan that morning, I wouldn't have eaten any breakfast, full stop. 

As it turned out, we drove past all the lovely white sails and stopped just past the Auckland Harbour Bridge, in front of a building with the big letters, 'CLIMB & BUNGY'. 

Oh, dear. 

...Are you serious?

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I kind of did both. The funny thing is,

I did look like a fool, frozen stiff with my ankles bound and toes over that ledge, too scared to wave my arms at the cameras above and in front of me. Lucky I had my lenses on, otherwise it could have been dangerous. Lucky, also, that I was too light to be easily dipped into the water below. Did I want them to try? No thank you, that wouldn't be necessary! 

I did try. I did try to jump off as gracefully as possible, try to ignore the GoPro camera strapped onto my chest and angled up my nose. Later on, A actually loaded that ugly video onto Facebook. Am still trying to ignore it. Thanks, A.

I find myself becoming resolutely calm in situations of 'alarm', and I think this was one of these moments. I didn't cry for mum, like A expected me to. Instead, all I could think of was the green, green waters all around me, and the song dad used to sing to me when I was very young, about the green, green, waters. It was soothing, even while dangling upside down by a cord. 

Thank you, A, for the awesome birthday present, first of many to come. You never cease to surprise me - or befuddle me! Others may be horrified on entering their late-twenties, but frankly I am grateful to be pushing slowly closer towards the goals that are becoming more focused now, than ever before. I am happier for all that has happened to get me here, but mostly that they have past. As with this bungy experience, I am learning to face my life challenges head on, especially if I cannot change or control them, and to do it to the best of my abilities. Even if I may look or feel silly at the time, hopefully I can look back from the other side and laugh about it. Most of the time. Despite the uncertainties, it's also reassuring knowing I have a third leg to lean onto in times of need. So, thank you. 

What a start to the day.