My Adventure

Usually when I’m home alone, sitting on the sofa with absolutely nothing to do, I often wish I could get up and have fun…go on an adventure, or something. But what is an “adventure” anyway? It is defined as “participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises” in Webster’s dictionary; however, I think we all know that the word is truly subjective. While some may see it as a bizarre or unusual experience, others may see it as a dangerous, risk taking escapade, or simply a matter of having fun. Everybody’s idea of an adventure is quite different. What I may consider to be an adventure, another may find boring or ordinary (which is probably the case given that I’m a complete homebody.)

            My idea of an adventure is this: experiencing something you have never experienced before. During the summer of 2007, my parents and I had gone on our annual vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida. Although we had gone to the same city every summer since I was born, something about this year was different; I was allowed to bring my boyfriend, Chandler. Every other year I had taken my cousin Jessica or my best friend at the time.

            Although it may sound frivolous, I was nervous about taking a boy with me on vacation for the first time. At the time, I saw that alone as an adventure. But a couple days before it was time to leave Florida, my dad had done some serious thinking and decided it was time for me to “branch out” and try something new; to have an adventure. Without hesitation (and without asking), he paid for us to go para-sailing. I remember Chandler and I were sitting on the beach when he came to us and told us we were going to para-sail. I was terrified.

            Needless to say, I didn’t want to go para-sailing. I had an unfathomable fear of heights and to be honest, I was paranoid that when the skipper would dip us into the water, a shark would have my feet for lunch. But whether I wanted to or not, I was going para-sailing. When it came time to get strapped up and taken away, I was forced to just deal with it. And if I hadn’t, I would have missed out on one of my very first adventures. I ended up having so much fun that I felt silly for ever being scared.

            So, that was it. My adventure. It's sort of sad but I haven't really had another since that day. I suppose I still get scared when I think of trying something new. If you’re like me and think of an adventure as a new experience, then my adventure was most likely “acceptable” to you. But if you’re not like me and have a different idea – then tell me what you think. What does “adventure” mean to you?