Yes, I am a thrill seeker!

There is no other way to put it: I love me some adventure.  For whatever reason, I have always enjoyed a good adrenaline rush.  From climbing rooftops as a kid in the city to skydiving as an adult, I have always loved the excitement of doing something daring.  And let me say this: whitewater rafting is a great way to satisfy that lust for adventure.

Each time I go whitewater rafting, I know I want to go back.  Unfortunately, sometimes life just gets in the way...or other things come up that I also want to do!  This year, however, I was able to go!

And it did not disappoint!!!

Our rafting guide, Scott, was awesome: great sense of humor, friendly, and fun...with great leadership skills.  The company was fabulous!  Catching up with a former student is always awesome...and meeting our raft buddies - a family of four - was fun.  We all had a good time, joking around and playing in the water! The rapids were great.

But the best part was being able to go with my daughter.  I'm so proud of her.  She has been showing so much more independence recently.  She is willing to try things she wouldn't have been open to earlier, even if it sounds challenging or difficult or scary.  Even when the rapids were looking "scary," she was giggling, overcome with excitement, and bouncing up and down on her seat (of course, while holding onto one of the straps!).  She was so comfortable that during the rapids, once she spotted the camera, she even raised her hand to give the peace sign and a cheesy smile!

I can't wait to go back again...with my daughter.  Maybe this will be an annual mother-daughter trip.  How fun would that be?!  I had a blast with everyone.  Thanks for the fun time!

We dared...and we conquered!

This past weekend, my daughter and I joined another mom-daughter duo in the Urban Dare competition in San Francisco.  Having competed in The Great Urban Race with a long-time friend of mine last month, I knew what to expect about a scavenger/adventure race overall.

However, this time, I have to admit this fact: prior to the race, I was worried whether or not we would complete the race on time. I wasn't sure a team that included two tween girls and only one city native (me, a person who hasn't lived in the city since the 80s, mind you) would be able to finish the race on time.  Okay, I take that back.  I knew it was possible, but I had my doubts as to whether we would go stir-crazy and/or give up before then.  Or whether *I* would go crazy before then. I am not known for my patience, you see - one of the many perks of being me. HAHAHA.

Seriously, even the most compatible pairs on the Amazing Race seem to have their issues.  And while my daughter and I get along, we definitely have our own communication issues.  Plus, my daughter's complaints of being starving (as if we don't feed her...haha) or getting cramps (while running) are the norm.  Throw in another mom-daughter combo and even more variables and personalities are added.  Fortunately, we all went in with the same positive attitude and outlook: the goal is to HAVE FUN and try to finish before time ends!

We did encounter a few bumps in the road (using cell phones are not as speedy as friends with internet connection on the phone lifelines, getting a wrong location, and not knowing what hotel had to do with Charles Dickens' novel), but fortunately, they weren't game-enders.  We got into the groove and not only finished but were the FIRST FAMILY TEAM to arrive.  We were exhausted at the end of the race, but the four of us worked as a team and our teamwork was acknowledged with a plaque!!! 

Go Team "Partners in Crime"!!!!!