Adventure Essay Outline

1. Adventure Essay Outline The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

2. Setting • Where: New Zealand, a vacation I took after completion of studying abroad during college • When: November through December, 2001, during my junior year in college and right after the events of 9/11.

3. Major Characters • Myself (having just lived in Australia for 11 months) • My boyfriend Will (having just lived in Australia with me for the past 5 months) • Importance: Will is my significant other, whom I had been with for a year and a half at that point.

4. Minor Characters • Skydiving instructor • Skydiving photographer • Bungee-jumping operator • Bungee-jumping assistants • Kiwi Experience tour bus driver • Kaikoura boat captain and crew • Dolphins

5. Before the Journey… • I embarked on this adventure with Will because we wanted to see more of the world and travel to yet another country before heading home. • Our choice of destinations was limited due to strict instructions by the U.S. Embassy not to go to Bali, Fiji, or any other neighboring islands. • I felt: • Excited- because I knew I would have a wonderful and eventful vacation • Cautious- because of recent warnings about the safety of traveling as Americans • Sad- because I knew this would mark the end of my year-long odyssey overseas.

6. Event 1 • Sky-diving: we decided to embrace the adventurous culture of New Zealand and sky-dive over beautiful and scenic Lake Wanaka. • We did so impulsively, knowing that any hesitation would likely assist in talking us out of it, as we are both extremely afraid of heights. • I figured if I was ever going to jump out of a plane, it should be in a place that will take my breath away with its views, while taking my breath away in my descent. • I also knew that I wanted to face my fears, do something bold, and share the exhilarating experience with Will.

7. Event 2 • Bungee-jumping: After taking a plunge from 12,000 feet, I wanted to face my fears further, and experience another thrilling adventure. I decided to bungee-jump in Taupo, NZ, overlooking a clear-blue river and lush countryside. • Bungee-jumping was invented in NZ, and I knew my vacation would not be complete until I had conquered my fear of jumping off a cliff or ledge. • Unlike skydiving, I had to will myself to jump on my own, rather than rely on the surreal surroundings and urgings from a man strapped to my back. This was the ultimate test and the result would be empowering.

8. Event 3 • Swimming with dolphins: After some of the adrenaline rushes I had gone through, I wanted to experience the sublime. I knew swimming with dolphins in the open ocean would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. • I learned that we would have to swim above one of the largest ocean drop-offs in the world in order to do it, but I realized that I had to face yet another of my fears- my biggest fear of all- large bodies of water. • I did not expect it would be just as much of a challenge to my fears and insecurities as the other two, yet, at the same time, be such a humbling and spiritual experience.

9. Outcome • By the end of my journey in New Zealand, I felt like an adult as well as a child. My excitement and sense of wonder about the world felt as powerful as it did in my youth, yet I had matured and become less fearful of challenging situations or new experiences. It gave me the confidence, clarity and strength that I now could carry with me throughout my lifetime. I felt independent, self-sufficient and resilient- qualities I hadn’t fully embodied, or appreciated, before starting this adventure.