The short of it...

Without further ado...

On July 2, 2010 while vacationing in Jamaica with my family, all 25 of us, we took an gondola through the rain forest (I'm not sure I'm legally allowed to say where and even if I can, no one should visit there regardless once you hear the rest of my story). Before I go on I should explain that this could be amazingly descriptive because in reality, once you're past the shanties and over the brick wall that divides the resorts from reality, its a beautiful place, but that's not the purpose of this blog. Just imagine a gorgeous place full of foliage, perfect weather and your greatest loves near by. Onward. Once we finished that glory ride, we had lunch at another fill-in-the-blank locale and stood in line for the "bobsled" roller coaster ride. Bobsled in the Caribbean, funny right? Countries and people will forever hold on to the one thing that gave them claim. Although if I was Jamaica, I'd build a Bob Marley ride because from what I've learned since, more people know him then those who saw the movie Cool Runnings. This was the "bob sled" ride!

Due to shady restraint regulations, the seat belt was unable to hold me firmly in the metal seat. Once we went over the biggest hill, two small moguls followed and this is where all my hell broke loose. I came off the seat maybe 6 inches and when I landed back, my L1 vertebrae sustained a burst fracture. For those of you who are like me and ask "wth is a burst fracture" I'll break it down. My spine went from a free elongate position, to crashing down upon itself with such force and speed that the weakest link was unable to hold it together and split into three pieces. My lower back took the beating trying to hold my back upright therefore causing all my muscles to spasm and pull. I instantly knew something was terrible wrong which was apparent by the howling animal like noises coming from my gut. Luckily I was .0000009 mm away from snapping my spinal cord and I say lucky because I am walking and for that I am eternally grateful.

After three clinics, one hospital, twenty-four hours and 12473 miles of red tape I was flown air ambulance to Miami, FL for emergency surgery. Side note: for those of you who've ever spent time in nearly a third world hospital, you know the awful conditions and know how lucky I was to arrive in Miami and watch the nurse pull the needle from a sterile package, finally, but how truly sad it really is for the Jamaicans who can either afford better health care or don't have access to it. Six screws and two rods later, I spent a week in the hospital, two weeks in the Marriott in Miami, six weeks in Dallas (with my parents) & two weeks with my boyfriend recovering, but mostly walking... slowly.

So here I am today, finally back home in New York City trying to figure it all out again. What am I going to do with those two hours a day I used to work out or do acting? or those eight hours a day I used to simply work? My life has taken a 180 degree turn... probably, I'm gonna say it, for the better. Yes, I try to look on the bright side, screw you ;)

And now the question remains, why do I want to write a blog? Well... it'll give my mom something to do when she retires and it'll hold me accountable to do all those things I never did before I broke my back. No, this is NOT a bucket list because as far I know, I'm not dying... yet. Its simply a way for me to actually do all those things I was either too lazy, too broke or too serious to do previously. Some of them will be vain, I'll admit, some silly, some sad, hopefully some hilarious and some perceptive as well. Once a week I will post an adventure (I use this term loosely) that either scares me, challenges me, changes me or just feels good. Side note: none of this will be death defying or physically challenging. I am still in a back brace, it's still broken and I will not do anything to hinder or interfere with my healing process.

With all that said, let the games begin!!

Shine on~