Lifetime Achievements

You know how there are just some things that you can never let yourself forget?  Those things you do that you're so proud of that you have to hang it on the wall or fridge as soon as you get home?  Ya, those.  Well, I have a veritable rainbow of those...
Lifetime Achievements...
My lifetime achievements are very scattered in nature, including (as of my childhood) storytelling awards, science fair placements, drawing contest awards...  and not much else, actually...  but I do have a couple more to add to the list, now that I'm all through with Girls' Camp... (actually, it was a week or two ago... but that's ok.)
I WASHED MY HAIR IN A RIVER!!!
so this may come as a shock to some of you, but at Girls' Camp this year, we went-pause for effect-camping.  yup.  
Now normally when I go camping, I just kind of 'rough it' for the whole trip... which really only means that i don't shower...  because there aren't any showers to partake of... but over the course of the week--actually on the first day--some of the girls and leaders announced that they were heading down to the 'river' to wash their hair.  At first, my only reaction was slight amusement that they would think that to be a good idea, but as they walked away, I had an amazing epiphany:
This was the chance of a lifetime!  It was a bragging right.  I had to partake in the ritual.
So without further ado, I left my comfy camping chair by the fire and ran after my fellow adventurers.  When I came upon a suitable location, I knelt down (IN A TREE!) and dunked my head into the water.
IT WAS FRIGID.
My fingers and scalp quickly became numb as I lathered the shampoo and conditioner through my frozen, golden blond mop.
After completing the siberian-esque task, I beamingly walked back to camp and with soaking wet... everything... informed them of my lifetime achievement.  They were obviously jealous.

As I ponder this event, I can't help but wonder...  What is it that makes these experiences so memorable and extraordinary?  Is it the victorious conquering?  Is it the recognition?  Is it the distinctive barrier created between yourself and the run-of-the-mill American?  Are you even American?

I think it must be a combination that depends on how conceded one is.  A more weak person might be proud of their victory, a lonely person might relish the recognition, a conceded person might fancy the the distinction.
I decided that for my amazing self(and by that I mean __________, not self), it was clearly the latter.  There's just something about being more than human.

and on that bombshell, it's time to end.
You're so very welcome for this great enlightenment,
__________