Oktoberfest...

My Oktoberfest celebrations started on Wednesday October 1st with my Europe trip friends from South Australia and Sydney. We met at the Lowenbrau and had dinner with bier.

Friday night, was the continuation of the Oktoberfest back at the Lowenbrau. This time with my ex-workmates. And this was the start of a big weekend...

First we were being served by the delightful Boris...who made sure we had the "pretty" waitresses serving us our drinks and meals, meanwhile Boris had his eye on Andrew...

*LoL*

The dinner was great...I had the special veal ribs...nice and tender....and mash is always good. Shame there was only two ribs...everybody else was happy with their pork bellies. Afterward, we indulged in dessert and some cognac...which I didn't have because I knew it would put me over. Instead, I had the conventional sweet stuff.

I went home and slept all the way through until about 11am on Saturday. Bummed around the house for a few hours, watched some tv, was chatting online with my NY-er and then continued the Oktoberfesting at the Fairfield Showground.

When we got to the Showground, all three of us were blown away by the size of the festivities and the crowd. It was really really fun. I have never been to the Showground for the Oktoberfest before, and I'm glad we finally made it.

We got inside and went in search of some food and settled on a bratwurst/roll/potatoes and sauerkraut. Then my friend lined up for the bier - Austrian first...German later...and some apple schnapps for later with my mini pancakes. I like the fact that we had souvenir glasses to take home...one for the bier and one for the shot.

After we watched the barrel being cracked open for the opening of the event, we continued talking, drinking, talking, eating, drinking and later decided that we needed to do something outside of our comfort zone. So, with the rides outside...we decided we were going to go on one.

We picked the Ranger...similar to the pirate ship, although smaller in scale, but nonetheless still as scary. So, you can imagine 3 tipsy people hopping into a ride and thinking to themselves - "WTF, why did I say yes to this?"

But after screaming on the ride non-stop...and were not just shouting there were a lot of "I hate you, C...!" and I would come back with "I love you, V...!" and a lot of "woohoo..." coming from me! *LoL*

The only time it was uncomfortable for me, was when the ride was doing 360 degrees backwards and stood still while we were completely upside down for about 5 seconds. That was when all my blood rushed to my head...and it wasn't thrilling at that particular moment...but other than that...it was a great experience that I had totally forgotten about.

I used to love going on rides...and doing exhilarating activities...but for a while there, i became cautious and safe...and so, i have forgotten that feeling of excitement...that rush.

I'm glad, relieved, proud of myself in traveling on my own this year...venturing outside of MY comfort zone and doing things that make me feel alive.

I felt fear, paranoia, frustration, the sun, the ocean, relaxed, fun, tipsy, sheer joy, sand, coral, fun, excitement, out of place, welcomed, a part of an extended family, loved, like a wall flower, special, beautiful, cold, wet, warm, fuzzy, respected, like a jet setter, rich, poor, glamorous, casual, dowdy, smokin' hot, cultured, happy...happy...happy...

I will not change anything about this year...not the bad and of course, not the good.

But last night...last night was the defining moment. It was when i verbally acknowledged that I'm at the right place in time of my life.

27.5 is the number. It is the age I feel that everything has come together. Things in my life are still evolving...but I feel like i'm home, I fit in my skin, no longer awkward...and even if I do feel like it from time to time...I know how to deal with that awkward feeling at 27.5.

Just like in the movie Il Mare, where the guy tries out the girls weekend...by drinking a beer, running like a lunatic and going on the scariest amusement park ride that was outside his comfort zone. Realisation comes at moments like those...and I have had mine.

Its funny that all this comes out after I have had a few to drink. Quite uncharacteristic of me...but I like it.

I will be detoxing now...but there is no regret over here...

If you haven't been to the Oktoberfest at the Showground before, I highly recommend it...just don't go on your own. Its a festival...and festivals are best with friends!