The Gala

May 9, 2019

“The journey, not the arrival matters.”

T.S. Eliot

I got a call from a friend late one night in the library, she called to tell me that her and everyone decided to go this fancy Ball for a club and she had a ticket for me lined up if i wanted to go. So I of course jumped on the chance and decided to just go because im only in Australia once and I have to take full advantage of everything. Not to mention there was gunna be an open bar and food served throughout the night and lets be real I can not turn ether of those two things down. (more the endless food then endless alcohol). Thursday night I got dressed and did my makeup, I even had my hair curled. It was a whirlwind of getting ready and meeting up with the people I planned to get on the bus with (they provided transportation). We arrived at this adorable winery about 15 mins from campus. I walked in a cobbled stone path way to large long room with brick walls and a tall ceiling with banisters wrapped in twinkling lights. In the middle of the room lay a long table of finger food and in the corner a young guy singing and playing guitar. The music filled the room with warmth and joy as people bustled in from the busses that dropped them off. There was a second room that held a photo both and led to a bonfire outside that provided warmth to anyone who stood within 5ft of it. I got in and grabbed a glass of moscato and then walked over to my friends to chat, taking in the gorgeous venue, feeling as if I was at the reception to a wedding. The night continued on as I picked at the cheese and crackers and sipped my wine. The singer changed over to a dj and began playing music many of us all knew and loved. Songs we could dance our hearts out to and sing along. Most of the night is a blur of endless dancing, laughing, snacking and pictures we paused to clear the fog for only a second. As the night wound down many people got bussed back to campus and then headed out to one of the local bars for karaoke. I decided to follow along and join in on the continuation of fun. I got up to sing two songs with friends (most likely pretty off key and ugly) and not caring how I sounded or what we looked like. We just sang our hearts out like it was the final to American Idol and enjoyed the spotlight moment in this tiny pub in Australia. I couldn’t tell you what time we all got back to campus but it was a night to remember and a perfect night out for after my birthday. The night was certainly a journey and I am happy my friend called me with that ticket lined up so I could have a fun night with good people, good food, good wine and good memories.