Journey to the Carousel

Today is Sunday, and so that means it's time for SOC! Today’s (totally optional) prompt: Journey

My mom, little sister, and aunt arrived around noon at my apartment to take me to the mall. They came over to celebrate my birthday, which is tomorrow. So, we did what we usually do when people celebrate, we ate food and then went party. This particular party took place on a carousel.

In the middle of the mall, there's a carousel that I've always wanted to ride. It's just inviting to see saddled horses that I can actually ride without falling off. Perhaps that's why I'm always attracted to carousels. I get to fulfill my childhood dream of riding a horse with minimal injury and control on my part. 

At first, I was reluctant to actually get on. It costed $2 for one ride and $5 for three, so I tried to convince my roommate and little sister to join me. My roommate excused herself to the bathroom, and my little sister plain out rejected my offer. With some prodding from my mom, I eventually stepped up to the token machine and purchased one. I needed some more prodding before I walked through the gated walkway and handed my token to the lady. 

I'll admit it, I felt silly. There I was--about to turn 21 the next day--lining up to ride a kiddie ride. When I handed the lady my token, she asked, "Are you alone?" And gave me a weird look. I only nodded my head yes and with a few more words convinced her that I was the sole rider and there was no child with me. This was my ride. So, after a few more confuzzled looks from the ride manager, I hopped on to the carousel and chose not a horse but an ostrich to ride (due to my sister's encouragement). 

Before the ride even began, my brain flipped a bit. I looked silly. I was alone doing something that children did. What if I freaked out? I didn't handle roller coasters well. What if this ride went too fast? Completely embarrassed at the idea that children handled the carousel better than me...yes, I was. As the ride started, I panicked a bit. Don't go too fast! I begged the ostrich I sat upon.

I passed my birthday crew at least five times, waving or striking a pose each time. It was actually a lot of fun, except for the little boy who kept turning around and looking at me like I was a spectacle to watch.

Basically, the journey to the carousel was embarrassing and nerve-wracking but during the journey and in the end, it was totally worth it. A lot of the time, the beginning doesn't always tell you how you'll feel at the end, and overcoming the uncertain beginning may just lead you to a better place.