The 188th Oktoberfest was everything I expected and more. The trip lasted nine days which included traveling there and back, sightseeing in Munich, visiting Salzburg, Austria, Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles, the Oktoberfest, and Stockholm, Sweden. What a whirlwind! I could definitely tell I wasn’t in my early 20s anymore (the age when I last visited Germany). Between that and my dermatomyositis condition, I was completely worn down by day seven. Then, to top it off, I got COVID for the very first time. I had fever, chills, sore throat, congestion, cough, the whole works. (Thankfully, this happened towards the end of my trip.) After arriving back home, I spent a week in quarantine recovering. Now, that I am symptom-free and negative for COVID, my rheumatologist will start me on a new immunosuppressant drug which will hopefully help my symptoms of rashes and muscle pain. This drug will allow me to taper off the prednisone which has caused me many issues. So, stay tuned on my progress. Now, for more about fulfilling my bucket list goal . . .
The 188th Oktoberfest in Germany concluded on October 3 after 18 days. It was actually extended by two days this year so it would end on German Reunification Day. Even without the two-day extension, the festival reached a record number of attendees. As of Sunday, there were 7.2 million visitors. We could definitely sense this everywhere we went in Munich. (The Oktoberfest was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and there were 5.7 million visitors in 2022.)
Beer was sold by the liter and a total of 6.5 million liters of beer were consumed. (I contributed a ½ liter to the beer consumption.) Beer costs between $13.25 and $15.60 a stein. Beer sales were actually down and nonalcoholic drinks were up, particularly water, mainly due to the warmer temps. The legal drinking age in Germany for beer and wine is 16.
There was a total of 38 tents set up for this event with the largest being the Hofbräu tent which seats approximately 10,000 people indoors and in the outdoor Biergarten. The tents served a larger menu which included many German specialties. Chicken was the best seller and organic chicken was offered this year. The menu also offered a few vegan and vegetarian options. Of course, there were pretzels and other smaller food stands where you could grab and go.
The Oktoberfest is a popular “bucket list” item for many and I’m grateful I was able to attend and experience this once-in-a-lifetime celebration for my 50th. One other item on my bucket list is to attend the largest Carnival in the world in Rio de Janeiro, although, I may think twice on that as I’ve had my share of crowds for a while. I think hiking the Appalachian Trail sounds more my speed these days. #naturecalls#peacefulsetting Here is a video of my recent European journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waVohh67zo4&t=3s
I developed a passion for wellness after I experienced many years of health issues. Taking care of myself through exercise, healthy eating, and reducing stress, is what led me to a career in wellness. I decided I wanted to help others learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
I have been the Wellness Director at Ivy Tech since 2013. I previously worked as a Health Advocate and Personal Trainer at St. Vincent Healthy Lives and prior to that was a Fitness Tech for Ivy Tech and personal trainer and group exercise instructor at the Dunigan YMCA. I also taught classes in senior living centers and conducted private personal training sessions for people of all ages.
I have two Bachelor’s degrees from USI in Communications and German. I am a certified Health & Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches and received my personal training certification through the American College of Sports Medicine. I am also Reiki Level II certified and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine® and the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion. I also have a background in mental health and certified in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid and completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and I'm a QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor. In December 2024, I graduated with a Master of Education in Student Learning and Wellbeing at the University of Missouri.
When I'm not exercising, I'm busy volunteering for several organizations including St. Vincent’s No One Dies Alone program. In 2011, I ran in the Marathon for the Cure in Washington, D.C. and raised over $6,200 towards breast cancer research. My mother, who passed away from breast cancer, was my inspiration for doing this. I also competed in several triathlons and love to travel and spend time with my 16-year old daughter, my friends, and my dog and three cats. I love animals and started a pet therapy program at Ivy Tech called Paws ’N Relax to help students manage stress and anxiety during final exams.
At Ivy Tech, we are more than just a Fitness Center. We believe in treating the body as a whole and working on body, mind, and spirit. We have programs that focus on the nine area of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, creative, environmental, and occupational. We offer a Relaxation Lounge and emWavePro Biofeedback program to help manage anxiety. Stress is a contributor to many health issues and we want to make sure you have tools to manage it better. We want to help you live a long, happy, and healthy life.
Update: In the Spring of 2023, I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis which is a rare auto-immune disorder that causes rashes and attacks the muscles. I have developed severe muscle atrophy, pain, and weakness. I am still exercising, eating healthy, and managing stress now more than ever. There is no known cause for this condition but it is treated with medication and a healthy lifestyle. I am just taking it one day at a time and continuing to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.
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.) Beer costs between $13.25 and $15.60 a stein. Beer sales were actually down and nonalcoholic drinks were up, particularly water, mainly due to the warmer temps. The legal drinking age in Germany for beer and wine is 16.
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