GOON:30: Month 1

Holy shit. I've already been in Australia over a month and I cant believe how fast the time has already gone. Life's a beach, quite literally. I seem to have spent most of my time in Surfers Paradise hopping from one tacky club to the next, acquiring free fish bowls, tequila shots and mixed drinks from anyone who is willing to spend a pretty penny on cheap, half quarter shots with a mix of tonic that tastes more like watered down 7UP. Tiff, Worsty, Mushu and I stick together on these small ventures of ours. We traveled to Broadbeach aka Broady not long ago for our first beach day, which was all too exciting since it was our first sunny day we had seen on the Gold Coast. Besides traveling on our favorite form of transportation, the bus, we made the great mistake of actually thinking we could get some decent Mexican food. Walking into the 'Burrito Bar' and finding out they are out of steak, guacamole and margaritas, you can understand why our feelings were hurt. Rainbow Bay was another beach day we've had more recently, but this time we drove in an actual car! Hamish, almost killing us with Tiffs horrible directions, ever so willingly drove us to the Quiky Pro with surfers like John John Florence, Kelly Slater and Alana Blanchard. I only mention those names because although I pretend to know what the fuck is going on, I don't know anything about surfing; but what I do know is that hot guys usually flock to events like this, you know, the kind that involves surfing, sand and hot chicks in bathing suits...oh and professional surfers.

Besides galavanting around, simultaneously doing new and fun things while not really doing anything at all, the Village is where my friends and I reside and retreat. The Village is our living quarters or co-ed dormitory if you will. Now that the weather has FINALLY come around and the sun out, we spend a lot of time lounging by the pool, Goon in hand; yes, the slap and tickle is necessary. Some days we lie around working on our tan listening to whosever iPOD is on the doc. Other days extreme amounts of tequila and absinthe shots finished off by a couple of bowls will really get cha!

I'm really happy with the friends I've made so far, even though most of them are American. Each friend so incredibly different but exactly the same; funny how that always works. We often travel together in packs down to the local liquor store and market to buy a 12 dollar box of Goon aka 9.5% cheap wine, and sausages to grill up by the pool. Sausage sandies are a must. First you get a piece of bread in which u lightly lay the grilled sausage on top. Then you finish this decadent meal off with a few onions and a layer of ketchup. Sounds complicated, I know, but you get the hang of it. I suggest winning bets with French men though. Having a pasta night cooked by a bunch of guys for losing against us girls in a game of flip cup is quite priceless and by priceless I mean, we finally don't have to spend 20 bux to get a fucking cheeseburger. Winning a bet against French cooks is almost as good as pretending I'm not gaining any pounds by drinking my weight in 'extra dry white Golden Oak' (Goon).

I know it may sound as though all we do here is drink, but that's probably because all we do here is drink. I mean, I didn't travel across the world to study did I?! ;) But drinking day in and day out is more than just a good time, It's something universal that everyone seems to be good at and can relate to; not like math, where kilos, meters and mili-fucks actually matter, as if I give a shit. Socially it brings us together in the kind of way that we can all be one big happy family and forget about the differences between hanging out with 17 year olds and witches hats; we can be as free as the annoying squawking birds that one up one another in the trees outside my room. And since I am being brutally honest, I might as well add that I absolutely fucking love it here. The Gold Coast has of way of doing that to you; and as for the next 3 1/2 months to come? I've never been more ready...