Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I Saw a Kangaroo Punch Another Kangaroo in the Face

Hi there cyberfriends,

There are a couple of things I have not told you that one might consider to be important events.
First, I broke my computer about two weeks ago. Etienne and I had been driving somewhere we had never been. We had my laptop along with us so we could trust the powers of Google Maps. When we arrived at our destination, I closed my laptop and put it on his seat. When he got back in the car, he moved my laptop over to the passenger seat. When I got into the car, I did not check my seat. I sat on the computer. I did not even think anything of it. I said, “Oh hey, my computer is under me.” I then moved it to the back seat.

Only in the morning did I realize the extent of the damage. I had cracked the screen. It started out as just a little black spot. Two weeks later, it is a huge black spot that dominates the entire centre of my screen. I have to move my windows to the corners to be able to view anything. At the rate this black blob is expanding, I figure I have another week before I can’t use my computer at all. I am slightly angry about this, but not extremely angry. First of all, I really do not need a computer anymore because school is almost over. Secondly, I will be able to use Ash’s computer when she gets here in, oh I don’t know, two days! So it's not that bad.

But dammit this computer cost me $1000! Dammit!

Sorry I tried to look at the positive side there but the negative is pretty overpowering.

Alright, so beyond my idiocy (of which you were already aware), what else has been going on in my semi-charmed life? Let’s just say this past week has been the best week so far in Australia. I know I told you I had a lot of work to do (and I did it all) but I also interpersed some amazing trips with the work. Last week, two roommates and I drove to a nearby beach at 1 am. We went for a walk and found a boardwalk that weaves through wetlands for 6 or 7 kilometres. It was intense and beautiful.

The next night, Etienne and I went to the same beach to play some midnight Frisbee (and no, that is not some weird slang for homosexual activity). After a half hour, some Aussie friends unexpectedly showed up. They were hitting some golf balls into the water and we joined in the fun. It felt great to swing a golf club for the first time in a long while.

On Friday, I went to Double Island in Noosa, about an hour and a half north of Brisbane. To give you a sense of how amazing of a time I had, here is an excerpt of an email I sent to my mom that night:

“I am just going to bed now but I saw that you emailed and I got excited! The beach today was ab-so-lute-ly unreal! The best time I have had here in Australia! Seriously Ma, today was a slice of heaven. We went to an island at Noosa Beach, one of the more renowned Australian beaches. We took our car in a 2 minute ferry ride across, and then it was like the Muskokas, only better. Audrey and Jess went horseback riding along the beach for two hours, and me and Etienne rented a canoe and paddled around the huge lake for two hours. We would stop paddling for 10 minute stretches and just relax and talk. Fish jumped out of the water on a couple of occasions and we were surrounded by forest and mountains. Then we're lugging the canoe back to the resort and...a whole bunch of kangaroos come hopping in front of us! And they were everywhere! We went up and pet them, and tried to feed them. Imagine! Wild kangaroos and I was petting them. A couple of the mothers had their baby in the pouch and it was just such a surreal experience. After canoeing we went in the ocean at sunset with purple and pink clouds in the sky and the sun setting behind the mountains. And the water was so warm and the waves were so big. Then on the drive home my roommates and I stopped at an amazing Aussie restaurant. Then when we were closer to home, we stopped at another beach, put on the music, laid on the car and looked at the stars. "

Keep in mind that my policy regarding exclamation points is to use them like deodorant: infrequently and sparingly, if necessary. It was just such an amazing experience that there was no way around using them.

I am going to cut this blog post short. I have some school work to do before Sean and Dave get here. When do they get here, you ask? In 12 hours. Yeah, that came quick. Then Ash and Chris show up in 36 hours. It is going to be unbelievable. We are going to Surfer’s Paradise, Byron Bay for the aforementioned Mardi Grass, and then beautiful Cairns for 5 days.

I will not be blogging for a little while due to their arrival and our travels. When I do blog, you can bet that I will have a lot to share. School is almost over. The fun part is now starting.
Oh by the way, I was scheduled to work on Saturday but I did not know this. Consequently, I missed my shift. My manager was not upset. She was just worried that something had happened to me. Today, she gave me four passion fruits grown in her backyard that I could take home. She also asked if I would like to go for a ride in her husband’s hot rod with them some time. She also said she would give me a nice blanket our next shift together after I casually mentioned the nights are getting a little bit chilly. I am really happy she likes me and I think she is a sweet lady as well. The only reason all this love troubles me is because I lied when I applied for the job and told her I am in Australia until January. Now I have to tell this sweet lady that I am leaving in July. I am an asshole.

Thanks for checking in and I will be in touch soon. Word to big bird.

D.J.

1 comment:

Koralina said...

nice bit on exclimation marks- someone told me i used plenty and spoke with "gusto"... but when your in Oz how can you not?!