So I have quite a few photos to share, and am a bit overwhelmed with what to write about at this point, so let me just throw some photos at you, and try and tie it all into a cohesive story along the way.
This is St Kilda beach. The suburb of Melbourne where I spent the months of April and May.
These were my first three friends that I made. My roommates Richard, Dan, and Steve. We got along from the second I stepped in the door :)
It's hard to imagine, I know.
One of the things that St Kilda beach is known for are the little ferry penguins that swim back to shore every night to nest in the rocks on the pier. This was my first introduction to JUST how cold the weather really was down south.
The day after I had moved to St. Kilda, it was Dan's birthday, and even though I had an offer to go drive the Great Ocean Road with some other friends that day, I already had a hunch that my roommates were going to turn into good friends, and decided instead to go to my first AFL game with these guys and celebrate the birthday boy! Not sure which is better, watching a game that you don't understand... or being the only American in a group of ALL English, who are drunkenly singing and chanting as if they are at a futbol match.
Needless to say, I definitely made the right choice by hanging out with these guys :)
While in St Kilda, I stayed at Habitat HQ, which is by far the greatest hostel I have ever stayed at. Besides the fact that I loved my roommates, the place was immaculately clean, and everyone was so friendly and active. As I mentioned before, we played weekly soccer games, which was AWESOME, and a great way to make friends quickly. We also played pool quite often. And the hostel itself had something going on every night, including comedy night, really good live music, bingo, and pool tournaments.
Trivia nights were the most popular.
The hostel also threw monthly parties. This was from the highly successful pajama party.
May's hostel party was "back to school" theme. Definitely not as popular as the PJ party, but we had quite a turnover of people since that one, and the new people were a bit too shy. So what happens when the party isn't happening and the two most dancey people walk downstairs? The receptionists yell "Jen! Andreas! Go back upstairs and dress up right now!" Well, I NEVER say no to dressing up, so that was easy.... "Go do a little dance or something", not that you really have to tell me that, but "what will you give me if I do it?".... "chocolate"... DONE.
Always say yes to games. I may not do karaoke, but Andreas and I will do an impromptu dance to Fresh Prince of Bel-air instead!
And yes, I will volunteer to be mummified :)
Random: This is Quick and Jake, AKA earthQUAKE. Only THE greatest beer pong team EVER (actually Goon pong aka cheap wine pong). Not to brag or anything, but consistent double cups, islands, off the wall and behind the back shots. If that means nothing to you, just know that we were GOOD! As in, I wish someone could have video-taped that whole tournament, good! Just saying ;)
So how do you know when you have really settled in where you are and found a new home?
When you start referring to your roommates as your family, and you all lovingly call room 203 home, you cook family dinners, and have a house rule of anytime you step foot into Coles (the grocery store) you have to buy cookies to share with the family.
And when you start getting notices like this on your door.
And you all just laugh about it.
When you start to remember everyone's work schedules and habits, and generally know when and where to find all of your friends. Everyone always offers to make everyone else tea. People start doing joint laundry loads, and "share" laundry detergent, and nobody ever sits alone.
When you plan daily outings together, and go play together. And everyone knows that Jennifer is going to be upset if soccer happened without her or if a night out does not include dancing at some point :)
When you can stay out until 6am, and everyone walks out of the casino with money in their pockets and smiles on their faces.
When you find yourself doing stuff like this for people's birthdays.
When you go on late night drives because your friends are excited about their new car, and want to practice driving (because they only JUST got their license).
When it is perfectly acceptable to end a long day in a pizza coma on the floor listening to French and German music.
When you go on group night runs down the esplanade.
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