So I left home about 1.5 weeks ago. In that time I've met my friend's friends, got drunk, said I wanted my nipple pierced & well... note to self: don't say you want something around Dutch people if you're not that fussed on having it done. They do remember things the next morning, & they will do everything they can to assist you in getting something done about it.
So apart from that new little experience, we did do other things! Went & did the touristy business around Den Haag. Scheveningen (I've given up pronunciations by now, to me it's just 'the beach') was lovely, little promenade walk along there. I've eaten so much typical Dutch food that's delicious, & then my friend Tess got me to try some Haring. Not so delicious. Still ate the whole thing, though! Then croquettes, chips with tomato sauce & mayo (good call on that invention, Holland), Stroopwaffles, & other things I can't pronounce. Then I tried some cheese. Ahhhhhh the cheese! Delicious. Even the cheap cheese is delicious. Why aren't the Dutch fat?

Asides from all that fun, after 2 days it was time to go to Dublin! Booked ourselves a little holiday before I'd arrived. Dublin is a beautiful place. A very raw little city with heaps to do & much to see. Caught up with some friends, accidentally missed a friend & didn't get myself drunk enough to achieve my goal: getting kicked out of a bar in Ireland.

In Australia it seems to be the easiest thing imaginable to be asked to remove yourself outside of a drinking premises. Falling asleep in clubs, falling asleep in bathrooms, falling over, standing there breathing, the bouncers either kick you out, or not let you in (this happens to other people too, right?). It just didn't happen in Ireland. What a magical city! Our last night, there was some little elderly chap telling us about the magic beards of Ireland. They live in the mountains, & you just never quite seem to be able to find them. Everyone's friendly, everyone's chatty, & everyone's drinking. Perfect city.

Now we're back in Den Haag, Tess has resumed her life for the time being, & I'm not sure what to do with myself, so I think I might be off to Amsterdam for a few days, & see what the go is there. Farewell!

On Sunday I saw a Facebook post advertising the need for extras in a music clip for my favourite Aussie hip-hop group.
On Monday I told a friend about it.
On Tuesday I was in a different state after a 2.5 hour drive, hanging by a pool out the back of someone's house, on set for the clip to be shot. What an amazing day. I don't necessarily mean only fun, but when you're shaking hands with the DJ & he thanks you for coming, the Channel V guys costume wings are scratching you & you pass/stand next to/make eye contact with the artists, life seems just a little surreal.

I'm awaiting the video in hope that even a bikini string made it into any shot!
It's days like this I'm going to miss Australia- but then it's days like this that make you feel grateful to live here at all.

LESSON FOR THE DAY- You will always regret the things you don't do rather than the things you do- next time I'll be asking for a photo...

A week ago one of my best friends had her baby. A little girl. The same day I was buying my one-way ticket to Holland.
I've always found it funny- just how different people are. What makes us happy? We can all individually answer. My friend has wanted a baby for as long as I can remember, & I'd positively decided I'd wanted to move to Europe/UK 4 years ago, after my last trip there.

A year & a half ago my friend & I were both causing mischief together during the best summer I could ever imagine having. Between the amazing people we'd met & the time we'd spent together, I know a few people feel the same way about that break. Of course we were running around like annoying idiotic teenagers before that too, but nothing can compare to that summer.
So is that the done thing? To have your fun before you're 21 & over the summer? What if that's not enough?
Which option is more socially acceptable? To have a baby, or to travel at 23? Who cares about social acceptance anyway- when someone is being nursed on palliative care, I'm doubting that their final thoughts are wishing they'd been more accepted if they were an extrovert, or wishing they'd stood down more so they could be told what to do or think.

I skyped her for the first time tonight, my friend. She has her own little family now. A loving partner, & a daughter who will be so content with the love I know my friend can give her. No matter how many different ways I say it, I still can't believe it's happened. I know everyone says this as they get older- but for good reason: Where has the time gone? It's now that we need to start utilizing time properly- for what we've been given it for- to do with what may make us happy.

After a few trips around, I've always noticed that the feeling of looking-forward to going to a place can rival having seen it, so I'm going to start here- less than 4 weeks until I leave, may the countdown begin!