When It Rains, It Pours

I don't consider myself a sports enthusiast but I do consider myself one who knows what's going on most of the time in a particular sport. However, the game of cricket can take that consideration away from me because this weekend, I was utterly confused while attending. Not like, "Oh, I'll catch on after a little bit of time." It was more like (after an hour passes by), "Is there even two teams playing?", "Where's the ball?", "I think we need to cheer because everyone else around us is doing it." I dropped the ball when it came to preparing prior to the game. I don't know why I didn't read at least some of the rules of the game before going on Friday. But, we got a couple laughs out of the experience, don't regret going because when else would we be able to, and explored the city a little bit after leaving the game an hour and a half later.

I thought the day had provided me back with some good karma given my mishaps prior in the week. Earlier in the week, I went to turn on my dad's very nice camera to snap a couple pictures and was welcomed with a black screen. It turns on, goes to a black screen, makes a little funny noise and won't let me turn it off without taking the battery out. I didn't freak out at first because it did it once before but was fine after a minute. But after I let it rest for a day, fully charged the battery, and it was still in that state, I started to freak out. I asked anyone and everyone who I thought could tell me what's wrong with it and it was to no avail. I got the common answer of, "Take it to the camera store." Well, okay, so I called a camera store within walking distance of campus and after speaking to a customer service employee, I was told that by the explanation of my problem, it was going to be more expensive to fix than the actual camera. So, I asked about the warranty seeing as the camera isn't even a year old, and I was told no one in Australia would honor it because of the international purchase. A part of me cried inside. I began to question everything I did with the camera. Did I drop it? Did I get dirt/sand in it? Did I use it too much? It's all a part of my curse, I guess.

So, I stopped denying the inevitable and told my dad. Of course, he was fine with it (thanks, Dad!) but I still feel really bad about it (I can't help it!). I just hope nothing was my fault and it's able to get fixed without hassle when I'm home because he hasn't even used it!

Moving along, on the same day, when I was in between denial and acceptance stage of the broken camera, I tried to see if I could blow dry out any dirt/sand that maybe is causing the problem. I grabbed my roommate's blowdryer, that is American, and used an adapter to plug it in. I never saw her using this one, because she bought an Australian one, but I thought since it was out, I could use it. It was about two seconds from when I turned on the hairdryer to the spark that made my heart drop, and the hairdryer stop. I started to panic. I unplugged it, stepped out of the bathroom and went to where my computer was charging. It wasn't charging anymore. I franticly flipped the outlet on and off (here, you have to turn on/off each outlet with a switch). Nothing. I blew the electricity in our dorm room.

At this point, I couldn't even cry because I was just so flustered. A trip to the maintenance office was in order. I was worried about a fine. Or even, in my over-analytical mind, that I had really screwed up the electrical and they were going to have to re-wire the whole floor. Like, really Kaylie? They were going to send someone up since it was "an urgent situation." My roommate and I waited patiently as our computer batteries lowered. We laughed about it but deep down, I wasn't at that stage yet after everything that happened. I think about an hour passed and out of nowhere, I looked down to see my charger had lit up for my mac. It was back on without even a visit from maintenance! I guess they wouldn't have to re-wire the whole floor, after all.

Thursday night we went out and I was able to forget about the series of unfortunate events. Katie and I ventured alone to a bar called Melba's and honestly, we had the greatest time just her and I. We danced around and finally figured we should join the rest of our friends. Wasn't as fun, but alas, we stayed.

Friday was the cricket game and souvenir shopping. After we got back, my friends and I went to the Chocolate Bar and indulged in the most delicious foods. My mom would have been in Heaven!

Series of unfortunate events continue. I had purchased a really nice, handmade clay jar as a souvenir for someone that I waited for so long to find the perfect gift. This was it. As I was purchasing it, I said to myself, "I really need to be careful with this when I'm on the plane coming home." But my other ego spoke and said, "You're always careful." Ha. I think we all know where this story is going. I came back to campus just fine with the jar in tow. As soon as I got back, I put it in my suitcase that is full with all the other souvenirs I've bought. But, I needed to check in my suitcase for something a little bit later and so I reached to take the suitcase down from above my desk. I hadn't zipped it all close, and as my arms were lowering the suitcase, the clay jar was rolling out. There was never a point of return. I watched as the jar was air borne, then I heard the shattering. Into about ten pieces. Broken. Done. Unfixable.

Yeah...

It was one of those times you just can't believe is happening. And one of those times you wish you could just go back ten seconds before to alter the outcome. It was my fault but I didn't want it to be. I shuffled to Katie's room and wallowed in self pity. It really just wasn't my week. At one point, I closed my eyes and said to whoever was listening, "Whatever I did to deserve this bad karma, I'm sorry." Accidents happen, I know that, but I just didn't want them to happen to such good things. I'm better now, and hoping that I've reversed whatever karma that's from. That is, after I popped a button off my jeans yesterday. I'm not getting into that out of fear that I'll really breakdown.

But you know what I discovered that can really make you forget about things? Going to the casino. I've never been at home but now I want to go all the time. (Grandma Adams, can't wait to have dates with you there when I turn 21!) A couple friends and I went to Jupiter's Casino Saturday night and I think I've said once before in my life that I'll never gamble but I was open to the opportunity. I didn't lose much money, only $20, which is insignificant in the grand scheme of things I'd like to think, especially because we were there for four hours. And I didn't even get to play the slots so I think I'll have to go back. The whole night I played war, with a $10 minimum. I think a part of me just felt like playing that all night because it was the card game I used to play with my Grandma Benson before she passed away, nine years ago this week. She was rooting for me and helping me along for a lot of the night but I got a little swept away in the excitement of it all and kept going instead of cashing out with a $30 profit. I'm okay with it all though. I felt connected to my Grandma and still had such a fun night.

It rained the past two days here so maybe that adds to the "poor me" attitude I had but at the end of the day, I'm still in Australia, surrounded by a lot of great people, supported by a lot of great people at home, and having the time of my life. So, when it rains, it pours but I say we all need a little rain to appreciate the sunshine that much more.