I’m a 25 year old college graduate with a travel bug. In 2009 I spent a semester abroad in Australia and in 2011 I spent almost 3 months backpacking through Europe. I returned to Australia in 2012 for another go with my sister. Throughout my trips I was shocked by how many friends and acquaintances, some I hadn't talked to in years, wanted to know more about my trip and what I was up to next. As a traveler with a small budget, a big mouth and never a finished plan, I found myself involved in many hilarious experiences and unexpected adventures. I took some important life lessons home with me too. A lot of these lessons I’m still trying to learn and conquer myself. This year I embarked on my newest adventure and moved from Long Island, NY to Los Angeles, CA. I had no apartment, roommates or job, but am trying to figure out this little thing called life. I hope you enjoy!


Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Know When to Fold 'Em


My first time at a casino was in Atlantic City for my friend Adam’s 21st birthday. I was only 19 at the time but he convinced a pit boss that I was his cousin and I was of age. I had an immediate run of luck and we thought we were the luckiest kids in the world because the waitress kept on bringing us free beer! Adam and I kept betting on my lucky streak. Together we made a ton of money and a drunken mess. They changed dealers and our luck changed too. All that money was gone in what seemed like 2 minutes. I should have learned right then to get out while your up, especially way up.

"The Team" at the Melbourne Casino 

I have gambled in casinos around the world but only in America do they liquor you up for free. When in Melbourne, Australia I bought myself a bourbon and coke, then a nice gentleman bought me one as well. I sat down at a table with both drinks. The dealer would not let me stay because having 2 drinks was irresponsible drinking and I would have to get rid of one. I politely turned around, chugged one and then bought in.

Celebrating with the girls after surviving the Melbourne Cup

In London we stopped at a casino near Chinatown and I was so let down. It seemed like a skeezy, old saloon with a musty smell. Nothing was shiny or new, I felt cheap just being there. The casinos in Australia were a lot nicer but nothing comes anywhere near to the superior riches and glamour of Las Vegas. It’s amazing that they never close but everything is always clean and in order, even with the mayhem going on 24/7.
Kris and I after breaking out of the dodgy London casino 

The Brisbane Casino "My House of Dreams"

I've had lots of interesting things happen to me in casinos but my favorite story was on our first trip to the Brisbane casino. Every big city in Australia seemed to have one nice casino. In Brisbane it was a beautiful old building surrounded by purple lights, sitting on the river. A couple months into school, our American group decided to get dressed up and go out in “BrisVegas”. I found myself at the black jack table with the Texas Twins and some Canadians we didn't know. The Texans, like myself could be pretty loud. The Canadians weren't helping the situation either. I was confused why I couldn't get a free drink and the Texans were cursing up a storm at each other. As I joined into their excitement I was warned by the pit boss, one more slip up and they would throw me out. Well, after I doubled down and won the hand we were all cheering and some other words of emotion came out and I was escorted out of the casino. 

Christy, Sarah and I getting glammed up for BrisVegas

"The Texans" and I

I pleaded with the doorman and he let me back in. I went right back to my spot next to the Texans, and another guy had joined the table. He was an Aussie in his early 30's and took a liking to me. He started giving me money to bet with, and I was adding it to my bets, and keeping the winnings. He kept giving me money; I figured he was rich and lonely so I kept chatting it up with him. My other girlfriends had long left me behind; they weren't gamblers and went out for dinner. The Texans had lost their money and weren't waiting around for me since I was getting everything handed to me. The Aussie eventually had to make the inappropriate comment of me taking off with him and I told him I had to go to the bathroom, but he made me leave the chips at the table. 

Having a good laugh with Christy outside the casino before starting some trouble 

I called my girlfriends from the bathroom in a panic telling them how I had a couple thousand dollars and how I didn't want to go back to the creeper but I wanted that money. I hung up, came up with a twisted plan in a pinch and went back to the table. He was still there and I went right back to gambling, but started losing a bit. When I was down to about $600 he put his hand on my back. Like lightning I scraped up all the chips, shoved them in my bag, crossed my arms over my chest holding onto my bag and took off as fast as I could go barreling my way down the casino halls. As I’m throwing people out of my way, Colleen, Christy and Sarah turn the corner and see me charging like a bat out of hell. “I got the money!!!!” I yelled as I sprinted by. The girls counted my chips on the way home and I was up $550! I’m not saying this was the best way to go about things, but its come in handy for some good laughs and paying for some later adventures.

Celebrating through Griffith's campus after counting my winnings 

Laughing about the nights events with best friends

This past weekend I was in Vegas for an Arbonne Conference and didn't have anyone my age to hang out with, so I hit the strip alone looking for some fun. I ended up losing over $500 over 4 days and was so mad at myself for being irresponsible because that was nearly half of my rent money. I did what any rational person would do, take out another $100, walked up to the first Roulette table at the Cosmopolitan and put it all on red. I wasn't thinking about how I looked with my little polka dot cover up and wild hair as I strutted up to a table of guys with $1 chips scattered around the table. Well, when I hit, it was one of the coolest and exhilarating moments, and I felt like such a baller. I took my winnings and left as everyone begged me to stay because I was “Lady Luck”. I made my way from casino to casino and won 11 more times in a row! Each $100 walk up and play was a new, exciting and different experience at each casino. I made my way back to the beautiful Cosmopolitan because it is my new favorite hotel. I walked up to another Roulette table, threw a hundred down, and lost. So I did the smartest thing I have done in a long time, ordered another bloody mary and headed straight to the cashier J


Inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas







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