In The Beginning

So I have graduated from Facebook notes to the world of blogging.

The reason for doing so was so I could write about my experiences as an Australian who is coming to grips with the American way of life. Over the past 18 months, I have done lots of surfing through the web trying to find out as much information as I can about stuff in the US, and was able to find a few different places that provided some answers, but not all of them.

So perhaps by putting my own experiences on paper, it may assist the next person from Oz in their planning stage. This includes boring stuff like visas and bank accounts, social security numbers and drivers license, checking the both sides of the road before crossing and ridiculous size of the meals over here!

And hopefully, I can also provide a laugh along the way.

I guess, first up, I should provide a little information about me to put my experiences in context.

My name is Adam and I'm an Australian. And no, this isn't a therapy group. Although I may need one after being away from home for too long.

I am in my low 30's and am an accountant who has transferred to the USA with my employer. The reason I requested a transfer was so I could be closer to my girlfriend who is an American. Probably the only fault I have yet found with her :-) I will be living in North Virginia, in the Reston area, and hopefully getting to know the North Virginia and Washington DC area well. My girlfriends family is from Maryland, so will try and avoid that area sa much as possible... Oh and will also try and make sure she never ever reads this blog!

I flew in from Sydney last night, but as I only finished my transit at about 9pm, yesterday doesn't count. As such, Today,  Thursday 23rd of June, 2011 will be forever known as Day number 1 of my new life.

If you are planning on backpacking around the US, then unfortunately, this is the wrong site. I could be (and have been) called a "princess". If travelling, I like my hotels with many stars, big beds and spacious showers. I like my seats on the plane up the front, with plenty of leg room, lots of recline (preferably flatbed) and a decent meal. And I usually buy better quality that should last me longer. The only exception is I don't mind plastic cups and plates when hosting a party as it means less cleaning up!

Anyway, thats it for the introduction. I will have a couple extra posts up with respect to my experience getting a visa pre-arrival, as well as Day number 1 and organising a bank account and getting a phone. Hopefully, I will have a post up about once a week, maybe a bit more in the early stages, maybe a little slower once I am more entrenched and my IQ has dropped, love for guns has increased and I believe fox news reports the facts (ironically, if I ever believe the last, someone please shoot me).