What a difference a week makes...

I remember distinctly what I was doing at exactly this time, 2PM last Friday, my last day in California, before I boarded a plane and left the U.S. for who knows how long. I remember being unable to grasp that in a few hours time, I would be starting an entirely new life. At that time, I could only see it as the end of something. I was too sad to come to terms with what it meant when I got off the plane at the other end. Now, I'm only a week in, and my perspective has completely changed.

For starters, I can now tell that I could potentially be really happy here. The weather is so beautiful and the people are so nice. I know everyone says that about Australia, and it sounds like such a cliche that anyone says of a place that they enjoy, but I really want to hammer both points home. The weather is perfect. It is always sunny. It has never been so chilly I've needed a jacket nor so hot that I've been uncomfortable. It's warm and sunny, without being humid. There are refreshing breezes that don't make you cold. It is literally the most perfect weather. This is probably why most people don't have air conditioning or heat, and rarely need to use either if they do have them. I always knew that really bad or cold weather could make people depressed and grumpy, but I never realized how nice the weather got was also directly proportional to how nice the people were. I always assumed it was more like if the weather was below a certain shit threshold, people's attitudes got bad, but above that threshold, everyone was on a level playing field as far as attitude. I think I was wrong. The weather in SF was always okay, and on occasion, amazing, but nothing like Sydney. It's just pleasant to go outside and walk to work or walk home from work or just walk. I find myself to be happier and smiling more at strangers, as are the rest of the folks here. No surprise it's the #2 best country to live in based on the 'quality of life' index...and in case you're wondering, the U.S. is NOT #1 http://www.internationalliving.com/Internal-Components/Further-Resources/quality-of-life-2010

The climate and atmosphere have made me really take notice that this is a place I could definitely see myself being happy in. I don't know all that many people here just yet, but there is something about the atmosphere here that is calming and makes me think I'm really gonna like it here.

Besides that, I have been looking for apartments which has also helped me face up to the reality that I am in fact going to be living here. Now, apartment hunting is about as fun as a cold sore, and I have definitely already seen some shit out there, which can be a bit disheartening, but I'm also realizing how amazing people here are as I'm meeting more and more of them as I look for places. Last night I actually found an amazing apartment. I would be living with an Irish guy and whoever else he would decided to take the other room (it's a three bedroom apartment). I don't want to get too ahead of myself and put too many eggs in one basket, but I really like this apartment and I really liked the guy too. I think we'd get along really well. We actually went out for a few beers at the pub after I checked out the place (which may give me an edge over my competition, as most of them are coming to look at his place Saturday and Sunday morning so they'll likely be stone sober...though no guarantees of that in Sydney). I got a chance to chat with him and he was quite a cool guy. He's 31, been in Australia for 9 years, he's one of 8 kids, 5 brothers and 2 sisters. He's the baby but he assured me that just because he was the youngest it did not mean he was spoiled. I guess Irish families tend to reproduce like catholic bunnies, so they're never sure if the newest kid really is the last hence no spoiling of the 'baby'. I went to dinner with him and his current roommates and got on with them pretty nicely, so I'm hoping I was able to charm him enough that his life wouldn't be complete without having me as his roommate. He promised to get back to me on Sunday and let me know how all the showings went so hopefully I'll have good news soon. If I get the place, I promise to post tons of pictures immediately.

This all already had me in a great mood coming in to today, and then today proceeded to only get better. First, I was able to get a Google voice number through Google so that all you guys can call or text an American number and it goes to my Australian cell phone (or mobile as they call it here) with no international charges. I can also call anyone in the U.S. using that number, again, without the expensive fees. I'm really stoked by this because it eliminates the only major thing that makes me feel like I'm on another continent and just makes it feel like I'm in a different state than everyone else (minus the massive time change and the fact that I'm writing to you guys from the future). In case you guys didn't see the number, it's (980) 428-6773.

The day only got better when I got an email from the receptionist that said "Flowers at reception for you!!! Lucky Duck!" My first reaction was to groan 'Ughhhh, my dad is SOOOOO embarrassing!' (Sorry Dad, love you!) As I walked up to the front desk I started contemplating the situation, and decided that my dad knew that if he was going to get me something, money would be far more well received than flowers. I decided to check the card. It turns out the flowers were actually sent from all of my old managers in San Francisco.



Look how pretty!!!

It was such a sweet gesture of them, and truly, in my last few weeks at the SF office, they really made me feel loved and supported as I took this new role, but also were very clear about how valuable I had been to the team and how much I was appreciated. At one point, months ago, I had bitched to my coworker and good friend, Lisa, that it seemed like someone was always leaving the team that we had to donate money for their going away or baby shower or whatever. I remember saying that when I left, I better get some good shit since I probably had donated over $80 to celebrate other people's departures and life choices. The team came through. In total I got a Nordstroms Gift Certificate, a little potted plant, a bouquet of flowers on my last day (that incidentally Lisa objected to because she said they had already gotten me something) and now a bouquet of flowers, round 2. It's not the actual objects that are important but what they represent to me. It was very obviously acknowledged that I was leaving, and the fact that they made a point to address it and let me know how appreciated I was, as an employee and a person, really hit home. By the time Lisa leaves the team, I hope she gets a pez dispenser.

Overall, my new adventure couldn't be starting off on a more positive or promising foot. It's a very welcome and somewhat unexpected turn of events. Hell, now even Ben's comments about my toothpaste not being ADA approved can't get to me. I'm not in America. No toothpaste is ADA approved here. Even my toothpaste is fitting in better in Australia.