Where Did We Move To?

Hi, folks!

The previous post about packing up our first home finished on the ultimate cliff-hanger ...

Where did we move to?

Many people asked for Part Two of the series, so without further ado, let's "spill the beans". We have moved across the other side of the world again, this time to ...

The Land Down Under!

G'Day from Queensland, Australia
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson (drone photography).

Although Australia is my home country, it will take some time to adjust. After living in America for 6 years, the first few weeks back in Australia felt like a foreign country.

Initial musings about moving back to my homeland:

- Everyone has an accent, and it sounds really bogan! During our first week back, we were in a restaurant in Brisbane and I made a quiet comment about the two blokes sitting at the table next to us: “Hey, I think they’re from Australia ...”, forgetting that we were no longer in America. 

- My accent is a hybrid. It sounds really confused! For those new to the blog, I work as a Speech Language Pathologist, and part of my job is to help children articulate their speech sounds correctly. Thus, while living in America, I had been consciously trying to make my “R’s” strong and my vowels long. Now I have to retrain my own articulation skills to sound Aussie again!

- Jacaranda trees are stunning! I’ve never truly appreciated them until now. For my international friends, Jacaranda’s are large trees that bloom gorgeous, purple flowers in October/November; Springtime in the Southern Hemisphere.

Jacaranda Trees
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson.

- Upon starting a new job in Australia, I’m steadily learning about the changes in the healthcare system over the past few years, including the nationwide roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Understanding healthcare systems in two countries can be overwhelming.

- You know how foreigners suppose that Australian animals are out to kill ya? Now I understand their point of view - our spiders are huge! A couple of weeks ago, we visited the local Botanic Gardens and were greeted with a nightmarish mass of entangled webs and spiders the size of an outstretched hand. There are memes made of this stuff!

- Never had I ever been stung by a blue bottle until, you guessed it ... now. Last weekend the little blighter wrapped its tentacle around my ankle and hung on for all it was worth. Ouch!

- Cricket is a strange sport. With field positions like "Silly Mid Off" and "Short Leg", and test matches that last up to 5 days, no wonder why Robin Williams said: "Cricket is basically Baseball on Valium". I took Greg to his first ever live cricket match and he enjoyed tolerated it for 3 hours. We agreed this was a pretty good innings for his first experience. 

Greg's First Cricket Match
Photo taken by random crowd member.

- Aussie sangas (sausages) are amazing! So are plain mince pies with tomato sauce (ketchup). 

- I have complained about Australia’s high income tax rates. Goodbye, pay check!

- It’s easy to find vacant beaches all to yourself with sand that stretches as far as the eye can see.

To our friends and family:  if you’re up Queensland way or fancy taking that bucket list trip to The Land Down Under, feel free to drop in! As Paul Hogan once said, we might even "slip an extra shrimp on the barbie" for ya.

Cheers!


Maree

Top 10 Things to Do and See in Sarasota

Hey, folks!

Having lived in Sarasota, Florida for the past 4 years, I believe it is time to share my favorite things to do and see in this beautiful part of the state.  

1. Siesta Key Beach - Voted the best beach in America in 2011 and 2017 on the annual Dr. Beach list, you will be greeted by sparkling, turquoise waters that are as warm as a bathtub in the Summer, and a blanket of powder-white sand made of quartz.  If you compare Siesta Key sand to talcum powder, it is difficult to tell the difference!  Reflecting the sun, this powdery sand stays cool under your feet all year long.  The area has recently been updated with a huge concession stand, numerous grills ("BBQ's"), and a playground for the kiddos.  While spending time on this beautiful beach, prepare to witness some of the most dramatic sunsets you have ever seen!

Siesta Key Beach - Captured by Maree's Mum

2. Turtle Beach - This lesser-known beach is directly south of Siesta Key.  It boasts peace and quiet away from the crowds, particularly if you walk a couple of miles north from the main entrance.  The sands are coarse and grey, and the waves are a little bigger than nearby beaches - well, as big as waves can get in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 😉  The turtle nesting season stretches from as early as May, to as late as October.  There are usually hundreds of protected turtle nests dotted along this beach - a gentle reminder of just how magical our ocean life and animal kingdom is!  

3. Myakka State Park - Sarasota does not only offer some of the best beaches in America, but is also the home to state parks and wetlands.  These places are excellent for biking and hiking, and you are almost guaranteed to spot alligators at Myakka.  Gators are beautifully intimidating creatures.  Keep your distance!  Insider tip: bring your camera with a zoom-lens for some epic photos. 😊  There is a boardwalk over the lake, and a canopy walkway with a vertical stairway that takes you above the treeline for incredible views.  The airboat is a fun way to cruise around the lake to spot some birds and gators.  From our experience, some of the more remote hiking trails are poorly signed, with just a few inconspicuous paint marks on trees every few hundred meters.  Thus, if you attempt one of these, it's critical that you keep track of landmarks to avoid getting lost.

Myakka State Park - Captured by Maree Richardson

4. Kayaking around Lido Key and the Mangroves at South Lido County Park - Rent a kayak and paddle through the shallow mangrove tunnels.  You will see crabs scuttling, fish swimming, and a variety of birds.  Insider tip: bring your bug repellent ("mozzie spray")!  Also, bring your lunch, a cold beer, a fishing pole, and life is goooooood!

5. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - This is the place for plant lovers.  It features thousands of orchards and bromeliads, an abundance of tropical plants, a butterfly garden, and a koi fish pond.  Bring a picnic blanket, a good book, and bask under a shady tree with views overlooking Sarasota Bay.

6. St. Armands Circle, Ringling Causeway Bridge and Lido Key - This major bridge crosses over Sarasota Bay, connecting you from Downtown Sarasota to St. Armands Circle, Lido Key and beyond.  There is a walking/running path on either side of the bridge which offers some spectacular views of the area.  St. Armands Circle boasts world-class restaurants and high-end shopping (a.k.a. "window shopping" for me!).  Just a short walk and you'll find yourself at the beautiful Lido Key Beach, which offers powdery-white sand and clear waters.

7. Downtown Historic District - We don't often make it downtown, although always thank ourselves for making the effort when we do.  Each corner is alive with art, culture, and passion.  You can't help but stroll around with a smile on your face as you consume all of the colors, positive vibes, and quaint store fronts.  Additionally, the cinema with the cheapest tickets in town is located here, so this is the place to go to catch that new flick you've been dying to see.     

8. Sarasota Jungle Gardens - Are you an animal-lover?  If so, than this is the place for you!  You can hand-feed flamingos that elegantly stroll around the gardens.  Unexpectedly, they don't sound as pretty as they look - they honk like pigs!  Feeling bold?  You might have the opportunity to hold a snake, lizard, baby alligator, or a bird.  Some of the most colorful parrots and macaws I have ever seen reside here.  The entry fee can add up if you have a large family or group of people, so utilize their great teacher and student discounts!

Sarasota Jungle Gardens - Captured by Maree's Mum

9. Sarasota Bayfront and Bayfront Park - If you are heading downtown, to Lido Key, or to the Jungle Gardens, you must stop by this stunning location.  We love to take a break and hang out here.  Take a walk around the park, sit on a wooden swing and listen to the water peacefully lapping on the rocks, have a drink at O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill, and take a picture with your sweetheart in front of the "Unconditional Surrender" statue, also known as the "Kissing Statue". 😘

   

10. Ringling Museum of Art, Ringling Circus Museum, and the Ca'd'Zan - The Ringling Museum of the American Circus was the first to document the history of this form of entertainment.  Sarasota was where the circus members stayed during the Winter months.  Learn about the history of the Circus and explore the endless costumes and memorabilia.  Nearby sits the grand Ca'd'Zan mansion.  Take a tour of the inside, or simply wander around the outside to admire the intricate designs and size of this place.  Insider secret: Greg proposed to me at this place!  

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Did I say 10? Whoops! Here is a bonus:

11. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium - Struck a rainy day? Not to fear, the aquarium is here!  Mote Marine is a not-for-profit, marine research organization that helps to protect our oceans and conducts ongoing wildlife conservation and research programs.  Meet the vast array of marine life, including huge sea turtles and manatees! 

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A Sarasota Sunset - Image Captured by Maree Richardson

So, there you have it.  The "inside scoop" to Sarasota.  Whether you're here for one day, one week, or one year, I hope you enjoy your time exploring this inspirational place.


Have a great week!


Maree

Trick #1: Rent your Spare Room

Hi folks,

Do you love to travel but don't have the money? Do you have a spare room in your house? If your answer is yes, then read on!

In a previous post I shared my top 10 "tricks" for pursuing a work and travel life. Today, I am going to explore one of those "tricks" in more detail: Rent Your Spare Room.

One of our New Years resolutions was to become Airbnb hosts. My husband and I pondered this thought for months, unsure whether it was the "right thing" for us. However, here we are, 6 months of hosting later, and loving it! 

There are many people like you who are thinking about becoming Airbnb hosts, however are unsure when to/if you should "take the plunge". From our experience, here is what you need to know:

How?

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!  

1. Clean your spare room. Keep the big things (e.g., furniture, etc); relocate/discard the small things (e.g., knick-knacks, personal items, etc). 

2. Update your spare room. Think about what vibe, what atmosphere, you want your guests to experience. Be inspired from where you live. For example, we live 10 minutes from the beach, so our guest room is decked out with yellow/blue/white hues, seashells, beach towels, and ocean artwork.

3. List away! Yes, you are ready to create your listing! Go to the Airbnb website. Click on the Become a Host tab and then click on Host a Home from the drop-down menu. Click the red box Get Started and follow the prompts.

• Quick Tip! As well as supplying nice bed linen and bath towels/washers, it is polite to supply toiletries for your guest to use such as shampoo and soap. Your weary travelers will thank you! We also supply tea/coffee (and sometimes baked goods) for breakfast, and leave a jar of chocolates in the guest room as a sweet treat. First impressions last, right?! 😉 

Hanging out with some of our lovely Airbnb guests.

Benefits:      

• Meet interesting people from all over the world! Many of our guests have been fellow-minded travelers, visitors, vacationers, and professionals. We have hosted guests from Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and New Zealand, not to mention many guests from different states within the U.S.A. 
• Try new foods! With some long-term guests, we have shared stories over a home-made meal or two, made by us or our guests who have wanted to share a piece of their home state/country. 
• Learn new languages! After hosting multiple international guests, we have learned some new words and phrases. We now know how to say "thank you" in Russian!
• Earn extra cash to fuel your passions! The money you receive enables you to save money for that dream trip, to put towards home maintenance projects, or whatever your passion may be. 
• Play with pets! We allow pets, and have loved getting to meet some furry friends that our guests have brought with them.   
• Bonding experience! Clean the guest room/space with your spouse or friend.

Challenges:

• Presenting with a friendly, flexible, and approachable demeanor. This comes naturally for us, however for others it may not.   
• Being comfortable with unfamiliar people in your home. To be honest, we genuinely miss having some of our long-term guests in our home. They felt like family! 

Still unsure? 

• Work full-time? Don't have time? Not a problem! You can choose how often you want guests. We both work other full-time jobs, and I have a long commute to work each day, so we chose to have a day/night in between guests which allows us plenty of time to clean and prepare. We actually enjoy the "break" away from our professional jobs.
• What if a guest damages my property? Fortunately, you are covered for up to $1,000,000 with the Airbnb Host Guarantee to protect your home and belongings. 
• What if a guest hurts themselves on my property? Airbnb has Host Protection Insurance to protect you from liability. 
• I don't want sketchy people! Guest and host information is verified, including government photo I.D., phone numbers, and email. 
• What if a guest is disrespectful and disobeys my house rules? Both guest and host write a review at the end of their stay, so it is in everyone's best interest to be mutually respectful and obey the rules.
• I don't want guests in my house during the week I am away. You can block out dates on your calendar when you don't want guests.  

"Welcome to [our] house" ~ Flo Rida 

Further questions? Don't hesitate to ask! 

I would love to hear from you all about your Airbnb experiences, as guest or host.

Cheers!

Maree

The Traveling Career Woman

Hi folks,

Some of us want to be career women. Some of us want to be traveling women. But, what about those who want to work AND travel. Can we be both?

Today's post is inspired by an Instagram post from Ladies Gone Global. I cannot praise their post enough! Ladies Gone Global also has a website, if you want to check them out.

I admit that I have been victim to scrolling through my Instagram feed and have been "sucked in" to the idealistic fantasy that to be "free", you must give up everything (your house, your car, your work) and live a nomadic lifestyle, forever hopping from one place to the next. Lucky for me, my idealistic mind is complemented by my husband's realistic mind.

What does "freedom" mean to you? For me, being "free" is to be able to do what is best for YOU. To work, live, and travel how YOU want to. You can be inspired and influenced by others, but don't let yourself be controlled or pushed by them.

I have a home-base and work full-time, and travel during my work holidays and/or take the Paid Time Off I have earned to do so. Not sure how this would work for you? Here are my "tricks" for being able to pursue a work and travel life:

1. Take advantage of your work holidays/annual leave/paid vacation/PTO. I love planning trips away that coincide with my work holidays. Fortunately, my work follows the local School District calendar meaning I get time off for public holidays and portions of the school holidays.

Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA. August 2015. We visited the Smoky Mountains on my 5 day break in between my works' Summer Program ending and the new School Year beginning.  

2. Rent your spare room. This past month, my husband and I decided to rent our spare bedroom on AirBnB. Wow! If you have been considering doing this, you should do it. We have met some really interesting people and have been able to share stories with fellow-minded travelers who have stayed with us from all over the world. The money we made last month covered our mortgage, taxes, and electricity, meaning we can save more $$ from our regular 9-5 day jobs to put towards retirement and our "travel fund" for future adventures!

3. Take advantage of your smart phone's rewards. My husband has a Samsung Note5 smart phone, and uses Samsung Pay to pay for our groceries and other items. Just for using Samsung Pay (which is free) we received a $50 reward to use towards anything. So, we bought groceries and a bottle of Whiskey for FREE. Winning!

4. Sell stuff you don't need. We have sold a bunch of stuff that we don't need. I sell gently used clothes that I haven't worn in a while on Poshmark (a free App you can download on your smart phone). My husband sold a bunch of his University textbooks on Amazon. Other sites we have used in the past include Craigslist (USA), Gumtree (Australia), and eBay (USA and Australia).

5. Be mindful of your spending habits. I'm sure you've all heard this plenty of times before. But I urge you to really think about it. Do you really need that pretty dress in the shop window? Or, would you rather put that money towards a plane trip to The Bahamas, or towards your entry fee and hiking gear for The Grand Canyon?

6. Pack your lunch to work. Another phrase you've probably all heard before. But seriously, you save a lot in the long term. My husband and I usually cook a big dinner and then take the leftovers with us to work the next day. Super easy and the food usually tastes better the next day as the flavors have had time to soak in. Yum! Plus, home cooking is healthier for you than take out. Win win!

7. Don't forget to explore close to home! Traveling doesn't always mean buying an expensive plane ticket for a long flight to the other side of the world. It can simply mean getting in the car and driving to the town next door. When my husband and I feel burnt out at work, it's usually not that we're burnt out, but that we need to GET OUT. You can Google "hiking trails", "state parks", or "beaches" close to you and find new places to explore right outside your back door! Sometimes a quick weekend getaway is all you need to find inspiration to get through another week of work.

One Saturday in February 2017 we drove 1hr north to explore Ybor City, Fort De Soto Park, and fish off of the Skyway Bridge. Florida, U.S.A.

8. Travel Therapy. If you work in the allied health industry then you are in luck. In the USA, there are many agencies that offer travel therapy contracts all around the States. Assignments can be anywhere from 3 months to 12 months long. I have not yet been directly involved in this, however, work colleagues and online acquaintances have spoken about how they loved being able to explore different parts of the States and earn money at the same time.

What I do have direct experience with is the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) that enables the credentials of Speech Language Pathologist's trained in Australia, USA, Canada, Ireland, England, and New Zealand to be recognized and work in each other's respective countries. For more information about this, read my post titled Transferring SLP Credentials Internationally.

9. Moments and memories. When traveling, be present and in the moment. Take pictures. When we travel, we hardly ever buy things aside from transportation and accommodation (the necessities). We choose specific nights to eat out at restaurants, and then cook food where we are staying the remainder of the time. Our photos and memories are usually our most prized possessions from trips. Plus, you can make cool artwork out of your photos, such as canvas prints to display around your home, or coffee table books filled with photos and captions of your favorite places you have visited.

10. Use credit cards with frequent flyer rewards. There are many credit card companies that offer rewards that are geared towards the frequent traveler. Two cards that we use and have benefited greatly from are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the United MileagePlus Explorer credit cards (both have a USD $95 year fee that is waved the first year). As a signup incentive, both cards offer a bonus mileage of 40-60 thousand miles/points, depending on the promotion they are running at the time.

The MileagePlus Explorer earns miles that can primarily be redeemed for award tickets on United flights while the Sapphire Preferred earns points that can be redeemed for statement credits or transferred to a number of travel partners, including United. In both cases, we are able to use the points and miles to purchase discounted airfares and travel accommodations.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA. August 2016. We hiked around Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah during my 5 day work holiday break. Perhaps my favorite trip we have taken to date! 

We love to explore and experience new things, both near and far. We also love our careers and the work we do. So, we combine the two the best we can. We work so we have money to travel. We travel so we have inspiration for work.

The bottom line is, do what's best for you. 😊

Cheers,

Maree

Update and Happy New Year!

Hey, folks!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It has been quite some time since I last wrote a blog post, and what a better day to start writing than New Years Day, right?!  I thought I would update you on where life and work has taken me over the past two years.

At the beginning of 2015, I was awarded my national and state licensure to work as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in Florida, U.S.A. Here are the links to read about how to transfer degrees/licenses internationally and obtaining state licensure in America.

For the past two years I have been working in a preschool/outpatient facility, providing therapy for the communication and feeding needs of children with a range of complex communication needs. This role has been both challenging yet rewarding, and the experiences I have obtained have been immeasurable on both a professional and personal level.

My Permanent Residency status is now unconditional, and I am ready to apply for my U.S. Citizenship in March of 2017 so that I can become a Dual Citizen of Australia and America. As anyone who has moved internationally would know, the road to Citizenship is a long and grueling process, but I am hopeful the results will be all worth it! Here is the link to read about the different types of U.S. Visa's you need for work and travel.

My husband and I have been blessed to have had the opportunities/time to travel, both locally and internationally, over the past two years. Destinations have included China, South Korea, Australia, The Smoky Mountains (Tennessee), Key West (Florida), Zion National Park (Utah), Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah), and our most recent camping trip along the Southeast coast through the states of South Carolina and Georgia.  Despite back injuries, we have really taken a liking to hiking and exploring The Great Outdoors, which I hope we continue to do throughout the New Year.  

Please feel free to reach out to me with any comments or questions regarding working internationally, transferring degrees/licenses internationally, or just to say "hi". I would LOVE to connect with more friendly faces who are travelling along this weirdly enjoyable journey called "life".  In the meantime, as I reflect back on the year that was, here is my favorite photo from 2016:

Zion National Park, Utah, U.S.A. 

Sending peace, love, and happiness to you all in 2017,

Maree

Surprise Trip!

"Surprise!" I shouted as I greeted my best friend and my parents at their doorsteps. Yes, you guessed it. I have been back on home soil!

Greg landed a work contract in North Sydney, Australia, this year. With two more weeks of freedom before my job started, I decided to jump on board for his first work trip. It was only a very short trip, a few days in length. The best part about it - my family and friends didn't know! I could hardly contain my excitement on the flight over.

When we flew into Sydney, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and boats were lounging on the peaceful waters of Sydney Harbour. We checked in early to our hotel to freshen up after the long flight. Showering after flying long distance is one of the best feelings in the world. It makes you feel human again. Similar to the feeling of showering after a long, hot day in the shearing shed (that's the farm girl side of me talking)!

The first thing on my to-do list was to surprise my best friend, Rach, who had recently moved to Sydney. To ensure she would be home, I called her on Facetime to 'catch up' and find out her schedule for the day. Greg had the brilliant idea of shutting the curtains and switching the bed lamp on in our hotel room to create the illusion that we were in Florida, where it was night-time. I had asked Rach for her address a week in advance, stating that I had a parcel to send her. Little did she know that the parcel was me... :)

I found Rach's apartment, rang the buzzer and said "Ma'am, I have a parcel for you to sign off on". "Okay, I'll be up in a minute", she responded. Her series of reactions were priceless. She froze, gasped, swore, attacked me with a huge hug, and trembled for the following 10 minutes in complete shock. It's all captured on video, too. I wish I could post the video here, however I don't think Rach would be happy with me if I showed the rest of the world what she looks like in her pyjamas. ;)

Blackwattle Bay and Sydney CBD. Photo credit to Will Jury.

Stand up paddle (SUP) boarding in Mosman.

The next thing on my to-do list was to surprise my parents. I was warned that I should ensure Mum was not standing on a hard surface when I surprised her, because, well, you know what mothers are like.

It was not quite the 'wow factor' I was going for, as Mum was not going to be home the night I had planned to come home. Thus, I called my parents just before my flight, telling them that there would be a very important package waiting for them at Parkes airport that afternoon. Of course, neither of them 'clicked' that it would be me, so I bluntly told them outright what the 'important package' was. My brother also made it home for the weekend. Needless to say, Mum and Dad said it was the best surprise that they could ever ask for. Daughter points right there! ;)

After a joyous weekend, I flew back to Sydney and caught up with a couple more of my besties. Since leaving the country and talking with foreigners, I have found a new appreciation for Sydney. It really is a unique city. I would recommend taking a ferry ride across the Harbour - superb views of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Ferry ride across the Harbour.

Outside Luna Park. Happy faces!

I also went out to dinner with Greg and his two work mates from New Zealand. I had spent time with these Kiwi's in England and Germany a year ago (on another one of their work trips). They are some of the most intelligent guys I know, with a wicked sense of humour. I haven't heard from them since they lost the Cricket World Cup to Australia this weekend... Go figure. ;)

If you're ever on the north side of Sydney Harbour, I recommend dining at a little Indian Restaurant called Harbourside Indian Restaurant. The service is exceptional, price is reasonable, and the views - SPECTACULAR. You can see for yourself here.

Although a very short trip, it was perhaps one of the best I've ever taken. I find that when I am strapped for time, I don't take it for granted. I make the most of each and every moment.

Who else has visited Australia? What were your experiences?


Have an awesome week,

Maree

Culture Shock!

Travelling to a new place is exciting. Moving to a new place is a whole different ball game.

During the long-distance portion of our relationship, Greg and I would save up enough money to visit one another every 6 months. He worked the red-eye shift at Walmart (difficult for a person who prefers a ‘normal’ sleep schedule), and I worked in a coffee shop (difficult for someone who hates coffee).  We knew we would only have a couple of weeks together, so we would make an effort to visit different attractions and see and do as much as possible within that time period. I think you generally see what you want to see when travelling. You don’t really experience the differences between two countries until you are living somewhere else, both good and bad.

I try to embrace my uniqueness, and it does come in handy for those times when you want to be noticed e.g. interviewing for a job or making friends at the local tennis club. The other day, three employees in Publix (the local supermarket) asked me where my accent was from and struck up conversation, interested to hear all about my life. American’s think Australia is some kind of exotic oasis where everything is trying to kill us. They love icons like Steve Irwin and Crocodile Dundee, to the point where I’ve been asked if I know them – “Oh yeah, he’s my Uncle” I once replied. Basically, it’s ‘cool’ to be an Aussie in the States.

Getting back to my point – when you live somewhere new, you need to work to earn money and do all those tasks that ‘normal’ people do. You do things 10x slower than everyone else because you’re learning a new way of doing things. You constantly experience the feeling of moving one step forward and two steps back. No matter how hard you try to ‘fit in’, there’s always someone there to let you know that you don’t. There’s two words for this:

Culture Shock! 

No one can ever prepare you enough for it. But you do grow because of it.

I thought I would share a few of America’s idiosyncrasies:

• Everything is about convenience – drive through banking; drive-through pharmacy; drive-through Krispy Kreme Doughnuts; electric garage door openers; the mailman not only delivering mail to your mailbox but also picking up any mail you need to send. (I must say I have grown to enjoy the latter two conveniences)!
• FOOD. EVERYWHERE. There are billboard advertisements for fast-food restaurants every few hundred meters along the freeway. There are so many chain restaurants that I am constantly hearing about new ones. In Australia, you can almost count them on one hand.
• Cheap beer prices. (I also appreciate this one)!
• The health care system is complicated (let’s no even go there, or this blog post will never end)!
• I am constantly learning new lingo. Here’s a few of my favourites:

1. It’s “How are you doing?” in America, not “How are you going?” like in Australia. American’s will reply to the latter with “Going? I’m going nowhere. But I’m doing well, thanks”.
2. ‘shopping cart’ for ‘shopping trolley’
3. ‘gas’ for ‘petrol’. People will ask "Have you got gas?" – makes me laugh every time.
4. ‘Quick Lube’ / ‘Jiffy Lube’ is the name of some mechanic stores. 
5. ...and last but not least, you say ‘I’ve lost my flip flop” when at the beach, not “I’ve lost my thong”. (From personal experience, you only make that mistake once)! 

On that note, have a great week! 

Maree