1. WHERE WERE YOU BORN, WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO
YOU CURRENTLY LIVE?
I was born in Melbourne, a place called Kew, I spent the first few months of my life there and then we moved to Sydney, where I stayed for twenty something years. Now I live in Louisville, Kentucky.
2. WHAT MADE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME COUNTRY?
It had always been a dream of mine to live in America, my obsession with America started when I fell in love with the babysitters club. I met an American living in Australia, we became friends, she went home, I went to visit her, met my husband, made him marry me and here we are.
3. WHAT TYPE OF REACTIONS DO YOU GET WHEN YOU MEET NEW
PEOPLE AND TELL THEM WHERE YOU ARE FROM?
Why? Why here? Why would you leave Australia? I get it, if I meet any Australians in KY my first question is always what the f*ck are you doing here?
4. WHAT WAS THE EASIEST/HARDEST PART IN ADJUSTING TO YOUR
NEW COUNTRY?
The hardest part was that I actually originally intended to come here for a year, but then I ended up staying. So I never felt like I got that closure.
Other than that, the language has been the hardest for me. We all speak the same language, but we really don't. There are different spellings for one, and different words, the same words are pronounced differently or used differently, I've gotten laughed at or corrected more times than I can count. I wouldn't mind except that some people really cannot understand that the word might be different for me, I'm not being an asshole on purpose. I don't use Australian words when I know people won't understand them, like I said, that's an asshole move. I've had to change the way I talk because only an asshole would continue saying eat in or take away when they know it won't be understood, just say for here or to go, you know? But then I lose take away and start saying to go at work, then in my normal life, and before you know it I've forgotten what take away means. Plus I say 'for here' which sounds like 'for heeyah' so then I start over enunciating the R which makes me sound like a complete tool.
The easiest part was that I knew KC and other friends before I moved here. That made my life so easy, especially because I lived with one of my friends and got a job at her dad's restaurant (see above mentioned take away vs to go). I am still friends with those people and I don't feel like a novelty to them.
5. IMAGES, WORDS OR SOUNDS THAT SUM UP THE EXPAT EXPERIENCE
YOU’VE HAD SO FAR.
^^ hahahaha
But really? My expat experience isn't really very expat-y anymore. It's just life. I work, I read, I sleep, I pay my bills, hang out with friends, I got married, bought two houses and have 3 cats. It's just life now.
6. YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD OR DRINK ITEM IN YOUR NEW COUNTRY
Oh my gosh. So many options. I honestly like things about food and drink here vs specific items, if that makes sense? I love the portion sizes because I really like food, I love the bread before the meal, the multiple sides with everything, chips with sandwiches, ridiculously large sodas, free refills, and how cheap everything is.
As for specific things, there are more that I don't like or freak me out that are 'American' in my head. Like making sweet potatoes or pumpkins into something sweet, drinking milk at all let alone with a meal (vomit), anything cinnamon-y, peanut butter and jelly (let's not mention jelly vs jam I DON'T GET IT) and I should probably stop before I offend someone.
7. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU SAID “YES” TO IN YOUR NEW CITY
THAT YOU WOULDN’T SAY “YES” TO, BACK HOME?
Erm. I don't think anything? Getting married? Hahaha. I probably travel more here because it's easier, closer and cheaper. I never would have bought a house at home, ever ever ever.
8. ARE THERE ANY CULTURAL NORMS/PHRASES IN YOUR NEW COUNTRY
WHICH YOU CANNOT STAND?
I don't know if this is America wide or just in Kentucky but lord it drives me crazy when people use here or anymore incorrectly. Drives me BONKERS.
I'm not good with examples, only pointing it out when it happens (which I'm sure everyone around me appreciates). But off the top of my head:
Here: It will be hot here soon, I'm going to eat here soon. They don't mean physically here, it's like an extension of soon. People say it without saying soon, but like I said I'm not great with examples. It doesn't bother me as much as anymore though and perhaps it isn't wrong, it just feels wrong in my head.
Anymore: like, instead of 'these days'. Anymore, the cinema is so busy and I don't like going. Groceries are so expensive anymore. Anymore I've been trying to eat more vegetables.
The other day I used here the way Kentuckians do and I almost slapped myself. Kidding. Also I googled the anymore thing while I was writing this and apparently it's pretty common but it is nails on a chalkboard to me.
9. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST DOING IN YOUR NEW COUNTRY?
Again, for me it's just life now. And life is pretty fun to live. Other than that, I love travelling to other places. It's so fun, easy, cheap and close to do so.
10. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL EVER MOVE HOME FOR GOOD?
Likely not. KC and I joked that we would move home if trump became president and I'm still here, aren't I. There are a million and one reasons to stay, there are a million and one reasons to go home. I like to just ignore it.
Anymore, I forget I'm even an expat. OMG KIDDING. About the use of anymore in that sentence and forgetting I'm an expat. As if.
So tell me. What the bloody hell is the difference between jelly and jam. Kidding kidding. But really. Also, jello is a brand, right? But you call it all jello? Even if it's a different brand? Like kleenex or coke, but they are tissues and soft drink (or pop or soda or whatever). Does jello ever have a different name? Just curious.
I can't believe I am coming up on 6 years since I moved here. I wonder if there is a point that I stop calling myself an expat. I don't think I will ever stop calling myself/identifying as an Australian, no matter how long I live here. Just like I was born in Melbourne and never really lived there, just visited family, I am Victorian or a Melbournian, always will be. It never comes up here, but back in Sydney, it was a big deal. Just like here, I imagine, when you move from state to state. You'll always identify with the one you're 'from', right?