Exactly 1 year ago today, VA8 touched down at Los Angeles Airport on Runway 25L.  As we taxied towards Gate 56 in T5 it was truly the beginning of a new adventure for me.  I was onboard that flight and had just left my friends, family and life behind in Australia to begin a new one, a few hours north in Seattle.  Since that move I have to admit it has been a crazy fun filled time.  Life has been a never ending adventure of new friends, new experiences, new food, new people, even new cultures (whoever says there isn’t culture in the USA has no idea).

But how do I feel about the move, especially after my recent trip home.  I have been over here a year now, with a year (or less than) left on my visa, what is ahead of me.  Well first and foremost it’s time to sit down with work and look at my future, because to be honest they have to have a say in it.  Simply because without their sponsorship, I am going home!  But do I wan’t to go home.  Hell No!  I wan’t to stay, I don’t want to go back to Australia.  I want to stay here in the USA and continue the life I have built for myself.

Sure I miss my friends and family back in Australia but that was to be expected right?  I do wish I could transplant some of my friends over here to the USA but there are a few people who are coming to visit so that does me fine I guess.  I get to see my folks in August when they come over to Canada for a number of weeks.  But I will be heading up to visit them in Vancouver for a weekend.  So that covers that side of things, but I am striving to keep making new friends and meeting people when I can.  But I am a shy person by nature and I have been burnt in the past, so its slowly slowly on that front.

Life is still pretty awesome over here in the USA and I wouldn’t trade it for anything… EVER.  If there was a way for me to get my green card easily (other than the lottery or marriage) then I would do it.  Anything to stay here in Seattle!  I love it (Weather and all) and it surely means I am settling in when I see a temperture of 55F (roughly 11c) and think… wow its warm today!   Ahhhh the life in the Pacific North West.  I wouldn’t trade it for the world!