Howdy! I stumbled across your blog by chance today as my partner was searching for queso recipes down under, and I guess you’re post about American cheeses is what led us to your blog.
I’m an American expat as well, but live in Melbourne. I migrated here in 2001, after the “dot com” crash in the states in 2000.
I can relate to many of your stories, from missing family to getting an ear full of anti American smack. I usually reply with comments like, well if I was Asian, would you dare tell me you don’t want Asian influences in Australia! That usually gets ’em thinking! Haha! Besides Halloween was up 30% this year, and not because we are shoving our American Culture down people’s throats, it’s by their own consumer choice. And your right, Halloween did not originate in the USA!
I was also touched about the story of the loss of your Mother. While I have not had to deal with such heartache, I have lost a grandmother, a great uncle, and a couple of cousins since I have been here. So, I can somewhat understand how you feel. I hope 2013 will be a great year for you and your family!
One thing that helped my transition to this remote country was for my first four years in Australia I lived in an inner city area of Melbourne with my partner, where there are heaps of American Jewish expats. I’m not Jewish, but just having the bagel shops and hearing the American accents helped. We have since moved to the suburbs of Melbourne, so I don’t get to mingle amongst the American Jewish community, but at least I have found places like Big Boys BBQ http://www.bigboybbq.com.au/, USA Food Store http://www.usafoods.com.au/, and Costco in Docklands http://www.costco.com.au/index.shtml just name a few here in Melbourne to get a bit of my American fix. Also, I think Costco here might even sell the American Cheddar your after. I also find other American products at Costco, like American Lemonade, American hotdogs, and pumpkin pie. Yes, even pumpkin pie! My only grip about Costco is its always extremely crowded as its the only one in the entire state of Victoria! However, I hear that is changing as more stores will open.
Well thanks for sharing your experiences through your blog. It was nice reading them.
Howdy! I stumbled across your blog by chance today as my partner was searching for queso recipes down under, and I guess you’re post about American cheeses is what led us to your blog.
I’m an American expat as well, but live in Melbourne. I migrated here in 2001, after the “dot com” crash in the states in 2000.
I can relate to many of your stories, from missing family to getting an ear full of anti American smack. I usually reply with comments like, well if I was Asian, would you dare tell me you don’t want Asian influences in Australia! That usually gets ’em thinking! Haha! Besides Halloween was up 30% this year, and not because we are shoving our American Culture down people’s throats, it’s by their own consumer choice. And your right, Halloween did not originate in the USA!
I was also touched about the story of the loss of your Mother. While I have not had to deal with such heartache, I have lost a grandmother, a great uncle, and a couple of cousins since I have been here. So, I can somewhat understand how you feel. I hope 2013 will be a great year for you and your family!
One thing that helped my transition to this remote country was for my first four years in Australia I lived in an inner city area of Melbourne with my partner, where there are heaps of American Jewish expats. I’m not Jewish, but just having the bagel shops and hearing the American accents helped. We have since moved to the suburbs of Melbourne, so I don’t get to mingle amongst the American Jewish community, but at least I have found places like Big Boys BBQ http://www.bigboybbq.com.au/, USA Food Store http://www.usafoods.com.au/, and Costco in Docklands http://www.costco.com.au/index.shtml just name a few here in Melbourne to get a bit of my American fix. Also, I think Costco here might even sell the American Cheddar your after. I also find other American products at Costco, like American Lemonade, American hotdogs, and pumpkin pie. Yes, even pumpkin pie! My only grip about Costco is its always extremely crowded as its the only one in the entire state of Victoria! However, I hear that is changing as more stores will open.
Well thanks for sharing your experiences through your blog. It was nice reading them.
Again, all the best to you and yours for 2013!
Regards,
Lance, the expat from Texas 🙂
Thanks Lance! I hadn’t heard of Big boys before so will be checking that out. Wishing you a great 2013 as well!