Come Monday, It'll Be All Right...

So Week 2 Down Under has started. In some ways, I cannot believe I have already been working here a week. In other ways, I cannot believe that it has only been 10 days since I landed! I really can’t explain it, but I am guessing you guys will understand what I mean.

I wanted to share part of my post mail with everyone. It took me a week to figure out where the stupid mailbox was in my building, only to find I get the same mail here that I get at home – junk mail! Apparently the apartment was just sold because I had a lot of offers from “Removers” (moving companies) to help me move. But I also got an exclusive offer to come check out a 3 bedroom, 3 bath apartment “perfectly located on the edge of Sydney Harbour” which “enjoys uninterrupted panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge and City.” All for only AUD $3.425 million. (Only $3.293 million in US dollars!) I don’t know how much people pay to live in an apartment, but if someone can upgrade from my apartment to this place, well, apartment life must be pretty good!

But on to other stories... Today I finished up my US GAAP project for the most part. The scary thing is to see how much I really do know about US GAAP and SEC filing requirements. I mean really scary. And before anyone throws a “Nerd Alert” out at me, let me just say that all of you accountants back in the US would feel the exact same way in this situation. So that makes you all nerds, too.

I ran out for lunch today, and found some really good food (surprisingly) in the lobby of my building. And no, it had never occurred to me to try for lunch what I thought was a coffee spot in the lobby. While there, the girl taking my order asks if I want something on my food. (It was a long list.) I had no idea what all she had asked me. So I just looked at her with a blank look, and then said, “Uh... Yeah? I guess?” She laughed and told me, “Most people usually just say ‘Yes’ when I ask that question.” So I guess I got it right – nothing too weird ended up on my food.

On the way back upstairs, I got on the elevator with a girl from the office, and started talking to her. She said, “You just started, right?” I told her yes, I was now 10 days into things. She said, “Are you from the US?” I told her she was right, and she laughed. “Yeah, it is kind of obvious you’re not from around here.” So apparently I stick out like a sore thumb. But I think it is just when I talk. At least, I am going to pretend that’s the case...

Now, this girl was not the first to comment on my accent. (I assume it is an accent, since I am in Australia and don’t talk like they do?) On Friday night, Ben, the guy I talked to a big part of the evening, told me that I had a much different accent than his girlfriend (from Chicago). The other guy standing with us asked how it was different. I hold him that American accents were a lot like British-type accents. Northern Americans would be like those from England while Southern Americans would be like those from Australia: Longer and slower with their speech. Ben said, “That’s exactly it! I am going to start telling my girlfriend that!” Now if I start hearing that explanation elsewhere, I might have to copyright it.

Well, the story continues. So this evening, my buddy Akke (the guy who has been helping me out) comes over to check and see how I am doing and how things are going. Nice guy. He was telling me about his weekend, and I said something, I can’t remember what. He suddenly asked me, “Have you met Nathan?” Nathan is the other guy from the US here with me. He is from Houston, but lives in Austin. Akke says, “You two talk a lot different. Different versions of your accent or something.” I laughed. Although Nathan is from Texas, he does not have a Southern accent. I told Akke (who looked confused), “I don’t think Nathan is originally from Texas. Usually the further South you get, the more the accent sounds like mine and then worse.” Akke said, “Yeah, he talks really fast!” So I was told that I have more of a Southern accent than the guy from Texas. Mom – you’re proud, I know!

Nothing too big in the way of evening activities. I went home, ate dinner, and managed to fix the washing machine. Or so I think. (The rubber washer at the connection point had come out of the tubing and I think caused the leak.) If it is not fixed, I am sure there will be stories this weekend when I try to do laundry again. Stupid washing machine. I am hoping it is fixed, though, because I have no idea how apartment management and maintenance work over here! I guess I will find out if the washer is not working right on Saturday...

Okay, to close today's blog post, I thought I would give you guys some more quotes from the mX newspaper:
1 – “I’ll shave my beard when my girlfriend shaves her armpits.” From Lance in Como. (Gross!)
2 – “To the lay-about wannabe bum that sits in the Wynyard/Kent St tunnel asking for change morning and night, everyone knows you’re not destitute because you have new shoes on every day. You’re a disgrace and if you keep it up, I’ll boot your beanie all the way to Darling Harbour.” From Roo in Campbelltown. (Ouch!)

3 – “I bet someone on this train will send in an mX vent about my iPod being too loud. But I don’t care so get over it.” From YM in Ingleburn.

And the final one, even though there are always 5-10 pick-ups like these in this section of the paper:
“To the tanned guy who got on at Blacktown and off at Town Hall with the Fitness First bag: You’re seriously hot.” From “Male admirer.”

Thank you, goodnight!!!