First Two Weeks…..Time to Make the Donuts

My first day, of course, was more like a half day with arrival and a quick tour with co-workers (see previous blog). Thursday I was up pretty early (jetlag!) and went out and about in the city for the first time. My first goal was buy a Smart Rider pass for the public transport system, TransPerth. Why was that first? Not only could I then get around the city easily without coins ($5 is the lowest form of paper bill, everything smaller is coinage), but also for the simple reason that they open first in the morning. My second task was to get a cell phone – can’t do much these days without one! This ended up being the hardest part of the day. It was literally easier to get into the country than to get a cell phone plan. Telstra took my passport, credit card, check card with my picture on it, my visa approval letter, and my IL driver’s license. All they needed at Immigration was my passport and a cute smile, and they let me in for 4 years! Even opening Australian bank accounts was also MUCH simpler. The rest of the day was spent sightseeing, mapping out my commute to work from the hotel, etc. Sightseeing around Perth was so much fun – the City is situated on the beautiful Swan River, which then runs to the port of Fremantle and the gateway to the Indian Ocean.

That evening, a director in my group brought my computer over to my hotel and bought me a drink at the bar so we could discuss the project I would be helping him with when I started work on Monday. No rest for the weary! (or is it wicked?)

Friday, I was able to meet a friend of a friend (a girl from Minnesota!) who has lived in Perth for several years. I spent the day with her, got a tour of the coastline and got to see the Indian Ocean for the very first time! She took me to my first fish and chips in Perth, and we were able to sit outside at a harbour (Hillarys) and enjoy the endless sunshine. Friday night I trained back into the city and had my first apartment viewing. I loved the place and the girl I would be rooming with was nice, but, of course, felt that I should see a few more before making a decision. I had a few more appointments on Saturday morning, but realized after a few dumpy places and weird roommate situations that I definitely should go with my gut instinct and rent the first place!

Living with someone is almost a given in Perth – I was shocked at how expensive everything is here! Living alone was just out of the question. The girl I’m moving in with is from the UK, a 35 year old teacher (teaches ESL), and has been here 4 years. It will be good to meet people outside of work and have someone to have a glass of wine with on the patio or by the pool. Now I’m just excited to move in and actually get my life in order. I can’t move in until March 11, so the Partner of my group has generously offered to pay for the extra 10 days in the hotel, meaning I don’t have to move in with a co-worker or pay for a separate short term apartment! Just to give you readers an idea of cost here, an apartment WITH a roommate that is somewhat close to the city is around $1,100 per month (that’s my share only). 

Saturday afternoon I headed up to my new immediate boss’ house in the northern suburbs of Perth. She and her kids picked me up at the train station. Her two children were so cute with their Aussie accents! We basically hung out all afternoon, Vic and I drank mango sorbet and champagne concoctions (yum!) and got to know each other better, and then the whole family (and me) played in the pool for awhile before dinner of homemade wood-fired pizzas with all sorts of toppings. Needless to say, I was exhausted after a full day of fun and was sound asleep by 11pm on my first Saturday night in Perth. Don’t judge. Well you are allowed to judge me only if you have also recently moved by yourself to a foreign country with a 14 hour time difference. I thought not! 

Sunday I was invited to go with a co-worker to an outdoor music festival called Good Vibrations (Good Vibes). I’ve arrived smack in the middle of their summer festival season, good timing on my part! A few acts I saw included the Ting Tings, Mike Posner, Kelis, and Faithless (think Trainspotting).  

Monday (21 Feb) was my first day in the office. It has been great to meet my new co-workers, and also get started on a project right away. Already, there are a lot of differences that are glaring…..first and most surprising is how differently the company operates here (IT systems, expense systems, everything). Granted, we are separate legal entities but I was not prepared for the vast differences. One example is that the office in Perth (and all around Australia) has an open floorplan, NOT cubicles. It is meant to promote collaboration, but to an American it feels very alien. I feel very “out there” when I’m in the office, partly because lots of people have to walk by where I’m seated, and partly because I feel like people are looking at me. That may be true – it’s a very small office compared to Chicago (only a few hundred people vs. a few thousand) and I very well might be the only American. Being the only person with a certain accent tends to make one very self-aware, at least to someone who has only had a “Wisconsin” accent. Or I’m being paranoid, which is also likely. I don’t want to bore all my readers with work stuff…..but if you’re interested just let me know!

My second weekend here was very relaxed – went to Cottesloe Beach and got into the Indian Ocean! Well not all the way in, as the surf is a little more forceful than the lakes of Wisconsin. I’m not a great swimmer but I hope I can get better while I’m here. I was invited over to (yet another) co-worker’s house for burgers and beers on Saturday night, and had a great time. Sunday was very relaxed but I was able to spend some time in Fremantle for the first time, which is full of shops and restaurants. A co-worker (same one from Good Vibes) took me and we ended up at Little Creatures, a brewery and restaurant for lunch and drinks. We didn’t have a full-fledged Sunday Funday this week, but drinking on Sundays is very popular here and I’ll be partaking in many! Here they call it “Sunday Session,” a term that I LOVE!

I really can’t say enough about the group of people that I’m lucky enough to work with here in Perth. They’ve really taken me under their wing(s) and definitely make an effort to get me “out and about”. Although as most of you know, I can take care of myself; but it does take awhile to meet people. So I’m very pleased to be welcomed by this awesome group of internationals (Aussie, Malaysian, South African, Irish, British, Scottish, French….that’s just what I can think of right now). I’ll update you soon on any new developments!

Sorry still no pictures - just haven't had time for downloading stuff onto my work computer (which is a sensitive area). Just imagine my pain that I haven't had iTunes in almost 3 weeks!