A Reintroduction Thread for Oldies

[WizBin]

I know the instructions say this is for new members, but who reads instructions?

Since all our old posts have disappeared into the Internet Black Hole, and I don't know whether we'll ever see them again oldies (as in MUO old hands) may want to reintroduce themselves.

I'll start.

You now know me as WizBin, but I started out on MUO in 2007 as LynneS (yeah, very inspired name back then :p ). Snooky renamed me at some point.

I discovered MUO after living in Los Angeles for 16 years. I will be hitting 21 years in the U S of A this June.

Why I'm in America: came for 6 months to do some work for my dissertation. That took 3 times as long as I thought it would, and in the meantime I met a man, got a job...and eventually married that man. Oh yeah, and finally finished my degree (minor detail).

I have no children, but share a house with a cat and my sweetie. My relatives are all in Oz, but none are in the small Southern Tablelands town I grew up in, so "going home" to visit is not really going home for me.

Likes: Cherry Ripes, plum pudding, and sausage rolls.

Dislikes: beetroot, Tabasco, and warm milk

Misses: currawongs calling before a stormfront, Central Coast beaches, pubs.

OK, now it's your turn. :D

[aurora]

Hi, I'm aurora (lowercase a!) I'm one of your friendly neighbourhood administrator/moderators. That bascially means you can ask me questions, send me complaints, or blame me if something goes wrong!

I have been in the USA for 18.5 yrs and left Australia 20 years ago this Saturday!!! YIKES!!! I initially came to the USA as part of my 2 year around-the-world travel plan. I spent a summer working on a typical American summer camp on a lake in Minnesota. Met a man, got married, moved from MA to AK to CA to FL to AK to FL. Had a kid and now in the process of getting a divorce. I found MUO in 2003 (or 2004) thanks to a lovely Polar Princess. I because a US citizen in September 2004. I teach High School science and I love it.

I can probably be bribed with Cherry Ripes.

[Rose]

I'm Rose, and I've been here nearly 14 years! It's hard to believe.

Like many of us on MUO, I moved to be with the American love of my life. I found it hard at first - I focused WAY too much on the small stuff, and missed my family greatly (still do of course). I looked for an Aussie Expat support community, and I did find one at the time, but it closed down soon afterward. So I thought I'd make my own (with much help from my husband, Steve) - which became Matesupover. It was an immediate success, and we've had many great experiences here - and met some amazing life-long friends. Facebook has taken over a bit so we're a bit quieter these days, but we're going to liven the joint back up. :)

I've lived in Florida most of the time I've been here - hate that cold weather.

I can definitely be bribed with Redskins! :)

[Lynn]

Hi My names Lynn, Lived in the US 21 years this coming July but spent 3 years in Vancouver Canada prior!! Met my American hubby Chris in an Irish pub in Vancouver and we will celebrate 21 years married in March. Chris retired from the US Navy in 2010 and we currently live in Alaska. We have lived all over the US and Japan in the last 20 years. We have 3 boys 15 and 13 year old twins. Life is good even if its a little chilly up here!!

Hugs
Lynn

[TwoUp]

I'm Twoup - I married someone I knew at college after he returned to Aus for his company - during that time he was already and American having lived here 18 years already and we reconnected, fell in love, got married, had a kid and then came back here to live, then a year later had another kid (yes they are 13 months apart) - and then moved to Asia for a stint with same company. Came back after nearly 5 years - and have been here on the forum nearly 10 years (well 9 1/2 but who is counting). I consider MUO my home away from home. We are all dualies now - and you can take the Aussie girl out of Australia but you can't take Australia out of her. Some days are good and some days are better and some days I think why am I here .... seriously why am I here? oh well I'm here. Not been home in over 7 years I think I don't like to think about it - too hard. Grateful that MUO is still here - though I'm on FB and love that this is my safe haven nothing is better than having a true Aussie place for me to hang my shield. Originally from Melbourne living in the heart of Silicon Valley - which for the most part was a sleepy suburb when I first got here now it's a crowded too busy place that sometimes can make a grown woman scream! about six years ago I went back to school here and got my real estate license and now work when I can and who I would like to work with buying and selling homes - I love it but I'm picky who I work with.

oh I thought I would add my likes: love twisties, tim tams and freddo frogs
dislikes: celery, people who lie

[aussiechicka]

I am aussiechicka (lowercase a here too) and have been in the US nearly 5 years. I met my American hubby while I was living in NZ (I am Australian). We moved initially to Anchorage, AK and then to Seattle and now we are back in Anchorage :). We have two very spoiled dogs and later this year we will be adopting a child from China once hubby turns 30!
I've been lucky enough to go home every year since moving to the US and so I don't miss a lot of things....and the longer I am away the less I miss them too, exception being my family!

[NealeinMI]

Hi,

Neale here.

I've been in the US for nearly 16 years. Moved to S. Florida in May of 1995, came to Michigan in August 1996 (NO, I have no idea why!). I live about an hour outside Detroit with my wife and 4 kids. Would like to retire to the Mornington Peninsula, sooner rather than later. Of the major American sports I like Football, Ice Hockey and Baseball. Not really into Basketball except during March Madness. For some reason I actually like NASCAR, and cheer (still can't bring myself to use the word "Root") for Marcus Ambrose.

Speaking of "rooting", how many of you chuckled when you first saw ads for the "Roto-Rooter-Man", or thought "how unfortunate" for the wife of the "Rapid-Rooter" guy? I almost wanted to start my own Rooting Business and have the phone number 1-800- GET-ROOTED.

My current favorite US Beer is Killian's Irish Red, and I do like Outback Steakhouse. I miss Aussie Pub counter meals, my parents, Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, cycling on Beach Road and stinking hot Melbourne summers.

[robyn48]

I wish I had thought of a fancy name for MUO, but I am stuck with robyn48 (name and year of birth) - this is my username on most sites and of course, easy to remember. I came to the other side of the world because my only daughter was living in Paris Ontario. She missed her mummy as much as I missed her, so we started the sponsorship process and I arrived in Canada in February, 2003. Moving from Brisbane to Canada in February was a pretty gutsy adventure I thought - I will never forget flying into Toronto and all I could see out of the window was WHITE and wondering if I had made the biggest mistake of my life. But actually, I have never been happier. I met my partner, Gary a year after I arrived here and moved from Paris to London. I love living here and am very comfortable in my surroundings.

Likes: The internet, sleeping and licorice (actually any black candy)

Dislikes: most food that begins with an "O" - oysters, olives, octopus and okra comes to mind

Misses: The ocean, gumtrees, blue skies and my 95 year old mum, Iris

[Lolls]

Lolls is my name and I’m now back home after doing a short stint living in the USA 3yrs
Lived FL and IL and also travelled 6 months in between those two states living the gypsy lifestyle in a 34ft RV
I didn’t become a US citizen because they didn’t change the rules until I left, conspiracy I think lol
I was a huge lurker when I first found MUO looking for a recipe but didn’t join in until I moved back to Oz
I guess I was missing the whole Aussie in America thing, or homesick for my adopted country.
I still do get homesick after 8 years back home and if I go quiet and seem to disappear for a few years
it’s because I’m not coping and have to throw myself back into the here and now.

Likes: Waffle House, American Bras and Aussie Undies lol
Dislikes: TimTams.... Yes, I am Australian... No, don’t shoot me!

[Smudge]

Hello:) I still find it hard to believe that I have been in the States for over 9 years now. WOW! I met my husband online some 13 years ago. I didn't mean to, but I am so glad I did. My eldest son insisted that I learn to use our new computer and hooked me up with a program called ICQ. The first person I spoke to(I couldn't even type in those days, and it would take me five minutes to type out a simple "hello") was my Jim, and we have been best friends and all the other good stuff that goes with that, ever since:)
I have adapted pretty well to my new home, but still pine for my old one. We have talked about us retiring to Australia, and that for now is enough for me.
MUO has been a lifeline on many occassions, and I am very thankful that I stumbled onto this wonderful community some years ago!

Likes: Word puzzles, reading, crafting, sleeping in, cheesecake, and lots of other things.

Dislikes: Rainy weather, drip coffee, getting up at 5am, and asparagus.

Misses: Family in Australia and Australia.

[Leah]

Hi. I am Leah and I have been around on MUO almost since its beginnings. I don't remember when that was LOL. I moved to the US in June of 1999. I have come and gone as things have changed in my life. But I am mostly here to stay now. I moved to the US on a J-1 visa, won the lottery three years later and have been here ever since. I became a dually last April. I married my husband in 2006 and we were blessed with the first of our two boys later that year. Our second came along in February of 2009.

I love living in the US and specifically, in my little town in WV. I love my job, my friends and my lifestyle. I don't miss a whole lot about Australia except for my close friends and relatives, Cheezels, Twisties, meat pies, fish 'n' chips, fried dimmies and lollies (almost any type). My biggest yearning is for my football team (Carn the Pies).

[Jacaranda]

Hi I'm Jacaranda! I'm from the Tamworth area of NSW and am living in NE New Mexico.

I've been married to my Yank for 10 years and we've been living in the USA for the last 8. This is all after our plan of living here for 6 months and heading back to Australia! The best laid plans eh? lol

Since being here I have started a new career in retail which is something I would never have imagined doing back home.
I have four grandsons, 3 living in Australia that I miss terribly and 1 living 2 hours away that I get to see at least once a month which is a Godsend because I was definitely made to be a Granny! :D

We plan to be living back in Australia by Christmas 2013 and have made that promise to my family there. Fortunately my daughter, her fiance and my grandson living here will also be moving back. I can't wait to have them all on one continent!

MUO was a huge crutch for me after I managed to find it back in 2006. We all love to catch up with each other and many of us have met in person at some time. It was so wonderful to know that others were going through the same things I was.

So if you're browsing and wondering if you should jump in, please do! We're all Aussies and love to help out fellow Aussies with anything we can! We're a crazy bunch sometimes but we're lot's of fun! We have gotten to know all our regulars and have been with each other through great and tough times, so let us do the same for you!

Anyway....
I'm looking forward to discovering everything about this new forum!

Likes about America
The many friends I have made and my American family.
The amazing things that I used to see on TV back home and can now visit in person.
The speed limit is higher here! Driving at home feels very slow now!
All the people on MUO that I would never have met if I hadn't moved here.

Dislikes about America
My Aussie family isn't here :(
SNOW!! Not the actual weather because it's beautiful but having to drive in it or after it's started to melt and then freezes again. SCARY!
The bread! it all tastes too sweet unless you buy bakery bread which I do even at the extra cost.

Oh and I wrote this post last night and was able to edit it today so there isn't the hour window we had on the old forum! :D

[tanya]

hi, i'm tanya (lower case t because i'm lazy), and i didnt find this site until i came back home to adelaide after four years living in anchorage, ak.

things i missed whilst in ak... everything except summer
things i miss now that i'm back here... SNOW SNOW SNOW, chilis, tgif, bostons, hamburger house, red apple and other foody places...

[BarbiQ]

My name is Barbara and I left Adelaide in 2000 to move to Anchorage AK to be with my husband Ron, who I met on ICQ in 1999. We married in Oct 2000, he adopted my 4yr old daughter in March 2001 and our son was born in November 2001. Moved to West Texas in Jan 2004 and stayed there until Jan 2007 when we moved to Germany. Husband was an AMMO troop in the USAF, and then got his dream job in the USAF in Europe Inspector Generals Office. We left Germany on 3 July 2011 and arrived in Florida on 5 July. Had bought a house sight unseen (although my FIL lives nearby so he had inspected it for us), moved in on 15 July. Our daughter is now 15 and a Sophmore and our son is 10 and in the 4th grade. Ron retired after 26 years service in Oct 2011 and now works for a huge communications company in our town, so no more commuting or deployments or trips away for weeks on end. We finally get to have family dinner night every night instead of one or twice a month. I did just over 4 years of substitute teaching in Germany at US military schools, and now am set to do the same here in our town. I spent 6 years in the RAAF in the 80s-90s and other than that have been an Admin person my whole life, my personal preference is working in the education or health administration systems, but the economic situation means I take what I can get. It is very important to me to be here for our children after school, so working in the schools right now is the ideal situation.

Things I miss about Australia: my family, the sounds and smells associated with waking up in country SA.
Things I miss about AK: the beauty of the place in summer.
Things I miss about TX: the dry heat.
Things I miss about Germany: nothing.
What I look forward to now: enjoying the break from the military wife lifestyle, putting down roots and making friends, the end to the upheaval of moving constantly, giving our children some educational stability, being a place that long-time MUO friends can come visit whenever they like.

[philandkris]

Hi, I am Phil (Phillip) and am married to Kris. I was born in Tasmania, moved to Perth in 1991 with the Commonwealth Bank, who I worked with for 17 years. Met Kris on an online penpal site. We became super close friends, I visited in 2003 and we were married in October 2004. I have three stepchildren - Erin 22 - married and 10-month old grandson Aiden. Andrew 20 - had some issues with the law, but has a job, and just needs to get out from his mother's overprotectiveness and make decisions for himself. And Clay, 14, is in 8th grade, schools online at a charter school.
I work as a financial counselor at our local hospital - job sucks but I love helping the low-income people. I am studying for my Bachelor's of Christian Ministry Education online through Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, and I wil graduate in May 2013 - ROADTRIP! I am also the part-time pastor at two churches--Bloomingburg and Staunton (I live right across the car park - not parking lot - at Staunton. Kris is one of our county Himane Society agents - and as such we have a dog, nine cats (all spayed and neutered, and two cockatiels. Most of the animals are rescues, and/or have special needs.

[OZSue]

Hi my name is Susan and I also don't have a fancy name on here...LOL Just shorten my name and added a OZ to it:)

I have been living in Killen Alabama for two years now, originally form Melbourne . I was a single mum back at home raising three children on my own after being divorced in 1999. I met hubby when he came to Melbourne for a holiday in 2007 and our relationship grew form there. My three children flew over here with me and also my dad in November 2009 for my wedding for 7 weeks which was such a great time. All my children were all going to stay with me but unfortunately due to some problems with my ex husband the trouble started which is a story to itself..I reckon I could write a Number One Best Seller!!!!! I still find it times hard to adjust at times but have a wonderful loving caring husband who is so very supportive always.! My hubby always tells me I have my own Aussit straits and ways which are still with me and he always has a huge giggle at some of them:) I have met some really nice people in and around our area and they just love to hear the Aussie accent!

My husband has now retired from the army so now there is more time to do things. We are going back to Melbourne for 9 weeks at the end of February 2012, so that will be something to look forward to as there will be lots to catch up on while I am there. I plan to bring back a load of aussie stuff in one case so look out customs.

Likes - reading, shopping in the Mall, chilling on the couch, chocolate cake and many other things too many to name on here.

Dislikes - cold weather, coffee, and hot spicy food

Misses - Australia and miss my family and three children so very much each and every day!

So thankful when I came across this site to find out that I was not the only Aussie living in the States! Its full of smiles, laughs, great information and has the the Great Aussie Spirit!

[Copperknickers]

Hello all, I am Copperknickers aka Cop aka Copernicus. My username is a lame reference to a long dead scientist in a burst of pretension. Aside from that I have no valid explanation.

I'm in the burbs of Atlanta with my wife of nearly eight years and two very spoiled cats. No kids to speak of, and my wife has a very small family, especially compared to mine (a dozen aunts and uncles, cousins galore, three siblings etc.). I moved here in March of 2003 after meeting my wife on the 'net (a familiar tale!) a couple of years prior. I finished my degree and have been working full time for five years now. I was a little worried about what I would do with myself before I moved here, after dropping out of uni and working a dead-end job at Safeway in some sort of fit of madness. So it all worked out rather well!

Miss a lot of things about home - the smell of eucalyptus, a bakery everywhere you turn, the footy, and of course family and friends. But I have learned a lot and grown as a person since I moved here, and don't regret it one bit.

[aRna]

My name is aRna (big R so it is pronounced correctly). I have lived in the States for three years, so I am a newbie in quite a few ways. I am relatively new to MUO and was referred by a girlfriend from my hometown who also moved to the US. I met my hubby, Ryan, on Facebook in a tall person's forum (I am 6'2 and he is 6'8). He came over to Australia in 2008 to "vacation" and left with a fiancee 6 weeks later. I share my home with a Golden Retriever/Lab mix named Meka.

Likes: Shepard's Pie, Hot Chips and Gravy and cooking.

Dislikes: Loud chewers, Rude people and mangoes.

Misses: Wollongong, Aussies in general and netball.

[kureelpa]

Curious Lynn - we are celebrating 22 years this year, on March 17th. What day is your anniversary? :)

[That Kiwi Guy]

G'day everyone. It's been a while since I even visited MUO, probably two years at least. Thought it was about time I checked in again. By the way, don't take any notice of my join date....I actually found MUO in 2001. Rose explained to me why it shows Nov 2004. Too techo for me. Way over my head.

Anyway, been living here in Florida for over ten years now. Moved here to be with my wonderful wife Sue in March 2001. My youngest daughter came with me as a young and simple minded 10 year old. That's her own self-description. She's 21 now and a junior in college in the heart of the Appalacian Mts in Tennessee. Do I feel old, or what?

I was born and grew up in NZ, (hence the name) and moved to Oz in January 1989. Do I miss either of my "homes"? Ah! No! Not at all. Nothing there for me anymore. Have three older kids there and six grandchildren. Do I want to move back to be close to them?.....Most definitely not. I love them all and get to visit them, but they have their own lives. This is my home now.
Actually, there are some thing I do miss. Four 'n Twenty pies, good Aussie sausages, and sausage rolls. However, I have found a reliable source for sausage rolls right here in Florida. Thankyou Rose. They are the best.

Sue and I have made some lifetime friends through MUO. Including some who like to pick on me because of my Kiwi background, (they know who they are) but I love them all. I have many fun memories of various Matesfests with those friends. Especially our campfire gathering in Branson. I still have the photos of one Mate in particular who had over-indulged ever so slightly and had to "have a lie down" on the damp evening grass. Beware R*****! Those pics may happen to find their way onto MUO as retribution.

My daughter and I love to go shooting at the range and we own assorted rifles and handguns to enjoy our pastime. Sue however is not an enthusiast. She prefers malls and shopping.

It's great to be back again.

[Rose]

'Bout time you showed up, Hugh. :)

[greymare]

G'day Im Greymare. Moved here just over 2 years ago, (old story,,,,,,,fell inlove with an american man,,on line...blah blah... LOL). I have 2 older sons back in Oz, well, one has just been deployed to the "sandbox".........sigh, and now my youngest (14) is here with us. yayayayayayay. I have 2 grandsons back in Oz and miss them heaps. My husband has 2 grown sons who are married and have babies, so I do get my Grandma fix. lol. I recently learned that one of them is "expecting" again...yaayayayayayayayayay, So, I am 44 and will have 7 grandbabies!! yayayayayay, only 2 are pink ones, so I have instructed my son and his wife back home, that as Grandma, I require the full set......so they better get moving. LOL.
My husband retired from 31 years in the Coast Guard, he had a new job for almost a year, then has decided to study to become a teacher. I use to be a shop assistant/Deli manager etc, at Woolies... everyone remember Woolies?? LOL.
I am a True blue ridgey didge Queenslandeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
At the moment, I dont work, but for the last year, we have been fostering dogs (pitbulls, they call them here,,,,,, I call them Staffys), and orphaned kittens. (The kittens so far have been all Bottle babies, meaning that I had to get up every 2 hours etc to feed them). I love doing this, and it is what I have always wanted to do. I am thrilled when my fosters get adopted, and people are especially impressed that the dogs are gently and loving with kittens/cats and the kittens are loving towards the dogs. To me, its a nobrainer!
Likes: Lowes, living here on the Monocacy River, (not fond of crowds). The people, so far, so good. Panera Bread. Apple butter. Being loved.
Dislikes. Liars, plastic/false people. Dogfighters, People who dont spay/nueter their animals.
Misses: Family, Gumtrees, Milo, Real bakerys, State of Origin, being able to play cricket. (hopefully now my son is here, Ill have someone to play with).

Oh, you can get frozen bread dough at Walmart, and cook it yourself, its easy as and tastes just like home...only $3.00 for a bag of about 5 loaves in it!!

[NeilG]

OK Rose. What is the source of the sausage rolls That Kiwi Guy was talking about. Every time I try to bake some they taste like crap.

[Rose]

I'm the source. :) I have a recipe that I adapted to American ingredients and makes awesome sausage rolls. Will share soon. :)

[NeilG]

Excellent. I wait with baited breath.

[RollyTG]

I think we determined a while ago that I am the oldest (in age) of the "oldies" on MOU. I came to the USA (Columbia, South Carolina) in 2004 to be with my lovely wife Carol to whom I was married in 2003. We did NOT meet on the Internet. We met on a ski bus in Colorado in 1990, so it's a long story - too long to relate here. I was born in WA but lived in Darwin for over 30 years, where I worked for the fisheries department, doing research on barramundi mostly. Unlike most immigrants who come here to work, I came here to retire. :confused: I went from a small, not particularly close family, to a large and very gregarious one - which is a big plus. I inherited 3 delightful grown children (having none of my own), 10 SIL's and BIL's, and about 33 nieces and nephews. I'm enjoying being grandpa to two, with a few more to come hopefully.
I've been lucky enough to be able to go back to Oz 5 times in 8 years. My wife has now seen more of Australia than many Australians have! We travel a lot and we volunteer for an organization which provides furniture for International graduate students at the university. I coach the club hockey team here at USC, and I'd still play if I could find a team.
I play golf and go fishing occasionally. I'm learning to play the ukulele.

Things I miss about Australia: my friends and my hockey club, free mangoes, free barramundi, being able to buy a good meat pie any time, the sounds and smells of Australia, Darwin thunderstorms, Darwin's food markets, watching Aussie Rules footy (go the Blues) and cricket, cherry ripes

Things I don't miss - the Darwin Weather in October to December, the cost of living in Darwin.

Things I like about living in the USA: my wife and my new family and friends, bluegrass music, BBQ ribs, reuben sandwiches, the 4-season type weather, the cheap airfares to Europe and South America, great roads, being able to go skiing, and the fact that there are so many things to see and learn about.

Things I like not so much about living in the USA: the 13 hours between LA and Sydney, supermarket bread, American plumbing, having to measure things in feet and inches, writing the date the wrong way, light switches that are all upside down, the tendency to refer to the US President as leader of the "free world", and a few other things that are best left in the Back Alley.

[philandkris]

Rolly - try living in Kununurra WA October to February - I went to Darwin, Christmas 1995 to COOL off!!!!!

[RollyTG]

Rolly - try living in Kununurra WA October to February - I went to Darwin, Christmas 1995 to COOL off!!!!!

No thanks Phil. Nobody should have to live there.

[That Kiwi Guy]

No thanks Phil. Nobody should have to live there.

My son Luke lives in Darwin. He loves it there after having done a two year stretch at Puckapunyal. He and his wife did not like it there. Too cold apparently.
He's a Corporal with the 1st Armoured Div in Darwin and about to get command of his own M1 Abrams tank. Also did a 6 months deployment in Afghanistan about a year ago.

[philandkris]

Puckapunyal was probably pretty cold in winter. Darwin was humid in summer but 32C and humid was better than 40C and 99% humidity.

[RollyTG]

My son Luke lives in Darwin. He loves it there after having done a two year stretch at Puckapunyal. He and his wife did not like it there. Too cold apparently.
He's a Corporal with the 1st Armoured Div in Darwin and about to get command of his own M1 Abrams tank. Also did a 6 months deployment in Afghanistan about a year ago.

It's a great place, great lifestyle, particularly for young people. Lots of opportunities and most of the year the weather is great. Good luck to him.

[tanya]

My son Luke lives in Darwin. He loves it there after having done a two year stretch at Puckapunyal. He and his wife did not like it there. Too cold apparently.
He's a Corporal with the 1st Armoured Div in Darwin and about to get command of his own M1 Abrams tank. Also did a 6 months deployment in Afghanistan about a year ago.
ahh puckapunyal!!! i loved it there... it even snowed one year... 1986. i took a photo of the house across the road and the blue volkswagen that was in the driveway, with a light layer of snow covering them...

[bellebird]

It's a great place, great lifestyle, particularly for young people. Lots of opportunities and most of the year the weather is great. Good luck to him.

Sadly the rental market is now price way beyond the normal worker in Darwin. But I have to agree it is a fabulous place.