So you moved to a new country? Here's what you need to know...

Sydney was supposed to be sunny... Someone lied to me!

But I did finally buy an umbrella today. Although not much else is new or terribly exciting. 

It's been a crazy couple of days here. First I realized that everything I cancelled (phone, credit, bank account...) wasn't really a one way trip after all.

When I landed, I had $100 CAD in my pocket. Transferred it to AUD and got $82.03... Yeah, those money exchange kiosks in the airport are a total ripoff. Got on a train and took it to "Town Hall" station and figured that would be the best place to start my new adventure. Turns out, I got off right in the middle of a mall! Free Wifi! For anyone who hasn't travelled before, this will be your number 1 point of interest upon first arrival. A quick search for "Wireless carriers pros cons" on Google returned as much info as I could find back in Canada, not a whole lot. Then "Best bank in Australia" returned about as much info as a homeless person's views on world politics... Or local politics... Or anything else that comes out of their mouths. I thought to myself "alright, open maps and find the nearest places."

Here's my guide to settling in to a new country:

1. You need a mailing address. When they ask you for your "place of residence", the Post Office. Yes. If questioned by any official, I live at the post office; let's keep our stories straight.

2. You need money that is easily accessible, and free of extra fees. Open a bank account. Down here in Oz, my debit is also a Visa, so this works online.

3. You actually need a place of residence, central to your mailing address. Turns out, the hostel I located (also from the mall Wifi) is decent. Lots of Brits, a few Germans, and 1 guy who we all suspect will stab us in our sleep.

3.b. Make sure you don't sleep in a room with a crazy psychopath, or leave the hostel.

4. Get a license to work. Your Visa gets you in to the country, but won't directly let you work. Here's what I needed:

4.a. Tax File Number (TFN), the same as your Social Insurance. Simple online form, no charge, but hurry up and wait 5-10 business days. (See point 3, stay close)

4.b. White Card, this lets me work on any construction site across Australia.

4.c. RSA, so I can also work in a bar.

4.d. USI (Student ID) so I could sign up for b and c.

5. Turns out my Canadian drivers license works fine here. Sweet!

6. Relax, it's the same as Canada, but a construction labourer makes anywhere from $25-35 per hour. I think I was in the wrong industry..!

Alright, I'm gonna go enjoy the rain!

Give it a minute; it'll sink in.

People have been asking me "Does it feel real yet?"

And now I know. When I got asked for my birthdate, for the 7th time; that yes, this is real. The proverbial pinch on the arm after your cell phone plan is cancelled, credit cards cut in half, car loan paid in full, hugs-shrugs-and-loves to remember Canada with, and (most importantly) Netflix subscription ended. Yes, there is hope, you can kick the addiction too!

Which has all brought me to sitting in a YVR waiting lobby, entertained by watching people doing their own preflight awkward pacing, frantically makIng a new playlist, or... I honestly don't know what that guy is doing.... It's like a combination of the chicken dance, the breaststroke, and maybe a real stroke..?

Sydney Australia! Here I come!

After a quick check from Canada Customs at the plane, and finding my row of chairs to be vacant except me, it's time to "Hurry up and wait!"

I would write all about the fun that is known as watching movies in a chair getting kicked by a toddler, but we've all been on a plane before; if you haven't... It's like a combination of riding the bus and drinking at a dive bar. Sit quietly, look around at anything random, and you can eat really cheap peanuts that you question just how edible they really are.

Stay tuned!