2016: how the first year as an expat was not bad at all
- ganaaramerika
- 31 dec 2016
- 3 minuten om te lezen
2016, what a year. Yes, celebrities died, Trump won the Presidency (still can't believe this America), terrorists attacked the innocent and armies did too, and we came to realize the planet really is slowly dying.
But for me, it was a great year. Because I got to live the dream. One year ago I quit my job, got married (really not that bad,) left family and friends and moved overseas to be an expat partner in the States. To a house that is ridiculously oversized, to a pool that looks cool but we barely use, to the pool boy (rather pool 'older guy') and the landscapers, to plenty of time to travel.
We did and saw amazing things, from sailing out to see dolphins in Hawaii, to drinking the best Californian wines in Napa Valley.
This is what 2016 meant to me:
buying a red Mustang
taking the car (the other one) to see California
drinking cheap Corona's and very expensive wines
going 'trick or treating' to watch the crazy decorations, and doing it again with Christmas
seeing the Grand Canyon for three times in a year and thinking it is actually quite normal
eating better Mexican food in Tucson than in Mexico
showing friends and family around your mansion like it is no big deal
having patriotic viewing parties, because you are becoming more nationalistic by the minute
finally doing that Photography course
flying to Mexico to be able to see a bit of ancient culture instead of just 'Jack in the Box'
trying to beat the 112 (40 C) degree heat and ending up with a Netflix subscription
chasing a Tarantula from your Patio after dinner
and a poisonous scorpion from your bedroom (yes, really...)
getting coffee at 'your' coffee place in Sedona, because you drive through it so often you already have one
sitting by your own pool, sitting, because swimming is 'too cold'
eating all Pringles flavors available, from Cheeseburger and Pizza to JalapeƱo
trying to find good bread in oversized supermarkets, or anywhere at all really
taking a plane to Hawaii to celebrate your honeymoon 6 months late, just because why not
driving up to Las Vegas, which was fun the first time, but three times is really enough
watching the Super Bowl because you want to feel 'real American' but are bored shitless after kick off
going horse riding in Saquaro National Park
flying to Washington D.C. 'for work'
getting drunk with your American neighbors
seeing Trump win the Presidency live on tv and knowing that the same neighbors are having a party again
driving to San Diego to finally eat some fish and smell the ocean
cycling to the Golden Gate Bridge even though it is raining, because you are still Dutch and want to prove it
never being able to go to a 'normal' movie theatre again
But this 'expat year' also meant:
being bored during the day because you have watched all seasons of House of Cards a little too fast the night before
having to take the car everywhere you go
which means getting fat
getting addicted to Medium Caramel Macchiato's because that is your social life now
having to use Skype to keep up with your friends at home
missing good cheese, because Cheddar just won't do it
cleaning the house that is just too big for two people, and doing it all again the next week
giving yourself a high five because you didn't forget to take the trash out on the right day
The list of downsides fortunately doesn't beat the list of highlights. So we are really looking forward to our second year here in the States.
The next travel guides are already bought, we figured out the A/C to beat the heat and managed to find eatable bread (and even the right cheese!).
Our life just can't get better! Who knows, maybe this whole year was just a dream...
Happy New Year!
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