Growing up Aussie in America Part 1

Life changed for me in March of 1992.

My mum married an American Air Force Sergeant, I was 13 years old and loved my life in Australia.

I have a huge extended family, my cousin Domenic was my best friend, so many friends and a life that was amazingly carefree, safe and fun.

The day I had dreaded for 2 years had come, the day that we left all that I knew to pursue a life in a country that I knew nothing about except from movies and television shows.

I cried so much getting on that plane and having to say goodbye to all that I knew, to move to a country where I had no family except for my mother and newly born sister, no friends and a lifestyle which I grew to dislike.

The United States of America.

The land of the free, home of the brave and land of opportunity. They say America is one of the richest countries in the world. It's bullshit, the country is rich, yes, but to survive as a regular civilian is not what it is cracked up to be.

Living on the military base for the first 2 years over there was great, free housing, no bills, tax free everything, your own grocery store, your own department stores, your own bars, nightclubs, restaurants, gyms, security, you were completely safe living on base.

To be continued....