Two weeks into living in Australia and, to my relief, major logistics have already been sorted:

• Housing: Living in Fremantle with a wonderful travel buddy of mine from Central America. He has generously taken my in at his sweet new place and has been an invaluable friend and resource helping get my life set up. 
• Connectivity: I have an Australian phone number! Just fixing this single element helped connect me to my stateside support system and feel so much more at ease. All my love to everyone back home. 
• Transport: I’ve got myself a SmartRider card for easy transit on TransPerth busses and trains. Also, my housemate has loaned me his old beat-up push-bike, which I’ve gotten all fixed up. I’m excited to try out the lifestyle of being a bike rider, bumming around town. Now all I need is a basket!
• Financial: I’ve got an Australian bank account. I opened a Classic Banking account with NAB that has no fees/minimums and–SURPRISE!–links to a savings account with 3.5% interest. I did a double take when I heard this news, as I like most Americans have not earned meaningful interest on a basic bank account in years. My local friends tell me rates are actually shockingly low currently, but feels pretty great to me.
• Work: I’ve been looped into a temp office admin agency, and just accepted my first temp assignment today that will keep me working full time for the next six weeks. Feels nice to start building my new bank account.
• Social: Meeting lots of friendly people so far, mostly through my housemate. People have been friendly and welcoming to me, and I look forward to making more connections here.
• Recreation: There’s a proper squash club near my house, how sweet is that?! Got myself shoes and a racquet, and am psyched to pick back up an old passion of mine. I’m also curious to join a casual cricket rec league or something… that would be sweet.

Not bad for week two, hey? 🙂

I’m ready to scuff up a new pair of court shoes!