The last two days have been jam-packed compared to our initial jet lagged stupor of Tuesday and Wednesday. After evaluating computer options, numerous trips to Best Buy and many pages of paperwork we were able to get some things done.
Yesterday started much earlier than before with a treacherous 8.30am wakeup after little to no sleep. I was feeling pretty rocky as we made our way out to the patio for some cereal and strong coffee, yet after some sustenance and a shower all was well. The first trip on the list was to find out about a Tax file number however it turned out America really doesn't care who stores their money here (as long as they can use it) so I went ahead without it. With a bank account sorted we set off to the wonderful world of Costco.
Costco, for all you crazy Australians, is a haven for American white trash and frugal shoppers alike. It stocks practically everything you need in bulk at the lowest cost on the market. Our trip on Thursday was to check out a computer for my father but unfortunately none were left by the time we got there so I spent my time people-watching and comparing bulk-buy dishwasher liquid instead.
Following this a painstaking wait at AT&T proved worthwhile when I was instantly able to be signed up for an American phone number that can be reached from those at home. Feeling pretty chuffed with our efforts we then headed to the Apple Store to pick up my laptop! For those who don't know my father, I don't think he has ever made a spontaneous purchasing decision in his life and this was not one of them. After an hour of negotiating we finally bought the computer and I had entered the Mac world.
It's pretty great.
I never thought I would buy a Mac but here we are.
No Expectations, coming to you from Nina's MacBook Air.
Anyhow so after a full day of shopping we treated ourselves to some authentic Mexican and delicious (virgin) Margaritas for dinner.
To our delight we then awoke today after an amazing 10-hour sleep. My 3-day headache ceased and I was ready to take on some new challenges. I was also incredibly excited as our first stop was to UCSB so I could sign in and get my I.D. Card!
After getting lost, meeting some random staff members, gaining a free t-shirt, encountering bossy students and a chat with some UCSB alumni we were set and ready to explore. I went to visit my dorm building to check it out and it is incredibly nice. The couple of thousand extra I won't be using on travel and food was more than worth it to stay in this amazing apartment on the water.
To finish up the day we sorted bed linens for my room and went to Wholefoods for a quick bite to eat. Another education for you Australians who have never experienced the beauty of Wholefoods. Wholefoods is more than simply a supermarket, it is just amazing. Maintaining a full time kitchen, seafood bar, wine-tasting table, buffet salad bar, and pizza oven as well as selling flowers, starbucks and alcohol, it is Nirvana for foodies out there. I met Wholefoods for the first time in Belmont (SF), CA a few years ago, it was like reuniting with a long lost friend.
Haha so with my food appreciation going slightly overboard I will leave it there. Hope you all are keeping out of the heat.
Nina
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