Sydney Life

As I write this, I am staring out at the Californian mountains. It's a balmy 81 degrees outside (fahrenheit, kids, fahrenheit) with plenty of that good ol' fashioned West Coast sunshine.

I'm proud to admit - I love L.A.

After an eventful flight (including seeing His Royal Hotness Simon Baker at the Qantas lounge and being asked on a date by the flight attendant) I landed in L.A.

Hillary, my American best friend and the other half of the Banger Sisters (I am the first half) picked me up and we began a week of shopping. I kid you not. We have shopped all over L.A. - from Victoria's Secret to Sephora (this amazing cosmetics store that sells Pout and Benefit and Stila and M.A.C....and a whole lot more!), to Tiffany and Co. and Forever 21(my new favourite store - it's like the American version of Sportsgirl). We've been to the department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom's and JC Penney. We have single-handedly racked up the biggest credit card bill I've ever seen. When I return home, I will curse this hedonistic lifestyle. Right now, I can't get enough.

In a little over a week, I have done so much. I am about to head out the door to feast on margaritas and watch the Christmas lights turn on (which is apparently a huge deal) but before I go, here is a very quick guide to SoCal (Southern Californian) living:

- girls never pay for anything. When you are at a bar, do not expect to pay for your drinks. Even if there is no one else in the bar, it's ok. The bartender will 'take care of it.'

- Americans will think you sound like Emily from The Devil Wears Prada. They will call you Dorothy because you wear red shoes. They will laugh when you say 'watah' not 'waterrrr'. Some of them will hug you and try to comfort you for the loss of Steve Irwin. That's all ok: they mean well and you should just nod and agree.

- if you are stuck on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, you should instantly start a sing-a-long (for example, 'Jingle Bell Rock'). It is advisable, however, that you know ALL OF THE WORDS. People are looking to you, and following your lead. So make sure you have them down pat before you screw it up.

- when someone offers you tickets to the taping of a show, take them. It is fun and you will see Americans go crazy over people you've never heard of (and probably never will again).

- when someone offers you a shot of Jagermeister, say no. Especially when you have already drunk your body weight in beer.

- you will not find food that hasn't been deep-fried, covered in sauce, breaded, sugar-coated, dipped in lard or that contains less than 50% saturated fat. Also, don't be surprised if your appetiser looks as if it could feed half of Somalia. It probably could.

- if you drive past a Starbucks and decide you really want coffee, fear not. You'll see another one in about thirty seconds. Ooh, there's one now.

- Americans are Christmas nuts. I thought I was crazy for the holidays, but no - it looks like Christmas has thrown up here. There is a radio station that ONLY PLAYS CHRISTMAS CAROLS. At outdoor shopping centres, there are snow machines to simulate snowfalls. Everything is wrapped in tinsel. There are Christmas versions of lollies, chips, coffee, tea, milk, vegetables (Christmas pumpkin is different to regular pumpkin) and bread. Every store sells Christmas tree ornaments (ie Starbucks and Victoria's Secret have their own tree decorations).

- Americans are incredibly friendly. They are polite to a fault, they are generous and they are genuinely interested in hearing about your culture (even if they do think you're Austrian, Canadian, English or otherwise).

In a word, I'm hooked. Sydney is my home, but L.A. feels like my holiday house.