Work is good, but it is a little hard to feel so unproductive as you learn all the new stuff. Then again, stepping out of the comfort zone really does help you to learn a whole lot and much more quickly than you would have otherwise.
The Social Security Number continues to be an issue. Fortunately we have been able to open a bank account because of Microsoft's association with a credit union, but basically any government or important service requires a SSN. Getting any sort of credit without one is pretty much impossible. Strangely, contrary to what you might expect it is actually better to wait for about 10 days when you arrive because then the local social security office will have your details (they are sent from a central office). We duly waited and the process was pretty smooth - should have the SSN with a week or two. Had we gone in straight away they would have sent our details back to a central office somewhere and it could take a couple of months.
I took the written driver's license test and although they did require you to remember a lot of numbers like the distance you are allowed to park away from a fire hydrant in feet, I passed with just one wrong answer. G also passed. We were offered the chance to take the practical driving test on the same day (due to cancellations) or wait a month, so despite being a bit nervous I took the test. It was pretty straight-forward, including parallel parking (very weird doing this on the other side of the road) and pulling in and out of traffic, parking on a hill, etc. I passed with 100%, which was nice. All up it cost $45 which seems quite a bit less than back home. Anyway, now we've got a license we should be fine to go and buy a car.
Incidentally, for both the SSN and driver's license, I went and applied and couldn't get the card right away. For the license it was pretty crazy because they printed me a temporary one straight away and then I had to wait to get the permanent one in the mail.
Today I picked up my first paycheck, which was all very exciting. It will be nice to actually have some money in our US account.
In more worrying news, the front page of the paper today is suggesting that a US recession is maybe on the cards, which is definitely something to consider as we think about buying a house over here!
In lighter news, we joined up with a massive gym (Pro Club) and had a tour and we found out that there were 3 'fitness centers' with bikes, treadmills and steppers, all of them the same except for the lighting. We walked into the first one and aside from some lighting near the entrances the whole room was dark. The crazy thing is that is the most popular room of the 3. I guess people don't want other people staring at them while they work out. Another room has partial lighting and the other is more traditionally lit. Apparently Pro Club is the biggest in the states and it sure feels that way. The locker rooms are massive and have a spa and steam room, lockers and a bathroom that stocks mouth wash, shaving cream, shampoo etc so you don't need to bring your own. Very luxurious. It also has 3 pools (none 50 metres though), 4 courts in a gymnasium, a separate 6 or so tennis courts, squash courts and racketball courts.
Tonight it also snowed!
