Hello. I went to America when I 21 for a vacation, well it was holiday back then. I ended up staying a while. I said my goodbyes to my friends who had to return to the UK and borrowed a pair of black trousers and a bike so I could start work in an Italian restaurant in Newport Beach CA. I rode to work along the boardwalk most evenings and slept in a swimming pool chemical shack at night. After only a couple of weeks I had saved enough to rent a room. I did have to be out three nights a week though, the rest of the house was used for spiritual positive vibe meetings (you should of seen the decor). But that was okay ...I was busy cleaning tables anyways. I clearly remember the day I could afford two boxes of cereal, I was moving up.

Eventually I moved into a place of my own, I could actually stay in if I was not working. However, that was a little too like home so some friends and I looked for a new adventure. We bought a 1965 35 foot long yellow school bus and converted it to an RV (mobile home). We travelled across the States taking about 18 months. It was around this time I was told by my family back in the UK that I had lost touch with reality and, even worse, I was wasting that degree they had funded, Economics by the way... mmm.

I did finally leave America well actually I got deported, that will teach me to stay 13 years on a visitors visa. Returning to the UK has allowed me to reflect on my time spent abroad and has highlighted how much I have changed and learnt as a result of the experience. The main lesson I have learnt is that anything is possible, we are the navigators of our own life. Since this realisation I have been much more content, happy and positive. The other major lesson was to be open to new ideas and non judgemental, I had changed so much, how could I judge somebody else for the way they were ?

I never did learn to surf but I did become a confident snowboarder. Oh and I was not such a waster, I had my own company with ten employees and I paid my taxes.

I am on here because since my return to the UK I have given much of my energy to rebuilding my business which I love; however, I have struggled a little with certain apects of 'UK' life. I hope to find positive people who are non judgemental and up for laugh. I have recently relocated in Leeds so if you think we may get along don't hesitate to say hello.

I must admit I often associate first dates with having a drink.