“ I want these local Meetups because I love musicals. I would like to meet other people who like musicals too. ”

“ IN LAK'ECH ”

“ I want an absinthe meetup group because it's hard to find any. plus these meetup groups seem cool ”

“ Hi,I have a friend coming from Australia soon so I need to learn as much as I can before he gets here! ”

“ I would like to meet new people. ”

“ My name is Beth and I've lived overseas in Australia and the UK awhile ago. I became smitten with Australia and the laid back culture. I would like to pursue meetings with others who enjoy the culture, want to share stories and maybe grab a drink now ”

“ Fascinated by Australian culture. Unfortunately primarily in Chicago w/o car. If you have Chicago activities, please let me know. ”

“ Just like Oz and Kiwis. =) ”

“ I met my Aussie girlfriend studying in SYD. She's here now on a tourist visa waiver. We want to get married, but it's looks harder than on TV! I'd like to get tips on extending visas via working, studying, etc. Can we just go to Canada? Any ideas?thx ”

“ Meet new people and share ideas ”

“ I want local Break Dancing Meetups because it looks like fun. ”

“ Hello Everyone! For those of you who love Australian humor, comedian Jim Short is coming to the IMPROV comedy club at Woodfield Mall this week. Visit improv.com for details. I can offer a free pass to the show. send an email to linda@improv.com ”

“ I left Cape Town 4 years ago - been living in IL ever since and just moved to Naperville ”

“ Moved to the U.S. from Sydney seven years ago and am now living in Chicago. Still miss Oz, and let's face it, oreos taste like cardboard when you compare them to tim tams. ”

“ I moved to Chicago from Sydney four years ago and married a Chicago girl. Been missing that Aussie humor, music, food and the beer. I can only get Coopers at Sam's. . A World Market just opened up in the South Loop but they don't stock Vegemite WTF? ”

“ You can buy timtams at World Market! ”

“ G'day all I'm Michael on the left and was very happy being back home and able to watch my Cats win the Grand Final!!! Anyway, I've been in Chicago for a year now and love it and would like to emet some more aussies from time to time. Michael ”

“ I'm interested in meeting new people. ”

“ Hello, I want to tell you that my theatre company, the Piccolo Theatre, is producing its fifth annual Panto. This time it's "Sinbad." You can go to www.piccolotheatre.com to learn more. Piccolo is in Evanston, IL, just north of Chicago. ”

“ Yahoo! Groups meet-up: search "chicagoaussies" ”

“ Expat Kiwi who moved to Chicago April 2006 with husband and son from Auckland, NZ. Looking to find as many Kiwi's in Chicago as possible - who said kiwis can't fly!! flyingfonlowe@hotmail.com ”

“ Ummm, so I'm not really a dog. Wasabi is my puppy and he's a member of the puggle meetup group. I am a Sydney native working in Chicagoland! ”

“ I'm a West Australian that has just moved over to Chi-town with my girl (in the middle of winter!?! - Dec 06). Just got a job and my first winter coat so I'm feeling a little more settled! Love the city and excited to explore it more! ”

“ Hey everyone - Niki the sailing New Zealander here. I've been a little delinquent over the past year - so much going on - but I'm back & I look forward to seeing some friendly faces. ”

“ Just landed in Chicago. Happy to meet local Aussies. ”

“ I want these local Meetups because I had gotten addicted to Cricket in Sydney over the 2003 5th test. We saw the 05 VB cup, and went to the Oval for the 5th Test. We'll be attending the Feb. ODI finals in both Melbourne & Sydney. Serious fan! ”

“ I came to the States on a full sports scholarship to study basketball at the University of Chicago. Was hampered slightly and spent first few years in NY where I met Cindy, my partner. We're now in Chicago and want to meet fellow Aussies! ”

“ I live in Naperville with my fellow Aussie hubby and our mini Aussie-American... ”

“ Moved to Chicago in December 2006. Would love to meet other Australians in Chicago ”

“ Hi, I'm 24 and just arrived in Chicago for 6 months and would love to meet up with any other Aussies in town. ”

“ I want these local Meetups because Chicage needs to be more active in promoting tech! ”

“ Since I spent my first 12 years in Australia, my favorite memories are of those times and places. I live 60 miles from Chicago, but go there a few times a year. I would enjoy talking with others who have memories of 1960s Sydney. ”

“ Moved to Chicago in January 07, where are all the aussies?! :) ”

“ From Bonny Hills, NSW, via London and New York City. ”

“ I live in Melbourne but since the start of 2007 I spend a couple of weeks every other month in Chicago for work. I work for a pharmaceutical company based in Lake Forest (about 30 minutes drive north of Chicago). ”

“ Melbourne girl living in Chicago. Miss Aussi humor, want to meet some! ”

“ I moved here for work and have been in Chicago for about 18 months. Definitely keen to meet some fellow aussies. ”

“ Hello, I work for a casting director and we've been asked to find women 50-55 years of age with great skin and personalities from various countries for a commercial being shot in Europe- looking for Aussie women!!! ”

“ HI all! How comforting to know I have some fellow country men and women living in Chi town. I moved here recently for a sexy american boy and would love to meet you all. See you on the 11th! ”

“ Hi. I came to Chicago in August 2004. Would like to hear from anyone who is maybe in the same boat as me and would like to eventually meet fellow Australians living in this city. ”

“ I miss Australia and Aussies so much. And I fell in love with footy, it would be great to have it! ”

“ Let's face it. We can't be online ALL DAY and not have our social skills atrophy. ”

“ I want these local Meetups because I love my rugby ”

“ I would love to meet ex South Africans - particularly CapeTown, living in the Chicago area. I am new to the area and dont really know anybody... I miss that sense of family and would love to create that feeling here in Chicago for me and my family. ”

“ I want these local Meetups because I have been in Chicago since August 2006. I go to college at Skokie and I am missing home and family. Its hard to converse with Americans when they dont understand the slang. ”

“ I love to travel and meet interesting people. ”

“ I want these local Meetups because we are British and have been living in the north suburbs for nearly 10 years and have fun meeting other Brits. ”

“ I want these local Meetups because I miss Oz and it would be great to catch up with others who feel the same. ”

“ I want these local Meetups because the ashes is coming up and nobody gets it! ”

“ Hi to all the "ex-pats". I live in Aurora , thats west of Chicago. Moved here from near Washington D.C. just a little over a 2 years ago. The easiest way to contact me is using my yahoo account, email to yahoo id steven60506 ”

“ I am the president of the Down Under Club of Chicago, and got the link from a guest at a luncheon we had last week. I know nothing about you all, but would like to know how many of you are there? When do you meet? for what purpose? ”

“ Hello, my name is Phill. I would like to meet Australians here in Chicago. I have been enamored with your country for a very long time, and hope to visit there one day. I am a native Chicagoan. ”

“ Hi, I'm Kate, married to Chicka on your board. My husband has taken a job back in Melbourne and my sons and I are hoping to join him in January. I'd love to chat with anyone from Melbourne ... kateherron@yahoo.com Thanks so much Kate ”

“ Melbournite who moved to Chicago 3 years ago. Travel internationally frequently with twice yearly trips home Have a six month old baby boy and live in Streeterville ”

“ From Adelaide. I welcome the opportunity to speak 'Strine again! My Kiwi friends are a poor substitute...... only kidding. ”