A new job and a new apartment

I had a new job and a new apartment and I have been in here for about a week now and honestly I've never felt like I was a part of this country more than I do now. The rent is a bit pricey for what you get but I get it and it's not bad at all. And I get a good rate, I'm in a good part of the country and the pay isn't too bad either. I've been working for an NGO so I'm on a very low income. But I get a lot of flexibility and work with a lot of people. I've also been able to save a little money since I work abroad a lot. And it's not that I have an income problem, it's just about saving for what's next, what's next, what's down the road. The biggest thing though is getting to know the people here and meeting them and getting to know them. I've been in here for a year now and it feels like I'm just living my normal American life. I don't feel like I'm learning the language, I don't feel like I'm experiencing culture shock, or anything like that. I'm just trying to get to know the people here and connecting with them. I feel like I'm just a part of the community. I'm just a cog in the machine, like I'm not really a part of it. I'm just another cog in the machine.