Tom Richards is a Chicagoan who has lived in Ireland for 30 years and more. During that time, and like many expatriates, he has managed to survive here while at the same time retaining some semblance of sanity (usually). However, surviving as an immigrant in any country can be sometimes daunting and often due to cultural differences.For instance, the Irish speak English (some even speak Irish, a local dialect of Gaelic though not everyone does), but that brand of English is often quite different from the American variety. As an example: during a recent visit by a friend to Tom's new home in Eyeries, a wee little village way down in West Cork, he overheard his friend ask a local resident the following:Friend: "Mags, would you know where I could buy a fanny pack?"Mags (somewhat alarmed): "A what?"Friend: "You know. A fanny pack. I just want a place to stuff a few things."Mags (more alarmed): "You pack things in your fanny?"Friend: "Where else would I pack a few things I want to carry?"Me (finally coming to the rescue): "Mags, a fanny pack is a sort of waist bag. You carry stuff in it. Like money and such."Mags (so relieved): "Ah God in heaven, but when will you Yanks bother to learn some English?"Now to tell you here, on this public forum, of the Irish definition of 'fanny' would be rude to say the least. Let's just say that a 'fanny' is a part of the physical anatomy. Tom's American friend, however, had no idea...but she does now, of course.In the 2014 edition of "A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland" Tom drills down into what it's like to live in Ireland for so many years. Of the opportunities to be had here if you too decide to stay for a prolonged visit or perhaps move here as Tom has done. The book describes Tom's early years and how a twenty-something Yank tried to make it in a 1982 Ireland that was far from perfect. But it also describes what you need to do to become a resident, get a job, buy a house, and learn to live in what is still, despite a global recession, an absolutely wonderful country. Visiting a new place is one thing. Surviving for 30 years and more is quite another!This 2014 edition, now 80,000+ words long, has already sold over 10,000 copies. Buy the 2014 edition of "A Survivor's Guide to Living in Ireland" and discovery for yourself if you too have what it takes to be content in a land other than that of your birth.To survive here, Tom is currently the owner and managing director of Earthnet, a marketing communications company. He is also a best selling Young Adult fiction novelist and a produced screenwriter. He currently resides in Eyeries, Beara, West Cork and has no plans to leave. After over 30 years living - and surviving - in this country, he feels that he finally has the knack of making it here. Mind you, he's still learning.