Assimilation
Next month we will celebrate our two-year anniversary in Australia, and that's made me think about how I'm starting to lose some of my American ways. Examples:
- I no longer know what time it is back in the States (in any time zone). I used to think about it constantly, but now depend on my computer to figure it out.
- I no longer need to convert the temperature to Fahrenheit. In fact, I know that a max of 25 C is 'perfect,' and that anything below 12 C will require a jacket. I don't even know what those temps are in F, but I could compute them if you want me to.
- Occasionally we come across some celebrity gossip from the States, and I am surprised about how many of the new 'celebs' are people I have never heard of. I am not sure what "The Hills" is all about, for example.
- I phoned a friend today back in the States and accidentally slipped into the conversation "nappies," "cot," and a few other Aussie words for which I momentarily forgot the American equivalent.
- I now pronounce 'tomatoes' the Aussie way when I order a sandwich at Subway.
- I regularly use my $1 and $2 coins these days. This took a long time to master.
- When the seasons occur (e.g., referring to winter in June) is starting to make sense.
- I was listening to our voice messages from our American number, and was startled when I heard someone with a Georgia accent. That's one I now rarely hear, if ever, here.
- I am starting to greet co-workers and friends by name when I see them--this is one of those amazing aspects of Australian hospitality that has taken me way too long to reciprocate.