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Twenty years in Australia

Next week I'll mark my 20th anniversary as an Australian permanent resident and citizen. I don't think I say "eh" anymore, but. I wear my beanie to the footy rather than a tuque to thugs on skates. I ski at Hotham in July rather than Whistler in January. I ride in the front seat of a taxi. My children say "yoo be-oody, Daddy!"

I better stay!

Only 20 years?! So, less than half your life. I'm very near the day when I'll have been a parent longer than not. I crossed the married longer than single milestone a long time ago.

Well, having visited Melbourne I now understand the attraction though I'm still a very self satisfied Canadian, or more accurately British Columbian. Though I'm with you about the thugs on skates but I prefer to watch a sport that everyone plays.

If your kids think you're a be-oody, I reckon you're a made man wherever you go!

I've been in the UK for 8 years and I still say yo-gurt rather than yog-urt. I still think pants are outerwear. However, I do have barbecues rather than braais. And I have acquired the habit of talking about the weather, which I swore never to do. Hmm - the jury's out on whether I should stay!

Thanks for your comments!

John, life certainly does romp along, doesn't it? It was great to host you here in Melbourne, so you know what my world looks and feels like.

Many boys and some girls play Australian-rules football, it starts with Auskick. Here's a great TV ad for it, sponsored by one of our banks.

Karyn, my Canadianism is frequently remarked upon, even though I'm well past it. Shopkeepers in the city ask, "how long are you here for?"

"Forever."

"Oh, so how often do you go home, then?"

"Every day."

Ron, I love that! I really need to address that in my own life. I still refer to South Africa as "home", and when relating an anecdote about South African society/culture/whatever, I still say "We" as if it includes me. Gotta stop that!

The thing is, England has never felt like home to me, and I never realised how African I was until I left!

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