small cultural adaptations

we've been in australia almost five months.  of course this is the longest period of time i've had in this country, or any other country.  i know there must be certain cross-cultural thresholds of learning and adapting - three month, one year, two years, etc.  it seems i've been here just long enough to edge past a line in a few mundane areas of life.

i can cross the street without a thought.  this is a significant accomplishment since my and isaac's safety depends on it.  it's become a reflex and i don't have to stop and speak to myself with the mantra "look right, then left."

handling currency is much easier.  the other day i needed to quickly give change and i managed it without pause.  since the australian dollar is comprised of coins only below $5, initially i found it difficult to sort through them without closely studying each piece.  i remember back to march at forge's DS2 conference when geoff and i were working the bookshop.  when it came to give change, i just stood there with my palm outstretched,  full of coins and said "take what you need."  i've come a long way.

substantial progress has occurred for me with respect to requesting a toilet/bathroom/restroom/loo.  when in australia or england, i've always found it awkward to ask, as they do, "where's your toilet?"  it seems a bit improper to me to bring up, in a sentence, the piece of plumbing used for matters not discussed in the company of others.  i think that is why we (americans) use something indirect and discreet such as "bathroom."  it's a safe, general term.  early on, i would sheepishly say, "excuse me, where is your t-, t-, t-, bathroom", more comfortable with relying on a conspicuously american label, then using the "t" word.  so the other morning, maybe around 5 a.m., isaac was in bed with us and geoff was trying to slyly sneak out of bed without waking him (we've both been waking early to get reading done).  within a minute, isaac sits up and asks "where's daddy?"  at that wee hour, without a blink and a little bit grumpy, i said "he's in the toilet."  i felt liked i'd arrived and i didn't even know it.  it's the small things really.