It really is amazing how culture shifts forward and changes. Since moving back down to this part of the world, I’ve experienced many moments where aspects of culture that I formerly knew had shifted forward in my absence.
Several weeks ago, I searched once again for Napisan at the grocery store. I hoarded this stuff when I moved back from Australia. At that time in the 1990s, OxyClean and its cousins had not yet appeared on the market. Napisan worked miracles on soiled clothes. I was so disappointed when my last bit of Napisan ran out while I was living in southern Indiana.
Because New Zealand and Australia share a similar market, I hoped I could find the product here. I finally realised two weeks ago that I had not recognised the packaging. The brand also appeared to be bought out by another company. However, I found the Nappy-San letters in very small print on the package.
On a similar note, one of my favorite drinks is a hot Milo drink. It is especially nice on a cold winter’s day. I hoarded this container of Milo for years. I could never throw it away because I think I feared throwing away my chance to move back. I initially could not find the product in Countdown because it is no longer sold in these tins, but rather in plastic bags.
Language changes right along with cultural artifacts. When I returned to Australia a few years ago, I noticed that people used “cell” phone (I remember “mobile” phone) and I used the term “peanut paste” to refer to the food, and no one knew what I was talking about. I noticed that English in Australia seemed more Americanised than what I remember.
It has been quite a shift this week to not go into the office. I’m doing some writing on the open-office plan, which was definitely not ideal for my working style that requires quiet and privacy. I’m enjoying the days at home to reflect and write. I’ve absolutely loved having time to read for pleasure since moving here. There’s so many books and so little time.
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