9September2011 Acclimated

The conversation usually goes something like this:

Family friend: "Are you use to living in America again?"

me:  Pretty well but we don't want to get completely acclimated to US culture.

Family friend:  (blank stare)

me:  I mean, we're getting use to living here but we don't want to adopt the culture completely again.

Family friend:   (scratches head, confused look continues)

me:  Well we sure do love being here with family and friends

Family friend:  (smile) How is your mama?

Yesterday we were visiting with very sweet family.  They've been living in the States for longer than a year and are well adjusted to life here.  As we were talking the wife had water running in the kitchen sink, in preparation of making some tea.  She continued talking, and talking, and talking as the water kept running.  Finally I said, "Um, you're wasting a lot of water."  She made a funny, shocked face and ran to turn off the faucet.  From the kitchen she yelled,"I guess I'm becoming American."  We all laughed.  But an idea rooted itself in my mind.  Is being a US citizen equivalent to being wasteful of precious resources?  Initial answer:  No!  But after further thought, to some extent our friend hit on something.  We have so much and often appreciate so little. America is so affluent but we always want more.  As we were getting ready to move overseas we got rid of so much stuff.  Selling, giving away and I like to say "burning" things.  One of the things we're determined not do is buy so many possessions.  Acclimation after all doesn't have to mean accumulation!