What's in a Name

So, I realize this probably should have been my first post...

I'm sure you all are sitting on the edge of your seats wondering how I came up w/ the name (title?) of my blog. Well, sit back and relax. You are about to find out.

There is an excerpt from the Bible that has always resonated w/ me:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war; and a time of peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

To me, it is such a wonderful summary of life. Our lives are constantly changing and entering new "seasons." Some we have experienced before and others we have not. Some are easy and some are difficult. Some bring joy, love, laughter, and happiness. Others bring pain, heartache, tears, anger, and suffering. Through it all we are growing and learning new things. About ourselves, about others, about life. Shaping ourselves. It isn't always easy. There are times it is a struggle. But, I LOVE it. I cannot learn enough. Every year I marvel at how much I've learned and how my perspective on things has changed or grown stronger.

It is my intention that this will be a place I document some of my "seasons." Perhaps it will be about the seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Training seasons of running, swimming, and biking. Reading. Cooking. Marriage. Travel. Life in my 20's, 30's, 40's... Children. Current events. Family. Retirement. Pets. Owning and Renovating a home. Whatever it is, I plan to make the most of it and perhaps share a little bit about it.

Enjoy!

Tim Tams Come to America

Just under 5 years ago, I enjoyed a month in the Land Down Under, Australia. I snorkeled and scuba dived on the Great Barrier Reef. Explored cities, towns, islands, caves, and culture all along the east cost.

I ate their food.

Vegemite? No.

Tim Tams? Yes.

Tim Tams are to Australians as I imagine Oreos are to Americans. In the middle of two rectangle shaped chocolate biscuits is a layer of chocolate deliciousness. But, it doesn't stop there my friends. Oh, no. The chocolate sandwich is also covered in chocolate. Drooling yet?

It's not just the cookie itself that is such a treat. It's the way you eat it. You bite off the ends of the cookies and use it as a straw to slurp up your milk. By the time you eat the cookie, it just melts in your mouth. Mmmmmm.

I brought two boxes back home w/ me. They lasted two weeks. Okay, okay. It was two days. So? Don't judge me!

I started to go through withdrawal. I searched the store shelves. I looked online. Surely they could ship them to me! I even contemplated buying a ticket BACK to Australia. But, it was to no avail. After awhile the headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweats, anxiety subsided and I was free from my Tim Tams addiction.

I hadn't thought of my beloved Tim Tams for several years. That was until a co-worker of mine told me he was going to Australia. I thought about asking him to bring me home a box. Or two or three.

It was that same night, while perusing the aisles of Target, a cookie display caught my eye. An entire end cap was dedicated to what I had once thought was lost to me forever. Tim Tams! I let out a whoop of joy, did a little dance, and quickly composed myself as I realized people were staring at the crazy woman in aisle 5 making a spectacle out of herself.

Now, they are not made by the same company and I don't know for sure if they are the same recipe. But I can still enjoy them with a glass of milk and I am at peace.

BTW, it's summer in Australia right now. Who cares if there have been shark attacks in recent weeks. I'd rather be there.