I am reminded of New Years’ 2013: I had resolved to lose fifteen pounds (just 18 to go)! And, I made a list of foods I would give up to achieve that goal: haggis, kimchi, and tripe topped my list.
Then my husband came by, looked at the list and declared, “But you HATE haggis, kimchee, and tripe!”
“PRECISELY! Then it won’t be too difficult, right? Not like I’m giving up chocolate, cheesecake, or cheese, right?”
Here we are, New Years’ Eve of 2014, and as mentioned above, there are still 50 lbs too many of me and I still despise haggis (that revolting image just above and to the right of this sentence), kimchee, and tripe, pictured respectively, below.
Perhaps kimchi has the best chance of making it into the 2015 lineup of foods I will attempt to like. Although, given that extra 50, perhaps I shouldn’t eat anything.
What I WILL do in 2015 – and I hope you do, too – is try new teas! I have demonstrated great versatility in black teas, enjoying those from mellow to brisk, from India to China to Ceylon and Kenya. My green tea habit is static at jasmine pearls and matcha. I need to branch out, into the toasty oolongs and the high mountain oolongs. Please give me your recommendations and I will try them! Now that my little town has a tea lounge with some 150 different teas and state-of-the-art brewing equipment, it will be easy!
To you and yours: let us hope that 2015 brings peace to our troubled world, that conflicts are discussed and resolved over cups of tea, and much, much laughter.
Peace.
Loading image courtesy of the contributor.
I’d like to take this moment to thank you, Regena, my faithful managing editor of T Ching. Without your patience, diligence and long hours, T Ching would not be the vibrant blog it continues to be. It is the many voices of T Ching that make it unique and your ability to engage and edit posts from around the globe can be challenging but you do it with style. All those years as an English teacher serves you well.
I think you make an excellent point about expanding our tea repertoire, rather than staying limited by our current favorites. I confess to being guilty on that count. I get so much comfort and pleasure from my green teas, it’s hard to choose something else. I pledge to do so this year.
Happy New Year to my wonderful T Ching community, my cherished guest contributors and valued readers around the world. Each of you is a gift to me and I send my heart felt blessings to all of you for a healthy and joyous 2015.
Thank you, Michelle. I have some lovely Doke Black Fusion to share with you as your first experiment outside the green. T Ching is a unique blog, with a new post every day of the week – and the best of the past on Fridays. Team T Ching: Sandy, Michelle, Ryan, Erika . . . and our guest contributors, have the talents to make 2015 a banner year in tea!
Happy New Year, Team T Ching. Thank you for your dedication and excellence. It’s a pleasure to write a post once a month since 2009. Excited for the future for T Ching!