the "i" is too big in being sick.

Being sick is no fun... But it gives you a lot of time to rest, sit around and literally do nothing. However there is always a bit of room for creativity... though creativity suffers a bit through the congestion of the sinuses. Sore throats are the worst. I’ve gone through an entire box of kleenexes since last night. This does not include the box I am currently working on right now. The only thing good about being sick is forcing yourself to stay hydrated. I like water. I like hot, steamy lemon water... Occasionally with honey. I made and drank green tea and added honey... It was nasty. I put way to much honey in it for sure. I learnt that dark chocolate is actually a natural cough suppressant... Well.. I actually don’t remember if it suppresses the cough or just help soothes it but it does something of the sort. Any chocolate is good chocolate in my book.

I think a lot. And I feel my thoughts go off on so many rabbit trails that I can’t remember what I was thinking about 5 seconds before. Its crazy. Sometimes its easier to not think so you can remember than to keep thinking and try to remember. Yeah I had to read that again too.

I just found a spider on my blanket. It was a small-medium sized one. I usually just let them roam about... They eat other bugs I don’t like... So I usually don’t squish them unless I feel it necessary/threatened. This time I felt threatened so I must confess I just squished the little guy between my index finger and my thumb. I know its a sad thing but it was his life or mine (being bit). I’m sure he lived a good life.

Right now I am sad because I think my mom is sad. We were supposed to have this big Thanksgiving bash with all the extended family... But due to me and the 2 youngest sibs being sick chances are we won’t make it... Yet once again. If I could get better in a day I would do whatever it takes to do it just so we wouldn’t have to miss. This always seems to happen too. There is always something that comes up and ruins a good plan... Or so it seems.

I’m still home. I love being home. Its good to be home. But when you know you’re supposed to be somewhere else, your bags are unthoroughly(if its not a word it is now) packed and you’ve done all you know to do to try and get there. Still learning. Still growing. I’m glad though. I’d be more worried if I were still here without the learning and growth.

So many lessons, about emotion, patients, listening, obeying, loving, searching, being, praying, grace... The list just continues yet more simply it all boils down to Jesus. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing... All that matters is that He loves me! Oh how He loves me and I love Him!

Its hard... The feeling like you’re being judged. Everybody knows what that’s like. Its strange because you think if people didn’t like it they wouldn’t go about in doing it, yeah? Hmm... Also its not that you necessarily hear people saying anything but it seems you can sense it or feel it. Its not a very good feeling. Why are people... Especially Christians always out to get each other? Life is not a game. Its not a competition. Aren’t we supposed to be in this together? Aren’t we supposed to be loving? Aren’t we supposed to be living out the great commission? Why are we more apt to be a part of the great omission?

I just boiled a heap of water. Now I have another large mug of lemon water to enjoy. Again. I just want to feel better.

I’m finding its actually a good idea to be careful when writing while ill. My brain is so squeezed from congestion its hard not to speak without thought first. When you feel like crap sometimes you talk crap. Not a win win situation.

I’m still in the race! I’m not giving up! It doesn’t really matter what it looks like.... The challenges I face will be over before I know it. One day I will look back after the tears to laughter and just smile and be able to speak just as I can in the trials of God’s amazingness. Sometimes when the odds are stacked against me I feel less venerable and more usable. Though outwardly I feel as if I’m at the impossible end, inside I feel unstoppable. Now to channel my inward thoughts and feelings outward? Nope... These last words haven’t made much sense. I don’t know how to describe what I’m really trying to say I guess.

Mmm... Lemony...

Art is a beautiful thing. My hands want to create what my brain sees but its hard... My ounce of creative blood is just like my thoughts.... So fast that I can’t keep up! 100 miles per hour! One idea is there and gone to the next before I can even start on the one before that!

So honest moment here. I really want to make up a new catch phrase and see how far I can take it. I’m mean we’ve all heard, “its on like donkey kong”, “sweet action”, “groovy”, “mega tight” and “that’s what she said”... But I’m totally ready for something new and possibly quite unique. If I figure this out will you help to spread it like butter on dry toast?

When life give you lemons... Make hot lemon water to sooth your sore throat.

-Ash

Okay, so sometimes i actually read through Yahoo "news stories" (if that's what they should even be called).

Well today I got adventurous and decided to go international (of course)! I went to Australia's yahoo page... which I actually didn't do very much while actually in australia previously only because the internet was pretty slow and the page usually wouldn't load in time before my curiosity got bored... oh well.

Anyway, I found an article about food brands from here (USA) that didn't quite make it very well over there(Aus). We all know that anything that says “food” grabs my interest so here we go...

Before i start I'd just like to say that the US and Australia are 2 totally different places. They both have awesome people, fun places and different food choices. Honestly its the same within the States too. Our food is totally different region to region as well as our style, our manors and the way we interact with each other.

And remember while reading this... it is strictly food and not personal... And i’m not comparing what one place has or doesn’t... and those who know me well know I'm a big foody and have yum opinions on food. Take it with a grain of salt. BAhahaha (get it)

Here's the site to check out the Oz article:

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/food/galleries/photo/-/8267178/food-brands-that-failed/8267179/

Now...

Here's my view on it:

1. Krispy Kreme: Okay, so I absolutely love Krispy Kreme. Its probably a good thing there isn't one very close to my house because I can almost promise if the "HOT" sign were on I'd be in there so fast I might run you over, or karate chop you or something that requires great skill to get you outta muh way. The last time i had Krispy Kreme i went with my family on a whim one night. The "HOT" sign just happened to be on... yeah... we got some... and they disappeared(into our stomachs). I seriously downed mine so fast i wondered if I had actually eaten them or if it was just a dream. Since the Krispy K bidness in Aus isn't so hot I'm wondering how often they actually turned their "HOT" sign on.

2. Starbucks: An American staple! You can't go a mile without seeing a Starbucks. In fact most American's can't seem to go a day without their starbucks coffee. I admit... I love me some coffee and have found myself to have been an addict at one point in my lifetime. Starbucks has always been there for me when I was on break from work around the corner and wanted a little pick me up or if I just wanted to hang out with a friend or 2 and grab a cup of joe... or 2. I usually drink my coffee thick, strong and black... but when at Starbucks I can't go wrong with a mocha or a peppermint mocha (a seasonal favorite in which I surprisingly learnt a couple years back is served all year round) . My only thought for why this big name franchise here didn't make it over there is I reckon they just aren't as big of coffee drinkers as we are? Nothing wrong with that. In fact I like a cuppa tea too. Usually my drink of choice before a good nights slumber.

3. Hooters: I'm sorry... but this place shouldn't be alive here in the States either. Is this really a restaurant we want representing our food culture? Or our culture in general?

4. Hard Rock Cafe: Okay, I kind of agree with Ozzie Ozzie on this one... Their burgers and stuff aren't bad but aren't the best, the atmosphere is fun but only awesome if you're with awesome people and yeah its over priced in my bood... Especially I bet being that Australia... it's usually twice as pricey. I can imagine why this one didn't make it.

5. Pizza Franchises such as Pizza Hut: Now... This one bugs me... only because I love pizza AND I had Dominos while in Australia and it was terrible! It was nothing like here. The pizzas were small and not at all worth what you pay for. Even the Dominos in India was better than the one in Australia. I also tried a local pizza joint too in AUS and I wasn't impressed with it either. Here in the States we have lots of awesome little Italian joints that do Pizza even better than the franchises like Dominos and Pizza Hut. My family usually goes for Italian Bistro... a really awesome little place in our little town. BEST! There are also some really amazing Pizza places in the City that I very much enjoy and don’t mind at all going to. I'm afraid the little on what I've experienced... Australia's take on Pizza is totally different than ours. Not a bad thing... Just different... If you’re visiting Australia and really want Pizza I don’t know that you’ll find what you’re looking for... But I haven’t explored it enough to know... So maybe next time I’ll find it... But I’m totally up to a new take and experience.

6. Taco Bell: It didn’t make it... Sad face. Its not even real Mexican food! But when in a rush or needing a cheaper alternative its definitely a way to go. I remember eating Taco Bell in Guatemala... It was a bit different. Random Fact: Sour cream in all countries seems to taste very different and have a slightly different consitancy... hmm. If they had Taco Bell still in Australia I imagine I’d try and get some... often. This makes me want a taco bell chalupa real bad... With fire sauce.

7.Baskin Robins: I can’t vouch for BR. We grew up going to Braum’s. When in India my team went to Baskins but I was sick that day and wasn’t with them.

8. The Cookie Man Food Fran: I’ve never even heard of it... But I do love cookies.

9. Quiznos: I’ve only had it a couple of times... I guess when I spend money on food I prefer other foods over subs. There are many Sandwich joints here in the States. McAlister’s is probably a better option I’m guessing? But apparently in this case it wasn’t about people not going... It was legal issues?

10. Sizzler: Have I heard of this place? Did we ever have one around these parts? I’ve never been. Bad break for these guys though.

So that’s my evaluation of the failed American brands in Oz...

I do want to note though that there have been some successful ones too...

Such as McDonald’s (no judgy on McD capeesh!?!), KFC, Hungry Jacks (AKA Burger King) and Subway... Just to name some that I know of.

We do food differently. That’s awesome. It makes us different places and that’s why people travel... To experience new places and new varieties of things... To get away from the typical. But I also understand the desire of while being so far away from home wishing you had a piece of it... And for me food is usually the best way to be reminded of home... Even crap fast food! Hahaha