A to Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Dictionary Letter G

Hi, and happy Friday! Friday’s – before this April Blogging Challenge started, used to be reserved for gratitude on this blog. So I am going to take advantage of this sentiment, and say that I am grateful for you reading my series, and for being a part of this larger blogging community! Thank you

I have compiled a list of interesting facts about tea for your today. 22 Facts to be exact. I wonder how many of those you know. Let me know which of these surprised you the most:

22 Facts about Tea

1. In Russia tea was traditionally prepared in a samovar, which is a heated metal container that keeps it warm for hours.
2. Ireland is the first nation of tea drinkers per capita, Britain is the second.
3. A tea plant needs at least 50 inches of rain each year
4. It takes 12 years for a tea plant to be able to produce seeds
5. If not harvested, a tea plant can grow up to 52 feet tall
6. Over half of the tea brewed in the US is made from tea bags – about 65 %.
7. Black tea contains tannic acid, which can remove warts
8. In order to appear that they are drinking whiskey, Actors usually get watered down black tea, which looks very similar.
9. The first book about tea comes from China, and was written in 780, and is called The Classic of Tea.
10. Black, Green, Oolong, Dark and White teas come from the same plant, called Camellia sinensis.
11. High tea originated with the working class British, who would return home at 6pm for dinner that always included strong tea
12. According to Chinese Legend, the servants of Emperor Shen Nong where purifying water by boiling it, when leaves from the tea bush fell into the water. It was at that time considered as a tonic and health drink.
13. The most expensive tea in the world is fertilized by Panda waste. It is grown in Ya’An, China, and cost about 200 dollars a cup of tea.
14. Chinese call black tea “red tea”.
15. The best-selling tea brand in the world is Lipton.
16. Tea bags were invented in the US by accident, when customers placed sample silk bags into water, instead of emptying their contents, as it was intended.
17. Tea only contains about half as much caffeine as coffee
18. The only places were tea are grown in the US are a small island off the Coast of South Carolina, and also Hawaii
19. Celestial Seasonings adds soy lecithin to your tea products, which is not good for those who are allergic to this unnecessary ingredient.
20. In Russia, India and many other places, Chai means tea, so don’t order chai tea there, they will look at you funny. Instead order Masala Chai.
21. Pickled tea is a delicately in Burma.
22. Dampened tea leaves make a great mosquito repellant.

Enjoyed reading these facts? Some are rather strange, aren’t they? Now let’s get back to our Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary, with the letter G

Letter G:

Geese: Geese always warn of unexpected visitors or unrest. Consider yourself warned

Giraffe: Watch what you are saying your words can have a unexpected and negative effect on situations, if you are using them carelessly.

Goat: the new adventure you are about to embark on, has some risk. Not a good sign for someone who is in the Navy or works on water

Grapes: this symbol showcases a time of enjoyment and leisure, time to enjoy the success you have earned

Guitars: a sign that there is a potential attraction in play. Maybe it is time for an exciting new relationship or a new deeper passionate phase in the current one.

Gun: A sudden change that is not for the better. Be aware, and take a close look at all of the other symbols that show up during this reading.

I hope to see you again tomorrow!

Have a wonderful day!

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Book Review: Girl Gone London – An American Girl’s Guide To Studying Abroad In London

(Disclaimer: A copy of this book was given to me by the Author free of charge, in return for an honest review. Opinions and experiences are completely my own)

Title: Girl Gone London – An American Girl’s Guide To Studying Abroad In London

Author: Girl Gone London

Publishing Date: available now

Available at: PayHip.com to download

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

The reason I was interested in a book about studying abroad is because of my daughter. As a young person who is about to go to College, and with a European Mother ( I was born in Germany), she is very aware of the possibilities and opportunities of studying abroad.

Still, I was not informed enough about the details to help her make a well-researched decision if  she would decide to study out of the country, and help her to decide where that would be.

This guide is a great place to start getting the information needed to make these decisions.

Very well written, in a light conversational and entertaining tone, Girl Gone London’s book  is a quick and comfortable read filled with plenty of detailed information. For example, I did not know that it was difficult for a student from the US to open a bank account in the UK, a very important point that needs to be kept in mind when you are planning on staying for more than 6 months in the UK.

I am glad that I was given a copy of this book to review, and I handed it as soon as I was done reading it, to my daughter, convinced that she will be able to make a more informed decision about what her educational future will look like, and what possibilities​ she has from here on out.

I thank the Author for giving me this peace of mind.

 

Blessings

Claudia

The Boot – A Flash Fiction

“The Boot” Vintage Design by Avalon Media
http://shrsl.com/?~8ptp

“Look what I found!”

Her voice was filled with such sweet excitement, that the older man could not hold back a smile. At one point he had dreaded to bring this young student with him to the site, not looking forward to the lack of knowledge an inexperienced person would surely bring along, but her enthusiasm made up for all of that and more. He reminded her of who he used to be, not too long before her arrival,  hoping to explore those hidden treasures, left by the civilizations before the Great War.

There was so much more to find, but the tedious work had taken his toll on him. So had the grim prospects of finding leftovers that showcased the detailed and widespread cruelty,  humankind had brought upon one another.
Her view was not tainted by such sights, not yet, and he hoped it would never come to that.

“What is it, Natasha?”, he answered, putting as much smile into his voice as its deepness allowed him to display.
“Behind that heavy broken thing you call furniture, I found this.”
She pointed at a faint painting, placed directly upon the aged wall and looked half questioning, half filled with pride.
“I have no idea, why anyone would use such a monstrously looking boot as a vase, yet in it’s strange composition it is quite pleasing, don’t you think?”
He glanced at the surprisingly well-preserved image in front of them and nodded softly. What alight-hearted, pleasing surprise, indeed.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The above image “The Boot” is available as a framed art print on RedBubble. Thank you for your support.

The Gift – A Five Sentence Flash Fiction

Returning to the place, where she had been abandoned, was supposed to bring her closure of some kind, but instead it brought her only an empty feeling of nothingness. The bare steps of the large church where cold, bare and a stark contrast to her childhood, adopted by the kindest people she ever met, or could imagine. There was no trace of her, the one, who had given life, but nothing else, no sign of love, no care, no connection. Glancing back at the two people, waiting at a short distance for her, to find her own way, she was glad, she had been left behind.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post was inspired by the Five Sentence Flash Fiction Prompt “Abandon”

Predictions – A Daily Prompt Post

Today’s Daily Prompt:

There are 344 days remaining in the year. Describe what you’d like to be doing on day 211. (Hint: that’s July 30th.)

I like this daily prompt, because I believe in setting exact goals, knowing what you want, and then letting the Universe handle the rest. Well, where do I want to be?

July 30th, we have already moved to the Los Angeles area, by that time (our goal is the end of February), so I will be in LA, having lunch with my Agent, discussing publishing details. I still have to find a place with really good vegetarian cuisine there, but considering how this town is a foodies dream come true, that should not be any problem. If anyone of you lives in LA, do you know of a great restaurant that serves some if not all vegetarian meals?

Have a wonderful day, everyone! 

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/daily-prompt-future-3/ 

This Moment

This Moment – A Haiku

powerful moment
alive in the present dance
expansion awaits

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

Daily Prompt: http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/daily-prompt-forward/

My Spiritual Answer to this prompt can be found here: http://shrineofhecate.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/living-in-the-moment-creating-a-future/