371 Tasting Notes
Since the wonderful Morgana called me out of hiding this morning I felt it imperative that I follow through with my statement that I should have some of this tea tonight. And to also log it. I have no clue how long I let this bad boy steep — I’m thinking that it was less than five minutes. It started off just as I remembered (mango lotion), but then got really weak and more reminiscent of rooibos gone stale and sort of ick. I really need to watch the time. I still find it a pretty decent decaf option. NE
On a personal note: I’ve been on survival mode as I transition from one library to another (which equals 6 day workweeks with long commutes), and getting ready for the GRE (which is now officially scheduled for the first week of September). I’ve been on an emotional/mental rollercoaster and I’m really hoping that things calm down soon. Oh, but at the new library there is a core group of tea-drinkers! Huzzah!
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I met my college advisor/mentor at a local coffee shop yesterday and was floored to discover that they carry loose leaf tea as well. I plan to go back when I don’t have a meeting to ask the friendly baristas more questions. The one thing that I’m very concerned about is that they have their teas in glass jars. Yes, they’re near the back of the shop, but still I’d like to think that they’re UV resistant. I also want to find out if they’d let me bring in a gaiwan to use instead of their cup and strainer-thingy. And water temps, and yeah, I’m trying to spread out my questions over time so I’m not that customer. ;)
Anywho, I was pleased when one of the guys raised his eyebrow and asked “have you had this tea before?” And I got to explain that I’ve had many lapsangs, but not this specific one (I need to find out who their supplier is as well). He laughed and told me some funny stories about customers’ reactions. The tea itself was fine. It wan’t the best and it wasn’t the worst. Not a lot of depth, but I still got the nice “plantiness” that underlies some lapsangs. It did its job and I enjoyed the cup. NE
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I decided that I needed a yummy zen-like tea to get me through the day. Ah yes, this one hits the spot. I really noticed the butteriness of this one starting with the second steep — it almost felt like I’d applied lip balm (bizarre, but true). This tea just makes me happy from the aroma to the taste to the warm fuzzies it imparts. I lost count of the infusions, but there were many. TG
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Sweet baby Jesus on a pogostick! I can’t even begin to describe the waking nightmare I had yesterday when I gave my notice to my soon-to-be ex-boss (and it’s continued into today via emails). I’ll leave it at that.
I’m not a chocolate fan, but after the horrendous 48 hours I needed something that felt like a treat (and that wasn’t alcoholic). And here’s my nummy Chocolate Mint tea to the rescue! The mint seems to be almost biting in its aroma today – it could be because my kettle went up to boiling (I’d meant for it to stay just under). And the bonus stress that’s been heaped onto everything else is probably warping my tea experiences again. But lordy, is this hitting the spot. NE
Again, sorry that I’ve been so sporradic in regarding to posting and reading/commenting. Let me assure you that I plan on getting back into the swing of things again — I just need to survive the next several weeks (at least that’s what I’m telling myself). I’ve truly enjoyed escaping into all your notes when I’ve had the time — it’s been a great way to decompress, so thank you all :)
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And sorry about my butchering of the English language!
hugs – sound awful…thank goodness you won’t have to deal with them much longer.
Aww, sorry to hear that. I gave notice 2 weeks ago and was so scared they were going to be really angry. Instead, my manager said “I’m surprised you stuck it out as long as you did”. Keep your head up. The last 2 weeks are hard but you can take refuge in the fact that you are moving on to something better.
Like the note, dislike the reason you’re having to flee to chocolate tea to survive. :( I hope you’re able to get through your remaining time without too much more difficulty!
Awwww. Sorry to hear. Drink more tea. Take more deep breaths. Don’t look at your email. ;-)
Hang in there Rabs!!!
Just think that your new job will be great! :)
Thank y’all so very very much! ::hugs::
Hey all — yes, I still exist and haven’t imploded from all the stressors in my life at the moment. Unfortunately, my tea drinking exploration has temporarily come to a screeching halt as I’ve been stuck on Jasmine #9 for at least a week. I typically brew some up in my JOEmo and take it to work where after I almost drink it all I add some cold water and continue doing so throughout the day. And that’s been it. As I type this I’m slightly horrified. Oh well, it’s working for me right now, so I’ll go with it.
One thing that I’ve been meaning to mention is how awesome the JOEmo is at keeping the tea temp. I had filled it with cold water and driven out to my interview the other week where I left it in my car (heat index was above 100 degrees — blech). When I came back out almost 2 hours later my car was an oven. I grabbed the thermos (which was warm to the touch) and then almost did a spit-take when the water inside was as cold as it had been when I originally poured it. It was a super-pleasant surprise. :)
There’s more family visiting so things have been hectic (but fun) here. I also potentially may have some extra-good news on the job front, but I don’t wanna jinx it (I should know by the end of the week). So I was feeling pretty upbeat this morning even when the family brought over doughnuts (of which I did not partake). Instead I treated myself to this uber-yummy tea. It’s wonderful in that I’m not experiencing any sort of “doughnut remorse” (which can be caused by either having or not having doughnuts). Hooray for this tea! TG
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This tea is AMAZING! If you like black iced tea (I just happen not to unfortunately), you should try this iced. I bet it wouldn’t need any extra sugar- even if you normally sweeten your iced tea.
Thanks — I’ll definitely try this iced! :)
ahahaha, I love that doughnut remorse will get you regardless of what you do. you’re d0000000000med
Good luck on the GRE, I actually thought it was sort of a fun test. But that was because I’d already taken the LSAT. And the new library sounds fab!
Miss you! Good luck studying!! I have to take the PRAXIS tests (teacher tests) soon and am a wreck over them!!
I miss “hanging out” with all the awesome Steepsterites as well! Thank you for the well-wishes. :) I would tell you why I’m so utterly terrified of the GRE, but it involves my last epic test that was ::cough-cough:: years ago and it was the PRAXIS PPST.
Er, I’ll tell ya anyway since I think it sounds scarier if I just leave that statement hanging vs. the real story: I missed passing by one point in the math area. (please note that I did absolutely no studying leading up to that particular test).
That’s painful! I am so bad at math – I am actually going to take two math classes before I take the test because when I took the GRE I bombed the math big time! My graduate program wanted the scores on record, but didn’t count them towards admission so it was no big deal, but my current teacher certification program actually requires our math scores to be even higher than the state requirements so I am, so to speak, up a creek if I don’t know my stuff! I’m going to (hopefully!) be teaching elementary school so I won’t be subjecting poor children to my lack of higher level math knowledge, don’t worry :) :) :) I do know how to add and subtract…if I try really hard and go slow ;)
Yeah, it’s the math that’s terrifying me. Good luck on your tests! Plus, remember to be like me and use your fingers to count (toes work too!) ;)