Buzzzzzzz!

I have discovered, at my somewhat advanced age, a source of caffeine that I *really, really* like, and that isn't chocolate. I never acquired a taste for coffee, although in desperation I *could* take it as long as it is mostly milk and sugar. Ditto for any caffeinated teas: even in college, for the more-than-occasional all-nighter, I would only drink Earl Grey liberally laced with white. At proper English tea shops that doesn't matter, because that is the Proper Way of Taking Tea, British-style. Well, I guess it is, anyway. BUT, I have just learned that there is something out there known as Hot Chai Latte, and it is mmmmmmm delicious. The chai part is a black tea, or so I've been told, and I've had different versions blended with steamed milk and maybe honey and lots of spices like ginger or cardamom or vanilla -- they vary quite widely, some very spicy and some very sweet. The one I just discovered downstairs at Ye Olde Coffee Cart is a deliciously sweet vanilla/spice combination and it's like heaven on earth to drink it. At last, a hot, caffeinated drink that I can enjoy that *isn't* hot chocolate. I feel so... grown-up! Imagine getting all the way through life to age almost-50, and getting through college, with no source of caffeine to pump me up and keep me awake.

Of course now I'm ZINGING and bouncing off the walls and my heart is palpitating and I have a huge smile on my face and my fingers are flying off the keys and I'm adding candy to the mix because after the madness of Halloween treats I haven't been able to wean myself back off yet and... and... and whew, I'm making myself tired just typing this, but in a very UP way.

So, like, I'm just sayin'. *grin*