67

This one has a couple extra ingredients thrown in – blackberry leaf and stevia leaf. Not sure what benefit or flavor the blackberry leaf offers, and I’m not really tasting any sweetness from the stevia. Of course, that means no weird aftertaste either. Maybe because it’s stevia leaf and not the processed powder. Hibiscus isn’t my favorite, but I wanted something without caffeine this afternoon and I hadn’t tried this one yet. It’s cooled off now, so I’m enjoying it.

I signed up for a free virtual assistant training (?) this afternoon. It’s just a little five-day video series, though I’m sure they’ll be asking me for money at the end. Maybe if I like it, I’ll sign up. We’ll see. I’m hoping to narrow down my focus with some of the provided worksheets as the week goes on. I’m working as an administrative assistant now in a semi-large department, but I’d love to break into the world of virtual assistant work. September is approaching quickly and with it our official return to work. Being an assistant was never the plan (I wanted to be an Anthropologist…), but it pays the bills and I’m good at it so here we are. Working from home these last 18 months has really put things into perspective for me though, especially thinking about all that time wasted on long commutes. That, plus some somewhat recent health issues, has me reconsidering if the corporate world is really worth it. Some people live to climb that corporate ladder, but I’ve never been one of them. It’s just so hard for me to step away from my comfort zone. I guess it’s probably like that for most people. Anyway, if you’ve read this far, thanks for letting me ramble on. It’s been heavy on my mind lately. How’s everyone else adjusting to this “new normal” we’re moving into? I’m still nervous about leaving my house, to be honest. I’ve been lucky to be able to stay home through all of this, that’s for sure. I wonder sometimes how this will affect all of us long-term. It’s been quite a year+ and it’s still not even over.

Flavors: Astringent, Hibiscus

Preparation
Boiling 7 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML
AJRimmer

I’ll be back in the office 2-3 days a week starting next week, and I’m dreading it! So much wasted time each day. I hope you’re able to transition into something you love!

Shae

Oh goodness, I feel your pain. I’ve been dreading it too. We’ll be doing 3 days in the office (Tuesdays – Thursdays) at least through December. I feel so stuck. I really hope next week goes well for you. Maybe they’ll ease into things as everyone adjusts. Do you generally like what you do?

AJRimmer

Yeah, they’re staggering days so I’ll be the only one in on the days I’m there, which I guess will be pretty low pressure. I’m an event planner for a university, and I really love it. The only problem is there’s a lot of down time, and I’ll miss being able to get things done around the house throughout the day!

mrmopar

The return back was hard for me as I had to give up my side job where I made more for myself than I could at my regular employer. Still not giving up on working for myself one day.

Martin Bednář

Gettíng “back to normal” is hard for me. First of all, I am vaccinated and everyone in my family is, but still I am trying to behave carefully and avoiding the crowds. I used to do it before, but still it feels a bit different.

As a job, I am just searching now, as I need something after the University and companies behave back in normal as I have been to the interviews. I feel way more stressed about the situations though.

Commuting never was a trouble for me, especially when travelling by train, but I feel like the Czechs think it is over again and yet we will be surprised. Many people think that Delta variant is “a little bit worse”, but “what’s a big deal, hospitals are empty and why I should care”.

Honestly, so many things are changing now (even in my life, and it’s not only job related) and well, today night I had a kind of depression about “free will and free thoughts” of my fellow citizens. I don’t want to read about full hospitals again in the autumn. I do my best I could, but well… “the others”

Martin Bednář

Okay, I don’t know if my ramble is understandable :/

ashmanra

Martin: I understood! We are also all vaccinated, but so many people are not getting the vaccine and now there is a surge herem especially I have heard of it at the military base. We hardly go anywhere and mask when we do go off, but it is sad how few people are being careful now.

Courtney

I hope your course works out and you can find something that works virtually Shae!

Both Lex and I have been lucky to be able to work from home, but are expected back in mid-August fully — five days a week at the university. We are both dreading it. There are no restrictions here now and everyone is living like it’s pre-pandemic. The numbers are on the rise again and the government is not being transparent about them (the other day they reported about half the number of what was true…). We’ve both been double vaccinated and will be masking (we have been the whole time), but we’d rather be safe! I also agree about the commute and cleaning — so much wasted time in the day just by being in an office…and I’m not looking forward to the ‘office culture’ as most (all) of my coworkers are excited, not just to be back in person, but for everyone to be together. Sigh. I’m trying to focus on my school and know that soon enough I can hopefully work in my field, at least!

Wishing everyone the best with this transition we’re all working through and grateful for this wee community of like-minded individuals!

tea-sipper

Martin – I understood your comments! It’s good to hear your entire family was able to get the vaccine. I don’t want to see hospitals filling up again either.

Sadly, I think it will be left up to the vaccinated to be the ones to still be careful. Even with a vaccine, I’m still worried about being out and will be wearing a mask indoors of public spaces.

tea-sipper

oh and needless to say avoiding crowds. How is a state fair even happening this year!?!

Courtney

tea-sipper I agree about it being up to the vaccinated people and avoiding crowds. They had the Stampede like lunatics (in my mind) here, with over half a million people attending. Ugh.

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Comments

AJRimmer

I’ll be back in the office 2-3 days a week starting next week, and I’m dreading it! So much wasted time each day. I hope you’re able to transition into something you love!

Shae

Oh goodness, I feel your pain. I’ve been dreading it too. We’ll be doing 3 days in the office (Tuesdays – Thursdays) at least through December. I feel so stuck. I really hope next week goes well for you. Maybe they’ll ease into things as everyone adjusts. Do you generally like what you do?

AJRimmer

Yeah, they’re staggering days so I’ll be the only one in on the days I’m there, which I guess will be pretty low pressure. I’m an event planner for a university, and I really love it. The only problem is there’s a lot of down time, and I’ll miss being able to get things done around the house throughout the day!

mrmopar

The return back was hard for me as I had to give up my side job where I made more for myself than I could at my regular employer. Still not giving up on working for myself one day.

Martin Bednář

Gettíng “back to normal” is hard for me. First of all, I am vaccinated and everyone in my family is, but still I am trying to behave carefully and avoiding the crowds. I used to do it before, but still it feels a bit different.

As a job, I am just searching now, as I need something after the University and companies behave back in normal as I have been to the interviews. I feel way more stressed about the situations though.

Commuting never was a trouble for me, especially when travelling by train, but I feel like the Czechs think it is over again and yet we will be surprised. Many people think that Delta variant is “a little bit worse”, but “what’s a big deal, hospitals are empty and why I should care”.

Honestly, so many things are changing now (even in my life, and it’s not only job related) and well, today night I had a kind of depression about “free will and free thoughts” of my fellow citizens. I don’t want to read about full hospitals again in the autumn. I do my best I could, but well… “the others”

Martin Bednář

Okay, I don’t know if my ramble is understandable :/

ashmanra

Martin: I understood! We are also all vaccinated, but so many people are not getting the vaccine and now there is a surge herem especially I have heard of it at the military base. We hardly go anywhere and mask when we do go off, but it is sad how few people are being careful now.

Courtney

I hope your course works out and you can find something that works virtually Shae!

Both Lex and I have been lucky to be able to work from home, but are expected back in mid-August fully — five days a week at the university. We are both dreading it. There are no restrictions here now and everyone is living like it’s pre-pandemic. The numbers are on the rise again and the government is not being transparent about them (the other day they reported about half the number of what was true…). We’ve both been double vaccinated and will be masking (we have been the whole time), but we’d rather be safe! I also agree about the commute and cleaning — so much wasted time in the day just by being in an office…and I’m not looking forward to the ‘office culture’ as most (all) of my coworkers are excited, not just to be back in person, but for everyone to be together. Sigh. I’m trying to focus on my school and know that soon enough I can hopefully work in my field, at least!

Wishing everyone the best with this transition we’re all working through and grateful for this wee community of like-minded individuals!

tea-sipper

Martin – I understood your comments! It’s good to hear your entire family was able to get the vaccine. I don’t want to see hospitals filling up again either.

Sadly, I think it will be left up to the vaccinated to be the ones to still be careful. Even with a vaccine, I’m still worried about being out and will be wearing a mask indoors of public spaces.

tea-sipper

oh and needless to say avoiding crowds. How is a state fair even happening this year!?!

Courtney

tea-sipper I agree about it being up to the vaccinated people and avoiding crowds. They had the Stampede like lunatics (in my mind) here, with over half a million people attending. Ugh.

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Bio

Lifetime student. Lover of books and paper and ink. Kitchen dweller. Aspiring herbalist, excessively proud cat lady, and tea fanatic. Thirty-something elder millennial. She/her.

I love flavored black teas most of all, always with cream and honey. I enjoy floral and fruity teas, as well as flavored or scented ones. I’m not overly fond of green or white teas, but I’ve found a few that I enjoy.

I’m open to tea swaps and/or just sharing what’s in my tea cabinet! Please reach out if you see something I have that you’d like to try. I do my best to update my cupboard regularly.

Favorites
Any and all black teas, smoky teas, raspberry, strawberry, red fruits, bergamot, chai spices, floral teas, caramel/toffee, jasmine, rose, vanilla, peaches, plums, valerian root, cinnamon, cardamom

Not a huge fan
White teas, green teas, artificial sweeteners, sarsaparilla, licorice, lemongrass, lavender, hot hibiscus, hibiscus in black tea blends

Rating Scale

1-20: By far, one of the worst teas I’ve tasted. I most certainly will not finish my cup and will likely “gift” the rest to my sweet husband, James, who almost always enjoys the teas I dislike (and vice versa).

21-49: This tea is not good, but if I mix it with another tea or find another steeping method I might be able to finish it.

50-69: This one is just okay. I might drink it again if someone were to give it to me, but I probably won’t be buying more for myself.

70-79: This is a consistently good tea. It’s reliable but not necessarily special.

80-90: This one is a notch above the rest and I would gladly enjoy a cup of it any day of the week. I’ll likely be keeping this in my cupboard, but it isn’t one of my all-time favorites.

91-95: One small change and this tea would be perfect. I’ll definitely have a stash of this in my kitchen if you come over for tea.

96-100: No words can describe this tea. It’s an experience, an aha moment. Closed eyes, wide smile, encompassing warmth. Absolutely incredible. Perfect.

Updated May 2022.

Location

Alabaster, Alabama

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