Sometimes, it's the little things in life...
Last week when I was traveling to Ostrava, I happened to see an advertisement for Oreos. I was in the middle of a conversation with a friend, when I suddenly yelled out "Oreos"! My poor friend was so startled she started looking in every direction for the object cause of my disruption. I had to tell her that embarrassingly enough, my excitement was over a cookie. But it was the best cookie in the world! Milk's best friend!
I was now on a mission to hunt down the Oreos in Brno. It took me a few days, but I found them! They were a bit expensive so I decided to wait to buy them until I was really desperate. Then a couple of days ago I was at a party and what did I find waiting for me in the middle of the snack table... Oreos! I thought this had to be a direct gift from God so I greedily took some. Those had to be the best Oreos I ever had.
I have come to realize that Peanut butter is a traditional American product that is very foreign to most other cultures. When I was visiting India, found out the people hated it. They didn't have anything similar to it so they rejected it completely. In Brno, people compare it to Nutella, but they still aren't the biggest fans of it. When I went to the grocery store for the first time it took me 20 minutes just to find the one brand of peanut butter the store sold. The jar was half the size you would find in the States, but they still sold it for the same price as a jar double the size. I thought it was worth buying since I could eat it with so many things.
The next day I walked into the ministry office with my apple and peanut butter snack. When I sat down to enjoy my delicious food I got some very curious looks from the other people in the office. Peanut butter with fruit? They asked me what other things I ate with peanut butter. As I began to tell them, their faces became more disgusted with every item I added to the list.... celery, pancakes, chocolate, Oreos! Peanut butter with jelly... on bread? I realized I would have to introduce this Czech ministry to the amazing world of salty-sweet snacks.
Since I was a little girl, I have known the affects that come with drinking prune juice. Grandma and Grandpa always had a good stock of it in the refrigerator, but it was never meant for every day use. You only had prune juice when you were "sick". I found out this past week that not everybody grows up with this knowledge.
While at a restaurant with a friend, we were deciding what kind of crepe to order for dessert. When she suggested we order the crepe with prunes I gave her an uncertain look. Prunes? Right before we are about to take a long trip back home? She looked confused so I began explaining the consequences that came with eating prunes. I watched her face as it broke out into complete laughter and disbelief. Through our laughter and tears, I finally convinced her to order the strawberry crepe instead... just to be on the safe side.
There are certain things that bring me comfort when I start to miss home. I Skype with friends and look at new baby pictures on Facebook. I re-read emails with news about life back in the Sunny State. But sometimes it's the Oreos, peanut butter and prune juice that can make me feel a little closer to home.
Last week when I was traveling to Ostrava, I happened to see an advertisement for Oreos. I was in the middle of a conversation with a friend, when I suddenly yelled out "Oreos"! My poor friend was so startled she started looking in every direction for the object cause of my disruption. I had to tell her that embarrassingly enough, my excitement was over a cookie. But it was the best cookie in the world! Milk's best friend!
I was now on a mission to hunt down the Oreos in Brno. It took me a few days, but I found them! They were a bit expensive so I decided to wait to buy them until I was really desperate. Then a couple of days ago I was at a party and what did I find waiting for me in the middle of the snack table... Oreos! I thought this had to be a direct gift from God so I greedily took some. Those had to be the best Oreos I ever had.
I have come to realize that Peanut butter is a traditional American product that is very foreign to most other cultures. When I was visiting India, found out the people hated it. They didn't have anything similar to it so they rejected it completely. In Brno, people compare it to Nutella, but they still aren't the biggest fans of it. When I went to the grocery store for the first time it took me 20 minutes just to find the one brand of peanut butter the store sold. The jar was half the size you would find in the States, but they still sold it for the same price as a jar double the size. I thought it was worth buying since I could eat it with so many things.
The next day I walked into the ministry office with my apple and peanut butter snack. When I sat down to enjoy my delicious food I got some very curious looks from the other people in the office. Peanut butter with fruit? They asked me what other things I ate with peanut butter. As I began to tell them, their faces became more disgusted with every item I added to the list.... celery, pancakes, chocolate, Oreos! Peanut butter with jelly... on bread? I realized I would have to introduce this Czech ministry to the amazing world of salty-sweet snacks.
Since I was a little girl, I have known the affects that come with drinking prune juice. Grandma and Grandpa always had a good stock of it in the refrigerator, but it was never meant for every day use. You only had prune juice when you were "sick". I found out this past week that not everybody grows up with this knowledge.
While at a restaurant with a friend, we were deciding what kind of crepe to order for dessert. When she suggested we order the crepe with prunes I gave her an uncertain look. Prunes? Right before we are about to take a long trip back home? She looked confused so I began explaining the consequences that came with eating prunes. I watched her face as it broke out into complete laughter and disbelief. Through our laughter and tears, I finally convinced her to order the strawberry crepe instead... just to be on the safe side.
There are certain things that bring me comfort when I start to miss home. I Skype with friends and look at new baby pictures on Facebook. I re-read emails with news about life back in the Sunny State. But sometimes it's the Oreos, peanut butter and prune juice that can make me feel a little closer to home.
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