Guarana Antarctica!

It's always fun to try new things, and last night I had my first Brazilian soda at the  Restaurant Les Epices on Avenue Atlas.

It turns out that guarana is a climbing plant and its seed extract is used in drinks.  From there I learned (thanks to Ms. Wiki):

•Brazil is the third largest consumer of soft drinks in the world,

•this particular brand of guarana soda, Guarana Antarctica, is the second best-selling soft drink in Brazil (behind Coca-Cola), 

•and that only three countries produce it. 

I wasn't surprised that along with Brazil, Portugal is one of those three countries. But Japan as the third did surprise me until Ms. Wiki reminded me that Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population outside Japan. Considering USA's melting pot status, I think that would be a Quiz Night-worthy question. 

Another Quiz Night-worthy question is why this restaurant serves a Brazilian soft drink--it specializes in Central and West African, Indian, and Mexican cuisine, and Ms. Wiki says Guarana Antarctica is only available in 20 countries and none are in Africa (nor India or Mexico). 

Oh, and yes, I liked it--an apple-esque flavor I'd say, with hints of grape notes.  

The Serenity Prayer redux

...and chocolate to know the difference. (Photo courtesy of FM Mackay)

You might be an introvert if...

"You might be an Introvert If…
•You see a solitary confinement cell on a prison documentary and think that some people have all the luck.
•When bad weather hits your city and leaves you housebound, your routine doesn’t change that much.
•You wish there were a patron saint of getting voicemail when you call people.
•You have ever snuck into your house the back way because your neighbors were doing something festive in their front yard and you were afraid they’d invite you if they saw you.
•You get put on bedrest and it takes everyone a few days to notice that anything is different. (This actually happened to me. Although I guess that could be laziness more than introversion.)"

               Jen Fulwiler (an introvert who has six children, blogs her life and seems to have no qualms about appearing on national TV-- which in my book falls under the "You might be an Extrovert If" category...)