News you can use

I got this phonecall. If I was interested in sharing my experience with others. It involved diabetes and to be more specific: living your life hooked up to an insulin pump. I have been pumping for nearly 6 years now, so I can say I have some relevant information to share. Over the years I have shared my life with 3 different devices. They were my life savers, really. They provided my body with insulin throughout the day and at each mealtime. The insulin pump makes my life a whole lot more flexible. I was thankful for my insulin pens as well, don't get me wrong. But things were different back then. I had to follow a more strict regime of eating same amounts of food around the same time. I hated that way of life. I am young and free and I like to go out with friends. It was no fun if I had to inject insulin and eat beforehand so my bloodsugar wouldn't drop. I never minded shooting up insulin at the table in a restaurant, but the pump gives me so much more freedom. I am no longer bound to scheduled mealtimes. If I want to skip a meal or eat an extra snack, my pump helps me to stay tuned. The representative of my pump company is a good guy. We got along from day one and he has been a great help so far. So I did not hesitate when he asked me to help him out with this workshop on the pump. He asked me if I knew another speaker, who had recently made the transfer to the pump. I had one person in mind. A young man who got his insulin pump just last November. For 17 years, he had been shooting up insulin with syringes, twice a day. Trading his syringes for a pump, is probably the best move he could have done in his diabetes career. His life has improved and freedom lurked just around the corner. So the two of us agreed on speaking in public, for a group of adults who were interested in a new life with an insulin pump. It was not my first workshop on diabetes, but for my friend it was a whole new experience. I had faith that he would do well. His knowledge on the pump technology is so much better than mine. He understands the logic behind the scenes and that is something I lack. We made a good team and the audience was excited and interested. It's fulfilling if you can help others make a decision for the better. I wish our mutual girlfriend would dare to jump into the deep and say: okay, I'll give it a shot (how ironic was that?).
I'm curious to find out if our presentation had an impact or not. We were not there to convince others of the advantages of pumping insulin, but being a huge fan myself, I'm sure the enthusiasm was catching.

Turning back time

Our youngest daughter is doing a school project on her grandparents. She's going through the family pictures and writing down stories on the family tree. She's fascinated by the snapshots of her grandparent's wedding. What a doll grandma was.. She was gorgeous and slim and so in love with her hero. They have grown older over the years, having raised 5 children. In a house, where all family members are welcome, we like to sit together and enjoy a pleasant afternoon. The 9 grandchildren bring joy into the life of their grandparents. They are their love and pride.

Grandma, you are still a beautiful woman. You are loving and caring and your heart is warm enough to feed us all. The children love to come for a sleepover and they always look forward to being around you. Today is your birthday. A memorable one: 70 years old. When I was a teen, I thought 50 was old. But I know better now. Even at the age of 70, you are not old. Not at all. You are still very active. Going out with your girlfriends, taking dance classes, looking after your grandchildren and helping out in the neighborhood, you lead a fulfilling life and I think you wouldn't want it any other way.

Have a very happy birthday grandma. We love you xxx

The final countdown

I'm sure you know them. Those songs that keep twirling around in your head as soon as you have heard the first notes. They are so annoying but very present. Some songs are just impossible to get out of your head. There are some songs I have in mind, but I refuse to think about them, since they would take over my mind right away. They would fill my head with crazy tunes and disturbing beats. I really don't want to think about those songs. I don't even want to look at the title of this blog, since it's one of those songs. Aaarrggghhhh! I've said it! And now it's in my head.. It's the final countdown.. tudududu.. tudududu.. seriously.. Can you hear it? I bet you can! Wanna hear another one? It might make the first one disappear. How about the Ketchup Song? Aserejè ja de jè de jebe tu de jebere seibiounouva majavi an de bugui an de buididipi.. Are you lost already? I bet you had no idea what the exact lyrics were, but you sang along anyway, didn't you? It's gonna stay there throughout your day! Trust me! Enjoy!

It was interesting to say the least

I did it!! I'm so proud of me! My friend took another friend and myself geocaching in Vlaams-Brabant. He had organized this game for us and his enthusiasm was so catching we couldn't stay behind. My other friend was even more eager to find out about this game, so he tried out some geocaching on his own in the days prior to D-day. Leaving me behind as the only geocaching-virgin..
I didn't mind though. I knew I was in good hands and we had 3 GPS's handy, so I was sure we were not going to get lost.

It was freezing cold and the wind was torturing our heads and hands. For once, I had traded my high heels for more comfortable ankle boots. That was definitely a very good idea. The narrow paths weren't that muddy, but absolutely not convenient if you were wearing your best high heels. I don't get the coordinate thing at all. It's too mathematical for me, so I leave that up to the boys. But I did enjoy the walk and the game and the treasure hunting. Okay, I didn't find any treasure myself, but at least I helped looking for it. I had no idea how many attributes you need when you are geocaching. Must haves: a torch, to take good peeks inside dead trees ; a mirror, to see the small sign underneath the railing of a rusty bridge ; a good camera, in case you want to take a picture of the hints instead of writing them down ; drinks and food - you never know how long the walk will take and you do not want to run out of water or food. You need extra glucose strips and glucose tablets too. That is, if you're a diabetic of course. Haha! it would be a bit silly to carry those around and not be a diabetic. The three of us were amongst the lucky bastards to have picked the winning lottery ticket saying: you have diabetes. There was no need to worry about holding up others because your blood sugar is low. It didn't matter if you had cookies while the others were not ready to snack yet. The empty containers of our glucose strips make the perfect box to hide little treasures or hints in for future geocaching.

My whippet girls enjoyed the afternoon just like we did. They had a great time, running around the fields and the narrow paths. Trying to avoid close contact with mules and woolly lambs, I let them run free whenever I got the chance. I would definitely love to take them along next time. Yes, you heard me all right: next time. That means that I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the serial. That is if you will have me.

The tam-tam did its job

What I intended with one of my previous blogs, worked real well. Since I no longer have Google Analytics, I wanted to know who reads my blog. Several people addressed me about the tattoo I got this week. They wanted to know where I got it or if it was painful to have it done. They were curious about the design, but since it's in a really private place, I wasn't able to show them. I can tell you my oldest daughter was furious about this impulsive act. She had already suspected I would come home with a design on my body. So it didn't come as a surprise to her. But like I stated: she was outraged. Said she was going to tell her dad right away.
I was having coffee with my mother-in-law, when I heard one of my sisters-in-law had asked about the tattoo. See? Told you.. the tam-tam did its job. It didn't take very long to spread the rumor. Internet is a great medium to let people know what's going on in your life. But as you could read in yesterday's blog: do not always believe what's on the Internet. Trust your instinct and think for yourself. It's up to you to decide whether the tattoo is real or not.

Now tell me..

Do you believe everything you read on the Internet? Let's face it. The Internet is full of information and it's a great resource if you're trying to find whatever you may be looking for. If I need correct information, I try Wikipedia, although I hear their information isn't always that correct either. But it's a very good start. There are so many tales and there's a lot of crap on the Internet as well. It's up to you to decide what you want to believe and what you believe to be misleading.

There used to be a time where we had to go to the library to find the information we needed for school projects. There were encyclopedia - who still owns an encyclopedia these days? do you? - and other books, but that was about all the information we could lay our hands on. Now youngsters don't even think of looking something up in a book. They prefer Google and Wikipedia. It is an endless resource after all and pretty much up to date. It doesn't mean you don't have to be critical. Think about what you read and try to find out what's correct and what's not. Try other resources. Talk to people. Ask for their opinion. Discuss the subject with friends and see what they can come up with. It may become an interesting discussion and it may open your point of view to something else. Just give it a go.

Mystic Mojos

Mystic Mojos

A group of 5 young men come together to play their music and have a good time. A mix of retro rock and blues is what makes their hearts tick. Their enthusiasm is catching. Their music wants to make you wiggle your hips. The first demo is ready. It holds 4 terrific songs. My heart goes out to Harder to find. You close the curtains to my soul, you fill my holes, you clean my soul, you make me better than you.. you make me harder to find. I close my eyes and the lyrics stay put in my head. The heart follows the beat and I mimic along to the rhythm. The joy of listening to the harmonica, played by the singer, brings a smile on my face. These guys rock! Everybody's stranger is worth listening to as well. The band may be local, but their music is worldly. They perform on a regular basis and more fans are following their agenda.
I used to go out in this pub - at the age of 18 - where this kind of music was highly appreciated. I'm sure the owner would have invited this band multiple times and the crowd would have gone wild. I would have found my spot on the barstool and my fingers would have tapped along. Easy strolling' huh?
Small detail: the handsome singer of the Mystic Mojos joins us for dinner every now and then. Our oldest daughter fell in love with him (how could she not?) and they have been a couple for over a year now. It's a gift if you're talented enough to entertain others. Music is a great way to express yourself. I ordered myself a couple of demos. Guess what CD will be on in my car for the next couple of weeks? Exactly! Don't forget to order your copy! Send arne_bogaert@hotmail.com your order and he'll get back to you. Like their page on Facebook. And in the mean time? Keep rockin'!

I toy with the idea

My friend asked me if I wanted to join her to the tattoo shop. She was going to get her second tattoo. A small black and white retro ribbon between her shoulder blades. She was a bit anxious and I had nothing scheduled that afternoon, so yes, I joined her. The girls warned me not to even think about getting one myself. As if!

I was nervous for her.. She was a bit giggly at first, but as soon as the tattoo guy displayed the design he had in mind for her, she relaxed and took a seat, cowgirl style. He needed to work on her back and it's easier if you sit than lay down. I loved the design. He asked if she wouldn't consider a red ribbon, but no, she preferred the colors she had in mind. Along the progress of the art work, we discussed other people's ideas on tattoos. I must admit, I had toyed with the idea of getting a small one myself. So I interrupted Mr Jumpneedle and asked him how long it would take him to sketch me a small design. My friend looked at me like: WTF? Just askin', just askin', I signed. He wanted to finish her ribbon first, but soon after that, he drew me what I had asked for. Well it wasn't really a drawing. It was just the short for Type 1 diabetes: T1. That's exactly what I wanted. And I had already thought about the spot where I wanted him to print it. In the groin, on the right side. He told me that was a fragile spot and it might hurt more than on my arm or back. But no, I didn't want to show the whole world, so I wanted a private spot to have my very own T1 tattoo. He informed me that it wouldn't take more than 20 min to get it, if I wanted it. And he had no more scheduled appointments that day. So if I was willing..?

I'm happy with the result. It's small. It's meaningfull (that is to me and that's all that matters). Italic font. Black. No fuss, actually very sèc. It stings a bit and it shows some redness. But I hear that won't last long. I have to use antibiotic cream for a couple of days and it may itch for a whole week, but by then, the healing process should be starting. Wow.. I never thought I would really go through with this.. Thanks to my friend.. Darn..

There's a first time for everything

I still can't believe I agreed to do this...
I believe I'm the most unsportsmanlike person on this planet. Really... I hate sports. It doesn't do anything for me. No adrenalin rush, no good feeling afterwards, no weight loss, no better condition whatsoever. Did I mention the boredom sports brings me? How boring can it be? I can't keep my jaws from yawning while working out. Well, that is.. some decades ago I signed up to go to the gym. I even went 3 times a week and every single time I had to drag myself to go. I hated it from day one, every single minute. Not one person has been able to convince me of the contrary. I just don't get it. It's not my cup of tea.

My friend has a new hobby. They call it geocaching. Let me guess? You have never heard of it? That's exactly what I thought. I'll give you a short briefing. Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices. After the hunt, they share their experiences online. I assume you understand where I'm headed to? Exactly.. my friend has made me enthusiastic for this "hobby" (I refuse to call it sports, since I do not want to dislike it beforehand), by sharing his adventures. I do admit: it sounds appealing. He is as much a sportsman as I am (read: so not in to sports), but he loves this game. So yes, this Sunday, we're going to hunt for our first treasure. I really can't believe I'm going to wear hiking boots (where on Earth will I get those?? I'm so not buying hiking boots!) and a backpack on my raincoat. Cheese and rice... Really.. But nevertheless - I should use a smaller font now - I'm looking forward to the game (no, I'm not going to call it a walk - sports, remember?). There's a first time for everything. I'll get back to you. With or without the treasure..

Looking forward to the challenge

Your daddy called you his little Princess in his email. You're a beautiful girly girl, with the multiple hairpins matching your colorful outfits. You love to be fiddled with and you're so huggable I can't keep my hands from stroking your arms and legs. When I got the chance to lift you out of your relaxation chair, I realized how light you were. We sat down together, sunken in soft pillows on the comfortable couch. The grey blanky you got around birth, wrapped around your body. Your head rested on my shoulder and I let you suck your pacifier so you could take a nap. Your beautiful brown eyes with the long and thick lashes - you would make the perfect model for Maybelline mascara - were looking around. You don't recognize my voice yet, so I tried not to speak too much. I just patted your back and rocked you back and forth on my lap. You were a little anxious at first, but we hung on, the two of us. It gave your daddy the time to do some domestic chores around the house. And we could have some quality time together.
Your daddy was right, when he called you his little Princess. You are so precious. Not able to speak or communicate, but still beautiful. It was absolutely terrific to see that grin on your face when your favorite song was playing on the CD player. Head, shoulder, knees and toes, knees and toes. You just love that song! Shiny eyes and a broad smile makes it worthwhile. Thank you for letting me into your world. It will make me a better person. Looking forward to our next get together..

Don't take your health for granted

Whoever says diabetes is not a big deal, has no idea what he's talking about. It's not just shooting up insulin or taking tablets. It's a whole lot more than that.
Whoever doesn't have a chronic disease, has no idea what it's like, to have the sword of Damocles hanging over your head. It's a bigger deal than they will ever know.
If you're not familiar with poor health, you have no idea how grateful you should be. In this world of luxury and wealth, anything is for sale. Except for health.. Doesn't matter how much money you earn. If you have a chronic disease that keeps you from leading a "normal" life, you would do anything to get help and make the disease go away.. But that's not how it works. You know the meaning of the word "chronic". It means "for life". It means, it won't go away, ever. In that thought, a couple of my friends decided to have a medical tattoo imprinted on their body, stating they have type 1 diabetes. One of them had his tattoo just yesterday. I'm so curious to see the outcome! This kind of tattoo is different from other tattoos. I'm sure those have a meaning too, but a tattoo out of a medical point of view, is just different.

Nearly two weeks ago, I saw a talk show on a cure for diabetes. This Dutch scientist has been working on a solution for over 30 years. He's getting there. He's convinced the solution will be found within a couple of years. Then what? Will this chronic disease no longer be "forever"? What about the tattoo after the cure has been found?

I do believe a cure will be found, one day. Maybe we'll be healed, maybe we won't. But deep down in my heart, I will always remain a diabetic. It has made me who I am nowadays. A large part of my friends are diabetics as well. I cherish them. All of them. With or without tattoo..

I wanna be a billionaire

What would you do if you came home to a house that was scattered with dollars? Would you stay calm as a cucumber or would you freak out and walk on the ceiling with joy?

It's a saying we often hear: if only I were a billionaire.. But would life be so different if you had that kind of money? Would you be happier? It would sure make some things easier. I mean, if you wouldn't have to worry about bills getting paid in time or if money would not be an issue in picking your next summer holiday. But would it really make your life easier? On the contrary I would think.. How would you cope with all those people on your doorstep, begging for a piece of the pie? Would you be able to resist them or would you give each one of them a gewgaw just to satisfy their needs? What if someone would ask you to pay for the medication of a severely sick child? Would your heart open up for these people? Would you refuse money to an addict who lost all of his possessions because of his addiction?

Maybe we should all be happier with less. They say less is more. More wealth, in a different manner. Money matters. As long as it doesn't get more important than happiness..

FYI: no, this is not my house.

Spring clean

I have this urge to clean house.. Unbelievable and so not me, I admit. But still, my kitchen cabinets could use some soapy water and I want to sort out the inventory of the cupboards. Cabinet by cabinet, I empty the contents and wash down the shelves. Some cabinets take more time than others, depending on what's in them. The one with the cook books is a total disaster. I pick up my books, go through them, sit down and start wandering off.. I loose track of time and the soap water is cold where it used to be hot when I started the chore. The oven is preheating and chocolate chip cookies find their spot on the baking tray. The house smells of vanilla and toasted nuts and chocolate and my mind is drifting off.. The house will get cleaned, I promise. My head needs to be dusted out as well.. Let's see what my priority is..

Wakawhat???

I just love Japanese cuisine. The pure taste of fresh food and lots of crunchy vegetables is so appealing to me. A whole new world opens up when you have the courage to enter a Japanese restaurant and let your taste buds get used to sashimi, wakame, yakitori or even the pickled daikon that accompanies the dishes. Your eyes will tear up when that little lump of wasabi hits the inside of your nostrils. Thin slices of pickled ginger soaked in soy sauce are a necessity if you want to have sushi rolls. Don't be hesitant to try out those chopsticks. It doesn't matter if you are clumsy at first. You'll get the hang of it. It will definately help you eat slower and less and it's fun to hold those chopsticks between your fingers. If you have absolutely no idea what to order, ask your waiter what he recommends or try different samplers to see what you like the best. You will be surprised by the new sensations of these dishes. Make a reservation at Amatsu Japanese restaurant in Gent to broaden your culinary trip around the world. You won't regret it.

I owe it all to you

Since I have changed hospitals (June 2010), I got a new diabetes nurse. From day one, I knew we were going to get along well. I never expected our bond to become that close though. Cell phone numbers got exchanged and numerous phone calls later, I could say she had become a good friend.

My diabetes nurse is a clever cookie. Since I've been seeing her, my diabetes treatment has improved quite a bit. She guides me well and she explains why she adjusts my insulin pump the way she does. She has an immense memory and she startles me with her knowledge. I love to go see her. Normally diabetics dread to go see their diabetes team, because they do not wish to see the disapproving finger. They don't want to be nagged at or lose their motivation and courage. My nurse knows that life with diabetes isn't always easy. She knows the effort and energy it takes to keep the numbers within range. She doesn't treat us like toddlers but takes us seriously and listens to what we have to say. I can say we, since I'm not her only patient. Quite a bit of my diabetic friends see this same nurse and they all share that same experience.

I'm seeing her today. I've been looking forward to this appointment. My numbers haven't been the best lately, but I know she will understand. She'll get me back on track. Thanks for putting so much effort in us diabetics!

When I was a little girl..

I would play with my toys and sing songs and clap my hands. I would go for a walk with my siblings, help bake cookies in the kitchen or watch television. Just the normal things little girls do: fiddle with their hair, dress up and wear mom's high heels. Not all little girls are the same though..

Last Sunday, I met a beautiful 4 yo girl, with big bright eyes and glossy hair. I had no idea her long, thick eye lashes were a symptom of her disorder. She was relaxing in her custom made chair, looking out over a neat garden with a swing, set up for her and her younger brother. She was dressed to the nines, in bright colors, to suit the Spring season. I got to strike her leg and for a moment, she glanced at me. We connected instantly. Her parents told me about her condition. The only part of PCH (pontocerebellar hypoplasia) type 2 I understood, was cerebellar, meaning something was terribly wrong with the brain of this little girl. How could this beautiful child not be perfect? A genetic defect made her the way she is. Being transferred to mom's lap, she was so calm and at ease. I asked her mom if my perfume would distract or bother her. She told me her little girl had no discomfort when it came to perfume. Although she can't speak or communicate else than cry - which she only does when something's not right - she and her husband know their young daughter better than anybody else ever will. I have nothing but deep respect for this family. I admire the way they have altered their life to give their baby the best care possible. A hectic schedule of care takers, physiotherapists, visits to the hospital,.. keeps this family going. Both parents have their special one-on-one time with their daughter. Time they wouldn't want to trade with anybody else. Because this physical contact is so important to them and to this young girl. She loves to be cuddled and fiddled with. She likes you to read to her or sing her favorite songs. Falling asleep in your lap, is what she prefers.

This young girl can teach me things about life. She can teach me about the importance of loving unconditionally. Her personality will bring me down to earth again. She's a special child. Grabbing and pinching my finger told us she chose me to be her next care taker. I'm looking forward to our next encounter.

Cooked to perfection

That is not exactly my goal. There's always room for improvement. Bedrock recipes are easy to start with though. And let that be what I've been doing for the last couple of months. On so many occasions, I had to go through all of my cookbooks and recipes to find that one special recipe I was looking for. There are numerous of handwritten recipes and I even have a recipe book software program on my notebook. But still, that was not how I wanted to keep my recipes handy. That's when I had this Aha-erlebnis.. In comparison with this blog, I decided to keep a cooking blog as well. What a great way to collect all of my favorite recipes in one place! Every day, I post a family recipe and our oldest daughter does a good job at making pictures of the outcome. I hear that many readers are happy with the concept and they like to try out my recipes. My inspiration is so never ending! I'm thrilled about this project and it keeps me cooking and baking. I know some people will comment the ingredients I use. I want to state that my cooking blog is not a diabetes cooking blog. I'm not convinced that diabetics should stick to a sugar free diet but I do agree they shouldn't overdo it either (neither should non-diabetics). So some recipes are an overload of sugar and fat, but those are recipes for special occasions. We don't need treats on a daily basis. I sometimes make dessert for the people around me, not having any myself. That doesn't bother me at all. All I want to do is cook and bake and make others enjoy my hobby.

So if you are interested in recipes and cooking/baking, feel free to follow my cooking blog. I'll be happy to have you prepare some of my ideas.

I'm stronger than yesterday

When you told me your loneliness is no longer killing you, it made me happy instantly. Hearing that you are much stronger than yesterday, is such a reward. You are a wonderful person. Where have you been hiding all that time? There was no need for you to be shy or timid. Not that something's wrong with being shy or timid, but if it was affecting you, things needed to be changed for the better.

You said you weren't that outgoing. Not much of a talker. You have proven otherwise. There are so many subjects you can talk about. And you're easy to listen to. The calm of your voice relaxes me. You are interesting and I love to discuss all kinds of subjects with you. Although you are much younger than me, we relate well and whenever we go out for lunch or a shopping spree, we have a ball. You make me laugh and your youth and enthusiasm is affecting me. It's good to have a pal like you. We could talk for hours without getting bored. I love to hear stories about your school mates and your family. Talking about the past and how diabetes affected your childhood, sometimes worries me. But you're getting there. Things are going so much better now. And there's nobody else to reward but you. You have opened up to the people around you. Not just to me, but you have made other friends as well.

Let's explore those shops today and have more Latte and fun. I'm in for a good time. Are you?

Midnight munchies

She's a special and very attractive lady, I believe. Coming down the stairs in the middle of the night, still wearing bright lipstick and her hair all shiny and glossy, she strolls through the kitchen. The goal is always the fridge, where she dives into. There are different leftovers to choose from - I accuse her of making too much food to reassure leftovers for midnight munchies - and seeing Nigella suck on that sticky chicken wing, makes me wanna go for a bite myself.

I sometimes have those midnight munchies. Mainly caused by diabetic lows. I know, I should just have a small can of regular soda or a box of juice, but unfortunately it doesn't always work that way. If you're experiencing a diabetic low, your brain lacks sugar which makes it harder for you to think straight. In a normal condition you would know that box of juice to be the best choice. But the thing is: if your sugar is low, we can no longer speak of a normal situation. So you overreact and you eat whatever you can lay your hands on: cookies, sushi, cold cuts, baked potatoes (right out of the fridge), Greek yogurt, fried onions, frozen berries.. it doesn't even need to have carbs, as long as it makes you feel better. Which it doesn't.. because overeating doesn't do anyone any good. Overeating causes high blood sugar, meaning you need insulin to bring it down again. Trying to find the right amount of insulin to cover for those extra carbs is tricky. You have to be careful not to overreact on the insulin now, or you will experience another low in no time. Finding a balance during low/high blood sugars, is a true ordeal at times. After nearly 10 years of living a diabetic lifestyle, I'm getting the hang of it. The bingeing is not that common anymore. I usually stick to my 4 Maria cookies. The thing is, we need no more than 15 grams of carbs to solve that low. Meaning I would need no more than 3 Maria cookies. For some stupid reason, I believe 3 is a bad number for cookies. So I have 4. So what? That is NOT overeating.

I ain't smoking any more

but I ain't smoking any less either...

A tricky subject.. Now that smoking is prohibited in bars and restaurants, the subject is smoky hot. To be honest, I really don't mind. It's great to go out dining without cigarette smoke at your table. But it is a shame though, that your companions need to leave the table to go outside to smoke. It breaks up the party and you are left behind like some silly girl who has no idea how yummy smoking really is. So I have made up my mind: maybe it's time to try that first cigarette? Maybe I should start smoking? Maybe it is better than I think? There must be some joy to it, otherwise not that many people would hang on. So tomorrow morning I'm going out to buy my first pack of cigarettes. I don't know yet what brand to choose from. There are so many different brands. I assume I will pick a box with a flashy wrapper? Does that exist? What makes tobacco good tobacco? Commercials? I honestly don't know. I'm sure the salesman will help me decide. There's nothing to compare the cigs to, so I'll have to do with what I've been given. To be honest, I'm not looking forward to it.. ppfff... it makes my stomach twirl.. But it's really time for me to find out the benefits of smoking. I do not want to take the risk that cigarettes will be forbidden all the way, before I had the chance to taste it. I'll keep you informed of my progress in Marlboro country..