Touched By A Stranger

Long-time readers of this blog will know that I have a thing for Tim Tams, and dark chocolate Tim Tams in particular. But these last few months have been difficult for me in the Tim Tam department. These little chocolate joys have been out of stock all over Singapore for months on end; not a single packet can be found at any of the supermarkets across the country. Why there has been this lengthy interruption to supply I do not know; what I do know is that it has left me with a severe case of Dark Chocolate Tim Tam cravings.

Before today, there had seemed little possibility of assuaging my raging longings, short of flying Down Under and packing a suitcase full of the chocolate indulgence to bring home with me. But this afternoon, as a result of the heartwarming friendliness and kindness of a “stranger”, I received not only a bagful of the dark chocolate Tim Tams, but also two packets of the new Tia Maria-flavored variety which has not even been launched in Singapore yet. I felt like I had struck the lottery!

Sometimes I am truly overwhelmed by the warm-heartedness, kindness and friendliness that are extended to me by the readers of this blog. And yes, today’s kind “stranger” is a regular reader of this blog. Until this afternoon, we had never met. In fact, until about three weeks ago, we had never communicated. Then we exchanged a couple of emails about a certain food item; she mentioned she was going to Australia and did I need to buy anything; in jest, I said I was craving Tim Tams but no, I really didn’t need anything. And yet, upon her return, I found an email in my in-box telling me she had helped me to buy some Tim Tams! I was flabbergasted; I was humbled and touched that she had thought of me, someone she didn’t even know, except through reading my blog. And yet, she was prepared to lug back a bagful of biscuits all the way from Australia for me. Thank you, IH! You made my day.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has, through this blog, touched me in so many precious ways. Thank you to all of you who have extended such warmth and friendliness to me… to all of you who regularly leave comments on the blog, and share so generously your feedback, as well as your cooking and food experiences and ideas, I thank you for making my blog journey such a fun, enjoyable and enlightening one. Your enthusiasm is contagious! It is you who have helped make this blog what it is. Thank you also to all of you who send me such heartwarming, kind, fun, chatty and informative emails. It is a joy every morning to read my mail. I may struggle a little bit sometimes in getting back to all of you on time; but please know that each email warms my heart, and reaffirms for me the wondrous kindness and love of humanity. I am so touched that you take the time to drop me a note, sometimes just to let me know that a recipe has gone well, or to share a disaster, or to let me know that you have discovered a food item that I have mentioned in a particular shop, or sometimes, simply just to say “hi”. I am truly humbled by your support, open-heartedness and warmth. Thank you for extending to me your friendship.

You know, for every nasty email I receive (and I have received quite a few of them, from people who felt the need to make unprovoked outbursts), I receive so many times more emails of the warm loving variety. And these I cherish and appreciate most sincerely. I haven’t really had a chance before, but today I would like to thank and acknowledge you. Thank you.

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But what of the Tia Maria Tim Tams you ask. How are they? They are very good; lusciously rich with the aroma and flavor of Tia Maria. Coffee and chocolate are a natural, heaven-made match. These biscuits are also incredibly fresh. Just look at the gleaming glossiness of the chocolate coating. But you know what would have made these biscuits even better? A dark chocolate instead of a milk chocolate coating. Maybe I’m biased – I’m a huge dark chocolate fan after all – but the milk chocolate was just that tad bit too sugary sweet for me. However, I’m not complaining… after months of going without Tim Tams, I’m savoring every bite of my little bounty!

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