RE: Oreos Are Dangerously Highly Overrated
indoctrinate us by ensuring our freedom by making us join a line for everything.
Haha, that is a great way of putting it. My overactive imagination picturing a long line of people draped in American flags at the doors of an unmarked building with subtle Oreo branding on it, and people inside being force-fed Oreos through an intravenous line under the guise of training.
I've just moved with my family to Australia in March
Welcome, whereabouts in Australia did you end up moving to? I'm guessing Melbourne or Sydney.
and you guys have the best cookies.
We really are spoiled for choice. That's the only good thing that came from our British convict roots, the love for high-quality biscuits and baked goods. The UK influence is definitely strong in that department over here. New Zealand has some great goods as well, specifically chocolate.
and the best coffee by a long way
I almost died when I was in the states, I struggled to find coffee like home. Fortunately, if you look hard enough there are expats over in the states that filled the gaping hole by opening their own Australian style coffee places, there are a few in San Francisco especially that do non-filter coffee.
Also, what is the deal with half and half? It freaks me out.
Currently living in corporate provided housing near Anglesea. Company have invested in a clothing business which I've been relocated to help start up. It's an awesome place.
Your description of American flags etc. is not far off what it is now. I'm originally from uber conservative Idaho but spent most of my life in progressive Washington, near Seattle. Seattle has great coffee, but terrible baristas. The only good ones seem to be expat Aussies or Canadians from Whistler - which is actually full of Aussies, so I guess they learned their trade.
Half and half is the spawn of the devil. It's for corn syrup addicted Americans who can't stomach the thought of putting something natural in coffee and would prefer to put a chemical mix in place instead. (Theoretically, it's meant to be half milk, half cream - but in practice, I think there's really nothing in it that could be called milk OR cream)
I feel like I've escaped moving here!