Feeling Loopy

Fruit Loops. Fruity Pebbles. Captain Crunch. Captain Crunchberry. Rice Krispies. Marshmallow Rice Krispies. Frosted Flakes. Berry Bones. Banana Nut Crunch. Cheerios. Honey Nut Cheerios. Trix. Fruity Pebbles. Frosted Flakes. Raisin Bran. All Bran. Special K. Berry Berry Kix. Choco Crunch. Cinnamon Mini Buns. Cocoa Puffs. High School Musical Cereal. Honey Nut Corn Flakes. Sugar Puffs. Wheat-Bix. Wheaties. Smorz. Shredded Wheat. Crunchberries. Honey Smaks.

This list goes on and on (into the hundreds) as the cereal aisle stretches the length of the super-mega-mega supermarket and the size of the breakfast box is an arm-swallowing unit of measure. Welcome to the USA. The land of choice, abundance, marketing, and bargains galore. And I am feeling overwhelmed. (I think there are five cereal choices in Brazil.) As an American, I complain about the lack of choice in Brazil. But when I come back to my homeland, I revel in the simplicity of this lack of options--after I have filled my suitcase with goodies, of course.

It never fails. I always go through the same rush of emotions every trip. The initial kid in a candy store cliche. I need and want everything. Shop. Binge.Purge. Guilt. Prices too good to refuse. Products to clever to pass up. (I almost bought a 3 tier cupcake storage bin today.)

I am hoping that this time, I will be sensible. But can I tell you I am thinking of going back for the cupcake storage contraption? There was only one left in pink and it was on sale. I just have to figure out how to fit it in my suitcase.