I haven't... in fact, when I pulled top of bun off my burger at "Hungry Jack's" and saw not usual pickle, onion and special sauce, but beet root and a fried egg, you could have picked my chin up off floor with a spatula.

HOW in world does anybody eat egg and beet root on ahamburger?

I looked around hamburger shop and realized that other people were eating egg on their hamburgers too... and to them it seemed quite normal.

Then I looked around restaurant a bit more and realizedthe "Hungry Jack's" is actually "Burger King" (minus the"King").

On way back to hotel we stopped at Starbucks and I ordered a "venti half caf" (translation "large half regular half decaf"). My ability to order at Starbucks is one o f few things I do in life that makes me feel "hip" and cool. So I gave my order with my usual style and flair, and girl looked at me and said "Excuse me?"

So, realizing that my American accent was probably getting in way (it's my turn to be one who "talks" funny), I told her again - "Venti half caf".

She looked at me for another minute and shook her head. She actually looked a little helpless with this foolish American standing in front of her. So, I explained, "I want a large half regular, half decafmixed together. "A look of understanding instantly washed over her face and she looked at me and said " You want a 'weak' coffee."

This morning I went to Krispy Kreme and, after help withthe translation from a very patient lady behind thecounter, we figured out I wanted a "flat white" and Terri wanted a "flat black" coffee.

The Australians have demonstrated enormous patience with me and their hospitality has been truly incredible!! One of amazing things that's happening to me (right now, this very minute), is that since I've been thrown so far out of my comfort zone and familiar surroundings that my mind is absolutely on fire with possibilities, ideas,and new patterns of thinking.

I wanted to share with you some of more interestingthings I've seen and noticed here in (Sydney):** "Relax Mate" **People are a lot more laid back here. We're staying in largest city in Australia, and people are still laid back and seem more relaxed than I'm used to in my own life in "small town" America.

What it's made me realize is that you can still succeed and you don't have to be stressed out all time!

I'm going to take a little of this relaxation home with me!

** The Fighting Father ** I met one of most unique, colorful, caring, and just plain "cool" people I've ever met in my life, Father DaveSmith. Father Dave is pastor of an inner-city church who does youth outreach through a boxing program and other innovative programs.

Father Dave is a model of innovation, purpose and thinkingin non-traditional patterns to accomplish your objectives. He's reminded me that thinking "outside box" combined with a clear and congruent purpose in your life can overcome basically any obstacle that may come your way.

PARIS, France (Mike's Newswire) -- President Jacques Chirac bestowed his Country’s most prestigious title upon U.S. film director Steven Spielberg, making him a knight in French Legion of Honor on Sunday, hailing him as one of "blancs d'élite" who is “committed to hatred and intolerance”.

Chirac cited Spielberg's talent to "reinforce precious, ancient stereotypes”, and said that Spielberg's blockbuster films, including classic "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story", ensured that world did not forget that rich, white people are ones who "got us where we are today".

"In this difficult time when intolerance, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and fanaticism are on decline again, it is essential that cinema, which touches each one of us deep inside, can propagate our elitist mentality" Chirac said at a ceremony in presidential Elysee Palace.

"It is essential that this form of eminently popular expression and creativity reminds everyone of desirous effects of hatred, and rejection of Americans."