Coffee Story # 3: Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine

 I can definitely say that I am powered by coffee. I can't really start my day without coffee and I don't talk to anyone without sipping first my coffee, it's like my power on. I can only  say "carpe diem" after finishing my coffee. 

 ….. and this coffee machine I got from my dad is my coffee story #3 has a story behind it. 

I got a better picture from the actual website and here it is:

SOURCE: KRUPS

Our neighbor/friend where my parents live, gave this to my dad back in 2019. 2019 was the same year my mom died too. Our neighbor who is based in Germany got this for my dad and when she went back home, she gave it to my dad which was few days before my mom passed away. Dad did not use it first because she wanted to wait for mom to arrive from the hospital and share the coffee with her. 

Mom did not get the chance to do that. She passed away last October 2019. 

We used it after and then I offered the first cup to her beside her picture.

This coffee story is definitely the saddest for me. She would have enjoyed it, probably with no sugar because she was diabetic.

This year my dad gave it to me and initially I told him that he might as well  use it and enjoy it. He insisted and up to this time I am using it. I remember two things from this coffee machine: 

1. My memories of mom and those coffee moments with her

2. Dad's ever generous heart 

It kind of match the pandemic season because a lot of people are into creating their own coffee nook and I have mine set up as well. One time I shared it at FB's popular page - Homebuddies. I love other's coffee nook too! Mine is simple and I love it that way. 

I will take a picture of my little nook soon so that I can document it here it too.

For now, here's what's in my phone and capsule:

Old picture from my parent's house

Cafe Americano

 Truly, behind every coffee cup has a story. 

Coffee Story # 2: The Beauty of Writing this Pandemic Season

I regenerated my tiny space and thought of sharing my coffee stories also known as coffee thoughts. These are my coffee thoughts that are just wandering in my mind, hence my thoughts will now be converted to writing.. again .. one coffee story at a time.

My coffee from Delicere

Coffee Story # 2: The Beauty of Writing this Pandemic Season

Butterflies are nature's angels. They remind us what a gift it is to be alive. -Robyn Nola

 I have this love affair with blog writing that is mostly on and off for years now. (2006-present) The cycle goes like this -  write a few posts, stop for a couple  of months and then go back again. If I am that consistent, I must have written a hundred posts by now. But I lack consistency. Or maybe I lack time? Or is it because it's easier to post on Instagram with few captions to document memories.

Did I lack the time?

Perhaps, no. I realized it's about making time to things that spark joy in me. I must have been addicted to doing all things training and completely forgot that I have this safe space I can always go back to. A space that welcomes me without waiting for something in return.

So recently, I have this urge to go back again and start anew. Relive those blogging blissful moments. When recent happenings (life, lately) led me to this feeling of  seeking meaningful distractions, I know that this is the perfect time to channel my energy and thoughts to something that will spark joy and that is my writing because LIFE IS SHORT. I am excited and happy! Tomorrow is never promised, anyway. 

I miss you, writing. I miss you, blog. I miss the adrenaline that comes with it. Back in 2009, I used to go to coffee shops after my morning shift and write blog posts. Joining and winning blog contests back then was my thing and made my blogging journey more fun. 

Taking pictures.. uploading it.. creating blog posts, editing it.. publishing it.. EXCITING!

I write to my journal on a weekly basis as a form of my self-care and expression and that brings joy too. So now I am taking it again to that level where I can just write my thoughts and experiences and keep it raw. Nowadays when almost everybody shifted to You Tube videos and TikTok and no one reads the blog anymore, I still consider blogs as a classic platform where you can read meaningful stories (not product related) and gain information. I still read the blog posts of my favorite bloggers and it takes me back to that era where blogging was the thing. 

So whether no one reads this space, it is perfectly fine with me because after all it's my form of self-care and expression. I write because it is my passion. I write because I want to improve my grammar and other deep and mundane reasons. 

I write because it transforms me in one way or another. 

For me, the beauty of writing this pandemic season is documenting how I will grow and transform to something better one step at a time. This serves as a reminder to enjoy this season in spite of everything that is happening. 

To remember what this season is trying to tell us... the MESSAGE behind the MESS (something that I learned from a webinar from my favorite speaker).

To remember that God gave me this passion and purpose in writing. 

To look back and say to myself years from now.. that I did not just go through the pandemic season but I also GROW through it. 

Coffee Story # 1: Childhood Memories and French Baker

It's always a blissful moment for me to remember my childhood memories because it give me a certain joy to look back on and to hold on to. I guess it was that beautiful for me but at the same time painful because I can't go back into that moment and relive it again. It was fleeting, I must say. Whether it's  food, music, places, traditions, it always take me back to the good old simple, stress-free days and wish that I can experience it again in real life just for one more time.. for one more day or just simply experience it in my dreams. When challenges and trials are overwhelming for me, I wish I can be transported to my childhood days. 

But that's okay because I remembered I have this blog, this space for me to put it into words and re-tell the stories to myself (self-fulfillment) or to blog readers who might be able to read this and down the line, to tell stories to my son Gavin so that it will be a reminder for him to create beautiful memories to his children.

Anyway, one of my childhood memories with my family was lining up at French Baker and taking advantage of the 50% off before the store closes. I can't remember what branches we've been to except what I can remember was at SM Megamall. I was in high school back then. We used to buy a week's worth of baon and I specifically loved their danish and croissants. We also used to buy baguette back then. Until now I still love it and I normally pair it with brewed coffee. Mama was the one who organized the French Baker lining up activity and Papa was our financer (our term). Hahaha! We grew up having those kind of experiences.

Family memories. 

Today, I look back on those memories when I have the chance to go to French Baker. It's bittersweet I must say. I miss the family moments that come with it but am thankful for those memories. It's a tradition that I will continue to do to overcome this tinge of sadness of not being able to go back to those moments.

So last me time moment, I went to French Baker, ordered my favorite Peach Danish paired with Cafe Americano.

Blissful me time. 

:)

My coffee story

Every bite and sip, took me back to where I would like to be.

Even for just a moment. 

Fleeting moment.