my only mister

I have a very meaningful relationship with Mr. Coffee. He's reliable, satisfying, consistent and uncomplicated. While I love my weekend routine of coffee brewing at home, I also look forward to trying new coffee shops here and there. My absolute favorite coffee shop is Saint's Cafe in State College, Pennsylvania. While in school and on a typical college budget, I would pick up an extra table (I was a waitress) or skip on a pizza slice (at 2 am) so that I could afford my coffee habit. I can't explain how a simple latte at this place would instantly snap me into bliss. Even now traveling back to State College, one sip takes me back to football weekends, crisp fall air and carefree afternoons. Below you'll find my 4 favorite coffee shops and menu choices. Happy Brewing.

Saint's Cafe
Vanilla chai latte with soy milk & a lemon poppyseed muffin
123 West Beaver Avenue, State College, Pennsylvania

Café Grumpy
Hot apple cider & a chocolate cupcake
224 West 20th Street, New York, New York

Jupiter Outpost Cafe
Pumpkin spice coffee
1139 West Fulton Market, Chicago, Illinois

La Maison du Macaron (previously Madeleine Patisserie)
Café au lait & blueberry macaron (but really any flavor, I love them all)
132 West 23rd Street, New York, New York

thumbless

Out of all the skills that were passed down from my parents, being able to garden was not one of them. No matter how hard I try, my plants always die. My mom has sent/gifted me dozens of plants for birthdays or housewarmings and no matter how hard I try, they always die within a few weeks. I have managed to kill both a cactus and a bamboo plant which is seemingly impossible. I have the anti green thumb which made me wonder where that saying came from. There are many different stories but one that seems to make the most sense is when gardeners handle pots which have green algae around the base and outside, their fingers (thumb) become stained green. I'm trying yet again this year to grow both basil and mint. So far the basil has sprouted but the mint stays hidden (probably dead before I even planted it). I am determined to have one plant live long enough so that I can harvest it for a pizza, drink, salad, etc. Here's to hoping and maybe a light green thumb.

buffet belief

My beliefs seem to be of buffet style. Ideas and concepts taken from here and there to make up my own personal set of rules. By definition I am Presbyterian but throughout my 25 years of life I've realized that at times, other religions seemed to better help explain why and how I was put here on earth. One of my favorite concepts and beliefs is karma. Originating from Buddhism, karma can easily be defined as getting exactly what you deserve. While I can't say I've ever believed in one God, I do believe in a network of players who help mold and change the world. What sort of Gods would make one suffer without a reason or make another happy without reason? You get what you deserve and like we've all heard a million times before "do onto others as you'd like done onto yourself."

I've never seen karma as a punishment but more as an extension of another's acts and attitudes. Wherever there is a cause, there is an effect. Visually, think of it as a ping pong game. You can ping back and forth but if you strike the ball too hard on purpose and it flies off the table, expect it to come back in the same manner. It may not be right away and it may be when you least expect it, but be sure that it will happen. The focus of karma helps keep my own moral code in line. I may be on the cause or effect end of any situation and I have the power to change the outcome by focusing on a positive solution. Each day I try to add simple karma points to my universal score board. Simple tasks like holding doors for others, saying please and thank you or buying an extra coffee for a homeless person I (sadly) pass almost every morning. While I'm unsure how these "points" will help me in the end, I do hope that my own karma affects others positively. How do you settle your own score?

here & there

They say "location, location, location."

Well, they have a point. Do you ever stop in the midst of your busy day and fully grasp where you are? Not your work, not your family or friends, not what you are wearing or what you might be chowing down on at lunch but where. The places you've been to get to where you are in the present. As you read this, are you in the suburbs, a city, the country? In an office, house, apartment, school room, park? Are you somewhere you love or are you somewhere you hate? Maybe it's just somewhere to get you to the next somewhere that you'd rather be.

I am here. In my apartment in New York City. I'm half sticking to my chair with a fan fulling blasting on my face. It smells faintly of pineapple and shampoo. My hair is half dry, blowing behind me. When I think of how many other people around me are doing simple things like tucking their children into bed, checking locked doors, kissing their loved ones, having another beer with friends - it's calming. Suddenly everything seems a bit smaller and more attainable. Life doesn't seem so overwhelming and my to-do list, only half checked off, doesn't taunt me. I realize that I am. I am here. While there are things that I've bitched about today, reasons why I'd like to pick up my shit and go somewhere else, things that made me what to toss my arms up and scream, it all seems far away now.

This is something I do before I go to bed each night. I stop, I realize, I breathe. I think about everything around me. I zoom out to the people around me. Zoom out again to the whole city, the state, the continent. I am here, I did what I could today and that's enough. I write my 5 blessings down, put my notebook back in my drawer and turn off the light.

I'd love to hear where you are while you read this.

cha-ching

It just seems to fall out of men's mouths, first subtly as in a suggestion towards their central park address. I politely smile and move on to another subject. Somehow, "where did you grow up" or "what do you like to do for fun" translates into an answer about what exotic place they spent their childhood and how they like to spend their weekends in the Hamptons (you know, very low-key). I don't really know how much more delicate I can be. Take my shrugging you off, not returning your calls and pretending to ignore you as a sign - you can't buy my love or attention.

I am well aware that I live in a city that revolves around what you wear, where you eat and what you look like, but when did men loose their manners and all sense of dating etiquette? Just because your opening your wallet to buy me a drink does not mean I owe you a goodnight kiss. Because you told me your apartment overlooks the city will not get you a second date, rather the opposite. Why does it seem like every man in New York City is willing to buy me Madison Avenue but no one is willing to hold the door?

Don't take me wrong, I appreciate being spoiled at times. I adore thoughtful cards and unexpected gifts. I do not however understand why men feel it necessary to explain to me at length the types of cars they drive, apartments they own and professional hierarchy. All it says is, you're insecure and you think that I value money over a personal relationship. How sad that I live in a place where women feed off of this information? You know what would really impress me? A phone call instead of a text, commenting on my laugh rather than my ass or offering a hand when I'm trying to climb (as smoothly as possible) out of a cab. As a single gal in New York City I just feel the need to put it out there for all the single men, it's not rocket since, it's romance.

guac-a-mole-me

While in sunny Charleston, South Carolina over Memorial Day weekend, I celebrated a good friend's birthday. Her mum took her out for a 2 hour shopping trip so all of us visiting were able to get to the market and prep for the surprise party. I contributed with fresh guacamole which turned out better than I had anticipated. I went out on a whim having that this was the first time I was making it from scratch. I doubled the recipe since I was making it for a party of 10. It took 30 minutes (mostly because I was eating and talking between) and came out delish! I think I'm going to make another batch this weekend to enjoy in the park.

Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
1/2 red onion
1/2 tomato
1-2 serrano chilies or jalapeños
1 lime
2 tablespoons of cilantro leaves
coarse salt to taste
fresh grated black pepper to taste

Cut the avocados in half and remove the seed. Scoop avocado from peel. Usually I cut up the avocado into small pieces to make mashing easier. Place in mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Chop your onion, tomato and cilantro leaves, add to avocado. Remove the stems and seeds from your chilies or jalapeños and dice up. Add to mixing bowl to taste. Be sure to taste as you go so that you don't make it too spicy! Add salt and pepper to taste. Cut your lime in half and squeeze both halves into mixing bowl. Most of the recipe is done to taste because your fresh ingredients will vary. Enjoy!