Thursday, May 28, 2009

Warmth in a cup



I can't count the number of times I've enjoyed steaming cups of hot coffee with friends.

Coming from a province known for its kapeng barako, I grew up in a culture where coffee is part of the people's lifestyle. It is considered a breakfast staple.

Although I am not really a coffee person, I cannot deny the fact that coffee has a way of bringing people together. There's just something really inviting when you hear, "Let's get together and talk over coffee." It matters not whether you're enjoying coffee at a big name cafe or in your very own house. For me, company always makes coffee - hot or cold - taste better.

The last time I had coffee was during snack break at an art therapy seminar that I attended. I was enjoying a productive afternoon with people I've met for the first time yet it felt as if we've had a certain connection for as long as I can remember.

I have so many memories where coffee was part of the picture:

I was trying to finish a Clinical Psychology case study and I just can't stay awake anymore. I had to drink five cups of coffee while text messaging a friend who was similarly pulling an all-nighter with tons of projects at hand.

My thesismates and I spent hours at Starbucks, desperate for internet connection in order to finalize our thesis paper. There were only three of us. The other three were elsewhere. At the time, there was conflict in the group. (Long story.) Eventually, after defending our paper, the group was reconciled.

I was waiting for an organization meeting to start when Gerard text messaged me saying he was in the UST hospital where his cousin was confined because of an accident. We met after I finished the meeting at around 9:30pm. I went with him to see his cousin. Gerard's brother was there as well. They're a family friend; my parents know their parents. He bought coffee (strawberry macchiato, yum!) for the both of us from the hospital's cafe. Since I was dorming just across the street from the hospital, we talked about how quickly life was going by and many other things until almost 11:30pm before we parted ways.

I haven't seen Anna, a college friend, for a long time and we decided to have dinner together at Seattle's Best. We had coffee while passing the time with a memorable conversation.

I could go on and on with my coffee stories but I will reserve them for another time. What about you? Do you have a coffee conversation to share?

Have a little sunshine in your cup. :)

4 comments:

  1. I can't count the times I've sat at the table visiting with Grammy and Papa on a lazy afternoon, sharing stories and talking about anything and everything. Papa's big, tough hands are usually wrapped around a warm mug of black coffee. Grammy always has cookies and ice cream to offer.

    A pot of coffee is always ready or perking throughout the day. I reckon he drinks at least 10 cups a day. I don't know anybody who drinks more coffee than my Papa.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wahh I forgot all about our coffee date! Busy sa office. Kelan ka pwede? Sa Highstreet na lang para malapit sa bahay mo. =)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dave,

    Thanks for sharing your 'Coffee Talks' story. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Neng,

    How about Tuesday? I have to drop by ROX store at High Street to buy Robert's backpacking book din kasi. :) Text text tayo.

    ReplyDelete


Share your thoughts. :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...