The Tale of the Coffee Jelly

I was supposed to keep this for myself. This was the story why I always smile every time I see coffee jelly from Starbucks. And by the time I'm writing this, I'm trying my best not to smile, it was a success nonetheless because the smile I was containing burst into laughter.

Once upon a time (last year), I went to a rainy morning travel to the center of the country to meet two lovely friends. It was indeed one of the happiest day of my life (though I was a bit stressed then), thanks to them for cheering me up. We had a long talk over lunch and yes, we never finished everything that we ordered. One of my bestest friend have to leave soon to meet another friend. Me and the other were left and so we decided to head to Starbucks for a coffee and further chattering ( I guess coffee is just an excuse, cause our real purpose is to chat). 

It took us a while in walking to find the place ( excuse us, we're not familiar with the shop's location - we've met halfway folks).  To cut the story short, we headed to the counter and ordered our drinks. Chocolate Chip Cream (grande) for me and she opted for the Christmas offerings. While on the counter she asked if they can swap her order for a Coffee Jelly for the same higher price with an additional penny as I can recall and that would make the drink venti. Everything was settled, we waited and had our drinks. Off we go to the seats.

We had a wonderful day full of chat and a baby (from the other table) playing beside us in between. When she's about to finish her drink with only jellies left, she realized that her drink wasn't venti but just grande. We burst into laughter!!! What else can we do? She's done with it. LOL. 

I think what made us forget to check the size is our eagerness to catch up with each other in person. And since then, coffee jelly never fails to  put a smile on my face. I always think of her whenever I let  myself indulge a tall, grande or venti.

Why I wrote this? Because it's a bliss to have immortal awesome memories shared with friends. Let's meet halfway. Shall we?

Obsession and my future abode

Mr. sleep is kinda aloof lately. He's out there somewhere visiting others while he nearly forsaken me. In between those hours of sleeplessness I chose to be proactive instead of staring at the ceiling counting lizards both passers by and bystanders.

I was trying to awaken (if there was) the sleeping creative cells in my body so I could make the most of my time. Cause, you know, doing nothing at all is harder that having your hands full. But when i'm out for any creative ideas, I fish for new things to do and that lead me to revisiting my books. I noticed that my bookshelf is already full. Not that I have tons of books but because it's way too small. I am used to oppose having lots of things in my possession here because I am only renting a small apartment all for my own. I want a bigger and brighter space so to speak. But who wouldn't give in to bookshelf specially if you're fond of paperbacks? 

I am spending a lot of time with my books. Treating them with new covers give me satisfaction and endless bliss. BTW, I am using shower glass sticker for covers.  To read the full article about this awesome new bestfriend for book lovers, visit Fun and Fabulous . Another treat I want my book to indulge is a cozy place to rest. That's why I am on search for a bigger bookshelf that will house them all and the rest of the new members of the family that were about to come (yes kinda obsessed with the bookstore again specially booksale). 

If I was in our home and if our home is big enough, I will also make room for this one obsession. A hidden door bookshelf. It's my dream. I want it built in my room and the hidden door behind the bookshelf will lead to a sanctuary with walls and stairs made of bookshelf alike. Even the chairs and tables will housed books too.

Way too ambitious I know but as Otep said: Libre Lang Mangarap 

(it's free to dream)

source

That is suppose to be a secret but now I blurt it out to the world. I guess the only option left for me then is to keep the location of my future home a secret, don't yah think?

"Focus on the journey

...not the destination.

Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it"

-Greg Anderson

And that is a reminder to myself. I was determined to reach my goals no matter what it takes. My eyes were gazed with the future and what lies ahead. That is me, always two steps ahead. I don't want to smash up things and put everything in jeopardy. I want everything in place under my control.

I thought it would be as easy as 1, 2, 3, when it comes to implementing my plans. My great effort to make things happen the way I planned it gave me my fair share of stress to dealt with.  Needless to say, few of the things on my list were put to action while majority were sent to the waiting list. I have to reconsider everything especially now that my priorities in life are changing. I was caught off guard because of my intent to pursue the things I thought would be good and overlooked the ones which are really necessary. 

Enough that I decided it was enough. It's not that something went out of place or something turned out to be a thing I can't handle anymore. I just realized that I was missing what was given to me at the moment because of my far distant gaze. Now I don't care how long it might take me to accomplish everything. Life is short I know but if fulfilling the desire would hinder me in enjoying my life, all the effort will gone to waste. Might as well enjoy each day without too much pressure. Let life be delicious, healthy - always.

Sometimes, best things aren't planned

Another perk of having a birthday is the leniency towards vacation leave. 

Not that we're military strict but we have special rules applied. 

But since it was a special day they let me moved it at a later date. 

Two days vacation leave before weekend means awesome rest. 

People  asked me where's my destination. 

there's no itinerary, I just want to REFLECT (over something) and REST, that's all.

Yes, there's no need for a grand vacation. 

Told yah, anything that is too much is fatal so I just used the VL to experience how it feels to sleep at night during weekdays. But to add a bit spice to the lazy days, I had some time out too. 

And yes, I went home. The travel time is  tad exhausting but still worth it.

I did a lot of walking which is my kind of thing

interact with mother nature at its finest,

and....this is not a rest house, it's a church

Surprise??? me too!

another venture for a self proclaimed history buff

the famous bamboo organ 

and the good news, someone played it for me

The last two pictures were taken from two different places, to be specific - churches (Mary Immaculate Parish - Nature Church and St. Joseph Parish) . I'd never been to any of them before that's why I grabbed the opportunity offered on my table before heading home. It's not  like there's no other chances but opportunity sometimes knocks only once. And I was serious when I said REFLECT....need I say more?

Write it on your heart...

I did had a fabulous birthday. I thought this would be another year full of jitters but I was wrong. I was at work when 12:00 am strikes. The lights went off and everyone sang the never ending birthday song with one of my friends holding the cupcakes with candles burning and bursting like fireworks. They're super awesome like that.

The surprise didn't end there. One of my friends asked if I was up for an adventure. I was of course very delighted. She said it's a surprise and told me it might take a long drive before we reach the place and we may head home at night. Sad to say we didn't pushed through with that because my  family went here for my birthday. I only have the morning to spare because I want to head to my apartment asap so I could spend time with them because they will also leave soon.

We canceled the said adventure and they asked me to accompany them to run some errands instead. We walked round and round then they told me they're hungry. I persuaded them to eat at McDonald's but they declined the offer. They insist that we wait for the commercial complex to open because they needed to buy some things. So what else can I do but oblige to their wishes. 

To cut the long story short, never to mention they let me wait under a tree with the blazing heat of the sun, Red Ribbon opened and it turned out it was another surprise lunch for my birthday. They had cookies and cream with oreo cake for me with candles (again). It was a glorious day with chit chat among close friends. They really made my day special. 

We went home afterwards and there's my family, waiting for me. We had a simple celebration, spend the weekend with me. When they left, I was full of good spirit that I managed to turn my apartment up and down and cleaned every space. I found out I have pieces of the kraft posters I haven't put to place yet, so that was indeed a perfect day to do so. Now my wall is decorated with lovely pieces from Papemelroti, my favorite shop in the mall full of crafts, recycled papers and all things with antique look and awesome. 

That's all for now, I will leave you with the poem inscribed at one of the kraft posters by Ralphy Waldo Emerson. A prefect  piece to brighten up each day. 

Write it on your heart

that every day is the best day in the year.

He is rich who owns the day,

and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt, crept in.

Forget them as soon as you can, 
tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely,

with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on the yesterdays...

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

And thank you very much for all the greetings. It was very much appreciated.