There is No "X" in eSpresso

Even though I am no longer a professional barista, I will always share tips from behind the bar.

Do you want to know one of a barista's biggest pet peeves?

Saying:

"Can I have some eXpresso?"

 It is a very common mistake,

so do not feel bad if you have done it before.

Somewhere in the English language, 

we started pronouncing "s" like an "x"

in the word espresso.

Who knows where this tradition originated?

But I am here to tell you that:

I adore this print by "Dear Coffee, I Love You."

In fact, I love everything this group is doing.

There blog is filled with awesome coffee info,

and their Twitter feed is entertaining.

So, go check those guys out!

And remember to say eSpresso the next time you are at the counter!

-Coffeegirl

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The Help

First of all, I want to explain my silence.

I was in a car accident two weeks ago.

I am fine, but my car went to great junkyard in the sky,

and finally, three weeks later, I have wheels again.

And life is starting to return to normal.

You may recall my list of "2012 Dreams."

One was to read more,

and I am happy to report I have finished my first book of 2012:

The Help by Katherine Stockett.

I personally adored the book,

but I love anything about the Civil Rights Movement,

even fiction inspired by the movement.

The general plot is that a young, aspiring writer, Miss Skeeter, moves back to Jackson, Mississippi, after graduating from Ole Miss. She applies for a job at Harper & Row that she is not qualified for in any way. One editor admires her blind self-confidence and gives her an opportunity to write one book. After pitching many droll ideas, she suggests interviewing some maids around town to tell their story of what it is like working for white people. 

And the adventure begins...

The books is filled with

racism

hate

bitterness

injustice

friendship

class systems

love

family

courage

and

hope

Picture found here.

I have seen many criticisms of this book/movie because it was written by a white woman about a white woman "saving" black women from her racist neighbors. While I understand this critique of the book and I giggle slightly at the satirical poster above, I do not believe that was the heart of the author in any shape or form.

I choose to believe this book is more than

white vs. black.

It is about unlikely women coming together to do something good and creating a beautiful friendship in the process.

My favorite line from the book is this:

"We are just two people. Not that much separates us. 

Not nearly as much as I thought."

From official website

I believe everyone needs to learn that lesson, even today.

Friendship can come in the most unlikely packages.

Keep your heart open always

and have courage to do the right thing every day.

We are all just people after all.

What did you think about the book/movie?

-Coffeegirl

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Barista Wardrobe Problems

Today is my last official day getting paid to make coffee for other people.

a.k.a. being a barista

In honor of that fact, I thought I would share with you some issues that are common among baristas.

First, the barista wardrobe is a challenge. My two former roommates used to poke fun at me and my other former roommate because we both could wear up to three outfits a day.

We were both baristas.

Here is the thing. You want to look nice to get tips and so people take you seriously as a coffee professional, but there are so many little stain monsters lurking around every corner of a coffee shop waiting to pounce on your precious clothes.

I am especially known for my stain magnetism whether it be bleach, espresso or black ink for stamping sleeves. If there is a mess to be had, odds are it will find me and my favorite cardigan.

So what ends up happening to us serious baristas that have lives outside of the coffee shop is that we begin to accumulate a mini wardrobe for each section of our lives. I have shirts, jeans and cardigans that I only where to make coffee in. Clothes that are cute, but I am not emotionally attached to at all because in one moment, they could be stained forever! Also, there is a certain "look" a barista is supposed to have including flannel shirts, vintage screen tees, poet hats and cardigans.

After my shift is over, I smell like espresso and dish water, and I want to change usually into clothes that make me feel pretty. Hence the beginning of the ever ending "Barista Wardrobe Problem" cycle.

Even though I am sad to be leaving the coffee industry for now, I am looking forward to giving away my flannel shirts. :)

-Coffeegirl

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2012 Dreams

It's a new year!

And I have a new look.

I hope you like it.

I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions, mostly because no one keeps them. However, there are some dreams I want to commit to this year, and this blog post is my way to keep myself accountable.

I need to read more books.

I have started The Help, and I am excited to make myself read for fun again.

I am open to any book suggestions!

It is so easy to have a caffeine iv, grabbing coffee to go any chance possible.

I want to start enjoying my daily joe more in a ceramic mug.

It is good for the soul.

I work in child care at Balance Fitness Studio, which gives me a free membership that I do not take advantage of enough. This semester, my classes allow me to take three a week, but I am going to promise myself two a week.

Life without roommates means less spontaneous socializing.

I want to be more intentional about being with friends.

I started today by making chocolate muffins!

There is just something about baking that makes you feel warm inside.

As I am about to embark on my career as a PR professional, I need to practice, practice, practice. I need to look for every excuse to write and hone in my writing skills.

Listening is important,

whether it be listening to your loved ones or your heart.

Taking time to stop and truly listen is something I want to get better at.

Do you have any resolutions or book suggestions? :)

-Coffeegirl

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Reflecting the Adventure Bug: Part Uno

I spent a good portion of this morning reading some of my blog posts from 2010. I love that about blogging! I can see where I was this time last year: my dreams, my passions and my accomplishments. I had almost forgotten about my Adventure Bug bucket lists I had made, and I thought I should revisit them to review everything I did in 2011.

2011 was an adventurous year for me. It is amazing all I was able to do, and I am so thankful for the opportunities I was given. I did not complete everything off my bucket list of course, but I crossed off a few.

Seattle: The Coffee Capitol of the World
My first adventure of the year was going to Seattle to represent my student organization at the National Assembly. It was a life-changing venture. It was my first solo flight, my first National event to attend and my first time on the West coast.

I met so many wonderful people in PRSSA, Public Relations Student Society of America. Because of that trip, I made lasting connections with people across the States and jumpstarted my passion for PRSSA. Now, I am vp of our university's Chapter, and I am loving every minute of it.

My favorite moments from Seattle were:

1. Realizing we took pictures in the WRONG Starbucks thinking it was the original.
2. Seeing the fun coffee sights with Robbie and Katie.
3. Watching the new PRSSA committee get elected!

Pittsburgh: The City with a Front Door
My next adventure was driving across the country to Pittsburgh, Pa. with the beau to visit our lovely friends Jay and Amber. This was an awesome way to spend my Spring Break. It was my first true road trip, my first time in the New England area and my first real adventure with the beau.

We drove all 14 hours through the night and arrived early in the morning. It was great to see our friends and how they were living in a community. Everyone was so sweet and welcoming. The city itself was so fun and historic. I loved everything about it!

My favorite moments of Pittsburgh were:

1. Driving through the "front door" of Pittsburgh. It took my breath away.
2. Exploring an awesome used book store.
3. Watching Jay and Travis build a giant snow man in March.

Quito: Te extraño mucho
My biggest adventure of the year was spending four weeks in Quito, Ecuador, studying Spanish. It truly was an adventure of a lifetime, and I miss it so much. It was my first time in South America, first time traveling abroad without my parents or longer than one week, and my first time traveling with my university.

Traveling to Ecuador was a different experience for me because every other trip abroad had been with my church, so it was definitely different traveling with college students. Occasionally, I got annoyed with being a "tourist" because I just wanted to emerge myself. However, I made friends that I would have never expected and made memories that will last a lifetime.

My favorite moments in Quito were:

1. The weekend spent on the beach in Puerto Lopez. It was so unexpectedly wonderful.
2. Sliding down the side of Cotopaxi, the largest active volcano in the world.
3. Watching movies and eating pizza with my three roomies and host mom instead of going to the party because one of them twisted her ankle.
4. Discovering a tiny coffee shop called El Ristretto.
5. Visiting the art museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin called "La Capilla del Hombre."

There were so many other wonderful moments on all of these adventures, and I took other small ventures on the way to Kansas City and St. Louis. Even though I got to experience many new adventures, they only deepened my adventure bug, so I am excited to see where 2012 takes me!

Happy New Year,

Beth

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