Coffee or Crack?? You decide.

For anyone who shares my coffee addiction, this post is for you.

Sometimes it amazes me how far I've come with coffee.  From hating the smell of it on my mother's breath every morning as a child, to requiring (and I do mean requiring) at least three cups a day, it has been quite the journey.  While I thought I knew what a quality cup of coffee was (Dunkin Donuts, medium, cream and sugar-$1.95), I had no idea what I was missing out on until meeting the king of the coffee grounds himself, otherwise known as Daniel.

Previously, I thought anything other than Folgers half caff was pushing it.  A Keurig cup was reserved for special holidays only, and Starbucks was so 2002.  And then, one magical day, my eyes were opened to the endless possibilities of a coffee grinder.  Never in my life had I smelled fresh ground beans brewing from my four cup pot, but never again did I want to go without them.  There is something about the smell and taste, that just "makes life better" (That's for you Regions people).  Maybe Regions Bank should adopt the coffee bean as their brand symbol, instead of the beach cruiser bike.

Since living in Los Angeles, I have also been introduced to Peets coffee.  At first, I thought it looked and tasted like motor oil.  But after a few very late nights and early mornings in the office, it has seriously become my greatest companion.  A small cup of Peets and you won't blink for at least two hours.  This is the big leagues...what real women drink...and will put "hair on your chest", as my dad says.

There are a few things I would like to acknowledge about my experiences at my local Peets.  For one, the employees are always pleasant, helpful and look genuinely glad to see you.  They don't mind taking your order while you are on the phone, and this is a welcome change from the place across the street from my office.  They do not lock their bathrooms, and have multiple stalls so you are not forming a line in front of about three tables of people who would rather not watch you squeeze your legs together.  

I have, however, had some heated moments at the coffee prep station.  Why is that people feel the need to dominate the entire area, especially around 8 am on a workday?  There are two thermos' of half and half people!  Plenty of room for us all.  Quite often, the line to sugar is longer than the line to order coffee.  And speaking of sugar, people often appear to be judging me for the amount that I use.  Occasionally, this makes me so insecure that I body block them and hover over my cup so as not to reveal how many pours, I mean sprinkles, I actually put in.  Nevertheless, I will continue going to Peets...Peets, my grinder of good coffee, my early morning key to happiness, my friend.

2012 was a doozie!

Since it has been almost three months since I have posted something, I clearly have a few things to catch up on.  I will start with December.  I was able to be in the south for two and a half weeks around Christmas.  It was such a blessing to be home for so long, and I am thankful that I confirmed a job before leaving so I could really enjoy the time.  I was able to help out some family, be with friends I hadn’t seen in a while and eat some great food.  I think about the year I had in 2012 and all the crazy things that happened.   Quitting a job for a new one only to get laid off four months later, interning at 29 years old, turning 30 in an amazing way, deciding to move to Los Angeles knowing only one person, being sent off from New York in style, and then meeting and falling in love with the man of my dreams.  It was quite a year and it reminds me of how quickly things can change.   If you would’ve told me last Christmas what the next twelve months would look like, I really wouldn’t believe it.  So, without further adieu, allow me to present my top ten moments of 2012....

10. Riding a mechanical bull for the first time, for 45 seconds, with a church group.  Boom!

9. Seeing Joan Rivers do stand up on Valentines Day, which happens to be the best way to spend it     when you are single

8. Interning at the music agency and temping with the music management company

7. Getting pooped on by bird on the way to church, where I was responsible for the nursery

6. Attending my first ever Brennan's turtle races, and almost being fined $10 for pointing at the turtles

5. My part in Arrested Development, featured as a masseuse

4. Making the cross country drive to LA with my dad

3. Turning 30 in the Bahamas with Meredith

2. Going away parties/brunches in New York

1. The day I met Daniel

Highlights so far for 2013 include the following...

1.  Spending New Years Eve in San Francisco

2.  The 17 mile drive in Pebble Beach

3.  Taking up salsa lessons again

4.  Starting my first real job in LA, with the greatest boss in the world

5.  Getting to eat at Craft during restaurant week in honor of the five month anniversary

6.  My first Valentines Day with Daniel, and all of his sweet and thoughtful gestures to celebrate

7.  Making new friends here and finally feeling like I am building a support system

8.  Skyping with my MCOCYP girls to continue the tradition of our book club

9.  Upcoming trips to Austin, Charleston and Atlanta

10. Day trip to Santa Barbara to tour vineyards, Los Olivos, and Solvang