When I was younger, I disliked the taste of coffee. I was always bewildered at the sight of my parents drinking coffee every morning. But while my distaste back then was undeniable, it was also a fact that I was able to concoct a good cup of coffee. My dad made me practice so I could be on-call whenever he wants a cup. He wasn’t trying to dictate me or anything, I was just trying to be an obedient daughter. Plus I was very bored as a kid. Haha.

I never tasted the coffee I prepared, but it was always perfect for him as it is — with the exception of my first few trials of course. :)

It was only when I was a freshman in college that I started drinking coffee. My church-friends and I were visitors at this house where the host served a variety of drinks we can choose from — juice, water and coffee. And because we wanted to feel like we’re not “kids” anymore, we opted for a coffee drink. But since a whole cup of coffee was too much for a first-timer, three of my friends and I shared one, albeit the spoonfuls of coffeemate which made the drink taste more like mocha. Hah.

From then on, my best friends and I developed the constant crave for coffee which eventually turned into a weekly (sometimes daily) thing. Whenever one of us was free to bring a car out, that person is tasked to pick up the others and then we’ll all sit over a cup of coffee at our favorite hangouts — whereafter, if we’d feel bitin, we’d have an on-the-spot semi-slumber party. Hehe.

It always turned out to be a fun time for all of us. Coffee became an significant chain that bound all of us together.

Today, I am still coffee-drinker (though not a coffee-addict, mind you). And now that I’m miles and miles away from my barkada (except for one ), I am often saddened when I think about how I won’t feel as excited and carefree as I did back then. Times are changing. I’m no longer supposed to be a gallivant. Haha. :D

However, even though I am now deprived of the pleasure of spending time with my best friends back home, I thank God for the friends I have here in Manila who are not only great, but (whadduyouknow?) are coffee drinkers too! Hehe.. In light of this topic, I would like to specially mention a Starbucks buddy who just had her birthday yesterday…

TO RIZ: Happy Birthday, gurl! You know I wouldn’t have survived the last 8 months without you. Thanks for being my semi-decisionmaker (wahaha) and my bestest office buddy. Dahil sayo, I learned how to value my coffee. Dati solb na ko sa Nescafe 3-in-1. Ngayon pa-starbucks-starbucks pa tayo. Aba. Mga feeling. Hehehe. Cheers! To more sharings and rants about work/freelance matters — SEO priorities-, tardiness-, absences-, and compensation-wise — about our SEM successes and failures, about love & about guys (jerks and non-jerks), about spirituality (and lack of it), and about the world we live in and life in general. heehee. :)

Guess where I got your picture posted above? It’s part of my KC collection. That mountaintop experience was the first time I got to know you, so I’m commemorating our KETCHUP — i mean, our KTFHTC journey that started our friendship. Hehehe. :)

Love you, Riz! Mapa-7th flr, ministop, starbux o mega man tayo, it’s always fun talking with you over a cup of coffee (minsan Coke at C2). Dabest ka talaga. Dito lng ako lagi, your gullible friend! :)

PS: I composed this blog entry last Friday but it was only today that I was able to finish and publish it. I am deeply sorry for this delayed post and for an even delayed gift. Heehee. Coming na pow… :) I’m glad you had fun on your birthday!

PPS: Hello to another coffee buddy: Rita. Miss na kita! :)