Well, I guess a cheesy, typical, girlie blog would befittingly open with a quote from a cheesy, typical, girlie movie…
"I am no one special. Just a common man [woman!] with common thoughts. I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me, and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect, I've succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived. I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and for me, that has always been enough." ("The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks)
Now, although that last line doesn't quite apply to me yet (seeing as I'm still waiting for Tall, Dark, and Handsome to saunter into my life), the majority of those words just about sums me up. I'm not really anything exceptionally special or important. My occupation is nothing world-changing; I make coffee for a living. And while I still have yet to find that one particular mate to my soul, I'd like to think that I've given a good portion of my heart to loving on, and investing in, those people who come in and out of my life on a daily basis. To make a life-changing impact on every human I encounter is a stretch, but nonetheless I make it my mini-mission everyday, to make at least one grumpy person smile, say something happy, or talk to me before they leave the shop. Since I'm a barista and taking a few hours to individually dive into the life happenings of each customer that comes through the line is a bit unrealistic and impractical (though some un-thwarted, determined souls still try), the opportunity to make those few connections with "the usuals" has proved to be a daily treat. I look forward to their day-to-day updates on how their kids are doing in school, or about the family vacation they'll be taking next month, or hear the tale of the impatient person who cut them off of the road that morning.
I love people.
They fascinate me.
In a totally non-creepy way.
I just find people interesting.
I'm rambling again.
Maybe the BABBLING Barista pseudo wasn't such a reach, after all.
Anyways, to circle back around, I suppose proper introductions are the usual way to start a conversation with someone new. And since I'm a new person to you, and you're new to me, I reach out my virtual hand to you, and say "Hey". Like my mini-bio says, I truly don't know what I'm doing here. Maybe curiosity finally got the better of me. Maybe my New Year's resolution to do things that I wouldn't typically see myself doing has finally decided to launch…a month after the year began. Maybe I'd just to like to see if I'm any good at this blog stuff, or if I enjoy it at all. So far, I have found myself smiling and slightly shaking my head at myself 4 times during this opening paragraph.
What am I doing?
I don't like to write.
Like at all.
As in zero amount of fun was ever a factor involved in my past writing experiences.
And yet, I'm still here. Cue the eye-roll.
Like many other things in my life thus far, I wanted to try this on for size, until I don't like the way it fits, then I'll change my style and try on something new. Something better suited for little, indecisive me.
Similar to when I thought I was going to go to college and earn my BA in Music, only to realize a year into it, that I hate studying, testing, and spending time on things unrelated to music, and that I truly just want to be a mom when I grow up.
Like when I taught piano for 2-ish years.
Or when I got to play dress-up every night, and masquerade as a dance teacher for 10 months.
Then, when I worked administrative at a different dance studio, for about as long as a pregnancy, that was cool.
There was also that 6 month time frame when I up and moved to the mountains to teach an outdoor science program for all those awesome 5th/6th graders.
I currently find myself back in the city, 20-something years old, living with my adorably entertaining family, working at a local coffee shop where I get to meet and talk with new and familiar faces all day, experiment with flavors to no end, learn the ins and outs of how a small business functions and can make an impact in the community, and at the end of the day, come home smelling of espresso and dish sanitizer.
It's quite the glamorous life I live. I have no complaints.
About that adorable and entertaining family of mine, they're basically the bestest group of peoples ever, and I plan on mentioning them often.
Little Sis (The Kid, as she shall henceforth be referred to) is 4 years behind me, but in age only. This petite little spitfire is going to take the world by storm, and has quite the jump on me already, though she's barely old enough to drive without an older, experienced driver in the car with her.
Then there's Mama Bird, who is, and has been, all things a mama should be: godly example of a woman grounded in her faith, fixer of wounds (both physical and emotional), cheerleader, chauffeur, cook, teacher, therapist, friend, mentor, and secret leader of a leather-clad biker gang (but only when back-up is absolutely necessary). Ok, maybe she's never admitted to the biker gang story…but I have my suspicions.
And to complete the picture of my little family four-some, the Dad Man. I have yet to meet a guy who comes remotely close to the level of amazing that this guy is at. Which is also probably a factor in why I'm still single. Anyways. He is kind. He is generous. He is genuine. He is self-sacrificing. He is hard-working. He is godly. He is loving. He is strong. He is caring. He is a provider. He is a leader. He's my dad. And boy am I lucky.
Add a couple poodle-ish dogs, and a random bird, into the mix, and that finishes up my family summary.
I suppose that's all the introductions I've got for now. It's the end of my first blog post…and I'm still not sure of what I'm doing here. Maybe this blog will end up being more diary-esque than I originally planned. Maybe it will, in fact, have some semi-important words said...or typed, rather. Maybe we can just discuss books, or movies, favorite coffee flavors, fascinating people which sparked a certain thought, or the meaning of life. The possibilities truly are endless. There will be grammatical errors. Many wordy sentences. Foolish rambles are guaranteed. But, I raise my decorated, in-house latte to you, and say, "Here's to you", for joining me on this virtual excursion I now find myself on. Cheers!
