A Place in Time

 These past few days have felt quite stressful and hectic. So now that I seem to be back to where I need to be (in terms of school assignments) and organizing my thought processes, blogging came to mind! And what better, more relaxing way than to write about a coffee shop. :) A few weeks ago, when I met up with a contact at a Peets coffee shop, while waiting for her and her sister, I typed in my phone, memories of this place. 

As I typed, I wrote down:

Studying English CBEST:

In the summer of 2019 after gratefully and willingly quitting my job, I started to open the books and focus on something academic and create goals for myself! In some ways, it was exciting and refreshing to have an open schedule and study. I would frequently go to the library, Starbucks as well as my favorite Peets to get immersed in reviewing and learning for this CBEST test.

Time with Susie:

That same summer, Susie and I had some time here and when she was going through a difficult time. She was doing her schoolwork and sipping on something, and I was either studying or trying to enjoy the time with reading or writing. I recall this memory because although we were in very different phases of our journey, we were there together, in a coffee shop, on a warm day and savoring that unique time. 

Rainy day with Santiago and Mom:

On a drizzling day in May, my mom and I had some ideas to take sweet little Santiago whom we were babysitting while my dear sister and brother-in-law were packing up to move. I remember something about quickly going into Half Price Books, and then to Peets. I also remember we didn't stay too long because it was difficult to entertain him in a small coffee shop. But I savor that time, while the rain was falling, I was writing thank you notes, and maybe looking at an Etriean cookbook I got from Half Price Books. And Santiago got some love and attention with onlookers in the cafe. :)

Sister day November 2020:

Thus was a beautiful, but challenging, raw time for me personally. The season of Fall was beautiful, but I felt a big void in my heart and life of something more I should do. My sisters were visiting for Santiago's 2nd birthday party, and Susie was home for a visit after moving out. We had some good conversations, and nice beverages. If I look back at a photo of this time, I can remember exactly what I was thinking and feeling. And I remember I loved French names, as I was getting into writing my story. I had just applied to the MLIS program.

Time with Elisabeth September 2020:

This was also a beautiful and unique time! We were just entering Fall season and creating up lists in our heads to continue to stay inspired, motivated and energized amidst the ordinary while sipping on our cappuccinos. Later on, we each made our own Fall lists. This was the start of a challenging time, but these memories of sister time made it lighter and enjoyable. In the afternoon, we swung Santiago around in the background with a sprinkler and enjoyed the Fall lighting. 

Runs, walks past here:

There were many spring, fall, and summer evenings where I would run nearby to a park and then pass this Peets on the corner, reveling in those memories and thinking of coffee and inspiration being brewed. I recall Susie and I in this area on one of her last weeks before moving, and we enjoyed our summer run/walk in the twilight.

I didn't mention a date with a guy at this same location a couple years ago, but my memories of that have since dispersed into nothing significant, but just a simple, very distant memory. 

And I smile, since these are the favorite memories that come to mind. Although its just a place, a location, it carries with it experiences, moments in time that reveal something more.