caffeine dreams

I suddenly looked back to a time x years ago when I was still jobless (by choice) and had decided that it was time to earn my own money...I gave myself a deadline in finding a 'normal' corporate job. I dont know why, when there really was no pressure anywhere. I think I just wanted to make sure that I do end up with a job, someway, somehow.

I decided that if I didn't find a job I wanted to keep by September of that year, I would sign up and become a Starbucks Barista. I had thought that that was the perfect job for me at the time...fun, different and always oozing with the lovely smell of coffee.

I should've just gone ahead and applied for a Barista job. Because the job I found was, well, relatively stress free, paying decently, but just not rewarding enough. I spent 5 months doing that first job, and though I found it okay, I couldnt stay much longer. And, as if someone had realized I was itching to do something else, my current job found me. If I had known that they would be the ones looking for me and not the other way around, I would have spent that first 5 months of being part of the workforce loading up on my caffeine fix.

But all is well that turns well. I am where I want to be. I just can't help but think that I could've been that coffee expert I've always wanted to be if I just went ahead and did it.

I really am back home

I spent my weekend holed up in Bulacan with the rest of the family.

As with any other weekend trips to Bulacan, the kids just had to take a dip in their inflatable pool. I was the designated yaya, and tempting as it was to jump in and join them, I didnt really have my inflatable pool outfit with me...so I had to content myself with watching, and making sure the one and two year olds don't drown.

Here are photos of the kids:

Top Right to left: Bea, Ally and Sam

Bottom Right to left: Carl, Paul and inaanak LJ

Cyprus: pre departure blues part 2

Today was my last chance to go shopping... and to visit the shops in Nicosia in order to bid them farewell (they're ALL closed on Sundays!!).

What's a girl who leaves the following day to do? Shop. Without direction or without looking for anything in particular. Just something I won't find in at home for half the price.

On my "almost-bought" list:

1. Red handbag made of genuine leather...worth CYP 50! No thanks.
2. Beige suede boots...Allan was eyeing it more than I was though :p
3. Green chunky sandals...yes, green! not my typical shoe color, but when I tried them on with my jeans, they worked really well for me. They didnt have it in my size though...and they were on sale!!! *Sob*
4. Brown linen blouse from Zara...think the typical bohemian/hippie ones I wear. But then, they were too pricey I think.
5. Beige handbag from Lab. Saw it weeks back and it was on sale today...but I just wasn't convinced that I should get them. When in doubt, do not buy.

So..I ended up with new pajamas and (drumroll) a brown coat from Zara!!! Wooohooo!! I need to be somewhere cold again soon! :p

Today was also my last chance to have Greek coffee, metrio style. Finally.

Ena Metrio

Come dinner time, we went back to Xefoto where there was authentic Cypriot live music (which we couldnt understand but was pleasant enough to the ear). We stayed at the same table where we were since it was near the fireplace for warmth and Allan's further attempts to capture it on photo.
















Fireplace behind me

I suppose we could have had dinner at a neighboring restaurant that also had a fireplace...but after seeing the sign outside...I had doubts that we'd be able to have our dinner in peace...

Ice cold beer and what??