Love & coffee

One of the best smells to wake up to is fresh coffee brewing... and i'm sure many will attest to that. ;) Though a lot of my friends/colleagues find it strange that i feel more relaxed (and sometimes to a point..resembling a tranquilized elephant) after a cuppa while others take it to wake up/kick-start their otherwise dwindling 'engines'. What can i say? Caffeine has a different effect on me. :P

But as i thought about it, it is because of my grandmother. She was an early riser and one of the 1st things she would do was to brew coffee. No need for fancy coffee makers or some exotic beans. It was just good old hot water from the kettle and locally grounded coffee which we don't even have a name for. It started with her coming to wake me up for school after she finished making her coffee but after a while, it was the aroma wafting through the house that was enough to stir me from my slumber. For years, that same smell will greet me in the morning. :)

It's been a decade since she passed on. There are times when i will wake up and 'swear' i smell coffee brewing only to realize, she's not here anymore. It's only a figment of my imagination. :(

I don't drink coffee as often now. But once in a while, you will see me parked at a cafe (yes, probably Starbucks as some of you will quickly point out). Ok, especially when i'm tired or stressed. :P The smell of the cuppa does relax me. Even more, it's a reminder of the mornings i used to wake up to, knowing my grandmother was up & about and it's the start of a new day - another 'chance' to make a difference and be a blessing :)

But above all, it's the aroma of her love that still lingers... and i carry it with me, with or without coffee. :)

Dance of life

For as long as i can remember, i've been drawn to Dance. If there's one thing which i regret, it's that i never took classes when i was young. When watching dancers, whether live or in movies, they exude confidence.. poise.. style.. elegance - something which i often feel i lack. You can say it's not too late to learn now, but i know i don't have the discipline (and time) to follow through. My klutziness will probably do me more injury than good. :P

But as i sit here thinking about it, i realize that i have been 'dancing' all this time. Different days, different ways.. all moving to the rhythm of life. Some friends have moved on, to a different circle..a different beat and it's fine. There are times when i have to lead and times when i have to follow. Times when you don't have to have a partner but still move in tandem with the rest.

Once in a while, i will find myself standing alone, looking at the others twirling about me. Then someone will come along, extend a hand and remind me, it's only an interval. :) Sometimes they may stay on for the next dance, sometimes they don't.

So whether you have formal training or can only do the funky chicken dance... whether we can waltz through or just barely wing it...

Shall we dance?