My Caffeine-Fueled March

in #hive-1525243 years ago

Main pic.png

Hello, Hive!

Boy, do I miss you! It’s my first time posting since March 1, and my engagement on the platform has been sporadic since my last blog.

This month has been eventful for me. That’s why I was away from the blockchain. I spent a week-long vacation with my siblings. After that, my husband and I started pursuing new opportunities for the fam. I also received a piece of heartbreaking news.

What helped me survive this month were cuuuuups of coffee. This March, I found myself drinking 2-3 cups per day, which is beyond my limit. I can only handle 1 or 2 max per day before. But this brown liquid is very effective at making me productive. Also, it just tastes so good. I can’t stop craving it.

Here’s my momentous March and how my favorite caffeine shots accompanied me.

First Time at the Beach Since the Pandemic

Screenshot_20220330_132558_com.huawei.himovie.overseas.jpg

This March, the fam and I started to feel the summer heat, so we began the month with a day at The Seashore Beach Club in Batangas. My little one, @marcusen, and I spent a night there with my sister and her partner.

Sadly, the tidal waves were strong, so we only got to swim in the sea a few times. Too bad, since it’s our little girl’s first time at the beach. We spent most of our stay swimming in the pool near our room instead.

With or without the beach, though, we enjoyed our outing. Our little girl was constantly giggling as she bathed and played in the pool. As for us, we had a fun-filled dip under the sun. We also got to enjoy great coffee, the infamous Kapeng Barako.

kapeng barako.png

Kapeng Barako is a variety of coffee grown in Batangas. It is described as “Barako,” a masculine term in Filipino referring to a stud, because of its strong bitter taste. The one served to us at the resort was just heavenly. A dash of sweet brown sugar rounded the dark roast flavor. The aroma was invigorating. No milk was added, and there was no need for it. It made my day complete.

A cup of Kapeng Barako is just like a day on the beach, and one sip makes me ask for more. Sadly, we didn't get to buy some to bring at home because we had no time and no idea where to buy this coffee. Anyway, more reason to go back to Batangas for another swim under the sun! The summer has just begun, and pls pls, pandemic be gone! (Well, now you know that my poetry skills are abysmal lol).

A Longer Vacation, Another Day in the Pool

274884342_265692162410384_4570262270171805686_n.jpg

Earlier this March, my daughter and I also stayed at my grandma’s house with my sister for another vacation. We spent almost a week there so I got to spend quality time with my siblings and other relatives.

My sister is a coffee-lover, but she’s not a fan of the decaff ones available at grandma’s. Two days in, she was running to the nearest grocery store for a bottle of Nescafe Gold and fresh milk. Nescafe Gold is also what I drink at home, so I asked her if we could share her coffee. I made a cup after her. To my surprise, her mix tasted so much better than the ones I make at home.

IMG_20220330_090050.jpg

So what made the difference? It was the brand of milk that she used. My husband’s cousin sends us free fresh milk from where he’s working at home, so that’s what I use. My sister, on the other hand, uses Magnolia. It was soooo good with Nescafe Gold. It tasted creamier, and I love the full-bodied flavor. I never knew that milk could make that much of a difference. (By the way, I’m not getting anything for shilling Magnolia! Truly just amazed at how good it was with my favorite brown liquid).

By the way, at grandma’s, we set up an inflatable pool for the children so they can swim anytime they want. The day before we left, we also rented a local pool so the adults could also cool off the summer heat. But, of course, we, grownups, just ended up looking after the kids, making sure they won’t drown in the water. But, as tiring as it is, we all had fun. And for me and my sis, a delectable cup of Nescafe Gold with Magnolia fresh milk gave us the energy we needed.

Death of a Friend

Well, I wasn’t very close to her but I always saw her around. Her mom works at my grandparents’ house, where I spent most of my life. She’d drop by if she was looking for her mom or when we had celebrations at home. Her children would always come with their grandma to work, and they would play with my daughter and my niece.

I cried for nights when I learned about what happened to her. I felt sad for her mother, who is so heartbroken by what happened. She was only 32 years old, and no one expected her to pass away this soon. And her kids were so young. The eldest was eight years old, and the littlest one was only four years old. When I went to her wake, the boy still didn’t understand that her mom was already gone. He only thought she had been sleeping for days.

All I can say is that life truly is unexpected. Spend as much time as you can with the people who matter.

New Business Finally Took Off

mcdo.png
Mcdo Cup Source

My husband has been working on a new business since January. To show my support, I usually join him in buying materials and processing documents. During our travels, we discovered how good the Milky Vanilla Iced Coffee from McDo is. It’s sweet and creamy but still refreshing. One cup makes me forget all the stress of starting a new business. It’s just that good.

Comeback to PSEI

IMG_20220330_090441.jpg

The crypto market was merciless last January and February, so I followed the advice from a trading community to shift my focus on commodity-related stocks in late Feb and early March. It was my first time in months to trade the Philippine market. My best buddy through the highs and lows was an old-time favorite, Vitasoy Coffee. I love the full-bodied taste of this coffee-flavored drink.

Growth and Direction

1.png

In late February, I received bittersweet news. Bittersweet since I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity. However, this means less time for the little one and the crypto-space. This is the reason I was so keen on spending vacations earlier this month because I want to spend as much time with my precious girl.

Well, the program started on the 2nd week of March. It helped me improve a skill I’ve been honing here on Hive. Also, it provided the direction and stability I’ve been craving for in the past two years. Things are not yet final, but I’d share my peculiar yet exciting experience here once I get news.

Anyway, this new thing in my life made me drink two or more cups of bittersweet brown liquid every day. Bless my heart.

Slowing Down on the Caffeine

IMG_20220330_090158.jpg

Too much of the brown liquid made me restless at night. For weeks, I couldn’t sleep till very late in the evening. My body, however, keeps craving the rich aroma of coffee.

Thankfully, there’s decaf coffee at home. My mom sent us a bottle of Alcafe Decaff Gold Roast last January from the UK. I looooove the taste of this coffee. It has a richer and smoother flavor than the Nescafe Gold I have at home. It works well with the fresh milk my sister recommended too.

It’d be my new buddy at work if it only had caffeine. Since it doesn’t, it’s my go-to coffee for the weekend so that I can sleep well for a few days.

Coffee Recommendations for Hive?

2.png

As soon as I adjust to my new situation, I want to be more active on Hive again. The blockchain has helped me grow and has given me the courage to try many new things out of my comfort zone. As they say in trading, you should double down on positions that yielded you a profit. And Hive is definitely a good position.

Would you have any coffee recommendations for engaging and posting on Hive? To be honest, engagement is one of my weak points as I’m an introverted person and have minimal expertise in interactions. Aside from that, I really want to explore the @3speak medium.

I think a few caffeine shots could help me with those. Your suggestions would be truly appreciated. Note, though, that I’m no fancy coffee-drinker, so I’m hoping you’d recommend affordable ones.

Thank you if you’d made it this far. It’s been a long post. Nearly 1,500 words! That's how much I missed this place!

Sort:  

Hello @laviesm
Welcome back to the blogging world and to the community.
You seem to have had your hands full indeed, so I hope April will provide you more relaxation and time to enjoy more coffee.
Thanks for stopping by:)

Thanks @millycf1976! It's great to be back 😁. Especially in this community, been pretty much a lurker here. But it's one of my faves here on Hive

😊 See you around:)

We're on the same boat. I sooo love coffee! My day is never complete without one.

Glad we share the love for this drink 😁 There's just something about it that invigorates you and makes you crave for more

I am very sorry to hear about the death of your friend, it is so painful and sudden that sometimes you think you will see him again, but it is not like that now, but very soon it will be.

And I am very happy for the family business that you have, it is always good to start something as a family, it makes you set goals and the whole family is happy when they see the achievements.

It is truly sad news.. especially when I think about the kids and her parents.

Yes, we're very excited about it, but just like any new business we've been encountering a few hiccups. Hopefully, we get to resolve it.

Thanks for stopping by, @fabian98

Nescafe Gold

I always keep a jar of that at home :)

What a busy March you had Lavie, and I am glad you got some vacations and beach time in, I always get envious when I see pinoys posting their pics with glorious weather 😁

Alcafe Decaff Gold Roast last January from the UK

I have never heard of that and I am in the UK, however I have not looked for decaff coffee 🤣🤣🤣

Would you have any coffee recommendations for engaging and posting on Hive?

Well you engage with me on my posts, so keep doing that. As for coffee posting, if you ever go out and have coffee, take pictures and write some words about the experience etc and then you have a post. How often does your mum send coffee from the UK, how does she find the coffee difference between UK and Philippines, that could be another post...

I always get envious when I see pinoys posting their pics with glorious weather 😁

Someday, I hope you get to visit here and enjoy the glorious weather. My mom told me it's a little dreary there in the UK even in the summer. But she loves it there since the people are nice and the houses look so good.

Well you engage with me on my posts, so keep doing that. As for coffee posting, if you ever go out and have coffee, take pictures and write some words about the experience etc and then you have a post. How often does your mum send coffee from the UK, how does she find the coffee difference between UK and Philippines, that could be another post...

Great suggestions! She sends us once a year around Christmas time. It's a usual thing with Filipinos abroad. They send a huge box here in the Philippines.

Yes the weather is unpredictable here, one day I will come visit all my pinay friends.

There you go, you have some food for thought now as to what to post!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend 😁

Oh boy, upon reading Batangas Kapeng Barako, I suddenly miss their coffee T^T You had an up and down March journey. Good luck with you and your husband's upcoming goals this year!

Btw, Dunkin's coffee tastes great too. If you have a cafe named "Teadoki" on your area, they make great coffees too. I honestly like their coffee than SB, hehe.

Hi @sellennee, thank you for the suggestions 😊 I remember someone telling me that dunkin donuts coffee is good. Thank you for the reminder hehe

As for teadoki, I'm not sure we have it here. But if I find one, I would definitely try it. Anyway, have a great weekend ☺️

Hi Lavie, your March was off to a great start. I do miss Batangas and a good cup of kapeng barako.

Sorry to hear about the passing of a friend, no matter how close the relationship is or otherwise, the absence of someone you're used to seeing brings sadness.

Sometimes,(oops most of the time lol) I'm lazy to prepare brewed coffee and will gladly gulp down instant coffee. I came across a less expensive coffee from S&R- Member's Value 100% Colombian Coffee. It's cheaper than Nescafe Gold. Might be slightly more acidic but it works. All the best to your business!

Hi Arnie, thank you for the comforting words! 😊

And also, thank you for the great suggestion too. My sister has also been raving about Colombian coffee. Although, she hasn't tried yet the S&R Member's Value. One of these days, would really love to try it.

Congratulations @laviesm! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s):

You published more than 30 posts.
Your next target is to reach 40 posts.

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

To support your work, I also upvoted your post!

Check out the last post from @hivebuzz:

Hive Power Up Month - Feedback from February day 25