Coffee is in the eye of the beholder

Photo by Cafe Evoke's Instagram page. 

Hi. Hello. If you did not know, today is National Coffee Day and I couldn't be happier. "This is the day that the Lord has made..." You get the picture.

It's a family thing. 

I grew up with coffee. My entire family can be considered addicts (that includes me). Personally, I can barely go a day without some type of coffee. On most days it is just straight black coffee, hot or cold. Days when I may want something more sweet, I go for a mocha.



Mmmm Mocha...

I live in Edmond, Oklahoma. I have two favorite coffee shops in these here parts. 

-Cafe Evoke
Evoke is for when I want to socialize with my friends. It is busy. It is delicious. You can go in Evoke and get your favorite drink whether it be coffee, tea, or even beer.  Since it is located in downtown Edmond, you can take your drink to-go with you (or when you are finished with your drink) and explore all of the fun shops! 

-Compass Coffeehouse
This is where I relax and study. Every time I am there it seems to be calm and laid back. Most of the time I am writing my blogs or studying when I go to Compass. The interior is neutral and invites you to sit and enjoy your time there.  You will also spot local artwork for sale along their walls. Very cozy. Very yes. Very me. 

Coffee is best when it is enjoyed. When you can sit there and simply relax while you drink your coffee. It is also good on the go but not as nearly satisfying.

I'm already on my fourth cup of coffee! Go celebrate this wonderful holiday!

John Gara / BuzzFeed

FRIENDS: The family you wish you had.

21 years-ago today, the television show Friends aired for the first time. Friends was announce as Hollywood's favorite by the Hollywood Reporter just earlier this month.

I grew up on Friends literally my entire life. I remember watching the show with my parents when the episodes first aired. When I was in high school I would talk on the phone with my friend Ashley and we would watch Friends on Nick at Nite together. I begged my parents to buy the box set of all 10 seasons for Christmas BEFORE I found out they would all be on Netflix soon.

I absolutely, without a doubt, love Friends...

Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross, and Joey showed us all how we should treat friendship. We've seen so many different stages of each friends' life and how the friendship adapted.

They taught us how to be there for one another. They taught us to be compassionate and how to be true with our friends. They characters were closer to each other than they were their own family.

Family is the group of people that are related, you do not have a choice. Friends are the people that you choose to be around.

Friendship offers mutual respect.
Friendship offers love.
Friendship offers honesty.
Friendship offers defense.
Friendship offers loyalty.
Friendship offers intimacy.
Friendship offers understanding.
Friendship offers a sense of being.
And so much more...

Friendship is the more ideal form of family. That doesn't mean that there isn't family members that you are close to and love dearly; in this case, they can be your friends as well. What it means is that you surround yourself with the people that you care for and you know care for you back.  People you have a mutual understanding and interest with.

My friends are my family. I am happy to have all the Rachels, Monicas, Phoebes, Chandlers, Rosses, and Joeys in my life.

To all my friends please remember... "I'll be there for you!"

Put a Bird On It!

While browsing Netflix for a little R&R last week I found a remarkable find. The find was (drumroll please)... season 5 of Portlandia!

As a poor college student I am at the mercy of what Netflix decides to stream. I was satisfied that the Netflix Gods finally answered my prayers of streaming the 5th season.

Portlandia is unique altogether. It is not a typical sitcom. Portlandia is a sketch-comedy series that shows the unique community of Portland, Oregon.

Well... I already watched the complete 5th season. It wasn't easy because darn school and life got in the way but garsh darn I did it!*

Portlandia has had 14 Emmy nominations and 3 wins. This year the show was nominated for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series but sadly lost to Inside Amy Schumer. (Still loving our folks of Portland!)

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein play many of the eccentric characters in Portland. Check out some of my favorite characters!

1. Toni & Candace 

The owners of "Women & Women First" are our two most favorite feminists. The have no sense of humor and take every situation seriously. In the beginning of season 5 you can see their story of how they became owners of the feminist bookstore. 

2. Peter & Nance

This couple is quite the bohemian couple. This couple is intense, loves pasta, and it is a fact that Nance is a way better driver than Peter. Check out the first episode of season 1 to see the hilarity of the couple joining a cult. 

3. Themselves 

Fred and Carrie appear as themselves as roommates. They are always there for the Mayor's crazy new ideas on how to improve Portland. The two find themselves in a mix of a love triangle and having to handle an odd landlord. 

Portlandia gives you time away from life. It allows you to find humor in today's culture.

-On a side note I did take the BuzzFeed quiz "Which Portlandia Character Are You" and here is my result:

*The season was only 10 episodes, so... You better get to watching!

From Dog to Cat

Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love animals. I am also picky on the type of animals I adopt. Primarily I am have been a dog lover.

Last year right after Fourth of July, a car hit my 8 year-old Pomeranian. I thought I would have him forever and nothing bad would ever happen to him. He was a present from my parents for my 12th birthday. I named him Maximillion (Max). I loved him very much. 

Max was there during the tough years and all the awful life transitions. From moving around to heartbreaks to going to starting pesky college, he was always by my side. Everyone knew Max and loved him (even when he was a brat).

I got a phone call from my little brother saying Max was hit. It was hard for me to grasp. I probably cried two-weeks straight just thinking about him. I always had him as a companion and suddenly I had no one.

I started thinking about getting another animal. Wasn't wanting another dog because I didn't want to feel as if I was replacing him. So, I decided that I would get a cat.

I've had cats before but was never really into them. When I decided on the perfect cat to get I found out that one of my roommates at the time was allergic. Needless to say the cat became a present for my mom. Months later the cat was pregnant and I was finally able to have a pet again! I wanted a kitten that would love me back as much as I would love it.

Momma Cat had 7 kittens in her litter: 3 black, 1 gray, 2 white, and 1 tan. They were all so cute and precious. When I went to my mom's house to pick out a kitten the little gray one started following me around and Momma Cat would even bring the kitten to me.

It just seemed like a perfect fit. I named her Edie after Edie Sedgwick. As soon as I brought her home with me we connected.

It seems that most people aren't cat people because cats are "mean." If you open your heart and treat them with the same love you would a child you will be surprised on how rewarding it is to have a cat.  I am lucky that Edie chose me to be her family.

Edie Louise is the best cuddlier and the best cat I have ever had. She is classy and full of spunk. Edie does parkour off the walls and helps me with my makeup. She saved me from my long mourning period and she has stolen my heart.

Kristen Wiig: Dramedy Queen!

We came to know Kristen Wiig through SNL, Saturday Night Live, as one of the most diverse female cast members. Kristen left us on SNL at the end of Season 37 in 2012. Since her departure, she has leant us her talents in many films. Besides her obvious films, such as "Bridesmaids," she has appeared in indie films that have allowed her to portray more complex characters.

Indie films offer you something different then your typically blockbuster hits. There seems to be no rules when it comes to indie films since their isn't a great amount of influence from major film studios. This primarily why this genre is my favorite. They are able to touch a distinct group of people. Indie films are more personal. Kristen stars in indie films "The Skeleton Twins" and "Welcome to Me." In each of these films she is remarkable at adding humor to serious subject matters.

In "The Skeleton Twins" her character, Maggie, attempts to keep her life together while reuniting with her twin brother after they both cheat death in the same day. Maggie's life seems perfect but secretly she is unhappy in her marriage and seeks physical attraction from other men. She is able to portray her character in a way that makes you see the real human in the character. You want to hate the character because of her actions but you still feel for her.

"Welcome to Me" is a story about a woman, Alice, with borderline personality disorder who wins the lottery and buys her own talk show. Alice decides to stop taking her psychiatric medication and aspires to be just like Oprah. Her talk show is completely about her. Since stopping her medication she faces more obstacles and has to make hard life decisions. Alice has a condition that is difficult to take lightly. Kristen is able to take the character from very dark moments and break downs to light, clever humor.

When you watch a film with Kristen you immediately assume that there will be obvious comedy. You don't expect seriousness or just wittiness from her, which this may be from her over-the-top SNL characters. She knows good writing and knows how to bring the words to life on screen. Many actors or comedians who primarily star in comedies show it be difficult to transition from comedy to drama with ease like she has. Kristen Wiig is a one of kind talent and I am excited to see what she as next!