An ode to the coffee shop

I love coffee shops. I struggled in vain all weekend to study for my cardiac test tomorrow and made a few strides through the endless piles of material, but today I decided to take a small break from my room and headed over to the coffee shop on campus. As soon as I walked in I wondered why I hadn't been there all along. I love the smell. The smell of coffee wafting through the air energizes me alone (not to mention the actual coffee I drank). It's an intoxicating smell that transports me in my mind to every peaceful and energizing moment I've ever had over a mug of steaming fresh beans. I love the sounds. The grinder pulverizing the beans into the perfect consistency, the espresso machine whirring to life with pressure and steam, the foamer whizzing to create the perfect tiny bubbles, the whip cream canisters exploding making everything a bit sweeter. I love the atmosphere. Dim lighting with bright people, newly energized with their beloved drink of choice, each one unique in sweetness, bitterness, and consistency. This is a place to focus, to energize, to create, to be inspired, and most importantly to learn. I finished the bulk of my studying in this sturdy wood chair just as I have for the past seven semester over the last four years. I owe a lot to this coffee shop. It has given me the space I needed to grow, learn, and on a rare occasion, to share a meaningful conversation. And that is worth the price of an occasional cup of joe.
x Sarah