One, two, three, and I lost count how many times I yawned. I was so sleepy, not because I lacked sleep but because I didn't have a cup of my vitamins a coffee before going to work. I've been trying to stop and succeed for a week, but I always found myself still making a cup and enjoying a sip. My day seemed incomplete without (withdrawal symptoms*).
Now, I could hardly concentrate on my task and added these figures in my front, trying to balance the ledger in one of the online accounts I was handling. Ahh, I badly need my vitamins to survive the day.
With that, I left my working area, punched the coffee break, and went down at the ground floor. There are two stores to buy a cup Starbucks and Pan de manila. Yet, since it still a week before payday, I opted to chose the latter!
Pan de Manila was actually known for breads especially with pandesal. If there is a national bread in my country, that would be the latter. If we are going to trace the history, it originated during the arrival of Spanish colonists who brought wheat flour and baked it using fire and clay stove. The first pandesal was successfully baked and tasted way back in 1979. Source
What is pandesal?
Also called salt-bread in Spanish made only with yeast, sugar, oil, flour, and salt. A staple bread roll with basic ingredients and no additional flavors. Source
Was it the connection of pandesal bread? Well, it was the perfect pair for a cup of coffee in the morning if you are a Filipino. Weather brewed, with creamer, latte, etc., hot pandesal goes with it instead of a sandwich. One of the traditional Filipino breakfasts; could be eaten dipped in coffee, added margarine or butter, or any sandwich spread or pancit.
Thus, as the years evolve and with a lot of trying, you can buy ube cheese or malunggay, cheese pesto, pandesal.
However, it was already in the afternoon, so I opted not to buy it. They have several bread choices, from sliced, Spanish, banana loaf, pan de coco, and many more.
Since this is the only store in the building that sells coffee and bread aside from Starbucks, products were sold quickly. As you can see, there were only several left.
I was torn about what to pick up between chocomon (choco mamon) and bananamon (banana and mamon). Both are my favorites. Thus, since I need energy, I opted for chocomon.
Then, I goes to the counter near the cashier to choose a coffee blend, cafe con Leche, cafe cream, cafe mocha)
I ordered a cafe mocha since only a few hours before my shift ended. Oh, I forgot to mention, these are instant coffees.
While waiting for my turn to pay, I saw those irresistible tarts! Since I am a softy when it comes to food, haha, I got one too.
They only had a small space, so the space provided for customers is only this—two high chairs at the corner of the shop.
That was fine with me, though, since I am alone. It took only a few minutes, and my coffee was served. Was it only me who wouldn't drink coffee when it was too hot?
Most of the time, after preparing my coffee, I enjoy smelling the aroma that wakes my senses—trying to get the peace I want even for a while. I will wait till it is only a little bit warm. I was holding the cup, so I knew perfectly if the heat had subsided.
A friend once told me, why not just add lukewarm water since I couldn't drink it hot? Naaaa, I wouldn't say I like that idea. I consider that minutes in between my relaxing time. Am I weird, or is there someone here who is like me? I am curious to know.
I opened the cup and mixed the coffee well. I stayed there for a while, holding it and sniffing the scent. After that, when I felt the it was warm already, I covered it and stood up. It seemed my break was already over or exceeded.
I went back to work and brought my coffee to my working table.
Fingers crossed, I won't get caught by the Admin! Sorry for the messy table!
Hello there! Thank you for dropping by and reading; appreciate it.
Update: I was not caught by the Admin, so I won't be expecting a memorandum tomorrow since the company policy is that no food and drinks are allowed in the working area. Unless she would review the CCTV, lol
Lead image as edited using anva