I love American coffee.
Yes, you read correctly - I love American coffee (that includes Canada as well).
Give me a Latte if I see you rocking an espresso machine.
Give me a house blend with Irish cream if I'm at the train station.
Give me a double-double if I'm in Canada.
Give me a freshly brewed if I'm at Starbucks (best believe I do have a Starbucks reward card as well).
Give me a medium roast with creamer if I'm at the local diner.
Give me a filter coffee if I'm at the restaurant.
Give me coffee, just give me coffee and I will enjoy every drop of it.
Why Duke? But aren't you into coffee? Then why are you drinking such horrible coffee?
(FYI - Australians love telling the world how terrible American coffee is).
My answer is: I love coffee - unconditionally.
Coffee has more meaning to me than which notes I'm tasting on my palette, or which estate, or origin it came from. Obviously, those are very important if you're passionate about coffee, but why not allow yourself to see more than what's in the cup?
Perfect coffee not only requires the perfect crop, science, chemistry, equipment and the Barista behind it, but it also needs a time and place to complete the experience.
I'd happily take a drip coffee with half and half while I taking in the beautiful scenery of downtown Chicago, or a pot brewed, hand-ground coffee made at a village on the mountains of northern Thailand, rather than drinking a latte made with fully washed, AA grade single origin beans from a Kenyan micro lot farm while I stare at garbage bins lined up on some dirty laneway in Marrickville, Sydney.
Sorry if you don't agree with my ideologies, but life is too short to be a snob. Open up your mind and the world will open up to you.
Otherwise, what Bruce Lee said in 'Enter the Dragon':
"It is like a finger pointing away to the moon, but do not focus on the finger or you will miss all the heavenly glory."
In conclusion, why not come in to Duke's Lounge at 153 Avoca Street, Randwick 2031 NSW Australia for a 360 degrees coffee experience. We have a nice dining room to enjoy your speciality grade coffee in, we use only A2 milk, we have great music and the barista is also decent looking.
Thursday 6 November 2014
Sunday 2 November 2014
It all started in Chicago
Chicago is a beautiful city rich in history, diversity and culture.
The people are friendly, the restaurants are world class and the infrastructure is incredible.
It's been a month already and I still have plenty to do and see.
My family in Illinois, even though most aren't blood related to me, have taken care of me like their own child/brother/cousin and friend. Never in my life have I felt so loved and welcomed.
The other pieces of my heart that beats further north across the great lakes - Toronto and Mississauga.
I feel an incredible bond towards the North. I'm absolutely head over heels in love with everything up there. From the Tim Hortons to the loonies and toonies.
Rachel, her gorgeous sister and most beautiful mum took me in like family, and their friends made me felt like I've always grew up with them. Since I've been back in Chicago, I always think about them all the time. It makes me feel loved.
The rest of my soul is spread across the US, with beautiful people like Tara who took me on an amazing journey in Kansas City through all the things I'm passionate about; coffee, food and music.
And her wonderful family who've organized for me my first ever Thanksgiving, and taking me to my first NFL game. It was an experience I'd never forget.
Mallette and her gorgeous parents, having me over to celebrate my 31st birthday in Washington DC. Taking me around town, dancing and ice skating. We even finished a chess game we had started in Sydney at this gorgeous coffee shop in Chevy Chase - It was all so perfect. Although, the greatest birthday gift of all was Mrs. Asmuth's counsel and guidance in which made me the Realtor I am today - Forever grateful.
...and of course spending the week before christmas with Chris and Bunge down in New Orleans, they reminded me of what it means to love what you do and live life with passion. But most importantly, being able to keep a promise Chris and I made together when our paths met in Sydney was something so magical.
Thank you.
I love every one of you with all my heart.
So, besides being a tourist, visitor and researcher here, I've discovered that there's more to this journey;
I grew up with very little family - my childhood was a bit of a mess to be honest.
But, I feel like I've been given a second chance to redo this 'family' thing. This gift that I've received is more valuable than anything I could ever wish for. I didn't even realize how important this missing piece of my life was until I landed here - fallen into the arms of these amazing people I will forever call family.
I now have brothers and sisters - I have everything here that I missed out on as a kid.
I've found a missing link in my life I never knew was broken until now.
Never in my life have I been so welcomed, accepted and embraced - For once, I feel whole.
I'm forever grateful to have this opportunity to rediscover myself.
... And it all started in Chicago.
Update:
As of May 2015, I've since travelled back to Bangkok and found my sister - meeting her for the first time after 20 years at a surprise birthday dinner we've had planned for our dad nonetheless!
We always knew about each other, but through changing circumstances of my life I had completely lost contact with my dad, which meant I lost her too. It wasn't until a few years ago after I opened up my café that my dad found me again through my website and contact me via email.
...I guess he never stopped searching.
The people are friendly, the restaurants are world class and the infrastructure is incredible.
It's been a month already and I still have plenty to do and see.
My family in Illinois, even though most aren't blood related to me, have taken care of me like their own child/brother/cousin and friend. Never in my life have I felt so loved and welcomed.
The other pieces of my heart that beats further north across the great lakes - Toronto and Mississauga.
I feel an incredible bond towards the North. I'm absolutely head over heels in love with everything up there. From the Tim Hortons to the loonies and toonies.
Rachel, her gorgeous sister and most beautiful mum took me in like family, and their friends made me felt like I've always grew up with them. Since I've been back in Chicago, I always think about them all the time. It makes me feel loved.
The rest of my soul is spread across the US, with beautiful people like Tara who took me on an amazing journey in Kansas City through all the things I'm passionate about; coffee, food and music.
And her wonderful family who've organized for me my first ever Thanksgiving, and taking me to my first NFL game. It was an experience I'd never forget.
Mallette and her gorgeous parents, having me over to celebrate my 31st birthday in Washington DC. Taking me around town, dancing and ice skating. We even finished a chess game we had started in Sydney at this gorgeous coffee shop in Chevy Chase - It was all so perfect. Although, the greatest birthday gift of all was Mrs. Asmuth's counsel and guidance in which made me the Realtor I am today - Forever grateful.
...and of course spending the week before christmas with Chris and Bunge down in New Orleans, they reminded me of what it means to love what you do and live life with passion. But most importantly, being able to keep a promise Chris and I made together when our paths met in Sydney was something so magical.
Thank you.
I love every one of you with all my heart.
So, besides being a tourist, visitor and researcher here, I've discovered that there's more to this journey;
I grew up with very little family - my childhood was a bit of a mess to be honest.
But, I feel like I've been given a second chance to redo this 'family' thing. This gift that I've received is more valuable than anything I could ever wish for. I didn't even realize how important this missing piece of my life was until I landed here - fallen into the arms of these amazing people I will forever call family.
I now have brothers and sisters - I have everything here that I missed out on as a kid.
I've found a missing link in my life I never knew was broken until now.
Never in my life have I been so welcomed, accepted and embraced - For once, I feel whole.
I'm forever grateful to have this opportunity to rediscover myself.
... And it all started in Chicago.
Update:
As of May 2015, I've since travelled back to Bangkok and found my sister - meeting her for the first time after 20 years at a surprise birthday dinner we've had planned for our dad nonetheless!
We always knew about each other, but through changing circumstances of my life I had completely lost contact with my dad, which meant I lost her too. It wasn't until a few years ago after I opened up my café that my dad found me again through my website and contact me via email.
...I guess he never stopped searching.
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