coffee shops

Winter Activities in Minnesota

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:50:56 PST

Image by Maggie T via Flickr
Minnesota is known for harsh winters and brutal temperature swings but what people don't really know is how much fun it can be to live in Minnesota.

One of the greatest experiences I have ever had was the winter carnival. Every four years they build ice castles and make cities out of them. The process evolves taking tons of ice off nearby lakes and sculpting them into something you have to see to believe. There is also ice sculptures competitions which is alot of fun to watch.

Even thou I have never found it the search for the medallion is the greatest idea anyone could ever come up with. For an entire month the newspapers put clues in the paper as too where the medallion is. Then you try to find it. If you know a lot about the twin cities, it will make it easier but most people stumble upon it accidentally. If you find it, the prize is five thousand dollars. Next, there is the holidazzle parade which kids love in downtown Minneapolis. Thousands gather every year to see the parade. When you are done, you can cross the stress and see the Macys Christmas display, which is different every year. Most people who are not from Minnesota do not realize how much fun it is too live in Minnesota. When you have had enough of the cold head to uptown for a cup of hot coco or coffee at some wonderful coffee shops in uptown. Minnesota has something fun to offer for every season.

What is Los Angeles Like?

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:01:27 PST

Have you ever wondered what Los Angeles is like? I have lived here for 13 years, coming from the UK, and it's a great place to be.

Before I came I wondered, guessed and even fantasised about Los Angeles, Hollywood and surounding areas and I thought you might like to know a thing or two; that's all it will be a thing or two.

Now why should I know so much about LA - as we got to call it -and why should I be setting myself up as some kind of expert? Well I'm not an expert but I still see things here like a child as I am relatively new to the place and I've been here long enough to know it very well.

Los Angeles has more theatres per capita than anywhere I know, more book shops, coffee shops and is the capital of world cinema.

Because it is the cinema capital - not counting Bollywood of course - there are many great movie houses with the latest screens and sound systems; you usually see movies here before anyone else on earth.

My favourite cinemas are the ArcLight on Sunset Boulevard at Vine and Laemmle's Sunset 5 which is an "art house" - you will see British movies like "Layer Cake" and "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" there and the latest blockbusters at the aforementiioned ArcLight.

Weekend conversations and news bulletins report the movie box office like the football results would be reported in Britain and there are many programmes on the radio about money; the stock market, insurance and "nine eleven" - but that's only on National Public Radio which is the equivalent to the BBC - except it's not run by licence fees; they have fund drives twice a year and if you are ever subject to a fund drive you would beg for the BBC and the licence system.

On the TV News nearly every day in Los Angeles they mention some murder - most of them are gang related so the best thing you can do is not go to South Central LA or even East LA; stay on the west side; it's safer.

But there are lots of guns here so don't be too complacent.

Apart from the police, who carry holstered pistols and some security guards at stores who sometimes carry guns, I have seen one gun in 13 years; that was shown to me by a fellow immigrant in the privacy of a house - oh yes there was that time when I was driving up Fairfax Avenue and I saw someone lying in the gutter with a policeman standing over him with a rifle - but I'd nearly forgotten about that!

I compare gun incidents to roads accidents in the UK; they are on the news, in the newspapers and you hear about them all the time but most of them are over by the time you arrive.

Los Angeles is full of crazy people - crazy in the nicest possible way; there is the guy who runs backwards everywhere: one day it rained so he called his run off but instead of going home forwards to get out of the rain quicker he ran backwards; now that's dedication; there are people who like their coffee half caffeine and half decaff with a dash of mocha and a dash of vanilla - coffee is important to them and is a way of life.

I go to the Farmer's Market most days; the wonderful Farmer's Market on the corner of Third and Fairfax for my large decaff and a doughnut from Bob's - right next to Patsy's Pizza where James Dean took his last bite before heading off to become a legend on September 30th 1955; there are loads of places like that where something famous and infamous happened years ago. I live around the corner from the hotel where Janis Joplin died from an overdose, I viewed an apartment where Devine died - Devine from the John Waters films - in fact you will see mock hearses driving the tourists around showing them where so and so died.

Of course because I have that doughnut most days I have to go to the gym and there are plenty of those - only here you are not allowed to use mobile (cell) phones in the changing rooms; with so many celebrities around you never know who is in there getting changed and what part of their anatomy might be getting photographed or filmed and ending up on YouTube.

Nezz 74 Cafe, Davao City

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:44:10 PST

The coffee shop is near so many other restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other fun stops. While the place is simple, its practicality goes a long way. I lounge at their comfy couches and see a group of Chinese ladies chattering loudly in their own language, biker guys outside waiting for the promise of a sumptuous meal, and laptop savvy professionals intently working with a hot cup of coffee. The interiors may not be that luxurious but it is very much inviting to the bigger population. Compared to most coffee shop prices, their menu has a wide variety of meals and drinks to choose from for very affordable prices. I chose a Cookies and Cream frappuccino while waiting for my boss - and for 70 pesos, its way too good. You have to eat the whipped cream with all its chocolate syrup on it first before it goes down with the shake…

So the concept is very much practical to the typical Filipino - you can way enjoy getting a full meal or a delectable coffee/cake meal without getting broke. The place is also big and inviting enough to get a group of friends to chat or whole parties to celebrate. Plus, after enjoying great dining in Nezz 74 Café, you can hop around Obrero St. with all the bars and restos it has to offer.

Kasagingan Coffee Shop: Davao City

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:31:20 PST

I enjoyed great coffee and cakes in Kasagingan with my high school friends one Saturday evening. Nothing complements fulfilling conversations better than coffee, sweet cakes, and a close-knit table. Kasagingan is famous for its creative coffee shop design which is mainly inspired by anything that has to do with bananas (Kasagingan is a Visayan word for Banana Farm). There are posters of monkeys and their “monkey business”, bananas in gourmet humor. The coffee shop is a must-visit during the evening where their outdoor coffee shop is illuminated by banana leaf-inspired light installations and gazebos. They also have printing services nearby to cater to busy students and professionals making the most out of the coffee shop's free WiFi.

The coffee shop offers hot and cold coffee, beer, fraps, cakes, pastas, and other meals - so you have a lot to explore. You should check out there banana coffee - which after drinking makes you feel that you have eaten a whole bunch of bananas! My friends and I tried on some of their cakes (Mango Cream Cheesecake, Blueberry Cream Cheesecake, Cheesecake on Oreo, and Tiramisu) which cost from Php 60.00 - Php 120.00 (converted to dollars that would be barely USD 1.00 - USD 4.00 each!). But never mind the price, each bite is heavenly and it complements well with their hot coffee (I had some Café Americano at that time). I shall say it was all bliss, happiness, joy, fun, love, and extreme exhilaration for me. I love fine dining with the camaraderie of your greatest friends on the table…