In Honor of National Coffee Day: Coffee Shop Tour Review #2 - Bourbon Coffee

From all of the Instagram and Facebook posts of people with their free cups of coffee I can tell that there is quite a buzz brewing over #NationalCoffeeDay (see what I did there..OK sorry but I had to).

Anyway, in honor of the celebration of America's favorite bean I present to you the second Coffee Shop Tour Review:

Bourbon Coffee - Union Square Area (14th St. between 6th and 5th Aves.)
 

Picture Credit: Shoots+Scrawl

This was actually the very first spot I hit on the Coffee Shop Tour when it started last Spring semester. Once again Yelp! reviews convinced me to give it a shot and here is what I thought:

1. Seating: Bourbon Coffee is another city gem in that it is surprisingly HUGE when you walk in and once again the space was used rather nicely. In the front of the shop there are comfy armchairs and two big comfortable couches surrounding a communal table (this is where I parked myself for a few hours). Scattered throughout this section and the rest of the shop are your typical high top and regular tables for seating up to two. No matter where one sat there seemed to be plenty of elbow room (even at the communal table) and for that Bourbon Coffee currently holds Ivy Rose's top honors for seating. Score: 5

Picture Credit: Union Square Blog

2. WiFi: Again this is a hit or miss category and Bourbon Coffee gets full points for both having free WiFi and displaying the network name and password at the cash register. Score: 1

3. Drink Variety: One thing to note when I do a review is that I'm not a big cappucino/macchiato/other fancy coffee drink fan. I like a nice cup of hot or iced coffee--black. However, I always check out the variety for those rare occasions when I do want to venture into the magical world of fancy foam designs. That being said this was a particularly cold day and I couldn't wait to dive into a nice steaming cup of hot coffee and this shop did not disappoint. Bourbon Coffee gets its name from the variety of beans they use, which is grown in Rwanda.  According to their website the beans are known for "their deep, buttery chocolate flavors, as well as their sweetness and very light fruit overtones" and I can tell you it tastes just as delicious as it sounds. Their drink menu also features a wide variety of teas (hot and iced) as well as espresso, cold and blended drinks (smoothies, lemonade, etc.). Score: 5

Picstitch taken by me during my visit

4. Snack Options: Now it's been a while since I've been back but I do remember there being a wide variety of sandwich and salad options on top of the typical pastry selection of scones, croissants and cakes that one finds at the average coffee shop. During my visit I tried the grilled cheese sandwich on multigrain bread and it was quite delicious and a nice complement to my coffee. Score: 5 (for variety of options--including many healthy ones)

5. Camp out or nah?: While the comfy chairs and couch were very inviting, and the space never got too crowded, something about the environment made me feel as though this wasn't really a place where one could/should stay too long after they finish their particular meal or drink. This may have been because I was sitting at the communal table, which is the first area that people would look for seating, but I am going to give this place a solid score of 2 out of 3 for this.

6. Outlet Availability: This is another hit or miss category and was the only major downfall for this spot, and now that I think about it might be another reason why it doesn't work perfectly as a camp out spot. Outlets were scarce and really only accessible if you got one of the tables by the wall. Sadly this earns Bourbon Coffee a Score of 0 for this category.

7. Music/Overall Atmosphere: Lastly, the music was nice and unobtrusive as I did my work. Again, it's been a while since I visited this spot so I don't remember specifics. What I did enjoy in terms of the atmosphere was the art on the wall. With a nice mixture of work from local artists and traditional African crafts and paintings there is a nice cultural experience that feels authentic and not too cheesy or overdone. Bourbon Coffee attracts a slightly older crowd and besides the music and the sounds of delicious coffee being made, the noise level is pretty low, which makes it very conducive to focusing in on that one assignment that you just couldn't get through in the library. Score: 5

Final Review: With a final score of 23/25 Bourbon Coffee remains one of my top spots in NY. Their strongest point by far is their delicious coffee and sandwiches, and I highly recommend it for those looking for a quiet place to crank out that one thing on your to-do list that you just can't seem to stay focused on.


If you've been to Bourbon Coffee and agree (or disagree) with my review leave a comment below and as always please feel free to suggest any other spots you think I should check out. Enjoy the rest of National Coffee Day--Happy Sipping!
   

Fitober

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am on an intense journey to continually work towards a mentally, physically and spiritually healthier me. It started about two years ago after a series of major life changes (graduation from college and completion of a masters program, moving back in with my parents, then a year later joining TFA moving to a new city and living alone for the first time ever) led to me taking on a whole lot of stress and new responsibilities and forgetting to take care of myself in the process. One night in October of 2012, I was home for the weekend and my parents asked me to meet them for dinner at which point they had the intervention that I think actually saved my life. They forced me to take a minute and tell myself the truth: I wasn't happy and only I could do what it took to fix that. So the very next day I took the first step to making things better.

I know it's cliche and nobody believes people when they say it, but this journey really isn't about losing weight. It's about learning how to better manage stress, it's about having more energy to continue to work and make my life goals and dreams come true, it's about loving MYSELF no matter what the world has to say about how I look, dress and act.

Each year September is the hardest month for me to make it through: whether I'm in my student role or my teacher role it always means adjusting to a new schedule and figuring out the work, sleep and workout routines that are going to get me through the semester or year. Therefore, in honor of the usual dip in consistent working out and increase in quick, "cheat" meals, and an unstable sleep schedule,  I have dubbed October: Fitober in order to give myself a push back onto the right track.

This Fitober I have three 30-day Fitness Challenges on top of my regularly scheduled 30-45 min cardio workouts (3-5 days a week):

As well as a meditation challenge in which I will use one of three guided meditation apps by Meditation Oasis to help me remain calm and focused, especially as October also usually marks the beginning of assignment due dates and ramped up workloads for courses.

Even though October technically doesn't start until Wednesday, I am starting all challenges today because I hate starting things in the middle of the week. If you want to join (click the pics above to enlarge them and really take a look) leave a comment and we can all motivate and encourage each other as we go along. #FitoberStartsNow!

Coffee Shop Tour: Think Coffee, Greenwich Village.

A couple of weeks ago I introduced one of my favorite series that I'll be doing on this blog: The Coffee Shop Tour! If you haven't already done it, check out the post and see how the tour got started. 

As a reminder here are the criteria I use to determine whether a spot meets my coffee shop needs, which I've decided to convert to a point system to help with the final review:

1. Seating (0-5 points)
2. WiFi (0-1 point-you either have it or you don't)
3. Drink variety (0-5 points)
4. Snack options (0-5 points)
5. Whether "camping out" is encouraged or not (0-3 points)
6. Outlet availability (0-1 points-another hit or miss)
7. Music/Overall atmosphere (0-5 points)

Last week I'd spent so much time on campus that I wanted a little bit of distance so I decided to head out to Greenwich Village--one of my favorite neighborhoods in NY, which brought me to my spot of the week:

Think Coffee - Greenwich Village (Mercer st., between 3rd and 4th)

Photo credit: Midtown Blogger

One of the methods I use to find a coffee shop is to take the subway to an area of NY that I like and then search for "coffee shops" in my Yelp! app. With five locations in the city, Think Coffee showed up on more than one search and each location had very high ratings so I decided to check it out. I will say going in I was skeptical as it is a chain and even has five more locations in Korea...but the Yelp reviews really had me curious. Here is how the Mercer St. location measured up based on my criteria:

The super fun table maze

1. Seating:  The shop itself is quite spacious and they've used it wisely, setting up three distinct seating areas. In the front there are two sections on either side of the door: one featuring larger tables for up to four guests and the other side featuring high top tables and two sets of bar seating--one at the window and one at the wall with a long strip of outlets. Although the back of the shop is more spacious than the front they've crammed tons of mini tables (seating for no more than 2 at each table) and a couple couches. Also people are free to sit at the bar and watch the baristas work while they sip on their drinks, eat their snacks and/or study. The only downside is that people push a lot of the tables together and create a horrible maze that is almost impossible to navigate through with bags and drinks in hand. Score: 4 points (-1 for the crazy table maze)

2. WiFi: This is really a hit or miss category and this location was a HUGE hit. Not only was the WiFi free but the network name and password were prominently displayed on the wall at the counter where drink lids, sugar and cream are located so it was IMPOSSIBLE to miss--although I did on my first time at that counter....#DontJudgeMe. Score: 1 point

Surprising quiche and ice coffee

3. Drink variety: Not only does this location offer a wide variety of coffee and espresso drinks they also have herbal teas (multiple greens, whites and oolongs) as well as beer and wine. Again-HUGE plus because it can not only work for future studying, but also outings with friends and even dates. Score: 5 points

Heavenly pecan square and green tea

4. Snack options: Matching their wide variety of drink options, Think Coffee also offers plenty of options for food. From quiche to cookies there is pretty much something for everyone. I sampled the quiche (which surprised me with bacon but I actually enjoyed it) and then later had a pecan square with my tea and each bite was like a little piece of heaven in my mouth.  Also both drink and food prices are pretty reasonable and I think I only spent about $16 for two drinks and two snacks. Score: 5 points

5. Camp out or nah?: Camp out for sure! With so many seating options you can move around when you feel like you're starting to grow roots in one spot and with all of the food/drink options you could probably have all three of your meals there should you require an all-day study/work session, however there is definitely NO pressure to keep purchasing. During my time there a woman sat next to me and pulled out multiple tupperware containers of food and only bought one tea while she was there. At first I was shocked by this (especially since one of her containers produced a quite offensive odor), but after looking around I noticed others also took the bring your own snack option. Score: 3 points

View of bar area

6. Outlet availability: Another hit or miss category...and another HUGE HUGE HUGE hit for Think Coffee Greenwich Village. As mentioned in the Seating overview there is a strip of outlets behind one of the bar seating areas and it is absolutely amazing! Also in the back of the shop there are multiple spots where you can sit and have access to up to four outlets so charging up is definitely NOT an issue here. Score: 1 point

7. Music/Overall Atmosphere: I was really into my music on this particular day and didn't pay much attention to what was playing through the shop's system, but they definitely had music going the entire time and with an extremely friendly barista staff and a young college crowd (it's right near the NYU campus for those that aren't familiar with NY) the atmosphere is very young and vibrant and you definitely won't be the only person with your head buried in a book or working your way through your next masterpiece of a paper. Score: 5 points
 
Final Review: With a final score of 24/25 Think Coffee-Greenwich Village definitely stole my heart. Whether you've got a hardcore study/workload on your plate, need a chill spot to catch up with friends or just need a comfy place to rest your feet after a long day of walking around the city Think Coffee provides a spacious and comfortable environment. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! 

If you have a coffee shop that you think I might like leave a comment below with the name and address and I'll check it out and review it here! 

“As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?”
― Cassandra Clare, City of Ashes 

Ivy Rose Reacts: Black-ish In America

Just as the semester is finally starting to rev up, TV makes its triumphant return with Fall premieres. Luckily, I don't have classes on Thursdays because I can already tell that Wednesday nights are going to be a problem for me with the return of Modern Family, The Middle,  The Goldbergs  and the premiere of ABCs new family comedy: 'black-ish, which struck an unexpected chord with me and motivated today's post.

Here is ABC's description of the show: Andre 'Dre' Johnson (Anthony Anderson) has a great job, a beautiful wife, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), four kids and a colonial home in the 'burbs.  But has success brought too much assimilation for this black family? With a little help from his dad (Laurence Fishburne), Dre sets out to establish a sense of cultural identity for his family that honors their past while embracing the future. 

 While it may look like this generation's Cosby Show (upper/middle class black family living in suburban America), after watching the first episode I can already tell there are going to be some pretty significant differences between the two.  Where the Cosby show attempted to show that black families were just like any other American family, 'black-ish complicates that argument and attempts to shed light on the unique set of issues facing many black people in this supposed "post-racial" society we find ourselves living in today. Although I grew up in a more diverse neighborhood than that of the family on `black-ish, I connected to the show as it works to answer a question that I've been grappling with for quite some time: What does it mean to be black in America? 

The entire first episode of the show focuses on Andre (Anthony Anderson) trying to make sure his family "keeps it real", but what does that mean and why does it often seem like the answer to that question is buried at the bottom of a barrel of stereotypes created long before many of us, and our parents, were even born? While I wouldn't call myself a Don Lemon fan I did find his reaction to `black-ish  closest to mine. Yes, some of the jokes were a little overkill in their attempts to make a point, but overall the show asks America to lift the lid off of the "black box" and expand the definition of what it means to "authentically" express one's race (which by the way is not synonymous with culture). With different ethnic, economic, educational and family backgrounds black culture can differ from house to house and yet the lens through which society views black people remains small and expectations for behavior limited. 

This limited scope is what leads one word, such as urban, to cause a black face to pop into the minds of many; it's what reduces multicultural education to adding books with black and brown faces and the occasional use of a popular rap song to teach a lesson; it's what causes black college students to find themselves as the voice of their people in many of their classes and it's what places a black teenager in a hoodie walking through his neighborhood at night or playing his music too loudly at a gas station with his friends or walking across the street in the middle of the day as a threat to society.

As I continue my studies, which find me primarily focusing on the use of culturally responsive/sustaining approaches to education as a method to close opportunity and education gaps,  I stress more than ever the need for people to have a strong understanding of their racial, ethnic/cultural backgrounds as they learn to define their individual identities. However, as the face of America continues to become more diverse, our definition of what it means to be Black/White/Latino(a)/Jewish/Christian/Muslim/Male/Female/Gay/Straight and whatever other signifier you want to add to the list has to expand with it.  Maybe I read too far into what the creators of the show were trying to do, after all it is just a prime-time family comedy, but hey that's how this black-ish chick reacted to it. 

"We've finally been able to get to a place where we can pull apart the monolithic idea of one race or another and actually move the dialogue into a class or cultural conversation, realizing that there are different layers, pieces to the experience,"

        - Tracee Ellis Ross, in an interview on `black-ish

Introducing the "Coffee Shop Tour" Series

My eyes are burning, my head is pounding and my fingers feel cramped from endless underlining and margin notes....it's official. Classes are in full swing--drop/add is over and there is no turning back. Marathon sessions in the library have begun and the incessant babbling from groups working on presentations and papers (Teachers College LOVES a group project) can be heard from all corners of the 2nd floor of the library.



Speaking of the library, TC did a pretty good job of creating a space that meets multiple learning and working styles, featuring everything from a giant teddy bear to a pillow stone garden. There's even a treadmill for those who want to take multitasking to a whole new level (see pics below).  

 1st floor: Computers & Printing stations; Circulation desk; treadmills(for that extreme study experience).

2nd Floor: Talking allowed, comfy arm chairs for a cozy study session (and napping in between classes), computers, a pillow rock garden and (dirty?) giant teddy bear (he's often used as a bed as well)

3rd floor: Traditional library atmosphere complete with long tables, gorgeous desk lamps and the occasional death stare should one breathe or turn a page too loudly (kidding, kidding). 

Now all of these amenities are great, and I take advantage of them often. However,  given the extremely large amount of reading that I must do on a daily basis, limited seating availability, and the natural distractions that come along with trying to work surrounded by classmates who are also your friends, I often find myself in need of other study locations. Starbucks was my original go-to spot, but  it is nearly impossible to find a seat at any located within 20 blocks of my school and if/when I did, the constant flow of customers caused even more distraction than the campus library....thus the birth of my NEW YORK CITY COFFEE SHOP TOUR! 

The tour began in the Spring semester, and so far I have hit a number of really cool spots. Based on an analysis of some that top my list, here is what an optimal coffee shop usually offers:

1. Comfy/Creative Seating Arrangements: Now obviously I'm not looking for plush couches or seating for hundreds, but in a city that is SO crowded the biggest adjustment this Florida girl has had to make is learning to function in tight spaces. Therefore, most of the places that top my list have seating arrangements that give me a little breathing room. Also, non-conventional seating (i.e. window seats) can earn bonus points for creativity and overall atmosphere.

2. WiFi: Very few of the projects that I work on can be done without consulting the internet at some point, so not having (free) WiFi earns an immediate placement on the ONLY IN EMERGENCIES list. Additionally, a simple password that is prominently displayed so I don't have to flag down a barista/waiter/waitress to ask for it definitely earns some bonus points.

3. Both Tea AND Coffee options: Most days I need the caffeine boost from a nice cup of black coffee (that's right I drink my coffee black), but sometimes I'm full of energy and just want something hot and soothing to sip on and a nice cup of tea hits the spot.

4. Low Calorie or Healthy Food/Snack Options: Typical coffee shop snacks tend to include heavy cakes, muffins, cookies and bread. I love a place that offers lighter choices that help to keep my energy up and don't leave me feeling groggy while studying. 

5. Encouragement to "camp out" without pressure to keep buying: Nothing is more awkward than the constant stare from a barista or frequent check-ins from a waiter/waitress asking if you're ok or if there is anything else they can get you as you're trying to push through an intense reading or writing session. I typically don't stay at a coffee shop for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time, but I like knowing that even though I only bought one $2-$4 drink you're more than happy to let me occupy that table in the corner until my paper is finished. Who knows? Next time I just might bring a few friends with me or brag about your kind staff and encourage others to stop by when they too tire of the campus library scene. Customer service is everything folks. 

6. OUTLETS: Without question the hardest thing to come across in this city is a place to plug up while out and about. Access to outlets definitely outweighs all other criteria and can cause me to overlook even the snarkiest of employees while I get a little juice before heading to another spot or persuade me to indulge in one more cup or bite to eat and camp out a little longer.

7. Music: Sometimes I find wearing my headphones annoying while working (don't ask because even I don't understand why) and a nice variety of music softly playing in the background can create an awesome atmosphere that motivates and energizes me throughout my work session. While this does not usually carry very much weight in my rating of a coffee shop, much like the creative seating arrangement and password display it can help to earn some bonus points and possibly even a re-visit. 

Side Note: Location isn't really a factor because the best part of the tour is getting away from campus and exploring various parts of NY, so I don't mind venturing out into other boroughs. 

I usually get to one or two coffee shops each week (mostly on the weekends) and definitely more than that during midterms and finals when the library is EXTRA crowded. Each week I'll do a review of the shops I visit and give a detailed account of my experiences for your reading pleasure. I'll even go back and do a few of my favorites that I've already hit.  Here is a sneak peak of some of those....

Also, if you know of (or work at/own) a spot that you think meets my criteria let me know and I'll check it out AND give you a shout out! 



“I don't know where my ideas come from. I will admit, however, that one key ingredient is caffeine. I get a couple cups of coffee into me and weird things just start to happen.”
― Gary Larson (author of The Far Side)

Locker Room Revelations

A few days ago I found myself sitting on a bench in the locker room of the campus gym....crying.  I've been on a weight loss/physical fitness journey for a couple of years now and try to find my way to the gym 3-5 times a week for no less than an hour. I also pay attention to what I eat, although I don't restrict, I just make sure to have a healthy variety of things and keep portion sizes under control. You know, it's one of those "I'm not on a diet...it's a lifestyle change" type of weight loss journeys.

Anyway,  on this particular day the struggle to get to the gym took 10 hours. No part of my  mind, body or spirit wanted to be in the gym. For this reason alone I should have made it a point to avoid the scale and save my random weigh-in for a day when I was in better spirits (normally I limit visits to the scale to a monthly or bi-monthly occurrence to prevent the ups and downs of weight loss from discouraging me). But I figured that if I saw a number I liked maybe it would motivate me to push through a great workout--BIG MISTAKE. I'd gained a few pounds, which wasn't surprising since I hadn't worked out in a week and simultaneously gave into almost every NY food craving I'd missed while back in FL for the summer. Even though it was a relatively insignificant amount I found myself feeling defeated, which brings back to where this post started: Me. On a bench in the locker room. Crying.

Ultimately it took several motivating, tough love texts from my dad to get my butt off the bench and onto a cardio machine and I must admit that I felt GREAT afterwards (as usual) and even found myself back in the gym the very next day with a much better attitude and results in terms of overall calories burned.


So how does this little break down relate to my journey in my doctoral studies, and why do I think any of you would care?

After finishing the first week of my second year, it seems like things are falling into place, but I can already hear the voices in my head that constantly make me question whether I made the right decision to come back to school--if all of this is worth it. I mean I'm a full-time student, I'm making little-to-no money and racking up tons of debt, I spend endless hours reading and writing and some days it feels like I'm moving further away from the finish line as research projects get put on hold or fall through altogether.  But then I think about the personal growth that I've made: the conviction with which I can speak on the things I believe (and the confidence I've gained to do it), the increased strength of my academic/scholarly writing, and the courage I summoned up to step into a leadership position on campus, just to name a few. Similar to my weight loss journey, it's become less about the surface level results, the measurable/visible achievements and accolades received along the way--but more about the lessons that I learn about myself and the growth that I make in not only accepting the woman I am, but loving her fiercely.

I love quotes so there will be one somewhere in every post of mine. As I wrote this I kept thinking back to one that I stumbled across a couple of months ago:

Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.”
― Mandy Hale

No matter your journey, take a moment (or two, or five, or twenty) to acknowledge and celebrate the "below the surface", immeasurable, personal triumphs you've made along the way. Use them as your motivation to keep going in those inevitable times when you feel overwhelmed or defeated.That being said it's ok (and sometimes necessary) to sit down on a bench, cry and text it out with someone you love when you need a little extra push.

                                                                          (Photo credit: http://www.keepcalmandposters.com/posters/1029.png)

Stepping Up to the Mic

"Silence is the residue of fear....So this year, instead of giving something up, I will live every day as though there is a microphone tucked under my tongue."
 - Clint Smith

That quote from slam poet and educator Clint Smith's Ted Talk, "The danger of silence" (go ahead take the 4:18 to watch the video),  was the final push I needed to take the leap and venture into the world of blogging. I've always been quite the talker and an avid writer, keeping a journal (or two) since I was seven, but somehow after 6 years of undergraduate and graduate school I lost my voice. Much like the experiences Clint Smith speaks of (seriously watch the video...it's powerful), I found myself in situations where it felt safer and smarter for various personal and professional reasons to just keep my thoughts, opinions, questions, objections, etc. to myself. Now in the last year of my 20s, with four years of classroom teaching, two summers of training teachers for one of the most controversial organizations around, and one year of doctoral studies under my belt I no longer feel the need to hide behind my silence. 

So here I am: 29 years old, single, one of three Black women in a doctoral cohort of 16 at an Ivy League institution in the middle of New York City. I'm an educator at the very core of my being, but spend just as much--if not more--time seeking knowledge as I do sharing it. I've learned to live each moment intentionally while making sure to have as much fun as possible along the way. I'm a Florida girl at heart and am most at peace lying on the sand looking out into the ocean, but I've never felt more alive than I do in the bright lights of the concrete jungle. Some might say that I am a "true Gemini" riding a constant roller coaster of emotions, but that just makes the journey more exciting in my opinion. 

This is a blog to entertain, to teach, to share, to open myself up, to push myself, to give back, to learn, to take in, to expand my world, to process and on many occasions to vent. I'm terrified and excited to invite the masses into my mind--and for those of you choosing to enter take this as your official warning that it's often a crazy, jumbled mess in there. But here I go...time to step up to the mic....

 (Photo credit: http://dogwoodinitiative.org/blog/mob-the-mic-success/image/image_view_fullscreen)