Tag: coffee

Any Human Heart by William Boyd

If you’ve never read a William Boyd novel, this is a good one to start with.

anyhumanheart

Any Human Heart is a fictionalized journal of a fictional character, Logan Mountstuart. It is a story of a life well-lived and a journey deep into a very human heart. The book is easy to read, the chapters weren’t too long, it is powerful, realistic and a beautiful story.  Logan is generous, smart, naïve and selfish which makes him so real and interesting. And like any human journeys, his life has its own ups and downs, accidents, coincidences, tragedies and triumphs.

Aging is also addressed in this book in which there are moments where it is absolutely depressing, you see Logan at his worst. But there are also moments where you’ll see how aging made him wiser. He was never envious of youth.

William Boyd was able to make it like everything is true and that it is indeed from a dead man’s journal. I don’t know if others will agree but this is such an amazing novel where it’s hard to believe that Logan Mountstuart never existed.

And in the end, we get to ask ourselves, “What defines success?” “What is a life well-lived?” Logan reassures us that, “Every life is both ordinary and extraordinary – it is the respective proportion of those two categories that make that life appear interesting or humdrum.”

Quotable Quotes:

“I have to start my real life soon, before I die of boredom and frustration.”

“It’s true: lives do drift apart for no obvious reason. We’re all busy people,we can’t spend our time simply trying to stay in touch. The test of a friendship is if it can weather these inevitable gaps.”

“I felt shocked and then saddened. life does this to you sometimes – leads you up a path and then drops you in the shit, to mix a metaphor.”

Rating : 5/5 stars

If We Were Having Coffee #5

If we were having coffee…

…you would have known already that I want my coffee black and without sugar.

If we were having coffee…

…we would have probably learned a lot about each other and each other’s culture already.

If we were having coffee…

…I would have perhaps told you a dozen times how very much I love your voice and your accent! I surely would’ve been mimicking you as you talk and I might be giggling a bit, too!

If we were having coffee…

…you would’ve known already that I like you, too!

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you I’m so delighted to have met you. You’re a lovable guy and you definitely can make me laugh! But I’d also tell you I’m sorry that I have to turn down your invitation for a dinner date and that I refused to give my contact details so we can keep in touch. I do hope though that our paths will cross again and maybe then, I’m ready and if you still are interested to have that dinner date with me, I’d gladly say yes and see what happens next.

If We Were Having Coffee #4

If we were having coffee…

I’d be shocked that you and I are having coffee together. Nevertheless, I’m having a cup of brewed as usual while you’re having your favorite iced latte.

If we were having coffee…

You’d be complaining about work and everyone in the office. You’d complain about everything, big or small, things that matter and mostly things that don’t.

If we were having coffee…

You’d be convincing me to side your part of the story. You’d be bad-mouthing the others. You’d be comparing one staff to the other, yourself from everyone else. You’d persuade me to believe that you’re right and they’re wrong.

If we were having coffee…

I’d patiently listen to your endless rant about wanting to go back home to your country, that this place is hell, that the people around you are stupid, that you’re treated unfairly.

If we were having coffee…

I’d be surprised that I’ve tolerated myself to lend an ear to all your whining.

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you to go back to your country if you find it all better there than here, after all, nobody wants you here, too. Go find a place where it’s all heaven and fun. Where everyone’s smart and wise. Where nobody will treat you “unfairly” as you always claim it to be. And if you ever find that place, please, stay there and be happy.

If We Were Having Coffee #3

If we were having coffee…

…we definitely have befriended one or two baristas already and are sharing with a complimentary cheesecake from them! Haha!

If we were having coffee…

…we’re definitely giggling to death already because of our inside jokes and stories we’ve invented about the people in the cafe.

If we were having coffee…

…we’re already planning a grand escapade to make up to the nine years that we haven’t seen each other. It could be a hike, a camping, a visit to an amusement park, anything except the beach!

If we were having coffee…

…we will reminisce about how we’ve met, how we didn’t like each other at first, how we raised an eyebrow on each other, how we eventually became friends — best friends, our crushes, our loves, our heartaches and so on…

If we were having coffee…

…I’d be telling you what my life has been like since I left. The choices I’ve made, the decisions I had to take. How my life hasn’t been so easy at first, how I dealt with my problems, how hopeless I became and how I picked myself back up together again.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d say sorry for my shortcomings. I didn’t mean to not be there when you needed me. Life just got in the way, and I know you know that.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d thank you for being my best friend no matter how bitchy I get. Thank you for understanding that this is just the way I am.

If We Were Having Coffee #2

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you I’m surprised that you’re drinking coffee now.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you it’s nice catching up with each other’s lives over a cup of coffee, not beer.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you you have always been the nicest among us three since we were children.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you I’m glad I always share my secrets to you first.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you please take care of yourself, too. You’ve done more than enough for us that you deserve to think about yourself as well.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you you can always count on me, too! I will always be here to listen and support. I’ve got your back! You know that! 🙂

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you I love you and I’m so lucky I’ve got you, the best big brother in the whole world! 🙂

If We Were Having Coffee #1

If we were having coffee…

… for sure we’re both having brewed.

If we were having coffee…

… I’d ask you how have you been since you left and how I’ve been since then.

If we were having coffee…

… I’d tell you what could’ve been if life turned out differently for both of us.

If we were having coffee…

… I’d tell you how difficult it was losing you and how it felt to be so lonely.

If we were having coffee…

… I’d thank you for all the years we’ve shared together.

If we were having coffee…

… I’d tell you to love her more than you’ve loved me.

If we were having coffee…

… I’d tell you I’ve already forgiven you. I’ve already forgiven myself. And I’m completely and honestly okay now.

~~~

Some of the realest conversations I’ve ever had in my life were made over a cup of coffee (or tea for the other person) and usually last for hours. I’ve decided to do a series of this post where I’d be referring to different individuals I’ve met or encountered in my life. This first post for this series is for the person I’ve dated for a little bit more than seven years.

How about you? If we were having coffee, what would you tell me? Feel free to drop a line or two in the comment section. 🙂

Happy day, homo sapiens!

Delighted

Delighted to be with books, coffee and you!😊☕️📚

Coffee Break

Had coffee break with my colleagues this afternoon and it sure was fun! I will miss hanging out with these two wonderful people!

Anyway, which of these three frappuccinos do you think is mine guys? 😉

Friday Reading

“…things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully.”

Happy Friday, homo sapiens!😊📖☕️