NMC, the girl

Essentially … making class an off-campus affair.

“Café” – n.

dictionary.reference.com: 1. a restaurant, often with an enclosed or outdoor section extending onto the sidewalk. 2. a restaurant, usually small and unpretentious

en.wikipedia.org:  “an informal restaurant offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches” … “often the central gathering spot for conversation and meetings”

Nina, the student, and the academic dilemma

“Productivity” may not seem like an intimidating word, but it’s pretty freaking loaded. In fact, it’s the foundation for a lot of astoundingly convincing self-delusion.

Nina: “I have to be productive today.”

3 hours later.

Nina: “OH, SHIT. I HAVEN’T EVEN STARTED.”

(I hate when that happens.)

BUT there’s also…

Edie: “Nina, we’re going to be productive today.”

Nina: “Yeah, we have to.”

3 hours later.

Edie: “I finished my Urban Studies presentation!! How are you doing??”

Nina: “I finished my International Relations notes!!”

Idealistic? Generally. But the point is, I’ve come to notice a lot of  beautiful and unusual productivity being facilitated in the lives of me and my soulroommate Edie  by our weekly excursions to off-campus cafés! (I think we both hit up three different cafés last week, actually. Hm.)

I don’t think there’s one single definition of “café,” but I do know there are more cafes around me than I previously realized. Sans initial intention, it has become an aspiration of mine to visit as many as possible… and see how successful I can be at any given one, hopefully encouraged by great food or drinks and atmosphere. That, my friend/mysterious reader, is the purpose of this blog – to tell you all about it.

(Although in all honesty, I still can’t believe I’m even doing a blog. I’m pretty sure that a few weeks ago I was still pish-toshing the legitimacy of blogs. Then again, maybe not. I fell pretty hard for food blogs, I guess. Especially the ones with great food photography.)

Sourcing the Café Fondness

Long before my recently-developed fondness for coffee (note: “fondness,” not “raging addiction”), I’ve always felt a great affinity with café cultures. It might have been growing up in Italy, even if I can’t recall a single memory from those first three and a half years of my life [oh, and stubbornly dropped the language as soon as we moved]. And I’m more than willing to support Italy’s status as among the top countries that value the authentic café and all of its daily people-gathering glories.

London, United Kingdom

Maybe it was my past life in London, where I was first introduced to tea and scones, crumpets and most likely coffee as well. And while London’s definition of it certainly is not the same as Italy’s, the required ritual of the between-meals refreshment is just as key in its history and culture.

Seoul, South Korea

Lastly, though, I think a lot of my appreciation for the café – the often intimate setting of romantic rendezvous’ and friendly reunions – comes from spending nine years of school breaks in Seoul, where they simply rule the city. At any time of day you can count on seeing women in high heels giggling over their grandes, or couples chatting over cappuccinos.

During the year, however, you’ll know where to find me – at the latest and/or greatest [cafés], and reporting back with the results.

If someday you find yourself drawn to a café I’ve covered, please do let me know! It will always be a happy day when I’ve connected someone to a new favorite place. (And don’t forget to mention what yummy treat you ordered so I can keep that in mind, too…)

; )

Yours truly,

Nina.