Monday, January 28, 2013

Coffee EVI- Tampa, FL



If you know anything about me I'm all about supporting the small and local business, thus along my travels I try to find places that are not chain restaurants. Well I've just found a small gem in Tampa, Florida, Coffee Evi. It's a husband and wife team that serve coffee from a local company from St. Petersburg, FL and offer great milk alternatives like almond milk!!! That's a big win in my book! You can't even get almond milk at Starbucks!! Their ice coffee's ice cubes are frozen coffee cubes so it does get watered down! Smart! I opted for a egg and cheese baguette this morning and an iced carmel macchiatto with almond milk! Yum!

If your wondering what Evi stands for like I was-it means house in Turkish. The husband is American and his wife, Turkish. Bring together American and an European feel to the actual "Coffee House. " Overall, I was really impressed and when my travel allows, I will be back again! Until next time...

Monday, January 21, 2013

Self-Definition

It has been some time since I sat down to post on my blog. First, I thought it was some sort of "funk" then I decided it was a nice break because it was becoming to much of a chore instead of something I wanted to do as part of my daily routine. In the time of my absence I have traveled around Europe, the state of Florida, Freeport, Maine, and made a decision to move.

I started reading a book called The Happiness Project and within the first chapter, I realized I think this past year has been a test on myself to find my own happiness.

Happiness = Growth

Within this last year I have really grown. I've always been independent and have been able to live on my own, but this year I tested myself. I was given a great opportunity to work in Florida and I had to accept that. 
I've discovered a relationship between happiness and ambition.
With that ambition I want to take on more and with happiness playing a role within that I am moving back up North. On that note, while I have been in Florida, I have been able to focus on myself. I've learned to Be Leann and live by my own commandments. You can not let anyone change who you are. If they can not accept that, they do not deserve to be in your life.

That being said, I'm looking toward the future with great optimism. I have goals set in place to keep myself in check along with eating and making great foods and traveling to wonderful places.

Thanks to everyone who has played a role in supporting me along my way, big or small, it all counts. 
I took this photo in Warsaw, Poland-The guide told me this mural is supposed to show that even though we are all different we can all live together in harmony.