Sipping slowly

Newport Coffee House is to Tami as Jamba Juice is to me. Owned by Roast Master Dong Chung, this cozy café is hidden in a Bannockburn strip on 22, just a stone throw from Trinity. It is commonplace for a Grad student to serve a Professor his or her morning cup – for pay, of course.

Remnants of an exploring/sailing theme such as maps and compasses decorate the kitchen, but the dining room assaults you with “gaudy,” according to Tami, cat and floral plates and pictures, with the addition of a Susan Willis signature appropriately in the bottom right-hand corner. They’ve probably been for sale since the shop opened.

Wifi, a three-computer station, an oversized dining area and a public bathroom are all compliments of the coffee house. People trickle in and out at a fairly consistent basis, some linger with their cup and a conversation, and some read and study. Yet, Newport is oddly never crowded.

The underscore was provided by Tami during my handful of visits. Her coworkers request only for “something good.”

“That’s all I have,” she replied. Moments later Sufjan and Imogen tickled the ears of caffeinated customers.



Tami has mastered the tall white and dark chocolate Mocha. My little sis’ Jess introduced me to the concoction while she managed the Poverty Bay espresso stand at Safeway on 320th.

A Zebra was its name, while I believe it is better known as a Tuxedo (according to my Bossman Big Ben) – but that’s a little too masculine for my taste. I am almost as much of a fan of white chocolate as I am of dark chocolate. Over a Starbucks version of the double-chocolate flavored phenom this morning, one of my Jamba team members told me white chocolate wasn’t really chocolate. I guess I’m moving to the dark side – 80%ish cacao is where it is at for sure. And I know where to get it served deliciously in with grounded coffee beans and skim milk.

When I walk into Newport I take hostage a handful of napkins and a pen for about an hour while I sip slowly on my small zebra. I suppose I could bring my Macbook – but coming here is usually on a whim. That hour turns into a few, and before I know it I’m walking out with the baristas at the 6 o’clock close.

The company, the music, the warmth and the big taste of chocolaty indulgence makes me forget about all worries of the day.



My randomness...

My Lousiana State University independent study courses came in the mail. Poetry, Math and Music. After I buy the required textbooks my summer is going to become officially even more lame. =) (work + soccer + 9 credits = lame, but productive).

During the Gaels game against Cleveland that I scored in, I also blew out the left heel of my $200+ Adidas Predators. At the inter-squad scrimmage Saturday morning the right toe of my back-up Nike Total-90s started talking. While waiting on the Trinity shoe order, I am currently using my roommates old kicks that a are a half-size too big. Hello double socks!

I have almost finished LOST season 2!

I have a crush on a frequent Jamba customer. He's gorgeous and everyone must have a crush on him. But an innocent for-fun customer crush is definitely as far as it goes =). His name is David, he comes in nearly every morning and his drink is the Kiwi Berry Burner. But Jamba no longer has Kiwi juice so he substitutes peach juice. 1 scoop sorbet, 1 scoop vanilla sherbet, 2 scoops strawberries, 1 scoop peaches, a burner boost and a fiber boost. David is 26, a Marquette grad, a Physical Therapist in Lincolnshire near my store and a manager at Chicago's Caramel Bar and Lounge.

The cell phone finally arrived in my mailbox! (The pics above are taken from it -- not too shabby).

The Chicago Eagles returned from Brazil, so I returned my roommates car to her in Wheaton, and I am now carless BUT I bought a bike! New Trek 3900. 16 inch. Green. Sweet. From Deerfield Cyclery on Waukegan. I have driven well over ONE THOUSAND miles this summer already (gas money, YIKES!). Let's see how many I will ride.

We have cable at the house! Comcast digital starter and DVR. I'm responsible for the bill, but I managed a pretty good deal -- 9.99 for the first three months and every month it is split 6 ways. YAY for roommates.

I scored a bed frame, box matress, matress (full), head board, side board and dresser at a garage sale when I was riding my bike back from work. Will you help me bring it all up to my room? Honey-do list: sheets, laundry and groceries! Now I just need to find me a honey =).