M A A N N E

Occasional writer. Barista. Hobbyist-Photographer. Regular Dreamer, Goal-setter, Goal-getter. Luna lover. My other side. Let's have coffee 👇

[maannedc]

Manifesting to happen

Since the pandemic started there have been places that closed down but thankfully the park didn't. I feel bad for businesses that closed down because a lot of people lost their jobs. And now I walk around this park, thinking of ways to help and support them. I'll make things happen.

Meanwhile, I loved hanging out in parks. It's peaceful, it's fresh and I feel like I have my own world.

Walking around this park and the neighborhood nearby made me realize, I like this neighborhood. I like this place and I'm manifesting for these things to happen.

📸: Vibe501f

🎞: Kodak Portra 400

*If you like my content, support me/subscribe/be a member at Buy Me A Coffee. Link in my bio🔗* ☕️

[maannedc]

10.14.23 | Starting Over....Again.

This is not a success story. Long read.

This is me at my coffee shop. This was taken months ago, we just moved here to more spacious location. Creation and planning started when I was in college (I'm 39 now, so yeah it's been years of creating and planning) Back story of my creating and planning was when our class had an event, it was our project for Operations Management subject and one of our speakers was Chit Juan (Owner of Figaro). She shared her story then a light bulb in me lit. Months after, I was already gaining more knowledge and experience in coffee and café management when I became a barista in 2007.

In 2021, Pour Over Café was born. From 1, we became 3 partners then we became 2. The Pour Over name was thought about by my business partner while researching online. Since I was the barista between the two of us, I taught her, one temporary barista and one permanent barista.

I was living my dream. Coffee shop owner, back to the barista life. I was working and living my why and that is coaching new and aspiring baristas, helping future coffee shop owners start theirs, helping and advocating for coffee farmers while learning more about the industry. I was living it.

But of course, in a coffee shop business or in any business, nothing comes easy. It was a constant work up, constant marketing, constant R&D, disagreements that led to toxicity and the realization that I lost my own voice, where to get the payment for expenses, sales quota was not being met daily except when we had events, etc. There were a lot. You'd want to give up. I wanted to. But I held on for my baby, the coffee shop I thought of, created and prayed for when I was 20 years old.

Until I couldn't take it anymore. My mental health and my finances were already suffering. So I told my partner that I'm leaving. I took her by surprise but she already had a hunch. We could've worked it out though, but to be honest, even if we try to work it out, we were not anymore aligned. My Why wasn't aligned with hers. So I left the partnership, I technically still have ownership but she's the only one managing and running the business now.

It was painful to leave but I had to. If I want to have my very own coffee shop and my very own coffee brand (which I am working on again), focus on my other money-generating skills...if I want my peace...I had to leave while holding on to my why.

It's okay to let go of one thing you worked so hard for. Something better is coming for you. It's okay to start over.

This is not a success story but I hope I was able to reach out to tell you that in order to succeed in life, you have to start over and it's okay. Because maybe this time, your dream coffee shop (or whatever business idea you're working on) is finally coming to fruition.

[maannedc]

I pray for healing.

[maannedc]

9.18.23 | Coffee School

Back to school! But this time, it's enhancing my knowledge of what I already gained years ago.

You don't stop with what you already know. You don't stop with reading articles or consulting Youtube videos. You go to the classroom, seek a mentor, you learn and you trust the process.

Now if you're like me...If this is your STARTING OVER, then it is.

No matter how long it will take you again to build another, trust the process. No matter how heavy it was for you to leave what you created, it is already ingrained in you and to those who witnessed it. Just trust the process and you'll have it back.

And the Lord always, always has your back.

[maannedc]

9.17.23 | Brunches & Coffee

He was just a stranger I swiped right to. He was part of the sea of options I messaged a not so flirty message to. Until one day we both became each other's priority. He was my bestfriend, my confidante, my mentor, my chef, the person I learned to love.

Food came to my doorstep all of a sudden so I reciprocated. Coffee this time. He brought me food, I send coffee. Our love language. We prayed for each other. Our love language.

A number of brunch dates. A number of coffee dates. A number of photos of Moon, Coco, Thanos & Lapu..it was home.

Until one day, life just happened. We got lost. He had his reasons. I had questions. He became a stranger once again.

Months later he became a part of the sea of options again but not for me. For another woman this time. On his birthday, he told me. His eyes and voice though was still doubtful of what he's doing. "Ako ata ang may problema (I might be the one with the problem)"

It hurt me the most learning that I wasn't a part of his life anymore. That he doesn't have time for me anymore. "I'm sorry for thinking that you still have time for me", I said.

Though communications are still open between us, I try hard not to reach out as often as before and how I respond is civil compared to before. He never stopped asking how am I.

But when we parted ways, opportunities and creativity flowed. Maybe the Universe is right. The Lord is always right.

Maybe...I needed to fix things first. Maybe you needed too.

Hi :) Maybe as we both go through life separately fulfilling dreams and goals for ourselves and our family, through God's grace, we find each other once again in the sea of options. And maybe by that time, we get to be each other's priority once again then experience dreams, goals and life together just like that time in June. 💖

[maannedc]

7.25.23 | 39 Revolutions

Everyday I wake up to my WHY. Everyday my WHY reminds me of my purpose. Of why I team up with business coaches to support struggling entrepreneurs enable their dream. Of why I created and will continue to create a business that will help me keep serving the coffee community and coffee farmers (one of my favorite advocacies), most especially.

My passion doesn't end in pulling espresso shots, slow brewing your coffee and serving it. When one eager little soul looks up to me and when another eager soul asks for my help to build a coffee business... I know I'm not done yet.

Find your WHY. Start with your WHY. And you'll realize that you're creating a ripple and making a huge difference.

39 completed revolutions around the sun and I'm still grateful despite things falling out of place. It is falling out of place because things are falling in place.

[maannedc]

Rain sounds for sleep & relaxation

Like & subscribe!

[maannedc]

Gentle rain sounds to calm your nerves and your senses especially on a toxic day.

Perfect for pluviophiles like me.

Like & subscribe too when you're there!

[maannedc]

It was a tiring week last week that I decided to take Friday to Sunday off. Yes, the coffee shop was closed. My business partner didn't object as she too was really tired.

And because it was also a job well done, I had to celebrate by treating myself to this. An activated charcoal yogurt from BLK513. This was in Glorietta 2 in Makati. So, if you're ever there and would fancy this treat, join the dark side and enjoy!

[maannedc]

Blue, Green & Concrete 📸: Vibe501f 🎞: Portra 400 *If you like my content, support me/subscribe/be a member at Buy Me A Coffee. Link in my bio🔗* ☕️

[maannedc]

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A post shared by 📸🎞 by @maannedc (@_lifeinanalog_)

Edinburgh Castle was up ahead. And we were finding the path towards it. It led us to this place and a cemetery. 🤭😅 The result here looks…👎🏻😒 📸: Holga 135bc 🎞: Lomography 800 *If you like my content, support me/subscribe/be a member at Buy Me A Coffe. Link in my bio🔗* ☕️

[maannedc]

The Unknown, Getting Lost & Growing

4 years ago, I stepped into an unfamiliar cold place and actually wanting a warm bath after spending 18 hours on the plane (yyyeah, I couldn't feel my butt to be honest) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ See my smile? That's me happy and full of excitement (plus giggling with surprise to see my aunt already in front of me picking me up Lol!). Sure enough, I got myself settled in, went on an adventure, got lost a number of times but found my way back. Most fun ever! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Getting into entrepreneurship has been an unfamiliar cold territory for all of us. But really, it got us excited because it's what we always wanted. To have a business to call our own. It's scary. It's exciting. We expect to get lost along the way. Until we are able to set in and the warmth embraces us. We're doing well and growing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We all start somewhere that is scary and unfamiliar but it just takes adventure and little (or a lot) of getting lost to grow. *If you like my content, support me/subscribe/be a member at Buy Me A Coffee. Link in my bio🔗* ☕️

[maannedc]

37 on Earth

July 25, 2021. I woke up on a gloomy Sunday morning. I was ready for this to happen given what has been happening the past couple of days. Weather is crazy.

Nothing new though, as my birthday falls on a rainy season. I only remember that one time when on my birthday, the sun shone so brightly and I thought it was weird. But it was great.

I celebrated it with family. Even if I wanted to spend it also with my friends, the pandemic made it hard for us to get together. We can but we chose not to do it to prevent the spread of the virus since there's a new variant roaming around. Ugh! But still I'm grateful that I got to spend it with family. Best ever.

Now, I'll have to say this because I kept mum about it for years. I'll surely be at the end of someone's joke once again that I'm not married and childless at this age. But my god, get off your high horse and stop questioning me why and stop dictating what I should do with my ovaries and relationship status. Just sshhh! Mind your own life and own flaws. God bless you. 😚

37 years. I wake up everyday with intention and purpose. Living life enabling my dreams and supporting other's to enable their dreams. Living the life but continuously knowing not to take shit from anyone who tries to.

Leo things...I'm a Leo, after all. *If you like my content, support me/subscribe/be a member at Buy Me A Coffe. Link in my bio🔗* ☕️

[maannedc]

Life Update: Volunteering

July 30, 7PM. I volunteered for this big initiative. Something that I was dreaming to do, I finally got the courage to sign up when I saw a post about it online and a link to the form. I stepped up, signed myself up and on July 30, I showed up.

I met like-minded people from students up to professionals, to business owners, and even retirees. We came together because of one goal and that made it even more exciting. I signed up to be part of the events team and I was just aiming for the staff position.

Little did I know that I was already seen. When I introduced myself, I guess I opened the door to opportunity.

From just aiming to be an events staff, I just might be spearheading the events team and lead. Might because I'll still have conversations with the leading team.

Anyway, I'm really excited for this initiative. This is my first time and this is a big one. I hope I'll be able to exceed their expectations. *If you like my content, support me/subscribe/be a member at Buy Me A Coffee. Link in my bio🔗* ☕️

[maannedc]

Morning Silence

After my cup of coffee this morning, I went out for a walk/run and sat down with my green tea in hand.

While giggling over my other Lauriat’s convo over Instagram. That “guru” thing made me laugh hard making the workers I passed by look at me weirdly. Good morning, weirdos. And Good Morning to the one who sent me a Good Morning message.

It’s a silent morning on a Friday. In 2 days, I’ll be celebrating my 37th. Nothing special. I plan to just have pizza and wine with the family.

Will I cry again? It happens. I told myself I’m abnormal for crying on my natal day but strangers told me it’s normal. A lot of things are happening and will most likely happen and emotions just tend to fill you up you have no idea what to do but just cry. So maybe I’ll let it then I’ll move on and celebrate it in peace.

Maybe the Universe will show me something to look forward to. Thank you, Universe.

*If you like my content, support me/subscribe/be a member at Buy Me A Coffee. Link in my bio🔗* ☕️

[maannedc]

Everything You Need As A Canva Pro Part 1

For some of us who are not skilled in designing from scratch, Canva saves the day.

If you're new to Canva for Work, here are tips that you can use and won't need for you to sign up for Photoshop.

1. Resize

This feature has the potential to save you time from researching the right dimensions for your social cards or marketing collaterals.

You will find the Resize button right beside File.

Once selected, you will find a number of different sizes. You can search through the templates to find the exact size you need.

Example below: Instagram post

Then select another...Time-saver? Yes? Yes!

Once you've chosen your template and hit OK, Canva will generate the template for each size and the only thing left for you to do is to adjust the elements, save and you're done!

2. Hyperlinks

If you are creating a presentation, an online portfolio, a website (yes, you can create a website in Canva), a lead magnet, an E-book; Hyperlinks are amazing.

Hyperlinks allows the viewer to click on a link and bring the viewer to a specific website or location online.

To create a hyperlink, simply highlight the text or texts you want to place a link

Find for the link icon 🔗 and click it, add the URL and click APPLY.

If the document is a PDF file, it should be saved as a PDF file in order for the links to work.

3. Background Remover

Removing a photo background is also just a click in Canva like in Photoshop. You will find the feature in Effects

Click on 'Background Remover' then 'Select a Brush'. Since we are to remove the background, click on 'Erase' and there you go!

So from this 👇

To this 👇!

Easy-peasy? Yep!

Canva is a wonderful platform for entrepreneurs and is easy to use. If you're still on a Free account, you will have less options and won't be able to use the Pro features (photos are limited too)

Everything You Need As A Canva Pro Part 2 is now coming up! Stay tuned!

Click ►Get your Canva Pro now to experience the features above.

[maannedc]

Stillness and Silence

It's 10:30 AM in the morning. Manila, Philippines.

I stand at our gate looking down the street and taking in the silence of the morning. What was once bustling with kids, cars and tricycles going about, is now in silence.

It all started that day February 2020. The start of the pandemic and the start of the lockdown and quarantine.

It's 10:30 AM. The heat got to me. I went back inside and locked the door.

Everything will back. Soon.

*if you like my content, support me at Buy Me A Coffee! Link is in my bio 🔗*

📸: Vibe 501f 🎞: Portra 400