What inspires me is this generation of Filipino-Americans who are taking the initiative to learn more about their Filipino culture and to find ways to bring it into the spotlight.  This is such a unique time, where cultures are celebrated for their uniqueness.  I think my favorite thing has been learning about the similarities in various cultures.  Many of us know that food is the universal language - but its the similarities in our food that fascinates me;  that the comforting remedy that is American Chicken Soup is Pho in Vietnam, Arroz Caldo in the Philippines, Congee in China.  I love that so many of us are trying to connect the dots and find the beauty in our differences. It's how I took a deep dive into Filipino Coffee.  I already knew countries like Columbia and Ethiopia produced great coffee beans, and then Vietnamese coffee was brought into the spotlight, and it made me think -  the Philippines must have amazing coffee too!! 

I want to leave the world just a little bit more beautiful than it was when i found it.  With everything going on in the world, it can be overwhelming to think of everything that must be done to make things "right" and "fair".  I am trying to focus on the things that I can control, the things I can make an impact on.  Whether its something as simple as greeting a customer at the cafe with a smile, or pouring a beautiful latte that can brighten someone's day-  or something more impactful- like educating the coffee farmers in the Philippines about how valuable their products are.  I just want to do my absolute best to do good whenever I can.