New year, new aspirations and of course, more coffee!
The year’s end is a natural time of reflection—a clean end with a new beginning waiting right around the corner. For some, the upcoming year is a fresh start filled with new ambitions, new plans and a big, easy goodbye to 2022. For others it is a time to reflect and cherish what the year has held, hoping 2023 will be one that brings us closer yet to where or who we want to be. Some of us choose to take a look at what happened last year, how we grew, and what we would or definitely would not do again. Then others take a different approach, tucking 2022 away tightly in the far back corner of their mind, not to be opened anytime soon. No matter what kind of year 2022 was for you, we are here to celebrate or to start fresh with you in 2023!
A Time to grow
We are also here to encourage you with good news! Like the idea that every morning we are waiting and excited to serve you a cup of coffee (…or two or three..) to start off your day. Whatever it takes to get you ready for the day ahead and to take on a new year! Or a little reminder that sometimes one year is not nearly enough time to see how much you’ve grown and not every year is going to look the same in terms of fruit. A coffee plant takes anywhere from 3-5 years to produce coffee cherries (the fruit of the coffee tree) depending on the variety and climate it is grown in. Once the trees begin to produce fruit, it will take another nine months before the cherries are ripe enough to harvest. (To learn more about how the coffee harvesting process check out the link from Barista Institute here.) Sometimes we just need a little more time or maybe a little change in scenery. Or maybe we just need more coffee!
team reflections
In honor of the upcoming year and rounding up the last few moments of 2022, we have asked the Tala team to take a moment and share their new year’s resolutions or past year’s fondest memories. Since so many of us get to see so many of you everyday- you all can join us and check in on our progress as we chat across the bar! With that, here are the Tala team’s reflections and hopes as we end yet another wonderful year!
Abby- I’m looking forward to studying abroad in Scotland and to experience so many new adventures! I have a goal of traveling to at least 7 different countries while I’m abroad:)
Alec- In 2023, I will invest more time in myself and my people!
Bethany- For 2023 I hope to go to more national parks and travel before going back to school. I also hope to get into a medical imaging program.
Cassie- In 2023 I want to continue to grow in self awareness and in compassion towards others.
Conner- Best memories of 2022 were getting married and finishing seminary!
Dan- My New Year’s Resolution is practicing gratitude more in the community spaces I am a part of. My favorite memory from 2022 was Taylor, my wife, mid-contraction shouting ‘the baby’s coming’ and our third child being birthed into my hands a moment later. 🥰😭
Erik- I hope to learn the perfect cartwheel. (Inspired by Creed from “The Office”, Erik’s favorite show!)
Haley- I am looking forward to writing more in 2023! I’m excited to get back into the habit of being creative and exploring new ideas and writing forms. From letters, to short stories, to educational pieces, I am always learning something and exploring new topics! Plus I can write from anywhere- so there will definitely be some traveling in the upcoming year too!
Joanna- I’m looking forward to all the upcoming changes at Tala, and our family trip to Singapore! One of my goals for this year is to enjoy the winter weather more.
Keith- In 2023 it’s my goal to read the bible in a year with Kelsey (his fiancé)!
Lili- My goal for 2023 is to read 23 books! My favorite read from 2022 was The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab.
Lucy- Get on a better schedule of waking up earlier and being intentional not to use my phone during that time!
Marcus- I’m looking forward to kidnapping more cats from the streets of the roast castle.
Matt- I’m hoping for some more good hangs. (Not sure what this means? Go start up a conversation with Matt and ask what he does in his free time!)
Reese- My favorite memory of 2022 was hiding behind a vending machine in northern Germany (where I was studying abroad) at 3am, waiting for the sun to come up so I could go find my AirBnB. I even made a cockroach friend…until he charged at me. Then he met his doom.
Ryan- I’m looking forward to getting new cafes opened and operating!
Stefan- I am looking forward to opening more cafes in the North Shore and expanding our wonderful team. My personal goal is to read through the bible in my father’s native language of Mandarin.
Sydney- I want to be more graceful with myself in 2023.
Tayah- In 2023 I am looking forward to living in Colorado, for school, and getting to make friends and memories in a new environment and place.
