The Coffee Teen!

Transitioning To A New Direction (And Anything Distinctive From Before)

2009-10-08T21:28:00.004-04:00

Hello 'Coffee Teen' Readers:

Greetings from Hazeltons coffeeshop in downtown Peterborough. This message is to let you know that I am moving on from the past and will be commencing on a new direction in life. Though I am not saying goodbye to everyone I knew in Buffalo; my outlook has changed (only after being here for a month at university) and I have come to many revelations this week. This time, I think I mean it.

Now. I will have a new blog to report my thoughts to the general web domain of humanity and the words you will be reading are from a much different angle than my Buffalo days.

Here is the new blog address (The Coffee Soul)*:
www.willthecoffeesoul.blogspot.com
* NOTE: still a work in progress. please be patient.

My story has a newer, bolder side, and I am ready to really be back here in Canada. Also, I feel I can make the most of this new experience back in my homeland. Already, I am feeling immensely happy about my studying/living at Trent. Though there are challenges ahead for me, I feel much stronger for how I will deal with these issues.

I am on my own and I love it!

Well. This weekend is Thanksgiving and I am going on a 'tour'. Also, I have been travelling a fair amount around Ontario (to be specific) since I moved back a month ago.

There will be a more extensive update soon! Have a good weekend.

Take care and I look forward to you reading from my new blog (only if interested).

Love,
Will

Please Be Patient.

2009-10-05T21:22:00.002-04:00

I apologize yet again for being a spaz and not on top of my blogging work.

Currently, I am in the process of changing blogs, Hence, it will be seriously unknown (due to university life) when this will actually get done. Alas, I am in an interesting experience and that is what I can briefly state now. The long paragraphs will be for my new blog!

Stay tuned.

I'm Alive! Don't worry.

2009-09-21T20:51:00.002-04:00

I am really loving Trent University. Hence, this is why I have not written on this blog for over two weeks! It is completely unintentional and I promise that really cool things will be written sometime this week. Perhaps it could even be tonight. Who knows.

Well. I hope all of you are well and I am probably wondering what new things are happening for you, as for me, my life has completely flipped 180 degrees. More info later.

I wish and most certainly hope you are well.

More to be posted!

Love,
Will

Peterborough awaits me!

2009-09-04T22:53:00.006-04:00

My epic post will probably be published once I am settled at Trent University. I leave from Buffalo tomorrow morning for the exciting new adventure of university and being back in Canada. My parents are off to Atlanta a couple of days after I am dropped off at residence on Labour Day (this monday!). As of Monday, I will officially be living in Peterborough, Canada!
Okay. Just wanted to give you a heads up that by the time you see this post, I might have left residence in Buffalo.

That said, I am sure to be back in Buffalo. After all, a substantive part of my life was formed in this city. How can one truly move on from that fully?

Also, if I can have the same sort of relationship with Ottawa; surely Buffalo can be the same as well (though with different elements of distinction).

Off to meet people at university in the meantime! I will keep you posted.

Prepare to be Amazed!

2009-08-18T13:00:00.021-04:00

Hello,

My summer is sporadic and my feelings are not any better on that front. That said, I have a wonderful blog post that will just be groovy. Here, I will quickly summarize what I have done/ will be doing: (by the way, I am moving back to Canada in less than three weeks!)

- Saw Natalie Fraize before she left for college (by the way, she is one of my friends in Buffalo)
- I passed my road test and legally possess a full license!
- Arranging times to catch up with Buffalo friends before I move (as well as trying to see Bronwyn in Toronto)
- Attempt to do what is right
- End work at the Canadian Consulate tomorrow
- Pack up for university
- Possibly be able to write the posts I never did complete.

And finally... (yes, it can be considered a repeat)

- Do what is right and try to make another ditch attempt to try to make it happen (only if seriously doable).

So that is the life of Will Brereton and this is not the epic post that will allow the blog to sustain itself for possibly weeks. As people might know of me, my writing habits are all over the place.

Alas, as the title says, "Prepare to be Amazed"! :)

Back to finish my remaining days at the Consulate. Tomorrow is the last day and it's probably a good thing that a part of my summer will be returned to me.

Keep you posted!

Love,
Will

My Morning is 'oh so' Theraputic

2009-08-06T09:01:00.004-04:00

Before I went for yet another working day at the Canadian Consulate; I actually decided to change things up by going to Spot Coffee beforehand.

Wow. Elmwood was deserted, though it was 7:45 in the morning. So it was understandable. I liked that I could just get my coffee and wait for the 'Elmwood' bus to go to work; meaning for some reason, I feel better about what is ahead of me. Keep being patient and optimistic is a motto I will probably say for myself for a while at least.

I ain't giving up and my friend Katelyn in Ottawa even complemented me on how proud she is of me for how I am handling the situation. Wow. I feel good.

I do have a therapist appointment to go to this afternoon. Though my angst has began to diminish; whatever works for the soul should work for the world. I have started to like trying new things.

Where am I going with this blog post? I honestly do not know.

Okay. That's how good I am feeling.

More to write later. :)

Off to continue to work the bureaucratic work ethics of the Canadian government...

I feel good.

2009-08-04T13:36:00.002-04:00

I decided to be a good guy today and wait to come to Spot another time. Besides, who said I am never going back to Buffalo again? Because I am sure to be back. Another thing, I don't want to rush what I want to accomplish until another person is ready as well. I like to think I am a good man to people.

Anywho, now I should be working, which is semi-true. But man is working at the consulate intense.

Just thought I should write all of this down! :)

My Explainin' is Comin'

2009-08-03T21:32:00.047-04:00

Hello everyone,

The reason why I am taking these mental health days at Spot Coffee (with the exception of today due to work) is because I have been really suffering for the past few months, maybe even years. Though I am much more successful in finding who I am and it has actually helped me become strong, I am still fragile inside. Even with the fact I can still be persistent after all these years; these issues still take a toll at my inner self.

I really needed to go to Spot Coffee because much has happened there in my life. I do not feel comfortable sharing with the public what all happened there, but lets just say that "I discovered who I am at Spot". Going back for my reflection moments have been really good for me. I have never felt more rejuvenated and stronger in my life. My thoughts are no longer: "It might be over"... a new sense of optimism is
created for my purpose to keep on being the man who I am today. I can't even imagine an ending date to any of this success, though I know how naive it sounds in the real world.

In my life, there is no such thing as giving up. I know there are many people of whom I am not in their good books, but there are still very dear people to me of whom they are an integral part of my life. I do not need to feel justified, because quite frankly, there is no 'right' way to living. I don't mean this conceitedly, but no one one this earth truly knows (excuse my profanity) what the f*** they are doing. By no means would I ever say I am better than anyone. Is it possible to believe we are equal (on a human level)? There are so many times I would really like to think and embody that principle of human existence.

Anywho, I know I will be back at Spot tomorrow afternoon, hopefully to gain a piece of the puzzle, or to just keep waiting. That I do not know.

Kind of excited for tomorrow actually. One thing I have gained in my life, I kind of like mystery and getting to the bottom of it. These mental health days are working out extremely well and I can feel good drinking my coffee and eating macaroni and cheese (yes, I live off of both those things!) If I have to continue the journey, I will accept that predicament and let it be. Besides, there is never a time to stop discovering things about one's self.

It is scary knowing I will be moving back to Canada in a month, but that does not stop me from living my life. Even though I will be in a different country, there are no deadlines. That's what I have overtime come to accept about maybe acheiving the most wonderful things possible that life might be able to offer.

Okay. I don't know why I am ecstatic for tomorrow. Whatever the outcome might be, I am looking forward to it. It's called living the mysteries of the unknown. I can handle the thrill. :)

Write to you tomorrow.

Love,
William

Off to Visit Spot Again.

2009-08-02T13:37:00.001-04:00

2:45-3:30PM - Today.

I will be at Spot Coffee on Elmwood.

What I can say that it's a part of my mental health homage days. Explain more later.

Spot Coffee (on Elmwood) Appearance

2009-08-01T14:29:00.002-04:00

More details to follow later.

3-4PM today. I will be at Spot Coffee in Elmwood Village.

I seriously will explain all of this later.

P.S. Sorry for the last minute. I promise to give more advance warning. Again, I know I need some explaining to do. Please forgive me for being all over the place.

Sorry.

2009-07-22T19:45:00.006-04:00

I just do not have the mental stamina for looking after my blog. Lately, I have been overwhelmed with many grueling issues from every possible aspect of my life (or at least close to it).

Sadly, my commitment to maintain this blog is turning into a chore, which I do not feel is right at all. By no means would I ever close down the blog, but I just need to take my time for writing.

Today I dreamed about going to Norway and running away from everything. Wow. "Way to forget that I have a life here in Buffalo." It was disastrous to feel that sense of despair.

I am not getting good thoughts. I should see someone. Yet the people I want to see are not around...

I do not know why I feel this way. Alas, I am so glad I am going to a cottage this weekend. Perhaps that should help.

Inevitably, a post will be posted on this blog. That I promise you.

Take the best of care.

Will

Has it Really Only Been Six Months of Obama?

2009-07-20T21:12:00.072-04:00

Here is my diversion post on Barack Obama. I was much reminded of him when I went up to Canada last week. For some reason, Canadians are absolutely in love with him. He seems to be a much more innovative man than Canada's Stephen Harper. What is even more remarkable is that there are very few head of states that can truly have similar stature that Obama possesses for himself. His diplomatic tactics in trying to reach a compromise between the Western World and Iran by being more passive rather than being the antagonistic warmonger that could make complex international crises even worse. Thank goodness President Obama is not like George W. Bush. Besides the point, Obama is trying tirelessly to fix the economy and has demonstrated that he genuinely cares about the world, other than his own country.

Anyways, I was first reminded of him in Toronto. Get this, there is a cafe in the Danforth area of Toronto called "Obama Cafe"! I could not believe my eyes when I was walking that Saturday night with Gwenna and her friend from high school. I had to stop for a few minutes to really immense my surprise in realizing that Obama has his 'own' cafe in Canada's biggest city. Danforth is a typically liberal neighbourhood, as is most of the city, and the fact that a cafe of this aura exists could be typical (and I might just be putting this on a dramatic presence). I hope to get a coffee there sometime.

Funny thing is that this does not even tell the full story as to how Obama has really touched the lives of Canadians.

It is in Canada's National Capital where the Obama love story reaches a pivotal climax. Let's just say that there were two profound aspects that really brought me to be thinking of Barack Obama, besides his regular appearance on the news headlines.

How many people remember the article I wrote for the December 2008 edition of the New Edinburgh News? (rhetorical question, indeed.) When I walked through the streets of New Edinburgh, I saw a box of December 2008 editions just lying in the curb and I stole a few of them since I was just amazed to see a printed copy of one of my articles. Though I am a regular columnist, I usually see the article online. Besides the point. That edition contained my first initial thoughts of Barack Obama. I know how corny this next thought will sound in your head, but my article perhaps reflect the feelings of before a first date. Okay. That was even more silly when I finally wrote that thought down. :)

I enjoy picking up old articles and then reflecting what I have become now. I changed much in six months, likewise how American politics has gone through a very slight progress from the Bush Administration.

I have no interest in seriously comparing Barack Obama and myself, but it is interesting to note that we both went through some serious changes in six months. That said, he has more legitimate concerns to deal with.

Another strong Ottawa connections, besides my writing in the New Edinburgh News is that President Obama made his first international trip to none other than Ottawa! The day was February 19, 2009 and he was so dearly welcomed to the Nation's Capital. He also really hit it off with Michaelle Jean, Canada's first black Governor General. Hurray for black power! :)

I was having some tea with a friend and I noticed that right across the street there is a store that sells "Obama cookies". It turns out he went to this bakery in the Byward Market and bought these cookies to give to his daughters. Not only is that so nice of him to be the family man as he is so dearly known, he also made the bakery ridiculously famed for a lifetime! I love a man who can solve diplomatic crises and make Ottawa a more legitimate city. Yes, I did manage to eat an Obama cookie and it was delicious. It's a sugar cookie cut out in a maple leaf shape with red frosting with the word "Canada" on it. Yes, that is what an Obama cookie is. Neat, eh?

Of course President Obama is dearly loved in Buffalo. Matter of fact, every Buffalo article I have written seems to mention his name at least once. I am amazed the powerful effect he has on me. No, I do not have a crush on President Obama. He is a dear man but I am not into him. Besides, he's not my type. Yet I can still have a respecting admiration for the man who became the first black president of America!

Well. My trip back in time was nice. Remembering the days of my longer hair (thank goodness that it's shorter) and how I was a much different boy last Christmas. Times are still running and I hope I can catch up with them soon.

Hope you enjoyed my presentation on Barack Obama. At the rate I go with these posts, I am sure he will be the topic of discussion on my blog yet again. :)

Cheers,
Will

PS Tomorrow's post could be interesting.

To Update You On What's What.

2009-07-19T20:47:00.057-04:00

My trip to Toronto and Ottawa was a tremendous success. I had really groovy moments with old friends and also discovered a new 'home' in Ottawa. My few days in Canada were a really nice break from the annoyances of work at the Canadian Consulate and complicated issues I am going through at the moment. It literally had become sort of a break from reality for me, yet I did not lose touch with the world during that time. Far from it.

My coffee hangouts/meetings included my dear friend Gwenna Fairchild-Taylor in Toronto (of whom I hung out with her the entire time I was in Toronto), Anna Bailey (a very interesting 'daughter of Canadian Foreign Service Officer' who is moving from Poland to Buffalo), and the most groovy and magnificent Katelyn Young of Ottawa. Of course I will collectively write something similar as what happened in my last Ottawa visit. This time, I do not feel I am calling this a Coffee Extravaganza.

The reason I feel this way is because I feel way more grown up and not so dramatic as I used to be. This said, I still have my peppy moments! Another thing is that I feel in a much different chapter than that of December. The fact that I had grown during the last six months is a wonderful thing. For some reason, I have outgrown calling Ottawa visits "coffee extravaganzas", but as you all know, there is no end in sight when it comes to me consuming any sort of coffee beverage whatsoever. :)

Starting tomorrow, I will write on each person I had a wonderful experience with. Another thing, the new 'home' I was referring to earlier is the cute and quaint bed and breakfast in New Edinburgh I stayed at during my brief visit to Ottawa last week. It is quite simply called the New Edinburgh Bed and Breakfast (only just opened in late May actually) and it contributed to one of the best visits back to Ottawa I had in a really long time since I moved to Buffalo four years ago. The couple that own the bed and breakfast is so kind and nice. Let's just say that I am dying to head back there again. More on that later.

Though I had a good time back in Ottawa, my meeting with Cindy Parkanyi did not happen. Unfortunately she had to tend to a sick relative and I feel really sorry for her family at this time. I hope to come back to Ottawa soon in order to accept a rain check and finally have that monumental coffee date. Alas, I know where I will be staying when that happens in good old New Edinburgh. :)

One (hopefully) final thing I have to mention. Expect a post on Barack Obama. There is much I have to write on him and I was actually reminded of him most of the time I was in BOTH Toronto and Ottawa. Neat, eh? Canadians are in love with Obama!

So expect posts on the New Edinburgh Bed and Breakfast, Barack Obama, and all my interesting coffee encounters in Canada all sometime this week. I make that my deep promise for you.

Keep you updated!

Love,
Will

Coffee with the Editor - Coming Soon!

2009-07-09T20:08:00.017-04:00

On July 13th, 2009: I will finally be seeing the woman who has witnessed my journey as being New Edinburgh News' Coffee Teen. Cindy Parkanyi has provided me much support to my writing and to who I am as an individual on this earth. We will be meeting in New Edinburgh (of course!) when I come up to Ottawa this weekend for my 'Coffee Extravaganza'. As to where we will be catching up, that I will wait until after I come home from Ottawa next Tuesday.

As well as a groovy blog piece about Cindy Parkanyi will be published when I get back. I will write about the people of whom I really admire and am so glad that some of these are still some of my closest friends. From a reappearance of dear Katelyn Young and Bronwyn's twin sister (Gwenna) in Toronto to people I will have either not seen in a longtime or will just be meeting. A sneak preview could include a meeting of a girl who might be moving to Buffalo very soon!

OK, OK. I am not going to spoil anymore. I have said too much. That said, I am leaving to go to Toronto tomorrow, then subsequently up to Ottawa. I am really happy to be heading back home for a little bit to take a break from work. Oh man. I should write more about what I do at the Canadian Consulate.

Well. My life is partially infested with angst and I do not have a problem disclosing that. It's getting to be a sad truth. What is groovy, is that I still find a part of me that is "I, Will Brereton, do feel that I am a nice coffee kid who gallivants around Elmwood Village with groovy people." I hope that did not possess ego symptoms. I am just trying to retain a good self-esteem in my life.

This blog has been lacking pictures lately. Behold. Here are pictures of Rome (I will finally get around to writing about that trip soon) and the beautiful community of Elmwood Village in Buffalo, New York. Also, it has to include a picture of Katy Hogan. She is a dear friend, that girl.

Hope this added some colour to my blog. I plan to write when I come back from Canada soon. Enjoy your lives!

Love,
Will

Second Catch Up Point!

2009-07-04T10:26:00.028-04:00

Lately, I have been feeling down. It is mostly the fact I have feelings and angst rummaging through my body. That is why the last post was not the most 'merriest' writing I have done in a while. For this reason, I just want to explain that I am just tackling issues that are way too hard to explain on the blogging world. On top of that, I got my wisdom teeth removed two days ago! Fun, I know.

I am okay and am really excited to be heading up to Toronto and Ottawa next friday for a groovy long weekend! From seeing old friends to meeting new groovy individuals, I do hope to have something similar to what entailed the "Coffee Extravaganza" series. Oh so excited. It will be really good to see these old friends, to which most of them I have not seen in a long while.

There are new updates, to which I think I will have to keep it on the down-low before I can publicly announce these interesting "Coffee Teen" adventures that has been accumulating in Buffalo, most particularly, the Elmwood Village area near the famed Spot Coffee.

Primarily, I just want to let you know about my impending trip to Toronto and Ottawa that is coming up oh so soon. Also, that I will be there and once I have my life figured out, I will be more "out" with my general audience domain.

I do love you and I am sorry if I caused any alarm from my previous blogpost.

Much Love and I just want to thank my friend, Katy Hogan.

Katy Hogan is really groovy lady who is starting to become one of my closest friends and she lives in Buffalo! She is really becoming an integral part of my life and lately, she has really been there for me throughout the good part of this summer. I received three tubs of ice cream at my house yesterday from her! Also, we have had the most interesting chats at Spot Coffee (on Elmwood) and on the interesting entity of AIM. Though I do not like AIM one bit, I use it because:

1) I do not have facebook
2) Katy does not have her own cell phone.

Hence, I reluctantly participate in AIM activities.

Thank you, Katy, for being there for me.

Well. I hope this brought interesting perspective. Should get going.

Have a good weekend! :)

First Catch Up Point

2009-06-26T23:16:00.008-04:00

Hello!

I finally write. Well. New and interesting things are brewing up in Buffalo. I am also planning a trip to Toronto and Ottawa in early July for the Third COFFEE EXTRAVAGANZA. The interesting fact is that I do not see Ottawa in the same light that I used to possess. I am ecstatic to make my quick trip to home, but I finally feel more comfortable in Buffalo weirdly enough.

What to write about today... Help Lesotho. I decided I am going to try other things in life. I talked with Peg Herbert and it is promised that I will see her sometime again in my life. New interests come up and it is something that I will dearly miss about Peg, but I am really interested to see what else in the world. Of course there are people who are not so understanding about what I am doing in my life, but I learn to make compromises with these individuals who I would really like to still cherish in my life.

Okay. Not the most prolific post ever. I am tired, but I really wanted to write something. I will write something more later.

I Feel The World Spinning Around...

2009-06-22T23:13:00.003-04:00

I know, I know. I said I would write earlier. But things did not plan out accordingly. I love you all and really hope that you did not think something bad happen to me. Still alive and groovy!

I just went to Peterborough last weekend for Trent orientation. Tell you all about that soon. Said goodbye to Help Lesotho in order to go onto other adventures. Explain more later. Also, I never did tell you about Chicago and/or Rome fully. Pictures and words will come. What else... oh yes! I am overwhelmed with feelings. Also overwhelmed with work. Meeting new people. Getting back in touch with old friends. And most importantly... dealing with the profound issues that, though not 100% involvement is required, still consumes much of my thoughts and feelings.

As a whole I am well. Hence the series I would like to introduce. It's called the CATCH-UP SERIES! Yes, it's quite unoriginal, but it's to the point.

Well. I can't promise a specific day, but I wanted to let you know that before I go to bed to start work again in the morning, I thought about you all. Lately I have been thinking about so many people in particular, actually they might have always been in my mind. Why did I write this? I am tired and wonder what to write next.

Must get going. I promise this series will commence soon. Promise.

Much Love,
Will

Oh So Belated! - Final Park Coffeehouse and June Edition Article of New Edinburgh News - All in One Package!

2009-06-17T17:47:00.114-04:00

Hello Everyone!

I apologize profusely for the millionth time for not posting the article on my blog on time. Actually, I have much to write in regard to updating the general public. Where to begin? I will give this a try then.

May 29. The day after my previous blog post. Coffeehouse. It was remarkable and I am so glad I went. Weirdly enough, I had some doubts, but interestingly enough, I sent an email to all my Canadian friends updating them as to what I am doing in my life and thanks to the wonderful response of New Edinburgh News editor, Cindy Parkanyi; I found good inspirational reason to go and I read a poem (of my creation) for all fellow coffeehouse hipsters and people who were incredibly intrigued to come to the event. They liked it! Also, they all told me that I am encouraged to come back to Park School coffeehouses when I visit Buffalo from Trent University. Thanks to so many people for giving me the encouragement to come to the epic finale of the Park School Coffeehouse series. Most particularly to Emily O'Hara, a girl at my school who organizes superb coffeehouses, and to Cindy Parkanyi, a woman who interestingly gave me the inspiration to go.

By the way, Peterborough has many independent coffee shops. This means I might be getting a good deal in regards to coffee when I go to Trent University this fall!

What else? Oh of course. The June edition Article! This time, I changed things up and interviewed not just one, but four individuals for this article. All of them were teenagers who live in Western New York. We discussed about the environment and economy and how do we (teens) feel as this generation to be responsible for the world's problems as we will be taking charge of the governments and the civil society. I had a good time chatting with all of these fine young people. All of them provided good insight as to how we will be making sure our world will be sustainable and how we will address some of the crucial issues that have inhibited our successes as a collective society.

I really should not be working at the Canadian Consulate full time, as this is why I did not have the incentive to write in this blog, alas, I graduated from high school last Friday! Here are all the pictures from my interviews and I will give a brief description for each person that took their time to contribute to my article. I am indebted to all these four souls, even if some of them might just be my acquaintance. All of them are good souls.

http://www.newedinburgh.ca/images/NEN/NEN_JUN09.pdf (PAGE 30)

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May 5, 2009: Spot Coffee (Buffalo's Coffee Teen location). Will Ingalls. He graduated with me last Friday! Photography is his absolute passion in life and he loves it so much, he will be taking a gap year in order to act on his passion by doing many interesting things, as well as lighting opportunities he will be getting with his uncle (who is a professional light technician) in New York City. I see him on occasion at Spot, hence where the inspiration came. Will has much to say on the political situation of the Obama Administration, as we both were a part of Model UN at Park School. I wish Will the best in his future. I know he will have many interesting experiences. After his gap year, he will attend Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

May 6, 2009: Manhattan Bagel (near Park School). Michaela Siano. It is interesting that I interviewed her that day. We both organized and worked on the "Day of Silence", which is a day in which one stays silent for GLBT injustices and how one silent presence calls a stand for GLBT rights and equity in the world. We were both a part of the school's Gay-Straight Alliance. As she is a friend of mine, we had good coffee moments and I will miss her when I go off to university. She is just going into Grade 10 and though she will be at home in New York City for a good part of the summer, I look forward to getting another coffee with her before I move back to Canada in September. The same day, Michaela also met my friend, Gretchen, of whom most of readers will be acquainted of who Gretchen is and the significance she has on me. Michaela is a good person and I trust she will do much diversity work after I am gone.

May 7, 2009: Spot Coffee (again!). Rachel Blair. She is one of the wisest and greatest friend I have in my life. We both have have wonderful memories and I will miss her so much when I move back to Canada. Though I have only known her for a short time (since April of this year) as I met her through Michaela, Rachel and I are super tight! We marched in the Gay Pride Parade in Buffalo earlier this month. I seek advice from her about everything. I am indebted to Rachel and supposedly, I give her reason to live! I know it is in the lightest of manner and is not an intense thought of Rachel. I will miss her when I move and though she will be off to music and dance camps for a good chunk of the summer, we will have a groovy coffee moment here in Buffalo. Going into Grade 10 next year, she is interestingly the only person who did not attend Park School. She goes to City Honors School, an esteemed urban public school that only people who are gifted can attend. I would say this fits Rachel's description. Also, Rachel gets the fame of having her picture in the newspaper!

May 12, 2009: Manhattan Bagel (again!). Lucas Baumgart. He is one of the most interesting people I have met in my life. It's also pretty cool that we both went to Rome a few days after the interview was conducted. Lucas also is really good friends with Emily, the famed girl who spearheads the Park School coffeehouses. He plays the guitar and though he has a very artistic edge for himself, as we both have worked in theatre productions at the school for quite a few years; he is incredibly smart and definitely has a handle on what he is saying in regards to the recent election of Barack Obama for the American Presidency. We had a good coffee moment. Going to be in Grade 12 next year, I wish the best for Lucas. It is an honest shame I never got to know him fully. We never had coffee in Rome, at the very least ever enjoy a Park coffeehouse together. Alas, the world is big for me and I see other places for me to discover.

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OK. I need to write another post, because I forgot how wonderful it is to write in my blog.

You will be further updated tomorrow! So many feelings to manage, how can a seventeen year old take it all? Alas, that's who I am. I'm Will Brereton after all.

Will

Onetime...

2009-05-28T20:10:00.030-04:00

An update of my life. Rome was absolutely groovy! Pictures will come soon plus a detailed blog post about one of the most amazing cities that I have visited in a very long time. I love that city so much, I would want to live there! It was a good time and I really am anxious for what is ahead of me now.

Most importantly to update you on is that my school is having its final coffeehouse tomorrow. This is a bitter sweet moment for me as these events define not only the confidence that I have received and/or the ease that has come for myself from coming out of the closet; but mostly a strong focal point as to why I love Park School and the identity that has conjoined with my soul. There is a new world that I look at now and it is really weird to see how different I have become.

Who ever knew I could finally let go of my old life in Ottawa and head off into the greater world. It's also nice that I do not know everything. There were many realizations I have come to lately and the fact that I do not know everything about life is really good for me. Only because I now feel I can grow some more.

An irony perhaps is that I am moving from Buffalo this summer and am going to attend Trent University in Peterborough, ON; plus my parents are heading off onto another diplomatic posting to Atlanta and my brother will attend Queen's University in Kingston, ON. Alas, I will still keep in touch to all friends. At least I am not heading back to Ottawa right away and am still going to see what the world has to offer to me. You might be asking: "Why have you suddenly decided to let go of your old city?"

The answer, my dear friend, is that I have seen that there is more to life than my old community. Yes, I still write for the New Edinburgh News and enjoy keeping in contact with the few friends left in Ottawa, but there comes a point in time when I have to realize that the world is so huge! Now when I look at myself today, I don't just think about Ottawa and how that is the only place I could ever belong, but rather a strong sense of understanding that my soul is meant to be a part of the greater world.

Onetime, I used to be a proud teenager in New Edinburgh, but things change and Buffalo needs me for at least for when I am still living here. It is odd that I am now trying to stay attached with a city that I used to disregard all the time, but people can have a change of heart and well, I can't really leave Buffalo until I have discovered something key about myself. It's a gut feeling I have. I now feel free to go off in the world!

I have a story I want to write very soon. Yet, I have a senior project to complete and that could take a while...

I am writing a report on how to retain diversity clubs at my school for five to ten years. Who knows how good the quality of the report will be, yet at least I am working with Gretchen and we all know how cool she is!

Wow this post is long. Also, my June article will be coming out very soon! Oh man, I will keep you posted.

Love to you,
Will

Oh the world.

2009-05-12T10:54:00.021-04:00

Well. I am leaving for Rome on Friday. My article for the June edition is still not complete, but it will be done by tomorrow hopefully. Some friends of mine in Ottawa have brought me distress, yet in reconciliation, I was able to get in contact with a person of whom I am hoping to have some coffee with this individual. Much in my life is confusing and complicated at the moment. Overall, my feelings of gratitude and thankfulness blossom my friendships with those in Buffalo. Despite this disconnect with my Ottawa friends, I am feeling much more free than I ever have in my life, and I am also feeling happier about being The Coffee Teen of whom I have originated from New Edinburgh, Ottawa!

I am graduating in about a month. Everything seems to be impending on moments that are unknown to me. Humanity is the encompassing relief for me as we are altogether working for a greater good. I am currently under the aura of humanity and how to make our world become closer to his humane security of all individuals. Yes, I am an idealist, but there is not a lack of time in wishing our world could possess more equity. It mystifies how we all can be mean and nice all at once. Alas, I am a part of the greater community and I love how big the world is. I am becoming a part of the world and I like being more personable. It's helped me live my life more satisfactorily.

The world is huge and am ready for what is coming to me. First stop, off to Rome soon!

William

Eventually I Write.

2009-04-29T20:23:00.060-04:00

For several reasons, my soul was preoccupied with other matters. Now, I want to belatedly write about my trip to Belleville on April 7th to the 8th of this year. This trip was wonderful and I enjoyed hanging out with one of my most groovy friends, Lenore Dixon. There were many things that happened during this brief endeavour to Belleville.

Not only did I learn about ACN communications and how unbelievably recession proof it is, I had a really wonderful coffee date with Lenore and a groovy spiritual leader. Cathy Paul is her name and she is Lenore's priest. Cathy is open-minded and is also even a vegetarian! We all had a good chat and it turns out I have inspired Cathy and Lenore's church to possible become "affirming" in the sense that GLBT people are welcome in the church community. Oh man. My influence is possibly large.

By the way, I mentioned ACN because there is much deal in Belleville about ACN and how it gives jobs to people who have lost theirs because of the recession. Small town Canada is resorting to these businesses that basically anyone can participate in and Lenore is interesting in taking part in creating an ACN business for herself. Everyone in Belleville seems motivated and also desperately want me to consider it, but I told them my honest answer that my passions did not lie with telecommunications. That is why I turned down the ACN offer.

The trip was spectacular and I am surprised how long it took for me to get writing. Many things in my life have consumed me lately and that is why it has taken me a while to finally get to writing.

When I returned back to Buffalo, Lenore gave me a few of her CDs and some berry tea! She has really seen my growth as a human and for that, I am indebted to Lenore. I know how much she keeps coming back up on my blog, but she is one of my closest friends. Even from Christmas I have changed. I have lost track of what is happening, but am understanding more and more about who I am. There is much of the world I want to discover.

A final note before I conclude. I have decided I am more than agnostic. I respect the ease that religion brings to people's lives, but I do not feel personally that any religion takes dominance for me over any other religion. I feel one religion does not explain all, but do not feel that it is not believable. Well, I will promise to be more efficient in my writing. So much is happening all at once.

William

Pictures of Belleville Coffee (April 8, 2009).

Losing My Thoughts in The Big City.

2009-04-13T23:05:00.036-04:00

I have been in Chicago since Saturday and am having a difficult time focusing on writing in my blog. My mental state is groovy and there is nothing distressing me. As a whole, I am groovy! It is more that I am really enjoying Chicago, Illinois and am having a good time here in this big city. It is comparable to New York City. There are things, in which I am still in the mode of discovery, that I want to tell you about. Not only did I find a cool coffee shop within short walking distance from where I am staying (typical Coffee Teen excitement!), I was at the park where Barack Obama was during election night and saw some wonderfully stupendous paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago. Oh man. The art at the museum is superb! I like this city a lot.

Wait a minute. There is something I wanted to write on here. Oh yeah. It's about how amazed I am at how far I have grown over the months. I just want to say how thankful and happy I feel for these people who support and encourage me to grow. In this month's article, not only was it a wonderful article about Gretchen, it included my own masthead! I am becoming legitimate. There was a time I thought I would be a fat loner who would have no vision. This is certainly not going to be the case for a very long time.

I feel some strong importance in the world and I carry much with me in my soul, mind, and persona. This world is so huge and am happy to reach a human level with other people. For me, this has allowed me to succeed in my life. I look at other humans and feel such wonder being able to feel the basic denominators, in which this has helped me make friends and relate with all kinds of people.

This masthead symbolizes the growth and change many friends have told me. I am not interested in gloating about any pluses I have about myself, rather it is more of a global thank you to the many people that have affected who I am as a person. It is amazing what I used to be and how my life has changed from the old life I possessed for a long time.

By the way, it is the first anniversary of creation of The Coffee Teen. I feel proud. Thank you for supporting and believing in me. I would not be here in this world without you.

I send my regards.

Will

April Edition: Pushing for Equity

2009-04-10T18:35:00.044-04:00

Greetings from Cleveland, Ohio!

This post is going to be all encompassing. It is going to include the sexuality talk I gave to a group of students and faculty in Buffalo and the fact that the organizer of SEED in Western New York, the group of which I am a proud member, is whom I wrote this month's article about. This is remarkable and cannot be kept brief in this post.

April 1st, 2009 is a day that will be a memorable day for this gay teenager. I told my story to about 30-40 people, in which they are part of the faculty and student SEED groups at my school. Fellow teachers from my school were at the seminar on sexuality and I was able to see a new side to these wonderful people I have come to know for a long time at Park School.

My English teacher, Mrs. Reynolds, sat next to me during the seminar and it was really nice to have her make side comments in which they made me laugh to a good extent. She is a progressive woman, in which she has helped me to become a more critical and improved writer. Ms. Brady, the director of admissions at my school, also attended the seminar and it is nice because she and I have worked on publicizing Park School in the community. There are many teachers and students I can write about, but as you know of me, it would be too long.

The main correlation between the sexuality talk and this month's article is the woman in which I met her through SEED and has become a dear friend of The Coffee Teen. Her name is Gretchen Cercone and she is the Diversity and Community Engagment Coordinator at BISSNET (a consortium of independent schools in WNY). Gretchen is a kind and good woman and it is my hope that you will like what I wrote in this article.

http://www.newedinburgh.ca/images/NEN/NEN_APR09.pdf (NOTE: Page 32)

Unfortunately, the internet at the hotel I am staying at is not the greatest and I will have to wait unti I head to Chicago tomorrow before I can write more posts. I stopped over in Cleveland due to my family's interest to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was pretty groovy actually.

Well. This will certainly not be the last.

William

PS A picture of Gretchen Cercone at Spot Coffee (March 1, 2009)

So Much Done, Yet So Little Time To Write It All!

2009-04-09T21:00:00.065-04:00

Well. I apologize, first of all, for being negligent in regards to updating fellow people in The Coffee Teen circles on what I have been doing in my life recently. Within only a week, I have travelled to two different places outside of Buffalo, in which both of them are unique of their respective locations. With April coming through really fast, I realize it is now the ninth of April and have not wrote a single post on my blog! A travesty it is indeed. Now, I will serve justice and will cordially update what has gone on in The Coffee Teen's life for April. There are going to be a ton of posts tonight and tomorrow on what has gone on for me. I hope they will come at good tense and I urge you to keep checking up on my blog for more updates from me.

Here is a brief introduction to what one could be expecting to read and be intrigued about.
- Spoke about sexuality and my story as a gay teenager to a group of students and faculty in Buffalo
- Participated at a Model UN conference in Ithaca, NY at Cornell University
- Transformed into a new person (aka. I got a makeover)
- Visited Lenore in Belleville, Canada (a former interviewee of The Coffee Teen)
- Hung out with friends in Buffalo, NY

and finally, but certainly not least
- My April edition article got published in the New Edinburgh News!

It's about Gretchen Cercone, a dear friend of mine in Buffalo, who has worked on trying to bring equity to schools in Western New York. I will certainly get the link to the article soon.

Also, a heads up is that I will be heading off to Chicago tomorrow, but I will certainly be in good touch by cell and will still be able to catch up on updating my blog!

So much done, yet I have little time to write it all! Alas, this is why I have a Spring Break.

Take Care and I hope you will like what I have to write.

Will

Retaining a Positive Self-Esteem

2009-03-15T20:30:00.093-04:00

I want to take the time tonight in thanking the world for allowing me to achieve a self-esteem in this world. For many years, I have dealt with the social awkwardness and lack of self-respect that have really damaged myself in a psychological way. You might be asking why I feel the need to make this all public, but in all sincerity, I do not feel a problem being open and honest about my past. If you recall the old me, I used to be a much different guy than I am today.

"The Coffee Teen" is indebted to many people for being able to feel confident and respect in what I do with not only the New Edinburgh News, but with many other aspects of life as well. I have never felt this happy in years and the fact I am gay, vegetarian, coffee-teen journalist, loyal friend/ nice guy, political enthusiast, and most importantly, an extremely heart centered person have all made me feel really good and happy about myself.

With all the positive affirmation of myself comes a long section on who I need to thank/ am indebted to for the life I now have today. Very first, I must mention the kind editor of the New Edinburgh News, Cindy Parkanyi. She is a woman who gave me the confidence and competency to write for the New Edinburgh. Her strong honesty is commendable and despite not having seen her in years, she is a wonderful woman who really makes the New Edinburgh News the wonderful paper many people like to read. Cindy encourages me to grow as a writer and recommends ways to make my articles wonderful. I am indebted to Cindy and her encouragement.

I, of course, am also indebted to Lenore Dixon! I would write more on her, but we all know how I feel about this wonderfully magnificent woman in Belleville, Ontario. There are many more people I could write on here, for example, my Guidance Counsellor Mrs. Miller and my friends at The Park School of Buffalo.

I would love to keep writing, but I am concerned about the length of this proclamation and do not want to bore anyone. This said, I do have one more person I have to write!

Thanks to Help Lesotho, I have been able to posses a wonderful friendship with a girl in Lesotho. Her name is Matsiba Teke and I have known her for four years now. She is 18 years old and I think about her so much and am so glad we are friends/ pen pals. It is mostly because of her that I am so dearly interested in Lesotho and aspire to volunteer in the country soon. I love her. Our friendship has not only developed my self-esteem, but my words are impacting her, as in my personal vibes are travelling all the way to Lesotho! She is really becoming confident and I feel whenever I am strong and confident, she is able to mimic something similar for her life. I admire that. I love Matsiba and am so proud we are both achieving and now retaining a positive self-esteem. Matsiba is a wonderful friend and she is basically the centre point for why I like being a heart-centered individual.

I am proud that I am a heart-centered individual. I know that my friendship with Matsiba and many other people have largely helped by the fact I am open with how I feel. My heart has allowed my soul to be a part of the wider world and has also allowed me to become the open homosexual that I am today. I, in all sincerity, feel that all the people mentioned tonight and in my previous blog posts do not even begin to list off the people I am thankful that my life is what it is. I know there are people I want to mention on this post but I know it would not be appropriate at this time in my life.

There are many things I know need to be done in this world and I know my challenges are still ahead for me. If I have the confidence to be "The Coffee Teen" and know that my friend in Lesotho is becoming a strong woman, then I must retain a positive self-esteem, knowing that I am of great importance to people in this world.

I hope this post was not too self-centered/egotistical. I just wanted to thank the world for allowing me to be who I am today. I love who I am.

Love,
William (Rethabile)

Photo Credit: Bronwyn Fairchild-Taylor
Date: March 7, 2009
Location: Spot Coffee in Elmwood Village (Buffalo, New York)

Two Worlds Collided

2009-03-13T22:38:00.066-04:00

Lately, my mind has been in many perspectives. I am no longer the boy who would so longingly want to head back to Ottawa. Despite my strong loyalty and love for my hometown, I feel my life is much more than a life of Ottawa comfort. I still love Ottawa, but that is not all my life is about. There are many places in the world and people in the world that help my life make it unique and a privilege to live. For this time, I will be writing heavily in my blog about the many feelings and thoughts that circulate the life of "The Coffee Teen".

Most importantly, I had a friend come down from Toronto last weekend and we had a wonderful weekend! This friend goes by the name of Bronwyn and I have known her since Grade 7 in Ottawa. Bronwyn is one of the most chill and groovy people I know. We have had coffee in many places in the world, from being a special part in one of my coffee extravaganzas in Ottawa (June 2008), both of us exploring the many cafes Toronto has to offer, to now the special aura of Spot Coffee in the heart of Elmwood Village, the most liberal and groovy neighbourhood in Buffalo. (By the way, Spot Coffee is "Coffee Teen" approved!)

On March 7, 2009: Bronwyn and I spent over two hours chatting at Spot Coffee about many things regarding life. She loves photography and aspires to do many things in her life. Whether she gets accepted into Canada World Youth or attends Concordia University for photography and science, Bronwyn is one of most hardworking friends I know in my life.

Our friendship is defined by the fact we have much coffee and tea. Since Bronwyn even stayed over at my house, we had more coffee and tea then we usually do during our hangouts! She stayed for the night and managed to see me perform in my school musical of Working, a musical written by famous playwright Studs Terkel on the lives of working people. I felt really happy she also got to see my groovy school. She liked the musical.

Also, the fact she hang at my house also allowed me to listen to vinyl while drinking our tea! I recommend if you have a vinyl player, buy records of Iron and Wine and Fleet Foxes. Another thing, this is only the beginning of what vinyl is good to possesses for intimate tea/coffee moments. Old vinyl is preferred for MANY people.

Our weekend was spectacular and I now yearn to check out more indie cafes in Toronto. It did not matter that my twin brother, James, decided to come hang out with Bronwyn and I for a bit during our epic coffee date. The world is welcoming. I hope Bronwyn and I will hang out more often and I am glad that we still keep in touch.

Wow. Two worlds really do collide!

William (Rethabile)

Afterword of "A Superb Coffeehouse, Indeed."

2009-03-05T14:28:00.024-05:00

After a few people wanted to use my poem (written for the latest coffeehouse) in their schools, I finally felt I should rightfully give a title for this poem. The title is called: 'Exposure of The Soul', (by Will Brereton). Also, I am not kidding when I say my poem is being used in some English classes. I do not know how I feel about this.

One of my friends, Natalie, at Colonel By Secondary (a public high school in Ottawa) read my poem in her English class and I feel motivated to get in touch with the GSA advisers at Colonel By. In Buffalo, there is a school called Canisius High School (a private catholic high school) and there is an English teacher who would like to use my poem in regards to hearing the poems and stories of GLBT people in the world. I feel honoured that Canisius High School and Colonel By Secondary School, both completely different schools in thought and location as well, are being exposed to my poetry. I feel utterly speechless.

Canisius and Colonel By are schools that will hear my voice, as well as my friends and acquaintances at Park School heard at coffeehouse of course. Thank you for taking interest in The Coffee Teen and I really have come a long way from the previous years that entailed my younger consciousness and childhood years. I am much stronger than before.

http://thecoffeeteen.blogspot.com/2009/02/superb-coffeehouse-indeed.html

An Ode to Spectacular Friends.

2009-02-16T12:57:00.068-05:00

I feel this is not too late. There are two friends of mine in Ottawa I went to have tea with them and for some reasons after another, I did not get the time to write a post about them. As I said earlier, it is not too late. These wonderful individuals are some of the greatest friends I have had in my life. I feel sick to the idea that I tried to like some other friends over them and tried to make a profound connection. In reality, my soul was ripped and torn apart by these poseur friends. For a while, I felt terrible and it was so bad, I needed to go see a therapist. After I regained my soul, justice will be served when I write about these two wonderful people.

Their names are Russell and Natalie. I have known Russell for years and we have had a good friendship since we were both in Kindergarten! It is over the years that Russell and I have stayed strong. After being one of the only guy friends in my life after I came out of the closet, I am indebted to Russell and him being there in my life. At the school they both attend, Colonel By Secondary School, it is through Russell that I met his friend, Natalie. They are both really groovy people!

Russell and I talk about university and how we might even be roommates if we both go to the University of Ottawa. He is one of my closest friends, his personality goes against the nasty stereotypes the male gender possesses, and is the one friend that allows me to stay at his house when I visit Ottawa for my Coffee Extravaganzas. I am indebted to Russell in so many ways. I have been friends with him since 1996! As in, I have known him since I was five years old! I apologize for not being able to wrap around that.

In regard to Natalie, she is an ally to the GLBT struggle. She consistently supports me on my Gay-Straight Alliance and really wants to know more about gay people, since she also does have a few friends who are GLBT. She also thought my poem for coffeehouse was wonderful! When I met her for tea, last December, both Russell and Natalie carry so much esteem to their friendship and I am proud to be the "third wheel" to both of them. Even though I have only known Natalie for a short time, she has really been there for me and I really hope for the best with her and Russell.

Natalie and Russell are my heroes! I have no idea where I would be if they did not exist. Another thing, I learned from them that some of the greatest friends are hard to find and leaving your soul exposed for poseurs and manipulators is going to be devastating for the heart. I love them and I hope to have tea with them again soon. Also, for Russell, I hope to stay with his family again when I next come up to Ottawa.

An ode to groovy friendships! All my friends are groovy. I love being a gay man in this world. Thank you.

I feel better now.

William (Rethabile)

February Edition: Music with Heart

2009-02-13T20:00:00.030-05:00

The moment you all have been waiting for! I have finally come around to publishing the link to the February 2009 article on my blog.

As previously mentioned, the article is about Lenore Dixon and her musical love for Help Lesotho, the organization through which we both met each other and have subsequently become really good friends. There was much soul energy and heart that was put into this article because she has become a really close friend of mine and she is a woman who has given me much knowledge and understanding about myself. Lenore Dixon is a spectacular woman to know and I can personally say for a fact that she is an excellent person to go with on a peaceful coffee date. Lenore has many stories to tell and her age really accentuates the amount of life experience that she has. I am proud to say that she is one of this Coffee Teen's most trusted friends.

For this is a reason why I am feel this is one of the most wonderful article I have written in a really long time. Also, for the first time, I was featured in the front page of the New Edinburgh News as one of the ten most important sections of the paper to look up and "THE COFFEE TEEN" bullet on the listing made me become speechless. I had no idea how legitimate I am becoming in this world. I am really getting noticed by many people and I have even noticed a tremendous change in who I am, comparable to where I was even a year ago.

I am extremely thankful that coming out of the closet can do this to people. Along with other personal growths and changes in my life, The Coffee Teen is proud of the man he is becoming. I am really proud of my soul, identity, and most importantly, for being real to myself and others for who I am.

Lenore Dixon is one of those wonderful individuals I can thank for being there in my life. This is also why her article means much importance to me, so I hope you will be even more intrigued to look at the words that originated from my soul. The article is sweet and I strong urge you to read this article in particular.

After reading the article:
I recommend you should also buy a CD from Lenore and also go on a coffee date with her (Lenore ADORES Starbucks).

Her love for Lesotho, lattes, music, and so much more; makes this friendship wonderful. In a sense, this article is an ode to my friendship with Lenore Dixon.

http://www.newedinburgh.ca/images/NEN/NEN_FEB09.pdf (NOTE: Page 28)

I hope you will like the language from the soul. Thank you so much for reading my newspaper articles. You all make me feel so happy to be alive and to be an integral part of this earth.

For these important feelings of empowerment and joy, I thank you.

Love,
William (Rethabile)

PS Happy Valentine's Day.

A Superb Coffeehouse, Indeed.

2009-02-10T14:35:00.018-05:00

At my school, The Park School of Buffalo, we have coffeehouse events taking place a few times a year. They are spectacular occasions with music that takes your breath away and poetry that leaves you lost for words. Yes, they both have the same meaning, but I did want to express some variety in the latter sentence. There was a coffeehouse/poetry jam event last night and it carried so much importance to me. (February 9, 2009)

The proceeds from the coffeehouse event went to the Gay-Straight Alliance and other diversity groups at my school. This event held much importance to me because of the life defining moment it carried for me being a gay adolescent. Coming out of the closet has been made easier for me due to the many friends and teachers that have been extremely supportive of me. I wrote a poem, to which I would like to dedicate these people for being there for me, even if they all live back home in Canada.

On the local front, Park School has a wonderful atmosphere of GLBT acceptance and a strong progressive principle for student individualism and success. Ms. Aja, one of my most trusted teachers at Park, wore an "ALLY" button at the even last night and it made me smile. I will write more about my beloved school soon. All of my Park friends mean so much to me. They have made being gay accepted and loved by other students, and most of all, I can be "The Coffee Teen" at my school. Yes, I drink and embody coffee at school and people certainly know me for it!

This poem has no title, but it is dedicated to the following friends in this "Coffee Teen"'s life (friends in Canada). For Park people, you are all loved. I will write another poem, or even a song, for you very soon. Maybe next Coffeehouse?

$240 were accumulated and half of it will go to the GSA alone! Impressive, wonderful, and I love Park School dearly. Thank you all, for letting me be who I am and want to be.

Exposure,
It opens you,
It moves you,
It drives you to change,
To be the change,
To stand up for what is right,
And away you're out,
Your soul is exposed,
Off you go,
On an uncontrollable path,
With no roadsigns,
Off you go,
Out the shell,
Out the closet,
Your soul is exposed,
And it's free,
To grow,
To live,
To jam,
And even to serenade,
You are the soul,
Your soul talks the talk,
They unite,
They hold you,
These collection of souls,
Dance of the soul,
Congregation of purpose,
They lead,
Feed each other,
All for servitude,
With gratitude,
And exposure required,
I stand proud,
A soul stands tall,
All of us souls,
United,
Courageous,
Going to seize the day,
Strive for goodness,
Run with curiosity,
Started from exposure,
A soul makes a legacy.

This is the poem I wrote and read for last night's coffeehouse. You know who I care about and it most probably is whoever is reading this right now. It most likely could be you. Thank you if you are reading this post. Coffeehouse went really well last night.

NOTE: I finally came up with a title in March 2009 for this poem and it is entitled: Exposure of The Soul.

Patience, my dear friend.

2009-02-07T10:34:00.005-05:00

I apologize for not keeping you updated on this month's 'Coffee Teen' column in New Edinburgh News. For some reason, it has not been published online and I am not in Ottawa to pick up a copy of the newspaper.

So you will have to suffice with a previous blog post you might have read already and the tense, yet patient, anticipation of this month's article! It is about Lenore Dixon and how her music has much love and admiration for Help Lesotho. Also, there is a nice section of the article that exposes my coffee addiction and how Lenore supports me in that endeavour for excellent and groovy coffee to be found and drunk. More will be detailed later, but in the meantime as a preview of what could be in the newspaper article, check out the blog post on Lenore Dixon!

http://thecoffeeteen.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-visit-to-lenore.html

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee (or tea, if you so dearly insist).

The Coffee Teen is still alive and groovy! I will write more soon and also have something to tell you about on Monday. Keep being informed!

William (Rethabile)

Inauguration of Barack Obama!

2009-01-20T18:32:00.031-05:00

So it's now official. Barack Obama is legitimately the President of the United States of America! I feel unbelievably rejoiced that someone, whose race has struggled so much to be a part of America, that now an African-American president is actually the case as of today. Being in this country at the moment, makes me feel really fortunate to know that the United States can be a leader of change. A country which will move forward towards the idea that people need to be helped and that this country needs to become more peace-oriented and look more towards diplomacy as an option, not war.

I know Barack Obama is not insanely liberal compared to myself, but what I do know about Obama is that he wants to champion the rights of all Americans. Regardless of whoever you are, I feel with confidence that President Obama will serve you well. He is a leader of the world and many people, especially those of African-Americans who suffered horrendously during the Civil Rights movement in America, to see a man actually achieve one of the most important jobs in the world! I really like how Obama really symbolizes freedom and peace, even if it takes a while for that to actually happen for America, at least he's better than George W. Bush.

That said, George Bush is in the past and it is time to move forward. Barack also happens to have a wife, Michelle, who is just downright groovy! The Obamas are going to be a symbol of America. That gives me a good feeling. These people deserve to lead America and even the world, through many issues that will come to the international community.

Final thing before I should go make a cup of coffee to celebrate this momentous occasion. The Obamas and the Bidens had COFFEE with the Bushs and the Cheneys before the inauguration (at the exquisite White House)! Talk about (excuse my rudeness) the most awkward coffee party ever existed. Even if its all pomp and circumstance for the new president, at least they should not have it ridiculously uncomfortable and there are the new crew vs. the old crew, in which I hate to say it, both sides have badmouthed each other before hand and to be even honest with you, what would Mr. Obama even say to the former President Bush... "Michelle and I are really going to enjoy this living space, Laura."?

Weird. Alas, Obama's in and he's now the man!

Happy Inauguration Day! (and Happy [belated] Martin Luther King Day!)

I send everyone hope.

William (Rethbaile)

Thoughts and Recollections

2009-01-05T18:30:00.038-05:00

Well, the New Year has arrived and it is time for me to blab and rant about my feelings from the recent Coffee Extravaganza that took place close to a week ago. Overall, the trip was fabulous! I had so much fun and I thank my friend Russell for allowing me to stay at his house for the trip.

I have felt the most confident and sure of myself than I have felt in a really long time. When I returned back to school today, what seemed like any other normal day was weirdly different for me. I felt completely happy, content, and good about myself. One of the biggest things this Coffee Teen has learned is that I cannot make everyone be happy. I have my feelings, opinions, and personality traits which make some people absolutely adore me, yet which make some people hate me.

There are several people that wish I did not have this happiness and security. From jealousy and personal motives to their own insecurities, they dislike and even loathe me. Part of living in the world we do live in is excepting that not everyone is going to like me. Since I have unique interests and have an interesting outlook on life, not everyone is going to like how I feel.

That rant basically shows me that my New Years Resolution is to try making myself a person that people would like to be around, yet not sell my soul in order to get along with people (who would just betray my trust and hurt my feelings anyways). I have people who love, care, and respect me for who I am. If one person does not like me, I say "so what?" and then I would move on and hang out with groovy people. People are complicated so I do have to take time how people act, but if that one person can not like me for ridiculous reasons, then I should not waste my time.

The main point is, I am not going to suck up to people if they are only going to criticize and bring me down. I am stronger than that and I don't need manipulative people lowering my self-esteem. I hope this does not develop an ego. I just have a healthy liking for myself.

This trip made me really appreciate the wonderful friends I do have in life, both in Ottawa and Buffalo. I do love myself. I want to become a leader in this world. I have the confidence to become a man people would respect.

I want to thank the people in Ottawa (and especially to Lenore in Belleville) for taking the time to share your stories with me and having wonderful coffee moments. A beautiful thing, is that this will not be the last time and if you ever need a friend to have coffee with, you know where I am. Want a nice friend? You know where I am.

Au Revoir and for the meantime, take care.

I will be back sooner or later.

William (Rethabile)

One of My Many Musical Friends.

2009-01-02T14:00:00.061-05:00

The day is December 28, 2008 and I met one of my great friends, Katelyn, for an intriguing morning of coffee and the sort in Downtown Ottawa. A confession, Katelyn does NOT even like coffee. That said, she also helps me fuel my craze and is willing to come with me to the Starbucks at the Rideau Chapters. She later took me to this place called Booster Juice. A place I have passed by so many times in Ottawa, but have never been! Wow, I am way too invested in coffee.

Anyways, Katelyn is cool. I met her at the OYOA (Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy) summer camp in 2006 in Ottawa. As the shy guy I am, I knew very few people, with the exception of Beverley Robinson (my old flute teacher) and other music teachers I knew when I lived in Ottawa. When I arrived at the camp, I was extremely quiet and did not talk that much. Most people at OYOA are not sociable. So I did not have many friends at the camp, until Katelyn came up to me and talked to me. She is the only person (similar to my age) to whom I still keep in contact with from OYOA camp today. From her admiration for the fact I was the only guy that played flute in our wind group to the fact I thought she is a really groovy lady who wore cool converses, both of our dads coincidentally worked for Foreign Affairs Canada. They do not know each other, but I felt at that moment, what a small world!

Getting to the present time. Katelyn has been a good friend. From many personal struggles she has overcame in her life, we are tight buds. She supports my coffee addiction (and with my coming to terms with who I am over the course of 2008) and I just plain admire her! She aspires to be a bass clarinet player and I think she will go far in her life. Katelyn is only in Grade 11 at Gloucester High School in Ottawa, but she seems ambitious.

We don't see much of each other since we both live in two different countries, but we still keep in touch! She is just like any other adolescent. That said, she does not talk b***s***. I introduced her to Stars and I hope to show her more Canadian indie music. Oh how I love indie rock!

If in case you did not get this, Katelyn absolutely loves Booster Juice and likes Sugar Mountain (a marvelous candy shop in Ottawa). I want to go to a hockey game with her, since she is the only friend I would feel comfortable being naive about sports with and then being educated about the sport. She really likes hockey!

Okay, Katelyn, here is my post about you. You are groovy and so is indie music! I hope to write more about some the most wonderful friends I got to have coffee with. No particular order, by the way.

Next post tomorrow. Be surprised!

William (Rethabile)

My Visit to Lenore!

2009-01-01T15:00:00.038-05:00

On December 26, 2008 (just before heading up to Ottawa), I had the wonderful opportunity of stopping by to Belleville, Ontario for a night with the esteemed and wonderful Lenore Dixon! She is a friend of Lesotho and I have known her since I purchased her debut album (The Greenleaf Variations) off the Help Lesotho website over a year ago. What intrigues me so much about her, is not only do we have a strong concern and love for the Basotho people, we also absolutely love Starbucks coffee!

Yes, I did just mention Starbucks coffee. She partially helps me fuel my coffee crave and is a friend who consistently gives me a NEW Starbucks card every time I see her. That is besides the point though.

Our main and strongest connections are through music and Lesotho. Lenore is my Best Lesotho Friend I have ever had. It is with her, we have had long conversations on our involvement with the project and how both of our lives have changed through Help Lesotho. She has also helped me come to understanding with who I am, so the fact we are close friends is wonderful. She is one of the oldest friends I have, so I do consider her a proper role model!

On my visit, we went to a Lesotho potluck event at her friend's house, which was a nice time. Afterwards, we went around Belleville seeing what she does for a living and what her life basically revolves around. The time I had with Lenore was fabulous. She is just a wonderful 'family' friend to have.

She allowed me to stay the night at her honourary Lesotho 'Guest Room'. I would definately call Lenore one of my closest friends. After talking hours about her trip to Europe, Lesotho, and all that jazz, we concluded the visit on Saturday morning (bright and early before taking the train to Ottawa) to have our wonderful and long-awaited coffee date at the Belleville Starbucks. I left Belleville with good feelings. I hope to return again.

Speaking of Lenore, she still sells CDs. For more information, check out the Help Lesotho website www.helplesotho.ca
Also, she can be contacted by email: lenoredixon@sympatico.ca
You can also ask me for a sample of her music to listen, either on my iPod or by borrowing my CD of hers. She is a wonderful musician! I think you will like her music.

By the way, first post of 2009! I will write more tomorrow.

Keep you updated.

William (Rethabile)

Also, here are some pictures from my visit.

Coffee Extravaganza! (Numero Dos) (aka. #2)

2008-12-31T10:00:00.009-05:00

I returned from my coffee escapade in Canada last night. This Coffee Extravaganza took place from December 26 to 30.

From Belleville, Ontario for one night to Ottawa for the rest of the nights; I had interesting chats and catch-up moments with really nice friends, most I had not seen in a while.

I want to write in-depth posts on some of the really interesting people I really got to spend time with. If they are friends of this Coffee Teen, these respectful individuals will be featured consistently every time I have a coffee extravaganza back in my hometown of Ottawa. Posting and writing are going to take a while. So if you don't hear from me until 2009, (no pun intended!) I really want to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! and also a best of luck for many people who courageously take a chance at making their lives manageable and livable for not only themselves, but for others as well.

Happy New Year! I also hope you had a good holiday.

Much Love,
William (Rethabile)

December Edition: Witnessing a Change in American Politics

2008-12-02T19:31:00.004-05:00

In this particular time in our world's history, there is going to be a new American President and his name is Barack Obama!!!

The entire world is in a state of joyfulness and most people, I know at least, are unbelievably rejoiced with the news of a new radical and very liberal President to maybe solve the current global recession and the social problems that plague our world. For those reasons, I needed to write an article in the New Edinburgh News about the tremendous significance of Barack Obama winning the American Presidential election. Not only am I a Canadian in Buffalo, but I am also an adolescent in the country, which happens to be the world superpower in foreign affairs and is also the country that has just elected its first Black President!

http://www.newedinburgh.ca/images/NEN/NEN_Dec08_locked.pdf (NOTE: Page 28)

This article was special to write and I hope to get back into writing more articles on issues involving Canada, the United States, and even places outside of North America.

I deeply respect Obama greatly. I feel glad that I am a teenager that can just truly worship him and even call him a hero perhaps. It is also a wonderful privilege to be living in the United States during what is hopefully going to be a radical shift for social change in this country, and possibly even for many parts of the world.

You're the man, Obama! I wish you luck.

Will (Rethabile)

The Coffee Teen has returned!

2008-11-30T20:35:00.002-05:00

I apologize immensely for nearly abandoning this blog.

I needed to take some time and needed to recall my thoughts. I am now in Grade 12 at the The Park School of Buffalo and I'm heading off to university next year! It's been an intense year and I apologize once again for not keeping updated with you guys.

I promise it won't happen again and this year is going to be even better!

Sometime in the month of December, expect to see an article on Barack Obama's victory as American president and how American politics are finally going to change under Obama's upcoming administration.

Keep you updated.

Will (Rethabile)

June Edition: Ideas from Joanne Hughes

2008-06-01T14:33:00.011-04:00

Behold! The Coffee Teen is back yet again to give the full scoop on your surroundings - this time with local community initiatives. My interview with Joanne Hughes was nice. I hope to go to the Lumiere Festival this year! She is a productive member of the community and without her work ethic; Crichton would not function as well as it does today.

Link to my article: http://www.newedinburgh.ca/images/NEN/NEN_Jun08_locked.pdf

(NOTE: Page 11)

Even though it will be the summer and the Coffee Teen will not be back until October... I still hope to write on this blog! So stay tuned over the summer!

Have a Safe Summer!

Will (Rethabile)

Next up for the month of June!

2008-05-30T10:06:00.017-04:00

For the June edition of the New Edinburgh News, The Coffee Teen will feature an interview conducted with Joanne Hughes, Community Facilitator at the Crichton Cultural Community Centre in Ottawa.

The community centre has been a central landmark in the New Edinburgh community since its creation in 2000, after the closure Crichton Alternative School in 1999.

Crichton was the first progressive school I attended when I had followed the progressive format for my entire elementary, middle, and (currently) high school experiences.

Anyways, my interview with Joanne Hughes was lovely and it was nice getting a perspective from a woman who has put her heart and her efficient work style towards the upkeep of a community centre for New Edinburgh.

For more information on Crichton Cultural Community Centre, check out the website at www.crichtonccc.ca/
Also, there are many articles and information in previous New Edinburgh News editions.

Stay tuned for June 1st!

Much Love,
Will

PS June will be the last edition before the summer. That means I will be updating you through other means on the initiatives and other happenings that are going on in my surroundings. Expect some blog posts over the summer perhaps? Stay tuned!

BTW, my article is on the Help Lesotho website!

2008-04-07T18:05:00.004-04:00

Now, my article is on an NGO website. I know I might be a little overdramatic here, but people I would never even expect to read it, might take a glance.

http://www.helplesotho.ca/news/My_Chat_With_Peg_Herbert.pdf

Also, Help Lesotho has a group on facebook! Join it!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12739717521

That is all.

My Likings toward New York City

2008-04-07T16:43:00.027-04:00

My apologies for the delay in my writing. I ended up going to Itaca, NY for a few days for a Model UN conference at Cornell Univeristy and I got back yesterday, completely exhausted. Now, I am home! Relaxing and wishing I were back in NYC.

Well. The trip was awesome! New York City is just the city that I would love to live in for a few years. Manhattan is compact, beautiful, and is filled with many interesting sights, including amazing European cafes that can be found in SoHo (a part of Manhattan). Also, the internationally renowned entity of the United Nations is located in none other then NYC!

The city that never sleeps is the place I would certainly live in. The good life is incredibly accessible for many people in that metropolis and you can NEVER be far from a Starbucks.

From independant art exhibits, to the UN headquarters where its actually international territory; my trip was a real nice break from the redundant sights of Buffalo. Pictures are lovely. Here are some pictures of my trip. More on facebook.

NYC, I will be back soon! You have not seen the last of me!

Love,
Will (Rethabile)

The Premier to My Series: My Chat With Peg Herbert

2008-04-01T23:08:00.015-04:00

Greetings from the bustles of Manhattan!

As I promised you, the release date would be today and well, that promise is being kept!

The article can be accessed online through the online version of the New Edinburgh News:
http://http://www.newedinburgh.ca/images/NEN/NEN_Apr08_locked.pdf

(NOTE: PAGE 26)

My article discusses about the works of Dr. Peg Herbert in Lesotho and Canada and how Help Lesotho has changed within four years of its original founding in 2004.

I hope this will spark a motive to read on. It is also my hope that this article and Peg's story will inspire you to help out the people of Lesotho.

Help Lesotho does need your help.

Recently, the NGO released a video on Youtube and I highly recommend you go check it out. It was filmed during the Leadership Camp, something I wrote about in my article, and it is one of the most optimistic pieces of film I have watched in a long time. Seeing the bright and determined smiles of these young Basotho teens, who were once and sometimes still are beleaguered; sends a huge sense of releif that this organization has empowered hundreds of children, in particular girls. It is such a joy that maybe some of these teens featured on the videos might become courageous leaders in Lesotho! Most importantly, Peg Herbert is on the video and it was really nice to see her at work in the coutry she puts her entire heart towards.

For more information on projects initiated by Help Lesotho, check out their website at http://www.helplesotho.ca

It is my hope that I write about stories relating to Help Lesotho, besides the article.

Please keep watching for updates and I would also love your feedback on the blog.

Peg Herbert is one of my heros! I hope you get a chance to meet her at least once in your life. She is a saint!

Enjoy! I will write about New York City when I get back to Buffalo tomorrow.

Love,
Will (Rethabile)

The Commencement of My Blog with Our First Guest - Coming Soon!

2008-03-28T13:14:00.015-04:00

Starting April 1, 2008; The Coffee Teen will officially start as the blog of discussion for teenagers and for other keen observers in the world.

To kick start the newspaper column series for the New Edinburgh News, the April edition will feature an article derived from an interview I participated in with the astute Peg Herbert over the phone a few weeks ago.

Peg is the Executive Director of Help Lesotho, a Canadian NGO with the headquarters located at her home in Ottawa. We discussed about many factors the organization faces and we also discussed about Lesotho, the country where the organization works in. One of the many goals highlighted in the article is to improve the lives a thousands of people devastated by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, a country located in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I am off to New York City tomorrow and will report from there. Please stayed tune for the start of my blog on April 1 and hopefully, you might feel intrigued. To add, I hope to find a really good independant coffee shop in Manhattan to report about.

To add to my column, I plan to write about interesting events that have occurred and anything that will impress teenagers like me.

Until April 1!

Will (Rethabile)

New Beginnings

2008-03-10T10:48:00.000-04:00

There is always room for growth and change for every single part of society. Now, I am changing blogs, in order to present a much more realistic view to what I do/ want to acheive in life. Also, to make this environment more inclusive and coming from an extraverted perspective.

The blog is based off an upcoming newspaper column I am going to be writing for the Ottawa publication, New Edinburgh News. It is a community newspaper, published in my old community in Ottawa. My objective for the column is bring a much more broader perspective for teenagers to become "more aware" and to prove to most of society, that we are more intelligent than you think we are.

The articles will be published everytime the NEN is released.

My reasons for my journalistic craze will come at a later point in this blog. All I have to say, is WELCOME to The Coffee Teen and I hope you feel intrigued.

More later.

Will (Rethabile)