Will Never Be 31 Again

By the time you’re reading this, I will already be 32. Hitting a new age got me feeling real nostalgic, reminiscing the previous birthdays back when I turned 20, turned 30 and how different I’ve become since both of those birthdays.

If you notice, the dates of this year has been pretty much the same as 2019—which was a crucial year for me in so many ways—and it got me looking back to who I was back then and who I am now. Much like that year, I was able to spend the weekend with both my siblings—which is such a blessing these days.

This prior week, however, has been kind of stressful for me. Work at the office has been pretty much insane, my freelance gig is kicking up into high gear—something that both excites me and gives me so much pressure—and, on top of that, I gave myself a vlog deadline this week.

You can watch said vlog now on my channel or at the end of this post. It was a doozy to edit and render—I haven’t had a vlog this long in months, I believe, and I forgot how painful it was to do. Hanging out at this café all three of us was kind of like the break I needed to get out of my own head.

By the time you’re reading this, I will already be 32. Hitting a new age got me feeling real nostalgic, reminiscing the previous birthdays back when I turned 20, turned 30 and how different I’ve become since both of those birthdays.

If you notice, the dates of this year has been pretty much the same as 2019—which was a crucial year for me in so many ways—and it got me looking back to who I was back then and who I am now. Much like that year, I was able to spend the weekend with both my siblings—which is such a blessing these days.

This prior week, however, has been kind of stressful for me. Work at the office has been pretty much insane, my freelance gig is kicking up into high gear—something that both excites me and gives me so much pressure—and, on top of that, I gave myself a vlog deadline this week.

You can watch said vlog now on my channel or at the end of this post. It was a doozy to edit and render—I haven’t had a vlog this long in months, I believe, and I forgot how painful it was to do. Hanging out at this café all three of us was kind of like the break I needed to get out of my own head, so it was a welcome notion.

📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens

 Gordi HQ

Okay, in all honesty, I’ve known about this place for a while and marked it as a café I’d love to hang out at. However, for some reason I’d never gone. Then around a week or so ago, one my friends at work told me about their ‘Free Palestine’ initiative that intrigued me. So, when my sister asked me where I wanted to go on my birthday weekend, I immediately thought of this place.

The outlet itself feels like a hidden gem, located smack dab in the midst of houses without so much as a prominent signage, we could almost miss it. The area is pretty spacious, consisting both of indoors and outdoors seating—both of which are very comfortable and homey. There weren’t a lot of people here, although it’s not completely devoid of visitors either. The staff is very nice, helpful and patient as we decide on what to order. All in all, we had a pleasant experience.

Thrifted dress // Wabi Sabi ID shirt // VOTED socks // old boots // photos of me by Akita & Cafa

 Gordi HQ

Okay, in all honesty, I’ve known about this place for a while and marked it as a café I’d love to hang out at. However, for some reason I’d never gone. Then around a week or so ago, one my friends at work told me about their ‘Free Palestine’ initiative that intrigued me. So, when my sister asked me where I wanted to go on my birthday weekend, I immediately thought of this place.

The outlet itself feels like a hidden gem, located smack dab in the midst of houses without so much as a prominent signage, we could almost miss it. The area is pretty spacious, consisting both of indoors and outdoors seating—both of which are very comfortable and homey. There weren’t a lot of people here, although it’s not completely devoid of visitors either. The staff is very nice, helpful and patient as we decide on what to order. All in all, we had a pleasant experience.

Thrifted dress // Wabi Sabi ID shirt // VOTED socks // old boots // photos of me by Akita & Cafa

For their second initiative, Gordi HQ collaborates with Foreword Library to open a popup library at their café featuring books by Palestinian authors, as well as books about Palestine and the Israel occupation. There are a good selection of books to choose from, starting with political and historical books to lighter reads on the bottom. There is only one rule, though: you cannot bring the books home with you. They are solely for the purpose to be read on location.

Personally, my siblings and I didn’t pick up a single book—since we went to the café to do a lot of catching up—but I saw a few titles that interest me, such as The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi and We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I by Raja Shehadeh—the cover design is insane!

Now, let’s talk about their ‘Free Palestine’ initiative. At the moment, it comes in two formats. First of all, they are currently serving a special menu inspired by a Palestinian girl in Gaza called Renad Atallah. Every cup is said to support children in Palestine, since 100% of the sales will be donated to Renad’s gofundme page. They offer Renad’s Iced Coffee and Iced Double Choco menu in this initiative.

My sister and I both tried the coffee and we absolutely loved it! Price-wise, it is also not too expensive and can become an easy way to donate while also indulging yourself in return. Thank you so much, Renad, for coming up with this menu! Your voice and taste have reached our hearts here. Please stay safe and strong!

For their second initiative, Gordi HQ collaborates with Foreword Library to open a popup library at their café featuring books by Palestinian authors, as well as books about Palestine and the Israel occupation. There are a good selection of books to choose from, starting with political and historical books to lighter reads on the bottom. There is only one rule, though: you cannot bring the books home with you. They are solely for the purpose to be read on location.

Personally, my siblings and I didn’t pick up a single book—since we went to the café to do a lot of catching up—but I saw a few titles that interest me, such as The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi and We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I by Raja Shehadeh—the cover design is insane!

Now, let’s talk about their ‘Free Palestine’ initiative. At the moment, it comes in two formats. First of all, they are currently serving a special menu inspired by a Palestinian girl in Gaza called Renad Atallah. Every cup is said to support children in Palestine, since 100% of the sales will be donated to Renad’s gofundme page. They offer Renad’s Iced Coffee and Iced Double Choco menu in this initiative.

My sister and I both tried the coffee and we absolutely loved it! Price-wise, it is also not too expensive and can become an easy way to donate while also indulging yourself in return. Thank you so much, Renad, for coming up with this menu! Your voice and taste have reached our hearts here. Please stay safe and strong!

Going into 32

Every birthday is different, sure, but I feel like birthdays in your 30s is uncharted territory for me still. In my teens, I spent most of my birthdays feeling bad because most people I knew wouldn’t even remember it—let alone do something special on the day. In my 20s, I spent most of my birthdays trying to catch up with the goals I’d set for myself—and often feeling bad for failing so much. Now, in my 30s, without the need for validation from others’ wishes and the fear of failure on my goals, I don’t know how I feel about my birthday other than placid. It’s a day, I’m getting older—uh huh, and then?

Well, at least this past year has been a wild card for me. How did I just quit a job I’d had for years to pursue a solo career, only to return to full time months later? It’s so surreal, in a way, that I am where I am right now. Not only in regards to the office, but also my own ambition to create a name for myself. Vlogging regularly and actually having fun doing it? Late 20s me would never. I know that all those months going freelance didn’t go to waste. I forged new connections with people and, most importantly, a new mindset for myself. That is huge…and that’s what I’m bringing with me to 32.

Renad’s Iced Coffee and Foreword Library’s popup
will still be available at Gordi HQ until 31 October 2024.
Stop by and stand for Palestine! ✊🏽

thanks for reading

Every birthday is different, sure, but I feel like birthdays in your 30s is uncharted territory for me still. In my teens, I spent most of my birthdays feeling bad because most people I knew wouldn’t even remember it—let alone do something special on the day. In my 20s, I spent most of my birthdays trying to catch up with the goals I’d set for myself—and often feeling bad for failing so much. Now, in my 30s, without the need for validation from others’ wishes and the fear of failure on my goals, I don’t know how I feel about my birthday other than placid. It’s a day, I’m getting older—uh huh, and then?

Well, at least this past year has been a wild card for me. How did I just quit a job I’d had for years to pursue a solo career, only to return to full time months later? It’s so surreal, in a way, that I am where I am right now. Not only in regards to the office, but also my own ambition to create a name for myself. Vlogging regularly and actually having fun doing it? Late 20s me would never. I know that all those months going freelance didn’t go to waste. I forged new connections with people and, most importantly, a new mindset for myself. That is huge…and that’s what I’m bringing with me to 32.

Renad’s Iced Coffee and Foreword Library’s popup will still be available at Gordi HQ until 31 October 2024. Stop by and stand for Palestine! ✊🏽

thanks for reading