Not even my cats like my singing, but when I'm sewing, I can't help but play some music and start singing along.   

  

    I just love it.   

  

    I sit in front of my (Singer) sewing machine and set up my station. I remove the dust cover, fill my bobbin, thread the needle, and gather all my tools and supplies. Thread nippers and pins go to the right, and fabric and paper scissors to the left. Then I would grab the fabric and place it under the presser foot – but I wouldn't even touch the pedal until I scrolled through my playlist to find the perfect song.   

  

    When the music fills the room, my mouth immediately starts singing (and my cats sprint out of the room). It's inevitable.    

  

    When I combine those two activities, something happens in my brain that fills me with joy. My dopamine and concentration levels skyrocket while the music transports me to another world where it's just me and the (sewing) machine.   

  

    Could you believe me if I say this could get better? (Because it does)   

  

    The best compliment for singing and sewing is to have a cup of coffee and a piece (or two) of chocolate.   

  

    This process starts with a bag of freshly roasted whole coffee beans that I grind right before brewing a single shot of espresso. Then I gently distribute the ground coffee with a tool that has needles (like acupuncture needles) until the surface is leveled; then, I tap it gently and press it with the tamper. After that, I cross my fingers and hope for a perfect extraction. Some days I add frothed almond milk to make it a Cappuccino, and others, some hot water for an Americano. In any case, no sugar or sweetener.   

  

    For me, coffee is only complete with some chocolate on the side. In this, I'm not picky; white, milk, or dark is fine. Lately, it has been two pieces of dark chocolate peanut butter cups.   

  

    Then I'm back at the sewing machine. I'm back to sewing and singing while sipping coffee and biting chocolate that melts in my mouth. The two flavors combine to create a party for my tastebuds, and it's at that specific moment when I'm bursting at the seams with joy.