Place: Refresh by Ekkamai, 13217 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Tea of Choice: Thai Tea + Boba & Salted Caramel Milk Tea + Boba
Giraffe Rating (out of 5 | for tea): 4.67
I haven't written one of these in a while, and I may or may or not have promised Kelsey that I would for sure finish writing by the end of 2018, but what can we say; the brain has been blocked and the cells dry, so don't @ me. One year on (which seems absurd), the CommuniTEA series continues. It reads a little different, and I think that's just further confirmation of the ways I'm ever-changing and growing #adulting - oh and straight up getting old. Now to Kelsey.
In seven* words or less, describe Kelsey: An expressive expression of a human.
If I knew how to animate, I would create a GIF of all the faces Kelsey was pulling while we were talking. It's not as if we were having this wild and crazy conversation or that it's even intentional, but every couple of sentences I would have to stifle my laughter as her face contorted itself to reflect her internal emotions, externally. From the raising of the eyebrow to the twitching of the eyelid and the tactful curling of the mouth, each expression is an art form. If you study the motions, the gentle ebb and flow from relaxed to on guard, there's a rhythm. A dance of the features if you will, goading you to join in; if you're up for the challenge.
Kelsey is loud, boisterous, and animated. The life of any room, should she so choose; with the ability to center a crowd - to make someone lose themselves and stop taking themselves so seriously. She encourages them to live a little, laugh a little more, and pay attention to the harmonious ring of others' laughter. I think it's a byproduct of her theatre days. She's also patient. There's an observance to her exuberance. A subtle watching and waiting to see how someone responds. Her eyes track their body language, their gestures, even their lack of response and what that could mean. There's a watchfulness that cuts through the chaos as she builds a broader picture of the people around her, and then in time uses the newfound information to empower them.
You want to be where Kelsey is. Not in a creepy, stalkerish, you're too cool for school kind of a way. More of a warm, inviting, you hear me when I speak sort of way. Behind the animation is a deep sincerity, her eyes pierce through whatever facade you have up for the day and her demeanor gently coaxes out the true you. Maybe it's because when you ask her a question, she'll give you an honest answer, or perhaps it's because said question is volleyed back to you with such eagerness, so you have no choice but to match the level of honesty exhibited; I'm not sure, but there's something there.
"Whatever I'm doing in 10 years, I hope I'm proud of what I'm doing". - Kelsey
I'm a fan of Kelsey, like would stand-on-the-side-of-the-road-waving-a-flag-with-her-face-at-a-parade type fan. More earnestly, I chalk it up to the way that she lives her life. Not perfectly, and not the "right way," but striving to honor God by choosing to live a God-centered life and there's evidence of that throughout her life; and that's what I would want to be able to say about myself 10 years. It leaves room for God to fill in the blanks and for us to live a life of obedience to Him.
Joyful | Personable | Loyal
Thank you for coming to TEA with me, Kelsey.
*Why 7? There are seven letters in my first name, wow so deep and profound.
Until next time,
BG