Man, today was a wild ride. I’m a barista in Sengkang, and lemme tell ya, this city never sleeps. I woke up late, of course. Alarm? What alarm? I rushed outta my tiny apartment on Jalan Raya Sengkang, barely had time to grab my fave hoodie. You know, the one with the coffee stains? Classic.
So, I hop on my bike, zooming down Jalan Pahlawan. Traffic was nuts! Like, why do people forget how to drive? I swear, I almost got hit by a motorbike. Dude was texting! I yelled, “Hey! Eyes on the road, bro!” He just laughed. Ugh, people these days.
Finally, I get to the café, and it’s packed. Like, what’s with everyone needing caffeine at 8 AM? I’m just trying to make my way through the crowd. I spill some milk on the floor. Great. Now I’m slipping around like a cartoon character. I’m like, “Watch out, folks! Barista on skates!”
Then, this lady comes in. Super posh, right? She orders a double-shot caramel macchiato with oat milk. I’m like, “Lady, it’s 8 AM, not a coffee shop in Paris!” But I smile and whip it up. I mean, I gotta pay the bills, right?
Mid-morning, I get a regular, Ahmad. He’s a cool dude, always cracking jokes. He walks in, and I’m like, “Ahmad! You’re my favorite customer!” He laughs and says, “Only because I tip well!” I mean, he’s not wrong. But hey, tips are tips, right?
Then, outta nowhere, the power goes out. Just like that! I’m standing there, all confused. The lights flicker, and the espresso machine? Dead. I’m like, “Noooo! Not today!” The customers start grumbling. I’m sweating bullets. I grab a flashlight from under the counter. “Surprise! It’s a candlelit coffee experience!”
People actually laughed. I was shocked. Sengkang folks are tough, man. They can handle a blackout with humor. But then, I see this kid, maybe 10 years old, crying. His mom’s trying to calm him down. I’m like, “Hey buddy, wanna help me make some iced coffee?” His eyes lit up! We made a mess, but it was fun.
After the power came back, I was on a roll. I was making drinks like a machine. I even tried latte art. Spoiler: it looked like a blob. But hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Around noon, I took a break. I stepped outside to Jalan Sengkang Utara. The sun was shining, and I could smell the street food. Nasi goreng, satay, you name it. I was starving! I grabbed some food from a stall. The uncle there knows me. “You again? You eat too much!” I just laughed. “Can’t help it, man! Sengkang food is too good!”
The afternoon was chill. I had a few regulars come in, and we chatted about the latest gossip. Apparently, there’s a new mall opening up on Jalan Raya. Everyone’s hyped. I mean, who doesn’t love shopping?
But then, this one guy comes in, super rude. He orders a drink and snaps at me. “Hurry up!” I’m like, “Dude, I’m not a robot!” I took a deep breath. “Sure thing, sir. One moment.” I made his drink extra slow. Just to annoy him.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. But you know what? I love this job. Sengkang is my home. The people, the chaos, the food. It’s all part of the vibe. I packed up, said goodbye to my coworkers, and headed home.
As I rode back, I thought about how crazy today was. I mean, who else gets to make coffee, meet wild characters, and eat amazing food all in one day? Sengkang, you’re a gem. Can’t wait for tomorrow!