Every weekday morning I wake up around 5:50. Take a shower. Read the headlines online. Check my email. Then I venture out the door at 6:45 to make my way to work. I don't really like to eat at home, feels like I am taking away from my time to wake up (if that makes sense). So on my ride to work I sometimes stop here. The Mini Stop.


It's a very new building, built maybe three months ago. Surrounded by fields for growing cabbage and green onions and a Radisson. Going into the store, the florescent lights and J-pop music lures me to cold beverages. At such an early hour, the store is sometimes filled with sleepy eyed truck drivers, construction workers and salary men stocking up on cans of coffee, cigarettes and rice balls. I stick with my favorite: a ham and cheese bun. Something about this baked good just makes me happy. I couldn't tell you what type of cheese it is; cheese here is an enigma. When I go to the store to buy groceries, my usual choices are between: pizza cheese and toast cheese. Sometimes there is a blend, but not clearly telling me what types of cheese are involved. Probably a blend of pizza and toast I guess. Anyways, the bun is coated with flour. The sensation of the flour and the soft bread with ham and cheese is wonderful. Coating my shirt and face. Oh sweet ham and cheese bun. You win every time.