Dear Diary, 

Today was a big day for me and all the fellow cat lovers of the world; I finally made it to the one and only Mocha Lounge cat cafe. I know, you’re jealous, diary, but I’ll tell you all you need to know. As I stepped through the door, I was greeted not by a maitre d', but by a fluffy tabby who meowed at me to check my shoes in a locker and get comfy in some slippers. The cat waited, frankly with impatience, and escorted me into the main room in the cafe then flicked its tail toward the coffee. Could this cat be a Bakeneko? I had my fingers crossed.

Anyway, I grabbed a cup of coffee and found a comfy seat to settle into while I waited for the cats to come. This wasn't exactly a free for all, like I expected, though. These cats kept their composure and most of the time their distance. Don't get me wrong, I pet every single cat, but everyone was just chilling, doing their own cat things like plotting their takeover or swatting the mouse toys. I whipped out my book, nestled in with my coffee and before I knew it a new cat friend was passed out in my lap.

I was starting to read the same paragraph over and over when I noticed this cat was putting me to sleep. Or was it possessing me? Either way I suddenly felt compelled to order ice cream pops - a human one for me and a cat one for my new friend. I held the tiny pop with miniature icing cat ears while the cat took big chomps, licked its whiskers, and looked at me like, more please. 

My visit to the cat cafe was like a much-needed therapy session, but instead of talking about my feelings, I got to cuddle with cats. Sure, I may have been briefly possessed and then manipulated into buying a cat ice cream, but Bakeneko or not, I had a great time, and in the end, that's what really matters. 

Xoxo, 

Maria