Iced Tall Mocha for Marife (taken from "My Genuine Starbucks Experience" essay for the Rustan's Coffee Corporation, Philippines)
I first heard the name “Starbucks” in 1995 when my mother told me that she went to one in California, USA. She kept raving how wonderful their coffee tasted, that I became very intrigued (take note – I don’t even drink coffee). When the first Starbucks outlet opened in the Philippines at 6750 Ayala in September 1997, I was there in an instant! That opening day marked my love affair, not just with Starbucks coffee, but with their merchandise, as well.

I became an instant fan, buying iced tall mocha (iced tall latte, when I try to diet) whenever I could (again, let me stress that to this day, I am not a coffee drinker). My home is filled with everything Starbucks -- mugs, tumblers, a black rubber coaster, a shot glass, the white coffee jar, the blue floral pitcher, finger puppets, refrigerator magnets, almost all the CDs, tin Christmas boxes, hard-paper Christmas boxes, 2004 and 2005 planners, and even a remembrance of the old paper napkins (the one with the logo, and the one with the coffee swirl). I imbibed everything Starbucks, down to the lingo (see, “iced tall mocha”, not “cold mocha, tall”).

My Starbucks experience starts the moment I walk to the store –the round green signage invites me, shouting “welcome, friend!”. As I approach the counter, the friendly barista warmly greets me by name. My order is taken, and he/she suggests which food to go with it. He/She thanks me, as he/she swiftly hands me my change. I take my drink, I spy my favorite spot, the comfy couch at the corner, and happily but quickly make a beeline for it lest somebody gets there before me! After doing my ceremonies (stirrer, one packet of Equal, straw, napkins), I sit down, relax, eat and drink, and enjoy my reading material while listening to great Starbucks music (I was once told that I could not buy their “Bella Luna” CD, as it was a special disc and not the regular one that you can just pop in any disc player. I checked the internet and found nothing. Dang!). I feel at home, I forget nerve-wracking work requirements, and for an hour or so, I am in my own peaceful paradise.

Every now and then, a barista approaches me, engaging me in a taste test of food and drink, providing me with free education on the ways and history of coffee. Starbucks partners are accommodating, friendly, helpful, and give that personal touch – they provide you with great service, and even go the extra mile to have that interesting magazine article photocopied just for you (thanks, Nan!). No wonder I call these partners FRIENDS!

Alas, my stay has to end. As I leave, I linger a bit to look at the merchandise (I’ve bought them all! What’s new for the eager beaver?) greet the baristas goodbye, and walk away. I smile as I smell its rich coffee aroma that sticks to my clothes. I think it serves as a reminder for me to go back later! No reminders needed – I go back again … and again … and again. After all, Starbucks is my second home.

Later, I am transported back to Starbucks as I lay on our sofa at home and listen to music playing on our stereo. With soft bulb lights, I blissfully read, happy to relive my own genuine Starbucks experience. You see, Starbucks for me does not end when I step out of the store. It stays with me the rest of the day, wherever I am.

What Do I Miss About Thee? Let Me Count the Ways
Today marks our 5th month, exact fifth month, here in the United States of America. We left the Philippines on Saturday, May 7, and arrived here on Sunday, May 8.

Unlike my husband, Joey, I'm not really as homesick because I have two siblings here -- my Ate and Junjun; and a lot of cousins in different states (New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, and mostly in California). I feel somewhat "normal" because of the presence of family.

Despite zero homesickness, of course, I miss my Dad and Mom a lot. I miss my Koya and his family; my uncles and titas and their families; my in-laws; our household helpers, Victoria and Bebeng; my friends; and my officemates. These are people I grew up with. These are people who've seen me through, in good times and in bad. These are people I've learned to love and live with. Thank God for technology -- we are in touch via e-mail and SMS/texting! That makes missing loved ones and friends more bearable.

So, what do I miss about the Philippines? Let me count the ways ...

I miss ...

The Podium in Ortigas Center -- this was my home away from home, for years. Living close to the Ortigas Center made it convenient for me and Joey to go malling all the time. At first, I found the bare mall boring (what do you expect? they were about a month old, then). Eventually, I couldn't stay away from the place. I just had to be there at least once a week! I loved hanging out there, reading in the 2nd floor lobby while listening to great music from guest artists; I loved going round and round the little mall, going through my routine of Mobile One-Beauty Bar-Best Sellers (National Bookstore)-David's Prestige-Dimensione-Living Well-Bass-Astroplus-and finally, Landes. I enjoyed dining at Burgoo, Cafe Breton, Casa Armas, and Nina (mmm, my favorite!). Hanging out at Podium made me relaxed and happy. Simply put, I loved being there. Waaah, I miss Podium!

handkerchiefs -- believe it or not, hankies are virtually non-existent here! I went through four different department stores (Macy's, Robinsons May, JC Penney, and Sears) in 30 minutes looking for hankies, and there was none. The salesgirls would usually suggest going to a bridal store where white lace handkerchiefs can be found. Hahaha! I found that funny! My hankies are about to die a natural death, and I'm already running out. Had I known, I would have not forgotten to buy handkerchiefs before leaving (it was one of my tasks to buy some hankies, but then, it slipped my mind after one unsuccessful search in Rustans Shangri-la Plaza). I want to go back to the Philippines and stash hankies. Waaah, I miss having access to hankies!

my mananahi, Bing -- I trust Bing with all my clothes ... well, almost all my clothes. She alters my dresses, sews rips, shortens my new pairs of pants, and replaces worn garters and zippers. Sometimes, she doesn't even charge me for some items (shhh!). Bing is wonderful. I asked her if I could bring her with me to the States. Here, they say that you just throw away your pants, skirt, or shorts when the zipper gets damaged. What the??! What happened to "this-is-my-favorite-bottom/I-can't-live-without-this"? Damn, I should have paid closer attention during my Sewing class in 3rd year high school. Waaah, I miss my mananahi from Megamall (guess where?)!

Marks & Spencer (aka St. Michael) -- my one-stop shop for nice knickers (underwear), great-fitting jeans, pretty tops, perfect short skirts, sturdy shoes, and inexpensive toiletries. Marks & Spencer is also home to good food, attractive knick-knacks, and in other countries, even electronics. I am always pleased with how their short skirts fit perfectly. That is hard to find, especially now that I seem to need (want) to add to my line-up of short skirts for work. Waaah, I miss Marks & Spencer!

non-working holidays -- this is actually a bad thing, but yeah, I miss benefitting from Malacanang Palace's declaration of non-working holidays. There are not too many non-working holidays here in the States, and the next one (Thanksgiving weekend) happens by end-November, so that's a long wait. My only consolation is that sale season is aplenty here -- Memorial Day sale; Labor Day sale; end-of-Summer sale; pre-Fall sale; etc. etc. But what's the use if you don't have money to burn? Waaah, I miss non-working holidays!

cheap beauty parlor services -- a haircut here costs about $30 (well, there are $14 haircuts, too); a pedicure costs $20. Shampoo massages last less than five minutes only. When I was still working in Ace/Saatchi & Saatchi, I would sometimes spend my lunch hour having shampoo-blowdry service at nearby David's, along Esteban Street. Now, I don't know what to do with my crazy hair, as I still seriously lack any talent or skill in using the blowdryer or applying hair implements. Waaah, I miss the parlors in Manila!

blowing of car horns -- in the Philippines, blowing of car horns is not offensive. I tell my officemates here that it's just drivers' way of communicating with each other ("hoy, hurry up!"; "move your butt, it's our turn now!"; "what the !@#$%, you almost hit me!" ... blah blah blah). Here, you blow your horn, you're rude. You blow your horn, you get shot. Waaah, I miss the sensibility of blowing our car horns!

the security guards -- I miss seeing security guards in shopping malls, banks, office buildings, practically everywhere. I miss Mang Carding, the 8th floor Feliza Building guard (stationed at the Saatchi & Saatchi offices in Makati). There is a rarity of security guards here. How odd -- I have yet to see a bank here with a security guard stationed by the door. Why do I miss them? Honestly, I don't know.

bazaars / tiangges -- yeah, the variety of shops here in the US is something to drool at, but still, I miss the bazaars and tiangges of Manila. I miss the jewelry, native stuff, and delicacies and sweets of the Greenhills tiangge; i miss Kitchen ala Ching's oatmeal cookies; i miss the festive atmosphere of the bazaars at The Tent at The Fort; i miss the Samson and Mom booth of Pernille Herboe. I even miss those a-dime-a-dozen cellphone booths in Greenhills! Waaah, I miss bazaars/tiangges, and it's already bazaar season in Manila now!

the rat race -- everybody here is a member of the 501 Club (meaning, you leave work at 5:01PM). This was almost unthinkable in Manila, where we would usually leave at 7PM or so. With traffic, you get home an hour later. When you arrive home, you don't have much energy for anything else, but rest. You might say, "Are you crazy -- you miss the rat race?!". I'm tired of getting tired; I'm tired of feeling stressed. But yes, I miss stress; yes, I miss the rat race. So, yes, I am crazy!


Life here is good, and (shopping) money goes a long way in the land of milk and honey. But family and friends, aside, there are other things I do miss about the Philippines.