KISH...: Starbucks

Who wouldn't know what and where a STARBUCKS is (duh?!), its like you wouldn't be knowing what a cafe is. Ever since Starbucks empire was or is dominating the world, people make it sort of a trend. Your cool if your sipping your usual brewed coffee in Starbucks or you're like "sosyal" to many if your seen with your lappie in Starbucks.

I wouldn't be that hypocrite that I'd definitely say in your face that I haven't stepped in the so called cafe' empire, in fact I'd find it relaxing to spend my/our leisure time away but frankly speaking I don't see Starbucks as an indicator of one's social status, but well, some PINOYS see it that way (again SOME). Technically, you can't go there with only 5-10 php just to taste their exquisite coffees or their coolers/refreshers hence that amount won't even let you buy their lollies. 5-10 php is the estimated amount you can pay someone your even yourself, in preparing a 3n1 Nescafe. So maybe, people are seeing it as a social status indicator hence you will definitely budge a good sum of money just to get the feel and taste of imported coffee. Oh well, that's POP culture.

I've started this segment in my blog the "TEA-some" hence Ken2x and I been eating and most of all tea buddies. Yes, we both have addiction to teas, and tea house slash cafes are slowly sprouting now in Cebu so that's the reason behind the "TEA-some" segment (aside from my Quickie post). We will try to visit every tea house slash cafe here in Cebu and eventually judge if its worth the sip (wink). Where no connoisseur but in this way we can share some information to readers and bloggers (tehehehehe).

Just as I was writing this post, coincidentally my colleague had just informed me that today, Aug. 29, 2012 (lol with the exact date), Starbucks is having 50% off the price to all their beverages (wat da man) and I was so excited and that sudden excitement vanish to thin air as this "sale" thing is only up to 5pm. Ken2x is off work at 7pm so its totally useless. I wouldn't be buying his favorite Java chip then put it in the freakin' fridge just so it wouldn't melt for like 4-5 hours (haayyyy).

Enough procrastination, and hello to Starbucks Lapu-lapu. Why in Lapu-lapu? That's damn far from Cebu. That's exactly why I like it there, hence its secluded and not so many trying hard customers are there (waaaa don't be that bad). Okay fine, my main purpose again in visiting a tea house slash cafe is to relax/unwind so that's why Starbucks Lapu-lapu is the place to be. Sure enough there are people coming, but not the snooty and loud teenagers (trust me I don't have it against teens but its just what I've experience in some Starbucks branches) and the wannabes. But still, Starbucks attendants have a hard time getting my name, how hard is the name/word RED is (tsktsktsk) or is it my accent that's not audible or comprehensible. Anyways, another reason is that Starbucks Lapu-lapu has a sentimental value for me (secret), plus going there gives me a reason to ride the ferry (i dunno am just easily attracted to salty water+waves).

Its still the usual Starbucks treatment and taste. So I'll give it a rate of SIPPING like a BOSS.

i don't own this photo; this is just a representation of the rate above

Well, if you just need to hang out in a quite Starbucks and wants to be just a little far away from Cebu then you might like to try Starbucks Lapu-lapu.

Mine: Green Tea while Ken2x: Dreamy choco something

P.S.

I'll be posting more of this addiction soon and oh, hey did I mention that I'll be creating another segment (tehehehe). Just keep posted (squirmish smile;ew).

Starbucks' Lapu-lapu address:

Mactan Marina Mall

G/f Block E Island Souvenirs Bldg.,

Mactan Marina Mall Airport Road

I was contemplating of the next post that I'll be writing. I was supposed to again (just to remind myself) that I'll have to write about Oslob but then the photos are not at hand, plus my pc @home is under renovation (construction?), actually its wrecked and I've sent it to my ever trusty Ken2x (whose the I.T.?) and I have nothing to do but stare straight to my new flat monitor (gesssh; you don't have to say its new coz its old;support had just changed it because your old cathode like tube was an eye sore) with a bore squint. So I've decided to check on my photos for any blog worthy material and viola! I have had remembered New Zealand. NZ, for short---my brain cells were ala Flash like, to have a rewind session of the places I've traveled.

NZ, was my first of everything. 1st time to ride a plane (wat???! yes), 1st time to be out of Cebu, out of Manila and totally out of Philippines (you don't say; i know your shocked right now), 1st to be traveling alone (oh well with Irish; who also is havin' her first time), 1st time to travel outside Asia, 1st to pack a traveling suitcase, and 1st time traveling on a company sponsored trip. Its totally overwhelming in my part and most of all even though it was way back 2008, I can say that year was a HELL lot of surprises (good ones; BEST ones). That very year was as well the LET (licensure for teachers) results, where I have passed (good news right?!) and so next was the big news (w/ Irish)--- to fly to .New Zealand I mean of all the places that you can dream of man, New Zealand?!. While our HR had privately talked to us regarding the said opportunity, I was bedazzled and while she was talking, everything went slomo and I was like OMG. The next part was me asking why us (rolling eyes) and so the rest where history. Frankly speaking, it was a flattery at its finest for a 21 year old like me to be sent out to a fine country because never in my life have I dream to be totally out of Cebu, I haven't stepped in Manila during that time but when am alone and I think about it and leaving my family for like 2-3 months, my heart heaves and a bit of sadness envelopes me. But to cut the story short, I've managed to cope up with my emotional instability and trooper as I am, dashed off and ready to face NEW ZEALAND.

There are lots of things to marvel about New Zealand aside from its endless green pasture and way out big ferns, its the people who made the difference. In New Zealand there are mix of cultures, traditions and races that you'll meet. And good thing, Filipinos are all over the said country.

I don't know if its a joke or true, NZ is good for retiring folks because its peaceful (not really like no crime rates but compared to other countries it is at its lowest) and relaxing. Actually, too much peaceful that I can't even see the faces or see most of our neighbors out in their houses. Well, I can see them but when they go to work--like house then car then zoom. It's like a routine every morning and when its weekend, everyone is packing and heading to the beach or to any place away from their homes (total weekend for them). I even barely seen stray cats around, well, of course provided by their law that animals should be taken care of. The parks there are humungous, you can't tour it for like 1 day or you can tour some for 1 day minimum. You can stroll in their parks, recreational areas and beaches for freakin' FREE. Nobody owns the place and its open for the public (unlike you know; rolling of the eye with matching gawking).

So much for my infamous admiration for NZ, I'll present you, ME way back 2007-2008 (skinny a bit).