Monday, October 27, 2008

my love affair with coffee

Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival Button

i can remember the first time i stepped foot inside a starbucks coffee shop.

my college friend nicole and i were about to embark on an over-night road trip (which, incidentally, now ranks number 3 on my stupidest things i've ever done list). we weren't able to take a spring break trip together, so this was our pre-spring break trip. our plan was to drive through the night on friday night, arrive at the beach saturday morning, camp that night and then drive home sunday. see? stupid.

and the best part is that we made this 800-mile through-the-night trip without telling either of our parents. after being awake for 12 hours already. really stupid.

we'd both been up all day with classes and then a dorm event in indianapolis that night (we were both RAs). we were excited to get on the road, but definitely needed some caffiene to get started. starbucks had just opened a store downtown and so on our way out, we stopped.

it was a little taste of heaven before our big adventure.

eighteen months later, starbucks became a haven of home as i moved 8000 miles from everything familiar to me. i spent a year in manila serving with the navigators' edge corp. we served college students at two universities, one of which happened to be the harvard of the philippines, located across the street from a starbucks.

my teammates and i became regulars at this starbucks. it was a little piece of vanilla in a cappuccino world. i loved living in manila and have fabulous memories from our time there. but somehow, starbucks -- and the countless hours we spent there reading our bibles, sharing deep thoughts, writing letters home, journaling -- became a rock.

and so began my love affair with coffee. clearly, it's an emotional affair, though i do love the taste of coffee. and, it's no longer about the caffeine. in fact, normally, i prefer decaf. sometimes, if the mood is right, when i take that first sip of a hot vanilla latte, i can instantly be transported to that quezon city starbucks on katipunan avenue in manila. emotional memories, connected to your senses, are powerful things.

and so, in honor of my love for all things coffee, i'm participating in this week's bloggy giveaway carnival. i will be giving away a mug from starbucks. to enter, leave a comment telling me your favorite coffee drink. i'll leave comments open until noon on friday. i will select a winner after that.

i will contact the winner by email, so please be sure to leave your email address in the comments. the winner will have three days to respond, after which i will choose a new winner.

have fun!

123 comments:

Wanda said...

I'll go first.

I am a White Chocolate Mocha decaf kinda gal.
Also love the Caramel Frappi.

Go decaf, baby!

My brain can't take it any other way.

HilLesha O'Nan said...

Mocha Coffee

lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

Sheila said...

I'm a caramel frapp girl! :o) I love cold coffee.

Angela said...

Vanilla Latte is my favorite!

lmkirb said...

My favorite...right now...is the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Coffee!!!
Pumpkin..spice..coffee...it doesn't get any better!!!

Anonymous said...

I don't like coffee but I do like hot chocolate!

jamieATohhowlovelyDOTnet

Angie said...

I too love Starbucks in a big way! I have a few fav drinks but if I were to choose one I would say Caramel Macchiato. I also collect starbucks mugs, some say it's an addiction, so I would LOVE to win this prize.

Thank you Thank you Thank you

Judy said...

Mmmmmm...dirty chai! It is a chai latte with a shot of espresso - outstanding!

Thanks for the opportunity!

Anonymous said...

Yum, thanks for the giveaway! Right now I love pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks. utgal2004 at yahoo dot com

The Chatty Housewife said...

I love the pumpkin spice latte or chai latte. One of my favorite parts of going there is looking at the mugs! Thanks for a great chance to win. chattyhousewife(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

a simple vanilla latte is divine.
ANg
altermyworld(at)gmail(dot)com

Carrie said...

Cold = pumpkin spice frappucino

Hot = eggnog latta (I can't wait!)

readingtoknow (at) gmail (dot) com

Mer said...

Peppermint mocha!

Unknown said...

Oh I am a triple Venti non-fat Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha lady. YUMMM!!!!!

Grandma Barb said...

Hmmm.....don't drink coffee and Ken's too cheap so I have to say I've only been to Starbucks to buy gift certificates!! But I would love to know what the #1 and #2 stupidest things were!! (:

Amber said...

Caramel Macchiato! Please enter me :)

Cynthia said...

I love pumpkin spice at this time of the year. Thanks!

Carey said...

I'm a Caramel Macchiato girl - hot or cold, depending on the weather. Now I'm craving one! Great giveaway... thanks for the chance to win!

Mrs. McB said...

I love plain black coffee.

koopermom said...

Tall Mocha. You don't mess with perfection!!

Unknown said...

I like a White Chocolate Mocha unless it's winter time...then it's a Ho Ho Mint Mocha (from a starbuck's competitor)...aka White Peppermint Mocha (from Starbucks)

Lisa said...

White Hot Chocolate with peppermint syrup.

aahcoffee said...

Nonfat Caramel Machiatto....iced or hot...all depends on the weather!

Kinslee said...

i love Caramel Macchiatos!

Kara said...

I am a mocha frap or a plain mocha kinda girl!
vinceandkara@yahoo.com

Andrea @ Momma in Flip Flops2 said...

Well I had my first star bucks and I loved the Cinnamon bun thing! MY sister got it for me. I really love hazelnut coffee too! Please enter me to win this mug for my sis. Thanks.

Lisa P@www.isitmondayalready.com said...

hands down caramel machiato mmmm I love starbucks

malleycc said...

Mocha coffee. Yumm!

Unknown said...

I love your Starbucks story--that's great you remember it so vividly.

My favorite drink would be the pumpkin spice latte. It's one of my favorite things about fall and winter.

Thanks for an amazing giveaway!

leoandchelle at yahoo dot com

Ashley said...

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Anonymous said...

It all depends on the time of year my dear. Summertime is Java Chip Mocha Frappaccino time. Fall is Pumpkin Spice Latte time. Winter is Peppermint Mocha time. I'm always in the mood for a Toffee Nut Latte though.

Nicole said...

I am all about a peppermint mocha with a whole lotta whip cream. It tastes like Christmas!

minnesotapeachy@aol.com

Unknown said...

I love me some White Chocolate Mocha but right now it's the Pumpkin Spice latte.

Nonnie said...

I'm a latte drinker. Right now it is the Pumpkin Spice, but in a month, it'll be the Gingerbread. Thanks for the chance!

Stacy said...

A plain 'ol vanilla latte.

hetz-junk(at)hotmail(dot)com

Uncommon Blonde said...

I don't actually like coffee, I drink tea. I love Starbucks Tazo green tea

uncommonblonde AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

hazelnut latte with chocolate powder sprinkled on top

S. said...

I love iced soy mochas, but this time of year, peppermint mochas top my list! Thank you for a great giveaway!

Kathy in WA said...

What a great story! I am super cheap so I stick to Americanos. :)

Sarah DeSalvo said...

I love me my Caramel Frappuccino!!!
junglewife (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

You know what I like! I either like Mochas or Mocha Frapuccinos. Pick me! Love ya lots!

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

Oh, I feel you! I'm the same way about my coffee. Usually I'm a dark roast gal, or a holiday flavored latte girl. But this pregnancy has given me an aversion to my faithful brew. THE HORROR! I'm praying it's just a temporary pregnancy thing, because I really miss my coffee!!!
Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win!
give_me_a_latte at yahoo

Jen lleras said...

I love the ginger bread latte! they come out in just a few more days!

jennifer.lleras@gmail.com

Sunny said...

My favorite is white chocolate mocha!
sj3girls AT hotmail DOT com

Croasla0 said...

cinnamon dolce lattes!

Lauren
croasla0(at)sewanee.edu

michelle said...

I like iced mochas with whipped cream. Mmmmmm.

michelle at northofthe49 dot com

Maude Lynn said...

I love plain, strong black coffee!

kelli at pfrog dot net

Bebemiqui said...

I love the Sulawesi blend black!
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carol said...

Okay I'm kinda boring when it comes to coffee, regular loaded with sugar and cream.

Thank you.

actsm(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

CrystalGB said...

I love cappaccinos. Thanks for the giveaway.

Tyna said...

Cinnamon Dolce Latte!!

Melissa B. said...

I love White Chocolate Mocha. I'm glad to see this giveaway. I just broke my mug this morning.

Anonymous said...

French Vanilla!

Deborah
dbstout{at}juno{dot}com

Michelle said...

At this time of year I enjoy the pumpkin spice latte. What an awesome prize, thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

I'm a pretty boring coffee drinker. I like mine black with nothing added.
-Terra
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Emily said...

Non-fat Vanilla latte, yummy!

Thanks for offering it!

princesslimey (at) gmail (dot) com

Stephanie said...

I love the cold carmael frapps! Yumminess!

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

I'm not a huge coffee fan, but I'm addicted to chai tea lattes.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for entering me :) I love White Chocolate Mochas and Caramel Machiatos are not to far behind :)
zokiemichael(at)sisna(dot)com

Stacy and Brian's Adventures in Life said...

I love all of their holiday drinks! Right now I am craving a pumpkin spice latte (I'd better get decaf...it's late in the day). Thanks for the give-away! Stacy

Lydia said...

I love a light java chip frap with whip!

Michelle said...

My favorite coffee drink is a white chocolate mocha.

shelnew19 [at] gmail [dot] com

Amity said...

Although I do love starbucks my favorite coffee drink is a coconut mocha chiller from Gloria Jeans...heavenly!!

amitymatthia[at]hotmail.com

AmandaK said...

I love Mint Mocha Chip frapps. I don't know what it is- but I love 'em. I guess it's the chocolate, but you still get a bit of that mint flavor. It gives you a ton of energy!!

orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

Diana Dang said...

I prefer cappuccinos!

faked_sugartone at hotmail.com

Betsy said...

I love their mugs! I love pumpkin spice lattes.

Re said...

mm caramel macchiatos!

gimme that gimme gimme gimme! :)

Great giveaway! I hope I'm chosen as the lucky winner :)

Sandra said...

I like a skim milk vanilla steamer...Yum!

owatz (AT)telus (DOT) net

Carolyn Sharkas said...

I like a tall light one splenda latte.

thanks for sharing

ceashark at aol dot com

Unknown said...

i currently can't stand the taste of coffee, due to being pregnant, so i get chai lattes. no worries, the love of coffee will return

ebienic(at)hotmail(dot)com

Qtpies7 said...

I like white chocolate caramel cappucinno, mmmmm.

CaseyDeuce said...

Loving caramel macchiatos!! Come on over and check out my giveaways!!

Anonymous said...

Black velvet coffee (chocolate with rum flavor.

Kristy said...

I love the Decaf Mocha!
ksieker(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

strawberries and cream frappuccino
KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

love the frappys right now, the white chocolate double or the cherry tea is yummy

PastormacsAnn said...

Skinny Vanilla Latte. Yum.

jubys1mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

Suzie Williams said...

I like Peppermint Mocha frappacinos.

~Cheryl said...

Awesome give away!! THANK YOU!!

cheryl(dot)pinello@gmail(dot)com

§wanny said...

nothing better than a caramel macchiato!!

Amy L said...

Sumatra decaf French press with a shot of vanilla and cream.
aleach6179 AT gmail DOT com

Sarah said...

i always get a caramel latte. sarah_jakel at yahoo dot com

Karla Cook @ Roads to Everywhere said...

I love fun mugs! And all the times I've been to Starbucks, I don't have a Starbucks mug... so this would be a great prize! My favorite drink is a caramel macchiato!

Denise said...

Love me some cinnamon dolce lattes! The best drink (IMO)! Thank you.
dgpangburn (at) juno (dot) com

HeatherLow said...

My fav is white chocolate mocha. Yum!
thanks for the giveaway
Heather
poncey76 at hotmail dot com

Becca said...

My favorite coffee drink is a white chocolate mocha. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I always get a White Chocolate Mocha. I think next time I will try something different. monk5@charter.net

Saly said...

Peppermint Mocha!

Lalycairn said...

IN the summer it is their mint chooclate chip frapucino with chocolate whipped cream. IN the winter it is a cinnamon dulce latte. :) Yum.

Thanks for the drawing!

Lalycairn (at) gmail.com

checkers said...

oh my - Cinnamon Dolce Latte - so worth the while if you ask me and thank you!
skyskyaa11(at)gmail(dot)com

Chantelle said...

i love their white mocha. yummy! Awesome Giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win

Kirby McCauley said...

I like a Cafe Mocha with a double shot of hazelnut ♥

Jinxy and Me said...

Caramel machiatto (sp?). Thanks for the giveaway!

L. K. said...

This might be strange but I don't like the fancy coffee drinks. I like plain, black coffee. If a coffee is good it doesn't need to hide.

Thanks for the giveaway!

Kristen said...

I love the mint mocha drink. I always forget the name, but if I say that they still know what I mean.

Unknown said...

Give me a Raspberry Mocha Cappuccino and I'm happy.

hafner611 {AT} gmail {DOT} com

Unknown said...

I love coffee in all forms. I'm a definite coffee-holic.

From starbucks, I like the mocha frapp in the summer and the peppermint mocha for the colder weather

Anonymous said...

I think its called the Hint of Mint, its a minty drink thats all I know!

Shannon
palmersf at bellsouth dot net

eyeslikesugar said...

I'm biiig fan of any types of Kona coffee! :9 How fantastic! Thank you for this giveaway; I hope I win :)
eyeslikesugar (at) gmail (dot) com

Dumaurier said...

I like their new Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate

Reva Skie said...

Carmel macchiato.

Jessica @ Piece Of Me said...

White Chocolate mocha.
livlifelov at yahoo dot com

Susan G. said...

White Chocolate Mocha is my weakness !

Jill said...

I'm looking forward to their egg nog latte's :)

Thanks!

Deb said...

My favorite coffee drink is the Caramel Machiatto.

Thanks for hosting this great giveaway.

franaroon said...

I love a cold mocha frap or a toasty white mocha!

Sweetpeas said...

I love my mocha!

Fiddle D. Dee said...

I love White Chocolate Mocha! Thanks for the chance to enter!

Josie said...

I love an iced White Chocolate Mocha!

ahiltz said...

I always loved French Vanilla...can't go wrong with that! Thanks so much for doing this giveaway!
ahiltzy@yahoo(dot)com

Ginny said...

I love the Iced Frappachino

peony paperie said...

I love a latte with three raw sugars! Or a peppermint mocha as a splurge in the winter.

michelleharrod at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm not really a big coffee drinker (I leave that to my husband and his dad), but there's a pumpkin latte (?) I keep hearing about and it sounds so good!

raspberrykitty at aol dot com
http://www.allthatblooms.net

(Check out my giveaways for $5 Amazon gc, $5 DiNG gc, $20 Cozy Moments gc AND a sports jersey!)

Anonymous said...

I am not a coffee lover (gasp!), but I LOVE Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate! It is awesome! Holly bhc-law(at)juno(dot)com

Lisa @ The Plain-Spoken Pen said...

My favorite is a Peppermint Mocha with whip and sprinkles, yum. Thanks for the giveaway!

mom2boys said...

I love the french vanilla. Yum. Thanks for the giveaway!'


hottmomma_03@yahoodotcom

Jodi said...

I have to agree with the first post, my favorite is White Chocolate mocha, it is the first drink I ever tried at Starbucks, and still my favorite.

purehrt555(at)yahoo(dot)com

Becky said...

I am a plain Morning Joe kind of girl. Lots of milk and a couple of raw sugars. Heaven on earth.

Thanks so much!

punkinmama said...

I love Peppermint Mocha in the winter!
cgogis at yahoo dot com

Kathy - mom of many said...

I love Starbuck's Creamice Mocha!
Kathy
bigfamily8 (at) yahoo (dot) com

zeitersouth said...

Cafe Mocha for me!

Anonymous said...

Iced Frappachino! Mmmmm
mitanari[at]yahoo.com

Cjnedrow said...

White chocolate mocha is great!
cjnedrow@gmail.com