I'm going through my mobile uploads (can you tell?), and I came across this one and started laughing. When my old manager Aaron found out that I had never had a corsage bought for me (I'd only ever gone to the Ambassadors Balls with my dad), he had one made for me. He had them use a Starbucks sweatband as the basis. It was probably one the funniest, sweetest, most awkward things ever done for me. I died laughing that morning as we were opening the store together and he made me close my eyes and put out my wrist... and I opened my eyes to this. I'm pretty sure I wore it the better part of the morning. And THIS is a small window into why we all loved CP Starbucks so incredibly much. :)

 

Last night, as I was falling asleep, a train of thoughts lead me to my favorite morning coffee drink. We call it my "morning drink" -- or, we called it that. In the mornings, after completing all of our tasks (with Theresa)... or not (with Aaron), we'd make ourselves a drink to help wake up. Trust me, few things are worse then an uncaffeinated barista at 4am. I can't actually order that drink, without sounding like a very stuck up jerk. And truth is, I don't think any barista could make it just right for me anyways. But both Theresa and Aaron could, and I suddenly started missing them terribly, and my early opening mornings with both of them. I love that I still get to see them both occassionally (along with my other Starbucks peeps). But, I don't get to enjoy that experience with them any more, nor will I ever, and that sometimes makes this very sentimental little girl, very sad.

I had actually forgotten about my last shift at Starbucks, but last night it came back to memory. I had been scheduled to close with a stranger (a borrowed partner), and she was a jerk. Really, one of the top two worst shifts I ever worked. I'm sure I wasn't the most pleasant thing either, being my last shift, and no one I knew to say goodbye to. I'd written my goodbye note on a piece of paper and left it on the back desk, as my eyes were filling with tears and this stranger was huffing and puffing at me to get out so she could lock the doors. I walked out, and walked to my car without a word to the girl. I got in my car, locked the doors, put my head on the steering wheel and bawled like a baby for 10 minutes. I'm not good at goodbyes. Turns out I'm even worse without them.

Sorry for the sentimental sad post, but wanted you all to know I love and miss you... and T and Aaron, I especially miss my opens with each of you: music blasting (T-Swift, Country, Disney, random whatever with you T), and Fields of Gold (how it always came on, I'm not sure!) with Aaron. I miss tying on my apron as you flick on the lights and unlock the door and we hope that we get to see Chris and his sweet old dog before we have to see crazy lady... and we wait for Susan, who's been in her car out front for an hour to put down her book and blackberry and come in for to order her "almost coffee." And I especially miss you handing me my delicious morning drink, in a for-hear cup, with the breve all resting atop. I even miss the rough mornings when T knew to give me a hug, and Aaron knew to give me a short cup of amazingness that somehow made things better!!

Miss you all. And I am so proud of where you each are at, and that is what helps me be content to say goodbye to where we all were, together. Besides, summer is rolling around the corner and we have some marshmallows to roast at Alki (I think we all agree to not try them again in Aaron and Andy's oven!! lol).

Love you guys... Aaron, T, Ryn, Cristie, Megs and on... (I don't think any other 352ers reads this..)

PS, see how you are? ;)

The blessed weekend. The rundown.

Yesterday: The long awaited sipping chocolate date with the beautiful, sweet Rose. Delightful. Then, I worked, then went to a movie with some amazing friends from work, who continue to graft themselves deeper into my heart. Then, more friends... some I haven't really had time with in months it seems.

This morning, work felt more like just another fun day. Opening with my good friend Theresa (T.), chatting about tonight, singing to Buble, and laughing at Stephen (another amazing co-worker, I love him more every shift). The morning turned even BETTER when T returned from her lunch with a white bag- that's right, she'd run to The French Bakery on her lunch and returned with almond chocolate croissants for Steve and I. She really IS the best. I spent my break sipping a cappuccino and eating the most yummy croissant in the State!

I couldn't believe when I checked the clock and realized I was off in 4 minutes! I thought I had at least another hour.

BUT, it got even better. As I walked across the street toward my car I heard my name shouted. Looking over, who did I see? Morgan Gilbert and Adam Carpenter!! I miss their faces! They'd brought Adam's parents to Carillon and we just caught each other. After introductions, hugs, and pictures I was on my way again.... smiling.

Now it's chores, work (UIE), maybe a run (!), and then MICHAEL BUBLE and dinner with more of my dearest friends. This is an unbelievable weekend. I'll take it over last weekend, several times over. ;)


(My nails are even painted- it's felt like months since the last time I was able to paint my nails thanks to Starbucks dresscode. I feel dressed up already.)

Today is February 14th! That means...

That the ticket I got last year is permanently erased from my record! Woot!

Yes, yes, it also means its Valentines Day, if you are going to be all picky about it.

I am not one to hate Valentines Day because I am single... just so you know. I greatly enjoyed wishing people a happy valentines day as they came into my Starbucks today. I love, love. I know far too many things pass with its name that are so far from its true nature, but I celebrate in my heart whenever I see something with a flicker of its trueness inside.

I had a couple revelations today:

I love to write. I love to discover what is being said. What is a person really saying? What is a story ultimately saying? What is a picture saying? What is the sky saying? What a statistic is truly saying.

I am passionate about seeing the truth brought out. There are a great deal of statistics, laws and historical happenings that have been commonly accepted as saying something that I don't believe they ever really said. This is my revelation, I never knew my passion flowed that far... all the way to interpreting statistics.

I am studying for my Starbucks black apron and they were showing all these statistics and what they mean, and I totally disagreed with what they were trying to claim. Just because those who rate themselves the most 'highly satisfied' are also those who spend the most on their drinks, doesn't mean they spend more because they are satisfied. It may just as likely be the opposite causal relationship: they are more satisfied because they are willing to invest more to get a better, more specialized drink to their taste. I am typically more satisfied by a white mocha americano ($3ish), then a plain drip ($2ish).

But the passion is so much more than that silly thought I had yesterday and today.... it's also drawing on the historical decisions the Supreme Court has made that have directed the popular opinion of our nation. I say "directed the popular opinion" because I am beginning to believe that may be the case more than most recognize or admit. The Supreme Court's responsibility is to interpret the Constitution. They have a controversial position, some feel they are called to represent the voice of the people, others feel they were designed to be a distinct, nearly ostrisized voice. Regardless, when they have made decisions like that in Roe v Wade, they were expected to reflect the nation's views and standards.... I don't think they did quite as clearly as most now think they did. We judge the american public and distrust them for it, but I think that decision did a lot to shape how Americans felt they should view abortion. They should view abortion as right, because its legal. It's constitutional, the Court says so. And now, politicians and public 'servants' sort the statistics to make them support that it's what the people really wanted. Was it? What do the statistics really say?

I don't know. But I am thinking that all these questions are being sparked in me by the Lord.

I want to know the story. I want to know the story of the man who came in today, and came alive when he overheard me talking to Susan (a designer and regular at our shop) about Renaissance architecture. I want to know why he loves it, but never pursued it. Where he went to school. What degree he chose and why. How he feels about it now. Does he have regrets. Is he alive?

I want to know those in my life's real story, what is written in their heart, in their dreams, and how to help it come to life...


What brings You glory, brings me joy.

The hours are winding down to my architecture midterm and I have dozens of buildings yet to memorize, so this will be short.

I must say though, I got so blessed today. Court started my morning off by giving me a beautiful mug she'd bought me. Worship was wonderful. The message today was the Word of God straight to my hungry heart. And then Kate Hallstrom walked up to me with a bag and handed me a blanket. I couldn't even believe it. She said "I think of you whenever I look at it, it's yours." You see, it sincerely is the most incredible blanket... it is beautiful, and cosy and everything wonderful wrapped up. Every time I have come to their house of the past several years I have told her how wonderful that blanket is. And the store she got it from stopped making them.

So blessed. Yesterday morning at work too, all my favorite regulars came in... one who doesn't come in all too often, but I just love seeing his face. I'd told my manager as we were opening, "I hope Brett comes in today." Several hours later, my face lit up to see him. THEN, he came back in, brought his wife and children so I could meet them. John, a weekday morning regular (my other favorite) came in- I've NEVER seen him come in on a Saturday. Another regular (we see him every day), brought his little daughter in and on their walk she picked me a Pussy Willow branch and brought it back in to me. Little things like that just seemed to light up my whole morning. I am so grateful for all these amazing little gifts I've been receiving.

Thank you ALL.