PRESENTS!!!

hi! i'm a barista! :) let me start off by saying i really dislike this picture, but it's the only one i have of me actually working! AND since this photo was taken many moons ago (shout out to good 'ol dickson city drive thru!) i have successfully advanced to the BLACK apron. yes folks, i am a coffee MASTER. anyway...

over the course of this past week, i have received FOUR different presents from THREE different customers! seriously! it's been like christmas at starbucks! in order to protect the identity of the individuals involved (i think i've secretly always wanted to say that!), i will be referring to them by the name of their regular beverages.

Gift #1: Half Shot, Tall, Stirred Caramel Macchiato along with Tall, Raspberry or Hazlenut Dark Roast

They work at Macy's and left me a gift bag full of make-up (LOVE it!), perfume, (LOVE it!), lotions (LOVE LOVE it!), face moisturizer (LOVING it!), and cute lil make-up bags (still LOVING it ALL!)! names such as tommy, clinique, and etee lauder made an appearance amongst the gifts. these customers are so sweet! i was completely shocked and just sooooooo touched by their thoughtfulness!

Gifts # 2 and #4: Tall Light Roast with room, Tall cup of ice with a lid, no straw; Refill of half dark roast, half light roast with room

This customer brought me a movie that he taped FOR me that takes place in PA, because i am from PA and he knows i love PA! So stinkin' thoughtful! then, on saturday he was telling me about his weekend plans, which included going to several grad parties. i was instantly jealous because i don't know any one graduating and expressed my sadness over missing the grad party cake, which is my FAVORITE! well, low and behold, he walks in this morning with a piece of grad cake in a little glad container for me! i almost died! sooooooooooo sweet!!! i was so touched! and let me tell you, it was, and i truly mean this, THEE best piece of cake i have ever had! no joke! the chocolate cake with sugary frosting (not the nasty whipped cream frosting that i hate!) was to DIE for. i licked and licked the glad lid until there was literally NOTHING left! haha! oh my word! i was so touched!

Gift #3: Grande, double-cupped, one refresh/one zen tea bag, 3 honeys in the bottom of the cup first, then the hot water, stirred hot tea; along with (for family members!) two double-cupped, Grande, peppermint/cinnamon dolce/vanilla, non-fat, extra hot latte, with a "p,c, or v" on the TOP of the lid.

This customer specially had his step-son get me this thing called a "doberman". it's some thing to wear on my arm while running. all i have to do is hit a button and it's sounds a ridiculously loud alarm if i'm ever in danger. it also has flashing lights if i ever run at night! holy cow! they're not even on the market yet, but he knows i am a runner, and wanted me to have one! he was at the mall bright and early this morning, literally POUNDING on the door (we weren't open yet) because he was so excited to give it to me! holy cow. again, i'm super touched.

i am so over-whelmed with the generosity and kindness of these sweet customers! they truly make me love what i do! (i know matt's totally gagging right now, but i can't help it! ) i could cry just thinking about their sweetness and love for me!

(p.s. the following two pics that i love were taken by my fellow-barista brother, johnny cakes...i think he should go into photography....)