My Third Place

Five years ago, the largest size of Zagu with extra pearl and crystals was as expensive as I can get when it comes to drinks. That's around P50. Fast forward to today, I would readily spend almost P200. Does it mean that I'm now a grown up that's why I can spend as much, or I just became more superficial? Haha!

Anyway, earlier this evening, I finally got to redeem my Starbucks 2011 Planner. This is the fourth time I've collected coffee stickers for an over-rated planner. First one was for the 2006 planner -- it had a lot of freebie coupons! I think the only reason I decided to collect was I knew I can easily afford it because I would have "birthday funds" come December. Back then, I still wasn't "into" Starbucks, mainly because it was so expensive and it was still considered a "luxury". But then, when you collect 21 stickers (that's 21 drinks!) for a fancy planner, you're bound to get addicted and acquire the sophisticated taste for signature coffee. More so, all those monthly coupons had to be used, so my relationship with Starbucks didn't end when I finally got what I wanted. It really got me hooked the whole year. I still drink those humble 3-in-1s though, haha!

The 2007 planner was so bulky but I guess out of a force of habit, I collected stickers for it anyway. Alas, it didn't have as many coupons. By this time, Starbucks for me was becoming less and less of a "luxury" purchase, but more and more of a "staple" gimik treat.

I didn't collect for the 2008 planner anymore because I guess I've learned my lesson -- the planner and the cost that comes with it just wasn't worth it. Really, it has become more of a status symbol than an actual self-organization tool. And everyone else was collecting for it! I had to be deviant. Haha! But to be honest, the planner wasn't that fancy-looking anyway and the only freebie was a measly pencil. Plus, I think I availed of the UP Centennial Planner instead.

The story was the same for the 2009 planner. I think I still didn't like the design. I still frequented Starbucks though (but not as much as I would if I were collecting stickers). I just relented my stickers to friends who collected.

In 2010, I became superficial again and decided to collect stickers again. This time, the designs were fancy enough and they came in three designs. How cool is that! Cool enough, I guess. Haha!

2010 is about to end and I can say with full honesty and humility (but not necessarily with regret) that I don't think I've utilized my planner to its fullest potential. As with the case of my previous planners, they were more of a logbook/diary of "what I did" instead of keeping track of "what I'm planning to do". The only "planning" I got to do with it was in the latter half of the year when I bought a stove for the apartment -- I used my planner to devise what dishes I would cook for me and my housemates. Haha!

When I redeemed my 2011 planner, I chose the red velvet design. It was labeled "My Third Place". Its explanation was in a form of a short quote:

It's not home;

it's not workplace.

It's that special place in between where

we meet to awaken our senses,

to find inspiration, and

to make lasting connections.

The third place --

this is what we have become for you,

our loyal customer, our friend.

I think I set two records this year. First, the earliest I was able to complete the set and redeem my planner. Granted, there were only 17 stickers this year (the fewest in the 4 years I've been collecting). But still, it's only November and I already have it. Whereas normally, I am only able to do so around the week of my birthday. Second, the least number of stickers bought by me. Haha! Thanks to my classmates and orgmates who always indulged me whenever I said, "Tara, Starbucks tayo!"

This Starbucks 2011 planner is brought to me in part by the following people: Ate Rochelle, Ate Grace, Vonash, Carou, Mike, Darryl, Justin (nephew) and Justin (orgmate).

The most expensive amount I ever spent of a signature cafe drink was earlier this evening too. But not at Starbucks! Haha! It was a large Apple Caramel Ice Blended drink from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I met up with Justin (orgmate) there for the 1 last sticker I needed. Plus, he had to review for an accounting exam tomorrow and I had to do some acads stuff too. We hung at CBTL for the wifi, haha!

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When I came back at our seat after I ordered..

Rex: Look, they gave me a promo card for the planner. *Shows Justin the card*.

Justin: Really? They didn't give me one. *Weirded out* Maybe because you looked like someone who would collect.

Rex: What does that say about you?

Both: Haha! (^^,)