starbucks

My Starbucks coupon for “free oatmeal” is going to expire in a matter of days.

Since I’m pretty sure that Starbucks only offers their breakfast oatmeal during breakfast hours which is naturally during the morning, and I never have time in the mornings to go there, I decided to snatch an opportunity yesterday. Everyone knows that oatmeal isn’t exactly the most appetizing thing to eat. Naturally, it does not sound like something a place like Starbucks would offer. But who knows, maybe Starbucks has the capability of making it taste somewhatly good.

You may notice that I am only speculating what it may or may not taste like, because my “opportunity” yesterday to go to Starbucks in the morning did not work. Oh, I went there, alright. They were “out.” (or the lady just didn’t like the coupon?)

I’ll elaborate. I had a day off yesterday, so I was meeting up with some friends at the mall at 10am. I get there a little early and head to the Starbucks that is right next to the main entrance. As I’m waiting in line, I see a pretty little card sitting on counter that says something along the lines of “Try one of our delicious breakfast oatmeals today. Available in dried fruit/nut medley/brown sugar.”

Finally, I told the cashier lady I wanted the oatmeal with nuts. She rung up a total for me, around four dollars, and then I asked her if I could use the coupon. She reads it real closely, tells me it’s valid, then goes to the back counter to go get some oatmeal. Immediately, she turns around, tells me there is no oatmeal left. None. Not one flavor. She asks me in a high and fake sweet voice if I’d like anything else in substitution.

“No, thanks, I already had my coffee today. I just wanted to use this coupon.”

I bet that lady just didn’t want me using that coupon. I received it in the mail, as one of the occasional promotional offers I get for having the Starbucks card.

I’ll try and wake up earlier tomorrow and grab some at my local Starbucks. I hate getting coupons and letting them go wasted, especially if they’re the type in which you don’t even need to buy anything for them.

It was so hot yesterday, I was willing to spend even more time under the sun walking to my local Starbucks to cool down with a nice and cold frappuccino. Only to find:

“Temporarily Closed. Please enjoy your favorite beverage at another one of our locations.”

I was shocked. I walked all the way in that grueling heat for a closed sign? I peeked through the window and it looked like they’re getting renovations done. They’re closed for another week and a half or so. I WANT MY STARBUCKS! These better be really good renovations.

Frappuccinos, if you haven’t tried them, are a blend of ice, water, coffee, milk and various flavored syrups. In my opinion, they taste kind of like milkshakes. I believe Starbucks divides their many, many varieties of “frapps” into two categories: Blended coffee and blended crème. The latter offers you a sweeter taste because it has no coffee (it’s cream-based) and there’s no caffeine, so kids like to enjoy this beverage as well.

My favorite flavor is the vanilla bean. It’s sweet and creamy and it tastes like vanilla ice cream, only better. To save calories and a little guilt, I skip the whip cream. It’s still really good; I’ve wasted way too much money buying this stuff. One day I’m going to learn how to make one myself, although I’m sure it will never be as good. Alternatively, I will go work at Starbucks for a month and learn all the tricks.

Or maybe I should believe that the closed Starbucks is a message from God telling me that I need to start drinking more water and less overpriced high-cal stuff.

Save money, save calories. It sounds like a pretty good incentive to stop going there, even though I know I won’t. I love Starbucks too much for my own good. Is anyone else addicted to that place? Could you live without your Starbucks?