Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner

After CBTL released their 2013 Giving Journal 3 days ago, it's Starbucks turn to release theirs. And we've been waiting for this since Christmas season started. Apparently, the one who started it all won't be left behind. They've been a mixture of good and bad in designing their planners. But this year is no difference, chartering on the good side. I pretty much like the overall design which still comes in three colors: black, white, and apple green. The planner itself may be removed from the faux leather/plastic case (somewhat similar to the covers found in tablets and smartphones) so that you can use it still come 2014. It has the usual monthly and weekly calendars, notes pages, flap insertion for loose papers, and the monthly coupons. So why don't you drop by the nearest Starbucks and see for yourself the brilliance of their 2013 planner.

Mechanics:

1. A customer can avail of a Starbucks Christmas Traditions Promo card from Nov. 3 to Jan. 28 with no purchase required.
2. One sticker is awarded for each Starbucks handcrafted beverage purchase. A customer must accumulate a total of 17 stickers to redeem one Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner. Holiday Featured Beverages (Toffee Nut Latter, Peppermint Mocha, Dark Cherry Mocha) - 9 stickers. Any other Starbucks Core Beverage of your choice - 8 stickers.
3. Customer must present the Starbucks Christmas Traditions card to the barista upon purchase to get the corresponding number of stickers.
4. In case of the Holiday Featured Beverages are not available, customers can substitute it with any of the remaining holiday featured beverages. Should all three not be available, only then can customers substitute with any espresso-based or Frappuccino blended beverage of their choice.
5. A customer must complete the required number of stickers to qualify for the redemption of one Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner. A combination of up to 2 promo cards will be allowed, provided that the 9 featured plus 8 core beverages will be satisfied.
6. Once all stickers are completed, customer submits the Starbucks Christmas Traditions Card/s to redeem one Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner from any Starbucks Coffee store nationwide.
7. Tampering with and/or transferring of stickers to obtain the required number of stickers will render all promo cards null and void.
8. Promotion starts on Nov. 3. Stickers may be obtained from Nov. 3 to Jan. 8.
9. Redemption of the Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2013 Planner starts Nov. 3 up to Mar. 8 at Starbucks stores in the Philippines only.

PS: Looks like I'll be eating my words. I want the white or green planners!

CBTL 2013 Giving Journal

And so the battle of the 2013 planners starts with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 2013 Giving Journal. Officially started October 31, this year's edition only requires 12 beverage purchases. Unlike the previous year of 14 (if I remember it right).

Mechanics:

1. A minimum single-receipt purchase of any Original Ice Blended, Coffee-based, or Tea-based Beverage, or Frozen Swirl, qualifies a customer to get a stamp card and one stamp.

2. Each card consists of 12 circles, with corresponding drink assignments.

3. Stamp card must always be presented so that a circle may be stamped whenever its corresponding assignment is purchased.

4. Once all 12 circles are stamped and completed, the customer will be able to claim The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 2013 Giving Journal at any CBTL branch. Combining of stamp cards is not allowed.

5. The completed stamp card should be presented and surrendered to the branch where the 2013 Giving Journal will be claimed. The cashier will punch the stamp card to prevent reuse.

6. Promo period is from October 31 to January 6.

7. The 2013 Giving Journal may be claimed all throughout the promo period until 60 days after the promo has ended.

Happy Giving!

The Secret's Out

Just heard... the secret's out...

First my director, then a colleague. And just now a college buddy. I know the intentions are good but still...

Anyways, since it's out in the open then I'll give the details. Haven't blogged in a long time due to my busy schedule and me being disorganized lately. It's sad to be blogging again with this topic in mind. So here it is...

I've been doing MRI's at least once a year after I got sick last January 2010. Just a routinary measure to keep me sane that my brain's in normal condition. The last MRI I had was last December. Initially my neuro wanted to schedule it this February but I insisted, without her knowing, to do it last December since I've been having a series of headaches. When I got the results I was relieved that the supposedly blood clotting reduced in size. But was alarmed of the remark "slight fullness of sinus". Allergic rhinitis runs in the family and during the time I had my MRI I was having colds. So I disregarded that remark and proceeded to my normal routine. But when a college friend's dad passed away due to stroke last April, I got worried. What if it happened to me. So I immediately visited my neuro and showed her my MRI results. She was a bit alarmed with that same remark so she advised me to see an ENT just to be sure. The next day I had an appointment with an ENT at My Health in Shangri-La. He was at first clueless since my nose is normal and the only thing that I've been complaining were the nasal drips. So right then and there he proceeded with laryngoscopy. In the video clip caught, he showed me a mass in my nasopharynx area. It was really surreal since I haven't been feeling anything that would even give me a hint that a mass was already forming behind my nose. And so I decided to get a second opinion.

The following week I went to St. Lukes Global to see another ENT. He scheduled another laryngoscopy the following week just to be sure. And it was confirmed. A huge mass was really in my nasopharynx area. And he was also surprised that it doesn't obstruct my breathing. The only symptom evident is my loud snoring. So he gave us options. Actually just an option. What he can say is that it appears benign but if asked if he's sure, he can't say anything other than biopsy. Biopsy is the only way to confirm if it's cancer or not. Nanay died from pancreatic cancer last 2005 and she didn't undergo biopsy. Aside from her cancer being complicated, she's already weak. But here I am still on my toes and strong. So to relieve all worries and stress, I said yes to biopsy. Last Saturday, I underwent biopsy at SLMC Global under local anaesthesia. Now, I'm waiting for the results. For now all I can do is pray that it be benign. But whatever the result may be, I will fight it. I still want to live and spend time with my family and friends. So to whoever might be reading this, I ask for your prayers. I know my friends' intentions are good and am thankful for having them. But my Dad still doesn't know so I hope we can keep this to ourselves until I get the courage to tell him of my situation. But for now, prayers will be very much appreciated. =)