Monday, October 27, 2008

my love affair with coffee

Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival Button

i can remember the first time i stepped foot inside a starbucks coffee shop.

my college friend nicole and i were about to embark on an over-night road trip (which, incidentally, now ranks number 3 on my stupidest things i've ever done list). we weren't able to take a spring break trip together, so this was our pre-spring break trip. our plan was to drive through the night on friday night, arrive at the beach saturday morning, camp that night and then drive home sunday. see? stupid.

and the best part is that we made this 800-mile through-the-night trip without telling either of our parents. after being awake for 12 hours already. really stupid.

we'd both been up all day with classes and then a dorm event in indianapolis that night (we were both RAs). we were excited to get on the road, but definitely needed some caffiene to get started. starbucks had just opened a store downtown and so on our way out, we stopped.

it was a little taste of heaven before our big adventure.

eighteen months later, starbucks became a haven of home as i moved 8000 miles from everything familiar to me. i spent a year in manila serving with the navigators' edge corp. we served college students at two universities, one of which happened to be the harvard of the philippines, located across the street from a starbucks.

my teammates and i became regulars at this starbucks. it was a little piece of vanilla in a cappuccino world. i loved living in manila and have fabulous memories from our time there. but somehow, starbucks -- and the countless hours we spent there reading our bibles, sharing deep thoughts, writing letters home, journaling -- became a rock.

and so began my love affair with coffee. clearly, it's an emotional affair, though i do love the taste of coffee. and, it's no longer about the caffeine. in fact, normally, i prefer decaf. sometimes, if the mood is right, when i take that first sip of a hot vanilla latte, i can instantly be transported to that quezon city starbucks on katipunan avenue in manila. emotional memories, connected to your senses, are powerful things.

and so, in honor of my love for all things coffee, i'm participating in this week's bloggy giveaway carnival. i will be giving away a mug from starbucks. to enter, leave a comment telling me your favorite coffee drink. i'll leave comments open until noon on friday. i will select a winner after that.

i will contact the winner by email, so please be sure to leave your email address in the comments. the winner will have three days to respond, after which i will choose a new winner.

have fun!

124 comments:

  1. I'll go first.

    I am a White Chocolate Mocha decaf kinda gal.
    Also love the Caramel Frappi.

    Go decaf, baby!

    My brain can't take it any other way.

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  2. Mocha Coffee

    lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

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  3. I'm a caramel frapp girl! :o) I love cold coffee.

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  4. Vanilla Latte is my favorite!

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  5. My favorite...right now...is the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Coffee!!!
    Pumpkin..spice..coffee...it doesn't get any better!!!

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  6. I don't like coffee but I do like hot chocolate!

    jamieATohhowlovelyDOTnet

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  7. I too love Starbucks in a big way! I have a few fav drinks but if I were to choose one I would say Caramel Macchiato. I also collect starbucks mugs, some say it's an addiction, so I would LOVE to win this prize.

    Thank you Thank you Thank you

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  8. Mmmmmm...dirty chai! It is a chai latte with a shot of espresso - outstanding!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  9. Yum, thanks for the giveaway! Right now I love pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks. utgal2004 at yahoo dot com

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  10. a simple vanilla latte is divine.
    ANg
    altermyworld(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. I love the pumpkin spice latte or chai latte. One of my favorite parts of going there is looking at the mugs! Thanks for a great chance to win. chattyhousewife(at)gmail.com

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  12. Cold = pumpkin spice frappucino

    Hot = eggnog latta (I can't wait!)

    readingtoknow (at) gmail (dot) com

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  13. Oh I am a triple Venti non-fat Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha lady. YUMMM!!!!!

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  14. Hmmm.....don't drink coffee and Ken's too cheap so I have to say I've only been to Starbucks to buy gift certificates!! But I would love to know what the #1 and #2 stupidest things were!! (:

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  15. Caramel Macchiato! Please enter me :)

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  16. I love pumpkin spice at this time of the year. Thanks!

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  17. I'm a Caramel Macchiato girl - hot or cold, depending on the weather. Now I'm craving one! Great giveaway... thanks for the chance to win!

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  18. Tall Mocha. You don't mess with perfection!!

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  19. I like a White Chocolate Mocha unless it's winter time...then it's a Ho Ho Mint Mocha (from a starbuck's competitor)...aka White Peppermint Mocha (from Starbucks)

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  20. White Hot Chocolate with peppermint syrup.

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  21. Nonfat Caramel Machiatto....iced or hot...all depends on the weather!

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  22. I am a mocha frap or a plain mocha kinda girl!
    vinceandkara@yahoo.com

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  23. Well I had my first star bucks and I loved the Cinnamon bun thing! MY sister got it for me. I really love hazelnut coffee too! Please enter me to win this mug for my sis. Thanks.

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  24. hands down caramel machiato mmmm I love starbucks

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  25. I love your Starbucks story--that's great you remember it so vividly.

    My favorite drink would be the pumpkin spice latte. It's one of my favorite things about fall and winter.

    Thanks for an amazing giveaway!

    leoandchelle at yahoo dot com

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  26. It all depends on the time of year my dear. Summertime is Java Chip Mocha Frappaccino time. Fall is Pumpkin Spice Latte time. Winter is Peppermint Mocha time. I'm always in the mood for a Toffee Nut Latte though.

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  27. I am all about a peppermint mocha with a whole lotta whip cream. It tastes like Christmas!

    minnesotapeachy@aol.com

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  28. I love me some White Chocolate Mocha but right now it's the Pumpkin Spice latte.

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  29. I'm a latte drinker. Right now it is the Pumpkin Spice, but in a month, it'll be the Gingerbread. Thanks for the chance!

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  30. A plain 'ol vanilla latte.

    hetz-junk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  31. I don't actually like coffee, I drink tea. I love Starbucks Tazo green tea

    uncommonblonde AT gmail DOT com

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  32. hazelnut latte with chocolate powder sprinkled on top

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  33. I love iced soy mochas, but this time of year, peppermint mochas top my list! Thank you for a great giveaway!

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  34. What a great story! I am super cheap so I stick to Americanos. :)

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  35. I love me my Caramel Frappuccino!!!
    junglewife (at) gmail (dot) com

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  36. You know what I like! I either like Mochas or Mocha Frapuccinos. Pick me! Love ya lots!

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  37. Oh, I feel you! I'm the same way about my coffee. Usually I'm a dark roast gal, or a holiday flavored latte girl. But this pregnancy has given me an aversion to my faithful brew. THE HORROR! I'm praying it's just a temporary pregnancy thing, because I really miss my coffee!!!
    Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win!
    give_me_a_latte at yahoo

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  38. I love the ginger bread latte! they come out in just a few more days!

    jennifer.lleras@gmail.com

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  39. My favorite is white chocolate mocha!
    sj3girls AT hotmail DOT com

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  40. cinnamon dolce lattes!

    Lauren
    croasla0(at)sewanee.edu

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  41. I love plain, strong black coffee!

    kelli at pfrog dot net

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  42. I like iced mochas with whipped cream. Mmmmmm.

    michelle at northofthe49 dot com

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  43. I love the Sulawesi blend black!
    bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. Okay I'm kinda boring when it comes to coffee, regular loaded with sugar and cream.

    Thank you.

    actsm(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

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  45. I love cappaccinos. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  46. I love White Chocolate Mocha. I'm glad to see this giveaway. I just broke my mug this morning.

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  47. French Vanilla!

    Deborah
    dbstout{at}juno{dot}com

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  48. At this time of year I enjoy the pumpkin spice latte. What an awesome prize, thanks for the chance to win!

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  49. I'm a pretty boring coffee drinker. I like mine black with nothing added.
    -Terra
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  50. Non-fat Vanilla latte, yummy!

    Thanks for offering it!

    princesslimey (at) gmail (dot) com

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  51. I love the cold carmael frapps! Yumminess!

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  52. I'm not a huge coffee fan, but I'm addicted to chai tea lattes.

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  53. Thanks for entering me :) I love White Chocolate Mochas and Caramel Machiatos are not to far behind :)
    zokiemichael(at)sisna(dot)com

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  54. I love all of their holiday drinks! Right now I am craving a pumpkin spice latte (I'd better get decaf...it's late in the day). Thanks for the give-away! Stacy

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  55. I love a light java chip frap with whip!

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  56. My favorite coffee drink is a white chocolate mocha.

    shelnew19 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  57. Although I do love starbucks my favorite coffee drink is a coconut mocha chiller from Gloria Jeans...heavenly!!

    amitymatthia[at]hotmail.com

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  58. I love Mint Mocha Chip frapps. I don't know what it is- but I love 'em. I guess it's the chocolate, but you still get a bit of that mint flavor. It gives you a ton of energy!!

    orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  59. I prefer cappuccinos!

    faked_sugartone at hotmail.com

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  60. I love their mugs! I love pumpkin spice lattes.

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  61. mm caramel macchiatos!

    gimme that gimme gimme gimme! :)

    Great giveaway! I hope I'm chosen as the lucky winner :)

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  62. I like a skim milk vanilla steamer...Yum!

    owatz (AT)telus (DOT) net

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  63. I like a tall light one splenda latte.

    thanks for sharing

    ceashark at aol dot com

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  64. i currently can't stand the taste of coffee, due to being pregnant, so i get chai lattes. no worries, the love of coffee will return

    ebienic(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  65. I like white chocolate caramel cappucinno, mmmmm.

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  66. Loving caramel macchiatos!! Come on over and check out my giveaways!!

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  67. Black velvet coffee (chocolate with rum flavor.

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  68. I love the Decaf Mocha!
    ksieker(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  69. strawberries and cream frappuccino
    KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com

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  70. love the frappys right now, the white chocolate double or the cherry tea is yummy

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  71. Skinny Vanilla Latte. Yum.

    jubys1mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  72. I like Peppermint Mocha frappacinos.

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  73. Awesome give away!! THANK YOU!!

    cheryl(dot)pinello@gmail(dot)com

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  74. nothing better than a caramel macchiato!!

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  75. i always get a caramel latte. sarah_jakel at yahoo dot com

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  76. Sumatra decaf French press with a shot of vanilla and cream.
    aleach6179 AT gmail DOT com

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  77. I love fun mugs! And all the times I've been to Starbucks, I don't have a Starbucks mug... so this would be a great prize! My favorite drink is a caramel macchiato!

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  78. My fav is white chocolate mocha. Yum!
    thanks for the giveaway
    Heather
    poncey76 at hotmail dot com

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  79. Love me some cinnamon dolce lattes! The best drink (IMO)! Thank you.
    dgpangburn (at) juno (dot) com

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  80. My favorite coffee drink is a white chocolate mocha. Thanks!

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  81. I always get a White Chocolate Mocha. I think next time I will try something different. monk5@charter.net

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  82. IN the summer it is their mint chooclate chip frapucino with chocolate whipped cream. IN the winter it is a cinnamon dulce latte. :) Yum.

    Thanks for the drawing!

    Lalycairn (at) gmail.com

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  83. oh my - Cinnamon Dolce Latte - so worth the while if you ask me and thank you!
    skyskyaa11(at)gmail(dot)com

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  84. i love their white mocha. yummy! Awesome Giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win

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  85. I like a Cafe Mocha with a double shot of hazelnut ♥

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  86. Caramel machiatto (sp?). Thanks for the giveaway!

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  87. This might be strange but I don't like the fancy coffee drinks. I like plain, black coffee. If a coffee is good it doesn't need to hide.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  88. I love the mint mocha drink. I always forget the name, but if I say that they still know what I mean.

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  89. Give me a Raspberry Mocha Cappuccino and I'm happy.

    hafner611 {AT} gmail {DOT} com

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  90. I love coffee in all forms. I'm a definite coffee-holic.

    From starbucks, I like the mocha frapp in the summer and the peppermint mocha for the colder weather

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  91. I think its called the Hint of Mint, its a minty drink thats all I know!

    Shannon
    palmersf at bellsouth dot net

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  92. I'm biiig fan of any types of Kona coffee! :9 How fantastic! Thank you for this giveaway; I hope I win :)
    eyeslikesugar (at) gmail (dot) com

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  93. I like their new Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate

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  94. White Chocolate mocha.
    livlifelov at yahoo dot com

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  95. White Chocolate Mocha is my weakness !

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  96. I'm looking forward to their egg nog latte's :)

    Thanks!

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  97. My favorite coffee drink is the Caramel Machiatto.

    Thanks for hosting this great giveaway.

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  98. I love a cold mocha frap or a toasty white mocha!

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  99. I love White Chocolate Mocha! Thanks for the chance to enter!

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  100. I love an iced White Chocolate Mocha!

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  101. I always loved French Vanilla...can't go wrong with that! Thanks so much for doing this giveaway!
    ahiltzy@yahoo(dot)com

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  102. I love a latte with three raw sugars! Or a peppermint mocha as a splurge in the winter.

    michelleharrod at hotmail dot com

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  103. I'm not really a big coffee drinker (I leave that to my husband and his dad), but there's a pumpkin latte (?) I keep hearing about and it sounds so good!

    raspberrykitty at aol dot com
    http://www.allthatblooms.net

    (Check out my giveaways for $5 Amazon gc, $5 DiNG gc, $20 Cozy Moments gc AND a sports jersey!)

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  104. I am not a coffee lover (gasp!), but I LOVE Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate! It is awesome! Holly bhc-law(at)juno(dot)com

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  105. My favorite is a Peppermint Mocha with whip and sprinkles, yum. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  106. I love the french vanilla. Yum. Thanks for the giveaway!'


    hottmomma_03@yahoodotcom

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  107. I have to agree with the first post, my favorite is White Chocolate mocha, it is the first drink I ever tried at Starbucks, and still my favorite.

    purehrt555(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  108. I am a plain Morning Joe kind of girl. Lots of milk and a couple of raw sugars. Heaven on earth.

    Thanks so much!

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  109. I love Peppermint Mocha in the winter!
    cgogis at yahoo dot com

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  110. I love Starbuck's Creamice Mocha!
    Kathy
    bigfamily8 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  111. Iced Frappachino! Mmmmm
    mitanari[at]yahoo.com

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  112. White chocolate mocha is great!
    cjnedrow@gmail.com

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