Welcome to 24th and Baseline!

(A Sign In MHT)

I am quite convinced that none of you would suspect me of wholeheartedly adoring my job as a full-time Starbucks barista.

(Please either ignore my blog's background, or note my complete sarcasm)

;)

Working at Starbucks has paved the way for me to not only learn a lot about myself and the people around me, but it has also given me the freedom to move all the way across the country and continue my career without a single problem.

For these opportunities, and many more, I am so very, very grateful! 

This was my first look at my new home store early in the morning on May 1st.

There it was.

24th and Baseline.

Store 9414.

Needless to say, I was overflowing with excitement and anticipation!

It has the cutest little patio made complete with misters attached to the awning overhead!

No, not young boys... Misters... You know, like those sprinkler-misters to keep you cool.

...It's an Arizona thing... 

;)

(Truth be told... I actually went almost a week thinking that the switch in the backroom was for the lighting in the men's restroom!)

When you look straight ahead after walking in the door...

... A little to your right...

... A little more to your right, looking at the wall...

Then, if you face center again, and turn to your left...

... All the way over to your left...

(Note my backpack on the corner seat against the window)

... Off in the corner to your left...

... The view of the lighting from my corner seat... 

... The view of our lobby from the front counter...

It is so wonderful to be able to look out of that amazing entryway and enjoy all of its natural light!

A shamelessly excited selfie of me and my Iced Doppio Ristretto with Toffee Nut 

I spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon just hanging out in the cafe area as well as meeting the store manager, Stephanie, and assistant manager, Jaquerie, and a whole bunch of other new partners as well.

They were all smiling and welcoming and excited to meet me - Almost as much as I was to meet them! ... Almost ;)

While I was sitting in the aforementioned corner seat, just writing about my day, Jaquerie came over and gave me a Starbucks Green Apron Card. 

One of the many cool things about working at Starbucks is that they gives tangible opportunities for their partners to encourage and promote each other in various ways.

One of these opportunities is for one or more partners to give another partner a card displaying one of each of the five traits we seek to cultivate within our stores. 

1. Welcoming

2. Genuine
3. Knowledgeable
4. Considerate
5. Involved

Many stores prefer to simply verbalize these recognitions; however, I personally believe that receiving a little note card like this means a lot. Especially as a transfer partner!

In all of my almost 8 months working at Starbucks, it was my very first time receiving a card version!

Honestly, it means more to me than I think she probably will ever know!

"Courtney, 

We are so excited to have you on our team. 

Thank you for coming to meet us!"

^_^

Are there many frustrations and stressful experiences that one can experience as a Starbucks partner?

OH, ABSOLUTELY YES!

More than you will EVER know or could possibly imagine while you wait or hangout on the cafe or drive-thru side of the counter!

I could tell you stories...

...Even after only 8 months!

HOWEVER!

I can honestly say that I have not found a job where I feel more appreciated for, encouraged in, and enthusiastic about what I do and can learn in each and every moment that I am working.

Not only that, but it has also immensely influenced the way I handle interactions and situations outside of work as well!

I am so very blessed to have this opportunity at such a formative time in my life.

I can only hope that I will continue to increase in excitement and enthusiasm as I grow in all that I seek to accomplish while working with such a close-knit Starbucks family.

No, I am not over-embellishing at all. 

This is who I am, and I mean every word!

I hope that you will try to visit me at some point!

Always your enthusiastic barista,

-Courtney

Busyness And A Blister

After living in Arizona for almost twenty-one days, -Nearly a month!- I am more than confident that moving here was one of the best decisions I have made in my whole life. 

Do I miss my family and my old store in their own ways? 
Of course!

Have I quickly adjusted and welcomed in new friends and a new store? 
Absolutely!

Since April 30th, I have done so much!

1. I said goodbye to my family and the house I had grown up in since I was 5.5 years old

 2. I had the opportunity to see semi-clearly into the pilot's cabin on both of my flights during each of the 1+hr delays we experienced flying from MHT to BWI to MDW to PHX 

These are mainly for my little brothers' enjoyment ;)

3. I have already begun taking MANY photos of my new surroundings

By the time our plane arrived at PHX, it was 1am, over 1.5hrs after schedule. Luckily, that didn't make the views of the city from the air any less lovely 

After Massachusetts' haphazard, paved cow-paths, I am so grateful for Phoenix's easy-to-understand, grid-like street system!

4-7. For the first time in my life, I was not greeted at the airport by anyone! 

While trying to keep track of my two huge suitcases and two carry-on bags, I hailed my own taxi, was dropped off at and located my new home, and met my two new roommates in person for the first time. 

It was a crazy night!

8. I fell asleep for 4 hours, then woke up at about six-in-the-morning with nothing on my mind but the desire to explore Tempe, get a few essentials for my new home, and meet my new Starbucks store family as soon as possible!

So, of course, off I went!

I was SO excited to finally wear shorts again! 

Haha : P

*Casa Los Cerros* itself is not really an exciting place -Except the two community pools and the hot tub at its center!- but it is cute and I enjoy walking through the gates when I am on my way to or from work :)

This is the enclosed patio area which is located in front of where I am staying...

... And this is the sign outside the complex...

9. I also learned about the pro's and con's of the Arizona bus system

Luckily, it's a straight shot down a main road from the end of my street to where I work and to my friend's house, so figuring out the bus system has not been a problem for me whatsoever! 

Unfortunately, one must have EXACT change when purchasing any passes on the bus. 

So, for someone who only had a ten- and a twenty-dollar bill with her, I guess I wouldn't have gotten my money back...? 

The bus driver was a bit too rushed to explain it all to me, so I ended up getting a free ride.

Beginner's luck 

;)

I still do not understand why or how it works, but later I was able to purchase a monthly pass that works for both the bus system AND the light rail as well! 

Further headaches eliminated!

...For now!...

With that, I was off to visit my new store and Starbucks family!

Needless to say, I was extremely excited!

^_^

10. I have recently been afflicted with a bothersome blister on my right pointer finger

It is a "good work" blister however, as I was pulling up bunches of weeds in my friend's backyard the other day 

Thanks to the Lavender Oil my friend had on hand (pun intended), it is healing up quite nicely, albeit rather slowly... 

So, unfortunately, I am going to have to cut this post short...

However, keep a look out for more, future blog posts fairly soon!

Flagstaff, and Phoenix, and Fun... Oh My!

;)

Lots of love!

-Courtney :)

Shoutout From Tempe!

Good Morning Everyone! 

It's a little after 8:30 in the morning, the temperature is already 76F out, and the sun is slipping through my blinds. 

In a room of three bunk beds for three girls, I am the only one who sleeps on her top bunk. I'm not exactly sure what it is about being on the top bunk that I prefer, but I think it has to do with the height and the openness. 

The condo is small, but cute and a great situation for the things I need and the price tag it comes with. The repairs in the kitchen make it seem messier and smaller than it is, but that will be fixed fairly soon... We hope!

I can't believe that I have been in Arizona for almost a week already! 

I have met my new roommates, been introduced to a few of the partners at my new store, begun settling into my space, bought my monthly bus/light rail pass, reconnected with a friend, explored bits and pieces of the area, taken A LOT photos of the things I've done and places I've been, and SO much more! 

It has been absolutely amazing! 

In a few hours, I will be setting off to my first day of work at my new store. 

Here's hoping that everything goes well and I have a positive first day of training at a drive-thru Starbucks! 

I plan to post about my day-to-day photo challenge from last month, the fun activities I have been enjoying here, and a few other interesting facts and photos from the past few days as soon as I can. So please keep checking in! 

With beautiful weather, lots of excitement, and the sudden shock of not being able to find my glasses where I left them last night, 

-Courtney :)