squeak. speak. roar!

I got in touch with my old Starbucks mates recently. My former store AM and SM Thina, partner Melor, resident mechanic Nory and customer Mrs Chooi. The last one deserve special mention as something truly extraordinary happened.

As Thina and I went to 32 Square to find Melor, who is currently a store partner there, it was brilliant that Nory showed up too, as if fated to do so. lol. Next thing I know, Mrs Chooi and her husband walked into the store. Thina asked if I remembered her and my synapses worked overtime to do just that.

Mrs Chooi as a customer, as far as my memory serves me, has always scared me. I don’t really recall what she used to order (latte or ICOD, I think) but I knew she was rather curt and knew exactly what she wanted in her cuppa.

She also had a fascination with our Coffee Jelly promotion from way back when. I suddenly vividly recalled how she’d bring her Starbucks tumbler, fill it up with iced coffee and requested for some complimentary scoops of Coffee Jelly. lol. I always obliged. I even remember how she made her own coffee jelly which was unsweetened and she brought it to the store for me to try. Aww bless. My heart felt aglow from that.

Anyway, she spotted Thina and I sitting there looking at her and she was quick to break the ice and called out to Thina. lol. Everybody remembers Thina!!! After exchanging a few pleasantries, she looked at me and it was obvious she recognised me somehow but could not place my name on her lips.

“I know you and I recognise you. I may not remember your name but I remembered that you did law,” she said in her famed curtness. lol. You would not believe how amazing it felt that some customer from four to fives years ago remembered that I read law!!! :) As I shook her hand, I introduced myself and asked for her name. (Yeah, I did not recall her name either!) She gave me a quick glare, all in good faith I’m sure, and said “Mrs Chooi” and smiled.

Something snapped in my head and a flood of memories (most of them mentioned above) all came back and from shaking her hand, I gave her a hug :) She was quick to note that none of the Starbucks that she frequents now has the friendliness and warmth that the old Starbucks Jaya #003 exuded when we were still working there. I was a barista in SB Jaya you see from 2002 to 2004 and we were renowned for our excellent customer service. lol. We had A LOT of regulars that came back for our crazy and bubbly baristas. Ask any Starbucks regulars in PJ :)

She even remembered me as one of the first few coffee masters that presented coffee seminars in Jaya. “Now that was really good. You did it with Sharon and Kay. I enjoyed those presentations very much!” Mrs Chooi related to Thina and I. lol. I’ve almost misplaced that memory for sometime now. It was really sweet of Mrs Chooi to find it for me :)

She quickly bid her adieu to enjoy her cuppa with her husband. I swear at most she’ll say goodbye before she leaves. It did cross my mind that odds are I will not see her for a long, long time. But as little surprises in life happens, Mrs Chooi shortly after decided to approach me with this little bundle in her hand.

“I know I will not see you again soon but I thought I’d give you something. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve used this once,” she said as she held out this little rolled up thingy.

I looked at her in puzzlement at first.

“Is she actually giving me something?” I thought to myself.

“Open it and see if you like it. I made it myself,” she declared with a smile.

I unbuttoned and unrolled this dainty fabric parcel into a little bag!!!! :) :)

“Oh my, this is adorable! Are you sure you want to give this to me? I must give you something in return!” I sputtered hastily.

“I want people to stop using plastic bags unnecessarily. Well, the least you can do is at least give me your card so I can call you up,” she said adamantly in her trademark Mrs Chooi way.

I laughed and obliged as I grabbed my purse and took my name card out.

“Thank you so much! It’s so pretty!” I gushed. I was really, really touched.

sigh.

Her kind gesture really touched me. Looks like I will remember Mrs Chooi every time I use the bag! :) And how lovely is that?

:)