Collecting Starbucks Mugs Is Collecting Old and New Friends Too

 Lately, I have been following a group of nice and trustworthy people who are into the hobby of collecting mugs, not just any mug but the famous Starbucks' mugs.

 Not known to many, Starbucks is selling different kinds of mugs. These are the 16 oz city icon mugs, the cuties demitasse mugs, You Are Here (YAH) mugs, artsy mugs, ornaments and the limited edition ones.

 As for my personal experience, the first mug I got was during my trip in Thailand last May 8, 2013. It was just like getting one for office use. I was not that enticed at that time yet, so I only got myself a Phuket icon mug. Have I known back then, I would have taken all the Thailand city icon mugs when I could and be enthralled with happiness flying back. It’s all in the past now and regret is all that's left. Nevertheless, I am positive I can come back anytime soon to do what I must do.

 And then, here's comes my second mug from a very good friend, Regina during her trip in India last June 7, 2014, and the third was the Abu Dhabi which I just bought while having a coffee in a nearby Sbx, then came fourth mug from London courtesy of my boss whom I've helped in his US visa application, my fifth was the Turkey and Istanbul mugs and the rest were history. I could recap the story behind each mug that I own, how I got them and how big my smile had been every time one would hand me a precious (sounding like gollum) mug . My collection grows in number without even noticing it. I was happy getting mugs from non-collector friends who travel whether to their home countries or just on overseas tours until I discovered a group of people who are also into this hobby, people who are far more infatuated than me!

 One night, I was researching online about the countries or places having Starbucks icon mug so I can grab one when I or a friend travels. Then, I came across a Filipino collector’s blog that further lead me to the Facebook group page of people who are in the same hobby. The members are of different origins, from different continents of the world who get connected because of this hobby.  What amazed me more is the fact that each one of them is trusting a completely strangers. And I realized, that trust and confidence with word of honor do really exist even with strangers. With this, I realize that strangers are friends we haven't met yet.

 Mug trading is new to me, but surprisingly, i got to know that this is the most common practice for the collectors in this community. They would buy mugs from their local stores and trade them with mugs from the collectors from another places. And each would cover the same cost of the trade, fair and square!

 Some, being just too kind, would offer to buy the mugs from their local stores and would send it to the other interested collectors at cost, i.e. cost of mug plus the cost of courier. Trading deals are done through private messaging in Facebook where the exchanging of contact numbers and addresses happens.

 Some would just agree to meet up and bring their stuffs for trade and become real friends for life! Astonishing, isn't it?

 When I first joined this group, I was just observing how things get done and I follow the conversations in the page and get the updates of every successful trade deals. I slowly learned this craft. I got inspired and I was like… oh wow, I’m going to collect all those mugs like how all these people here are doing however realizing the monetary cost for this hobby, I felt it isn’t practical at all, I recoil and give it a lot of thinking. 

Oh well, i'll take easy and follow my passion. This is not a race at all so I would take my time and pace collecting these mugs.

 From then, I understand that I am nothing but a NEWBIE to this stuff! I am laughing out loud at myself for thinking that I am a veteran to this thing. But my guts convinced me that one day I will become a one great collector! 

 And not so long ago, I started connecting with my friends from all over the world. I took advantage of the World Wide Web and turn this media into my benefits. Genius huh? But having this hobby, I realized one more thing, I have been availed of the opportunity of connecting with my good old friends. Luckily everyone seems supporting me in this. I would start by saying… Can you please buy me these mugs and I will wire you the amount including the courier fees and I ask them what they want from my place in return. They would kindly answer me, “it’s not necessary my dear, this will just be my gift to you!” and I can only exclaimed “BIG Thanks and God bless you more!”.

 I hope this brings inspiration to those who love collecting and realize that there are more important  reasons of collecting, it isn’t just because of a mere hobby but the opportunity to reach out and touch people’s lives after all.

 Enjoy collecting and Happy mugging!