Ryan J. Allen » cucumber-sandwich

Some of my Favourite Starbucks Drinks

Ryan J. Allen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:31:21 +0000

I enjoy a good beverage from Starbucks. In fact, I am planning on enjoying a good beverage from Starbucks in the next hour or two with some close friends. While I think about what I might have, I wanted to share some of my favourite drinks. I’d love to hear about your favourite drinks as well–maybe I’ll give it a try.

Hot

Grande 2-pump non-fat no-whip extra-hot white chocolate mocha. This is the perfect drink, save the price. Two pumps of Starbucks’s delicious white chocolate mocha syrup to match two shots of espresso (I’d get one pump in a tall, three pumps in a triple venti, etc.). Milk steamed to 170 degrees fahrenheit to last just that little bit longer (16 oz is a lot to drink). I (usually) opt for no-whip because I find it too sweet (hence the less syrup); I also usually opt for the non-fat milk because I prefer it in a large coffee drink. This drink is one of the more expensive ones, unfortunately. Starbucks must know just how tasty that white chocolate mocha syrup is! I think Jillb. first served me this tasty drink.

Half-sweet extra-hot upside-down caramel macchiato. If you’ve ever thought a caramel macchiato needed a little more of a caramel taste, and a little less in-your-face sweetness, try this. Vanilla syrup, espresso, caramel sauce, milk, topped with foam. The hot espresso and milk will melt the caramel sauce much better than if the sauce were on top. This drink is hit-and-miss when you order it. My experience is that an untrained barista will make it a vanilla latte with caramel sauce on top, completely missing the point. Perhaps it would be better to order it as a (for example) tall one-pump extra-hot vanilla latte with caramel syrup on the espresso. From the Internet.

Double short whole-milk no-foam latte. As close to a flat white as you’re likely to get at Starbucks. This is a coffee flavoured drink, and it’s delicious. I usually add a little bit of sugar. It is simple, and it tastes great. I read about this in England (not at a Starbucks).

For-here short whole-milk dry cappuccino. Europe in a cup. Add a little sugar, and get a spoon. If Starbucks had small tables that you stand at I would be in heaven. Personally, I have to have my cappuccino’s in a ceramic cup, which is why this one is for-here only. I find Starbucks’s cappuccino to have too much milk, which is why I prefer it dry. A remanence from my year abroad.

Cold

Iced grande two-pump light-ice (no-whip) white chocolate mocha. I’m sure it’s hard to see where this one comes from. I found that in Europe the iced white mochas come with whip; I don’t know if this is the International standard but I had never received whip on my iced drink in North America. Light Ice isn’t a trick to get something for free, I just find that this drink is so good that I end up drinking it so quickly that I have a huge cup full of ice. If going a size up or down, add or remove a pump of white chocolate syrup. This happens to be one of MK’s preferred iced beverages as well.

Coffee frappuccino. Sweet, thick, and delicious. Plan on having a lot of energy afterwards. This one I read off of the menu.

I Have Started a Thing

Ryan J. Allen — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:40:13 +0000

I know that there is at least one person who has read that headline and become very afraid about what this post is about. But fear not: this is a follow-up to my pumpkin pie story!

You’ll recall that I recently hosted dinner and pumpkin pie for a few colleagues. At lunch today I learned that one couple has already made a pumpkin pie of their own. I was pretty excited to hear this.

Walkman – The iPod of its Day

Ryan J. Allen — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:12:30 +0000

BBC News Magazine has an article written by a 13-year-old comparing his father’s Walkman to his iPod.

Morning!

Ryan J. Allen — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:49:22 +0000

Don’t you just love the feel of a brisk morning air, everything quiet but the birds, and the sun softly introducing itself to the day? Those of you who don’t believe in “before 6 a.m.” are missing out.

(No title)

Ryan J. Allen — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:08:54 +0000

And the thing is, a million people could read it but only one person would understand it.

The Food Bank

Ryan J. Allen — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:45:05 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen, please let me take a minute to write to you about the Food Bank.

The food bank helps people–families; children–get basic food supplies in the case of emergency and desperate need. In Ottawa thousands of people rely on the food bank every month, and in your local city I’m sure the food bank has an equally important impact. With the food bank your donation dollars are spread further than your donation amount through the power of purchasing and the generosity of the community.

This morning a co-worker of mine in Ottawa e-mailed to indicate that he is a member of the “Heroes Fighting Hunger” campaign. I think that is admirable, but I think it most importantly reminds us of an important cause. I donated to his campaign, but today I ask that you make a general donation or find your own Hero to donate to. You can find a list of heroes online, or make a general donation at the Ottawa Food Bank website.

I have been blessed to have never before needed the services of the food bank. If the same is true for you I would suggest that is even more reason for you to donate. If you have been helped by the food bank in the past and are now in a position to help: please think about the impact the food bank made on your life at the time and contribute to make that same impact on someone else’s life.

I know that I have readers from various cities, provinces, and countries. I welcome you to make a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank but encourage you to donate locally. Here are a few links:

Thank you for your generosity.

Update: A receipt will be provided instantly via e-mail for donations of $10 and more to the Ottawa food bank.

Ryan Report

Ryan J. Allen — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:03:59 +0000

Thursday, March 26, 2009.

It’s approximately 9 p.m. Less than one hour ago I was still at work. I’m hardcore like that.

The weather has been terrible all week. I think it has constantly rained. I am lucky I live on the first floor (second floor to you on the other side of the Atlantic), as I am less likely to suffer damages during a massive flood.

As a result of the terrible weather I have been incredibly inactive this week. I really wanted to start bicycling to work this week but don’t want to do so in the dark and damp. I did go for a short run today (7 km) but that’s it since the Sunday tour. I hope this weekend will be nicer.

Tomorrow I am going to a colleague’s for Linsen und Spätzle mit Saitenwürstchen. I am very excited for this. I will prepare some feta pate to bring along.

This weekend is the time change here in Europe. I am looking forward to this as well. I welcome more evening light.

I am moving offices at work. Well, actually, someone else is doing the actual moving but I will be going to a new place on Monday. Same address and phone number, just different building and office. Same floor number, so it’s not really an upgrade.

I have something like eight working days left before I am on vacation. Vacation is quite welcome now. And it will mark the beginning of my visitors to Europe. That’s pretty thrilling.

I’ve turned the heat down in my apartment. it now feels chilly in here. I should turn it up but I am hopeful that it is inviting the warmer weather.

I submitted all of my details for taxes to the KPMG International Executive Services team so that they can prepare my taxes in by two countries of residence of 2008. I have been learning a little bit about the differences in our tax systems and it is interesting. And all the same, really.

I enjoyed cucumber sandwiches just now. They were pretty delicious. Notice the plural.