Wow....

I really hate waking up early and going to work. I just want to sleep in!!!

What Makes Me Mad

Okay... Something made me very mad this morning. On Sharla and I's grand adventure in Vancouver we went to the Stone Age Art Company on Granville Island to view all of the art from Zimbabwe since we both love and live for Africa. While we were there I saw a specific piece that I thought was way overpriced. I did take into consideration labor, shipping and other costs but still found it to be overpriced. So, I asked the lady working there how much of the money goes back to the people of Zimbabwe. She got very defensive and wouldn't answer my question, so I picked up a brochure and emailed them asking how much of the money went back to the people. I was disgusted with their answer:

"Thank you for visiting our gallery, please read our "Fair Trade policy" on the notice board next time you visit our gallery - We are both proud to be Zimbabweans helping Zimbabweans.We completely disagree with your statement that our art is over priced and the thousands of sculptures we have sold since opening, prove this.
You are obviously unaware of what it takes to run a retail business that is open 360 days a year never mind the difficulty in finding pieces of this quality in Zimbabwe - This is not street art that any tourist can trade a t-shirt for. We have spent hundreds of thousands of CANADIAN dollars in Zimbabwe - What have you ever done to help Zimbabweans ?
We also support local charities (listed on our website) with donations directly related to helping Zimbabweans and people afflicted with HIV.
Please don't jump to uninformed conclusions in future."

I kindly thanked them for their response and asked them again. (By the way, for those who dont know, I have worked in retail for over 2 years and we are open 364 days of the year, but I guess Im "obviously unaware".) How much money goes back to the people? If I was hypotheticlly going to buy a sculpture for $10,000, I think I would like to know where my money goes. Fair? I think so. Their Response:

"Just like any other business, the artists sell their work at a negotiated price that is acceptable to both parties.
We do not discuss our financial affairs with curious Third Parties - It is frankly none of your business.
By the way, you didn't answer our question - What have you ever done to help Zimbabweans?"
My Response:

"To answer your question. Nothing. I havent done anything to help them, but I also wasnt called to Zimbabwe. God called me to go to Zambia and speak up for those who cant speak for themselves. I helped tutor orphaned childred because they couldnt go to school as an example. I dont need to argue with you. All I wanted to know was how much went to the actual people and since its none of my business, I guess I will never know or support you guys."

A little harsh at the end, but I won't support them.

"Thanks for the info.
Of course by not supporting us, you are actually penalizing the very people that you profess that you want to help so I suppose that is just their loss."

That was the last I heard from them. I sent them one email following that one telling them that they can't make me feel guilty for it and that there are many other ways I can support the people of Zimbabwe if I choose to do so in the future.

Overall I was very frustrated with them. I think the worst thing is that they were so defensive and wouldn't answer a question I thought was pretty fair. It makes me wonder how much of the money is actually going to the people. I would like to believe that a good portion is, but I just dont think it is. Am I completely out of my mind? I dont need to be right about the situation, I just want my question answered!!!

In other news, I was asked by our regional manager to become the assistant manager until January, when I will be going back to school. I of course accepted it since its pretty much the same thing but getting paid more. It will help me save for school! Yay!! Have a good one all and feel free to share your thoughts about the above. Thanks!


You know what else makes me mad. When you get robbed in your own driveway when everyone is home in broad daylight including my dad being outside the whole time! They stole a shirt, my brandnew camera and my discman!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Jesse Finn

So my nephew is finally named. His name is Jesse Finn Groot.


So Cute...

Can't get enough of the little guy...

My brother Mike and his beautiful son Jesse. Mike was glowing! He has two boys, what more could he ask for!?

Here is Heidi and Jesse.

I love being an aunt!!!!

Baby Pictures!

So this is the little guy!! He was born weighing 7lbs8oz slightly bigger than Reuben. They are thinking of naming him Jesse Fin but they want to make sure its the right name for him. He is so cute!



So awake... He just loved looking right at me!

Mommy and Baby

Sleeping... what babies do best!

Me holding my nephew (It is kinda weird posting this when he is still unnamed!)

Still looking at aunty Lynn!

An Aunty again!!!!

I am going to be an aunty (again) by the end of the day!!!! My sister in law, brother, and nephew drove down from Whistler last night to have the baby in North Van!!! We are still waiting for the call and hopefully it will be soon! Many pictures to come!!!!
Well.... as of 8:50 this evening I became an aunt again. Its a boy!!! I dont know any of the details and he doesnt have a name yet, but I am visiting them in the AM and will let everyone know as well as post pictures! Yay!!!!!

Downtown with Sharla Cont'd!

Sharla drinking her tea at Caffe Sette

Her Tea Latte

Us shortly after almost walking into a guy skateboarding...

Caffe Sette

The Ocean!

Fall on Granville Island

This is the singer who was good but lyrics were awful. A lot of potential!

We love Gelato!

Beautiful flowers in the market

Granville Island!

A Day in the Life of Sharla and Me!

So Sharla is in town from Fernie and one of our favorite things to do is to head down to Robson as well as the beach, so yesterday we headed there. We walked from the art gallery (the real one)down Robson until we hit Stanley Park. We walked to 2nd beach all the way until False Creek where we then boarded the little ferry and went to Granville Island. We walked around the market which was full of so many good things we wanted to eat, but resisted. We went to a art gallery where they sell all art from Zimbabwe. We were kindly looking around at all the carvings and stuff when Sharla out of no where gasped and stood staring at the wall. I didnt see what she was staring at until I moved a little further and noticed it was a blown up picture of Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe. I felt like I was getting kicked while I was already down. Ouch. We continued on back to the ferry but first stopped to listen to this guy sing. He had a great voice but his lyrics were a little off. I dont remember what they were. Sharla, please remind me!!! Anyways... we took the ferry, walked up Burrard back to Robson. We stopped at a place called Caffe Sette. It is a cafe during the day and a night club at night. It was really cool. The thing that threw me off though was the guy working there. Not a guy you would think to work at the cafe, but a guy looking more like a bartender who was quite buff and cute. I wasnt complaining!! We headed on the skytrain home and I dropped Sharla off. It was a awesome day all together! Later that night I went to see The Departed. I actually enjoyed in surprisingly since it was more of a male movie, but its all good!!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!



Wouldn't believe that its fall in Vancouver. We have been so blessed by this beautiful weather!!!

The beautiful beach!

Sharla enjoying herself in English Bay

Stanley Park

Our Olympic symbol well presented in English Bay... its quite the tourist attraction too...

Downtown with Sharla....

A pimped out VW Bug, but it was made from a guy telling people about Karma and crap... we walked away.

Beautiful Robson...

In her grandparents driveway.... Good start!

Here Sharla... notice the sign behind her... It means Hello Beautiful. Reminded us of being back in Venice!!!

This is a tree.

Baby Abigail Renee

Congratulations to Josh and Kerin Beall on the birth of Baby Abigail Renee last night! Kerin is Kimmer's sister, the one who I spent countless hours with in Zambia, a true sister. It is so special seeing that it was a girl because Kimmer and I were praying it was a girl ever since her mom miscarried back in February, since we thought that one was going to be a girl. She is now in heaven though. My sister-in-law and brother are going to be having their second baby any day now which is also something special that Kimmer and I got to share... Being Aunties!!!!!!! Congrats Josh and Kerin.... can't wait to meet her!!!

Vancouver

I feel like I should be writing on this more often, but what is there to write? All I do is work and swim. Yes, I swim. It is weird for me since it is one of my biggest fears ever since I almost drowned when I was little. I still get panicked if I realize I cant touch the bottom, but Im also comforted by the fact there is a cute lifeguard. No complaining here!

I have just joined Drime, a drama-evangelism group that does street drama on Robson and presents the gospel to on lookers. It is a lot of fun and its great to dive into our own city. We live in a beautiful place!!! I am excited to see things in Vancouver change. I have come to accept over this past month that God just might want me here in my home town. It has been a harsh reality since I long to be elsewhere, but I am truely embracing my own city. There are people in my life who need Christ and thats that.

Thats all new really. My cousin flew in from Houston (BC) today and is headed off to New Zealand for 5 months where he will then head to Australia, then to Thailand. Rough eh? I wish I could travel more, visit more cultures. Some day....

Until next time....