and I’m proud.

I came from a very poor family, with some troubles, and some genetic issues that have affected my health in various ways throughout my life. With my share of childhood pains, we all endure, like the death of my oldest sister. Some childhood abuse from a teacher. Some health issues as a child. Among a myriad of other things.

I waited the longest out of my siblings to get my first real job (besides paper routes) at 13, at the video store. They all started at 12, as dishwashers or bus staff in restaurants… but I was too… lazy, lol, to work in the restaurant industry and was holding out for a cushier job. The video store sales girl sounded like a good option. I started saving for my future. With that, babysitting, and delivering papers.

I graduated from high school at 16, (I had been enrolled a year early and despite taking a year off to go to Europe, graduated early) and moved into my first apt. at 17, and supported myself and my first boyfriend. Student loans, full time work, full time school. Was to become my life for many years.

I was the only one in my family to go to get a post secondary education, and I achieved 3 degrees. A BFA majoring in studio arts, printmaking and drawing and a BA in psychology from UBC, and an MA in counselling psychology from the esteemed Adler School of professional psychology. A copy of my thesis paper, is available in their library.

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I’ve had friends over the years fall prey to this. Friends or lovers, scamming them for money. Sometimes from within the community, that charming Dom in need you’ve gotten close to online, that new friend you made at a munch with a business idea.

People get so taken in, when it’s someone they care about, that even after they’ve lost much in the way of money, or materials, or hard work and personal time, that they still don’t want to think the person who scammed them ‘planned it’.

It is important to trust one’s friends, but at the same time, please be aware. This can, and does happen all too often. In fact, the number of friends and aquaintances I’ve heard these stories from is all to frequent. Especially because I know most people do not tell others that they’ve been scammed. Usually the situation, and even the scammer, will encourage the person to feel so shamed about it, that people will blame themselves, not the scammer, and will be embarassed to share what happened to them. Or will feel if they speak out they will be gossiping and causing drama. More »

Amongst other news. An anonymous caller called in and reported us to the city bylaw officers. We’re not allowed to keep any fowl in Chilliwack. This happened earlier in the summer, the girls had become quite tame, and we’d just added a third hen, that lays blue eggs.  They were adopted out to a family that hopefully will love them as much as we did.    More »