The Good Life ... Continues

This morning marked marked the second bi-monthly Friday roommate breakfast on Ashworth Ave. The menu? Crepes. Oh, yes.

First up, Granny Smith and brie crepes. Concluding course, Nutella and strawberry crepes.

Company? Excellent. Food? Divine.
There is just something so special about breakfast. Yes, community dinners are excellent - but breakfast? Well, maybe it's the newness of the day, or the sleep that slowly disappears from your eyes, or the anticipation of the day to come, or the very deliciousness of it. All I know is that Jesus said to his disciples, "Come and have breakfast," (John 21:12) so breakfast, we shall!Not a bad way to start the day? You can enjoy community breakfast, too! All it takes is a little planning, and a big appetite.

The Good Life

Today was a gift.

A gift of friends, food, the lake, laughter, tea, cookies, and all the things that make life so good.

It started early this morning. I snipped some purple flowers from the front yard in anticipation of a very special breakfast. A friend was stopping by on his way to the airport. We hadn't seen each other in months and he was moving back to his country (is still on the plane as I'm writing) - so, needless to say, this breakfast warranted special attention.

We ate thick slices of homemade bread covered in cheese and eggs (which I not-so-gracefully cooked), strawberries, and lots of cups of tea. We reminisced, we talked about future plans, and we breakfasted.

The inevitable came to soon and I had to leave for work. I bid him farewell and headed off to spend the day with Mr. Binky. He and I raced cars back and forth, dug in the sandbox, watched some Thomas the Tank Engine, and carefully put stickers on a recycled piece of paper.

Mr. Binky's mom got home early, so I had an unexpected hour in my day. Just enough time to meet a friend to walk around the lake. It was a gorgeous afternoon - a great time to catch up, stretch our legs, and people-watch.

My second lake-date showed up just as I returned home from my first lap around the lake. My second date and I enjoyed another beautiful stroll around the lake. I saw a couple of turtles and many of the same people I had seen on my first lap, which made me think that this whole two-lap thing is not something unique to myself.

Just as we turned the corner to my street, our dinner date called me. She had just arrived to my house. Perfect timing. My second lake-date and I reached my house, greeted our dinner date, and I set out the chips and salsa as I set to heat up our dinner. As we sat down to eat, my roommate arrived home so I set another place setting out. A dinner of four. Perfect.

The corn, bean, and quinoa salad, in addition to the sweet potato fries, turned out to be a delicious meal. The warm glow of the overhead lamp reminded me of the lighting in the credits of tv shows when a family is shown eating dinner together through the front window. Very cozy, very homey - just how every meal should be.

After dinner, we pulled some frozen cookie dough out of the freezer and threw a pan of cookies in the oven (note to self: always have frozen cookie dough available in the freezer), heated water for tea, and settled down into the comfy couches and chairs that make up our living room.

The day drew to an end over a plate with cookie residue and weakened tea bags.

Today was a gift.

A gift of friends, food, the lake, laughter, tea, cookies, and all the things that make life so good.

Awe-ful

Doesn't sound good, does it? And yet it was the best word I came up with when I was watching a peacock this morning.

Let me back up.

One of my places of work is the Woodland Park Zoo. The little boy I nanny (let's call him Mr. Binky) and I frequently go to check out the tractor, the flamingos, Zoomazium, the zoo trucks, the puddles, the penguins (you get the picture). This morning, we saw the peacock standing on a post near the goat pen. The brilliant blue and green hues seemed entirely out of place next to the matted hair and widely-set eyes of the goats. We checked it out for a few minutes (me continually holding Mr. Binky back for fear of his little hand grabbing a fistful of peacock feathers!), then went to check out some more exciting happenings, like the statue of a chicken. A few minutes later, I look over and see the peacock has opened (I'm not sure the correct biological term for this) and it's feathers are towering over it's body in a perfect half-circle.

Wow.

All I could think of was who could ever have dreamed up something as crazy-awesome as a peacock?

And that is when I realized how frequently God displays his awe-fulness to us.

Through the beautiful display of the peacock.

Through a healed wound.

Through the growth of a child.

Through the Cascade mountains.

Through moments of laughter, conversation, and community.

Thanks, God, for being so awe-ful.

More Fair Trade Musings

So, this is not a blog about fair trade, but I guess it is on my mind a whole bunch because yes, I have another blogpost about chocolate and coffee. Two things that are frequently present in my life, and thus frequently featured on the blog :)

COFFEE STORY DU JOUR: My classmate organized a coffee tour and "cupping" (official terminology, people) at Camano Island Coffee Roasters this morning. Engulfed by the aromatic smell of roasting coffee, our tour guide, Dave, described all of the reasons why CICR is such a great company as he brewed us various coffee samples. CICR supports AGROS, an organization that works directly with farmers to help them acquire land and skills to produce coffee. All of CICR coffee is fair trade, fairly-traded (basic idea of fair trade, but just not with the official title), or directly traded (straight from farm to CICR). By purchasing CICR coffee, you help create sustainable economic opportunities for the men and women who grow the beans for your morning cup of joe. Check out camanoislandcoffee.com for more information. I recommend the Sumatra :)

CHOCOLATE STORY DU JOUR: Heading home from a long, wonderful day spent with classmates on Camano Island, I was craving a bowl of ice cream. I gave into my craving and stopped by QFC. Tillamook ice cream was 2/$5 - what a deal! I reached for a gallon of Chocolate Mudslide, then paused. Now, perhaps Tillamook uses Fair Trade chocolate in their products, but I wasn't sure. What's a girl to do when the chocolate craving is strong, yet she wants to focus on her goal of buying only fair trade chocolate? The answer: vanilla ice cream with chopped-up Theo chocolate on top! I had stocked up on Theo bars last week (budget = gotta get them when they're on sale!), and contemplated which flavor to use as I drove home. Coffee? Hazelnut crunch? Vanilla? Or perhaps the Equal Exchange dark chocolate bar that I had picked up? Endless options!

I ended up using a Coffee bar - it was already opened so just easier to use.

Step 1: Chop up the chocolate bar Step 2: Put chocolate on ice creamStep 3: Enjoy a delicious dessert that is not only delicious, but costs an estimated $.80! Fair trade is within even a small budget.

A beautiful (and delicious) end to a great day of friends, feasting, and fair trade!

Neighborly Update

Tonight when I came home (after a delicious sushi dinner with Kayti!), I saw my neighbor putting his garbage out. I got out of my car and smiled at him when he said, "Are you the one who made the cookies?" He hadn't been home when I met his wife and kids last week, but apparently he had heard about my visit. "Yeah," I said. He then proceeded to tell me that he had "inhaled" my cookies. We exchange a formal introduction, and I went home feeling just a little more connected to my block :)

Happy Day

My friend brought me a homemade white chocolate raspberry cupcake today. Thanks, Andrea!

Cloud City

It was cloudy, it was morning, and I needed to crack open a book for school. So naturally, I went to Cloud City Coffee.

There are many reasons why I love Cloud City Coffee, but I feel in love with it even more this morning. As I poured my $1 drip coffee, I read about the origin of my coffee: a farmers' co-op in Costa Rica. It's a beautiful thing.

So, there I was, supporting farmers who live thousands of miles away by enjoying a delicious cup of coffee and reading my social entrepreneurship book. The morning would have been perfect had it started raining. Oh well, a girl can dream, can't she?

The Justice Tank

Inspired by Julie Clawson's (author of Everyday Justice - a highly recommended read) justice bra, I decided to search for my very own "justice tank top." The premise of my quest was to purchase a tank top that did not involve any slave labor in the supply chain. I was in dire need of a new black tank top (think lots of holes), but wanted to find one that was full of justice and not exploitation. As you can see from the tank top I needed to replace, it was made in Brunei Darussauam, a island country located in Southeast Asia. Now, I'm certainly not opposed to outsourcing. Outsourcing can create good jobs for people and communities abroad. It is the lack of accountability in the supply chain that I oppose. So, I drove to American Apparel in the University District, and found my justice tank top.

Now, it wasn't quite what I was looking for (the straps were a bit too thick), but it had the essential element - length. And...

...it was made in Downtown LA. Yes, I've heard that American Apparel has reportedly exploited undocumented workers, but I still chose to support this company because I believe they are trying to achieve supply chain accountability.

The price was certainly a bit more costly than most other clothing stores. And yet, I felt good spending those few extra dollars with the assurance that I was contributing to an accountable supply chain.

I was pleased to learn, though, that the Gap (the maker of the tank top I replaced), received a B- from the Not For Sale campaign's supply chain accountability rating. It's no A+, but it is definitely higher than I thought it would be. After seeing this rating, I will remain a Gap customer. Check out how other companies measure up at free2work.org in order to contribute to supply chain accountability and a decrease in labor exploitation!

It happens...

Sometimes, things just don't work out how you'd like them to.

Fair Trade Morning

I woke up Sunday morning wanting to celebrate my new goal of purchasing only Fair Trade coffee and chocolate, so I went to Zoka's and bought some coffee for my weekly Sunday morning breakfast and prayer group.We always have a nice spread of very healthy pastries, tea, and, of course, coffee, so I thought that this week I could add to the coffee stash (that I believe Kendra usually so graciously provides for us thirsty ladies!). A mere three blocks from my house, I can be assured that Zoka's strives to directly source their coffee. They work with coffee farmers to ensure not only quality, but also supply chain accountability. It's a beautiful thing.

Much to my surprise, as I paid for the coffee, I was given a free drip coffee (a $2 value). What a pleasant reward for buying coffee that is good for everyone involved in the supply chain and supporting a local business.

coffee to share with friends + coffee to enjoy on the drive to friends' house = a beautiful Sunday morning!

Goals

Day 2 of the UNBOUND Conference, the breathing was a bit easier. David Batstone gave a morning address, which was just as good as the previous evening's. One thing he said stuck out to me in particular. In this overwhelming, complex, seemingly insurmountable, discouraging, horrifying, frustrating...(well, I may have added these words of my own...!)...search to combat human trafficking, we have to make tangible, measurable goals. He was speaking in terms of nonprofit organizations, but I need to apply this to my own life. I am so overwhelmed, and jump on every anti-trafficking bandwagon, but realize that I do not set specific goals for my efforts.

So, today I did.

As difficult as it will be financially, I will not knowingly purchase chocolate, coffee, or tea that is not fairly-traded.

I mean, how many more times do we need the facts - most of our coffee is not fairly-traded (in America, something like only 4% of the coffee we consume is fairly-traded; other countries are demanding fair-trade chocolate, so chocolate companies are beginning to send even more of their unfairly-traded chocolate to America; and tea, well, fairly-traded tea is a whole new realm for me, but I consume a lot of tea, and know that some tea is not fairly-traded - I need to explore this one more.

And the crazy (read: not) thing is, there are plenty of alternative options to the chocolate we are used to consuming. The catch? It usually costs a lot more. Why? Because it represents THE ACTUAL cost of the product. We have cheap coffee and chocolate because somewhere along the supply chain, someone is being exploited, and it certainly isn't the consumer.

On a budget (like me)? SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE. Chocolate can become a treat instead of a lifeblood. Break your addiction to two cups of coffee today and enjoy one delicious cup of fairly-traded coffee.

I have reached the point where I know the facts, and I know that so much of my lifestyle contribues to trafficking. But, as Batstone encourages, set goals and celebrate the successes. Yes, I will still buy tomatoes that have probably been picked by exploited laborers; I will still buy clothing that was probably manufactured by children; and yes, I will still buy all kinds of products that are tainted with slave labor. BUT, I can success in chocolate, tea, and coffee, and I can celebrate that success instead of being overwhelmed by how many actions I'm not taking. Slowly I can add more anti-trafficking actions to my lifestyle in tangible, measurable ways.

For now, I'll enjoyed my Coffee-flavored chocolate bar from Theo with a clear conscious, and a happy belly.

Check out free2work.org for information about where our products come from.

The Master Builder

Tonight was the first day of the UNBOUND Conference. David Batstone, the founder of the Not For Sale Campaign (notforsale.org), spoke about his journey, and about a variety of ways to get involved in the anti-trafficking effort. I was particularly struck by his emphasis on collaboration, and not competition, between anti-trafficking organizations.

His amazing and inspiring talk, though, left me with a lump in my throat. I literally couldn't breathe normally when he finished his talk. Why? Because I was starting to dream, like usual. I was starting to imagine myself in every possible anti-trafficking campaign. I was envisioning projects, activism, research, conversations, presentations, relationships, documentaries, airplane flights...and my head was spinning.

I left the conference. It had rained during the lecture, and everything had that fresh feeling, kind of like God spritzing the world like vegetables at the grocery store. I knew what I needed to do, and I did it with a sense of urgency (though I did stop at the store to get some carrots for my lunch tomorrow!). I dropped my bags off at home, pulled on my rain jacket, grabbed my phone and keys, and headed down to the lake. God was calling me to Him, to reflection, and to quiet my spinning head.

All semester long I've been learning about how everything I seek to do is fruitless if done of my own accord, of my own idea of what I should be doing to enact justice. I've written papers on how the ideology of doing good and serving others is dangerous because it takes us away from a foundation in God; I've written about how God is the only hope for the world; and I've written about how God calls us to live according to Kingdom values. I read, I learn, I write, I pray, I discuss, and yet the whole application piece is one I don't always do. Because it is very, very hard for me to throw off my intention to love others for God if that means I am not letting God guide and lead me on this journey. I so easily justify this with all of the brokenness and sorrow in the world. If I'm called to love others, then I should certainly be doing it, right?

Oscar Romero wrote, "I am a worker, and not the master builder."

My mom told me a few weeks ago, "Ellie, you aren't Jesus."

Let me hold the truth that I work for the King, that He is the guide, that He is the master builder, that He is so much bigger than any right intention I have.

And so, I realized, my ONE role is to seek Him. Through this, acts of service will spring forth, messages of hope will be shared, love will be experienced, transformation will occur.

I came home from my walk, able to breathe again. Looking forward to a full day of more UNBOUND Conference, I made some tea, threw my laundry in the washer, watched an episode of Glee, and enjoyed half of a very delicious, very slave-free, Hazelnut Crunch Theo Chocolate bar. A small movement against anti-trafficking that I am currently participating in. Let them increase as He leads.

Old School

I just moved to a new neighborhood, and in my quest to seek community and love others, I thought I should introduce myself to my neighbors (and bring them cookies, of course). My own cynicism almost stopped me (so, you'll meet them once, and not see them again until you moved out...what do you hope to accomplish?...will people be creeped out?...what will happend when you knock on the door?...), but I focused on the fact that God will do what He will do through me, but He can't do much if I don't move!

So, cookies in hand, heart slightly pounding, I knocked on the door of my neighbor. And, two minutes later, I'm standing on the porch, chatting with a lovely woman who has lived on the block for over forty years. She told me all about the neighborhood, and how is has changed throughout the years. She took two cookies (and then decided she could manage three :)!), and we chatted for about 15 minutes. As I left, she said to make sure I came back again. Happiness.

A few hours later I went to my neighbors across the street. After knocking a few times, I started heading back home when a woman opened the door. It was a bit chaotic, with kids running around and friends visiting, but she was very excited that I came over. "How old school!" she said. She invited me in and told me it was her birthday. Perfect. You can't have too many cookies on your birthday. She got my number as a potential babysitter, and told me about a dessert restaurant a few blocks away. I said happy birthday and left.

Small gestures of community are sometimes difficult, but often worth the challenge. We weren't created to leave our house, get in the car, drive away, come back, get out of the car, go into the house, and lock it. Rather, we were called to share meals "with glad and sincere hearts" (Acts 2:26) and have relationships with our neighbors.

I'm not sure what will come from my gestures today, but that's not important. What's important is to reach out to others. To not only share physical space, but to connect with neighbors through conversation and shared experiences. This is a small expression of community.

Easter Revelations

I was very distracted this Easter morning. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I woke up Easter morning in my new abode. How symbolic - new life with Jesus, new place to live!

After poking around my chaotic room and uploading photos to my computer, I made a cup of tea and settled down into the living room for a few minutes of quiet time before the Easter festivities began. Little did I know that God would use this very distracted time to reveal some cool stuff...:) (from John 20 and 21)

When Mary went to the tomb and Jesus appeared to her, she didn't recognize him at first.
REVELATION: God is often right in front of me, yet I don't see him or recognize him.

When Mary told the disciples what happened at the tomb, she said, "I have seen the Lord!"
REVELATION: God desires me to proclaim Him to the world.

The first thing Jesus said to his disciples was, "Peace be with you!"
REVELATION: The first thing Jesus said was not - "Get to work!" or "Start serving me!" or "Bless the world!" It was a greeting of peace.

The second thing Jesus said to his disciples was, "I am sending you."
REVELATION: God actively sends us to serve Him.

The disciples were fishing with no success. When Jesus told them to put their net on the other side of the boat, they were successful.
REVELATION: I can work, serve, and live according to my own plans. It is only when I let God guide my steps do I acheive life-giving results.

After they fished, Jesus said, "Come and have breakfast."
REVELATION: Jesus didn't say, "Keep fishing," or "Good job, see you later." No, Jesus and the disciples fellowshipped together. They spent time eating and enjoying each other's company, even though there were many more fish to be caught. God desires us to enjoy and rest and be at peace.

Thank you, God, for this great day. Let it live in our hearts all year.