You had a reason, This was part of your plan for me.

My last night shift at Aina Gourmet Market.

So....it all started....three weeks ago I asked off Friday and Saturday for a moving sale that my husband and I had to have. Two weeks ago my asst manager changed the system of requests off and forgot to transfer my request. One week ago I found this out when I was not given those days off. I notified him and he acted like everything was going to be ok. He said the manager was going to work things out with me on Monday. Monday she was sick. He said she would call me on tues. Then I emailed her on tues to please call me regarding the schedule, since I hadn't heard from her since Sat. This whole time, nothing seemed to be wrong. It seemed as if it was ok. Thursday I come into work and asked my manager if she had time to talk about the schedule since I hadn't heard from her. She asked "whats wrong with the schedule?" This is when I let her know that I thought she was told by asst manager about what happened and was told she would get back to me all week. That i needed the weekend off because the sale was on craigslist and my husband and I are the only family on the island. She proceeded to flip out at me, say hurtful things, threaten me of sorts, raised her voice and was completely unreasonable doing so in front of all my co-workers, her husband and customers. - when i was just trying to figure out what we could do to make it work. I won't tell you all the things she said in detail. This time - during this issue at work, I KNOW with all my heart I handled everything from the start the way I should have. I did NOTHING wrong. I didn't lash back at her when she was being crazy to me. I kept trying to figure out why she was being like this. Very unfair. Very rude. Very hurtful. No attempt to work things out. No apologies for mis-communication or the fact that she was unable to give me the time off. I don't know what I did to deserve such raw treatment. I wrote the HR to see what she could do. She basically didn't even try to get us in the office to work things out, she just said if I was scheduled I had to show up. Then I was notified that if I did not show to work those days, they were going to assume I quit. I told them this is truly unfortunate, I don't know how this all happened, but I still needed to have the moving sale, and there was no possible way I could come in. I was truly treated poorly but responded the way I should have. I tried to end it on good terms to keep my card account, although seems they don't want anything that has to do with me there any longer. This makes me so sad and yet I am glad to be out of such a damaging environment. I had great times there. I met some great people. I saw the sunset every night. I loved the earth-friendly, local concept. I am now unemployed 1 month before I should have been. That is 1600 dollars that was going towards moving. I am trying not to stress. I have let people know I am available for babysitting and photo jobs. I also am going to try and get my cards in some other coffee shops! I was thinking about seeing if anyone back home in Washington would like to make an order of my cards 1 or more and I would have them delivered to them. Just scrambling for cash. The other day, the day I lost my job. We received a check in the mail from my Grandpa Murphy. He just had a note in there...Hope this Helps. He had no clue I just lost my job. The Lord DOES provide when we are in need. I am trying to be confident in such things! Wow. What a weekend. The Lord also blessed us with a successful Moving sale!! We will have one more in 4 weeks. I am still hoping to get two accounts with Ululanis Shave Ice and with America 2 Sailboat! We will see. If you all pray or want to send "good vibrations" or whatever your belief is. We would appreciate your prayer. If you know anyone who would be great to work for in San Diego, or any contacts at all I would love to talk to you about it! I just pray my next job in San Diego is one I can stay with and will be honest, legal, respectful and just. To God be the Glory. 

Amigas

Me, Catalina, Sofia!

Amigas. Friends from work at Ania. Last night was Catalina's last day of work! She is such a sweetheart. Full of energy, drama free, kind and funny! Ah. I LOVED working with her. I wish her well as she goes to California and then New York before heading home to Argentina. Adios Amiga. Te Quiero Mucho. 

Good Morning!

(My cousin Molly in Honduras)

This photo depicts how I feel lately..

pensive...

Life: A cat at each window, both fed and happy. Husband is in a deep glorious sleep.....and here am I. Enjoying the little moments I'll have until I need to do things that are far more important than blogging. Ha, but I'm not going there yet! Life has been sooo on the highway lately, going soo fast, barely stopping for traffic. I have so many things I want to get done wether it be for me or things that need to get done and just can't get caught up. I worked quite a bit this week. Today is 8 days in a row. I had 4 extra hours of work this week for training in coffee from a professional from Portland. Grateful for work,  but I'm tired and feel oh so behind. All I can think about doing is crafts :) hah. Peaceful things! I am going to be the best Granny EVER! hah. I hope I can match up to my Nanny someday. Always doing things, making things - food or gifts, gardening and canning the produce, needlework of every kind, always trying new recipes and going to the park to crab of course :) Those are the things I aspire to do. Right now, I am working at what I would like to call a Coffee Shop but It's far more labor than such. It's a market, in a hotel. So we get the complaints that don't relate to us..and we stock and stock and lift. There is an occasional coffee which I JUMP to make every time, although not much in the 80 plus degree weather. I love that it's local and organic based. I love the coffee - it's grown across the street, and roasted at OUR farm upcountry and is still really great coming from a washington coffee snob. Although the fact that it's a coffee shop, in maui, and it's 80 percent market and 10 percent food I am tired. hah. So thinking about the move coming up (that we are aware of where, just not the timeline yet :) ) I am trying to figure out the best job for me. I LOVE furniture and sales. You can look darling doing so too :) I still LOVE coffee - but not in a market (learned this one!) I have been asking my friends...coffee at starbucks where there is structure and rules (I crave this after being in Maui) or sales like Pier 1. I have been in the coffee business since I was 16, and NO that was not yesterday as some funny old people like to say. I am 24 now. When we move, I want to be able to get a job that I can stick with for at LEAST 5 years. I am the best at having a job per year or less than that....so I really want something I can stick with and excel in and feel confident in as well. hard. So this is going through my brain that felt sooo scary wierd yesterday as I was about to pass out at work...eeek. (random..but it was for sure my head..not lack of food or anything.) hah. soo random. Also I have been thinking about becoming a Young life Leader. I have been a leader at Wild horse Canyon and helped in Lynden's Young Life ages ago and just MISS the involvement of something I'm passionate about. LOVING others to Christ. and having FUN. So between a job, Young Life and Photography I should be a busy lady doing all the things I want to do. I talked to my cousin Molly the other day (in the photo) ahh It was the best thing all week. I adore her and miss her terribly. I am soo excited about what the Lord is doing in her life. She is going back to Honduras to work at the orphanage. SO proud of her. I want to go join her someday. It was great just to talk about the crazies and besties of life. good and the bad. happy and the confused. We always have these great, REAL talks. Refreshing.

Photography: I had a shoot the other day... :) It went GREAT! Although there are SOO many images I have to sort through my head is spinning. (Thats a good problem :) ) I am REALLY excited about these cards I am making for the job I have right now. The cards are blank, 100 percent recycled papers and labels with my photography on top, covered in plastic and hung by a hemp string! I can't WAIT to sell them and see MY photography being purchased by people. It's a great feeling. or it will be next week! I am hoping for more shoots this month since I have a feeling things are only going to get busier soon for moving and all...

Food: We haven't been eating much lately....coming home and being so tired and not hungry. So last night was the first real dinner in a while. Maui Cattle Steak, Corn and Baguette Slices. YUM :) Nothing gourmet but I was CRAVING the meat. A while ago I made penne for the FIRST time :) It was AMAZZZING. So speaking about food....I am beginning to loose weight! I mainly have been adjusting my eating habits. I eat breakfast now and it's all amazingly well for me. Lunch is a tiny half sandwich - wheat with meat and cheese and veggies and salad. Dinner is a lean meat and salad or veggie. and No dessert. Coffees are no longer lattes but black coffees and teas. I am on day 8 of work and i am not SOO tired or sleepy or cranky (not like i normally would be) - i think it's because I'm eating so healthy. I am excited! Now I just have to work out! hah. This is all too exciting!

Our Penne Tomato Meal :) 

Crafts: I have a pattern for a slouch beanie I want to make for myself :) I want to make a forever scarf but I don't have a sewing machine. :(  sooon! I also have a picture I want to paint! A wreath I want to sew as well! ahhh although I don't think these things will happen for a while, I think of them when I am crazy busy :)

(my version of this :) ) 

Husband: Is amazing. He is soo great at what he does. I am excited for what his company holds for him. We went out with another couple the other day for a beer after work, it was GREAT! I can't wait to do it again. Chris and I had a good time. He and I have Superbowl sunday off! I can't wait to spend it with him and at our Maui Families Home! He has today off as I work - so thats some great alone time for him. AHH I think he looks SOOOOO sexy in these glasses!!! What do you think?!

im, so sexy for my glasses :) 

other side of the bar...???

Hmmm...after living in Maui, I have just about had it with the food/service via food and coffee industry. I have always been a coffee LOVER. Especially loved making it for others - giving them the best part in their day. I loved my customers...making them happy, encouraging them and learning from them. I loved selling delicious and local products. I just can't stand working at a place where no one cares. I know you want to say "Well you are going to have that everywhere..". Yes, that is true to a certain point. Maui, though, laziness is their thing. Not caring about anything but number 1 is their thing. The concept of helping others as they have helped you...is not known here. Not only that but it is soooo hot - that you are constantly wiping your forehead or upper lip before you serve...it's disgusting. Soo not classy and soo a high school job if there is no desire to be upper management. I want to work with people who lift their chin up and say "This isn't where I want to be today - but I have to and I'm going to make the best of it." I want to work at a place where I can go father than just Barista. I hate having people ask me where I went to school - to me you might as well as me if I am educated or un-educated. It is hard for me to say i didn't and also be working at a job that doesn't hold much promise or reason for respect. I hate being treated sometimes like a low class 50's african american maid - point is...we are all just soo important in our own ways. I just wish those with more money or fake boobs or graduates or anyone and everyone could see that. On the flip side it's challenging me to be bigger and better. Ya know...run faster - spit farther...I had my first real sales job out here....I was fantastic. (Not boasting..just didn't know I was capable.) That would be fun to be in...I also think it would be nice to get a 2 year degree for floral design or interior design or both. I have always wanted to be my Mom in this way. I would love to eventually have my own little flower shop. Ahhh just sooo done with my work. I can't bear to be there another day and yet I have to stick it out like 5ish more months...So. Here is to being on the other side of the bar drinking coffee as a distinguished designer. Here is to lifting my chin up until then to Glorify my God and Savior. Ok....here goes...

{Ironwoods}

The happy moments at work...

I work at a little market and coffee shop at a new resort thirty minutes from my home. I can't say It's the best job ever but am I spoiled with a view or what? Somehow even though it happens every night, for me, it doesn't get old. Every sunset is completely different and unique and soo exquisite!!! 

Another favorite part of my job is Sofia! She has just blessed my heart this past month when I have needed a friend. She is soo encouraging and positive and optimistic. She is older by a tad, she challenges me (without knowing it) to be better and more mature. I look up to her and appreciate her greatly.

 I get to make coffee at my job...the best thing ever. Every time I make a latte I try latte art :) This isn't my best work but I had my lil camera and time to capture this little heart. Hope yall are able to find an ounce of joy in your job! Those things are what keep us going along with trust and faith in God. 

August 22.

Alena's last day :( She is preggers and moving onto better. Wishing you the most happiness dear friend! Sofia is in the middle - LOVE her. She is from Argentina and has taught me a lot!

August 16.

My Favorite Time at Work.

August 15.

Where I work :)

This is where I work. I walk there from home. A good .30min walk! This was early in the morning so it's still kinda dark.. but this is the HonuaKai Resort and Spa. Inside there is Aina Gourmet Market. Thier goal and mission statement is to carry everything that is within 100 miles of the location, supporting local everything. The place is made with several recycled materials and uses biodegradable just about everything that they can. Ania has their own farm where they get the produce for our fresh salads and for the daily menu as well as roast 100% Maui Coffee making it their own blend. They try and make as many food products that we sell there, there..like granola, daily fresh baked muffins, hummus, salsa etc. It's REALLY cool and I feel like I am supporting a great business that is helping to save the planet and trying to keep everyone healthy and our locals in business. I also get to wear my Flat Toms :) LOVEIT!

 My little camera didn't do this place justice. 1+ yr old, SOO pretty.

I crash the hotel next door after work...before I walk home.

Me today after work talking to my Eldest Brother Peter for 49 minutes!!
Miss that guy...it's been soo long.

Hmm. Aina Gourmet Market?

I met with the Manager of Aina Gourmet Market today in the new hotel near our home. DARLING place, and Erin was soo sweet and fun. They sell a lot of the same products sold in Ono Gelato so I am familiar with it - it's a very local and organic loving place. The shop was built with mostly recycled materials. So good and great but they might not have something open until Aug 1. Please Please pray that during my interview tomorrow they might just say - we will give you two to three training days each week till aug 1st when you may be starting full time!  Ahh! That would be IDEAL. hah. So if that doesn't happen - that just means God has better right?!?! It is in His hands always and forever. So - interview tomorrow at 10:30 Maui time. Hoping to have a good news blog tomorrow!