Nicky on February 4th, 2010

Feel free to borrow from my letter if you like.
February-4-10
RE: Alarming Processing Time at HC Nairobi
Dear Minister Kenney;
This is the third letter we have written to your office in two years about the processing times for visas and citizenship paperwork from the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi. The first letter to your predecessor actually produced [...]

Continue reading about My letter to Minister Kenney

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ve probably heard, at least one two major occasions, that action is needed to speed up the immigration process at the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya. 17 African countries’ visa and citizenship documents are processed through the HC, and the timelines are notoriously long.  What [...]

Continue reading about Please write an email - vulnerable refugees need our help

Nicky on December 6th, 2009

If you are like me, you love giving books.  I wanted to draw your attention to a few books that have gone over really well with my kids (you can see a small selection scrolling on top but there are tons of multicultural / adoption / nature kids books in my store) as well as [...]

Continue reading about Buy Books and Support Faya Orphanage

Nicky on December 5th, 2009

The strangest thing just happened.
I was getting ready for a Christmas party this evening, in the bathroom in my bathrobe, when the doorbell rang.  I opened the door and apologized for my appearance to the two teenagers standing on the steps.  They asked if I had any bottles or cans I wanted to get rid [...]

Continue reading about Two strangers at the door

Nicky on November 15th, 2009

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on ‘donating a mammogram’ for free (pink window in [...]

Continue reading about Click for Breast Cancer

Nicky on October 21st, 2009

On Saturday we are going to join the Bike Rally in Kelowna to support international action against climate change.  There are events happening across Canada, if you would like to get involved… check it out!
What are you doing this Saturday?
In three days, millions of people around the world will gather in support of protecting our [...]

Continue reading about Climate Change Events Saturday

Nicky on September 13th, 2009

Flying to Ethiopia the way we did, we were so afraid that 1. our kids would be dispersed to other orphanages and 2. that they would run out of food.
Well, if the Women’s Ministry hadn’t been in a training seminar for two weeks at that time, the transition home may well have been “reorganized” and [...]

Continue reading about Donations for Faya Orphanage

Ena on July 14th, 2009

Hello All, this is Nicky’s sister, Ena. I am posting for Nicky because, as you know from Jrock’s post, she is currently en route to Ethiopia with our Mum.
First of all, thank you to all for your heartfelt thoughts and prayers (atheist or otherwise ;~D ). They are very much appreciated. Nicky and Jrock’s family [...]

Continue reading about We’re all a little shell-shocked

Nicky on July 8th, 2009

I have no idea how many of our blog readers are First Nations, but for what it’s worth! I’d like to leand my support to Shawn Atleo’s campaign to become National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
Shawn is my cousin by marriage, so I’ve had the chance to spend some time with him.  He’s [...]

Continue reading about Atleo running for National Chief

Nicky on June 22nd, 2009

all these books are available in “My Bookstore“, as well as in your local library!
My Father’s Daughter
Pool
My friend T lend me this book, and I ate it up in 2 hours.  It’s the (true) story of a British woman, adopted from Eritrea, who finds her birth family and goes back to Eritrea to meet them.  [...]

Continue reading about Summer Reading Recommendations

Nicky on June 18th, 2009

This whole “no pesticides no herbicides” thing has been a big deal for my farmer-raised-in-Saskatchewan husband… but he is getting into it and having some real fun gardening these days.
We’ve found a few aphids on the cherry tree and one of the rose bushes (Jrock’s prized roses!!) and he has been diligently soap-straying them.  But [...]

Continue reading about Ladybug release

Nicky on April 21st, 2009

The spring wine festival starts at the end of the month - it’s the biggest event in the year in the Okanagan - aside, of course, from the fall wine festival.  We have noticed that we have been drinking more wie since we moved here… not too much! but we did go through three barrels [...]

Continue reading about We’ve definitely been drinking too much

Nicky on January 27th, 2009

I was sent this video by a fellow member of my Rotary Club - it’s just great if you love music.  The video speaks to our commonalities and universalities - and how cooperation can bring us together.
Plus - it’s a total pick-me-up for your day.  Enjoy!

Continue reading about Lean on Me

Nicky on January 22nd, 2009

A new shadow cabinet was just named by the Liberals.  So while you are at it, you can also send a copy of your letters about the citizenship process for adopted children (see my example below) to Liberal and NDP critics (especially in light of the recent political turmoil.)
Maurizio Bevilacqua, MP
Liberal Citizenship and Immigration Critic
20 Cranston [...]

Continue reading about And while you are at it…

Nicky on January 22nd, 2009

My MP Ron Cannan got back to me and followed up on the letter I wrote (copy below.)  I have to tip my hat to Ron - he’s been such a good advocate for this issue!  Anyway, he is talking to the Minister. 
How are your letters being received?
I thought I would post a few ideas [...]

Continue reading about Update on the Letter Campaign