Surprise(s)!

When I was in university I wrote a lot of papers. And "a lot" may still be an understatement. There were the ones I hated. The ones with such detailed and specific requirements you knew you had to write what a prof. wanted to read. But my favourite ones, and the ones I dreaded the most of all, were the ones with an open-ended topic. Seems easy enough, right? Pick a topic and write about it. Somehow this open-endedness lead me to writing papers about such topics as: A Bottled Water Ban, Heteronormativity and Pop Culture, The Themes In The Films of James Cameron, Reality Television and The Narrative Paradigm, and one I am particularly proud of - a piece of new journalism chronicling online dating.

You can see, even in those few examples they are as diverse as the population of this world itself. Inevitably, days, weeks, months later I would look back and think I should have written about this or that, or something else different. I learnt a lot about many different topics but one lesson that I learnt that seems invaluable and transcends all facets of life is the notion that you can have the greatest idea in the world but if you're unwilling to be flexible it will never work out. Whether you need to change certain parameters or research topics or what be it, sometimes you need to accept the fact that you need to make changes or tweak a certain idea in order for it to be successful.

Almost six months ago I wrote the very first post of this blog. Outlining my idea for what was going to be next in my life. My idea, the next topic - so to say, for my life. And I had to accept and come to terms with the fact about two months ago that I no longer wanted to be in Times Square for New Years Eve - when I do make it there, it won't be with a vehicle and it won't be on a budget. It may not be NYE 2013, but I will make it there. This is just something I know and I have been willing to accept this change in order to make the rest of my "plan" better, or work at all.

On December 23rd, with the help of a few extremely incredible friends, I was able to surprise my family by showing up on their front door step and be home for Christmas - when everyone thought I was in Colorado. That, the reactions, seeing all my friends faces and getting surprised text messages was the best gift I have ever gotten any Christmas. Ten years down the road - that's what I am going to remember.

I know there are many of you out there that literally cringe at peoples' obsession with the sentiment of "new year, new start". But, I say, if that's what people need to justify or inspire making changes in their lives - why not. As 2013 comes to an end I see the lists of the bests, and the worsts, and the most memorable - fill in the blanks. The last five months of my life encompass all of those lists. As I look to the future, the coming weeks when I will decide when I'll be hitting the road again - with eleven states and three provinces left of my list, I couldn't be more grateful for the people that encourage me to keep doing what I'm doing. I couldn't be more grateful that I learnt that lesson, accept the fact that you may need to tweak a certain idea in order for it to be successful.

Whether your idea is travel, relationships, marriage, or a new career, in 2014 just remember, it's okay to make changes, to get stuck, to find a new way to make that idea work, to make it better.

Happy New Year to friends - old and new, family, and anyone that may stumble upon these words. May 2014 be your year to:

"Tell everyone what you want to do and someone will want to help you do it."

- W. Clement Stone

Terry Fox Monument - Thunder Bay, Ont. 

1000 Islands Boat Tour - Ontario

Fredericton, NB

Hopewell Rocks - (outside) Moncton, NB

Anne Of Green Gables House - P.E.I.

St George, ME

Salem, MA 

Fenway Park - Boston, MA

The White House - Washington, D.C.

Gatorland - Kissimmee, FLA 

Disneyworld - Orlando, FLA

Country Music Hall of Fame - Nashville, TN

Johnny Cash Museum - Nashville, TN

St Louis, MO

Graceland - Memphis, TN

Swamp Tour - (outside) New Orleans, LA

Sandra Bullock's House - New Orleans, LA

Moore, OK

Museum of World Treasures

When I was in Wichita, KS I visited, perhaps, the coolest museum I have yet to step foot in - yes, I did just use the words museum and cool in the same sentence. The Museum of World Treasures. While the definition of treasure is subjective, this museum encapsulates this understanding perfectly. As you explore the museums three floors you experience all sorts of amazing treaures. There is piece of The Berlin Wall - and a brief history of it's significance, there are dinosaur skeletons, there are mummies, there are beautifully stunning artifacts from around the globe, and the list continues - and this is only what the first floor has in store. Floor two is dedicated to the history of war in the US and has uniforms, photos, and other artifacts from WWI, WWII, The Vietnam War, The Civil War and then it's all rounded out with a hall of history dedicated to every past President of The United States - each accompanied by an authentic autograph. As you travel to the last floor you're brought full circle into the more contemporary, popular culture influenced treasures - sports memorabilia from the greats like Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali and these are accompanied by great works of literature, and even movie props which include items like (appropriately) the Pitchfork from The Wizard of Oz, and various items that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe. Whatever your definition of treasure may be - whether monetary, historical, or popular influences - this museum was an excellent way to spend the afternoon.

Exciting, right? Well the subjective nature of the word treasure got me thinking. And I realized that, really, for the last four and a half months I have begun my own collection of world treasures and, simply put, that's the people like you. Have you ever noticed that the people with the least to spare are usually the ones most willing to give? University/College Students, single-parent families, actors working to bust into the industry, lower-income families - the most selfless ones of all.

You've all read of my incredible time in Florida and the selflessness a single family showed to me. But the acts have never seized to amaze me throughout my entire trip around North America, thus far.

The treasures are the girls that work two jobs while going to countless acting auditions yet still have time to take in a stranger from Winnipeg (where?), Manitoba (where?), Canada (oh!) - and make time to talk, get to know one another, and show her around. The treasures are your fellow travellers, or a new friend from Scotland that, because you're both going the same direction, hops in and makes your lonely journey from Nashville to Austin a fun trip for two, the treasures are a new friend. The treasures are the couple that take you in on one day's notice and without hesitation invite you to join in on their Thanksgiving Dinner and then even give up their bed so that you can get a good nights sleep - while they sleep on the couch. The treasures are a best friend that finishes nursing school and the very next day flies to Oklahoma City to spend her only week off with her friend that she hasn't seen in four months. The treasures are the ones that before even meeting invite you to $3 Martini and Karaoke night at their favourite bar and then give you a key to their house after only knowing you a day. The treasures are the couple that let you sleep on their air mattress, make you feel at home, and invite you back anytime you want. The treasures are the ones that are engaged and planning a wedding yet still make you a member of the family, make you dinner, offer you a drink - without wanting or expecting anything in return.

Have you ever noticed that the ones with the least to spare are the ones with the most to give. Because they understand that it doesn't have to be money. It's about making someone feel welcome, sitting down and having a meaningful conversation with a stranger, or belting out a duet at karaoke only hours after meeting. At the end of this all I won't be rich in money but the memories, the friendships, the people that I have met and the things that I have learnt - I'll be rich.

*On a side note, my next post will be asking you all for monetary donations...just kidding.*

'Tis the season, folks.

Ailie and I on a steam train ride in Austin, TX

Steph and I at the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Game

Berlin Wall

Scarecrow's Pitchfork, The Wizard of Oz 

Marilyn Monroe Belongings

Babe Ruth and Yogi Berra signed memorabilia

WHY

On September 30th, 2013 I travelled to Monroe, CT. I delivered an open letter to the building the students of Sandy Hook are now going to school after the horrors they had to endure one year ago. On the eve of the one year anniversary I am bombarded on social media of the coverage outlining yet ANOTHER school shooting that happened this afternoon at Arapahoe High School in Colorado - only 10 miles from Columbine, 8 from Aurora. I am reduced to tears. How can this world be so backwards. How can it be that the only way people see the way to end their hurting is by making others hurt? I cannot comprehend it.

It's terrifying. School is supposed to be safe. Moms, dads, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends are supposed to be able to send their loved ones off to class and it is supposed to be a haven. The walls that surround those hallways are supposed to be a safe place. While I am no longer in school I still have so many friends, cousins, and am a surrogate aunt to so many little ones that enter those doors every day with no other expectations than to be safe. I have countless friends that are teachers, or are becoming teachers. School should not be a place we fear to send our friends and family. It should be a safe place. This needs to stop. We need to stop.

Why. Why do these shootings keep happening. Where have we gone wrong that these individuals feel the only way to right the wrongs that they have had done unto them is to do wrong unto others. Today, I am sending love and prayers to all the students, faculty, and families at Arapahoe High School. And in honour of the survivors and in memory of those lives lost at Sandy Hook I am republishing my original post from Newtown.

Moment Of Silence

In 2006 I travelled to Europe with my high school. Of course we visited many of the amazing tourist attractions like The Coliseum, The London Eye, and The Trevi Fountain, to name a few but one stop had us visit the concentration camp in Dachau, Germany. There is a surreal and overwhelming sobering feeling that comes over one when you step into somewhere that carries with it such a tragic, horrific history. For the second time in my life I had that same sobering feeling come over me today.

Today I visited what is the new Sandy Hook Elementary School in Monroe, CT. The old building in Newtown that saw one of the most horrific events I could ever imagine is no longer in use. As I drove through the community and saw countless mailboxes and fences adorned with green and white ribbons in memory of lives lost and in solidarity, support, of their community it really hit me that this was a community that, to this day, is in mourning and is trying to heal. As I pulled up to the school I never expected to get close to the building or even get inside. There was a barricade with a police officer at the entrance to the parking lot. He checks IDs and does his best to keep his community safe. I pulled up and handed him my letter and asked if he would be able to pass it along to anyone that he thought may need it. Before I drove away he looked me in the eyes, shook my hand, and said such a sincere "thank you", I knew that he was saying much more than thank you for a letter:

To The People of Sandy Hook: The students, the teachers, the parents, the community,

My name is Lauren Ridd, I am twenty-five years old, and I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. On December fourteenth, I, like countless others around the globe, watched, and listened, and read as the horrific events unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary School. And, like countless others, my heart broke.

As an outsider, it is impossible and would be unfair for one to even begin to think or try to understand the horror, the fear, the loss, the pain, and the heartbreak that you have gone through. But, like millions of people in your country, and, undoubtedly, billions all over the world, I feel compassion and empathy, and I can mourn for every loss you have suffered because of that day.

I know I am not the first to say, but your strength, tenacity, and ability to survive – to get up and go to work or school, to carry on with your lives, despite what one could only imagine to be the worst day of your lives, is admirable and inspirational – in every sense of those words. For that, I thank you.

            The unfair loss of innocence and dozens of lives that could have been is one thing that makes your tragedy so, so heartbreaking. The ones that will never know how it feels to kiss a boy for the first time on a warm summer afternoon. The ones that will never get to drive their parents car for the first time – and the ones who, inevitably would crash it. There are the ones that will never be able to get down on one knee and propose to the love of their lives – the ones that will never get to say, “yes.” But what saddens me the most is the ones that will never be pushed or given the chance to figure out what they were meant to do in this world. That, breaks my heart.

            As an outsider that has watched, and listened, and read only being able to imagine what the day was like for your school and community, feeling sad and mournful and angry at the person that caused so much pain is the common reaction. But, know that that day and all that you went through, and all that you continue to go through every day since December Fourteenth, you inspire people around the world.

            Sandy Hook, you may not realize it, but you are the heroes of this world. Your ability to go on with your lives, to walk into another school, to walk into another classroom, to receive thousands upon thousands of letters just like this one from strangers, outsiders, all over the world trying to make sense of the senseless: thank you, Sandy Hook, for being strong, and tenacious, and inspiring.

Stay strong.

Love, support, and admiration,

Lauren Ridd

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Pink Friday

Just over two hours south-east of Oklahoma City in the state of Oklahoma, you'll find the small town of Tishomingo. If you're wondering why this name might sound a little familiar to you, there's good reason. Especially if you're a country music fan. Tishomingo is the place that Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert call home. With a whopping population reaching just over 3000, Tishomingo is one of those towns that you blink, and you'll miss it. I could probably run from one end of Main St to the other in about a minute. And for anyone that knows me, you'll know, running obviously isn't my strong suit.

For these big name stars like Miranda and Blake you'd have to think that any moment of free time that their schedules allow - outside of touring, recording and writing, attending awards shows, and coaching on The Voice, you'd think they would want to spend this time with family. Especially on a holiday like Thanksgiving.

In Tishomingo, OK, Miranda Lambert opened a little boutique on Maint St called The Pink Pistol the day after Thanksgiving last year. While the rest of the country - and apparently even some Canadians, are spending their time fighting it out in the line of every retailer offering even a slight discount on Black Friday, Miranda Lambert is busy coining what she and the rest of Tishomingo has now come to know as Pink Friday.

Sure, there's still the same (fleeting) idea behind Pink Friday as Black Friday - consumerism. However, Pink Friday offers so much more with such a bigger goal in mind. The point isn't to attract everyone that has an extra few hundred dollars to spend (who are these people nowadays anyways). Pink Friday is about helping boost a local economy. Getting people to Tishomingo that may have never come before, for example two girls from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Pink Friday is about helping out animals - Miranda brings her MuttNation to the forefront to help unwanted animals find a new home. This Pink Friday alone, over 30 pets were rescued and found permanent homes thanks to the work of Lambert and her Pink Friday.

As I rant and rave about how amazing I think the whole thing is some of you might be thinking its time to stop reading. Of course Lauren is going to be impressed by this. She's a Miranda Lambert fan. And of course it's easy for a celebrity with lots of money to put on such events. Well, yeah I am a huge Miranda and Blake fan. And yes, they do have money and celebrity working in their favour but I admire the amount of pride that these two take in their home town and how they use their platform, their power, for good.

On top of organizing a (what I am calling) street festival for the residents of Tishomingo to celebrate Pink Friday, it draws people in from all over the state of Oklahoma, and as I have proven, even outside the country. Pink Friday works because it's a celebration - it's free, it gives people an excuse to get out and connect with one another (some may start their Christmas shopping), and others, like me, travel hundreds of miles just so that they can say they have shopped at Miranda Lambert's Pink Pistol. But with shopping, people, and free live music - a free concert by Neal McCoy with an unscripted duet by Neal and Miranda, who wouldn't want to be a part of this celebration.

I am already trying to figure out how I am going to afford heading back to Tishomingo for the 3rd Annual Pink Friday in 2014 AND which of my friends will make the excursion with me.

Thank you to the reigning Royal Couple of Country Music - Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert for continuing to use their power for good.

One Moore Broken Heart

There's this inevitable feeling that comes after a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina or a tragedy like the shooting at Sandy Hook. The inevitable what ifs one asks themselves. What if she was sick that day? What if I had been running late? What if I had just taken that warning on the news more seriously?

What if.

This past Tuesday I visited Moore, Oklahoma. For those of you that may not be aware, on May 20th, 2013, Moore, OK was devastated by a tornado that lasted 39 minutes, touched down for 17 miles, and was 1.3 miles wide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Moore_tornado). For people like myself that live in a place that has never seen a disaster like a tornado or hurricane, 1.3 miles wide - 2.1 km for all my Canadians, that's unthinkable.

I wanted to visit Moore. Mostly because seeing is believing and I want to try and understand what this community has gone through. Step into their community and see what they saw. I started by looking up the Moore Tornado online and in order to find an exact location that I could punch into my GPS I looked at an aerial map that came up as a result of my search. I threw in the only address I could see and was on my way.

As I pulled into Moore, I could see the main road is now lined with brand new, beautifully built shops like Target and dining options like McDonalds. I was starting to second-guess that I was in the right spot. But then the GPS told me to take a right. And I did. Within seconds I was driving past houses that had clearly been completely rebuilt in the last six and a half months. Then I passed one that had not been touched since the damage struck. Then I begun passing what looked like empty lots. But after closer inspection, you realized that the only thing that survived of these lots were the drive ways. The 20 feet or so of concrete that once directed a family into their home, was all that survived the destruction.

Then the GPS said to take a left. What I turned into hit me like nothing I've ever felt before. I had pulled up to what had, prior to May 20th, 2013, been Plaza Towers Elementary School. If it wasn't for the sign bolted into the ground, I wouldn't have known it's name. But the memorial that sit upon the grass, left to what was once the drive-way entrance to the school lets you know that a school once stood here.

Seven crosses. Seven piles of toys, flowers, cards, and trinkets. To mark seven lives lost. Seven children. Ripped from seven families. Accompanied by two flags. Attached to the fence behind each cross is a piece written by a member of each of the seven families that lost a child on May 20, 2013. They tell of who their children were - the one with the big heart, the one that was proud of being taller than her big sister, the one that asked for extra lunch money so that he could buy items for his friends that may not have a lunch, and the one that wouldn't get to celebrate her upcoming birthday. Seven re-tellings of lives lost that can be summarized as nothing short of heartbreaking.

Then I come back to the messages of what if. Seven families that struggled on that day on what to do. One mom wrote of the decision of whether to risk going out in the storm to pick up her daughters from school - but chose not to at the risk of making her girls orphans. A what if that is absolutely haunting.

As the foundation gets replaced and the walls, one by one, are (rather rapidly) rebuilt around Plaza Towers Elementary School, these seven families stand together with a message: SOS - Shelter Our Schools. What if? What if Plaza Towers Elementary School had had a proper storm shelter in place?

They don't want this to ever be another what if. And they are taking action.

To these seven families, the sixteen others that lost their lives, the hundreds that were injured, and those who lost it all - my thoughts and admiration are with you, for how you have come together to over come such devastation that, to someone like me - from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - is absolutely unimaginable.

Successful Surfing

As I sit here on the floor of my dorm in the hostel in Austin, TX, about to write a post on Couchsurfing I have to chuckle at the irony. Over the last few months I have had my fair share of Couchsurfing experiences and have also had the opportunity to connect with other travellers and discuss their experiences with CS as well. After many discussions, I felt it was appropriate to throw together a list of tips that may help both parties out - surfers and hosts.

Tips For CouchSurfers - How To Be A Good Guest:
- Always be clear when sending requests on how long/how many nights you are looking to stay.

- Advise a potential host of any special requests or circumstances. Ex: if you have allergies OR don't just show up with your two dogs. Remember, this is not your house.

- Respect your hosts privacy. If they want you out of the house when they are not there - respect that. Remember, you are a guest and are staying for free!

- Although not required, showing up with a host gift is always a nice way to connect. It can be something as simple as a bottle of wine or something unique to where you're from - tea from England or a pin from your home state.

- Always be sure to ask if there is anything you need to bring - blankets/pillows/food.

- Be sure to research the location of your host before arriving. A 10 minute commute from downtown, as listed on their profile, might be talking to those with a car. Public transportation could and probably will take significantly longer.

- When you're sending out a request, be sure to personalize it. Nothing is more off-putting than seeing a generic two-line request where you have just substituted the addressee (some not even going that far to take the time to write out the name of the person you're requesting to stay with).

- Most importantly, remember your manners people. This is not your house. You are a guest. Everyone does things differently and be sure to respect that. You aren't staying with this host forever but while you are you need to be flexible to their routines.

Tips for Hosts - How To Prepare Your Surfers:
- Before accepting a surfer, let us know if you have any rules of the house - no drinking, no smoking, bed time is 10 pm, etc. This prepares us and ensures there are no surprises or moments of awkward miscommunication.

- Advise your surfers on your proximity to things like public transport, tourist attractions, and places like downtown. Many travellers do not have a vehicle with them so this will affect their plans.

- I know many of you take pride in your cities and love showing surfers around but also be mindful of when a surfer may have things on their to-do list that they might want to do or see on their own. Furthermore, respect their decision. What you may write off as old news is probably something your surfer has never or rarely been exposed to - hence the trip to your city!

- If you require a surfer to bring anything let us know well in advance - blankets, pillows, food, etc.

- If you do not want a surfer to use certain items, or if you have certain items you will allow a surfer to use, let us know. Examples: oven, washer/dryer, coffee maker, etc.

- Although it is never a requirement, let your surfers know ahead of time if you do not have wifi. Many travelers rely on wifi to communicate with friends and family back home as well as to plan the next stages of our travels. If you let us know before arrival that you do not have wifi we can be sure to do planning ahead of time or at least look up the nearest Starbucks where we can go chill out in the twenty-first century.

- Do your best to keep your place clean. You don't have to be a Martha Stewart or Monica from Friends but don't make your surfers sleep on dirty sheets, wade through garbage to get from one room to the next, or step into a shower that they leave dirtier than when they entered.


To both parties - be kind. Respect each others life views. If you have a affinity for a certain religion, political party, social group, etc perhaps avoiding such topics is a way to go so as not to make anyone uncomfortable should they not share the same views.

Most importantly, have fun. As I mentioned several posts ago, CouchSurfing has revolutionized the way people can travel nowadays. Staying with a stranger, free of charge and truly getting the locals' point of view is a priceless experience. I have stayed with countless amazing people that I am truly grateful to have met. Thank you to all that have hosted me, and cheers to those of you that will!

Don't Call Me A Survivor

In August of 2005 I was seventeen years old. I was probably ending a long summer of softball and travelling around Canada and the Northern US for tournaments. I was also probably getting ready to start my last year of high school - a very exciting time in any teenagers life. For the first time, my peers and I were going to have run of the school. It was our time.

In August of 2005 Kat was also seventeen and probably doing many of the same things that I was doing as she and her peers were getting ready to start their senior year of high school. And then tragedy struck. In what has come to be known as the worst civil engineering failure in US history when the levees broke, and a natural disaster that is synonymous with New Orleans - Hurricane Katrina.

I sat on the L-shaped leather and off-green couch until 1:30 am on Friday night asking Kat questions about Katrina, just hours after meeting for the first time. Graciously, she let me into her world. She was like any other high school girl, she had her problems - it's hard to be a teenage girl. But when the warning came her sister, mother, and Kat packed their usual three-day bag, expecting to be back home by weeks' end in time to carry on with her senior year.

When they started making it a mandatory evacuation that's when we knew it was serious, that had never happened before. Kat recalled for me. It took some time to choke out the reality of what she and thousands just like her in New Orleans had gone through in 2005. What would normally be a one hour drive from New Orleans to Baton Rouge took over nine hours as cars full of evacuees gridlocked the interstate. I remember seeing people standing on the side of the road waving cars over for a ride because they had run out of gas. But, even at that time I still don't think it was real yet. 

Kat and her family took refuge with some family in Baton Rouge and she recalls that at least five days went by before contact could be established between her and her dad. Five long days. Not knowing - that was scary. Once she finally found out that her dad had made it out of New Orleans safely she started thinking about all the others - her friends, classmates, teachers, her community. In 2005, it wasn't anywhere near how it is today. You couldn't just send out a mass text (message) to contact everyone at once. A five day communication black out left many unknowns at the other end of the line. But, I still don't think it was real yet. We still didn't really realize what was happening.

With as much fragility as the situation warranted, I asked question after question of Kat - not even with this blog in mind but solely because I wanted to understand. I wanted to try and wrap my head around what happened here: the feelings, the panic, the surreal-ness of everything going on. I am so grateful that Kat was willing to share with me what she has gone through. I remember coming down the stairs at my aunt and uncles house and everyone was sitting around watching the tv. They were showing coverage of Katrina and that was the moment that it really hit me. Like, shi!t, this is real. This is really happening. And I'll never forget that moment.

When I think of New Orleans, I think of Mardi Gras, partying, and Hurricane Katrina. Having never been here before I wanted to understand at least one, as varied as the three may be. I am so grateful to Kat for her sharing her experiences with me - the realness of it all that could never truly be conveyed in any news story or picture on google. I could tell it was hard to recall all the details and emotions and revisit all those horrible memories of Katrina. But don't call her a survivor. I wouldn't, no. I don't think I would call myself a survivor. We were just here. I don't know anyone that says that.

More than eight years later, survivors or not - I admire and respect the healing power that is prevalent here in New Orleans. And I thank you, for helping this Canadian girl try and understand what was once the unimaginable.

The Lower 9th Ward was one of the places in New Orleans that was hit hardest by Katrina. Each and every single house in New Orleans was checked by emergency workers once the water had receded enough.

Eight years have gone by but the FEMA markings still remain on some houses (right house, left side of the door). This house was not able to be searched until September 12th - two weeks after Katrina hit. 

This was once a house, now over run with vegetation.

The now abandoned Six Flags New Orleans

What was once the entry/ticket office. 

A single swing remains.

Nine years ago I would not have been able to take this picture because of the crowds.

Here, let me.

How many times have you gone on a great vacation with friends, family, or a significant other, gone and done some amazing things, snapped hundreds of pictures only to get home and realize that there really aren't many - if any - (good) pictures of your entire group? Pretty often, I'd guess.

It's funny. You can be at the most touristy destination, like Disney World or Graceland, and people are so extremely hesitant to stop another tourist to ask them if they wouldn't mind snapping a quick picture of their group. It seems people tend to think this is some huge inconvenience or something. When really, a simple: you take ours, we'll take yours, trade makes life a lot easier than trying to fashion a good selfie - attraction in frame and all.

Travelling on my own I kind of started making a joke out of it on Instagram, and those of you that follow me will know, I started a little "hashtag" collection of images #PicsWithHalfMyFace because there seems to be very few opportunities that one can capture the attraction and their entire person in the same frame, especially on a cell phone. All jokes aside, however, I was reminded of the kindness of strangers when I accidentally happened upon Metropolis. Yes, it is the one you are immediately thinking of. Home of Superman.

I saw the sign indicating the exit for Metropolis was only a few miles up the road and I just thought it was a coincidental name. Yet, as I travelled along the interstate I started seeing signs about Superman and Superman Museums and Superman Wax Museums - okay, this is real life. Of course I decided I was going to stop because how can you just drive past Metropolis and not. Take the exit and about five miles down the road to the right you pull up to a GIGANTIC Superman statue and various other Superman-themed outlets. Of course I wanted my picture with that statue.

I snapped a few of the man himself from a distance away, being sure to capture all it's glory. I then proceeded to walk up the little pathway into the display. Tried as I might, there was not a hot chance in you know where that I was going to be able to take a picture of this statue and anything more than #HalfMyFace. As I struggled, a dad with his three children and a few other dads and their kids walked up to Superman and the dad, without hesitation, said: "Here, let me."

It's the simple things that can brighten someones day and I want to send a sincere thank you out to this dad and the COUNTLESS others that have either, of their own free will offered or have agreed after my asking to snap a photo for me in these truly amazing places that I've been lucky enough to see thus far.

Next time you find yourselves out on the road and you see another group struggling to take a selfie or watch as the odd man out has to volunteer to not be in the picture, take three seconds out of your life and offer to help. Good deed of the day: check.

Jinx

Remember that time I stopped travelling and took a two and a half week break? Remember that time the day before I was heading back on the road and I told you not to worry and that I would have stories for you soon? Well, my friends, this would be what they refer to as jinxing yourself.

It wasn't four hours into my nine and a half hour drive from Minnetonka, MN to St Louis, MO that I picked up my phone from it's resting place under my stereo to check the time to see an error message reading, "Please visit apple.com to restore phone."

What the heck?

I pulled over into the next rest stop to further investigate. Thank you Iowa, by the way, for having free wifi at all your rest stops. It's rather convenient. I powered off my phone and when I tried to power back on, nothing. Obviously at this point I was in panic mode so I pulled my laptop out from it's hiding place behind the back seat, slid it out of it's pink protective case and was on apple.com/support faster than you could blink an eye. Trouble shoot, restore attempt, connect to iTunes - my apologies if this sounds like complete gibberish to you, that's not my intention. The main thing you need to take away from this little forty-five minute pit stop is that the phone was not coming back to me, no matter how hard I tried.

Get to St Louis. Get to St Louis and find an apple store. E-mail my couchsurfing host, Allie, and let her know what's going on and that I no longer have a phone she can reach me on. Drive, drive, drive.

Five and a half hours later, five and a half very long, boring, radio-filled hours later I was pulling up to the Galleria Mall in St Louis and virtually sprinting in to find the Apple store. To make a completely long, and enraging experience a short story, the "Geniuses" that I dealt with at this store were clearly 100% more concerned with getting off their shift and going home for the day than helping me solve my problem. They came to the conclusion that both my hardware (phone) and SIM card were damaged and could not be fixed. That's right folks, the two things that make my life line work had apparently both simultaneously self-destructed while sitting in my car, not in use. Makes perfect sense. My favourite part of the whole Apple transaction was that this moron Andy expected me to purchase a new replacement iPhone before leaving - even though having a "damaged SIM card" would make it virtually impossible for me to make this replacement phone work.

This is the part when I can feel you all rolling your eyes in disgust at how reliant my generation has become on technology and cell phones. Well, you'd be proud to know that I lasted a full thirty hours before I caved and went to AT&T and purchased a new pay as you go phone.... and then an iPod touch so that I could still use all the apple functionalities and apps without actually having my iPhone. You know what they say, though, you can't help who you love. And although I was beyond furious with Apple and their service, I still purchased a new Apple iPod - which WILL be for sale once I can make it back to Winnipeg to get my phone up and running (32GB, 5th Generation, Blue, iPod touch - with case, screen protector, charger, and 2 year applecare warranty - leave a comment if you're interested).

Anyways, as you can see, it has been an eventful couple days. Yet, aside from technology withdrawal, St Louis was absolutely incredible. I found a fabulous host in Allie which met me at her place with a glass of red wine upon my arrival after the Apple store ordeal. Needless to say we were instant best friends.

On that note, and that glass of wine, here's to the next destination - iPod, and new phone in hand.

Catching My Breath

I count myself a fairly lucky person. No, not because I've taken the gypsy life on, full swing, quitting my job and travelling around North America relatively care free. I count myself lucky, because if you haven't guessed yet, I have some pretty incredible people in my life. I count myself lucky that over the years I have somehow managed to find individuals that I may not see for days, months, weeks, and even years but am still lucky enough to call my friend.

I've spent the last two (plus) weeks in Minnetonka, MN staying with my friend Amber, her sister Ashley and her fiance Paul, and their roommate Cam. I haven't seen Amber in over a year. Sure we may Skype and FaceTime, we text and catch up on Facebook, but something can be said about a relationship when you can go for such long periods of time without seeing one another and when you're finally in the same room, it's like you haven't been apart for a single minute.

I know it's been a little while since I wrote a new post. I don't want anyone to think that I have given up on The North America Project, because I haven't. I was just taking some much needed R&R - yes, sometimes you even need a vacation from the vacation. Although I don't have any tales or words of wisdom for this post, you can rest assured as tomorrow I will be getting back on the road and we all know what that means - more stories, more posts. But for now, I want to take a moment and give a sincere thank you and shout out not only to my incredible friend Amber and her household for letting me into their home, and lives, and more than likely getting in their way a time or two, but I also I want to thank all the folks out there that have given me a bed or a couch to sleep in/on over the last three months.

It's been an incredible three months, and I have met so many amazing people and I would not have been able to do many of the incredible things I have done this far without your kindness and hospitality. From Toronto to Maine to Kissimmee back to Minnesota, and everyone in between - to all my hosts, for everything,

Thank you.

Getting Creative

Exactly one year ago today, and yes I can still say today because it's only 10pm where I am, one year ago I cut off fourteen inches of hair and raised over $1300.00 in support of (Breast) Cancer Care Manitoba after finding out a close friend and co-worker of mine had recently entered into a battle with the disease.

Without hesitation, almost every single person I know - from co-workers, friends, family, old classmates, even people I barely knew were passing me cash in support of "Cuts For A Cure". This event I had thrown together with the help of many, but without Sandy Lemoine (formerly Turner) of First Impressions Hair & Skin Team, it would not have been possible. I pledged to cut 1 inch of hair off for ever $100 dollars I raised. Why? Because hair grows back, breasts don't. Hair grows back, lives don't.

I recently read a quote from Ellen DeGeneres which read, "I don't plan on participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month every year. Just until there's a cure." As she enters into her 11th year of officially supporting/raising awareness and funds for research for this disease that has claimed the lives of so many women and men around the world. I hope we can all take the same approach as Ellen - it's not a forever thing, it's an until we can find a solution thing. Until then, we're going to do what we can, each one of us individually, doing what we can.

I'm not writing this post to toot my own proverbial horn. I'm not bragging about what I did and how it was a great act of kindness. Because I don't believe in doing things for recognition but rather because it's the right thing to do. I'm writing this because, as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I also want to remind every one out there that it is not always money that you have to donate in order to make a difference. Of course money is great but donate old clothes/food/toys, donate time. Whatever you can afford to donate - it makes a difference. As a university student, working full time, living on a budget I had to get creative with how I was going to make a difference and I encourage you all to do the same.

Whether you are impacted by Cancer, Alzheimer's, or SIDS, or feel inclined to help places like The Children's Hospital, or a Homeless Shelter, the options are endless - I whole-heartedly encourage every single one of you to get creative (or not) and donate what YOU can afford. It all makes a difference.

There will always be another Monday Night Football Game, A Friday night for drinks with friends, another hour to do homework, but you can always make more money, you already have too many clothes and hair grows back. Dreams, breasts, lives - they don't.

October 22, 2012 - Pre-Cut

October 22, 2012 - Post Cut 

October 22, 2013 - It's Just Hair

*If anyone in Manitoba is looking for something to do this Sunday October 27th (1-5pm), a friend of mine and his family are hosting a Charity Fundraiser to raise awareness about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) at Norberry-Glenlee Comm. Center (26 Molgat Ave.) I attended the event two years ago and not only is it for a great cause but it's also an excellent place to start your Christmas/Holiday shopping.

For more information: www.emptyarms.ca

Full Circle

Exactly two months ago I was sitting in the same place I am right now: Burlington, Ontario. The first time I was passing through as a visitor/tourist and this time I am spending a few days here for R&R. It should go without saying that I am beyond grateful to my friend and second time host, Brittany, for letting me crash at her apartment (AGAIN), even on such short notice. While she has been apologizing non-stop for the fact that she has to work while I am here, she really shouldn't. Not all of us can be five-year old, unemployed, gypsy travellers.

However, as the first leg of my US tour has come to an end, and I find myself back in one of my early stops, I want to take this opportunity to (kind of) summarize lessons I have learnt in the last two months while on the road - on top of the ones mentioned in Little Buggers

In no particular order:

1) In Australia, voting is mandatory. If you are of legal age and don't vote you can (and will be) fined.
-Jaimi-Lee, AUS

2) To catch and kill fruit flies, put a little apple cider vinegar in a small container, then cover with saran wrap. Poke a few tiny wholes in the wrap. The bugs can get in but they can't get out and eventually meet their demise.
-Anne, NS

3) If you want to speak in a believable British accent, commit and speak FAST. The quicker you speak, the more believable it is.
- Ali, Isabell, James, UK

4) Where are you from: Winnipeg - Blank stare. Manitoba - Blank stare. Canada - ohhhh, so where's that? ..... about 3.5 hours North of Fargo. Oh man! It must be so cold there.
-Every American

5) The two most common questions that are asked as ice breakers in hostels - where are you from, and, what brings you to                .
- Every stranger, in every hostel

6) When checking into a new hotel/hostel, don't just check the pillows/headboard. The best place to check for bed bugs is actually in the seams of the mattress and mattress covers.
-Brittany, Wpg

7) When you bump into someone in the street/store in the USA, if you apologize, you're looked at as if you're some sort of saint - apparently this is not what most people do.

8) Although places like McDonald's and Starbucks offer free wifi to customers, and even though you DO purchase something, you will be judged and given all sorts of looks if you spend any significant amount of time in these locations playing catch-up on your TV shows.

9) Southern accents are a real thing. They aren't over-dramatized in movies and television. This might be my favourite accent because every person you talk to sounds like they want to be your best friend/mother.

10) Getting gas in the US is actually one of the most complicated procedures in the world. At 99% of gas stations you have to pre-pay before filling up. So, you now have to estimate how much it is going to cost you to fill your tank of gas. If you underestimate... well, you're not going back in to add more. If you overestimate, you have to go back in and get change. If you want to use a credit card to pay at the pump you actually need to have a zip code. If you don't have one (me), you still have to go inside and pre-pay. Therefore, getting gas in the US, for a non-US resident ends up requiring 2-3 trips inside the store and takes about 3 times as long as it really should. Imagine my reaction to this the first time it happened.

11) If every single car on the interstate is speeding, you're not going to get a ticket. If you drive the speed limit as literally every single car zips past you, it's actually more dangerous than just keeping up with the speed of traffic.

12) There is no rhyme or reason to how you are questioned at the border. Example 1 - entering US: was extensively questioned about why and how long I was going to be in the states - never asked if I had any drugs/guns/weapons/other people in the car. Example 2 - entering Canada: was asked if I had any firearms/weapons AND why my blankets were folded they way they were in the back seat (?) - not about drugs/alcohol/tobacco/how much I was bringing back into Canada.

13) There are still truly kind, generous and selfless people in this world. I don't think I am ever going to get over the fact, or forget, that I got to go to Disney world for free.
-April, FLA

14) Accents can also be confusing. In Boston, for example, my entire tour of Fenway Park I thought the tour guide was referring to the old owners as "The Yorkies" which didn't make sense to me. It wasn't until I was walking back to my car down YAWKEY that it clicked what he was talking about (also imagine GAWB vs GARB). Classic mix-up.

15) Most importantly of all, kind words from friends/family/strangers is literally what gets me from one place to the next. In case I don't say it enough - whether I am caught up in the place I am at, or have poor wifi, or whatever the reason may be: THANK YOU.
-Anne/Grandpa, Jason M., Saverio C., Terry B., Mom/dad/Sean, and LITERALLY all my friends

Here's to the next chapter of this crazy gypsy adventure.

The Other Place Where Dreams Come True

If you asked me, as many people do, what is the most interesting, or most beautiful, or funnest, or educating, or best place that I have been thus far I have a different response for each category:

Interesting - Salem, MA

Beautiful - Prince Edward Island - the entire island.

Funnest - Disney World 

Educating - D.C.

Best - Nashville, TN

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a die-hard country music fan and I could not live with myself if I were to travel around North America and not stop in Nashville. Going in, I had the excitement of knowing I was going to encounter a ton of history and lots of country music. Leaving, let me tell you, there's so much more.

While I was in Nashville I visited The Country Music Hall of Fame and The Grand Ole Opry. Two places that hold a tremendous amount of significance in the country music community. I went in excited to see the costumes and memorabilia, read some history, take some pictures. I walk away with such a tremendous, new found respect for country music it's astounding. I truly didn't think it was possible. 

Since 1961, only 121 people - musicians, songwriters, singers, producers, etc. have been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Of those members, only 16 are women. From one floor to the next every inch of the building is covered in history - how country music began, the inductees, costumes, memorabilia, music, videos, even Elvis Presley's car! It's absolutely breathtaking and incredible to see accomplishment, after accomplishment of the country music community. What is even more exciting, to me, was to see the wide range in people visiting the museum. There were everyone from "old-timers" to "teeny-boppers" and even young children. 

At The Grand Ole Opry, "the Opry house doesn't simply pass out invitations to the biggest stars with the most hits. Opry management looks for a musical and a generational balance. Opry membership requires a passion for country music's fans, a connection to the music's history. And it requires a commitment - even a willingness to make significant sacrifices to uphold that commitment" (www.opry.com). Being formally invited to become a member of The Grand Ole Opry may be the biggest honour and dream that any country musician may ever have.

During my tour of The Opry, they show a brief video of artists like Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, and Trace Adkins - to name a few - receiving their invitation to join The Grand Ole Opry. It is Opry tradition that the invite come in some unexpected/surprise manner - like Trace Adkins reading a tweet from The Opry to Blake Shelton (as Blake stands beside him, unknowingly, on stage) on the night of the first show back in The Opry House after the devastating flood of 2010, "Country Comes Home". The reactions, the emotions, they are absolutely incredible. Whether they started on a reality show, or lucked into a slot when someone else didn't show up, or whether they played hundreds of shows in any venue that would let them until they were discovered, being inducted or invited to become a member of either of these two exclusive country clubs is incredible and such a tremendous achievement. 

In 2010, Nashville was devastated by a flood and The Grand Ole Opry was significantly damaged. The first thing that was saved from The Opry was the infamous circle (of the stage) that has been a part of The Opry stage since the very beginning. It has been moved each time The Opry relocated. Near the end of our tour, the guide informed us that we would have the opportunity to go on stage and step on that coveted circle where hundreds of legends, hundreds of stars, and hundreds of up-and-coming artists have stood as well. Standing in the same place that people such as Johnny Cash, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, and countless others have played. Well, I'm tearing up just as I write this. It was such an incredible and special experience. 

If only for a couple days, for a couple hours, I had a glimpse into the lives of these country music legends and the intoxicating atmosphere that is Nashville, Tennessee - that was a dream come true. 

The Black Line Represents The Water Level From The 2010 Flood.