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.

You May Say I'm A Dreamer

If I was talking to you in person I'd start by saying, "close your eyes and imagine..." but since you can't close your eyes and continue reading what I'm about to write, how 'bout you just imagine...

A world with no hate. No judgement. No one fighting wars or discriminating over another groups' beliefs, religions, skin colour, and gender has no affect on status. A world that isn't governed by a set group of laws and regulations but instead order is achieved through understanding - of one another, of right versus wrong, of acceptance. 

Can you imagine this place? 

For those of you rolling your eyes (as I'm sure there are at least a few) I've actually been to this place. Through the kindness and selflessness of a new friend that I had only known a couple days I was able to travel to this place and experience it, take it all in, witness the tolerance, acceptance, and happiness that this place embodies. Just in case you haven't guessed yet, I'm talking about Disney World - okay, now for sure there are people rolling their eyes.

But bare with me. 

It's called the most magical place on Earth and boasts as being the place where Dreams Come True. Cheesy gimmicks? Idealist slogans for a multi-billion dollar company/corporation? Sure. But are they true? Absolutely.

In two days I spent twenty-one hours walking around The Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios at Disney World and of course everyone is on vacation and it's hard not to be overwhelmed with happiness, but it truly is magic. This microcosm of the world - all different ages and cultures coming together for a common reason, and, everyone gets along! Whether you're five, twenty-five (that would be me), or fifty there are no shortages of folks decked out in Disney garb and costumes, there is no shortage of suspension of disbelief as we all wait upwards of thirty minutes just to meet Cinderella or Ariel or Mickey. But the coolest part of all is that there is this unspoken understanding that we will all wait in line, take turns, be courteous and respectful and accept the fact that although we may be five, twenty-five, or fifty, no one comments on the fact that we're standing in line to have our picture taken with someone dressed in a costume. 

If you can remove yourself from the reality that of course this is what Disney World is all about, imagine if we could bring this same practice forward into the rest of the world. As John Lennon sang, "you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." And what better place to inspire a dream of a world of tolerance and acceptance than the very place where dreams come true! 

At this time I would like to extend a tremendous thank you to my hosts in Kissimmee, Florida - April, Joey, and Ana for helping make one of my dreams come true. Selflessness, and kindness is alive and well, people, and this family is living proof. 

And, that's a wrap.