• Home
  • Blog
  • Roadtrip FAQ
  • Schedule
    • NFP Org's
  • Becky
  • Sponsors
  • Contact
    • Take Part

Lemon-Aid

1/28/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
I have been searching for this photo for almost an entire year and I finally found it! That is 16 year-old Becky (me!) at the Lemon-Aid stand myself and another friend organized one summer.

I had read in our local newspaper (the Oakville Beaver) that there was a little girl named Tamya Peralto who had been suffering from high risk stage IV neuroblastoma (cancer) since the age of 3. Her family was seeking financial assistance from the community because there was a treatment in the U.S. that was not covered by OHIP (due to its experimental nature) but had the potential to save her life. After discussing ideas with my friend Ryan, we decided to hold a Lemon-Aid stand in front of an empty grocery store at a busy intersection in Oakville, ON to raise funds towards Tamya's treatment.

With the help of some other friends, we spent a couple days selling lemonade to curious and compassionate community members. I also made a lemon sign (in the picture) that I enjoyed dancing around in to draw attention to our little stand.

In the end, we raised about $500 and were able to donate that towards the cause. Many people held events in the GTA for Tamya at the same time and enough money was raised to help her with treatments. I didn't find out about this until last year, but sadly in 2007 (age of 9) she passed away. Ouch.


About six months after our efforts, I received a beautiful hand-written note from Tamya's mom -

""I would also like to say how much we all appreciate what Becky has done for Tamya. Her thoughfulness in going beyond her school and into her community, our community, seeking to raise funds for out "little princess" Tamya brought tears to my eyes. It made us feel very comforted to know that there are still people out there who care unconditionally for others. You, becky, have done a wonderful job instilling values and morals in Tamya."

Giving back is not about recognition. However after the entire experience and then receiving the letter, it solidified the fact that that silly little Lemon-Aid stand changed my life. From that point on, I was aware of how good it feels to give back and how important it is to do so and how precious life truly is. Although I didn't realize it until a couple years later, that Lemon-Aid stand was absolutely a turning point for me.

Anyway, that is my little tale about the photo. I am so, so happy that I finally discovered it. Just as I cherish the memories, and the letter, this photo will forever remind me of why *it* all matters. 

Happy Friday! Hope your weekends of full of fun!
Lots of LOVE,
-- Becky xo


0 Comments

The Tunes: Week 2

1/27/2011

0 Comments

 
As mentioned in my previous blog post, I am putting together a MASTER list of road songs in preperation for my 'Roadtrip with Reason' that is taking place as of July 2011!

I am looking for YOUR suggestions of favourite travel-worthy songs. Any genre! Old or new! It's going to be a pretty intense list of music because it has to last for 4 months of 'living' on the road. So please leave a comment and give me some tips!!

Last week I was given some great songs via twitter! Thanks Scott, Teresa & Tracy!
1. Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane
2. Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones
3. Teenage Wasteland - The Who
4. All of Joel Plaskett's 'Three' -- my personal fav is Gone, Gone, Gone
5. All of Hollerado's 'Record in a Bag' -- my personal fav is Juliette

This week I am only going to add 2 songs to the list:

1) Local Natives -- Airplanes -- Los Angeles, USA
2) Sarah Blasko - Hey Ya (Cover) - Sydney, Australia
Please enjoy the beauty of the tunes!!

Let me know some of your favourites and I will add them to my list. Have a splendid day!

Happy trails & travels,
-- Becky xo
0 Comments

The Tunes.

1/20/2011

2 Comments

 
Hi Ladies & Gents,

I have been feeling quite musical this week (more than usual). You see, music plays a pretty big role in my every day life ( I could not get through the 9-5 without the help of CBC Radio 3) .... and I think any successful road trip requires a seriously awesome soundtrack.

Imperative! Definite necessity! Absolutely vital!

Anyway, I have decided to be generous (hah) and share my TOP 5 current Canadian favourites .... you can thank me later! I will be adding to this list of favourites on a weekly basis so stay tuned!

1) Hey Rosetta - Young Glass - St. John's, NL
2) Said the Whale -- This City's a mess -- Vancouver, BC
3) Land of Talk -- The Man Who Breaks Things -- Montreal, QC
4) Pat LePoideven -- Rocket Boy -- Princeton, BC
5) The Acorn -- Crooked Legs -- Ottawa, ON
There is plenty more where that came from. There must be something special in the water here.


Let me know what your favourite travel songs are -- as I said, I will be adding to the list on a weekly basis & hope to eventually have a serious master list that will keep me company for 4 months on the road...

Hope you enjoy the first one!

Happy trails & travels,
-- Becky xo
2 Comments

The BIG things.

1/14/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
Just a little late night apple excitement.
I was having a conversation today about the Big Apple. No, I am not talking about NYC... I am talking about the BIG Apple that is located in Colborne, Ontario. Ya know, the place that sells delicious pies? The conversation reminded me of a promise I made back in the day...

In my third year of University, an old friend and I took a winter weekend off and headed to Ottawa. We skipped the apple on the way there and instead decided to make a stop upon our return. it was 8:30 p.m. on a Sunday evening - snowing and cold - but I was able to convince him to pull over for some caramel apple pie. Delicious. The inside of the attached apple building is covered with pictures of BIG attractions from all over the world - animals, fruit, random objects - I thought it was so fun and so bizarre. Who started that BIG trend anyway? It was in that moment that I vowed to my friend that I would one day see every BIG roadside attraction in Canada.

It may seem like a pretty silly vow but if there is one thing you should know about me, it is that I am ALWAYS willing to take part in cheesy photo ops. Always.

So, here I am in the midst of planning a major Roadtrip with Reason across Canada. I thought this would be my chance to fufill that vow. Upon further inspection I have discovered that there are SO MANY in our country! Approximately 35 World's Largest (not including the 5+ that are just BIG). Baseball bat, mosquito, wind chimes, mushroom, piggy bank,  lobster, maple leaf ... the list goes on and on. Who knew? 

I will be on a pretty intense time constraint (about a week / province) which includes travel time, volunteering and other fun....so I don't know if I will be able to make it happen or not. I am going to do my best though. 

Have YOU ever seen any of these attractions? 
Any advice? Do you have a favourite? Please feel free to share your thoughts...I think it will be tough for me to choose!

Happy trails & travels,
-- Becky xo
  

0 Comments

The Canada Chronicles.

1/8/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
Hi Friends,

Happy Weekend! I am not feeling 100% today so I decided to stay in and medicate myself the best way I know how.

Sleep.
Soup.
Sweatpants.
Stories.

I received another great book during the holidays - The Canada Chronicles. A Four-Year Hitchhiking Odyssey - it was written by Matthew Jackson, a Canadian journalist who quit his job and thumbed his way across Canada for four years (1997 - 2000). 

Has anyone else heard about this before? Or read it?

I am a hundred pages in and am enjoying it so far. He has some pretty hilarious stories to share about his adventure, and some heart-warming ones as well. I used to dream about hitchhiking but as a 'young woman' (& admittedly naive), I haven't ever taken the leap. Maybe one day when I have some kind of partner in crime to come with.....or not? (Don't worry Dad!) Haha. Either way, his book is really adding to my excitement for my own trip which is only 6ish months away. As a solo traveller (unless you would like to join me) there is a little bit of nervousness and apprehension about the whole experience - will people be friendly, welcoming and helpful? OR will they be uninterested and just plain mean?! Hah!

I highly doubt that I will come across that kind of attitude very often. This week alone I have been contacted by total strangers offering me suggestions on not-for-profits in their communities, things to do, places to eat and even their couches to sleep on! Thank you twitter!

I wanted to share a little excerpt from the book with you. It comes from Chapter 3, titled " Crossroads", just as he is finished giving his backstory and his about to hit the

"Ultimately, my decision to follow an unlikely dream has resulted in this book, eight years after the idea was first conceived. My primary hope is that it may restore some of that essential faith we seem to have lost in humanity, something we are in great need of right now, especially as the world's media seems bent on dissecting only the details of tragedy. Moreover, I hope that you will enjoy the book for its stories about Canadians, as well as for its humour, adventure and candour, and that it may inspire some of you to pursue your own passions.

Dare to dream big. Dare to laugh hard. At some point in life we, like Robert Frost, must all face a path diverging at the edge of a wood. May you choose your path wisely and may it make all the difference in your own life."

That is all for now! If you haven't already, please feel free to 'like' our journey on Facebook or join our e-mailing list...

Happy trails & travels,
-- Becky xo

0 Comments

Go Girl!

1/2/2011

1 Comment

 
One of my very best friends gave me a little book called 'Go Girl' for Christmas. "Go Girl! Risk, dream, make a new start. Above all, believe in yourself. Have courage and grab at like - it's all there for the taking." It is filled with inspirational quotes and I love love love it! What a great gift.

As I was reading through it today I came across this quote...

Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can.
I am determined to make my life canvas a SERIOUS piece of art this year. Bring on the paintbrush! 

Happy New Year!!

-- Becky xo

 
1 Comment

    What is this?

    Welcome! My name is Becky. I took a roadtrip across Canada, from July to November 2011. This roadtrip was a special one though, because it had reason!

    Go through my blog history to catch up on my 4-month cross-Canada roadtrip where I supported small non-profit organizations and explored the idea of volunteerism. It was so inspiring, life changing and so much FUN...

    Click HERE   to get put on my e-mailing list! You can also check me out on twitter   or facebook!

    Tweet. Tweet.

    Archives

    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    Categories

    All
    Alberta
    Apathy Is Boring
    Archie
    Aviva
    Bear
    Blog
    Boom Boom
    British Columbia
    Camping
    Canada
    Chevrolet
    Chevy
    Contest
    Couchsurfing
    Doubt
    East
    Fail
    Friends
    Henry's
    Inspiration
    Kindness
    Love
    Manitoba
    Media
    Music
    National Park
    New Brunswick
    Newfoundland
    News
    New Year
    Nonprofit
    Non Profit
    Non-profit
    Nova Scotia
    Ontario
    Party
    Pei
    Pepsi
    Pictures
    Planning
    Quebec
    Quote
    Random Act
    Random Act Wednesday
    Reflection
    Roadtrip
    Sad
    Saskatchewan
    Sponsor
    Thankful
    Timeraiser
    Travel
    Update
    Victoria
    Video
    Volunteer
    Volunteering
    Voting

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.