You have no idea how great it feels to be posting this video (below) up. It has been a long, overwhelming and frustrating process to rifle through but the first non-profit profile video is finally complete. The most important thing to note is that For the Love of Learning is a fantastic, worthy and change-making organization in St. John's. Although I arrived during an unusual week - I was still able to grasp the importance of their programming and see the pride and dedication everyone had for the organization. I was particularly impressed with the extremely open and welcoming environment - it didn't matter if you are a University grad, a person struggling with homelessness or a University grad who is homeless.

Some may not understand how art, theatre and creative writing helps at-risk youth, but I can assure you that this program and similar programs do. After meeting some participants, hearing some stories and reading some of the work that was created in the space - there is no doubt in my mind that FTLOL is an organization who is doing great work in St. John's. "A lot with a little" as Peter (in the video) said - I couldn't agree more.

Hi Friends!

It's Wednesday & I am back home in Ontario.....for now. It's nice to be home and have the chance to catch up the millions of things that I am struggling with on the road and to see all the people that make my heart happy.
In a few days I will begin to travel West and I am super excited for the volunteering & mountaineering! 
(Who am I kidding? No mountaineering for me.....but I can't wait to see them safely from ground level! Haha)

This week I have chosen Card #1 out of the Boom Boom cards pouch. I have been waiting for this one to pop up!

So classic! As an editing break, I am going to hit up a coffee shop today with Archie & buy the coffee for the person behind me in drive-thru. I can't wait!! Has anyone ever done this for you? I have heard stories about it totally making someone's day and it's so easy to do!

I highly encourage you all to get out there and purchase a coffee (or tea) for a stranger and tell me all about it on Facebook, Twitter (#randomactwed), this blog or through e-mail....pictures & videos are welcome. I have PRIZES and I want to thank you for being kind - but you have to tell me first. Do it! Do it! Do it!

Don't forget that you can also go to www.boomboomcards.com & register this card (CN P4 95G) to share your experiences on their website. 

That's all, folks. Go be kind & caffeinated! 

Warmly,
Becky xo

Exactly one week ago I pulled myself out of bed in the early morning to prepare for the drive to Montreal. I logged onto Twitter to see what had happened overnight and was overwhelmed with the mass discussion of some very unfortunate news. 

I was shocked. Yes, I saw him on the news during his last public appearance and noted how sick he looked. I just didn't expect that Cancer would win in this particular round, not with Jack. Although I actively participate in the democratic process, I am not one to discuss politics or my political views but I am willing to discuss the greatness that I saw in Jack Layton. He was a gem - passionate, engaging, youthful, and a dreamer. He had that crucial ability to engage 'youth' (i.e. people from my generation) like none other. He also showed a sincere respect for us and made it clear that we were valued in society, something that many other politicians (coughHarpercough) fail at. 
Such a damn shame.

I spent the last week volunteering with Apathy is Boring in Montreal, visiting Parliament, and partaking in the festivities at the Ottawa Folk Festival. There was so, so, so much chit chat about Jack. Everyone, regardless of political views, had great things to say. He was well loved by many and his presence will definitely be missed in Canada.

The perfect words for a heartbreaking end.  
Thanks, Jack. xo

Bonjour!
It's Wednesday - which means it's time for another Random Act of Kindness. 
I am in Montreal, volunteering with Apathy is Boring (!!!) and the card I picked out of the Boom Boom pouch is the PERFECT card for Montreal....

Yesterday I almost got in big, big trouble from the parking meter garcon (hah) who realized that I was overdue my time and still there. I made it out ticket-free, but it was way too close!! It's perfecto.

Have a great day, friends and go be kind!! Don't forget to tell me all about it via Facebook, Twitter, this blog or through e-mail. You might just win a prize :) You can also share it on the boom boom cards website (tracking code: RE7DXAF)...

Warmly,
Becky xo 

It's official - I have been on the road for an entire month!
One month down, 2-ish to go! It feels like just yesterday when I was pulling out of the driveway from my home base - full of excitement and absolute fear - and here I am with lots of thoughts swirling around in my head....

1. I have adjusted to life on the road a lot better than I anticipated. Aside from a couple "woe is me/it's so hard/I am tired/where's my mommy" days (haha) - it's been great!

2. Canada has some form of beauty lurking around every corner - seriously. The East has set the bar very, very high. Hey, West Coast - you better bring it!

3. People are generally kind - especially Canadians. I have met adventurers from all over the world who always have good things to say about the people here and it's true. I haven't come across a single 'bad seed' in the East - only really, really good seeds who have fed me, housed me, guided me and even took me up in a plane.

4. I love Archie, my 2011 Chevy Cruze. I am absolutely turning into a crazy car lady (worse than cats) and talk about Archie like he's my boyfriend. So, what?! He's been the best road companion a girl could ask for. I have even started reading Archie Comics.....obsessed.

5. I have gained a new skill - I can now (pretty much) sleep anywhere. Nasty motels, fancy hotels, couches of all shapes/sizes, floors (all levels of cleanliness), chairs, car seats & even in church parking lots. Think I should add it to my resume?

6. I have been so inspired by the people I have met. Every organization is different but their one common thread is passion and dedication and a desire to make change!  It's been an honour to meet these do gooders - I can't wait to follow them as their organizations flourish and change.

7. Video editing is difficult - much more difficult than I expected. It turns out that I don't have a special secret skill (I was hoping) and so, the vision in my head never ends up on the screen. The process is frustrating and long and overwhelming....but I am trying. I want my non-profit videos to be worthwhile and useful and decent which is why it's taking so long. Thanks for keeping up your patience (even when I have lost mine).

8. Live music, campfires and ice cream are still my favourite things. Who said travelling changes people? Not I! 

9. I have discovered an independence in myself that I didn't even know existed and it makes me feel awesome. I used to be the girl who was terrified to sit and eat alone and now I do it on the regular - and actually enjoy it. It makes me glad to know that I can be happy, with or without people surrounding me.

10. I continue to be incredibly grateful to my sponsors, family, friends and viewers for making this journey a reality. I am trying to absorb every moment as it passes me by and take full advantage of what being on this Roadtrip with Reason means. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Off to edit, I go...xo

Hi Friends,

It's 6p.m. here in Lower Bedeque, PEI. After an awesome week spent in Charlottetown volunteering with Farmers Helping Farmers, I am taking a day for r&r - which has been awesome. It has included flying a plane, watching a cow give birth, swimming in the ocean, and driving on (red) dirt roads. I LOVE THIS PROVINCE! 
(Don't I say this every week?!) But really, this country is the best! 

Today is Wednesday (where does the time go?!) which means it's time for another Random Act of Kindness. As you know, every week Roadtrip with Reason is doing a random act of kindness using Boom Boom cards! I picked Card #2 (blindly) out of the pouch.

What a simple task! I am going to extend this one to driving as well and let people have the right of way etc......if I see anyone else on the roads?! Oh, the country life...

I am off to pick up some fresh seafood and local goodies for our feast and I pinky promise to be kind while doing it.
Go be kind, my friends!! This is the easiest one EVER! Don't forget to share it with me on Facebook, Twitter (#randomactwed), this blog or e-mail! 

With lots o' love,
Becky xo

I finally have a video to share with you. FINALLY! I cannot begin to explain the frustration level that was reached during the editing of this - so many complications. Far too many! It's still not perfect but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and move on, which is exactly what I am doing. 

All you really need to know is that Newfoundland was spectacular. Enjoy! xo

Hi Friends,

So, it's Thursday and the weekly Random Act of Kindness has yet to be posted. I am feeling a little bit like a failure at this moment and wondering if I have bitten off more than I can chew. I had a serious footage/technology screw-up on Thursday that took the entire day and night to work out, and it has forced me to fall behind on a lot of my duties. I just want everyone to know that I am trying my hardest to keep on schedule and am 100000% committed to what this project is all about.

Yesterday I spent the entire morning/day/evening volunteering with the Empathy Factory here is Nova Scotia. They threw a lobster dinner fundraiser and a team of us spent the day creating the ENTIRE meal from scratch - coleslaw, potato salad, apple pie (including the crust), biscuits etc. It was an awesome day of prep and night of lobster dinner-ing with 100 new friends. I left feeling mighty inspired by the Empathy Factory - can't wait to share it with you.

ANYWAY, at the event I was given the opportunity to make a little presentation about my project. I decided to make the Random Act of Kindness as a part of my chat -  a room of 100 and it was Wednesday? Perfect! I had picked card #5 - Give five genuine compliments in one day .... an awesome card for a room of 100. I told everyone to give at least ONE genuine compliment to the people at their tables, and the rest is history!

So, this is your chance to be kind too....one day later! Go give 5 genuine compliments out today. Make someone smile! Write about your experience on www.boomboomcards.com & let me know how it goes via Twitter (#randomactwed), Facebook, this blog or e-mail.

Thanks for your patience. I am off to edit edit edit so that I can get this Travel Tuesday video up.....soon!
Tomorrow I leave for Prince Edward Island & on to another volunteering adventure. Hurrah!

Warmly,
Becky :)

Hi Friends,

I am officially back in Nova Scotia after an amazing last few days in Newfoundland. I am so, so sad to leave that magical province behind, but excited to see what Nova Scotia has to offer! Volunteering with For the Love of Learning was a great experience and I am excited to share it with you in video form on Friday!

I also had a great time exploring the city of St. John's. One of my last few evenings was spent getting 'Screeched In' with Mayo, my couchsurfing host, and some other surfers. It was an awesome night and I am glad to now have a certificate that says I am an "Honourary Newfie"! Check it out :)