This is long overdue, but I am so glad to finally share with you a little bit of the magic that is Apathy is Boring. From the moment I stepped into their office in Montreal, I felt like one of the gang. From the executive director (Ilona) who has achieved so much good in her 31 years, to an amazing artist (Moe) who offers her artistic expertise on an (often) volunteer basis, to a lovely staff member (Devon) who doubles as a food blogger -- they were all so incredible. 

For anyone who has negative thoughts or doubts about the youth population today, I suggest you take a trip to Montreal and visit the A is B team. Seriously. They are a breath of fresh, inspiring air. Enjoy!  

1. This experience - what an opportunity it has been! So much to say. Stay tuned for lots of reflection in the coming weeks.

2. Chevrolet Canada - I can't imagine doing the cross-Canada journey without "my" 2011 Chevy Cruze. Archie has become my partner in crime - the only constant I have had throughout the 3 months on the road. He has played the best tunes, provided a great place to snooze, been thoughtful with his gas intake, and never ever let me down. 17, 000 KM later and I still think that he is the best! It's going to be tough to say goodbye. (Yes, I am a crazy car lady. Haha) 

3. The Pepsi Refresh Project - the funding that started it all. The long days of planning, designing this website, hounding everyone for their daily votes, and living in a constant state of anxiety for two months - it all worked out! I am so grateful to be a member of the Pepsi Refresh Project grantee family!

4. Henry's - my equipment friends. It still amazes me that they stepped up to the plate and offered me such an amazing video camera that I use on a daily basis. I couldn't have created any of the videos without it!

5. Anyone who has sponsored me in some way - so many people have fed me, housed me, and thrown a couple bucks my way. I am so appreciative of each and every kind gesture.

6. The non-profit organizations that have been involved in this journey. I have not yet been disappointed by any of my volunteer visits. I am really glad that I have had the ability to discover and share some of the most innovative, successful, and passionate change-makers in Canada. I am so grateful that these organizations exist and that the people who work/volunteer for them are willing to (often) be overworked, underpaid, and understaffed just to ensure that some kind of change happens. Amazing human beings.

7. My family. How cool is it that my parents flew all the way out to British Columbia to enjoy Thanksgiving with my brother, his ladyfriend and I? Pretty cool. It feels/smells like home - except with the ocean and mountain views.

8. Anyone who has taken the time to read my posts, engage in my project, send me a kind e-mail or offer encouraging words. The past 3 months have been incredibly challenging for a variety of reasons, but it has also been incredibly fulfilling and I can't thank you enough for being a part of it!

9. My friends. I have nice friends, but there a select few who have gone above and beyond to support me throughout this journey. You know who you are. I heart you, so much.

10. Canada. It's beautiful and has provided the most amazing backdrop for this experience. I love, love, love my home and native land. 

I hope that you have had the best Thanksgiving, wherever you are. I am going to go stuff my face now.

Happy Trails & Travels,
Becky xo

I have had an amazing week here in Banff & Jasper National Parks. The views are awe-inspiring and they just never end! I am so, so, so happy to have had this opportunity to explore the area. It was a great break - I think it's going to be tough to say goodbye tomorrow morning. 

I am still really looking forward to this upcoming week - catching up on editing, volunteering at Take a Hike Foundation, and spending Thanksgiving with my family in Victoria. Then I will be volunteering my way through the rest of British Columbia until the end of October.

Please enjoy some of the recent pictures from my travels....

As you all know, I am taking a mini "vacation" (haha) from Roadtrip with Reason-ing and am currently just roadtrip-ing with my pal, Val who is visiting from Toronto. We are currently in Banff National Park and will make our way to Vancouver by Monday - which is where I will begin my last month of Reason-ing. Sigh. Time flies when you're having the MOST AMAZING/REWARDING/INSPIRATIONAL/SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!!!!

Anyway, it's Wednesday and it's time for another Random Act of Kindness. I picked out card #25 from my Boom Boom Cards pouch......

Perfect! Val and I are heading to Lake Louise in the early a.m. for the hike to the famous Lake Agnes teahouse, so we are bound to pass (erm, be passed?) by various hikers throughout the day....I will be sure to smile and say hello as I go.

I hope that wherever you are, you take part in this act. It's a super simple one - so no excuses. You might even make a new friend - or just make someones else's day!

Feel free to tell me about your kindness on Facebook, Twitter or this blog. You can also write about your experience on the www.boomboomcards.com website with tracking #3PPL8LX.

Have fun! Much Love!

- Becky xo

Today I snuck into the United States of America - Montana, to be exact. 
I don't even have a valid passport. I am now a full-fledged criminal. 
Just call me Becky 'trouble' Conlon. 
Sorry, dad...

KIDDDDDDING!

Fact: It's true, I don't have a valid passport.
Fact: I did spend time in Goat Haunt, Montana today.
Fact: It was totally legal. Promise.

I spent the last 24+ hours soaking up as much of Waterton National Park (Alberta) as possible. 

I have not felt this invigorated/inspired/overjoyed/peaceful since at least a few weeks ago (haha). It probably takes the cake for being the most beautiful place I have ever been to and I definitely want to return (soon) to experience everything the park has to offer.....there is SO much! 

I could've spent weeks in Waterton.......months.......an entire lifetime? Heh.

Anyway, this morning I awoke (to an insane view of the mountains) and headed out on a morning boat cruise (on the International, 1927) around Upper Waterton Lake. It was the perfect ride - great tour guide, great weather, great views. During the ride, we crossed the international border (marked by the break in the trees) into Goat Haunt, Montana where we docked to take it all in.

Waterton Lakes National Park is one half of the International Peace Park, with Glacier National Park (in Goat Haunt) making up the second half. Back in 1932 rotarians from both Alberta and Montana came together and decided that "nature had no borders", so they created the very first International Peace Park. Today the two national parks work collaboratively to protect the water, plants and animals that inhabit the area. 

Pretty cool, huh? I was allowed to hang out in Goat Haunt, Montana for the duration of the boat ride but anyone who was hiking/camping overnight were required to get their passports stamped by the nice officer standing at his post in the sunshine. Possibly the easiest border crossing ever.

Thanks for the great memories (and views), Montana! 
Oh and then when I got off the boat & was heading out of the National Park, I came a cross a big ol' black bear munching on some berries in the bush. Eee!




                                           Best 24 hours ever.

After a good time in Saskatchewan (& a great time with the Global Gathering Place), it's time to move forward. Tomorrow morning I depart for Alberta and I simply can't believe it - my second last province. Where has the time gone? Where has this project gone?! Can we go back to the beginning? This next month is really going to fly. Sigh.

I am trying to relish in every single moment.

Luckily, I have a zillion photographs to keep my memory fresh. Here are a few of my more recent favourites from the journey...you can click on each image to get a better view!
 The rest can be found in a Facebook album, here. 
Enjoy! xo

It's time for the newest volunteer/non-profit profile video, featuring Farmers Helping Farmers from Prince Edward Island. This organization has been around since 1979 and is 100% volunteer-based - completely impressive. Their hands-on commitment to helping farm families in Kenya is admirable, and I really love that they involve PEI's youth in the process. It was a pleasure to spend time with Farmers Helping Farmers while on my favourite island! I am excited to see them continue their journey of international philanthropy. Enjoy!!

Today I toured around Saskatoon (note: Broadway Avenue is the best) and completed my third volunteer/non-profit profile video. Make sure to check in tomorrow for the post on Farmers Helping Farmers, a great organization in Prince Edward Island.

I have been quite impressed with the prairies - so lovely. Many, many people warned me about the "terrible drive", but I have enjoyed every KM through this flat land. It's unique, that's for sure.

Hope everyone is having a happy Sunday. Looking forward to volunteering this week at the Global Gathering Place...

Warmly,
Becky xo

It's Wednesday, which means it's time to be kind again! (Read here if you don't know what I am talking about) 
I am SUPER DUPER excited about this one, friends....but am slightly cheating, and am turning this into "Random Act Weekend" because I can't complete the task (below) until Saturday. Forgive me? 

I have been very much looking forward to this card/task and have been scheming on to make it awesome. Well, this morning I awoke to news of the "Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup" happening from September 17th - 25th allllll across Canada and I knew it was the right time for Boom Boom card #13! 

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a joint effort of the World Wildlife Fund & Vancouver Aquarium - encouraging all Canadians to participate in a clean-up and further understand the issues surrounding shoreline litter. It's super easy to participate - just go to www.shorlinecleanup.ca and find a shoreline event near you.....it doesn't even cost a dime! SO easy to be kind!

I will be in Saskatoon on Saturday & have added myself to a cleanup on Saturday morning with a bunch of strangers. I am sure it will be an awesome experience and I sincerely can't wait to complete this card.....finally!

Don't forget to keep me updated on Facebook, Twitter, on this blog or through e-mail about your own experience! You can also post it to the Boom Boom Cards website (card registration # TBQWP47)

MUCH LOVE!
- Becky xo

Ta-da! The 2nd volunteer/non-profit profile video is complete, featuring The Empathy Factory from Nova Scotia.

I am so very glad that I was able to visit The Empathy Factory while on my Roadtrip with Reason. This organization is going places - mark my words - they are going to do incredible things for the youth in this country. It's an honour to know them - they have inspired me, that's for sure. 
I sincerely cannot wait to watch them grow. 

Please do yourself a favour and check them out on Facebook & Twitter -- also, if you happen to be in the Halifax-ish area on October 8th, attend this event: Breathing Empathy. Sounds incredible!

Enjoy xo