In Memory

This isn't my story to tell.
It's not my place.

I never got to meet you. But I can feel your impact on my life just as much as if you were still here.  A year ago today, you left a gaping hole in the lives of those who loved you. It was unexpected. We never know how much time we'll have left. I'm trying my hardest to fill in the void that's left. It's hard. But not as hard as it has been for them. I'd give up anything for them to have one more day with you. They miss you.

Life is short. Live it to the fullest. Don't take it for granted. Tell the people you love that you love them.

You never know which day is your last.
Hug your children.
Hold your spouse’s hand.
Call your mother.
Simple gestures really, but I can tell you from experience that no matter how big or small the tragedy is, these simple gestures are what people in mourning want most — one more phone call, a shared laugh, a kiss on the cheek.
-LZ Granderson, "Hug your children while you can"

Rest in peace, Quoc.

It's never too early

This week, I came across an article about 17-year-old James Woodall, who died earlier this year after a cycling accident. Two months later, his parents found his bucket list hidden in a bedroom drawer. It was entitled, "Living a Full Life." He had managed to check off a few things, but for the most part, this list remained incomplete. Together, with the help of friends and other family members, his parents and sister have taken it upon themselves to complete James' bucket list for him. They include items such as living to 80, visiting every continent, and looking through a telescope at every planet. It's a touching but heart-wrenching story about a family trying to preserve their son's memory by living to the fullest.

The full article can be found HERE.

It's never too early to start a bucket list. It's been a while since I've knocked a few things off the list, mostly because my lack of funds has limited some adventures (scuba diving), and much of my time spent between work and school, although I know it's a poor excuse for putting off my bucket list.

That being said, it's been a while since I've added some items to my bucket list. Here are a few more:

-donate blood
-own a house
and, inspired by James,
-visit every continent

Without death, our lives would have no meaning.  Death frames our end for us and also puts a value on things.
—Richard J. Leider & David A. Shapiro, Claiming your Place at the Fire: Living the Second Half of Your Life on Purpose

The Art of Flight

And no, I'm not talking about planes...

September is here...which means 3 more months til snowboarding season! Financially, I won't be able to afford hitting up a "real" mountain (i.e. Colorado, B.C., Swiss Alps) this season, but this will have to tide me over for the time being. Art of Flight comes out this week. Watch in HD in full screen. Drooooool.

"We stand sideways. We sleep on floors in cramped resort hotel rooms. We get up early and go to sleep late. We've been mocked. We've been turned away from resorts that won't have us. We are relentless. We dream it, we make it, we break it, we fix it. We create. We destroy. We wreck ourselves day in and day out and yet we stomp that one trick or find that one line that keeps us coming back. We progress."  -- Burton Snowboards 

 

Summer lovin'

I'll be honest, I haven't done anything spectacular or bucket list-related lately. As much as I hate to admit it, my lack of finances has seriously hindered my ability to partake in some of my more...ambitious adventures. I've been living paycheque to paycheque for the last year and a half to pay for my ridiculously expensive private college tuition, on top of paying off my undergrad. As of this December, I'll have finished paying it all off (well, my college part anyways). Just in time to fly to Jamaica in February for a wedding. 2012 should be a much better year financially, as I hope to actually save money, instead of only paying off my loans. But for the next six months...I'm kind of screwed in the money department. Woops.

But all seriousness aside, it's not like I haven't done anything adventurous as of late!

On June 9th, I participated in Warrior Dash, "a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run from hell." Pretty much a giant obstacle course held at a ski resort. Lots of running, climbing, and getting dirty! Next year, I'm doing Spartan Race. Who's in?

Look at all the donated muddy shoes!

Yeah, I know it's epic.

Post-race

I celebrated my birthday in style -- surrounded my closest friends at Rey & Priya's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I wish them the best of  "love, laughter and happily ever after."

Veil sponsors for the Catholic ceremony

BBH boys! <3

I spent the rest of my birthday weekend at Blue Mountain and we went outdoor rock climbing -- my first time! -- and rode a jetski at Wasaga. We had even gotten tickets to ride the gondola up the mountain and ride RidgeRunner, a mini mountain coaster, but we ran out of time. Our tickets are still good for next time though!

Outdoor rock climbing was incredible.  I've got indoor rock climbing a handful of times, and I usually peak around the 5.9, 5.10 mark. We lucked out and ended up with our own private group; just the two of us plus the guide. She took us through five sites (Superman, Peanut Butter, Pickpocket...I can't remember the other 2). Everything went smoothly until the last one, Superman. It was incredibly difficult and challenging. I remember quitting halfway through my first try because I was so exhausted (meanwhile, the Mister somehow managed to conquer it on his first run). My second time, after 20+ minutes, I finally managed to climb to the top. There are no words to describe my mentality as I struggled to grasp a new ledge and push myself up, but I did swear quite profusely. If there's anything I took from that, it's that "if you want it badly enough, you can do it" is not just a cheesy cliche. I remember summoning up every..single..last..bit...of energy, and then some, to pull myself up. Definitely one of my proudest moments.

A third up the way on Superman, the hardest part

On the other side of the walls we climbed...

Financially, I'm gonna buckle down for the next few months. My funds are dangerously low...and I have a lot of expenses coming up still...so it looks like I'm gonna hang up the board for another season. An entire season, I think. *sad face* PADI certification, Camp of Champions and surf school will have to wait for another year =( I know this goes against everything my bucket list stands for, in terms of living in the moment and such...but I'd like to think I'm gonna be around for a few more years...and I've still gotta be realistic about the way I spend my money =P

The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.

-Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

Gift of Life

I'm not sure when I decided I wanted to be an organ donor. But I don't think I've ever considered NOT being one. The way I look at it, if I no longer need organs or tissue that somebody else desperately needs, why not? The way our system works, however, is that we need to opt IN to the organ donation program, instead of opting out. There are thousands of people who are on the donor list, who will never live to get the transplant they need. We could save more lives if the program was opt-in by default and one would have to opt OUT if you did not want to donate your organs, for whatever reason.

Up until recently, the only way for a person to let others know they were an organ donor was to sign the little green card that comes with your driver's licence and let their loved ones know. Now, there is a website set up so you can register online and have a note on your health card to let doctors know, if such an event arises, that you are an organ donor. This is important, as you may not always have your card on you, and it ensures that your wishes are followed.

Go to www.beadonor.ca. The registration is quick, simple and all you need is your health card.

I know it's a slightly morbid way to look at things, but I don't see it as a way of preparing to die or anything of the sort. I see it as an opportunity to give life for those who have no other option. I see it as a choice I can make to share what I no longer need for those who need it most. If my last act is to save a life, or even eight, why not?

Note:
Beadonor.ca is an Ontario-specific site. More local information can also be found here at the Trillium Gift of Life Network
For my American readers, http://organdonor.gov

A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.
-D. Elton Trueblood

Up, up and away!

June 19, 2011

After our first two failed attempts (1. weather 2. wasn't feeling well), Shivan and I finally managed to suit up and jump out of a plane! We chose to jump from Skydive Toronto, which is in Cookstown, about 45 minutes north of Toronto.

I ended up writing "NO FEAR" on my hands (you can see it in the vid), partly as a shoutout to Kenny & Co., but I was pleasantly surprised to see that Shania Twain had written and signed the same thing inside the plane that we jumped out of.

We crammed at least 10 people in the tiny plane that took us up into the air. Between three jumpers, their tandem instructors, and the videographer/photographers, it was pretty packed. The ascent in the plane was a little nervewracking. It took a lot longer than I expected to reach 12,000 feet, and I spent the majority of my time staring at the altimetre on my hand, hoping that we had reached the necessary height. I didn't even see Shivan jump out of the plane (he was first, I was third). By the time it was my turn, I didn't even have time to be nervous anymore. It was just like 1...2...3...GO!

There was a slight moment of hesitation on my behalf when we launched out of the plane, but when you're attached to a tandem instructor, there's not much you can do -- you just go with him! Skydiving was nothing like I had anticipated. Freefalling is nothing like the feeling you get when you're on a rollercoaster. No big Gs, no dropping stomach. It really is just like a whole rush of air pushing against you. I can tell you that I felt absolutely no anxiety about freefalling, as I was falling, however I did have a really hard time breathing/catching my breath, so I spent a good chunk of my freefalling just trying to breathe, instead of really enjoying the experience. That being said, it was still incredible, looking down and seeing so much scenery and just KNOWING that you're the closest you'll ever get to flying.

That's me pulling the chute cord. You can see the parachute deploying.

I was supposed to pull the cord when we reached 6,000 ft on my altimetre, but I was so caught up in the experience that my instructor had to place my hand on the cord to remind me. After that, a quick jerk upwards as the parachute deployed, and we spent the next few minutes gliding gracefully down to the earth. Got in a bunch of turns too, and those were stomach-dropping but fun!

After landing, I couldn't believe the adrenaline rush! Admitedly, I had to sit down to catch my breath, and the crash after all the adrenaline tapered down hit me harder than expected. I would have taken a nap in my car if I could.

Post-jump

Overall, an incredible, exhilarating experience. I'd do it again (if it didn't cost nearly half a grand after vids/stills/taxes) in a heartbeat.




It is one thing to be in the proximity of death, to know more or less what she is, and it is quite another to seek her.
-Ernest Hemingway

Recap: The Big Apple

Five days was definitely not enough time for me to spend in New York City. I arrived in the city on Wednesday afternoon. I met up with Tammy, an old friend from Calgary who moved to Toronto, and then to NYC for school. We roamed around the city, meeting first at Bryant Prak, walking to Central Park, eating street meat, and making a stop by the Nintendo store and the Lego store. In the evening, my cousin and her bf took me to Boqueria (named after the incredible market in Barcelona, one of my fav stops in Europe), a tapas restaurant.

Pockets in the wall of the Lego Store with pieces sorted by colour!

Thursday was museum day. I (semi-) conquered the New York subway system and made my way to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and later, the American Museum of Natural History. I'm not much of a art buff, so MoMA didn't interest me as much as the MNH, but I did get a chance to see "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dali, "Water Lilies" by Monet, and "The Starry Night" by Vincent van Goh. They were all spectacular. I thoroughy enjoyed the MNH. It's like the ROM..but better! Also had some really good street meat. Waiting in line for over 25 minutes at 53rd and 6th. I think when I first counted, there were over 35 people in line! Absolutely worth the wait.

I can't even see the end of the line from this picture.

Thursday night was...memorable to say the least. My cousin took me to BonChon Chicken, a Korean restaurant that serves really, really good wings. YUM. I also met a bunch of her friends. Let's just say it was like real-life Sex and the City. Plenty of juicy gossip, scandalous news, sexy tidbits, and upscale fashion. It was nice to hang around girlfriends for a bit. Definitely a change from my gamer dudes back home.

Malaysian food for the munchies. Yum.

Friday was spent shopping around with a close friend of my cousin's. Shopped along Broadway and ate some yummy Malaysian food. Friday night dinner was extravagant and memorable, as we spent it at Morimoto (Iron Chef America, anyone?). Easily one of the most delicious Japanese meals I've ever had. Definitely pricey, but well, well worth it. Of course, in true New York fashion, we hit up another bar after dinner to continue the drinks. By Friday night, two other cousins had flown up from California and Texas to start our girl's weekend.

Can't seem to find the description of this on the menu..but trust me when I tell you it was yummy.

Avocado toast at Cafe Gitane. Tart, smooth, with a bit of a kick.

Saturday morning brunch was spent at Cafe Gitane, a hipsteresque cafe that serves French-Moroccan food. Tasty, I probably wouldn't go there again. No reservations allowed, and the wait was quite lengthy. More shopping for Saturday and Sunday. We also stopped by Joe's Shanghai. Best. Soup. Dumplings. Ever. MUST GO.

Soup dumplings!

Century 21 is easily my favourite place to shop in New York City. It's like...Winners meets Macy's. The store is MASSIVE (it spans over a city block) and has brand name everythings at cheap prices. Managed to pick up a bunch of Tokidoki purses. We also had dinner at Imperial No. 9, and hit up quite a few exclusive bars that I'll never. Partying til 3-4am in the morning every night is exhausting! I lasted until Saturday night, at which point I cabbed home early and crashed at 2 a.m.

Crack Pie from Momofuko. Doesn't live up to the hype

Unfortunately, between hanging out with my cousins and shopping, I never did end up making it to the Statue of Liberty, seeing Wicked on Broadway, or hitting up Serendipity 3. That being said, I did get a kickass view of the Empire State Building from the rooftop of my cousin's condo, visit Ground Zero, eat a lot of street meat, do a lot of shopping, and visit a bunch of museums. So, just because I didn't get to do all my bucket list items, I did have an extraordinary time during my stay. There's so much that I did while I was New York. I've detailed most of it, but there's still so much that was fascinating that I wouldn't be able to retell. The people, the culture, the experience, the atmosphere -- I'm glad I made the trip, even if it was all a little overwhelming. Still lots to do, and I'd have to spend over a week here next time I'm here. But all in all, I wouldn't have changed a thing.

View from the top of my cousin's apartment at 29th & Park Avenue.

Awesome view of the Empire State Building from her rooftop.

Ground Zero. Breathtaking, heartbreaking

The girls! <3 my fam

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
Now you're in New York
These street will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York!
-Empire State of Mind (pt II), Jay-Z & Alicia Keys