2 0 1 5 // a reflection

2015 was incredibly bumpy, incredibly emotional and incredibly unforgettable at the same time. I potentially say that every year, however, with this blog and my vlogs… THIS year is definitely unforgettable since it is so simple to just repeat replay history. It was filled with a lot of great adventures, new experiences and many WTF am I doing moments. 

Ending this school term alive, hence the 4 months of being MIA, I could not be anymore happier with how things turned out. Yet, at the same time very sad with how fast time traveled.

At the moment, I am very much still learning, still improving and still understanding myself. Though does that process really ever end? So for a lack of better words, maybe I should have just said that I am still on a pursuit of … contentment. Of course, happiness is a state of mind where one chooses to be optimistic and happy. Thus, contentment (although technically a synonym) is what I want to use to portray a bundle of satisfactory level of physical health and mental health, and balanced relationship with friends, family and school. So I guess I personally think that contentment can be measured and happiness can not be. 

This time, when I say that I am excited for 2016, I actually mean it. I know it’s bad to consider a fresh start once the New Year hits but realistically who doesn’t like to drag old familiar behaviour longer until absolutely required to change. It’s the act of human adaptation at its finest right? AND who wouldn’t want fireworks, bright lights or a screaming batch of people saying “happy new year” to solidify a new beginning? It’s much more encouraging that way from my own understanding. So I hope your 2016 will be everything you hoped for, aimed for and worked for. 

Remember, do better; but, definitely try not to compare yourself to others. Look back, admire how different you are now than the past, and simply improve. Eliminate the bugs and make changes. Develop -insert your name here- 2.0 .. or should I really say John Smith 2.016 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

To the future self: keep trying whatever your mind gears you towards, keep doing what your heart says, and eating whatever the hell your stomach desires. Here’s to more challenges yet to come, to numerous foreseen trials and errors on figuring out what you can do or want to do in the near future, to healthier food choices, extra sit-ups and better eye cream. & as always, h 2 o is the way to go, so stay hydrated homies! 

Here's to 

h a p p y NEW y e a r!

Until next time, 
Becca

MEXICO // August 2015

Hola, Chicos and Chicas! Beuno Dias.

It’s been 6 days since I got back from Mexico annnnd man do I miss it. It’s definitely that stress-free feeling that I miss and maybe that unlimited supply of pina colada haha.

So baaasic summer recap, yes it all started with my first out-of-the-country-venture-on-your-own trip to Taiwan, transitioned into traveling with friends to New York city and finished my summer off with a vacation with my parents. Yup, I was indeed bit by that nasty travel bug. 

It was an AWESOME vacation, it had a mix of sightseeing, adventure and a lot of food...which really meant nachos. But hey! they made really yummy guacamole.  (I swear I had it for almost every meal, embarrassingly enough even for breakfast too). Mexico is such a beautiful place with their starry night skies, cenotes, and natural parks. They also try hard to help preserve it, e.g. by spreading information about using all-natural sunscreen and repellent so that when you're in the water it wouldn't damage the coral reefs, and so then tourists can still continue to visit these wonderful places for many years to come. It was hot and humid too, just like Taiwan. IF you watch my vlog, you can actually see the humidity . . . there are footages where you'll know LOL

if YOU get a chance: (definitely check out)

1. Xplor Park

2. Xel-Ha Park

3. Chichen- Itza (totes pronounced as chicken-pizza)

If you want to see it all, check out my vlog. Essentially 7 days in less than 7 mins (;

#1 Lesson that I Learned this Summer: are you ready for this cliché?
TAKE THOSE CHANCES. 

Sometimes it could work out amazingly; e.g, going through most of summer (f)unemployed.  

ORRR it doesn't. . like look at me trying to catch a rice ball LOL

Summer 2015 is filled with a lot of people i'm grateful for and cherishable moments, as it had a touch of everything. It was filled with so much laughter, love, new experiences, kindness, hard work, luck and joy! Thank you universe for a summer to remember. As my summer is nearing an end, or yours is maybe just beginning.. I really hope you make the most of it, and then prepare for another great year :) All the best! 

Thanks for reading,

& of course until next time,

Becca

NEW YORK // July 2015

Hola!

It's been a while, I know. Since my trip to Taiwan I've been out and about; hanged out with friends, volunteered, and soon enough I was on a plane again ready for my next adventure. 

(YYZzzz - oh early flights)

This time I got the opportunity to travel to New York for 4 days with some pretty kool people or just noobs.

(Noobs of New York)

What I learned about New York in that short period of time:

1. New Yorkers can walk. They can walk 10 blocks up/down/to their right or left and it's consider EEEEz or it's possibly the fastest / simplest way. One time, we asked for directions to the nearest subway entrance and the person just laughed at why we didn't walk it instead ... even though  it was 10 blocks or so away.  They're totally my kind of people though in the department of fast pace walkers. If they're not walking then they are indeed biking in their super nice bike lanes. 

2. Yes, you already assumed it right New York is a packed city. So we probably did a really good job at hitting up all the major tourists sites or it is just a crowded city indeed. The city is alive from morning to night!

3. New York Taxi Drivers are VERY skillful drivers. Safe? well I guess since I survived ha. The second time we rode in a taxi, our driver was fast ... and furious. That man made such a sharp turn from a tiny opening, sped through behind a firetruck, and bravely yelled at others to get out of the way because of the firetruck LOL. 

4.  While it's like a sauna down in the subway station. it's not a bad idea to purchase a metro card and  do what the New Yorkers do. Load it with money, and you would save a couple of cents if you're using it more than once.

5. There are hot dog stands and ice cream trucks basically on every street corner. If you have to stop at any stand DEFINITELY stop by The Halal Guys. Apparently there are fake ones and real ones according to The Halal Guy worker. 

(Monday Morning)

If you ever get a chance to visit New York, here are my top 3 tips:

1. Since it is very hot there during the summer time. Pack a hat, wear sun screen and bring a reusable bottle! Stay hydrated! 

2. If you are planning to visit most of the major NY attractions consider getting a New York Pass. The beauty of it is that it allows you to skip the long line ups at a few places, and by visiting a few on their list of attractions you would then already cover the cost of the pass.

Places We Visited (with it):

• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• 9/11 Tribute Centre
• Central Park Bicycle Rentals & Tours
• New York Skyride 
• Rockefeller Center Tour
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Top of the Rock
• Statue of Liberty

3. Don't be afraid to just wing it. GO explore the city! The beauty of getting lost is the unexpected. We ended up at Time Square. PLUS there is bound to be wifi or someone to ask for directions nearby in case you do start to panic. If the person is just nodding to all your assumptions of direction, ask someone else just to be sure.  OR just let them speak first. 

To wrap it all up, here is my New York VLOG.

I actually regret not capturing more footage, but since I took this trip more as a vacation I guess my focus really wasn't on it. With whatever I got and made out of it, I know there are still some improvements to be made. Hopefully you still enjoyed it.

Thank you for reading :)

Until next time,

Becca

AIESEC TAIWAN // The Last Week

Hello, Hello! 

It's officially been a week since I have been back in Canada and I finally got to buckle down and edit.

Here, I present to you the last vlog of my whole AIESEC experience. 

Highlights of My Last Week:

1. Going to Jiufen

(check out that view!)

                                                        

On my AIESEC exchange bucket list, going to Jiufen was one of the listed items. I really wanted to see "The Real-Life Spirited Away" after reading this article. However, I never really expected to be able to go there since it is sooo far north from where I was located. I was lucky because my last host family actually brought me up there. He bought one High Speed Rail ticket for himself and one for me.  That train is SUPER FASSSST as it took us 1.5hrs to get to Hsinchu. We rode the High Speed Rail to Hsinchu and then his sister and husband drove us pass Taipei and then to Jiufen, which took another 2/3hrs. If one doesn't use the HSR and just drove to Taipei then that would take about 6hrs. 

Now do you see why I feel so lucky that someone was actually willing to take me?

Even though it was a 1 day trip, I thought that it was still worth the whole day. The view was amazing, the food was yummy, and the air OMG (beats the south in a heartbeat). 

2. The Last Week's Host Family

(this is Amy)

 They made my last week's stay so comfortable, so welcoming and so fun that they really made it hard for me to want to leave. It was nice to go through the last week with someone that I can have english conversations with, enjoy some restaurant-quality meals that my host family cooked, and meeting the rest of their family... I got to learn some more about the world through her grandpa (who travels A LOT). 

2.5 Check out this Milk Tea Latte

Amy brought me to a cafe near her home to see that! I honestly haven't seen anything like that before so that was cool. 

3. Eating McDonald's Fried Chicken / Mango Shaved Ice for the LAST TIME

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

4. Saying Goodbye 

There was an assembly that I got to say my final goodbye  speech and then was showered with lots of love, cards and gifts. I really didn't expect the gifts, nor me crying but I did. &pretty much didn't stop  ever since after that assembly LOL It really is the people that you're going to miss when you have to leave a place. It isn't the food or the scenery because those can always be some-what replicated. The specific people that I met ( from teachers, students, parents, to their relatives and pets) can't be. 

which leads into...

If you are ever considering to go on an AIESEC exchange I would say do it! IF you have the time, the money and up for it, just do it! Or just take that extra courage to say why not? and go for it because you definitely will not regret it! 

Ps. I'm sorry that it took so long for the last vlog, as a bonus HERE is a vlog on my first cottage experience :) 

Thank you for reading,

Becca