Oh How I Miss France.

[Le Marché, Brittany France]

[Luchon, Pyrenées]

[Louvre]

[La place de la Concorde in forefront, L'Arc de Triomphe and La Défence in background]

It was this time last year when my heart was FILLED to the brim with excitement. Not only was I getting set to graduate, I was heading off to New York City for a 4 day adventure with my beautiful Mother and packing my bags for a two month journey to France with my French boyfriend and his very French family. 

Where is that excitement this year??

Okay so maybe I'm a tad spoiled and I've set my expectations for summer too high, but to be honest, I also think I'm just feeling a bit lost right now.

I have this nagging yearning for change in my life.

I don't want to just work this summer.(As nice as working for your parent's is!)

I don't want my hair to be long and plain brown anymore.

And I need to figure out some sort of direction to take my life in... 

I guess I was just kind of hoping all the pieces of my life would be starting to fall into place by now. 

SO I've decided to take action.

Stop waiting for pieces to fall, and make things happen for myself.

Why shouldn't I lighten my hair? 

Why shouldn't I bring adventure into my life this summer, and not only this summer, but why not make my entire life an adventure? 

What is holding me back??

I think I'm going to end up in Europe. Just saying...

I think that's where I'll end up eventually. 

When the moment is right. I will be there. 

It just feels right.

Mind you, I've only ever been to France and Spain, but something in my heart is pulling me back there.

It's an early prediction, but if I set my mind to it, it will happen.

Happy Birthday Danny boy!

Happy Birthday to my itty bitty 6ft 4" brother Daniel!

Enjoy your 19th birthday writing your second last engineering final of the year and studying for your last one!

[It was hard finding any serious pictures of this boy!]

WWF CN Tower Climb

I conquered the CN Tower today!

Along with my Dad and two of his employees, we were up before the sun was shining to climb one of the world's largest free-standing structures, as a way to show our support for the WWF, and to mostly just be able to say that we climbed the CN tower!

It took me 27 minutes and 5 seconds to climb 1,776 stairs, 144+ flights and 1,135 ft.

I am exhausted.

Plus I have bronchitis, so it made the climb THAT much more painful. 

Honestly, I have never felt so much pain in my chest and throat before, never-mind the intense burning of lactic acid in my calves and thighs.

Will I do it again? No. 

Weeeelllll I suppose I could be convinced (as long as I don't have bronchitis). And I'm sure by the time the next climb rolls around, I'll be right back up there.

It certainly is a rewarding feeling.

Some interesting CN Tower climb facts:

The fastest time a man has climbed the CN tower: 
7mins 52 seconds

The fastest time a woman has climbed the CN tower:
11mins 52 seconds

The most times someone has climbed the CN tower in A DAY: 
17 times

CrAzY people!

Until next time CN Tower! If I ever climb you again, plan to be conquered in 20 minutes!

Happy Birthday Tucker!

Okay, I just want to say that I promise not to be one of those people who only posts about their dog's and their dogs' birthday's, but how can I blog about one dog's birthday and forget about the other precious puppy?

This is Tucker:

Tucker is 5 today and is SUPPOSED to be a black lab, border collie mix. 
With a mighty curly tail, and satellites for ears; somehow I don't believe it.

The change was subtle at first. 

From cute puppy, to cute puppy with a cute characteristic ear that would stick up and flop over slightly at the top, while the other one remained flopped completely. 

Then the slight flop disappeared and he had one ear up and the other still entirely flopped over. 

After a few months the other ear joined in and he was left with two permanently erect ears.

But something else was happening at the other end.

While we were all so focused on his changing ears, we never noticed that he was also growing a severely curled tail that left nothing to the imagination...

Tucker is special. 

And he has a cute face. 

Plus the vet thinks he's the best looking dog he's ever seen! 

My Mom and I like to go around telling people he's a purebred Basenji... makes him sound expensive, and kinda regal don't you think?

He is by far and wide the smartest, most loyal and obliviously cute dog I have ever owned.

[Trying to hide from the flash of the camera]

Love, love, LOVE this pooch.

[I'll have to find a picture of Tucker with his characteristically cute half flopped ear...if not for you, then for myself :) ]

It's World Autism Awareness Day!

I hope everyone is wearing BLUE today in support of World Autism Awareness Day!

As I've mentioned, my Mom is the founding director of a school designed specially for children living with Autism, called The Joy of Learning Centre, so Autism has been a very important part of my life these past few years, and is why I am urging you to learn more about the Autism Spectrum and show your support for this wonderful cause!

You can also check out www.worldautismawarenessday.org to find out more ways to show your support.

Last night many famous buildings around the world were lit up blue in support of Autism Awareness. Check out www.lightitupblue.org to see some photos.

[Times Square, NY]

[CN Tower, Toronto]

[Empire State Building, NY]

[Los Angeles Intl Airport]

[30 Rockefeller Plaza, NY]

[University of Massachusetts]

[Kingdom Tower, Saudi Arabia]

[The National Concert Hall, Dublin Ireland]


So wear your blue, and CELEBRATE World Autism Awareness Day!

Happy Birthday Happy!

It's one of my puppy dog's birthday's today!
Today, Happy is 7.

Happy is an Australian Shepard, Border Collie cross, and as a result, has boundless amounts of energy.

We rescued Happy 5 years ago from being euthanized.
His previous owner's couldn't handle his high energy, his bolting out the front door, and his "quirkiness" and were set to put him "to sleep" just days before we rescued him.

Yes, Happy is QUITE quirky...when he's outside. When he's indoors he is THE MOST loving, attention-seeking dog you have ever met. 
When he's outdoors, he's nothing short of crazy.


He has however become MUCH less "high-strung" since he first became a part of the Doherty family. 

A mix of good training, getting older and lots of love has undoubtedly shaped him into the fun-loving, Happy dog he is today.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

You are:

Beautiful

Smart

Wise

Strong
Giving

Caring
Fun

Nurturing 

Loving
And above all, my best friend.

I love you!