Miss Universe 2016

I remember as a kid, watching this show with my family. I would never know when it was coming up but the day of, someone would mention it and everyone would gather around to watch. It was like the whole football season in one night for mom's. Picking a team, debating if they would win and being super critical of every move they make. I love the conversations that would come out of watching this international competition, "she doesn't even look (insert any country here)", "is that really what they wear over there?", "no way she can go home after saying that." Then debating the merits of the final winner.

One of the coolest things for me was seeing the amount of different countries. In the opening ceremony when all of the different contestants would introduce themselves, I was always tuned it completely. It was always a favorite of mine. I'm from a small country and geography was never really my thing, so I was constantly wondering if those were real countries or if someone was pulling our legs, hoping to see if someone would noticed. But it was never a hoax. There really are that many countries. I can only imagine what people think when a gorgeous lady walks across the stage claiming to be from Barbados.

This year, for the first time in many years, Barbados will be sending a candidate to the competition. Miss Shannon Harris is a lovely, 22 year old Barbadian girl, who will be representing the island at the pageant. Based on what I've been seeing, she's going to kill it. She's beautiful, smart and well spoken. The whole package. Which from what I hear, is exactly what the judges are looking for. However, its our job to continually support her. Showing her love, and letting everyone else in the world know we think she's already Miss Universe. To see more of Shannon, check out her Instagram and her Miss Universe profile. And don't forget to tune in on January 29, I bet her opening dress will be on point.

Why I Love Traveling.

The thing I love about travel isn't always the seeing new things. Its not the where you should go or the what you should do. Its the thoughts and ideas and experiences that come out of it. Yes, going somewhere and doing something is the medium that brings out the thought, but its the thought thats what is really interesting. How something opens your eyes and makes you think. How being in that particular place changed you. And made you realize certain things. The experience may be the way you will react to certain stimulus. It may be something you don't particularly like, but at least now you know.

There are many different ways to travel and every travel experience is a thing in itself. Sharing places you went and what you did is important. But the main focus is what did it really mean. That meaning can be difficult to find and may not even show up until later but I think it is pivotal. Hell some parts may not seem that important, but its all part of the story. People are a sum of their experiences. Travel opens you up to experiences that you probably won't be able to get from sitting in your living room. You could watch tv, you could read a book but there is something to be said for going outside and taking in that view for yourself. All other mediums are second hand. Experience is allowing yourself to take in something with only your filter.

The truth is you don't have to travel to have profound thoughts and to experience life. For me though, its just easier to always be learning and stay open to new things if I am constantly putting myself in new situations. Or putting myself in the same position but handling it differently because of another recent experience.

I love seeing and doing new things because of the ways it changes me, even if I don't realize what it has done at the time. What if thats the reason travel is the greatest therapist? Because you do or see something and then you are allowed to ask yourself, 'How did that make me feel?'

The Best Country To Travel To In 2017? - Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet has bestowed 'The Best Country to Travel To in 2017' on Canada. When I think of incredible, life changing trips, Canada is not the first place to come to mind. However, they make a pretty great argument for why Canada is worth visiting.

I've been to Toronto and it is a cool place but its definitely not a place that I have to go back to immediately. That being said I would like to explore the nature side of Canada. It is an incredibly vast  country and Toronto can only partially represent the city life in Canuck-Land. Who knows maybe Canada is the greatest trip of your life just waiting to happen.

So is Canada on your planned trips this year? Do you think Canada deserves this title? Let us know in the comments down below.

Once You Have Travelled...