cupcakexomandee

CN Tower Climb Update

On Saturday, April 25, 2015 I will climb the CN Tower in Toronto (the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, and the 3rd tallest tower in the world!) It has 147 floors and 1,776 steps. The fastest climb on record was 7 minutes and 52 seconds, but apparently the average is about 30 minutes.

Although I am climbing it for fun and for bragging rights, I'm also doing it to support the World Wildlife Fund-Canada (WWF).

"Its mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature."

The WWF not only focuses on vulnerable animals but the broader relationship between humans, the environment and animals. They address climate change and the need to reduce emissions and explore renewable energy sources and technologies, maintaining a balance between development and conservation in the Arctic regions of Canada, threats to ocean life and ecosystems, protecting freshwater sources, and of course tackling threats to the most endangered and vulnerable species of animals found all across our planet.

While I am doing my part, I am counting on you to help me reach my fundraising goal. The money I raise with the help of your generous support will make a huge difference to WWF’s efforts and goals.

If you love animals, if you love our planet, if you love nature, please donate to this great organization by supporting me. Any amount can make a huge difference.

Exploring Downtown Oakville (Ontario) on the first warm Sunday of 2015

Gairloch Gardens (first picture)

With the glamour of the 1920s, The Affair (a fundraiser event hosted by George Brown College students) proved to be a huge success. The Prohibition era was revisited in a modern and super-fun way. 

Games, raffles, an auction, dancing, hula-hooping, a photo-booth, appetizers and a cash bar brought a large crowd to the Burroughs Building- a historic location that opened in 1907 as a retail department store. The D.J. played great music, the food was delicious and the dessert was even better. The event location remained a secret up until a week before the event and access required a secret password, a nice throwback to the Prohibition. Overall, it was a great night and very well executed; the hosts deserve an A+.

Easy-Peesy Cream Cheese Pastry

1 package Pillsbury® crescent rolls

1 package cream cheese (softened)

1/2 cup sugar (I mixed 3 types: regular, coconut, and icing)

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp melted butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp sugar (or you can use cinnamon sugar)

1. Mix together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.

2. Open crescent rolls tube, and split the sheet evenly in half.

3. In a greased pan (I used coconut oil spray), lay the first half of the sheet and squeeze together any gaps.

4. Spread cream cheese mixture onto first crescent roll layer.

5. Top with second crescent roll layer. 

6. Brush melted butter on top.

7. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top. (You can put a lot more than what I did; I just don’t like too much cinnamon so what I used is probably the bare minimum with just enough cinnamon flavour).

8. Bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes. Make sure to check on it; these bad boys are sensitive and brown quickly!

Now, I must warn you. This is quite delicious and you’re most likely not going to want to share, so I suggest doubling the recipe and sticking the sheets together.

I would wait a few minutes before slicing it since it’s a bit delicate. I would also advise against using use a pizza cutter- use a sharp knife instead.

Also, for a nice twist, you could spread a layer of your favourite jam before adding the cream cheese layer. You could also do a Nutella layer... or a peanut butter layer. Or a PB&J layer. Or mix some chopped up fresh fruits into the cream cheese mixture. It’s hard to go wrong with this recipe!

For the longest time I told myself, if there is one place I want to visit, it’s Washington, D.C.. I actually made it happen, once on a school trip, and once alone. One of the most remarkable, breathtaking places that I think everyone should try to visit. 

Travel Tips: 

- wear running shoes. you want to be comfortable walking through all the huge (no cost) museums and galleries at the National Mall

- also schedule yourself lots of walking time since there is so much to look at and explore (I walked for about 10 hours on the one day, stopping just for food and to buy a new pair of comfy shoes)

- bring spending money! lots of shopping opportunities (i.e. Forever 21, H&M, Marshall’s, and tonnes of gift shops)

- be hungry. D.C. is well known for being a culinary hot-spot with basically every single type of cuisine available under the sun located within an arms reach, and at amazing prices

- plan your daily itinerary to avoid walking in giant circles. everything is close by but should be mapped out for efficiency

- buy a Metro pass and learn the routes. cheap travel, everything is walking distance to a stop, and it’s super convenient

- visit neighboring Adams Morgan for late-night, affordable, local fun & Georgetown for high-end shopping & amazing eats

- try and book a White House tour at least 30 days in advance!

Here is my first published ... anything pretty much:

http://thextramileca.com/2015/03/16/juno-fanfare/

I also helped with these reviews:

http://thextramileca.com/2015/03/14/siriusxm-juno-kickoff-concert/

Quarter of a century. Just about finished school :). In to basically everything from cooking, fashion, rap music, cars, books, politics, travel, law stuff, health. Not a fan of “trendy internet slang”. I rarely spend time on the net, it’s mostly hard copy/live action for me, (so excuse me for being a baby dinosaur).

I’ll probably forget that I created this tumblr, but it’s still worth a shot. Hopefully, I’ll keep up with posts!

I should add, I’ve dipped my toes into the blog world before... for about 15 minutes. If you’re bored you can check these out. It’ll show you how I’m truly all over the place!