Share Your World – Week 21

If you could make a 15 second speech to the entire world, what would you say?
Worry less. Whatever it is that’s troubling you, you can overcome it. Smile more. Let the world see the beauty of your light and in turn, feel joy. Embrace change. There are opportunities just waiting for you to embrace them. Listen and love. The best way to show people you care is by hearing what they have to say. Be passionately curious. Engage with what fascinates you and see your life take a turn for the better! (I totally stole the bolded phrases from the shirt I’m currently wearing.)

If you could take a photograph, paint a picture or write a story of any place in the world, what and where would it be?
I would love to compose a photo essay of London, England. That city is filled with an abundance of old history as well as new stories of love and discovery from the diverse make-up of people who currently reside there.

If you had to spend one weekend alone in a single store but could remove nothing, which store would you pick?
I would spend a weekend in my favourite American department store, Bloomingdale’s, and pass the time trying on all of the upscale clothing, shoes, and accessories (and the handbags! Oh, the handbags!) and eating the expensive chocolates for survival.

If you were given a boat or yacht today, what would you name it?  (You an always sell the yacht later)
Mango Coconut. It reminds me of my Mom (her two favourite fruits).

via Share Your World on Cee’s Photography.

Image credit: Andrea Pucci

Life Lessons Learned From… Maya Angelou

Beloved American literary figure Maya Angelou has passed away at the age of 86 at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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Book Review: Then And Always

Want to add a little romance and mystery to your summer reading list? Look no further than Dani Atkins‘ debut novel, Then and Always, which Penguin Canada predicts to be the breakout beach read of 2014.

Rachel Wiltshire’s life reads like a dream: she has a great group of friends, a handsome and desirable boyfriend, and an acceptance into her choice university to study Journalism. However, on the eve of the beginning of this exciting new chapter in her life, a tragic event occurs and everything changes completely.

Five years later, we find Rachel as a lonely and scarred person with dashed dreams, poor health, and overwhelming guilt and grief over what had happened after that life-altering incident. She returns home for her best friend’s wedding only to be struck by yet another tragedy. When she wakes up in the hospital, Rachel discovers that her life is drastically different. Now, she has it all – a thriving career, a wonderful fiancé, and the company of her loving family and friends. On paper, this version of her life is picture perfect – a massive upgrade from the miserable existence she had gone through over the past few years. But is it really hers if she doesn’t remember any of it? Is any of this really real?

Continue reading on The Hudsucker

Then And Always by Dani Atkins is available now in Canada from Penguin Canada. The book is also currently available in the UK (under the title Fractured) and in the US.

Follow Dani Atkins on Twitter (@AtkinsDani) and Facebook.

 

chris daughtry vancouver

Daughtry Rocks the Hard Rock Casino in Vancouver

Rock band Daughtry performed at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver theatre in Coquitlam, BC on May 23rd, 2014 – their first concert in the city in seven years.

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Caleb Johnson Wins American Idol Season 13

Congratulations to Caleb Johnson, the winner of American Idol Season 13!

The big-voiced, retro rocker from Asheville, North Carolina, who successfully channeled his classic rock/southern bluesy-rock sound into stand-out performances each week, was named the champion of the 2014 edition of the long-running singing competition. As first proven by Season 12’s Candice Glover, another returnee contestant turned winner, Caleb proves that the third time really is the charm! Jena Irene, the spirited and talented teen from Farmington Hills, Michigan, is this year’s runner-up. From wild card to blossoming pop-rock musician, she fought a fierce fight and came a long way with her gutsy artistry and steady growth.

Caleb and Jena kicked off the grand finale celebrations with a BANG – their sensational duet medley of “We Will Rock You”, “I’m Just a Girl”, and “It’s Only Love” raised the bar sky high for the night’s performances. The Top 2 also got the chance to sing with their own favourite bands, with Caleb and KISS on “Love Gun” and “Shout It Out Loud” and Jena and Paramore on “Decode” and “Ain’t It Fun”.

The Top 10 finalists were also treated to special duets, trios, and group performances with some of the industry’s top stars, including: Alex Preston with singer/songwriter Jason Mraz on the new single, “Love Someone“, Jessica Meuse with country singer Jennifer Nettles on “Wrecking Ball“, Sam Woolf with fellow Idol Phillip Phillips on “Home” and “Raging Fire”, Alabama boys CJ Harris and Dexter Roberts with Darius Rucker on “Alright“, and Malaya Watson with soul singer John Legend on his beautiful ballad, “All of Me“. As well, the Idol Guys teamed up with Aloe Blacc to sing “The Man” while the Idol Girls girl-powered it up with Demi Lovato for “Neon Lights“.

The judges (Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr.) and Randy Jackson joined forces for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration to pay tribute to two classics – “True Colors” and “Go Your Own Way”. Even host Ryan Seacrest got in on the performance action with his primetime television singing debut – a duet of “Right Here Waiting” with Richard Marx.

Caleb’s winning moment was met with genuine shock and gratitude from the singer, who ended his victory night with an encore of his debut single, “As Long As You Love Me” while bombarded with hugs and congratulations from his finalist friends, his family members, and the judges.

And with that, it was another end to another great American Idol season. Until next January, when we will do this all over again!