3.5 Days in Cleveland, Ohio // Snapshots

Cleveland was absolutely fantastic. I'm amazed we were able to fit so many fun things into 3 and a half days.

Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll

Well.. actually only the latter (and an amazing veggie burger in the cafe). Cleveland is home to the official Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-- the world's only museum dedicated to rock music. It's 7 floors of multimedia displays including authentic memorabilia from the greats (Elvis' car! Michael Jackson's glove! Johnny Cash's tour bus!) to illustrate rock music's long history and profound effect on society. What I loved most about the museum was its ability to mix early music with modern, metal with rockabilly, and to keep visitors engaged for hours on end. After an entire day at the museum (minus lunch in the cafe), we still managed to only see a few floors.

Highlights of the Hall, as shown in the photos above: seeing original posters from concerts like Patsy Cline and Bill Haley; visiting Johnny Cash's tour bus; posing with Run-DMC.

Shopping & Dining

Whenever I'm in the States, I love to hit up the stores and restaurants we don't have back home in Canada. I also love to experience quirky places and gorgeous arcitecture, so Tower City Center-- a mall within a skyscraper-- was the perfect venue for shopping and dining. I love the dollar store (aptly named A Dollar), which had nifty craft supplies, trinkets and stationary. We also hit Caribou Coffee (which I'd never been to, but does have 14 locations in Ohio). I had an Iced Mint Condition White Mocha, which was delicious (though disappointingly not as minty as I expected).

And of course, my mom and I had to have lunch at Cracker Barrel. It is our favourite, after all!

Ladies in the Sky

The International Women's Air and Space Museum is a must-see for anyone remotely interested in flying, space or feminism. Located in Burke Lakefront Airport, the museum is a collection of photos, articles and textiles relating to the history of women in aviation and space, from Amelia Earhart to Ohio's homegrown contributions to the field. Bonus: Admission is free!

On the Road Again

After a great trip, we headed to the Greyhound Station to catch a bus home. I wrote a little, played Connect 4 on my iPhone and listened to Johnny Cash. My mom had a cat nap, wrapped in pashminas. Which reminds me-- always pack a pashmina in your carry on! You never know when you'll need a scarf/wrap/pillow/blanket.

Which snapshot is your favourite? Have you ever visited Cleveland?

In Favor of Angry Feminists

I sometimes wonder whether it's worth it to be as outspoken as I am (especially on the internet). Is it worth it to make enemies because I feel the need to discuss my life, my feminism, my stance on abortion?

But nights like tonight make things crystal clear.

Here's what went down:

There’s this bill that they are trying to pass in Texas that would make it illegal to get any abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and would make it very difficult for abortion centers [even general health centers that happen to offer abortion-related services] to continue doing what they do. Governor Rick Perry has already said that if the bill makes it to his desk, he will sign it. And Wendy Davis said fuck no that is not happening.

So she’s filibustering it. That means she asked to talk on the subject at 11:18 this morning, and if she can continue talking about abortion until 11:59 tonight, the bill won’t reach Governor Perry, and they would have to start all over with the bill next time they meet- 2 years from now.

But Wendy has to keep talking. She can’t pause for even a minute, not for food or a sip of water or to go to the bathroom or sit down. She can’t even lean up against anything, or she’s out [source].

Senator Davis had to speak for hours on end about a woman's right to bodily autonomy, following the rules to a 'T'-- until the Republicans decided to vote at the last minute. After midnight. Illegally.

They claim they began voting before the stroke of 12, but the 170,000+ people watching know that's not true.

And then protestors were arrested. Forcefully.

So following the rules only applies if you're not a white, straight, cis-gender, Republican man? Interesting.

This is about more than abortion. It's about more than Texas. It's about more than America. 

This is about women's rights. This is about human rights. 

I can't stay silent. I won't stay silent.

Senator Davis, you are a superhero. My fellow angry feminists on tumblr (with whom I've been speaking all night), I love you.

8 Things To Do This Black Friday

Note: This article is especially for my American readers, who are celebrating Thanksgiving today.

Instead of rushing to the mall tomorrow, here's how you could be spending Black Friday:

1 Shopping online instead. No crowds, so you can take your time. Less stress, so you'll probably spend less money. And you can stay in your pj's.

2 Writing a Things I Love Friday list. Thanksgiving should be every day!

3 Curling up with a great read. Pore over your favourite blogs' archives or choose an exciting novel.

4 Whipping up a yummy, light, post-Thanksgiving brunch for yourself and your family.

5 Taking a day trip to Canada, where we don't observe Black Friday quite as fervently!

6 Looking into setting up a savings account. Save instead of spending!

7 Skimming through the Polish and Sparkle Link Love archives.

8 Giving yourself a DIY mani-pedi. Go all out with warming scrubs and gorgeous polishes.

How are you going to spend Black Friday?

Image Source: SomeEcards

Snapshots: Weekend Getaway to Buffalo, NY

Last weekend I went for a quick getaway to Buffalo, NY. It was great to get away, see some sights, do some shopping and get home in time for the work week!

Here are some of my favourite snapshots:

Driving past Niagara Falls en route to the border.

Hanging out at the hotel with fruit and soda.

Dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Visiting Patriots and Heroes Park.

Shopping! Dress by Cynthia Rowley and blue tongue care of a delicious slurpee ;)

My mom relaxing at the pool.
Flaunting my new swimsuit bottom and American flag tee.

My mom is a plane-spotting addict. On the way home, we stopped in Mississauga so she could enjoy the view and I could take some outfit photos. {What I Wore: colour block top: TJ Maxx. Popsicle-print shorts: Wal-mart. Shoes: Hello Kitty. Sunglasses: Ray-Ban. And yup, that really is a (non-photoshopped) plane right above (behind?) me!}.

All in all, a wonderful weekend!

14 Things I Love About America

Image: Anne Miller

Happy 4th of July, American friends! In honour of your special day, let's count down my favourite 14 things about the lovely USA.

14 New York City. I'll never forget the beautiful few days I spent in the city that never sleeps!

13 American Dad. The perfect mix of stupid humour and intelligent laughs.

12 Sweet Tea. Delicious, refreshing and the drink associated with southern hospitality (see #2).

11 Casserole. Though it was invented by a French Canadian, the hearty baked goodness was largely popularized by American housewives from the 1950s to 1970s.

10 Junk Food. Take 5, Oreos and Zero bars? I love you.

9 Disney, Disney World, Disney Land, Mickey Mouse... Everything Disney. The child in me thanks you, America.

8 Trader Joe's. I could spend hours there!

7 Florida. This one is obvious.

6 Magazines. There are so many great magazines based in America, like Bust, Bitch and Glamour.

5 Pop Culture. Okay, I could take or leave lots of it, but there are so many incredible movie stars and musicians from America's past and present: My Chemical Romance, Bette Davis, Lady Gaga, Emma Stone, Patsy Cline, Taylor Swift, Montgomery Clift....

4 Red, White & Blue. It's very easy and enjoyable to express your love of the USA in your decor or clothing.

3 Patriotism. Stars and stripes are everywhere! The passion and pride Americans feel for their country are so inspiring.

2 Southern Hospitality. I'm enamoured of Southern Belle culture. It's practically an art.

1 USA + Canada's Friendship. Being Canadian, this had to be my first choice. Of course.

What's your favourite thing about America?

Take a Detour To Clermont, Florida!

Gorgeous Lake Louisa

Clermont. Unless you're from Central Florida, you probably haven't heard of it. Afterall, Mickey Mouse casts a pretty big shadow. But once you've visited this sweet city, it's hard to forget.

Situated in Lake County, just west of Orlando, Clermont is a suburban area full of hills and lakes, drawing Floridians and tourists alike to its beautiful natural playground. Clermont is lovingly nicknamed "Gem of the Hills" because it truly offers a little something for everyone:

If genuine old-fashioned charm is what you seek, American history buffs, look no further! Rich in Floridian history, Clermont is home to Florida's Citrus Tower. The Tower, built in 1956, is one of the state's first constructed landmarks. It is over 500 feet above sea level, making it the Florida's highest observation point.

Similarly, downtown Clermont's historic village will thrill you-- it hasn't changed much in the past 50 years and is filled to the brim with distinctive Floridian culture.

Fashionistas can spend an afternoon at lovely Clermont Landing, a shopping centre at Steve's Road and US 27. The centre features Ross, JC Penney, restaurants, a craft store, a movie theatre and TJ Maxx (an amazing one, in fact: I bought my favourite handbag there!).

Wine connoisseurs from around the world flock to Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards to taste locally made wine and attend special events including the Harvest Festival, craft shows and concerts.

Families can visit the Showcase of Citrus, a popular roadside attraction featuring a swamp buggy, pick-your-own oranges and an informative eco-tour led by a personable citrus farmer.

Photographers, artists and families taking vacation photos will love posing for pictures and happily strolling through the residential areas for their picturesque parks and friendly neighbourhoods.

Foodies enjoy the trendy Family Food Truck event which takes place on the first Friday of July on Minneola Avenue near 7th St.

Athletes can work up a sweat hiking or biking the Clermont/Minneola Trail.

Golfers, tee up at Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club.

The politically inclined can visit life-sized wax sculptures of presidents and first ladies at the Presidents Hall of Fame. Plus, take photos with the huge model White House. ("Toto, I've a feeling we're not in D.C. anymore...)

ATV enthusiasts and zealous young motorists love Revolution: The Off-Road Experience so much that it's been rated Clermont's #1 attraction on Trip Advisor.

Outdoor lovers, grab your swimsuit, grill or canoe! Lake Louisa State Park (pictured above) is naturally a great getaway. Stay overnight in a tent or cottage, or just spend the day. Either way, the sunsets are breathtaking and it is totally worth getting away from the city for a little tranquility.

Getting there: Clermont is most easily accessible by car (take highway 50 west from Orlando), but can be reached by Central Florida's LYNX Public Transportation System.

Clermont is an affordable, educational and fun detour on a memorable Florida vacation, no matter your interests or budget.

Snapshots: Mother's Day Weekend in Buffalo, NY

Hey, gorgeous girls! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Here's a little glimpse of mine, plus some tips for trips to Buffalo, NY.

Buffalo is a great destination for Southern Ontarians who want an affordable trip that's almost but not quite a "staycation". Buffalo offers a taste of the United States without forcing you to spend hundreds on plane fare and hours on travel.

This made Buffalo the perfect location for the special Mother's Day weekend I planned for my Maman.

We left on Friday afternoon, arriving in Buffalo just in time for dinner.

Clockwise, from left: Hangin' out on the porch. | Lake Erie. | Deep-fried green beans at TGI Friday's.

We spent Friday evening, all of Saturday and much of Sunday reading in coffee shops, exploring stores we don't have in Canada (TJ Maxx!) and enjoying each other's company. It was the perfect opportunity to have fun and ensure we came home refreshed.


In addition to making silly faces, we had some amazing southern food at Cracker Barrel, a family favourite!

Clockwise, from top: I love this City of Buffalo sign! | Gorgeous architecture in Williamsville. | Serious face!

I wore head-to-toe pastel on Saturday. Loved it! | We spent a few hours at Barnes and Noble, enjoying magazines, feta and spinach-stuffed pretzels and frappuccinos. | I'm so excited about this purchase: nail polish in bright colours from TJ Maxx.

On the way home to North York, we stopped for Mother's Day dinner at Jack Astor's in downtown Toronto.

Have you ever visited Buffalo from Toronto? Share your experience!

Snapshots: Gingerbread Mickey, Palm Trees & Short Shorts! [Becca in Florida Spring 2012]

I had an incredible time in Florida! Here are some snapshots from my trip.

Clockwise from top left: Candy Cauldron in Downtown Disney, Florida. They have amazing raspberry-white chocolate cookies! | Enjoying a Mickey gingerbread cookie in the sunshine. | Florida iPhone wallpaper from Paper'd. | In 80+ degreeF weather, you'd better have a cute pair of shorts!

Left to right: I spent lots of time in the hotel pool. | I developed an addiction to sparkly nail art, clearly. This is teal from Yves Rocher, beneath a glittery blue by Revlon. | I love palm trees! | Sipping delicious peach raspberry iced tea at Olive Garden.

From top: Crumbs cupcakes are the best! I had a vanilla coconut one at the Greyhound Station in Washington DC. | Self-shot photo-op! | My hotel in Orlando, FL.

Many more photos to come!

Have you ever been to Florida? Share your snapshots in the comments!

2012 Florida International Film Festival

160+ films.
10 days.
100s of special guests (including actors, filmmakers, Floridians, Floridians-at-heart, and film buffs).

This year is the Florida Film Festival's 21st year, and it's record-breaking! I'll be there... will you?

Image via Florida Film Festival's official website.

An Open Letter To Rick Santorum

Dear Mr Santorum,

Being pro-choice isn't about aborting fetuses. It's not about undermining you (and I know self-centred Republicans like you often think the world revolves around them & people's political choices revolve around them). Being pro-choice about one thing, and one thing only: a person's right to choose.

As an American, white, financially well-off, cis-gendered, straight male, you're given the right to choose.

Most of us aren't so lucky.

Most of us aren't white, financially well-off, cis-gendered, straight and male.

So here's a suggestion. Instead of spreading hate and insensitive 'advice', try being empathetic. Instead of telling women who've survived rape to "make the best out of a bad situation" [source], consider the fact that some situations can't just be made better. Sometimes, abortion is the only answer. And sometimes, politicians need to admit that they're wrong.

Just like I'm going to admit something about myself: throughout this letter I've been tempted to make jokes about your campaign being full of shit, but I've restrained myself (mostly).

Unfortunately for you, your grossly unconstitutional campaign is a much bigger issue.

Hopefully you'll fix that before you get glitter bombed again.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Esther

Related Links:

Definition of Santorum | Santorum on Wikipedia | Santorum Quotes | Santorum's Campaign Site | More Santorum

Goodbye, "Occupy"!

Lake Superior State University's annual List of Banished Words is out. Since 1976, the university has compiled a list of the most overused, misused and generally useless words in the English language, garnering press for their college & thrilling logophiles everywhere.

Here are this 2011's most terrible words:

-Amazing
-Baby Bump
-Shared Sacrifice
-Occupy
-Blowback
-Man Cave
-The New Normal
-Pet Parent
-Win The Future
-Trickeration
-Ginormous
-Thank You In Advance

What would you add?

Check out all 37 lists (1 for each year since '76!) here.

Snapshots: It's Halloween at Disney's Fort Wilderness!

This week, I got to visit Disney's Fort Wilderness. Walking through the campgrounds, + admiring Halloween decorations has really gotten me into the mood to celebrate! Check out these pictures:

All photos by Rebecca Gorenkoff of etched in tin.

TiLT 29.9.2011

I have a lot to be thankful for this week.

• Waking up next to my love, every single day. Most of our relationship has been long-distance, so I'm used to sleeping alone. Being with him is beyond-words-incredible.

• Correspondence courses. I'm in Poinciana, Florida, and working on a course through University of Toronto. How cool is that?!

• Disney World. Kamen's mom took us a couple of days ago + it was such fun!

• Parents who care. My mom and dad have both been emailing me, asking how I am. I feel loved, knowing they're thinking of me, especially while I'm away.

• Having fun with American lingo. "Candy bar". "Swimsuit". "Restroom". As a linguaphile, I love picking these out of conversation and trying them for myself (but I still say "chocolate bar" instead of "candy bar"!).

Big or small, what made you smile this week?

 

Things I Learned About Myself in the Big Apple

NYC as seen from the Staten Island Ferry. Photo by Rebecca Gorenkoff, Etched In Tin.

During my just-shy-of-3-days in NYC last week, I had time for lots of introspection + self-exploration. Here's what I found:

1 I'm much better with directions than I thought. While it's true that I get lost in my own city of Toronto, where I've spent all my life, I'm able to figure out which bus to take, which way Avenues versus streets go and how to ask for directions if (read: when) I need them. This comes in handy all the time!

2 I love taking pictures. I've known this for a long time, but it became more apparent than ever during my trip. I gleefully snapped photos of buildings in The Bronx, artifacts in The Museum of Sex, the Statue of Liberty... Even a few of pretzels. Photography is a great way to express one's self while keeping track of time and memories, so you'll see lots more photos (by me) on Etched In Tin.

3 I think I now understand how new Torontonians feel when they see the C. N. Tower. Seeing the Statue of Liberty up close is surreal. She's so much smaller than literature leads one to believe, yet she's larger than life. The moment you witness a landmark you've heard about all your life but never actually seen is magical.

4 I'm more capable of interacting with strangers than I thought. This is a revelation! I'm quite shy by nature, so learning that I can hold a conversation with ease was quite a confidence boost.

Do you find that travelling offers you learning experiences? When's the last time you learned something about yourself?

Thoughts on New York City

I might have judged New York City too harshly.

I was there for less than 24 hours, on layover on my way home from Orlando, Florida. It was midnight when I arrived. The streets were packed with iconic yellow cabs and their drivers, ordering me to get in their taxis as well as rather creepy drunken-looking people, one of whom yelled "nice tits" as I walked past. The occasional tourist wandered past as well, but that was all.

Not a great first impression to give me, NYC.

Maybe I'd enjoy the city more if I weren't so easily stressed. It's GO GO GO! which I like sometimes, but with an anxiety disorder, that unrelentless pace can be overwhelming rather than exciting.

On the other hand... I like that the streets are numbered. I like that it's the Broadway show capital of the world. I like that famous artists, writers and bohemians hail from NYC-- Jonathan Larson, Gala Darling, Lady Gaga. I like that same-sex marriage was finally (!!) legalized just before I arrived.

Maybe holding hands with my boyfriend, wandering the streets with Starbucks in my free hand and a camera around my neck, I'll learn to love this city that I'm so desperate to adore.

Have you ever been to New York City? What was your experience?

4 Reasons To Visit Orlando, Florida

After spending three lovely weeks in Florida, I'd love to share some tips for making your trip to the Sunshine State fantastic.

+ If hot weather makes you happy, tropical Florida is your ideal destination, year-round. Just remember sunblock and lots of cold drinks.

+ Pick your travel partner wisely. Spending an entire three weeks with my Love has been bliss (especially because we're usually long-distance). If a romantic getaway isn't your cup of tea, why not travel with a couple close friends?

+ Don't skip Disney World!! I was surprised to find that adults are just as thrilled by "the happiest place on earth" as kids are. It's entirely worth the trip, for the nostalgia of reliving your Disney-imbued childhood, although the confectioneries, shows and rides are an awesome bonus. The amusement park is also a classic romantic getaway, so you and your lover can have a great time spending a weekend on roller coasters or at a luxe resort.

+ Enjoy the sun, sand + sea!! Unfortunately, I didn't get to go to the ocean this time, but a trip to Florida is a perfect opportunity to visit the ocean. The state is unique in that it's bordered by both the Atlantic and Pacific. Plus, its beaches are world-famous!

 Thank you to Visit Orlando for helping with my research needs.

Bon Voyage, Becca!! or: Dear Readers

Soure: ? If this is your image, please let me know! It's gorgeous + you deserve credit.

Dear readers,

I'm off to America! I'll be wandering DC, spending a few weeks with my beloved boyfriend, visiting the ocean (!!) and wiling away a few hours in New York. I don't know how often I'll be online, but don't miss me too much, okay ;)

Love, Becca

NYC Says He's a She

New York law states that transpeople must undergo genital surgery to change the gender status on their birth certificates.  Canada's similar laws are not as intrusive and unconstitutional, but nonetheless make things more difficult than they should be.

Gender is not always connected to sex and government is meant to protect its country's people, not check what's in their pants (or under their skirts) and define them with an M or F.

Says Sam Berkley, an NYC (trans)man, "I don't feel comfortable with the government deciding whether I'm a man or not".

Governments (especially that of the United States) are obsessed with controlling citizens' gender identities and sexual preferences. When poverty, violence and prejudice are running rampant and taking lives, aren't there more important things for politicians to do than regulate birth certificates and ban marriages?