This world is going to hell in a hand basket. I'm stuck in the dichotomy of wanting to stay updated on the news, but also being majorly depressed by the news. The depressing news is just a byproduct of the sad world we live in. What if there we just, for one blog post, or newsletter, focused on some uplifting stories? For every blog post like this, there's a million negative ones. After reading these positive hot takes, you can go back down your rabbit hole of depressing news stories about our impending doom. Fun!

I first saw this meme was in a Facebook group I'm in for a pop culture podcast. Now, I'm seeing it everywhere. I saw this meme first the morning after a "thirsty thursday", so my rap name is Young Vodka Cranberry. I love it already.

As if I didn't need another reason to want to move to Canada....

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a newsletter that's just good news? Well, there will be. To combat this awful world me live in, I'm starting a newsletter called Half Full, that is a curation of good news, memes, reader "stories" and of course, baby animals. Subscribe here to get the inaugural issue.

It's been a long, hot, productive summer. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't if not the best summer ever, the best summer in a very long time. What's even better is that I have an even more exciting schoolyear to look forward to. The only word I can use to describe these past couple months is BLESSED! So, heres my summer recap. Please comment or tweet me (@n_vergako) or post yours on my facebook wall. I'd love to know yours. Even better, if you make your own recap tweet it to me and I'll share it!

Remember...

When David and I waited through a Never Shout Never-esque set (with sweaty, pubescent scene girls surrounding us) just so we could be FRONT AND CENTER FOR AARON WEST AND THE ROARING TWENTIES at warped tour...

When I got a really uneven sunburn at the beach thanks to aerosol spray sunscreen...

When I saw Say Anything and Modern Baseball at the House of Blues #WhateverForever....

When I spent four hours scouring the NEWSEUM in DC...

When I got a tour on Boston Harbor Cruises...

When I made Summer Sessions my new favorite spot on Route 1A in New Hampshire.

When I ran a 5K in memory of my best friends grandfather...

When I walked on the Boston Common to WAGE HOPE for an end to pancreatic cancer...

When I came across the Lilly Pulitzer truck and the Vineyard Vines whale on Nantucket... #ACKCity

When I relaxed at my favorite spot on Cape Cod, the Judah Baker Windmill...

When we all twinned with our vegan dishes at Life Alive...

When my fellow PRSSA Eboard members and I pulled off a killer Paint Nite fundraiser and raised SO MUCH money for National Conference!

When I got up close and personal with Niagara Falls...

When I fell in love with Toronto...

When Dom and I took too many cute intern pictures at the State House...

Share with me your summer adventures!

Toronto was soooo last week. This week hails Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls, to me, is the Las Vegas of Canada. This is my second time visiting the Falls. However, it's totally different this time. This time, I'm legal! I can drink and gamble. It's a bit different of an experience for a seven year old than for a nineteen year old.

It's also different this time because I just came from a purely Canadian city, Toronto, and now I'm in a tourist trap just over the border. So, things are very americanized here. Rolling out of the bar or casino and wolfing down a Denny's grand slam apparently isn't just an American tradition.

There are two main attractions: The Falls and Clifton Hill. Clifton Hill is a hilly street filled with attractions - arcades, haunted houses, wax museums, mini golfs, and more.

Day 1

We stopped at St. Lawrence Market in Toronto before we drove to Niagara Falls. I was itching to check out this hub of food and culture while we there. However, it was closed on Sundays and Mondays, the only days we were there. I was so happy to catch it Tuesday morning. There was an array of food - coffee, pastries, crepes, fresh produce, Greek food, shawarma, etc.

Cardigan: American Eagle

Crop Top: Forever 21

Shorts: Forever 21

Shoes: TopShop

A fresh breakfast - a ham and pineapple crepe, a latte, and macarons.

The first thing I did when I got to Niagara Falls was by 2 for $20 shoes. I've really been wanting a pair of these leather slip-ons.

Shoes: Siren

I changed my outfit... and perused around Clifton Hill.

Shirt: Target

Pants: Charlotte Russe

Shoes: Siren

Look.. a rainbow! This picture captivates all of the charms of the falls, a rainbow, the Maid of the Mist, and rainbow bridge. Those are the American falls with Niagara Falls, NY behind it.

Day 2

Crop Top: Forever 21

Shorts: American Eagle

Necklaces: handmade, Forever 21

Sandals: Target

THE Clifton Hill!

The view from atop the "Skylon Tower". One of the most acclaimed ways to get a 360 degree view of the falls.

Winds were 40 km/h, we had to take a windy selfie.

Not Katy Perry, but a wax figure of her!

Wax figures of The Simpsons at the Movieland Wax Museum in Clifton Hill.

You'll never guess how this outfit came together. I may have displayed this colorful paisley romper on this blog before. It's great as a romper, however, it's also proven to be very versatile. It can double as a colorful pair of fun shorts. I've paired sweaters over it, now I've paired this scalloped blue crop top from TopShop.

Crop Top: TopShop

Romper: Forever 21

We took the "Maid of the Mist" boat today. This was my second time on it. However, as mentioned before, I'm a lot older and can retain more memories this time.

Whoever tells you you don't get that wet is wrong! However, the views are so worth it.

Day 4

The day ended with me scoring a little over $80 on a slot machine, not this one. Although American original is my machine of choice.

We spent most of the day over the border on Goat Island in Niagara Falls, NY. This picture was taken in one country, but you can see another country in the background (US and Canada). How crazy!

We ate at an Italian restaurant that had a bakery attached, called Como. I hadn't had gnocci in a while!

The view of the top of the falls from the "three sisters islands" on Goat Island. It's one of the most scenic places in Niagra Falls State Park in NY.

Most of these pictures were taken on top of the Canadian Falls. What I don't get is that the strait of land is on the American side, however they're called the Canadian falls. Who owns them?

Top: Marshalls

Joggers: Kohls

Sandals: Payless

Sunglasses: Boohoo