International Sunrise and Sunset Around the World Day

Yesterday was a pretty important day to me. It was International Sunrise and Sunset Around the World Day. This was set up by Jesse of 1 Day 1000 Things Challenge for Paul Walker's Birthday. Why? Jesse was Paul's best friend.... So not only did this mean so much to him, it meant a lot to us fans too - we could contribute and be apart of his day.

The point of this event was to take a photo of the days Sunrise and Sunset as we saw it all around the world in Memory of Paul and donate whatever we could to PW's charity Reach Out Worldwide, with a goal of 1M dollars to be raised.

With over 7000 confirmed people participating there was photos from all over the world, and donations? Raised well over 43,000! Short the goal of 1M but every bit counts, and this was huge.

I decided that I wouldn't fret about my sunrise photo yesterday because I couldn't do much about it - so I took a normal skyline photo. However, over 3 weeks ago I had finally came up with a plan for my sunset photo - On top of the CN Tower! (What the heck is a CN Tower? Click here)

Those of you who know me know that is NOT my type of place to go hang out, or even visit. I love looking at it from afar but heights? Not my thing. But, for a beautiful sunset photo? I would absolutely do it on this day, I had to!

I hadn't been up in the CN tower since I was 16 years old (September 2001 is when I went oddly enough) and I forgot how my ears popped going up and down.. 6x total yesterday, such fun. Jordan went with me as we had to go to the mall downtown to grab his fancy new Jordan basketball shoes - his Bday gift - and the streets were so busy, I didn't think we would make it.

We got to the bottom of the CN tower at just after 715pm..... I thought for sure my chance for a photo had been missed and I wouldn't get a decent sunset photo to submit for the challenge.... Boy was I wrong. I went up in that elevator and as soon as I opened my eyes and stepped off (hey, the elevator is all glass you can see outside the whole way up 1,136 feet in the air my eyes were SEALED) I felt my eyes weld up with tears. I didn't miss it, There it was - my sunset!

Breathtaking. I'm so happy I was able to do this. I paid $12 extra to go up even higher to the highest part of the CN Tower called the SkyPod (1,465 ft) which we ventured to after the main observation floor and outside deck. WORST MISTAKE OF LIFE. I couldn't handle it. It was a small space with all glass around it, and I was so scared I started having a panic attack and had to go back to the other deck right away. Haha, now I laugh but I can't even explain how terrified I was - Jordan? Almost ran off it too! So scary.

I'm happy I was able to conquer my fear to get these photos, see my amazing city from high above but I'm also glad I was able to take part in this event. 

I didn't know Paul in person, but I've been a huge fan since I can remember and his death hit me really hard. Really, hard. I'm not exactly sure why because no one, not a single celebrity or stranger that has died has hit me like him. I'm not sure if it's his work with the marine world? His work with his amazing charity? His selflessness giving strangers money to buy rings to propose to their fiancée, stopping his car on a street to give money to homeless man on a sidewalk or the simple fact he would do just about anything for anybody, I'm just not sure. But what I can say for sure is this world was so lucky to have had him in it for the years he was here.... He did great things, and even if he's gone his legacy will live on, especially if we can help it!  And YES, because I know it will be asked - I did donate again and will continue to do so.

Thank you to Jesse owner of 1 year 1000 Things Challenge for making this a day for all of us to join in and show our love! I am honored to have been able to take part, what an incredible friend he was lucky to have you!

If you are interested in checking out the charity Paul founded and was so passionate about ROWW I have it linked over on my sidebar, or you can click here. If you would like to help Jesse in his quest to raise 1M for ROWW please visit here.

Happy Birthday, Paul.