Contrasts

The following poem was written from a beach chair while on my honeymoon in Cuba. I couldn't get over the incredible contrasts I noticed throughout the country, and attempted to write something that would accurately capture what I experienced during our week on this unique Caribbean island. 

A seaside resort,

a plethora of hospitality,

a hundred people basking in warmth

under shaded huts and palm trees.

A decrepit shack,

a street of gates,

an aging horse tied to a fence

frantically trying to find a meal.

A smiling server,

a wealth of tips,

a hundred staff catering to the

rich tourists' every whim.

A military uniform,

a limbless beggar,

a fading population of heart-

hardened Cubans trying to survive.

This is a country of contrasts.

Of those who come to escape,

and those who long to run away.

It is a country of wealth,

of poverty,

of communist ideals mixed with

sea, sun and endless struggle.

A rich man,

a poor man,

an endless surge of people

longing for something better

than what they have today.

Say love with a song

For the last few months, Jeff and I had been trying to decide on the first dance song for our wedding.

Initially, we thought it made sense to go with Do You Remember by Jack Johnson:

Then, we started thinking about This Year's Love by David Gray (I can play it on the piano really well, but it's a bit too low for me to sing...):

And then, finally, we heard Crazy Love by Harry Manx performed live at the Centennial Concert Hall yesterday. And we were sold:

I can't wait to dance to it with Jeff! Seven months, and I'll be married...

2011 in a nutshell

Things have been a little hectic for me over the past few months. As a result, I have definitely neglected my blog. Part of me wasn’t interested in writing – another part was too tired to think about it. But now that 2012 is finally underway, I will make a conscious effort to write and update this blog that I’ve come to love so much.

When looking back at 2011, here is a brief list of the most impactful events that took place in my life…

January – I spent three weeks as an intern at MTS, where I realized that I actually AM interested in pursuing a career in PR.

March – I launched my first novel – Pieces – at Cre8ery Art Gallery.

April – After two years of intense work, I attended my last CreComm class.

May – Copies of Pieces became available at McNally Robinson Bookstore.

June – I attended my CreComm convocation.

July – My close friends Tyler & Kristen were married, and I was the MC at their reception.

August – Jeff & I travelled to Toronto for a week.

September – I was the publicist for the Winnipeg International Writers Festival, and had the opportunity to meet writers such as Miriam Toews, Guy Vanderhaeghe and Elizabeth Hay.

October – Jeff proposed.

November – I started working as the Communications Coordinator for DUC.

December – Jeff’s dad – my future father-in-law – passed away after a seven month battle with cancer.

Overall, I would consider it to be a positive year, even though the recent death of Jeff’s dad has been very difficult for everyone (and you can expect to read more about that later).

Now, as I enter 2012, there are a number of things that I am looking forward to. In addition to my wedding and honeymoon – both of which are only a short, nine months away – I have plans to attend concerts, plays and cultural events. I look forward to lots of time spent with family and friends, and will hopefully have many more good days than bad…

We have a date!!!

Mark your calendars people, because on Saturday, September 15, 2012, THIS GIRL is getting married :)

Yep, true story.

Weddings: what is right?

Over the past few years, I have attended a number of weddings. I am one of those people who cry during the ceremony – whether I know the couple well or not – so it’s no surprise that I’ve enjoyed myself at each and every event.

What I’ve found interesting is that each wedding I attended was so completely different from all of the others. I think I’ve seen a complete range – from inexpensive yet personal, to thoroughly expensive and trendy. This range of experiences has left me highly confused, and I honestly have no idea what the “right” type of wedding consists of.

Four years ago, my friends Matt and Leah were married. They were the first of our friends to tie the knot, so they had the daunting task of planning the first wedding. Deciding to be unique and original, their marriage ceremony was conducted amongst the ruins of the St. Boniface Monastery. And, to make the setting even more magical, the bride was escorted in via horse and carriage.

It was completely unorthodox, yet inexpensive, gorgeous and magical.

A few months ago, friends Tyler and Kristen were married at St. Luke’s Anglican Church on Nassau Street. The church was chosen specifically for its aesthetic value, because it boasted gorgeous, stained glass windows, a long, center aisle, and a collection of church bells to announce the exit of the newly-married couple.

It was also unorthodox, as neither bride nor groom actually attends that particular church, yet it was definitely magical.

And a few weekends ago, friend’s Kelvin and Tavia were married in the bride’s childhood Catholic church. It was her Reverend who conducted the ceremony, and members of her congregation who led the audience in song and prayer. The ceremony was very traditional, but that is exactly what the couple wanted.

When thinking about the reception, I have experienced everything, including local community centres, banquet halls in hotels, church basements and country clubs. There have been cash bars, open bars, gigantic centrepieces, colourful cakes, dessert bars and even candy and chocolate buffets.

There seems to be no guidelines whatsoever when it comes to the reception, and anything a person imagines can be created.

I will admit... I really DO care about the cake...

So what is considered to be an acceptable cost for a 20-something’s wedding in the 21^st century? According to Wiki Answers, anywhere between $25,000 – 50,000 is acceptable for the “common person.” A friend who is currently in the process of planning his wedding told me that $12,000 (including honeymoon) was what his day will cost.

I like the second option much better…

I guess there really is no right or wrong answer, and each couple is free to plan (and spend) what works for them. In the past, a wedding has been an illustration of the wealth of the couple – and their parents. Not anymore. Personally, I think I’m making a more positive example of my financial situation by holding a thrifty yet personal wedding while saving enough money to purchase a house soon after my nuptials.