: notes to self :

help for yogyakarta earthquake victims





Canadian Red Cross, 1-800-418-1111; www.redcross.ca
International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) 1-866-497-4373; www.idrf.ca;
World Vision Canada: 1- 800-268-5528, www.worldvision.ca;
The Salvation Army, South Pacific and East Asia Disaster Fund: 1-800-SAL-ARMY; www.salvationarmy.ca;
UNICEF Canada: 1-877-955-3111, www.unicef.ca
Save the Children: 1-800-668-5036; www.savethechildren.ca
Oxfam Canada; 1-800-466-9326; www.oxfam.ca

Mazel tov

The big day finally arrived—Brian’s wedding! The few days leading up to it were a bit harried as there were a bunch of errands and social ENGAGEMENTS that we had previously COMMITTED to (theme! Get it? Ok, I’ll stop). Add to the mix drama with an eBay dress, scheduling miscues and helping AJ pack for Asia made for an interesting and busy weekend.

But naturally, the highlight was attending the wedding. It was a hot, beautiful day, and I almost sweated off all of my makeup on the drive there. Beautiful! Thank goodness for smudge/waterproof eye makeup. (This would prove to be a popular refrain on numerous occasions during the night.) The reception hall was really nice—not in the least bit gaudy, which is what I expected from the hall’s exterior. Brian and Ali had both their ceremony and reception at the hall, which was super convenient. The chupah was beautiful—all white gauzy chiffon. When Brian and Ali took their places before the rabbi and the cantor, backlit by the camera lights, there was a definite sense of peace and calm. The most moving parts of the ceremony was seeing Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Goldenberg and Ali walk slowly around Brian three times and hearing the cantor and Ali’s brother sing out the blessings to the couple. Because of these moments, there was such an Old World feeling to the entire ceremony. I know it’s cheesy, but you could really feel a sense of history and depth to the proceedings, especially when the cantor sung—his voice melancholy, solemn, pleading. How many generations before Brian and Ali have done this? In dark and in light, here and away. For the first time I felt the weight and beauty of the Jewish faith and it was…amazing. I hope I never forget this.







The reception was really fun—these families know how to throw a party! It actually outclassed the HQN Christmas party, by far. The band was amazing—Rob and Christina got their card (wedding-to-be in July ’07!); Earth Wind and Fire never sounded so good! And there was so much food. [AJ, the prime rib was the size of Kathy’s head! No joke! I chose to eat that (well attempted to finish, at least) instead of the chicken, which I gave to Leo. I know you’d be proud =)]










It felt a bit surreal to be with everyone again. It really was like prom, but the grown-up version. It was kind of bittersweet to think that at this happy event, this could be the last time everyone would be together, these people that I shared the majority of my teenage years with. Everyone looked so beautiful and handsome. And happy. I wish wish WISH I could say it was a perfect night, but it wasn’t. I didn’t feel that constant joy or spirit of celebration. I actually felt a bit wistful for a few moments because I felt a bit distant from everything, like sometimes I was just…watching this event unfold in front of me. I caught myself a number of times comparing people to their high-school selves. I remember you... How grown-up you are. And maybe that’s why my emotions have been so exaggerated as of late. I don’t fit in the same spaces that I used to (and I don’t mean winter weight!), and it’s unnerving; I’m out-of-sync with everyone else. Am I not trying hard enough? Maybe. Probably? I miss Liz. I miss Kartik. I miss the guaranteed ease of friendship. Everything feels too close to the surface, and I’ve been getting weepy over the smallest things. After I left the airport Sunday morning, I had to listen to AJ’s voice message seven times before I could stop crying. Ridiculous! I sound crazy. (But I really miss you and it’s only been a day and a half.)


Ugh, this entry has become depressing. Well, here’s the high note: Brian is married! To his beloved Ali, and I have a sneaking suspicion they’ll make it. Brian looked so happy, and it didn’t faze me to think of him as a married man (the ring looked odd on his finger though… probably because it looked fake!). I’m really happy for him. I don’t think I can ever get married though. Weddings are… for lack of a better word, INTENSE. all in all, the wedding was a blast =) congratulations mr & mrs. b. goldenberg!












And I’ve learned my lesson: I won’t buy another dress off of eBay… for the time being.

=)

weak

i noticed that i am overusing the word "intense."


"15 pairs of shoes? that's intense."
"that looks like a pretty intense textbook."
"that is some intense language."
"that felt a bit intense."


UGH! what is wrong with me? i hereby give you permission to shoot me scathing looks if i use the word "intense" carelessly.

i also bought this book to help keep me in check:



Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale. I read excerpts to people at retreat. they were THRILLED! yup, no joke! hahaha

turn up your noses

i have to admit, i'm a bit of a book snob. i'm not saying that my tastes are high-brow, they're definitely not, but i think i still have a pretty high standard when it comes to preferred reading material. That being said, I realize the irony in working for HQN. i realize it and it makes me laugh, because despite the bad rep HQN may have with some people, the people here work hard, and they care about what they do. I admit, some of the books, mostly the mass market paperbacks, are pretty horrid. trust me, i was a proofreader for over a year-my eyes and brain will never fully recover. but fortunately, the company is trying to gain "credibility" with more literary product, which i think is great. and not only that, they actively pursue and support outstanding volunteers and their organizations with the More Than Words programme. So for people to discount HQN and their successes ESPECIALLY in classrooms, where it is not even acknowledged in discussions about the Canadian publishing industry, they are doing a disservice to the industry.

I never thought i'd be working for a house like this, let alone a multinational like this. but i'm proud of the work i've done. because of my first job with HQN, i know exactly what it's like to really like your job and look forward to coming into work. I know what it's like to have a great manager. I know what it's like to feel supported in your work. How many other people can say that about their job? i'm encouraged with the direction the company is trying to take. of course, the editorial is still unnervingly bad most of the time, but hey, things can only get better, right?


and to those of you who think i've lost my sense of humor or that i've been brainwashed, gifts for you:








from http://worldoflongmire.com/features/romance_novels/readers_covers.htm

i'm so slow!!

pictures w.out commentary:













































and then two hours after we landed in Toronto, we went to a wedding. hahahha, take THAT jet lag! =)

habla espana?

I finally have a night to write about Spain, so here's a quick recap:

Flew into Madrid via Milan (how i loathe you Milan-Malenpesa airport...after a 7.5 layover, any sane person would!) and managed to find the hotel a-ok. My first impression of Madrid was that there were some beautiful buildings, and everyone drove really small cars. Hardly an SUV in sight! Since AJ was in Madrid for work, he was staying at the Westin Palace, which was very old and beautiful. The rotunda was a domed room, with azure blue glass at the top, and it made breakfast time feel absolutely decadent.

One of the best things we did in Madrid was attend a Real Madrid game. It was so awesome to be in a stadium with 75,000 other people, intently taking in the game. I've never been a soccer fan before this, but after being there, I can understand why people are so passionate about the game. There's a real lack of glitz surrounding the game, and it feels like you're seeing sport in its pure form. The crowd was great; with every missed shot, with every failed pass, with every fielding triumph, the intensity of emotion never really waned. So different from north american sporting events where attention is divided and diluted because of advertising and concessions.







and i have to admit, i did get a little giddy when Sir Beckham came to our end =))
Look! there he is!

ugh

sporting life 10k on sunday.
adjective that best describes my running ability at this point: LABOURED.


i've been feeling pretty blah ever since i came back from spain. one of my coworkers suggested that it was because i haven't had a day just to recuperate since it was pretty much go go go upon arrival in toronto. i'm not totally convinced as i've had a couple of nights to myself.

but i ran today after work, and although it was painful and my left knee was hurting i feel a lot better. now i can go home and watch iron chef america hahahaha (it's the susur lee/bobby flay battle).

spain trip post-mortem coming up =)

hope everyone is enjoying the weather. make sure to check out the Contact Photography fest going on this month, all over toronto.


adios!