All good things….

Must come to an end they say. This blog is no exception. Since Jan 2008 ( and at the encouragement of an acquaintance) I launched this webpage for the amusement of others and myself, of course. Now that I have completed school I will be able to focus more on my other committments. I thought i’d be more excited about getting back into the arts. Its easy to forget all the consulting i’ve done over the years, the freelance work that people have been nice enough to offer me on account of my Computer Graphics studies and hobbies like Fashion design and journalism. I have dabbled in it – but never committed, and quite frankly, this blog is the greatest committment i’ve ever made to my work. Although many pieces are unedited and poorly written – I have not removed them simply because its all a part of the process. So for the next several weeks leading up to Jan 2009 – I will be posting my last blogs on this site. If I had it my way – I would do both – but realize that I just cannot.

Thank you all for your dedication, insporation and support. Thank you for your time, your comments, your emails and your encouragement. I will never know how many of those 5000+ hits were friends, foes or just mere strangers who happened up my work, but hopefully everyone has found at least something that speaks to them.

There are a few outstanding topic ‘requests’ that I will try to get to by the end of the year – so stay tuned….

Live.Love. Laugh.

Dee

Party Protocol

Party Protocol

Series: In a Perfect World

 In a perfect world, events are social gatherings that mark a particular special occasion – simply put. However I cannot help but notice a shift in the way we have come to carelessly handle these milestones, where instead of creating an atmosphere that draws people to it, we do the exact opposite.  Where the host is supposed to be gracious, they are often now pretentious and hostile. Hosts often leave invitees balking and bulged-eyed at their belligerent requests.

In my opinion, a few things need to be taken into consideration when putting on an event. Let’s get back to the basics.

1)       Party with a Purpose – you CANNOT have a party ‘just because’ then try to make it a legitimate celebration by desperately attaching it to an ancient tribal tradition which you came across in a National Geographic article. You are a Canadian and we do not have a custom of baby-naming ceremonies. We understand you waited for years to have your first child but as much as you may be convinced otherwise… noone (including you) is going to even remember the name ‘Kwazaii’. In addition, your child will be just as annoying as every one else’s in about 24 months, after which  you will come up with MANY other names for him – and I’m certain you won’t have a party for those.

Convocation 2009

Also known as the march of the funny hats…

Being absolutely exhausted of all things to do with school, I didn’t even feel the urge to blog about my graduation ceremony that occurred last month. I can only recall the calmness with which I floated through the procession, picked up my robe and hat, then wait… and wait…and wait for the celebration to begin. I wasn’t at all certain who besides my immediate family and friend, Dalia would be there to see me walk across the stage, but one thing was for sure – I did not feel alone.

Wedged in between my fellow classmates (none of which I’d ever seen before), I was number 109, a fitting reflection of the lack of personal touch that can only be compared to being part of a random study group. Surrounded by hundreds of strangers; young’ns, go-getters, and life changers ready to take on a world I’m already a part of. However, unlike our years in class – we felt comfortable enough to converse with one another. As it turned out, I was second in line to a young mother, and in front of an older mother, whose own daughter had graduated the year before. She was so touched with her accomplishment she fought back tears a few times during the ceremony. These two women made me realize, that I was not an anomaly; that many of these students have fought and persevered to achieve something that may not have seemed possible at one point or another. I listened to their stories of career changes, and previous studies to which they had committed themselves – only to change direction and a few years later.

Not unlike my story, is it? So we sat, eyes blinded by the piercing stage lights, facing the crowd of supporters and watched the procession of the accordion players, faculty, grad students, honourary degree recipient, and the chancellor who waved a funny looking wand and sat on a ‘throne’( seriously, its called a mace ), I felt honoured to be amongst them all. Every now and then I let myself tune out and dream of the day when my own son would saunter across that stage. It was the only moment where I caught myself getting a little teary eyed. Other times I had the sudden urge to watch Harry Potter. All those colourful get ups and strange hats and whatnot. Anyway – when it was my turn to walk across the stage, I was welcomed by the bellowing sounds of my husband, children, friend, mother and brother who were there to witness those seemingly final steps. In truth, they were first steps – Ad meliora. Attending that ceremony gave me comfort in the confirmation of the efforts put forth by myself and those around me, as well as setting an example for the children. I often remember my own mother’s graduation. And so when the Chancellor uttered those sweet, sweet words, ‘Admitto vos ad gradum’… I exhaled a great sigh of relief.

It was wonderful…