“I do!”

A few weeks ago I received a “TOP SECRET” email, and while I had my suspicions of what to expect I found myself pleasantly surprised.

My dear friend Amanda, who got engaged just before Christmas, surprised Cass, Jules, Laura and I with a romantic little lunch at Cafe Amoure and a proposal of our own – pink roses, hand-made cards, a gift and a little poem… “Please stand by my side when I say I do, for I wouldn’t be me without a friend like you.” It was very lovely and sweet (and of course I said “I do!”)

So now I am stocked, this is going to be lots of fun and I’ can’t wait for all the planning to begin. With impeccable taste and timeless ideas, Amanda is going to pull off a gorgeous summer garden wedding – I am so happy to be a part of it. Most of all, I am excited to spend lots of quality wedding time with these lovely girls, and to share this special time with the lovely couple. My duties as a bridesmaid will also allow me to get my hands on some event planning and decorating action (right up my alley!) This is gonna be good.

The bride to be and her wedding party. Not too shabby.

Happy 2010!

Well another year has come and gone. Despite its upsets, it’s safe to say that 2009 was a great year for me. Looking back I learned a lot, did so much and had tons of fun. The recent holiday season was especially great. I spent so much time with all the people I care about. I even rang in the new year with my fabulous friends. Wouldn’t change a thing.

Now that 2010 is here I’m a bit excited/scared. Excited for where I am now and how I will grow over the next 12 months. Scared to turn 26 (yikes!). But all in all I have hope that it is going to be a FABULOUS year.

I’m not one for new years resolutions (I think they are overrated and too easily broken) but this year I have made a resolution with myself to be healthy, positive and practice self learning. I’m not putting too much pressure on myself, I want to ease into it and do it carefully. So far I have been doing lots of reading and thinking – looking at different perspectives, researching my options and listening to my feelings – but this is only the beginning! It’s funny how I ended up in a place totally different than expected, and who knows where this journey through 2010 will take me! I’m learning that the unexpected is part of the fun.

Resolution or not I hope that you all have a fun year, that you aspire to do something that will make you happy. Happiness is what counts most after all. Enjoy 2010 everyone!

You guys give up yet, or are you thirsty for more?

 Last year as part of Centennial’s Presentation Skills class I was asked to write a final speech. Writing speeches is something I always enjoyed and was pretty good at…so for this one, I figured I would have some fun. I think it was a mission accomplished. Everyone thought it was pretty funny. I hadn’t realized what a reminder it would be to them, since I am so familiar with the topic – the one and only, classic family comedy, Home Alone. The holidays always make me think of Home Alone so I thought I would share some of my ideas with you. 

First, the movie comes around “full circle.” This means it can be enjoyed by kids, teens, adults, and even seniors. It can be enjoyed as a family Christmas classic or a treat for any day. It transcends boundaries of age and time and I believe it will continue to do so for our children and our children’s children.

The movie is great for all ages because there are times when children might be feel scared or anxious, but teens and adults find these parts clever and amusing. I can think of so many instances in my life that help explain the movie’s “full circle” potential- watching it with my Nana at age six, with my friends in grade eleven, and even this past Christmas with my girlfriend and a bottle of wine.  

Home Alone is also one of the best movies ever made because it combines so many antics, coincidences and morals that make it clever, funny and just plain genius. The storm, the tarantula, Old Man Marley, the furnace in the basement – these things all move along the plot. If you’re curious to know the specific examples or need a little refresher it might be time to pop it in the DVD player…

So, maybe I’m wrong but I’m willing to argue this to the end. Home Alone is one of the greatest movies of all time. If it continues to be played on TV at Christmas and products keep being release (like the family fun edition with special features and deleted scenes that I have to get my hands on) I am sure it will continue to transcend boundaries of age and time based on its plot and the memories it creates.

And if you disagree, well then I’m gonna give you to the count of 10 to get your ugly, yella, no good keester off my property, before I pump your guts full a lead…1-2-10!!

Halloween was “Off the Wall”

This past weekend a few of my closest friends packed into the car and trekked up to Montreal to visit our lovely friend Julia. Since she is going to school at McGill, we stayed at her place and were right in the heart of the city! We have been to visit her many times now, but this time was different. It was Halloween weekend and it was ”Off the Wall.”

My friends and I have always been MJ fans, but this year (after his shocking death) we’ve been particularly taken by him. His music became the soundtrack for our summer trip to the cottage, many nights out, and almost every car ride (short or long). A lot of basement dance parties took place, and the moves to Thriller were learned. We even made it to the opening night of “This Is It.” It was only natural to carry on at Halloween.

What inspired our MJ Halloween most was plans for a Thriller flash mob. (Flash mob? you ask. It’s a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse.) There are a ton of videos featuring groups of people dancing to MJ hits. In fact, there is an entire website dedicated to teaching people the moves to Thriller – Thrill the World, the annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Thriller. Once again, online communications brings a sense of community and comfort to millions of people…in this case, MJ fans everywhere! A Thrill the World event actually happened here in St. Catharines the week before Halloween.

Although our particular event ended up being cancelled, we still ran with the idea…Amanda as “Thriller” MJ, Laura as “Smooth Criminal” MJ, Steph as classic MJ and myself as “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” (yes, disco) MJ. Decked out in our costumes, we danced the night away in true MJ style and had such a fun night.

If I think back to my childhood I remember a lot of good times being silly at home dancing around to MJ. This might be one of the reasons why “Off the Wall” is my favourite album. I was reminded of this a few years ago after taking a cruise with longtime friends of the family. Getting down to “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” seemed all too familiar!

So, the world comes together over something so important and shocking, both online and offline. With tribute after tribute in the public eye and among my closest friends, there is no question that Michael Jackson is an amazing performer…and he always will be. Just like Halloween 2009 will be one to always remember!

My social media purge

Ok, so this may sound outrageous, terrible and weird but I am suddenly finding myself moving away from the social media craze that my networks and profession seem to demand of me.

Maybe it was the few beautiful days I just spent at the cottage (by the river, on the dock, at the campfire, relaxing with my friends). Maybe it’s the hours I spend on the computer ALL day at work. Maybe it’s the rediscovery of my love of reading. Maybe it finally feels like summer. Whatever the reason, I am finding myself less likely to check my facebook, tweet, or even keep up my blog.

Gang's all here.

But here I am, writing my blog again, so I obviously still realize the importance of social media. I am glad I understand it and have experienced. At the same time I am glad I know how to take a step back and take a break from it.

Isn’t weird how we know so much about random strangers because of our connections on social media sites? I realize this connection has it benefits, but there are something things that we just don’t all need to know. Email simply allows us to keep in touch and share information on a more private basis. Isn’t this good enough? (Rant over.)

And here I am, sharing my private thoughts with an online audience, making websites for people, promoting a website as part of my job. Maybe I just need to get this rant out of my system, because the truth of the matter is social media exists. It is important and relevant and will keep evolving. I guess I can’t underestimate the power of social media, but I can choose to be a bystander more often than not. Maybe you should try it.

My weekend ‘sans’ social media

Amanda and I down by the water.

This past Friday at 4pm I logged off Facebook, shut down my computer and got ready to head to the cottage with some friends. Held up by the TTC and Friday traffic, we finally arrived in Havelock, Ontario at 9pm to start our girls’ weekend!

 

My lovely friend Amanda invited me to join her and some girls from her work for a weekend by the lake. I had a blast. Made some great new friends. Ate and drank way too much. Relaxed by the campfire. Slept well at night.

At first it felt strange being away from the computer, but I took the time to enjoy it and it was kind of refreshing! When I’m at home, the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is turn my computer on. Then I check it throughout the course of the day responding to emails, making comments, updating profiles. At the cottage that option vanishes! I didn’t even get cell phone reception.

When I got back to the city I had a whack of emails in my inbox, and messages to deal with. It requires some catching up, but the reality is that nothing is so pressing that it can’t wait for a few days. And the world of social media goes on with or without me.

It is nice to have something to come back to. I think this weekend confirmed my love (and slight addiction) of the web and social media. But I think if I’m willing to give it up cold turkey for a weekend here or there I’m still doing okay!

Happy birthday to me – 25 and still learning as I go!

So, it has been a while. Life has been hectic, and I let my blog slide…shame on me! But a lot has changed in the last month or so, and I am learning a lot.

I am currently about half way through my field placement. It’s nice to be getting some hands on, practical experience. I have been writing stories, designing templates and managing an internal online publication…right up my alley!

I already have a job lined up for when I am done: a seven week contract with Niagara’s War of 1812 Legacy Council. A lot of exciting things are happening with the online presence of the Council and I am excited to be a part of it. I am also excited to venture back to good old Niagara for the summer. What could be better than combing my love of Communications with my love of Niagara?!

Things with mangia cake are awesome! With adorable business cards printed and quickly depleting Amanda has been busier than ever. You can also now find her on Facebook and Twitter! I recently helped her (aka stood on the side lines as she worked her magic) and received an appreciation for what she does. It’s not easy, it’s pretty amazing, and she puts her all into it – blood, sweat and tears! Thanks for all the positive feedback and support we have both received since launching the website. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.

The FAB four - Jules, Amanda, Laura and I at dinner

On a scarier note, I celebrated my 25^th birthday last week! I had a perfect birthday weekend at home with friends and family.  My mom keeps reminding me that I am a quarter of a century old. This makes me evaluate my life and realize that I am on the right path both personally and professionally. I have the most amazing home, friends and family a girl could ask for.  I am glad I made the move to Toronto and explored the exciting field of Corporate Communications and Public Relations. I don’t know exactly where it will take me or where I will end up. All I know is, I am excited for the challenges that lay ahead.

Facebook offers comfort in tragic times

Recently my hometown of Thorold experienced two devastating, tragic loses. With a cloud of heart break and sadness over us all it may have been the hardest week imaginable.

It is times like this that I really realize how important community is. Family, friends, neighbours, colleagues – all brought together in a time of need.

What surprised me most was the presence of this community online. I thought Facebook would seem like something so trivial in times of tragedy, but for us it became a form of comfort. With groups created to honour the memory of two amazing Thorold men, Facebook users began to pour their hearts out. No relationship was too insignificant to share memories, thoughts and best wishes. An abundance of pictures, stories and videos were posted. It became a way to give and receive support to each other. It gave us reason to cry and to laugh. It touched our lives.

We can’t deny the growing importance of social media in our lives. It is all around us so why not use it to our advantage. This also reminds me of the implications of our use of social media has on other users. What we do and say online affects other user and members of our community.

Thorold has been touched by these tragedies and although we don’t understand why, we are comforted by our community – in person and online. We are comforted by sharing and memories. We are comforted in knowing we have two incredible angels watching over us. Grant and Mr. Mahler will always be in our hearts, and their legacy will always remain – even on facebook.

Online communications can be fun with friends…and mangia cakes!

Recently, as part of a Client Project class, I had the opportunity to work with one of the most creative, passionate, thoughtful people I know – my good friend Amanda Rietveld. For what seems like forever, Amanda has been making the loveliest and unique cakes for many specials days – family functions, birthdays, weddings and more! Through word of mouth her baking projects grew and before we all knew it she was taking orders.

The need to make her talents official struck me over the head after a conversation with another good friend. After little convincing we were soon making a business card and website to spread the word about the emerging home-based business, mangia cake by amanda. Using a soft colour scheme of yellow, pink and brown along with girly details, music and text all aspects of mangia cake became a reflection of the homemade, personalized service.

With the help of our host bludomain we were able to create a unique and cheeky website aligned with the business card and overall business image. I was forced to ask questions like: “What is the call to action?” and “is it user-friendly?” Keywords were placed on each page. Lists were made, words were bolded. Not only did the site have to look good and make sense, but it had to work from a communications standpoint – I was actually applying all the things I’ve been learning in school.

Now that the company image has been established, and the business card and website created, Amanda is entering the world of social media. She is currently writing a blog, with plans to expand to other medians such as Facebook and Twitter.

As I launch into an internship based on online, web communications I know this experience will help me in many ways. Most of all, I am happy to have helped share the special talents of an amazing friend and client.