Bridal Shower surprise

Being a bride has its pluses, hidden amongst the chaos. Gee Gee Robinson, my retired Belly Dance instructor, threw a bridal shower for me on Friday. I wasn't really sure what to expect, as there aren't really many of us (Shen dancers) still around and available for get-togethers. Anyway, when I got there, I got to see a bunch of people I hadn't seen in a while (likely since Christmas). It was great to see everyone, and getting together was fun. We didn't do much dancing, but we played some games, and even did some Henna. I got my name, and date (of wedding, and birthday), tattooed in a beautiful design on my foot. (Hopefully there will be a picture to follow)

Haha, I got a throne to sit in again, decorated in flowers, banners, and white ribbon. I also got punch and chocolates -mm mm good. (I think I'm on a weight gaining diet now, that the dress is too big)

All in all it was a very fun evening, with great company and lots of Egyptian tradition. =) Thanks everyone!

Hair Trial

Last month I posted about booking a hair stylist to do my hair ( http://jeffandnora.blogspot.com/2007/04/48-days-to-go.html ). So this week I went in for my trial run - good thing too!

My appointment with the hair dresser was for 4:45 pm, and she asked me to bring pictures (check), my camera (check - with Mom) and my veil (check) to the trial run. I was informed that the trial run would take a long time (possibly at least a few hours), and it might even take longer than on the Big Day, since she'd try out different styles. So we booked the appointment early, and I rushed out of work, picked up my veil, and headed excitedly towards the appointment.

I had asked my Mom to charge her camera, and come on out for the last half, to check it out, and see if there was anything different that needed to be done. (BTW - Thanks Mom!) Okay, so I drove over to Carleton Place and got there at 4:50 (yup, I'm Egyptian-Canadian). After sitting there for 10 minutes, the owner told me that she had asked Fay (my hair stylist) to do something for her, and she'd be up soon.

So she came up at 5:10, talked on the phone for a few minutes, unpacked her dinner, and ate. Yup, I got to watch her eat dinner until about 5:35. So why did I rush over there? Why did I have to wake up early, get to school early, and start marking and organising at 7am? Why, to wait for 45 mintues of course. Yup my hair trial was beginning to be more a trial of patience than anything.

Anyway, she finally got around to me, and I showed her a couple of pictures of two different styles that I liked. When I asked her which wuld suit my face better, she said we'll try them out and see. She then complained that I didn't blow dry my hair (even though in the consultation they knew I had curly hair, and never blow dry it). She brought out the bobby pins, took out my bun, and proceeded to pin my hair into a bun (instead of having a scrunchie holding it).

So there it is, my somewhat damp frizzy hair being pinned up, with my thoughts of "what the heck this girl is doing?" being interrupted by her exasperated sighs. Anyway after a few minutes, she asked me "what do you think of this for your wedding?". I'm sitting there wondering, why did I come here, why did I book an apoointment?, and she asked me to bring my camera and veil for this? What is this ridiculousity?! Luckily, that came out more like "uhhhm it's hard to get an idea". My curls were brushed out (for those of you with nice sleek straight hair, curly haired people ONLY comb their hair, and don't even own a brush, since brushing is produces the homely troll doll meets electric ball effect- (read: Alfred Einstein). So I asked her for some water to spray on where the curls should be in this style, so that my hair could spring back to life.

Anyway, as I'm saturating my hair with a spray water bottle, and my hairdresser is off talking to the receptionist, the owner then looks over and asks me what I'm doing. I told her "I'm wetting my hair to see what the curls would look like in this style." She continued staring at me blankly. So I continued, "She told me that she wasn't actually going to style my hair. So the owner responded "well maybe she doesn't have time for that right now." So I told her that "we had booked 3 hours for it."

The owner then walked over to Fay and talked to her for a minute.
Fay then shampood and "blow dryed" my hair. Though I don't blow dry my hair, I still never seen anything like this. She just kept randomly running the blowdryer around, and brushing my hair, eyebrows and eye lashes (one of my eyes was crying for about 15 minutes). While doing this, the sound effects were priceless. "ooooooooooow..." groan, ouch, sigh, grrr, "you have too much hair", "your hair is too long", sigh "you need to trim off 5 inches..." grr. She complained so much, it was almost funny.

Anyway the receptionist then came over, and bandaged her arm for her, with the tensor. It was a scene. When I asked what happened, she told me "well, when I woke up it was just sore - ooow". So I'm thinking to myself- why didn't this girl reschedule/cancel the appointment?

After "blow drying" my hair, she got some help putting my hair into rollers. I'm no rocket scientist, but what's the point of putting blowdryed frizzy hair in rollers? Other hair dressers walked by and told her to put some serum in my hair (it'd help dampen it and allow the rollers to work). She told them no, and just continued with the velcro rollers.

The rollers were beautifully decorated with lint, dust, and some beautiful blond hair (not mine). I couldn't wait to get home and wash my hair... though I think she might have killed the germs there later when she stuck my under the hair incubator/dryer for another half hour.

So there I am, bored, thirsty, hungry, and irritated, sitting under this machine for another half hour (after having endured the previous hair drying experience). And surprise, surprise, my hair was dry, when she checked on me half an hour later (It was dry after she blowdryed it originally - so I don't get why she dryed it again, but oh well, I'm not the hair stylist.)

Total time elapsed from arrival = 2 hours.

So she brings me back to the chair, and rips out the velcro curlers. (Did you know that velcro really sticks to hair? Who invented velcro hair curlers? That's just crazy!) I just sat there, anticipating the outcome. And well... it surprisingly looked slighty better than the post-brushing/pre-shampoo. It actually looked like when I came in. =)

Just then, my Mom comes in. My Mom is really cute, and if you know her, you can just imagine her walking in... all excited, camera in one hand, a sandwich (dinner) for Nora in the other, and a huge smile. She got there... and was like "What are you girls doing?!" To which I responded... "I have no idea!" :|

The lady told her "We are just starting now." And so the ordeal continues.... She pins up a few strands of hair, complains about my hair again. Tells me I need to cut it. Complains that my hair won't hold a curl (uh - hello my HAIR is CURLY!), and that it's too heavy. that there's too much of it, etc. Man, I had never heard so many complaints about my hair, in my life. This was insane. So my Mom innocently asks her "So why didn't you trim it when it was wet?". Oh man... you don't even want to hear Faye's response to that one.

Anyway, she held up the rest of my hair, and said "imagine this is all pinned up like this, and there are curls coming out...." (I was like, whoa - isn't this where we were a few hours ago?) So my Mom is like "Why don't you show us?"
So she brought out the curling iron, put it in my hair for 10 seconds, complained about my hair for twice as long, and said "the curls would look like this." "See, your hair is terrible - it needs to be trimmed, the ends are dry and can't hold a curl."

I was still trying to plot how I can get out of there, without litterally sprinting away. After a little more prompting from us, and a few sighs from her. My Mom ended up pinning the rest of my hair. I think Fay put in about half as many as my Mom did overall. I couldn't believe that she had me bring my veil and camera for this?! I just couldn't wait to get out of there! In the meantime, the owner was still trying to sell me on making a hair appointment for coloring there, so I was like "uh, no, I have a hairdresser that does a good job for me, and has the color number and everything." To which she said "well its not that hard to match you know, 90% of what we do here is coloring." I was going to correct her and say "you mean complaining", but I managed to bite my tongue.

Finally it came time to PAY for this service. And I was thrilled. Why? because it meant that I was finally getting out of this miserable hair salon in Carp. The package (trial and wedding day was like $120) My Mom was pissed! "You're going to pay 60$ for this?!" she exclaimed. So Donna (the owner), said "Well, it's actually more for the wedding day." So I ended up paying $40 - no tip, and leaving there with the relief of having survived! I got into my car, cancelled dinner plans, and cried. (I guess it stressed me out after all."

Needless to say, I'm never setting foot in that place again.

Good thing I had the trial!

Cheers,
Nora

Wedding Dress!

Hurray! The wedding dress finally made it to Ottawa =) hurrah, so I don't have to end up going with the ones at the bridal shower - www.ooof.ca/blog. =)

I had been worrying a little bit about fitting into the dress, after knowing a couple of people who had to take theirs out. I was between two sizes and picked the smaller one, so as it was getting closer to the wedding day, I got more of a chance to worry.

Luckily though, the dress made it! And I can stick my bouquet in it with me =) Yup, it's a couple of inches too big, so we'll see what the seamstress can do. The dress still looks beautiful though, and I really do think it's the best (except for the size - I wish the girl had measured me properly). I totally think it looks amazing, and I'm going to miss it while it's getting altered. Only a few weeks left until the wedding. =)

The dress is great, and I'm glad I don't have to go out and visit it in Carleton Place anymore =) Don't want to talk much more about it (the guys are getting bored, and I don't want to describe it too much), but I do feel like a princess with it on =)

Cheers,
Nora

Bridal Shower Fun

Yesterday I had my semi-surprise bridal shower. It was funtastic (TM)! =)
I kinda already new about the shower, but I didn't really know who would be there, the theme, decorations, or any of the details. So it was really neat to walk into a room full of friends and family showering you with their friendship, support, and love. Everyone was smiley, and happy to be there, and see me, it was awesome! =) I definately have some of the bestest friends and family ever!

The first thing I noticed was the, what seemed like 100, pairs of eyes looking at me with sparkling smiles, and anticipation. Though I had been to a quite a few showers before, I never really realised what it felt like to have one. I was welcomed with open arms, smiles, and lots of attention. The house was beautifully decorated, and you can tell that Allison, Jumoke, and Juli, (and some Moms) took the time to make the atmosphere just perfect. Funky decorations in my favorite colors, balloons, and everything. I even had my special throne, which was kind of awkward at first, but definately the best seat in the house.

It was so great to see everyone. I guess with the busy-ness of working part-time and full-time while taking a class, planning a wedding, and buying a house, ...; I haven't had as much time as I would like to hang out with my friends. So it was a really great chance to catch up with everyone. There were also a few newly-weds there, so I even managed to get some great tips and advice from them. =) In a couple of months Jeff and I will finally be able to have our own place, and entertain guests. It's really exciting! I've already found many excuses for summer parties, so hopefully after the wedding we'll be able to see you guys and gals more often.

I do have to say that though the food was yummy, and the games were fun, the gift-opening was pretty neat. My friends and family were very generous. I got worried when the first gift I opened up was a see-through baby doll with matching underwear. There were Flash backs of the first Egyptian wedding shower I went to where most gifts were from La Senza, La Vie en Rose, or even Couples; and had to be modelled. Luckily though, that didn't happen this time =). I was surprised to see many things from the gift registry (which was great!), and lots of personal gifts. It was really nice that people to the time to pick out things that are unique to us (outdoor camping stuff, my favorite colors, etc.). The gifts were all really great, and very useful. Jeff and I have a lot of items that we can use to begin our life together, and perfect for our new home. =)

Thanks to everyone for coming and making me feel really special, it truly felt like my day (and I didn't even have to plan anything for it). =) I really feel lucky to have such great friends. A special thank-you to my bridesmaids (Jumoke and Juli), and maid-of-honour (Allison), for taking the time to create such a great such a wonderful event for me. Jumoke, I love the Jeff & Nora magnets you made (I managed to snatch a couple). Juli it was so nice of you to come all the way up from burbs of Detroit, I already miss you. Allison, that was the best bridal shower I ever had ;) - seriously though it was awesome!


I feel blessed to have such great friends and family, thanks again!

Love,
Nora

P.S. Only 33 days to go?!

Broken Counter?

Okay, so I think my countdown counter is broken. I checked it today, and it says 38 days. 38 DAYS! How did that happen? Last I remember we had just gotten rid of the 100's column, now we're down to 38 days? That gives us just over 5 weeks, until the big day.

Here I am thinking...wow we got most of already planned, cake, flowers, rings, food, etc. But really all these people need to meet with us a month before the wedding to confirm everything. Photographer: where we'd like our photos, timing, package, etc; the DJ: list of songs we want played (and don't want played), our first dance, etc. We also need to figure out the Music we want for walking down the isle. I think I might have been too relaxed in the last month - thinking that all the major stuff is taken care of, but really I think that most couples would at least have picked their isle music, and first dance, and probably even taken dance lessons for the first dance by now. I guess Jeff and I will have to tell the DJ to "surprise us", and then you'll get to see some funky high school dance.

As a Music major, you'd figure I'd have been all over this a long time ago, and this is easy stuff; but really I haven't even gotten time to think about it yet. So Music, here I come.

No if there are any songs you'd like the DJ to play, let me know. =)

Hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather,
Cheers,

Nora =)