Just a reminder for myself and for anyone else who might be wondering:

Wishlist: Part III
Wishlist: Part II
Wishlist: Part I

Of course, this is not necessarily comprehensive and I am still evaluating and updating my ideas on what I want. But it’s interesting to see what I was thinking those months ago.

Ok, so I’m sitting up with little to do and decide to scan the Jamaica Gleaner’s site. There I spot the Flair’s article on Jamaica’s Most Eligible. Of course, given my single state I figure it’s worth a quick look. Well it was an interesting read to say the least.

They profiled 24 bachelors (with mention of a few others). Here are some of the stats I noticed:

• the ages range from 22 to 47
• the heights range from 5′9″ to 6′3″
• blue was the favourite colour of half the men
• a quarter of them attended Campion College, and 2 attended University of Miami (which I also did a couple years ago)
• most popular female body parts: eyes, butt, legs, mouth

On a more personal note, I, of course, did a mini-evaluation for myself. Of the 24 profiled, only 12 fall into “my age range”. Of those 12, 1 is the son of friends of my parents who I have known since I was a child, 1 is the ex of a close friend of mine and another I believe is dating a former Miss Jamaica that I know. Of the 9 remaining, 2 don’t really say what they’re looking for, and one other is into bird-shooting which I kinda have a thing against. So I’m left with 6 prospects. Hmmm, interesting reading indeed.

According to the final part of the article, I can try some of the following locations to find these eligibles (which I have placed in order of my own preference/likelihood to go):

• Beach - Lime Cay (already one of my favourite places to go, though I hate the boat people)
• Bars, cafés and restaurants - Cuddy’z, Rib Kage, the Deck, Christopher’s Jazz Lounge, TGIFridays, Jamaica German Society (Four Seasons), Up On D’Roof, WhatsonJamaica, Suzie’s
• Service club meetings - Kiwanis, Rotary, Toastmasters, Optimists, Lions Clubs
• Parties - like Frenchmen, Mad Circle’s Osmosis, High Society’s Special Delivery, Singles (would need to stay away from those that feel they have to try to get their money’s worth of liquor at these parties though)
• Master’s programmes - UWI, UTech, UCC (wouldn’t be a bad idea if the idea of going for another master’s didn’t sound like overload)
• Sporting events - Grandstand for Reggae Boyz matches, Race/Go Kart meets, Red Stripe mound at Sabina Park (I really don’t plan on feigning interest though, that can only come back to haunt me later)
• High-profile churches - Church on the Rock, Stella Maris, and Sts. Peter and Paul (of course, I object to the concept of “high profile” churches and I definitely won’t start going to church just to meet men) 

So if you see me frequenting any of the above spots, just nod and smile and keep your fingers crossed for me.

Sigh. It appears it will be another week or so before my life can totally return to normal.

The way life works, some of the same things that make us smile can make us sad too. One of these things is my interaction with children. I love children, always have, and it seems children love me (at least up to a certain age).

This weekend, on the occasion of my sister’s wedding, I met two young nieces of the groom, aged 2 1/2 and 4. I met them on Friday evening and within the hour I had 2 little helpers tagging along behind me to clear tables and serve ice cream. Their attachment lasted right through the wedding reception when I ended up with flower girls sitting on my lap at the head table. I even got tears and a bit of tantrum from the older child when it was time to say goodbye on Sunday evening.

My smiles are, however, tempered by a bit of sadness because the one thing I have always known I wanted to do was to become a mother. Even when I had no clue about a career direction, I knew I wanted to be a mummy. Sadly, I am still here, no children in sight. Of course, this means that my god-daughter is being flooded with all my maternalness.

Whew!! The wedding is over! Of course, the recovery process is slow. We finally have just about all the guests out of the country and the house is being restored to normal. We still have mountains of wedding cake to cut and distribute, and there are flowers all over. All in all, it went well and my sister is now a married woman.

With 3 days to go till my sister’s wedding, the tensions are running high. A recent comment from my dad was that he hopes I am learning from this experience. It goes without say that I am learning about both what to do and what not to do but perhaps the most interesting part has been the use of technology in planning a wedding. So here are my bridal technology tips:  

1. Use the enormous online collective brain - Do a search on any term including wedding and you find thousands of websites. While a lot of them are advertisements for products, there is also a lot of useful information out there. The clueless can get advice on protocol and etiquette. The overwhelmed can get creative ideas and suggestions on everything from how to write their own vows to cool honeymoon locations. The self-conscious can get tips on how to select a dress that flatters their figure. I would definitely suggest using some kind of internet research software, such as NetSnippets, to keep track of the sites you find useful.
2. Shop online - Other than ‘the dress’ which most brides would like to buy in person, much of the other wedding paraphernalia (invitations, favours/souvenirs, bridal party gifts etc.) can be bought online. This can make it easier or harder on the bride. If you are overwhelmed when faced with too many choices then perhaps this is not the route for you. But if you have a good idea of what you want then this may be easier than trying to find a local supplier who has it or getting them to source it for you (at a tremendous markup) Wedding portals (like The Knot) are a good starting point.
3. Table arrangements - Go ahead and use a spreadsheet to keep track of numbers such as guests, RSVPs etc. Paper lists are confusing and difficult to sort and share. There are websites that offer services like this allowing you to keep your data online (such as that provided by the Sandals website). This is a personal choice between having your data in your possession or having it available to you from anywhere when you’re away from your PC. Just make sure if you’re doing it yourself that you back up regularly.
4. Check the site - This needs to be your response to anyone asking how the planning is going or wanting information. You can set up a website to provide information (details, directions, photographs etc.), to provide updates (blog your progress, send mass emails etc.), collect feedback (RSVPs, well wishes etc.). You can set up a wedding specific site at eWedding or WeddingWindow, or use a general hosted blogging service like WordPress (my preference) or Blogger.
5. Register online - Especially if you have guests from all across the globe, this is a no-brainer. While a local registry is nice, setting up online can provide a greater selection and the convenience of checking online who has purchased which gift so you know what you still need to get. Many major stores and websites provide registry services online - just make sure they accept non-US credit cards if this is a factor for your guests.
6. Bridal party emails - This one is a more minor consideration than the others but can prove very helpful if your bridal party live in different countries. Making sure they have each other’s contact info can help them get to know each other before the big day and allow them to coordinate and plan both for the wedding (in terms of hair appointments, accessories etc. ) and other things (like the bridal shower).

P.S. I have included this post in the ProBlogger List Project so go check out some of the other lists posted. I will link to some of the more interesting ones shortly.

Ok, the first question out of everybody’s mouth after they get past the welcome back platitudes is “How was the security madness?“. The truth is it wasn’t too bad assuming you were one of the people who had been paying attention to the security updates whether on the news or your airline’s website.

Had you been paying attention and not included any of the newly forbidden items (liquids, gels, etc.) then really the most major difference in Miami airport is that everyone has to take off their shoes, and I do mean everyone. And again if you were paying attention, this time to the short, screaming, asian-american security agent, you would have taken your shoes off in the line before you got to the X-ray and metal detector so there was no real slow-down.

The biggest problem I had was after listening diligently to the news and hearing that they had lightened the restrictions and were now allowing solid lipsticks to be carried. This made me happy because airplane air does a number on my lips and chapstick is vital. I get to the airport and see signs to that effect - solid lipstick yes, liquid glosses still no. No problem, all I want is my chapstick. But no Mr. Check-in says to put them in the luggage and check them in, even pointing at a sign that, apparently unbeknownst to him, contains the updated info allowing solid lipsticks.

I think it’s a little odd for the passengers to be better informed than the personnel. Especially since my chapped lips had to suffer for it.

Well, I’m back and the pressure is on. 4 days to the wedding and we are all heading into hustle mode. Will update soon enough.

Ticket - Check

Passport - Check

Confirmation numbers for hotel and car rental - Check

Credit card - Check 

Slippers - check

Bikini - Check

I figure if I head to the airport with no more than the list above I should have no trouble flying from JA to the US tomorrow morning (except for the cold on the plane).

See you in a few days.