Oh Dear...

Toasting the Groom

Well, should anyone be surprised that I have once again neglected this? I know that I'm not. It's Christmas break, that automatically means that all of the days run together, I owe no one anything and I can neglect whatever I want (ie the blog amongst other things).

Quick update: I passed all of my classes this semester! I honestly cannot describe how I felt right before I looked at my grades online. The very moment that I told myself "Okay, you really need to check your grades; just get it over with", my heart started pounding in my chest and a huge wave of anxiety washed over me. I literally clicked the "grades" button with my eyes squeezed shut, and then, like air out of a tire, I saw that I had passed. I cannot begin to describe how happy I am that I never have to deal with Macroeconomics or Physics ever again.

Moving on, this past weekend I went to a wedding for my two friends, Claudio and Melissa. It was definitely the best wedding I have ever been to. The ceremony was at the Methodist Church in Winter Park off of Park Avenue. Melissa looked absolutely gorgeous in a cream strapless mermaid gown with lace detail and ribbon sash. The bridemaids wore irridescent navy blue and the gents wore Hugo Boss tuxes and black skinny ties. The ceremony was fairly traditional (although when it came to lighting the "Unity Candle", it wouldn't light! Down in the pews we joked that it was a "sign"). After the ceremony ended, we waited outside the church and blew bubbles on the leaving bride & groom and they sped off in a vintage Rolls Royce (nice!).

From the ceremony we headed downtown to the Citrus Club (very ritzy and exclusive) which is on the 18th floor, so the view of downtown was just spectacular. It was a great place with a very warm feel to it with a lot of dark wood and leather sofas and thick oriental rugs. Not too mention that it was decorated for Christmas, strands of fake pine garland hung from the chandeliers and a monumental decorated Christmas tree adorned one of the corners of the room. I had a mini "woe is me" moment when it came to the bar. It was open bar with plenty of really class alcohol. Problem number one, I am not yet 21. "Okay," you say, "just drink it anyways". While this would have been very easy, they wouldn't have ID'd me given that everyone thought that I was 22, I don't drink. Even if I wanted to, it probably wouldn't have been the best place to do so.

We all got situated at our tables (so elaborately decorated, the centerpieces were ginormous) and watched as the bridal party and the bride & groom came in and hit the dancefloor for the first time. The toasts were very mellow, Claudio lucked out having Bruno for his best man; any of the other guys would have probably told embarrassing stories. The food was incredible. The starter was a Waldorf salad, followed by a surf 'n turf entree of shrimp, steak, crab cakes, mashed potatoes and baby asparagus and ended with cake. After that entree, I couldn't handle any cake, haha. Good thing we all decided to dance after eating, I needed to work all of that off! The dancing was of course the best part. Let me just sum it up by saying we were all put to shame by the eight-year old flowergirl who began breakdancing.

Might I also add, at the end of it all, a group of us thought, "Hey, we're already downtown, let's go out dancing". Sure, it sounds like a fun idea, but let's reflect on the fact that it was close to freezing outside with strong wind and Kara and myself were wearing nothing but strapless dresses and heels. Oh the things we do for a bit of fun. Needless to say, I didn't stay very long. I was thrilled to go home and curl up in my plushy, warm duvet.

Anyways, last night Jordan and myself went and hung out with two of the guys that I had met at the wedding (both of them were groomsmen). We had a great time with them, they and their friends have plenty of entertaining stories. I'm excited because tonight all of us plan on going to see Avatar in 3-D on the IMAX together. I've heard mixed reviews, but I'm looking forward to it! Okay, that's about enough typing for now, if anyone gets to the end of this, I commend you and high-five you and will leave you with wedding pictures as a reward!

(Click to enlarge)

1. I now present for the first time, Claudio & Melissa Gambin!
2. "You may kiss the bride"
3. The first of many toasts that night
4. The groomsmen giving Melissa the bride a lift
5. Claudio and the bridesmaids engage in a stunt
6. Boys will be boys
7. Groomsman (and date for the night) Mark & myself
8. Groomsman Davey dancing away with a bridesmaid
9. Nolan leads the party train around the room

Miley Cyrus in "The Last Song"

So I had my doubts when I picked up Nicholas Sparks's latest novel, "The Last Song", especially after hearing that he had written the lead role specifically for Miley Cyrus (whose only role has been "Hannah Montana", can you understand my hesitation?). However, I've learned to "not judge a book by its cover", so I gave it a chance.

The novel is about 17-year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller who is sent from New York to North Carolina to spend the summer with her estranged father. Although incredibly reluctant at first, Ronnie ends up mending her relationship with her father and simultaneously falling in love with the town's local stud, Will.

Okay, so, forgive me, but Nicholas Sparks epitomizes inumerous cliches in this book. Angsty teen becomes significantly less melancholy, the town "hottie" is athletic, incredibly good-looking, extremely rich - and yet is the most humble being known to mankind, the duo fall in love despite their differences and his mother's disapproval ("The Notebook", anyone?) and a there is a tragic occurence, yet, of course, there is still a fairytale-esque happy ending. Let me also again state that the book is set in Wilmington, North Carolina (what Sparks book isn't?)

Despite the immense predictability, Sparks wrote a very readable book. The book isn't written in numerological chapters, but rather in sections portraying each different character's point of view which gives more depth than being merely a single third person point of view. Sparks managed to branch out by incorporating gang activity, environmental issues, blackmail and shoplifting, however other issues in the book (arson, adultery, disapproval, unlikely pairings and death) all seem to resound to his other works. I can't say that I didn't enjoy reading it, but it has a very juvenile tone to it, which isn't surprising given the audience that Sparks was tailoring it to (Miley Cyrus fans). Sparks did manage to strike a nerve with me towards the end of the book; I tried my best to maintain composure while reading it in my local Barnes & Noble. It contained an issue that struck very close to home and that I could relate to all of the character's thoughts and feelings in those moments; I valued this part of the book, because despite this particular issue occuring in more Sparks books than just this one, it was written in a new light that I could appreciate. I refuse to say the particular issue, I cannot stand spoilers.

Then there's the movie, oh where to begin. Miley Cyrus, I will have my doubts about you from beginning to start, so be forewarned. Ronnie is a complex, mature character and it's going to be difficult to imagine you as her until I see it happen. Thankfully, Cyrus hired a voice coach to rid her of her Southern drawl (what a blessing) and there will undeniably be chemistry since she is dating her costar, Liam Helmsworth (Will) in real life. The only actor I'm genuinely excited about is Greg Kinnear as Steve Miller, Ronnie's father. I loved what he did in "Little Miss Sunshine", and the role of Steve could be Oscar-worthy if portrayed immaculately.

All-in-all, I'd recommend it. Although, I'm most looking forward to Sparks's "Dear John" that hits theatres in February. It hasn't receieved as much hype as "The Last Song", but it does contain one of my girl crushes, Amanda Seyfriend, as the lead character, Savannah. You can bet that I will see that movie opening weekend.

Now I must be off; I have yet to write my speech for tomorrow's presentation (typical, I should give a speech on procrastination). On another note, I bought my first hot Starbucks beverage of the season, which I believe officially signifies Winter and I have a job interview at Abercrombie & Fitch tomorrow (if you haven't watched the Mad TV parodies of A&F, I recommend you do -just don't mock me afterwards). Goodnight all.

Yoga

Namaste B-Spot.
I am absolutely exhausted, I can't even think of anything verbally satisfying to write on here. I suppose the fault lies with me of course. I probably shouldn't have stayed up til quarter after three in the morning talking to friends (Facebook will be my demise, I swear). I cannot believe it's already noon, I feel completely unaccomplished; definitely will be doing some yoga after this post, followed by a shower and maybe then a trip to Barnes & Noble for a new book.

That's about all I have for now, in the meantime, how about a playlist of my favorite songs from this past week?

"Under the Sheets (Baby Monster Remix)" by Ellie Goulding
"Oh My Stars" by A Weather
"I'd Rather Dance With You (Redlight Remix)" by Kings of Convenience
"Winter Winds" by Mumford & Sons
"When They Fight, They Fight" by Generationals
"Detroit" by Black Gold
"Late in the Evening" by Paul Simon
"Black & Gold" by Sam Sparro
"Keep Me Up All Night" by The Glitterati
"Little Garcon" by Born Ruffians
"Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Buble