Corporate Lessons

I'm in Chicago for a week-long, international, corporate meeting. I don't enjoy the corporate event planning as much as weddings and social events as there is less emotion involved. This week's annual meeting is one exception.

At dinner last night I was talking with a man from Ghana. It was his first trip to the United States and was asking me questions as he planned for a vacation in my homeland with his wife and family. His questions were thoughtful and touristy and I felt a touch of sadness for all of the little everyday things that surround me that I take for granted. Tonight I watched this man proudly and enthusiastically pick up his first bowling ball and learn how to bowl.

As we are just weeks away from the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I am reminded of a German man I met while I was working in Munich during the 2004 World Cup Soccer matches. He had told me how the collapse of the Berlin Wall had been a horrible thing. He was from East Germany and had lived within the confines of the wall his entire life. His family and friends had grown up near him and they all took care of and supported each other. Once the Wall was down, life was not that simple, jobs were not easy to come by and finding enough money was a never ending challenge. He explained that growing up he was only allowed to travel a very small distance. Now, he could travel anywhere in the world. Seeing the endless possibilities that were now in front of him, I was so excited for him. I assumed that it must be so liberating um...being liberated. He did not agree. He was happy before the Wall came down and he had no desire to travel. Since leaving East Germany had never been an option it didn't feel like he was missing anything. He told me that you can't miss something you don't know about.

I can't begin to understand the changes he has seen in his lifetime. And I can't fathom what it is like to have your curiosity stifled. I wish I could talk with him now to see how he has adjusted. To see where he has been.

I can only think of the lessons he, and may others I have met along my journey, have taught me. Next week I am off to Miami for another corporate meeting. A whole other set of lessons.

Cheesy Manhattan

On my flight to Chicago today I read a story in the Wall Street Journal about Mac 'n Cheese hitting New York's trendy eateries. Maybe it is a sign of the times that people are striving for comfort in foods, but I was a bit surprised that it has taken this long for this story to come out. Great restaurants have been serving amazing macaroni and cheese combinations for years. As a caterer, one of my personal favorites has been lobster mac 'n cheese.

My wedding clients are always striving to make their wedding unique, but the questions they ask along the way are "What are the rules? What do we have to do? What is right?" I can not iterate enough to every bride and groom that, just like life, there are no rules. Of course there are etiquette guidelines that should be followed, but the best and easiest way to make your wedding unique is to add things you love. Simple additions to show off your style and personality are far more reaching than large budgets. So don't be afraid to insert some flare and creativity, even if it's mac 'n cheese during your cocktail hour (which is popular by the way).

I'm thrilled about this article and am wondering if Macbar has an open reservation for Thanksgiving. How can you not be thankful with a plate of cheese in front of you?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574469280985118244.html

Beautiful Eyelashes

I adore girl products. Everything scary from the sticky stuff we put in the heel of our shoes to make them stay in place to an eyelash curler that I cannot live without out. I love it all. That said, I am not high-maintanence and have a style that is more classic than plastic, but when I heard about Latisse, it was a dream come true. If you are not familiar, Latisse is a new product that makes your eyelashes grow longer and thicker.

Since childhood, I have had a scar on my eyelash and am missing a few lashes (maybe 2 or 3 if you really want to be technical). Yes, 99% of the world, of my closest friends, of my relatives have no idea. You cannot easily tell. But I know. I've known for years. And the FDA has given me this gem of a liquid in a tiny bottle with promises of filling in my gap.

It will take almost three months for my results to really be noticed, but I am excited and would offer this recommendation to anyone who is looking for longer, fuller lashes. You do have to have a prescription, but beauty secrets this good deserve to be told.

Hoekstra for Governor

I am thrilled to have been recently named the Fund Raising Event Coordinator for the 2010 Pete Hoekstra for Governor Campaign in Michigan. In this role, I will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of fundraising events including guest list planning, invitations, Rsvp's and menu's.

I worked for Congressman Hoekstra in 1997 in his congressional office in Washington, DC and then again on his campaign in 2004.

I enjoy the diversity that my business brings to me and the political component is always a welcome addition. 2010 is going to be an exciting election year across our nation and regardless of your viewpoint, I encourage you to become involved. It's an amazing process and truly a reason to be thankful that we are Americans.

Hope College Alumni Lacrosse Game. Ouch.

I made a last minute decision to participate in the Hope College Alumni Lacrosse game during homecoming this weekend. I have not picked up a stick since 1996 (other than to move it from city to city with my other personal belongings).

42 lacrosse players came out for the game. 24 of them were alumni. 18 were current Hope College lacrosse players. 1 girl. (Since my tenure, the school has sense added a woman's team). I laced up my shoes, put on my shoulder, rib and elbow pads and put on a helmet that has never felt comfortable. How hard could it be...

Having successfully run my first marathon in July, I had a false sense of security. Team sports that involve sprinting are nothing like running a marathon. 30 seconds later I was out of breath and miserable. After hacking on a nearby player as many times as possible, I quickly exited the field and took my turn on the sidelines. I noticed that the other team's players of current college students were not even sweating as they came off the field. Ahh, this "alumni" game appears to be an homage to getting older. But worth it. And I'm looking forward to next year!

Endurance

One of my favorite nouns is Endurance.

I’m not sure if it’s really endurance, competitiveness, or a hatred of wasted time, but I find most situations in life as a challenge that I want to achieve. It may be in the form of a staring competition with my dog. Getting ready to go out in record time. Or finding the perfect lemon to pair with my Skyy. Maybe it’s none of the above and just that I love life and want to be awake, alert and ready for anything life tosses my way.

The dictionary claims that patience is a synonym for endurance, but I’m not so sure about that.

When you enter my home, a hand-painted quote on the wall reminds me to “Live Deliberately”. This is not only a homage to Thoreau, but to the person who introduced those words into my life. Every day I attempt to Live Deliberately and hope that I make an impact with the people that I encounter.

I spent the past six days inside a building in Detroit, MI, working for a corporate event from 5:30 am - 9:00 pm every day. I call that endurance. Or a test there of. I wish that I had been born to see Detroit in it’s glory, but since all that is left is a shell of a once-grand city, I use my imagination and my steadfast positive attitude to see it in my mind’s eye. The bright gold of the city’s building’s shining off the water; the Motown Music blaring from new, shiny cars as they parade up and down Woodward Avenue. It really is a magical city and for anyone who has never been there, it is a hidden treasure. But you have to live there to understand what I mean.

As of today Detroit has a 28.5% unemployment rate. That’s for another blogger to tackle. But I call that an endurance that makes my complaining of long work hours unacceptable.

I heart Detroit. I am happy to have spent three years living in one of its suburbs and I am happy to have so many great friends who I can visit when I am in town.

Again. Call it endurance. Call it competitive. Or simply call it life, but Live Deliberately.

Almost Our Time

One of my favorite tasks as an Event Planner is site visits. I adore going any place that I have never been before; be it a city, a building, a home, a park, etc. etc. The list is endless. Anyplace!

Today I spent a few hours with a client who is getting ready to publicly launch a book that he has written (more about the book later). We are searching high and low to be sure that the venue is not only within our determined budget, but that it sets the proper tone for the event. It has to match the story of the book.

A few fun places that we visited today were the Holland Area Arts Council that is a beautiful facility and the Knickerbocker Theater that is part of my alma mater, Hope College. These are very different venues that each offer a unique setting for the book launch. Personally, I’m voting for the stage of the Knickerbocker Theater since many people in life never have the opportunity to be on stage. Much less attend a party on one.

Stay tuned. It’s “Almost Our Time”.