culture clash

Updates to website include photos under Venue section and the new Fabric page!

I'm feeling very overwhelmed. Not from the massive amounts of photo I have uploaded (most of which are not published yet!), but from working through details of the planning. To be expected, right? Unfortunately, I feel, most of the stress is very undeserved. Mandar and I spent last weekend in NC with his family. One night with his parents and a second night with his sister. I got to pick up the clothing they bought for me and family. While I was excited, it was very tempered. The presentation of them felt forced from his family. Awkward. Out of place.

And if I hear "in our family..." one more time, I might scream.

Thankfully, my saving grace was Lindsey. Fabulous friend. She and her wondeful boyfriend made the drive north with us. She was incredibly supportive, throughout the process of going through the planning talks with them.

If I picked one thing that seems the oddest to me, it is the fact that I am constantly setting boundaries with his parents. They are great and friendly and would do anything for us. Or so I think. They act as if they would completely take control of this whole process, albeit with no input from me, if I let them. So to appease them, they get to control the entire reception dinner! All Indian food. I am trying to meet their needs and wants with this. They also get to handle the Hindu ceremony, because that is beyond my scope. They get some time to work with the food, but the ceremony needs to get going. I have sent them all the information they need to contact the Hindu society here in Jacksonville, including a contact of a friend who is very involved in the society. They have proceeded with nothing. Apparently the only control they want is to tell me about how they do everything "in our family..." and not actually assist me in making it happen.

However, the clothing is beautiful. The jewelery is beautiful. They bought really wondeful things in India and I do appreciate their hard work in getting it all done.

So what's my game plan now? The August to-do list: I'm collecting addresses. Our parents have until the end of August to get me addresses. Meeting with Corey to get paper selected for EVERYTHING. Finalize the details of my photography contract with Ingrid. Start meeting with florists. Find location for Mehndi party--which means, checking out Bed & Breakfasts here in Riverside.

Other August activities include: keeping up my backyard grass-growing endeavor, 1 wedding shower for a friend, 3 nights in the Northeast (1 in Massachusetts and 2 in Connecticut for wedding preceeded by a quick hello to my aunt and uncle), the beginning of the Jaguars football season with one home preseason game (!), organizing our back room and guest bedroom for guests visiting and wedding storage space (!!), and preparing for an 8-day visit from my dad at the beginning of September.

And I'm off!