For some engaged or newly married Canadians, life’s journey will take them south of the border on a more permanent basis. Employment opportunities, enterprise, education or even the union itself may mean a move to the United States. Thousands of Canadians leave the Great White North each year to parts south. Almost 2% of the 42 million immigrants within the US hail from the nation whose name descends from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word Kanata, which translates to “village” or “sentiment.” While the two nations share the world’s longest border and other cultural elements, there’s a lot that you might not know about life in the States. Here are some things you should do before and right after you move.
Deciding Where To Live In The U.S.
The United States is the world’s third-most-populous nation behind China and India. It’s also the third in size by total area. It’s a place that has diverse regions in terms of climate and culture. You shouldn’t assume that you know what a place is like based on media and literature. The largest city, New York City, is itself a collection of various neighborhoods with various influences and personalities. If work and education are bringing you south of the border, the location may dictate your choices. Canada is a place that is intimately familiar with very cold temperatures in the winter. Parts of the Southern and Western United States have mild winters and extremely hot summers. The cost of living varies greatly from place to place. Keep all these in mind as you plan.
Applying for a Social Security Number
A social security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number assigned to citizens, permanent residents and temporary workers by the Social Security Administration, an agency of the federal government. This number acts sort of as a national ID for taxation and other purposes. Often various records for credit, education, health care and employment are sorted and indexed using the SSN. You will need an SSN to do the following:
Open an account with a financial institution
Complete a tax return
Apply for a driver’s license
Apply for a federal loan
Secure some types of public assistance
Opening a Bank Account In The U.S.
Having a checking account with a US bank is convenient for depositing paychecks and withdrawing money to pay bills and make purchases. Once you have your SSN and a mailing address, you’ll need to pick a bank or credit union for your money. Think about the type of personal banking features you’ll need, such as debit cards, automatic teller machines, branch locations and online access. You should go with an institution that has locations and amenities that are convenient to your lifestyle.
Establishing Credit
Building credit in the United States is an important part of putting down roots. If you want to finance a home or car purchase, lenders will look at your credit history to see how likely you are to repay your debts in full. If you want to rent an apartment, open an account with a utility provider or even work for some companies, your credit history will be reviewed. Having Canadian credit may not be enough for you to do all the things you need to do. Consider applying for a secured or prepaid credit card to start building a borrowing history stateside. By paying your balance on time each month, you’ll slowly build good credit to be eligible for the most favorable loan terms and conditions.
Starting a new phase of life in a new place can be very exciting, especially in the United States. There is much to offer, but it’s important to attend to a few matters as soon as possible. Think carefully about the life that you and your partner want to have and plan accordingly.
It’s hard enough to create a guest list for just adults, but dealing with kids at a wedding can be more complicated. When comes to young people, you have to decide first whether you want to and can include them at the affair. If you have space limitations, excluding children is a good place to start to keep the head count in check. If you decide to invite children, you do need to make some arrangements for them. Here are some thoughts to help you plan for children, or not, at your ceremony and reception.
Not Inviting Children
You should be prepared for people to ask you if their children are included on the invitation, even when it’s specifically addressed to just the parents. Have an answer ready, like, “no, we just can’t include children this time due to space parameters,” or “we need to limit the guest list.” If you’re allowing nieces, nephews or family members who are younger, say so. “We are only able to invite the children of our family.” It is very difficult to exclude children, but it is appropriate to only have those individuals at your wedding who you want. Just be tactful when you respond to people.
One additional note: It might be tempting to invite the kids to the ceremony only, but this isn’t recommended. Imagine how you would feel attending the service only to watch your friends or family go off to a party without you.
Inviting Children
Kids add a certain magic to a wedding because they experience it in a way adults cannot. Still, unattended children could easily turn into a black magic moment. You have to plan for kids in attendance.
Make sure you are clear about which children are invited from each family. If space isn’t an issue, then just put “and family” on the invitation. When space is an issue, you’ll need to write out each person’s name.
Dictate seating appropriately. Don’t put one adult at a table with lots of kids. Certainly reconsider placing all the children at a table without supervision. You might even consider having a designated adult or teenager, or a hired babysitter, keep an eye on things. It would be a small price to pay to maintain semblance and order while allowing parents to dance and enjoy the party too.
Talk to the caterer about offering a separate child’s meal that is simple and easy and something little ones will eat, such as chicken fingers or pizza. You might also request that the kids get served first because they won’t be as patient as adults. A sundae bar makes a great dessert option.
Keep the kids entertained. Set up a movie room or have goodie bags with crayons and color books. Place a few board games off to the side for after dinner. Provide diversions to keep everyone occupied.
Stay calm and have a sense of humor about the way the kids act. Ask your photographer to get those special moments of the kids dancing or sticking their fingers in the cake when no one’s looking. You can’t control every moment, so you might as well relax and just have fun with them.
Don’t apologize for giving your young friends the opportunity to take part in your wedding day. Children need to see these special moments to understand the world. However, you also don’t need to apologize for limiting your guest list and not allowing every child to attend. It’s your wedding and you need to make the best choices for you and your spouse. Do what needs to be done and stand firm. Just be prepared to deal with whichever option you choose to make the most of your ceremony and reception.
On March 20, people around the world will take steps to be happy and promote happiness for everyone. The initiative began in 2013, adopted by the UN. It was a campaign that began due to a consciousness that happiness should be a personal goal for everyone. It’s a basic human right. The American forefathers identified the pursuit of happiness as a right in the 18th century, and the UN finally got on board. In 2013, Ndaba Mandela and Chelsea Clinton, children of international political figures, kicked off the first celebration at the UN. In 2014, Pharrell Williams took over. Make sure to check out what Google does on March 20. Last year, Pharrell would randomly pop up in the search engine and dance.
Defining Happiness
Miriam-Webster defines happiness as “the state of being happy” or a “pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Synonyms include words such as pleasure, contentment, and well-being. These things are a bit subjective. When asking people how to measure happiness, scientists ask two questions:
How happy are you with your life as a whole?
How happy are you now?
Unfortunately, no one can really tell you how to be happy, but they also can’t tell you that you can’t be happy. Philosophers have tried for generations to find the secret to happiness, but it is an elusive concept that depends on so much more than just life status or money. Some people can be happy through circumstances that might crush another.
World Happiness Report
Scientists have tried to measure the happiness around the world. The first report was issued in 2013, In 2015, Canada ranked in the top 10 happiest countries in the world. Other countries that showed a great deal of happiness were Switzerland, Iceland, and Australia. These researchers did find that the global recession affected a country’s happiness score. Nicaragua and Ecuador showed increases in their happiness score, coinciding with their coming out of a recession. The World Happiness Report for 2016 will be released on March 16. It should be interesting to see where Canada places this year.
Get Involved
In 2015, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The pursuit of happiness is serious business.” The UN offers a few ideas on how to take action on International Day of Happiness:
Do what makes you happy
Spread happiness
Tell people about the day
Celebrate the day
#internationaldayofhappiness to find what others are sharing
At dayofhappiness.org, they recommend sharing the day with others. Happinessday.org is the official site of the initiative, and they have a number of resources and information promoting happiness in your own life and in the community. One campaign asks you to cheer on happy heroes and take part in the day. At Happiness International, they have a happiness planner. It’s offered free to help you select your action plan toward being well.
Make March 20 a day of happiness. It’s a Sunday, which means most people will be off work. Do something that creates satisfaction in your life. Just for one day. If you find you aren’t happy with your life in general, ask yourself what you could do to be happy. Use the spring to make one change. Take a class. Make a friend. Pick up a hobby that helps you relax when you’re not a work. Change your attitude. Only you know what is going to make the difference in your life. Only you can take the steps toward your goals.
Remember that your happiness is part of something bigger. Human connection is one thing that has been found to increase happiness and satisfaction in people’s lives. When you are connected to friends and family, you not only increase your own well-being, but theirs as well. Share positive messages to those you love to defeat the feeling of isolation that has become so predominate in today’s culture.
Maybe you’ve heard of feng shui – creating balance with the natural world in one’s indoor spaces. Tied to some important Chinese cultural beliefs, this fascinating art is a few thousand years old. But how exactly does it work? Once you understand the basics, feng shui can be a little easier to grasp. This quick guide introduces its concepts and their applications.
Taoist Principles Behind Feng Shui
New York architect Anjie Cho explains feng shui’s roots. The term comes from two separate Chinese words — “feng” means wind and “shui” means water. It’s related to Tao, a principle underlying all creation and calling for harmony with its natural order.
Tao is an extensive philosophy, but some of its basics play out in feng shui. Qi, pronounced as “chi,” is a fundamental life energy flowing through the world. You may have heard of yin and yang – these refer to complementary opposite forces that must remain in balance. And then there’s Wu Xing, a cycle in which life moves through five states: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
With Wu Xing, creative or destructive effects occur based on the order in which the cycle moves. The Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia details how this works. Starting with wood, one state helps create the next. Wood can fuel a fire, which can produce ashes to create earth, and so on. But there’s also a controlling or suppressive cycle. Fire melts metal, metal cuts wood, and wood grows through earth. As this cycle continues, earth hems in water, which in turn extinguishes fire.
How the Five Elements Work
In another piece for The Spruce, Cho further describes how the five states work in feng shui. These states have physical properties, but they also represent intangible things. Earth, for instance, stands for nourishment, self-care, and boundaries. These states also have their own sets of colors:
Fire: red and orange
Earth: yellow and neutral earth tones
Metal: gray and silver
Water: black, darker gray, and navy
Wood: green and light blue tones
Shapes can also represent these element states. Fire shapes are very angular – usually triangles. Squares symbolize earth. Circles and round shapes recall the metal element. Irregular and wavy shapes point to water – like waves in a pond or lake. Tall shapes and columns represent wood, like the trunks of trees.
Thoughtful choices can help bring needed elements into your spaces. Sometimes, these choices are obvious. You could add a wooden desk and houseplants as wood elements in a home office. But sometimes, an item symbolizes one of the elements. Maybe you don’t have a brick oven in your kitchen, but your stove represents fire just the same. You shouldn’t bring a pile of dirt into your living room, but a square yellow rug can stand in for earth.
Positions in Feng Shui
Cho adds that placement makes a huge difference in feng shui. There’s the commanding position – the spot in each room located the farthest from the door. The commanding position is not in direct line with the door, but you can still see the door itself. It’s where you’d place objects that you use the most – the stove in your kitchen, your desk in a home office, and so forth.
Feng shui also uses a map to locate eight key areas in a space. This map, called a bagua, assigns each area to an aspect of life. The central southern area, for example, is red and represents one’s fame and reputation. There’s also a central area that stands for the individual – specifically, wellness and health.
More Than Interior Design
Feng shui comes from Taoist philosophies: important ideas that helped shape Chinese culture. While using feng shui can create beautiful interior spaces, the central goal is achieving balance with nature. Today’s practitioners have adapted its ancient concepts to modern interiors, building design, and lifestyles.
When you die, your debts don’t follow you beyond the grave. But that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them – at least not in Canada, anyway. Not all liabilities are the same, so you need to understand how Canadian law treats different types of debt. This vital understanding can help you make wise choices while planning for your family’s future.
Secured and Unsecured Debt
Most debt falls into one of two categories – secured or unsecured. Secured debt involves assets used as collateral, as Investopedia explains. Should the borrower default, the lender can seize the asset to help pay for the loan. Mortgages and auto loans are the two most common kinds of secured debt.
Most consumer debt, like credit cards or personal loans, is unsecured. This type doesn’t rely on collateral, so it tends to carry higher interest rates. Certain monthly expenses are also unsecured debts. Some examples include medical bills, revolving store credit, and gym memberships.
Unpaid Debts and Your Estate
Your estate contains both your assets and liabilities. Think of it this way: Anything you own is an asset, and anything you owe is a liability. Most creditors will still want repayment after you die, and they’ll hit up your estate to collect.
Secured or unsecured, your estate must pay debts before your heirs receive anything. Statistics from StatCan, HuffPost Canada, and CBC News may put things into perspective:
Nearly 68% of Canadians own their homes.
The average home price is currently $586,000.
The average Canadian owes $73,552 in debt.
The order in which debts are paid can vary. Home mortgages usually get priority, followed by auto loans and other secured debt. Unsecured debt is next on the list. Depending on how much you owe, your debts could total more than the value of your estate, in which case, under Canadian law, your estate is either declared insolvent or placed into bankruptcy. Mondaq explains that these estates must pay funeral expenses first. Estate administrative costs are next, followed by government debts and other remaining liabilities.
Debts and Your Family
Creditors can make claims against your estate, but what happens when there’s nothing left to pay? Can they come after your family for payment? Not in most cases, as Credit Canada explains. If you’re the sole borrower with no cosigners, your creditors are out of luck if your estate can’t pay them. Unscrupulous creditors may still try to collect anyway – they know the law but still want their money. Your family can file complaints with their provincial or territorial consumer affairs office. The national Office of Consumer Affairs offers tips for filing complaints.
People who cosign or jointly apply for debt are still on the hook for repayment if the primary borrower dies. Some creditors also hold supplementary cardholders responsible for payment. If you’re worried about lingering debt, you can give your heirs “living inheritances” while you’re still alive. Global News clarifies that Canada does not tax either inheritances or gifts. Capital gains taxes may apply if you’re gifting an asset and its value grows.
A Quick Word About Student Loans
Student loans are technically unsecured debt, but they’re treated a little differently. Employment and Social Development Canada explains that federal student loans are forgiven upon a borrower’s death. With private student loans, it’s a different story. Loans Canada reveals that private lenders have no legal obligation to forgive their loans after a borrower dies. While some do discharge these loans, others may make claims against your estate.
Nothing in our world is certain except death and taxes, quipped American statesman Benjamin Franklin. Understanding your debt and having a solid estate plan can prevent your family from being saddled with burdens after you’re gone.
While the majority of Canadians may not ever think about the word caste, for some people, it is a facet of life that they can’t escape even after immigrating to Canada. Caste discrimination is a form of oppression that activists in the Indian subcontinent and the Himalayas have fought against for decades. Unfortunately, with thousands of years of cultural normalcy, this form of discrimination is still deeply embedded in the psyches of people even after they leave their home countries. Read on to learn about how caste discrimination impacts the quality of life for Canadians.
What Is Caste Discrimination?
Caste discrimination is a form of oppression based on the perception of a person’s caste. That oppression can include violating a person’s economic, social, political, cultural, or individual rights. In the Indian subcontinent and parts of the Himalayas, people divided society into different groups based on caste, equating to a type of social order that determines what people are allowed to do for work, where they are allowed to go, and who they are allowed to interact with.
Within the traditional caste system, caste boundaries are fixed, meaning that, no matter what someone does in their life, neither they nor their descendants can escape the caste they are born into. The people who experience caste discrimination are those who others label as being of the lowest castes. In the past, some Hindus referred to this group as Untouchables. Today, activists from these groups call themselves Dalits and fight for full rights and acknowledgment under the law.
Does It Happen in Canada?
Caste discrimination is illegal, but it still happens, not only in India and Nepal but also in Canada. In March 2023, a taxi driver, Manoj Bhangu, who had immigrated from Punjab, India, received a settlement order from the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal after experiencing caste discrimination at a work party. Two men, also originally from Punjab, used a caste-based slur against him, and the altercation turned physical. The Tribunal ruled that Mr. Bhangu deserved more than $9,000 in compensation and that the brothers, Inderjit and Avninder Dhillon, would have to pay up for the harm they caused.
While this case garnered national media attention, many other instances of caste discrimination in Canada continue unabated. People who come from Dalit backgrounds often get denied housing, promotions, and networking opportunities when upper-caste Hindus control those opportunities. Nor is Canada the only place where people have to face this kind of oppression. It also happens in the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. In 2023, Seattle, Washington, was the first city to put a law on the books that bans caste discrimination.
How Can People Seek Justice?
Seeking justice isn’t easy for people who face caste discrimination in Canada, but one way to do so is by pursuing a case in front of a tribunal or the courts. Although caste is not an inherent social category in Canada, it can still count as a protected characteristic.
In Canada, all people have a right to freedom from discrimination. There are many characteristics that the law considers protected under this legal structure, including the following:
Race
Gender
Place of origin
Ethnicity
Religion
Disability
The list of protected characteristics is extensive, which makes it possible for people who experience discrimination to fight for justice within the legal structure. Since caste is not something that people choose but something that is forced upon them by others, it results in a protected characteristic similar to place of origin, ancestry, and race.
Canadians who experience caste discrimination are not taking it lightly. Like Mr. Bhangu, they are fighting for their right to freedom and safety in their new home.
Humans are curious and observant. We’ve been trying to make sense of our world for around 200,000 years. From this continual search for understanding, we’ve created philosophies, religions, cultures, and works of art. Feng shui is one such system, seeking to create harmony with nature for indoor spaces. As one of five elemental phases, earth plays an important role in modern feng shui practices.
A Brief Introduction to Feng Shui
Feng shui is based on traditional Chinese philosophy. Taoism contains many of its concepts, including qi – living energy that flows through everyone and everything. It also stresses the need for balance between yin and yang, opposite yet complementary forces. Since many energies exist within each space, feng shui seeks to create balance in ways that allow the positive flow of qi.
Qi plus yin and yang influence the bagua, an octagonal energy grid used in feng shui. Architect Anjie Cho explains that you superimpose this grid over your home’s floor plan to locate where certain energies lie. Many Western feng shui traditions place the top or north part of the grid at the front door. Others line it up with true north.
Earth as an Elemental Phase
Feng shui and Taoism include the concept of Wuxing – five elemental phases. How these phases interact can result in creation or destruction. Some texts refer to these as cycles of generation and overcoming. Creation happens when one elemental phase fuels the next, while destruction results from one phase overcoming another.
Earth is vital in both generation and overcoming cycles. In Taoist terms, earth comes from the fire that burns wood and leaves behind ash. Earth also helps form metal through geological processes. Yet earth can overcome water through physical barriers – banks that contain a river, or dams stopping its flow. And wood impacts earth by growing through the soil, breaking it apart and taking its nutrients.
Earth Energies and Symbolism
Feng shui associates elemental phases with colors, shapes, and directions. They also align with areas of human life – one’s career or family, for instance. Earth primarily lies in the middle of the bagua. Appropriately, the center is called “tai qi” and symbolizes one’s health and well-being. It’s also a vital area, since it touches the other eight regions in the bagua. Square and flat shapes are key. Yellow, orange, brown, and earth-toned neutral shades represent the earth elemental phase.
Earth appears in two other areas of the bagua. Gen, representing knowledge and wisdom, lies in the northeast part of the energy grid. Earth is its native element, associated with square and flat shapes plus dark-blue hues. You’ll also find earth in Kun, the love and relationships region in the bagua’s southwest corner. Pink is the key color here, along with flat and square shapes.
Bringing Earth Into Your Spaces
Feng shui focuses on attracting specific energies. That’s why colors, geometric figures, and physical elements are key to its practice. The wonderful thing is here is that you have a lot of flexibility in how you do this. If you’re working with the tai qi area, for example, you could use color – perhaps painting a wall yellow or gold. Bringing in a physical object like a stone statue or layered sand art also works. Squares are ideal for this area, so you could include a square rug in your décor.
Feng shui is gaining popularity in Canada. The idea of harmony and balanced energies appeals to many, but there are also aesthetic advantages. Earth is one of five elemental phases, complete with its own properties and associated energy. Working it into your interiors calls for creativity, flexibility, and a desire to reap its benefits.
There are a number of ways to go about putting a unique spin on your wedding. If you want to break with tradition, one of the best choices to consider is to look at the newest and most popular wedding trends. Canadian couples have been playing with a number of fascinating fads for their nuptials. To make the most out of your big day, take a moment to explore the latest and more interesting Canadian wedding trends and see if any are a good fit for how you envision your celebration.
Hosting Trends- An Eco-Friendly Event
According to recent statistics, younger couples across Canada are more concerned with sustainability than previous generations. If you’re worried about how much of an impact your wedding will have on the environment, you may find it helpful to consider an eco-friendly event. One way to achieve this is by exploring alternatives to traditional plates and flatware. Opting for biodegradable items can greatly reduce the amount of waste your wedding generates. Another worthwhile idea to consider is to skip physical invitations and utilize digital options instead, as most paper invites end up directly in the trash.
Keeping Things Small
Planning a large wedding can often prove to be a huge headache. Since bigger events can be both expensive and exhausting, more and more Canadian couples are hosting smaller gatherings. Not only can a wedding with a shorter guest list help you save money, but it also creates a more intimate experience for you and your loved ones. Instead of renting a giant venue to accommodate all of your guests, deciding to have a small wedding allows you the flexibility to host your nuptials in a more personal location such as a friend’s backyard or your favorite local restaurant.
Incorporating Retro Wedding Elements
Trends come and go rather quickly in the wedding industry. While some fads are viewed as products of their time, others boast timeless qualities that make them a perfect fit for modern affairs. One way to personalize your big day is by looking at retro wedding ideas and seeing if anything appeals to you. For example, many couples are incorporating classic elements like champagne towers into their receptions. Another simple idea to consider is placing disposable cameras around the venue and encouraging your guests to take photographs throughout the course of the night.
Ditching the Cake
A cake can seem like an essential part of a wedding. However, many couples are ditching the idea of the classic cake altogether these days. Instead, younger Canadians are exploring a wealth of more enticing options. If you prefer ice cream to cake, consider having a sundae bar at the reception. Giving guests the option of making their own creamy creations with a plethora of toppings can be far more memorable than serving a basic wedding cake. Other dessert options worth offering can include cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, and a chocolate fountain.
Picking Bold Flowers
Flowers are one of the most important decorations involved in weddings. Though it was common for couples to select neutral colors for their floral arrangements in recent years, this trend is shifting dramatically. Now, it is more popular for couples to pick flowers that boast bold colors. Whether you’re looking for the perfect centerpieces or want to put together a bouquet that guests will remember for years to come, going big with the color choices of your flowers can be a great way to give your event a personal spin.
Selecting the Best Trends
There are many different ways to go about planning a wedding that feels like it is truly your own. If you want to break with tradition and find some fresh elements for your event, be sure to look at the latest Canadian wedding trends to see what appeals to you.
Outdoor weddings are quite popular amongst couples who are looking to tie the knot during the warmer months of the year. Naturally, there are a number of different ways you can go about throwing this type of event. If you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors while simultaneously giving your reception a posh feel, then a classic Canadian garden wedding can be a beautiful choice. Take a moment to review these tips and see how easy it is to put together a reception that you will adore.
Select a Garden Location
The most important step when planning a garden wedding is selecting the right venue. There are some phenomenal options across Canada that work wonderfully for outdoor events. The VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, British Columbia, is ideal for couples who want to wed amidst rare and beautiful flowers. Casa Loma in Toronto is another wonderful choice for garden weddings because the castle-like appearance of the venue lends itself perfectly to the aesthetic of a classy event. Another great spot to consider in Toronto is Graydon Hall Manor, which boasts a breathtaking garden.
Think About the Exact Date
After you have decided on the venue, it is a good idea to think about the exact date you plan on getting married. The time of year your event will be will greatly impact the aesthetic of your wedding. For example, throwing a garden wedding in the earlier part of spring means you will be surrounded by the first colorful blossoms that have burst from the ground and the branches. Do your research and see what flowers are most common during the time you plan on getting married. This can help you incorporate the right colors into your event’s decor.
Get Creative With Attire
While there are many reasons to consider throwing a classic Canadian garden wedding, one of the most fun is that it offers the chance to get creative with what guests will wear. At a traditional garden wedding, you are likely to see people wear more colors and patterns than at an indoor event. At more polished affairs, it is common for women and men to don large hats that block the sun and enhance their outfits. Take a look at example images on sites like Pinterest to get a better feel for how creative you can get with clothing.
Plan Ahead for Garden Problems
Though there are plenty of perks that come with an outdoor wedding, there are also a number of downsides to take into consideration. For one, gardens tend to attract a variety of pests. Guests will have to deal with mosquitoes, bees, and all manner of flying nuisances. Make their lives a bit easier by offering eco-friendly bug spray as a “welcome to the wedding” gift. Another point to keep in mind is the weather. If the temperature will be high, be sure to offer water and hand fans. You must also have a contingency plan in the event of rain.
Incorporate Unique Traditions
Another way to make the most of a garden wedding is by incorporating traditions that you would not have considered at other venues. If the venue permits, see if it is possible for you and your partner to plant something together. Whether you plant seeds for a specific flower or a sapling tree, the idea is that you can return to the location in the future and see how what you planted has grown alongside your relationship. This tradition also allows you and your partner to become a part of the history of the venue.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Throwing a classic Canadian garden wedding is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of nature on your big day. As long as you take your time to plan out the details, you will have no trouble throwing a colorful and enjoyable outdoor experience.
With the technology and electronics available today, it’s hard to imagine that anyone could be illiterate. Sadly, many individuals around the world do not have basic access to educational and reading materials to help them improve their lives. The International Literacy Association estimates that about 12 percent of the global population, or about 781 million people, are functionally illiterate. The United Nations considers literacy a fundamental human right that is essential to social development. Education is one of the key factors in eliminating poverty, and literacy is a big step to education.
Isn’t the Problem Overseas?
Although the literacy problem is more pronounced in third world countries, Canada has a literacy problem of its own. The Canadian Literacy and Learning Network reports that about 42 percent of adults in the country between the ages of 18 and 65 do not have high literacy skills. One study shows that many Canadians aren’t keeping pace with the literacy skills needed for today’s technology. Just a 1 percent increase in the literacy rate would increase economic growth by about $18 billion annually. Investing in literacy has a high rate of return on investment, at 241 percent.
Here in Canada, the people most affected by illiteracy are:
People who experienced abuse or neglect when they were young
People who had their schooling interrupted by poverty or discrimination
Children with undiagnosed learning disabilities
Seniors who only received an elementary education
Aboriginal individuals
Immigrants who do not speak English or French as their main language
Learning To Read Is An Essential Life Skill
Literacy reaches beyond just reading. There are aspects of literacy in practically everything we do. From finding a doctor and making healthy lifestyle choices to taking the right bus to get to work, the need for reading skills are all around us. We have to make reading a priority from childhood into old age.
There are many reasons people do not get literacy help when they get behind in their skills. It might be fear, or low self-esteem or a lack of confidence. Sometimes, it’s simply poverty and not having the time to better oneself. It might even be a lack of resources and not having books to read.
The United Nations has designated September 8 as International Literacy Day. This year marks its 50th anniversary, and the theme for 2016 is “Reading the Past, Writing the Future.” Over the past 50 years, the number of young adults who don’t have literacy skills has decreased by 25 percent. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova stated in her message for ILD, “The world has changed since 1966 – but our determination to provide every woman and man with the skills, capacities and opportunities to become everything they wish, in dignity and respect, remains as firm as ever. Literacy is a foundation to build a more sustainable future for all – this is UNESCO’s message.”
You Can Make a Difference
Multiple organizations throughout the world are working hard to bring books and other reading materials to people in areas that lack these things. Here in Canada, you can learn to be a reading tutor and help individuals learn to read or to improve their skills. As a tutor, you have to be part coach and cheerleader, teacher and friend to keep someone on the track to literacy.
Read to your children. Encourage others to read and maintain their skills. Get news through reading and not watching and listening. Partner with an organization that is bringing books to communities where there are no books. World Literacy Foundation has many ways to volunteer for literacy and education. Don’t let this year’s International Literacy Day pass by without taking some time to make a difference in the life of someone who needs to learn to read.
For some engaged or newly married Canadians, life’s journey will take them south of the border on a more permanent basis. Employment opportunities, enterprise, education or even the union itself may mean a move to the United States. Thousands of Canadians leave the Great White North each year to parts south. Almost 2% of the 42 million immigrants within the US hail from the nation whose name descends from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word Kanata, which translates to “village” or “sentiment.” While the two nations share the world’s longest border and other cultural elements, there’s a lot that you might not know about life in the States. Here are some things you should do before and right after you move.
Deciding Where To Live In The U.S.
The United States is the world’s third-most-populous nation behind China and India. It’s also the third in size by total area. It’s a place that has diverse regions in terms of climate and culture. You shouldn’t assume that you know what a place is like based on media and literature. The largest city, New York City, is itself a collection of various neighborhoods with various influences and personalities. If work and education are bringing you south of the border, the location may dictate your choices. Canada is a place that is intimately familiar with very cold temperatures in the winter. Parts of the Southern and Western United States have mild winters and extremely hot summers. The cost of living varies greatly from place to place. Keep all these in mind as you plan.
Applying for a Social Security Number
A social security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number assigned to citizens, permanent residents and temporary workers by the Social Security Administration, an agency of the federal government. This number acts sort of as a national ID for taxation and other purposes. Often various records for credit, education, health care and employment are sorted and indexed using the SSN. You will need an SSN to do the following:
Open an account with a financial institution
Complete a tax return
Apply for a driver’s license
Apply for a federal loan
Secure some types of public assistance
Opening a Bank Account In The U.S.
Having a checking account with a US bank is convenient for depositing paychecks and withdrawing money to pay bills and make purchases. Once you have your SSN and a mailing address, you’ll need to pick a bank or credit union for your money. Think about the type of personal banking features you’ll need, such as debit cards, automatic teller machines, branch locations and online access. You should go with an institution that has locations and amenities that are convenient to your lifestyle.
Establishing Credit
Building credit in the United States is an important part of putting down roots. If you want to finance a home or car purchase, lenders will look at your credit history to see how likely you are to repay your debts in full. If you want to rent an apartment, open an account with a utility provider or even work for some companies, your credit history will be reviewed. Having Canadian credit may not be enough for you to do all the things you need to do. Consider applying for a secured or prepaid credit card to start building a borrowing history stateside. By paying your balance on time each month, you’ll slowly build good credit to be eligible for the most favorable loan terms and conditions.
Starting a new phase of life in a new place can be very exciting, especially in the United States. There is much to offer, but it’s important to attend to a few matters as soon as possible. Think carefully about the life that you and your partner want to have and plan accordingly.
It’s hard enough to create a guest list for just adults, but dealing with kids at a wedding can be more complicated. When comes to young people, you have to decide first whether you want to and can include them at the affair. If you have space limitations, excluding children is a good place to start to keep the head count in check. If you decide to invite children, you do need to make some arrangements for them. Here are some thoughts to help you plan for children, or not, at your ceremony and reception.
Not Inviting Children
You should be prepared for people to ask you if their children are included on the invitation, even when it’s specifically addressed to just the parents. Have an answer ready, like, “no, we just can’t include children this time due to space parameters,” or “we need to limit the guest list.” If you’re allowing nieces, nephews or family members who are younger, say so. “We are only able to invite the children of our family.” It is very difficult to exclude children, but it is appropriate to only have those individuals at your wedding who you want. Just be tactful when you respond to people.
One additional note: It might be tempting to invite the kids to the ceremony only, but this isn’t recommended. Imagine how you would feel attending the service only to watch your friends or family go off to a party without you.
Inviting Children
Kids add a certain magic to a wedding because they experience it in a way adults cannot. Still, unattended children could easily turn into a black magic moment. You have to plan for kids in attendance.
Make sure you are clear about which children are invited from each family. If space isn’t an issue, then just put “and family” on the invitation. When space is an issue, you’ll need to write out each person’s name.
Dictate seating appropriately. Don’t put one adult at a table with lots of kids. Certainly reconsider placing all the children at a table without supervision. You might even consider having a designated adult or teenager, or a hired babysitter, keep an eye on things. It would be a small price to pay to maintain semblance and order while allowing parents to dance and enjoy the party too.
Talk to the caterer about offering a separate child’s meal that is simple and easy and something little ones will eat, such as chicken fingers or pizza. You might also request that the kids get served first because they won’t be as patient as adults. A sundae bar makes a great dessert option.
Keep the kids entertained. Set up a movie room or have goodie bags with crayons and color books. Place a few board games off to the side for after dinner. Provide diversions to keep everyone occupied.
Stay calm and have a sense of humor about the way the kids act. Ask your photographer to get those special moments of the kids dancing or sticking their fingers in the cake when no one’s looking. You can’t control every moment, so you might as well relax and just have fun with them.
Don’t apologize for giving your young friends the opportunity to take part in your wedding day. Children need to see these special moments to understand the world. However, you also don’t need to apologize for limiting your guest list and not allowing every child to attend. It’s your wedding and you need to make the best choices for you and your spouse. Do what needs to be done and stand firm. Just be prepared to deal with whichever option you choose to make the most of your ceremony and reception.
On March 20, people around the world will take steps to be happy and promote happiness for everyone. The initiative began in 2013, adopted by the UN. It was a campaign that began due to a consciousness that happiness should be a personal goal for everyone. It’s a basic human right. The American forefathers identified the pursuit of happiness as a right in the 18th century, and the UN finally got on board. In 2013, Ndaba Mandela and Chelsea Clinton, children of international political figures, kicked off the first celebration at the UN. In 2014, Pharrell Williams took over. Make sure to check out what Google does on March 20. Last year, Pharrell would randomly pop up in the search engine and dance.
Defining Happiness
Miriam-Webster defines happiness as “the state of being happy” or a “pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Synonyms include words such as pleasure, contentment, and well-being. These things are a bit subjective. When asking people how to measure happiness, scientists ask two questions:
How happy are you with your life as a whole?
How happy are you now?
Unfortunately, no one can really tell you how to be happy, but they also can’t tell you that you can’t be happy. Philosophers have tried for generations to find the secret to happiness, but it is an elusive concept that depends on so much more than just life status or money. Some people can be happy through circumstances that might crush another.
World Happiness Report
Scientists have tried to measure the happiness around the world. The first report was issued in 2013, In 2015, Canada ranked in the top 10 happiest countries in the world. Other countries that showed a great deal of happiness were Switzerland, Iceland, and Australia. These researchers did find that the global recession affected a country’s happiness score. Nicaragua and Ecuador showed increases in their happiness score, coinciding with their coming out of a recession. The World Happiness Report for 2016 will be released on March 16. It should be interesting to see where Canada places this year.
Get Involved
In 2015, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The pursuit of happiness is serious business.” The UN offers a few ideas on how to take action on International Day of Happiness:
Do what makes you happy
Spread happiness
Tell people about the day
Celebrate the day
#internationaldayofhappiness to find what others are sharing
At dayofhappiness.org, they recommend sharing the day with others. Happinessday.org is the official site of the initiative, and they have a number of resources and information promoting happiness in your own life and in the community. One campaign asks you to cheer on happy heroes and take part in the day. At Happiness International, they have a happiness planner. It’s offered free to help you select your action plan toward being well.
Make March 20 a day of happiness. It’s a Sunday, which means most people will be off work. Do something that creates satisfaction in your life. Just for one day. If you find you aren’t happy with your life in general, ask yourself what you could do to be happy. Use the spring to make one change. Take a class. Make a friend. Pick up a hobby that helps you relax when you’re not a work. Change your attitude. Only you know what is going to make the difference in your life. Only you can take the steps toward your goals.
Remember that your happiness is part of something bigger. Human connection is one thing that has been found to increase happiness and satisfaction in people’s lives. When you are connected to friends and family, you not only increase your own well-being, but theirs as well. Share positive messages to those you love to defeat the feeling of isolation that has become so predominate in today’s culture.
Maybe you’ve heard of feng shui – creating balance with the natural world in one’s indoor spaces. Tied to some important Chinese cultural beliefs, this fascinating art is a few thousand years old. But how exactly does it work? Once you understand the basics, feng shui can be a little easier to grasp. This quick guide introduces its concepts and their applications.
Taoist Principles Behind Feng Shui
New York architect Anjie Cho explains feng shui’s roots. The term comes from two separate Chinese words — “feng” means wind and “shui” means water. It’s related to Tao, a principle underlying all creation and calling for harmony with its natural order.
Tao is an extensive philosophy, but some of its basics play out in feng shui. Qi, pronounced as “chi,” is a fundamental life energy flowing through the world. You may have heard of yin and yang – these refer to complementary opposite forces that must remain in balance. And then there’s Wu Xing, a cycle in which life moves through five states: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
With Wu Xing, creative or destructive effects occur based on the order in which the cycle moves. The Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia details how this works. Starting with wood, one state helps create the next. Wood can fuel a fire, which can produce ashes to create earth, and so on. But there’s also a controlling or suppressive cycle. Fire melts metal, metal cuts wood, and wood grows through earth. As this cycle continues, earth hems in water, which in turn extinguishes fire.
How the Five Elements Work
In another piece for The Spruce, Cho further describes how the five states work in feng shui. These states have physical properties, but they also represent intangible things. Earth, for instance, stands for nourishment, self-care, and boundaries. These states also have their own sets of colors:
Fire: red and orange
Earth: yellow and neutral earth tones
Metal: gray and silver
Water: black, darker gray, and navy
Wood: green and light blue tones
Shapes can also represent these element states. Fire shapes are very angular – usually triangles. Squares symbolize earth. Circles and round shapes recall the metal element. Irregular and wavy shapes point to water – like waves in a pond or lake. Tall shapes and columns represent wood, like the trunks of trees.
Thoughtful choices can help bring needed elements into your spaces. Sometimes, these choices are obvious. You could add a wooden desk and houseplants as wood elements in a home office. But sometimes, an item symbolizes one of the elements. Maybe you don’t have a brick oven in your kitchen, but your stove represents fire just the same. You shouldn’t bring a pile of dirt into your living room, but a square yellow rug can stand in for earth.
Positions in Feng Shui
Cho adds that placement makes a huge difference in feng shui. There’s the commanding position – the spot in each room located the farthest from the door. The commanding position is not in direct line with the door, but you can still see the door itself. It’s where you’d place objects that you use the most – the stove in your kitchen, your desk in a home office, and so forth.
Feng shui also uses a map to locate eight key areas in a space. This map, called a bagua, assigns each area to an aspect of life. The central southern area, for example, is red and represents one’s fame and reputation. There’s also a central area that stands for the individual – specifically, wellness and health.
More Than Interior Design
Feng shui comes from Taoist philosophies: important ideas that helped shape Chinese culture. While using feng shui can create beautiful interior spaces, the central goal is achieving balance with nature. Today’s practitioners have adapted its ancient concepts to modern interiors, building design, and lifestyles.
When you die, your debts don’t follow you beyond the grave. But that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them – at least not in Canada, anyway. Not all liabilities are the same, so you need to understand how Canadian law treats different types of debt. This vital understanding can help you make wise choices while planning for your family’s future.
Secured and Unsecured Debt
Most debt falls into one of two categories – secured or unsecured. Secured debt involves assets used as collateral, as Investopedia explains. Should the borrower default, the lender can seize the asset to help pay for the loan. Mortgages and auto loans are the two most common kinds of secured debt.
Most consumer debt, like credit cards or personal loans, is unsecured. This type doesn’t rely on collateral, so it tends to carry higher interest rates. Certain monthly expenses are also unsecured debts. Some examples include medical bills, revolving store credit, and gym memberships.
Unpaid Debts and Your Estate
Your estate contains both your assets and liabilities. Think of it this way: Anything you own is an asset, and anything you owe is a liability. Most creditors will still want repayment after you die, and they’ll hit up your estate to collect.
Secured or unsecured, your estate must pay debts before your heirs receive anything. Statistics from StatCan, HuffPost Canada, and CBC News may put things into perspective:
Nearly 68% of Canadians own their homes.
The average home price is currently $586,000.
The average Canadian owes $73,552 in debt.
The order in which debts are paid can vary. Home mortgages usually get priority, followed by auto loans and other secured debt. Unsecured debt is next on the list. Depending on how much you owe, your debts could total more than the value of your estate, in which case, under Canadian law, your estate is either declared insolvent or placed into bankruptcy. Mondaq explains that these estates must pay funeral expenses first. Estate administrative costs are next, followed by government debts and other remaining liabilities.
Debts and Your Family
Creditors can make claims against your estate, but what happens when there’s nothing left to pay? Can they come after your family for payment? Not in most cases, as Credit Canada explains. If you’re the sole borrower with no cosigners, your creditors are out of luck if your estate can’t pay them. Unscrupulous creditors may still try to collect anyway – they know the law but still want their money. Your family can file complaints with their provincial or territorial consumer affairs office. The national Office of Consumer Affairs offers tips for filing complaints.
People who cosign or jointly apply for debt are still on the hook for repayment if the primary borrower dies. Some creditors also hold supplementary cardholders responsible for payment. If you’re worried about lingering debt, you can give your heirs “living inheritances” while you’re still alive. Global News clarifies that Canada does not tax either inheritances or gifts. Capital gains taxes may apply if you’re gifting an asset and its value grows.
A Quick Word About Student Loans
Student loans are technically unsecured debt, but they’re treated a little differently. Employment and Social Development Canada explains that federal student loans are forgiven upon a borrower’s death. With private student loans, it’s a different story. Loans Canada reveals that private lenders have no legal obligation to forgive their loans after a borrower dies. While some do discharge these loans, others may make claims against your estate.
Nothing in our world is certain except death and taxes, quipped American statesman Benjamin Franklin. Understanding your debt and having a solid estate plan can prevent your family from being saddled with burdens after you’re gone.
While the majority of Canadians may not ever think about the word caste, for some people, it is a facet of life that they can’t escape even after immigrating to Canada. Caste discrimination is a form of oppression that activists in the Indian subcontinent and the Himalayas have fought against for decades. Unfortunately, with thousands of years of cultural normalcy, this form of discrimination is still deeply embedded in the psyches of people even after they leave their home countries. Read on to learn about how caste discrimination impacts the quality of life for Canadians.
What Is Caste Discrimination?
Caste discrimination is a form of oppression based on the perception of a person’s caste. That oppression can include violating a person’s economic, social, political, cultural, or individual rights. In the Indian subcontinent and parts of the Himalayas, people divided society into different groups based on caste, equating to a type of social order that determines what people are allowed to do for work, where they are allowed to go, and who they are allowed to interact with.
Within the traditional caste system, caste boundaries are fixed, meaning that, no matter what someone does in their life, neither they nor their descendants can escape the caste they are born into. The people who experience caste discrimination are those who others label as being of the lowest castes. In the past, some Hindus referred to this group as Untouchables. Today, activists from these groups call themselves Dalits and fight for full rights and acknowledgment under the law.
Does It Happen in Canada?
Caste discrimination is illegal, but it still happens, not only in India and Nepal but also in Canada. In March 2023, a taxi driver, Manoj Bhangu, who had immigrated from Punjab, India, received a settlement order from the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal after experiencing caste discrimination at a work party. Two men, also originally from Punjab, used a caste-based slur against him, and the altercation turned physical. The Tribunal ruled that Mr. Bhangu deserved more than $9,000 in compensation and that the brothers, Inderjit and Avninder Dhillon, would have to pay up for the harm they caused.
While this case garnered national media attention, many other instances of caste discrimination in Canada continue unabated. People who come from Dalit backgrounds often get denied housing, promotions, and networking opportunities when upper-caste Hindus control those opportunities. Nor is Canada the only place where people have to face this kind of oppression. It also happens in the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. In 2023, Seattle, Washington, was the first city to put a law on the books that bans caste discrimination.
How Can People Seek Justice?
Seeking justice isn’t easy for people who face caste discrimination in Canada, but one way to do so is by pursuing a case in front of a tribunal or the courts. Although caste is not an inherent social category in Canada, it can still count as a protected characteristic.
In Canada, all people have a right to freedom from discrimination. There are many characteristics that the law considers protected under this legal structure, including the following:
Race
Gender
Place of origin
Ethnicity
Religion
Disability
The list of protected characteristics is extensive, which makes it possible for people who experience discrimination to fight for justice within the legal structure. Since caste is not something that people choose but something that is forced upon them by others, it results in a protected characteristic similar to place of origin, ancestry, and race.
Canadians who experience caste discrimination are not taking it lightly. Like Mr. Bhangu, they are fighting for their right to freedom and safety in their new home.
Humans are curious and observant. We’ve been trying to make sense of our world for around 200,000 years. From this continual search for understanding, we’ve created philosophies, religions, cultures, and works of art. Feng shui is one such system, seeking to create harmony with nature for indoor spaces. As one of five elemental phases, earth plays an important role in modern feng shui practices.
A Brief Introduction to Feng Shui
Feng shui is based on traditional Chinese philosophy. Taoism contains many of its concepts, including qi – living energy that flows through everyone and everything. It also stresses the need for balance between yin and yang, opposite yet complementary forces. Since many energies exist within each space, feng shui seeks to create balance in ways that allow the positive flow of qi.
Qi plus yin and yang influence the bagua, an octagonal energy grid used in feng shui. Architect Anjie Cho explains that you superimpose this grid over your home’s floor plan to locate where certain energies lie. Many Western feng shui traditions place the top or north part of the grid at the front door. Others line it up with true north.
Earth as an Elemental Phase
Feng shui and Taoism include the concept of Wuxing – five elemental phases. How these phases interact can result in creation or destruction. Some texts refer to these as cycles of generation and overcoming. Creation happens when one elemental phase fuels the next, while destruction results from one phase overcoming another.
Earth is vital in both generation and overcoming cycles. In Taoist terms, earth comes from the fire that burns wood and leaves behind ash. Earth also helps form metal through geological processes. Yet earth can overcome water through physical barriers – banks that contain a river, or dams stopping its flow. And wood impacts earth by growing through the soil, breaking it apart and taking its nutrients.
Earth Energies and Symbolism
Feng shui associates elemental phases with colors, shapes, and directions. They also align with areas of human life – one’s career or family, for instance. Earth primarily lies in the middle of the bagua. Appropriately, the center is called “tai qi” and symbolizes one’s health and well-being. It’s also a vital area, since it touches the other eight regions in the bagua. Square and flat shapes are key. Yellow, orange, brown, and earth-toned neutral shades represent the earth elemental phase.
Earth appears in two other areas of the bagua. Gen, representing knowledge and wisdom, lies in the northeast part of the energy grid. Earth is its native element, associated with square and flat shapes plus dark-blue hues. You’ll also find earth in Kun, the love and relationships region in the bagua’s southwest corner. Pink is the key color here, along with flat and square shapes.
Bringing Earth Into Your Spaces
Feng shui focuses on attracting specific energies. That’s why colors, geometric figures, and physical elements are key to its practice. The wonderful thing is here is that you have a lot of flexibility in how you do this. If you’re working with the tai qi area, for example, you could use color – perhaps painting a wall yellow or gold. Bringing in a physical object like a stone statue or layered sand art also works. Squares are ideal for this area, so you could include a square rug in your décor.
Feng shui is gaining popularity in Canada. The idea of harmony and balanced energies appeals to many, but there are also aesthetic advantages. Earth is one of five elemental phases, complete with its own properties and associated energy. Working it into your interiors calls for creativity, flexibility, and a desire to reap its benefits.
There are a number of ways to go about putting a unique spin on your wedding. If you want to break with tradition, one of the best choices to consider is to look at the newest and most popular wedding trends. Canadian couples have been playing with a number of fascinating fads for their nuptials. To make the most out of your big day, take a moment to explore the latest and more interesting Canadian wedding trends and see if any are a good fit for how you envision your celebration.
Hosting Trends- An Eco-Friendly Event
According to recent statistics, younger couples across Canada are more concerned with sustainability than previous generations. If you’re worried about how much of an impact your wedding will have on the environment, you may find it helpful to consider an eco-friendly event. One way to achieve this is by exploring alternatives to traditional plates and flatware. Opting for biodegradable items can greatly reduce the amount of waste your wedding generates. Another worthwhile idea to consider is to skip physical invitations and utilize digital options instead, as most paper invites end up directly in the trash.
Keeping Things Small
Planning a large wedding can often prove to be a huge headache. Since bigger events can be both expensive and exhausting, more and more Canadian couples are hosting smaller gatherings. Not only can a wedding with a shorter guest list help you save money, but it also creates a more intimate experience for you and your loved ones. Instead of renting a giant venue to accommodate all of your guests, deciding to have a small wedding allows you the flexibility to host your nuptials in a more personal location such as a friend’s backyard or your favorite local restaurant.
Incorporating Retro Wedding Elements
Trends come and go rather quickly in the wedding industry. While some fads are viewed as products of their time, others boast timeless qualities that make them a perfect fit for modern affairs. One way to personalize your big day is by looking at retro wedding ideas and seeing if anything appeals to you. For example, many couples are incorporating classic elements like champagne towers into their receptions. Another simple idea to consider is placing disposable cameras around the venue and encouraging your guests to take photographs throughout the course of the night.
Ditching the Cake
A cake can seem like an essential part of a wedding. However, many couples are ditching the idea of the classic cake altogether these days. Instead, younger Canadians are exploring a wealth of more enticing options. If you prefer ice cream to cake, consider having a sundae bar at the reception. Giving guests the option of making their own creamy creations with a plethora of toppings can be far more memorable than serving a basic wedding cake. Other dessert options worth offering can include cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, and a chocolate fountain.
Picking Bold Flowers
Flowers are one of the most important decorations involved in weddings. Though it was common for couples to select neutral colors for their floral arrangements in recent years, this trend is shifting dramatically. Now, it is more popular for couples to pick flowers that boast bold colors. Whether you’re looking for the perfect centerpieces or want to put together a bouquet that guests will remember for years to come, going big with the color choices of your flowers can be a great way to give your event a personal spin.
Selecting the Best Trends
There are many different ways to go about planning a wedding that feels like it is truly your own. If you want to break with tradition and find some fresh elements for your event, be sure to look at the latest Canadian wedding trends to see what appeals to you.
Outdoor weddings are quite popular amongst couples who are looking to tie the knot during the warmer months of the year. Naturally, there are a number of different ways you can go about throwing this type of event. If you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors while simultaneously giving your reception a posh feel, then a classic Canadian garden wedding can be a beautiful choice. Take a moment to review these tips and see how easy it is to put together a reception that you will adore.
Select a Garden Location
The most important step when planning a garden wedding is selecting the right venue. There are some phenomenal options across Canada that work wonderfully for outdoor events. The VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, British Columbia, is ideal for couples who want to wed amidst rare and beautiful flowers. Casa Loma in Toronto is another wonderful choice for garden weddings because the castle-like appearance of the venue lends itself perfectly to the aesthetic of a classy event. Another great spot to consider in Toronto is Graydon Hall Manor, which boasts a breathtaking garden.
Think About the Exact Date
After you have decided on the venue, it is a good idea to think about the exact date you plan on getting married. The time of year your event will be will greatly impact the aesthetic of your wedding. For example, throwing a garden wedding in the earlier part of spring means you will be surrounded by the first colorful blossoms that have burst from the ground and the branches. Do your research and see what flowers are most common during the time you plan on getting married. This can help you incorporate the right colors into your event’s decor.
Get Creative With Attire
While there are many reasons to consider throwing a classic Canadian garden wedding, one of the most fun is that it offers the chance to get creative with what guests will wear. At a traditional garden wedding, you are likely to see people wear more colors and patterns than at an indoor event. At more polished affairs, it is common for women and men to don large hats that block the sun and enhance their outfits. Take a look at example images on sites like Pinterest to get a better feel for how creative you can get with clothing.
Plan Ahead for Garden Problems
Though there are plenty of perks that come with an outdoor wedding, there are also a number of downsides to take into consideration. For one, gardens tend to attract a variety of pests. Guests will have to deal with mosquitoes, bees, and all manner of flying nuisances. Make their lives a bit easier by offering eco-friendly bug spray as a “welcome to the wedding” gift. Another point to keep in mind is the weather. If the temperature will be high, be sure to offer water and hand fans. You must also have a contingency plan in the event of rain.
Incorporate Unique Traditions
Another way to make the most of a garden wedding is by incorporating traditions that you would not have considered at other venues. If the venue permits, see if it is possible for you and your partner to plant something together. Whether you plant seeds for a specific flower or a sapling tree, the idea is that you can return to the location in the future and see how what you planted has grown alongside your relationship. This tradition also allows you and your partner to become a part of the history of the venue.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Throwing a classic Canadian garden wedding is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of nature on your big day. As long as you take your time to plan out the details, you will have no trouble throwing a colorful and enjoyable outdoor experience.
With the technology and electronics available today, it’s hard to imagine that anyone could be illiterate. Sadly, many individuals around the world do not have basic access to educational and reading materials to help them improve their lives. The International Literacy Association estimates that about 12 percent of the global population, or about 781 million people, are functionally illiterate. The United Nations considers literacy a fundamental human right that is essential to social development. Education is one of the key factors in eliminating poverty, and literacy is a big step to education.
Isn’t the Problem Overseas?
Although the literacy problem is more pronounced in third world countries, Canada has a literacy problem of its own. The Canadian Literacy and Learning Network reports that about 42 percent of adults in the country between the ages of 18 and 65 do not have high literacy skills. One study shows that many Canadians aren’t keeping pace with the literacy skills needed for today’s technology. Just a 1 percent increase in the literacy rate would increase economic growth by about $18 billion annually. Investing in literacy has a high rate of return on investment, at 241 percent.
Here in Canada, the people most affected by illiteracy are:
People who experienced abuse or neglect when they were young
People who had their schooling interrupted by poverty or discrimination
Children with undiagnosed learning disabilities
Seniors who only received an elementary education
Aboriginal individuals
Immigrants who do not speak English or French as their main language
Learning To Read Is An Essential Life Skill
Literacy reaches beyond just reading. There are aspects of literacy in practically everything we do. From finding a doctor and making healthy lifestyle choices to taking the right bus to get to work, the need for reading skills are all around us. We have to make reading a priority from childhood into old age.
There are many reasons people do not get literacy help when they get behind in their skills. It might be fear, or low self-esteem or a lack of confidence. Sometimes, it’s simply poverty and not having the time to better oneself. It might even be a lack of resources and not having books to read.
The United Nations has designated September 8 as International Literacy Day. This year marks its 50th anniversary, and the theme for 2016 is “Reading the Past, Writing the Future.” Over the past 50 years, the number of young adults who don’t have literacy skills has decreased by 25 percent. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova stated in her message for ILD, “The world has changed since 1966 – but our determination to provide every woman and man with the skills, capacities and opportunities to become everything they wish, in dignity and respect, remains as firm as ever. Literacy is a foundation to build a more sustainable future for all – this is UNESCO’s message.”
You Can Make a Difference
Multiple organizations throughout the world are working hard to bring books and other reading materials to people in areas that lack these things. Here in Canada, you can learn to be a reading tutor and help individuals learn to read or to improve their skills. As a tutor, you have to be part coach and cheerleader, teacher and friend to keep someone on the track to literacy.
Read to your children. Encourage others to read and maintain their skills. Get news through reading and not watching and listening. Partner with an organization that is bringing books to communities where there are no books. World Literacy Foundation has many ways to volunteer for literacy and education. Don’t let this year’s International Literacy Day pass by without taking some time to make a difference in the life of someone who needs to learn to read.
