Normal vs Abnormal

Have you ever had the experience that after you purchased accessaries and outfits in Japan, you couldn't find an opportunity where you could wear them in Vancouver? Those that seem to be the must-haves in Japan, would become "odd" in Vancouver. Our perceptions for beauty vary so much, that I began to wonder what is beauty and what is normal.

After we returned to Vancouver from Japan, we did not visit the malls for at least 6 months. At that point in time, we really missed our trip in Japan. Every store in Japan is unique in its own ways. You cannot find two stores that are the same. Sadly, our malls are occupied with the big-brands and franchised stores.

Last week I was looking for a pair of rain boots for our outdoor portrait sessions, but I could find only about two different brands in the malls. The stores carry only about 3 styles from those few brands. Other than the fact that they were not my preferred style, they were either way over my budget or they did not have my size. It is scary that the consumers in Vancouver are not given choices to select! I then see why Vancouverites wear similar cloths... we have no options.

While all of us want to fit in, we also want to be special. We do not want to bump into someone who wears the exact same shirt as we do. We get depressed when we cannot find a place where we are accepted for who we are. We then gave in and we conformed.

When my husband and I planned for our wedding, we wanted it to be unique. Why can't the brides choose their favourite colours to be their wedding gowns or bridesmaid dresses? Why do we need wedding cakes? Do we really need to print programs? Can't the wedding party be carrying something other than flowers when they walk to the altar? Wouldn't unity sand be more meaningful than extinguishable candles? Do Best man and Maid of Honour have to be the witnesses to sign our marriage certificate?

Being different will let you sacrifice a lot. You might have to overcome the negative judgments from others around you, you might need to persuade others to understand your reasons behind your actions, and you would have to find a balance so that you could honour your parents' concerns and at the same time have a meaningful wedding.

Take a look at the street fashion in Japan
Japanese Streets
and consider changing our attitudes to those who differ from us.

Perhaps one day, we will see more bold, novel, and extraordinary weddings in Vancouver!