Jacob's Ladder

Jacob dreams there is a ladder from earth to heaven (Gen. 28)

I dream that too...

What do you dream about?

aaaahahahahahahaha....sorry, but this is the funniest thing ever!

A Lesson in Parenting...

as well as in bad parenting.

What is your definition of love?

I was reading one of the postings left on my blog (concerning the Top 10 Controversial Topics) and a friend of mine said that the reason why marriages aren't lasting is because people are giving up too easily. I somewhat agree...however, I think that a huge problem with marriage these days is that people have created an entirely different definition of LOVE, or maybe that different individuals define love differently from one another. To be honest...I think I've only been in love ONCE...and who knows..maybe I wasn't? Maybe I was telling myself I was so that I could prove something to myself? Or perhaps I was just a stupid, naive girl at the time? I don't know. I am not going to define love here on my blog..since I am not completely sure of it myself. I know that there is a difference between loving someone and being IN love...however, I can't say if I've been able to do both at the same time. What is your definition of love? Personally, I do not think it is a feeling one gets...but its an action one performs. I think today there is less of an emphasis on actions and more of an emphasis on that feeling u get when "in love." I see lots of my friends who are in these relationships....and its so obvious to the rest of the world that its not going to work...however, who are we to judge, right? Everyone wants to be in love these days...its like we're all on some timeline or something. Take your time...think it through....don't have children with someone you do not love (lol). Be careful what you wish you....be careful what comes out of your mouth...and be careful who you give your heart to....

sometimes its just not real....

Crazy...

What do you consider "insane?"

What goes around...comes around

Picasso had many women to feed his muse. He abused them all, and at the end of his life his doctor cut off his balls. Karma? Probably so. Picasso made great art...but this doesn't mean he had a kind heart.

10 Most Controversial Topics (according to Annie)

I was thinking back to many discussions I've had with family, friends, and classmates. Here I've listed the TOP 10 MOST CONTROVERSIAL topics (or unanswered questions) that always find a way to provoke me...and I've never been fully convinced of one's argument, as well, I've never been able to fully convince someone else either concerning any of these topics (unless that person share the same view right from the beginning). If you like, choose a topic or question that you'd like to answer here on my blog and I want to see what the rest of you are thinking and how convincing your argument can be. Just mention (by number) which topic you've chosen!

1) As we head into another decade of unrelentingly high divorce rates, could you give a reason (or theory) as to why people just can't stay married???

2) Perhaps this is a similar question, but do you think there has been less emphasis on family structure in the past 20 years? If so, what do you think has contributed to the growing destruction of the family system?

3) This may be a personal question...but are you conservative or liberal? other??? What are your reasons for your current position?

4) What do you think should be done about all the homeless people on our streets?

5) How do you feel about euthanasia?

6) Do you think that there should be more strict bans placed on pornography? what is your definition of "pornography" and do you distinguish it from "erotica?"

7) Do you think that the media has had adverse affects on kids these past 10-15 years? Why do some kids fall victim to media and the whole idea of "image" and others simply do not? Are schools or are parents responsible for educating these children?

8) How do you feel towards women in law enforcement, sports, or the military? Do you think that there are just some positions that a woman should not or can not hold?

9) How do you feel towards single women who purposefully become single mothers through a sperm bank? Do you think its important for a child to grow up with two parents (mom and dad) or do you think its not as important that the child grow up with both genders in their life? Is gender just an illusion then?

10) Are there ways to improve a capitalist society? Could socialism (given a few alterations) actually work? What do you think of our current capitalist society?

Did you hear about the blind man who went bungee jumping?

He loved it!!!!

but it scared the shit out of his dog.

Kathy and I taking "Glamour"/"Movie Star" shots at her house! And YES...we are silly girls! Any mean comments and I'll iron your face!

I thought that freedom can only be defined as endless choice & I only listen to the logic of the loudest voice. This world will be shaken by a whisper

I was watching this documentary the other night about a woman who was from Toronto and she was trying to find her islamic faith. By the end of the documentary she just couldn't say that she was truly a muslim...because of the many things this religion required of her and she thought they were weird and unfair practices for women. If she had grown up in the Middle East, she wouldn't have thought anything weird or unfair about these practices..and she would have probably enjoyed wearing the hijab. Who knows!

I started to think about whether any of us truly make our own decisions in society and if the reason we are making certain decisions is because we truly believe in the choices we are making...or whether we are just conforming to the norms of the society we live in. Obviously there are many women who were born and raised in North America, however, they still wear the hijab. The veil is not a uniquely Islamic convention; the practice has a long history in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Catholic nuns engage in the practice, of course, and there are several references to the practice in both the Old and New Testaments (King James Version). Ironically, the representation of veiling in the Bible is much more problematic than those in the Qur'an or the Hadith, because the Judeo-Christian sources imply that women should be covered because of their inherent inferiority. I mean, is it wrong of me to say that these women are missing out on life? on opportunities? If they think they have everything they've ever needed...then who am I to say I am a woman with many more opportunities...when I am constantly searching for so many things in my life? Are these women just pretending to be happy? Pretending that they enjoy this life they are forced to live? Among Muslim women, the debate about hijab takes many forms. Many believe that the veil is a way to secure personal liberty in a world that objectifies women. Several women have argued that hijab allows them freedom of movement and control of their bodies. Understood in such terms, hijab protects women from the male gaze and allows them to become autonomous subjects. Others have argued that the veil only provides the illusion of protection and serves to absolve men of the responsibility for controlling their behavior.

My main question is...are we just merely conditioned by our society? Why do I have the opinions I do and why do those women have the opinions they do? Do we really have free choice? Or are we simply influenced by the society we live in?

Gotta light?

Okay, so as many of you know, I've been a social, casual, whatever you want to call it, "smoker" for the past 3-4 years or so. Its actually a bad habit I picked up while in Europe the summer of 2001. Yeah, it was definetely the summer when I tried many new things..............woah, I'm getting carried away here. Anyways, even though I hardly ever buy my own pack (unless I'm going to some party or something and don't feel like bumming off people), and I probably only smoke 3-5 cigarettes a month, I wouldn't consider myself a smoker. Yikes!!!! This is the part where you say: "Annie, you're in denial!!!" And the truth is, yeah, I've been in denial for a really long time. The fact that I have really great friends who are doing a super job supporting my quitting and really helping me has been a tremendous help. As well, since I no longer do it as an "image" thing (cause we ain't in Europe anymore), I find myself hiding when I smoke, and keeping it a secret from the people I'm closest to. I feel like a loser when I smoke and I never want to be caught puffing...its SO not cool. My argument was always comparing my 5 cigarettes a month to someone who has 5 burgers a month and I personally think this person will die of heart failure before I do...however, the fact that I am not into burgers is GREAT...but the fact that I smoke even 5 cigarettes a month is STUPID. So, I've decided to check in here every week and let you know how my quitting is going and I hope that this may be an inspiration to some of you smokers out there! I need to STOP!!! I'm a pretty healthy girl right now and I'd like to stay that way (yes! I'd like to have babies one day!!!) The last cigarette I had was Jan 8th while out for Tim's bday! So wish me luck! And if anyone has any encouraging advice or tips...post them here!

Cheers,
annie!

Cold, painful to the touch...this is winter.

Sitting in Kat's Kitchen - Christmas Eve 2004 

How to Spot a Rich Guy...

What are you thinking about???

Why don't you scratch my back and chew the tongue I chew?

I'll drink another drink for you...
One, two, three, four, five, once I drank a fish alive.
I'll drop another pill for you...
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, did it before, I'll do it again.
I'll tell another joke for you...
Did you hear the one about the one that looks like you?
I'll sleep with sleep arounds for you...
Why don't you scratch my back and chew the tongue I chew?
I'm alright
I'll tell another lie for you...
Tell you what you wanna hear, but that don't make it true.
I'll wear another smile for you...
That way you know I'm fine, and having fun with you.
I'll draw another line for you...That way you know I'm hip, that way you know I'm cool.
I'll smoke another smoke for you...I'll blow back in your mouth and you can blow back too.
I'll take another punch for you...
Tie my hands behind my back, that way you cannot lose.

I'm looking right back at you... 

New Years Eve at Studio99

This is what it looked like throughout the night inside of Studio 99. Crazy lights..crazy music...pretty frikkin' crazy people! However, we had an amazing time!!!

Crazy CRAZY New Years Eve! Me, Christina and Sarah at Studio 99. 

New Years Eve: Me and Willy (Christina) at the Friendly Thai (located at Queen and Bathurst). This was the restaurant we went to before the big party that night. Absolutely fabulous! Yum... 

"Everything we see is always hiding something else..."
Titled "Son of Man." Artist, Rene Magritte.

Drop Dead Stupid

Okay, just for fun...I wanted to list a few of the things that make me shake my head... roll my eyes...and even when the person next to me will have to pick up my jaw since I'm just standing there...stunned...with my mouth wide open! I think some people should check out the Sylvan Learning Centre. "Learning feels good!"

People who are constantly making the SAME stupid spelling mistakes. Like those who spell tommorow instead of tomorrow....or than when they really meant to say then. This really bothers me.

Idealism. I'll admit...I can be idealistic myself. However, I'm not sure if some people are just "setting" goals...or whether they are just in denial.

I really find it amusing during exam period (while most people are trying to study) there will be a few of those unfortunates trying to "pick up" one another. Like, if you run into a super hot person in the library...ask them if they'd like to take a break and grab a coffee. Don't sit there and have a loud and "flirty" conversation...because while these 2 people may be finding out about each other (i.e., where they're from, what program they're in, etc...), sounds romantic, huh? well everyone else around them is also finding out these facts as well. You can almost feel embarassed for them.

Drivers who pick their nose at a red light. Honestly....do these nose pickers not understand that the "inside of your vehicle" is still visible to the rest of the drivers near you? Another set of drivers who are a bunch of "winners" are those that speed on residential roads. Just FLY if you have to get there so damn quickly!

Parents who do not dress their children warm enough during the winter months. Please don't tell me that its too expensive to purchase a set of mittens or a hat or a scarf for your poor little child ($$$ dollar store $$$). Go to the salvation army if you have to and pick up a pair of gloves please.

People who share all the details pertaining to their sex lives with EVERYONE...ALL THE TIME. Unless you're my roommate or an extremely close friend of mine...I really don't want to know that you have bite marks on your tits...or that blood was sucked to the surface of your skin on your neck, and then ask me if I'd like to see the markings. Thanks, but no thanks.

"You can pretend to be serious; you can’t pretend to be witty."

Sense Field

Turn out the light...
Just say goodnight....to yourself,
May I remind you...when you find you, you're alone is when you've got to be strong.
Cause that;s when they call you, in the night...
He's got your picture in his mind...he's got your number in his pocket....
at his disposal..anytime.

Is it really true? Could you save yourself for someone who... loves you for you?
So many time we just give it away...to someone you met in a bar...or the back of a car.
And for a moment you felt important....but not in your heart.

I want to learn, how you save yourself for someone who, loves you for you.
So many times we just give it away to someone who, couldn't even remember your name. Could you save yourself for someone who, loves you for you, loves me for me?

Give it away to someone....who will cherish your name.

These are some of the lyrics from one of my favourite songs of all time. The band is called "Sense Field" and this particular song is titled "Save Yourself". The first time I heard this song...I could understand the lyrics so clearly...and they nearly made me cry. The tune will make you want to be a better person. Try and find this song...download it...you'll know what I mean.

xoxo - annie!

A New Year's to Remember...

Okay, first of all...I must say that Mercer Union threw an AMAZING party at Studio 99. For those of you who saw that SATC episode where they go to that club called "BED" you'd understand what I'd mean. It was so awesome! At first I thought I had walked into a rave...but then when it got crazy it was just a whole bunch of awesome people that truly made up a very interesting and diverse crowd! By the way, before heading to the party, we all went to this AMAZING Thai restaurant called "The Friendly Thai." Very delicious, very trendy, very Toronto!

I liked!!!!

By the end of the night (4:30a.m.) we decided to head home...and Karla and I had to escape from scary boys (as usual).

By the way...tongue rings are SUPER HOT!

I don't know what else to say....Janice..you looked super hot it took my breath away....Sarah, your tweed shoes rocked my world...Karla, thank you for dancing with me till the wee hours of the morning...Shauny I admire you and your strength....Wilson, thanks for inviting us to such an amazing party! Golden Griddle..thank u for putting up with our hangovers...

I truly wish all of you a very Happy New Year. I am praying that things will get better around the globe...may good health and good friends find you...and may the rest of those around the world find a safe haven eventually.

Peace,
xoxo - annie