SOCCER

I love sports. I've had the benefit of growing up in a very athletic household. My parents were actually ski instructors when they met. I've played everything from waterpolo, to basketball to my all time favorite: soccer. It's such an exciting sport... On top of being a great cardio work out, you develop coordination, sportsmanship from being on a team and pride from being part of wins. I can’t see myself ever giving it up. Even after a recent concussion I was dying to get back on the field. If my budget didn’t hinder my decision making, I would play 4 times a week instead of two. I even formed my own team this year, West Girls, and they are great, I’m so proud of them!! I hope I can continue to play for a really long time and keep meeting people that are just as motivated as me to play…

The Future...

As time passes I see more and more people my age getting married, buying homes and having children. It all seems so exciting. I don't want to rush the future but it seems like I'm excited for a taste of things to come. I've finally found someone who truly understands me and appreciates EVERYTHING about me (that is saying something!!). I've never had another person get me the way Iqbal does and I thank my lucky stars he is in my life. I'm curious how the next few years will unfold but have faith... I can't wait to share it all with my family and wonderful friends!! I'm also anxious to see how their futures unfold as they are all in pretty serious relationships... Time will tell ;)

COTTAGES...

I must say I love cottages… the whole idea of getting away from the loud sounds and pollution of the city and getting back to nature, with housing of course. I’m definitely not one for roughing it, I HATE MOSQUITOES!! I’ve had the priviledge of going to my Erina’s cottage for like 10 years now and every time I go it’s a complete blast!! Now my sister’s bf has a cottage but they don’t seem keen to have guests, I’m hoping to get invited soon but we’ll see. If I ever really get into the money, I’m definitely getting one!! It’s the simple pleasures: swimming in a lake, watching a sunset, making a bonfire…

Sex and the City meets the West Island

I love the West Island, I love the suburbs for that matter. All the trees, nice neighbors and a local hot spot to have a martini, it's perfect. The city seems so busy and cold and the country is far too rustic. But I feel like living in the suburbs you are expected to get married and have kids so much earlier then city folk. It's like this unwritten rule that if you are pushin 30, you might be in trouble... This rush to find a man and mate. Well I don't want to mate!! Well, more specifically I don't want babies yet. I'm having too much fun and babies change your life. I see my brother and his wife and all the concessions they have to make for their kids. I have to much left to do my friends and I am not going to let this theory of having kids early affect me!! Sex and the City here I come :)

Long time no talk... Happy Vday!

Ok, to be honest with you I thought I had completely lost my blog for like a year, hahaha... Anywho, I hope everyone is having a nice Valentine's day :) I have been feeling it from certain people that they think Vday is a hoax or a way to make $$$. I so don't think so! I think it's wonderful that one day a year is devoted to telling people you love them. Whether it be your loved one, family or friends, no one is alone. I am so grateful to have the most caring people in my life and I am glad to be reminded today that I need to tell them. That's all... oh ya, and I love my monkey ;)

So my friend Chris today has the audacity to tell me women my AGE are pretty much undatable because: " All ladies your age that are single have too many bad experiences and are jaded or plenty of baggage. It's just to much effort sometimes trying to prove your not the EX." At first I was furious and then it made me contemplate myself, my friends and my experiences. It's so true... Most of the time we aren't simply happy dating the nice guys we meet: they have to be perfect, and they definitely have to be a hell of alot better then the EX. This of course includes proving that they are trust worthy instead of trusting them right away, also proving they are worthy of our love because we are definitely not just going to give it up again... How does this problem get resolved? how do we get away from this stigma? And how do we learn to just accept these silly boys for who they are without always wanting to change them? Clearly I don't have the answer... But I would love to be enlightened...

Happy New Year

My dear Family and Friends,

I wanted to wish you a great upcoming new years~ 2007 is going to be fantastic I just know it! I am expecting a new nephew, attending weddings of wonderful friends and who knows what else. Whatever your plans are this New Year's Eve, make sure you have loads of fun, party hard if that is what you are in the mood for (I know I am) and get home safe.

Loads of love,

Anne-Marie -xxx-

I love Halloween :)

For as long as I can remember I have dressed up for halloween. When I was little, my mom used to make the best costumes for my sister and I. Of course, we often ended up wearing snowsuits over and under them killing the image, but it was all in good fun. Then we would go home and the candy triage would begin. Chocolate bars were always my favorite, so my sister would bargain with me so I could get more. My loot would be gone after one week, two tops! But Katherine always managed to keep hers for longer, she had incredible restraint for a kid!! Anywho, I love this time of year, I love the excuse that for one night a year, people can wear whatever they want without getting judged :) So everyone, I wish you a very happy halloween!

The Lazy Man has ruined it for us all...

I am sitting at work done my stuff for the day and am trying to figure out what to do... I have already advanced myself on several projects and am waiting for approvals or quotes or whatnot. I think to myself, there is an hour left to my day, why in the world can't I leave?! Because I am a 9 to 5er, even worst 8:15 to 5:30... I regularly do overtime and never mind because I love my job and I prefer to give it my all, it has proven to be the best way to go about it. Now, on the odd day where I finish my workload early I can't leave. You know why?! Because the mediocre man would take advantage of this and always leave early, because of the lazy person's attitude, I am stuck staying at work late writting blogs... Not that I mind sharing my insight with the world, it just highly frustrates me that I can't take my time and go to the gym or clean my house or anything except play on the internet. It boggles my mind and frustrates me... And that is my thought of the day :)

The importance of family & friends...

I have come to realize that because of love or pride sometimes we don't always see what is right in front of us... After seeing myself and many of my friends be in relationships with people that were so wrong for them, it makes me realize that denying all the people who love you most and wish nothing but the best for you is not always the way to go. Don't get me wrong, we have all been there. But the trick is to learn from our previous mistakes. I see so many of my friends so happy and finding that their families and friends were right all along. Now this is not restricted to relationships but it is the element in our life which we are often most stubborn about. I just hope for those who have not yet realized what everyone is telling them, that they will see the light...

Dr.Phil or Oprah...

Have you ever sat back to watch a Dr.Phil or Oprah episode to realize that the stories vividely reflected people you know?! Or worst, if was as if you were watching a story about your friends. I have honestly wanted to tape the episodes so I could give them to my friends so that they could see they are not alone and that they DO indeed have a problem and their behavior is irrational... It makes me think that we could all use a little therapy, some more then others... Not but really, you know who you are, lol!

Quality vs. Quantity

The older I get, the more I realize its hard to keep in touch. People have come into my life for seasons, reasons and lifetimes. The ones who will be around for a lifetime are the ones who understand that friendship is about the quality of time spent together, not the quantity... I only see some of my closest friends a few times a year because they either live far away or have riculously busy lives. Between work, spouses and family, it is so hard to balance a normal lifestyle without having demanding people in your life expecting too much.
Luckily, with time and good friends, you weed out the bad and treasure the good!

Friday bloody Friday...

Sitting in my office on a Friday at 5:45. The phone is dead and guess what I am doing?! Playing on the internet of course! This is ridiculous, I am exhausted, bored and aching to get out of here. I don't know who decided to make the work week 5 days but its ridiculous. At least give out special Friday hours, a finish at noon type of deal. It would certainly do wonders for everyone's moral and we would get so much more out of our weekend. Anyone in?

The beginning...

As per meeting a great new man recently, it has made me ponder on the beginnings of relationships, what makes them great, what makes it last... For one, my friend Ashley put it best when she called it the 'New Boy Syndrome'. Its the excitment of the unknown, the energy to get you through the everyday boring stuff for the anticipation of what will happen next. Will it keep getting better? As it gets better, you get more energy, it fuels all types of happiness. My friend Chris feeds off that feeling, loves the lustful passion that comes with meeting someone new. Once it dies down he is out looking for it again... Who wouldn't?! Its by far one of the best feelings. That is why they call it 'falling for someone', the feeling when you are on a rollercoaster and it soars down a big hill, everyone knows it! What comes next is another stage, but there is nothing like that 'honeymoon period', when you feel like nothing could stop you...

First Xmas Alone

So, every xmas for the last 9 years I have managed to come home with a man. He was not always smart enough, tall enough or honest, but he was mine. This xmas I bring myself, for the first time, I am not settling for the sake of having someone for the holidays. To tell you the truth, I am actually kind of looking forward to it. No more annoying in-laws, no more having to share the holidays with multiple families, no more expensive gifts that will not be truly appreciated! I have loads of time for family and friends without feeling obliged... Its quite wonderful... I mean, what is it about this time of year that makes us feel like we need to couple up: the multitude of dinner parties, family gatherings, sheer loneliness? Who knows, all I can say is I am not going to let it get to me... If I end up kissing a bottle vodka at the stroke of midnight, I will be a happy camper. (ok, maybe that last one was a bit much). In any case, I wish all my loved ones a happy and safe holiday season, much love to you all!

Not what you think...

After 6 days in the UK, it is safe to say I am not moving here. Thank God they sent me on a preliminary trip to see if I'd like it, because I don't. Not that it wasn't nice for a visit, but 3 to 6 months would seem unbearable! The shopping would also be amazing if everything wasn't so bloody expensive. So, for all those of you who were balling over my impending move, not to worry, I am staying at home!

UK here I come!

I am leaving you my loves... My first trip to England will start Oct 10th and end Oct 19th. A taste of things to come because then I am set to go for 3 to 6 months! An adventure I am keen on embarking. Thank God for supportive parents, sister, roomate and best friends. I can leave here knowing that everything will stay the same, that all will be taken care of and that I come back to a home. I am so excited to live another culture, although similar, so far! I do plan on snagging myself a prince and coming back with a full blown accent! I will miss you and hope everyone stays in contact... the ones that matter of course! Lots of love from the little French girl...

New Home!

So, I had all these fears about moving out and guess what, its great!! Patricia is awsome, she cooks such good food! Plus, we have both gained a wholenew wardrobe, which is key. And, its nice to have someone to come home and gossip with everyday! LOL! Living on your own is the best experience. But I would recommend to everyone to seriously save up, its good to have a cushion in the bank for all the unexpected things that come up, and they do, more then you think (ceiling leaking)! In spite of that, I love love love it!!!

Sad loss...

A childhood friend of mine passed away last week. Many of you probably know who he is: Ryan McMartin. We grew up together on Carlton Street and Beaconsfield. Wether we were at our legendary street parties or pool sleepovers, you can count on Ryan being up to something fun. He was a blast to be around and from the faces I saw today, willl surely be missed. Lisa (his sister) and my sister were the closest of friends when we were neighbors and our families shared so many great moments together. I wish them the best of luck in the time to come...

Happy Birthday Erin

On a brighter note, I would just like to inform everyone that it was my good friend Erin' s birthday today and we had a blast. I have fulfilled my scooter riding fantasy at last. I hope your day was awsome... it was so good to just chillax at Tony' s...