The 1989 Ask Anything Tag

As a lot of you probably know, I am a HUGE Taylor Swift fan. Honestly, I don't even think huge begins to cover it? And this year, with the release of 1989 and what seems to be like a more grown-up, mature and confident Taylor, my love for her has only grown. She's just so talented and admirable and adorable and cute and funny and I CAN'T EVEN WITH HER.

So, when I saw this tag on Charlotte's Web (a lovely lifestyle blog you should follow) there wasn't any question that it was going to be my next post. Note that this was originally created by Mark!

And yes, I did sing the corresponding song loudly and obnoxiously while answering these questions. How could I not? And no, my parents were not alarmed because this is basically what a typical day in our household has been like for the past month since 1989 was released. It's all day, every day.

1. Welcome to New York: If you could live in any city, which would it be and why?

I'm the type of person who is put off and afraid of change, which is probably why I cannot imagine myself living anywhere other than Toronto. Although I do have this intense yearning to travel the world and visit new places, I do not have any urge to ever pack up my bags and bid goodbye to Toronto forever and live somewhere entirely new. It's not like Toronto is amazing though it is the perfect size and has everything I could ever possibly need, but it's... home. And it's familiar. And I think I'd have a tough time leaving that. Most likely I'll probably leave for university and then I might jump around after that and explore but I think I'll always end up back in Toronto and I don't really have a desire to live anywhere else.

But just to humour you, I guess I'd pick New York or Paris or London if I could live anywhere else. Though honestly, I'd probably get fed up after two weeks and book a flight back straight to Toronto. But in theory, I might want to live there.

Sorry. That answer wasn't very fun.

2. Blank Space: What is something that everyone thinks is true about you but is actually false?

I think a lot of people have this perception of me that I am perpetually happy and cheerful and loud. Like I'm always giggling and nice and squealing and essentially, a giant five year old. Which isn't a totally unfair judgement because I am all those things but perhaps not to the extent that some seem to think? Like I'm also always exhausted and moody and angry and ranty and pissed off. I'm also really awkward and shy in new uncomfortable social situations. My tongue gets into knots and I don't know what to say because I'm just OVERTHINKING everything whereas with people I know, it comes by a lot more comfortably. But then conversely, I think that people I don't know as well, who I've just met have this perception that I'm really quiet and shy which I can be but not after I really get to know you. And I think people also don't expect me to swear? Because I've gotten some surprised reactions after I say fuck or shit like ten times in a row. And also that I'm always goofing off and never serious. But I guess that sorta relates to what I said before.

3. Style: What is one item in your closet that makes you feel unstoppable?

Probably my high waisted skinny jeans that I actually wear MUCH too often but I just love them so much? Like they fit me so nicely (besides the fact that they're a bit too long) and they rise to just the right height and THEY'RE JUST SO NICE. Also I love my Keds even though they're falling apart a bit and I HATE to admit it but I actually really love my ankle boots? Technically they're my mum's from the eighties and I wore them once on a rainy day because they're leather and I didn't have anything else that was waterproof like that except for my runners and at first, I totally despised them but now... they've grown on me. I also rather like this black sweater I have and this v-neck that I never wear because it's too big but is actually so comfortable and makes me feel like "fun and cool girl" when I'm lying on my bed watching TV. Also when I'm wearing my best bra. Is that too weird to say but you know how (assuming we're all female here) you have that one bra (or maybe more than one) that's like really good and nice so whenever you put it on, you immediately feel like you're ready to kick the day in its behind? Or maybee it's just me...

4. Out of the Woods: What is one thing that you're afraid of?

Pigeons. Which is quite unfortunate because the streets of Toronto are filled with pigeons. And there's this one alley I know that is always filled with flocks and flocks of pigeons that are so fat because they just hang around eating all the food that people leave out. SO GROSS. I hate pigeons almost as much I'm scared of them. Whenever there's a pigeon in my way, I always take pains to avoid it and step around it because I don't want to bug it. And if there's a pigeon flying straight at me, I'll also move out and maybe duck too.

I'm also really afraid of change as I've already mentioned. I don't want things to change and just thinking about my future and how DIFFERENT everything could be scares me. I don't want to adjust to change, I just want everything to stay the same.

I'm also scared of being alone, like having everyone I love die and then being left by myself. That scares me as well.

5. All You Had To Do Was Stay: Who is someone you wish was still in your life?

My grandfather died when I was 7 and I wish he was still here just so I could get to know him better. I wasn't really hit hard by his death because I was so young and had yet to understand what was going on and no one really bothered to explain it to me but also because I didn't really know him. But from what I've heard, he was a really great man and so I wish he was still here to get to know him now that I'm older.

And besides my grandfather, I guess I also wish some of my old friends were still in my life? And yeah... that's it. I've only been alive for fifteen years which isn't that much so my list obviously isn't very extensive.

6. Shake It Off: What is something you have had to shake off?

When I get bad marks, I tend to get really disappointed so I need to learn how to shake it off. Also the fact that things won't always go my way and will not always be like how I expect them to be. And I'm always, always shaking off insecurity and other things my brain likes to nag me about. Sometimes, I get into REALLY REALLY bad and unhealthy mental states so I need to shake that off as well.

7. I Wish You Would: What is something you'd like to happen right now?

I'd rather like my dad to surprise me now with Chipotle takeout. And maybe also Taylor Swift at my door with batches of yummy cookies and pastries. And a bunch of other things but then you'd probably think I was selfish and materialistic and horrible so I'll stop now.

8. Bad Blood: Have you ever had someone stab you in the back?

Hmm, in all honesty I think I've probably stabbed people in the back more times than others have stabbed me in the back. I was NOT a nice or good person when I was younger or even like two years ago. Those things are probably some of my biggest regrets and I've been trying to be a better person and I'd like to think that I have come a longgg way from second grade or third grade or even fourth grade and seventh grade. There are still times when I know I'm being rude or mean but in general, I haven't done anything really really horrible like I have in the past. But I'm still continuing to strive to be just a better person in general.

9. Wildest Dreams: What would you like to be remembered for?

I'd like to be remembered for my kindness and humour and intelligence and just ALL GOOD THINGS that I don't actually possess and doubt I will ever possess.

10. How You Get The Girl: What is your favourite pick-up line?

I don't think any of the standard pick up lines are ever successful, are they? Honestly I don't know. I know a lot of Harry Potter ones and just random ones but I don't know if I would encourage anyone to actually use them and I don't know if I'd appreciate them being used on me. Partly because they're also really dirty. So yeah... I'll just leave this blank because I don't know what to say.

11. This Love: What is something you got back that you never thought you would?

One time I lost a marker on a school bus and I was SO wrecked by it because I just hate losing anything and I really did not think that I was ever going to get it back but then the next day, the driver handed it to me. Also that time I lost one of my mittens and that time I lost a library book. Do you notice a trend here?

12. I Know Places: Where is one place you always feel safe?

My home. And maybe also the homes of other people that I'm close with. Also planes make me feel very safe and so do hotels.





13. Clean: What is an important lesson you have learned in life, and how did you learn it?


I have learned so many lessons over the years but probably the most important one I've learned is to be an honest person. And that lying usually only causes more trouble for you (though I still lie a lot but not in serious situations. Mostly just in situations where I figure it doesn't matter if I lie. It probably still isn't good). And how you should also try not to lie to yourself. That's something my mum says a lot that admittedly, I still don't fully understand but I try to remember it. And this lesson has gotten repeated to me over and over in my life but usually it has to do with lying about something bad I've done to get out of trouble.



OK that's the tag! I feel like I got REALLY, REALLY personal when answering these questions. Probably the most personal I've ever gotten... Yikes! Now it's your turn: pick one question (or multiple) to answer in the comments! I'm looking forward to hearing from you! 

Oh, The Burden of Borrowing Books!

Hi guys. Annie here, popping in for a bit. It's been a rocky few months for me with this blog but I'm going to LEGITIMATELY try to get it up and running again. At this point, you're probably all like YEAH RIGHT. I know, I know - I'm starting to sound like a parrot, just parroting everything I've already said. But I'm serious! So, let's see how this works.

Anyway, today I wanted to talk to you guys about borrowing books and the BURDEN of borrowing them. And to clarify, I mean borrowing books from PEOPLE like your friends and not an institution like the library. Honestly, there shouldn't be any difference between the two but there is. Obviously when borrowing any book, you have a natural pressure to not lose it and not ruin it. But there's also varying levels of that pressure and with library books, it's a LOT less.

For starters, library books have usually been read by multiple other people before you (unless you're lucky and manage to get your hands on a BRAND NEW book) so they're probably already not in the best condition by the time you pick it up. Which is not to say that you can just go free willy with them (and I certainly don't want to give you the impression that I do) but in general, you won't have to face that horrifying moment of dropping a brand new book on the floor for the first time or cracking the spine for the first time or accidentally creasing a page for the first time. Because it's already been done by OTHERS!

Also, the hardcovers have protective plastic covers. Which I find EXTREMELY helpful because hardcovers are always so much harder to take care of than paperbacks. It gives me anxiety (more on that later). With the plastic covers though, there's that extra barrier where it's like, "Okay, I can breathe a little bit".

And finally, even if you do end up returning a book in horrible condition, NO ONE will know it was you! Or maybe the computers have a way of tracking you down. But at least you don't have to face anyone while you do your walk of shame. Just mope all the way up to the drop off box and make a run for it!

So you see what I mean with there being less pressure when borrowing library books? Really all you need to focus on is not losing it and not completely shredding it and destroying it.

And borrowing books from friends? Well that's a completely separate story...

See, while I'm pretty good with my books, I'm also not SUPER careful with them. I know some of you are really particular with your books but me? I don't really CONSCIOUSLY think to be really, really careful. Like I won't go out of my way to ruin it but I also won't go out of my way to preserve its newness... if that makes sense. So usually my books will end up with some bent edges and some smudges and that doesn't really bother me. I actually prefer it when my books look read. The worst part of a new book is having to "break in" the new book because it's so stiff when you're reading and just doesn't feel like COZY FAVOURITE BOOK.

And that is a problem when a friend lends you their book and it's in PERFECT CONDITION. Generally speaking, the pressure of borrowing a friend's book is already higher than that of borrowing a library book (as we have discussed) but when it's in perfect condition? YOU DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONE THAT RUINS IT.

And when it's signed and personalized? LITERALLY HAVING A HEART ATTACK.

Maybe you can surmise that that's the predicament I'm in right now...

I currently have Blue Lily, Lily Blue from my friend and guess what? IT IS SIGNED AND PERSONALIZED BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER. One of her favourite authors. So naturally I am freaking out because as we've already discussed, I AM NOT A PARTICULAR CAREFUL READER.

And it's also in perfect condition so there's that. Basically I really really really CANNOT ruin or lose this book at all. Because it's signed. I can't just get another copy because now it has SENTIMENTAL meaning.

I feel like I'm going INSANE over this book because I'm not used to being so careful with anything at all. I'm a naturally careless person. Ask my mom. Or dad. I lose everything, drop everything. I'm just not good at being so careful! And though I haven't done anything horrible horrible to it, I did accidentally drop a teeny bit of water on it and then freaked it and ended up rubbing some of the paper fibres off. Also there are some gray smudges on the freaking nice white cover that wasn't there before. And the ends are a little stubby now.

OH DEAR LORD. SOMEONE HELP ME.

What about you? Do you feel a burden when you borrow books? And do you get freaked out when you're borrowing a SIGNED book? Like this is too much responsibility for me, TAKE IT BACK. This is why I would not be able to be Prime Minister. Also the fact that I don't get politics at all and would just be horrible in every single other aspect but MOSTLY because I wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility. Anyway, leave me your thoughts in the comments!

October 2014 Wrap Up

I feel like all I ever do lately are monthly wrap ups. Sigh. I'm still not sure what to do about this whole blogging thing. My heart just hasn't been in it. I have ideas that I think are really interesting but I don't have any motivation to put them into words. I'm still checking my Feedly daily but I have no interest in reading through all the posts and commenting. But I'm also not ready yet to totally call it quits. And I also don't want to because there is so much I haven't done yet and haven't achieved that I want to do. So I think I'm going to take it easy and maybe blog a bit now and then just to test the waters and maybe I'll fall back into it? Anyway, here's my wrap up for October! Not many books this month either.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
3 out of 5 stars

Completed October 6, 2014
I've already written a full review for this book which you can view here! If you want the short version however, it basically starts with someone else urging me to read it, me being extremely hesitant despite all the positive things I had heard about it and ends me with finding The Raven Boys really enjoyable! It was a little confusing to follow along with and I wanted more MYTHOLOGY but overall, it was a really solid first novel in a series! I'm actually starting the sequel now which is apparently a BILLION times better so I'm excited!

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes
4 out of 5 stars
Completed October 7, 2014
I had a total love/hate relationship with this book. There were things that really bugged me and that I didn't like but on the other hand, I was FLYING through this book and feeling the feelings so WHO KNOWS WHAT THE TRUTH IS? Like I found Lainey so incredibly annoying and immature and while it was much easier to tolerate towards the end, I still kinda hated her. And I kinda hated Micah too. On one hand he was sweet and on the other, just horrible and disgusting and not appealing at all. But like I said, I did read it in a day and enjoyed it even though I didn't love the characters so... Oh and I also wrote a review for this book even though I momentarily forgot about it...

Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Completed October 19, 2014
3 out of 5 stars
I read and LOVED the first two books of this series and going into the third book, had a really clear view of what I wanted to happen. Maybe that was the downfall of our relationship. While I didn't hate it (it still had that addiction factor I found in the previous two books), it definitely was my least favourite out of all three. It probably isn't fair to have my rating be based so much on the fact that things didn't go how I wanted them to go but honestly I can't really subtract my disappointment from everything else about this book. It's been tainted.  I just... GOD, I'm so unsatisfied with the ending. And I didn't like how things with Mary and Lillia and Kat were handled. And how we didn't find out anything about any of the other characters. And the ending didn't make sense. Sigh. Definitely disappointing.

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One more book read than in September! That's got to count for something, right? How was your month? What were the BEST books you read this month? And have you read any of these books? What were your thoughts?