tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:59:46 +0000realityintrospectionmotivationintrospection realityrandomrantrationalityopinionsramblingpoetryself carecringecomic reliefcomedy reliefA peek at the messy puree that is my mind...https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger783125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-3827441154738345456Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:59:46 +00002026-04-26T22:59:46.457-04:00introspectionintrospection realityrandom It's Sunday evening and last night, when I was passing the time on the internet, the algorithm invited me to two ghost-themed topics: the film Ghosted and the Appalachian Mountains. I saw the film Ghosted when it was released about 3 years ago and enjoyed it very much. The plot was absolutely outrageous and hilarious and I enjoyed all the little symbolic details and dialogue. I forgot which https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/04/strange-algorithm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-1594940612937538212Sun, 19 Apr 2026 03:48:00 +00002026-04-19T00:30:53.527-04:00motivationreality Entrance to Emmanuel College Library, University of Toronto     I took the photo above a few days ago when I went to that location. My workload during this part of the year is unusually full and I became slightly ill during the latter part of this week, and thanks to loads of warm drinks including commercial and my own versions of honey citrus mint tea, I recovered quickly.&https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/04/head-over-heels-for-power-outlets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-8200029994511076874Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:32:22 +00002026-03-17T17:44:43.155-04:00reality (File:An Arch leading to Sir Daniel Wilson Residence, University of Toronto.jpg. (2023, August 8). Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:An_Arch_leading_to_Sir_Daniel_Wilson_Residence,_University_of_Toronto.jpg&oldid=791096022.)Let me tell you about this mostly unremarkable situation involving my library access. My access https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/03/between-buttery-and-owlery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-2929668174382252293Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:01:00 +00002026-02-27T11:06:18.875-05:00introspectionintrospection realityImage by Ri Butov from PixabayI’m reading Fast Asleep by Dr. Michael Mosley, and the “Challenging Your Thoughts” section on page 100 resonated with me. Like many others, I have thoughts that surface before I go to bed (or throughout the day), and these affect my sleep. Dr. Mosley suggests a bit of cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, which I've actually gone through when I had therapy years https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/02/phone-extension.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-4953057627401064300Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:10:00 +00002026-02-22T18:32:16.586-05:00introspectionI've been writing for myself for approximately 30 years, which is equivalent to two-thirds of my life. That includes diaries and this medium here. I recently joined a mailing list of an academic centre focused on humanistic inquiry (they offer degree programs in philosophy, theology, and the like) that also features a variety of short workshops. They have an upcoming half-day workshop on writing https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/02/continue-to-give-myself-permission.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-6171798359721659998Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:58:00 +00002026-02-22T18:35:04.881-05:00introspection realitymotivationI just saw a short clip of Amy Poehler and Claire Danes where they mentioned that they have the same enneagram: 8. So I became curious and tried to find out mine: 5. Last week, I determined my dominant female archetype(s): a tie across lover, creator, and mystic. I already knew since years ago that my personality is INFJ. So, I then took the short form of the Big Five IPIP test which is https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/01/further-self-examination.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-7951628301362970118Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:17:00 +00002026-01-23T11:17:09.999-05:00motivationThe first month of the year hasn't ended yet and I'm feeling fatigued. I attribute it to the depressing and bitterly cold weather, and it's threatening to get even colder. A quiet, summer lakeside getaway without an itinerary sounds fantastic. Just my family, some cooking, sunrises and sunsets, a body of water, and a whole lot of quiet nature. No pressure, private, and uninfluenced. That's enoughhttps://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/01/water-and-warmth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-1187775902312465011Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:35:00 +00002026-01-21T09:37:55.850-05:00randomA new year is here! Did the holidays involve some disruption by seasonal viruses and unpleasant weather? I'm sorry if that's the case.I borrowed this book by Dr. Michael Mosley entitled "Fast Asleep" and was reminded about the importance of sleep. Especially the part of our cycle involving deep sleep where our brain receives an increased amount of cerebrospinal fluid as a sort of deep cleaning https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2026/01/predispositions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-7785718565513440030Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:04:00 +00002026-01-03T17:08:21.001-05:00introspection realitymotivationWhere has time gone? I think that my perspective of time is wildly distorted because of the speed in which technology developed and continues to develop during my lifetime. I feel that 1975 to 2000 was a bigger interval compared to 2000 to 2025. Maybe it's the illusion given by 19xx compared to 20xx? Additionally, I feel ironic. I'm old yet I'm young. For the 1975-2000 era, I'm surely old...but https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-quarter-of-this-century-already.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-9039315056555265293Wed, 12 Nov 2025 01:27:00 +00002025-11-11T20:27:56.448-05:00introspectionIt’s a worry-filled day, and it’s probably a sign that I’m coming out of an almost burnout situation. That was about two weeks of nonstop, robotic hyper-processing with no mental real estate available for anything else. When the plate has been finally cleared, all these other stuff stampeded inside my head today. Unnecessary worry on top of exhaustion. I have to remind myself that I'm safe. I https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/11/cycling-through-cycles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-7130610319586053128Sun, 26 Oct 2025 23:14:00 +00002025-10-26T19:14:30.131-04:00introspectionmotivation As the lunchtime celebration I attended earlier today was about to end, a large tray of fortune cookies was served. I grabbed one at the edge of the pile and got this:Although random and surely inconsequential, it's nice to feel like I'm interesting even if in a fictional sense. I thought about being some person with some relevant insights about some particular topic and people would https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/10/side-eye-ing-universe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-5482997606650825515Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:03:00 +00002025-10-23T20:14:33.158-04:00introspection realityrant Overwhelmed...I thought to share the section of the poem Desiderata that provides some comfort:"Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have ahttps://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/10/nourish-yourself-against-dark-imaginings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-1638044697988976375Sat, 11 Oct 2025 01:34:00 +00002025-10-10T21:44:24.083-04:00comedy reliefintrospection realitymotivationMy Thursday involved back-to-back meetings and I was relieved by lunchtime when I was able to spend part of it in quiet meditation and then mass. The priest quoted part of St. John Henry Newman's poem, and I'm sharing it here below:Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,Lead Thou me on;The night is dark, and I am far from home,Lead Thou me on.Keep Thou my feet;I do not ask to see the https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/10/lead-kindly-light.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-3875878577107513788Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:02:00 +00002025-09-09T21:13:40.987-04:00introspection realitymotivationramblingImage SourceI wonder what's it like to be at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Light Box? Last weekend, I saw on the official TIFF IG that there are promotional booths--even coffee? Would 30-40mins be sufficient to briefly explore, say on a Monday? Why am I asking the etherwebs (Get it? Ether: Air, Webs: short for Interweb or Internet)? This is a continuation of my last post and I amhttps://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/09/whats-in-light-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-8548382184943329399Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:15:00 +00002025-09-04T16:23:01.431-04:00introspection realityPhoto SourceAs I ascend toward the surface after a lengthy dive session, I am wide-eyed with anticipation at the idea of breathing fresh air.It has been either brain-draining/mind-bending work, back-to-back social activities with friends and kin, and an uplifting pilgrimage at a sacred site out of town--and this brief reprieve feels so good. Of course, there are still ongoing day-to-day things tohttps://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/09/surface-interval.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-7705349394691161010Wed, 06 Aug 2025 01:06:00 +00002025-08-05T21:06:09.855-04:00realityThis summer had some dips here and there, but mostly a lot of highs. I visited Quebec City for the first time, reconnected with friends and family whom I haven't seen for a while, and I entered into a personal consecration. I saw a few movies and shows, and read a bit. I discovered a number of coffee shops and I still have a few in my bucket list. I'm rediscovering old albums on Spotify includinghttps://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/08/eventful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-2316261278773789691Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:16:00 +00002025-08-13T19:23:42.879-04:00motivationrealityI'm currently listening to the soundtrack of the film Out of Africa, which I have never seen! I saw an Instagram post by Classic FM where presenters mentioned their favourite music for concentration, and a presenter raved about how in university she would be able to finish so much work whenever she listened to the full Out of Africa album. I've listened to the full soundtrack a few https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/06/productivity-in-movement.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-7942342607803943771Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:55:00 +00002025-06-16T14:32:09.512-04:00introspectionI thought the phrase abject penury sounded sophisticated despite its definition. I didn't know what penury meant while I was reading yesterday's daily meditation from volume 3 of Francis Fernandez's In Conversation with God. The sentence on p. 549 states, "God asks us always to bear in mind the abject penury of our condition, so that we may avoid the danger of ever becoming conceited."Abjecthttps://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/06/abject-penury.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-2891400314178712292Thu, 29 May 2025 01:26:00 +00002025-05-28T21:27:19.712-04:00opinionsWell hello there. This quick post is to declare on the interwebs that using an em-dash or semi-colon doesn't necessarily mean that an AI chatbot was used. I enjoy using the em-dash and/or the semi-colon to be more conversational (when appropriate). Or maybe I've read too many texts that use both punctuation marks. Technology has become so advanced (and continues to rapidly advance) so that https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/05/i-shouldnt-worry.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-6937387034727185Thu, 17 Apr 2025 01:19:00 +00002025-04-17T22:15:09.649-04:00motivationrealityself careYesterday, I attended a work-sponsored webinar on restful sleep and discovered a few strategies to combat poor quality sleep. For example, if your mind is racing and have difficulty falling asleep, try to write down your thoughts as a way of unloading your brain. The speaker raved about camping pillows and how it could be comfortable as an alternative to regular pillows. Other things discussed https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/04/rested-and-alert.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-5146128643139843063Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:21:00 +00002025-03-11T14:21:03.982-04:00introspection realityYou can, for example, never foretell what any one man will do, but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to. Individuals vary, but percentages remain constant. So says the statistician.(Sherlock Holmes, The Sign of Four, as quoted from Chapter 1 - Probability Theory, Statistical Inference 2nd Ed. by Casella & Berger)I am not a listener of the Grateful Dead like many https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/03/a-long-strange-trip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-8895768842511390762Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:49:00 +00002025-03-13T15:14:35.611-04:00introspection realitymotivationrationalityreality I wish I could find this internet thing that says something about wishing for a break from historical human events. Like Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook, I have deactivated my Twitter account--after 15 years. It has become filled with bots and trolls and has decreased in trustworthiness. It has become a space of anarchy and utter disrespect. And the strategy of mass repetition of a https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/03/when-it-is-ad-hominem-dispose-as-refuse.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-1002704275253945155Mon, 24 Feb 2025 23:09:00 +00002025-02-26T11:27:15.199-05:00introspection realityrantrealityImage Source (Pexels)Overt abuse of power and transgressive leadership are tolerated by supporters who assume that such behaviour is justified for the sake of group or identity advancement (interesting link to a scientific paper here). People identify themselves as belonging to a particular coordinate within the left-right political spectrum and/or cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/02/leaves-will-soon-grow-from-bareness-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-59077085436927737Fri, 14 Feb 2025 04:23:00 +00002025-02-16T12:07:25.758-05:00introspection realitymotivationI made these delicious stuff.I have re-fixated on fragrances again; a rekindling of what I had during this post https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2022/06/olfaction-reprise.html. Interestingly, I still have some of the Fico di Amalfi cologne by Acqua di Parma, which is more appropriate during warmer weather. Not wearing it today. Today is literally a snow day and the roads have only been https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/02/fruity-floral-sweet-and-savory.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977374.post-2246642223676150391Fri, 24 Jan 2025 19:21:00 +00002025-01-25T11:53:15.399-05:00introspectionmotivationrealityself care I began writing this post while waiting at the venue where my children were having their winter extracurricular sports activity. Ambient sounds included conversations between parents and children who had just finished with their gymnastics, swimming, music, or multisport session, or parents doing flexible remote work on some corner of the centre. What a unique experience! I situated myself https://annaswhatnots.blogspot.com/2025/01/some-ways-to-live-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0