What would you prefer?

One love!

I know I have been gone for a while now... 
I decided I would not post anything unless it was of great personal value to me.

I have been working on my perspective and therefore I needed to take a step back.

What is important to me and why? 
Also; what do I want to share with you, my reader.

Wich angle do I want to show you and why?

I have looked back at many of my posts and I stand by my words, but I see now the desperate tone in many of them. In the future I will like to show you more of what is really important to me! Not that the passion for what I do has ever been missing, but I have been running around, chasing a dream that has all the time been right in front of me. I will try to be PRESENT! I am living in this moment and that will be my personal goal to achieve. 

Be present - live in the now! And I hope I can portray this also in my posts...

So...

Last week I fled the country and went to the Caribbean. Two good friends of mine were getting married and I needed some time away.

I spent my days in the Dominican Republic enjoying life to the fullest and reminding myself of how lucky I was to be there. 

The pulse in DR is so different from what it is in Norway. We have so many rules and regulations, no wonder we are more often than not uptight. The Caribbean is all about "mañana, mañana" and people are more tolerant. At least this was my impression! 

To feel the warm breeze caressing my body and to feel the sand between my toes made me suddenly want to move from the cold weather and snow in Norway. 

You have not lived unless you:

- drink a cold Caribbean beer

- pick coconuts from the palm trees

- make new friends 

- open up to another culture and way of living

- drive a scooter in crazy traffic

- eat watermelon with your hands (make a big mess)

- have a barbecue with the locals while listening to Bob Marley

- sit in a back seat of a car with 6 other people

- order room service in the middle of the night because you feel like it

- stay at a 5 star all inclusive resort

- go to a wedding on the beach

- drink a dirty monkey

- have champagne for breakfast

- go to an airport with no walls

- travel by yourself at least once

This is MY history!

ONE LOVE!!!

I can no longer hold my tongue...

A dumber society?


There is a lot of focus lately on the superficial.
Do you know that we all support this in one way or another?


We are in the process of accepting a less intellectual society.
There is more and more focus on our exterior and the materialism that surrounds us.
When I hear about a 16-year old that got a Botox shot from her mum as a Christmas gift I have to say that would be my limit!
Where are we expecting this to lead us?
It´s a vicious cycle that has spun out of control.
New reality shows are being presented all the time and they are getting more and more (feel free to fill in what you consider appropriate...)
Did you realise that these people are making millions on their lack of integrity and pride?
Sure there can be positive side effects as well, but at this point I fail in the attempt of mentioning only one...


You have to make money and shit loads at that, to be someone it seems.
What happened to what´s on the inside?
Have we thrown it all away?


You have to dress like this, or work with this, and socialise with these...
Come on!
Where did the brains go?
And the qualities?


It is sad to see that with the problems we are facing today, it is under no circumstance changing for the better.
It is NOT fair that while millions are suffering, you have people like Kim Kardashian making more money in one year than those who suffer will probably make in a lifetime.
And why is she making all these millions?
Because we are letting her.
We are watching her tv shows and buying magazines when she is on the cover.
I don´t mean to attack her in person, but in this particular post she is representing a rather new phenomenon:
The celebrity who is famous for being a celebrity...

I am not judging her in any way, although I realise, it may seem like I am.

What she makes is non of my concern and I am sure she works hard.

In aw, I am a contributing bystander of this new era and watch while they multiply.
I wonder when this trend will turn or if it ever will?




I will also like to point out the bloggers...
According to my sources blogging has been going on for about 8 years in Norway, but it is the past 3-4 years it has really gone big.
We are claiming a position in the written freelance culture that has up to recently been neglected by respected media.
Most of the top bloggers (note I am not one of them) share their lives on a personal basis, which I think is a good thing.
 Young people need role models!
But the problem arises when the most popular blogs write about less intelligent topics like make up, fashion or how to braid your hair.
Seriously, if this had only been parts of the posts, but in many cases it is not...
I am pro all the things I just listed, but when you have a voice, you should also use it to build a better future and society and fairly take your share of the responsibility.
Use your voice to contribute to a wiser and more harmonious future.


Consider this an appeal to the new kind of celebrities and the bloggers:
Use your voice for the greater good, so far I have failed to hear you!
It is in the long perspective we change for the better - it is never done over night.
Create a debate and create a positive butterfly effect.
Reach out to those who need your voice and give them something of value.
It is, and will always be what is on the inside that counts!!


Oh you needed proof?
Here is a small contribution....

2011...

What a year it has been...

I would say one of the most eventful in my life so far.

I have experienced a lot, both good and bad, and I am grateful for both.

Amongst my highlights on a professional note I would like to mention the shoots I had with Atle Pettersen and Tommy Fredvang.

The shoot I had in front of the camera with KK.

The trip I had with Leica, CF Wesenberg and Bjørn Opsahl to Lofoten.

Vixen Blog awards where I was one of the photofinalists and "Norways most loved blog" where I was also a finalist, I did not win in either competitions, but it was nevertheless very fulfilling being nominated.

I became a Nikon blog ambassador.

And the weddings I shot.

On a personal basis I would like to mention a visit to a painter I have always hold very high. Due to privacy reasons I will unfortunately not share his name with you, but for me it was a visit I will NEVER forget and I am so thankful for the opportunity...
He is HUDGE in my eyes and I will always admire him!

My trip to Barcelona.

What a memorable trip it was!

My 30th birthday.

It was a party with the people the people that means the world to me. Lot´s of love and guns (cowboy theme...).


My trip to Paris.
The city of romance never let´s me down!


My trip within.
Extremely personal so I will not share that much I am afraid, but I can tell you this:
I have learned a lot and I have faced many fears. I have changed many of my priorities and I have calmed down. It was needed and the most important trip I have ever done.


I feel more zen than I have ever done and although this is work in progress I see a positive future ahead.
My hopes for 2012 are many, but most of all I hope that you will have a year filled with inner growth and wisdom, tolerance and harmony.
It is okay sometimes just to BE.
I hope you look in the mirror and see that you are perfect just the way you are<3


ONE LOVE!!!


ps - adding one of my favourite and most personal picks taken in 2011.

Happy new year to all!

I hope you get to spend the day with your loved ones!

But who will you kiss when midnight strikes? 


It might not be romantic, but I will be kissing my dog Mini...
I might not be able to find her, since I am sure she will be hiding somewhere cause of the firework, but I will try!


I wish you all the best in 2012.
May this be the year of personal growth, tolerance and harmony.


<3


Yours truly
Annie

It´s a baby boy!!!

Yes, it is a boy!

Finally, at the age of 30 (!) I bought a car!!!

His name - Lillegutt:)

I am one happy camper...

 After weeks of waiting he is all mine.

FREEDOM!!!!!

I picked him up Friday from Solberg Bil in Skien.

Thank you for awesome service and dedication for making this happen:)

While back home I saw the opportunity to bake some christmas cookies with my mum.

After decades of backing she is a pro and I got heaps to learn!

Telemark in my heart <3

I love my beautiful country....

Isn´t it gorgeous?!

I will make sure to bring my camera, when I go home for X-mas, so I can take some real pictures and share with you:)

Can NOT believe I am sharing this!!!!!!!!!

It´s me.... Obviously not in the picture!

But singing!

I am not afraid of making a complete fool of myself!

Well actually that is not true, I am terrified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A new years resolution starting early;)

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

X-mas is all around!

                                                              At least in my apartment... :)

Where are we going?

Still miss Paris...