Looking At Pictures from The Past & Into the Present

Ever sit down one day or evening and think about opening up your photo albums shelf, drawer or wherever you store your photos, and just think about all the memories shared, the family and friends in pictures? Some of those people can still be with us, and unfortunately, some people may not be due to the passing of loved ones or those who are not part of our lives anymore. Whatever the situation can be.

In my photo albums, There have been family members and friends we have lost due to passing away and all we have are memories of pictures of them to look at which makes looking at pictures from the past bittersweet for a lot of us. It can be such an emotional moment. Those pictures become sentimental because it makes you think that, these people in my family or family friends used to be with us.

We also look at pictures from happy moments such as birthdays, weddings, engagement, travels, graduation, births, children, and so many other events in our life to capture and document them.

Nowadays, a lot of people seem to upload their memories on social media, as well as on their computers. There are people who still go out to develop photos to keep outside of technology and to me looking at photos that way seem all the more personal and a great feeling without the usage of a screen. I think the traditional method is the greatest. You know what they say, a Pictures says a thousand words and it definitely does. Sometimes you become speechless and just admire the moment that you do see the picture. In present time pictures get sent instantly within seconds.

I became a sentimental person a long time ago since I was about 5-6. My parents always taught me the importance of keeping things that are greeting cards, to gifts, and so many other things. Not to the point where it clutters my space, but super important things, and even things I have kept from my travels from airline boarding passes, airline tickets, baggage tags, and even shampoo bottles and logos of resorts or hotels in the room or around my travels.

Do you still go to get your photos developed?

My Full House Nostalgia – My Dream Came True

By: Talin Orfali

As you may or may not know, from September, 1987 to May, 1995, there was an American sitcom named Full House which was created by Jeff Franklin. It was a Miller-Boyett production. They only broadcasted eight seasons as well as 193 episodes. The show then has been syndicated and rebroadcasted. They then created a series of books and other merchandise that were in the market. In 2016 on Netflix, they will show brand new episodes and a reunion.

The actors and actresses of the show were Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, John Stamos, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Lori Loughlin, Andrea Barber, Scott Weinger, Blake and Dylan Toumy-Wilhoit, as well as their beloved and adorable dog Comet.

The Show was based out of San Francisco, California, however the show was filmed in Los Angeles in a studio.

The opening theme was “Everywhere you look” performed by Jesse Frederick and composed by Bennett Salvay & Jeff Franklin.

The show was nominated and also won many awards as well as the actors and actresses on the show.

You would hear the iconic quotes and sayings from the show “How Rude?” “You got it Mister!”, “Have Mercy”, “You Got It dude”, “Wake Up San Francisco”, “Tattle-Tale”, “Oh Mylanta” “Not the Hair” “GA-GA-GA-” “I’m Popeye the sailor Man” and a lot more.

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In May, 2015 I ventured out to San Francisco, California and my nostalgia hit me pretty hard. My Dream had come true. I began to cry with happy tears and thoroughly enjoyed my experience in seeing the Full House on Broderick St and then the Painted ladies homes at Alamo Square Park. I also saw the Golden Gate Bridge, Fishermans Wharf. I also began re-enacting the theme opening of the show. Some people saw me and started to laugh and knew what I was doing. It was pretty cool. I could not believe I went up close and person with the real deal.

I will never forget it. It was absolutely an incredible feeling that was so indescribable, that I saw it all from always watching the show from my childhood. I hope that I can one day meet all the actors and actresses from the show. That is also on my bucket list that I want to cross it off. Their Stage names are DJ Tanner, Stephanie Tanner, Michelle Tanner, Danny Tanner, Uncle Jesse Katsopolis, Aunt Becky, Kimmy Gibler, Steve, Uncle Joey Gladstone, Nicky and Alex.

I always felt like I was part of their family and I felt like I knew them. When I was a kid, I would always have imaginary friends and I would include them in it and then that is where I was dreaming of celebrities coming over to my home, and trying so hard to reach out to the show. I wrote many letters to the production, but I knew how many letters they used to receive, that I got nothing back in return. Which then afterwards I understood why with all the fans and people also writing to the show. Which is completely okay. I was not upset at all.

It was a great show with family values, taught people lessons on how to act, behave, to have manners, to instill responsibility, and so much more. There aren’t these kinds of TV shows anymore that instill family values with quality and excellence.

I will forever love this show and always will. I am excited to tune into the Fuller House and continue with my Nostalgia. Thank you for the memories Full House. You all meant and still mean a lot to me. I love you all very much. I will always cherish each moment as I was growing up with them.

Rewind to 90’s — My Favourite Movie Choices

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the past and rewinding to the great and quality entertainment in those times that kept me, well, entertained. 🙂 I used to come home from school or during the weekends and I would pick through my movie collection and used to watch so many of them and it was awesome. I used to always think that I would meet the stars when I was a kid and I used to have a huge imagination like I was in those movies and would re-enact them to family during get togethers. It was so great. I still have them on VHS — I still love VHS and I actually enjoyed Rewinding them. I used to love that sound too. Gotta love the past technology too. Anyway, I would like to share with you some of my all time favourites of the 90’s and well, possibly the 80’s too. In no particular order:

— Police Academy — All of them — Steve Gutenberg
— Dumb & Dumber — W/ Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.
— Ace Ventura Pet Detective — Jim Carrey.
— Groundhog Day — Bill Murray
— Clueless — Alicia Silverstone
— Liar Liar — Jim Carrey
— A Night At the Roxbury — Will Farrell and Chris Kattan
— City Slickers — Billy Crystal
— Hot Shots! — Charlie Sheen
— Hot Shots part Deux — Charlie Sheen
— Home Alone — Mccauley Culkin
— Home Alone 2. Lost in New York — Mccauley Culkin
— The Naked Gun — All movies — Leslie Neilson
— Wrongfully Accused — Leslie Neilson
— Back to the Future — Michael J Fox
— Kindergarten Cop — Arnold Schwarzenegger
— Honey I blew up the Kid —
— Honey I shrunk the kids —
— Sister Act — Whoopi Goldberg
— Mrs Doubtfire — Robin Williams – Sally Field
— Coneheads
— Baby’s Day Out — Joe Montegna, Joe Pantoliano, Lara Flynn Boyle
— Titanic — Kate Winsley – Leonardo Dicaprio
— The Mask — Jim Carrey
— The Santa Clause — Tim Allen
— Little Rascals — Alfalfa
— D2 D3 Mighty Ducks — Emilio Estevez
— Selena — Jennifer Lopez
— Space Jam
— Toy Story
— Jungle 2 Jungle
— Rush Hour — all movies — Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker
— The Wedding Singer — Drew Barrymore, Adam Sandler
— Billy Madison — Adam Sandler
— The Waterboy — Adam Sandler
— You’ve Got Mail
— Analyze this — Analyze that — Robert Deniro and Billy Crystal
— Stuart Little

These are just some of them from back then… What are your favourites from the 80’s and 90’s?

Rewind to the 90’s Music Favourites

Lately, I have been going back into the 90’s and listening to songs of the past. There is a huge difference in quality of music versus the music of today. I really love the music of the 90’s and even in the 80’s. I am sure a lot of us who were born in that era, and who grew up with this kind of music, still think of them to this day and remember the times. Here are some of my artists and music that I really enjoy.

— Alanis Morissette — Ironic, You Oughta Know.
— R.E.M — Losing my religion
— Sinead O’Connor — Nothing Compares 2 U
— Sting – Fields Of Gold
— Fiona Apple – Criminal
— Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way
— Bonnie Raitt – Something To Talk About
— Ace of Base — The Sign CD
— Oasis – Wonderwall
— Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song
— The Cranberries – Dreams
— Haddaway – What Is Love
— Jann Arden – Insensitive
— Tori Amos – Silent All These Years
— Shawn Colvin – Sunny Came Home
— Beastie Boys – Intergalactic
— Christina Aguilera – Come On Over (All I Want Is You) — Genie in a Bottle
— Guns N’ Roses – November Rain
— P.M. Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
— 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre – California Love
— Madonna – Vogue
— Nirvana – About A Girl (live)
— Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
— The Mavericks – What A Crying Shame
— Barenaked Ladies – One Week
— Des’ree – You Gotta Be
— Mariah Carey – Hero
— Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces
— Whitney Houston – I Have Nothing
— Duran Duran – Ordinary World
— Wilson Phillips – Hold On
— Fatboy Slim – Right Here Right Now
— Sarah McLaughlan – Possession
— Shawn Colvin – Round of Blues
— Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It
— The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony
— Weezer – The Good Life
— Skee-Lo – I Wish
— Hammer – Too Legit To Quit
— Robbie Williams – Millennium
— Roxette – It Must Have Been Love
— Crash Test Dummies – God Shuffled His Feet
— Dido – Here With Me
— Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy

I could go on and on… Now, what are your favourites?
Are you a 90’s music fanatic?

The Twitter Poem — Feel Free to Retweet it

The Twitter Poem — Feel Free to Re-tweet it
By: Talin Orfali

Twitter you are great,
It is where people tell it up straight,
in 140 characters or less,
Where people take out stress.

Re-tweets, Conversations, Hashtags Galore,
This is a great website that has not been thought of before,
It’s a great way for yourself to express,
where you do not have to try so hard to impress.

Trending, News, Life, Entertainment, and Events,
waiting to see from it all about a new thing someone invents,
Following Stars, Artists, News Anchors, and more,
Reading everything really is never a bore.

It helps you create and share,
reading short statuses, enough that you can bare,
this social media site is a new twist,
It is majority on lots of people’s list.

A Re-tweeted Popular Oscars Ellen’s Selfie when Twitter broke & shut down,
That really got everyone excited, and happy where there was no frown,
I enjoy, and I am happy with twitter so much,
That I do my best to keeping in touch.

Talin’s Facebook Family Poem

My Facebook Family Poem

By: Talin Orfali

As I log in
I want to see how everybody’s been
Enjoying Posts here and there
Some I cannot help but stare.

Weddings, Engagements, Baptisms, Showers, Births, Graduations Galore
How did I ever go without Facebook Before?
Making the World a much Smaller Place,
To see lovely pictures of Your loved ones Face.

To Some I have met and I will meet,
I am so impatient for that day to finally greet,
Hugs, Kisses, Beautiful Memories and more,
There is still plenty of memories that is in store.

Commenting, Liking, Sharing, Posting,
All of a Sudden seeing an event that someone is Hosting,
Videos, Games, Causes, Links and More,
There really is never any time to bore.

Birthday Announcements Everyday
Wishing everybody the best on their special day,
Sending Messages and Pokes Here and There,
Keeping in touch with them is only Fair.

Joining Groups and Liking Pages
Things were interested in never Ages,
Funny, Inspirational, Happy, Beautiful Thoughts
Seeing the beauty of Communication that never droughts.

Oh Facebook Family, how I love you,
To my Fans, I will never forget you too,
My Facebook Family will always be in my heart,
I am so Glad to have had an account to start.

Armenian Heritage Night – Air Canada Centre – An Unforgettable Evening

On Sunday February 23rd, 2014, Almost 1000 Armenians embarked to The Air Canada Centre in Downtown Toronto for an unforgettable and memorable evening to celebrate Armenian Heritage. This was the 2nd Annual event. The doors opened to Air Canada Centre at 5pm, and everyone started going in. At 5:30Pm The Holy Trinity Armenian Church’s, Sassoun Dance Ensemble performed at Centre court of a traditional Armenian Dance for thousands of people who were non-Armenian and for Armenians. A few minutes before the Game started between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, A lady came and sang the National Anthems for both USA and Canada. The tip off and game started at 6pm and went well into almost 9pm.

The Armenian Students Association, Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, Sassoun Dance Ensemble, ARS, and other Armenian Organizations came together to plan this incredible night.  Thank you to everyone who assisted in the planning, and organizing with The Air Canada Centre so that we too Can have a Heritage Night. I was counting the days and hours until I went to the game and to the Armenian Night. It was something I had wanted to go to Last year, but was unable to. I was lucky enough to attend this year.

It was an incredible, memorable night that brought Armenians closer together to a huge Venue to enjoy the Basketball Game, to enjoy seeing Armenian Heritage on the bulletins and the Jumbo Tron at the ACC. The energy of the arena and people were felt, the crowd cheered on, everyone was having a great time, and really enjoyed the whole game from beginning to the end. The Raptors were not doing too well in the beginning, but then stepped up to the game after half time. The 4th Quarter got really exciting. It felt great to see Armenian everywhere, Armenian Flags waving in the audience, Hearing Armenians talking in our Language everywhere. It was pretty cool.

The Toronto Raptors won that night 105-90. If the Raptors Score more than 100 points in a game and win, the crowd at the ACC Gets a Free Pizza slice at Pizza Pizza across Toronto and the GTA locations. For those who printed tickets, had to get their tickets stamped by the officials at ACC, but original tickets did not need to. At the end of the night not only did we celebrate the Raptors win, we got a free pizza, and we Armenians had a blast. I cannot wait until I go to next years Armenian Heritage Night. Thank you Air Canada Centre.