Word Association Game... Go!

Evening: Stars
Country: Singer
Salt: Shaker
Easy: Rider
Peace: Dove
Morning: Sunrise
Pretty: (Woman) Julia Roberts
Expensive: Chanel Bag
Poor: Dirt
Doctor: Patrick Wilson (Girls)
City: Skyline/Pittsburgh
Dry: Chapstick/Lips
Cold: Snow
Love: Heartbeat
Bargain: Price tag
War: Purple Heart
Hate: Mean
Wet: Feeling
Rich: Condo
Nurse: My sister, Natalie
Pepper: Restaurant
Hard: um....
Ugly: Duckling
Hot: Sex















Now Playing: "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap

Jungian Stimulus Word Association

Head - Oral
Green - Four Leaf Clover
Water - Aquafina
Sing - Coffee Shop
Death - Death Cab For Cutie
Long - Walks
Ship - Shipwrecked
Count - Dracula
Window - Daydreaming
Friendly - Pittsburgh Neighborhoods
Table - Standing on Tables at Hofbrauhaus
Question - Court
Village - Fairy Tale
Cold - Snow
Stem - Roses
Dance - Middle School
Sea - New England
Sick - Couch
Proud - Tears of Joy
Cook - Pots & Pans
Ink - Quill Pen
Evil - Queen
Needle - Thread
Swim - Diving Board
Trip - Open Road
Blue - Sky
Lamp - Lava Lamp
Sin - Eyeshadow (Urban Decay)
Bread - Outback Steakhouse
Rich - Mahogany Wood
Tree - Weeping Willow Tree House
Stick - Cast Iron Fence
Sympathy - Card
Yellow - Steelers
Mountain - Sky
Die - Sadness
Salt - Rocks
New - York
Moral - Bible
Pray - Pew/Kneeler
Money - Green/Paper
Stupid - Mean
Magazine - Stack
Despise - Hatred
Finger - Sucking
Expensive - Overpriced
Bird - Blue Jay
Fall - Leaves
Book - Future
Unjust - Drama
Frog - Lilypad
Divorce - Hurt
Hunger - Empty
White - Oversized Turtleneck
Child - Dependence/Love
Attend - Participate
Pencil - Lead
Sad - Real
Prune - Nasty
Marry - Tradition
House - Home
Dear - Love
Glass - Water
Dispute - Anger
Fur - Soft
Big - Overdone
Turnip - Doug (Cartoon)
Paint - Creativity
Part - Hair
Old - Film
Flowers - Charm
Hit - Agression
Box - Hats
Wild - Fox
Family - Reunion
Wash - Machine
Cow - Countryside
Foreign - Misunderstood
Happiness - Universe
Lie - Deceit
Decorum - Policy
Close - Warmth
Brother - Friends
To fear - Not knowing
Stork - Baby
Wrong - Right
Anxiety - Caring
Kiss - Magic
Fiance(e) - Excitement
Pure - Love
Door - Isolation
Choose - Select
Hay - Fall/Autumn
Satisfied - Proud
Scorn - Standoffish
Sleep - Dream
Month - Calendar
Pretty - Poetry
Woman - Pretty Woman/Shopping
Scold - Violence











Now Playing: "Waltz of the Flowers" by Tchiakovsky

Eating My Feelings

Bipolar produce. Very apropos.

Now Playing: "Sing, Theresa Says" by Greg Laswell

The Butterfly Effect

Tonight, I was in the mood to watch a supernatural movie. I chose The Butterfly Effect because I haven't seen it since I was about 18 or 19-years-old. I really appreciate films that challenge my thought process. If you're one of the few people who haven't seen this movie or if it has been awhile like it was for me, I highly suggest checking it out.

The movie had me thinking about the actual butterfly effect theory. While much of what I have read correlates the phenomenon to weather patterns, I can't help but think of human interaction. It's amazing to consider how each decision we make can have the possibility of impacting our lives in a tremendous way. With the tenth anniversary of 9/11 quickly approaching, I'm sure there will be plenty of survival stories about how someone missed their usual bus or train that morning by mere minutes, setting into motion a delay long enough to spare their lives. While these stories will be spotlighted for obvious reasons, it happens to each of us, every day... perhaps without realizing it.

Who we meet, what we learn and ultimately, who we become, is shaped by every split decision we make. How everything comes together or conversely falls apart, is really something to think about...








Now Playing: "Northern Skies" by I Am Kloot

Enneagram of Personality

I previously mentioned on my blog that on the Myers-Briggs personality test, I am an INFJ (the rarest type, 1% of the world's population). I really like psychological personality assessments. I know myself extremely well, so my results are always accurate. If you have yet to take this test, I highly recommend doing so.

Another type of assessment that I appreciate is called the Enneagram of Personality. This uses 9 points of interest on an enneagram to represent the 9 different types of personality.

The 9 types of personality are defined as follows:

1. Reformer
2. Helper
3. Achiever
4. Individualist
5. Investigator
6. Loyalist
7. Enthusiast
8. Challenger
9. Peacemaker

I'm number 4, The Individualist
Ego Fixation: Melancholy
Holy Idea: Origin
Basic Fear: Commonness
Basic Desire: Uniqueness, Authenticity
Temptation: Self-castigation, Withdrawal
Vice/Passion: Envy
Virtue: Equanimity
Stress: 2
Security: 1

Type four is the bohemian of the enneagram world. They are artistic, creative and internally focused. They value understanding and being understood. They love romanticism and frequently lead dramatic lives. Their preferred style of dress is dramatic costume, frequently in black. Fours populate the arts. They can access their inner life in a remarkable way and convert that emotional turmoil into creativity. Fours are searching for their own authenticity and truth. They do so by sifting through the myriad emotional experiences they have each day. Our world would be less interesting, less artistic and less colorful without fours.

Taking into account the "wing" aspect of the chart, my personality is 4w5 (my wing is 5):
Enneagram Type 4 with the 5 Wing, you desire to be avant-garde. You see yourself as original, sincere, mysterious, subtle, artistic and independent. 4w5's have intellectual as well as emotional insights and can often synthesize experiences into something intensely personal yet timeless. Under stress, they can become alienated.

Note: Wikipedia has a great chart where I pulled some of this information from. You can read about all of the personality types by clicking here.

If you're interested in finding out where you fit into the spectrum, there are plenty of free tests available online! I personally enjoy filling out these types of questionnaires. It's very introspective and therapeutic for me.









Now Playing: "Unemployed in Summertime" by Emiliana Torrini

Handwritten

At work today, one of my clients submitted a bio- a handwritten description of herself. I loved it! It was such a nice break from the ordinary to read something that wasn't typed. I love nothing more than exchanging letters and cards with friends and family... even a stranger or two. Yes, I have a pen-pal.

Not only was it cool that the bio was handwritten, but take a look at what she wrote. I dig it!

Now Playing: "Fly Like an Eagle" by Steve Miller Band

Leftovers

Since I'm a lefty, I've always appreciated this little saying. It's actually true; ask a neurologist. I find the way our brains work to be fascinating. Psychology was one of the things I was most interested in studying. My friends and family tell me that I would have made an excellent therapist but I like to listen for free :)

For the most part, being a lefty is nice. It makes me feel a little bit more unique but there are definitely some drawbacks. In school, there were only so many "left-handed seats" (on the ends)... not always convenient when you're interested in getting to know the good-looking guy in the middle of the room. Maybe that's why I only met a few guys during class? Being left-handed can also get annoying when you're writing or drawing as your hand tends to glide over what you have just written/created. Not nice for wet ink or paint. It can also get a bit dangerous in a world where everything is designed for righties. Learning to use a mouse (right side) was a disaster for me. Scissors?!

Some facts about lefties:

About 10% of the general population is left-handed

Males are twice as likely to be left-handed than females

Over the course of history, many left-handed pupils were forced to learn to use their right hands

Of the most recent U.S. Presidents, an astounding 4 have been left-handed (Obama, Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Reagan)

Paul McCartney, Kurt Cobain & Jimi Hendrix all played their guitars with their left hands

Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt and Michelangelo's famous brush strokes came from their left hands

H.G. Wells, Lewis Carroll and Mark Twain each penned their works with their left hands

4 of the 5 designers of the original Macintosh computer were left-handed

Studies show that individuals with extremely high and conversely low IQs are more likely to be left-handed

Because the right side of the brain controls creativity, many left-handed individuals retreat to professions such as writing, art, music or theater

International Left Handers Day is August 13th... I'll be celebrating with the help of this. Any excuse ;)






Now Playing: "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star

The First Thing That Comes To Mind...

When you pause to think about it, the way our minds are wired is pretty fascinating. I love reading people's answers to "the first thing that comes to mind". It reveals a lot about what's in our subconscious. Sometimes my own answers surprise me. Here's a quick one that I found online. My answers are pretty standard for the most part:

Banana: Yellow

Lace: Bra

Silk: Pillow

Leather: Whip

Sweat: Sweater

Water: Fiji

Nature: Greenery

Internet: Sharing

Alcohol: Buzz

Clubs: 21-years-old

Bars: Fun times

Snow: Snowmaggeddon- Miike Snow
***Love this video!

Toys: Toys 'R Us

Feather: Pen

Vacuum: Sweeper

Pot: Green

Sports: Steelers

Jewels: Diamond

Library: Books

Beaches: Umbrella

Rain: Relaxation

Text Message: ;)

Jacuzzi: Kissing

Pillows: Softness

Restraints: Neck/Smothering

Pink: Hearts/Love

Hips/Man curve: Mmmmm

Undies: No

Black: Night sky

Roses: Antique

Boat: Docks/River

Raincoat: Burberry Trench

Eyesight Impairment: Glasses

Soft: Holding hands

Camping: Bonfire

Vacation: Plane

Stripclub: New Orleans

Cars: Lexus SC 430

Red: Lips

Black Light: Glow in the dark

Glitter: Mints (Glitterati)

Candles: Romance

Champagne: College

Strawberries: WV Wine and Jazz Festival

Cherry Stem: Tongue

Lips: Lick/Bite

KY: Jelly or the state? lol

Heat: Steam

Kids: Love



Now Playing: "I Go to the Barn Because I Like the" by Band of Horses

15 Interesting Questions Tag

I really love answering surveys. One of the popular guru girls on YouTube, AllThatGlitters21, posted a very interesting set of questions. Here are my responses!

1. What do you think you can do but can't?
Walk in high heels. I can generally make it from point A to point B without falling but the backs of my feet are so messed up. Like many girls, by the end of the night, my feet are killing me but my Haglund's Deformity makes it that much more uncomfortable. Yet I continue to be delusionally optimistic that my feet won't bother me. I can sometimes look like Jimmy from the show South Park when I'm leaving the bar.

2. What's a difficult word for you to pronounce?
The word "rural" used to be tricky for me to say but I think I mastered the rolling r's. I don't usually get corrected for pronunciation- that's one area where I think I excel. In other words (no pun intended), I'm sure there are some but I can't think of any at the moment.

3. What is a favorite TV show from your childhood?
Under the Umbrella Tree- I loved Gloria the gopher, Avonlea/Anne of Green Gables, Mr. Rodgers, Mama's Family, Salute Your Shorts, Clairssa Explains It All, Full House, Kids Incorporated, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, The Mickey Mouse Club, The Munsters, The Brady Bunch, Supermarket Sweep, Doubledare, Saved by the Bell... I have so many. I miss the old Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Nick at Night classics.

4. What are your virtues and vices?
If I'm sticking to the Catholicism set- I'm kind and patient. But on a broader scale, I'm very compassionate, loving, caring and considerate. My vices (under Dante's guidelines) include vanity (I love beauty products), sloth (I'm lazy) and gluttony (I love too much pizza and beer).

5. What's more important: love, fame, power, or money?
110% LOVE! Fame would be interesting for a bit but it doesn't interest me much. I have no desire to be in power of anyone's life other than my own. Money is great but it can't make you truly happy.

6. If you could live in any era/time period, when would it be and why?
I really appreciate the time in which I am currently living (and my location in the world). Not too long ago, I wouldn't have the sames rights that I do, today (in America, atleast). A psychic once told me I was British royalty during the victorian era- I loved hearing that. I connect with the history, architecture and fashions of that period of time. The roaring 20s also seemed like a fun decade. I am fascinated by the distant future- when we are capable of traveling to different galaxies and our technology is far more advanced.

7. If you had to redo your entire wardrobe with 2 stores, what would they be and why?
Nordstrom & Forever 21. Forever is my favorite store bc it's current and affordable. I like to mix classic staples like jeans, shoes and bags (Nordstrom) with trendy blouses or other pieces from Forever 21. Blending high and low is an art form, lol. It's fun for me. I was tempted to say the thrift store but I prefer those for random treasures or vintage pieces.

8. Can you recall what you were doing a year ago on this day?
Probably still digging out from Snowmageddon 2010. Pittsburgh had more snow than I had ever seen in my life. I was also starting to look for a new job.

9. Do you have reoccurring dreams? If so, explain?
I may dream of the same people from my past who are on my mind but I don't have any particular dreams that play out the exact same. I sometimes dream that I have a big event but not anything prepared or the things I need. I love to interpret dreams- there is a lot of psychology involved. I'm a pretty good dream decoder if you're ever looking for someone to explain what yours may indicate.

10. What's your horoscope?
Sun: Aquarius (I'm quadruple Aquarian)
Moon: Scorpio
Rising: Cancer
I am fascinated by this ancient study of the stars.

11. What does your dream bedroom look like?
Shabby chic! Antique furniture. Floral bedspread. Four post, canopy bed. Elegant chandelier. Lots of candles and bookshelves. Wall-mounted flat screen TV. Fireplace. Picture window with seat. Master bathroom/closet off to the side. French/Cottage style. Pinks, lavenders, mint greens, creams, whites, golds.

12. What position do you sleep in?
Fetal- curled-up, on my side. I wish I could sleep on my back because it's supposedly better for breathing and causes far less wrinkles. I sort of need to grip or hold on to something to fall asleep- teddy bear, pillow, etc.

13. Who is your favorite vampire of all time?
It's a toss-up between Brad Pitt's Louis from Interview with the Vampire (I loved his complexity) or Alexander Skarsgard's Eric Northman on HBO's True Blood (his sexuality and humor get me going).

14. What are you currently wearing on your feet?
A Hello Kitty blanket- my slippers are somewhere around the house.

15. Do you have neat handwriting? Show us!
Yes! In grade school, I used to teach the other kids techniques at recess. Over time, my handwriting has slightly gone down hill because I type so often and don't write nearly as much. But it's still pretty good when I want it to be. Everyone in my family has nice handwriting. My mom and dad write almost identically which I find to be odd. I have some images of my handwriting saved on my old computer but nothing on here. My cell is broken- otherwise, I'd definitely share.


Now Playing: "Big Jet Plane" by Lady of the Sunshine, "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People, and "Starry Eyed" by Ellie Goulding