On Identity and Myers-Briggs Personality Types

For those of you who do not know, I have somewhat recently truly begun college.

A prominent topic so far, I have discovered, is the matter of identity, especially in my mandatory First Year Seminar class.  (Basically, it's a class designed to help freshmen settle into life at college; it's tied into our advising.)  As part of the program, we take various quizzes to determine various aspects of our personality.

We had been given a lecture at freshman orientation by the Dean of Psychology, who talked a great deal about identity, and how it is common to have "identity crises," and that we grow from them, and, while these crises are scary when they happen, ultimately they are nothing to fear.  She also spoke about not having identity crises frequently almost as a bad thing, as our "identities" being "stagnant" would not help us grow as a person.  Or something like that.  Anyway, I felt rather annoyed by that at the time, as I did not think any identity crises whatsoever would be in my near future, or ever.  I thought I knew and was content entirely with what I was.

How wrong I was!  Within the first few weeks, we were instructed to take a Myers-Briggs personality test.  Now, I have taken a Myers-Briggs personality test before, and have come up with INFP, and have been almost entirely satisfied by that answer.  Part of me was worried it was wrong, however much I thought it fit me, and as I was happy to identify as an INFP, I forwent taking the test again, until it was required of me in that class.

I came up as an INTP.  One letter off.  Oh crisis!  I didn't want to be an INTP...I wanted to get the result of INFP!  INFP's were sweet and cuddly in my mind...they love many and are loved by all.  INTP's were somewhat cold and harsh...standoffish.  Viewed somewhat as general jerks.  Who would want to be that?

I tried to remind myself of what I had told someone else having a similar crisis about getting a different result than formerly for the Myers-Briggs test not a month before.  "It's just stereotypes...sometimes stereotypes for one will apply to you, and sometimes for others, even ones you've never been associated.  It's okay!  You are a unique human being."  But it wasn't working.  Even worse, I thought about how also not a month before, I had mentally degraded someone for identifying with both letters on a given category.  "Choose one or the other," I thought to myself about them.  "You can't have both, you stupid!"  And then there I was, the stupid one...realizing how well INTP fit me, but remembering how well INFP also fit me.

I still feel foolish for identifying with both.  But some measure of peace is brought by a thought presented in a different talk.  For some of the letter categories in Myers-Briggs personalities, it is not uncommon for people to have aspects of both, and even to very closely straddle the line between the two.  So perhaps I am an INT/FP.  I turn into an INFP whenever I am in a jubilant mood, which, depending on the week, can be extremely often, but INTP is my default form.

I suppose it's silly that this matters so much to me.  But to me, a Myers-Briggs personality type is a relatively important part of my identity.  That may and likely will change later, but for now...it's part of me.

To the Fellow Introvert at that Big Social Gathering

Remember that one time at that big party where you knew no one but the host, who was hosting and therefore didn't have as much time for you as you would have liked?  I remember it too.  We met there.  I didn't know your name, and you didn't know mine.  We may have exchanged them, and we may have not.  I've met you in many forms.

Sometimes you were too shy.  I tried to talk to you, but you didn't really want to.  I'm okay with that now, though I missed your company then.  

Sometimes you were the one to approach me.  Like a flower to the sun, I reveled in your attention, your words, the little bits of you you let me know in that brief time we were together.  You asked for my address, and I gave it to you, but you never wrote.  I waited, and prayed, and wondered what might have happened to you, or what I might have done.  After a year, I stopped.  I guess our lifelong friendship wasn't meant to be.  We likely will never meet again, and though therefore we shall never be lifelong friends, we were friends for those few hours, and I treasure that.  

And that time with you then helped me to realize what the true circumstances of our relationship are.  

We are lonely, you and I.  All those people, all talking, laughing, chattering...enjoying themselves in their own way, but it is not our way.  So we look on, and then we find each other.  And then we laugh and talk and chat in our way, for though we have never met before, we are quite great friends.  We keep each other company during that party, but when the time is up, we leave, with the implicit knowledge that we shall not be seeing one another again.  

We don't know each other's names, but like all good friends, we are there when we need each other.  That party was a lovely experience, and I have you to thank you for it.  

Thank you for your time, for your words, and for your silence.  It was fun.  :)

—your fellow introvert

On My Introduction to P.G. Wodehouse

P.G. Wodehouse, as far as I can tell, is a British author.  If he isn't actually British I will be very surprised because his books are about as British as British can get.

If you're interested on learning more about P.G. Wodehouse, a link to his Wikipedia page is here.  (See, I do all the hard work for you!  Don't you just love me?)

But now onto my experience.  Several weeks or so ago, I briefly perused a post (perhaps this one?) and it mentioned P.G. Wodehouse and tea, and, more specifically, insinuated that they went well together.  As you, dear reader, likely well know, any book that goes well with tea is certainly a book to try.

Fast forward to a week ago.  I was poking through the shelves of my local Half Price Books store, trying to find some of the items on my list.  (I say list and not List, because, while most of the books on the list are also on the List, I was looking specifically for those books on the list and not my more comprehensive List.)  I had no luck in this venture, excepting finding The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, which wasn't even for me; my mother had requested said book, it being for my brother's future book report.

Events then transpired very quickly; for this part of the narration, dear reader, I choose interesting reading for yourself rather than direct accuracy for historians.  Why historians should ever be researching me is another matter altogether, but I hold that it is always best to be prepared.

Bending up, craning down, and whirling about in the strange dance that only a registered book addict can successfully do, I looked through the shelves.  I don't know what I was hoping for.  Perhaps I was waiting for the Right Book to fly off the shelves and hit me in the face.

That did not happen.  What did, however, happen, was that some brightly colored books at the end of a bookshelf, at approximately eye-ish level, caught my eye, and I witnessed a "WODE" in a sans-serif font before I moved on.  But wait!  "WODE"?  Wasn't there that one author in that one blog post that went well with tea?  By then I was directly in front of the books, and I saw it neatly writ on the brightly-colored spine:  "WODEHOUSE".  I pawed through the titles.  One in particular caught my eye, but something in the description made me think that I should not start with it, so I put it back.  My hand wavered over the rest of them, then I turned and walked away.

A lap around the store, and I returned to the "WODEHOUSE" books.  I should have to leave soon, and I needed to make a decision once and for all.  I looked through them again, and in the end, it was pecuniary matters that decided my choice.  Jeeves in the Offing was a dollar less than the others.

Back at home with my new treasure, I opened it and for a few blissful moments was supremely happy.  Then my expectations were rather rudely popped, as a balloon.  I found P.G. Wodehouse's style to be rather plodding and somewhat difficult to wade through.  But the book was mine, bought, and I felt an obligation to soldier through.  So I went on, slogging through the words.  A few pages in, however, I found myself not so much slogging as slowly marching, and then I found myself at an ambling walk.  By the end of the second chapter, I was at a brisk jog and had thoroughly come to the conclusion that P.G. Wodehouse was an acquired taste, but once you acquired it you would certainly want it again.

And that, dear reader, was my introduction to P.G. Wodehouse.

In Summer

"Oh the sky will be blue, and you guys will be there too..."

-Olaf, Frozen (2013)

Hey guys!  It's been a while, but hopefully it won't be so long next time since I have...drumroll please...FINISHED SCHOOL!  And not just any school...I'm done with highschool!  I will be going to college this fall, but for this summer—this last, glorious summer—I'm pretty much free to do absolutely whatever I want.  And I want to do lots of things!  

I do want to get a summer job, but our family will be going on vacation a couple times this summer so that could potentially get a little awkward...  I'm also thinking of making things and opening an etsy and/or Society6 shop, which brings me to a definite plan for this summer...

Making art!  I want to practice drawing, as well as experiment with different styles and techniques.  For instance: I got some watercolors and brushes several months ago, but have been so busy with school I really haven't had the chance to use them.  I also received some calligraphy pens and ink as Christmas presents and still haven't even opened the packages. Though I don't enjoy art enough to make it a permanent profession, I do love it as a hobby.  (And if, y'know, I can make a couple dollars here and there off my hobby, well, that's not bad at all!)

Another thing on the summer to-do list is work on some sewing.  I've got dolls that need dresses, pillows that need covers, and an old blanket to make into a patchwork quilt.  And to do all that, I've got a big bin full of cloth just aching to be used.  More on the line of a definite maybe, there's some skirts I want to make for myself, as well as some aprons I may produce and sell.  (on etsy.  that's part of the etsy thing.)  

As for the digital frontier this summer, there are some movies I want to watch (can anyone say Man of Steel?), and lots of editing to do on GIMP.  I've got blogs to run: this one, an MCU tumblog, and potential other fandom blogs down the road.  (A Doctor Who tumblog, perhaps?)  And coding.  Computer coding.  I'm going to learn that too—in fact, I already am, using this nifty website!  I've already done a great deal of HTML and CSS, and I'm starting with PHP and JavaScript.

But the first thing, the very first thing, on my summer to-do list is to give my room a thorough cleaning.  And with that, I shall leave you all.  

What are your plans for this summer?

Walking off the Earth and Flying Home

This is a new installment!  Otherwise known as "what I come up with when I'm facing writer's block with/am too lazy to complete any other ideas."

"What on earth is she going on about this time?" you ask.  I'm getting there.  Please be patient.  Also I should probably start getting to my point before you grow so entirely frustrated with me that you close down the tab.

Well, remember when I was talking about the List?  I thought it might be a fun to do a post every now and then based off the general idea.  I shall suggest some things to put on your List, and tell you some that are currently on mine.

Ready?  Okay!  Here we go...

THE LIST

"WALKING OFF THE EARTH AND FLYING HOME"

I now have a ridiculous and extravagant title.  I hope you are as proud of me as I am.

SECTION I

otherwise entitled "suggestions for your List"

1) Walk Off the Earth  

     This Canadian band produces songs ranging from musings on the futility of the human condition in its workaholic state to fun summer songs, bringing them all together with catchy, bohemian tunes in a minor key.  Fans of Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, or Fun. may wish to try them out.  Official Site  Pandora Station

2) "Ode to the West Wind"

     This beautiful poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley is in the public domain.  Whether you love autumn, the ocean, or just a darn good poem, these five stanzas of fourteen lines each are definitely worth your while.  Read it here.

SECTION II

otherwise entitled "things that are on my List"

1) finish Dracula

     In the current vampire-frenzy popular culture seems to be in right now, this is definitely a worthwhile book to read.  Two things I like about this book so far: 1) it treats of vampires as evil, horrible monsters, and 2) a strong motif is the power of the Blessed Sacrament.

     However nice this is, there are still a few parts of the book that I am reserved about.  I would not for one second say that I consider the things propagated within it 100% in accord with Catholic teachings.  

     Like with all horror books, read it in the daytime, and like with all books, read with it reservations, being on guard for any incorrect teachings.  

    Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is in the public domain.  Download it for free on Kindle here.

2) Fly Away Home

     This looks like a very interesting book, and one of these days I plan to purchase it on Kindle.  It's only $2.99, and I think I'd rather have the book online than some luxury chocolate.  

     I found out about this book through the blogosphere, and if you're interested, check out the authoress' blog here.  

If winter comes, can spring be far behind?

—Percy Bysshe Shelley, "Ode to the West Wind"

Wordpress

Wordpress is a blogging website.

Once upon a time, I joined this website, which was somewhat of a mistake.  I found the format dreadfully confusing.  Furthermore, I discovered--too late--that you cannot delete a Wordpress account.  The next best thing I could do was transfer my account to a rarely-used email, and forget I ever made it.

Unfortunately, I can't forget.  (How dramatic I sound!)  Just a little while ago I tried again.  At first I was a bit excited: it was starting to make sense!  Then I clicked a link and was once more lost in chaos.

Wordpress is a bit more grown-up than Blogger (proof: one must pay an exorbitant amount to edit one's own CSS), but I try as I may, I can't adult very well.  At all.  Even on such a simple thing as a blogging site.  (which, in my defense, is not simple at all)  Then again, finding it such may be solely because of my childish confusion.

One day I may try once again.  Sit myself down, figure it out patiently and bit-by-bit.  Until then, I shall wile away my days here, until I am ready to go another round with my grown-up Wordpress blog.

What about you?  Have you ever tried to do something more grown-up and failed miserably?

The List

Ah, the List.

The List is a place where things go that you want to remember.  Often it's a book or TV series to try, or a friend you want to write a letter to.  Sometimes it contains less nice things, like a chore that needs to be done or a deadline that needs to be properly reached.

The List is rarely written out.  Sometimes certain important items are immortalized on a sticky note and hung over a desk or a bed, but the majority of the List stays in the mind.

Nonetheless, it is intensely useful to say the various items out loud.  For instance: "Mental note: watch Pushing Daisies."  This verbal communication acts as a sort of glue to keep the items firmly fixed to their spot on the List; else they might fall behind the mental dresser, along with a few dust bunnies, old passwords, and that embarrassing happenstance when you were ten.

The List is continually revised and rewritten, as new items are penciled in, completed items triumphantly taken out, outdated items tossed in the junk pile of regret and failure, and lost items recovered from behind the dresser.

If you do not already have a List, I should advise you to get one immediately.  Not only is it inexpensive and incredibly useful, but you sound very intelligent and organized when, upon being asked to do something or advised to try something, you are able to say: "I'll put it on the List."

Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things.

-Marcus Tullius Cicero(x)

Do You Hear the People Sing?

And by people, I don't mean angry men.  Or women for that matter.  In fact, no one is particularly angry, and if they were, I would hope it wouldn't show.

The concert of the homeschool choir (that I am in) occurred recently.

POLL: Who's Your Favorite?: RESULTS

Three authors.  Three votes.  Who came out on top?  Or were all tied?

Votes for favorite author out of G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien were as follows:

G.K. Chesterton: 1

C.S. Lewis: 0

J.R.R. Tolkien: 2

This makes the winner the one and only J.R.R. Tolkien!

Thank you to all who participated!  Keep an eye out for the next poll, and have a wonderful day! :)

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

-J.R.R. Tolkien (x)

UPDATE: Pages

I've finally got around to adding pages to my blog!  You can see them directly below the banner at the top of the page.

The reason why it make sense to now have pages is because I've (finally) done an about page.

So....yeah!  Check it out!  Or not, doesn't really matter.

But yes, that is the update.  Thanks for reading!

A Semi-Classical Training

I'm hoping to make this blog a little more...professional, I suppose.  Have an organized tag system.  Cohesive posts.  Frequent updates.  Y'know.  Everything I'm bad at.

That said, in this post I thought I'd go back to the reason I chose the name I did.  I love names that mean something.  All my online handles have a special meaning behind them, from a thrilling moment in my early teens, to a particular battle that struck my fancy, to a game and method of address my siblings and I used to use.  But those are for a later time.  ;)

Waiting for the Impossible

Have you ever wanted something to happen?

Perhaps desperately.

But logic dictates that it will never happen.  Or maybe you're just trying to convince yourself so that

POLL: Who's Your Favorite?

G.K. Chesterton.  C.S. Lewis.  J.R.R. Tolkien.

All three of these Christian authors were, unquestionably, amazingly talented.  Question is, who's your favorite?  Put in your two cents: vote in the poll on the sidebar!

Voting ends March 1st, 2014.

Time for a New Post

My blog has been sadly un-updated for a while now, but Jamie's recent post has inspired me to make one of my own, no matter how short.

What better than a general update?

Well, I starting coming down with something a few days ago, and for a couple days was bedridden

Procrastination

I'm putting things off again.

Big surprise.  I know.

Lots of things.  Lots of big important things that will literally affect my WHOLE future.

Drop the Bass

The title has actually no relation to this post, I just wanted to write that.

Honestly, I have no idea what this post is going to be about.

Will it be a "currently" post?

No.  I don't think so.

Okay, I take back what I said about the title and the relation to the post.  Let's analyze the title, that is, the phrase: "drop the bass."

Drop.  That should be easy.  "Drop" refers to the action of letting go of something so that more often

Any Time's a Good Time to be a Better Person

So, I missed posting that whole New Year's Resolution thing on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.  Which kinda stinks because it's another testament to how lazy/ disorganized I am.

Savanna, for one, doesn't seem to like New Year's Resolutions.  I'm not exactly sure why, and I won't claim to speak for her, but there it is.  And it's got me thinking.

You know, New Year's Resolutions are great.  It's the whole starting over fresh thing, and many many

POLL: Favorite Movie of 2013: RESULTS

Well, I was the only one who voted, and I voted for the Hobbit, so...yeah.

100% of people who voted chose The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug over Frozen and Despicable Me 2 and their favorite movie of 2013.