Tonight and the Rest of My Life

What Personality Disorder Are You?

2011-02-12T09:47:00.001-08:00

You May Be a Bit Histrionic...

Dramatic and over the top, you crave attention.

And you'll do anything it takes to get noticed.

You love to be seductive, even when it's inappropriate.

If you're ignored, you're easily hurt ... and act out even more!

What Personality Disorder Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

What Sign Should You Be With?

2011-02-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

You Should Be With a Water Sign

Your best match is a Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

You crave intimacy and connection in your relationship. A water sign can open up to you.

And while you like to be bonded to your partner, a relationship with a water sign won't be all soul gazing.

A water sign matches your goofy sense of humor, as well as your desire to help others.

What Sign Should You Be With?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

What Is Your Dark Element?

2011-02-12T09:39:00.001-08:00

Your Dark Element is Wood

You are a driven and determined person. When you want something, you become intensely focused.

You are competitive and assertive. If you don't keep yourself in check, you can get aggressive.

You are very bold and sure of yourself. When your mind is set on something, you become stubborn.

You are very passionate. You ask for what you want nicely and demand it if you don't get your way!

What's Your Dark Element?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

How rare is your personality?

2010-12-05T09:14:00.001-08:00

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive.

Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all men

You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

What type do you fall for?

2010-12-05T09:12:00.001-08:00

You Fall for the Guy or Girl Next Door Type

You think that people make love too complicated, and what you want in a partner happens to be pretty simple.

You're content with someone who's nice, attractive, honest, and normal. So how come that's so hard to find?

You are fairly traditional, and you value security in relationships more than most people. It's important for you to find someone loyal.

When you find the right person, you don't expect much from him or her. You're just happy to be together.

What Type Do You Fall For?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

What does your birthdate mean for your lovelife?

2010-12-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

You'll Have 4 True Loves

For you, love is a natural progression from friendship. You are almost always friends first.

In love, you are loyal, steady, and honest. You are not a cheater or even much of a flirt.

You are likely to stay friends with your ex... and open to rekindling something in the future.

Number of Times You'll Have Your Heart Broken: 1

You are most compatible with people born on the 6th, 15th, and 24th of the month.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean For Your Love Life?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

Friendships End, Losing Friends

2009-11-27T06:57:00.001-08:00

Carole King's song, "You've Got A Friend" promises "Winter, spring, summer, or fall--all you've got to do is call--and I'll be there." Many people expect that their friends will always be there. They expect friendship to last forever.
Yet, friendships end and friends part company everyday. Unfortunately, even the best maintained friendships can end.

Many end because of a change in personality or lifestyle when friends just drift apart and fade away with time. There is a retreat from self-disclosure and seeking out each other's company. Avoidance begins. The friendship slowly loses importance and finally disappears.

Sue said, "The end of our friendship was a gradual thing. I moved from one side of the metroplex to the other. We had over an hour's drive to see each other. For a year or so, we met religiously. Then our friendship began to taper off."

John wrote, "I didn't even know the friendship was over until I caught myself thinking of Alan as a former friend. In the past tense rather than the present."

Pat explained, "We started seeing each other less and less. The friendship was just over."

Other friendships break up suddenly from a disagreement or move to another town.

Paul said, "When I moved to Seattle after college, our friendship abruptly died. We were both struggling with new jobs and didn't keep in touch. Now that friendship is so dead, I don't even call him when I go home."

Sandy wrote, "That was the last straw for our friendship. I never spoke to Lisa again. It's like we were never friends."

Bob Carver, Dallas psychotherapist, says, "A friendship or any other relationship fails because of three things:

Unexpressed expectations,
Undelivered communication,
And/or thwarted attention."
Yet the biggest threat to a friendship is change.

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For example, moving from single life to coupled life has a great effect on friendship. Coupled persons often feel their single friends act interested in them only when a romantic prospect is not in sight. They may feel jealousy for or neglected by a single friend's new social life. The single friend may feel awkward and withdraw from a world of twosomes. Divorced and widowed people often have a feeling of being abandoned by old friends.

Lillian Rubin in her book Just Friends says, "Thus generally it's true that friends accept each other so long as they both remain essentially the same as they were when they met, or change in similar directions. If they change or grow in different or incompatible ways, the friendship most likely will be lost."

Regardless of why, when, or how friendships end, there is always some pain of loss to assimilate. When nothing can be done to mend the friendship, it is important to grieve and feel the pain fully. Then move on to enhance another friendship or build entirely new friendships.

The Clothes You Wear

2009-11-17T09:58:00.001-08:00

What others see from your style

You probably live in your own little world and studiously avoid having to search for your own identity. You may feel that you are not loved, and being in your imaginary world is your way of coping with this. You get moody easily.
What your nightclothes reveal

You are knowledgeable and intelligent. You are organized, confident, liberated, energetic and full of fun.
What others see from your ties

You enjoy being alone. You like to life the simple but good life, and you cherish your freedom. You are thoughtful, confident and uninterested in glamour.
What others see from your belts

If there's not a single belt in your wardrobe, you like freedom and are opposed to all kinds of rules. You are creative and very good at work that requires you to stretch your imagination. Your main downfall, however, is that you can be very moody.
What others see from your shoes

You are a person who loves simplicity and is sincere and open. You are pleasant to be with, easygoing and always in a good mood. You neither want to control nor be under someone else's control. You don't care much about how you look, and know that it's what's inside someone's heart that's important.
What others see from your earrings

You are a sweet and talkative person. You are sociable, energetic and interesting, and get easily bored by the same old things. You are always looking for adventure.
The last analysis

You are probably a romantic and passionate person. You are sensitive and lonely when you aren't in love. You can be somewhat self-centered, but you are honest and sincere to others. You like to make a good impression of yourself and worry about what others think of you.

What do I really want now?

2009-11-15T17:36:00.001-08:00

First and foremost, I want to be stable. I want to prove to my parents that I can enjoy life and have savings - even when I'm working at home.

Second, I need to take lessons. I need to exert more effort to work on my voice and playing the keyboard. If I can squeeze movement lessons in too, I might as well.

Third, I need to master the art of Time Management. I have yet to perfect that course.

Fourth, I need to control my emotions. I need to stop clinging on to the past and just move forward. I need to enjoy the moment, the minute it happens, then move on.

Fifth, I need to be more focused. I don't want to be scatterbrained anymore. I need to do THE POWER OF NOW - because this is a way for me to succeed on my chosen endeavor.

Sixth, I need to completely believe that where I am now and the people with me now are the ones I should do and be with. That it's alright. I need not look back too much, neither should I be afraid of the future too much. Everything will be alright - so stop panicking.

Please let me do all this.

Another week begins.

Critique

2009-10-20T06:44:00.001-07:00

You are not focused enough.

Really working on that.
Really.

What would you do?

2009-07-12T21:37:00.001-07:00

Do you have a chance with the one you love?

You have had chances but you let them go without taking any risks.

In any case, if you don't make any efforts to meet people, no relationship is going to get started.

Suitable Careers

2009-07-12T09:53:00.001-07:00

animal groomer or trainer
athletic coach
designer
dietician or nutritionist
fitness instructor
flight attendant
fund-raiser
medical assistant
merchandise planner
musician
nurse
occupational therapist
performer
physical therapist
police officer
professional athlete
public relations specialist
real-estate agent
recreation worker
salesperson
social worker
special events coordinator
teacher
transportation operator
travel agent
veterinarian or assistant

Your Working Style

2009-07-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

You are friendly, adaptable realists. You rely on what you see, hear, and know first-hand. You good-naturedly accept and use the facts around you. You look for a satisfying solution instead of trying to impose any "should" or "must" of your own. You are sure a satisfying solution will turn up once you have grasped all the facts.
You solve problems by being adaptable, and often can get other to adapt, too. People generally like you well enough to consider any compromise you suggest. You are unprejudiced open-minded, and tolerant of most everyone--including yourself. You take things as they are and thus may be very good at easing a tense situation and pulling conflicting factions together.

With your focus on the current situation and realistic acceptance of what exists, you can be a gifted problem solver. Because you are not necessarily bound by a need to follow standard procedures or preferred methods, you are often able to see ways of achieving a goal by "using" the existing rules, systems, or circumstances in new ways, rather than allowing them to be roadblocks.

You are actively curious about people, activities, food, objects, scenery, or anything new presented to your senses. Your expert abilities in using your senses may show in:

a continuous ability to see the need of the moment and turn easily to meet it
the ability to absorb, apply and remember great numbers of facts
an artistic taste and judgement
the handling of tools and materials
You make your decisions by using the personal values of feeling rather than the logical analysis of thinking. Your feeling makes you tactful, sympathetic, interested in people, and especially good at handling human contacts. You may be too easy in matters of discipline. You learn far more from first-hand experience than from books, and do better in actual situations than on written tests. Abstract ideas and theories are not likely to be trusted by you until you have been tested in experience. You may have to work harder than other people to achieve in school, but can do so when you see the relevance.
You do best in careers needing realism, action, and adaptability. Examples are health services, sales, design, transportation, entertainment, secretarial or office work, food service, supervising work groups, machine operation, and many kinds of troubleshooting.

You are strong in the art of living. You get a lot of fun out of life, which makes you good company. You enjoy your material possessions and take the time to acquire you. You find much enjoyment in good food, clothes, music, and art. You enjoy physical exercise and sports, and usually are good at these.

How effective you are depends on how much judgment you acquire. You may need to develop your feeling so that they can use your values to provide standards for your behavior, and direction and purpose in your lives. If your judgment is not developed enough to give you any character or stick-to-it-iveness, you are in danger of adapting mainly to your own love of a good time.

The House

2009-07-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the analysis:

Your house tells the world that you ought to be a leader. You are a freedom lover and a strong person.

You are shy and reserved. If you've drawn a cross on each of windows, you always want to live alone. You are very tidy person. There's nothing wrong with that because you're pretty popular among friends. You often come up with solutions to problems. You are an ambitious person.

When it comes to love, you shut yourself off. It's difficult to win your heart because you have decided to keep your feelings deep inside. You always have plans on your mind. This might cause a lot of stress if things don't go the way you expect. You have a strong personality and you like to command, influence and control people.

You are not a romantic person by nature. We also see that you are sensuous, sexual, and privately passionate. You don't think much about yourself.

Your Sixth Sense

2009-07-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

Your Sixth Sense Score: 67%

You are reasonable and won't get blown by temptations. However, you might miss some great opportunities.

What's In The Cave?

2009-07-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the analysis:

You are emotional. If the opportunity arises, you have a chance to cheat on your boyfriend/girlfriend.

Is He The One?

2009-07-12T09:21:00.002-07:00

He is really interested in you.

He seems to like you a lot and he can hardly hide his feeling for you. He's interested in whatever you do and hoping to get the same response from you. Get ready. He might be on his knee soon.

The Bridge

2009-07-12T09:21:00.001-07:00

Here is the analysis:

You believe in the good and the pure. Anything other than that is not what you will bend towards. Within your silence, you are arrogant.

How well will you survive in this wild world?

2009-07-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Here is the analysis:

Because of your kind nature, you always find it hard to turn down people in need. You always want to do so many things at once but eventually you might not achieve anything. Try to focus on one thing at a time and you will surely be successful.

The Bottle

2009-07-12T09:16:00.001-07:00

What if your boyfriend goes out with another girl?

You are like most others who take the middle track. Although you won't get over-worried, you are not too optimistic either. You overcome bad times after a while and patience will bring you happiness.

The Bottle

2009-07-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

The Rain

2009-07-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

This will tell about your marriage.

Your love is so hot that you won't care for anything else, even a proper wedding.

What Do Your Friends Think of You?

2009-07-12T09:13:00.001-07:00

You are popular. Your friends feel at ease when they are around you. You are cheerful and lovely. It's not surprising that you have many good friends. You always feel happy for others, not a glimpse of envy. This is your unique character. Keep up!

What Is Your Favorite Mode of Travel?

2009-07-12T09:08:00.001-07:00

Your inner energy brings you through life. You will achieve your goal in life as long as you take it easy.

How Deep Is Your Love?

2009-07-12T09:06:00.001-07:00

Depth: 60%

You have him in a corner of your heart. Don't lie to yourself; he's your special guy. Take good care of your heart. You still have a long way to go. Always remember that love has two edges. Being apart for a while might be a good chance to proof his love to you.

How Deep Is Your Love?

2009-07-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

Pick One

2009-07-12T09:05:00.001-07:00

Your future friend: You have a big sister confidence and leadership. So you friends are mostly vulnerable and always need your help. You can't resist helping these people and eventually you all will become good friends.

Your travel plan: In the future, you will often take overseas trips especially to modernized countries. You will get to explore Europe and North Asia like you always wanted.

Your future financial status: You are a big spender! You always spend on friends and luxury goods without feeling guilty. No matter how much you earn, you churn to match it. Your credit cards get thinner and thinner from frequent swipes. The figure in your bank account is not what you enjoy seeing.

The last period of your life: You can't stand being a lonely old lady so you will spend the last days of you life being a kind loving grandparent so that the kids will love to have you around.

How Well Do You React?

2009-07-12T09:04:00.001-07:00

Although you are emotional, you have full control of behavior. Being patient is your unique quality.

Who is Your Dream Guy?

2009-07-12T09:02:00.001-07:00

Here is the analysis:

According to your answers; if you are not kidding, you are too complicated. Sorry, we are unable to offer the analysis. Press Back button on you browser, check ONE question that you were not completely sure and try again with a different answer that you think it would be correct.

Your Hidden Talent

2009-07-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Mass Communicator
You have a cheerful personality and you are a naturally kind person. Your hidden talent isn't really that hidden at all: you shine among a crowd. You would make an ideal news announcer, flight attendant or model - any position that would give you an opportunity to deal with plenty of people. A tip for you is to avoid getting too deeply involved in others' personal lives - otherwise you might find yourself constantly being asked for help.

The Hang Glider

2009-07-12T08:57:00.001-07:00

Here is the analysis:

You love fair relationship with your boyfriends. You like a simple wedding. It can merely be cohabitation without wedding, or you live separately with your husband. Despite all these, you will still have a good time together until you become a grandmother or a grandfather. Then, you are still good friends who always living the rest of your life together.

Your Marriage

2009-07-12T08:53:00.002-07:00

How will you choose your Mr Right?

No matter how many men you have beating a path to your front door, when it comes to picking Mr Right, you'll listen to your parents. Not only will you become weary of all your suitors, deep down you don't quite trust your own judgment.
Who will be your future Mr Right?

Your future hubby will be lovely and sweet, but a little immature - possibly even a spoilt brat! This guy will trigger your maternal instinct. You'll always be willing to watch his back and clean up his mess. He might be the same age as you are or even younger.
When will you get married?

As soon as you fall in love, you'll want to grab your man and hang on to him. You will probably marry very young, so it would be wise of you to think carefully before committing.
What sort of wife will you be?

You are a bit tricky. You might pretend to be a sensitive and caring wife in his eyes, but you'll be ready to laugh at him behind his back and eventually you may even leave him for another man.
Will you and your husband have a good time together?

You and your spouse will choose to spend time on more romantic activities. You won't end up quite as healthy, but you'll have plenty of fun going out for drinks, watching concerts or playing cards at home with other friends.
What will your children be like?

Your kids will be quiet and won't give you a hard time - they'll be a joy to have around. However, you should teach them to be stronger and more confident in themselves. Otherwise they might grow up to be losers.
How loyal are you?

You get along very well with most guys. Sometimes your friendliness misleads others to think that you're a bit of a flirt, but actually you've got a loyal heart. You'll never have eyes for anyone except your beloved husband.

Steal It!

2009-07-12T08:53:00.001-07:00

What are the causes of your conflicts with friends?

A knife is a sign of masculinity. You like to attract the attentions from others; for example, you draw the attention from the boy your friend has a crush on. This may lead to a conflict with your friend. It is often the case that friends have a quarrel because of one guy.

Cinderella

2009-07-12T08:51:00.001-07:00

How you control your husband, who will lead the family and who will be led?

You will never expect to control your boyfriend or husband. Your boyfriend and you will take turns to make decision and the decision is often acceptable to both of you. Whatever you want to let him know, you can just tell him straightforwardly. This is a good relationship, a pretty modern one.

Jealousy Test

2009-07-12T08:49:00.001-07:00

Jealousy Level: 45%

You harbor hidden feelings of jealousy
You easily get jealous of other people, but you manage to control your expressions and emotions. For instance, when a close friend tells you that she has met the man of her dreams, you might sincerely say to her "Congratulations!", but what you're really thinking is "You're so lucky! Why can't I be you?"

Is He The One For You?

2009-07-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Things could turn out either way.

You are a little too confident. You assume that he acts the way he does because he's interested in you. Don't forget, however, that he's the type of guy who is interested in a lot of things--and a lot of people. He's a very popular person, so it doesn't mean he cares particularly for you when he shows that he's worried because you're not well, or because he has called you at home once or twice. Nonetheless, you should not abandon all your hopes! It could be that he really does like you, and the way he acts indicates these feelings. You need to carefully observe his behavior, and how he reacts to you. And you should show him more clearly how you feel. If he reacts to you as usual after he knows you're keen, then don't worry, he's coming your way.

Love and Your Sweetheart

2009-07-12T08:40:00.001-07:00

This man is a sporty type. He has a strong heart and easily comes to terms with the truth. He likes sport and physical challenges, and quickly gets bored with routine. As for women, he gets bored if they are too formal and proper. You need to be enthusiastic and ready to be spontaneous as the occasion requires it. He enjoys activities such as bush walking or rock climbing, so to keep the relationship running smoothly you should give them a go.

Love and Your Sweetheart

2009-07-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

What does being a friend really mean to you?

2009-07-12T08:39:00.001-07:00

You value your friendships: 70%

You love your friends very much - so much so that it's actually quite a worry. You may not be able to cope very well when you do lose somebody's friendship. You are a very sensitive and fragile person, and are therefore likely to get upset easily. You care for your friends and are willing to do anything that they ask you to do. Sometimes this can make your friends think that you are a bit of a nuisance. Nevertheless, people do really love you because your highest priority is your friends.

What does being a friend really mean to you?

2009-07-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

What Type of Personality Do You Have?

2009-07-12T08:37:00.001-07:00

Bright and Cheerful
You are always cheerful and charming. You never get too serious with people when they're around, but when you are alone, you think carefully about what they have said. That's because you don't want anyone to see you being too somber. Your personality means you have a lot of friends and you are often the center of attention. Many people who fall into this category become artists and movie stars, perhaps fame could be yours in the future as well.
Try again | Give me more

What's Your Personality Love Style

2009-07-12T08:34:00.001-07:00

You desire a love that will last forever. You are quite serious about finding this type of love, and that's why you think carefully about the men that you meet before deciding whether you could really love them. You don't just develop a crush on someone overnight: you look at a person's personality and other aspects of their life before deciding to form an attachment. If a guy doesn't meet your expectations, you would rather be alone. Your love has to be perfect. Be careful though, you could be missing out on some worthy relationships because your standards are so high.

The Real You

2009-07-12T08:32:00.001-07:00

You've got great self-confidence and you're full of charm. Most guys who get to know you will be attracted to you. You are far from sweet and proper; your intriguing personality fascinates them. Most guys find it easy to fall for a girl like you.

You don't really care about other people's feelings. You do things the way you want and usually think only about yourself. You are easy-going and love to have fun, but you can be irresponsible as well. You are not keen on serious discussions because they can make you remember that life isn't always about parties.

You are a bright, cheerful and bubbly person. You are thoughtful and considerate, and like to have fun. Everybody feels comfortable around you because of your pleasant nature. When you walk into a room, people's eyes are likely to be drawn to you because of your charm.

Your peers think of you as a fun person, but sometimes you can be a little irresponsible. You can be somewhat childish, and can try to ignore the fact that you will one day need to really grow up and be a mature adult! Perhaps you could start reading good books; they might help you look at the world in a different light. You do want to be taken seriously, right?

Your boyfriend thinks that you are a real doll but this is not a totally positive thing. Sometimes you can be a bit too sweet, and come across as being helpless. If you're like this too frequently, your boyfriend and other people are likely to get tired of you having to rely on them all the time.

Get To Know Yourself Better

2009-07-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You prefer to get to know a person very well before deciding whether you will commit to the relationship.
The seriousness of your love:

You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?
Your views on education

Education is less important than the real world out there, away from the classroom. Deep inside you want to start working, earning money and living on your own.
The right job for you:

You have many goals and want to achieve as much as you can. The jobs you enjoy are those that let you burn off your considerable excess energy.
How do you view success:

You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.
What are you most afraid of:

You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.
Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

Settle No More

2009-06-28T06:46:00.001-07:00

Value of Money

2009-06-26T03:04:00.003-07:00

"I hope at this point you understand the value of money."

Those are my brother's words.

2009-06-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

Your Gift is Imagination

You are constantly dreaming. You are always thinking about what could be.

You love to express yourself in many ways. You have a way with words and tell vivid stories.

You love to be amused. You are good entertaining yourself, and other people find you hilarious.

You're the type of person who finds staying happy easy. There's always fun to be had!

Advice for Freelance Writers

2009-06-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

I'm going through a phase right now where I'm tired of writing. Literally, it's all I can do to update my blog and turn out client projects. It's not spring fever - that usually passes in a few days - this is something more like exhaustion and boredom (not for client ears!).

So, when freelance writing is your job, what do you do when something like this happens? Following are three things that help - until you can take that week off and head to the beach.

1. Examine the "Slump": If you find that "I don't feel like writing" feeling turning into a "I don't like writing" feeling, then it's time to examine if your slump is something more.

For each person, the timeframe for examining when it's more than a slump will be different, but listen to your gut.

Every writer goes through periods where they can't stand their computer. This usually passes in a relatively short period of time.

But, like every other profession, maybe your "writing" career has run its course. Or, maybe it's time to take your skill in another direction. Eg, instead of business writing, maybe you'd like to try fiction writing. Or, maybe you'd like to be a researcher instead.

Freelance writers may experience some sense of guilt if they find that they don't like their job because everyone thinks they're crazy - after all, you get to work in your jimmies and be home all the time. Who wouldn't love that?

But, this life is not for everyone. So, don't be afraid to face this possibility if that's what it really is.

2. Just do it: Like any other job, you just have to sit down and get to it. I can be the biggest procrastinator in the world, especially when I'm working on a project that doesn't interest me.

I will 90 different things that need my attention - except for the one that pays my bills. BUT, eventually, I plop my derriere in a chair and bang out what I need to bang out.

And, you know what? Once I get started, I usually find the inspiration to do more than is required. Sometimes, just sitting down and getting started is all that's needed.

So, just do it!

3. Work on Other Stuff: I've been wanting to update my website, but haven't had time to. I still don't really, but, I've allotted a portion of my week to working on this now that I'm in this little "I don't want to write phase."

I don't have the luxury of outright not writing, much like many don't have the option of not going to work when they don't' feel like it. BUT, I can shift my attention. As for writing, I do only what's absolutely necessary, then work on other projects.

Make these projects work related, so you don't feel like you've abandoned your career altogether. Eg, tackle marketing.

Many freelance writers shove this to the side all too often. So, if you don't want to write - for whatever reason - make marketing your priority. Submit old content to free article directories, re-design your website, send out copies of your free e-book, etc.

This serves a double purpose: (i) you get the word out about your product/services; and (ii) you get inspired when you start getting orders and/or more work from your marketing efforts.

Sometimes, all you need is a little push, a little validation to get you inspired again.

Ellie Parker On Hold

2009-06-19T19:55:00.001-07:00

I'm taking a break first. I need to re-energize. I need to hone my skills. I need to finance myself. I will concentrate on making money first, taking lesssons, and gettong the really good roles. I don't want to waste time anymore on pointless auditions. I have networked myself enough. I will try to be in hermit mode of my actor friends. Only when there's an acting opportunity that comes up. For now, I will have to work on myself. I am done investing for other people. It gets tiring sometimes. This time, it's me. It will be me. I'm giving myself twelve months.

Waitressing

2009-06-18T00:59:00.001-07:00

Some actors waited
I wrote

Untog

2009-06-15T09:09:00.001-07:00

Unlike you, I am realistic.

I can't believe you want to work but you have so many conditions and limitations.

The first is personal, the other is professional.
I needed to hear those words.
Goodbye, Neverland.
Hello, sleepless nights.

Revamping

2009-06-07T04:45:00.000-07:00

I am seriously thinking of retoxing. My body. My contacts. My closet. Everything. Let go of things and people I don't need. Lessen the given in to sweets. Control myself.

I need to be the new me. Physically. Emotionally.

Today was the preview. Tomorrow is Day 1. I have a couple of job interviews to go to. Crossing my fingers that I get those. It's about time that I do.

Too bad I would have to leave my dogs again - but that's life. This is what it means to grow up.

The Fear Strikes Again

2009-05-08T03:33:00.000-07:00

The chat with my mother confirmed my greatest fear. The only person I can really depend on is me. Sure, I can ask help from loved ones time and time again. But in the end, it would have to be me. All me.

I must be careful and wary of all the decisions I make now. Of how I spend my time. Of what I do and don't do. If I do something, it means I'm not doing another thing. Whatever I'm doing must be well thought of.

I'm reassessing and reprioritizing. Despite my mom's doubts, I still believe in my dream. For a minute I was clicking on jobstreet again. But I shook that off.

I can do this because I'm meant to do this.

A New Chapter Begins

2009-04-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

April 27. Another chapter begins.

At 25, I pretty much know what I want in life. I also know my strengths as well as my weaknesses. My assets and my flaws. I know what I can do and cannot do. I know when I'm just giving up and feeling lazy. I know when I can push it.

Lately, I've been praying a lot to God. Asking Him to give me the strength to do what must be done. To avoid temptations. Generally, I ask Him to guide me in my thoughts, words, and actions.

But in the end, it's all up to me. My free will. I can pray as much as I want. In fact, I can also not pray at all. But I choose to - because I hear His voice better when I do.

Today marks the beginning of a new me. I'm turning to this blog, and not in my LJ, to document my developments on the new me. The new me that is capable of accomplishing adult tasks. The one who's no longer a kid. The one who can fight off sleep or brain drain - simply because I need to get the job done. The one who can just do what must be done and not put off to tomorrow what can be done today.

I am this determined to just push myself further. To actually accomplish what is in my head. It's not enough to just dream it. Yes, I am doing it, but I know I can do more. And by doing more, there is a price to pay. There are no short cuts.

"Lahat pinaghihirapan," as how my mother puts it.

So as I write this - these are the things I have to do.
- Finish 20 articles
- Fold the clothes
- Pack (Man, I'm leaving in 24 hours and I'm not even packed.)
- Withdraw
- Last minute grocery shopping
- Parlor
- Start reading Dr. Zhivago
- Watch "Pushing Daisies"
- Write what I can from the 27 articles that are pending or write the 10 articles that will be sent. Depends which one comes first.
- Watch "Ally McBeal"
- Last minute laundry

And of course, major overhaul. I can do this.

God, I need Your help. I know I can. Be my voice to do what must be done.

More Blogthings

2009-03-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

You Relate to Eagles and Whales

Your Power Animal: Eagle

Animal You Were in a Past Life: Whale

You are active, a challenger, and optimistic.

Hard-working, you are always working towards a set goal.

The Animal Personality Test

Not a Player, But You Dabble In the Game.

Sometimes a girl just wants to have fun- and when it's fun you're after, you get it.

But when you want a relationship, you seem to score that as well.

What you want changes from day to day and from guy to guy.

Luckily, you've got the skills to get whatever you want - and pass the leftovers on to your friends.

When It Comes to Men, Are You a Player?

You are a Romantic Realist

Okay, so you fall in the middle.

You know that love isn't like a greeting card...

Yet you can always find a greeting card to describe your feelings.

You are the best of both worlds

Girly yet independent, dreamy yet serious.

Almost any guy can find balance with you.

Are You a Romantic or Realistic Girl?

You Are Jennifer Aniston

Girl next door with a free spirit.

You're low key and naturally sexy.

Sweet and approachable, people are attracted to your upbeat attitude.

And even when life doesn't go your way, you always eventually turn things around.

Are You More Like Jennifer or Angelina?

You Feel Humbled By Your Family

You feel a bit overwhelmed by and resentful of your family right now. This is a good moment for you to take some time away from them.

You have confidence in your family to take care of itself and make good decisions. You especially have this confidence in the younger generation.

You've improved your family relationships through introspection. You always look at your own behavior first, and you've made changes to how you act.

You have trouble keeping up with your family member's birthdays and anniversaries. You are often late with your gifts.

How Do You Really Feel About Your Family?

Your Envy Quotient: 46%

You are an envious person, but only at times.

Perhaps certain situations trigger your envy. Or maybe you're especially jealous when you're feeling insecure.

Instead of letting that green monster out, work on making your own life better.

And then maybe people will be envious of you.

How Much Envy Do You Have?

Your Important Priorities Are Taken Care Of

For you, primal needs like eating and sleeping are your top priorities.

You don't mind having things to get done... as long as they don't pile up on you.

Your most important priorities get your attention. You are happily able to let the less important things slide.

You want money to be a high priority, but you don't often get around to it.

The Priority Test

Your Personality is 53% Addictive

You may have an addictive personality, but you have it mostly under check.

Just don't start any new bad habits, okay?

Do You Have an Addictive Personality?

Your Inner Color is Purple

Your Personality: You're a dreamer and visionary. You believe you were put on this earth to do something great.

You in Love: You're very passionate but often too busy for love. You need a partner who sees your vision and adopts it as their own.

Your Career: You need a job that helps you make a difference. You have a bright future as a guru, politician, teacher, or musician.

What's Your Inner Color?

What the House Test Says About You

You consider yourself important, but no more important than anyone else. You love attention, but you don't feel like you deserve more of it than anyone else.

You aren't against being community oriented, but it's not really your thing. You tend to prefer to focus on your family and not the neighborhood around you.

You are a calm, contemplative, and smart person. You take ideas very seriously.

You take good care of your physical appearance. You dress well, stay in shape, and do your best to look great.

You are moved by romance and love. You are optimistic about people, and you love hearing about happy endings.

The House Test

You Are Equally Close to Your Friends and Family

Depending on the situation, you can feel closer to your friends or your family.

They each are valuable to you in their own ways, and you couldn't imagine living without either of them.

Your friends and family aren't ideal, but you're happy to have so many great people in your life.

At the end of the day, you're thankful for all your personal connections... flaws and all.

Are You Closer to Your Friends or Your Family?

You Are A Jealous Ex

You're not quite over your past, and you are hurt that your ex is moving on.

You're no longer in love, but you're not done with being pissed.

Jealous of any happiness that comes your ex's way, you still can't let go.

What Type of Ex Are You?

You Are Friends With Potential

There's a little spark going on here, no question about it

Will this develop into a hot romance? Look to your guy friend for clues.

Does he flirt with all his female friends? Or are you an exception?

If he's giving you special treatment, you've won a part of his heart already.

Is He More Than a Friend?

You Should Have Been Born Under: Ox

You are solid, methodical, and you do things right the first time.

Even when no one else does, you always believe in yourself.

You tend to see the world in black and white, right or wrong.

A good memory and eye for details means you tend to thrive at near impossible tasks.

You are most compatible with a Snake or Rooster.

What Year Should You Have Been Born Under?

You Should Travel to Cambodia

While you might not go all Angelina Jolie and adopt a baby...

You can still appreciate Cambodia's rich history and deserted beaches.

What Asian Country Should You Visit?

You Should Drive a Pink Car

You're the type of driver who really loves your car.

You can make a car last for ages - or take good care of a vintage ride.

You're independent, creative, and very expressive.

You consider your car a part of you ... and you want to make it as funky as possible.

What Color Car Should You Drive?

Your Love Life is Like The Princess Bride

"Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind."

For you, love is like a fairy tale - albeit a fairly twisted one.

You believe romance is all about loyalty, fate, and a good big of goofy fun.

Your love style: Idealistic yet quirky

Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Perfectly romantic

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

You Are A Professional Girlfriend!

You are the perfect girlfriend - big surprise!

Heaven knows you've had enough practice. That's why you're a total pro.

If there was an Emily Post of girlfriends, it would be you.

You know how to act in every situation ... to make both you and your guy happy.

What Kind of Girlfriend Are You?

You Are A Relationship Rescuer!

You don't ruin relationships, if anything you keep them together

The key: you respect yourself and your guy. Which goes further than you might think.

You simply treat your guy how you would like to be treated... the old golden rule.

And in return, he treats you like gold - or at least tries. And how perfect is that

Do You Ruin Relationships With Men?

You Have Your PhD in Men

You understand men almost better than anyone.

You accept that guys are very different, and you read signals well.

Work what you know about men, and your relationships will be blissful.

How Well Do You Understand Men?

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain.

People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

The Five Factor Personality Post

2009-03-29T08:30:00.001-07:00

Extroversion:

You have high extroversion.
You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends.
You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation.
Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go"!

Conscientiousness:

You have medium conscientiousness.
You're generally good at balancing work and play.
When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.
But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it.

Agreeableness:

You have high agreeableness.
You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.
Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.
You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.

Neuroticism:

You have medium neuroticism.
You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic.
Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy.
Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of.

Openness to experience:

Your openness to new experiences is high.
In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas.
You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits.
A great admirer of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

Because I Don't Want To Flood Facebook

2009-03-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

You Are Accepting and Open

When You Are Comfortable:

You are enthusiastic and flexible. You are open-minded. You prefer to learn from others... not judge them.
People see you as kind and cooperative. You are very supportive when friends are down on their luck.

When You Are At Your Best:

You are a hard worker. You need security and stability in your life, even if that means putting in long hours.
People see you as solid and dependable. You are always able to see the good in situations. Other find this comforting.

When You Are in a Social Setting:

You are a hyper, restless person. You need to keep busy, and you always are willing to take charge in life.
People see you as energetic and motivating. You inspire people to be the best they can be.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

Your Inner Muse is Euterpe

You are most like this muse of music.
While you may or may not be musical...
You love music and set life to your own personal soundtrack.
And you are good at making anyone's heart sing!

What Muse Are You?

You Are the Artist

You are unique and inspired. You aren't happy unless you are making art of some sort.
Almost anything can be a catalyst for your creativity. You find the whole world stimulating.

You have beautiful visions, and you're good at expressing them. You like people to see what you see.
You also have an inventor's spirit. You're always thinking up new ideas and concepts.

What's Your Life's Mission?

25 Random Things About Me

2009-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Rules:
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.

At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. My favorite movie of all time is "The Piano." There was a time when I thought "The Phantom of the Opera" took its place. I watched both films back to back. What made "The Piano" number 1 - it was written and directed by a woman.

2. My favorite artist of all time is Tori Amos. If ever she has a concert, I won't mind going solo. Will get the most expensive seat available. The closer to her, the better.

3. It's hard to tell who my favorite actress is. My Top 5 are Salma Hayek, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Connelly, and Monica Bellucci.

4. I miss Jonathan Taylor Thomas.

5. I have a huge crush on Christian Bautista and Jay R.

6. I love plugging my girl friends. Whenever they have movies, plays, or gigs, I plug these in my blog. Support your kind!

7. I fall for artists. My one true love is, was a musician. He was when we were together. I'm in love with an actor-filmmaker right now.

8. My mom and my siblings mean the world to me. I will do anything for them.

9. My dogs are like my babies. They know how to flaunt it in front of the camera. They're like children.

10. I have a thing for dimples. Growing up, there was a Tarranco joke. If you don't have dimples, you're adopted. That's why I grew up checking my cousins' cheeks. To this date, I unconsciously look at my friends' cheeks whenever I talk to them. Most of my closest friends have dimples.

11. I started playing the piano again.

12. I used to play the recorder/flute. There was a time nagpaka feeling Andrea Corr ako.

13. The worst sound for me - siren. I get goosebumps and my heart beats really fast. It's a childhood trauma.

14. I already have a wedding entourage. Only problem is the groom's face is blurry. Hehe.

15. I would have wanted to adapt so many books into movies - but they keep beating me to the chase.

16. My dream role - Bond Girl. Haha. I would also like to play Cleopatra, Esmeralda, Scheherazade, Artemis, and Gabriela Silang.

17. I can recite the alphabet backwards. I use this skill to amuse my students.

18. Teaching is therapeutic. Whenever I'm with children, all those baggages I have from acting go 'poof.'

19. My favorite series ever is "FRIENDS" "Sex and the City" is number two. I am still looking for the complete DVD set of "Twin Peaks" Please help me find one.

20. In my alternate universe, I would be a diplomat or an interpreter. I still know my languages but I need to brush up on them. That's why I watch French and Spanish movies whenever I can.

21. I want to be cremated. Please tell my family that. And I want it to be a FUN-eral. Have Vonda Shepard's "Searching My Soul" playing in the background.

22. I'm into Tarot.

23. I believe that this is my third life. Weird as it may sound.

24. This is my favorite number. Because my birthday is September 24. Hehe.

25. I would love to have children someday. 6 is the ideal number. I'm just worried about one thing - my body. :P

Jamie Wilson performs in NVC's 'Duologues and Other Complexities'

2008-12-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

For some time now, Jamie Wilson, one of the theater industry’s finest actors, has been enjoying (and thriving in) the corporate world, but he readily admits there’s nothing better than the fulfilment he gets out of performing—his true calling.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. at the SJG Studio, Kalayaan ave., Makati City (call 896-5497, seats are limited), Jamie resumes his love affair with the legitimate stage when he guests in one of the workshopped scenes in “Duologues and Other Complexities: An NVC Showcase,” an engaging hodgepodge of 10 open-ended situations that examine 10 diverse relationships inspired by the works of Kevin Wade, Ara Watson, Christopher Durang, Debbie Isitt, Garry Michael Kluger, Monica Dickens and Kathy Najimy, featuring 15 of NVC’s current batch of talented workshop students. “Duologues” is devised and directed by NVC associate artistic director Rito Asilo, who also adapted some of the scenes in Filipino.

Wilson was last seen in the New Voice Company’s successful VDay staging of Eve Ensler and Mollie Doyle’s “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer” in June and in the critically acclaimed Stephen Sondheim musical, “Into the Woods,” last December.

Jamie is in good company: This month’s batch includes actress-filmmaker Katrina Flores, director of the acclaimed Cinemalaya entry, “Still Life,”; theater actors Jasper Allan Mirasol (last seen in “Bagahe,” Martir sa Golgota”), Minerva Delena (“Bagahe”), Maria Goldie Soon (“Recoged Esta Voz,” “Kahapon, Ngayon, Bukas,” “Oedipus Rex”), April Celmar (“Cabaret,” “Waiting for Godot”), Jenny Lou Orlina (“Birhen ng Caysasay,” “Cory”), Tcel Maramag (“Frozen”), Rensi Julienne Pua (“Day at the Fair”) and Ma’an Fara Santos (“Misadventure”). Joining them are outstanding newbies Lara Tarranco, Niccolo Gerard Dominguez, Angela Teh, April Rose Claessens and Rio Sazon.

NVC executive producer is Rossana Abueva, and NVC artistic director is Monique Wilson. Light design by Mel Roxas, stage management, sound design and video projection by Tcel Maramag, production management by Ronalyn Duldulao and production supervision by Jaybee Ann Rocutan and Eunece Punzalan. Call 896-5497 0r 896-6695, seats are limited.

Letter to God

2008-11-25T21:14:00.001-08:00

God, I tried. I'm really not for full-time. I'm going back. I've decided. I know better too. Please guide me in my decision-making. Please help me maintain the discipline, concentration, and focus needed to make myself better - in both ways, my reality and my fantasy. Thanks!

Anxiety Attack

2008-11-23T23:43:00.002-08:00

If a rehearsal falls on December 4 or/and December 5
I'm submitting my resignation.

Kate Winslet talks fame and nudity

2008-11-04T21:25:00.000-08:00

Kate Winslet may have five Oscar nominations, effortless gorgeousness and a happy home life, but she admits she still has to contend with her chubby inner child.

"This is going to sound really weird, but I never had a desire to be famous," the sublime actress tells the December issue of Vanity Fair, which features her on the cover in her most sultry, skin-teasing Catherine Deneuve-inspired pose (check out more shots from the spread here). "I never had huge ambitions -- never. ... I was fat. I didn't know any fat famous actresses."

Winslet, 33, who in her teens once tipped the scales at close to 200 pounds, concedes that she "just did not see myself in that world at all, and I'm being very sincere. You know, once a fat kid, always a fat kid. Because you always think that you just look a little bit wrong or a little bit different from everyone else. And I still sort of have that."

It's a feeling that apparently tends to bubble up when she sees stylish types teetering on stilettos.

"I often look at women who wear great jeans and high heels and nice little T-shirts wandering around the city and I think, 'I should make more of an effort. I should look like that,'" figures Kate, before common sense takes over. "But then I think, 'They can't be happy in those heels.'"

The actress, who is married to director Sam Mendes and is mom to Mia, 8, and Joe, 5, approaches the maintenance of her enviable figure with the same pragmatic attitude.

"Everyone can commit to 20 minutes," she says of her workout regimen, "especially if there's a glass of Chardonnay afterwards."

It's a tip Winslet would probably share with the other parents at her kids' school, if she could overcome the feeling that they're sizing her up instead of trusting Us Weekly's tagline that stars really are "just like us."

"You know why I fear people's judgment? Because I know they're judging. I know they are," she observes. "You know, these mothers are going to read this article and they're all absolutely great, but I know when I walk into that classroom in the morning, even if it's for a split second, at some point I'm being checked out. And some of them will even say to me, 'OK, what's the secret with the skin?' At which point I'm like, 'Oh my God, there's no secret. I have makeup on. And by the way, since I turned 30, I've had an acne problem on my chin. I'm just like everybody else -- I just know how to cover it. If you'd like me to show you how, I'd be more than happy.'"

Still, one judgment she's sure to welcome is from her "king of the world"-spouting "Titanic" leading man Leonardo DiCaprio, with whom she's reteamed for the Mendes-directed "Revolutionary Road."

The actor, who's apparently over that whole "you sent me to a watery grave even though I'm pretty sure there was room on that wooden board you were floating on" thing, declares Winslet "the most talented actress of her generation."

And with Oscar buzz building for her "Revolutionary" role, not to mention her turn opposite Ralph Fiennes in the post-World War II drama "The Reader," Winslet is up front about her desire to claim a little bald naked gold guy of her very own.

"Do I want it? You bet your [bleeping] ass I do!" she enthusiastically acknowledges. "I think that people assume that I don't care or don't want it or don't need it or something. It's hard to be there five times, and I'm only human, you know? But I don't go home and cry, because we're all grown-ups here."

Funnily enough, one Academy Award winner who did her crying onstage as she collected her statue has revealed a desire to be more like Kate.

"[She's] always naked, sitting on a toilet, running buck-naked. She's free," Halle Berry gushes to Elle. "I want to be the kind of actress who can really be comfortable with my body like that."

But that on-camera comfort doesn't come easy.

"I know that in order to do my job as truthfully as I can -- because to me that's everything -- you really have to not give a [bleep] [about what people think]," explains Winslet. "You have to be prepared to look stupid and you have to be prepared to walk around naked in front of a crew of people you've never met before and may never see again. And it is scary."

And that may be why her personal wants tend to be refreshingly simple.

"I need to be looked after," Kate tells the magazine. "I'm not talking about diamond rings and nice restaurants and fancy stuff --- in fact, that makes me uncomfortable. I didn't grow up with it and it's not me, you know?"

What she does need is "someone to say to me, 'Shall I run you a bath?' or 'Let's go to the pub, just us.' I mean, the things that make me happiest in the whole world are going on the occasional picnic, either with my children or with my partner," she notes. "Big family gatherings, and being able to go to the grocery store -- if I can get those things in, I'm doing good."

Falling

2008-11-03T17:17:00.001-08:00

Many people are quick to get into love relationships. It does not take much for them to begin to feel overwhelming good feelings that send them into orbit. Falling in love is easy for them. In fact, they seem to fall in love as soon as they fall out of love.

They are quick to draw conclusions. “He loves me” and “I just know he is the right guy for me,” are commonly heard statements soon after they jump into a relationship. When you ask them what they know about the guy, you learn that they know very little. Still, they insist that they “just know.” It’s all about feelings and they trust their feelings.

More often than not, their feelings betray them. After a time, they realize that it was all a mistake. He isn’t the guy they thought he was. Well, they did not think. Instead they made the decision to commit based on feelings. Feelings are tricky. They don’t think. They just feel. And feelings are like the weather. They change, and often they change quickly without notice.

If you have a history of jumping in and out of relationships quickly; if you believe you cannot live without a man; if the time between relationships feels like a living hell, then you may be the problem.

Desperate people behave in desperate ways. They do things that ordinarily they would not do. They tend to overreact because of feelings taken to the extreme. They have strong swings of emotions and have difficulty keeping their feelings under control. This leads them into all kinds of problems. When feelings lead the way, instead of good thinking, you can be sure that the way will be difficult and unpredictable.

Whirlwind courtships usually end up in stormy waters. The reason being that love relationships are serious matters that calls for some serious thought and a good control of feelings. Strong feelings can easily cloud the thought process. This is why we often make the wrong decisions in life. Our head tells us to move in this direction, but because of feelings we move in the opposite direction and things don’t work out. We knew what we had to do but did not do it.

We do not like to admit it, but the truth is that more often than not we decide things with our feelings rather than with our head. We trust our feelings more than we trust our thinking.

Try telling the woman who is madly (insanely) in love with her drug-addicted boyfriend who doesn’t have a job and never finished school that he is a high-risk guy. She won’t listen to you much less follow your advice to walk away. Her feelings tell her that he will change and that their love will overcome any and all obstacles in their way.

If you have problems about drugs, alcohol and behavior/attitude call my office at 820-6107 or 825-1771 or email me at gvcbuenca@vasia.com or write me at P.O. Box 2099 MCPO, Makati City.

Here's Bubbles at You!

2008-11-02T21:22:00.000-08:00

Here's Bubbles At You
======================

You know, most people think of blowing bubbles as something for
children. I think of it as a stress reducer.

Just this last week as I was sitting at the front desk of the
office where I work, I looked outside and saw an older gentleman
sitting on the edge of the fountain blowing bubbles.

A young lady with a camera was taking pictures using the glass of
the building as a reflective background.

From the time between noticing the man blowing bubbles until the
time the phone rang again, I forgot about the busy office and
work that needed to be done and just enjoyed the scene.

At my old job, there was a lot of stress for over more than a year
because of people being let go and changes being made. Each time a
meeting was called everyone wondered if it was their turn to
get the bad news or if they were just going to close the whole
office.

On a day after one of these meetings, another twenty or so
people were told they had only 60 more days of employment;
I was one of them. I walked around the office doing my
mail run and in between delivering the mail, I blew bubbles.

I blew them over the cubicles while people were working and they
would look around and wonder where the bubbles were coming from.

I would step into someone's office and blow as many as one
dipping would allow. While I was doing this, I would watch the
smiles, hear the laughter, and people briefly forgot the stress
of the situation.

It didn't solve any problems or help anyone find a new job, but
for that moment on that day, the office wasn't filled with the
gloominess that we were getting used to.

One last suggestion for bubble therapy.

I have carried a small bottle of bubbles, the kind you would get
at a wedding, in the car. In a traffic jam or just while
stopped at a red light, I roll down the window occasionally and
blow as many bubbles as I can before it's time for the car to
move again.

I love to watch the faces of the people looking around and
pointing. Most of them didn't see me blowing the bubbles and
they wondered where they came from.

People's faces light up when they see bubbles which makes me
feel lighter. I think I need to dig out my bottle of bubbles
again, it's been a while. Thanks for reminding me.

"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear
the music." George Carlin

Keirsey

2008-10-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

All Idealists (NFs) share the following core characteristics:

Idealists are enthusiastic, they trust their intuition, yearn for romance, seek their true self, prize meaningful relationships, and dream of attaining wisdom.
Idealists pride themselves on being loving, kindhearted, and authentic.
Idealists tend to be giving, trusting, spiritual, and they are focused on personal journeys and human potentials.
Idealists make intense mates, nurturing parents, and inspirational leaders.
Idealists, as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. Idealists strive to discover who they are and how they can become their best possible self -- always this quest for self-knowledge and self-improvement drives their imagination. And they want to help others make the journey. Idealists are naturally drawn to working with people, and whether in education or counseling, in social services or personnel work, in journalism or the ministry, they are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.
Idealists are sure that friendly cooperation is the best way for people to achieve their goals. Conflict and confrontation upset them because they seem to put up angry barriers between people. Idealists dream of creating harmonious, even caring personal relations, and they have a unique talent for helping people get along with each other and work together for the good of all. Such interpersonal harmony might be a romantic ideal, but then Idealists are incurable romantics who prefer to focus on what might be, rather than what is. The real, practical world is only a starting place for Idealists; they believe that life is filled with possibilities waiting to be realized, rich with meanings calling out to be understood. This idea of a mystical or spiritual dimension to life, the "not visible" or the "not yet" that can only be known through intuition or by a leap of faith, is far more important to Idealists than the world of material things.

Highly ethical in their actions, Idealists hold themselves to a strict standard of personal integrity. They must be true to themselves and to others, and they can be quite hard on themselves when they are dishonest, or when they are false or insincere. More often, however, Idealists are the very soul of kindness. Particularly in their personal relationships, Idealists are without question filled with love and good will. They believe in giving of themselves to help others; they cherish a few warm, sensitive friendships; they strive for a special rapport with their children; and in marriage they wish to find a "soulmate," someone with whom they can bond emotionally and spiritually, sharing their deepest feelings and their complex inner worlds.

Idealists are relatively rare, making up no more than 15 to 20 percent of the population. But their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and their idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers.

Princess Diana, Joan Baez, Albert Schweitzer, Bill Moyers, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mohandas Gandhi, Mikhael Gorbachev, and Oprah Winfrey are examples of Idealists.

A full description of the Idealist is in People Patterns or Please Understand Me II

Idealist Portrait of the Champion (ENFP)
Like the other Idealists, Champions are rather rare, say two or three percent of the population, but even more than the others they consider intense emotional experiences as being vital to a full life. Champions have a wide range and variety of emotions, and a great passion for novelty. They see life as an exciting drama, pregnant with possibilities for both good and evil, and they want to experience all the meaningful events and fascinating people in the world. The most outgoing of the Idealists, Champions often can't wait to tell others of their extraordinary experiences. Champions can be tireless in talking with others, like fountains that bubble and splash, spilling over their own words to get it all out. And usually this is not simple storytelling; Champions often speak (or write) in the hope of revealing some truth about human experience, or of motivating others with their powerful convictions. Their strong drive to speak out on issues and events, along with their boundless enthusiasm and natural talent with language, makes them the most vivacious and inspiring of all the types.

Fiercely individualistic, Champions strive toward a kind of personal authenticity, and this intention always to be themselves is usually quite attractive to others. At the same time, Champions have outstanding intuitive powers and can tell what is going on inside of others, reading hidden emotions and giving special significance to words or actions. In fact, Champions are constantly scanning the social environment, and no intriguing character or silent motive is likely to escape their attention. Far more than the other Idealists, Champions are keen and probing observers of the people around them, and are capable of intense concentration on another individual. Their attention is rarely passive or casual. On the contrary, Champions tend to be extra sensitive and alert, always ready for emergencies, always on the lookout for what's possible.

Champions are good with people and usually have a wide range of personal relationships. They are warm and full of energy with their friends. They are likable and at ease with colleagues, and handle their employees or students with great skill. They are good in public and on the telephone, and are so spontaneous and dramatic that others love to be in their company. Champions are positive, exuberant people, and often their confidence in the goodness of life and of human nature makes good things happen.

Joan Baez, Phil Donahue, Paul Robeson, Bill Moyer, Elizibeth Cady Stanton, Joeseph Campbell, Edith Wharton, Sargent Shriver, Charles Dickens, and Upton Sinclair are examples of Idealist Champions

Full descriptions of the Champion and the Idealists are in People Patterns and Please

Movie Preview: Revolutionary Road

2008-10-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

It's 3 a.m. on a crowd-clogged New York City street and   Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have spent the past few hours trying to fall in love. So far, they've come up just short of true romance. The point of diminishing returns is drawing dangerously close on the set of Revolutionary Road, where the Titanic stars are struggling with an important party scene in which they must meet, connect, and set themselves up for a life of misery together.

In an effort to stoke passions, director Sam Mendes (Jarhead), Winslet's real-life husband, has been cranking up the volume on a Dean Martin ballad each time they launch into the scene. After 13 takes, with patience running on fumes, someone cues up the music again — only this time a practical joker has replaced Dino with Celine Dion's ''My Heart Will Go On,'' the syrupy but strangely stirring anthem from Titanic. Suddenly, it's as if someone pressed the pause button. Everyone freezes for a good five seconds. And then, without saying a word, DiCaprio wraps Winslet in his arms, she spreads hers, and they re-create the iconic hood-ornament image that was wallpapered all over the planet 11 years ago. The 300 or so extras and onlookers explode into applause, juicing the stars enough to nail the scene on the next take.

Titanic fans will have to take their kicks where they can get them. Because anyone looking for a happily-ever-after reunion won't exactly find it in Revolutionary Road. This romantic moment is a rare pit stop in the dark journey the actors take as Frank and April Wheeler, two former free spirits who marry, have kids, move to the burbs, and find themselves fighting, bed-hopping, and living on autopilot until they embark on a misbegotten plan to cure their malaise by moving to Paris. The cautionary tale, based on Richard Yates' celebrated 1961 novel, is full of big ideas that question the viability of the American dream. It's also a tough commercial sell that's going to require a mighty blast of Oscar heat to succeed, especially at a time when audiences are increasingly looking to escape their troubles at the multiplex, not be thrust into someone else's. ''This is a much more detailed, sophisticated love story than Titanic,'' says Mendes. ''It's about two people who land in their 30s and think, 'This isn't what I wanted at all. How did I get here?'''

Winslet, 32, had been hungry to explore different sides of her relationship with DiCaprio, with whom she has remained phone-call-in-the-middle-of-the-night close since Titanic. ''We knew that if we were going to do something again, it had to be something big and emotional,'' says the actress, who fell in love with Yates' book years ago and became the project's driving force. ''Revolutionary Road is so painful and beautiful to read, simply because of the brutality of the honesty that Frank and April end up experiencing together.'' For all the couple endures — epic Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?-like brawls, bad parenting, DIY abortion — Revolutionary Road is now regarded as an unsung classic of domestic anomie in the tradition of John Updike and Raymond Carver. Since it first appeared, the novel has had many Hollywood suitors, from director John Frankenheimer (who decided to make The Manchurian Candidate instead) to producer Albert S. Ruddy (The Godfather) to actor Patrick O'Neal (Under Siege) — each of whom tried and failed to come up with a viable screenplay that was true to the book but wouldn't leave moviegoers reaching for the cyanide as they left the theater.

What the project needed was a force-of-nature advocate like Winslet. Even so, it took the actress more than two years to coax Mendes and DiCaprio to come aboard. ''When I heard about it, I thought, 'Well, I've done a movie about American suburbia,''' recalls Mendes, who made his directing debut with 1999's Oscar-sweeping American Beauty. He worried he'd be repeating himself — until he started working with screenwriter Justin Haythe (The Clearing) to capture the story's tender and toxic central relationship. To nab DiCaprio, Winslet resorted to subterfuge. In March 2007, while they were both in L.A. to attend the Oscars, she arranged to have a drink with DiCaprio, who had finally plowed through the script Winslet had been badgering him to read. But instead of showing up herself, she sent Mendes alone to discuss his vision for the film...and seal the deal. ''Leo and I have such a history together and I couldn't imagine not being able to apply that to this story and these characters,'' says Winslet. ''So I played this very clever cat-and-mouse game to get my husband and then my best friend involved.''

DiCaprio was interested in venturing into uncharted terrain: playing a husband and a father. But mostly he saw this as a chance   to reconnect with an old pal. ''I looked at it almost like doing a play,'' says the actor, 33. ''It was one of those situations where it just focused on these two characters, the degradation of their marriage, and who they think they are. I just thought, Wouldn't it be a wonderful experience to do it with Kate?''

As it turned out, the answer was, Not exactly. Portraying a marriage under siege was an emotional meat grinder that left everybody feeling a little bruised. ''I think Leo was surprised by the intensity of it,'' says Mendes, referring to the character's increasingly remote and disloyal ways. ''But he totally got it and ultimately embraced the part's a--hole qualities quite readily.'' The shoot proved exhausting for both stars. ''By the end Leo had lost 10 pounds and was completely spent,'' Winslet says. ''And I felt completely bled dry.''

But if anyone can turn adversity into ardor, it's these two survivors of Titanic's notoriously grueling nine-month shoot. ''I hadn't realized how much my chemistry with him since Titanic would still stick,'' says Winslet. ''It's great to discover we can just slip right into it, like muscle memory.'' Still, the comfort evaporated for the actress when it came to filming passionate love scenes as her husband watched from behind the camera. ''I just kept saying, 'This is too f---ing weird,''' recalls Winslet. ''And Leo was like, 'Oh, get over it.' And I'm going, 'Yeah, a little reminder: You're my best friend. He's my husband. This is a bit weird.''' But Mendes was surprisingly Zen about the experience. ''I will admit it was quite bizarre to direct my wife in how to make love,'' recalls the director. ''But it's difficult whether you're married to a person or not.''

In fact, Winslet is still reeling from the   experience of paving Revolutionary Road with her most intimate relationships, both on camera and off. ''It was almost as though   we just had a car crash and our car had rolled five times down a hill,'' she says in one breathless burst, ''and then we walked out completely unscathed going, 'Wow, f--- me, we're alive!'''

Why Guys Dump Girls They Dig

2008-10-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

The Timing Is Off
Chances are, you've had at least one breakup that left you wondering, "What just happened?" The guy dug you, you dug him, and the whole thing felt destined for a fabulous future -- at least the foreseeable one. Then, out of nowhere, he bailed on the relationship. So what went wrong? The sad dating truth is, maybe nothing. Here are five completely ridiculous reasons guys kick you to the curb. Warning: For the most part, it ain't pretty.Single women get serious when they meet the right man. Single men get serious with whomever we happen to be dating when we're finally ready to settle down. That means after every other aspect of our life is in order -- whether it's finishing grad school, finally pulling down a good-size paycheck, owning a car outright -- or when our friends start dropping like flies (that's guyspeak for getting married).

But if you catch a guy before he hits that magical stage of his life, then he's liable to bolt -- like Patrick, 28, who dumped Bridgett after two years, then got engaged to the next girl he dated after only 10 months. "When I was with Bridgett, all of my friends were single and I was still an intern with nothing going on in my career. So every time she'd bring up our future together, it felt like she was jumping the gun," he says. "I didn't break up with her because she was wrong for me. I ended it because I didn't want to commit to anyone right then. But by the time I met Elizabeth, I was in a settling-down frame of mind."

We're Not Finished Playing the Field

Single men are natural-born one-uppers. If there's a possibility of upgrading what we already have for something better (that'll make our friends drool), we say, bring it on! So we wind up always wondering if you're really as good as it gets. (I know, scumbag mentality.) "Whenever I meet a new attractive woman, I consider what it would be like to date her, even if I have a girlfriend at the time," says Andy, 30. "The grass is always greener. No matter how great his current girl is, a guy doesn't want to feel like he's missing out."

In addition to our opportunistic tendencies, most guys feel compelled to put as many relationship conquests under their belts as possible. "I admit it -- I know the exact number of girls I've dated, no mental calculation required," says Dan, 29. "That's how aware I am of how many notches I have. And I'd never commit until I felt like I'd experienced enough different women." Every guy's definition of enough is different, so there's a chance he wrote you off just because you didn't come late enough on his own personal hit list. The moral of the story: Until we grow up, mark everything off our checklists or have too many friends convince us that we can't do better than you, the flight risk is real.

We're Fixated on the Worst-Case Scenario

From the times you chastise us for leaving a wet towel on the bed to those nights you rip through a pint of fudge ripple without stopping to breathe, we file each incident in a mental folder labeled "Evidence She'll Change for the Worse." We flip through that file whenever we're trying to decide if we want to hang on to the relationship. Blame our married friends who took the plunge before us, but many single men are hyperaware of what could go wrong down the road. Even if we're crazy
flag certain things that might be a harbinger of bad things to come. "I've seen it happen to too many of my friends," says Elliot, 29. "All they do is complain about how the romance takes a total nosedive after they get serious with a girl. So sometimes, even if the woman I'm dating is gorgeous, I freak out and bail."

We're in Like, Not in Love

It's harsh but true. In fact, it's probably the most common reason we bolt. Just because a guy likes you a lot isn't a guarantee that it will evolve into love. And we're surprisingly intuitive when it comes to figuring out a girl's potential on this front. "I stayed with one woman for two years because we had fun together and she never pushed the issue, but I knew the minute I met her that she wasn't The One," says David, 30.

So why do we invest any time in a relationship that we know will ultimately end? Because we're able to live in the moment for a while and chalk it up to a good experience. But once you show that you're way more into us than we are into you, we'll dump you out of guilt. "I dated this girl for about a year, but as soon as she started using the L word, I had to end it," recalls Jay, 29. "It was hard. I cared about her and didn't want to hurt her. But I knew that if I stuck around, she'd have been happier at first but miserable later on. After all, she deserved to be with someone who loved her as much as she loved me."

We're Too into You

Just when you thought it was all bad news, here's a hard-to-fess-up admission: Guys are protective of their emotions. Translation: We're scared of being hurt. So, if we start to feel like we're getting into a situation where we'll be destroyed if you dump us, we might launch a preemptive strike and yank the plug first. For Gary, 27, showing his girlfriend of two years the exit felt like the only choice. "She was the first girl I was serious with, and I didn't like letting someone have that much power over me. I was starting to feel emotionally needy, and that was uncomfortable for me," he recalls. "So I ditched her to save myself!"

Sounds crazy, but cut us some slack. Think about how vulnerable and paranoid you feel when you're nuts about a guy, and realize that we go through the same thing with girls we really like. But our friends aren't as good at helping us get over an ex as yours are, plus being openly heartbroken makes us look like wusses. Nope, it's better to act like a winner before you turn us into a loser, which is when our natural self-preservation may come into play. Before the real humiliation and pain assail us like a plague, ending the relationship seems like a good option.

Are You About to Be Jilted?
His cell phone is always off. He might be spending time with someone he doesn't want you to know about... or he just doesn't want to make himself available.
He's reluctant to make plans. If he hems and haws about committing to anything -- even if it's in the semi-near future -- he's thinking about making a break for it.
He's meaner. The passive-aggressive breakup is a guy standby. Some men intentionally turn into whiners to make sure you break up with them.
He's distant. He doesn't want to feel connected to you -- or he's getting his needs filled somewhere else.

A Loving Birthday Wish from Mommy and Dad

2008-09-28T16:35:00.001-07:00

Dear Maeyahn,
We can't believe you're 25 years old, but still a baby
Make a wish
We love you!

I've got this special disc for you on your Birthday

The princess of my heart
who filled my world with joy & bliss
right from her birth
Wishing a very Happy Birthday
to my dear daughter

Riding the Horse

2008-09-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Fresh from my 25th birthday
Reality confronts me
Today is troubleshooting day

Portrait of an ENFP

2008-09-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
(Extraverted Intuition with Introverted Feeling)

The Inspirer

As an ENFP, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you take things in primarily via your intuition. Your secondary mode is internal, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system.

ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it.

ENFPs have an unusually broad range of skills and talents. They are good at most things which interest them. Project-oriented, they may go through several different careers during their lifetime. To onlookers, the ENFP may seem directionless and without purpose, but ENFPs are actually quite consistent, in that they have a strong sense of values which they live with throughout their lives. Everything that they do must be in line with their values. An ENFP needs to feel that they are living their lives as their true Self, walking in step with what they believe is right. They see meaning in everything, and are on a continuous quest to adapt their lives and values to achieve inner peace. They're constantly aware and somewhat fearful of losing touch with themselves. Since emotional excitement is usually an important part of the ENFP's life, and because they are focused on keeping "centered", the ENFP is usually an intense individual, with highly evolved values.

An ENFP needs to focus on following through with their projects. This can be a problem area for some of these individuals. Unlike other Extraverted types, ENFPs need time alone to center themselves, and make sure they are moving in a direction which is in sync with their values. ENFPs who remain centered will usually be quite successful at their endeavors. Others may fall into the habit of dropping a project when they become excited about a new possibility, and thus they never achieve the great accomplishments which they are capable of achieving.

Most ENFPs have great people skills. They are genuinely warm and interested in people, and place great importance on their inter-personal relationships. ENFPs almost always have a strong need to be liked. Sometimes, especially at a younger age, an ENFP will tend to be "gushy" and insincere, and generally "overdo" in an effort to win acceptance. However, once an ENFP has learned to balance their need to be true to themselves with their need for acceptance, they excel at bringing out the best in others, and are typically well-liked. They have an exceptional ability to intuitively understand a person after a very short period of time, and use their intuition and flexibility to relate to others on their own level.

Because ENFPs live in the world of exciting possibilities, the details of everyday life are seen as trivial drudgery. They place no importance on detailed, maintenance-type tasks, and will frequently remain oblivous to these types of concerns. When they do have to perform these tasks, they do not enjoy themselves. This is a challenging area of life for most ENFPs, and can be frustrating for ENFP's family members.

An ENFP who has "gone wrong" may be quite manipulative - and very good it. The gift of gab which they are blessed with makes it naturally easy for them to get what they want. Most ENFPs will not abuse their abilities, because that would not jive with their value systems.

ENFPs sometimes make serious errors in judgment. They have an amazing ability to intuitively perceive the truth about a person or situation, but when they apply judgment to their perception, they may jump to the wrong conclusions.

ENFPs who have not learned to follow through may have a difficult time remaining happy in marital relationships. Always seeing the possibilities of what could be, they may become bored with what actually is. The strong sense of values will keep many ENFPs dedicated to their relationships. However, ENFPs like a little excitement in their lives, and are best matched with individuals who are comfortable with change and new experiences.

Having an ENFP parent can be a fun-filled experience, but may be stressful at times for children with strong Sensing or Judging tendancies. Such children may see the ENFP parent as inconsistent and difficult to understand, as the children are pulled along in the whirlwind life of the ENFP. Sometimes the ENFP will want to be their child's best friend, and at other times they will play the parental authoritarian. But ENFPs are always consistent in their value systems, which they will impress on their children above all else, along with a basic joy of living.

ENFPs are basically happy people. They may become unhappy when they are confined to strict schedules or mundane tasks. Consequently, ENFPs work best in situations where they have a lot of flexibility, and where they can work with people and ideas. Many go into business for themselves. They have the ability to be quite productive with little supervision, as long as they are excited about what they're doing.

Because they are so alert and sensitive, constantly scanning their environments, ENFPs often suffer from muscle tension. They have a strong need to be independent, and resist being controlled or labelled. They need to maintain control over themselves, but they do not believe in controlling others. Their dislike of dependence and suppression extends to others as well as to themselves.

ENFPs are charming, ingenuous, risk-taking, sensitive, people-oriented individuals with capabilities ranging across a broad spectrum. They have many gifts which they will use to fulfill themselves and those near them, if they are able to remain centered and master the ability of following through.

Jungian functional preference ordering for ENFP:

Dominant: Extraverted Intuition
Auxiliary: Introverted Feeling
Tertiary: Extraverted Thinking
Inferior: Introverted Sensing

Careers for ENFP Personality Types

Whether you're a young adult trying to find your place in the world, or a not-so-young adult trying to find out if you're moving along the right path, it's important to understand yourself and the personality traits which will impact your likeliness to succeed or fail at various careers. It's equally important to understand what is really important to you. When armed with an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, and an awareness of what you truly value, you are in an excellent position to pick a career which you will find rewarding.

ENFPs generally have the following traits:

Project-oriented
Bright and capable
Warmly, genuinely interested in people; great people skills
Extremely intuitive and perceptive about people
Able to relate to people on their own level
Service-oriented; likely to put the needs of others above their own
Future-oriented
Dislike performing routine tasks
Need approval and appreciation from others
Cooperative and friendly
Creative and energetic
Well-developed verbal and written communication skills
Natural leaders, but do not like to control people
Resist being controlled by others
Can work logically and rationally - use their intuition to understand the goal and work backwards towards it
Usually able to grasp difficult concepts and theories
ENFPs are lucky in that they're good a quite a lot of different things. An ENFP can generally achieve a good degree of success at anything which has interested them. However, ENFPs get bored rather easily and are not naturally good at following things through to completion. Accordingly, they should avoid jobs which require performing a lot of detailed, routine-oriented tasks. They will do best in professions which allow them to creatively generate new ideas and deal closely with people. They will not be happy in positions which are confining and regimented.

The following list of professions is built on our impressions of careers which would be especially suitable for an ENFP. It is meant to be a starting place, rather than an exhaustive list. There are no guarantees that any or all of the careers listed here would be appropriate for you, or that your best career match is among those listed.

Possible Career Paths for the ENFP:

Consultant
Psychologist
Entrepreneur
Actor
Teacher
Counselor
Politician / Diplomat
Writer / Journalist
Television Reporter
Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst, or Computer Specialist
Scientist
Engineer

ENFP Relationships

ENFPs take their relationships very seriously, but also approach them with a childlike enthusiasm and energy. They seek and demand authenticity and depth in their personal relationships, and will put forth a lot of effort into making things work out. They are warm, considerate, affirming, nurturing, and highly invested in the health of the relationship. They have excellent interpersonal skills, and are able to inspire and motivate others to be the best that they can be. Energetic and effervescent, the ENFP is sometimes smothering in their enthusiasm, but are generally highly valued for their genuine warmth and high ideals.

ENFP Stregths

Most ENFPs will exhibit the following strengths with regards to relationships issues:

Good communication skills
Very perceptive about people's thought and motives
Motivational, inspirational; bring out the best in others
Warmly affectionate and affirming
Fun to be with - lively sense of humor, dramatic, energetic, optimistic
Strive for "win-win" situations
Driven to meet other's needs
Usually loyal and dedicated

ENFP Weaknesses

Most ENFPs will exhibit the following weaknesses with regards to relationship issues:

Tendency to be smothering
Their enthusiasm may lead them to be unrealistic
Uninterested in dealing with "mundane" matters such as cleaning, paying bills, etc.
Hold onto bad relationships long after they've turned bad
Extreme dislike of conflict
Extreme dislike of criticism
Don't pay attention to their own needs
Constant quest for the perfect relationship may make them change relationships frequently
May become bored easily
Have difficulty scolding or punishing others

ENFPs make warm, considerate, passionate partners who are generally willing, eager, and able to do whatever it takes to make The Relationship a positive place to be. They are enthusiastic, idealistic, focused on other people's feelings, and very flexible. These attributes combine to make them especially interested in positive personal relationships, and also makes them very able to promote strong relationships in fun and creative ways. ENFPs take their commitments very seriously, and are generally deeply loyal and faithful to their partners.

There are a couple of difficult relationship areas for the ENFP. The first problem is that many ENFPs have a problem leaving bad relationships. They tend to internalize any problems and take them on their own shoulders, believing that the success or failure of the relationship is their own responsibility. As perfectionists, they don't like to admit defeat, and will stick with bad situations long after they should have left. When they do leave the relationship, they will believe that the failure was their fault, and that there was surely something they could have done to save the relationship.

On the entirely other end of the spectrum, many ENFPs have a difficult time staying focused and following things through to completion. If they have not focused on their ability to follow through, they may have problems staying in dedicated, monogamous relationships. They are so in tune with all of the exciting possibilities of what could be, that they will always fantasize about a greener pasture out there somewhere. If they are not paired with a partner who enjoys new experiences, or who shares their idealistic enthusiasm, the ENFP may become bored. The ENFP who is bored and who is not focused will be very unhappy, and will eventually "leave" the relationship if the problem is not addressed.

Since relationships are central to the ENFP's life, they will be very "hands on" and involved with their intimate relationships. They may be in the habit of constantly asking their partner how they're doing, what they're feeling, etc. This behavior may be a bit smothering, but it also supports a strong awareness of the health (or illness) of the relationship.

Sexually, The ENFP is creative, perfectionistic, playful and affectionate. Their rich fantasy world makes them fun and creative lovers, who usually have new ideas up their sleeves. They whole-heartedly embrace the opportunity for closeness with their mates, believing sexual intimacy to be a positive, fun way to express how much you love each other.

The ENFP needs to be given positive assurance and affirmation. More than one ENFP has been known to "go fishing" for compliments. They like to hear from their significant others that they are loved and valued, and are willing and eager to return the favor. They enjoy lavishing love and affection on their mates, and are creative and energetic in their efforts to please. The ENFP gets a lot of their personal satisfaction from observing the happiness of others, and so is generally determined to please and serve their partners.

A problem area for ENFPs in relationships is their dislike of conflict and sensitivity to criticism. They are perfectionists who believe that any form of criticism is a stab at their character, which is very difficult for them to take. Conflict situations are sources of extreme stress to the ENFP. They have a tendency to brush issues under the rug rather than confront them head-on, if there is likely to be a conflict. They are also prone to "give in" easily in conflict situations, just to end the conflict. They might agree to something which goes against their values just to end the uncomfortable situation. In such cases, the problem is extended and will return at a later time. The ENFP needs to realize that conflict situations are not the end of the world. They are entirely normal, and can be quite helpful for the growth of a relationship. They also need to work on taking criticism for what it is, rather than blowing up any negative comment into an indictment against their entire character.

Generally, the ENFP is a warm and affirming creature who is very interested and able to have an intense, meaningful, close relationship with their mate.

ENFP as Parents

ENFPs take their parenting role very seriously, but are also very playful. There's a bit of grown-up kid in every ENFP, so they get a lot of fun and enjoyment from playing with their children. However, they consider it essential to pass their strongly-held values and beliefs down to their children, and will strive consistently to create a positive, ideal environment for their children's growth.

The ENFP may exhibit an inconsistency in their roles with their children. At one moment, they might be their child's best friend, laughing and whooping it up, and in the next moment they may appear the stern authoritarian. This inconsistency seems to be a result of a conflict between the ENFP's genuine desire to relate to their children on the children's level, and their compulsion to follow their deeply-felt value system. In other words, the ENFP wants to be their child's friend, but if a value is violated, they will revert to the parental role to make sure their children understand the violation. This inconsistency may be confusing and frustrating for the children.

The children of ENFPs generally feel loved, because the ENFP gives their children plenty of genuine warmth and support. They usually value their children as individuals, allowing them room for growth. The ENFP's enthusiasm and affection may at times seem smothering to their children. This will be especially true for children with strong Thinking or Sensing preferences, who will have a difficult time understanding the effervescence of the ENFP, and will feel at times embarassed by the ENFP's enthusiasm and tendency to display their affection publicly.

The ENFP is able to take care of day-to-day necessities, such as picking children up at the correct times, getting them to softball practice, getting them fed, etc. However, it is a chore for the ENFP and is not a natural strength. The ENFP also has a difficult time disciplining their children, unless a very strongly-held value has been violated.

The rich imagination and creativity of the ENFP parent creates a fun, dynamic and exciting environment for kids. The ENFP's strong value system turns experiences into meaningful lessons for their children. The ENFP parent is valued by their children for their warm, affirming natures, and their fun-loving approach to living.

ENFP as Friends

ENFPs are warm and sociable people who are keenly in tune with other people's feelings and perspectives. They are energetic and fun to be with. They are very affirming, and get great satisfaction from supporting and lifting up others. They are idealists who seek authenticity in their personal relationships. ENFPs are valued by their peers and confidantes as warm, supportive, giving people.

In the workplace or other casual relationship environments, the ENFP is likely to get along well with almost all other types of people. ENFPs are genuinely interested in people, and are highly perceptive about them, to the point where they're able to understand and relate to all of the personality types with relative ease. They like to see the best in others, and are likely to bring out the best in others. While they are generally accepting of most all people, ENFPs with strong Feeling preferences may have a difficult time understanding people with very strong Thinking preferences who do not respond to the ENFP's enthusiastic warmth. The ENFP will stay open-minded about what they consider a "rejection" by the Thinker, until the situation has repeated itself a few times, in which case the ENFP may shut themselves entirely against the Thinker.

ENFPs may also feel threatened by individuals with strong Judging preferences. With a tendency to take any criticism personally, the ENFP may find themselves irritated or emotional when the Judger expresses a negative opinion, believing somehow that the Judger is expressing disapproval or disappointment in the ENFP.

For close friendships, ENFPs are especially drawn to other iNtuitive Feeling types, and to other Extraverts who are also enthusiastic about life. Like the other iNtuitive Feeling types, the ENFP needs authenticity and depth in their close relationships. They're likely to have friends from all walks of life who they feel close to and care about, but will have only a few very close friends with similar ideals to their own. The ENFP also tends to value the company of iNtuitive Thinkers.

ENFP Personal Growth

What does Success mean to an ENFP?

ENFPs are motivated in everything that they do by a desire to understand the world around them. They are constantly searching about. Mentally and physically, for input that will help them to better understand the Big Picture. They are open-minded to new people and new experiences; they’re eager for the opportunity to understand what the new people and experiences are all about. ENFPs use their understanding of the world to serve the agendas of their value systems. An ENFP’s value system often includes respect for the needs and desires of individual people over the needs of a social group. Their respect for the individual makes them dislike controlling others, and being controlled by others. ENFPs are passionate about their beliefs, whatever they may be. They often stubbornly adhere to their value system regardless of threats to its validity. They are more concerned with keeping true to what they believe than they are with expectations or demands from the social group that they function within. ENFPs dislike personal criticism, because it threatens their validity as an individual and the validity of their value system. ENFPs may internalize anger rather than express it; their respect for other individuals makes it difficult for them to hurt others. An ENFP’s feeling of success depends upon the availability of opportunities to grow their understanding of the world, upon feeling that they’re living true to their personal value system, and upon the condition of their closest relationships.

Allowing Your ENFP Strengths to Flourish

As an ENFP, you have gifts that are specific to your personality type that aren't natural strengths for other types. By recognizing your special gifts and encouraging their growth and development, you will more readily see your place in the world, and be more content with your role.

Nearly all ENFPs will recognize the following characteristics in themselves. They should embrace and nourish these strengths:

· They’re exceptionally perceptive about people and situations. They’re often able to quickly and accurately assess where someone is coming from.

· They accept and value people as individuals, and are strongly egalitarian. They believe that individuals have the right to be themselves, and are very tolerant and accepting of most people.

· They’re often deep and intelligent, and may be quite brilliant in their ability to tie things together. They’re wired to look for connections in the external world, and so they may mentally put things together more easily than others.

· Their interest in understanding the world usually makes them in tune with what’s socially acceptable and what isn’t. This may help them to be popular and likeable.

· They’re highly creative. This ability may be used in an artistic way, or may be used to generate ideas and new ways of thinking.

ENFPs who have developed their Introverted Feeling to the extent that they apply judgement to all of their perceptions will enjoy these very special gifts:

· They will have the ability to follow through on projects they’ve begun.

· They will be less gullible and malleable, and generally more able to discern between “good” and “bad”, rather than accepting everything without question.

· They may be highly artistic.

· They will have the ability to focus and concentrate deeply on tasks. This enhanced ability to think and process information internally will make them more capable on many levels.

· They will balance out their desire to meet new people and have new experiences with the desire to put their understanding to use in some way.

· They will find more meaning and purpose in their lives.

Potential Problem Areas

With any gift of strength, there is an associated weakness. Without "bad", there would be no "good". Without "difficult", there would be no "easy". We value our strengths, but we often curse and ignore our weaknesses. To grow as a person and get what we want out of life, we must not only capitalize upon our strengths, but also face our weaknesses and deal with them. That means taking a hard look at our personality type's potential problem areas.

Most of the weaker characteristics found in ENFPs are due to their dominant Extraverted Intuition overshadowing the personality to the extent that they don’t apply judgement to anything. Or, they may use their primary judging function (Introverted Feeling) to support the agenda of Extraverted Intuition, i.e. to rationalize and support the idea of welcoming all experiences and accepting all individuals. In such cases, an ENFP may show some or all of the following weaknesses in varying degree:

· May be what many would call a “sucker”; vulnerable to schemers and con artists.

· May get themselves into dangerous situations because they’re too eager to push the envelope of their understanding, and not willing to apply judgement to anything.

· May feel intense anger towards people who criticize them or try to control them. But will be unable to express the anger. Left unexpressed, the anger may fester and simmer and become destructive.

· May blame their problems on other people, using logic and ration to defend themselves against the world.

· May develop strong negative judgements that are difficult to unseed against people who they perceive have been oppressive to them.

· May get involved with drugs, alcohol, or promiscuity, and generally seek mindless experiences and sensations.

· May skip from relationship to relationship without the ability to commit.

· May start projects but be unable to finish them.

· May be unable to stick to a career or job for any length of time.

Explanation of Problems

Nearly all of the problematic characteristics described above can be attributed in various degrees to the common ENFP problem of wanting to understand and experience everything at any cost. If the ENFP does not learn how to discriminate things and people in their external environment, the ENFP will begin to use their judging function (Introverted Feeling) as solve a “rubber stamper” to support their agenda to seek out experiences. This is a natural survivalistic technique for the ENFP personality. The main driver to the ENFP personality is Extraverted Intuition, whose purpose is to understand the world as one Big Picture, seeking connections and meaning in everything. If their ability to seek understanding is threatened, the ENFP shuts out the threatening force. This is totally natural, but unfortunately the individual who exercises this type of agenda protection regularly will become more and more unable to apply judgement to anything. When the unbalanced ENFP does apply judgement, it will generally be skewed to support their subjective agenda. They will always find justification for their own inappropriate behaviour. They will be unable to finish anything that they start, and generally wander through life from experience to experience.

It’s very common for ENFPs to resist applying judgement until they feel they truly understand a person or situation. However, part of the understanding process includes using discernment to classify qualities. If the ENFP shuts judgement off entirely, he or she will not achieve their ultimate goal of understanding; rather they will jump from experience to experience in a purposeless fashion.

Anger can be a problem for anybody, but may be especially so for ENFPs who have not sufficiently developed their Introverted Feeling. The desire to keep everything non-judgemental, combined with the tendency to use Introverted Feeling as justification rather than true judgement is a recipe for suppressed anger. These are very contradictory forces. “I hate you for judging me” is an ironic feeling, but is unfortunately common. The inability to apply judgement, or to accept negative judgement prevents the ENFP from expressing negative judgement, and therefore causes them to stew in their anger, rather than deal with it.

Solutions

To grow as an individual, the ENFP needs to focus on applying judgement to all of their perceptions. This means they need to decide how they really feel about people, places and things, rather than allowing their feelings to hang open indeterminately. The ENFP needs to understand that developing their ability to discern qualities does not threaten their ability to understand the world, but rather enhances it, and enhances their personal changes for achieving a measure of success in their lives.

The ENFP concerned with personal growth will pay close attention to their motivation for making a judgement. Are they trying to really determine the objective value or merit of something, or are they trying to defend their individual right to not be judged or controlled? The goal when judging something is to not let your personal agenda influence your opinions. Obviously, this is not entirely possible, but it is the exercise to keep in mind. You want to open your mind to judgement without feeling threatened, and without using your own judgement in a defensive, rationalizing mode.

Living Happily in our World as an ENFP

As can be seen from the above, some ENFPs can have difficulty fitting into society. Their problems are often due top feeling different from others because of their dominant Intuition, and being unable to stick to anything long enough to feel a sense of accomplishment. They feel like they don’t fit in, and can’t find the place where they belong in the world. The ENFP who consistently makes decisions and applies classifications to their ideas will be able to turn their ideas into reality, and experience the feelings of accomplishment and success that accompany being effective.

The key to personal growth for the ENFP is competent execution of Introverted Feeling. It’s difficult for most to understand what this means, much less incorporate that directive into your life. I have created some action-oriented suggestions that will help lead you down the path towards more effective use of the Introverted Feeling function. Specific suggestions:

· When you feel angry or resistant towards someone who you feel is criticizing you, take this as a cue that you are not judging effectively. When that happens, take a step back from your anger and try to really hear what the person is saying objectively. Rather than expending mental energy in defining how the other person is wrong, try to judge what the person is actually saying.

· Periodically make lists of goals and accomplishments. Revisit your goals and accomplishments as often as you’d like to maintain a sense of direction.

· Spend time alone regularly for the purpose of thinking through issues in your life.

Ten Rules to Live By to Achieve ENFP Success

1. Feed Your Strengths! Make sure you have opportunities to have new experiences to feel your quest of understanding the world.

2. Face Your Weaknesses! Realize and accept that some traits are strengths and some are weaknesses. By facing your weaknesses, you can overcome them and they will have less power over you.

3. Express Your Feelings. Don’t let anger get bottled up inside you. If you have strong feelings, sort them out and express them, or they may become destructive!

4. Make Decisions. Don't be afraid to have an opinion. You need to know how you feel about things in order to be effective.

5. Smile at Criticism. Try to see disagreement and discord as an opportunity for growth, because that’s exactly what it is. Try not to become overly defensive towards criticism; try to hear it and judge it objectively.

6. Be Aware of Others. Remember that there are 15 other personality types out there who see things differently than you see them. Most of your problems with other people are easier to deal with if you try to understand the other person's perspective.

7. Be Aware of Yourself. Don't stint your own needs for the sake of others too much. Realise you are an important focus. If you do not fulfill your own needs, how will continue to be effective and how will others know you are true to your beliefs?

8. Be Accountable for Yourself. Don’t waste mental energy finding blame in other’s behaviour, or in identifying yourself as a victim. You have more control over your life than any other person has.

9. Assume the Best. Don't distress yourself by assuming the worst. Remember that a positive attitude creates positive situations.

10. When in Doubt, Ask Questions! Don't assume that the lack of feedback is the same thing as negative feedback. If you need feedback and don't have any, ask for it.

Definitely an ENFP

2008-09-14T22:59:00.001-07:00

ENFP

Here are some interesting facts about ENFP personality types. If you'd like to find out if you're this type, you can take the genuine Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® online now by clicking on the image to the left. You can take different versions of the test, including the expanded Step II with the 20 subscales. Look at the sample reports before you decide.

3rd most frequent among education majors in college.

In national sample "Leisure Activities," overrepresented in "Writing," "Appreciating art," "Playing musical instrument," "Listening to music," "Reading"; underrepresented in "Watching TV for leisure" and "Watching TV 3 or more hours per day."

Academic subjects preferred: art, English, music.

In national sample, lowest of all types in liking work environments where "Everything is done by the book"; 1 of 3 highest types in liking "Independence & achievement," "Teamwork," and "People from different backgrounds."

Most important feature on an ideal job: creativity and originality.

In national sample, dissatisfied with "Promotions" and "Salary"; satisfied with "People I work with" in their jobs.

With ESTJs, had highest total coping resources of all the types.

Ranked 1st of all 16 types in using social and emotional coping resources and 2nd in using cognitive resources.

In national sample, ranked lowest in coping with stress by "Developing physical symptoms."

Lost Cat Returned Home After Nine Years

2008-09-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

LONDON (Reuters) - A couple have been reunited with their missing cat after nine years, the RSPCA said on Wednesday.

Dixie, a 15-year-old ginger cat, disappeared in 1999 and her owners thought she had been killed by a car.

She was found less than half a mile from her home in Birmingham after a concerned resident rang the animal charity to report a thin and dishevelled cat who had been in the area for a couple of months.

RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Alan Pittaway checked her microchip and confirmed it was Dixie. She was returned to her owners, Alan and Gilly Delaney, within half an hour.

"In 29 years of working for the RSPCA I have never seen anyone so excited and happy as Mrs Delaney," Pittaway said. "It made my day to return Dixie to her owners."

The couple were "overjoyed" to be reunited with their missing cat after so many years.

"Dixie's personality, behaviour and little mannerisms have not changed at all," said Gilly Delaney. "We don't think she has stopped purring since she came back through the door."

The RSPCA hope the story will encourage owners to have their pets microchipped.

Still There. Huh?

2008-09-10T02:05:00.000-07:00

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Low
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Moderate
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Moderate
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	High
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	High
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	High

Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test

Take Two

2008-09-10T01:54:00.000-07:00

Disorder	Rating
Paranoid Personality Disorder:	Low
Schizoid Personality Disorder:	Low
Schizotypal Personality Disorder:	Low
Antisocial Personality Disorder:	Low
Borderline Personality Disorder:	Low
Histrionic Personality Disorder:	Very High
Narcissistic Personality Disorder:	High
Avoidant Personality Disorder:	Low
Dependent Personality Disorder:	Moderate
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:	Moderate
-- Take the Personality Disorder Test -- -- Personality Disorder Info --

Discover Your Love Type

2008-09-02T00:50:00.000-07:00

Blue: Lovers of blue are wonderful sex partners. They are sinners, affectionate and sensitive to their partner's needs. They consider love making a fine art and their approach is elegant. Men who love blue are like concert pianists, delicately ravaging their partner like they would play a baby grand. Women in the blue category enjoy sex to the fullest. They are exciting partners but their passion may be compared to a tidal wave rather than fiery aggression. Both women and men enjoy foreplay and the aftermath of lovemaking, as much as the sex act itself. In marriage a blue person is a wonderful mate - never seeking outside interests.

Red: People who like red tend to be tigers in the sack. They are easily aroused and enjoy sex in every way imaginable. Once the sexual spark is ignited, it may take hours to extinguish. When two reds get together, the ensuing erotica could make Lady Chatterly blush. Lovers of red tend to be aggressors and weaker colors should be aware.

Green: Those who prefer green are fresh and innocent in their approach to sex. A man may always be a trifle clumsy and awkward but in a charming and endearing sort of way. Green lovers are gentle, but not passionate. If chosen as a mate, one will never need worry about infidelity.

Queen of the World

2008-07-30T19:28:00.001-07:00

For millions of people, Kate Winslet will forever be the woman standing on the bow of the Titanic with Leonardo DiCaprio, her arms spread in exultation. But even as she was starring in one of the big screen’s greatest love stories—and Titanic was becoming the most popular movie in history—Winslet was suffering through a personal romantic tragedy that would change her life.
“Looking back, I see what I was dealing with when Titanic came out,” Winslet says. “I had a lot of pain, and I was confused about who I was.”

Today, Kate Winslet is one of our finest actresses and one of the youngest ever to capture four Oscar nominations. This fall, she’s won acclaim (and talk of yet another Oscar nod) for her performance in the suburban drama Little Children. Her next film, The Holiday, a romantic comedy with Jude Law and Cameron Diaz, opens in early December.

Winslet, 31, lives in downtown Manhattan on a tree-lined street near the Hudson River with her husband, director Sam Mendes, 41, daughter Mia, 6, and son Joe, 2. During an afternoon we spend together near her home, she is surprisingly forthcoming. And while talking about the present is easy, she also is willing to discuss a more difficult time.

Before Titanic, motherhood and Mendes, there was another man she loved—Stephen Tredre. “He was the most important person in my life, next to my family,” Winslet admits. “I’ve never told anyone all this stuff before. I have no desire to hide any part of myself.”

They met in London when Kate was 15—the shy, overweight middle daughter in a family of provincial actors. Stephen Tredre was 28. A television writer and actor, he was her first love.

“I was very shy,” she says. “I was vulnerable.” In school, she was nicknamed “blubber” for being heavy. “Other girls teased me terribly. I was bullied. I’d just put my head down and get on with it. That was my means of survival. Stephen made me feel secure and embraced.”

By 16, Kate had dropped out of school and was working at a deli in Hampstead. Encouraged by Stephen, she auditioned for her first film, Heavenly Creatures, and unexpectedly won the leading role.

“Stephen was very inspiring,” she says. “He’d wake up in the morning, open the bedroom curtains and say to me, ‘Oh, what a gorgeous day! Let’s go out!’ He had this extraordinary zest for life. My life revolved around him.”

Shortly before Winslet began filming Sense and Sensibility in 1994, Stephen was diagnosed with bone cancer. He became very ill during the film’s production.

“There was no point to his suffering. No rhyme or reason to it,” she says. “He lived healthfully. It always seemed impossible that this man could ever die. He had a tumor in his leg removed and lots of chemotherapy. I was there.

“I’d take the sleeper train up from Devon, where we shot the film, and just be at the hospital with him,” she adds. “When Stephen had gotten better and his cancer was in remission, we broke up. I don’t know why.

“I was so young, when I look back on it. Only 19. How could I have left a person who was so unwell? I thought Stephen was going to be all right.” They stayed apart for about a year. “After we separated, he got ill again,” she continues. “Stephen and I talked every day. This was not somebody I’d turn my back on.”

Tredre died the opening week of Titanic. Winslet missed the film’s Los Angeles premiere to attend his funeral. “It was unbelievably heartbreaking,” she says. “All I have left is that we remained very close until the end.”

Kate looks somber. After a moment, she takes her cell phone to check on her children. She is slender and appears younger than she is, wearing a beige silk blouse, fitted jeans and black sneakers. Her hair, long and blond, hangs loose. She is warm and engaging—stunningly beautiful.

After she’s assured that the kids are OK, I ask if it’s true that the fame Titanic brought, coming on the heels of that loss, nearly undid her. “I didn’t know how to deal with it,” Kate admits. “I sensed that great life changes were impending. I had to hang on by the seat of my pants and not get drawn into public events and endless red carpets.”

She turned down Hollywood movies to make Hideous Kinky, an independent film. On the set, she met James Threapleton, the film’s third assistant director. A year later, they wed and had a daughter, Mia.

“I thought I wanted to be with Jim,” she says. “I was dealing with the pain of having lost Stephen and Titanic coming out. Jim was just a regular guy, and that had a big impact on me.”

The marriage was over three years later. In 2000, while separated from Jim, she met American Beauty director Sam Mendes. “We had this exciting meeting,” she recalls. “I walked away dazzled, thinking, ‘What the hell was that?’ It was this overwhelming feeling—this hope you always have that you will meet a man exactly like him. I knew this was the person I was meant to be with. I was terrified. I didn’t tell anyone I had this feeling, not even my mum. I had no idea if Sam felt anything for me.”

Before Winslet, Mendes had been involved with other actresses, including Rachel Weisz. Well-born and Cambridge-educated, he had never married.

“We met again, quite by accident, months later at a barbecue in London that a friend was having,” Winslet says. “Sam made it clear that he wanted me to act on my feelings. He felt the same way I did.”

Within weeks, they were seriously dating. Their affair made Winslet the object of unrestrained British press attacks for allegedly “trading up” to a better class of man. “It was shattering,” she says of the controversy surrounding her divorce, “but it was nothing compared to losing Stephen.

“I believe in fate,” she continues. “I know it sounds corny, but it was like Sam and I were from the same tribe. We were meant to meet: Both of us from Reading, both born in the same tiny hospital, Dellwood. Then suddenly, years later, this totally gorgeous, sexy, talented man is in my life? That’s fate.

“I love being married to Sam,” she tells me, “and I love motherhood more than anything. It’s like it’s the whole reason for my existence now. Sam’s a wonderful dad. We have a beautiful, healthy son.”

She smiles big. “Oh, lucky, lucky us, to be so genuinely happy.”

Love Actually

2008-07-23T19:18:00.001-07:00

This is compilation of lessons about what love actually is culled from movies, fairytales and Oprah.

Love doesn’t actually complete you. You can’t look for someone else to complete you. Before you can truly love another, you have to first be whole and love yourself.

Love actually inspires you, which is different from changing you. Love enhances what is already there and brings out the best in you. It makes you want to be a better person for the other.

Love doesn’t actually have to hurt. According to Oprah and Dr. Phil, if you really love someone, you would never do anything that would deliberately hurt them. If a relationship is no longer healthy, you have to know when you need to love yourself more in the name of self-preservation.

Love actually isn’t blind. It sees everything about the other and wholeheartedly chooses to accept and love anyway.

The test of true love is actually real everyday life. It is so easy to get caught up in the highs of romance, but it is equally challenging (if not moreso) to stay together through the routinary, mundane inanities of everyday life like driving through traffic to and from work and paying the bills.

Love someone you can not only talk endlessly with, but can also actually enjoy a comfortable silence with. Often, more is said in silence than in pleasant conversation.

Love is actually friendship on fire. Love is often best when served with equal portions of passion and friendship—two complementary elements that will help keep the fire going. In the end, if the passion burns out, at least you will always have friendship to fall back on.

Love endures and actually lasts with space. Space isn’t a divider, it is a breather that allows you to still be your own person. Though you may be part of a couple, you also need to maintain individuality. (Which is by the way, sometimes, the secret to sanity.)

Love actually isn’t the only thing you need. It isn’t exactly accurate to say that love is all you need. Love can not survive without other virtues like respect, trust and forgiveness.

Love need not be complicated—you can actually love someone simply because they exist. People will come into your life whom you will find you can love simply because they are part of your life. They can be your children, your siblings, your nieces and nephews, and if you’re lucky enough, your partner.

Can celebrity relationships really survive?

2008-06-30T20:53:00.001-07:00

Rumors have been tiptoeing around about marriage troubles between Madonna and her husband of seven years, director Guy Ritchie. It seemed to everyone that the once wild, pointy bra-wearing Queen of Pop had settled down for good with her Brit, with her finding Kabbalah, doing massive amounts of yoga, and adopting little David from Malawi. However, all indications point towards a confirmation of a divorce, with word that she's hiring Paul McCartney's divorce lawyer, Fiona Shackleton. Thus, another celebrity marriage bites the dust. Sad, sad, sad. All relationships and marriages face their challenges, but in the world of Hollywood and fame, there are booby traps left and right from being surrounded by gorgeous men and women, having nasty rumors spread, and over publicized romances.

After the jump, pitfalls that celebrity couples face that us average Joe's and Jane's don't have to deal with.

Temptation: the other woman/man
Case in point: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston
Imagine yourself in Jennifer Aniston's shoes: your husband is the hottest man alive and he's leaving to shoot a movie with the hottest woman alive, Angelina Jolie. The set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith proved to be too much quality time between Brad and Angelina and those pouty lips were no match for Jen's toned arms. Temptation abounds in the sea of endless beauty that is Hollywood.

Over-publicity
Case in point: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez
There was a time in 2002 where you couldn't turn on the TV or read a magazine without seeing or hearing that dreaded, stupid compound word, "Bennifer." They were the ultimate publicity whores, which probably was the end cause of their broken off engagement. The couple was overexposed in a bad way, resulting in the embarrassing, box office failure, Gigli. No wonder both J.Lo and Affleck try to keep a low profile with their now husband and wife, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Garner.

One is more famous
Case in point: Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe
Reese Witherspoon is America's darling. She was charming and hilarious in Legally Blonde and won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter in Walk the Line. Her husband...er, what's his name? Exactly. Ryan Phillippe was suffering from a severe drought of good movie roles, and little fame. Perhaps he felt neglected and emasculated? Whatever the real issue was, he cheated on her with actress Abbie Cornish and the World's population collectively thought: downgrade.

Overexposed by Reality TV
Case in point: Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey
They were like the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez of the millennium, except she was the wacky blond and he was the straight laced boy next door. Neither one of them was very famous before the run of their reality show Newlyweds, that documented their marriage, showcasing her ditziness and his good guy demeanor. It really catapulted Simpson to celebrity status, inflated her ago, and resulted in her leaving poor Nick. Another couple gone bad due to reality TV: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler in MTV's, Meet the Barkers.

Are celebrity couples doomed to fail because of the nature of the industry they work in? How would it be possible to avoid these pitfalls?

Why Guys Marry Some Girls (But Not Others)

2008-06-22T02:14:00.000-07:00

All men have a secret wedding checklist: five traits they look for in a woman that say she's worth walking down the aisle for. He won't pop the question without 'em.

It happens all the time: A guy spends months, even years, in a long-term relationship with a girl he really digs. But after dropping the I-don't-see-myselfever- getting-married bomb, he suddenly turns around and ties the knot with a new chick. The factors that tip a dude from steady relationship to "till death do us part" seem like the ultimate unsolved mystery ... especially when you're in a solid LTR and aren't sure if your guy is even considering marriage.

It all comes down to some elusive qualities women have a hard time understanding but men are always on the lookout for, explains Willard Harley Jr., Ph.D., author of I Promise You: Preparing for a Marriage That Will Last a Lifetime. "Part of what makes him want to get married is chemistry and passion, but it's also about certain actions and behaviors that are more concrete than you'd think," says Harley. Below, we clue you in to five crucial traits that separate the girls men date from the ones who make them want to set a date.

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 1: She's Exciting and Always Evolving

You know how every season finale of your favorite TV show ends with a million unanswered questions and you can't freaking wait for the next one? Well, a girl can give her guy that same thrilling mix of exhilaration and anticipation by surprising him.

"She does this by being spontaneous and a little unpredictable, taking on new interests all the time, and revealing different facets of herself," explains Alon Gratch, Ph.D., author of If Love Could Think. By never letting life get static, this woman busts the myth that being married means feeling humdrum. "She makes being with her an adventure, as if there's always a new idea or activity just around the bend," says Gratch.

"With most of my girlfriends, I feared that we'd run out of things to talk about if we spent too much time together. But when I met my fiancée, Gwen, I kept discovering new layers to her. One day she came home from work with a stack of cookbooks; the next week she told me stories about how she loved designing outfits in high school. She's full of small surprises." —Brett, 29

"I dated a lot of girls who liked pushing boundaries, but it all seemed a little forced. My wife's sense of adventure, however, comes from within. She's naturally driven to challenge herself by trying new things. That's the kind of girl you want to marry. If you aren't continually fascinated by each other, it won't last." —Rob, 38

"The thing that makes my fiancée so captivating: She takes risks. I don't mean she bungee jumps off bridges. It's more that when a new opportunity comes along — a different facet to her job or the chance to meet new people at an event or party — she grabs it and proceeds. Her boldness makes her enchanting." —Bob, 27

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 2: She Really, Really Loves Sex

No big shocker here — a chick who enjoys twisting the sheets will always have a hopping social life. But when a woman makes the effort to have really connected sex that involves both body and mind, she goes from great girlfriend to marriage material in his view.

"Men crave sex that's erotic, but they also want sex that makes them feel deeply bonded," says Gratch. In other words, it's not all about wowing a guy with pretzel-like positions; a big part of having amazing booty is paying close attention to his mind-set and moods during the deed so sex reaches a higher, almost spiritual level.

Another thing that makes them think of the M word: when a woman is actively committed to keeping the passion on high boil. "A guy's biggest fear is that the great sex that made him think you were The One will fall by the wayside," explains Douglas Weiss, Ph.D., author of The 7 Love Agreements: Decisions You Can Make on Your Own to Strengthen Your Marriage. "A woman who puts effort into maintaining that sizzle is a dream come true."

"To make sure that the awesome sex we had when we first met didn't lose its passion, my wife came up with this idea for regular ‘sex bets.' For example, she'd bet me that I couldn't make her climax several times in a row, or I'd challenge her to initiate action in a semipublic spot. We have never fallen into a rut, and our competition keeps us feeling connected." —Jamie, 30

"My fiancée did this terrific thing when we first started having sex: After we were finished, she'd tell me how good I made her feel, that she really liked how I felt against her skin. It made me want to tell her what I liked too. Guys aren't supposed to admit it, but opening up about how sex affects us emotionally actually enhances the physical side of things." —Paul, 28

"My fiancée was up-front from the start about her desire for an extremely satisfying sex life; she never had any hang-ups about taking charge in bed or proposing out-there activities that a lot of women would be afraid to admit they were curious about. I could tell I wasn't getting ensnared in the classic bait-and-switch marriage that so many guys fall into — you know, when the action slows to a halt a year after you become husband and wife." —Russ, 34

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 3: She Makes It Clear He's Not Her Entire Life

It's flattering to a guy to realize that his girl thinks the world of him, but it's less appealing when he gets the impression that he is her world. That's why a girlfriend who retains her independence and sense of self, even as the relationship takes a serious turn, has definite wife appeal.

"A woman who depends on a man for her sense of fulfillment is a scary thing for a guy," says Gratch. "Men don't want to feel smothered or totally responsible for their partner's day-to-day happiness." The guy ideal: a chick who views coupledom as a solid partnership in which both she and her man still have separate identities.

"Before we were married, Jess would go out with her group of friends a lot, which I later became a part of. But she didn't put all of her focus on me. She made it clear that she was there to hang out with them. I really liked the fact that she wasn't the type of girl who ditches her girlfriends when she meets a guy. It made me confident that she'd always have her own life outside our relationship." —Sam, 33

"She definitely makes time for me so we can do things as boyfriend and girlfriend, but my fiancée also keeps up her own life. She has a weekly dinner with college friends, an art class every Thursday night, plus the responsibilities of her job as a journalist. I like that she doesn't check with me first to see what I want to do and she doesn't offer to bail out of an event or night out with pals in favor of always being with me." —Charles, 35

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 4: ...Yet She Still Conveys How Very Important He Is to Her

Okay, so men dig independent chicks. But there's a fine line between being independent and acting aloof and detached. Guys settle down with a woman who regularly reveals her tender side and shows him that no matter what happens, she's got his back.

"Men view life as a struggle or war that they're fighting, and they want someone who'll be on their side at all times, through thick and thin," says Gratch. "This doesn't mean that a woman should mother him or assist him with every little detail of his life; it's more about consistently doing small, nurturing things that let him know you really care."

A couple of examples: Bringing him a treat when he tells you he isn't feeling well or complimenting his brilliance after he finishes a stressful work project. "These gestures are tiny, but they reassure a man that his girl is solidly on his team," says Gratch.

"When we first started becoming a serious couple, my fiancé accepted a new job that required a lot of travel and attention. Still, even from hotels across the country, she took the time to call and check in on how my day was going and e-mail me little messages. She even stocked my refrigerator with beer and sandwiches before she'd leave on another trip. Her concern and thoughtfulness helped push our relationship to a higher level." —David, 28

"Every so often, my in-laws and I will get into an argument. But from the very first one, my wife has always respectfully defended me, and this made me want to be with her forever. She loves her parents and values their opinions, of course, and she and I don't always see eye to eye. Yet no matter what the issue is, she still lets her family know that she's sticking by me. This is a big thing for guys. I know it sounds ridiculous, but men tend to see themselves as misunderstood lone wolves."-Alan, 30

Tie-the-Knot-Trait 5: She Wants Him to Be the Best Man He Can Be

Men don't secretly want their girlfriends to bark orders at them like a drill sergeant. It's more about helping him reach his potential by actively supporting his goals, even pushing him a teensy bit so he can succeed in whatever he does.

"Young guys tend to try to get away with as little as possible, and a lot of women let them, thinking that it would be out of line to challenge their man," says Harley. "But a man admires a woman who encourages him to shape up and toe the line ... as long as she has his best interests in mind and isn't trying to mold him."

This also means calling his bluff and not letting him get away with slacking off. "Even though it might seem like tough love at the time, she helps him achieve and accomplish things, and deep down he appreciates her for that," says Harley.

"Before we got engaged, the woman who is now my fiancé told me that she thought I was drinking too much, working too hard, and not taking care of myself. Ouch. But when I actually took in what she said, I knew that she was right and she was looking out for me. No other girlfriend had ever been so honest." —Ryan, 29

"I wasn't on speaking terms with my father for years, and when I told my girlfriend this and that I just didn't care about having a relationship with him anymore, she didn't nod sympathetically. She made me call him and work things out because she knew I'd eventually regret it if I didn't. She had the guts to disagree with me about something most women wouldn't want to get involved in." —Shawn, 31

Post-It

2008-06-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

The film is engaging when the scenes are spare and spared of bit players who look and act like bit players.

This is the challenge. I will meet it.

What stereotype do you belong to?

2008-05-25T08:14:00.001-07:00

What stereotype do you belong to? Your Result: No stereotype not preppy yet not a complete loser. has good friends and doesn't revolve life around their looks or social status. All around good person. usually liked by everyone
Jock
Punk
Preppy
geek/nerd
Emo
Loner
Gamer
What stereotype do you belong to?

What type of person do you attract?

2008-05-25T08:10:00.002-07:00

What type of person do you attract? Your Result: You attract artsy people! Those free spirited artists with great imaginations find you interesting. They are usually interesting themselves, so its not a bad thing, but they CAN be a bit wifty and choose odd goals. If you like life to always be a bit 'different' from the norm, but not too extreme in any one direction, these are the people for you. If you seek logical decision making skills and good money management, you may want to change something in the way you appear. Artsy people are fun for adventure and exploring, so, have fun! (smoking weed helps too)
You attract models!
You attract unstable people!
You attract Yuppies!
You attract geeks!
You attract rednecks!
What type of person do you attract? Quizzes for MySpace

How will I die?

2008-05-25T08:10:00.001-07:00

How will I die? Your Result: You will die in a car accident. Please, continue to buckle up, and try not to speed. More likely than not, it will happen very randomly and quickly. Occasionally, this result stands for death in a plane crash. Do not fear transportation. Avoid becoming a hermit, you cannot escape fate.
You will die in a nuclear holocaust.
You will die from a terminal illness.
You will be murdered.
You will die while having sex.
You will die in your sleep.
You will die while saving someone's life.
You will die of boredom.
How will I die? Create a Quiz

How much life experience do you have?

2008-05-25T08:08:00.001-07:00

You've Experienced 70% of Life

You have all of the life experience that most adults will ever get.
And unless you're already in your 40s, you're probably wise beyond your years.

How Much Life Experience Do You Have?
Make a Quiz

Order

2008-05-25T08:07:00.001-07:00

What's Your Best Quality? Your Result: Personality Your best quality is your personality! People like you because you are an all around good person. You have good manners and values. You also like to express your personal style and interests.
Out-Going
Intelligence
Loving
Ambitious
Sense of Humor
What's Your Best Quality? Take More Quizzes

Disorder

2008-05-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

Disorder	Rating
Paranoid:	Low
Schizoid:	Low
Schizotypal:	Moderate
Antisocial:	Moderate
Borderline:	Low
Histrionic:	Very High
Narcissistic:	High
Avoidant:	Low
Dependent:	High
Obsessive-Compulsive:	Moderate
-- Personality Disorder Test -- -- Personality Disorder Information --

Blogthings Part 8

2008-05-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

Your Risk Taking Level: Medium-Low

You'll take a risk if you have to, but you prefer to err on the side of caution.

If something looks like it's going to work out, you may just go for it.

But frivolous risks like gambling totally aren't your style.

You prefer to have as much control over your life as possible.

Are You a Risk Taker?

What's Important to You... And What Isn't:

For you, entertainment is usually your number one priority.

You don't mind having things to get done... as long as they don't pile up on you.

Your most important priorities get your attention. You are happily able to let the less important things slide.

You want thinking to be a high priority, but you don't take enough time for yourself.

The Priority Test

You Are Cheerios

Like other Cheerios eaters, you want to be a responsible adult.

But you can't help but still be a kid at heart!

You try to make good decisions. You're a clean cut, conscientious person.

You're the type of person who would never skip breakfast.

Part of you thinks that breakfast is too important to miss...

But a bigger part of you knows it's too fun to miss!

What Kind of Cereal Are You?

You Should Play the Accordion

You are eccentric, funky, wacky... definitely one of a kind.

People have trouble putting you in any one particular category. You definitely have your own thing going on.

You are a born entertainer. No wonder you'd be perfect as an one man (or one woman) band.

Your musical influences likely cross all genres - and blend together in a very unusual way.

While you are definitely offbeat, you also enjoy tradition and influences from the past.

It's just your style to take an old fashioned instrument like the accordion and make it uniquely yours.

Your dominant personality characteristic: your total inhibition

Your secondary personality characteristic: your interest in obscure activities and subjects

What Musical Instrument Should You Play?

Your True Love Is a Cancer

Why you'll love a Cancer:

Cancer's loyal and sincere heart makes your own sensitive heart melt.

Caring and devoted, a Cancer will take the lead in pursuing you - and not give up!

Why a Cancer will love you:

You're laid back enough to deal with Cancer's little mood swings and freak-outs.

A fellow homebody, you know how make Cancer comfortable and at home with you.

What Sign Is Your True Love?

You're a Part Time Maneater

While you're not a black widow, you've definitely left a few guys feeling used and abused.

You're only out for fun, but sometimes you get a little carried away with your flirting.

Cute guys tend to make you lose control. You really can't help it!

You're a good girl at heart... you just can't help but let your bad girl side out sometimes!

Are You a Maneater?

Blogthings Part 7

2008-04-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about emotional connections and bonds. You are happiest being around those you love.

You celebrate the holidays in an over the top style. If something is cute, you'll buy it. People end up with a lot of gifts from you - and your house is like a holiday wonderland, full of decorations.

During the holidays, you feel magical. You love all of the decorations and how happy people are. You like to sit back and take it all in.

You think the holidays should be nostalgic and sweet. The holidays bring out your inner child.

Your best holiday memories are of childhood foods and traditions. You secretly still wish you believed in Santa Claus.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

You Are Halloween

You are a dramatic, wild, and even weird person.

The dark side of life fascinates you, and you enjoy being a little terrified.

You enjoy the hidden sides of life. You are interested in what lurks deep in people's hearts.

You are playful and creative. You enjoy pretending you're someone else.

What makes you celebrate: Anything bizarre, unusual, or freaky.

At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The entertainer. You really like to get into the mood of the holidays.

On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Insist on a theme party of some sort.

What Holiday Are You?

What Your Handwriting Says About You

You are highly energetic. You are a passionate, intense, vigorous person.

You are very extroverted and outgoing. You are loving, friendly, and supportive. However, you are also manipulative and controlling at times.

You are very detail oriented and meticulous. You are a careful thinker and a true intellectual.

You don't a lot of space, and you prefer to spend time with others. You are a little nosy and intrusive. You sometimes don't give people enough space.

You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart.

You are a decent communicator. You eventually get your point across, but sometimes you leave things a bit ambiguous.

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

Blogthings Part 6

2008-04-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

People Definitely Like You

You are very well liked, and many people admire you.

You are friendly, well mannered, and fun to be around.

Of course, you're not perfect... but that's okay.

Your friends are usually willing to accept you for who you are!

What People Don't Like About You:

People don't like that you forget them easily. No one wants to be friends with someone who doesn't remember their name!

People don't like that you're not very interesting or engaging. You often bore them... and yourself.

What People Like About You:

People like that you give them complements. You make people feel good about themselves!

People like that you don't gossip or talk poorly of others. They trust that you will speak positively about them too.

People like that you can defend what you believe in calmly and rationally. You stand your ground and gain respect.

Do People Like You?

You Had a Fantastic Year!

Compared to most years, last year was definitely great.

Overall, you're living a much better life than you were twelve months ago.

And nothing is a better mark of a good year.

Here's to hoping next year is even better!

How Did Your Year Rate?

You Should Be a Social Worker

You are deeply caring and empathetic.

You are able to take on other people's problems as if they were your own.

Sensitive and intuitive, you understand human emotions well.

Helping others gives you the most joy in life. You feel like it's your purpose in life.

You do best when you:

- Have a lot of responsibility

- Greatly impact someone's life with your work

You would also be a good philanthropist or stay at home parent.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

Blogthings Part 5

2008-04-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

If You Were Slightly Different, Your Name Would Be:

Layla

What Would Your Name Be If You Were Slightly Different?

You Are a Strawberry

You are friendly, outgoing, and well liked by many people.

You are popular, but there's nothing you ordinary or average about you.

You a very interesting person, and you have many facets to your personality.

Sometimes you feel very conflicted. Your different sides of your personality pull at you.

You are a very sensual and passionate person. You are fiery... you can't help it.

In general, you keep your passionate side under wraps. You are only wild in private.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

You Are Somewhat Virtuous

You are occasionally a good person, but you often stop short at doing the right thing.

It's just a lot easier (and more fun) to be bad! You do have a reputation to uphold.

Deep down, you're a fairly good person. But no one's perfect.

You're just a lot less perfect than most people!

Where You Are Virtuous

You have the virtue of Justice. You treat other people fairly, even when you don't feel like it.

You have the virtue of Industry. You know how to do what's useful and avoid time wasters.

You have the virtue of Cleanliness. You keep yourself and your home clean.

Where You Are Not Virtuous

You lack the virtue of Silence. You talk too much, and your words aren't as valuable as they could be.

You lack the virtue of Moderation. You are attracted to extremes of all sorts.

You lack the virtue of Resolution. You often don't follow through with things you know you must do.

Are You Virtuous?

You Are Very Sexy

Damn! You are one hot number. You have a lot of sex appeal.

You know you're sexy, and you're not afraid to put it all out there.

And while you're very appealing, you're careful not to be trashy or over the top.

Sexy is all about attitude. And you totally have the attitude that people love.

How You Are Sexy

You are open to all sorts of experiences, and you have a taste for the exotic. Your adventurous spirit is very sexy.

Your modern look is sexy. You don't give people too much of the same old thing. You like to change it up.

You wear sexy underwear, and that's definitely hot. Feeling sexy is important to being sexy, even if no one knows what's underneath your clothes.

You are secure in social situations, and you definitely have a confident vibe. And that's very sexy.

Are You Sexy?

You're a Part Time Brainiac

No doubt about it, you have the potential for big brain power.

But potential doesn't get you to genius. It's going to take some work.

Like most smart people, you enjoy a good intellectual challenge every now and then.

But you do tend to shy away from anything difficult, frustrating, or complex.

Push yourself to think, learn, and explore more... even when it feels bad.

You have the capacity to solve amazingly difficult problems. You just need to let yourself do it.

Are You a Brainiac?

Blogthings Part 4

2008-04-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

You Are a Crossword Puzzle

You are well read, and you have a good head for remembering facts.

You are a wordsmith. You have a way with words, and you're very literate.

You are a mysterious person who enjoys dropping little clues every now and then.

What Kind of Puzzle Are You?

You Are Cayenne Pepper

You are very over the top and a bit overwhelming.

You have a fiery personality, and you can give anyone a good jolt.

You can easily take things up a couple notches, no matter what crowd you're running with.

What Spice Are You?

You Are Clogs

You are a solid and down to earth person.

You seek â€“ and almost always achieve â€“ a really sound balance in your life.

You are stylish yet comfortable. Mellow but driven. Excited yet calm.

You are the perfect mesh of contradictions.

No matter what happens, you have the ability to stay well grounded in your life.

People know that they can truly depend on you.

You should live: In Europe

You should work: At a company dedicated to helping the world

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Your Rockstar Name Is...

Brooklyne Stardust

What's Your Rockstar Name?

You Are Fairly Normal

You scored 40% normal on this quiz

Like most people you are normal in some ways...

But you aren't a completely normal person. You're a little weird too!

Why You Are Normal:

You prefer fiction to non fiction

You prefer ruffled potato chips

You think fishnet stockings are trashy

You eat the frosting first

If you had to, you rather live without music and still have laughter

Why You Aren't Normal:

You would rather be a movie star than an astronaut

You prefer a good nap to a good meal

You don't keep up with your horoscope

You'd rather have cockroaches than rats in your home

You prefer the moon to the sun

What's Normal About You... And What's Not?

Blogthings Part 3

2008-04-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

You Are Disturbingly Profound

You're contemplative, thoughtful, and very intense.

Taking time to figure out the meaning of life is a priority for you.

Because you're so introspective, you often react in ways that surprise people.

No one can really understand how you are on the inside... and that disturbs them.

Are You Disturbingly Profound or Profoundly Disturbing?

Your Thinking is Abstract and Random

You are flexible, adaptable, and creative.

There's many ways that you can learn - and you're up for any of them.

You relate well to other people, and you do well working in groups.

You can help people communicate together and work with each other's strengths.

You don't work well with people who are competitive or adversarial.

You prefer to work toward a common goal... not toward conflicting goals.

What Kind of Thinker Are You?

What Your Easter Egg Says About You

You are cheerful, friendly, and open minded.

You do your best to make sure everyone is happy, including yourself.

Empathy comes easily to you. You are very forgiving.

You don't hold grudges. You easily forget about any negativity in your life.

The Easter Egg Personality Test

Your Heart is Blue and Green

Your heart is open and dynamic.

You are flexible, optimistic, and expressive.

You bring honesty and intimacy to relationships.

You're good at expressing your needs to your partner.

What Are the Colors of Your Heart?

What These Tulips Say About You

You are very popular and universally admired.

You are often hopelessly in love, and you connect to other people easily.

You are a naturally cheerful and upbeat person. You have an amazing smile.

What Do The Flowers You Pick Say About You?

Blogthings Part 2

2008-04-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

The Keys to Your Life

Anything good in your life comes from you having the strength to make good decisions.

You know how to assess a situation before you leap into action.

Anything bad in your life comes from sinking to the level of those around you.

Remember to lift people up, and refuse to participate in anything petty.

The Keys To Your Life

What Your City Walk Means

You are optimistic and hopeful. Sometimes you do get disappointed by expecting too much.

You are generally confident and friendly with strangers. You are well mannered and sociable.

Money is fairly important to you. You aren't super greedy, but you enjoy spending money on yourself.

You tend to be organized, logical, and methodical. You're so efficient, people often wonder how you get so much done.

The City Walk Personality Test

You Belong in the Baby Boomer Generation

You fit in best with people born between 1943 and 1960.

You are optimistic, rebellious, and even a little self centered.

You still believe that you will change the world.

You detest authority and rules. Deep down, you're a non conformist.

What Generation Do You Belong In?

You Are Fairly Normal in Love

When it comes to love, you have fairly normal ideas and expectations.

Your relationships and ideas may be a bit quirky at times...

But you see love the same way as most people do.

Why You Are Normal in Love

You are normal because you think it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved.

You are normal because you rather die before your romantic partner.

Why You Aren't Normal in Love

You are abnormal because you first fell in love when you were 19 or older.

You are abnormal because you kiss on the first date.

Are You Normal in Love?

What Your Little Black Dress Says About You

You are sexy, outrageous, and daring. You love to push people's buttons.

You are fearless and free spirited. You get people talking... and you don't care what they say about you.

Your style is revealing, trendy, and flirty. You love to look good.

If you were a shoe, you would be: Strappy sandals

The Little Black Dress Test

Blogthings Part 1

2008-04-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

You Are Cyclops

Dedicated and responsible, you will always remain loyal to your cause.

You are a commanding leader - after all, you can kill someone just by looking at them.

Power: force beams from your eyes

Which of the X-Men Are You?

What Your Feet Say About You:

You are not very expressive. You tend to keep your emotions to yourself.

You are a very passionate person. You are highly charged and easily inspired.

You are an assertive and aggressive person. You are determined and not likely to ever give up.

You fall in love easily and develop strong bonds. You are attached to many people.

You are easily frightened. You are fairly neurotic and paranoid.

You are very practical and down to earth. You're more concerned with action than thoughts.

You are a fairly hard worker, but you are also a little spoiled. You like indulge yourself every now and then.

You are easily influenced by other people. You're quite impressionable, so you should only be around people who are a good influence.

What Do Your Feet Say About You?

Your Personality at 35,000 Says...

Deep down, you prefer spending time alone to spending time with others. You enjoy thinking more than talking.

You don't spend much time thinking about your place in the world. You are who you are - and people can just deal with that!

Your gift is having good ears. You are naturally musical, and you pick up foreign languages easily.

You are inspired by almost anything. You don't have many mental blocks.

It's very easy for you to feel happy. You can find peace with any situation.

The Personality Test at 35,000 Feet

You Should Live in the Suburbs

Like many people, you like the city - but you don't want to live in it.

For you, the suburbs is the perfect compromise.

You can enjoy the city as much as you want, but you have a quiet, safe neighborhood to come home to.

Where Should You Live?

You Are Reggae Music

You're laid back, friendly, and even a bit of a bum at times.

For you, life is too short to spend your time angry at the world.

But while you don't take life too seriously, you're deeper than people realize.

You're very reflective, and a few key topics (like social justice and love) are very important to you.

What Kind of Music Are You?

Goal for 2008

2008-01-30T06:37:00.000-08:00

Balance the head and the heart.
Really.

Five of Cups

2007-12-25T07:42:00.001-08:00

Quite interesting.

Plunge

2007-11-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

I fell in love countless times and got hurt. Got rejected too. I'm sure that will happen again. I'm willing to feel each high nonetheless. I'm sure you will too. Be open to any possibility. The more scared you are, the more worthy it is taking the plunge for. Just breathe. Live.

Childhood Survey

2007-07-31T18:39:00.001-07:00

1. Are you a child of the 70s, 80s, or
90s?
*. 80s.

2. Where were you born?
*. East Avenue

3. What city did you grow up in?
*. San Pedro, Laguna

4. Did you enjoy your childhood?
* Definitely.

5. When you were a kid, what did you
want to be when you grew up?
*. Nurse

6. What do you want to be now?
*. Doing what I want to be now.

7. Were you a fun little kid?
*. I kept to myself.

8. What was your first best friend's
name?
*. Adette

9. Is he/she still your friend?
*. Yes

10. Can you name all the schools you
ever attended?
*. San Lorenzo School, St Benedict
College (sasama ko pa ba Ateneo? Kid
pa ba ko non?)

11. Were you closer to your mom or dad
as a kid?
*. Mom

12. What was the first record, tape or
CD you remember buying?
*. Tape - "The Little Mermaid" from my
eldest brother CD - "Sarah McLachlan
Mirrorball" - from my brother and my
sister

13. How old is a good age to have kids?
*. Between 28 to 33.

14. Are you scared of anything?
*. Yes

15. What was your favorite class in
elementary school?
*. English

16. Did you buy school lunch or bring
your own?
*. Brought my own

17. Broken any bones or had any freaky
accidents as a kid?
*. Deliberately banged my head on the
wall when I was 2. Fell off a horse
when I was 14.

18. Were you a mean kid?
*. I had a streak.

19. Favorite board game of all time?
*. Cluedo

20. Did you play house or pretend to
be a super hero?
*. Both

21. Seriously, are you still just a
kid at heart?
*. Yep yep!

Now repost with the name "Childhood
Survey", and see what your friends
answers are to these same questions

50 Questions

2007-07-31T18:38:00.001-07:00

1. Do you know anyone who has gotten an
abortion?
+ Yes

2. Last awkward moment?
+ Can't think of anything right now

3. Do you have any plans for tonight?
+ Work

4. Have you ever fallen backwards down
a set of stairs?
+ No

5. Ever been to a friends house and
starved the whole time?
+ Nope

6. Ever found cash in a random place?
+ My sister did. I was with her.
Tagaytay.

7. Does anyone close to you smoke?
+ Yes

8. Name 1 thing that not everyone knows
about you?
+ I kiss my dogs, hehe.

9. When a friend walks out of your
life, do you go after them, or let them
go?
+ Before, I go after them. Now, I let
them go.

10. Have you ever been corrected at
your workplace?
+ Yes

11. Has anyone ever been more important
to you than a family member?
+ No. They become as important as a
family member.

12. Do you still live at home?
+ Yes, but I'll be moving out again
eventually.

13. Last time you smiled?
+ This afternoon - goofing around with
my siblings.

14. What do you do when a telemarketer
calls?
+ Say no to whatever they're offering

15. Would life be the same without
alcohol?
+ Yes

16. Would you go a month without
washing your hair to save a loved one?
+ Yes

17. Would you cry if you found out you
were pregnant?
+ Yes, from happiness.

18. Have you had the best night of your
life?
+ A lot of nights, yes. Most recent
one was last Saturday.

19. Do you think your current pets will
be alive ten years from now?
+ Crossing my fingers.

20. Ever made-out in a bathroom?
+ Haha!

21. When was your last bubble bath?
+ I can't remember. Ages ago.

22. Do you know anyone by the name of
Dennis?
+ Yes

23. What was the last thing you ate?
+ Graciosa Loaf from Julie's Bakery!

24. Where is your pet right now?
+ Outside. Barking.

25. Name five things you did today?
O1. Took care of my sick sister
O2. Read Harry Potter and the Half-
Blood Prince
O3. Edited my articles
O4. Brainstormed on how to direct a
play
O5. Spent time with my siblings

26.you're dumb
+ What's the question?

27. What color phone do you have?
+ Black

28. How many kids do you have?
+ Right now, 2. My dogs, haha.

29. What outfit do you have on at this
exact moment?
+ Pambahay.

30. what color are your eyes
+ Brown

31. Have you ever been to Mexico?
+ Yes

32. When was the last time you drank a
martini?
+ Can't remember

33. Did you do any chores today?
+ Yes. Fed my dogs. Will fold the
clothes after I work.

34. What are you doing tomorrow?
+ Run errands

35. Do you know someone who likes you?
+ Yes

36. Have you ever had a friend named
"Fred, Frank, or Felipe?
+ Fred, nope. Frank and Felipe, yes

37. Name a bunch of people you met in
the past 2 months?
+ The Bangkok girls - haha! Pareena's
friends from UAAP.

38. What color is your hair?
+ Black with shades of brown

39. Do you think any of your ex's still
look good?
+ The ex I loved the most still does.

40. Have you ever said "I love you" and
not meant it?
+ No

41. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
+ Labels.

43. Have you ever been teased really
bad?
+ Yes

44. Do you still have feelings for
anyone from your past?
+ Yes

45. Did you enjoy your last kiss from a
girl?
+ I haven't even kissed a girl.

46. Do you believe in ghosts?
+ Yes

47. Have you eaten popcorn in the past
48 hours?
+ Yes

48. Do you have a lot of girls for
friends?
+ Yes

49. Do you have a friend with benefits?
+ No

50. Who was the last person you drove
with?
+ Lara

Thank You Yahoo

2007-07-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

Switching fields may seem taboo, but it's quite doable, especially now when labor markets are tight. Almost half of the 164 employers who responded to our MONEY Magazine/Salary.com survey say they regularly target mid-career changers when recruiting. One reason: Switchers are dedicated to their move, with 32 percent saying they'll spend "as long as it takes" to get the necessary certification and schooling.

What are they looking for? Pay and advancement, sure, but also fulfillment and a sense that they can control their career paths.

Steve Mullins, 44, already has a good job: He's a telecommunications engineer for a pharmaceutical company. But he's studying to become a nurse -- it's a top job for career changers because demand is so high. "They can offshore my job any day of the week," says Mullins of Noblesville, Indiana. "And of course, when you fix a router, it doesn't say thanks."

To make your case to a hiring manager, follow these tips.

1. Show your commitment.

"Employers are seeing high turnover," says Kimberly Bishop, a senior client partner at recruiter Korn/Ferry International. "They want to make sure you will be the right fit."

You'll be more convincing if you take classes, join industry organizations or moonlight (even on a volunteer basis) within the field you're exploring before you try to go full time -- and you'll also have a much better idea if this really is the right move for you.

2. Quantify your skills.

It may not be obvious how what you know translates into what they do. So focus on your transferable skills -- not your experience -- in interviews and on your resume.

Quantify your accomplishments: Show that you increased sales X percent or managed Y number of people. "It helps provide the scope and breadth of your accomplishments," says Bishop, "and it shows you very clearly understand what you've done."

Also highlight areas in your background that give you an advantage. When interviewing for an IT position, Randy Jensen, 36, of Riverton, Utah, pointed out that after 15 years in radio, he has good communication skills. "I can string two sentences together," he says. "I'm not going to be a hermit in a cubicle."

3. Talk the talk.

Learning industry lingo is critical. "If you want to be a brand manager, you need to talk like one," says Ricki Frankel, a career coach who specializes in transitions. Read trade publications and job postings. And start networking.

To make the switch from sales engineer to marketing, Todd Cox, 39, of Atlanta, has been reading books and seeking out mentors. "It may be someone I read about or hear speak," he says. "I tell them what I'm trying to do and ask if they'll coach me along. It doesn't always work, but everyone gives me little tidbits."

4. Take a two-step approach.

"Every career is composed of two main factors, a job title and a particular industry," says Dick Bolles, author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" "An easier way to transition is to change just one of those factors at a time."

So if you're a lawyer itching to become a travel writer, work as a writer for a legal publication first (new title) and then eventually move into travel writing (new industry).

Or do legal work for a travel publication and contribute pieces until you're able to pick up a writing position.

5. Give yourself enough time.

Quitting on a whim often results in a frantic scramble for a paycheck. Plus, you need to think through logistics. If you have to take a salary cut, how will you cover it? Are you willing to relocate?

It took Susan Rubin, 48, of Armonk, New York, four years to give up her legal practice and become a yoga instructor.

"I was hesitant to make the jump," she says, "but in the meantime, I was training and saving money. It was very hard for me to close the doors of my practice. But once I did, I never looked back."