Firstly, apologies for not keeping to my word of posting pictures from my Halloween party. Truth is that I took 3 pictures of the entire night and none of them turned out. The majority of the costumes were 'scary' and in the line of vampires or dead-characters, and I guess this is for two reasons: 1) Halloween is still new-ish to the Brits, so if you go back about 20 years ago in the history of North American Halloween parties, I'm sure the above costumes would be abundant, and 2) the Brits use any other excuse (weddings, birthdays, stagettes/ stag parties) for 'fancy dress' (basically any other costume such as a hippy, caveman, rock star, superheroes) thus don't feel the need to dress as their alter ego on Halloween.
Something at work HAS come up at a fortunate time as I didn't have a clue what to tell you about this month. We were asked to take a personality test called the MBTI- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator which measures our personality preferences and assigns us to one of 16 combinations based on 4 dichotomies. The combinations are Extroversion vs Introversion (E or I), Sensing vs Intuition (S or N), Thinking vs Feeling (T or F), and Judgement vs Perception (J vs P). I have no idea what to report to you this month, but I feel it my duty to keep on top of my commitments (very ISTJ of me), thus will present to you my the facts (haa haa... you will see) about my personality profile. Enjoy!
Paraphrased from www.personalitypage.com/html/ISTJ.html
My primary mode of living is focused internally, where I take things in via my five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. My secondary mode is external, where I deal with things rationally and logically.
ISTJs are quiet, reserved, interested in security and peaceful living.
We have a strongly-felt internal sense of duty, which lends them a serious air and the motivation to follow through on tasks.
Organised, methodical, generally succeed at any task which we undertake.
Loyal, faithful, dependable.
Good citizens and do the 'right thing' for their families and community.
Honesty and integrity are important.
Offbeat sense of humour and can be great fun- especially at family or work gatherings
Believe in laws, traditions and expect that of others.
Follow plans and procedures ... and if they are strongly sensing (me) are obsessed with structure and doing things by the book; perfectionists.
Because the ISTJ has such a strong sense of duty, they may have a difficult time saying no when they are given more work than they can reasonably handle... often leads to working long hours, and may be unwittingly taken advantage of.
Resists putting energy into tasks that don't make sense to them or have no practical application.
Are accountable for their actions.
Enjoy being in positions of authority.
We have little use for theory or abstract thinking unless the practical application is clear.
Tremendously respects the facts and holds a tremendous store of facts within themselves.
Once an ISTJ supports a cause or idea, they will stop at no lengths to ensure that they are doing their duty of giving support where support is needed.
Not naturally in tune with their own feelings and the feelings of others.
Has difficulty picking up on emotional needs.
Uncomfortable expressing affection and emotion but our strong sense of duty allows me to see what needs to be done in any situation and allows me to overcome my natural reservations.
Supportive, caring to those we love, although not comfortable with expressing their love. Instead, the ISTJ is likely to express their affection through actions, rather than words.
Faithful, loyal, generous provider.
Excellent ability to take any task and define it, organise it, plan it, and implement it through to completion.
Do not give themselves enough credit for their achievements, seeing their accomplishments simply as the natural fulfillment of their obligations.
Great sense of space and function, with artistic appreciation.
When stressed fall into catastrophe mode where only the possibilities of what could go wrong are apparent.
Berate themselves for things they should have done differently or failed to perform.
Tremendous amount of potential. Persevering.
Capable, logical, reasonable, practical, down to earth, stable.
Have very high standards for their own behaviour and behaviour of others.
Not naturally in tune with other people's feelings.
Frustrated with inconsistencies
Possible career paths: executives, managers, financial officers, detectives, judges, lawyers, analysts, military leaders.
Careers to avoid: artists, poets, healers, advertising, marketing
ISTJ relationships: honour their commitments faithfully because to do otherwise would be nothing less than a breach of honour and trustworthiness.
Have difficulty showing warmth.
Puts an abundance of effort in to relationships to keep it healthy.
Able to communicate what's on their minds with precision.
Good listeners.
Able to take constructive criticism well.
Able to tolerate conflict without emotional upheaval.
Able to dole out punishment or criticism when called for.
Doesn't give enough praise or affirmation to their loved ones.
Tendency to believe we're always right... well I am, aren't I? I've got the facts ;)
Tendency to get involved in win-lose conversations.
Tirelessly performs tasks that should be done.
Maintaining friend relationships takes effort.
Choose to be around people with similar interests and perspectives.
Not much patience for those different from myself.
Like being with extroverts who are optimistic, fun minded but this will eventually get on my nerves.
Famous ISTJs: Warren Buffett, Henry Ford, several US presidents including (Andrew Johnson, George Washington, Herbert Hoover, George H. W. Bush), Queen Elizabeth II, Gordon Ramsay, Anthony Hopkins, Gary Sinise, Julia Roberts, Kirk Douglas, Leela (Futurama), Bruce Wayne (Batman), Darth Vader, Eeyore, Principal Skinner, Obi Wan Kenobi.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Secrets
Oh Gosh... I'm really late with this one. I suspect that it is because I have fully returned to the regular grind. Here is a question for those of you who have not been involved in the school system for quite some time; does September still feel like the start of a new year to you? Why is it that September feels like the start of something... not nine months in and you should be feeling sick of it? You are fresh off of your summer holidays and you start new back at work again. Or, start back to school. Or, start your harvest for the rest of the winter/ year. Yes, January is the 'start of the year', or that Spring is the start of nature's life cycle, but to me, my life cycle seems to start in the Autumn.
Autumn is progressing lovely here. All the colours that we have at home are in full array, except with green grass! The foliage is a welcome break to the eye with the grey backdrop of the sky. It hasn't been particularly rainy, but it also hasn't been very sunny. The days are most certainly getting shorter and I am once again dressing in the dark in the mornings and typing in the dark on my way home on the train.
So why have I been so busy the past six weeks? I had a tour of the chocolate factory in September, which was fabulous! Not as wondrous as Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, but I seemed to get giddy watching the pumping and squeezing of viscous chocolate from the gadgets and the bits and bobs move around the production line and into their packages. I saw the production of Creme Eggs, Dairy Milk, Fudge, strawberry filled Roses, and Wispa (sort of like Aero but WAY better). And dare I say for fear of a gigantic letter falling on my head, I now know THE SECRET! What secret, you ask. I know the secret of how they get the caramel in the Caramilk bar :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouSukfRtCOU
Feeling a bit nostalgic (not homesick, let me make this clear) this month, I decided to spice up life a bit... with some pumpkin pie. Not a bit thing over here and I knew the only way to have my fix was to make it myself... from scratch because canned pumpkin is just not something that is done over here. For any of you wishing to do this yourself, I now know that one 10 inch pumpkin makes about three pies, one loaf, one 8-inch cake, and ten UK sized tartlets and I still have one more pumpkin to use. Key learnings from this exercise were:
1)Have your mom send you tinned pumpkin
2)Have your mom send your her pumpkin pie recipe because yours will never match, and when it still doesn't match...
3) Just send your mom over at Thanksgiving the next year.
But seriously, preparing the pumpkin wasn't too difficult, except for that I didn't realise how difficult it was to cut a pumpkin because I think that is usually dad's job (next time I will import my dad ahead of time to cut my pumpkins for me). I halved my pumpkin, placed the halves in a baking dish face down in water, and baked for about an hour. The pumpkin meat (??) was perfect and the skin peeled off nicely. I then let it cool, chopped it up and blitzed it ready for baking. Of all of my goodies, my loaf/ cake turned out best and would have been perfect with a pumpkin spice latte. Again, not a popular thing here so I give you full permission to double your pumpkin spice latte intake to account for my quota and please throw some pumpkin scones in there for good measure. In the end my pies just didn't measure up to my expectations and I really blame the pre-made pie shells, but I have some more ideas for my next pumpkin and will give it a go next weekend!
Other than experimenting with pumpkin in the kitchen, I have filled most of my weekends socialising; birthdays, pre-wedding, and wedding parties and it appears that my social calendar is booked nearly until 2011. I'd like to say happy birthday to my friend Kirsten who had a fab birthday at a 70's themed night club with all of the girls and congrats to the new Mr Dean and Mrs Faye Healy! Again, the girls had a great month and a half run-up to the wedding with her two hen nights (cider festival and a night out in our LBDs) and their wedding was wonderful- ultra glam!
Halloween this weekend and Tracy is coming down to Reading to come to my staff Halloween party while the boy are going to a stag-do weekend in Dorset (zorbing and cliff diving-eek!). Equally as fun, and potentially as scary, Tracy and I are going to London on the Saturday to let loose... pictures to follow in next month's report and I'll fill you in on how the Brits do Halloween.
All the best and Happy Halloween!
Autumn is progressing lovely here. All the colours that we have at home are in full array, except with green grass! The foliage is a welcome break to the eye with the grey backdrop of the sky. It hasn't been particularly rainy, but it also hasn't been very sunny. The days are most certainly getting shorter and I am once again dressing in the dark in the mornings and typing in the dark on my way home on the train.
So why have I been so busy the past six weeks? I had a tour of the chocolate factory in September, which was fabulous! Not as wondrous as Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, but I seemed to get giddy watching the pumping and squeezing of viscous chocolate from the gadgets and the bits and bobs move around the production line and into their packages. I saw the production of Creme Eggs, Dairy Milk, Fudge, strawberry filled Roses, and Wispa (sort of like Aero but WAY better). And dare I say for fear of a gigantic letter falling on my head, I now know THE SECRET! What secret, you ask. I know the secret of how they get the caramel in the Caramilk bar :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouSukfRtCOU
Feeling a bit nostalgic (not homesick, let me make this clear) this month, I decided to spice up life a bit... with some pumpkin pie. Not a bit thing over here and I knew the only way to have my fix was to make it myself... from scratch because canned pumpkin is just not something that is done over here. For any of you wishing to do this yourself, I now know that one 10 inch pumpkin makes about three pies, one loaf, one 8-inch cake, and ten UK sized tartlets and I still have one more pumpkin to use. Key learnings from this exercise were:
1)Have your mom send you tinned pumpkin
2)Have your mom send your her pumpkin pie recipe because yours will never match, and when it still doesn't match...
3) Just send your mom over at Thanksgiving the next year.
But seriously, preparing the pumpkin wasn't too difficult, except for that I didn't realise how difficult it was to cut a pumpkin because I think that is usually dad's job (next time I will import my dad ahead of time to cut my pumpkins for me). I halved my pumpkin, placed the halves in a baking dish face down in water, and baked for about an hour. The pumpkin meat (??) was perfect and the skin peeled off nicely. I then let it cool, chopped it up and blitzed it ready for baking. Of all of my goodies, my loaf/ cake turned out best and would have been perfect with a pumpkin spice latte. Again, not a popular thing here so I give you full permission to double your pumpkin spice latte intake to account for my quota and please throw some pumpkin scones in there for good measure. In the end my pies just didn't measure up to my expectations and I really blame the pre-made pie shells, but I have some more ideas for my next pumpkin and will give it a go next weekend!
Other than experimenting with pumpkin in the kitchen, I have filled most of my weekends socialising; birthdays, pre-wedding, and wedding parties and it appears that my social calendar is booked nearly until 2011. I'd like to say happy birthday to my friend Kirsten who had a fab birthday at a 70's themed night club with all of the girls and congrats to the new Mr Dean and Mrs Faye Healy! Again, the girls had a great month and a half run-up to the wedding with her two hen nights (cider festival and a night out in our LBDs) and their wedding was wonderful- ultra glam!
Halloween this weekend and Tracy is coming down to Reading to come to my staff Halloween party while the boy are going to a stag-do weekend in Dorset (zorbing and cliff diving-eek!). Equally as fun, and potentially as scary, Tracy and I are going to London on the Saturday to let loose... pictures to follow in next month's report and I'll fill you in on how the Brits do Halloween.
All the best and Happy Halloween!