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Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Overcoming Procrastination

I'm reading the book The Procrastinator's Handbook by Rita Emmett.

Ok, promised myself I'll not write in my blog until I've finished the book (only allowed to update this entry with things I learn and want to remember from the book).

  • Emmett's Law: The dread of doing a task uses up more time and energy than doing the task itself.

  • What I dread most isn't spending time and energy on the whole job, but simply getting started.
  • For unpleasant jobs, say "I hate doing this but I have to, so I may as well do it now and get it over with."

  • Doing an unpleasant job often results in pleasant consequences, or at least a wonderful feeling of satisfaction once the job is completed.

  • Therefore, do the "I don't like doing it" job first.

  • To make boring jobs more enjoyable, considering listening to music while I do it, or working with a family member or friend etc.

  • Give myself appropriate rewards as motivation for completing jobs.
  • GET ORGANIZED.

  • Make lists of things to do instead of letting them float around in my head, causing stress and anxiety. (Besides, I'll probably end up forgetting them, and have to spend more time trying to remember what I had to do.)

  • Lists also help me establish priorities and keep me organized and focused.
  • Don't give myself excuses like "I can't do this", "I'm not good at this", "I'm too old/young/busy/scared to do this" etc.

  • Mother of all excuses: "I work best under pressure". NOT!
  • Don't delay the job by wasting time with activities like surfing the net, playing computer games, long chats on the phone/online, being indecisive, over preparation for a project, helping others (without valid needs)...

  • Learn how and when to say NO. I can't do everything for everyone. It doesn't mean I'm a bad or unhelpful person.

  • Don't drift/wander around when I have unstructured time. Plan more, make lists, prioritize, and then tackle the tasks. Keyword: FOCUS!
  • Emmett's Second Law: Obsession with perfection is the downfall of procrastinators.
  • Why do we procrastinate? FEAR. Fears can immobilize us and bring us to a screeching halt. To strip these ghosts of the power they hold over us, look them squarely in the face. Identify them. The more clearly we see them, the less frightening they will seem.

  • Fear of Imperfection - we put off doing things until the time/conditions are "just right", or delaying something until we can be sure we'll do it "perfectly". -> learn to accept flaws. Strive for excellence, not perfection.

  • Fear of the Unknown (also Fear of Change) - what is known can feel more "comfortable" even if it's not good for us. This is why, for example, some people put off leaving abusive relationships.

  • Other fears: judgment, making mistakes, success (which might lead to higher expectations and more responsibilities), being rejected, making the wrong decision etc.

  • Identify my own fears, face them and conquer them. How to conquer them depends on what fears I have. E.g. know that decisions, in many cases, can be changed or reversed. The worst decision is not making one.

  • Food for thought: "The person who never makes a mistake probably isn't doing anything." ... "Most people don't spend a lot of time regretting their wrong decisions; the deep regrets are usually for the decisions they never made."
  • Ironically, one of the reasons we may put off doing things is that we want to do everything. And we want to do it all at once. We want the impossible. The "I wanna do it all" procrastinator.

  • We love life, and love to live it to the fullest. Every idea that comes up is appealing. Every cause seems worthy. Every activity sounds great. Every person needs me. So I say yes to everything, then juggle too many commitments... and procrastinate.

  • One solution is to start talking to myself, tell myself that I can't do everything (at least not all at once), to be selective, to delegate, to eliminate, to choose my battles and to prioritize.

  • Again, Learn to say NO. Set limits. Pace myself, and occasionally, take a break. Yes! Take breaks to recharge my batteries. It may sound counterintuitive to getting things done, but Sometimes I must slow down to go faster.
  • More strategies for conquering procrastination:

  • For an overwhelming job, break it down into manageable pieces. Don't try to do the whole job at one time. Chip away at the project, one task at a time.

  • Make use of "pockets of time" to do small tasks, e.g. return a call while waiting at the dentist's office, record ideas on a voice recorder while waiting in traffic, learn a new skill/language on CD or tape while commuting to work, catch up on some reading while being put on hold on the phone...

  • Plan time to plan! Instead of plunging into a job unprepared, take some time to think of the tools and resources needed and how to obtain them. This will actually help save time on the project, and makes it go more smoothly as well. Also, put the plan down in writing, so it's not floating around muddled in the brain. "Don't just think it, ink it."
  • In this day and age of information overload, remember: I can't do it all, I can't read it all, I can't learn it all. PRIORITIZE.
  • Cluttered environment contributes to cluttered thinking. Cluttered thinking leads to procrastination.

  • Eliminate paper clutter. Befriend the wastepaper basket, feed it. Tear out magazine articles that are interesting and relevant, file them away, and toss the magazine. Better still, cancel the magazine subscription, and find the information online or at a local library that keeps past issues of the magazine.

  • Toss catalogs. Period. I won't miss anything if I didn't see it. Only look through catalogs when I have something specific in mind that I want to get.

  • Besides paper clutter, also get rid of clutter around the house. I may be wasting time being caretaker of things that are not needed or do not have much use/value anymore.
  • Realize that procrastination can have an impact on my wallet, e.g. in the form of late fees (for anything from returning a video late to paying a bill late). Also, late payments on some credit/charge cards will raise the interest rate.

  • Small amounts of money leaking out of holes caused by procrastination can add up to large amounts over time, just as small amounts saved regularly can also add up.
  • When I stop being a procrastinator, it doesn't mean everything will get done. It does mean, however, that I gain a sense of control over my life, and things that are important will get done.

  • One of the most common (and saddest) things we put off is our dreams. So as I speed through life, remember to pencil in things I can do to work towards my dreams.

  • Lastly, do pause ever so often to connect with people, nurture relationships that are important to us, and make room for LOVE in our lives.

  • cybette wrote this at 02:41 AM ... Comments (5)

    Monday, March 29, 2004

    Bruce's birthday part 2

    steinway-poster.jpg

    This is the second gift I got for Bruce and it arrived today. No no no no not the actual piano, but a poster of the Steinway model D Concert Grand. (The real piano will cost around $70,000 and up.) Actually I got it from David Yost and there's an interesting story leading up to this. David emailed me more than 5 years ago asking about a CD of Dmitri Ratser (pianist) that I listed on my website. I told him that Dmitri came to UTD to perform and I bought the CD at the performance, and offered to make a copy of the CD for him (it was almost impossible to find in stores etc.). He promised to send me the Steinway poster, which he produced by the way, in return for the favor. However, to my disappointment, I never received that poster. (But it's ok, I didn't make the copy expecting something in return. I just wanted to share some great piano playing with a fellow enthusiast.) Fast forward 5 years. He emailed me recently out of the blue to ask for my address to fulfill his promise. Wow, sure gives new meaning to "procrastination" and "better late than never"! No matter what, I'm still very grateful. I'm sure this poster is worth quite a bit of money too (it's huge!). And I'm probably at a better position to appreciate it now than 5 years ago, because of meeting Bruce who also plays the piano, and Bruce buying a Steinway (model S), and me picking up piano lessons again. And it was around Bruce's birthday. And Dmitri Ratser is coming once again to perform at UTD next month. Something uncanny about the whole timing of things, like it's meant to be. We'll be putting up the poster near the entrance of our house so that it'll be one of the first things people lay their eyes on as they enter. Thanks David! Happy Birthday once again, Bruce!

    ?o?O???????????? Bruce ????G????§???C???????O??????????^?M??O?@?i Steinway model D Concert Grand ???^???????C(?u???????^????n???C?U???H?W?C) ?????o?i?????O David Yost ??????M??B???????@?q?G??C???~?h?e?MDavid ?b????????W????@?????^?a Dmitri Ratser ??CD?M?L email ????CD????C??N???L?? Dmitri ???? UTD ???t?M?M??CD?O?b?t???|?R???M???]???oCD???e???b???q??????o???M??H??N?????F?@?????L?C?L?????e??@?i?L?s?@?? Steinway ?????@???????C????@???S???????????M?]?????I?????C(???L?]?S???????Y??M??????????L?]???O?]????Q?n???????^???M?u?O?Q?P??P?D?X???N?|?Y???H?@?_????n??????^????C) ~~~???~??~~~ David ??????M?_?X?@?? email?M?n????a?}?M???n?i???L??????C?z?M?o??H?]?u?| procrastinate.... ?????????`???????n??????S???L?????????M????O?D?`?P?E?L?C??Q?o?????]???????a(???j?@?i???T)?C??B?{?b????|?????~?e??????|?ñ????M?]???b?o???~????J???F?]?|?u???^?? Bruce?M?? Bruce ?S?R?F?@?? Steinway model S?M?????]?q?s?}?l?W???^??M?S???O Bruce ??????M?å[?W?U??? Dmitri ?A???? UTD ?}?t???|.... ?o?????W?????X?Z???_???M?n???@???O???w???C???|?????????b?a???j???f???@?????W?M?o??j?a?@???i??N?i?H????}?G?????^?????C???? David?M????A?????? Bruce ??????T

    cybette wrote this at 07:15 PM ... Comments (0)

    Written in the Stars

    We were listening to Leann Rimes' Greatest Hits CD on the drive back from San Antonio. I didn't realise that she and Elton John did a version of the song "Written in the Stars" which was from the Broadway musical AIDA. Great song.... great musical too, I'd love to see it again sometime (saw it once in NYC with Keidy last January).

    It's wonderful to love and be loved in return... or is it?

    ?b?q San Antonio ?}???^?a?????W?M?????F Leann Rimes ??????CD????C???e??????D?o?M Elton John ??½??AIDA????@??????@???q "Written in the Stars"?C?n?n????q?M???n????q?@?M?????|??Q?A??X??(??e?u??L?@???M?O?h?~?@???? Keidy ?b?ì????)?C

    ?R?P?Q?R?M????O??????... ???O??S

    Written in the Stars

    I am here to tell you we can never meet again
    Simple really, isn't it? A word or two, and then...
    A lifetime of not knowing where or how or why or when
    You think of me, or speak of me, and wonder what befell
    The someone you once loved so long ago, so well

    Never wonder what I'll feel as living shuffles by
    You don't have to ask me and I need not reply
    Every moment of my life from now until I die
    I will think or dream of you and fail to understand
    How a perfect love can be confounded out of hand

    (Chorus) Is it written in the stars? Are we paying for some crime?
    Is that all that we are good for, just a stretch of mortal time?
    Or some God's experiment, in which we have no say?
    In which we're given paradise but only for a day

    Nothing can be altered, there is nothing to decide
    No escape, no change of heart, nor any place to hide
    You are all I'll ever want, but this I am denied
    Sometimes in my darkest thoughts, I wish I'd never learned
    What it is to be in love and have that love returned

    (repeat chorus...)

    cybette wrote this at 05:44 AM ... Comments (1)

    Friday, March 26, 2004

    American Idol country style

    This week's Idol was ok, nothing too exciting. Jasmine's performance was disappointing. She picked a wrong song for her vocal range, it started off too low and I could barely hear her. Amy was surprisingly good, and like the judges said, she should definitely consider singing country music. She never impressed me before but this week's genre certainly worked for her. Matt got voted off, a little disappointing, but I won't cry over it. Camile might be the next to go if she doesn't conquer her nerves. Let's hope next week's performances will get me more excited and give me more to talk/write about!

    ?o??P???? American Idol ?????????M?S?????S?O???m???CJasmine ?????t?Z?O?H?????M?o?????q?F?M???A?X?o???????q?n?M?@?}?l??????C????????o???n???CAmy ??????X?G?N????n?M??B?????P??????M?o?????{???m??????o???u?C???e??S???S?O???w?o?M???o??P?????m???D?D?D?`?A?X?o?M?????o?o???????|?CMatt ?Q?^?O?F?M???M???@?I?I???????M??????????????L???L?C?p?G Camile ???n?n?????o???i???????M?o?i???O?U?@??Q???U?O???C????U??§?????`??|???????m?T

    cybette wrote this at 05:52 PM ... Comments (0)

    Thursday, March 25, 2004

    Pictures Galore

    evana-2004-03-17.jpg

    First up is my dearest loveliest sister Evana. We were having lunch at Steak n Shake last week on St. Patrick's Day. Thus the green thing (what do you call that?) around her neck. Given to her by some cute guy in Chamber Singers class (why I never get stuff like that from cute guys?!?!?!)

    ?????O????R??i?R???f?f Evana ?C?o?O???W??§?? St. Patricks' Day ???@??bSteak n Shake ?Y???\???????M?]???o???l?W???F?@??????F?F(???s??????S)?C????F?F?O???X??????@???????o???? (?????\??N?S???o???A?J?!?!?!)

    orchids-five.jpg

    Went to the nursery (no not the baby kind! The plants and flowers kind!) with Bruce last weekend. I like orchids. Won't know how to grow and rear them, so just take pictures of them. When Bruce gets a greenhouse he'll probably get some orchids to cultivate. But most likely passion flowers though. Or both.

    ?W??g???M Bruce ?h?F?@?? nursery (???O?U????T?O??????????????T)?C?Z???w?????M?????|???M?u??????????C??Q Bruce ?H?????????M????|???i?@???????a?M???O passion flowers (?E???????)?M????????|???C

    orchids-seven.jpg

    Bruce's best friend Stuart is in town (from Chicago), and yesterday we went to III Forks for dinner. It was Bruce's birthday last Sunday and Stuart's birthday today (plus Pete's birthday last month and Terry's birthday next month) so it's kinda like a big birthday bash for everyone (or rather all the guys).

    Bruce ???n?B?? Stuart ?q??[?????F?????M?Q????h III Forks ?\?U?Y???C???n?W??P????O Bruce ??????M????O Stuart ??????M?M?? Pete ??????b?W????M??? Terry ??????O?U????M??H?O????j?a(????k?h??)?y??????j?????C

    3forks-people.jpg
    Front: Terry, Karen, Stuart, Pete
    Back: Bruce, Carol (me! me!)

    III Forks is an expensive restaurant, even slightly more expensive than the Antares restaurant on top of the Reunion Tower that Bruce and I went to for our anniversary dinner. However, the food and the service is like 100 times better!!! Oh my god... the III Fork Pepper Steak I ordered was.... incredible... succulent... spicy... juicy... yummy... can't find the words to describe it... ok, found it: PERFECT. Even the sides were good, from the cream corn and mashed potatoes to the snow peas and tomatoes. Everything is prepared to perfection. Nothing mediocre. The service is also top notch. Wonder when we'll go again... ahhhhh need to find a job and make $$$$ so I can go III Forks every week!!

    ?b III Forks ?\?U?Y???o??????M????M Bruce ?y???g?~?????h Reunion Tower ?? Antares ?\?U??Q?@?I?C???L?????M?A??o?n?W?@????T???I????P?­J?????n... ?n?Y... ?h??... ?n?Y... (????????Q?`)... ??????e????y?z???C???M?????F?R?????C???t???]?n?Y?M?q???o???M?????d?????M???X?M?@?????W?W???M?S?????q???????M?s?A??]???K?K(????????e???F??T)?C?????D?????????????|?A?h..... ????M??n????????u?@??h?h????$$$ ?n????C??§?????i?H?h III Forks!!

    3forks-food.jpg

    Here's me sneaking a picture of the food on my plate. Such an upscale restaurant, and me taking pictures of my food! Heheh.... the picture doesn't even come close to portraying how delicious the meal was. Drool~~~

    ?o?O?????????????C???????????\?]?M?M????b?o?????????T?H?H... ?o?????O????X??????D?N?O?F?C?y?f????~~~

    cybette wrote this at 10:13 AM ... Comments (2)

    Tuesday, March 23, 2004

    Hegel's dialectic

    I'm reading the book What are the Seven Wonders of the World? and 100 other great cultural lists - fully explicated by Peter D'Epiro and Mary Desmond Pinkowish. Great book filled with really interesting stuff. I'm a list-maniac myself so this book is right up my alley. Since I borrowed it from the library, I thought I'd put some of the more interesting things I come across in my journal so I can refer back to them from time to time. I hope you will enjoy them too!

    What are the 3 stages of Hegel's dialectic?

  • Thesis

  • Antithesis

  • Synthesis
  • The Greek Presocratic philosopher Heraclitus (c. 540-c. 480 B.C.) maintained that "all is flux" (panta rhei), that Becoming, rather than Being, is the law of the evolving cosmos. His dynamic idea that progress and movement occur through the strife of contradictory forces was the ultimate root of the dialectic (literally, the art of logical debate), as worked out by the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831).

    Hegel's monstrous, monumental, omnivorous system of philosophy, including his masterpiece, The Phenomenology of Spirit (1807), is strewn with triads. Only some of these triads are "dialectical" ones, that is, groups of three concepts related in the following way. The very existence of a thesis, A, calls into being its opposite or contradiction or antithesis, B (because if A can be conceived, so can the negation of A). These two forces clash, thus giving rise to a synthesis, C, which preserves the best of A and B while shedding much of their dreck in a reconciliating process called sublation (Aufhebung). But this higher stage, C, now becomes the thesis A' in a new series of three dialectical, sonata-form-like steps, and the resultant A'' initiates yet another advance in the inexorable progression of the Geist (the personified World Spirit or Soul, Absolute Mind, or Reason), which drives the whole dialectical process toward greater human freedom, rationality, and self-fulfillment, and toward the ever-increasing manifestation of the Mind of God in the world.

    cybette wrote this at 02:58 PM ... Comments (2)

    Seven wonders....

    What are the seven wonders of the world? Do you mean the modern world or the ancient world? Or perhaps the middle ages or the natural world? Anyway, if you're curious, here's what I've found... (Most agree on the list for the ancient world, but there are different opinions on what should go into the list for modern world. I think there are as many as 15 candidates to choose from.)

    ?@??C?j?_???O???X??S?A?O??j?N??O?{?N???S??O???j?@????O??M?@????S?p?G?A???????M?o?O????X???... (?j???????H???P?N?j?N?@????C???O????M???????{?N???W???N?N?????F?M???Q?h????P??????C)

    Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

  • The Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza

  • The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

  • The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

  • The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

  • The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

  • The Colossus of Rhodes

  • The Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria
  • Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages

  • The Colosseum of Rome

  • The Catacombs of Alexandria

  • The Great Wall of China

  • Hagia Sophia of Constantinople

  • Stonehenge

  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa

  • The Porcelain Pagoda of Nanjing
  • Seven Wonders of the Modern World

  • The Panama Canal (Panama)

  • The Channel Tunnel (U.K./France)

  • The Golden Gate Bridge (U.S.)

  • The Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay)

  • The Eiffel Tower (France)

  • The Taj Mahal (India)

  • The Empire State Building (U.S.)
  • Seven Wonders of the Natural World

  • The Grand Canyon (U.S.)

  • The Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

  • Mount Everest (Tibet/Nepal)

  • Paricutin Volcano (Mexico)

  • The Aaurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

  • Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe)

  • The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

  • cybette wrote this at 04:23 AM ... Comments (1)

    Bruce's birthday part 1

    Sunday (21st) was Bruce's birthday. We didn't go out and celebrate. What I got for him was tickets to the Prince "Musicology" concert next Friday at the AA center (actually his sister bought them and I paid for them....) I have another gift for him but it hasn't arrived. Hmm... I'll say what it is another time in part 2, just in case he comes here and reads this and spoil the surprise.

    Happy Birthday Honey, I love you always.

    ?W??P????(?G?Q?@??)?O???|????????M???S???X?h?y???C??e?L??§???O?U??P?????bAA center ?|?? Prince "Musicology" ?t??|????(?????O?L?f?f?R?????M??I?o??????....)?C????@??§???M???L??S?????M?o???????g?M??L??o?????}?a????C?x?M???L?L???|?????... ??M????U???@?_?g?a?C

    ????@?y?N??½??F?M????L?????]??????T

    cybette wrote this at 03:36 AM ... Comments (0)

    Friday, March 19, 2004

    Can you hear me now? Good!

    samsung-uproar.jpg
    Time to say goodbye to my Samsung Uproar phone + MP3 player... which was a Christmas gift from my sister and Marvin a couple years back (thank you!!). It has served me well, but the battery is getting weak and not holding its charge like before. I could get a new battery, but then I saw this person selling his Samsung A600 for $50. The A600 is a camera phone. He used it for a month but cancelled the service because he didn't like it (the service, not the phone). On the Sprint website this phone has a list price of $350, and I can buy it for $200 but I have to sign a 2 year contract. Now I can get it for $50 with no contract. (However I did find out that this phone was available at Best Buy during the Thanksgiving weekend sale last year for FREE after rebates and with a contract. And the call history in the phone showed that he used it from end-Nov to end-Dec, so he must have bought it during the sale. He probably made $50 off me, but he might had to pay penalty for breaking the contract... I don't know.) Anyways the going price on Ebay is around $200 for this phone model so I think I got a good deal.

    ???F?n????? Samsung Uproar ????/MP3?H??????A???????F?C?o?O???~?h?e??f?M Marvin ?e??????t??`§??(???§A??T)?C?o?q??u???Z?n????M?u?O?{?b?q???S?O?F?M?R?L???q?????H?e???[?F?C??i?H?h?R??s???q???M????L?N??????@??H?n???L?? Samsung A600 (??????)?M?n?? $50?C?o?q??L?u??F?@????M???L?]???A??????z?Q??????F(???O?]???q??????D)?C?b Sprint ???????W?M?o??????? $350?M??i?H?I $200 ?R?U??????nñ???~???X???C?{?b?H $50 ??N?i?H?R???M??B????ñ???C(?????d?F?@?U?M?o?{?h?~?P???`?j???????g???M?b Best Buy ??????S?O???P?P????M??ñ?????o?????O?K?O???C?q?????q??O???]????L?O?Q?@?????Q?G???????M?]???L????O????P?P?????R???C??j?????L??F?? $50 ?a?M???L?????i???]???Q?@??... ???T?w?C) ????{?b?o?????b Ebay ?W???????j???O $200 ???k?M??H??Q????O????K?y?F?C

    samsung-a600.jpg

    cybette wrote this at 10:23 PM ... Comments (0)

    Thursday, March 18, 2004

    Evanescence - "Hello"

    Most people I know who has heard the Fallen album by Evanescence are intrigued by the song "Hello". It sounds so haunting, so sad, so... heart wrenching. Many of us have wondered what (or who) the song is about, and now we know... I just read in the latest issue of Blender magazine that when Amy Lee was 6, her sister who was 3 years younger contracted an unidentified illness and passed away. That affected her outlook on life deeply and you can hear her pain in her voice singing that song. I can't imagine losing my own sister either...

    Anyway, on a brighter note, Leah LaBelle is gone! Rumors say that next week's theme on American Idol is 'Country', which is not one of my favorite genres, but it'll still be interesting to see how the contestants do. Speaking of country, I just heard Kimberley Locke's new single "8th World Wonder" and thought it sounded almost country. Like Shania Twain, you know, country-pop crossover. Oh well...

    ????D??h??L Evanescence ?? Fallen ?M???H???Q "Hello" ?o???q?l??C????_????A?@??d??M?L?`?M?M?x?Z???P??C?????Q???D???q???y?z???O???H????M?{?b??????F?C????q Blender ???x?????M?? Amy Lee ?????????M???o?p?T?????f?f?o?F?????W???f?g??L?@?F?C?o?`?`?a?v?T?F?o???H?????k?M??A??o?? "Hello" ?????i?H?q?o?q?n??X?o???h???C??]?L?k?Q?????h???f?f?|?O????????P??...

    ???I?}????a?MLeah LaBelle ?Q?^?O?F?T????U??§?? American Idol ???D?D?O 'Country' (???????????S?m???S???J?S)?M???M???O????????w??????????M?????o????????????I?????Z?????C???? country music?M?????? Kimberley Locke ???s?D????"8th World Wonder" (??K??@??_??)?M??o???I country ???????C???I?? Shania Twain?M???y??/country ??X???P?....

    hello

    playground school bell rings again
    rain clouds come to play again
    has no one told you she's not breathing?
    hello i'm your mind giving you someone to talk to
    hello

    if i smile and don't believe
    soon i know i'll wake from this dream
    don't try to fix me i'm not broken
    hello i'm the lie living for you so you can hide
    don't cry

    suddenly i know i'm not sleeping
    hello i'm still here
    all that's left of yesterday

    cybette wrote this at 05:36 PM ... Comments (6)

    Wednesday, March 17, 2004

    Jasmine Trias

    Last year, watching American Idol season 2, I picked Clay Aiken as my favorite from the beginning. Although in the end he didn't win the title, he's doing just as well as Ruben if not better. This year I think I'm going with Jasmine Trias. She's such a sweet girl, but more importantly (also surprisingly), she has such a powerful voice. Sure, the black girls on the show, especially LaToya and Fantasia, can really sing and are natural performers. But, not that I'm being a racist or anything, I just don't really like their voices. It's more of a preference thing. I do like the black dude George Huff though, nice deep sexy husky voice. I also like Jon Peter Lewis for his quirkiness and John Stevens for his uniqueness. Camile Velasco and Diana DeGarmo also have great potential, but my least favorite is Leah LaBelle. She can't sing! She was flat throughout the song last night. I hope she gets voted off first, but she did look pretty last night with the straight hair, so maybe she'll get a lot of votes from guys. I don't know... but one thing I do know is I'm rooting for Jasmine Trias this time around. Go Jasmine!

    ?b?h?~?? American Idol?M??@?}?l?N???w Clay Aiken?C???M??????L?S?o??@?W?M???L?{?b?????N?? Ruben ?t???h?M???? Ruben ?n?C???~??Q??n???? Jasmine Trias?C?o?n?i?R?M?n???M???????n(?M?X?G?N??)???O?M?o???q?n?j????O?S?n??C???T?M???X??k?¤H?q???M??? LaToya ?M Fantasia?M?u????|??q?]???W??????t???O?C???L?M???O??????[???M??N?O?????w?o????n???C?f?????P?a?C???O?Z???w?k?¤H?q?? George Huff?M?]???L???q?n?n?C?I?n??P?n?????C??]???w Jon Peter Lewis ?M John Stevens?M?L???????S?O???QCamile Velasco ?M Diana DeGarmo ?]?D?`?????O?Q?????????w???O Leah LaBelle?M?o???????n????T?Q??o???q???n?????C?C?????o?O??@??Q?^?O???M???o?Q????y??(?????????v)?O?Z?}?G???M????|????h?k??????o?@???a?C????o????O???w?n???? Jasmine Trias ??... Jasmin ?[?o?T

    cybette wrote this at 03:12 AM ... Comments (15)

    Solitaire

    Re: Clay Clay Clay Clay...

    Bought Clay Aiken's latest CD single that was released just yesterday. It consists of only two songs, "The Way" which is already in his album "Measure of a Man", and the b-side "Solitaire" which, in my opinion, epitomizes his singing talent. I've listened to it about 10 times now, and still can't get enough. There seems to be a few different versions of the lyrics to this song, but I managed to find the one he sings. Can't wait to see him at the Musikfest this August!

    ?R?F?Q????X?l?? Clay Aiken ???? CD?C?u?????q?M?b?L "Measure of a Man" ?M??????? "The Way"?M????@??(??{??)?D?`???N????M?i?{?L?q??~??? "Solitaire" (?i?H½??? "???H????" ?a)?C??w?g???o???q??F?Q??M?M????????M??Q?A??C?o???q???q???n?????X????P???????M???L????L??????@???????F?C????K?????I??M?i?H?h Musikfest ??L?t??T

    Solitaire

    There was a man, a lonely man
    Who lost his love through his indifference
    A heart that cared, that went unshared
    Until it died in his silence

    And Solitaire's the only game in town
    And every road that takes him, takes him down
    And by himself it's easy to pretend
    He'll never love again

    And keeping to himself he plays the game
    Without her love it always ends the same
    While life goes on around him everywhere
    He's playing Solitaire

    Another day, a lonely day
    So much to say that goes unspoken
    And through the night, his sleepless nights
    His eyes are closed, his heart is broken

    And Solitaire's the only game in town
    And every road that takes him, takes him down
    And by himself it's easy to pretend
    She's coming back again

    And keeping to himself he plays the game
    Without her love it always ends the same
    While life goes on around him everywhere
    He's playing Solitaire

    A little hope, goes up in smoke
    Just how it goes, goes without saying
    Solitaire
    And by himself it's easy to pretend
    He'll never love again

    Oh and keeping to himself he plays the game
    Without her love it always ends the same
    While life goes on around him everywhere
    He's playing Solitaire
    Solitaire, solitaire

    cybette wrote this at 02:06 AM ... Comments (1)

    Sunday, March 14, 2004

    ???_??T

    ?e?T?g???????@???^??
    ?????O???? MBTI/INFP ???F??
    ?????D?q????}?l½??????
    ??????t?F
    ??]???i?F :-P
    ?p?G?????? ??????@?n
    ??i?H?????|???????A?
    ?S?????S???Y
    ?N??????o??n?F?T

    cybette wrote this at 05:37 AM ... Comments (1)

    Last bit about MBTI... for now.

    Whew, finally finished that previous entry (sorry Gloria, for taking so long!). The INFP prayer: God, help me to finish everything I sta...

    Anyway, when I was wrapping up the last part on INFP's, I came across this website: Similar Minds. It has MBTI and other tests, including Enneagram, which I've heard about from time to time but never had a chance to take. So I did the MB-Jung+Enneagram combined test to see what it came up with. Here are my results:

    Introverted (I) 81.25% Extroverted (E) 18.75%
    Intuitive (N) 75.86% Sensing (S) 24.14%
    Feeling (F) 77.42% Thinking (T) 22.58%
    Perceiving (P) 68.75% Judging (J) 31.25%

    Your conscious personality is Type 5w4
    (artistic intellectuals, "absent minded professor" types...)

    Your unconscious personality is Type 4w3
    (highly introverted and indecisive, often hide strong feelings...)

    Let's see, MBTI type is INFP, no big surprise there. What's this Enneagram types 5w4 and 4w3? Hmm, time to do more research... (maybe next week. Feeling really sick these past few days with fever and all.)

    Another interesting site I came across is PTypes, that actually type personalities by "disorders". I haven't had a chance to explore the site thoroughly, but I was intrigued by the Correspondence of five personality typologies. The author did mention that the correspondences are more speculative rather than empirical. However it linked INFP to the astrological sign Leo and Enneagram type 4w3. I'm a Leo and my "unconscious" type is 4w3 (whatever that means, I haven't figured out). So at least for me it's pretty much right on the money.

    From Type Statistics on Lifexplore, it shows that while being only 1% of the general population, INFP's make up a much higher percentage in people interested in personality type. Probably because we usually feel like the odd one out and want to find out what it is that makes us different. I also read somewhere that INFP's make up the largest group of webloggers compared to other types. Hmm, we like to keep to ourselves and we're supposedly good writers... not surprising. However, the stats also show that INFP's make the least money and get married least frequently. Well, I am married and I hope to be making LOTS OF MONEY!! Although it's likely that I'll be donating what I can to charity...

    "The search for a soulmate is a preoccupation for many INFPs, who must balance their need for privacy and peace with their yearning for human connection. If there seems to be an air of sadness in the INFP's spirit, blame it on this type's yearning for the perfect in all things."

    cybette wrote this at 02:44 AM ... Comments (1)

    Saturday, March 13, 2004

    INFP = ADD = Depression?

    I am pretty much a confirmed INFP. Some tests will tell you how much inclination you have for each consideration (Extraversion vs. Introversion and so on), e.g. very clearly intuitive, only slightly judging etc. I looked up a couple of my past results and added a recent one I took and came up with this:

    Introversion: extremely, extremely, extremely (vs. Extraversion)
    iNtuition: moderately, extremely, extremely (vs. Sensing)
    Feeling: moderately, extremely, moderately (vs. Thinking)
    Perceiving: slightly, slightly, slightly (vs. Judging)

    So I'm a confirmed [I], very much an [N], pretty much the [F] with a touch of [P]. Also it shows that not all INFP's are created equal. I see a lot of INFP/ENFP/xNFP's online but I wonder how many are like me, i.e. very very very [I].

    INFP's are usually described as quiet, reserved, deeply passionate, sensitive, very loving and dedicated to those close to them, creative, imaginative, and hold beliefs and values deeply (from personalitytype.com). I like this mnemonic that sums up an INFP: "I Never Find Perfection" (from haleonline.com). Here are some more detailed descriptions of INFP's:

    Portrait of an INFP from The Personality Page
    INFP Profile from Type Logic
    Portrait of the Healer (iNFp) from Keirsey
    INFP the Dreamer from Lifexplore
    You're an INFP from Hale Online
    "Healer" from Career Types

    From keirsey.com, it mentions that Healers (INFP's) are found in only 1 percent of the general population, although, at times, their idealism leaves them feeling even more isolated from the rest of humanity. This is leading to my main point for this entry: the association between the INFP type and characteristics like loneliness, depression as well as ADD/ADHD.

    In the general population, here's the approximate distribution of the different personality types:

    • ESxx: around 12-13% each, with ESTJ possibly up to 18%, making up more than half of the population
    • ENxx: around 5% each, making up about a fifth of the population
    • ISxx: around 6% each, making up about a quarter of the population
    • INxx: around 1% each, making up less than 5 percent of the population

    Before I go on, I should explain a little about ADD. This is taken from Born to Explore - What is ADD? Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD/ADHD, is a psychological term applied to anyone who meets the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for impulsivity, hyperactivity and/or inattention. The diagnostic criteria are subjective and include behavior which might be caused by a wide variety of factors, ranging from brain defects to allergies to giftedness. ADD is really more of a description rather than a specific disease. However, there is a tendancy for people to over-simplify ADD and view it as a singular defect or disease. Not true!

    There are two major types of ADD at this time (this aspect of ADD keeps evolving): ADD with hyperactivity (the traditional type of ADD, also known as ADHD) and ADD without hyperactivity ("inattentive" type).

    One common misconception about ADD is that many people assume ADDers cannot pay attention. This is completely false. In fact, ADDers are known to "hyperfocus" on anything which captures their attention, to the point where it is difficult to get their attention. It is true, however, that a higher degree of interest is necessary before the ADDer can pay attention.

    The MBTI types that are most likely to be diagnosed ADD are: INFP, ENFP, ENTP, and INTP. You might notice that they are all of the type xNxP. From ADD and Personality Type, Rachael Hawkins wrote that there is increasing evidence to suggest that NP personality types are overrepresented in the ADD/ADHD population. Most of life is SJ; great if you are SJ, OK if you are SP or NJ, really crap if you are NP. Some characteristics of NP's may include: procrastination, divergent thinking, many interests, scatter-brained, get bored easily with something that doesn't interest them, extremely focused with something that does interest them, daydream a lot... etc. (hmm, seem to describe me perfectly). Often, these are also the descriptions of ADD behaviour.

    When it comes to Depression, I found that INFP is the most likely of all the types to report suicidal thoughts in college (MBTI Manual, 1998) as well as having the highest level of depression of the 16 types (Shelton, MBTI Applications, 1996). From McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web, he conducted an informal poll and posted the findings here: Taking it Personally. In it he found that more than 80% of the respondents are introverts, when they only account for less than 30% of the general population. Idealists (NF's) are also over-represented, at around 40% (but only comprise 8% of general population).

    McMan mentioned a study by David Janowsky MD of the University of North Carolina in 2002, where he found a preponderance of introverts and feelers among a depressed population (74 percent introverts and 84 percent feelers).

    So, what have we learnt?
    • IN's are a lonely bunch
    • NP's are most likely to be diagnosed ADD
    • I's, NF's and F's are predominant among the depressed

    Hey, who has all of the above? INFP! Of course, this doesn't mean that all INFP's end up being depressed ADDers, or that all those diagnosed with ADD and depression will be of type INFP. Just that there's a strong correlation between the type and the respective "disorders". Some people are biologically depressed due to chemical imbalance. Some type of ADD are caused by brain defects. But studies show that less than 10% of depression is biologically caused. So what causes depression? Stress (among other factors). Feeling the need to "fit in" a world dominated by ESTJ/SJ's, or at least a world where ESTJ type is encouraged (many U.S. presidents are ESTJ's, including George W. Bush). Also, a lot of gifted and creative kids are mis-diagnosed with ADD, simply because they are misunderstood.

    I think we need more understanding all around. To understand ourselves better, and to understand each other better. For the "majority" to understand that the "minority" are not just "trying to be different", they are different. And for those who are different to understand that it's OK to be different. If we can try to understand how the various personality types function, the different ways they view the world, the different things that make them tick, we can get along much better and have more meaningful relationships.

    To end this on a lighter note, here's a list of MBTI Types Prayers, pretty funny and revealing!

    • INFP: God, help me to finish everything I sta
    • ENFP: God, help me to keep my mind on one th -Look a bird- ing at a time.
    • ENTP: Lord help me follow established procedures today. On second thought, I'll settle for a few minutes
    • INTP: Lord help me be less independent, but let me do it my way.
    • ESFP: God help me to take things more seriously, especially parties and dancing.
    • ISTP: God help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them ARE hypersensitive.
    • ESTP: God help me to take responsibility for my own actions, even though they're usually NOT my fault.
    • ISFP: Lord, help me to stand up for my rights (if you don't mind my asking).
    • ENTJ: Lord, help me slow downandnotrushthroughwhatIdo
    • INFJ: Lord help me not be a perfectionist. (did I spell that correctly?)
    • ENFJ: God help me to do only what I can and trust you for the rest. Do you mind putting that in writing?
    • INTJ: Lord keep me open to others' ideas, WRONG though they may be
    • ESTJ: God, help me to not try to RUN everything. But, if You need some help, just ask
    • ESFJ: God give me patience, and I mean right NOW
    • ISFJ: Lord, help me to be more laid back and help me to do it EXACTLY right.
    • ISTJ: Lord help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 11:41.23 a.m. EST.

    Click here to join INFP_ADD
    Click to join INFP_ADD

    New: INFP group on VOX, please click here to join!

    cybette wrote this at 04:50 PM ... Comments (242)

    Friday, March 12, 2004

    More about MBTI

    (First portion adapted from http://www.cpp.com/products/mbti/)

    The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is the most widely used personality inventory in the world. It was created by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katharine C. Briggs based on Carl Jung's psychological types. The MBTI "instrument" (not really a "test", since there's no right or wrong answers) provides an accurate picture of a person's personality type by determining one's preferences on four dichotomies:

    Extraversion vs. Introversion: describes where people prefer to focus their attention and get their energy - from the outer world of people and activity or their inner world of ideas and experiences

    Sensing vs. iNtuition: describes how people prefer to take in information - focused on what is real and actual or on patterns and meanings in data

    Thinking vs. Feeling: describes how people prefer to make decisions - based on logical analysis or guided by concern for their impact on others

    Judging vs. Perceiving: describes how people prefer to deal with the outer world - in a planned orderly way, or in a flexible spontaneous way

    Combinations of these preferences result in 16 personality types. However, there can actually be more. Some people, for example, may not have a strong inclination towards being either Thinking or Feeling, so they might be something like IS*J. This may be the reason some people get different results each time. Another reason is of course that a lot of these type inventories online are only approximations of the real thing, thus may not have the accuracy of the genuine MBTI instrument.

    Nevertheless, if you cannot take the official MBTI from a qualified practitioner, here are some online versions that you can try to have a feel of things. If you get very similar results on all your tries (like me, I had the same result every single time, including the official one), there's a good chance that's your type.

    Humanmetrics: Jung Typology Test
    Keirsey Temperament Sorter II
    DDLI (a downloadable program)
    Tickle.com: Career Personality Test
    Similar Minds (Myers-Briggs and other tools)
    More can be found here

    But, as Carl Jung has said, "It is not the purpose of a psychological typology to classify human beings into categories -- this in itself would be pretty pointless." Thus knowing what type you are is not an end in itself, but rather a powerful tool to help you understand yourself as well as people around you better, appreciate the differences between people, and possibly help us to work and live together more harmoniously and tap more into our inner potentials. There are lots of information online about the personality types, as well as how they can influence career choices and relationships etc. Anyway, I've put together a list here for easy reference:

    Keirsey Temperament and Character
    The DDLI Page
    The Personality Page
    Type Logic
    Lifexplore
    Personality Pathways
    Human Metrics
    Personality Type
    Bloginality: Weblogger Personality
    Socionics: The New Psychology
    Career Types
    PTypes (another kind of personality types)

    cybette wrote this at 04:04 AM ... Comments (1)

    Clay Clay Clay Clay...

    Ahhhhhhh~~~~ Clay Aiken will be performing at this year's Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA!!!! Can't wait... Two years ago we went and saw Bruce's idol Annie Haslam, last year we went to see pianist Jim Brickman whom we both loved, and this year we get to see my idol Clay Aiken!! Yeah!! Yeah!! Of course, I would love to see Evanescence again (and so would Bruce), but I doubt they'll perform at Musikfest. Oh, but the mysterious "Cast in Bronze" dude will be there too. It's gonna be a great trip....

    ???????~~~~~~ ???~?b?t????|?? Musikfest ?|?? Clay Aiken ?????t?T?T???????F... ???~?e???h??????F Bruce ?????? Annie Haslam ???t??|?M?h?~???O?h????^?a Jim Brickman ???t???M???~???????|?i?H?????????? Clay Aiken!! ?n????T?p?G???A????? Evanescence ???t??|?O??n???L???M????Q?L????|?b Musikfest ???t???C???L?????? "Cast in Bronze" ?X???H?|?h?M?o?N?|?O????n????{....

    cybette wrote this at 01:50 AM ... Comments (4)

    Saturday, March 06, 2004

    Zucchini who?


    Went to the groceries today and saw the colorful bell peppers. Really like the orange ones. So pretty. Decided to take a picture of them. Saw the zucchinis beside the peppers, and had no idea what they are (much less how to cook them since, for those who know me, I can't cook). But as they look so cute, couldn't help but to take a picture of them too. People around me must be wondering why I was taking pictures of vegetables. Crazy girl. Oh well.

    P/S. Tonight Bruce cooked the orange bell pepper in a dish and it tasted
    great! Yum...

    ????h?W???R?F???M????o????C????????C?D?`???w????????M?n?A?R?M?N?M?w???X??????U??C?b?????????? "zucchini"?M??????????O?????F??(???O???????h?N?X?@?D????F?M?]??????i??O?@¬???q????)?M????d?r???~???D?????O???L?n????C??L??????i?R?M??????S???F?@?i????C?b???????L???H?@?w?_?????????????????????M?@??????M?{????q??F....

    P/S. ??????|?????????????N?F?@?D???M???????n?Y?T

    cybette wrote this at 05:51 PM ... Comments (1)

    Friday, March 05, 2004

    Miss Personality

    I think some of the results from the tests I took were quite accurate. I'm pretty much a loner aside from hanging out with just a few close friends. I don't share my emotions easily unless I know that person really well. (Maybe that explains the "mysterious" me, since I don't look mysterious by any means.) However, all three results indicate that I am creative, but I do not think of myself as such. I'm always in awe of other people's works (writing, art, design, music....) and kept wishing "if only I could be half as good as them"... One thing though, I didn't like the nose ring on that Artistic chick. It's a great picture (aren't they all though? I especially like the "night element" one since blue is one of my favorite colors) but spoilt by that nose ring. Even an eyebrow ring would be fine. Sigh, perfectly flawed picture...

    Anyway, I also take a lot of quizzes on tickle.com (formerly emode.com). I must have taken more than 100 of them by now, over a span of around 3 years. Good thing about tickle.com is that all your results are stored and you can also compare results with friends who have taken the same tests. Plus, many tests there are certified by people with PHD's (permanent head damage... hmmm... should we be trusting them with anything in the first place?) Anyway, drop me a note if you'd like to share results or something.

    In my opinion the best is still the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, based on Carl Jung's notions of psychological types. It can provide very accurate results if properly administered by a certified MBTI practitioner. The full version has a couple hundred questions and takes 2-3 hours to complete. A shorter version of around 70 questions is available at the UTD career center (helping to make career choices). There are also some online versions that try to mimic the real thing, but they may or may not be accurate. However the Keirsey Temperament Sorter is well established and proven. I've taken all the official and non-official versions I have come across (including the full version) and each time my result is INFP. Other people I know have had different results with different tests, or even on different attempts of the same test! I recently read somewhere that many people with ADD are INFP's, and that most schools reinforce the "ESTJ" way of learning and thinking. Now, ESTJ is the exact opposite of INFP. No wonder I feel like such an outcast sometimes... and feel like I need to put on my ESTJ exterior to face the world.

    So anyway, I've included the INFP profile description at the end of this entry (click on "continue reading...") in case anyone, after reading my long ramblings, would actually still want further reading material. You can google "MBTI" and easily find the profiles of the other 15 types. Or go to Keirsey and take the sorter and find out for yourself what type you are! Have fun ~~~

    ?????W?@?g???X????????G?Y?????????Z????C???F???????X??????n?n???B??E?|?M??????W?O????w?W??W?????H?C?P????M?????|???F??v???P??(????`?B??)?M???D?O?u????????????H?C(?o?i???|???H?a?@??????G?????????????P???a?M????O?]?????????l??????C)???L?T????G????C?@???????????????M????ä??o???{???C???`?O?Y???O?H???@?~(?g?@?N???N?N?]?p?N???????)?M?]?@?????????L??~????@?b?N?n?F?C???@?I?O?M??????w????Artistic?????W?k??a?????`?C?????}?G???@?T?e?M?Q?@????`?}?a?C?N????????`????i?H?????C?u?O??????????... (?T????????????M??S?O???w?????]???????M?]???O????w???C???@?R????C)

    ??]?b tickle.com (???e?O emode.com) ?????W?@?L??h??z?????M?b?j???T?~?H???@?F?@??h??a?TTicke.com ???n?B?O?L??|???A????@?L?????G?s?_??M?M???????A?M?B?????/???????G?C???????~?M??h?????O???g?L??h??????(?N????h???^???r???O PHD: permanent head damage, ???U?ä[?Q?l???N???M???M??????H?o??H??S)?C????p?G?A?????????????G???~???Q??o???D?M?d????a?C

    ??{????n????????O??Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)???M?o?O??? Carl Jung ?????R??z??C?p?G?????|?i?H??????????????M?|?????T?????G?M?O?o?n???????T????D??M?o?????T??p??????M???n??LMBTI??????????????A?????R?CUTD Career Center ?O??????@??²????????M?j?????C?Q?D?M??????U??????~????C?b???W?]?????L???MBTI???????????M?????O??????MBTI??H???@?w??T?C???L Keirsey Temperament Sorter ????O?Z???????@??C?o?????/?D???????????M?u?n?O???L??????@?L?M???C???????G???OINFP?C????D????H?C???@?????????P??????M???P?@??????A?@?@?????G?????@??T?????????ADD???H?M??h???OINFP?????C?{?N???]?j??HESTJ?????k????M????M??ESTJ?S??INFP?O?????????M?????????|?P??????J... ?n???o??W??ESTJ???~?M??????@??C

    ?b?o?q????[?F?@?g?y?zINFP????g??(???L??N??½??U?h?F?M??????@?q?F?T)?C?p?G?A??F??o???????@?g?o??????????U?h????M?w???w???C??????L?Q???????????M?A?i?H google "MBTI" ?????C?]?i?H?h Keirsey ?????????L???????M???A??v?O???????????T

    The following is taken from personalitypage.com

    Portrait of an INFP - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
    (Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Intuition)

    "The Idealist"

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

    INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves

    INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same - the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.

    Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.

    INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.

    INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".

    When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.

    INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don't understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to misuse hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.

    INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.

    INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkward and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counseling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.

    INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.

    cybette wrote this at 02:52 AM ... Comments (5)

    Thursday, March 04, 2004

    More personality tests

    Night Took a few more quizzes from Quizilla.com! Love the graphics for the "results" of these tests...



    Your Element is Night. You're a loner who is very creative but never show your work to anyone. You may smile a little but sadness or loneliness surround you and others can feel it when they're near you. You have a dark or unusual beauty that makes you mysterious and you probably have a lot of secrets that you've never told anyone. Your beauty is intriguing and unorthodox but the real thing that makes you special is your eyes. Something in them makes them like "Diamonds in the Rough."

    What's Your Element?
    -- brought to you by Quizilla




    You are Form 1, Goddess: The Creator. "And The Goddess planted the acorn of life. She cried a single tear and shed a single drop of blood upon the earth where she buried it. From her blood and tear, the acorn grew into the world."

    Goddess

    Some examples of the Goddess Form are Gaia (Greek), Jehova (Christian), and Brahma (Indian). The Goddess is associated with the concept of creation, the number 1, and the element of earth. Her sign is the dawn sun.

    As a member of Form 1, you are a charismatic individual and people are drawn to you. Although sometimes you may seem emotionally distant, you are deeply in tune with other people's feelings and have tremendous empathy. Sometimes you have a tendency to neglect your own self. Goddesses are the best friends to have because they're always willing to help.

    Which Mythological Form Are You?
    -- brought to you by Quizilla




    You are naturally born with a gift, whether it be poetry, writing or song. You love beauty and creativity, and are usually highly intelligent. Others view you as mysterious and dreamy, yet also bold since you hold firm in your beliefs.
    Artistic
    What Type of Soul Do You Have ?
    -- brought to you by Quizilla



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    ??@??O??R?A???????O?????S??????G?R?A???????O?]??C?A?O??W??W?????H?M??????@??????|????@?????L?H??C?A?????|???M???O?d??P?I???b?A?????¶?M????L?H?]???b?????A?????P?????C?A?????f?M???P???????a???A?????P?M???L?A?]?j??????h?q??S???i?D?L?????H?????K?C?A???O??????????R?M????S?O???O?A???????C?Y??]?????L???_????????q????p????C

    ??G??O??R?A?O???????????S??????G?R?A?O??@??M?k???R??@??C???k????U?F??R????l?M?o?b??l???d?g?W???F?@?w?\?M?y?F?@?w???C?q?o?????M?\?M??l???????@????@???l?C??

    ?N???m???k????Gaia (??þ)?MJehova (??????)?M?MBrahma (?L??k??) ?C?k???P??@?N????@???N?M?g???????M?o??????????pô?C?k??????x?O??????????C

    ??????@????????M?A????A?O??H??]?Q?A?l??C???M?A???????H?a?@??????H?N???P??M???????A???`?`?????|???L?H???P???M?]??????j???P????C?????A?|????????v????V?C???k?????B???n?M?]???o??û??O??N?X?????????T

    ??T??O??R?A??????????F???S??????G?R?A?????N????F???C?o?O?A???N?????~??M????O?g?@?M???q?C?A??n??@?P???P?M?]?q?`?O???o?????C???L?H??o?A????????S?????P??M???]?|?{???A????i???M?]???A?|???A???z?Q???????C

    cybette wrote this at 04:44 AM ... Comments (3)

    Movable Type Templates

    I found a good collection of links here for MT Templates, Cascading Style Sheets (I was going to type CSS Style Sheets but that'll be equivalent to Cascading Style Sheets Style Sheets...), and other design tools like CSS generators. In particular, the "Illustrated MT templates" was where I learnt my first lesson on Movable Type templates on the day I installed MT. Very useful if you're just starting out as it gives an excellent overview with diagrams. Another one is Movable Style that provides free drop in CSS for MT. The style sheet for this site is modified from one of Scott's designs.

    (?V?|?M?o?@?g????½??r?S?S?SMT?Mtemplates?MCSS ???????????S)
    ?????O?????o?????(blog)???]?p?P?\???M??????@??????links?M?????g?U??]?u?O???K?H????v?????M??H?????o?@???S???^½???n???n?S

    cybette wrote this at 04:11 AM ... Comments (1)

    Wednesday, March 03, 2004

    Heart of Crystal

    (First, a note to Megan, it's ok if you can't read the Chinese words. It's a direct translation from the English stuff, so you don't miss anything!)

    Oooh I love quizzes. Though not quite like the full-fledged MBTI with hundreds of questions and take hours to complete, these short quizzes can offer a glimpse of who you are and what your inclinations are (provided they are accurately designed). Isn't that what we are constantly trying to do, finding the answer to the ever-elusive question of "who am I?" (ahem, Gloria). So anyway, I saw this quiz from Gloria's Xanga (hehe, who else?) and took it. Here's my result:

    Heart of Crystal
    What is Your Heart REALLY Made of?
    -- brought to you by Quizilla

    Hmm, my crystal heart is not as valuable as G's golden heart. Guess I better keep it since I won't make much money trying to sell it! Do leave me a comment and let me know your results if you've taken the quiz. Or let me know of other fun quizzes to take!

    ????w????z?????C???M???????X?????D?N?o???W?X??p???MBTI?M?o??p?p???????]?i?H?z?S?@?I?A??????M??k?M??V(?p?G?]?p???n????)?C?o???O??????????M?Q???D??????O??S???C?q?p????Xanga?W(?H?H?M??|????S)?M?????o???z?????C?o?O????X??????G?R

    ????????R???j?M???e?j?M???F??C?A?|??????????n???H?I?X?M??R?A???H???|?ñ??A?C?A?????????@??|?L?q?A?M?Y???A???H?C??

    ???M?????????S???p???????????M??H??O?????O?d?a?M?]?????F?h????T?p?G?A?]???F?H?W????z?????M?d???i?D??A?????G?a?T??O????@????L?n????quiz?T

    cybette wrote this at 11:12 AM ... Comments (2)

    Tuesday, March 02, 2004

    Your Real Astrological Sign?

    I came across this article on space.com. Basically it says that due to the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, the Earth's axis has been changing causing a westward shift of the astrological signs. Take March 21st, the "vernal equinox" (and also Bruce's birthday), it marks the beginning of Spring and is also known as the "first point of Aries". However, today the Sun is in Pisces on March 21st instead of Aries. Here is the modern day astrological signs (including Ophiuchus):

  • Aries 4/19 to 5/13

  • Taurus 5/14 to 6/20

  • Gemini 6/21 to 7/20

  • Cancer 7/21 to 8/10

  • Leo 8/11 to 9/15

  • Virgo 9/16 to 10/30

  • Libra 10/31 to 11/22

  • Scorpio 11/23 to 11/29

  • Ophiuchus 11/30 to 12/17

  • Sagittarius 12/18 to 1/19

  • Capricorn 1/20 to 2/15

  • Aquarius 2/16 to 3/11

  • Pisces 3/12 to 4/18
  • Traditional astrologers say the shift does not play a part, but sidereal astrologers will take it into account when mapping charts or making predictions. It does not make much of a difference to me since I'm a LEO either way. What do you think? Does that explain why you never felt like a true [insert your sign here]? Or perhaps you favor the more traditional way of looking at it? Or maybe you just think that all these zodiac stuff is a load of crap?

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  • ?d??y 4/19 - 5/13

  • ?????y 5/14 - 6/20

  • ???l?y 6/21 - 7/20

  • ????y 7/21 - 8/10

  • ???l?y 8/11 - 9/15

  • ?B?k?y 9/16 - 10/30

  • ????y 10/31 - 11/22

  • ????y 11/23 - 11/29

  • ???D?y 11/30 - 12/17

  • ?g???y 12/18 - 1/19

  • ???~?y 1/20 - 2/15

  • ???~?y 2/16 - 3/11

  • ?????y 3/12 - 4/18
  • ?????????P?y?a??H?o?P?y????????|?v?T?P?y???R?M???]?????L???????a???o???{???C???????O?S?????v?T?M?]??????O???l?y?C?A?{???O?S?|???|?@???H????P??A???????O[?A???P?y]?S??O?A???????V??????k?S??O?A???????H?P?y??M??H?o??u?O?o??@???S

    cybette wrote this at 04:18 AM ... Comments (0)

    Bilingual ???y

    I've decided from now on, as much as possible, I'll try to write each entry in both English and Chinese. One to practice my Chinese, and two because I know some of my close friends feel more comfortable reading Chinese (those mile long English entries are probably more boring than their lecture notes!) So, this is the first entry to kick things off...

    ??M?w?q?{?b?}?l?M??|???q??????M?^???g?C?@?g???O?C?@?O???F?m?????????M?G?O?]??????D????n?n?f???????D??????C????X????????^???g???@?w???p??????q??n?\???a?T?N?q?o?@?g?}?l?M???^?X??T

    cybette wrote this at 02:14 AM ... Comments (2)