I was talking to a dear friend one day, and they asked, "In Canada, do people make a big deal about "Merry Christmas... Happy Holidays... whatever?" I didn't rightly know what to answer. I don't ever remember what I did answer. I had not really noticed, but after that I started to pay attention.
The first time I noticed anything, was when I was driving home from school and was looking up Charleswood, into the bright Southern sun and I saw a bus drive by. Rotating between the Route 20's was "Merry Christmas!!!" My mouth dropped.
Next, I noticed the transition music between classes was Christmas themed- not just winter themed.
Then the assistant principals interrupted our math test in Santa hats to wish us Merry Christmas and give us York Mints.
The only "politically correct" message that stood out, was from the school newspaper, and I have a hunch they were being satirical:
"The staff of the Advocate fish you a hairy kiss moose and a hippo nude beer!!! (Please have a completely non-offensive, politically correct observation of this diverse and celebratory portion of the year, kids. This greeting is void where prohibited by law.)"
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
What I've Been Up To
When I started this blog, I thought, "You know, 10 posts a month would be ideal." It doesn't look like December's going to make it.
I do have some good ones planned though. I would like to write an entry on: "Merry Christmas" in Canada. Our Christmas tree, and the death of. The school newspaper's front page article, written by yours truly, that came out today. Three of the Christmas presents I've made (I won't say more about them till after Christmas, since two of the recievers read this). Our English lesson on poetry. Chances are, they won't all get written.
Even now, as I sit here on my last day of school, sipping my tea and looking forward to the next few weeks of freedom, I don't especially feel like writing. I would like to leave you with a thoughtful poem though. Hopefully I'll write in the next few days, but if not, Merry Christmas!
I do have some good ones planned though. I would like to write an entry on: "Merry Christmas" in Canada. Our Christmas tree, and the death of. The school newspaper's front page article, written by yours truly, that came out today. Three of the Christmas presents I've made (I won't say more about them till after Christmas, since two of the recievers read this). Our English lesson on poetry. Chances are, they won't all get written.
Even now, as I sit here on my last day of school, sipping my tea and looking forward to the next few weeks of freedom, I don't especially feel like writing. I would like to leave you with a thoughtful poem though. Hopefully I'll write in the next few days, but if not, Merry Christmas!
"And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me?"
[Sir John Betjeman]
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Keirsey Temperament Sorter
Not much homework at all tonight, so I'm going to type out the test! Just answer 1. __ 2. __ and I'll sort it all out. I'm not going to explain how to score them. When reading answer selections, go with your first instinct- you're not supposed to think about it too much.
1. When the phone rings do you
a) hurry to get it first
b) hope someone else will answer
2. Are you more
a) observant than introspective
b) introspective than observant
3. Is it worse to
a) have your head in the clouds
b) be in a rut
4. With people are you usually more
a) firm than gentle
b) gentle than firm
5. Are you more comfortable in making
a) critical judgments
b) value judgments
6. Is clutter in the workplace something you
a) take time to straighten up
b) tolerate pretty well
7. Is it your way to
a) make up your mind quickly
b) pick and choose at some length
8. Waiting in line, do you often
a) chat with others
b) stick to business
9. Are you more
a) sensible than ideational
b) ideational than sensible
10. Are you more interested in
a) what is actual
b) what is possible
11. In making up your mind are you more likely to go by
a) data
b) desires
12. In sizing up others do you tend to be
a) objective and impersonal
b) friendly and personal
13. Do you prefer contracts to be
a) signed, sealed, and delivered
b) settled on a handshake
14. Are you more satisfied having
a) a finished product
b) work in progress
15. At a party, do you
a) interact with many, even strangers
b) interact with a few friends
16. Do you tend to be more
a) factual than speculative
b) speculative than factual
17. Do you like writers who
a) say what they mean
b) use metaphors and symbolism
18. Which appeals to you more:
a) consistency of thought
b) harmonious relationships
19. If you must disappoint someone are you usually
a) frank and straightforward
b) warm and considerate
20. On the job do you want your activities
a) scheduled
b) unscheduled
21. Do you more often prefer
a) final, unalterable statements
b) tentative, preliminary statements
22. Does interacting with strangers
a) energize you
b) tax your reserves
23. Facts
a) speak for themselves
b) illustrate principles
24. Do you find visionaries and theorists
a) somewhat annoying
b) rather fascinating
25. In a heated discussion, do you
a) stick to your guns
b) look for common ground
26. It is better to be
a) just
b) merciful
27. At work, is it more natural for you to
a) point out mistakes
b) try to please others
28. Are you more comfortable
a) after a decision
b) before a decision
29. Do you tend to
a) say right what's on your mind
b) keep your ears open
30. Common sense is
a) usually reliable
b) frequently questionable
31. Children often do not
a) make themselves useful enough
b) exercise their fantasy enough
32. When in charge of others do you tend to be
a) firm and unbending
b) forgiving and lenient
33. Are you more often
a) a cool-headed person
b) a warm-hearted person
34. Are you prone to
a) nailing things down
b) exploring the possibilities
35. In most situations are you more
a) deliberate than spontaneous
b) spontaneous than deliberate
36. Do you think of yourself as
a) an outgoing person
b) a private person
37. Are you more frequently
a) a practical sort of person
b) a fanciful sort of person
38. Do you speak more in
a) particulars then generalities
b) generalities then particulars
39. Which is more of a compliment:
a) "There's a logical person"
b) "There's a sentimental person"
40. Which rules you more
a) your thoughts
b) your feelings
41. When finishing a job, do you like to
a) tie up all the loose ends
b) move on to something else
42. Do you prefer to work
a) to deadlines
b) just whenever
43. Are you the kind of person who
a) is rather talkative
b) doesn't miss much
44. Are you inclined to take what is said
a) more literally
b) more figuratively
45. Do you more often see
a) what's right in front of you
b) what can only be imagined
46. is it worse to be
a) a softy
b) hard-nosed
47. In trying circumstances are you
a) too unsympathetic
b) too sympathetic
48. Do you tend to choose
a) rather carefully
b) somewhat impulsively
49. Are you inclined to be more
a) hurried than leisurely
b) leisurely than hurried
50. At work, do you tend to
a) be sociable with your colleagues
b) keep more to yourself
51. Are you more likely to trust
a) your experiences
b) your conceptions
52. Are you more inclined to feel
a) down to earth
b) somewhat removed
53. Do you think of yourself as a
a) tough-minded person
b) tender-hearted person
54. Do you value in yourself that you are
a) reasonable
b) devoted
55. Do you usually want thins
a) settled and decided
b) just penciled in
56. Would you say you are more
a) serious and determined
b) easy going
57. Do you consider yourself
a) a good conversationalist
b) a good listener
58. Do you prize in yourself
a) a strong hold on reality
b) a vivid imagination
59. Are you drawn more to
a) fundamentals
b) overtones
60. Which seems the greater fault:
a) to be too compassionate
b) to be too dispassionate
61. Are you swayed more by
a) convincing evidence
b) a touching appeal
62. Do you feel better about
a) coming to closure
b) keeping your options open
63. Is it preferable mostly to
a) make sure things are arranged
b) just let things happen naturally
64. Are you inclined to be
a) easy to approach
b) somewhat reserved
65. In stories do you prefer
a) action and adventure
b) fantasy and heroism
66. It is easier for you to
a) put others to good use
b) identify with others
67. Which do you wish more for yourself:
a) strength of will
b) strength of emotion
68. Do you see yourself as basically
a) thick-skinned
b) think-skinned
69. Do you tend to notice
a) disorderliness
b) opportunities for change
70. Are you more
a) routinized than whimsical
b) whimsical than routinized
1. When the phone rings do you
a) hurry to get it first
b) hope someone else will answer
2. Are you more
a) observant than introspective
b) introspective than observant
3. Is it worse to
a) have your head in the clouds
b) be in a rut
4. With people are you usually more
a) firm than gentle
b) gentle than firm
5. Are you more comfortable in making
a) critical judgments
b) value judgments
6. Is clutter in the workplace something you
a) take time to straighten up
b) tolerate pretty well
7. Is it your way to
a) make up your mind quickly
b) pick and choose at some length
8. Waiting in line, do you often
a) chat with others
b) stick to business
9. Are you more
a) sensible than ideational
b) ideational than sensible
10. Are you more interested in
a) what is actual
b) what is possible
11. In making up your mind are you more likely to go by
a) data
b) desires
12. In sizing up others do you tend to be
a) objective and impersonal
b) friendly and personal
13. Do you prefer contracts to be
a) signed, sealed, and delivered
b) settled on a handshake
14. Are you more satisfied having
a) a finished product
b) work in progress
15. At a party, do you
a) interact with many, even strangers
b) interact with a few friends
16. Do you tend to be more
a) factual than speculative
b) speculative than factual
17. Do you like writers who
a) say what they mean
b) use metaphors and symbolism
18. Which appeals to you more:
a) consistency of thought
b) harmonious relationships
19. If you must disappoint someone are you usually
a) frank and straightforward
b) warm and considerate
20. On the job do you want your activities
a) scheduled
b) unscheduled
21. Do you more often prefer
a) final, unalterable statements
b) tentative, preliminary statements
22. Does interacting with strangers
a) energize you
b) tax your reserves
23. Facts
a) speak for themselves
b) illustrate principles
24. Do you find visionaries and theorists
a) somewhat annoying
b) rather fascinating
25. In a heated discussion, do you
a) stick to your guns
b) look for common ground
26. It is better to be
a) just
b) merciful
27. At work, is it more natural for you to
a) point out mistakes
b) try to please others
28. Are you more comfortable
a) after a decision
b) before a decision
29. Do you tend to
a) say right what's on your mind
b) keep your ears open
30. Common sense is
a) usually reliable
b) frequently questionable
31. Children often do not
a) make themselves useful enough
b) exercise their fantasy enough
32. When in charge of others do you tend to be
a) firm and unbending
b) forgiving and lenient
33. Are you more often
a) a cool-headed person
b) a warm-hearted person
34. Are you prone to
a) nailing things down
b) exploring the possibilities
35. In most situations are you more
a) deliberate than spontaneous
b) spontaneous than deliberate
36. Do you think of yourself as
a) an outgoing person
b) a private person
37. Are you more frequently
a) a practical sort of person
b) a fanciful sort of person
38. Do you speak more in
a) particulars then generalities
b) generalities then particulars
39. Which is more of a compliment:
a) "There's a logical person"
b) "There's a sentimental person"
40. Which rules you more
a) your thoughts
b) your feelings
41. When finishing a job, do you like to
a) tie up all the loose ends
b) move on to something else
42. Do you prefer to work
a) to deadlines
b) just whenever
43. Are you the kind of person who
a) is rather talkative
b) doesn't miss much
44. Are you inclined to take what is said
a) more literally
b) more figuratively
45. Do you more often see
a) what's right in front of you
b) what can only be imagined
46. is it worse to be
a) a softy
b) hard-nosed
47. In trying circumstances are you
a) too unsympathetic
b) too sympathetic
48. Do you tend to choose
a) rather carefully
b) somewhat impulsively
49. Are you inclined to be more
a) hurried than leisurely
b) leisurely than hurried
50. At work, do you tend to
a) be sociable with your colleagues
b) keep more to yourself
51. Are you more likely to trust
a) your experiences
b) your conceptions
52. Are you more inclined to feel
a) down to earth
b) somewhat removed
53. Do you think of yourself as a
a) tough-minded person
b) tender-hearted person
54. Do you value in yourself that you are
a) reasonable
b) devoted
55. Do you usually want thins
a) settled and decided
b) just penciled in
56. Would you say you are more
a) serious and determined
b) easy going
57. Do you consider yourself
a) a good conversationalist
b) a good listener
58. Do you prize in yourself
a) a strong hold on reality
b) a vivid imagination
59. Are you drawn more to
a) fundamentals
b) overtones
60. Which seems the greater fault:
a) to be too compassionate
b) to be too dispassionate
61. Are you swayed more by
a) convincing evidence
b) a touching appeal
62. Do you feel better about
a) coming to closure
b) keeping your options open
63. Is it preferable mostly to
a) make sure things are arranged
b) just let things happen naturally
64. Are you inclined to be
a) easy to approach
b) somewhat reserved
65. In stories do you prefer
a) action and adventure
b) fantasy and heroism
66. It is easier for you to
a) put others to good use
b) identify with others
67. Which do you wish more for yourself:
a) strength of will
b) strength of emotion
68. Do you see yourself as basically
a) thick-skinned
b) think-skinned
69. Do you tend to notice
a) disorderliness
b) opportunities for change
70. Are you more
a) routinized than whimsical
b) whimsical than routinized
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Personal Psychology
My psychology class is interesting, but my favorite part is taking the personal inventories. The first one we took was on trait theory, and it was the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. It's based on the theory that everyone has certain traits, some more than others. So we answered this questionnaire, of "Are you more ____ or ____." Then you tally up the 70 answers, and it tells you if you are more:
- Extroverted or Introverted: Do you prefer to be alone/with one person or with a group?
- Sensory or Intuitive: How you gather information. Do you trust hunches or data more?
- Thinking or Feeling: From the information you've gathered, how do you make conclusions? Do you empathize (feeling) or detach yourself (thinking)?
- Judging or Perceiving: The preference between sensory/intuitive (perceiving) or thinking/feeling (judging) when dealing with society. Do you spend more time gathering information or drawing conclusions?
I was a little surprised by my results, but I guess I hadn't really thought about it much. I was especially interested in the extroverted/introverted, because I love spending time by myself, but I've become so much more confident around others in the last two years, and as a result, do find a lot of joy in groups. However, my score for that section was surprisingly almost unanimous.
I really considered typing up the test on here, and then asking if you guys would like to respond (anonymously, if you'd like, though they're not private questions), and I could score them and give you guys the results. If anyone is interested in me doing that, I'd be more than happy to, but not now, since I'm supposed to be writing a paper. I would like to know if anyone could guess what I am though... E/I-S/N-T/F-J/P. So, for instance, someone may be ENFP.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Great Expectations
It's very scary and intimidating to think in one year, it will be expected that I have filled out all college applications. In one year and six months, I should be packing for university, or at least getting my courses organized and books if at the U of C.
My grandfather has told me, twice now, that he would love for me to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. He says he wants me to pursue a career where I have a high social esteem (I know that's not the term he used but you know, society thinks it's an amazing profession), and high salary. He's even pointed out professions like a teacher don't fit into this. After talking to someone about this, they said, "people who have their own businesses are more financially stable than those in occupations such as doctor and lawyer."
I personally have always had issues with high expectations, in that I like to meet them. But what do you do if your heart a) doesn't want to and/or b) doesn't think it's right? I feel guilty for not even considering the "options" my grandfather has given me, because with a casual glance, I know they're not for me.
It's gotten to the point, where when someone asks "What are you going to do?" I answer "I don't know." It is true, I don't know what I am going to do, but I know very much would I would like to do. I've known for a couple months, but not many people know. I have still strove to come up with something else to satisfy them. The problem is convincing those around me to respect it.
My grandfather has told me, twice now, that he would love for me to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. He says he wants me to pursue a career where I have a high social esteem (I know that's not the term he used but you know, society thinks it's an amazing profession), and high salary. He's even pointed out professions like a teacher don't fit into this. After talking to someone about this, they said, "people who have their own businesses are more financially stable than those in occupations such as doctor and lawyer."
I personally have always had issues with high expectations, in that I like to meet them. But what do you do if your heart a) doesn't want to and/or b) doesn't think it's right? I feel guilty for not even considering the "options" my grandfather has given me, because with a casual glance, I know they're not for me.
It's gotten to the point, where when someone asks "What are you going to do?" I answer "I don't know." It is true, I don't know what I am going to do, but I know very much would I would like to do. I've known for a couple months, but not many people know. I have still strove to come up with something else to satisfy them. The problem is convincing those around me to respect it.
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