Leap Year

It feels so strange that today is a day that only comes around once every 4 years. So crazy. I feel slightly hopeful today, as if we have collectively been given an "extra day" - or at the very least I've been given an extra day to squeeze in one last February-blog post.

I'm still busy with the job hunt and try to send out at least a few resumes everyday. I've had a few responses, but nothing that has turned into a position as of yet. Here's me crossing my fingers and still hoping!

Tomorrow is March 1st, I've been waiting slightly anxiously for this day to arrive for some time now - because I think this means I'll have an answer about my future one way or the other in the coming days/weeks. Then I can really start planning out where I'm going to be next year, both metaphorically and physically.

I'm going to get my Bridesmaids dress fitted for the Bestests wedding in May - and I'm excited to see it finally all come together!

Thoughts on Thursday

This whole not-knowing-about-the-future-desperate-to-find-a-job thing is really starting to take its toll on me. Applying for jobs, constantly updating my resume and customizing cover letters is the most depressing thing in the world. So naturally it puts me into a foul mood, but then whenever I try to cheer myself up by putting on a movie - I feel a constant stabbing of guilt that I'm not putting 100% of my daily energy towards finding a job. Not to mention the crazy-guilt when I spend even the smallest amount on anything materialistic. 

I've started painting again in an effort to take my mind off of other things, but the colors associated with my long-term NYC skyline project are drying out so now I either have to scour Michael's for similar colours (which won't match and will bother me) or ask my Grandmother to write to the company in Germany and see if they sell replacement colors. Either way I've had to put that project on hold so I'm now in the process of painting a cute colorful kitchen-sketch instead. 

I've also become quite the crafts person lately, my glitter candle holder craft turned out pretty well but could still use another coat. I also have 2 tin cans cleaned out and ready to be used for either storage or cute garden lanterns for summer.

I do what I can to keep myself occupied during the day, but I know that ultimately I won't be totally at ease until I know what I'll be doing next year.

Sort of on the same vain, I am now officially a licensed teacher. I received the approved notification via email this morning and just have to wait for my actual card to be sent in the mail. 

The bestests wedding - and wedding preparations - are well under way. With a little over 3 months to go it's crazy how time is flying, and I'm not even the bride! I have many things to blog about involving Bridal Shower Planning, but since I know the lovely bride-to-be reads this blog, they will stay hidden until an undisclosed time.  She is going for her first dress-fitting tonight and I can't wait to see her in her wedding dress.

Are you a turtle, shark, teddy bear, fox or owl?

I know, strangest post title ever right? I had a conversation with my dad last week in Virginia about this very topic and it got me thinking. Last fall one of my professors had us each fill out a quiz about conflict resolution. We each had the same 40 or so questions and had to rate each scenario based on a scale of "very much like me" to "not like me at all"

The result was a numbered range of where our personalities naturally fall. The options are a turtle, shark, teddy bear, fox or owl. Courtesy of Google here are brief descriptions of each characteristic. Read them over, any idea where you might fit into this scale? 

The Turtle immediately backs away from conflict. Unfortunately, if people get the idea that you are a Turtle they know that you will step back, or fold, when conflict hits. Eventually, Turtles feel like doormats.

The Shark immediately steps towards the conflict. Some Sharks have a "tear it up" attitude about conflict. This works in some situations, but if you are a Shark you'd better be careful; sooner or later you'll run into a bigger Shark.

The Teddy Bear wants harmony. "We'll do it your way," should be their mantra. Somewhat like the Turtle they are often overwhelmed. But, the good thing about Teddy Bears is that they will usually stand up for the few things that really matter to them.

The Fox is the compromiser. The Fox will give up a little, if you will give up a little. The Fox is often a manipulator.

The Owl is the win-win person. The Owl is always trying to think through the conflict and find a way for everyone to win.

Now I should point out that most people fall into at least 2 categories, with one being the dominant. At first i was very surprised by my dominant characteristic, but after examining it and taking a step back I realized that it's completely accurate.

I'm a complete Teddy Bear. 

Without even realizing it, I don't make decisions on my own very well and almost always wait for someone else to decide for me. "It doesn't matter, you decide" is one of my most common phrases. I'm such a people-pleaser that I can't stand the idea of someone around me doing something they don't want to do just because I want to do it. Make sense? Something as simple as shopping with a friend and deciding which stores to go into, I will work it so that they ultimately make the decision and I can just go along with it. I don't necessarily shy away from conflict, but I will try to smooth it over with both parties involved as much as I can.

It was such an eye-opener for me. I couldn't find the actual test online, but try Googling it yourself - it's seriously fascinating. 

10 Day Challenge - Day 2: Songs

Hello hello! So I'm only like 4 days behind, BUT I have a very good reason. I spent all of last week in the good ol' South (Virginia to be exact) and left this little laptop of mine at home. So here is me playing a little game of catch-up.

I'm supposed to pick 2 songs. Just 2 - really? I listen to a lot of music, particularly when I'm doing housework or driving, and songs always seem to affect my mood. All it takes is the first few chords of a song to either lift my spirits or bring back painful memories. That being said, I also don't really have a "favorite song" because it really depends on how I'm feeling at the time. Here are my current favorite songs:

1. "Empire State of Mind Pt. 2" by Alicia Keys - Sort of speaks for itself and my never-ending love affair with New York City. I'll have lots more to write about my whirlwind 12-hour vacay in NYC in an upcoming post.

2. "September" by Daughtry - I've been in a sort of Memory Lane-ish mood the last few days, and I feel like the lyrics really speak to how I sometimes feel.

10 Day Challenge - Day 3: Films

Eeek, the smaller the numbers get the bigger the categories are.

3. Fast 5 -  I know it's a very bizarre choice, but something draws me to that movie. It's the 5th and final (I think) installment of the "Fast and Furious" franchise. This movie has everything - action, romance, family, fast cars and things blowing up. I have it on DVD and I've honestly probably seen it about 10 times.

2. Dirty Dancing - The ultimate chick flick. Enough Said.

1. The Holiday - I love this movie, it has everything.

I know there are probably hundreds of other movies that I love that I'm completely forgetting about at this moment, but here you have 3!

10 Day Challenge - Day 4: Books

You really want me to *just* pick 4 books?? I make no promises on this one, I could probably go on forever.

4. The Harry Potter series - I'm cheating since there's technically 7 books here alone, but I don't care. I've been reading this series since I was in middle school and it was the first "big book" that I read on my own. I was proud.

3. The Something Borrowed, Something Blue series - total chick lit, but books that I go back to every now and then if I want something easy to read

2. Water for Elephants - One of the best books. Ever. Go read it right now if you haven't already. Then go watch the movie!

1. Breaking Dawn - skip the rest of the Twilight series if you wish, but read this one. In my opinion it's hands down the best one.

10 Day Challenge - Day 5: Foods

mmmmm food. I was waiting for the Day 5 challenge to arrive

5. Pizza - my ultimate comfort food, I could eat it day or night

4. Pasta - again, I'm ALL about the carbs. Only problem is that I'm always hungry about an hour after a giant pasta meal. Not good.

3. Veggies - but raw. I eat cooked veggies like your average toddler (speak: barely any) but will eat almost any vegetable raw with dip. A good example: The smell of cooked cauliflower makes me gag, but I love eating it raw.

2. Schnitzel - Oh I loves me some good ol' German food. It's like a pork chop, but a thousand times better. Usually served with roasted potatoes.

1. Cheesecake - The only sweet that made it onto my list. I've become less and less of a sweet eater the older I get, but I have a serious weakness for a good cheesecake. 

10 Day Challenge - Day 6: Places You Want To Go

This one's easy!

The hardest part is narrowing it down to 6 places that I haven't been to yet. Wow I sound spoiled don't I.

In no particular order

6. Morocco - It was supposed to happen last March but the Arab World had to go and revolt and ruin my trip.  No sarcasm there or anything.

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 5. Singapore 

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4. South Africa - Lions and Tigers and.. Zebras oh my!

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3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Ever since I saw "Fast 5" I've been a bit obsessed with Rio. So beautiful. 

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 2. Copenhagen, Denmark - So close to Germany and so very picturesque. 

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1. Russia - I've always had a bit of an obsession for Russia. A childhood friend and I have tentative plans to take the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing one day. Such an amazing adventure. 

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10 Day Challenge - Day 7: Wants

Happy February! I googled the phrase "Happy February" but aside from cupid and hearts, this is the only other picture that came up. Frankly, I try to avoid a lot of the sappy Valentine's stuff that is associated with February (blame that on my being perpetually alone - no bitterness or anything) so I went with a nice beach scene instead.

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It's actually somewhat appropriate since we are currently having one of the warmest winters on record. Mind you, it's not beach weather by any means - but no snow and a light jacket this time of the year is very impressive.

Day 7 of the 10 Day challenge is "Wants". This one seems a bit superficial to me. Just saying.

7. I want my future to work out the way I picture it in my head. Probably not going to happen exactly like that, but a girl can dream

6. I really really want a money tree. Yup. That would solve a heck of a lot of problems.

5. Since we're a little on the superficial side, I also really really want a Burberry raincoat. Anyone have a spare $1,500 that they don't need?

4. I want to find Prince Charming.

3. I want health and happiness for my family and friends. There, this one makes me feel better about wanting the raincoat and Prince Charming.

2. I want to find a job.

1. I'm going to leave this one blank, I know exactly what I want most of all right now - but it's not open for public viewing just yet.