| VIA Survey of Character Strengths |
Here are your scores on the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. For how to interpret and use your scores, see the book Authentic Happiness. The ranking of the strengths reflects your overall ratings of yourself on the 24 strengths in the survey, how much of each strength you possess. Your top five, especially those marked as Signature Strengths, are the ones to pay attention to and find ways to use more often.
|
| Your Top Strength |
Spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith
You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you. |
| Your Second Strength |
Kindness and generosity
You are kind and generous to others, and you are never too busy to do a favor. You enjoy doing good deeds for others, even if you do not know them well. |
| Your Third Strength |
Fairness, equity, and justice
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance. |
| Your Fourth Strength |
Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty
You excel as a member of a group. You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, you always do your share, and you work hard for the success of your group. |
| Your Fifth Strength |
Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks. |
| Strength#6 |
Appreciation of beauty and excellence
You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience. |
| Strength#7 |
Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness
You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person. |
| Strength#8 |
Leadership
You excel at the tasks of leadership: encouraging a group to get things done and preserving harmony within the group by making everyone feel included. You do a good job organizing activities and seeing that they happen. |
| Strength#9 |
Social intelligence
You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit in to different social situations, and you know what to do to put others at ease. |
| Strength#10 |
Capacity to love and be loved
You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you. |
| Strength#11 |
Curiosity and interest in the world
You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery. |
| Strength#12 |
Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness
You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control. |
| Strength#13 |
Humor and playfulness
You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations. |
| Strength#14 |
Industry, diligence, and perseverance
You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you "get it out the door" in timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks. |
| Strength#15 |
Love of learning
You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn. |
| Strength#16 |
Creativity, ingenuity, and originality
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible. |
| Strength#17 |
Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind. |
| Strength#18 |
Zest, enthusiasm, and energy
Regardless of what you do, you approach it with excitement and energy. You never do anything halfway or halfheartedly. For you, life is an adventure. |
| Strength#19 |
Bravery and valor
You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions. |
| Strength#20 |
Modesty and humility
You do not seek the spotlight, preferring to let your accomplishments speak for themselves. You do not regard yourself as special, and others recognize and value your modesty. |
| Strength#21 |
Perspective (wisdom)
Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you. They value your perspective on matters and turn to you for advice. You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to yourself. |
| Strength#22 |
Caution, prudence, and discretion
You are a careful person, and your choices are consistently prudent ones. You do not say or do things that you might later regret. |
| Strength#23 |
Self-control and self-regulation
You self-consciously regulate what you feel and what you do. You are a disciplined person. You are in control of your appetites and your emotions, not vice versa. |
| Strength#24 |
Forgiveness and mercy
You forgive those who have done you wrong. You always give people a second chance. Your guiding principle is mercy and not revenge. |
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
VIA Survey of Character Strengths
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
New Year = New Beginnings.... maybe?
As 2011 comes to a close over this next week I will be praying about what my Heavenly Father has in store for me over the next year. I know there will be changes (some good, and maybe some not so good) in my life. New roads for me to go down, through, and to choose from.
I have recently made a semi-big business decision the Saturday after my birthday. Actually I've been praying about it for months now. But when I got home from the Good Sam Run Saturday December 17th it was as if God specifically told me what I already knew I had to do. Though my heart was heavy, and my reluctancy was totally kicking in, I wrote my "Up line" a letter telling them how wonderful they are. At times in writing this letter I got up and paced the floor, walked away from my room, and CRIED the entire tim I wrote this to them. I will not be selling Premier Designs Jewelry until further notice.
I have a lot on my plate as it is, and with having 10+ shows on my calendar since August... and ALL 10 have canceled on me with no re-bookings and my classes are getting a little harder and with that I need more time to study. There is family reasons too but I'm not posting those on here.
Being apart of Premier has allowed me, and helped me grow SOOO MUCH!! I can't even imagine not being apart of it any longer. My heart breaks more if I sit and think about it. The relationships, friendships, and love that has been birthed and grown because of Premier I pray continue on going even though I won't be an independent distributor. I know Premier will be there when I am ready to become apart of the company again. I just pray that the friendships continue.
I'm putting all of my worry, all of my stress, and all of my hopes into the Father's hands. My life is His!! He knows me better than I know myself.
I have recently made a semi-big business decision the Saturday after my birthday. Actually I've been praying about it for months now. But when I got home from the Good Sam Run Saturday December 17th it was as if God specifically told me what I already knew I had to do. Though my heart was heavy, and my reluctancy was totally kicking in, I wrote my "Up line" a letter telling them how wonderful they are. At times in writing this letter I got up and paced the floor, walked away from my room, and CRIED the entire tim I wrote this to them. I will not be selling Premier Designs Jewelry until further notice.
I have a lot on my plate as it is, and with having 10+ shows on my calendar since August... and ALL 10 have canceled on me with no re-bookings and my classes are getting a little harder and with that I need more time to study. There is family reasons too but I'm not posting those on here.
Being apart of Premier has allowed me, and helped me grow SOOO MUCH!! I can't even imagine not being apart of it any longer. My heart breaks more if I sit and think about it. The relationships, friendships, and love that has been birthed and grown because of Premier I pray continue on going even though I won't be an independent distributor. I know Premier will be there when I am ready to become apart of the company again. I just pray that the friendships continue.
I'm putting all of my worry, all of my stress, and all of my hopes into the Father's hands. My life is His!! He knows me better than I know myself.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Enlightened but so disheartening....
I have been at extremely hard work with my education since I graduated from Edgewood in 2000. I was given the opportunity to surrender my diploma back to my high school and continue on with my studies at Butler Tech in their Commercial Art program, tuition free. I graduated from there in 2002 with a certificate in Graphic Design. Wanting to pursue that career even further, I submitted my art portfolio to the "Art Forum Inc.", to attend there and obtain my Associate degree.
I started at the "Art Forum Inc." in the fall of 2003. This was by far the hardest endeavor that I have experienced. Not only did I have issues with my course work, but also my living situation was not the best. My first two roommates were nightmares. Every night I would come home to a “trial” of life, with them both questioning everything I am and what/who I believed in. These two 18 year olds thought they knew everything there was to living on their own. Me, 21 almost 22, had lived on my own for 2 to 3 years already. So, just imagine what these nights looked like when they badgered me. But that is not the reason for my paper, so I digress.
I graduated form the "Art Forum Inc." with my Associate’s in Graphic Design. I was not your “A+” student, however I was your average B-C student. When I was first looking at attending this school they specifically told me, “they help their graduated students find employment with in the graphic design field.” This was not true by any stretch of the imagination. I spent years applying, searching, and interviewing for jobs. No potential job leads were ever given to me, but rather a weekly email with links listed as to what was made available to the school’s secretary. I got these emailed to me via a search engine that both he and I were registered with. This was no help. The school has leads for their favorite students; I was not one of them. I know this now for a fact.
I had a hint back when I was a student there that they showed biasness, rather a specific person did, towards certain students. Last night I ran into an acquaintance that I had befriended while I attended this school. She and I spoke about how some of the things were done while I attended there. She told me how the president, Mr. Brock, “asked” the teachers if they would have a problem lowering a grade on a student’s art work so that the student would fail out. She told me how Mr. Brock and his son in-law, who also works in this "school," would sit and calculate a student’s grades so that Mr. Brock could kick them out.
Proving my point was when I had Mr. Brock for a drawing class on developing a book cover. I went to talk with him everyday about the class assignment to make sure that I did exactly what he wanted. Each time we would sit and talk he changed his mind on what he wanted me to do. Finally, fed up and really confused on what was being asked of me I brought a tape recorder with me to talk with him. He refused to talk to me when I had the recorder. He failed me, telling me that I did not do what he asked of me. This same marker rendering I took with me to the next level class. I ended up painting a picture for the main picture for the cover of this book. I scanned it into the computer and did this:
The instructor I had for this part of the project gave me a B on my work.
Finding out this information that this college was based on popularity makes me question myself as an artist, question my abilities in creating anything that should be or can be aesthetically pleasing to a person’s eye. I have been wondering about what others would think if they knew that the first college that I attended was a complete joke? Would they think that I am a joke, or a “wanna” be? I have a piece a paper hanging on my bedroom wall that cost me more than $50,000’s, I am now wanting to burn and I have a so-called portfolio that I thought I could stand on but now I feel as if it is just refrigerator art for mom to hang and throw away when it gets gross. Now, I question everything. The things that I am tremendously passionate about I now find myself questioning if I am even good at it.
I am sure that this is a grieving period that I am going to have to go through. But it is very sad that everything I have done, and claim to profess about my work I now question.
I started at the "Art Forum Inc." in the fall of 2003. This was by far the hardest endeavor that I have experienced. Not only did I have issues with my course work, but also my living situation was not the best. My first two roommates were nightmares. Every night I would come home to a “trial” of life, with them both questioning everything I am and what/who I believed in. These two 18 year olds thought they knew everything there was to living on their own. Me, 21 almost 22, had lived on my own for 2 to 3 years already. So, just imagine what these nights looked like when they badgered me. But that is not the reason for my paper, so I digress.
I graduated form the "Art Forum Inc." with my Associate’s in Graphic Design. I was not your “A+” student, however I was your average B-C student. When I was first looking at attending this school they specifically told me, “they help their graduated students find employment with in the graphic design field.” This was not true by any stretch of the imagination. I spent years applying, searching, and interviewing for jobs. No potential job leads were ever given to me, but rather a weekly email with links listed as to what was made available to the school’s secretary. I got these emailed to me via a search engine that both he and I were registered with. This was no help. The school has leads for their favorite students; I was not one of them. I know this now for a fact.
I had a hint back when I was a student there that they showed biasness, rather a specific person did, towards certain students. Last night I ran into an acquaintance that I had befriended while I attended this school. She and I spoke about how some of the things were done while I attended there. She told me how the president, Mr. Brock, “asked” the teachers if they would have a problem lowering a grade on a student’s art work so that the student would fail out. She told me how Mr. Brock and his son in-law, who also works in this "school," would sit and calculate a student’s grades so that Mr. Brock could kick them out.
Proving my point was when I had Mr. Brock for a drawing class on developing a book cover. I went to talk with him everyday about the class assignment to make sure that I did exactly what he wanted. Each time we would sit and talk he changed his mind on what he wanted me to do. Finally, fed up and really confused on what was being asked of me I brought a tape recorder with me to talk with him. He refused to talk to me when I had the recorder. He failed me, telling me that I did not do what he asked of me. This same marker rendering I took with me to the next level class. I ended up painting a picture for the main picture for the cover of this book. I scanned it into the computer and did this:
The instructor I had for this part of the project gave me a B on my work.
Finding out this information that this college was based on popularity makes me question myself as an artist, question my abilities in creating anything that should be or can be aesthetically pleasing to a person’s eye. I have been wondering about what others would think if they knew that the first college that I attended was a complete joke? Would they think that I am a joke, or a “wanna” be? I have a piece a paper hanging on my bedroom wall that cost me more than $50,000’s, I am now wanting to burn and I have a so-called portfolio that I thought I could stand on but now I feel as if it is just refrigerator art for mom to hang and throw away when it gets gross. Now, I question everything. The things that I am tremendously passionate about I now find myself questioning if I am even good at it.
I am sure that this is a grieving period that I am going to have to go through. But it is very sad that everything I have done, and claim to profess about my work I now question.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Mental Noting in My Brain
Okay so Thanksgiving is coming in like.... TWO days!!!!
18.31 lb Turkey - Bought
Fixings for: Cheese cake and Green Bean Casserole - Bought
Making tomorrow the cheese cakes and casserole and Mr Turkey Thursday morning (he's going in the oven)
Homework to complete over break:
EDT 256e - prepare for my group's "Teach the class" on Autism (11/28)
Write 3-5 pg paper from my field work (due 11/28)
EDT 182 - Research on Jupiter for group project
Moon observation(s) sheet
MTH 115 - STUDY FOR TEST ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 1ST
Homework in book and finish lab
ENG 112 - Painting for Project 5 (Final)
Write Journal #6 and Journal #10
I need to remember.... One thing at a time!!!!
I'm hoping to get started on my EDT paper while Mr. Turkey is cooking since I'll be up. I know one thing, that paper will be a little hard to write b/c of the dialects and cultural differences that will play into the child that I'm writing about's over all demeanor. Then again, I've dealt with worse... since my parents' were special needs foster parents for children and I have worked in school districts with kids with similar problems.
My ENG illustration is already started.... I just need to crank it out for this class. I will have to put the illustration that is on my easel on my bed while I'm working on this. Thank God the paint that is done on it is dry. It shouldn't take me long to finish (or so I pray).
MTH and EDT.... more/so busy work that can be worked on through daily, reviewing, researching, working on/through....
Finals in about 3 weeks....joy.....
18.31 lb Turkey - Bought
Fixings for: Cheese cake and Green Bean Casserole - Bought
Making tomorrow the cheese cakes and casserole and Mr Turkey Thursday morning (he's going in the oven)
Homework to complete over break:
EDT 256e - prepare for my group's "Teach the class" on Autism (11/28)
Write 3-5 pg paper from my field work (due 11/28)
EDT 182 - Research on Jupiter for group project
Moon observation(s) sheet
MTH 115 - STUDY FOR TEST ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 1ST
Homework in book and finish lab
ENG 112 - Painting for Project 5 (Final)
Write Journal #6 and Journal #10
I need to remember.... One thing at a time!!!!
I'm hoping to get started on my EDT paper while Mr. Turkey is cooking since I'll be up. I know one thing, that paper will be a little hard to write b/c of the dialects and cultural differences that will play into the child that I'm writing about's over all demeanor. Then again, I've dealt with worse... since my parents' were special needs foster parents for children and I have worked in school districts with kids with similar problems.
My ENG illustration is already started.... I just need to crank it out for this class. I will have to put the illustration that is on my easel on my bed while I'm working on this. Thank God the paint that is done on it is dry. It shouldn't take me long to finish (or so I pray).
MTH and EDT.... more/so busy work that can be worked on through daily, reviewing, researching, working on/through....
Finals in about 3 weeks....joy.....
Saturday, November 12, 2011
FREAKING OUT!!! 1 month from today
Okay so it's officially not official as of yet but will be officially official in ONE MONTH from today. I join the group of 30 yr old age decade. Today I realized that I think that I'm freaking out because I've always envisioned myself being so much further along in my life {i.e. married, stable career, maybe had one child, in a house of my own with a garage for my car} but none of that has even started to happen, at least not that I can see as of yet.
I expressed some of my concerns with some of my amazing friends this morning at the Good Sam Run and my friend Mike suggested that I write my "birthday" list.... Now I have to admit that I haven't written this kind of list in a very long time.... I think the last time that I did I still believed in Santa.
I think one of the things that I really want is to be surrounded by the friends who I love. But I've tried to coordinate something like that before (like twice) and I don't want to have to "coordinate" something for myself. It just seems... um... too... forced or inwardly focused. That is not me (though some of the negative people that are unfortunately in my life may think differently). I'm just thinking and feeling like I am asking too much?
Some physical things that I could really use....
Since I've lost like 15 lbs.... okay "X" that... More like 30 pounds and literally NONE of my pants fit... so I would say gift certificates to get new pairs of jeans, dress pants, and kakis
My Cd/MP3 player in my car has been broken for over a year now (the one that came in the car... the factory one) I'd like a new one with an AUX port and a USB plug
I would like to get some new canvas(es)-blank because I'm almost finished with the BIG illustration that I've been working on for almost a year. I'm not sure what size(s) just yet though? I'm not to that point yet. But bigger than the 11x16 sizes.
More than anything I just don't want to spend this hypothetical "BIG" birthday alone. I hope I'm not asking too much?
I expressed some of my concerns with some of my amazing friends this morning at the Good Sam Run and my friend Mike suggested that I write my "birthday" list.... Now I have to admit that I haven't written this kind of list in a very long time.... I think the last time that I did I still believed in Santa.
I think one of the things that I really want is to be surrounded by the friends who I love. But I've tried to coordinate something like that before (like twice) and I don't want to have to "coordinate" something for myself. It just seems... um... too... forced or inwardly focused. That is not me (though some of the negative people that are unfortunately in my life may think differently). I'm just thinking and feeling like I am asking too much?
Some physical things that I could really use....
Since I've lost like 15 lbs.... okay "X" that... More like 30 pounds and literally NONE of my pants fit... so I would say gift certificates to get new pairs of jeans, dress pants, and kakis
My Cd/MP3 player in my car has been broken for over a year now (the one that came in the car... the factory one) I'd like a new one with an AUX port and a USB plug
I would like to get some new canvas(es)-blank because I'm almost finished with the BIG illustration that I've been working on for almost a year. I'm not sure what size(s) just yet though? I'm not to that point yet. But bigger than the 11x16 sizes.
More than anything I just don't want to spend this hypothetical "BIG" birthday alone. I hope I'm not asking too much?
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Woke up this morning feeling a little low...
For some reason I've been thinking a lot about a conversation that I had with someone last Saturday. To be totally honest... it's made me want to cry since we've had it. I'm talking a "not" good cry.
I've been praying for my future husband now for a while. Not that I am complaining about God's timing, because I know that he's still working things out for him and I to be together. We're not ready yet for one another. This is not the reason for my post.
In this conversation, this person said that when they are thinking about dating someone that they look at the person of interest's background. As in what their parents do, if the parent's have a relationship with Jesus Christ (or not), how their siblings play a role in their life (if they had any), the parent's role at introducing Christ to this person of interest as well as the parent's involvement in the church; THEN does this person look at the person of interest's relationship with Jesus Christ, church activity, life styles, education and blah blah blah. This person lost me at the fact that they look at the parent's first to even consider the possibility of dating someone that I vaguely remember the rest of the conversation.
This really HURT!!! Obviously since I'm blogging about it now.... 5 days later.
I know my life is so FARRRRRR from perfect that if I even tried to match up to this person's standards I'd be so far buried in the mud, that I would be magma that is within the earth's core. Not that this person was of ANY interest to myself.
It just makes me wonder sometimes what "guys" actually see when they look at me and ONLY me (not my family)? My family has been shattered since the passing of my mom, and it only seems to be getting worse. From this conversation I had with this person, I am NOT encouraged but as well I am NOT enlightened on the dating aspect with anybody. I hope I don't seem to be "shattered" as well. I know who my sovereign King is. He is my one true God. He is etched within my very heart and is my one true identity.
I know and understand that we all have "standards," but seriously.... this is this person's?
I'm going to repost qualities that I have for the man of my dreams from my blog post on June 10, 2011. As well this is the scripture that I am continually praying over him and for our future so that we are blessings to each other:
Romans 1:8-12
I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.
The Dream Man of Mine:
First and foremost he's got to know the Lord as his Savior & not just "know of the Lord." They need to walk together daily.
I want him to love me for being me, imperfections and all
He's got to be a man of character
Has dignity
Has his own personality
Is educated
Loves music- BOUNS if he can sing and play an instrument (guitar or piano)
Likes to cook- so we can cook together
Is older than me
Taller than me
Doesn't drink to get drunk but is a social drinker
Does NOT smoke (anything)
Has big hands- i.e. to hold me firmly but softly and to make me feel safe
Loves to read, camp, explore, drive
He loves to travel
Lives and outwardly focused life
Loves to volunteer in the community
Willing to pray with me and for others
Has goals in his life and things he would like to achieve with his wife.... me
Wants kids either biologically or adopted
Will challenge me daily to be a better person, woman, and Christian
A man who will lead me
A man who dresses nice but who can rock out wearing a T-shirt, plaid shorts and sandals
A man who will want to rip my clothes off of me every time he sees me, but respects me enough to keep that for our private times
A man who is close to his family, but knows when to be his own person without them
Who loves coffee
Who's a hopeless romantic
A man who inspires me
Loves to laugh and joke around
Wants to go on mission trips together
A man who can handle my overly dramatic family
Who dreams about me
Who prays for me even though we haven't met yet
Who takes challenges head on and doesn't run from them
Who is supportive of my dreams and goals
Who will make me breakfast in bed and spend the whole day laying around with me when I am sick
Someone who is willing to be late to work just to make me smile before he leaves
Someone who is willing to take a scenic route home just to see the sights and to spend more time with me
Who holds my face while he kisses me
Who sees me in his future
I've been praying for my future husband now for a while. Not that I am complaining about God's timing, because I know that he's still working things out for him and I to be together. We're not ready yet for one another. This is not the reason for my post.
In this conversation, this person said that when they are thinking about dating someone that they look at the person of interest's background. As in what their parents do, if the parent's have a relationship with Jesus Christ (or not), how their siblings play a role in their life (if they had any), the parent's role at introducing Christ to this person of interest as well as the parent's involvement in the church; THEN does this person look at the person of interest's relationship with Jesus Christ, church activity, life styles, education and blah blah blah. This person lost me at the fact that they look at the parent's first to even consider the possibility of dating someone that I vaguely remember the rest of the conversation.
This really HURT!!! Obviously since I'm blogging about it now.... 5 days later.
I know my life is so FARRRRRR from perfect that if I even tried to match up to this person's standards I'd be so far buried in the mud, that I would be magma that is within the earth's core. Not that this person was of ANY interest to myself.
It just makes me wonder sometimes what "guys" actually see when they look at me and ONLY me (not my family)? My family has been shattered since the passing of my mom, and it only seems to be getting worse. From this conversation I had with this person, I am NOT encouraged but as well I am NOT enlightened on the dating aspect with anybody. I hope I don't seem to be "shattered" as well. I know who my sovereign King is. He is my one true God. He is etched within my very heart and is my one true identity.
I know and understand that we all have "standards," but seriously.... this is this person's?
I'm going to repost qualities that I have for the man of my dreams from my blog post on June 10, 2011. As well this is the scripture that I am continually praying over him and for our future so that we are blessings to each other:
Romans 1:8-12
I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.
The Dream Man of Mine:
First and foremost he's got to know the Lord as his Savior & not just "know of the Lord." They need to walk together daily.
I want him to love me for being me, imperfections and all
He's got to be a man of character
Has dignity
Has his own personality
Is educated
Loves music- BOUNS if he can sing and play an instrument (guitar or piano)
Likes to cook- so we can cook together
Is older than me
Taller than me
Doesn't drink to get drunk but is a social drinker
Does NOT smoke (anything)
Has big hands- i.e. to hold me firmly but softly and to make me feel safe
Loves to read, camp, explore, drive
He loves to travel
Lives and outwardly focused life
Loves to volunteer in the community
Willing to pray with me and for others
Has goals in his life and things he would like to achieve with his wife.... me
Wants kids either biologically or adopted
Will challenge me daily to be a better person, woman, and Christian
A man who will lead me
A man who dresses nice but who can rock out wearing a T-shirt, plaid shorts and sandals
A man who will want to rip my clothes off of me every time he sees me, but respects me enough to keep that for our private times
A man who is close to his family, but knows when to be his own person without them
Who loves coffee
Who's a hopeless romantic
A man who inspires me
Loves to laugh and joke around
Wants to go on mission trips together
A man who can handle my overly dramatic family
Who dreams about me
Who prays for me even though we haven't met yet
Who takes challenges head on and doesn't run from them
Who is supportive of my dreams and goals
Who will make me breakfast in bed and spend the whole day laying around with me when I am sick
Someone who is willing to be late to work just to make me smile before he leaves
Someone who is willing to take a scenic route home just to see the sights and to spend more time with me
Who holds my face while he kisses me
Who sees me in his future
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Rounds of 3
I have been literally hit with a TON of emotions in the last 2 weeks. And quite frankly I am tired of it!!!!! So here I am, sitting at Miami Middletown's cafe area, unloading these things that are weighing on my mind.
1- To start the chain reaction effect was my car accident on the 26th of August. Which has been a HUGE nightmare!!! But alas, things are starting to roll in my favor. I was not cited for the accident, because I did not cause the accident. The woman who was apparently tried to appeal the citation that was issued to her last Thursday, September 1, 2011 in Area 1 court (which is in Oxford). Deputy Maxwell was there to make sure to say that the accident was her fault 100%. Because the Ohio Law #4513.31 states that ALL loads have to be properly secured in the bed or trailer the vehicle is carrying, and if anything should fall off and cause an accident the driver/owner of what ever falls is 100% liable for any reactions to it falling off the bed or trailer. ~So that's about 75% done- thank God!!!~
2 - Next, I get to work Monday right after class feeling great! Ready to go to work. About a half hour to a hour after I had clocked in this weird thing started happening to my belly. I felt the urge to go pee then like 2-4 seconds after that feeling I felt this explosion go off in my bladder. Which made me wince in pain as well as double over. Needless to say after talking with my rocking manager Jessica Feliwok I left work and went straight to Urgent Care at Bridgewater Falls (on the other side of the parking lot) to sit, and sit, and sit, and sit some more for like 3 hours. My friend Amanda Harmon was there because she was ill too, but we talked and caught up. Not really a good way to reconnect with someone. Mean time my pain levels were CLIMBING!!!! When I left work at Chick-fil-a my pain level was more-less a 5-6 (pain scale 1 (little to no pain)- 10(full blown in pain-call 911)) , by time I got back to see the doctor my pain level was like a 15!!! He did a urine analysis, and yes there was blood in my urine (it still looked yellow to me?). When he came into the room to talk to me, I was sitting in the chair (in an odd postion), he said very compassionately that I had a Kidney Stone. I lost it!! I can't deal with one more thing on my plate!!! When he went to feel my side that I was babying and BARELY touched me I went through the roof!!! HURT!!!! LOTS AND LOTS OF UNIMAGINABLE PAIN!!!! He gave me a shot of 60 mg Toradol in my right hip and wrote me script for 10 mg for the pain. Dad had to come and get me b/c I was in no shape to drive.
When dad picked me up he seemed really bothered by me asking him to come and get me from Urgent Care as well as stopping off at the pharmacy to get my pain med's filled. So when I got home I pretty much "owned" the bathroom b/c I had to pee!! But I couldn't go!!!! After the pain level grew to a 20-25.... pushing a 30 I gave up and was looking for someone to take me to the ER. I wasn't about to ask my dad or my brother because of the reactions I got from picking me up at Urgent Care, and they were also working on Tim's car. I had called everyone.... texted people too.... Finally my sister Savannah came to get me and she took me to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital. LOVE HER!!!! When we got there, I only had to wait like 5 minutes!!! So THANKFUL!!!! We get to the room and the nurse who did my triage was my nurse in the back (in the ER still). She was great as well, though I don't remember her name? They first get a CT scan of my belly to see what they were actually dealing with. Then came the good stuff!!! I was IVed up to some Saline Solution as well I got my first dose of Diloted. I've had this before, it's great!!! However- when I got it, or should I say after I got it, I was still in pain. So they gave me another dose of it plus another 20 mg of Toradol. I was feeling good by then!!! Got the results of my CT scan, I had a 2 mm kidney stone and 2 and something else was enlarged from that kidney stone being there. I push my button again to ask for another thing shot of pain med's b/c my pain levels were like riding a roller coaster... going up and down, up and down... By then I had gone pee A LOT but still had the stupid stone in my belly (obviously if I was still hurting). But by then I wanted to go home, and my sister had left me at about midnight b/c she had to be back there at 4 AM (she works at this hospital) so I had to call my brother to come and get me. So they write me two scripts one for pain and the other to help break up this stone.
I got home at about 1:30ish AM. Went pee and to bed. At about 5 AM I felt A LOT of pain in my lower belly and a sudden urge to pee. When I was done using the bathroom, I noticed that I wasn't in ANY pain any longer!!!! I had passed that darn kidney stone!!! And went back to bed.
3 - I had gotten up Tuesday morning at about 10 AM, still a little dazed from all the medication my body just received from being in the hospital all night to find out that a good friend had passed away. Staci Spaulding and I worked at (then) Paramount's Kings Island for 2 years together. But most importantly we were friends in high school and had graduated together. She had suffered from brain aneurysm around 3 AM that morning, and had passed away from it. She was 29 years old.
I'm still in total shock and it has been 3 days since I found out. I understand the emotions that I'm feeling, a little too, well. But I still can make any sense from it?
Staci was a lively woman!!! Always optimistic and a go getter!!! She always had a smile on her face and ready to go help someone when needed. She was one of the many people who were there for me during the time of my car accident back in 1998, our Junior year of high school. She help push me to get better and keep reaching for new strengths (or rather old ones that I lost in the accident). She also, helped me get to and from work at Kings Island for the next summer by driving because I wasn't allowed to get behind the wheel just yet (per mom's rules). I have a lot of other memories with her as well that I just don't have the time right now b/c my next class is starting soon.
Getting back to the emotions, as I sit here and read the thoughts, prayers, and warmest of memories on the wall of I find myself breaking down a little more with each thing that I read. Especially her mom's thoughts of love and a sense of proudness in her daughter, her loving words with her sympathies and sorrows just totally grasps my heart and makes me want to go over to her house and just grab her and hug her so hard!!! But then I remember when my mom died how I couldn't stand it for anyone to touch me. I knew that people cared and wanted to show it, but I just wanted to be left alone. I can only imagine what Traci is feeling. As I am sure she too at some point just wants to be left alone.
Staci's viewing is tomorrow night from 5-8, and her funeral is the following morning at 11. I am able to go to the viewing, but not the funeral. My friend Emily is getting married in New Concord, OH and it's a 3 hour drive, so I have to leave by 11 AM to make it to the wedding. As well, I myself don't do very well at viewings and most of all funerals. I know I'm going to be a mess tomorrow night, but I have no clue how I'm going to react at being in a funeral home once again. I usually just go in pay my condolences and leave. But I can't do that to my friend. I have so much more respect for her than that.
God give all in attendance to Staci's viewing and funeral the strength to bid a dew to a wonderful woman. Let your love permeate throughout the funeral home and into the lives of those who lost just a wonderful daughter, sister, grand-daughter, niece, and friend. Father, we know that you have called Staci home to be with you, but was also know that we will see her again when you return for us. Lord I know you are with us during this time. Please let your grace and peace flow down on to us now.
Amen
As I was typing that little prayer the song, Amazing Grace came over head on the speakers here at Miami Middletown. God I know you are here with us, never leave us. Please!!!
1- To start the chain reaction effect was my car accident on the 26th of August. Which has been a HUGE nightmare!!! But alas, things are starting to roll in my favor. I was not cited for the accident, because I did not cause the accident. The woman who was apparently tried to appeal the citation that was issued to her last Thursday, September 1, 2011 in Area 1 court (which is in Oxford). Deputy Maxwell was there to make sure to say that the accident was her fault 100%. Because the Ohio Law #4513.31 states that ALL loads have to be properly secured in the bed or trailer the vehicle is carrying, and if anything should fall off and cause an accident the driver/owner of what ever falls is 100% liable for any reactions to it falling off the bed or trailer. ~So that's about 75% done- thank God!!!~
2 - Next, I get to work Monday right after class feeling great! Ready to go to work. About a half hour to a hour after I had clocked in this weird thing started happening to my belly. I felt the urge to go pee then like 2-4 seconds after that feeling I felt this explosion go off in my bladder. Which made me wince in pain as well as double over. Needless to say after talking with my rocking manager Jessica Feliwok I left work and went straight to Urgent Care at Bridgewater Falls (on the other side of the parking lot) to sit, and sit, and sit, and sit some more for like 3 hours. My friend Amanda Harmon was there because she was ill too, but we talked and caught up. Not really a good way to reconnect with someone. Mean time my pain levels were CLIMBING!!!! When I left work at Chick-fil-a my pain level was more-less a 5-6 (pain scale 1 (little to no pain)- 10(full blown in pain-call 911)) , by time I got back to see the doctor my pain level was like a 15!!! He did a urine analysis, and yes there was blood in my urine (it still looked yellow to me?). When he came into the room to talk to me, I was sitting in the chair (in an odd postion), he said very compassionately that I had a Kidney Stone. I lost it!! I can't deal with one more thing on my plate!!! When he went to feel my side that I was babying and BARELY touched me I went through the roof!!! HURT!!!! LOTS AND LOTS OF UNIMAGINABLE PAIN!!!! He gave me a shot of 60 mg Toradol in my right hip and wrote me script for 10 mg for the pain. Dad had to come and get me b/c I was in no shape to drive.
When dad picked me up he seemed really bothered by me asking him to come and get me from Urgent Care as well as stopping off at the pharmacy to get my pain med's filled. So when I got home I pretty much "owned" the bathroom b/c I had to pee!! But I couldn't go!!!! After the pain level grew to a 20-25.... pushing a 30 I gave up and was looking for someone to take me to the ER. I wasn't about to ask my dad or my brother because of the reactions I got from picking me up at Urgent Care, and they were also working on Tim's car. I had called everyone.... texted people too.... Finally my sister Savannah came to get me and she took me to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital. LOVE HER!!!! When we got there, I only had to wait like 5 minutes!!! So THANKFUL!!!! We get to the room and the nurse who did my triage was my nurse in the back (in the ER still). She was great as well, though I don't remember her name? They first get a CT scan of my belly to see what they were actually dealing with. Then came the good stuff!!! I was IVed up to some Saline Solution as well I got my first dose of Diloted. I've had this before, it's great!!! However- when I got it, or should I say after I got it, I was still in pain. So they gave me another dose of it plus another 20 mg of Toradol. I was feeling good by then!!! Got the results of my CT scan, I had a 2 mm kidney stone and 2 and something else was enlarged from that kidney stone being there. I push my button again to ask for another thing shot of pain med's b/c my pain levels were like riding a roller coaster... going up and down, up and down... By then I had gone pee A LOT but still had the stupid stone in my belly (obviously if I was still hurting). But by then I wanted to go home, and my sister had left me at about midnight b/c she had to be back there at 4 AM (she works at this hospital) so I had to call my brother to come and get me. So they write me two scripts one for pain and the other to help break up this stone.
I got home at about 1:30ish AM. Went pee and to bed. At about 5 AM I felt A LOT of pain in my lower belly and a sudden urge to pee. When I was done using the bathroom, I noticed that I wasn't in ANY pain any longer!!!! I had passed that darn kidney stone!!! And went back to bed.
3 - I had gotten up Tuesday morning at about 10 AM, still a little dazed from all the medication my body just received from being in the hospital all night to find out that a good friend had passed away. Staci Spaulding and I worked at (then) Paramount's Kings Island for 2 years together. But most importantly we were friends in high school and had graduated together. She had suffered from brain aneurysm around 3 AM that morning, and had passed away from it. She was 29 years old.
I'm still in total shock and it has been 3 days since I found out. I understand the emotions that I'm feeling, a little too, well. But I still can make any sense from it?
Staci was a lively woman!!! Always optimistic and a go getter!!! She always had a smile on her face and ready to go help someone when needed. She was one of the many people who were there for me during the time of my car accident back in 1998, our Junior year of high school. She help push me to get better and keep reaching for new strengths (or rather old ones that I lost in the accident). She also, helped me get to and from work at Kings Island for the next summer by driving because I wasn't allowed to get behind the wheel just yet (per mom's rules). I have a lot of other memories with her as well that I just don't have the time right now b/c my next class is starting soon.
Getting back to the emotions, as I sit here and read the thoughts, prayers, and warmest of memories on the wall of I find myself breaking down a little more with each thing that I read. Especially her mom's thoughts of love and a sense of proudness in her daughter, her loving words with her sympathies and sorrows just totally grasps my heart and makes me want to go over to her house and just grab her and hug her so hard!!! But then I remember when my mom died how I couldn't stand it for anyone to touch me. I knew that people cared and wanted to show it, but I just wanted to be left alone. I can only imagine what Traci is feeling. As I am sure she too at some point just wants to be left alone.
Staci's viewing is tomorrow night from 5-8, and her funeral is the following morning at 11. I am able to go to the viewing, but not the funeral. My friend Emily is getting married in New Concord, OH and it's a 3 hour drive, so I have to leave by 11 AM to make it to the wedding. As well, I myself don't do very well at viewings and most of all funerals. I know I'm going to be a mess tomorrow night, but I have no clue how I'm going to react at being in a funeral home once again. I usually just go in pay my condolences and leave. But I can't do that to my friend. I have so much more respect for her than that.
God give all in attendance to Staci's viewing and funeral the strength to bid a dew to a wonderful woman. Let your love permeate throughout the funeral home and into the lives of those who lost just a wonderful daughter, sister, grand-daughter, niece, and friend. Father, we know that you have called Staci home to be with you, but was also know that we will see her again when you return for us. Lord I know you are with us during this time. Please let your grace and peace flow down on to us now.
Amen
As I was typing that little prayer the song, Amazing Grace came over head on the speakers here at Miami Middletown. God I know you are here with us, never leave us. Please!!!
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