Friday, November 12, 2010

Fieldmarshal and Mastermind

Dan and I took a personality test based on Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers personality typology. Our results are below. All I have to say is poor Quinny. OCD central here.

MICHELE: Your Type is
ENTJ
Extraverted Intuitive Thinking Judging
Strength of the preferences %
33 12 1 56


Portrait of the ENTJ - Keirsey's Fieldmarshal
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition it is the marshaling or situational organizing role that reaches the highest development in the Fieldmarshal. As this kind of role is practiced some contingency organizing is necessary, so that the second suit of the Fieldmarshal's intellect is devising contingency plans. Structural and functional engineering, though practiced in some degree in the course of organizational operations, tend to be not nearly as well developed and are soon outstripped by the rapidly growing skills in organizing. But it must be said that any kind of strategic exercise tends to bring added strength to engineering as well as organizing skills.

Hardly more than two percent of the total population, Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, they simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that they have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are - to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.

They cannot not build organizations, and cannot not push to implement their goals. When in charge of an organization, whether in the military, business, education, or government, Fieldmarshals more than any other type desire (and generally have the ability) to visualize where the organization is going, and they seem able to communicate that vision to others. Their organizational and coordinating skills tends to be highly developed, which means that they are likely to be good at systematizing, ordering priorities, generalizing, summarizing, marshaling evidence, and at demonstrating their ideas. Their ability to organize, however, may be more highly developed than their ability to analyze, and the Fieldmarshal leader may need to turn to an Inventor or Architect to provide this kind of input.

Fieldmarshals will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives. They are tireless in their devotion to their jobs and can easily block out other areas of life for the sake of their work. Superb administrators in any field - medicine, law, business, education, government, the military - Fieldmarshals organize their units into smooth-functioning systems, planning in advance, keeping both short-term and long-range objectives well in mind. For the Fieldmarshal, there must always be a goal-directed reason for doing anything, and people's feelings usually are not sufficient reason. They prefer decisions to be based on impersonal data, want to work from well thought-out plans, like to use engineered operations - and they expect others to follow suit. They are ever intent on reducing bureaucratic red tape, task redundancy, and aimless confusion in the workplace, and they are willing to dismiss employees who cannot get with the program and increase their efficiency. Although Fieldmarshals are tolerant of established procedures, they can and will abandon any procedure when it can be shown to be ineffective in accomplishing its goal. Fieldmarshals root out and reject ineffectiveness and inefficiency, and are impatient with repetition of error.


DAN: INTJ
Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging

Strength of the preferences %
I: 33
N: 75
T: 62
J: 44

All Rationals are good at planning operations, but Masterminds are head and shoulders above all the rest in contingency planning. Complex operations involve many steps or stages, one following another in a necessary progression, and Masterminds are naturally able to grasp how each one leads to the next, and to prepare alternatives for difficulties that are likely to arise any step of the way. Trying to anticipate every contingency, Masterminds never set off on their current project without a Plan A firmly in mind, but they are always prepared to switch to Plan B or C or D if need be.

Masterminds are rare, comprising no more than one to two percent of the population, and they are rarely encountered outside their office, factory, school, or laboratory. Although they are highly capable leaders, Masterminds are not at all eager to take command, preferring to stay in the background until others demonstrate their inability to lead. Once they take charge, however, they are thoroughgoing pragmatists. Masterminds are certain that efficiency is indispensable in a well-run organization, and if they encounter inefficiency -- any waste of human and material resources -- they are quick to realign operations and reassign personnel. Masterminds do not feel bound by established rules and procedures, and traditional authority does not impress them, nor do slogans or catchwords. Only ideas that make sense to them are adopted; those that don't, aren't, no matter who thought of them. Remember, their aim is always maximum efficiency.

In their careers, Masterminds usually rise to positions of responsibility, for they work long and hard and are dedicated in their pursuit of goals, sparing neither their own time and effort nor that of their colleagues and employees. Problem-solving is highly stimulating to Masterminds, who love responding to tangled systems that require careful sorting out. Ordinarily, they verbalize the positive and avoid comments of a negative nature; they are more interested in moving an organization forward than dwelling on mistakes of the past.

Masterminds tend to be much more definite and self-confident than other Rationals, having usually developed a very strong will. Decisions come easily to them; in fact, they can hardly rest until they have things settled and decided. But before they decide anything, they must do the research. Masterminds are highly theoretical, but they insist on looking at all available data before they embrace an idea, and they are suspicious of any statement that is based on shoddy research, or that is not checked against reality.

TMLL

This is where I spend my days now. Well, not in the lobby of the library. My office is actually down the hallway right between the research librarian desk and the stacks of different codes on the wall. This is the Thurgood Marshall Law Library for the University of Maryland.
This is the entrance to the law school. Pretty huh? Actually all of the buildings down here are.
I will post more about the job (and hello, more pictures!!!) later.
For now, this tiny post will have to do.

My Star

This whole job thing sure does get in the way of me posting about my sweet little dear.
Quinn is adjusting WONDERFULLY to her new routine and loves her school. She comes home everyday with fun little stories, wonderful jokes, cute new songs and an even stronger self-esteem.

Quinn was nervous the first few weeks. She was worried that she wouldn't make new friends or that she would miss me too much. Well, she has made lots of new friends and while she does miss me, she is growing up and it is a part of life. Don't get me wrong, there has been some drama with Quinn having to learn to share toys, time, attention... but all in all, I'd say it is an exciting new chapter in our lives.
Quinn's school is great. They give us a daily report card on everything from Quinn's listening skills that day, her attitude, and even the length of her nap! They give her homework almost every night too. At first it was simple coloring assignments where she had to follow the directions. Now she is doing writing assignments! They have bible stories and lessons twice a week and they pray before lunch as a group. Quinn is really enjoying all of the play time and circle time. Her teacher even wrote on one of Quinn's report cards the other day about how she was her best student and always paid close attention during learning time. Ms. Noelle also said how Quinn is so eager to please and eats up anything that she teaches her.
My girl loves learning and she was even the Star Student this last month!!!!If you can't read it-
Quinn's favorite color is brown.
When she grows up she wants to be a chef.
Her favorite activity is recess on the playground.
And lastly, her favorite food is carrots?!?!

I am so thankful for this girl. I honestly can't imagine my life with any other kid. I must have done something right for the Big Man Upstairs to give me such a happy little angel to call my own.

another thing

Oh yeah, another thing that I love about my job is the HUGE BREAD BAKERY that bakes its bread on my walk to the parking garage in the evening.
I get to spend 15 minutes inhaling yummy bread baking almost every day.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Poe

ANNABEL LEE

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love -
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulcher
In this kingdom by the sea.
The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me
Yes! that was the reason
(as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we
Of many far wiser than we
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
In the sepulcher there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

This is my favorite Poe piece- BY FAR.

I actually adore Edgar Allan Poe, always have.

Want to know something AMAZING? HE is buried right outside my window at work.

I know that some people might find this gross. But I think that it is wonderful, amazing and well, completely awesome. I love the history of burial grounds and old churches. I love having such an incredible artist's life remembered and celebrated only a glance out my window.

This is just one thing that I love about my new job

in 5 minutes- 2 best convos

Quinn: Mom these two stegosauruses just got married and now they are MATING with the herd.
Me: WHAT?!?!?!?!?
Quinn: They got married Mom.... and now they are MEETING the herd.
Me: oh, ok... that's nice.

I was seriously about to get worried...

and then like 3 minutes later:

Quinn: Daddy, you can be Ironman for Halloween.
Me: Why honey?
Quinn: because Daddy is so strong!
Me: Yeah!
Quinn: and Mommy, you can be Lady Gaga!
Me: why Q?!?!
Quinn: because you're a girl. and cause you're COOL!

****Quinn is awesome****

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

gold

Quinn had her 4 year check up yesterday. She got 5 shots. 5! Then on top of it, her Hopkins nurse came to the appointment to to get blood samples.

Quinn was a complete mess.

Last night when she was going to bed I reminded her that she can pray to Heavenly Father to ask him to help her feel better.

She then ask me how that worked and I told her that He can make miracles happen.
Next she asked me what a miracle was. I explained that it is sort of like magic and how He can make booboos go away.
She then told me that she would ask him in her prayer.
It went something like this:
"Dear Heavenly Poder, thank you for this day.
Can you tell me how you do magic?
Say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."

Dan and I tried not to chuckle because we know that her prayers are very important and serious- yet I couldn't help but smile at the sweetness of it all.

Then Quinn told me in the most serious and excited voice that He spoke to her.
I asked her what He said.
She replied "Gold, he makes his magic with gold!"


and we left it at that.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Christmas Gifts

I am almost done Christmas shopping for Quinn (birthday too!). My most recent purchase I just had to share because it was such a steal!

Where to find it:
Does your Walmart have a clearance toy aisle? Well mine does and I go down it frequently to spot deals like this.

What is it:
It is a wooden Noah's Ark toy set made by Garanimal's. Quinn loves flat toys (like the wooden dress up dolls) so I figure that this will totally be a keeper with all of the animals!

How much was it:
$2.50
Yup, that is it!!! I couldn't believe it when I took the box over to the self-scanner price checker. (I actually scanned it twice to make sure, hehe)

Here is a link to it from Amazon

There were only around 3 left at my Walmart. I wanted to buy them all and give them out but I didn't for some reason. (Oh, right... because I had a crying girl in my cart that NEEDED the play kitty that was hidden directly under her in the cart. Sneakiness is SO hard!)

I just might go back and see if I can snatch them up.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Smithsonian


Two weekends ago we went to the Smithsonian.

Quinn was in LOVE with the Dinosaur exhibit.

More specifically, this guy- "Big Al" as he is known around here.

Quinn rode on her Daddy's shoulders the whole time.

1/3 because she was too short to see
1/3 because she gets tired was too easily

and 1/3 because it was SO packed in there and I was a nervous wreck!

This guy is another favorite around here: the Pteranodon.

She loved exploring the other exhibits too (but they couldn't hold a candle to the dinos!)

Then we went to a fun little deli chain and shared a yummy panini!
Talk about fun family day trip!
(oh and notice her shirt?!?! Mom got it for her and she loves it)

Storyville


Our local library has Storyville. It is amazing and fun and best of all... FREE!

While at Storyville Quinn gets to play:


Architect

Cook / Mommy



Actor

Star in Puppet Show



Griller

and even go shopping.

In Storyville, there is also a library, post office, house, train, and woods.
She has so much fun there. We have been a couple times and she loves it. Only problem, we left there the last time and each got the sniffles :(

Friday, July 23, 2010

new LOVE



My girl LOVES dinosaurs. We got her this new "Spooky" hat from the dollar store and she feels so cool when she wears it.

and this treasure is "Big Al". (The allosaurus) I made him for Quinn without any plan in mind and well... you can tell. We actually had to change his eyes after one day. He had pearl eyes but now has orange plastic eyes. Quinn thinks that he is amazing and well, I won't tell her any differently!



and these...

I just thought that she looked darling. :)

Monday, July 19, 2010

strawberries


Recently Quinn has been a handful. She threw her first real temper tantrum ever the other day... and we were out getting produce. It was seriously horrific. (involved screams, foot stomping, me throwing basket towards employee yelling at me for running out the door with said basket, and lots and lots of yelling- she might have even growled at one point)

I was so lost as for what to do in the situation. Normally, I can just talk to her. If that doesn't work, I can give her the threat of having to be in time out. Most of the time the threat alone is enough but there have been times when she has actually had to sit there for a moment or two.

Well at the store:
*I tried to talk to her
*To come up with a solution to her problem
*To get away from the situation that was stressing her out
*To talk to her again, to tell her that "this behavior is NOT acceptable!" in a firm voice
*To even threaten time out
*To take away her toys in the car and explain that this type of behavior doesn't get fun rewards

then I actually threatened to spank her.
yup

Quinn doesn't get spanked. I don't really have a problem with other parents doing it, I just know that it isn't what is right for Quinn, Dan and myself. I would never want to spank/hit/smack my baby while I was mad and well, at this point I was pretty livid.

Anyway, we made it home and I put her in her room to let her (and myself) calm down.
(we talked and everything has been pretty much fine since)
****************************************************************

A few days later I heard Quinn playing in her room and talking to her toys.
She said, "my Mommy spanks me all of the time" or something like that.
So I went in and talked to her and explain that she hasn't been spanked and I explained exactly what that is. I told her how spankings hurt and time out doesn't.

Then she looked at me with tears in her eyes and her little bottom lip quivering and said, "but Mommy- time out hurts me. It hurts my heart"

oh boy, she is so sweet and this parenting thing can be kind of tough sometimes

Saturday, July 17, 2010

The Duo


I love Daddy/Daughter time.

so does Quinn! Check out the soap bubbles on her face!

He is such a good Daddy and Huzz.

♥ my girl ♥


isn't she wonderful?

the 4th


Happy 4th of July!
We went with some friends to the Dundalk Heritage Festival. It was such a hot day but we still had a lot of fun.

Quinn got her face painted with "Hello Kitty".

We had lots of yummy carnival food like pizza (me and Q), nachos (Dan), and fresh fruit smoothies (all)!!

Quinn went on a bunch of rides, some even with her friend Megan.


Yes, you are seeing correctly. We watched PIG RACING!

There was a super cute monkey

and his owner would play music while he went in the crowd and took money or food from the watcher's hands. He was SUPER CUTE!

Lastly, here is a picture of me and the Huzz.