Tina

dancingeffie @ 2006-04-12T15:07:00

2006-04-12T20:09:59Z

I just found out I was accepted into the MSc/Phd track for Developmental Psychoanalytic Psychology at the University of London!!!! I am quite thrilled : ) It's all so overwhelming though....trying to plan to move out of the country is quite daunting!!

Success and Perspiration

2005-12-16T06:53:52Z

I have just completed a huge task: I have finished applying to 10 graduate schools (all apps due by Dec. 15)! I am going for a PhD in Child Clinical Psychology and it's fiercely competitive. I am applying to 13 schools in the hopes of being accepted into just one! I started this process many months ago and the amount of work and mental fortitude it has taken has been staggering. I think they make the application process so tedious just to test your staying power! I have actually surprised myself and am proud for just getting this far. I have 3 schools left; those applications being due after Dec. 31. I have applied to a mix of "easy", medium and difficult to get into schools - but I am happy with my choices because all of them would be great to go to - and all of them pay my entire way! I just can't afford the private, we have no money for you at all, independent psychology schools.

the truth is sometimes hard to swallow.....

2005-12-16T06:41:27Z

I've been in Jungian analysis for awhile now.....and part of my journey has to uncover my genuine self, to shed my personas. This entails being genuine with my self first....recognizing my personas and what I have them for. I have been "aware" for a while now that for many years I have had a persona designed to be seen as "perfect." What is interesting about this is that this was so hidden to me, that I would tell myself "sure I make mistakes, no one is perfect....and I'm OK with that" But my behavior told a different tale. I realized the past few months that I twist and bend my behavior, even if subtly, in certain situations to hide what I unconsciously feel are flaws. Although I thought I was OK with flaws, there is obviously a place deep inside of me that is quite afraid of having flaws....that flaws = rejection or flaws = loneliness. I couldn't logically wrap my head around this idea because my MIND knew this was ridiculous - but my unconscious EMOTIONS do not listen to logic; especially because I DO admit to having flaws which I do not feel bad about and no one has ever thought of me as being a perfectionist. So this trait of mine was nicely hidden and thus my unconscious was able to maintain it and use it to it's heart's delight.

But I've always believed that once something becomes conscious, it often loses it's power - or at least now I have the opportunity to consciously choose another behavior. Today, I behaved in a way that is new, and I instantly became emotionally aware of what I have been doing all this time. I realize that to hide these threatening flaws of mine, I lie....even if slightly. This is a very hard thing for me to admit because I've always thought of myself as an honest person - but we all lie, the question is whether we are aware of the lie (or do we lie to ourselves) and what is the reason behind the lie. The situation occurred at work today. One of the kids on my caseload (I manage foster homes)was hospitalized and the protocol is for me to call the CPS caseworker and let them know about the situation. I did not do this. I just assumed the foster parent did this, even though it's not her job - it's mine - just they usually do call. My supervisor emailed me and said the CPS worker had called the foster parent the other day, and the foster parent filled her in on what happened to the child. Needless to say, CPS was pissed that I didn't call her several weeks ago and tell her about this. My persona of old, would have immediately thought of a believable lie that would leave me somewhat in the clear, like "I left her messages but she never called me back" - which is VERY believable about CPS and my supervisor would have TOTALLY bought this and thought I did my part. But this time, I didn't even hesitate - I told the truth and took full responsibility. I said "Oh geez - I am SO sorry, I thought the foster parent talked to the worker....but even if she did, I should have followed up - I made a big mistake and it won't happen again. I'll call the worker and assure her I will always keep her informed, even if the foster parent already talked with her." This may seem like a small thing to own up to - but I realized AFTER I wrote the email, that this is EXACTLY the type of "mistake" that threatened my perfect persona in the past and this was the first time in a while, that I was completely honest with myself and another person, when my persona was threatened in this fashion.

For me, this means I am being more genuine with myself and others......it means I don't emotionally believe that my flaws = rejection or loneliness anymore and I have less of a need for that persona......and it means I am getting closer to my core self, the one that wants to breathe without limitations, or rules, or shame.

Life is good :)

The Greatest Insult to a Man

2005-12-14T04:58:43Z

The Greatest Insult to a Man

Men are confused. Very, very confused. They have no clue about their societal role. Are they supposed to be tough and macho or sweet and caring?
When 2,000 men in 13 countries were grilled by the Chicago ad agency Leo Burnett with a bunch of survey questions in the "2005 Man Study," it was easy to see that males worldwide fell into one of four categories, depending on their personality, life goals and daily work:

1. Metros
2. Retros
3. Patriarchs
4. Power-seekers

The study concluded that we are now witnessing a new experience of male insecurity and confusion, report The New York Post and Brand Republic. That said, men's sense of what's offensive has certainly become more sensitive than in previous generations. Nearly 75 percent said one of these three statements was the greatest insult someone could throw at them:

· 29 percent say: "He'll never amount to anything."
· 24 percent say: "Everyone laughs behind your back."
· 21 percent say: "You're stupid."
Some surprising findings:

· Just over half of the men surveyed said their role in society is unclear. Frenchmen are the most confused at 64 percent, while Indian men are the least confused at 36 percent. Half of American men are confused.
· 10 percent of men of all ages think their role in society is becoming less dominant.
· 73 percent of men prefer to have a job that they love versus a job that pays well.

The ultimate male fantasies were ranked in this (surprising) order:

1. End world hunger.
2. Be a world famous sports star.
3. Marry a supermodel.

What is the cause of this global identity crisis? The study authors blame it on the rise of feminism and empowered women in the workplace.

The study findings were reported at the Cannes International Advertising Festival.

dancingeffie @ 2005-07-14T11:58:00

2005-07-14T16:56:31Z

Jonny Greenwood
You are 59 deep, 22 controversial, and 64 nice!

The quiet, introspective member of the band yet the crucial creative driving force. Bit of a genius, bit of a recluse. Cracking combination.

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 58% on deepness

You scored higher than 5% on angryness

You scored higher than 98% on niceness

Link: The Which Musician Am I? Test written by loveisthelaw on OkCupid Free Online Dating

April's Full Moon from my back patio

2005-05-20T17:17:28Z

White Sands, NM - Other Worldly!!!

2005-05-20T17:13:13Z

I took this trip back in December. I really did feel like I was on a different planet!! It was so much like snow that it really messed with my senses.

dancingeffie @ 2005-05-16T11:03:00

2005-05-16T16:02:11Z

“I will make love my greatest weapon and none on who I call can defend against its force....My love will melt all hearts liken to the sun whose rays soften the coldest day.”

-- Og Mandino

weird - I did a sculpture of a face with the mouth covered like this 7 yrs ago!

2005-05-10T02:46:06Z

You are sad because you are suppressed

Why are you sad? [amazing pictures] For darker people
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I'm on a roll with these things ; ) I'd prefer to be called this from now on.....

2005-04-28T15:33:41Z

Your Hippie Chick Name is: Sunflower

Get your own Hippie Chick Name

This is interesting - I've always considered 9 to be sig. in my life!

2005-04-28T15:30:26Z

Your Life Path Number Is 9

9

The keys your Life Path are compassion, generosity, and a very humanitarian attitude.

You are very trustworthy, honorable, and unlikely to harbor any sort of prejudice.

Obviously, this is a rather tall order, but you are, in fact, a person that feels very deeply for individuals less fortunate than yourself.

If you are in a position to help, you certainly will.

You tend to be quite sensitive, as you see the world with much feeling and compassion.

The 9, being the highest of the single digit numbers, holds an elevated position and poses certain responsibilities.

Your purpose of life is of a philosophical nature.

Judges, spiritual leaders, healers and educators frequently have much 9 energy.

Material gains are not overly important to you.

You have a very selfless attitude and will give up of material possessions for the common good.

he desire to help others, especially the troubled or underprivileged, is strong.

You are apt to frequently find yourself being used and let down by others, as your generosity is misused and abused.

Your very deep understanding of life is sometimes manifested in the artistic and literary fields.

Here you may be able to express your deep emotional feelings through painting, writing, music, or other art forms.

Often, however, there if a great deal of difficulty finding a suitable outlet for the your Life Path.

You are usually well suited to the helping and healing professions... but less inclined to the competitive business environment.

You have the ability to make friends very easily, as people are attracted to your magnetic, open personality.

You have a special gift of understanding people, which if used correctly can be of great benefit to others.

Your interest in people tends to make you quite social.

People just naturally like you because you are so sympathetic, tolerant and broad-minded.

In many ways, you are a romantic that can get lost in your loves and passions.

Relationships can be difficult for you, however, because it is hard to strike a balance that will work effectively.

If your partner is one sharing your giving attitudes, the relationship will be happy and lasting.

On the other hand, if you choose a partner whose focus is on material issues, problems will arise quickly.

As do all the life path numbers, the 9 has its negative side, and because of the demanding nature of the truly positive 9, many tend to fail in this category.

It is not uncommon for persons with the 9 life path to fight the realities and challenges of purpose imposed... because selflessness is not an easy trait.

You may have difficulty believing that giving and a lack of personal ambition can be satisfying.

You must accept that little long-term satisfaction and happiness is to be gained by rejecting the natural humanitarian inclinations of your path.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

dancingeffie @ 2005-04-28T10:27:00

2005-04-28T15:26:50Z

Your Brain is 60.00% Female, 40.00% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female

You are both sensitive and savvy

Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed

But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

FURIOUS!

2005-04-20T14:59:34Z

House OKs CPS bill, bans gay foster care
GOP lawmaker tacks on measure late; joint talks with Senate ahead

AUSTIN – The Texas House approved a sweeping overhaul of protective services for children and adults Tuesday, including a last-minute amendment that would ban gays, lesbians and bisexuals from serving as foster parents.

HOW is it that in this day in age - in AUSTIN - shit like this happens??!! They are SO freaked out about not having enough foster parents - that they are willing to reduce the pool altogether??? And no child deaths (which has ultimately initiated this CPS overhaul) have occurred in gay/lesbian foster homes anyways!!

ARRRGGGG!

human behavior

2005-04-05T02:11:35Z

What is it that keeps people from truly being the person they want to be? It is not uncommon for someone to SAY they value something.....they might even beg you to believe them....and believe it about themselves....but they LIVE a completely different life!? Yes, this is quite a generic inquiry - and there are probably many avenues and conditions we could explore within this question....but, I do wonder if it is more simple than all that.....is it weakness, selfishness? I've seen this in people trying to "live" all kinds of values......say we have a person who says they love another, they can even say why they love that person....yet their behavior and actions often do not reflect this love. Is it love if it is not "in action"? Is it love if it doesn't reach another?

horrid

2005-04-05T02:03:55Z

This has GOT to be illegal: I have a credit card at 15% interest.....I get a note in the mail saying said credit card is being "bought" by another bank and the name will change...AND the INTEREST will change to 20.99% plus prime!!! Which means around 26%!!! HOW can they get away with this?? They are altering the agreement they signed - yet I have paid perfectly and on time each month!!!

Awesome Editorial

2005-04-01T16:09:52Z

Living will is the best revenge
By ROBERT FRIEDMAN, Perspective Editor
Published March 27, 2005

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Like many of you, I have been compelled by recent events to prepare a more detailed advance directive dealing with end-of-life issues. Here's what mine says:

* In the event I lapse into a persistent vegetative state, I want medical authorities to resort to extraordinary means to prolong my hellish semiexistence. Fifteen years wouldn't be long enough for me.

* I want my wife and my parents to compound their misery by engaging in a bitter and protracted feud that depletes their emotions and their bank accounts.

* I want my wife to ruin the rest of her life by maintaining an interminable vigil at my bedside. I'd be really jealous if she waited less than a decade to start dating again or otherwise rebuilding a semblance of a normal life.

* I want my case to be turned into a circus by losers and crackpots from around the country who hope to bring meaning to their empty lives by investing the same transient emotion in me that they once reserved for Laci Peterson, Chandra Levy and that little girl who got stuck in a well.

* I want those crackpots to spread vicious lies about my wife.

* I want to be placed in a hospice where protesters can gather to bring further grief and disruption to the lives of dozens of dying patients and families whose stories are sadder than my own.

* I want the people who attach themselves to my case because of their deep devotion to the sanctity of life to make death threats against any judges, elected officials or health care professionals who disagree with them.

* I want the medical geniuses and philosopher kings who populate the Florida Legislature to ignore me for more than a decade and then turn my case into a forum for weeks of politically calculated bloviation.

* I want total strangers - oily politicians, maudlin news anchors, ersatz friars and all other hangers-on - to start calling me "Bobby," as if they had known me since childhood.

* I'm not insisting on this as part of my directive, but it would be nice if Congress passed a "Bobby's Law" that applied only to me and ignored the medical needs of tens of millions of other Americans without adequate health coverage.

* Even if the "Bobby's Law" idea doesn't work out, I want Congress - especially all those self-described conservatives who claim to believe in "less government and more freedom" - to trample on the decisions of doctors, judges and other experts who actually know something about my case. And I want members of Congress to launch into an extended debate that gives them another excuse to avoid pesky issues such as national security and the economy.

* In particular, I want House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to use my case as an opportunity to divert the country's attention from the mounting political and legal troubles stemming from his slimy misbehavior.

* And I want Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to make a mockery of his Harvard medical degree by misrepresenting the details of my case in ways that might give a boost to his 2008 presidential campaign.

* I want Frist and the rest of the world to judge my medical condition on the basis of a snippet of dated and demeaning videotape that should have remained private.

* Because I think I would retain my sense of humor even in a persistent vegetative state, I'd want President Bush - the same guy who publicly mocked Karla Faye Tucker when signing off on her death warrant as governor of Texas - to claim he was intervening in my case because it is always best "to err on the side of life."

* I want the state Department of Children and Families to step in at the last moment to take responsibility for my well-being, because nothing bad could ever happen to anyone under DCF's care.

* And because Gov. Jeb Bush is the smartest and most righteous human being on the face of the Earth, I want any and all of the aforementioned directives to be disregarded if the governor happens to disagree with them. If he says he knows what's best for me, I won't be in any position to argue.

Robert Friedman is editor of Perspective. He can be reached at friedman@sptimes.com

tired beyond my years....

2005-03-31T16:44:26Z

Does anyone have any ideas for natural stimulants?? Something other than caffeine....which doesn't seem to work with me anyway.....

I'm experiencing extreme fatigue - I cannot seem to get enough sleep and never feel refreshed! I have hormonal and thyroid issues.....but can't see that specialist until May.....my reg. doc is not available for several weeks either - so I need some home made solutions other than illegal drugs ; )

Inspired by Sphinxie

2005-03-17T23:01:33Z

One of my most embarassing moments:

Mine happened when I was 16 y.o. We were on a Christian church youth group outing at Schlitterbahn. I was wearing a one piece....but as I was sliding down a slide on my stomach - with most of the group watching at the bottom with the Pastor - I suddenly realized THIS bathing suit would NOT withstand a frontal water assault! So, I got the bright idea to suddenly flip over to my back right as I hit the water. I realized it work! I stood up....felt a little too much breeze - discovered I had one breast hanging out!! It obvsiously only worked 1/2 as well as I hoped it would ; )

dancingeffie @ 2005-03-17T16:56:00

2005-03-17T22:55:59Z

You scored as Kabbalistic Pagan. Kabbalistic study derives from Judaism, and acknowledges that the divine is vast and unknowable. The Torah was reinterpreted because of this idea, to gain a greater understanding of the sacred text. Kabbalistic mysticism is still alive in our world, specifically in tarot cards; symbolic color is a Kabbalistic belief and study. Those who follow this path are generally those who are open to the concept that we cannot know the Divine, and accepts the connection of all things, even religion, itself.

</td>

Kabbalistic Pagan

85%

Ecclectic Pagan

80%

Zoroastrian Pagan

70%

Eastern Pagan

70%

Roman Pantheonic Pagan

55%

Shamanic Pagan

55%

Egyptian Pantheonic Pagan

50%

Sumerian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian Pagans

35%

Celtic Pantheonic Pagan

35%

Catholic (Pagan?)

30%

Greek Pantheonic Pagan

25%

Norse Pantheonic Pagan (Asatru)

15%

What kind of Pagan are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

dancingeffie @ 2005-03-15T10:20:00

2005-03-15T16:19:53Z

HERMIT
"the meditator, philosopher, sage, wise
man"
You can not and will not compromise your values and
have a desire to complete past things before
begining the new (you value completion,
perfection, and introspection highly). You are
a natural way-shower, sage, and seeker. You
have an appreciation of the body and the wisdom
of the earth and its natural process. You have
a deep love for beauty, harmony, and order.

which major arcana of the thoth tarot deck are you? short, with pictures and detailed results
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Arrowheads are not really Arrowheads

2005-03-01T16:00:03Z

I inherited (well, not so much inherited as grabbed while going through her stuff that no one seemed interested in....) a large back of "arrowheads" of my mother's a few months ago. She used to tell me stories of her wonderful childhood explorations.....combing the woods around her Arkansas home.....pretending she was an archaeologist....collecting many arrowheads over her childhood years. I have always been interested in these. She never had them examined or appraised. I did a little digging on my own (pardon the pun ; ) and found out that these are usually Spearheads - NOT arrowheads, but it's a common misconception. It also turns out there is an archaeologist in Arkansas that explores that exact same area where my mother found these spearheads during 1945-1955!! She was kind enough to donate her time and expertise via email to examine the 21 pics I sent her. FASCINATING!! I can't believe one of them is 10,000 years old....it's amazing to hold such a thing. Here was her reply:

Dear Tina,

This is a very typical collection from Clay County. Here is what I can
tell you from the photos:

The majority of the spear points date to the Middle to Late Archaic
period (6,000 to 3,000 years old, these include:

ah1, ah13, ah14, ah15, ah1, ah3, ah4 (this could also be Middle
Woodland--by seeing it in person, I might be able to tell the difference),
ah6, ah7, ah8, ah9, ah19

Late Archaic/Early Woodland contracting stemmed point: ah17 (circa
4,000 to 2,200 years old)

Those that appear to date to the Middle Woodland period are: ah4
(possibly) and ah10 (possibly) (circa 200 B.C. - A.D. 400)

ah12 is a Dalton point (circa 10, 500 to 10,000 years old)

ah16 is possibly Early Archaic, see if the base is ground, if it is it,
then it is probably Early Archaic (circa 9,000-8,000 years old). If the
base is not ground, then it is probably not Early Archaic. Let me know
and I'll see what I can figure out.

ah2 appears to be a Graham Cave point. Is the base ground smooth?

Any points that I missed I could not classify due to the fact that they
were broken or reworked/resharpened too extensively

Hope this helps,

Dr. Julie Morrow

dancingeffie @ 2005-02-24T11:28:00

2005-02-24T17:27:27Z

Main Type	Overall Self

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Enneagram Test Results

Type 1	Perfectionism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	58%
Type 2	Helpfulness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	78%
Type 3	Image Focus	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	46%
Type 4	Hypersensitivity	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	38%
Type 5	Detachment	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Type 6	Anxiety	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	46%
Type 7	Adventurousness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	62%
Type 8	Aggressiveness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	62%
Type 9	Calmness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	74%

Your main type is 2
Your variant is social

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Nurturing Self

2005-02-15T15:25:16Z

My spa experience was truly blissful : ) My therapist (Angie)was fantastic! The setting: An 8 x 10 therapy room......lights low.....lovely but light fragrance in the air....just warm enough to be comfortable naked.....stillness......relaxing music. She applied hot packs to my back - areas where I was already tight....then she massaged my calves and feet, spending some time on reflexology. Then she eventually took every part of my body, and gave it all of her healing attention. Between areas, she would add aromatherapy oils.....placing her hands under my face so I can deeply inhale the scent....then massaging with the same oil. By the time she got to my back, I noticed she didn't even have to do any deep/painful smoothing out of my knots - she had relaxed me SO much that the knots were hardly there at all!! I'm not sure I truly, viscerally, understood how much relaxtion (and reflexology) can play into therapeutic massage - or how it can affect my daily back pain. Yes, intellectually I deduced this.....but I think now I *believe* it. Of course, sometimes there's nothing that takes the place of doing or experiencing.

I've had massages over the years, but no one has relaxed me in such a deep manner before - therefore they would have to "fight" my knots more. She could have never touched my back and I would have come out of the experience pain free and blissful : )

I also have started wondering - do I regularly nurture myself? Not just in this way...but do I thank and honor my body? Do I consistently nurture my soul? I'm thinking that I am not doing these things enough....or truly lettin myself be open to the nurturing. Another 2005 goal : )

Highly recommended!

In Honor of Valentine's Day

2005-02-15T15:04:52Z

Love's Exquisite Freedom

Love arrives;
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet, if we are bold
love strikes away the chaines of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity.
In the flush of love's light
We dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet, it is only love
which sets us free.

Maya Angelou

Community Love

2005-02-14T19:57:53Z

There is a tribe in Africa that has an interesting way to celebrate SPECIALNESS and LOVE of another. The day of conception is considered the day the child's mother had her first thought, glimmer or dream about the child to be, then she shares that with her mate, and he beings to dream, imagine, and think abou the child to be. Then they bring their dreams together in passionate lovemaking. At some time, either just before sex or a few days after, she creates a melody for the child to be. She develops this melody into a song, which she teaches to everyone in the village. The villagers sing the song to the pregnant mother every day. Then, at the moment of birth, the village gathers around the birthing hut so the first sound the baby hears is their song. Then every year on the child's birthday or other special event, they will sing the child's special song to him/her. This goes on throughout the child's life until on their deathbed, when the last thing they hear is their special song.