As I am an extremely new blogger, I thought that I would find an interesting way to introduce myself to my readers (or lack thereof). I found a list of questions that I am going to answer, and I thought this would be a good way for you guys to get to know me. I may even learn something new about myself, seeing as this is one of the goal's of my new blogging adventure. So, without further adieu, here are the questions and my answers:
1. If something is forbidden, do you want it less or more?
I've always been on the "goody-goody" side, which always meant that I followed the rules, colored inside the lines, and turned my homework in on time. Therefor, if I was told I couldn't have something, that was it. I didn't need it. But now, thinking deeper into the subject, I guess the answer to this question depends on what that forbidden thing is. If someone tells me I can't do something I want to do (ace this class, become a doctor, etc.), I only want to do it more to prove them wrong. I'm a realist. If I feasibly cannot have a certain something, then I don't worry about it. But if something is easily in my reach, I'll do whatever it takes to get it.
2. Is there an area of your life where you feel out of control? Especially in control?
School and my education have always been the most important aspect of my life, behind friends and family. So, this is the aspect that I take VERY seriously. If I feel as though I don't have control over my grades or I don't have time to get a certain assignment finished, I stress out. A lot. For this reason, I keep my schoolwork on a tight leash and I don't give it much slack. As for out of control, a certain area of my life doesn't really come to mind. However, I'm trying this new thing where I don't worry about the things that don't matter or the things that I can't do anything about. If I've taken a test and I know I did badly on it, there's no reason to stress about it. I'll just take it as a lesson and do better next time. Of course, this "no-stress" mantra doesn't work all the time. I still get worked up easily, but I think I'm starting to deal with stress more easily. When I am out of control, I can usually bring it back.
3. If you unexpectedly had a completely free afternoon, what would you do with that time?
I would probably spend that time on myself. I'd go get a manicure or go shopping. If it was a particularly long afternoon, I might make a trip back home to visit my mom, because it feels like I don't see her as much as I should!
4. Are you comfortable or uncomfortable in a disorderly environment?
Disorganization is the worst. I hate it! My mom has passed on the organization gene, that's for sure. We both color-code school supplies for each class, we both live out of our planners, and we both make lists like it's our job. Is that a real job? Can I be a professional list-maker? Anyway... If my life is getting disorganized in any way, I have to stop what I'm doing and fix it!
5. Are you motivated by competition?
I'm more motivated by self-competition than I am with other people. I'd rather beat by own personal records than someone else's. That way, I know I'm improving and not just doing better than a stranger. That isn't to say that I'm not competitive with my friends. In high school, that's all we did. We fought each other for positions, scholarships, recognition... but we remained friends through it all (miraculously). Saying that, yes, I am motivated by competition, but I'd rather beat myself.
6. Do you find it easier to do things for other people than to do things for yourself?
Don't get me wrong, I love a spontaneous trip to mall like any girl, but when it comes to treating others, I try to excel. Christmastime is dangerous for my wallet. I take pride and joy in picking out the right gift for everyone, and I live for seeing their reaction. I don't give thoughtless gifts. They're not right! Usually, I'd much rather do something nice for someone else than for me, unless you count spending countless hours behind a laptop, finishing homework that's due two weeks from now. That's a gift to me, right?
7. Do you work constantly? or think you should be working?
I only have a part-time job, but it does keep me busy because I have to fit my schoolwork around it. (Schoolwork seems to be a recurring theme here, doesn't it?) But yes, I'm always working. Whether it be an actual job, homework, cleaning, or service projects, I'm always doing something.
8. Do you embrace rules or flout rules?
Rules are there for a reason: to establish order in society and provide justice when they are broken. I'd rather be on the "order" side than the other...
9. Do you work well under pressure?
Yes. My whole life seems to be under pressure, so I have to thrive. When I know things need to get done and they need to get done now, they get done, and they get done well. That's my mantra.
10. What would your perfect day look like?
My perfect day would be one where I don't have any responsibilities and I can just do whatever my little heart pleases. I would hang with friends and just chill, go out to eat, read a book all day, watch YouTube videos for hours, or just sleep all day if I needed it.
11. How much TV do you watch in a week (include computer time spent watching videos, movies, YouTube)?
I don't have a TV, so that means I supplement my media time with my computer. I'm on my computer for a three or four hours a day working, but I'd say a fourth of that is wasted time on YouTube. (Guilty.)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person?
I can be both, depending on what I'm doing, but I'd say I'm more of a morning person. I'd rather get up early and get things done and have the rest of the day to myself. But, if I want to stay up all night, I can, as long as I don't have to be a morning person the next day.
13. What’s more satisfying to you: saving time or saving money?
Saving time. Saving money is smart, but time is money, so... you do the math. I like to get my goals accomplished in a timely manner so I have more time to do the things I enjoy. Money is important, but in this life, all we really ever want more of is time.
14. Do you like to be in the spotlight?
Not usually. I don't really like attention on me. Every once in a while, I like some recognition if I deserve it, but I don't need to be the center of conversation all day every day.
15. Is your life “on hold” in any aspect? Until you finish your thesis, get married, lose weight?
I would say that my life is on hold until after graduation and I have a real job. I say almost every day that I want college to be over and I just want to be able to go to work at a hospital and be a doctor already! I don't really go out a lot, but I do hang out with a few real friends on a regular basis, so it's not like school is all I do (well, not entirely). Even though I've been advised against it, I wish I could skip time and be doing what I really want to be doing, which is treating patients and being successful.
16. What would you do if you had more energy?
More homework. Simple as that.
17. If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it?
I would cover the walls in bookshelves, add a few beanbag chairs, pillows, and lights, and make myself my own personal library. If possible, I would have a rolling ladder and a spiral staircase entrance, but that's just me.
18. What people and activities energize you? Make you feel depleted?
On a good day, doing homework and finishing several assignments in a row gives me energy. Productivity leads to more! Working out and having break time also energizes me. And coffee. Lots of coffee. On the other hand, spending time fake-smiling with fake friends and having fake conversations just absolutely drains me. I hate doing it, and I try not to put myself in those situations if I don't have to.
19. Is it hard for you to get rid of things that you no longer need or want?
Going through my closet or my old documents is a very cleansing thing. I can easily throw away old things or donate ones I don't want anymore. Getting rid of old possessions and my old state of mind makes room for improvement.
20. If at the end of the year, you had accomplished one thing, what is the one accomplishment that would make the biggest difference to your happiness?
This would be if I had done well in school and been able to maintain my job and friendships along the way. Obviously, school is my job right now, and if I do it well, I feel accomplished.
I'm probably the only one that actually read this far, but whatever. I actually learned a lot about myself in the half hour it took to answer these questions. I encourage you all to take a little bit of time every once in a while and talk to yourself (but don't answer back, because that's crazy). Take the time to get to know yourself and work on the things you don't like, while showcasing the things you do. It certainly helped me and was a great way to start my day.
Sincerely,
T
1. If something is forbidden, do you want it less or more?
I've always been on the "goody-goody" side, which always meant that I followed the rules, colored inside the lines, and turned my homework in on time. Therefor, if I was told I couldn't have something, that was it. I didn't need it. But now, thinking deeper into the subject, I guess the answer to this question depends on what that forbidden thing is. If someone tells me I can't do something I want to do (ace this class, become a doctor, etc.), I only want to do it more to prove them wrong. I'm a realist. If I feasibly cannot have a certain something, then I don't worry about it. But if something is easily in my reach, I'll do whatever it takes to get it.
2. Is there an area of your life where you feel out of control? Especially in control?
School and my education have always been the most important aspect of my life, behind friends and family. So, this is the aspect that I take VERY seriously. If I feel as though I don't have control over my grades or I don't have time to get a certain assignment finished, I stress out. A lot. For this reason, I keep my schoolwork on a tight leash and I don't give it much slack. As for out of control, a certain area of my life doesn't really come to mind. However, I'm trying this new thing where I don't worry about the things that don't matter or the things that I can't do anything about. If I've taken a test and I know I did badly on it, there's no reason to stress about it. I'll just take it as a lesson and do better next time. Of course, this "no-stress" mantra doesn't work all the time. I still get worked up easily, but I think I'm starting to deal with stress more easily. When I am out of control, I can usually bring it back.
3. If you unexpectedly had a completely free afternoon, what would you do with that time?
I would probably spend that time on myself. I'd go get a manicure or go shopping. If it was a particularly long afternoon, I might make a trip back home to visit my mom, because it feels like I don't see her as much as I should!
4. Are you comfortable or uncomfortable in a disorderly environment?
Disorganization is the worst. I hate it! My mom has passed on the organization gene, that's for sure. We both color-code school supplies for each class, we both live out of our planners, and we both make lists like it's our job. Is that a real job? Can I be a professional list-maker? Anyway... If my life is getting disorganized in any way, I have to stop what I'm doing and fix it!
5. Are you motivated by competition?
I'm more motivated by self-competition than I am with other people. I'd rather beat by own personal records than someone else's. That way, I know I'm improving and not just doing better than a stranger. That isn't to say that I'm not competitive with my friends. In high school, that's all we did. We fought each other for positions, scholarships, recognition... but we remained friends through it all (miraculously). Saying that, yes, I am motivated by competition, but I'd rather beat myself.
6. Do you find it easier to do things for other people than to do things for yourself?
Don't get me wrong, I love a spontaneous trip to mall like any girl, but when it comes to treating others, I try to excel. Christmastime is dangerous for my wallet. I take pride and joy in picking out the right gift for everyone, and I live for seeing their reaction. I don't give thoughtless gifts. They're not right! Usually, I'd much rather do something nice for someone else than for me, unless you count spending countless hours behind a laptop, finishing homework that's due two weeks from now. That's a gift to me, right?
7. Do you work constantly? or think you should be working?
I only have a part-time job, but it does keep me busy because I have to fit my schoolwork around it. (Schoolwork seems to be a recurring theme here, doesn't it?) But yes, I'm always working. Whether it be an actual job, homework, cleaning, or service projects, I'm always doing something.
8. Do you embrace rules or flout rules?
Rules are there for a reason: to establish order in society and provide justice when they are broken. I'd rather be on the "order" side than the other...
9. Do you work well under pressure?
Yes. My whole life seems to be under pressure, so I have to thrive. When I know things need to get done and they need to get done now, they get done, and they get done well. That's my mantra.
10. What would your perfect day look like?
My perfect day would be one where I don't have any responsibilities and I can just do whatever my little heart pleases. I would hang with friends and just chill, go out to eat, read a book all day, watch YouTube videos for hours, or just sleep all day if I needed it.
11. How much TV do you watch in a week (include computer time spent watching videos, movies, YouTube)?
I don't have a TV, so that means I supplement my media time with my computer. I'm on my computer for a three or four hours a day working, but I'd say a fourth of that is wasted time on YouTube. (Guilty.)
12. Are you a morning person or a night person?
I can be both, depending on what I'm doing, but I'd say I'm more of a morning person. I'd rather get up early and get things done and have the rest of the day to myself. But, if I want to stay up all night, I can, as long as I don't have to be a morning person the next day.
13. What’s more satisfying to you: saving time or saving money?
Saving time. Saving money is smart, but time is money, so... you do the math. I like to get my goals accomplished in a timely manner so I have more time to do the things I enjoy. Money is important, but in this life, all we really ever want more of is time.
14. Do you like to be in the spotlight?
Not usually. I don't really like attention on me. Every once in a while, I like some recognition if I deserve it, but I don't need to be the center of conversation all day every day.
15. Is your life “on hold” in any aspect? Until you finish your thesis, get married, lose weight?
I would say that my life is on hold until after graduation and I have a real job. I say almost every day that I want college to be over and I just want to be able to go to work at a hospital and be a doctor already! I don't really go out a lot, but I do hang out with a few real friends on a regular basis, so it's not like school is all I do (well, not entirely). Even though I've been advised against it, I wish I could skip time and be doing what I really want to be doing, which is treating patients and being successful.
16. What would you do if you had more energy?
More homework. Simple as that.
17. If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it?
I would cover the walls in bookshelves, add a few beanbag chairs, pillows, and lights, and make myself my own personal library. If possible, I would have a rolling ladder and a spiral staircase entrance, but that's just me.
18. What people and activities energize you? Make you feel depleted?
On a good day, doing homework and finishing several assignments in a row gives me energy. Productivity leads to more! Working out and having break time also energizes me. And coffee. Lots of coffee. On the other hand, spending time fake-smiling with fake friends and having fake conversations just absolutely drains me. I hate doing it, and I try not to put myself in those situations if I don't have to.
19. Is it hard for you to get rid of things that you no longer need or want?
Going through my closet or my old documents is a very cleansing thing. I can easily throw away old things or donate ones I don't want anymore. Getting rid of old possessions and my old state of mind makes room for improvement.
20. If at the end of the year, you had accomplished one thing, what is the one accomplishment that would make the biggest difference to your happiness?
This would be if I had done well in school and been able to maintain my job and friendships along the way. Obviously, school is my job right now, and if I do it well, I feel accomplished.
I'm probably the only one that actually read this far, but whatever. I actually learned a lot about myself in the half hour it took to answer these questions. I encourage you all to take a little bit of time every once in a while and talk to yourself (but don't answer back, because that's crazy). Take the time to get to know yourself and work on the things you don't like, while showcasing the things you do. It certainly helped me and was a great way to start my day.
Sincerely,
T