Tyra Banks is our friend.

Why does Tyra always make me cry?
I think I could even forgive her if she votes for Hilary.

I have lines on my face.

I slept for 8 hours! At one time! YAY me.

So, today I am having lunch with an old boyfriend. Let me explain how much of an old boyfriend. I haven't seen him since I was 16. Maybe 15. I don't remember. Either way, it's been a long, long time. As I was in the shower, I was contemplating going to get my hair and eyebrows done beforehand, since it needs to be done and I want to look pretty when I see him since I was a cute 15 year old when we "went together," and then made a conscious decision that NO, I indeed would NOT go get these things done before I go to meet him. Mainly because of the time involved and I don't want to be late, but it got me thinking about how much I have changed, and wondering how other people see me. I'm starting to get lines around my eyes and mouth. This is something that I've been noticing for a while, and honestly it's not something that I mind right now. Actually I kind of like the way my face looks with a few lines. Will those lines be noticed? Will he think, "Good grief, this chick got old?"

I like my age. Every once in a while I feel like I'm no older than about 16 because it seems that others are so far ahead of me, but that was quickly cured one day when I decided to see if I could still do a back bend. I can, but good grief it really drove home that I'm indeed NOT 16 anymore.

This is not meant to sound arrogant, but I think I've been prettier the past year or so than I've ever been. I've got a decent job, I have an amazing roommate and we live in an adorable house, I'm a great cook, I'm going to buy a new car soon, pedicures have become a monthly necessity, and with God's grace and strength I've overcome some rather difficult things in my life. I've been privileged to lead people to the Lord, I got to work with Fuge for three years, I've seen both of my brothers marry women that I respect, and I have the most adorable little niece in the world, as well as the handsomest, smartest 12 year old nephew in the entire world. Life is good and I kind of think these lines are a product of my life becoming good. There are still some things I want, but they'll come.

In the meantime I'll just go develop more lines.

This may bore you; or it may just tell you why you bore me.

First of all, let me just say that there are some underrated things in this world.
Dogs, for instance.
Pedicures.
POLITENESS. (I'm thinking mainly of strangers is professional situations.)
Really comfortable shoes that are also adorable.

SLEEP. This is something I miss. I was able to sleep for a few hours last night - 4 in all. This is definitely an improvement.
This is interesting:

Jung Test Results

Introverted (I) 57.14% Extroverted (E) 42.86% Sensing (S) 68.97% Intuitive (N) 31.03% Thinking (T) 50% Feeling (F) 50% Perceiving (P) 57.58% Judging (J) 42.42%

Your type is: ISFP

Apparently this is the "Artist" type.
The P/J seem to go back and forth with me based on how creative I'm feeling that day Here lately, I've gotten back where I want to make things or write, or just go somewhere and look at or listen to pretty things, so the Perceiving seems to be showing itself a bit more.

The Thinking side tends to kick in a bit stronger when I'm confronted with someone who is overrun by their emotions or expresses them strongly. What's funny is that the Feeling kicks in when I'm confronted with someone who does not express their emotions strongly, but the Feeling doesn't kick in as hard core as the Thinking does in the opposite situation. I'm more comfortable with Thinkers in general, and the only consistent exceptions seem to be my roommate and Tina. The other Feelers in my life drain me over a sort period of time. The few Thinkers in my life - Ric, Joey and Aaron - all energize and relax me. (Or is this an issue of girls/guys? I don't know.)

The Introversion and the Sensing are the two that are pretty standard. Makes sense. Too much contact with people just drains and annoys me, although I do need people frequently. Most of the time I just prefer to be alone, or with just a few other people. I very strongly dislike most group activities, with the exception of things with my life group. Even then, I feel a bit pressured to go into shiny-happy mode rather than just being able to relax. I do love people, and I can be engaging and social, but it's taxing.

I'm much more like to say, "But this makes sense..." as an argument, laying out details and steps rather than seeing the overall big picture.

I've become really interested, although bothered a bit because I resist being classified or put into a box, in this whole personality theory thing. I like formulas and explanations, and this presents me with both. I get to have explained to me why people driven by their emotions drive me crazy. I get to have explained to me why I remember every freaking detail of every conversation and mull it over. It now makes sense why I remember movie quotes, why misspellings in emails/etc drive me nuts, and why I need to know every detail/possible solution to a problem.

The introspective blog is not coming to a close. I'm actually tired and think I may sleep for a couple of hours before I go to work.

Bonus: I get to be off three hours early. Thank you dear Lord Jesus. It's needed.

I should follow Tyler Durden's logic...

And just get a couple of extra jobs to keep while I'm awake. If only he had a fun job. Making soap is gross.
Think of it - I cut out sleep altogether, that's a whole other full time job.

I drink out of the OJ carton. My OJ, "my" house, my quirk.

Insomnia is not fun. I'm ready to be done with it. At what point do you develop another personality that looks like Brad Pitt? Can mine look like Catherine Zeta Jones instead? I mean, I am a girl.

Just your friendly stick of butter walking down the street.

The difference in ISFJ's and INFP's:
Although we always arrive at the same destination, the means of travel is slightly different. I walk down the road on the right side, moving aside for cars, while she skips through a meadow to get there, stopping to pet the bunnies she passes along her way.

Quotes for the day, taken from songs from O'Charley's and my phone:

"I felt so symbolic yesterday."
"Oh, oh oh oh oh, you don't have to go, oh oh oh oh."
"...What's going on?"

Quotes for eternity, taken from magnetic poetry:
"I got a call from God. The butler is missing."

On other topics: My emotional state can best be compared to a stick of butter in the microwave.
You got it. Melt down. Must watch another chick flick RIGHT NOW.

Ramblings

Tyra gave away cars to three women today and I cried like a baby.
I got a letter from my Mariam today. I tried telling her a little bit about my job, and she wrote back, "I don't understand much about your work, but I'm sure it's probably great!" Doesn't that make you want to laugh? She also told me that she loves to sing and that Jesus is her friend. I love children - they're so straight forward and haven't learned to fill their sentences with lots of meaningless crap.
Did you know that dogs like Twizzlers? Zoe does. She's staring at me with this very reproachful look in her eyes because I'm not sharing with her.

Things that are true (a numbered list:):

1. I bought an ox.
2. I love, love, love veggie pizza.
3. I am an introvert.
4. I have been completely giddy, silly, stupid, and bowled over by a guy once in my life.
5. I eat ice cream when I can't handle my emotions.
6. I talk more when I'd rather just sit and look at someone because I get scared they'll get bored if we're not talking and want to leave.
7. I now want to buy Pampers for every baby shower I get invited to.
8. I bought myself flowers because the chocolate told me to.
9. I love Pringles like a fat kid loves cake.
10. I love my family, but I can count on 2 hands the number of family members I like.
11. I have a very large family.
12. I bake cookies for people because I don't really know another appropriate way to be proactive in showing interest.
13. INTJ's annoy me.
14. I get weirded out by touchy-feely friends. Hug me once, I'm good.
15. I want to go to Ft. Wayne to buy a handbag.
16. I feel inferior to most of the people I go to church with.
17. I'm only sarcastic and clever because I like the attention when people laugh at my jokes.
18. I want to sit down and talk about something real.
19. I want a step-by-step path.
20. I love someone and I have no idea how to proceed, other than I am doing what I want rather than what others are telling me is a good idea.
21. I fear RDB, Matt, Mar(k/c) and Wayne have been place holders.
22. I don't know how to get to know someone I already know.
23. I'm scared.
24. I feel great.
25. I need to spend a lot of time with God.
26. I need to go to bed and get some sleep.
27. Andrea has a plan of attack. I need one.
28. I have cried every day for the past week about nothing important. Well, the wedding was important.
29. I bought a (paint ball) gun. Ha.
30. Things that are funny in our head make other people laugh too. At us? With us? Out of amusement by us? Who knows.
31. I like numbered lists that include as many items as my current age.

I just cried at a Pampers commercial.

So, Pampers is doing this thing where for every package of diapers they sell they provide a vaccine for children in third world countries. The commercial is of a woman walking down the street and she keeps seeing women of other nationalities and their babies/toddlers. The toddlers run to her and hug her, she's holding a baby and the baby kisses her, and it's all sweet and I teared up like no other. That's all it takes. Sweet babies, the thought they need vaccines, and the mothers looking all grateful.


Great. Now the single childless girl feels like she needs to go buy Pampers.

Help me!

So, it's been a really long time since I wrote anything other than a blog, an email, or some very convincing reason that my supervisor should approve a credit.
So everyone, provide a writing prompt to help me exercise a talent that I haven't used in a while. Give me a situation, a character, something. Amuse me.

In other news, I bought lots of stuff to shatter to make my table. Whoo hoo!!!

I am a Disney Princess, thank you very much.

I am currently wearing my tiara and my earrings I bought for formal years ago. I am wearing pink pj's and have pink toenails. Earlier I made Zoe wear my clip on earrings I wore to my senior prom. It was cute. Then I made her wear the necklace I wore for the wedding. I'm a generous princess: I share my bling.

I'm not really spoiled, but I would definitely describe myself as a princess in some ways.
1. I refuse to pump my own gas if someone else will do it for me. If they flirt with me, they get a tip. Hey, I'm not ashamed.
2. I refuse to wash my own car. God would not have created car wash fund raisers if He wanted us to do it ourselves.
3. Vacations should happen in hotels, condos, resorts, inns, cottages, cabins, chalets... basically structures with walls that do not fold up into a bag or box. I would love for there to be shopping, restaurants, people to make up the bed every day when I'm not looking, and towels that don't scratch you.
4. There are things that "you just don't do."
5. I am worthy of your attention and I expect you to impress me. It's not hard. Really.

That's all. For all of you that voted that I should be a fairy princess when I grow up, I kind of agree.

Daily dose of cheese and bad acting.

So yesterday I put in a movie to nap to. I knew there was a sequel to Cutting Edge, but I never dreamed they would make a THIRD. I mean really. It makes me a little sad, but I watched it. Here's my review.

Good acting: negative. I love that they had to smear the blond's mascara all over her face so that it looked like she had been crying - her eyes were completely dry.

Original plot: negative. hockey player meets and becomes a figure skater. Oops. Been done. Let's REALLY mix it up. Make the hockey player female and Mexican! That'll throw 'em off.

Great scripting: negative. "Yes, I'll skate with you." Thanks for stating the obvious. "Always." Well didn't that just turn it into the most romantic line in the world.

Original extremely inventive, dangerous skating move that no one has ever seen before that makes up for everything: Nope. We saw it. In the first one. So they set it to a remake of "She's Like the Wind." Wow.
They remade a Patrick Swayze song. THAT is its very own blog for a later date.

Name dropping: Present. Christy Romano as Jackie Dorsey, Doug and Kate Dorsey's daughter.

Cheese Factor: So much that you would never have to eat cheese again.
It's one redeeming quality (other than the lead actor's abs and arms) was the line the mother was given: "I know you cried. I stood outside your door and listened." That thirty seconds actually made me tear up.

Although we could credit that to the fact that I was tired and hormonal...

You're all fruits. All of you.

So, I'm real tired.
I should go to bed earlier.
I'm off to work.
Then I'm home to take a nap.
Discuss amongst yourself: If you were a fruit, what would you be and why?
Now that I've thrilled you all, have a good day.

Who am I is not just a Casting Crowns song.

Sometimes I really wonder what the person that was pre-Matt and Joey was like. Did I speak my mind more or less? Was I kinder, less biting, less cynical, more able to express my emotions than I am now? I guess pre-Matt and Joey Crystal was probably just post-Andrew Crystal.
I think we all keep asking ourselves, "Who am I? Am I who I was? Is this the real me?"
No, I'm not who I was. Pre-Andrew Crystal will never be post-Andrew Crystal. Post-Joey Crystal will never be pre-Joey Crystal. Is this the real me? I don't know. I feel half-terrified to bring out anything that isn't witty or light-hearted unless it's written or I know someone extremely well.
She will, however, remain confused rather than be one of those girls that pushes a DTR after one date.
I feel like I'm growing in some ways and remaining stagnant in others. Granted, if I could make myself get up and go to church that would help. If I could make myself go to bed early that would probably help too...
There's a large decrease in affection in my life since I'm very rarely around children anymore. It's amazing to me how much we as humans need physical touch.
Let me just get this off my chest: If my needs or desires are different than yours, accept it. Think before you speak. If it sounds in your head like you're judging me, then just don't say it.
Don't give me the look that conveys that you think I'm less than you.


You know, it's a little disheartening to only have the ability to dazzle until you meet.
Don't comment. It's a 2 am post.

Things my roommate knew and I didn't.

1. You can buy all the makings of a crack pipe at Dave's Market.
2. There is a no-fly zone over the nudist colony outside of Murfreesboro.
3. There's a Christian nudist camp that meets regularly.

I don't know why my roommate knows so much about nudist colonies.

Work Stories

I am currently so tired that I could cry. I'm giggly, I'm teary-eyed, and I am flat out tired of people in general. Not all people - just people in groups. I rather enjoy how quiet my house is.
Can I just tell you that I'm not a fan of 2--11?
Can I also just tell you that I don't like stupid people?
I don't like communist China or organ harvesting.
I don't like gangrene or amputation.
I don't like North Dakota.

Things that will NOT be in my wedding:

1. Red.
2. Black.
3. Any relative singing at any point.
4. The theme from Superman.
5. Lighted cake "display systems."
6. Centerpiece made of very large martini glasses.
7. My relatives jumping and shaking their groove thangs to Dancing Queen.
8. Tiaras. Yes, plural.
9. A bride dancing down the aisle to "Let's Get it Started" as she's being walked down the aisle to be given away.
And the 10th thing that will NOT be in my wedding: The groom walking down to the theme from Star Wars.


I'm so glad this is done.

I get my tiara today.

Yep. A tiara. And prom jewelry. Afraid? You should be. I'll post pictures later.
In other areas of my life, I have a fish on my desk. Currently he has no name. I think I'm going with Narcissus. Why, you ask? Because bettas want to be the only pretty fish. However unlike the pathetically, tragically conceited youth of Greek mythology, they attack their reflection instead of just staring at it. Hey, they're pretty, not smart. Sometimes you can have both in humans, but not in bettas.
Highlander was right. There can be only one.
Tip: If you hold a mirror up to watch your betta attack itself, make sure you don't forget to take the mirror away. If you leave it there too long the poor dear will get so stressed out that he'll start bleeding.
You should all go watch Fight Club. Unless you're terribly offended by profanity. It's not a movie for the faint hearted, but it is fascinating. Brad Pitt at his not-so-hottest. Edward Norton at his almost-strangest.
Today, I am not Jack's broken heart. I'm more Jack's missing sense of whimsy.

Everything's better in Brooklyn.

Are you thinking to yourself, "Why is everything better in Brooklyn? And why is she calling herself Brooklyn? She's never been to New York. She's never lived outside of the Southeast." (To which I reply, "Thank you, dear Lord Jesus!")
Everything is better in Brooklyn because my Brooklynites brought home 2, count them TWO, Fuge cups.
Everything is better in Brooklyn because we dominated in Brain Busters nearly every week.
Everything is better in Brooklyn because lives were changed in that room, on that mountain, and through that hoop.
Everything is better in Brooklyn because every time I even see the name it reminds me how amazingly big God really is, how much He really loves His children, and how much I need to love and serve Him. It convicts me, reassures me, steadies me, and humbles me.
That's why everything is better in Brooklyn.