Update in Arlington (Yay for Friends!)

Okay, enough personality crap! Here's some rambling crap! It's not like people read blogs to be entertained anyway. (Okay, well sometimes it's entertaining...) We do it when there's nothing else to look at on the internets (that's a nod to you Cliff). So, I just ramble away at my thoughts and feelings and sometimes some people read it. Anyhoodily (my nod to Heather)....

Here are my thoughts lately.... Last year I didn't have many friends which was really unusual for me. I mean right?! All you who are friends reading this know how awesome I am! This year I am swimming in new friends!!! And not only friends that I say hi to at church and don't hang out with any other time. (I do have plenty of those). But also friends that I do stuff with on the weekends and during the week. And friends that actually understand me and are very similar to me! And friends that make me LAUGH!!! Friends who don't judge. Friends who are in the same stage of life as me. And also I really love my roommates. I have tons of friends here in Arlington and I seem to make more and more every week. I am just writing this to say how GRATEFUL I am for all of these friends. Because last year I went through a friend drought (although I am grateful for the awesome few friends that I did have) and I was starting to think something was wrong with me. Although I'm not sure why I was so surprised by the lack of people to hang out with. Last year one of my goals and things that I was praying for was to be okay alone. In the past I would always rely on being with other people to take my mind off my troubles. So I had a lot of time alone to reflect on who I was and who I wanted to become. Basically be careful what you pray for!

Anyway, now the problem is a job. I've been doing some temp work but nothing very long term at all. When I thought of temp work I thought like doing something for months at a time, not days. Also, I'm not even sure what kind of job I want to have. I have no clue! I do have an interview today for a longer temporary job. It would last a few months. I guess that would buy me more time to figure out what kind of permanent job I want. And to find a permanent job.

So to recap... Last year I had a wonderful job. But not many friends or opportunities to hang out. This year I have lots of friends and scheduled hang outs at LEAST three times a week. But no permanent job... yet. It's funny how things can change. But either way, life is good. It can be a little stressful and anxiety inducing at times but I love the peace that comes when I trust in the Lord. I know that He will provide for me if I do everything that I can and if I keep the commandments. I know I'm supposed to be here... I don't really know why but I hope to figure it all out soon. In the meantime, I'll enjoy having plans for tonight, tomorrow night, Wednesday night, Friday and Saturday. :)

Some pics!

Smithsonian

Me and some of my new favorite people at the Verizon Center cheering for Jimmer. (His team won! But the Wizards lost. Mixed emotions!)

Mt. Vernon

How to Deal with an ISFP

I apologize, this blog has become an ISFP blog... haha! I just saw this and thought yes! Please!

How to deal with an ISFP

Talk to them gently and in a soft voice
Hug them often; they prefer actions rather than words to express love
Ask them how they feel about things and what they would like to do
Go with them on long leisurely walks alone together
Let them have their space
Play gentle games with them--they like competition but prefer co-op (play gentle games with them?! Haha! But I think the point is I don't like too much competition?)
No horror films or anything too violent or dramatically sad. ISFPs like to be happy.(seriously!)
Make work fun, or they won't want to do it at all.
Let them have some me-time in which they can do anything they want
Tell them how they're talented when they doubt themselves, which could be often (yeah...)
They have an affinity for soft fabrics and long walks in natural settings away from large crowds
They like flowers and often have a favorite kind; ask them (hydrangeas!)

No More Advice Column

I decided that I'm not asking people for permission anymore. I'm done asking people if my behavior is acceptable or asking if I should change. I'm done asking for opinions on who I should be and why. I think I've got it covered. Me and God can handle that ourselves. This is not an "angry post". It's just a statement and declaration. I'll figure it out. I like who I am. I am EXTREMELY aware of what I need to change. And I'll decide on what really needs to change and what will always be essentially Me. Mary Frances Woodall.

The Most Misunderstood...yep.

Yeah, I seriously suck at expressing myself. Here ya go.


General description of the ISFP


- Most misunderstood of all.
- Tendency not to express themselves directly, but through action.
- Does not plan and prepare.
- Special kind of intelligence.
- Kindest of all the types.
- Sometimes seen by others as reserved and private.
- Instinctive longing for the natural, the pastoral, the bucolic. (Hmmm... that explains my last post about trees and nature...)
- Easily bored, wanting excitement, risk, chance and tests of luck.
- Spender rather than a saver. (Not good since I don't have a job and I can't stop spending money!!!)
- Likely to become a pacifist or environmentalist.
- Negotiates with ease.
- As negotiator, goes into a situation with the intent of getting warring factions to compromise.
- Troubleshooting
- Very low need to lead and control others.
- Lives harmoniously.
- Encourages all life to fulfill its potential.
- Difficult for ISFPs to understand the need of some people to impose limits or structure on others.
- Blends in.
- Can easily be overlooked or overpowered .
- Creative, artsy.
- Often oblivious to the "standard" way.
- Little need to lead or influence.
- Little interest in the conceptual and abstract and is most responsive to the pragmatic.
- Money is secondary, the primary concern is that service be rendered .
- Little need to plan.

I Heart Trees!

I made a new friend at the "new member" Sunday School class they have in my ward for all the new people. Her name is Britt and she is also currently searching for a job. So in between interviewing, we go out and explore D.C. and play "tourist" although we do like to go off the beaten path as well. This week it seems like all of our adventures led us to the beautiful outdoors. We went to Mt. Vernon on Monday, Dumbarton Oaks Gardens on Tuesday, and Arlington Cemetery on Wednesday. We took today off because we both had interviews but we're actually going back to Mt. Vernon tomorrow because why not? We both have annual passes!!!

I just love the beauty of nature and I especially love trees. I like to name my favorite trees and if there are any that catch my eye in particular I like to think of them as my friends. I guess I'm a tree hugger? Here are some pics of trees that I saw this week that I LOVE! I can't wait until I get to see them in the spring, summer, and fall!




These were all trees from Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

Trees from Mt. Vernon

The backyard view from the mansion. Awesome view of the Potomac.

The Tulip Poplar is one of my favorite trees because it's Tennessee's state tree and also because we had one in my front yard growing up and it always started changing colors or blooming before any of the other trees. And George Washington planted this one. See? He loves trees too! Even if he did chop down a cherry tree. :) (Which he didn't...)




Trees from Arlington Cemetery

The guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (The changing of the guards was really cool to watch).

Whew, that's a lot of pictures of trees. If you don't like trees you probably stopped looking by now. Also if you don't like trees, I don't really want to be your friend. Okay? Okay.

The main reason why I love trees and nature is because it's one of the main things that makes me feel happy and peaceful. It reminds me of my childhood in Tennessee and I come away feeling renewed and reinvigorated. The city is really fun but it's sometimes hard for me to feel like I can breath. Walking around these three places made me draw deep clear breaths and feel so light and happy inside. I loved Mt. Vernon's wide open spaces, the Potomac River, the trail and bridge through the woods, and the feeling of history. I loved Dumbarton Oaks Gardens because it was almost like Alice in Wonderland and every turn you took led you to another unexpected, delightful little corner where you felt like no one else would ever find you (in a good way). It was like an old English manor. Arlington Cemetery was very peaceful (I find cemetery's very soothing and peaceful) and I felt such deep respect and gratitude there. And if all of these places are so beautiful in the winter, I can only imagine what they'll look like in the spring and fall! I'll be going back to each place for each season.

Here's a peak of what these places look like in other seasons. (No I didn't take these pics...)

Dumbarton Oaks

Mt. Vernon

Arlington Cemetery

February 4th 2005-2012

February 4th used to mean nothing at all to me. Then it meant the happiest day of my life. Then it quickly meant a day of sadness, regret, humiliation. It slowly changed to a feeling of a slight pang in my chest, then it changed to "wow, it's that time again, huh?" And then one year it shockingly came and went almost completely without me acknowledged it. And this year I cried. Oh, not that I didn't cry especially hard almost every other year, especially at the beginning. But today I cried for a different reason. Today I cried because when I thought about the fact that I got married seven years ago today, I was so extremely thankful. I was thankful for all that I went through and so unbelievable happy that the atonement was able to take the most painful event of my life and turn it into a normal day. Well, an almost normal day. I will never forget February 4th and it's significance in my life. But now instead of it being a painful memory, it will be a grateful memory. And happiness to feel that 100 percent of forgiveness that I tried for, for so long. It was on this day of this year, that February 4th came and went and I had for the first time truly completely forgiven my ex-husband. 7 years ago feels like a lifetime ago. I was a different person then. And the pain of the refiner's fire really did make me a new person. A better person. I am so grateful for this day and for the atonement and for a Heavenly Father who loves me. And I really am just a crier! :)

Pain and Joy

I know there are a lot of people who think I am too emotional. Including close friends and family. But my favorite people are the ones who understand and don't judge me for that. (Heather and Alyss and Ashley!!!) And that some of the feelings I have are completely ridiculous and that I am inhibited by my emotions. While it is true that I can work on trying to better control my emotions (and trust me I have come a long way), I came to a realization today. I am grateful for my emotional nature. I care extremely deeply for others. I am sensitive to others needs and feelings. Which also means, my needs are often not met and my feelings do get hurt more than the average person. But I'm glad I'm not the average person. I also thought it was bad that I cried so much. But now, I really don't see it that way. Yes it's not the funnest thing, and my face gets puffy and red a lot. But I have to remember that just because not everyone feels things as deeply as me, or reacts in the same way as I do, does not mean that there is something wrong with me.

I still get worried sometimes that my husband left me because I was depressed, so it was really my fault like he said. It's just too bad I didn't know then what I know now. :) And what I know is, that I am a special and amazing person. Even though people try to tell me otherwise and tell me how they think I should behave. I can help people in a way that so many others can't. And that is a gift. And even though I feel pain so deeply, the wonderful thing is that I can feel joy more deeply too. I know people would rather not live their life in such extremes, but this is my life.

I was reading today about the atonement in a book called "The Infinite Atonement" and it's actually what helped me to accept myself for how I am. It talked about how God and Christ have suffered and still suffer for us because they love us. "If God suffers as mortal parents do when each of their children suffers, then as long as God procreates, he will suffer. As long as his creations experience sin, loneliness, disease, rejection, or any of the travails that constitute the human plight, God will suffer and weep. God has felt and will yet feel our infirmities because he loves us, rejoices with us, suffers with us, and weeps with us. His suffering is a never-ending process of which the Atonement was an integral part." It also talks about how Christ experienced "a fullness of joy" when he visited the Nephites.

So obviously I am not comparing myself to God. But the fact that He loves us SO much means he also feels pain and suffers because of it. I feel like I can relate to that in a very small way. I feel things very deeply, I care about others and I also feel pain maybe more than someone else might. But that doesn't mean there is something wrong with me. I think it means that I am out of the ordinary and awesome. Well, at least that's what I'm choosing to believe.