Keep in mind

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This maybe silly but this is something I feel myself over and over every day and it helps me to keep my life interesting. In the past years I have failed to achieve everything I want but have learned many valuable lessons along the way. I also would have to say there are many things that wouldn't of happened if I didn't just take the chance. I'm thankful for my strong support system and their faith in me. Without them I would of never made my dreams come true.

I would of never...
Finished University
Learned how to cast iron
Applied for the Peace Corps
Went to Morocco for two years and three months with the Peace Corps
Learned a New language
Traveled by myself in a different country
Learned how to rely on myself
Apply/Got a Job working in Morocco doing cross culture education
Got engaged
Applied to Graduate School

Most important be happy with my life and what I have achieved.

I like to say this phrase. I LOVE MY LIFE.

When I envisioned my life at 16 I thought it would be impossable to acheive all that I wanted to. I'm so very thankful that I am almost 26 and happy about the present and excited for the future.

Again thank you for all the support.

Salah's Personality Test

Salah's Personality Test. He was an Orange. Some of it is a lot like him but not all of it. And some of it's just plain funny.

In Relationships

Orange people seek a relationship with shared activities and interests with their mate. They like to explore new ways to energize the relationship, have a wide variety of friends, and prefer to be with people who like to have fun and are spontaneous. They tend to be laid back and flexible so you can choose what to do when the moment arrives.

Oranges

Need to feel that they are in control — not necessarily of others, but most definitely of themselves. Even if they are following orders, they need to feel some sort of freedom to follow the orders in their own fashion.

When Oranges shine they are versatile, spontaneous, self-confident, resourceful, and decisive. Their playful manner can brighten up a mundane chore and add fun to a workday. They prefer to not having to plan more than 10 minutes into the future, and everything is about them.

However, oranges can be very intimidating when they are stressed or low on esteem. They can become exceedingly pushy, aggressive and confrontational, even physically violent. Placed in an overly restrictive environment, they will go to great extremes to gain their freedom or control.

Areas to be aware of

What stresses an Orange person

Lack of freedom or choices

Feeling trapped

Rigidity

Being forced to do something another person’s way

Not being able to use their skills

Strict guidelines or rules

Forced to keep quiet or not participate

Insufficient attention

No sense of humor

Waiting Slow actions

Indecisiveness

Routine

Lack of sex

Details

Paperwork

Inactivity

Lack of Money

It is the Orange who laments, “What do you mean I’m out of Money? I still have checks left!”

Being exposed to stressors for a long period of time leads to behaviors such as:

Acting rude and with defiance

Breaks rules on purpose

Fails to complete things

Runs away

Quits job

May joke or tease inappropriately

Overly competitive

Manipulative

Lying and cheating behavior

Violent behavior

Oranges need to remember:

That at times your energy is overwhelming. Others may perceive you as shallow and flighty. Take the time to organize your thoughts and complete what you start. Work harder at being on time and maintaining eye contact with people when they are talking.

Important information for significant others

Understand their need to multitask — “My wife is one of those people who can talk on the phone, change the channel on the TV, and discipline the kids… all while she is driving!” Grant them attention — after all, it’s all about them anyway. ;^) Make it a game.

Get out of their way – Oranges would like nothing better than to have lights and sirens on their cars. If you see them coming, treat them like an emergency vehicle, just pull over and get out of their way.

Freedom: they need distractions and relief. If one Orange we know is in the house for more than four hours, she needs to be taken for Slurpee run. She loves camping, but if she hasn’t hit a 7-11 or something to do with civilization in a couple of days she goes nuts — she even had to bring our living room TV out to the campfire for something else to stare at.

True Color Personality Test

I took the true colors personality test with my family over Christmas and recently just took it with Salah. I was was ranked as a gold and Salah is a Orange. Below you can see the result of my personality test. I will post Salah's later. Poor guy :)

You have a GOLD personality style!
Your core Values are Tradition, Loyalty, and Family.
Your core Needs are belonging through Duty and Responsibility.

Helpful Insights into a Gold Personality

In Relationships

You are serious and tend to have a traditional, conservative view of both love and marriage. You want a mate who can work along with you building a secure predictable life together. You demonstrate love and affection through the practical things You do for your loved ones. You like to plan parties and events around the holidays and special occasions. There is a strong sense of right and wrong that can sometimes lead to conflict.

Golds

Golds need to feel a sense of belonging at home, at work, at school, in the community, or in any group with which they are involved. Feeling like an outsider or outcast is very disturbing to them. They are, therefore, very responsible and adhere to the norms of the group.

When Golds shine they like to do things to help. They are task and structure focused as well as serious and hardworking. They like to plan ahead and keep things organized. They care for their health and are dependable, reliable, and conscientious. Golds are respectful, responsible, and cooperative. They usually place traditions and family time high on their priority lists.

However, when fatigued or stressed they may become overly rigid, self-righteous, and possessive. Natural positive attitudes can turn pessimistic, negative and highly opinionated. They may become compulsive, and get physically sick.

Areas to be aware of

What stresses a Gold person:

Lack of follow through when others don’t do what they’ve promised

Taking on too much responsibilities

Irresponsibility in others

untrustworthiness

When things are not put back where they belong

Not adhering to schedule or plans

Lack of closure – having to switch what they are doing without completing it first

Many things going on at the same time

Indecision

Change

Unclear expectations, lack of rules instructions

Not knowing where they fit in

lack of membership or belonging

Being exposed to stressors for a long period of time leads to behaviors such as:

Complaining and self pity

Exhibits anxiety and worry

Reacts physically to stress

Judges self and others harshly

Exhibits “blind herd” mentality

Displays negative attitude

Becomes controlling, rigid and close-minded

Golds need to remember:

At times Golds are perceived as the keepers of the law. In their respect for doing things well and right, you might come across as more concerned for the correct answer than the loving response. The rules are not always as important as the spirit of the rule.

That the people around you might need you to see the big picture, it’s okay to be late from time to time, and that some rules are made just so that they can be broken. Flexibility goes a long way in bringing people together, and relationships are more important than obligations.

Important information for significant others

Be Responsible. If you said you would do something, do it. Keep your agreements with a Gold person. Golds are dependable and they expect others will be as well. This shows them respect and appreciation.

Provide clear expectations. They want to know where they stand and what is expected of them. To leave them guessing is one of the most stressful things you can do to a Gold. If they have guessed wrong and can violate some unspoken rule they can be crushed. After all, they were doing the best they can under the circumstances, and now they have done something “wrong”. They try at all costs to be “right” and appropriate.

Trip Around Morocco

Trip Around Morocco. It's best if you view these pictures from the bottom up so that you see them in order. There are many more pictures but these are just a few of the highlights.


This was during out outing to the Zagora (tzagort) Mountains for afternoon tea picknick.
Salah is playing house with his neices (habibas).

Salah had a head start because he's a cheater.

cutest puppy ever that Salah wouldn't let me have...:_(

This was Salah's reward for scaling the wall and crossing the freezing cold river. Its pretty cool but I'm to much of a scary pants to even try it.

We were all waiting for Salah to bit it and fall in the freezing cold river below. He made it there and back to land safe and dry. Humdullah

Water Sources that our friends Alicia & Aziz took Salah, Brahim, and I to.

Volubilis Roman Ruins in Morocco outside of Meknes

Salah's sister Fatima's new baby Marwa.
She is beauitful just like her moma and so happy too.

Day One Back in Morocco

I schooled Salah in bowling. I must show this off because it's the one thing I have found that I am better at then him. Mwhahahahahah. It was also the first time I have won a game when playing with my roommate Colleen. :)

New Hair

My first new hair cut and color in a long long time.
Yes. I'm that vain, but I do it all with a smile.
:)

BAGS

My mother and I worked together on this project. She showed me these bags she made in a smaller version and I deiced to make them 4 times larger with her help and painted them up for a little bit of a different flair. Hope you enjoy them.

GRAD SCHOOL

I finished my 6 grad school applications today and sent them off in the mail. The list: University of Georgia, Athens, University of Montana, Missoula, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and University of Tennessee Knoxville. Now I have to make sure the applications get there along with the rest of the material. Crossed fingers wish me luck.

Make a Wish

Make a Wish