My girlfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble...

So there I was yesterday, poised to begin hosting a huge (and perhaps slightly overblown ;-) ) private pity-party when out of nowhere I found out OPP 1 was returning to England that day for a 4 week visit! Very very happy news indeed. We already have plans this weekend for an Oxford catch-up chat, pints, and general "Jo, please listen to me whine about life" evening. I'm sure she can't wait...

March is already looking up!

Februarys

Having lived through 28 Februarys, most of which I can remember, I've come to the conclusion that, generally, the month just isn't good for me. This probably has more to do with the month's compounded and prolonged lack of sunlight and chilly temperatures than any kind of inherent corruption. Regardless, the effect is the same: an unhappy Tiff. This is probably why Hilary Term (the one I'm in right now) seems always my most problematic academic period. All I want to do is drink tea and sleep with the covers over my head. Now, before you think I'm incredibly lazy - that's not actually what I do...but it's what I would do if I could get away with it. Anyway, goodbye dreary February and hello springy March!

Happy Year of the Pig!

Happy belated Chinese New Year!

One of my flatmates has a particular attachment to the Chinese New Year, so on Sunday night she put on a wonderful holiday dinner. The food was veggie-friendly and extremely yummy. One of these days I'm going to corner her in the kitchen so she can teach me how to make such scrumptious Chinese food.

Potential world-travelling auditor - beware!

So, I received some news today that could be the coolest news since I was admitted to Oxford. It looks possible that my new job will be sending me to Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam sometime this year to audit our country partners' accounts and help ensure their financial processes/procedures are aligned with our funder's requirements.

I'm trying really really hard not to get too excited about this experience since nothing is final, however I can't help but feel at least a little excited. It would be amazing to visit these countries and have the opportunity to really engage with people. Then again, I'm not sure what kind of reception I would receive going there as a financial auditor...

"Official" MBTI personality test

There seems to be some hidden interest from lots of family and friends about the official test that the "Brutally Honest" personality test was based on. Good news - I have found this official test online, so feel free to take it and learn more about yourself in a more nurturing way than the last test.

If you would like to take the MBTI personality test please click here

I took this test and again scored as an INFP:
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INFP - the Healer
You scored 18% I to E, 5% N to S, 9% F to T, and 57% J to P!

You are more introverted than extroverted. You are more intuitive than observant, you are more feeling based than thinking based, and you prefer to go with the flow rather than having a plan. Your type can best be summarized by the word "Healer", which belongs to the larger group of idealists. You have a capacity for caring that is deeper than most. You strive for unity, are fascinated by the battles between good and evil, and can be something of an idealist. Only 1% of the population shares your type.

As a romantic partner, you are usually supportive and nuturing, however, you have a high need for individuality. Harmony is extremely important to you as you are very affected by conflict and tension, which also makes you resist confronting your partner directly about problems. When you get angry, you usually blame yourself, rather than your partner. You can also be stubborn and unyielding when you feel you are being criticized or mistreated. You feel the most appreciated when your partner listens to you carefully. You need to be understood. You need to hear your partner express their feelings, the more often, the better.
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Snow day

Well, I woke up this morning to a rare treat - overnight Oxford had been transformed into a fluffy white wonderland. It was my first snow-covered Oxford experience, and as you can see, it was quite beautiful.



Unfortunately, the rest of my day was not as calm and lovely as the picture. I'm grappling with some growing pains at work that are necessary, but difficult and draining. When I went to my core seminar this evening I felt relieved as I was able to dissolve back into pure academics. I'm sure things will even out as time goes on, but right now I'm feeling incredibly disgruntled. Transitions suck.

I think I'll go look at the snow again. It makes me feel better.

The crusading monastic

EDIT: If you want to take the test please click here

Today I came across this wonderful version of the Jungian personality test - you know, the one with the ISTPs, ENFPs, ISTJs, etc. It's called the Brutally Honest Personality Test, and it freaking ROCKS. I highly recommend you check it out, and I'd love to hear what your results are!

I have taken an "official" Jungian personality test before (actually a couple of times) and have always been deemed an INFP. However, since it had been a couple of years since the last test, I decided to go through the questions to make sure everything was still kosher. I'm pleased as punch to say that I remain steadfastly an INFP...which incidently makes me "Almost Perfect" (see below) and also a "Crusading Monastic."(click to see the link) I think both descriptions are spot on - and I'm loving the pictoral representation of INFPs below. So very very me.

Almost Perfect- INFP
40% Extraversion, 86% Intuition, 26% Thinking, 40% Judging

So, you want to make the world a better place? Too bad it's never gonna happen.

Of all the types, you have to be one of the hardest to find fault in. You have a selfless and caring nature. You're a good listener and someone who wants to avoid conflict. You genuinely desire to do good.

Of course, these all add up to an incredibly overpowered conscience which makes you feel guilty and responsible when anything goes wrong. Of course, it MUST be your fault EVERYTIME.

Though you're constantly on a mission to find the truth, you have no use for hard facts and logic, which is a source of great confusion for those of us with brains. Despite this, in a losing argument, you're not above spouting off inaccurate fact after fact in an effort to protect your precious values.

You're most probably a perfectionist, which in this case, is a bad thing. Any group work is destined to fail because of your incredibly high standards.

Disregard what I said before. You're just easy to find fault in as everyone else!

Luckily, you're generally very hard on yourself, meaning I don't need to waste my precious time insulting you. Instead, just find all your own faults and insult yourself.

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If you want to learn more about your personality type in a slightly less negative way, check out this.

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The other personality types are as follows...

Loner - Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
Pushover - Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Criminal - Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
Borefest - Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging
Freak - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
Loser - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving
Crackpot - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
Clown - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
Sap - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Commander - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
Do Gooder - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Judging
Scumbag - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
Busybody - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
Prick - Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving
Dictator - Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging