sigh...

The semester is almost over. eeek. I'm so relieved and so scared at the same time! But, finally I am allowing myself to be excited for the summer. If all the paperwork goes through I'll be doing my internship with the YMCA in Roanoke this summer... which is nice because they are being way flexible! So, finally i am allowing myself to be excited. I've been praying that doors will either be wide open or slammed closed and that one definitely seems to be open. but, alas, BRBH called me today to set up an interview next week. blah, i hated closing that door because its what i originally wanted to do. but, there must be a reason... right? and hopefully if i am suppose to work there i will have the opportunity to get plugged in somewhere there after i've graduated. maybe? haha i say that about everywhere that interests me. :) oh life. i feel like a grown-up. Monday was scary even though it wasn't even like a real interview - i felt like my whole summer and life was riding on monday's meeting. stressful. sheesh, but it worked out really well & emily was there to bring me back to reality. [in a good sense - when i was freaking out haha so thanks girl!!]

anyways, mrs. cole said something in social work yesterday that definitely got my attention. I want to record it here so that i may never ever forget it.

"Your spouse is either your biggest supporter or your biggest stressor."

i just feel like more people need to spend time thinking about that before they commit to marriage. really, you are committing to spending the REST OF YOUR LIFE with this individual - please make sure that they will thoroughly support you in everything always. it is a red flag if you don't have their support just during your dating relationship... that is not going to change with a ring. that means they support your dreams, your education, your decisions, your other [healthy!] relationships and they help you change in the areas you need to change. i'm saying this just as much for myself... like i should strive NOW to become as supportive as possible and to develop supportive habits so that once i am married i do not become a stressor... just some thoughts. ;)

i've been working on a "budget analysis" project this semester. so i've been saving my receipts from everything and i divided them all up by months and areas and put them into an excel file last night. [yay for me using excel successfully!! haha] total wake up call. like i wasn't surprised at where my money goes, but, i am definitely going to have to get more control before next year when I'm out on my own and have real bills.

anyway, i'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball. (hahaha best laugh of the weekend)

love to all my fans :)

personality?

Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging
by Marina Margaret Heiss

Profile: ISFJ
Revision: 3.1
Date of Revision: 20 Aug 2007

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ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be needed." In extreme cases, this need is so strong that standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them; however, most ISFJs find more than enough with which to occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life. (Since ISFJs, like all SJs, are very much bound by the prevailing social conventions, their form of "service" is likely to exclude any elements of moral or political controversy; they specialize in the local, the personal, and the practical.)

ISFJs are often unappreciated, at work, home, and play. Ironically, because they prove over and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them for granted--even take advantage of them. Admittedly, the problem is sometimes aggravated by the ISFJs themselves; for instance, they are notoriously bad at delegating ("If you want it done right, do it yourself"). And although they're hurt by being treated like doormats, they are often unwilling to toot their own horns about their accomplishments because they feel that although they deserve more credit than they're getting, it's somehow wrong to want any sort of reward for doing work (which is supposed to be a virtue in itself). (And as low-profile Is, their actions don't call attention to themselves as with charismatic Es.) Because of all of this, ISFJs are often overworked, and as a result may suffer from psychosomatic illnesses.

In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers, often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities; they are also good with people in small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others. ISFJs make pleasant and reliable co-workers and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and uncomfortable in supervisory roles. They are capable of forming strong loyalties, but these are personal rather than institutional loyalties; if someone they've bonded with in this way leaves the company, the ISFJ will leave with them, if given the option. Traditional careers for an ISFJ include: teaching, social work, most religious work, nursing, medicine (general practice only), clerical and and secretarial work of any kind, and some kinds of administrative careers.

While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones, as well. When these include Es who want to socialize with the rest of the world, or self-contained ITs, the ISFJ must learn to adjust to these behaviors and not interpret them as rejection. Being SJs, they place a strong emphasis on conventional behavior (although, unlike STJs, they are usually as concerned with being "nice" as with strict propriety); if any of their nearest and dearest depart from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ major embarrassment: the closer the relationship and the more public the act, the more intense the embarrassment (a fact which many of their teenage children take gleeful advantage of). Over time, however, ISFJs usually mellow, and learn to regard the culprits as harmless eccentrics :-). Needless to say, ISFJs take infinite trouble over meals, gifts, celebrations, etc., for their loved ones--although strong Js may tend to focus more on what the recipient should want rather than what they do want.

Like most Is, ISFJs have a few, close friends. They are extremely loyal to these, and are ready to provide emotional and practical support at a moment's notice. (However, like most Fs they hate confrontation; if you get into a fight, don't expect them to jump in after you. You can count on them, however, run and get the nearest authority figure.) Unlike with EPs, the older the friendship is, the more an ISFJ will value it. One ISFJ trait that is easily misunderstood by those who haven't known them long is that they are often unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling. For instance, an ISFJ child may be reproved for "sulking," the actual cause of which is a combination of physical illness plus misguided "good manners." An adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of temper over the ISFJ's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in the family they "didn't want to burden anyone with." Those close to ISFJs should learn to watch for the warning signs in these situations and take the initiative themselves to uncover the problem.

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Functional Analysis
by Joe Butt

Introverted Sensing

As for ISTJs, the dominant Si is oriented toward the world of forms, essences, generics. Again, "for both of the IS_J types, the sense of propriety comes from the clear definition of these internal forms. ... A 'proper' chair has four legs," etc. (Jung saw IS as something of an oxymoron: sensing, which is a perceiving function, focused inward and thus away from that which is perceived (the "object"). In this light, he described this sensing as something removed from reality, full of archetypes/mythical figures/hobgoblins; sensing of one's own set of forms.)

Extraverted Feeling

A kind of "regression toward the mean" provided by the Fe auxiliary function serves to socialize the expression of these forms. I suppose it's the auxiliary nature of this Feeling, coupled with the balancing effect of {detachment from the internal idiosyncratic view of free-floating data perceptions} that makes ISFJs tentative, conservative, and reticent to boldly state the rights and wrongs in the relational world. (Loosely translated, ISFJs like to keep their perceptions to themselves, and aren't sure enough that what they "see" as Introverted Sensors has any relevance to the outside world. Thus the perception, based on unworldly data, may not be true. The obedient Extraverted Feeling function must therefore refrain from strong statements expressing these opinions.)

Introverted Thinking

Introverted Thinking is turned inward and is largely invisible. It is only with great difficulty, if at all, that the ISFJ could willingly commit anyone to their doom. Perhaps this explains why ISFJs are loyal to the end; there is no sense of purely objective (i.e., impersonal) judgement of anyone but themselves (and that only by their own standards). Here is this type's achilles heel that makes many of them so vulnerable to the scoundrels and ne'er-do-wells who often use and abuse them.

Extraverted iNtuition

ISFJs are easily undone by Extraverted iNtuition, their inferior function. Believing in the fantastic, and disbelieving the technologically extant, are errors that my guide the gullible (or unfoundedly sceptical) ISFJ off a precipice of mis-conclusion. (One of our co-workers' mothers adamantly refused to believe that Dave Letterman's mom was actually at the olympics in Norway talking with the athletes and handing out hams! She suspected technological trickery.)

This childlike Ne is, however, the likely source (coupled with fun-loving Extraverted Feeling) of the practical joking, punning and (usually harmless) impishness of some ISFJs.

Famous ISFJs:

St. Teresa of Avila (Teresa de Jesus)
Louisa May Alcott
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Queen Elizabeth II of England
Robert E. Lee
Queen Mary I ("Bloody Mary") of England

Fictional:
Bianca in Taming of the Shrew
David Copperfield
Hero in Much Ado About Nothing
Melanie in Gone With The Wind
Ophelia in Hamlet
Dr. John H. Watson, M.D. (Sherlock Holmes' faithful sidekick)

U.S. Presidents:

William Howard Taft

Johnny Carson, comedian
Robin Roberts (Good Morning America)
Kristi Yamaguchi, US Olympic figure skater
Ed Bradley, journalist

Copyright © 1996-2007 Marina Margaret Heiss and Joe Butt

I 11%
S 1%
F 62%
J 89%

Top 6 Careers:

• Social Service
• Social Work
• Religious Education
• Education
• Counseling
• Health Care

lead me to the cross

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

rambling

so i felt like blogging but i am not sure what exactly i would like to write about so we shall see where this goes... haha... could be interesting.

next spring is week after next.. so i have:
1 class tomorrow
A free Saturday!
Church Sunday
2 classes Monday
2 classes and a CMIS test Tuesday
1 class, a test, youth group Wednesday
1 class Thursday
1 paper and one long assignment due Friday
then FREEDOM for a whole week!

This Spring Break coincides with my 21st Birthday for which i am very thankful because last year my bday was the week before Spring Break and it was not much fun because i had 2 tests and a night class. gross. and i will not be partying it up for my 21st because i don't drink. but i do plan on having fun!

mom and i were going to go to TN tomorrow to be there when Josh gets come from Afghanistan but he got delayed and won't get to Kentucky till Tuesday. although i was okay with a quick trip to Nashville i'm kind of glad to have a free weekend here. and wow i'm really not coming up with anything fascinating to say so i'm just going to go now :)

100 truths

100 Truths! After you've filled this out, tag 15 people and have them do the same.

1. Last beverage→ koolaid
2. Last phone call--> called emily & talked to nicole haha
3. Last text message→ nicole.. but she meant to send it to april.
4. Last song you listened to→ needtobreathe "second chances"
5. Last time you cried--> Sunday night i believe

SIX HAVE YOU EVER:
1. Dated someone twice → nope i mean i've been on more than one date with ray.. haha
2. Been cheated on? → hope not ;)
3. Kissed someone & regretted it? → nope.
4. Lost someone special?→ yeah
5. Been depressed?→ yes.
6. Been drunk and threw up? → nope.

LIST FOUR FAVORITE COLORS:
1. blue
2. green
3. pink
4. purple

HAVE YOU:
1. Made new friends → yep yep
2. Fallen out of love → nope
3. Laughed until you cried → yes!
4. Met someone who changed you → yes, many.
5. Found out who your true friends were → oh yeah
6. Found out someone was talking about you→ yea
7. Kissed anyone on your friend's list→ only one
8. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life → all of them
9. How many kids do you want to have→ 2 to 6 ?
10. Do you have any pets → just the Scoob
11. Do you want to change your name→ not the alison... but i'd be okay with taking a new last name ;)
12. What did you do for your last birthday→ dinner with the family... date with ray...
13. What time did you wake up today → 9:30ish
14. What were you doing at midnight, last night?→ watching dawsons creek & gettin ready for bed
15. Name something you CANNOT wait for→ SPRING BREAK!
16. Last time you saw your father→ Sunday evening = too long ago!
17. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life → not a thing right now, there are things about myself and things about the future (like that i'd know what was going to happen post LU... or heck even this summer)
18. What are you listening to right now → joey potter & people in the hallway
19. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → yeppers
23. What's getting on your nerves right now? → my snotty nose
24. Most visited webpage → www.liberty.edu www.yahoo.verizon.net & facebook :)

1. What's your name→ alison nicole stultz
2. Nicknames→ ali alinickel
3. Relationship Status → taken
4. Zodiac sign → picses
5. Male or female or transgendered → all girl
6. Elementary→ glen cove
7. Middle School → homeschooled
8. High school → homeschooled
9. College? → VWCC & LU
10. Haircolor → brown
11. Long or short → shoulder length
16. Height → 5'4
17. Do you have a crush on someone? → yes
18: What do you like about yourself? → my sense of humor
19. Piercings → ears
21. Righty or lefty → righty

FIRSTS :
22. First surgery → wisdom teeth
23. First piercing → ears
24. First best friends → elizabeth, lindsey
26. First sport you joined → softball
27. First pet → chip i think
28. First vacation→ myrtle beach?
29. First concert → carmen haha i slept
30. First crush → don't even remember the very first.... haha

RIGHT NOW:
49. Eating → not now but my box is tempting me
50. Drinking → water
52. I'm about to → write an outline then go to bed
53. Listening to → andie & dawson chat with some music in the background
55. Waiting for → this to be over and ... the weekend!

YOUR FUTURE :
58. Want kids? → yesss
59. Want to get married? → definitely
60. Careers in mind? → haha well a food sampler, movie critic, mom, homeschool teacher, social worker, counselor, teacher? :)

WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX?
68. Lips or eyes → eyes
69. Hugs or kisses → both!
70. Shorter or taller → taller
71. Older or Younger → older
72. Romantic or spontaneous → romantic
73. Nice stomach or nice arms → arms
74. Sensitive or loud → haha sensitive... but... :)
75. Hook-up or relationship → relationship
77. Trouble maker or hesitant → hesitant

HAVE YOU EVER :
78. Kissed a stranger → nope
79. Drank hard liquor → no.
80. Lost glasses/contacts → yep
81. Sex on first date → no!
82. Broken someone's heart → maybe cracked but not broke
83. Had your own heart broken→ just bruised a bit
85. Been arrested → nope
86. Turned someone down → yes
87. Cried when someone died → yes
88. Liked a friend as more than a friend? → yeah.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
89. Yourself→ mostly
90. Miracles → yes
91. Love at first sight → nope. attraction which can lead to love maybe.
92. Heaven → yes. and hell.
93. Santa Claus → nope.
95. Kiss on the first date? → nope.
96. Angels → yes.

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
97. Is there one person you want to be with right now? → yes.
98. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time?→ nope.
100. Posting this as 100 Truths? → yep.

25 random things.

so i posted this on facebook because it was the big fad a few weeks ago... and i feel like it will remain forever safe here and years from now (ha) i can look back and see how much is still true.


1. I like penguins and whales and like to buy stuff with them on it. (especially pjs and socks…) but my favorite animal is probably just a good old puppy dog.

2. I love camping… pretty sure I’ve been at least 4 times every year since I was 6. I can do the whole tent no water thing but I like nice trailors and bathhouses too.

3. My dad makes me laugh probably more than any other person in this world. :)

4. I love going out to eat… and not just for the food (although I like food too much) but I like the experience & options & conversations.

5. People absolutely fascinate me. I could watch them all day but I take it further than most people watchers and actually analyze their behaviors (psychologically & sociologically).

6. I’m nearly 21. Sheesh.

7. My fave TV shows are LOST, american idol, and jon & kate + 8. But, I’m watching this season of the bachelor. And Secret Life of the American Teenager. And I’ve recently come to like me some Dawson’s Creek & The Office.

8. I’ve only ever had LG cell phones & will probably never buy anything else.

9. I adore Disney Pixar movies.

10. I’m so thankful for the friends I’ve made here… I honestly love them.

11. Sometimes I fear the bookshelf will fall of the dorm wall and smash me while I am sleeping.

12. I’ve been pretty committed to working out this semester. We’ll see how that goes…

13. I’m not 100% sure what I want to be when I grow up and dread the question of what I’m going
to do after college. Sure, I’ve got some dreams and decent answers to that ? but really, we will see.

14. Some of my best memories are from Camp Bethel.

15. I actually have to work for my grades and I’m pretty proud of my GPA now.

16. A preschooler drew me a valentine on a plate Monday and made me smile.

17. I love mustangs, always have, always will. I give credit to my mom for that. Haha.

18. I’ve been dating Ray for almost 3 years and they’ve been fun, and emotional, difficult and amazing. He’s made me grow soo much. And I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

19. Every day can be a happy day because Jesus washed my sins away…. :)

20. I like doing logic problems (not Sudoku though) they make me feel smart.

21. I’d much rather have someone else drive.

22. My room at home makes me happy… its clouds and daisies. Sigh.

23. I love children… but, lately I’ve really come to appreciate teenages more.

24. I often take my family for granted. They are awesome.

25. Games rock. Boardgames, group games, card games… you name it I’ll play it.

good to remember

"Intimacy is seeing what is truly on the inside of a person (which can only be discovered face to face over long periods of time such as what you experience in marriage). Be careful not to mistake intensity for intimacy. Intensity fades as the newness wears off, but intimacy continues to blossom the longer you know a person." -Shannon Ethridge

I think we (our society, most people i know) often rush into dating relationships and "fall in love" without giving it a 2nd thought. but, do we experience real emotional intimacy as fast as we think we do? so... when the question of "how long should we know each other before we date?" comes upon us (or more often our friends and peers) why do we push the relationship? because everyone wants to experience intimacy. we often only question whether it was real after we've broken up or experienced true intimacy. oh i definitely think we should "call it what it is" but, now, finally i can see the different levels of friendship and how logical and emotionally safe they are.

acquaintance
casual friend
close friend
dating/courtship
fiance/engagement
marriage = true intimacy

so why push for intimacy OR intensity with your close friends? why not let time do its thing or trust God to show ya when to move to the next level? and until then be wise about how much or what you're putting into the relationship (time, emotions, sharing)? not only do you avoid mistaking intimacy with intensity you don't ruin what could be a GREAT friendship. (if only someone hadn't pushed to the next level) sigh.

most of this comes from "choosing God's best" (raunikar) and a class i had on relationships last semester :) i think its just taken me this long to understand it for myself and be able to simplify it into this blog....