Right Brain vs Left Brain

So I was having a discussion with a friend about how I feel I use my left brain as equally as the right side of my brain (which would explain me being a Software Test Engineer but wanting to be a Makeup Artist). For those who don't know, your brain has a right side and a left side (obviously) - but the right side is the more creative side while the left is more analytical. I took a quiz on this website to see which side was more dominant for me, and what do you know -- it was almost the same! I got 16 points for the left side and 15 points for the right!! I feel like being almost equal on the left & right can lead to some confusion - Lol. Maybe that's why I question myself sometimes! Part of me wants to be logical, the other part is so random! (This is evident for those who follow me on Twitter).

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life.  Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Left Brain Dominance: (16) Right Brain Dominance: (15) Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

Take the quiz and find out where you stand! :)

Different Types of (Toxic) Friends

**Disclaimer: This is not targeted at anyone. This is simply something that MANY, if not ALL, people experience at some point in their lives at any age.

As I get older, I am witnessing this more. "This" being toxic friendships, the different kinds, and how to avoid and/or get out of them once you realize what's happening. I read an article on iVillage entitled: 6 Types of Toxic Friends and How You Can Deal with Them. Below, I copied and pasted the two that I've had the most experience with. In reading this, and also in experiencing what I have experienced, in addition to ending such toxic friendships, I also take the opportunity to evaluate myself and make sure I'm behaving in a way that I feel a friend should behave or as a friend I'd want to have. It's always important to take responsibility for our actions and not allow ourselves to be "the victim".

The Self-absorbed
Certainly the Self-absorbed is a tamer type of negative friend than the Risk-taker. Still, especially over the long haul, a friend who does not make the time to listen to you will eat away at your self-esteem. For you to feel good about yourself, and for your friendship to thrive, you have to be more than a sounding board. The Self-absorbed does not care; she listens to you only because she is waiting to speak.

Self-absorbed chatter is a way of covering up an inability to tolerate silence which some, especially those who have intimacy problems, may find excruciating. You may ask your friend to try to become more aware that she is talking non-stop, and about herself, when it's really a nervous habit designed to fill up the time and space. Could your friend learn to relax more? Enjoy silence? Learn how to ask questions so that you don't feel like a dumping ground?

Once again, is this a trait your friend is aware of and choosing to ignore, or is she unaware of it but once aware of it, she will be capable of changing it? If change is not possible, is there enough that is positive about this friendship that you are willing to continue it even if it is decidedly lopsided?

Perhaps, in a gentle and non-offensive way, you could ask the Self-absorbed friend if she seems to notice that the give-and-take is unequal, that she shares more about her life than you get to share about yours.

With the Self-absorbed friend, you might want to plan an activity to share that minimizes this problem, such as playing tennis, going to the movies, or taking a class. You might want to carefully consider sitting next to the Self-Absorbed on a five-hour train ride or having lengthy meals together, just the two of you. As with the One-upper, whose profile revolves around excessive jealousy, involving more friends with the Self-absorbed might help to offset her nervousness as well as create some additional 'air times' that will even out the balance of power.

The Discloser
When you say to this friend, "This is just between us," she nods her head but unfortunately that promise will last only as long as it takes her to get to her phone or e-mail. Although there should be an assumption of confidentiality and trust between friends, this friend can't help herself. Telling this person a secret makes her feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. Like the game "hot potato," she has to pass the hot secret along to someone else in order to relieve the anxiety knowing the secret made her feel. There are also some Disclosers who simply have a big mouth. If someone you know has this personality trait, avoid telling her your innermost secret -- unless you don't mind if it's shared with the world.

This friend quickly gets a reputation for being a gossip. Unfortunately, there may be some secondary gains to having that distinction. Maybe the primary friend is annoyed by the betrayal and the secret sharing, but everyone else, including other friends, may be delighted by the confidential information that is being shared.

You also have to be sure that your friend understands that you consider the information that you are sharing should always be confidential or secret. Spreading the news that you just got a raise or are expecting a child may seem like information that is fair game for retelling. If it is something you do not want retold, or if you want to be the one retelling it, let your friend know before you mislabel her the Discloser.

How do you know if someone will betray your confidence? If you suspect someone has this trait, share an unimportant secret that you could live with her spreading and see how fast or widespread the confidence is shared.

If you suspect that your friend is unaware that he or she discloses secrets, start by bringing this behavior out in the open. Pick a specific instance when your friend revealed a confidence, and see if he or she acknowledges his or her transgression. Does he or she apologize? Does he or she deny doing it? Does he or she ask your forgiveness, explaining that he or she was unaware the information was privileged?

If you suspect your friend is incapable of changing this pattern and you want to maintain the friendship, protect yourself by being more careful about exactly what information you share. You might also want to reconsider the level of intimacy for this friendship; if you want to maintain your relationship, perhaps it should be on a less frequent or less confidential basis.

You can read the article in it's entirety using the link above (1st paragraph). Please feel free to share your thoughts/views. 

Enjoy the rest of your holiday and have a great day!

KeetaRay

Happy Holidays!

Before it gets even busier, I want to wish you all a great Holiday (if you celebrate) and a Happy New Year! Enjoy the time with your loved ones, remember all that you are Blessed with and be sure to appreciate those who love & care about you. Time for new beginnings! I hope to post again before 2011 but just in case... Lol

Thanks for following my blog, I appreciate you all :)

KeetaRay

New Look... New Blog Name

First, I want to say "Hi" to my new blog followers. I see you! :)

Well, in lieu of my 2 year natural hair anniversary, I got my hair straightened and trimmed by my sister when I went home for the Thanksgiving Holiday. I loved the results. She blow-dried and flat ironed my hair to achieve the look. ic Fantasia Heat Protecting serum was used, along with Str8 Away Sufle' from Alt Haircare. 

You can also see my "hair in action" via my YouTube vid.

My hair lasted about 5 days before it started to frizz slightly. I pulled it into a low bun with flat twists in the front to disguise the frizz. I was not willing to go over my hair again with the flat iron for fear of heat damage.

Another update: I am changing my Blog Name from "Just me... and my thoughts" to "Not Just Hair" ;-)

Funny that this particular post is about hair. Lol

Have a blessed day, everyone!

~KeetaRay