(no subject)

[itsfirefight.livejournal.com]

Name: Theresa
Age: 19
House you were sorted into: Slytherin
Link to original application: Link!
Are there any questions you would like to elaborate on?
Quite a few, I'd say. I hope completely changing the answer is okay too... >_>
¤If you could teach one class at Hogwarts, what would it be and why?
My original answer was astronomy, but... I think I would rather learn that than take it. I think a more likely choice for me would be Potions, charms, or Transfiguration. I love how all three have the potential to be -extremely- hard, but once you get the hang of it, you can excel quickly. I had a hard time paying attention in school... A lot of my teachers were kind of boring... didn't do anything exciting in classes... I feel like I would be the kind of teacher Slughorn is/was, minus the whole... slug-club thing... I don't like to pick favorites. He was able to incorporate fun into the learning process, which I think is one of the most important things, especially in a difficult subject. It allows the students to relax a bit, which helps in so many ways.

¤If you could choose your animagus form, what would it be and why?
I would choose a bobcat. First off, they are beautiful. I like pretty things. :)
In all seriousness though...
Bobcats are relatively small, but can be fierce when they need to. I may not be much physically, but if something threatens me or mine, I will do anything in my power to protect them.
I tend to adapt reasonably well to most changes.One of the things that I admire most about the bobcat is the way they can adapt. They can go from having plenty of food to having almost none for a good long while. Their environment can change radically, and they will still thrive.
They are solitary animals, which I can relate to... Most of my good friends have moved away or just drifted out of contact, so I have very few people I can trust fully. I'm sure the bobcat isn't a loner because it doesn't trust other bobcats, but... They do travel and hunt alone.

¤What HP character do you identify with most and why
I've started re-reading the books again, and I think, honestly, the person I can relate most to is Ginny. She grew up in a family with only one other female. She isn't a tomboy, necessarily, but she definitely isn't a girly girl. [I'm thinking... Lavender Brown as a girly girl...]I have always had a bit of a rough time getting along with girls in general... I just have more in common with guys... I feel more comfortable, like I am able to be myself, and Ginny, because she grew up in that atmosphere, makes me feel like she could be one of the few girls I could really get close to.
I also see a bit of Tonks in me, as I originally stated in my application. I always pictured her as 'bubbly' and excited, trying to cheer people up when the mood is low... She is a bit of a klutz, which, I hate to say, I can relate to 190%, which endears me to her a bit. :)

¤If you won a million dollars, how would you spend it?
First thing I would do, instead of putting it into savings, I would start school. I have been craving to do -something- since I got out of high school, but... it didn't really work out that way... [My poor brain is rotting!]
I would take a couple classes that I didn't need, probably psychology, astronomy, biology, theater... I want to make up for my slacking years in high school! I'd go somewhere nice. Not like.. Yale or Harvard, but... not the community college either...
Next, I would buy new furniture for my apartment; Nice lighting, new couch, TV stand, book cases to hold all my books, a new TV, some art for the walls, a new bed, and various extra decorations.
Third, I would buy myself that wardrobe I've been wanting forever. New -everything- [I'm getting excited just thinking about it.] [with that wardrobe, I'd probably pick up the books I've been wanting to read, because I realllly need some more...]
I would either fix up my car, or by a new one [VW rabbit is my current desire], I would buy my mom and step dad anything they wanted, I would offer to get my boyfriends parents out of their debt [they'd try to refuse... I'd figure out a way...] and then help my sisters get out of the rutts they're stuck in.
After all that, I probably won't have much left over, so what I do have, I'd put into savings, or maybe some kind of stock, CD, whatever [assuming the economy isn't shit by then... :\]

¤What do you think are your top five abilities or qualities?
I just wanted to elaborate on this, and change a couple. :)
-I am very perceptive. I may not show it all the time, but I am very good at reading people. Their moods, their thoughts, their reasoning. I usually keep it to myself because when I don't, people close themselves off, and then I'm left with only half the picture.
-I am very easy going. It takes a lot for something to really upset me. Sure, a direct attack at my character isn't cool, but if something is said as a joke, chances are, no matter what the joke is, I won't be bothered by it.
-I have a good memory and I pay attention to detail. I like to pick things up that others miss. A comment from a friend that was off hand, I'll keep it in the back of my head, and a few weeks/months later, I'll pull it out and remind them about it. In a movie, or a TV show, I am good at spotting things others miss, like the transition from day to evening in a freeze scene, or an extra doing something extra goofy...
-Learning is a passion of mine. I don't really mean from books... reading is great, but... I prefer to learn from experience. I love to teach myself how to make things work, or how to create something... I taught myself how to use Photoshop with very few tutorials, and could probably walk into a school and have a good idea of what was going on.
-I am very loyal. If someone tells me a secret, I will not let it out. I don't gossip or stab people in the back.

¤What do you think are your top five weaknesses or worst qualities?
-I have a hard time meeting people for the first time. Online, it's not a problem, but face to face, I freeze up. I can never think of anything to say, and I have a difficult time keeping a conversation going, which makes it hard to have them.
-I prepare for the worst. I don't mean in a pessimistic 'every thing's horrible' kind of way... I just mean that I look for possible negative outcomes, so just in case that happens, I will be prepared. The main downside to that is that I am focusing more on the bad that -could- happen, instead of the good that -is- happening, so it's hard for me to relax and have a good time.
-I am very picky about incredibly stupid things [probably a little OCD... eh!]. I like my laundry washed and folded very specifically. My dishes have to be taken out of the sink before I can wash them, and I always have to keep certain surfaces spotless. But not the ones that make sense. Instead of making sure my computer table is good, I make sure the bookshelf is alphabetical... etc.
-I get overly jealous, way too easily. I don't think I'm going to go into detail about this one... I just.. uh... am dumb about it. ^_^
-I can do the same thing over and over, for a very long time. I guess this really isn't a fault... but I have now read the HP books about... 13 times each, [the first one waay more than that] His Dark Materials I have read through 4 times, Tamora Pierce books I have read 3 times... while all my other books in the shelf lay there and get dusty. I will start one book, and it will remind me of something in another book, so I'll go look it up in that other book, and then start reading that instead... it's -crazy- I'm almost halfway through so many books. lol.

What would you see in the Mirror of Erised?
I would be successful, and look the part. I would be respected for my intelligence and strength, instead of looked at as too young, or ditsy. [grr] I'm naturally blonde, but I hate it, and would love to have brown hair.. so I'm sure that would be there. I would be obviously happy, probably married, probably to my current boyfriend, because I would love that. I would have a few very close friends, and a many acquaintances that are good enough friends that i could call up any time and hang out. It would show me traveling, getting ready to, or coming back... with many experiences to add to my memories.

Pick one or two canon qualities from each of the four houses that you possess and explain why you picked them:
Slytherin: Resourceful- I like to create things out of other things... I tend to take around-the-house items and turn them into storage, or some kind of organization... thing... I also tend to hear people say something, or see something written a specific way, and like the way it sounds... and I'll change it to my own wording... and use it. >_>
Persuasive- I'm really good at getting my way... and a lot of time people won't realize what they have done until it's already happened.
Ravenclaw: Witty- I make a lot of side comments when I listen in on conversations... They are usually only meant for a few people in the conversation, but they're usually pretty great. or... at least... i think so... :P
Creative- As I said above, I like to make things out of other things... I also love to draw, knit, paint, sew... I've recently gotten really into Photoshop, and I'm doing pretty great with it so far. ;)
Hufflepuff: Generous- The way I show my affection for people is by giving gifts... or sharing my food, even if it's my favorite thing. Not quite enough to call it selfless, but... I do things for people because it makes me feel good about myself. :)
Hard Working- I've been the youngest in just about everything I've done for a while. I was a year ahead in school, so i was a year younger than everyone, I'm the youngest of three daughters, and at work, everyone I work with is at least 3 years older than I am. I've always wanted to stand out... to be the best... and it's hard to do that without hard work. [it's frustrating though, when no one notices. :\]
Gryffindor: Genuine I don't hide who I am from my friends. When i first get to know someone, I might sensor myself until I know how they will react, but... I don't have two faces. I don't have ulterior motives... once you know me, it's me you know... not some fake-out.
Cheerful. Pretty straightforward on this one... I prefer to be happy and upbeat, to being mopey and blah. It makes me feel better, and it makes the people around me seem happy too!
Explain why you feel misplaced in your current house: I can't quite put my finger on it... I really enjoy being able to say that I am in Slytherin... It makes me feel kind of like a bad ass... But... I just don't feel like I belong.. There's not really one specific thing... I just... Guh. It's infuriating that i can't put my finger on it. I guess a lot of it is that.. As amazing and awesome as the people are... I don't feel quite like we click... :\ I fail.

Comments

[cloud8.livejournal.com]

1.a. Could you list one or two things about the other three houses that do not fit your personality?

b.Are there anything about other houses' canon traits that you outright dislike?

2 a.You mentioned creative as a canon quality for Ravenclaw. Why is creative a trait of Ravenclaw but not of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff or Slytherin?

b. How are you creative in a more Ravenclaw-esque way that others?

3. You mention you are cheerful, but you also mentioned you "prepare for the worst," and listed that as a weakness. Could you tell me more about this, kind of describing how both apply to you and are separate? ...And I'm not picking on you; I for one have both of these traits too, and I think it's important for us to understand how these work, as it's a quirkiness that is subtle and yet will define you a bit better for us.

[cloud8.livejournal.com]

Strike my question 1a. You answered it thoroughly up above. You can just touch lightly over 1b too, if you'd like, unless you really feel strongly about it and want to speak up.

[itsfirefight.livejournal.com]

I think that question 1a and 1b were answered pretty thoroughly... but I'd be happy to go through it again...

You mentioned creative as a canon quality for Ravenclaw. Why is creative a trait of Ravenclaw but not of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff or Slytherin?
I think that all the houses have creativity in their own way, but I feel like Ravenclaw has more of an 'artsy' feel to it. I dunno... maybe it's in part because Rowena Ravenclaw had her diadem, which I always imagined to be very unique and creative... Also because Luna had a very bright and colorful house, which I always assumed she had painted herself.
I am trying to think of what kind of creativity I would associate with each house, but there really is no way of splitting it like that... I guess that I consider my type of creativity somewhat simplistic... I love big, extravagant designs, but I prefer something simple and easy to understand, or something complex, but not too loud or busy, while still maintaining quality and majesty... I guess I'm saying I would prefer a photo of a mountain and it's reflection in a lake, or of leaves in the fall to a picture of splatters and blots. Not saying that I don't appreciate art like that, I just prefer the more simplistic beauty, and feel like a Ravenclaw student would feel the same. [Again, not all Ravenclaw students, just... the ones I would spend my time with! :D]


Okay... It's 12:03, which technically means it's the 13th, but I am going to answer this last question because I stayed up this late for it!!!

You mention you are cheerful, but you also mentioned you "prepare for the worst," and listed that as a weakness. Could you tell me more about this, kind of describing how both apply to you and are separate?
When I say I prepare for the worst, I don't necessarily mean that I have stacks of canned goods and water bottles stored in my basement, or that any time I see a thunder cloud I start thinking, "what it's there's a tornado!" I mean more in the sense of socially... If I am going in to meet someone new, or going in for an interview, Instead of seeing all the positives that could happen, I plan for the negatives. It can kind of lower my mood, and makes me feel a little paranoid, but I also feel like it helps me appreciate things more in the end. I don't really let myself get too excited... There are exceptions, of course, but for things that I don't have control of like Job interviews, I don't let myself get too excited, because if I do, and I don't end up with the job, I will be very disappointed. If I don't let myself get too psyched up and I do get the job, then I let myself go crazy.
Another situation where this happens is when there are horrible storms, tornado warnings, floods, or just randomly if there's a fire in my apartment[which there isn't... wth, I'm just craAazy!] I make a mental list of things I would grab and things I would not, and what I would do in a situation where the door was blocked, how I would get out the window... what clothes I would bring so I wouldn't be cold/naked, where I would hide to keep myself from getting hit, etc.
It's not always a bad thing, sometimes I just do it for the fun of making a list...
but I can get too into it, and then I psych myself out of doing something that has the potential to be great... [woah, I just switched back to the 'social' part of my answer... who knows where I'm going to go next!!]
For example! A friend invites me out to dinner with a couple people I've never met before... I have nothing holding me back, but this voice inside my head says, "well, what if this happens? wouldn't they just make fun of you the whole time? what if they just think you're annoying?" and things like that... so I get so worried that I am going to make a fool of myself that I cancel, only to find out later that the people she is hanging out with are really amazing, awesome people, and I missed out on my chance to get to know them one on one instead of a big group...
Pleh. I feel like I'm rambling, and it's not 12:15, so I am going to go ahead and end this here...
er...
If you need me to elaborate, I can try to do so tomorrow... even though I don't think that's allowed! I guess we'll see...

[cloud8.livejournal.com]

that's really an interesting way of thinking about it....almost odd. I never thought of Ravenclaw as the "art" house....matter of fact, it's almost contradictory for me to think so. Besides Luna, which was an odd and extreme case, Ravenclaws are not discribed particularly as a creative bunch. Remember, Luna is an outcast, and she has no friends in Ravenclaw. Her friends are...Gryffindors. Luna is in Ravenclaw because she has a curious mind, both practical sets and aesthetic sets. But she is quite different than most Ravenclaws. I think it becomes hard for us readers, as there are very few artists in Rowling's series (except for Dean, who is a Gryffindor), and the fact that a creative character like Luna is such a prominent one, and one of the few Ravenclaws we knew that well. But I'm not sure it's smart to pin "creativity" and traditional artists with Ravenclaw so quickly. I dunno, perhaps I'm biassed (and please take the next of this as part of that bias), but as someone who attended an art University, and was around nothing both artists for years at a time, I feel very different from this. In fact, if there is ONE house that there are very few of around a large community of artists, it's Ravenclaw. Not to say they flat out do not exist... but they are certainly more rare than the other houses. In my own field for example, it is typical to see Gryffindors and Slytherins (graphic design has a business flare to it, and is also the most likely of all artistic fields to make money). Sculptors and fibers makers tend to be Hufflepuffs for whatever reason, but sometimes Gryffindors. Actors and singers are almost always Gryffindors, particularly when they are both. Industrial designers are usually either Ravenclaws or Gryffindors, though the more 'inventive' the person is, they're usually Gryffindor, as they're all gung-ho about changing the world, and how we use things.

I'm not saying that Ravenclaws are not artists, because there are many who are. But it is still more unusual to see that than in most houses, except perhaps Slytherin, where you rarely EVER see artists (just because of the peasant lifestyle it usually imposes). If you were making a case there, then you'd have me.

You kind of evaded my question with the last one. You went on about what "prepare for the worst" meant, but I was particularly wanting a contrast between that and the sunny disposition you described. You only gave me the first.

I'm sorry if this is very taxing. I know it's hard. But you're hangin in there, and you're almost there. You're also officially THE toughest appeal we ever had, so please forgive us with the constant questions.

[itsfirefight.livejournal.com]

I have always considered Ravencalw a more creative house...
Reading back on that answer I gave before, I think I was trying to grasp at something, and missing it completely, so I understand why you would disagree...

I guess I was using the idea of pictures because I thought that would help me explain it, when it really just doesn't make much sense... -Now you get to watch me put my foot in my mouth for the millionth time in this application...-

When I say Ravenclaw is 'artsy' or 'creative' I don't necessarily mean that they are the painters and sculptors and designers... I mean that I feel they have a different way of looking at things... I guess I should just take artsy out of this whole thing, because you're right... I don't think Ravenclaws are artsy as much as they are creative, clever, and attentive. Not even only in an art sense, though I do think that there are more artist types in Ravenclaw than we were able to see, but also in the way their imagination runs. I think that they pay more attention to detail than a lot of other people. They want to see the whole of a situation and more, instead of just one side of it.
I also think that a lot of the reason Luna was an outcast was because she really went above and beyond, and believed passionately in things that, in most cases, really just weren't real, and the other Ravenclaw's may have had a hard time really getting that. I would have considered her pretty weird too... Not to the point of stealing her shoes and making fun of her, but... I'd think she was odd, even if she was interesting. The only reason I don't feel like that now is because she was a main character in the last books, and I think that because of that, a lot of readers overlook what they would normally be turned away from, and accepted her as a friend of Harry's.
Another thing you said was that Luna's friends were all Gryffindor's. I think a lot of that is because of the Gryffindor student's traits, and not so much Luna's. The Gryffindor's, especially Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, were extremely accepting. Ginny saw that Luna was on her own a lot, and even if Luna didn't really mind that much, I think Ginny felt obligated to try to help, and give her someone to lean on. Harry, Ron and Hermione just kind of... came with the package... I can see a few traits in Gryffindor that Luna would share, bravery and loyalty, to name a few, but I don't think it extends much more than that, unless I'm totally missing something. I couldn't see Luna doing something that would put her in the spotlight... at least not intentionally... She ends up in situations like those because she is friends with Gryffindor's, not because she has more in common with them. I have also noticed that a lot of the time, Gryffindor characters do not like to be alone.. They much prefer the company of others, but Luna didn't seem to mind being solitary.
I know that an argument could be made that because Luna is so awkward and interested in strange things, she is constantly in the spotlight, because everyone seems to pay attention to her, but I don't think she is really trying to do that... I think she's really just trying to go along on her own way, and if people notice... well, maybe someone will find it interesting too!

[itsfirefight.livejournal.com]

I think the main reason I am having a hard time answering this question is because there isn't really anything to answer... I have tried and tried again to re-phrase it so it makes sense... and just cannot do it.

I think the main reason for that is because I don't connect cheerfulness with preparing for the worst because neither of them are really choices I make. They both happen, and have always happened, so it's hard for me to compare or contrast them because I have never given them much thought.
Even now, I'm trying to force myself to contrast them in some way, and it's not working... I feel like it's being forced, which... I guess, really, it is... answering questions and all that...

I guess I'll just say this...
When I say I prepare for the worst, it's not really something I actively think about... I don't really purposely think about people not liking me, or some store being robbed... it just happens, and I can't really shut it off. On the other side, being cheerful is just in my nature. Sure, I have my days, but who doesn't? I just see no reason to let all the negatives get you down, so being upbeat and happy is really the best way to go against that for me.
I know I am still not really answering your question, but... as I said... it's hard to give it a lot of thought, and answer the question without making it sound forced, and I don't want to come out sounding forced... which I think I have done a few times in here... but that's just kind of how I talk...
I just act cheerful because it makes me happy, and generally makes those around me happy, and it makes life better for everyone.
I prepare for the worst because I over analyze things, and don't want to get stuck somewhere I can't get out of.