The Office: Myers-Briggs Personality Types (Part Two)

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Since bringing you part one of this special series several months ago, I have felt the need for a part two, centering on supporting and minor characters from The Office. Let's explore these crazy characters and their antics and find out why they do the things they do!

Angela Martin -- ISTJ "The Logistician"

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While I would certainly say that Angela is a rather caricatured and exaggerated version of an ISTJ, I would say that she's an ISTJ nonetheless. She is perhaps an oversimplification of the type.

ISTJs are often known as rule-followers, with an extremely strong sense of personal integrity and accountability. However, this accountability can lead to her being disliked around the office. She may sometimes speak her mind too freely and say unkind and hurtful things. She's not a terribly tactful person, but she performs well at her job and gets things done well and accurately. 

Creed Bratton -- INTP "The Logician"

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Creed is certainly not a typical INTP. (He's perhaps what an INTP is like after years of doing drugs. That dude's brain is gone.) His logic is strange to the world around him, and yet his brain makes perfect sense to him. What regular person would ever sprout mung beans on a paper towel in his desk drawer for nutrition? (The smell, man. The smell.) Or who would admit to the camera that "I just really like stealing things"? Only Creed. Only Creed. 

Creed is certainly a daydreamer (he can't even remember what his job title at Dunder-Mifflin is), and yet his unemotional logic and self-assurance are what convince me that he's not a Feeling type. He doesn't often interact with his co-workers, because of his Introversion. And his utterly strange, disorganized mess of a self is a clear mark of an iNtuitive Perceiver. (I'm one myself.) Creed might just win the medal for the strangest character on the show, which is a feat unto itself. 

Kelly Kapoor -- ESFP "The Entertainer"

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Upon really digging into these characters, I found another ESFP among the bunch besides Michael Scott: Kelly Kapoor. Getting stuck back in the annex doesn't give her enough time to get all of the attention Michael does, but she makes it count when she can. Her personality can fill up the whole office. She's incredibly extroverted and quite impulsive. 

Like most ESFPs, Kelly is a very emotional person. She also loves the spotlight and attention. One thing people might not recognize, though, is that Kelly is incredible with people. She works in customer service and no one in the office could do the job quite like she can. She knows exactly what to say to disgruntled customers and that is a true gift.

Andy Bernard -- ENFP "The Campaigner" or ESFP "The Entertainer"

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For Andy, it was a nearly impossible decision to make in regards to his personality. If anything, I might say he's borderline between a Sensor and an iNtuitive. With someone of his caliber of personality, it's a tough decision to make. On the one hand, he makes some very split-second decisions that tend to border on the N side, but he also has a perspective on life that is very sense-oriented, not always intuitive. 

However, these types are often difficult to distinguish between, so let's talk about things we know for sure. Andy is a crazy extrovert, joining the ranks of Michael Scott and Kelly Kapoor. He loves to entertain (often reaching Michael's ranks in that department) and to be the center of attention. Although he may seem very easygoing, on the inside he's very sensitive, and perhaps easily duped. While he may not always be liked, he has a generous heart.

Holly Flax -- INTP "The Logician"

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Holly has always been one of my favorite characters on this gem of a television show. Though she seems a lot like Michael at first, she's actually quite different from him (even though they're just both total goofballs). She enjoys having her own space and time, and her Thinking side helps her make unbiased decisions concerning her HR job. She's not swayed by her feelings the way Michael is. 

But she also has the crazy spontaneity of most iNtuitive Perceivers. She tends to go with the flow and laugh at herself and others, just as Michael does. They're almost together, and it's not difficult to see why. 

Who from The Office are you most similar to?

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Why La La Land Is the Movie We've All Been Waiting For

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Although La La Land has not been gracing our earth for very long, this film by Damien Chazelle has quickly captured the public's attention, from its original limited release to its eventual dominance at the 2017 Academy Awards. Part of its appeal is its utter optimism in the face of life. Sure, the film has dark moments, but that isn't what the movie is all about.

Even though it was released during the winter, La La Land has distinctly summer vibes. It's bright and sunny, and it tells a story of the joy that comes in the sun. One of the times I went to see it, there was a snowstorm going on outside, and that seemed so utterly at odds with the joy present on the screen in the dark theater. But what makes this movie so young and full of life? What makes it so special?

1. There's young love. 

While Mia and Sebastian are not as young as we might expect young lovers to be, and it's very probable that they've both been in love before, their story has the particular flavor of young love. They're invincible, they want to build a life together, there's an almost foolish carelessness and joy in their love. It's something that is so familiar to many people and a feeling that is certainly synonymous with summertime. Love will instantly invigorate even the saddest and grumpiest of people.

City of stars. Just one thing everybody wants. There in the bars, and through the smokescreen of the crowded restaurants. It's love. Yes, all we're looking for is love from someone else....

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But love isn't easy. And summer ends. And that's an important part of this film as well.

2. There are artists who work hard.

As an actor, I've always felt so inspired when it comes to my passions in the summertime. There's life and so many things to be inspired by. There's so much to do and feel and learn in the summertime. And Mia and Sebastian work really, really hard on the stuff they love. Mia auditions and auditions and auditions and Sebastian plays and plays and plays. They realize that they're not entitled to their art; they don't feel as if it's their due. They simply work because they have to; it is a part of them.

Towards the end of the movie, Mia questions her life and her career. As an actor, I've done this so many times. I would say that every actor comes to a point where it doesn't feel like there's a point anymore in what we do. This movie spoke truth on that front, and I think anyone can relate to that.

Here's to the ones who dream, foolish as they may seem. Here's to the hearts that ache. Here's to the mess we make.

3. It's nostalgic.

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La La Land has a distinct taste of old movie musicals to it. The dancing is excellently choreographed and expertly placed in the film. Not only that, but the music is so layered--especially "A Lovely Night" and "Another Day of Sun"--and it has all the richness of an old musical. But it doesn't sacrifice quality for nostalgia; La La Land still feels fresh and new. Despite the memories that it evokes within us, it's still modern.

The sun is nearly gone. No lights are turning on. A silver shine that stretches to the sea.... We've stumbled on a view that's tailor-made for two. What a shame those two are you and me....

4. It's funny.

The humor is relatable in this film, and both Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling have perfect delivery. I've always thought humor is amplified when chemistry is present, and this film is just overflowing with chemistry and energy. The humor feels alive and almost crackling. The writing is top-notch.

Have you seen La La Land? What did you think?

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The Office: Myers-Briggs Personality Types (Part One)

Since I started rewatching The Office this past weekend, I've come to realize how brilliant and groundbreaking the characterization of each character is in this one-of-a-kind TV show. As a curious person, that quickly leads to me examining their personalities. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it also helps me to relate more easily to the characters and to understand their motivation behind their strange and confusing actions. After some thought, I've decided to bring some of these analyses to you today.

Michael Scott -- ESFP "The Entertainer"

Michael is certainly an "entertainer." He has a natural love for being in the spotlight (which, in his case, may get him into trouble more often than not), but he also has a genuine love for the people around him. He loves excitement and mischief and trying new things. He takes great pleasure in the aesthetic things in life; he loves good food and drinks and clothes.

Michael, as a person, may come off strong on a first meeting. But he's an extremely loyal person once you get to know him. He would take a bullet for any of his friends, and he would do anything to try to please them.

Dwight Schrute -- ESTJ "The Executive"

Dwight Schrute is a strange man. He also may come off strong on a first meeting, but his reasons for that are fundamentally different than Michael's reasons. He seems authoritative and unwavering in his internal sense of justice, and that can leave an impression of harshness. ESTJs are guided by their stubborn value systems; in some ways, that may make Dwight give an aura of coldness, but this is because this is how he truly sees society to work. There is a definite right and wrong on every issue in his mind. 

ESTJs are often very good employees, which is a quality that serves Dwight well through his years at Dunder-Mifflin. In 2006, he's the company's top Salesperson. He's more than dedicated to his job; he practically worships it. This is how he strives to keep order in his life and in Scranton.

Pam Beesly -- ISFP "The Adventurer"

Pam is a true ISFP. Her gentleness and artistry really shines through in her life, especially in later seasons of the show. In the beginning, she's not willing to open up to the camera, but we see her joy for life come through, especially when she starts dating Jim later on the show. 

Pam aspires to find meaning in life. During the first couple of seasons, she's held back by fear instead of following her dreams like she really wants to do. But what she really wants to do, instead of being a receptionist, is to draw and to use her artistic skills to bring joy into the world. 

Jim Halpert -- ENTP "The Debater"

Out of all the characters, Jim was the most difficult to figure out. In some ways, he's like a chameleon. He's able to fit in to nearly any social situation with his wit and sharp qualities. That being said, I was only sure of two dimensions of his personality: Intuitive and Perceiving. However, I finally settled on ENTP. First, Jim loves to debate and see what he can learn from a given situation. A devil's advocate, in some sense. 

His constant pranking is also an indication of the ENTP's constant quest for mental stimulation and knowledge. Work is certainly not fulfilling for him, and thus he uses the energy he has left in making complicated pranks come to fruition around the office. He's certainly an idea-maker, and those ideas are an integral part of The Office.

Do you share a type with a character on The Office? Who is your favorite?

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Things I Learned from Rewatching TV Shows

We all have those TV shows that we have loved so much that we want to rewatch them as soon as we finish watching them. I personally just finished rewatching Arrested Development a few days ago, which I loved the second time around. But what can you learn from rewatching a show that captivated you the first time around?

1. How to Tell Good Stories

Typically, if I love something enough to watch it again (and again and again) it must have remarkable storytelling. Obviously, this makes it enjoyable. But besides that, I find that if I watch something good again, I learn what good storytelling is. As an artist, learning what makes a good story is beyond beneficial to my art.

Watching Lost again especially taught me how tension and suspense can play into a plot. Putting characters into a situation where everything is unknown with other crazy characters equals a powerful and intriguing plot. Anything can happen. The craziest things can all seem organic.

2. How to Be Funny

To be honest, the only reason I consider myself to be even tolerably funny is from all those episodes of The Office and Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock I watched in a very short amount of time. It was Amanda's Personal Crash Course on Comedy! And yes, it was great. The snark and the sarcasm and the irony all influenced me into who I am today, and they taught me how to write and act good comedy. Thank you, comedians everywhere, for giving us great art!

3. There is Always More to the Story

As I've lived my life, I've learned there are pretty much always more layers to a story than we see in a first watch. There are always more perspectives and details that I can never see on a first watch. Since part of storytelling is learning how to incorporate those layers into a story, it's so worth it to watch again and catch those details.

4. How to Understand Humans

Stories are a reflection of who we are. When there's conflict in a story, it can help me better understand what's going on in my own life. People throughout time and places and cultures do share experiences. There are parts of our lives that are shared between all humanity.

When I see something that reminds me of my own life, it helps me to connect. It helps me to understand myself and people that are different from me. This is a great gift.

Over the last few years I have discovered the merits of watching TV shows again. I don't always need to see new content to be there for me. Sometimes watching the old can have comfort too.

What are your favorite TV shows to rewatch? Why?

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Amanda's Top 5 Favorite Marvel Movies

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As an intense and devoted Marvel fan, there are so many of these films that I enjoy that it's very difficult for me to choose a favorite out of this multitude of great cinema. However, today I will attempt to choose a top 5. It's no easy task, but I will certainly attempt to do my best.

1. Avengers: Age of Ultron

While I know this may be a controversial pick for one of my favorite movies in this genre, it has been intensely meaningful to me over the last year. It's a stark reminder of our own emotional fragility in the face of life. Being on a team is literally the furthest thing from easy that exists, and you can already see the seeds of discontent being sowed that only further erupt in Civil War.
But I think the most important thing about this film is how large and, at the same time, small it is. The darkest souls and the brightest souls are slowly uncovered, and the relationships woven throughout become colorful like the brightest tapestry. The quiet home life of Clint and the sadness so evident behind Bruce's eyes are what made this movie for me. It felt real.

2. Ant-Man

This film is pure comedic brilliance. I am the hugest fan of wacky comedy, and this film gave me all I wished for and more. But even with the comedy, I didn't lose sight of the relationships. I saw the love Scott has for his daughter and the gentleness he wished he had. Scott is fueled by his need for revenge on the system, but he also learns how much more important his family is. His daughter needs her dad, and he ultimately learns that through all of the chaos.

3. The Avengers

This is such a very solid film. It combines some of the most brilliant aspects of movie-making I've ever seen: great character development, wonderful characters, a well-developed conflict... I could go on and on. It pretty much just rocks. I love it to pieces.

4. Captain America: Civil War 

The heartbreaking conflict that occurs in this movie is what made it feel like real life to me. Conflict and fighting are very real parts of our lives as humans. The important thing is not how much conflict we see in our lives but how we deal with that conflict. Seeing Steve and Tony fight at the end, almost to the death when they should be friends and brothers, reminded me how easy it is to lose sight of the person on the other end of the fight. There was so much brilliant movie-making contained within the frames of this film.

5. Thor

I confess: I've seen this movie too many times to count, and it never ceases to be astonishing and an indescribable display of some of the best character development I've ever seen. Loki's spiral is as clear as daylight to us watching the film, and Thor's redemption is just as easily seen. The emotions in this movie that are presented so clearly to the audience is truly a remarkable feat in movie-making, and I'm so glad I had the experience of watching it.

In conclusion, great art was given to us through the inception of these films. These movies display humanity at its greatest and lowest and remind us of our follies and failings. There are triumphs and quiet moments and utter joy, along with the pain, and we must always remember that.

What is your favorite Marvel movie? Why?

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Why I Still Love Children's Books

Illustration by Pauline Baynes

As a lover of the written word, there's not many things I love more than sitting down with a good book. There's something so immersive about the written word that has been such a special part of my life for many, many years.

But some of the books that have been the most impactful in my life, even in my teenage years, have been books that were originally intended for children. Here are a few reasons why.

1. I have learned my sense of wonder through these books.

Children's stories have elements of life that are so essential. They remind me to look at life through the lenses of love and joy and constant discovery. Children are learning and growing every second, and it's so important to maintain that joy throughout life.

The greatest example of this in my life would be The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. These dear books have made me realize how much life is worth and how much wonderful, wonderful good there is in the world. But in addition to that, it didn't shy away from evil. It taught me that we should fight it and never let it win.

2. I am encouraged to use my imagination to its fullest capacity.

In adult literature, everything tends to be literal and linear. But in children's literature, nothing has to make sense.  Life can be improbable and mysterious and strange. There can be talking animals and other worlds and over-exaggerations, and it can all be good. You can be the chosen one, you could make new friends, you could do anything.

Matilda has been exceedingly dear to my heart in the past or so. This young girl knows how wonderful and essential imagination is in life, and so she fights back against the people who say otherwise. She's brave and strong, and that's what I can think imagination can bring us.

3. These books have taught me to never give up on the important things in life.

Both The Chronicles of Narnia and Matilda have reminded me of this essential truth. Matilda fights for her freedom from oppression from those who would put her natural intelligence and spark down. She fights for the rights of imaginative children and grownups everywhere.

The Pevensies fight for freedom from the White Witch. They fight for their brother Edmund when he betrays them. They fight for love, freedom, peace, and joy. It's powerful and inspiring in my own life.

4. They have taught me to love long and deeply and have compassion.

Especially as I grow older, my heart has opened wide for everyone. I have been blessed deeply by characters who wear their heart on their sleeves and give of themselves completely to others. We weren't made to focus entirely on ourselves. I love stories that remind me of this simple truth.

The Giving Tree is still one of the most beautiful stories that I have read in my life. As a Christian, it reminds me of the wonderful and impossible love that Christ has for us. He gave us everything, and yet we wander from Him again and again. I want to be an example of this love in everything I do.

Again, Lucy Pevensie has been one of my favorite characters for many years. She's sensitive and caring and she gives her heart away instantly. This may sometimes cause her pain, but far more often it is a joyful experience. She may be a young child, but she understands so much of what life is truly about.

What kind of books have influenced you? Why do you like children's books?

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Why You Should Listen to Relient K's Air For Free

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There has hardly ever been any music that has touched me as deeply as Relient K's album Air For Free. While I have loved Relient K for years, this new album has jolted my soul in places I didn't even know were there. Here are some of the highlights of such a truthful collection of music.

1. Mountaintop

"Mountaintop" considers the utter possibility and whimsy of life. It speaks of the utter joy that comes from being in love and how automatically beautiful life becomes out of it. Words cannot describe love, and this song's words perfectly describe how indescribable it is. It's a mountaintop, and that's all that can be put into words.

Some might say "euphoric." No, there's really no words for it. When a smile grows across your face like pieces of a broken vase, everything falls into place.

2. Man

This song reflects on how fast life is. Learning and growing and maturing can only happen if we take steps to let them happen, and if we don't, our lives will be by in a flash. It's a song of reflection, and yet, still a song of motivation.

Wave goodbye as I outgrow the shadow of Peter Pan. It's time to be a man. 

3. Empty House

This song might very well be my favorite on this album. The name and the lyrics fit so well with the atmospheric music that it really feels as if we were sitting in this man's empty house and we could hear his empty, breaking heart. It's hollow and raw and honest, and it's so, so real.

An empty house... time to get myself back home. Nothing but an empty house... living without you.

4. Prodigal

As a Christian, "Prodigal" strikes a deep chord with me. There are moments when I've come to a deep realization that I've betrayed my Lord and Savior; there are moments when I feel like Judas. As a sinner, it reminds me that I am nothing without Jesus, and even when I try to be more like Him, I fail. It's humbling and an honest representation of my faith.

Sweet Jesus, I was coming to pray, but all the hip kids sent You running away. You got egg on your face, but the faithful keep washing Your feet.

5. Air For Free

In "Air For Free's" very ethereal essence comes the heart of the song. There's a restless laziness portrayed in this song--a feeling that I think we've all understood at some point in our lives. It's a painfully real reminder of how fallible we as human beings are.

We can't do anything when there's nothing to do. Can't find the energy to put on my shoes. I will resign to stay on the couch. A novel idea, nothing to worry about.

While this is barely an overview of the journey that this album took me on, these are some of my very favorites. There's grandeur, there's depths, and it's all told in such an intricately simple way that I feel so alive while listening. I love the wonderful wit presented here, but I also love the depths of the soul that are presented as well.

Do you like Relient K? Have you listened to Air For Free? 

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Which Character from New Girl Are You?

As fans of New Girl, Amanda and Sky put together a personality quiz dedicated to this fantastic show. Find out which New Girl character you are, then leave your result in the comments!

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Why Dustin of Stranger Things is One of My New Favorite Characters

Stranger Things has been one of the most hyped TV shows in months. And there's good reason for this state of affairs. The show is creative, intriguing, and the characterization is fantastic. But the main reason I love this show is for one character: Dustin. Listen, and I will tell you why he is so wonderful.

First of all, who is Dustin? Dustin is a wonderful young boy with no front teeth and a glorious love of snacks.

Dustin is a peacemaker. Even though his friends might argue and disagree a lot, he does his part to break up those fights and draw their group back together again. He's gentle and loving, and his spirit can light up any room. I mean, no one could possibly say no to that grin. Right?

He knows what's really important. Whenever his best friends have a major disagreement at a critical time, he recognizes the need to band together and face the threat to their safety together instead of alone. Dustin knows how to get through danger, and it's not always the methods that others would use.

you tell 'em, Dustin.

But the thing that really touches me about Dustin is that he's down-to-earth. The simple things in life are important to him (snacks, Dungeons and Dragons, etc.). He values home and friends and family, and he's intensely loyal. He may seem sensitive, but he's really the strongest of his friends. Dustin can hold his own.

keep those curiosity doors open, people.

In short, we all need a friend like Dustin. He'll supply the food and happiness and love, and he'll make you laugh. His joy and enthusiasm for living carries over into everything he does, and that makes him a very special person to be around.

Despite all of the absolutely crazy stuff that happens to him and his equally wonderful friends throughout the first season, he still remains optimistic. He knows that everything will eventually be all right.

Dustin is encouraging. We all need someone like him in our lives, for his richness and kindness will help us all.

Do you like Stranger Things? Who is your favorite character? Do you love Dustin as much as I do?

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NCIS: Myers-Briggs Personality Types

NCIS has been one of my favorite TV shows for a few years now. And since I love figuring out characters' personalities, I try to figure them out as I go through the episodes. While some of these characters have been difficult to type, others have been easy, and I'm glad I get to share this with you today!

Leroy Jethro Gibbs -- INFJ "The Counselor"

While Gibbs might not be the most obvious of INFJs, he's deeply sensitive in his core. He has an extraordinary sense of intuition regarding human beings, and he loves with a love that's too deep for him to show. His team is important to him, and he'll often be a shoulder to lean on when they're struggling. However, he often has a hard time recognizing when he's struggling as he holds others' well-being above his own. This often makes it hard for his team to work with him, but their bond is so strong that they learn to work through the difficulties.

Ziva David -- ISFP "The Composer"

It took me many episodes of watching this show to fully understand that Ziva is a Feeler, not a Thinker. While she's fierce and bold, she also acts impulsively based on her feelings in many situations. In addition to that, her natural emotions have been beaten out of her by her father's training, and when they do come out, they come out in a fierce flood rather than gradually. Ziva loves her solitude and uses her senses rather than her intuition to understand the world around her. She's one of the most fascinating characters that I know.

Tony DiNozzo -- ENFP  "The Champion"

Tony DiNozzo is another of my personal favorite characters. He's totally a goofball (and that can get him into trouble), but he also has the ENFPs energy and charisma. He cares very deeply, and when we lets down his comedic facade, we understand how intelligent (and really how good at his job) he really is. He's sensitive, and he's trying to get through life with minimal scars. He's truly a "champion" for anyone who is downtrodden; he's loving and protective.

Tim McGee -- INTP "The Architect"

In many ways, Tim McGee is the standard scientist/mathematician character. While he's definitely an INTP though, I don't find him to be a stereotypical one. He's very practical and soft-spoken and a hard worker. He's not overly eccentric (even though he's a novel writer), and he prefers to keep to himself. He's not oblivious to the people around him, and yet it's so obvious that he has a whole world inside his brain. He's often quiet, preferring to work alone if he can, but still working well with people when he needs to. He's a character that has matured so much over the course of the series, and it's truly wonderful to watch.

Abby Sciuto -- ESFP "The Performer"

If there's one character that it's a joy to see, it's Abby Sciuto. She has extroverted energy and love and loyalty that makes you wish she was real instead of a character because she would make such a good friend. She's fantastically eccentric; she does things her own way, but they work. Her unconventionality in her line of work is exactly what gets her the results she needs to excel at her job... and that's precisely why she gets along so well with Gibbs' team, even if she's not technically a member of it.

Donald "Ducky" Mallard -- ENFJ "The Teacher"

ENFJs are some of the wisest, kindest people that I know, and Ducky fits that description perfectly. He has a calming presence, and he's always ready to be a shoulder to lean on for his coworkers. Working at NCIS is far from easy, so they all have to learn to rely on one another, and Ducky is a great example of that. But besides that, he often has an uncanny understanding of what makes people tick, and ENFJs understand people so well.

Kate Todd -- ISTJ "The Inspector"

While Kate is only on the show for the first two seasons, we get to know her well. She's blunt, outspoken, and doesn't take any nonsense from her coworkers. She may follow every rule, but this doesn't mean that she's a worse investigator than the rest of her team. In fact, they all teach each other things on every case they work. She was very different than some members of the team (*coughTonycough*), but they learned to respect each other and (kind of) get along.

What character do you share a type with? Are there any characters you disagree about?

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Myers-Briggs Personality Types: The Lunar Chronicles

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This summer, I've been making my through The Lunar Chronicles. While initially skeptical that I would enjoy this ridiculously popular series, it ended up way surpassing my expectations. But not only was the story itself amazing but so were the characters. They were bright and three-dimensional, and when I love characters, I love learning about their personalities. Without further ado, here are the personality of our favorite space adventurers!

Linh Cinder/Princess Selene -- INTJ "The Mastermind"

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Cinder is logical. She's intelligent and capable and strong, and yet she's clearly an introvert. Often when she's feeling the pressure of her her plan that may or may not succeed, she wants to leave -- but there's often nowhere to be alone. As a fellow introvert, I relate to that. Sometimes the pressure gets to be too much and you can't think, and I think that's what Cinder's feeling. She's a fantastic character, and I'm so glad we got the chance to get to know her.

Prince/Emperor Kaito -- ENFJ "The Teacher"

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Kai was a difficult character to type. But Kai has an almost quiet charisma that's hard to measure, which is why I finally settled on ENFJ. He takes his whole country on his shoulders, and he empathizes with every single one of his subjects. He's a good, compassionate emperor (which is in sharp contrast to Levana). He wants to help and serve people with his life, and that's what makes him so good.

Scarlet Benoit -- ISTP "The Craftsman"

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Scarlet has the impulse that is often so native to ISTPs. She's intensely loyal, she has a temper the size of Russia, and she has the bravery of a lion. She bravely jumps every adversity that comes her way. Scarlet also possesses the eccentricity that often belongs to ISTPs. She's truly a joy to read about, and she quickly became one of my favorite characters.

Wolf/Ze'ev Kesley -- ISFP "The Composer"

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The two things that cemented the thought that Wolf was a Feeler instead of a Thinker (as one might think) were 1) his short story in Stars Above and 2) his very emotionally impulsive attachment to Scarlet. His natural temperament is to make emotional decisions, yet that has been suppressed throughout the years in his forced participation in the Queen's army. Contrary to what he may seem on the outside, he's deeply sensitive, and that shows.

Cress Darnel -- INFP "The Healer"

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The thing that convinced me that Cress was an INFP was her powerful imagination, and how she sought an escape by retreating into that. She dreams in bright colors, and her inner life is more vibrant than anyone could ever know. She may be timid at first, but learns and grows in every new experience that she takes on. But above all, she cares about people, and she wants her friends to be safe and happy. She loves with a deep love that can hardly be matched.

Carswell Thorne -- ESTP "The Dynamo"

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Thorne is endlessly special to me. Not only is he hopelessly vain and arrogant (in an almost endearing way), but he really does have a heart of gold underneath it. (Way underneath. Way, way underneath. It is there.) His antics and perfect comebacks are what convinced me that Carswell Thorne couldn't be anything but an ESTP. He's charismatic, and, being a Sensor, his senses help him navigate and conquer the world around him. He finds humor in everything, and that's what's so refreshing about him.

Princess Winter Hayle-Blackburn -- INFJ "The Counselor"

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The thing that strikes me most about Winter is how uncommonly gentle she is. That's not to say that that's the only way she can live; being gentle is her choice. She's seen the consequences of her actions and decided -- of her own free will -- to stop using her gift. Through the times when she has unintentionally hurt people, she has learned deep empathy, and she was willing to lose her sanity in order to give people their freedom. She loves to the earth and back.

Jacin Clay -- ISTJ "The Inspector"

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When I first read about Jacin, I was puzzled by him. He was practically a blank slate; only later do we learn that he has to be a blank slate. This was not his choice. He doesn't like it any more than we do. Despite his seeming aloofness, he has an incredible loyalty and tenderness for Winter. He might be cold and overly logical to everyone else, but he can open up, and that's what's so endearing about him.

Iko -- ESFP -- "The Performer"

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Even though Iko is an android, she still has a personality type! With her extroverted enthusiasm and her love of the world around her (especially pretty things), it is hard for me to see this lovely android as anything but ESFP. She has a love of life that I don't often see in humans, and she's willing to take risks to help her friends. She's valiant in a way that few people are.

Do you like The Lunar Chronicles? Who is your favorite character? Do you share a type with any character?

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My Top 5 Favorite Lost Characters

Characters are often what draws me to a certain story. If I don't like the characters, chances are that I don't like the story much either. In the case of Lost, there are so many well-developed and round characters that it's extremely difficult to pick my favorites! Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are five of my favorites.

Desmond Hume

Desmond has always fascinated me. His nonchalance in the face of everything weird on the island is almost encouraging. All he wants is to get off the island and find Penny again. He doesn't follow destiny or the Island's calling or try to come up with ridiculous schemes to find out more about the island (schemes that, in the case of everyone else, usually end up backfiring). He's stubborn, he's Scottish, and he's simply Desmond, and he loves with a heart that's bigger than the whole world.

But even besides this, his story lines are among some of the most creative and captivating on the show. He was stuck by himself underground in a hatch pushing a button every 108 minutes? Yep. He ends up living on a houseboat when he gets off the island. YES. He's fantastic, and he's a character I'll never forget.

Sayid Jarrah

Sayid is one of the most mysterious characters on this show. He's not overly emotional, and he rarely opens up to his fellow survivors. But when he does show affection, he loves deeply and doesn't let go. He has loyalties that run deep, and he deeply despises all the of the terrible things he's done in the past. His search for redemption and forgiveness invested me deeply in his story. He's intelligent and determined, and his character arc throughout the series is one of my favorites. He's a fascinating person, and he's one of the many reasons I love this show.

James "Sawyer" Ford

Sawyer didn't immediately become a favorite. He's arrogant and rude for much of the first few seasons. But, later on, he grows and matures. He steps into a leadership position and falls in love. He becomes stable without losing any of his charm. He's still the same Sawyer, but he's learned and grown. I love that he has the ability to do that. It's pretty rare for me to see a character like that.

The thing that makes Sawyer so interesting to watch is that he's constantly outsmarting everyone he cons. He cons the con man, and honestly, I never know what he's going to do next. He puts up a front, but on the inside, he's devastatingly intelligent.

Juliet Burke

Juliet is an intriguing character. She's constantly defying our expectations in what we think she'll do. She's constantly torn in what the right action in a situation is, and that tears her apart. Despite her almost cold exterior, she feels very deeply, and her conflicting loyalties can become hard for her to handle. She's intelligent and capable, and yet she struggles. In some ways, Juliet carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, and that is extremely difficult for her. She's a complex character and a strong woman, and that's what makes her so interesting to watch.

Daniel Faraday

Daniel is a scientist. He's sensitive and brilliant and flawed, and that's exactly what makes him so fascinating. He's more of a supporting character than my other favorites, but that doesn't make his story arc any less interesting. His very brilliance makes him forget the people around him, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about them. At heart, he's a romantic, but that side of him is never fulfilled. His life was cut short, but his accomplishments were great.

Do you like Lost? Who are your favorite characters?

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