"Ooh,Ooh,Ooh!",(Arnold Horshack, whenever he raises his hand)
Ok, I have a different perspective on this. I have a best friend now for 19 years who fits this discription to a tee. All ya'll answers are great and I have tried to apply/see this about her. The ones that comes close may be the "sandpaper theory" and the "it's all about me theory".
God has a funny sense of humor.
He has always put "dominant" women in my life.
I'm the opposite. When we met, we were joined at the hip. I always agreed with her, looked up to her. She is smart, witty, can talk your ear off! Very emotional and very opinionated, even to the point of being narrow minded. All that said, it took all these years for me to overcome my fear of being rejected by her if I voiced my opinion differently from her. Even her sisters are domineiring. They are like, so right, no matter what!
At first my friend did not realise she was like this. It had to be pointed out. Also, a very big factor in ALL OF THIS is the fact that her, now over, 22 year year marriage to a mentally and physically abusive husband, had alot to do with it.
Women or girls that are constantly belittled or abused all their lives will at some time in there life need to express their anger or unhappiness.
Now, I don't know anything about this gal you refer to, but every female with a dominate personality, that I've met, has revealed to me their life growing up. They have a father who was too stricked. They were raped. They had no father figure in their life. Their moms had many boyfriends, etc...
All in all, it's not your imagination. There is a broader picture here. She has alot to say and wants or needs to be in control because everything else is out of control in her life. Find the love that God has begun in you and appy it to her, but you also do not have to become a doormat around her either. Most of the attitude is just a front to cover other issues anyway.
Hope that helps.
Patty