i was in a meeting this morning with the folks upstairs who raise money for the library. we were discussing the new map library and ideas blah blah blah because they are meeting with past donors to the library tomorrow for lunch. as we continued to talk it became clear that i should be at the lunch tomorrow because i’m the one who can talk best about what i want the library to be, look like etc. so, i’m going tomorrow. this is my first foray into the world of development - i’m nervous, although i’m not real sure why…maybe because this is an opportunity to have some cool stuff happen for the library and i think it shows how much i care about what happens to this place even after being here for only six months. it really is an exciting time for the libraries here, for the map library in particular and for me career wise.
i also finished writing my first professional article this weekend. it is horrible because i was writing about something i don’t really care about anymore - or at least not as much as i used to and i feel like others have already written what i was writing so what is the point? my mentor has it now for review and i’m hoping she says it is horrible and to can it and we’ll find something else to write about…or she’ll help me get it up to snuff, i’ll submit it, it will get published and i’ll have one article under my belt. hmmm…that sounds like the better scenario to me. we’ll see. but as a comparison, this afternoon it took me about half an hour to write two full pages about the new map library and what i want to see happen etc. where for the other article it took me half a month to write two pages. the lesson? like what you are writing about and it will be much easier.
ok, quitting time. good luck to me tomorrow!
It is amazing the affect one word can have on life. Yes. Yes, I accept the job you are offering me. Yes, I will come and work for you.
It is my last day at Western and I am sad. The week has been full of tears, hugs, good byes. It has also been a week full of thinking on my part. I think about all of the lives that are affected by my decision to take another job in another state. Lives of our families, the students who have come to rely on me, my co-workers, my friends. My life. Drew’s life. Our life. I think about how the people I’ve known here for the past four years have impacted my life, how I have possibly impacted theirs. How quickly deep, lasting friendships have developed and how happy I am for all of those new friendships. I have grown both personally and professionally in ways I would never have thought long ago when I accepted this position. I will sorely miss Angie, Shirley, Peggy, Marla, Pam, Phyllis, Bill, Kathy, Cindy, Rick, and Chuck.
Outside of work my life will not be the same without my daily dose of Joel, Chad, Ashley, Tim, Michael. the amount of laughter and joy these four people have brought to my life is immeasurable. I treasure their friendship so much and know we are a group of friends more like family. We have seen each other through some interesting shit and they are the kind of friends every person should be so lucky to have.
On the happier side of things I will be living closer to three of my nieces at time in their lives where interaction with them is going to be a blast. I am so excited about seeing Paige play soccer, Emily start school and Sadie grow into herself. These three little girls are so very special to me and being able to participate in their lives on a more regular basis brings me such joy. I will be closer to old friends who I haven’t seen very often in the past four years and who I look forward to seeing on a regular basis (this means you Kim!).
so….mixed emotions…i love being where i am…but i wouldn’t be me if i wasn’t moving forward.
should not be a place where there are tears…
my horoscope for today:
You have a chance to gain clarity about the life lessons you are now learning. This might feel like a review of larger issues that you faced two to three years ago, as Saturn moved through your sign. Try not to get discouraged. The setbacks you face are not about defeat; they are here to remind you of what you must do in order to reach your long-term goals.
It hits the nail on the head as far as the days events go. I’ll write more later, I’m sure.
Got lots of free books the other day. Was smart this time and mailed them home instead of having my suitcase be overweight at the airport!! Library conferences are chock full of free books, the publishers bring advance unedited copies and give them away. Got a Stephen King and a Joyce Carol Oates, fun stuff.
In my wanderings over the past couple of days I’ve lost count of how many residents I’ve spoken with who have thanked me for coming here. The conference even has made national news and I think I heard on the Today show this morning that they will be here tomorrow. Nothing like being the first enormous conference to come to NOLA to get librarians on the radar, if at least for a day or two.
I’ve eaten good food, drank many a good drink. Chad, if you are reading this, the bloody mary’s have been to DIE FOR! Of course, I haven’t had one of Ashleys yet 
Professionally it has been a good conference. Productive meetings, more networking, finally feeling like I belong.
Tomorrow is the best day of the year then I head home on Tuesday. The shuttle is coming at 3:55am to pick me up. yum.