Monday, March 31, 2008
5 Projects in 5 Weeks
Just thought I'd post a short note to say that you probably won't be hearing much from me for awhile. The end of the semester is approaching, and I recently realized that I have 5 major projects due over the next 5 weeks. Between other school reading and busywork, my job, and normal life stuff, I'm a little short on free time at the moment. So, if this blog isn't updated frequently, don't worry - I haven't forgotten about it! I'm just busy banging my head on the table (or wall) or daydreaming about a time when I could drink lots of coffee in order to power through long, boring papers. :) Oh, how I miss caffeine sometimes...
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Fun Times with Family
Recently my sister-in-law, Laura, and my nephew, Cedric, came to Pasadena for a visit. We had a great time enjoying the Southern California sunshine, eating at Pinkberry, touring the library and Peter's campus, eating scones, strawberries, and cream at the Chado Tea Room, shopping in Old Town, and stuffing ourselves with all the great food Laura cooked for us while she was here. (Yes, that's right, we're the kind of hosts that make you work for your board - so if you're planning a visit, come prepared with a few tasty recipes.) I also got a crash course in baby care which I desperately needed and learned that our apartment complex was not designed to be stroller-friendly. We were very sad to see them go, and by "we" I mean Peter and I. Sheba and Pudge, while appreciative of all the crumbs and bits of food that might be dropped by Cedric at mealtimes, have recently discovered that the changing pad makes an especially cozy bed, and I think they are happy to not have to share it again for awhile.
I'm still waiting for the pictures that are on Peter's camera, but in the meantime, I'm going to try posting a few below. Enjoy!
I'm still waiting for the pictures that are on Peter's camera, but in the meantime, I'm going to try posting a few below. Enjoy!
Happy Easter!
So today isn't actually Easter - I'm a day early, but I doubt I'll have time to post anything tomorrow, and I doubt anyone would have time to read a post on that day anyway. So Happy Easter a day early! Actually, today is my favorite day of Holy Week, I think. I know that may sound strange, and I guess I feel a little guilty about it - like it should be tomorrow, but without being corny, we really do kind of celebrate Easter all year long. I mean, once Jesus was risen, he was risen - it wasn't a one day thing, and while the event itself is hugely significant and foundational to our faith, the idea of the resurrection is a pretty basic part of my day-to-day faith. I mean I think of Jesus every day as risen - I rarely ever consider the Jesus who was dead and in the grave.
So anyway, today is my favorite day of Holy Week because it's the Day on Which Nothing Happened. No hosannas, no crowds, no last suppers, no trials, no earthquakes, nothing. Peter has preached about Holy Week a few times - it's one of his favorite topics I think, and what he has said about this day has always stuck with me. For us, who know the resurrection as fact, Saturday is just a waiting period. Good Friday has passed and now we're just waiting for all the festivities tomorrow - there's no tension, or fear, or dread, or even sadness really - we just have to have a little patience (and not much for that matter) for what we already know will happen tomorrow. On the original Holy Saturday however, the situation was a little different. This day, even more than Good Friday in my opinion, was the day of emptiness. There was nothing to hope for. Nothing to wait for. To the disciples, what was done was done. There was no longer any chance for a last minute miracle. The last minute had already come and gone and all their hopes were dead and buried. There was nothing to look forward to, no sign of a Savior. From sunrise to sunset there was just nothing. Even now, maybe even more than Good Friday, it's this day that breaks my heart when I think about Holy Week, especially when I think about it from the perspective of his followers at the time. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 121:1-2, "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." How the disciples must have internally and metaphorically searched the hills for some sign of hope, and how must they have felt when time and time again their eyes met nothing? No one was coming to save them. They were completely alone.
For better or worse, this is the day of Holy Week that I most relate to. I know the joy of the resurrection, but honestly it's probably been the days of emptiness and sorrow that have been most pivotal in my life. The few tragedies that I have experienced were not felt most strongly on the day of their initiation - those days were numb with shock and filled with activity and distraction. It's the stillness and silence and emptiness of the morning after where the true significance of loss hits you. So I'm glad we celebrate Holy Saturday - because to me, the joy and celebration and hope-realized that is coming tomorrow is really more for this day than it was for Good Friday. This is the day when I most feel my need for a Savior and this is the day when hope is all but extinguished and yet is most meaningful. I know I will have more of these days in my life, and when they come I know I can recognize them for what they are and accept them without fear. Because I know what will come, what is coming, with daybreak tomorrow, and I can wait for it, just as we celebrate the waiting today.
So anyway, today is my favorite day of Holy Week because it's the Day on Which Nothing Happened. No hosannas, no crowds, no last suppers, no trials, no earthquakes, nothing. Peter has preached about Holy Week a few times - it's one of his favorite topics I think, and what he has said about this day has always stuck with me. For us, who know the resurrection as fact, Saturday is just a waiting period. Good Friday has passed and now we're just waiting for all the festivities tomorrow - there's no tension, or fear, or dread, or even sadness really - we just have to have a little patience (and not much for that matter) for what we already know will happen tomorrow. On the original Holy Saturday however, the situation was a little different. This day, even more than Good Friday in my opinion, was the day of emptiness. There was nothing to hope for. Nothing to wait for. To the disciples, what was done was done. There was no longer any chance for a last minute miracle. The last minute had already come and gone and all their hopes were dead and buried. There was nothing to look forward to, no sign of a Savior. From sunrise to sunset there was just nothing. Even now, maybe even more than Good Friday, it's this day that breaks my heart when I think about Holy Week, especially when I think about it from the perspective of his followers at the time. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 121:1-2, "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." How the disciples must have internally and metaphorically searched the hills for some sign of hope, and how must they have felt when time and time again their eyes met nothing? No one was coming to save them. They were completely alone.
For better or worse, this is the day of Holy Week that I most relate to. I know the joy of the resurrection, but honestly it's probably been the days of emptiness and sorrow that have been most pivotal in my life. The few tragedies that I have experienced were not felt most strongly on the day of their initiation - those days were numb with shock and filled with activity and distraction. It's the stillness and silence and emptiness of the morning after where the true significance of loss hits you. So I'm glad we celebrate Holy Saturday - because to me, the joy and celebration and hope-realized that is coming tomorrow is really more for this day than it was for Good Friday. This is the day when I most feel my need for a Savior and this is the day when hope is all but extinguished and yet is most meaningful. I know I will have more of these days in my life, and when they come I know I can recognize them for what they are and accept them without fear. Because I know what will come, what is coming, with daybreak tomorrow, and I can wait for it, just as we celebrate the waiting today.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My Brain Is Melting
So I locked myself out of the house again yesterday. For the fourth time in little over a month. Most of you who know me know that I am normally a fairly organized, on-the-ball, not-especially-forgetful person. But in the last several months I've basically become an airhead, and apparently this can all be blamed on pregnancy.
It all started one night several months back when I walked over to our alarm clock to set it before going to bed and realized with a start that I had absolutely no idea how this alarm clock worked. Now this is the same alarm clock we've had for years (maybe as many as seven years), and I have routinely set the alarm almost every night. So I should know how it works. But that night it might as well have been a brand new clock that I had never seen before or possibly some completely new device just invented. I could see all the buttons on top, but for the life of me I had no idea what any of them did. Peter had a pretty good laugh watching me punch randomly at different buttons (you'd think this would trigger some sort of muscle memory at least - it didn't) until I finally managed to set my alarm for the correct time as well as turn off the clock's special "nap" function which I had accidentally initiated in all my fumbling around.
At the time this seemed like a very strange, but isolated event, so I didn't waste too much time worrying about it. Little did I know that it was the beginning of the end for the fairly organized, on-the-ball, not-especially-forgetful person I had always counted on myself to be. Since that time I have not only locked myself out of the house four times, but also twice put on my socks and laced up my shoes before realizing that I had yet to put on any pants, at least twice put my shirt on backwards, left random food and drink scattered about the house (bad when you have ever-vigilant scavenger cats), forgotten the name of my library director, possibly placed the dish soap in the refrigerator (we may be able to blame this on someone else), and routinely forgotten to eat any lunch before heading to work for the afternoon shift. A few things from the house have gone missing entirely, and we are just waiting to see where they turn up.
Now this situation would be inconvenient at any time but keep in mind that I am starting a new job and trying to finish up graduate school over the next several months. And also keep in mind that my main job responsibility (working the reference desk) often resembles a day-long series of timed oral quizzes which you aren't allowed to study for (or even know the subject) in advance - in other words, critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to think on your feet, are crucial. Let me just say, it's been bad. The good news is I'm learning a lot about humility and realizing something that my former highly-perfectionistic self would never have been able to grasp: making a lot of mistakes really isn't that big of deal. You put on your pants, turn your shirt the right way around, and move on. You buy a cell phone for the next time you lose your keys (and then pray you don't lose it as well). You laugh at yourself a lot.
In the end, I guess it's good that all this forgetfulness comes with a lot of laughter because I've been told (by books and mothers alike) that while things might get better after pregnancy, there's a chance I'll never quite fully recover my former mental clarity. (I hope this isn't true, because it if is, then where am I going to end up leaving the baby?) For now I'm just making a lot of lists, triple-checking the stove and iron when I leave the house, and refusing to set my purse down anywhere other than in my lap when we go out to eat. I also do a lot of mirror-checks before going to work. Hopefully this will help me avoid any true catastrophes, but if I have any more funny forgetful moments, I'll try to remember to tell you about them here so you can have a laugh to. But of course, when it comes to remembering, I can't make any promises. :)
It all started one night several months back when I walked over to our alarm clock to set it before going to bed and realized with a start that I had absolutely no idea how this alarm clock worked. Now this is the same alarm clock we've had for years (maybe as many as seven years), and I have routinely set the alarm almost every night. So I should know how it works. But that night it might as well have been a brand new clock that I had never seen before or possibly some completely new device just invented. I could see all the buttons on top, but for the life of me I had no idea what any of them did. Peter had a pretty good laugh watching me punch randomly at different buttons (you'd think this would trigger some sort of muscle memory at least - it didn't) until I finally managed to set my alarm for the correct time as well as turn off the clock's special "nap" function which I had accidentally initiated in all my fumbling around.
At the time this seemed like a very strange, but isolated event, so I didn't waste too much time worrying about it. Little did I know that it was the beginning of the end for the fairly organized, on-the-ball, not-especially-forgetful person I had always counted on myself to be. Since that time I have not only locked myself out of the house four times, but also twice put on my socks and laced up my shoes before realizing that I had yet to put on any pants, at least twice put my shirt on backwards, left random food and drink scattered about the house (bad when you have ever-vigilant scavenger cats), forgotten the name of my library director, possibly placed the dish soap in the refrigerator (we may be able to blame this on someone else), and routinely forgotten to eat any lunch before heading to work for the afternoon shift. A few things from the house have gone missing entirely, and we are just waiting to see where they turn up.
Now this situation would be inconvenient at any time but keep in mind that I am starting a new job and trying to finish up graduate school over the next several months. And also keep in mind that my main job responsibility (working the reference desk) often resembles a day-long series of timed oral quizzes which you aren't allowed to study for (or even know the subject) in advance - in other words, critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to think on your feet, are crucial. Let me just say, it's been bad. The good news is I'm learning a lot about humility and realizing something that my former highly-perfectionistic self would never have been able to grasp: making a lot of mistakes really isn't that big of deal. You put on your pants, turn your shirt the right way around, and move on. You buy a cell phone for the next time you lose your keys (and then pray you don't lose it as well). You laugh at yourself a lot.
In the end, I guess it's good that all this forgetfulness comes with a lot of laughter because I've been told (by books and mothers alike) that while things might get better after pregnancy, there's a chance I'll never quite fully recover my former mental clarity. (I hope this isn't true, because it if is, then where am I going to end up leaving the baby?) For now I'm just making a lot of lists, triple-checking the stove and iron when I leave the house, and refusing to set my purse down anywhere other than in my lap when we go out to eat. I also do a lot of mirror-checks before going to work. Hopefully this will help me avoid any true catastrophes, but if I have any more funny forgetful moments, I'll try to remember to tell you about them here so you can have a laugh to. But of course, when it comes to remembering, I can't make any promises. :)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Comment Away!
Okay, so I just figured out how to change the settings on this blog so that anyone can post a comment - you no longer have to sign up for a Google account! (Sorry I figured this out a bit too late for you, mom - hope it wasn't too much trouble.) Of course, if I start getting a lot of spam-type comments or crazies, I reserve the right to revert to the previous settings. I get enough of that (the crazies, anyway) at work. If you remember though, please choose the Name/URL option (you don't actually have to enter anything into the URL field) instead of the Anonymous option when commenting. I'd like to know who is saying what as much as possible - makes it easier to spot the troublemakers. :)
P.S. I did this just for you, Leida. :)
P.S. I did this just for you, Leida. :)
New Job
So today was my first official day of my new job as a Librarian I. Even though I don't yet fully have my master's degree (I hope to graduate this summer), the powers-that-be in my library decided that I was far enough along in my program to qualify for a full-time entry-level librarian position. I didn't really think I had a shot to be honest, but I updated my resume, filled out the city's application, got called in for two panel interviews, and here I am! And my supervisors have been incredibly flexible - they are letting me work part-time until I finish this semester (possibly longer) and are genuinely supportive of my possible decision to take the full 6 months of maternity leave provided by the city (unpaid, of course). I know that legally they couldn't NOT hire me just because of my pregnancy, or deny my maternity leave, but when you think about it, between school and pregnancy, they hired me knowing that I might not actually be full-time (and thus take on my full responsibilities) for almost a year. I think that's pretty cool, and I'm excited to officially start my professional career working for an organization that's willing to show this much support for its employees.
Anyway, today was just a sort of introduction-to-the-position day. I'll be having a lot of those for awhile, which is fine by me since I'm not exactly looking forward to all the mistakes you inevitably make when starting a new position. Fortunately, my three previous years with the library as a "paraprofessional" (such a silly term), mean that I'm already fairly adjusted to the organizational culture and general policies and know most of the staff decently well. So I really just have to learn the details of the specific tasks I'll be responsible for - but to me at least, those are doozies.
My position is responsible for three main functions: 1) assisting the public at the reference desk (and over the phone and e-mail), 2) developing a section of the collection (so basically, selecting and weeding materials for a certain range of Dewey numbers at the main library and all 9 branches), and 3) MIS (which stands for Municipal Information Services and basically means I'm an information officer of sorts for the city and city personnel). The first task I've already been doing for about 2 years - so no sweat. The second two are brand new responsibilities to me and the last one especially will be a big responsibility - and the area in which I'm most likely to make a lot of "newbie" mistakes. Any city staff person can call or e-mail me with a city-related question, and I answer it for them. The intimidation factor comes with the fact that it may be the mayor's office calling, or the city attorney, and they can ask me about ANYTHING, and expect a thorough, accurate, and relatively speedy reply. Or, what is equally likely: the mayor's office, the city attorney, the city manager's office, and some dude from Public Works can all call with bizarre, complex questions AT THE SAME TIME and each tell me that they need the information ASAP. This type of situation, I am told, is not unusual.
So anyway, that's what I'm in for! And the truth is I'm really excited about the position and looking forward to learning a TON about professional library work, higher-level research, and city service. I'll keep you posted about my progress and how the new job is going (because I know you are all so excited to get detailed, behind-the-scenes information about reference librarianship). Sadly, for confidentiality reasons I won't be able to go into much (if any) detail about the questions I get (especially the MIS ones) - and believe me, it's mostly the never-ending flow of bizarre questions (and equally bizarre patron behaviors) that make my job interesting. But I'll find a way to share as many funny stories as possible.
Anyway, today was just a sort of introduction-to-the-position day. I'll be having a lot of those for awhile, which is fine by me since I'm not exactly looking forward to all the mistakes you inevitably make when starting a new position. Fortunately, my three previous years with the library as a "paraprofessional" (such a silly term), mean that I'm already fairly adjusted to the organizational culture and general policies and know most of the staff decently well. So I really just have to learn the details of the specific tasks I'll be responsible for - but to me at least, those are doozies.
My position is responsible for three main functions: 1) assisting the public at the reference desk (and over the phone and e-mail), 2) developing a section of the collection (so basically, selecting and weeding materials for a certain range of Dewey numbers at the main library and all 9 branches), and 3) MIS (which stands for Municipal Information Services and basically means I'm an information officer of sorts for the city and city personnel). The first task I've already been doing for about 2 years - so no sweat. The second two are brand new responsibilities to me and the last one especially will be a big responsibility - and the area in which I'm most likely to make a lot of "newbie" mistakes. Any city staff person can call or e-mail me with a city-related question, and I answer it for them. The intimidation factor comes with the fact that it may be the mayor's office calling, or the city attorney, and they can ask me about ANYTHING, and expect a thorough, accurate, and relatively speedy reply. Or, what is equally likely: the mayor's office, the city attorney, the city manager's office, and some dude from Public Works can all call with bizarre, complex questions AT THE SAME TIME and each tell me that they need the information ASAP. This type of situation, I am told, is not unusual.
So anyway, that's what I'm in for! And the truth is I'm really excited about the position and looking forward to learning a TON about professional library work, higher-level research, and city service. I'll keep you posted about my progress and how the new job is going (because I know you are all so excited to get detailed, behind-the-scenes information about reference librarianship). Sadly, for confidentiality reasons I won't be able to go into much (if any) detail about the questions I get (especially the MIS ones) - and believe me, it's mostly the never-ending flow of bizarre questions (and equally bizarre patron behaviors) that make my job interesting. But I'll find a way to share as many funny stories as possible.
Monday, March 3, 2008
A Time for Everything
Well, I still can't believe I'm actually doing this, but I've decided to start a blog. The reason for this decision is that, as many of you already know, we are expecting an increase in our family soon - and since basically all of our family and many of our friends live at least halfway across the country, I thought it might be nice to have a spot where they could all go for updates on our little one (as well as our lives in general) and maybe see some pictures, etc. Surely a blog will be easier, more accessible, and better in general than constantly sending out mass e-mails. And wouldn't you rather just have a blog to check whenever you felt like it than a bunch of e-mails floating around your inbox? That's what I thought. Plus, you can't send many pictures over e-mail anyway - and I anticipate the grandparents especially wanting to see a lot of baby pictures.
So, anyway - there you have it. I have joined the blogging world - something I never thought I would do. The timing may be extra appropriate though since yesterday I bought a cell phone, which was also something I never thought I would do. But after locking myself out of the house several times in a row in the last month alone (as a result of pregnancy-induced scatterbrain, which I'm sure you'll hear more about later), a cell phone started to seem like a good idea. Since I already have an i-Pod and enjoy my share of beverages from Starbucks, I guess the cell phone and blog might just officially cement my status as a twenty-something American consumer. Well, there's no going back now!
Additional thoughts: I shamelessly admit that I am totally copying the idea, layout, theme and everything else for this blog off my friend, Katie Hardee. See The Hardees for a look at what I'm talking about. Although, on second thought, maybe you shouldn't go there because that may set your expectations a bit too high for what this blog will ever turn out to be. Also, Stephanie and Somebody is still in existence and not going away anytime soon (that I know of)! So no worries on that front. I just didn't want to invade Peter's space or in any way diminish that blog's reputation for humor+deep theological insights. While I'm sure I'll relate some funny stories here from time to time, the deep theological insights will be kept to a minimum - or maybe just non-existent. Mostly because I don't have any (that's why I married a theologian, people - to do my thinking for me).
Okay, well it's time to see if I can make this posting thing actually work. Tune back in for more updates soon!
So, anyway - there you have it. I have joined the blogging world - something I never thought I would do. The timing may be extra appropriate though since yesterday I bought a cell phone, which was also something I never thought I would do. But after locking myself out of the house several times in a row in the last month alone (as a result of pregnancy-induced scatterbrain, which I'm sure you'll hear more about later), a cell phone started to seem like a good idea. Since I already have an i-Pod and enjoy my share of beverages from Starbucks, I guess the cell phone and blog might just officially cement my status as a twenty-something American consumer. Well, there's no going back now!
Additional thoughts: I shamelessly admit that I am totally copying the idea, layout, theme and everything else for this blog off my friend, Katie Hardee. See The Hardees for a look at what I'm talking about. Although, on second thought, maybe you shouldn't go there because that may set your expectations a bit too high for what this blog will ever turn out to be. Also, Stephanie and Somebody is still in existence and not going away anytime soon (that I know of)! So no worries on that front. I just didn't want to invade Peter's space or in any way diminish that blog's reputation for humor+deep theological insights. While I'm sure I'll relate some funny stories here from time to time, the deep theological insights will be kept to a minimum - or maybe just non-existent. Mostly because I don't have any (that's why I married a theologian, people - to do my thinking for me).
Okay, well it's time to see if I can make this posting thing actually work. Tune back in for more updates soon!
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