On Librarianship

The last couple months have been super busy! I worked a lot--that's not really a new thing, but I had other stuff going on so it seemed like more than usual. I did some traveling--visited Agatha in South Carolina in November, visited Colin in Lake Forest over New Year's (both very fun and relaxing vacations). And Kristine and I started the "Unofficial Library Movie Club," so I've been going to the theater more frequently.

I've also been thinking a lot about the future. The more I work at the library, the more I feel at home there, and I've been toying with the idea of going to grad school to get a master's in library science. Most libraries (including the local system) require a master's to be a full-fledged librarian, and I think that is something I would enjoy being. Even if I went to library school and decided I didn't want to work at a public library, there are lots of other options--school/specialty/private libraries, cataloguing, administration, public relations, etc. Also, I think I would enjoy studying it. My coworker Kristine is currently majoring in English at UCO and plans on doing library school--probably at OU. She once told me about a class she'd heard of called "Recommending Books." You give lots of oral "book reports" and learn how to cater to your audience's interests. That sounds like a blast!

One thing about librarianship that really appeals to me is that I would be able to help people learn without having to be their teacher. Librarians primarily teach people how to find what they're looking for, steer people in the right direction, help them help themselves. On aptitude tests I've taken in the past, "teacher" has always been among my results of "what you'd be good at," but while I greatly admire good teachers, I've never had the desire to be one. They have to deal with snotty kids, obnoxious parents, annoying bureaucracy, and trying to teach 30 very different kids the same thing at the same time in a way that they can all understand and keep them all interested is a HUGE challenge (100 kids for some college professors). Not exactly my cup of tea.

Also, I'm all about freedom of information. It's important to me, and being a librarian would allow me to advocate that ideal.

I still have a ton of research to do on library schools--how much it costs, what the curriculums are like, where the campuses are. I know that OU has a program, so that would probably be a good, easy, close resource to check out to get a feel for how it works.

...So that's where I'm starting my year--to study or not to study. Right after graduating from TU, the thought of more schooling was appalling to me, but now I'm ready to start working toward something again. I feel like I've been treading water for a year and a half and it's time to pick a direction and swim. One problem, though, is that I'm very attached to Colin, and he still has to figure out his future, as well. I don't really want to swim north if he's going west. I'd much rather us go the same direction! The ideal is that our favorite options happen to be in the same place, but that's probably unlikely. My main goal for this year is just to figure out which direction I want to go. I'll be ok if I don't start moving yet, but I need to at least pick a destination. I haven't had a concrete plan in a long time and it's been very uncomfortable.

2011: The Year in Review

1. Where did you begin 2011? 

At Zack Stickrod's in Stillwater

2. Did you have a New Year’s Resolution? 

1. give up all non-chocolate candy; 2. do some kind of physical activity at least 3 days a week

3. What was your status on Valentine's Day? 

single

4. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2011? 

Six Flags Over Texas with Heather

5. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year? 

no

6. Do anything special on Easter?

I worked at the ZooFriends office till about 3pm, then went over to Aunt Sheila's to see family.

7. What did you do on the 4th of July?

I was in Chicago with Colin. We went to The Museum of Science and Industry, then walked around the city for a bit looking at sculptures. Then we watched the fireworks from a spot near Millenium Park.

8. What was your favorite summer memory of '11?

spending time in Chicago with Colin

9. What were you for Halloween? 

Lady MacBeth

10. What happened on Thanksgiving?

Spent time with the fam at Aunt Sheila's

11. What about Christmas?

Festivus with Dad/Tina/Mel/Richard at the Jazz Lab to see Souled Out; Christmas Eve at Aunt Sheila's, Christmas Day at Grandmother's; and the day after Christmas, I had some friends over for a small dirty Santa

12. Did you get kissed under mistletoe?

nope

13. Best Christmas present?

PlayStation 3

14. Describe your birthday.

I went up to Tulsa for a couple days. Ate Sushi at Asahi with Colin, Ryan, Chris, Sam, Samantha, Daniel, and Garrett. Then Colin, Ryan, Chris, and I went to see "Source Code." The next day Colin and I met up with Graham and we went to see "Your Highness."

15. Best birthday present?

"Beauty and the Beast" on DVD (from Colin)

16. What was your best month?

February--got a job, met a guy, reconnected with old friends

17. Did you know anybody who got married?

Melissa/Richard, Cyrus/Shannon

18. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Melinda

19. Did anyone close to you die?

no

20. Where did you live?

Edmond, OK

21. What countries did you visit?

none, but I did visit Illinois and South Carolina

22. What was your favorite vacation? 

Chicago for a week over the 4th of July

23. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

A more concrete plan of the future, namely what I want to be when I grow up.

24. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory?

The weekend Colin and I first started dating

25. What was your biggest achievement of the year? 

finding Colin, and finding two jobs that I enjoy

26. What was your biggest failure?

not exercising enough

27. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I got pretty sick in late summer, but it was just a bad cold

28. What was the best thing you bought?

Dragon Age II, plane tickets to Chicago, season pass to Six Flags, plane tickets to North Carolina, the first 4 books of "A Song of Ice and Fire"

29. How did you earn your money? 

ZooFriends, Edmond Public Library

30. Where did most of your money go?

gas, movie theaters, plane tickets

31. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Josh Groban

32. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

eh, I dunno

33. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Josh Groban concert, visiting Colin in Chicago, Blue Man Group concert, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 midnight premier, spending time with Colin and friends in Chicago for New Year's Eve

34. What song(s) will always remind you of 2011?

"Rolling in the Deep" by ADELE, "Bells of New York City" by Josh Groban, "Space for Rent" by Whomadewho

35. Compared to this time last year, are you:

I. happier or sadder? 

happier

II. thinner or fatter? 

thinner

III. richer or poorer? 

richer

36. What do you wish you’d done more of?

exercise

37. What do you wish you’d done less of?

get sunburned

38. Did you fall in love in 2011? 

yes

39. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year?

no

40. Did you have any encounters with the police? 

I got one speeding ticket

41. What were your favorite TV programs?

Bones, Castle, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, House, Black Books

42. What was the best book you read?

"A Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin

43. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Whomadewho, Band of Heathens

44. What concerts/shows did you go to?

Band of Heathens, Josh Groban, Blue Man Group, The Stage Door Theater's production of "Till Death Do Us Part", Souled Out

45. What were your favorite films of the year?

The Adjustment Bureau, Midnight in Paris, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, 50/50, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Anonymous, Our Idiot Brother, The Guard, The Descendants, Beginners

46. What did you want and get?

Dragon Age II, PlayStation 3

47. What's one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If Colin hadn't been in Chicago all summer

48. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

wore my glasses a lot, plaid button-down shirts, I was kinda rockin' the Indie look sometimes--I even bought some skinny jeans (to be worn with boots) :P

49. What kept you sane? 

Colin

50. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

Josh Groban, Cillian Murphy, Rhys Ifans

51. Who did you miss most? 

Colin Logan

52. What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2011?

enjoy having a customer service job

53. What's something you learned about yourself?

I tend to have issues when something I planned and looked forward to doesn't turn out the way I envisioned it.

54. Was it a good year? 

yes

55. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:

Most people are stupid and rude, but you you shouldn't let it get you down, because there are also really smart and considerate people out there who make up for it.

Number of movies watched on video/Netflix: 75

Number of movies seen at at theater: 39

Number of full television seasons watched: 20

Number of books read: 20

I am thankful for...

Having Colin as my best friend and boyfriend.

My job at ZooFriends and my awesome coworkers there, all of whom I consider friends.

My job at the library, and my coworkers/friends there.

The library, with all the free books, DVDs, CDs, and information it offers.

My dad, who lets me live at his house and is a great roommate.

My mom, who takes me on cool vacations, like Disney World.

My sister, who will be a friend I never have to worry about losing contact with.

My friends who live close by and come hang out with me.

My friends who live far away and keep in touch with me.

Having a bachelor's degree.

Not having to be in school, but having the opportunity to go back if I want.

My cousins, more friends I can count on to always be in my life, no matter what.

Facebook, which allows me to easily keep in touch with so many people that I rarely get to see.

Barnes & Noble, for sending me coupons and making it affordable for me to buy gifts for everyone, including myself.

Neil Gaiman, for making the fantasy genre cool and the macabre accessible.

Hulu, which allows me to keep up with my shows when I miss their original air dates.

Hollywood, for providing me with endless hours of entertainment and escape.

Independent filmmakers, for providing me with endless hours of though-provoking and emotionally resonant stories.

All the band directors and music instructors I've ever had, for teaching me how to play, listen, and appreciate music.

Macaroni and cheese, for being the most delicious food ever.

Say no to hate

I drove up to Tulsa yesterday, I'm sitting in Colin's apartment on TU's campus now, and I just realized that for the first time in 2 years, I don't hate school. I hated it during my senior year--I could hardly wait to be finished. I hated it the year after that, remembering how "awful" it was the previous year. But now that I'm a little more removed from experience, I no longer have such negative feelings toward it. I can even see myself doing more in the future, either tech or grad school, and not being miserable the whole time. (The only downside--really steep downside--would be the cost.)

I think perhaps the reason why school seemed to suck so much was because I wasn't happy with my life in general at the time. I liked school my sophomore year, and I liked my life. I didn't like school my junior and senior years, and I didn't like my life. Funny how that seems to work. It's hard to be satisfied with one part of your life when another is severely stressing you out.

Right now, I'm mostly happy with my life, but I'm uneasy about where it's headed. I like both of my jobs, and I love my coworkers. I'm in a healthy, fulfilling relationship with a guy I love. I have a fairly good number of friends in OKC now. But I do still somewhat feel like I'm in a rut. I don't really have a concrete game plan. I don't know where or when I'll end up moving (or even if I'll be moving at all, frankly). My life so far has consisted of working toward the next level of school. Now that I'm done, I'm not sure what to do with myself. I'm not even sure I want to pursue a career in the field I studied.

At least I can rest easy knowing I'm not in debt, like most other people my age who just graduated. That's a really nice situation to be in, and since I'm living with my dad, not having to pay rent, I'm able to save up money. I guess even if nothing changes in the next year or two, I'll have a good chunk of change in my savings account that will allow me to do whatever, and go wherever, I want once I figure out what, and where, that is.

Alphabet Date

On Tuesday, Colin and I decided to go on an "Alphabet Date." This consists of choosing a letter from the alphabet, and then everything you do has to start with that letter. We chose "P," and I decided to take Photos of everything we did. First, we read a bit of Poetry. I read some that I'd written, and we also read some together from the collection Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices.

(The poems in this book have two separate columns, meant to be read by two people at the same time.)

Then we went to the mall and looked around in Payless and PacSun.

(I bought a metal owl necklace. We'll see if I actually wear it.)

And we got a Pretzel from Aunti Anne's.

We had lunch at P. F. Chang's.

After eating, we popped over to PetSmart and Party America.

(I bought this little squeaky toy for Melissa.)

Then we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides at the dollar theater.

(The movie was alright. Fun, but still holds no candle to the first one.)

When we got home, I changed into comfy clothes and then made Pasta for dinner.

Colin, Dad, and I watched a Pair of episodes of Rescue Me while we ate, and then we went to Peach Wave for dessert.

That was a really fun day! I definitely want to try it again with other letters. It would also be a challenge to try to do all the letters in one day, in order. I could start by having an Apple, a Banana, and Cereal for breakfast. See? There's 3 down, just 23 more to go after that!

Books, backstories, bowling

I decided to get a 2-month free trial membership to Barnes & Noble. Not sure if I'll end up keeping it, but it's not that much--just $25 a year, and I do tend to buy a lot of books as gifts (and a few for myself). My first purchase was A Game of Thrones, the first book of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. I ordered it online and just got it today... and it was damaged. If it was something small, I wouldn't care, but the spine of the cover has a slice through it and the first few pages are badly torn. I called the nearest store and had them put one on reserve (they're sold out right now) so I can exchange it there. I'd rather not mail it back 'cause I wouldn't be able read it for at least another week. This way, I can go ahead and start reading it till the store calls me to say they have the book in.

I went and saw Kung Fu Panda 2 at the dollar theater last week. It was good--not as good as the first one, but still a great sequel. It goes into the interesting backstory of the main character, Po, but I wish they had done the same for some of the other characters, as well. For example, I'd really like to know the tale behind Tigress--she's the most "hardcore" of the group, and yet she seems to sympathise with Po when he's frustrated about his past. If they make a third movie (which I think is pretty likely), I really hope they spend time developing the other characters. The animation is basically flawless, though. They used 2-D animation for all the flashback sequences, a nice change of pace, and the prologue and credits are made to resemble Chinese shadow puppetry, which I thought was a nice touch.

For Dad's birthday dinner, we ate at Humble Pie. The Chicago style pizza was amazing, as expected, but the New York style wasn't great. I guess from now on I'll only get the Chicago style there. Besides, if I really want good New York style pizza, I can always go to Little Caesar's, right?   ...just kidding. I'd go to Falcone's.

I'm really excited about Colin coming to visit next week. I got to see him for a few hours on Sunday on his way home from QuakeCon in Dallas. He, Mike, and I ate at Ted's (MMMMMM) and then went bowling. I'm really starting to get sick of not being able to see him, but I just have the rest of this week and then he's back in Oklahoma for the rest of the semester.

I'm really glad summer's almost over. I've been working almost every day for the last three months and haven't had much of a social life. My work schedule will change soon, though, giving me at least one day off each week, which should allow me time to visit Tulsa regularly. Aleithia is leaving :( , but Graham will be here for OU Med school, and Heather will be back from London, so hopefully I'll still have people to hang out with. I have gotten to know my coworkers better over the summer, too, so maybe I'll chill with them outside of work more often. Who knows?

I'm ready for fall.

Just one more week of July and then it's August. Yay! Then just 2 weeks of August and Colin is here in Edmond for a week. Yay! He and I had a good talk on the phone today for about an hour. We talk pretty much every day, but sometimes it's only for 10 minutes, and sometimes we don't have much to say (and sometimes it's a little less than pleasant :P). But today's chat was a good amount of time and just plain fun. I talked about my hair a bit (real interesting, I know), and I've decided to grow it out again. For a while, I was thinking about cutting it even shorter--like more of a pixie cut, but I'm gonna just let it grow. I miss ponytails and braids. 'Course, when my shoulder blades are covered, I'll probably be sick of it and cut it all off again. *shrug*

Today at the ZooFriends office, I was looking at this DC comics preview thing that Steve had. Apparently in a couple months, DC is going to completely revamp all their comics and start over with #1 issues. I was wondering if maybe I should pick one and start reading it. Comics have always interested me, and some of the characters are really fascinating, but I've never really read them. I've watched film and television adaptations, but I've never gone to a store and bought the paper issues. I do tend to prefer Marvel to DC, but since DC is starting everything at the beginning, now would be a good time to jump in. (If I tried to start reading Marvel now, I'd probably get super confused about all the alternate universes and get lost in the middle of complicated story lines.) If money weren't a factor, I'd probably try following multiple comics, but I think I'll just choose one--probably one of the Batman stories.

Here's a really cute picture summary of Harry Potter that Sam K. showed me: http://pics.livejournal.com/lucylou/pic/0012wqx1

Fresh start

It's definitely been a while since I've written on here. Partly, I was busy last fall working at Blunck's Photography. While I earned lots of money there, I'm glad to be gone from there. I had no life while I was there, and I didn't much like it, either.

Now I have a super awesome job at the OKC ZooFriends office with super awesome coworkers. I'm also working some hours at the Edmond Public library as a library page, which is very low key. I find sorting things cathartic.

Another change is my boyfriend Colin. We started dating in February, and we've had a great time so far. This summer, he's been in Chicago working for his dad, and that's been really hard 'cause we haven't been able to see each other. But I did go visit for a week earlier this month. That was a blast--museums, Six Flags, yummy pizza. I'll be glad when he comes back to Oklahoma in August, though, even if he is in Tulsa.

I checked this book out from the library called Keeping a Journal You Love with tips about keeping a journal without getting bored of it, which is usually what happens to me. :P So maybe this time I'll be better about posting more regularly. We'll see!