Baby Shower at Work

Here are some photos from my work baby shower. It was a great surprise.

Crappy Saturday

Well, what a crappy start to this crappy day.

I slept very badly. I have something poking me under my left boob, I think 'cause the baby is pushing against it. It's been like this for almost 2 months. So, there is only one position to sleep in and it sucks to sleep in the same position all night long.

I woke up late, got to work, and realized that I was a 1/2 hour early. Then, when I went to log in, it won't let me because the network is down for maintenance. When they told us that earlier in the week, we assumed it would only affect e-mail and Intranet. Nope, I can't even log into my workstation to use our check-out software so I can process the morning books. That also means that when patrons start showing up in 20 minutes, we will have to write down their names, card numbers, and book numbers and then key them in later.

Right now, the only reason I can get online is that I am using a patron computer, not a staff one. So, needless to say, it's a crappy day. Hopefully by this afternoon I'm in a better mood 'cause the teens are coming for Teen Wii Day. I have to go pick up pizza and set up the system after lunch.

Where I work...

Sorry for the delay in posts! Here are some pics from my workplace:

This is the front entrance to the library.

The view from the front door.



The Reference/Youth Services Desk












The cozy sitting area


The Children's books














My Desk

Children's Cozy Sitting Area

45 Minute Drive!!

We took a drive up to Lovettsville today, just so we could gauge the length of my commute. It took about 45-50 minutes to get there, and from everyone around here says, that's an average commute. The drive up is picturesque, with rolling hills and fenced pastures. The town of Lovettsville is small but homey, with a nice feel to it. We went by the library, which is about 4,500 sq. ft. It was quiet, with most people outside enjoying the unusual January weather. The branch manager was in today, Chuck, so we finally got to meet in person, after a phone interview and a video conference. I also met Kathy, who works the circulation desk. It was great to meet them, and to see where I will be working.

After meeting them, Ken and I headed over to the community center where there was a book sale going on. There I met my assistant, Barbara, and her daughter, and picked up some great books. Chuck bought me a Lovettsville, Virginia t-shirt too, as a welcome gift. It was a great day.

I start work on the 24th, with an orientation in Sterling, VA. Then I head up to Lovettsville the next day.

I just wish I had a place to live. We are still in an efficiency, crammed into one room and both cars. I know the dog hates it, and it's starting to get to me as well. We've been looking for a place to rent for over a week, and have beened passed over on the one application we put in because the other couple applying didn't have a dog. It was a great place too. Oh well. I'm not going to let it stress me out.

Good-bye San Antonio Public Library!!

Well, tomorrow is my last day working for the Central branch of the San Antonio Public Library. I have been there for 2 1/2 years, working in the Reference and Readers' Advisory department. I had a lot of fun there, working in such a unique place. Here are some pics from my time at SAPL! Enjoy!!

Working with teens...

A co-worker at SAPL left for Nashville a couple of weeks ago and I am filling in for her in the teen department, Youth{Wired}. I'll be here 3 days out of 5, helping at the desk and with programs. Great chance for me to get some experience with teens and to become more comfortable with them. You can visit their website here, and they have a Flickr page too. It's a fun department with some great kids. Tonight we are making earrings, for Halloween. Too bad the skull beads didn't get here in time 'cause the boys might have made some too. Oh well.

Trying to catch up on homework today. Reading The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman, a graphic novel about a Holocaust survivor. It won a pulitzer prize. It's really good, and it's a true story. The author just made the characters mice instead of humans. People thought he was crazy for creating this but it started a lot of talk about graphic novels. This book has two stories in it, A Survivor's Tale and Here My Troubles Began. If you have never picked up a graphic novel, this is a good one, very easy to follow, and very interesting.


So, my life consists of homework, work, more homework, and latenight games to relax my brain. I like playing Stronghold. You get to build stuff in it. You also have to fight using an army, but I'm finally getting the hang of it.

Southern Belle Wannabe!!

Here I am at the King William Parade in San Antonio. The Library had a float where we dressed up as fictional characters. And no, I'm not little Bo Peep. I'm a Southern Belle, maybe a young Scarlett.

Anyway, they have a tradition at the parades down here where they yell for the ladies to "Show their shoes!" So, I wore argyle socks and lime green shoes. Parade goers loved it.

I also figured out the purpose of a hoop skirt. I thought it was a dumb fashion, but it provides air conditioning down there. Keeps you very cool. Only my chest and face were warm, mostly because of the sunburn I got the day before.

The parade was fun, and long. I walked and passed out children's books, but the float was hauling ass, so eventually, several of us were way behind. It was a good day. Went home and took a nap afterwards!!