My Evening Commute

Is it okay to brag sometimes?

I think everyone close to me, and even many not that close, know that after getting my degree from a pretty well respected college here in Kentucky, I really didn't know what to do. Graduate school, career, etc. had never really occurred to me and no one ever pulled me aside to talk to me about those things. To me, success was getting a decent paying job that had health insurance and decent daytime hours. Seriously. And I know that is success and I'm absolutely not trying to diminish that success for others. And, believe me, I know that the majority of the world is getting by with a lot less than that.

So, after college, I floated around for about a year and then found myself in a "successful" job in association management. I was there four years even though I knew probably at year two that it was not the career for me. The nature of the job was changing me and I did not like who I was becoming.

So, after a lot of research, talking to old friends, and old professors, I was lucky enough to be accepted into an ALA-accredited library science program. I completed my MSLS in December 2004 and in April 2006 began my first, and current, professional academic library position. I love my job (most of the time). I work with some really great people within the library, not to mention some pretty cool faculty and students.

So, after what I went through to find my way to where I am now, I can't help but be especially excited about receiving a scholarship to attend a very important national conference. It's just a little bit more evidence that I am finally where I am suppose to be.

John Mayer Concert

Along with my good friends Kelland, Heather, and Tria, I was lucky enough to see John Mayer (with Mat Kearney) in concert at Rupp Arena last night. Somehow, way back in November, I managed to get pretty good tickets -- only 2 rows off of the floor with a great view of the stage. The music was amazing; both Mayer and Kearney are terrifically talented. It is wonderful to see multi-talented singer/songwriter/musicians filling up venues like Rupp!

On a side note, my friends and I sure felt old! Looking around, we couldn't help but notice we were probably 10 - 15 years older then the majority of people there. Sigh ....

That Girl, with the Hair ...

I've been thinking about creating a blog for a while. I just couldn't think of a good title. But on this Saturday morning, when I really should be preparing for the crazy work week ahead, I was desperate to do anything but what I should be doing. I did laundry, even washing the sheets! I dragged the vacuum out of the closet. I'm even thinking about cleaning the littler box! Then, I thought, why not create a blog!?

But still, what to call it?

Then I thought of the perfect title: That Girl, with the Hair ...... It's related to my job, which I love. I am a reference/instruction librarian at a comprehensive regional university in Kentucky. The main part of my job is to plan and conduct library instruction sessions for undergraduate, graduate, and special service region groups.

This spring semester I've conducted several sessions for research method courses. They have been a lot of fun and usually only a few students sleep in each class ; ) The best thing about these sessions, and my job, is when a student from one of these classes comes into our branch library and asks for me!

Sometimes, though, they don't remember my name. My office is in a bad spot, so I can't see them come in. But I hear:

"Is, um, that girl who talked to our class here? Um, that girl, with the hair (and normally there is some hand movement to the head at this point), the blondish hair...."

It's happened several times at this point and I love it!