Saturday, November 15, 2008

Always check the counter...

for other book crates.

My library system offers intra- and inter- library loan services. Intra-library loan is borrowing materials within our branches; we have 20 branches in our system. Inter-library loan is borrowing materials between library systems. I work in one of the larger branch libraries. Normally, I work in the youth department and I enjoy it! What job besides the product-testing teams can say, "Today I'm playing the Wii for (insert program name here)"?

Anyway, today is my day off and I'm learning the finer points of AC/Heating elements, trying to do more research for my graduate classes, unearthing parts of my desk etc etc. So I'm in the library and I explained to the circulation supervisor that a member of my staff and I tried to check in all the intra-library loans (books, cds, dvds, etc). We thought (or I guess I thought) we checked all the crates~well we didn't. One crate was on the counter in our receiving room. (Hmm..the crate of items did not even catch my attention), but I did learn that if there's a crate, which has items in it, in the receiving room it probably needs to be checked in. Oh well, another library goof for me...I just don't know why I try to overachieve?!?!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Reading really "is" important...


and so is listening.

Ok...about a week ago my library system had our annual staff development day. It was western themed and I thought that the library was wonderfully decorated and the programs were excellent. Some of the really cool props included a
hitching post, a chuck wagon (made with a book cart, fun noodles, fabric, duck tape, and string), real milk canisters and a saddle. Some people elected to wear western wear and others were in comfortable clothes. I think I looked more like a confused urban cowgirl roadie...lol...

To the important part--the part where one should listen and read--During the recognition ceremony, which took place after lunch, I received an award. I was so worried about the meeting room temperature that when our director called my name I just walked to the podium. I really did not "read" the certificate or even "hear" why I was being recognized; I just knew I was being recognized for being a nominee for branch employee of the year. Fast forward to Friday (a week later), I took my certificate home and actually read it and I was the Rankin County Employee of the Year. WOW!!! I feel honored and I am humbled that some of my fellow coworkers felt compelled to nominate me. If you are reading this blog post and nominated me, thank you for believing in me. I hope to do magnificent things for the library world.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

HOLA, ALOHA, HEY etc etc

How does one greet another? A simple gesture of waving, an Hola or Aloha, or even a Hello. I went to a local grocery store and a middle-aged Anglo woman greets me with an "Hola". I try not to take offense to anyone who mistakens me for a Hispanic, native American, Samoan, Chinese, or etc etc. There aren't many Filipinas in these parts. Here's a little information on the Philippines: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html. For the purpose of this story I shall refer to white persons as Anglo(s). If it offends anyone, please accept my apologies. People get confused about my ethnicity all the time.

All I think I really want is for people to be more culturally aware and politically correct in their choices.

When I was in college, I went to a local Wal-Mart and one of their greeters stopped me. She wanted to know how to say Aloha in Hawai'i. So, without thinking, I said Aloha. Then, she started asking about the weather and culture. After 10 minutes or so of trying to explain that I was not a native Hawaiian, she still didn't hear me. I don't remember how I "got away".

Another example, about a year or so ago, I was in Pets Mart and a I noticed a (Anglo) lady was following me around the store. After 10 minutes of this, I became a little paranoid, so I just stopped. I stare at her and she starts talking in Spanish, so I reply to her in Spanish. (In college, I minored in Spanish, so I understood her.) She was looking for a Mexican dress maker. She could have easily been a Spanish-speaker with blonde hair or so I thought. She started talking louder like I was deaf. So I just said "do you speak English", and she replied "yes". The end of the story is not completely important.

So the whole reason for this blog rant was the Hola Anglo lady at the grocery store. I have to give her credit for being somewhat enthusiastic about saying Hola, but it was funny that I just replied Good afternoon and she did this double-take look of confusion. I had let her down; I wasn't a native Spanish-speaker.

These types of situations happen to all of us. Even non-English speakers think because I look like them, I can speak their language. Well, they're wrong. My Spanish-speaking skills are not stellar; my Tagalog-speaking skills are a little better but not by much. Frankly, I feel that my English-speaking skills are not clear to some. Anywho...how does this relate to the library world?

Ok- the first lesson is to ask "Do you speak English?" The second lesson to remember is that non-English speakers are not deaf. The third lesson is that gestures help in most situations, but be careful if you choose to communicate in this method. Fourth, non-English speakers are people. Fifth, be aware that non-English speakers come in all shapes, sizes, hair and skin colors. Finally, being culturally aware and politically correct are things everyone should try to remember. Step out of your world, see people as who they are not who you want them to be. It's difficult to do, but all we can do is~ TRY.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Potpourri thoughts

No it's not about the fragrant stuff that goes in a bowl...that's so 1990s right? It smells good if you stand over the bowl and then manages to collect dust for 6 or more months.

Ok so I'm making a slideshow and it's turning out to be funny or at least funny to me. I've never really liked making slideshows on Windows Movie Maker, but it's what I have so I'll use it. I've a few suggestions for other programs, but it's just one more thing to try and download. This particular slideshow may only be funny to those who are in it or even those who have a good sense of humor. I'm having fun making it; it's somewhat relaxing. (Really I think I'm delaying the inevitable research I must do this weekend.)


This semester, I'm taking two classes. It's November and I really need to focus on my work. In just a few months (or more), I plan to graduate with my masters in library and information sciences. The classes are not really difficult; I'm just a little tired with work, life and school commitments.


All that aside, November 5 was a spectacular day! I got to sing, dance, and story tell with eighty (80) 4-year-old children. The first session nearly made me fall out of my chair. I read this really funny rhyming book and there was a part which read "bucket of beans" and one of the kids tooted. Of course, I am trying to be as professional as I could be. The kids near the culprit all said "eww" and I just smiled and said "looks like someone knew Miss Mara needed sound effects for this book today". In case you're wondering the title of this book....Mccumber McGee and the Half-Eaten Hot Dog. After my comment, the teachers started laughing. Then I put on my most serious unserious face on and continued with the program.

Later that afternoon, I had a nice program with 13 of my favorite elementary-age kids and 4 new ones. This month, we are learning about Native Americans and everything in between. I think we always have fun in this group. Of course, I read Mccumber McGee because I thought they would enjoy it and then the Native American element was Tomie DePaola's The Legend of the Bluebonnet. We had our game element which was a hunt for bluebonnets. What a busy day it was! I wonder what today will bring...

Saturday, November 1, 2008

A time for reflection

This entire weekend was a time for self-reflection.

A few years ago I came upon this Dalai Lama quote and it states "As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery.We have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace.The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger and attachment, fear and suspicion,while love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility are the sources of peace and happiness." I find much wisdom is in this statement. "Love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility are sources of peace and happiness..." bring inner peace. I found a sense of inner peace the other day at the cemetery.

The other day I went to the cemetery which my Tita Louraine is buried. (Tita is a tagalog (Filipino) word which means 'aunt'). On occasion, I visit her to gain clarity and honor my mom's love for her. She was a fascinating and lovely lady and a great karaoke singer as well. She was a teacher and was a woman of Catholic faith. It seemed to me that her younger sisters and brothers all loved her.

Not many people know love and I'm not sure if I do. I do know and understand my mom's love for her oldest sister. My family and I spent many late nights with Tita Louraine. Even after 15 hours at work, my mom would ask me to accompany her to the hospice place and help her bathe her sister. (My mom is a nurse manager.) Of course, I obliged (along with my immediate family) for 10 months. I don't share this with many people but it seemed she had found her inner peace. According to one of my titas, she was reciting the rosary with her and after the last prayer Tita Louraine died.

Anyway, so one of the reasons I am writing is that while I was at the cemetery, I decided to walk around. I read a few headstones and I found one I knew. The headstone belonged to this girl who died at my high school. I did not know her personally but a blanket of sadness just hit me. A decade later, she's just a distant memory to some. I couldn't believe how much time had actually passed. Who knows who she could have become? So many life events can happen in 10 years. People go to college, get married, have kids, return for more school, lose jobs, have quarter-life crises, etc etc.

After I graduated from college, I felt like I was walking around without purpose. Sure, everyone has a purpose, right? All I knew was that when I found my passion, I would know. I met a few fantastic people who helped me on my way. Then I found it~my inner peace (career-wise)~the perfect me~a librarian.



Monday, October 27, 2008

5.2 Seconds


I don't know the history of this house, but I admire its design, architecture and red roof. (ok yeah I like the color red). Was it abandoned? I don't know. This house overlooked the MS river in Natchez. Suddenly, all these thoughts drowned every sound and picture around me. Though I had company with me, I felt all alone for 5.2 seconds. Immediately, I pictured myself sitting on the porch and enjoying the sun set over the MS river. People are always reminding me to stop and enjoy the moment. I am not a moment person; I don't think I have ever been. Sometimes, I need to be reminded to stop my world; I find myself to be most happy when I can remember to put my life on pause. Lately, it seems like all I do is go, go, and go. When I think about it, I really dislike a patterned and predictable life, which is what my life has become for now. I should really start looking up, down, around and every other place, and maybe I can enjoy life for more than 5.2 seconds.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Accomplished


I had the most wonderful feeling of accomplishment. I was in Natchez, Missisippi, for a Mississippi Library Assocation conference. I really liked this town; it's so quaint. Anyway, I feel accomplished because I feel I am where I need to be (career-wise). On Wednesday afternoon, I was honored with the Virgia Brocks-Shedd scholarship, which is sponsored by the Black Caucus Round Table. The featured speaker was the former superintendent of schools for the Jackson Public School District and the coolest thing about her speech was that it mirrored the topic of my essay. It is so nice to be able to see other librarian colleagues and to also meet some new ones. I inserted a picture; I'm the one on the far left.
I'll definitely have more postings later...