J-O-B

The good ole' J-O-B. I'm in a completely foul mood because of my job, which is ridiculous because the last time I checked a job is just suppose to be what you do for 40 hours a week in order to afford the rest of your living expenses. Those living expenses are what make up your real "life". It's dinners with friends, a house for your family and a car to drive on road trips or visiting relatives. It's THAT part of your life that determines the type of person you are, not what you do for work.

And yet, society never seems to agree with this attitude. Why is "what do you do?" one of the first questions we ask people? Why is "what do you want to be when you grow up" one of the first questions we ask children? Why can't they be questions about philosophy or religion or even the dreaded topic of politics. Why must it seem that so much weight is placed on the profession a person has rather than the charities they give to or the hobbies they cultivate in their spare time?!

It just so happens that your job can, and often does, affect the rest of your life. It keeps us from being able to suck the marrow out of life. And like any good torture tactic, it's a slow death.

Therefore, upon considering this topic, I have decided to change my answers to the following questions:
What do you do? "Anything and everything that brings me joy and is legal, responsible and affordable."
What do you want to be when you grow up? "It doesn't matter".

Not your Grandma's hubcaps

Recently I purchased four brand new beautiful tires for my vehicle. I actually love the feeling of new tires, not because I can tell a difference in the driving (although I'm sure I should be able to) but because it makes the car feel like it's ready for anything, a roadtrip at any moment. With new tires, an alignment AND an oil change, I'd say the sky's the limit for where it can go.

Just one thing was missing, hubcaps. Over the last six years of my car ownership, I've lost a couple hubcaps in the process. It didn't bother me too much because I know it's just cosmetic, but when I got the new tires somehow I felt like I should get new hubcaps too. I wanted the car to look complete. This brought me to the auto parts shop where I began browsing for hubcaps.

Auto Parts Worker: May I help you?
Me: Well I was wanting to get some new hubcaps.
APW: Let me show you our display, just let me know which ones you want and I'll get them out of the back for you.
Me: Thanks
(browsing)
Me: Um, Sir? These are some fancy hubcaps. I mean I think those right there are the type that still spin even though the car has stopped moving. Am I right?
APW: Yes, they're quite popular these days.
Me: (chuckling) wow, I just don't think I could do that.
APW: What kind of car do you have?
Me: (interally thinking "are you joking??") Oh it's a Saturn, a sedan.
APW: What about these?
Me: (chuckling again) yea, I'm just not sure you're understanding me. Those are really fancy hubcaps. I'm looking for something more like what your Grandma would have, on her Buick.
APW: (confused) So you want something more conservative?
Me: (what I should have said) Sir, you seem confused. Was it that I used the word Grandma or Buick that threw you off? I want something that's not so flashy, perhaps something that doesn't light up when I brake and doesn't keep spinning even though the car has stopped. When I see hubcaps like that in traffic, it annoys me. I'm not sure you're fully understanding my use of the word "fancy". You see, I'm trying to be polite. I really just want some hubcaps that people aren't going to try and steal should I be in the wrong neighborhood. I just want something to cover the tire.

Me: (what I really said) Yes, something more conservative would be good, thanks.

Just Add Color :)

It's been a really long time since I've done any coloring, but something about the school supply aisle at my local Target caused me to consider this age old treat. The deal was sealed when the dollar depot had Hello Kitty coloring books on sale for $1.00. Combined with my new 64 pack of Crayola crayons, complete with sharpener on the back, this creative activity was mine for a mere $3.64. I can't tell you how cathartic coloring can actually be. I flip through my coloring book, decide on a particular picture, and begin the process of choosing my favorite color scheme for that page. And then as the crayons brush over the picture, it's as if all the stress and responsibility of life seem to melt away leaving nothing but me and my (perhaps a bit too much at times) intense focus on the task at hand, coloring. I highly recommend it for anyone ages 3 to 99 :)

I'm in love!!

As many of my loved ones might know, I haven't always been a fan of driving or directions. I remember even when growing up if a friend asked me how to get to my house to pick me up, I wouldn't really know how to tell them the way. I think one of my most dreaded questions is, "Could you tell me how to get to _______?". I despise roadways, maps, interstates, and I especially disdain the green signs which are suppose to be telling me the way to my destination.

This use to be my attitude about driving, until I came face to face with gps navigation. It first happened on my trip to TN. This is what I like to call the testing period. I just wanted to see how it would do, can it be trusted and would it assist us in arriving to our destination with ease. I was not disappointed! Not only did it get us there, but it was accurate to the minute as far as how long it would take to get there. And then yesterday with driving to Sea World, it was my chance to really try it out as the driver. Let me just tell you, even navigating I-4 in darkness on the way home was positively a delight with the sweet voice of the gps navigator telling me that in 800 yards I would be exiting the interstate (ok the voice was british so it told me to exit the motorway, cute ;) and then staying in the left lane.

Where has this technology been all my life?! I feel as if I have a new lease on life and a new fondness for driving. So now when I ponder going somewhere or taking a trip, what use to be an overwhelming feeling of concern or uncertainty has been replaced with an exhilarating feeling of joy! When I'm asked to meet someone somewhere or take a little trip, all I have to do is say, "YES! Do you have an address?" And just as soon as I plug in that information into the navigator and adhere it to my windshield, I am on my way. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "The world is my oyster!" :)

Student Accounts

4:10pm- Call Student Accounts on campus to find out information for a student on how to spend the money they received with a scholarship.
4:10pm- On hold, waiting for the next available representative.
4:15pm- Still on hold
4:20pm- Still on hold
4:25pm- A lovely voice answers "Student Accounts, may I help you?" only to immediately disconnect the call and hang up on me.
(A BRIEF MOMENT OF INTENSE FRUSTRATION)
4:26pm- Call Student Accounts
4:30pm- On hold, waiting for the next available representative.
4:35pm- Still on hold
4:40pm- Still on hold
4:45pm- Still on hold
4:46pm- (After listening to MANY minutes of cheesy, "hold" music) I hear a recorded message come on. It says only this.

"You have reached the Student Accounts office. Our office hours for Wednesday and Friday are 8am to 4:30pm. Please call our office again during our available hours. Thank you."

4:47pm- Speechless.

inspired reading...

There's nothing quite like enjoying some reading in the beauty of God's creation. In the vast openness, I can't help but have it make my sometimes limited thinking switch to the view that anything could be possible. I was reading Elizabeth Elliot's book, "Be Still My Soul". In it she quotes the poem below from an unknown author. Reading it with a prayerful heart caused me to look forward to the next stage of life, something different perhaps or move of the current...either way I am working to view it with excitement rather than fear. If God is always with us, there is nothing to fear in the uknown, nothing to fear in the future, for no matter what it holds, God is already in it.

From an old English parsonage, down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me,
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration-
"DO THE NEXT THING"

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus,
"DO THE NEXT THING."

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
Do it reliantly, casting all care,
Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all resultings,
"DO THE NEXT THING."

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
(Working or suffering) be thy demeanor,
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing,
Then, as he beckons thee
"DO THE NEXT THING."

Class Schedule Blues

So I just received my schedule for Fall semester, and I have to say I'm a little disappointed. I knew I would be taking Integrated Technologies in Libraries and Administration and Management of Libraries, but I wasn't certain of who the professors would be. So when I checked, I hoped to see a new name, no dice. While part of me welcomes the fact that there won't be any new surprises, I know what they want and how to succeed in their class. The problem is... they're kinda lacking. Somewhere along the way, I stopped hoping for easy classes. Of course I still learn the necessary information, but not nearly the amount of information I learn when I'm having to work crazy hard! I mean sure my gpa might suffer from a truly difficult class, and I'd probably dislike every minute of it, but I'd come away with actual skill sets, the kind that can only be learned under that type of instruction. It's a beautiful thing really, actually learning. Until that day, I'll just get through this next semester with half-hearted delight. Who knows, maybe they'll surprise me.

Oh the joy of technology!

Safari 4.0- The greatness of this new development in technology really speaks for itself. It's amazing.

Note to Self

This is being written as a reminder of the following things if ever I get the idea that I want to eat in restaurants, shop in various stores, drink coffee at Starbucks, or even hang out with friends night after night.

1. I like being home.
2. I like eating dinner at home.
3. I like making my own coffee whenever I want it.
4. I like the quiet of being alone.
5. I like feeling productive by cleaning.

On a more interesting note, I frequently think that parents these days are too selfish. It's obvious, however, that if I stick to this list my life as a single girl is entirely focused on me. I'm not sure if that's best, but I happen to have plenty of time in the peaceful quietness of this evening to contemplate it while drinking some delicious coffee....that I made....when I wanted it.

I'd rather be...

I'd rather be the type of girl who drinks soy chai lattes and wears a daisy chain of flowers in her hair, but alas I'm the girl that drinks coffee first thing in the morning and only brushes her hair because she feels it's necessary for societal acceptance.

I'd rather be the type of girl who delights in the great novels of the past such as Shakespeare and Milton like they were as necessary as air, but alas I'm the girl who enjoys the ridiculously lame celebrity gossip magazines so I can find out what they're saying about "John and Kate plus Eight".

I'd rather by the type of girl who is so confident that the future never worries her, but alas I'm the girl who wonders what will happen to our economy, will I marry, what job will I have five years from now, and how long will I live.

I'd rather be the type of girl who is carefree, nonchallant, easy going and relaxed, but alas I'm the girl who frets over bills being paid, do my cats have enough food, did I leave the coffee pot on, is the house going to burn down on my watch and will I have enough money to pay my student loans when I'm done with school.

I'd rather be the type of girl who tries some exotic new recipe every evening because I'm a domestic goddess and everything I touch turns to success, but alas I'm the girl who likes beans and rice because I know I can't mess it up.

I'd rather be the type of girl who is adventurous, young at heart, spontaneous and in a moment's notice could be on a plane to some unknown destination, but alas I'm an old soul, the type of girl who enjoys quiet conversation over coffee and the comfort of routine.

I'd rather be the type of girl who really wants voluntary simplicity, living off the grid and compost toilets, but alas I'm the girl who thrives on electricity, modern conveniences and consumerism.

I'd rather be the type of girl who is sunshine and sweetness at every turn, finding the positive in life's greatest struggles and dishes out handfuls of joy to everyone she meets, but alas I'm the girl who enjoys sarcasm and sees humor in a slightly cynical view of the world.

I'd rather be.....but alas I'm just me :)

I wanna see a storehouse of snow :)

Many times I feel we become so scientifically minded towards nature and how it works that we forget just who is in control of it. Science is a beautiful description of the intricate details about the order of things. Hopefully it will always lead us back to the Creator of that order. I was reading in Job when God speaks to Job (chapter 38) and asks him many questions. It is a great picture as to the incredible power of God.

These are my favorites:

1. Have you ever in your life commanded the morning and caused the dawn to know its place;
2. Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
3. Or have you walked into the recesses of the deep?
4. Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
5. Who can count the clouds by wisdom, or tip the water jars of the heavens;

Assumptions

For all the people I work with throughout the day, please review the following list of assumptions. I assure you that you are responsible for one or all of them.

1. If I don't forward you order confirmations, you assume I haven't gotten them.
2. When I don't answer my phone, you assume I'm not in the office.
3. If I don't confirm receipt of your email, you assume I didn't receive it.
4. When I take a moment to compose myself so as not to say something I could be written up for, you assume I didn't hear you.
5. If I call to question an order you're placing, you assume I need a patronizing tone in order to work faster.
6. When you email me, you assume I need follow-up phone calls, emails and visits in order to process the paperwork.
7. If you give me work to do, you assume it's the only thing I have to do all day.
8. Whether or not I'm at my desk, you assume you can borrow my pens, pencils, stapler, paper, printer, phone, paper clips, stamps or calendar.
9. Because I smile politely when talking to you, you assume I'm a nice person.
10. And when I do forward you confirmations or processed work, you assume that that single-word email reply of "Thanks" is the only thing I need in order to make working here seem positively rewarding.

Consider yourself wrong, on all accounts.

A must read!

My mom wrote a positively hysterical blog recently about babies and baby gadgets! Enjoy by clicking here :)

Where I'd rather be...

A friend of mine posted about where she wishes she could be this morning instead of enjoying the routine of daily life. It got me thinking. Where would I rather be? What surprised me, as I clicked through memories and the places I feel most at home, is that rarely do I picture myself with people. Now I do tend to joke, perhaps too much, about disliking people and being anti-social. The truth is; I love people. I love sharing in laughter and swaping stories. It doesn't matter if the people are in my inner circle or just random folks who stop by my desk at work to ask a question. I thoroughly enjoy the art of conversation; it makes me happy.

Which has me wondering why it is that when I picture the times and places which make me the happiest, I'm alone. Whether waking up to a quiet house on saturday morning to enjoy a great cup of coffee, taking a walk when surrounded God's beautiful creation or sitting on a back porch listening to the calming sounds of a river, it is these quiet times alone that stir my heart and give me peace. So I guess for the question of where I'd rather be, anywhere I can be alone. Although now that I think about it, I believe that is the definition of anti-social. Huh.

Save some green by planting it....

By 1943, Americans planted more than 20 million victory gardens -- at homes and schools and in parks -- that were reported to produce 8 million tons of food that one old film called "America's hidden weapon."

From an article in the LA Times about new gardens springing up, for political reasons. I saw this mentioned on someone's facebook and just had to write about it. Just think of how little involvement we would have to have with countries we shouldn't be importing from if we just put some effort out on the home front! Think of how self-sufficient America could be if we just tried a little harder. America really is the greatest country in the world, even more so when we work together for a common goal. During the wartime, they worked together to avoid dependency on the transportation of food. Maybe the reasons behind it change with time, but the effort should still be there. Just think of what we could achieve...