Computers in Libraries 2011

I just got back yesterday from my first Computers in Libraries conference in Washington, DC. OH MY GOSH. Best conference ever. I had such a great time and learned so much! I got to learn about all sorts of great searching tricks, and ways to add value to my work. I talked to some great people, and overall was just very inspired by the youthful enthusiasm I observed. So much of library talk these days is "doom and gloom," so it was great to be in a place where people are passionate about what they can do for their customers. And the focus was very much on things that CAN be done, not things that CAN'T be done. I was exposed to some phenomenal speakers, including *but not limited to* Stephen Abram, Lee Rainie, and the Librarian in Black. I left the conference feeling so rejuvenated, and I wasn't even all that demoralized before I started, so that is really saying something!
I bailed on the last 2 or 3 sessions of the conference because I had to be out of my hotel room anyways, so at lunch break I hit the metro and worked my way towards the National Zoo. It was so amazing! It was *free* and I got to see some spectacular animals. One of my favorite exhibits was of the lions, because the National Zoo recently got some new lion cubs, and they were all out playing when I was there. 2 adult females, 1 adult male, and 5? 6? 7? cubs... Who knows how many they were. Usually when I see big cats at the zoo, they are laying down or pacing, but these were so active. It was cool and humid outside, but all the kids were still in school, so I almost had the lions all to myself! I got some great pictures and video. There were other cool animals, but I digress.
After the National Zoo, I went to the National Cathedral, which was beautiful. I didn't get to spend long enough there because I was anxious about finding the metro again, and my feet were starting to hurt from all the walking. I made my way back to the metro and then to the airport, where I ate and bought a good book. Thank goodness I bought a good book, cause my flight got delayed about 2 hours. I landed in Knoxville ~12:15 this morning, and got to bed around 1. So I am sleepy, but I'm on an information high.
I hope I can go back to CIL sometime. I understand that budgetary constraints might keep me from going next year, but maybe in a couple years I can go back. Maybe I can even present there one day! Whatever the case, I definitely need to get the hubby to go with me to DX sometime. We might even try the MegaBus! OK, duty calls.

Love Your Libraries Fun Run

This weekend I did the Love Your Libraries 5K at UT with my good buddy, Erin. We had a blast-- had a great time talking. She's so nice. I'm really glad I got to meet her. Afterwards I went and ran some errands and then later met up with Erin, her husband, and my good pal Anya. We ate at the Creamery in Fountain City. Oh my goodness-- it was so delicious. I was glad the Creamery accepted my expired internet coupon, cause it wasn't cheap, but the cheeseburger was on a slightly sweet bun. The fries were tasty, and the chocolate shake was the icing on the cake. At ~$12 and probably 1500 calories, I couldn't do it all the time, but I enjoyed it while it lasted! I am so grateful to have so many nice friends. I definitely need more occasions to see these ladies. :)

Gah!

I have been thinking a lot lately about the discrepancy between who I am and who I want to be. But to change requires that I be aware of what I want to be at critical times when I am distracted by other motives. Hm. How to resolve?
Things at work are kind of hectic lately. A voluntary lay-off is going on, and depending on what happens with the FY2011 budget, there could be an involunary lay-off to follow. I am trying to remain faithful, and have been praying for good things to happen. I've been so blessed to have my job, and I don't want to lose it. I've just been trying to be prayerful and patient, and I'm trying to work hard and be productive. Because of all the time and effort I've been putting into work, I've totally slacked on my diet. I just feel like there are only so many things I can focus on at any given time. I'm trying to stick with some small positive changes that I've made, and with lent coming up soon, I should have some new motivation. I think this year I might give up fried food. That means no more fries, no more chips and salsa, no more Sunday donuts. It would be good for me. Mmmm, speaking of chips and salsa, Charles and I have found a new Mexican restaurant in town that we enjoy. Mexico Lindo is on Cedar Bluff. Last night we had their dinner special. It's a "pick two" dinner.... you get to choose 2 items from a list (taco, enchilada, burrito, tamale....), and 2 sides (rice, beans, or mashed potatoes). You get 2 dinners, 2 drinks, and one dessert (ice cream with sopapilla!) for $12.99. It is delicious, and a fantastic deal. I recommend the enchilada. Also, chicken entrees do not have onions and peppers mixed in with the chicken. I like onions and peppers, personally, but Charles does not, so he was very happy with the chicken item that he had.
Lastly, I want to recommend a series of books. They are the Haggis-On-Whey books.... fake sciencey kids' books written by Benny Haggis-On-Whey and Dr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey. They are totally silly! You should check them out if you like silly books. :)
OK, back to the grindstone....

I'm so behind!

As usual, things have been crazy and hectic. I've been working a lot-- having some extra projects to do at work has been fantastic. I tend to work much more efficiently when I have a lot to do, and I've been meeting people, too! My job is where I've been focusing the majority of my energy lately, so I've put all weight loss efforts on hold with the exception of continuing to attend my bi-weekly karate class. I've also been trying to implement some healthy choices by changing one habit at a time and keeping it for a month before adding a new one. It's been helping me to keep a little focus, while preventing me from getting overwhelmed.
Lots have been going on. My hubby has been administering IQ tests as practice for his School Psych degree. He gave a great test this morning to one of the greatest 13 year olds I know. It's been a lot of fun helping him practice and talking to him about pros and cons of different types of tests.
This weekend I got to see Anya and meet a bunch of her friends, and have what was probably the greatest cupcake I've ever had in my entire life. She sent 2 home with me, too, so I'm going to go eat my other one and let the hubs have his in just a moment. I'm hoping Anya will blog about it so I can just link everyone to what I dubbed the Anya Bomb. :)
Here in an hour or 2 I'll be going to a friend's place, probably to watch the Packers lose the Super Bowl. :( Gosh, I hope not. This is really only my 2nd year watchin NFL, so my feelings aren't very strong just yet, but I have serious favorings for the Packers over the Steelers and would like to see the Packers win. I like their small town, Americana attitude. So GO PACK GO and all that jazz.
There was so much that I wanted to write about, but I'm kind of getting distracted at the moment by a very fussy dog, so I think I'm just going to wrap this up and start preparing for the Super Bowl. If you read this, I hope you're having a great weekend! :)

Little Joe's Pizza

For years, I have been aware of Little Joe's presence, but only recently did I decide that I wanted to try the food there. I think I had some of their food once for a Latin party in high school, but I'd never been to the restaurant. Well, let me tell you, getting there was no easy task. Why? Because they have ridiculous hours. On Fridays and Saturdays, when I would normally go for lunch, they don't open until 2:00pm. And they are closed on Sundays, which is my other prime time for trying new restaurants. But thanks to my friends, I was finally able to try it last night, and man oh man was it good!! I can't wait to go back. Hubby and I shared a small pizza- half cheese, half sausage. The small is 11 inches, but it was enough for me and the Hubs. We even had a few slices left to share with our friend, David. Hubby had a soda while I had water, and our total bill before tip was under $12. Not too shabby. What I'm really interested in, though, is the amazing sandwich that Sharon ordered. Apparently it's only available during the holiday season. It's a hot roast beef sandwich served with Au Jus. She got it with cheese and onions and green peppers. It looked and smelled amazing. I have to get back there this holiday season one way or another!
I definitely recommend Little Joe's pizza if you ever feel like going deep into Farragut any night except Sunday. :D

Christmas!

Christmas was marvelous. A 4-day weekend, snow, family, friends, Christmas, a great mass made for a really great Christmas this year. Definitely way better than last year. Last year had some really good moments, but I was just so stressed out that I couldn't really enjoy things fully. But this year... this year was something wonderful. :) I really enjoyed getting to visit with my friend, Lara. I don't get to see her much since she and her husband live in Chicago. It was enriching to hang out with her and talk about religion. I definitely felt fortified after we talked, cause sometimes I feel like the lonely Christian in my circle of friends. What a blessing to visit with Lara and Brad.
Mass this year was wonderful. I usually go to a 4:00 pm service on Christmas Eve to see the children in their nativity attire. It's been so crowded the last couple years that I changed it up a little this time around, and went to a 4:10 'overflow' mass. Father Michael gave a really excellent homily (one point I really liked was where he said that having Jesus in your life doesn't mean that everything is going to be OK, but that whether things are OK or not, you have Jesus with you always.... so cool!), and there was a lot of great singing. We sang many of my favorite Christmas songs, including O Holy Night and Joy to the World.
Christmas Day I got to visit with Dad and Rebecca, talk to Sarah, open presents with Charles, see his mother's side of the family, and chill out at home. It was just super to be able to rest. And the day after Christmas, we went to Home Depot and took advantage of the after-Christmas sale. We bought a 7.5' Christmas tree, some colored lights, and some ornaments. Now I'm all ready to go for next year!
Looking forward to seeing more folks this week. Life is good. :) :)

I ♥ Christmas!

It's that time of year again: the time when I leave my radio on B97.5 almost all the time. I frickin' love Christmas. I love the whole Jesus miracle story, and thinking about how safe we are, and I love Christmas treats and decorations, and shopping for my hubby. I love being out in the hustle and bustle (for about 20 minutes, and then I see people that leave shopping carts in parking spaces, and then the joy is gone for the day....). I think last year I was a little stressed about trying to find a real job, and I was worried about my work at SNS, and I was working a LOT, and trying to get settled into our new home. This year, I am blessed with a job that I adore, and I can just take it easy and enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Tomorrow is a Holy Day, too, so I've got to remember to go to mass! Though I think with my work schedule, I'll be forced to go at kind of an odd time. But oh well. Hopefully there will be Christmas music at church. WOO HOO! :) OK, sorry for the outburst, I just adore this time of year. :) :) :)