Taxes, Humor, Poetry--Oh, My!

What a month April has been!! I am beyond ready for April to be over. This has nothing to do with the fact that I'll be leaving for vacation on May 1st. Working in a library during tax season is like volunteering for dental work. I think we should go through an IRS training course. Customers are in need of free advice and paperwork. We have neither. We cannot offer advice or understanding of the forms, instructions, or tax tables and the forms we do have must be coped and paid for. The forms for copying only include the federal forms. State forms can only be printed from the Internet. April is also national humor and poetry month. The humor part I can understand, everyone needs a little humor to deal with the stress of taxes. Poetry is another issue. I am not a fan of poetry, not even my own bad poetry written to express my angst and heartbreak. I believe that poetry is personal and only the author understands the full meaning.

Enough about April, how about me? Well, I'm still listening to romance thrillers in my car, enjoying my odd selection from Netflix, and spending money at the lovely Ann Taylor Loft. I love that store!! I did go to the Fern Bank Museum but it was not what I expected. There were a few schools visiting that day also and the museum really is geared more toward a younger crowd. Also, while waiting in line to purchase my ticket a roach fell on my arm!!! I cringed for hours. The gift shop had some unique jewelry but it was too pricey for me. I saw the movie Dan in Real Life which I loved, and I watched a very dissapointing mini-series called The 10th Kingdom.

I'm reading Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen. It's caught my interest but I wouldn't say it's a page turner. I'm going to check out some really cheezy romances for my beach vacation. I'll be sure to take post worthy pictures and try not to spend too much money.

Leap Day

I almost forgot! I feel like I should celebrate or something. Maybe I could do something on this day and then only do it again in another four years. Can't really think of anything momentous enough--maybe get a perm! Just kidding. Instead, I'll just be happy for all the people who only have their actual birthday once every four years. I hope that means they get quadruple the presents.

Here are those snow pictures I mentioned:

This is the view from my balcony:


This is the awesome amount of snow that was accumulating on my driver's side window:


This was taken while I was speeding down the road (I'm so James Bond):


Work is still going well. I had my second teen event a couple weeks ago. It went pretty well. Eleven kids came and there was absolutely no chocolate left. I didn't even eat any--I must have been too nervous. I attended my first staff day and it was a great chance to meet and greet all the people I never get to see during the regular work week. There are sooo many of us working for this library system. Our director is a hoot and her pride is infectious.

Tax time is here and goodness are people eager for those forms! We don't have all the forms at the library. This is unpleasant news for about 99.9% of the customers who come by for forms. We do have links to the sites for the forms but this is not what they want. This time of the year is always stressful but working here makes that stress more acute.

I finally finished listening to Timeline by Michael Crichton. It was kind of exciting but had a good bit of tech jargon that I didn't understand. I watched the movie this week. It had more adventure but I think it could have been better. I'm still reading the Undead series but I'm on the last book. For some reason I haven't read the last two as quickly as I did the first four. They are just so witty, I'll be sad when I finish this last one. However, there are oodles of books I want to read so I think I'll recover quickly from my loss. Speaking of recovering--I'm finally in the last stages of an illness that has lovingly been dubbed the funk. It started last week and I got laryngitis this week. Now I just have an old man's cough and a slightly squeaky and raspy voice. Think 13 year old boy squeaky and raspy, not Demi Moore.

My posters have arrived and all but three have been framed. I have no idea how I want to arrange them on my walls. I assume the project will take several hours and several bad words. I can't afford to make numerous holes in my walls so I have to get it right the first time. This was never a issue while I lived with my folks--their walls, their problem.

No School = No Life?

Hardly! I've been having a blast. It's amazing all the wonderful things I have always enjoyed have been even better now. Watching the food network, shopping, going out to eat with friends, even exercising, all of which take up my time, can be done without the guilt!! I'm reading the Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson. Very witty humor and fun story line. I had to read her werewolve series to stay on track. New characters were discussed and I had no idea who they were. With a little research (did I mention that along with completeing my Masters, I now have wicked mad research skills!?!?!) I realized that she started another series and then they merge in Dead and Loving It. My degree was mailed last month so I will be able to frame it, along with my undergrad degree (I know). My other artwork will hopefully be framed this month as well and my apartment won't look so drab, dull, and depressing (the three D's).

Work has been super busy. I've been rearranging the entire teen section, shifting shelves, moving furniture, weeding the entire collection--searching for damaged books (I found one with a squished raisin in it!). I've already had my six month evaluation even though I have not technically been employed for six months. They think I'm awful and should rethink my career choice (oh wait, that's me). They seem to like me just fine and think I have lots of energy (what on Earth are they talking about?). I'm still wearing my 'In Training' ribbon of shame under my name tag. I get the strangest and most frustraiting looks from that stupid ribbon! People approach, see the flaming red sign of stupidity, look back at my face and this look of sympathy (not, 'poor thing, she has to wear that stupid tag,' but, 'trained monkeys could do this, why can't she?'), and then the 'oh, I don't know if you can help me.' Let's see....yes, I can take the payment for your fine, yes, I can tell you where the bathroom is, yes, I can issue you a library card. I repeat--I can help you!!

It snowed here in January, twice. It was so beautiful. I took lots of pictures (I'll post a couple) but none are really fantastic. It's been a very long time since I've seen snow and I've never driven in it. It wasn't sticking to the road so I was in pretty good shape. The kids in my apartment complex were having loads of fun. I was a little sad because there was little grass for them to play on but I did see a snowman and the remnants of a snowball fight.

Happy New Year!!

I've got a splitting headache but I'm still super excited about the new year! Hopefully I'll be able to apply for a new (higher paying) job soon and this will be my first school free year since 2004. Not much interesting going on these days. Just traveling to visit with friends, family and my second family the Wilsons:


This is Frances' nephew John. He is so incredibly sweet and loving, I'd have ten just like him if I could.


This year I should be able to visit Frances in Ohio because...you guessed it---no dang classes!!

So my new year's resolutions are to keep up with what I've been doing for my health (eating right, exercising), start violin lessons again, travel more, be more mindful of my attitude(s), and laugh more than I want to.

Work has been very busy the last few days with returns and school out for the kiddies. I just finished listening to Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War on audio book. It was just as weird as the first and I'm not sure if there will be a third. Right now I'm listening to You Suck by Christopher Moore--sequal to Bloodsucking Fiends. It's already got me laughing. I'm reading Cracks in My Foundation by Marian Keyes (one of my fav. authors) which is a hilarious collection of short stories and essays. I'll also start Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson. It's the first in a series and I can't wait to finish them all.

Anyway, best of luck and happiness for the new year!

Photo-itis

Graduation was a difficult ordeal. The drive down to Tallahassee was not overly long or unbearable but the ceremony kind of was. It consisted of over two hours of speeches and names spouted out like bullets. I was in such a daze that I didn't really hear my name announced, I just followed the instructions of the man motioning me to walk across the stage and shake hands. More importantly, my graduation pictures are awful! It was raining and my hair was poofy and everyone looked so drab with the cloudy sky. I'm not photogenic as it is but the whole thing was just unfair. I think the professional ones were the worst! Even my mother agreed. I've already mentioned the hair issue but I don't even know what was going on with my face. I can't describe it and I'm going to spare anyone else from seeing the horror of those pictures. When I return the cap and gown to my friend she and I are going to take some mock-graduation photos. They will look better and my mother will be happy. I just want the piece of paper to hang on my wall. It should arrive in about a month. I got an 'A' in my final class which felt better than actually graduating. I'm proud of myself. So...it's officially all over---Huzzah!!!!!!

I'm about 99.9% done with my Christmas shopping! I only have one person left to buy for and I'll do that tomorrow. My love of the whole 'stocking-stuffer' only gifts for the fam has increased this year. I'll be taking tons of pictures of my family and friends this year because I have a nifty camera. I'll get some photo paper and hopefully be able to frame them to decorate my barren apartment walls. I'll also post some for the viewing pleasure of the hundreds of people that visit my blog each day!! (that was clearly a joke)

The End Of An Era

Well, folks, it's all over. I just submitted my last assignment. I'm feeling a little odd at the moment. I was expecting an overload of emotions--extreme happiness or sadness. Instead I'm just feeling drained and a little disappointed (once again, my paper was well below my personal expectations, I can't imagine how irritated my professor will be!). I'll be furiously checking my FSU account every hour for the next week waiting for my grade. I hope my emotion overload doesn't suddenly hit me at graduation and cause me to bust out laughing during a speech or cry so much that I'll have graduation pictures with mascara running down my face.

Stubbornness

Well, I'm sitting at my desk getting ready to listen to my last lecture before my last class. I've got on sweats, a fleece hat, socks and shoes and a blanket. I have yet to turn on my heat this year. I'm going to try and hold out until next year. I'm not warm now nor am I ever warm in the morning. My nose is pretty cold right now as are my hands.

I've finished all my reading and have retained little. I got an A minus and A on my last two papers. Our final exam will be posted in about 2 hours. I'm nervous but feeling better after the two As. I'd love to make an A in my last class but I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I'm feeling a little nauseous at the moment--a common occurrence during the end of the semester for me.

It's off to Warner Robins tomorrow and then to Macon on Friday for the conference. I'll stay a few days in Warner Robins to get some last minute shopping in and quality time with the fam. Maybe me and the boys (my dad, grandpa and brother) can go hit some golf balls; Maybe I'll go super crazy and try to go bowling! I can't wait to see National Treasure: Book of Secrets and I'd like to see Enchanted also.

I finished listening to the Maximum Ride trilogy by James Patterson--it's his shot at young adult lit. It was pretty good but towards the end it kind of seemed like some global warming agenda pushing was going on. I think there might be a fourth book because all the issues weren't really resolved. I would recommend reading it rather than listening to it--the reader was kind of lame. I'm listening to the second installment of Abarat, Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War by Clive Barker. I'm eager to learn about Candy's true history and possible powers. Most of all, I get to watch the final season of Gilmore Girls!!!! The entire series arrived about two weeks ago and I have stayed away from it--I have the willpower of an anaconda!

Also to come in the near future....violin lessons!!!!!!!!!


My lovely violin beneath my lovely Christmas tree in my lovely apartment.

The Final Countdown

By this time next week I'll have turned in my very last assignment for my MLS. I'm so excited I could wet my pants! My motivation has ebbed slightly but I'm sure the adrenaline will kick in in time for the due date. It's our second exam, one in which the professor posts several essay questions. We select 2 or 3 to discuss and then turn it in within 24 hours. He's giving us 72 hours this time but I'm going to a teen conference the next day (yep, me, at a teen conference, with real professionals!) so I need to get on the ball. I only have one book to finish, Apostles of Culture by Dee Garrison, and one final lecture to take notes on. The first exam was extremely hard work so hopefully I'm better prepared for this one.

I'm already lusting after several books in our fiction section--items I will be able to read in a little over a week without guilt! First up will be Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore. It's supposed to be a humorous vampire romance (could life get any better?). The next book is You Suck which we have on audio. It's time to get out my books-to-read-after-graduation list. I also hope I can do some traveling and generally be part of the normal human race again.

Gift-giving panic is on like Donkey Kong. My family is again doing 'stocking-stuffer' only gifts. It was a huge hit last year because most of us are short on money and gift wrapping skills. Frances will be in town again so I'm super excited about that. My sister will also be in town so fellow Target shoppers beware!

Visiting

Last weekend was full of visits with old friends. Frances drove down from Ohio with my nieces. I drove to Warner Robins after work that Thursday, back to work on Friday night, back to Warner Robins Saturday after work, and then back to Atlanta Monday morning to get to work. It was well worth all the driving. I had lunch with some friends from my old university library job that Friday and stopped by my previous job (before the university job--keep up people!) to visit for a while there too. I also got to visit with my old high school friend Kelly. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. The girls (my nieces) are getting so big! Lilian is gorgeous with her flowing white hair and angelic face and Rosie has such a sweet, beautiful face and the funniest walk I've ever seen. I think I'll get to see them again at Christmas.

I'll be going home for Thanksgiving. I plan on driving down Thanksgiving Day and will stay probably until Saturday. I need to get some serious reading done for school. There are only two more chat sessions left and then I never have to 'collaborate' ever again for school. Completing my last two assignments may not be such a struggle this time around--I wish they were due now! Then I would be done and I could dance around like a fool and celebrate the end of an era.

Work is very busy these days. We will close early on Wednesday and all day Thursday and Friday for the holiday. Luckily, this is not my weekend to work so I will have four whole days off and I'm determined to appreciate every one of them. My first TAB meeting date is getting closer and I still have not received the go-ahead to advertise. I am officially freaked-out about this! All my flyers are ready for display--I just need the OK from home office.

I pulled out my violin last week to play a little. I checked out a DVD at work on playing the violin for beginners. I hate to admit it but I've kind of already forgotten what I learned during my two sessions in September. I can still play the same portion of 'twinkle, twinkle little star' as before and my scales but that is only from memory. It needs to be tuned--which I don't know how to do--and I'm probably playing it all wrong. However, I'm thrilled to get back to my lessons next month or January at the latest (it depends of lesson availability). Anyway, I'm off to review The Dismissal of Miss Ruth Brown for school--some portions might be on our last exam.

Shame On Me

Another long period between posts (I'm beating myself up as I type). It isn't that I've been sooo busy that I can't post, nor is it that I have nothing interesting to post (or maybe that is it). However, these past few weeks I feel like I'm a ball of nerves. Three of my five assignments for my last semester have been turned in. Grades have been received for two (an A- and a B+, not my best work so I'm pleased with the grades) and the class is patiently waiting for the third. Our TA is grading this last assignment which has me biting my nails. For some reason TAs feel like they have to prove their worth and therefore grade rather harshly. Oh, well...no sense worrying myself sick. Graduation is approaching and I'm having mixed emotions. At times I'm so excited I'll just start laughing and at other times I get chocked-up. I can't wait to walk across that stage with hundreds of strangers (I've never met any of the people that I'll be graduating with) and knowing my family will be watching.

Now for a little update about work. I still love my job and the people I work with. My first Teen Advisory Board meeting has been scheduled for December 3rd. We're having a comic book artist stop by for a drawing workshop. I really hope it is a success. I'll advertise like crazy and stop by the middle and high school down the street to advertise as well. I've received a couple applications to join TAB which is very encouraging. I'm also learning the collection more and more each day and how to use the microfilm machines (we had several machines at my old job but I never really had to help customers use them) and our nifty new copier.

The Halloween birthday party was an absolute blast! The food was excellent and it was great seeing everyone celebrating.

It was fun dressing up but since the party was October 13th I felt as though Halloween had come and gone before the actual big day. At first we were allowed to dress-up at work as a book character (I was going to be Hermione again) but then that was canceled. Perhaps if we had been allowed to dress-up it would have felt like Halloween. I couldn't participate in any activities that evening because I had class and a paper due (blah!).

I shall post again soon (I promise!)