Merry Christmas!

I'll be away from the computer for a few weeks due to the Christmas Crunch! It's getting down to the wire and I'll be pretty busy for the next little while.

Just a quick Happy Holidays to everyone (Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever holiday you celebrate). I hope the New Year brings everyone love, laughter and good fortune. Spend some time this Holiday season and think about what you love about being you. Give your loved ones an extra hug and don't be afraid to say "I Love You". Hearing those three words is more precious than any gift.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Tired...

I think there's something seriously wrong with me... let me tell you what I did today. I got up at 5am!!! That's right, you heard me, 5am to go shopping. I decided I would hit some of the 24hr stores while the crowds were still somewhat manageable. I am pleased to announce that I currently have TWO presents left to buy.

I also bought myself a little present today as well :D An LG Rumor. So far, I'm LOVING the new phone, it has awesome texting and overall I just love it. I've heard some bad things about it but I'm reserving judgement until I've had it myself for a while.

'Tis the Season

I bought my Christmas tree last night. Although it is much more endowed than poor Charlie's tree it is still looking woefully bare. It usually takes me several days to get the thing decorated to my liking. Day one and two are usually for allowing the branches of the tree to fall and shape themselves after being tied up for days. Day three is met with much swearing as I weave the twinkling colored lights in and out each branch... yup, you heard it right. EVERY SINGLE BRANCH has lights strung on it. We're very particular in my family about the lights. After that's done I'm usually covered in scratches, my blood pressure is through the roof and I'm probably more than a little drunk (HA!). Day Four is for hanging on the decorations, there are literally hundreds. Close to 90% of them are homemade and have to be admired before they're put on the tree. Next, the tinsel has to be laid carefully, if my mother had her way it would be strewn on the tree one strand at a time. YIKES! Usually by this point I can convince her to leave the room while I string the tinsel. Last but not least we wind the ribbon around the tree and then top the tree with the angel.

Anyway, that's what I have in store for me for the next few days. Perhaps when it's all done I'll post a picture....

Locked Out

This is a blog entry all about my pal Annie who has me blocked out of her blog ;). Ha ha!

Dearest Annie,

I think perhaps you may have overlooked the fact that I am currently unable to read your blog. I have taken to consoling myself with large amounts of chocolate which consequently have caused a constant feeling of being on a jittery sugar-high. I urge you to consider me a safe reader of your blog wherein I would not turn into a crazy psycho stalker :P.

With sincerest regards,

Your Pal Becky

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

Working out of a Public Library ensures that I never run out of things to read. I've never in my life had a TBR (To Be Read...) pile of books. However, since I've started my new job I find that there's a never ending, alarming tower of books waiting for my attention.

I've discovered (actually, re-discovered would be the appropriate term) that Young Adult fiction is truly some of the best stuff out there. Now, I'm not talking about the recent Stephanie Meyer craze, although I'm not discounting the appeal of a ruthlessly handsome vampire who's going to stay that way for all time, he is of course also rich, well-dressed and old-fashioned in his ways... fabulous enough to make me feel slightly like a cougar waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting young heartthrob... wait a minute I better haul myself back on track. ;) Where was I? Oh yes, Young Adult novels. If they are well written these books can delve deep into the human psyche and instigate a series of questions about who we are and what is the purpose of it all.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac is a very well-written novel about a young girl who at the very beginning of the novel has an unfortunate accident which causes her to lose the last four years of her life. The remainder of the narrative forces Naomi to question everything about her life. The person she was before isn't someone she can identify with now. James, the brooding (somewhat crazy) new guy envies Naomi her forgotten past and is perhaps the perfect companion for Naomi because she isn't required to remember anything about him. Her relationship with Will Landsman, or 'Coach' as she used to call him, is probably the best part of the novel. He's quirky, campy and unwavering in his loyalty to his best-friend 'Chief' (Naomi).

Gabrielle Zevin delivers a quick and entertaining read in Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. All in all I would recommend this book with four out of five stars.

Parasites

This post is a little harsh, so if you have sensitive ears I suggest you navigate yourself away from here for the time being.

Why do some people insist on draining the lifes blood out of you? I've encountered a few of these people in my life and usually once they're outed as being the parasite that they are they slink away and look for the next unsuspecting host.

One parasite in particular just refuses to go away. I guess she must get some sort of vidictive pleasure out of it all. Maybe...I really don't know. If she really wanted to be friends in the first place then you think she would have made a better effort to be a friend in the first place.

Anway, I've got that out of my system. I'm done with her. DONE. Not going to talk about her anymore and I'm going to try not to think of her anymore.

I'm done. Thanks for listening to my rant.

Avoidance

*Sigh*

Every time I have something of importance to do in my life I avoid it until it is impossible to avoid.

Right now there are no less then four things that need my immediate attention, only two of which I will mention here, my Maid of Honor speech for my best friends wedding next month, and a Biology paper that was due a few days ago.

I KNOW that both of these things should have been addressed some time ago but rather than get them done and over with I've procrastinated so long that now it's an aching in my stomach to get them done.

With regards to the MOH speech... what does one write for a speech for your best friend on the day of her wedding. I SUCK AT PUBLIC SPEAKING!!!!! I did it in high school and I've done it for my seminar courses at University but I HAD to do it then. Besides speaking academically about something is a hell of a lot easier than getting up in a room half full of people you know and half full of people you don't. I thought maybe I should watch some wedding movies to get some ideas but the only one I could think of right now is 27 Dresses, hahahahaha.... somehow I don't think that would really be appropriate.

Ah well, at least I've got the toast figured out... "Here's to the Bride and Groom" raise my glass and hope there's still some champagne left, lol.

As for the Biology paper, well... let's not go there.

Life as a Librarian

Last night was my official first night volunteering at the library. SO MUCH FUN! Who would have thought that it would be the best "job" I've had in years.

I started off learning the computer system to check out books and return them. Then we placed a few inter-library loans, then we re-shelved the children's books and helped a few patrons find what they were looking for. The atmosphere, the smell of the books, the faint hum of the computers and the quiet giggle of the young teen checking her e-mail.

My favorite quote of all time sums my thoughts up quite nice. Jorge Luis Borges once said that "I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."

Saturday

I just returned home from my nephew's Spring Concert. The idea this year was to celebrate the concept of Saturday. The day of freedom. Somewhat satirically the kids lamented the loss of their Saturday to chores, sports practice, piano lessons and so on. The concert itself was quite amusing. It did however start me thinking...

Saturday has long since ceased to be a relaxing day. No more lounging around till noon in my pajamas watching Power Rangers or He-Man. Instead Saturday has become a day of "catch-up". The day when you can get everything else done that you didn't have time to do throughout the rest of the week. Lucky me, I have a job that allows me every other weekend off. Sounds great, right? I guess in some ways it is. Instead of getting up at 6am (which may be sleeping in to some but is an un-godly hour in my opinion) I inevitably wake at eight. My body figures that no matter what time I hauled my ass home the previous night sleeping past eight is just not right. One plus of not having to rush my morning routine is the idea of enjoying a full pot of coffee. That's right, no more travel mugs. Cup after wonderful, albeit lukewarm, cup awaits me. Then start the guilts. I didn't do any cleaning all week so I guess I should do some now, right? *sigh*

There is cleaning to do and laundry, don't even get me started on laundry. I have a work uniform for crying out loud, where the hell does all this come from? Then there's the running around, the errands. Groceries, appointments etc.

Sometimes when I elect to stay home on Saturday nights I curl up in front of the TV, or stare trance-like at my computer screen, and pray for Monday to come so I can get a break.

The Volunteer.

I took the plunge. I finally worked out the time in my schedule to volunteer. With the advice of my career counselor ringing in my head I stopped at my local public library and talked to the head librarian there about volunteering my time one or two nights a week.



On the way home it occurred to me that the only reason I'm giving up my precious time is so that I'll have something that looks self-sacrificing on my resume. So this brings to mind the question of whether or not these people actually exist. Are there really people out there who willingly give of their time solely for the purpose of helping someone else without expecting or receiving anything in return?

Growing up!

I'm not even sure if there is anyone out there reading my blog anymore. Life has been... shall we say interesting.

I'm finally completing my Bachelor's degree and trying to decide what to do with the rest of my life. Ideally I would be rich and would be able to pursue my dreams of lifelong learning. If I were to win the lottery tomorrow I would study for the rest of my life. I love to learn, it doesn't matter what it is so long as I'm using my brain.

However, in the real world one has to find something to do with the education she has so slowly slaved over for seven years. Yes that's right, seven years. For those of you who don't know me that well, I began my University career, and yes at times I feel like I should be paid for my hard work, in 2000. Working like a galley slave for the next eight years, give or take a few months when I took time off, I've been attending classes part-time and working for a pittance the rest of the time. Unfortunately for me, my job leaves me woefully underpaid but somewhat appreciated so I don't feel so bad about the underpaid portion, therefore I was required to take on the dreaded Student Loan. Now I'm forced out into the real world to find a real job that will enable me to pay back this loan that I procured.

Option 1: Return to school for the Masters program, not really what I want to do but it will keep me from having to re-pay my loan right away. However, this does mean I will have to borrow more which in essence doesn't make much cents(haha) at all.

Option 2: Accept a teaching position in South Korea that would allow me to see some of the world and do something new and exciting. This is my most likely option but it will keep me from friends and family for an entire year.

Option 3: Apply for a job working at the University Library. An appealing choice for someone who enjoys books and learning in any format. The major plus of this option... free education. You heard it right folks. Working at the University would allow me to register for one course, free of charge, each semester.

Okay... interrupt to add some curse words, I just stubbed my toe on the computer desk and am currently swearing with enough vehemence to make a sailor proud.

Back on topic...

Right now Option 2 looks to be the best idea. I mean, a chance to see parts of the world I've only previously dreamed of. The pay is quite good and opportunities to travel while I'm there.... imagine me circling in the street with arms outstretched while hallelujahs reign from the heavens. I know what your thinking.... what about the kids? Teaching has never been my vocation in life. I've always been told I would make a fantastic teacher, I do have the patience of a Saint, and I love kids, I truly do, I just don't think I could deal with bureaucracies that tend to go hand in hand with a life of teaching. Could I do it and enjoy for a year or two of my life? Absolutely. Hell, who knows I might even discover that the pros far out-weigh the cons and commit myself to a life of lectures and grading.

Anyway, just in case I do get the chance to fly myself halfway around the world I went last month and applied for my passport. That lovely, and quite costly, document now sits snugly in the hidden compartment of my jewelery box.

Ciao for now,

Becky

PS.... Annie... where did you go?