Thanks for all the words of encouragment on the job hunting process. I'm having to remember that it is a PROCESS, and that my whole point in going to library school was to try to get closer to having a job that I love, one which fits my values, talents, personality, and skills. I also have to remember not to take rejection personally - another thing that's easier to do intellectually.
After reflecting on the rejection from Alaska a bit, I realized that it was not a position that fit me well. It consisted of a lot of group instruction, which is not my favorite part of the academic library set of skills. I got some really valuable feedback from one of the steering committee members, and I think it will help me focus in on what I enjoy and what fits my talents and personality better.
And of course, me being me, I defaulted to one of my favorite defense mechanisms - some black and white thinking; if I couldn't get one job, that meant I would never get any jobs, and not being comfortable with group instruction meant I should not even look for library jobs. Hey, I don't claim that it makes sense. It comes from the emotional side, and is one of the grooves worn into my brain that gives me lots of excuses not to do things. Fortunately, I've reached the point in my life where I don't have to go too far down this path before I see that I've been here oh, so many times before, and that it's not a place I want to go. Some course correction, and I'm back to being more realistic, and optimistic, about the job process.
I'm keeping my options open, and exploring related fields, like instructional design. I'm also looking at reference/instruction positions where the instruction is more virtual. I do truly think that library instruction needs to move in different directions, away from stand alone instruction. Some libraries are getting that. My hope is that I may be able to find a place open to changes, where I can put my skills, talents, and interests to use.
And it's not terribly surprising that my momentum in this process is more like a spiral than a straight line. My whole life has been a series of spirals - starting down a path, figuring out that's not quite where I need to be, spiraling around to another place. It looks very messy and doesn't work well for most people (and ends up taking longer and costing more), but for better or worse, it's been my way. This is just another curve in the spiral. I'm really excited to turn the corner and see what's ahead.
Maybe that's why I like labyrinths... the curves, the back and forth, making progress while looking like you're not, and requiring patience and time. It could be a metaphor for my life, really. I'm not sure exactly where this job hunting process will take me. All I know is that it feels very, very good to be listening to my heart again, and to be keeping myself open to the journey.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Hope
Desert Dome, Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha
Wallabies (?)
Boomslang (think Harry Potter)
This guy came over to get some water while another critter was over there, and then started doing this - I don't think he was happy...
Isn't s/he pretty?It's been very interesting in my brain lately. With the inaguration and with things actually happening the first few days in office, I have hope for the future of my country for the first time in a long, long time. The transparency of this administration alone is exciting and amazing (and if you haven't looked at the new whitehouse.org pages... I suggest a visit).
On the other hand, my own personal store of hope for myself is kind of on a downhill slide. It's all part of the job seeking process - the ups and downs. I know this intellectually, but the job seeking process isn't a completely intellectual process. It's hard to keep your heart out of it. I'm continuing to slog through the job applications, but I have to admit to not having my whole heart into it at the moment. I know that eventually I'll reach the uphill side of this. For now, I may not be posting a lot about anything job related, kind of in the spirit of - "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything."
I did spend a lovely afternoon yesterday enjoying the unseasonally warm weather at the zoo. It's been a long time since I've been to the zoo in Omaha. They've expanded quite a bit. They have all these habitat type areas - a desert dome, a jungle, a butterfly habitat. The butterfly habitat was amazing. It's got the double door entry and exit, and then once you're inside, the butterflies are flying all around. You have to watch out for them (and check for them on you when you're leaving). I fell in love with the owl butterfly. Unfortunately, my camera battery decided to die, so I have no photos to share. All my images are in my head. Maybe they'll help shift things to hopeful.
On the other hand, my own personal store of hope for myself is kind of on a downhill slide. It's all part of the job seeking process - the ups and downs. I know this intellectually, but the job seeking process isn't a completely intellectual process. It's hard to keep your heart out of it. I'm continuing to slog through the job applications, but I have to admit to not having my whole heart into it at the moment. I know that eventually I'll reach the uphill side of this. For now, I may not be posting a lot about anything job related, kind of in the spirit of - "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything."
I did spend a lovely afternoon yesterday enjoying the unseasonally warm weather at the zoo. It's been a long time since I've been to the zoo in Omaha. They've expanded quite a bit. They have all these habitat type areas - a desert dome, a jungle, a butterfly habitat. The butterfly habitat was amazing. It's got the double door entry and exit, and then once you're inside, the butterflies are flying all around. You have to watch out for them (and check for them on you when you're leaving). I fell in love with the owl butterfly. Unfortunately, my camera battery decided to die, so I have no photos to share. All my images are in my head. Maybe they'll help shift things to hopeful.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
One more day
And for your reading pleasure (?), a retrospective of the past 8 years as revealed through just a few of the many, many Bushisms that exist.
"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
"The decisions we make in Washington have a direct impact on the people in our country, obviously." --George W. Bush, New Albany, Ind., Nov. 13, 2007
"And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."—speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007
"Wow! Brazil is big." --George W. Bush, after being shown a map of Brazil by Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 6, 2005
"Anybody who is in a position to serve this country ought to understand the consequences of words." --George W. Bush, interview with Rush Limbaugh, Nov. 1, 2006
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." --George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005
"If you're a younger person, you ought to be asking members of Congress and the United States Senate and the president what you intend to do about it. If you see a train wreck coming, you ought to be saying, what are you going to do about it, Mr. Congressman, or Madam Congressman?" --George W. Bush, Detroit, Mich., Feb. 8, 2005
"I hope you leave here and walk out and say, 'What did he say?'" --George W. Bush, Beaverton, Oregon, Aug. 13, 2004
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
"The recession started upon my arrival. It could have been -- some say February, some say March, some speculate maybe earlier it started -- but nevertheless, it happened as we showed up here. The attacks on our country affected our economy. Corporate scandals affected the confidence of people and therefore affected the economy. My decision on Iraq, this kind of march to war, affected the economy." --George W. Bush, Meet the Press, Feb. 8, 2004
"It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America." -George W. Bush, Dakar, Senegal, July 8, 2003
"I'm the master of low expectations." -George W. Bush, aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003
"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption." -George W. Bush, Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002
There may be some tough times here in America. But this country has gone through tough times before, and we're going to do it again." -George W. Bush, Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002
"I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace." -George W. Bush, June 18, 2002
"Arbolist … Look up the word. I don't know, maybe I made it up. Anyway, it's an arbo-tree-ist, somebody who knows about trees." -George W. Bush, as quoted in USA Today, Aug. 21, 2001
"It's amazing I won. I was running against peace, prosperity, and incumbency." -George W. Bush, June 14, 2001, speaking to Swedish Prime Minister Goran Perrson, unaware that a live television camera was still rolling.
"America better beware of a candidate who is willing to stretch reality in order to win points." --George W. Bush, aboard his campaign plane, Sept. 18, 2000
"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."—U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 3, 2000
"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
"The decisions we make in Washington have a direct impact on the people in our country, obviously." --George W. Bush, New Albany, Ind., Nov. 13, 2007
"And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."—speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007
"Wow! Brazil is big." --George W. Bush, after being shown a map of Brazil by Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 6, 2005
"Anybody who is in a position to serve this country ought to understand the consequences of words." --George W. Bush, interview with Rush Limbaugh, Nov. 1, 2006
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." --George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005
"If you're a younger person, you ought to be asking members of Congress and the United States Senate and the president what you intend to do about it. If you see a train wreck coming, you ought to be saying, what are you going to do about it, Mr. Congressman, or Madam Congressman?" --George W. Bush, Detroit, Mich., Feb. 8, 2005
"I hope you leave here and walk out and say, 'What did he say?'" --George W. Bush, Beaverton, Oregon, Aug. 13, 2004
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
"The recession started upon my arrival. It could have been -- some say February, some say March, some speculate maybe earlier it started -- but nevertheless, it happened as we showed up here. The attacks on our country affected our economy. Corporate scandals affected the confidence of people and therefore affected the economy. My decision on Iraq, this kind of march to war, affected the economy." --George W. Bush, Meet the Press, Feb. 8, 2004
"It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America." -George W. Bush, Dakar, Senegal, July 8, 2003
"I'm the master of low expectations." -George W. Bush, aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003
"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption." -George W. Bush, Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002
There may be some tough times here in America. But this country has gone through tough times before, and we're going to do it again." -George W. Bush, Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002
"I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace." -George W. Bush, June 18, 2002
"Arbolist … Look up the word. I don't know, maybe I made it up. Anyway, it's an arbo-tree-ist, somebody who knows about trees." -George W. Bush, as quoted in USA Today, Aug. 21, 2001
"It's amazing I won. I was running against peace, prosperity, and incumbency." -George W. Bush, June 14, 2001, speaking to Swedish Prime Minister Goran Perrson, unaware that a live television camera was still rolling.
"America better beware of a candidate who is willing to stretch reality in order to win points." --George W. Bush, aboard his campaign plane, Sept. 18, 2000
"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."—U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 3, 2000
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Job and Life Update
Since I've had so many emails checking on my employment status, I thought I'd do a general update. I haven't heard anything from Alaska one way or the other. It's been about a month since my interview, though. I think the more time that passes, the less likely there will be a job offer. That's my operating assumption, anyway, so I have applied for a bunch more jobs.
I am using the following quote as my mantra these days.
“When one door closes, another opens."
(attibuted to both Alexander Graham Bell and Helen Keller)
“When one door closes, another opens."
(attibuted to both Alexander Graham Bell and Helen Keller)
I'm hopeful that the right job for me will come along. Meanwhile, I've been creating a website with my professional portfolio, experimenting with podcasting software of various kinds, reading library-related articles, rereading the Harry Potter books, and knitting a sock. I don't know if I have time to be employed (just kidding!).
I will most likely be registering for my first professional conference, too. The early registration deadline for the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) conference is Friday. It's in Seattle in March. I was kind of holding off in case I was employed by then, but I think it would be a great experience. The presentations sound very interesting, and I could learn so much. Putting my life on hold while waiting for possible job offers is a bit like waiting for a guy to call. Maybe it will happen, but it's best not to hold your breath
Monday, January 5, 2009
Out with the old...
and waiting to find out about the new. Callie and I wrapped up our Bloomington adventures. We spent a few peaceful nights at the Motel 6, reading and watching many back-to-back episodes of Mythbusters.
It's odd to know that I won't be spending all my time divided between the Wells Library (home of SLIS and pictured above), Ballantine Hall, and the Education Library.
It's time to move on, though. This photo is of my empty key chains (and my temporary motel keys). I'm looking at this as another opportunity to learn to let go of the things we use to fill our lives. I'm keyless for now, but eventually other opportunities (and the keys that go with them) will present themselves. I'll just have to be patient, and enjoy the journey that takes me to those places, keys, etc.
These are the temporary dwellings of Trish and Callie. We're staying at my brother's house, in the attic-y extra bedroom. We've made ourselves comfy for now. I'll be able to spend some time with my family, do some sightseeing around the area, and get myself organized for whatever the future holds in store for Callie and me.
As you can see, Callie has made herself comfy. She's still a little perturbed by the moving experience, but she's getting settled in a bit. It will be nice to look forward to finding a job and a permanent place in the future, though. We're both tired of moving, and want to find a place to stay for a nice, long time.
It's odd to know that I won't be spending all my time divided between the Wells Library (home of SLIS and pictured above), Ballantine Hall, and the Education Library.
It's time to move on, though. This photo is of my empty key chains (and my temporary motel keys). I'm looking at this as another opportunity to learn to let go of the things we use to fill our lives. I'm keyless for now, but eventually other opportunities (and the keys that go with them) will present themselves. I'll just have to be patient, and enjoy the journey that takes me to those places, keys, etc.
These are the temporary dwellings of Trish and Callie. We're staying at my brother's house, in the attic-y extra bedroom. We've made ourselves comfy for now. I'll be able to spend some time with my family, do some sightseeing around the area, and get myself organized for whatever the future holds in store for Callie and me.
As you can see, Callie has made herself comfy. She's still a little perturbed by the moving experience, but she's getting settled in a bit. It will be nice to look forward to finding a job and a permanent place in the future, though. We're both tired of moving, and want to find a place to stay for a nice, long time. I'll keep you posted on what happens with Alaska. I haven't heard anything yet, but am hoping to hear one way or the other very soon. Naturally, I hope to hear that they want me; it's a very nice library, and the people were extremely nice. The job itself combines all the different things that interest me, and I think I would be able to both contribute, and continue to learn and grow. It's out of my hands, though. I appreciate all of your good thoughts sent my way. Hopefully they'll help. Either way, I'll keep you all updated.
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