July 28, 2008

How Matt Damon and chocolate pudding could change the course of my history!

Recently an opening came up for a librarian position in our home elementary school. My son (8 years old) begged me to take this job. He wanted his lovely mommy to be his school librarian.

My hubbie also wanted me to apply for the job. His reasons were purely economical and convenience--fascist. It's only two minutes away by car (meaning I could potentially ride a bike, and when I say bike I mean sweet Vespa scooter), and we would no longer need daycare for the kids all through elementary school.

So I really considered it. I like the school, the teachers, and it would be great to keep an eye on my little darlings (please insert "when sleeping" after last two words). I enjoy elementary students-and I would get to read aloud daily. And I am in super cheap/saving mode so that I may get an in-ground pool-one of my deepest desires besides entering in a pumpkin pie eating contest with Matt Damon. So after contemplating, and hearing the constant begging of my sweet little boy, I decided not to apply.

I am in love with my current position. My job, my library, my students, my co-workers, my assistant, etc. Plus what principal would give this giant nutcase the chance to completely remodel my library on a whim? Until I don't want to get up in the morning, and race to work because I am so happy to be there, I'm staying put. Unless the elementary school threw in free daily chocolate snack packs...I might just change my mind.

July 20, 2008

Trusted Agents and Navigators

My weekly trip to WebJunction always leads me to super sweet finds and wicked cool resources:

60 Sites in 60 Seconds is a quick wiki page that lists fabulous websites and links full of interesting new trends on the internet...del.icio.us; pbwiki; and tons more I've never even heard of!

This site led me to Squidoo: a collection of "lens" -mini webpages created by people on specific topics they consider themselves experts on. And we are talking about anything...the statue of David, organic cotton, African American education resources, to split ends on dog hair (I'm not 100% sure on that last one).

This led me to teen lit-this little gem is a collection of everything YA.

Now be careful that 60 sites in 60 seconds is a complete misadvertisement...I'm now on day 24.

Ahhh, the interweb.

July 9, 2008

I love my chips

After attending a WORD (Washington Organization for Reading Development) conference a few weeks ago I learned the terms "Dorito and Broccoli Reading." Dorito Reading is reading for nothing more than entertainment...nothing wrong with this; we all love to open a fresh bag smell that new chip smell and dig in not caring about calories or carbs. I've read many many of these; some so bad I hide the cover when I read in public-especially those trashy novels. Examples? Twilight, most of the top ten best sellers right now...

Broccoli reading results in higher brain activity, you have to think a little, make connections, inference, etc. Now I actually enjoy broccoli the veggie and the book. For some reason this summer I'm enjoying a mix, but in past summers the amount of time spent around the pool or beach does not condone itself to snacking on broccoli. Examples? 1776, A People's History of The United States, Fahrenheit 451.

My favorite...broccoli with cheese sauce, a little of both.

July 2, 2008

Good Reads defined by Good People

I'm really enjoying the Good Reads website. It helps me keep track of what I'm reading, what my friends and family are reading, let's me make a "need to read" list for future, it's fun and quite painless. There are some great book reviewers on it too. I will overlook some people's comments on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. I will not take it personally.

1 month to go until Breaking Dawn!

I'm back baby!

So, I'm starting this up again. I feel it is a good place for me to reflect and journal my life as a librarian-also my good friends who have very interesting blogs have inspired me to get back in the game (thanks Ann and Leslie). I know, what an exciting life that must be. Danger and adventure lurking everywhere, injuries possible at every turn. Kind of like Ducktales. This summer I'm devouring books to get ahead of my little darlings. But I'm also working on 100 other projects: beefing up my school website, remodeling my library, creating an agenda for the workshop I'm teaching on blogs and wikis for the district wide Focus on Instruction Day. Yikes, I need to bust a move on that last one. Summer is going by fast.

I'm also trying to do some projects around the house, entertain the kids, and workout regularly. Apparently reading doesn't count as an exercise and is not helping me dissolve the large extra parts I seem to have collected around the bootie area. Let's hope typing will help me dissolve a few ounces. Unfortunately it's been over 100 degrees the past few days, and my inner self can barely handle this. I feel like I'm working in a pool of molasses.

I will post some pictures of the before and after construction on my library!