I'm still a student, right?

[Mandy Simon]

So this summer has already been a whirlwind, and it's about to get windier. (Is that a word?)

We've got a bunch of librarian openings at our library, which means I've been working extra hours. I've also been the lucky one to become the Children's alternate associate, which means I spend an awful lot of my time at the children's desk these days. I love it and it's great- but it is so exhausting when I get home. I had no idea that summer would be like this. Between SRP decorating, program-helping, class-work, planning for London, etc. well it's hard to keep my thoughts straight. I'm lucky I'm showing up at work at the right times! (Thank God for Google calendar)

I'm taking LIS 505 this semester (which probably means nothing to most of you...) Library Adminstration and Management. It's interesting, but also I can't stress enough how much of this is actually learned on-the-job as opposed to reading about it in books/articles. A lot of it seems very common-sense to me. But that's good because I'm leaving soon to embark upon library science in the UK....

I'm leaving in 8 days, assuming that my passport gets here in time. I can't believe it. I mean, I'm taking the right steps, reading ahead, getting caught up, buying the travel gear and attempting to pack "light", but I really can't wrap my brain around the fact that I'll be gone next week. In another country. Studying museums and libraries. Wow.

I have created a travel-blog that is here: http://www.mandydoeslondon.blogspot.com

I will be posting information about the trip/library stuff there. Between this, myspace, google reader, facebook, flickr, etc. I'm getting super-overwhelmed with all of the places I need to log in, check and update. So even though I'm not a crazy-blogger on Ning now, I have a feeling it will be even more sparse once I get overseas.

The Library of the Year celebrations are STILL going on, and it just doesn't get old. My co-workers went to ALA (jealous) and were awarded the honor. Then the other day I was invited to attend the state of Ohio House of Representatives while we were recognize on the floor for receiving the honor. It was truly amazing. It feels so satisfying to be proud of what I do- to be surrounded by others who have the same goals and passion for their jobs that I do. I feel like people who work in libraries are a rare breed-- they work incredibly hard, and deserve every pat on the back they get. (I like being included in my own theory)

At any rate, I wanted to check in and update all on the goings-on in my life up to this point. I'll try to be better about it. I have the RSS feed updated all the time and I browse the blog postings often, so I'll be thinking of you all....in london town!

[Karin Dalziel]

I saw your co-workers get honored at the OCLC luncheon - it was neat to know that I sorta kinda know someone who works there! Your trip sounds amazing- I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous.

I'm glad Ning has RSS feeds, or else it would be hard to keep tabs on... I certainly feel overwhelmed sometimes by all the options out there.

I subscribed to your travel blog- I look forward to reading about your experiences!