Paraprofessional Library Conference

Last week (ish) I was lucky enough to attend the Paraprofessional Library Conference at ECU with some of my coworkers. I was pretty excited, it was the first conference of any kind I have been sent to for work and my inner book nerd was very antsy. We had some awful weather on our two hour drive up there, but luckily once we hit campus it cleared up nicely. It was great to attend the workshops and bond a bit more with my coworkers outside the library.

The main thing about a paraprofessional conference is that it is geared towards people like me.... people who work in libraries that are not necessarily librarians. To be called a librarian you need to have your MLS (Master of Library Sciences), which I obviously do not have, hence the reason I am a Library Technician. I did four different workshops that I found pretty interesting. The first was about salvaging old photographs that can get damaged in your facility due to flooding/storms/leaks/etc. We do live in Eastern North Carolina, it isn't that far fetched! They showed us techniques that can save a good number of photographs that are important to our collection if we are able to do so. They even showed us some before and afters from libraries in New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy and what they were able to salvage.

My next workshop was about Murder Mystery Theatre... something another library a county over does once a year for the community. I really enjoyed their presentation. For practically no budget they manage to pull off some really entertaining performances! Theatre and Libraries combined? You know I am SO there! I know MCCS here at Lejeune does something similar, but it is dinner theatre and not as interactive as the one we learned about nor is it solely a library production. But something to consider for sure!

After lunch I attended a basic photography workshop that had me riveted the whole time... other people maybe not so much. I am a total geek for this stuff and I want to learn to take better pictures so I really enjoyed it. It made me really itch for a DSLR too!

My last workshop was about stress relieving work outs you can do at work. Mainly it was stretching and focusing energies on certain tension spots but I did learn one or two I could do behind the reference desk and not look like a total spaz!

Overall I had a really great time. As one of my coworkers said during one of our breaks as we lounged in the sunny courtyard, "I imagine this is what it would have been like to go to college with y'all... it's kind of scary." The campus was definitely beautiful, and I naturally ran through the ECU musical arches a few times before we had to drive back!

 

Military.com Spouse Summit 2013

Readers, I am honored to share this information with you all today. A few years ago as a semi new blogger and newlywed I heard about Military.com's Milblog Conference. Even though it was the weekend of my first wedding anniversary my husband understood when I jumped at the chance to attend (at least half of it!).

I had a blast. For the first time I was able to put names and faces in person to the bloggers I had been following for years. To be honest, I was a bit starstruck! 

This is one of the group pictures from the night of the conference... all of these women are amazing bloggers that I could not believe I was fortunate enough to meet!

The networking possibilities were endless, not just for bloggers either. I knew people who attended the conference and left with not just a pocket full of business cards but legitimate job opportunities as well. Now this was in 2011... two years later the conference has evolved. Do you have to be a blogger to attend? Nope! This year they are trying to reach all military spouses who wish to attend. If you can get to the DC area April 11th and 12th I highly encourage it!

Military.com’s Spouse Summit is not your typical conference. First of all it’s free! And they have banned the PowerPoint and 30 minute speeches in favor of interactive sessions with experts you can actually talk to and network with. The summit will focus on the issues that really matter like connecting with other spouses-on and offline, military mental health, what works when raising kids in the military, spouse career options and what you need to know about that looming transition to civilian life that faces every single military family at some point in their lives.

And the speakers this year are truly top notch: they have representatives from the Center for Deployment Psychology, The US Chamber of Commerce, The Warrior and Family Support office of the Chairman of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, University of Southern California's Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and they are so honored to have as our keynote speaker Sal Giunta, the first living Medal of honor recipient since Vietnam. Amazing stuff, right?

The link to register is: http://spousesummit.com/ and you can follow along on Twitter this year with the hastag #MilSpSum

I am very disappointed I cannot attend this year. Naturally this is the weekend of my play! So I will be in North Carolina, jealous of all the lucky spouses who will have an amazing time. Do you plan on going? Let me know!

Exciting Weekend

I have been keeping mum about this weekend because I was a bit nervous about it. It is such an amazing opportunity that I couldn't believe it was real, but since I am leaving tomorrow I know it is official!

As you may have noticed I started writing for SpouseBUZZ and if you are a Nicholas Sparks' fan you will appreciate my article this week! Well when they initially asked me if I wanted to write for the site they also asked me if I wanted to speak at SpouseBUZZ Live in 29 Palms at the end of March. Not only would I get to be a new blogger at the event (and speak!) but I would get to see Ryan!!! I initially declined but once they told me the trip was sponsored by the site (aka I get the flight and hotel covered) I couldn't say no!!!

So tomorrow I am getting up at 4am... I am not a morning person but I am pretty excited. I have a cab coming at 4:30 to be at the airport at 5 for my flight at 6am. At 11:30am (CA time) I will be in Palm Springs!! I'll have a nice lunch with the ladies who are running the show and the other bloggers that are also speaking. We will have a working dinner then I get to spend the night with Ryan! The conference is Saturday and then I spend the entire evening with Ryan before flying back Sunday morning.

I am super excited for this weekend and I cannot wait to tell you all about it!!!

Thursday Link Up

I filmed this at the milblog conference Friday... Coming Home by Mark Wills. Have some tissues ready! I hope me sniffling in the background isn't audible!

Link up with Goodnight Moon


And just because we can all always use a laugh.... I need to share this email I got from my mom's friend Fran. It made me giggle!



A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect.

- I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole abike and asked for forgiveness.

- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

- I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

- Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

- The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.

- Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

- If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

- We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.

- War does not determine who is right -- only who is left.

- Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

- The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

- To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

- A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. My desk is a work station.

- How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

- Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.

- Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut and still think they are sexy.

- Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

- A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

- Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.

- A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.

- Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.

- Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

- I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.

- Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.

- I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

- I always take life with a grain of salt; plus a slice of lemon; and a shot of tequila.

- You're never too old to learn something stupid.

- Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

- Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Milblog Conference

I am so glad I went to the conference on Friday night! I got to meet some amazing women (dude I was totally blogstarstruck!) and have a great time. You may recognize some of the lovely ladies (and gent) I met...


Amber from Goodnight Moon


Angela, founder of the Homefront United Network


Ann Marie from Household6Diva with Amber and Angela


And country singer Mark Wills!

As well as the ever anonymous Riding the Rollercoaster. I emailed you your picture! And I owe you a drink!

It was great just to talk with people who have been where you are and understand. The milbloggies were great, congratulations to Ben & Katie for winning the Best Milspouse Blog AND Fan Favorite!

Mark Wills was a really nice guy as well as a terrific performer.



Here is one video I took... I think I will save the other one for the Thursday link up!

Weddings, Work, Wahoo...

This morning I was debating waking up early to see the Royal Wedding. I really wanted to, but I knew I had a late night with the Milblog Conference and I didn't want to be overtired. But, it ended up being, I was awake anyway. Why, you ask? My husband.

Journey's Don't Stop Believin' blasts my eardrum out... my husband's ringtone. My cellphone is always set loud so I will hear my alarm(s) and wake up, but my ringtones are somehow louder than my alarm. I jump up panicked and realize it is my phone, not an invasion of an 80s reunion tour in my bedroom, at barely 6am.

"Sweetie. Wake up."
"Ryan...what? I'm awake. Sort of."
"Well wake up. Do you see a black key on my dresser?"
"...yes."
"Ok, I need you to bring it to me."
"... Are you f-in kidding me!?"

So at 6am I am throwing on jeans and CNN watching Kate Middleton process into Westminster Abbey. As I got dressed I saw the ceremony up until they were officially 'man and wife' post-vows and thought it was really awesome to hear the crowds outside cheer! Then I drove in rush hour on 295 to South East DC to drop off a key, turn around, drive back in more rush hour, and get dressed for work. By the time I got home, close to 7, I saw the end of the ceremony and watched them ride to Buckingham Palace. The kiss happened while I was at work. We all bought in muffins (I made chocolate chip ones, first time!) and I thought it was beautiful. We need some good news in this world, why not a happy occassion like a wedding to lighten things? I am not saying forget the troubles of the world, my heart goes out to all those in the South ravaged by tornadoes and those in war torn countries and other horrible things, but seeing a good news story... well it felt nice too.

And she went with Sara Burton/Alexander McQueen. I knew it!!!! And I totally called the lace sleeves. She looked stunning. The second evening dress was gorgeous as well. And she and Pippa (looove that name) are tiny. Dear Lord!


Of course the kiss(es) were sweet...

Obviously not my picture...stole from AOL homescreen.


Anyway, work was crazy today and I just got home, showered and I am now about to get ready to metro over to the Milblog Conference! EEEK!

See some of you lovely ladies there!

Milblog Conference

I just got my ticket!!! I am only going to the opening reception Friday night (since it is our first wedding anniversary that weekend) but I hope to see some of you there.

Who's going???



Also friends in the Carolinas.... I hope you're doing alright! I saw the pictures of the damage and my prayers are with you!