Archive for September, 2007

Back to the “Real World”

Sunday, September 9th, 2007

We were only gone a week, but I feel so out of it. Plus I only gave myself one day to recuperate from the changes: time, weather and reality. We got back home last night at about 9:30 pm. I’m really glad that I tried to clean up the house a little before leaving, because even with that, it looks like a mini hurricane came through the house. Papers, clothes and toys are flying everywhere and I can’t tell if I’m awake or sleeping.
Luckily, I don’t have any programs going on Monday, so I can prepare for the onslaught of September: back to school, story times and after school kids. You’d be surprised (or not), we actually get more kids in the library during the school year than over the summer. We are so close to all the neighborhood schools that right after school gets out, they come streaming in to the library in droves. I think it may be because many of the kids live outside the village so that its not as easy to get to the library during the summer.

On to the fun bits of my vacation! When we weren’t at DisneyLand, we spent all of our time with our friends Robin and Aaron. Spending time with them makes me wish that I lived in California (sorry mom). They are so full of energy and fun. Plus its so easy to just sit, talk and enjoy being in their presence. There are also two big reasons to like them so much:

  1. Aaron’s favorite Muppet is Pepe, the King Prawn
  2. Robin’s favorite author is Charles de Lint (and he’s one of my favorites)

There are, of course, other reasons to love them such as, their unending kindness, their spiritedness, their huge collection of books, Robin’s unfaltering sense of what is right, their adorable boxer named Barkley, their two amazing kids… but my fingers might start to hurt soon and we don’t want that. 🙂
Some of the highlights of our trip:
The spa. This was definitely the highlight of my trip (sorry Disneyland). Robin and I went in and relaxed in the jacuzzi for a while, took showers to cool off, then went in the sauna. I had never been in one, and while I knew that it was going to be hot, I really hadn’t expected it to be that hot. Afterwards we showered again and went our separate ways for our swedish massages. I had only had one massage before but it really made me realize why people like them so much. My only problem was not telling the woman to lay off the small of my back soon enough, and I ended up with a little bruise. Other than that, it was very relaxing. I was surprised, because I expected that my back would be my favorite part of the experience, but it was actually my hands, feet and scalp/hair that were the most relaxing.
After that we each had an aromatherapy immersion wrap. At first I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what they do is rub you all over with scented oil and then wrap you up like a present. It was so lovely and relaxing that I fell asleep. I think I may have even started snoring a little (doh)! Afterwards, I almost wanted to hug the lady that did the wrap… but I didn’t. 🙂 We did the sauna thing again and then feeling light and refreshed, went on to face the world. Absolutely wonderful. Now I have to find some place in Rochester that does that stuff.
Then we went to DisneyLand for a couple days (with the terrible 115 degree heat), came back and hung out with Robin and Aaron for a couple more days (with the beautiful cloudless sunny days) and then came back on Saturday night. Of course, our first full day back in Rochester, its cloudy, drizzley and bleak. How typical. Blegh.

Off to bed so I can go to work refreshed and full of vigor (not)! 🙂

Here I am in California!

Saturday, September 1st, 2007

And its hot hot hot! Right now we’re in Sherman Oaks, California. It was supposed to be about 110. Luckily we’re in wonderful company. We’re at our friends’ place right now. Aaron does car reviews for about.com. They have a great dog named Barkley. Jack LOVES her, but Barkley is pretty old, so she’s too tired to play much. Tomorrow, I get to go to a spa with Robin (Aaron’s wife) and get a massage! Yay! Then at some point we’re going to Disneyland. I was supposed to listen to all the details, but I sort of faded out at some point. Sorry Jeff.

On a separate note, I just sent my resume to the B&L Library, downtown. They have a new opening for teen librarian in their new teen center. The job description sounds like it was written specifically for me, so I’m really excited… however it would be a big change. I’m so used to working in teeny tiny libraries, so I think it would be really different. I enjoy quite a bit of freedom in my current library that I might not get if I took the position in Central. Still, I’m really interested in finding out what the job will really be like… I will of course keep all of you posted… unlike how I’ve done in the past. (Yes, shameful, I know) Off to drink yummy California wine!