As of Thursday, I am done with school!
DOOOONE!!!
done!
Done!
DONE!
I can’t even explain how good it feels.
And, amazingly, it means that I have half done with my Masters. Crazy!
It was an awful week, but we went hot tubbing with some friends last night, which was exactly what I needed.
Now, after LOTS of sleep, I’m wide awake & updating my blog in bed BECAUSE ITS MY BIRTHDAY!
Today we’ve planned a BBQ, bowling & karaoke. 34 people have RSVPed to the Facebook event & I’m really excited to see everyone – especially since I leave for Egypt in 5 days!
I have a feeling that 25 will be a much better year than 24.
So much has happened lately, but it’s too much too write & I’m ready to drink coffee, so:
Goodbye for now!
Although this week is incredibly busy, today has been a good day.
First – our GROCS display is [finally] up & running!
Each day we’re asking a question & inviting those who are experiencing homelessness [or have] to answer. Later this week we’ll be setting up displays in a few places around town, helping their voice to be heard. The display just went up, so we haven’t gotten too many responses yet, but you can see the website & the answers so far. [Please don't answer the questions yourself, unless you're experiencing homelessness!]
Tomorrow the GROCS teams begin setting up our gallery displays. Artifacts from each project will be on display at the Digital Media Commons Gallery on North Campus – go check it out if you get a chance! Next Friday we’ll be having a gallery opening, which I’m looking forward to.
Other good news for today is that I found out I was elected to be on the student board for SI’s chapter of the Society of American Archivists! Four of us were elected out of eight and myself and good friend Purdom were lucky enough to be elected. I’m not sure who the other board members will be, but I’m excited for the opportunity to work together & plan some events!
Bad news – I wasn’t selected to attend TedxUofM. Disappointing, but no big deal.
Also – I just got an email that my internship has been approved for credit & I can officially apply & register for the 6 credits. Just three weeks to go! I’ve spent some free moments looking at pictures of Cairo online [including those from my previous trip there] & I get SO excited my stomach hurts.
Well, onto continuing to accomplish things, getting coffee & going to class.
Although it’s Monday & we were out of coffee this morning & I had a computer programming exam first thing, waking up to the news that the health care reform had passed was a lovely way to start my day. I’m not interested in debating the pros & cons of the bills [which there are many] but, as someone who had nearly $4,000 in medical bills as a result of a hospitalization that left me with a “preexisting condition” which lead to a denial of coverage from a private provider, I think it’s a step in the right direction.
I’ve been nominated to run for the board of the School of Information student chapter of the Society of American Archivists. I’m really excited about the opportunity! Although I need to write up a short bio, which is proving to be a bit of a challenge. I’m not exactly sure what to say & saying it in the third person feels awkward. I’m also not sure if I have to run against other people & if anyone would vote for me, however, I’d be really honored to get a position.
I’m thankful for our fireplace – today is one of those cloudy, damp days where the chills seeps in. There’s nothing like a fire to warm me up [& to get rid of that pile of junk mail & cardboard!]
Joel shared this quote with me the other day & I really like it:
“These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves.” -Gilbert Highet
I’ve posted before about the Let’s Save Michigan campaign, a fantastic local organizations. Together with the DIA, they are hosting a poster contest and finalists were announced today. There are 60 posters & you can vote for multiple posters, but only once a day for each poster. All of the entries are inspiring & wonderful, but these are my favorites:
Today and Sunday I spent some time at local thrift stores. As I get ready to head to DC next week to work at the National Library of Medicine, it’s become clear that the “business casual” part of my wardrobe is sorely lacking. Luckily, people in Ann Arbor give away really nice clothes and I was able to pick up some great pants & shirts. Also, I’ve been on the lookout for clothing that would be good to take with me to Egypt this summer. It’s a very conservative country, so I’ll be wearing a lot of long skirts, loose tops and keeping my shoulders to myself. [65 days!!!!]
I enjoyed this article from the Boston Globe titled, In the Digital Age, Librarians are Pioneers, a review of Marilyn Johnson’s book This Book Is Overdue. Not only does the book show librarians to be the daring & innovative crew that they are, but she calls archivists the “unsung heros of the library.” Additionally, we are “magicians that deftly distinguish between detritus and artifact, capturing history before it disappears because of a broken link or outdated software.” A wonderful statement [even if it might be up for debate in my appraisal of archives class]!!
Oh!! I just got an email that the University of Michigan is hosting their own TED conference next year. How exciting – I’ll definitely be there!! That is, if I’m selected – attendance is through application & invitation only.
This Flickr group, Looking Into the Past, is a creative way to use photos. By aligning an old photo within it’s modern day setting, the passage of time is clearly visible. I’d love to do this around Ypsilanti! Here are some of my favorites:
After 4 sunny days in a row, today we got a LOT of snow. It stopped a few hours ago, which is too bad since I may or may not of had my fingers crossed for getting my night class canceled…
Unfortunately I spent the weekend sick & feeling pretty terrible. [Although I'm doing a bit better today.]
Things I did this weekend:
- blow my nose [x 10000]
- whined about how sore my nose is
- stared at the computer screen
- drank tea [x 10000]
- did 1 word search & 2 sudoku puzzles
- thought about the homework I should be doing
- daydreamed about Egypt
- showered
- watched The Wire
I did do some knitting & finished another hat!
I also finally get us renter’s insurance – something we’d been talking about for awhile, but had never gotten around to doing. Friday night, our friend’s apartment was broken into & his laptop & tv were stolen. Break-ins are unfortunately all too common in Ypsi & I feel good knowing for $20 a month we have $15,000 in coverage.
This afternoon I turned in another funding application. I’ve now applied to do different places that each offer $5,000 & I only need $4,000. Hopefully one/both of them come through but, if not, I already bought the ticket & there’s no way I wouldn’t go now.
Forbes did an “America’s 20 Most Miserable Cities” list that Flint and Detroit are of course on. Less of a bummer is this list by CNN which names Detroit as the second most affordable city to buy a house in the United States! I’ve been thinking lately that if we stay in the US, I’d like to stay in Ypsilanti or Detroit. Strange as it may be, I feel most comfortable there or abroad.
Here’s a silly music video that gives quite a good description of what archivists do:
I’ve been enamored with the website Information is Beautiful lately. So many wonderful & informative visualizations and info graphics.
For example, here’s the most effective male photos at okcupid.com:
