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I finally finished my first semester in grad school.

It was stressful and at times I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Mostly it was the technology that had me freaked because I am after all from the record album, rotary dial, change the channel at the T.V. set generation.

I hate to admit it but I actually did learn a lot from the computer course that I complained most bitterly about. In the previous blog, about Singapore, the pictures kept coming up in the wrong places so I went into the HTML and moved them. There is no way I would have known how to do that or even that you could do that before I took this class.

Next semester is cataloging. Get ready for more complaining.

A couple of years ago I had a friend who was living in Singapore and was fortunate enough to be able to visit with her and her family.

This is an 8.6 meter or nearly 29 foot fountain depicting the merlion. Sinapore erected it in 1972 to signify the city's name (Singapore means "Lion City") and it's humble beginnings as a small fishing village.

We saw LOTS of Buddha images. This was taken at at the Golden Mount in Thailand. Named the Golden Mount because of the huge build up of land and the massive golden temple on the top. Buddhists cremate their dead. This site just happens to be on a site that was once a burial ground for plague victims that they didn't have time to cremate, and probably no one healthy enough to do so.

And then, of course, there was the library. I know, I'm a nerd.

Christmas for Cats

12 Days of Christmas

On the First day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
A bird feeder for the backyard
On the Second day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Third day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Fourth day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Four scratching posts

Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Fifth day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Five Catnip Plants

Four scratching posts

Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Sixth day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Six new litter boxes

Five Catnip plants

Four scratching posts

Three cats treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Seventh day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Seven bouncing balls

Six new litter boxes

Five Catnip plants

Four scratching posts

Three cats treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Eighth day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Eight collar bells

Seven bouncing balls

Six new litter boxes

Five Catnip plants

Four scratching posts

Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Ninth day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Nine sleeping baskets

Eight collar bells

Seven bouncing balls

Six new litter boxes

Five Catnip plants

Four scratching posts

Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Tenth day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Ten balls of string

Nine sleeping baskets

Eight collar bells

Seven bouncing balls

Six new litter boxes

Five Catnip plants

Four scratching posts

Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Eleventh day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Eleven bags of food

Ten balls of string

Nine sleeping baskets

Eight collar bells

Seven bouncing balls

Six new litter boxes

Five Catnip plants

Four scratching posts

Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard
On the Twelfth day of Christmas I gave my spoiled cats,
Twelve squeaking mice

Eleven bags of food

Ten balls of string

Nine sleeping baskets

Eight collar bells

Seven bouncing balls

Six new litter boxes

Five Catnip plants

Four scratching posts

Three cat treats

Two cozy beds

And a bird feeder for the backyard.

Professionalism above all else!

I am part of a list at work that reaches thousands of people who work with children and young adults. There are all kinds of questions asked and answered about everything from, "I have a patron who read a book to her children 30 years ago that had a blue cover with a cat on the front and I want to get it again to read to my grandchildren." (not lying it really happens) to "How do I motivate kids to enjoy grammar?" (I say give it up)

It can be very informative.

The other day the question of overdue fines to daycare centers came through and I was on it. That's right up my alley. It's what I do. I was ready to share my knowledge with the world or at least a piece of it.

I carefully laid out my response, edited it for errors, professionalism is important you know, and sent it off to the list.

The next day I was shocked to see about 50 responses. It is unusual to have even one response. I opened the first one ready to bask in the glory that is affirmation for a job well done and read, "I would love to come to you town and see that driving down the street. " Okay, that was a little strange. The next one clarified it for me, "What exactly is a "boob bus?"

Yep. Professionalism rules!

A Peaceful Morning

I woke up early, and if you know me you know that in itself is blog worthy, to the sounds of many birds feasting at the feeders outside my bedroom window. The Cardinals are especially chirpy. It was cold in the house and cozy under my covers. The cat had curled back up with me after demanding, and I do mean demanding, to be fed at 6 a.m. So peaceful.

About 6:30 a rabbit hopped up to the feeder, the cat went ballistic and I was up for the day.