Monthly Archives: October 2010

It’s All About the Little Things in Life

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“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent Van Gogh

I’m learning more and more at Madison that life is truly compromised of a million little things that make up the greatness of life.  It’s not the big events, it’s really the small things that shape who you are and how happy your life may be.

The bathrooms at College Library are poetic, as far as the scribbles on the walls are.  All of the writings girls have left are all positive – about how things are all going to get better.  It’s a strange place to put it, but it is a nice boost whenever I have to use the bathroom.

It just reminds me how helpful a positive attitude can be.  Last Thursday was one of those days that was just fantastic.  The sun was shining beautifully, I got to catch up on plenty of errands, and I just realized it was just going to be a great day.  It’s been great to realize that I have the power of determining what creates a good day.

And today was one of those days where the small things made everything great.  I got to sleep in, and after waking up (even after a morning nap), Sam and I went to breakfast at Mickie’s Dairy Bar.  Such good food — we both were extremely full after going…which led me to my second nap that occurred right after finishing this past week’s episode of 30 Rock (so good!!! go watch it!!!), and right before we started watching Pawn Stars on netflix.com.  Sam just let me sleep, constantly rubbing my back and ensuring he was  awake right next to me as I was in a deep slumber.  It was nice to just sleep and recharge my batteries — it seems like forever since I’ve really been able to do so.

We got going after my nap, and went to Ragstock on State Street.  Sam got his Halloween costume gear (Friday: Bernie Brewer, Saturday: Dwight Schrute) and I ended up walking away with some badass cowboy boots that were only $10.  Mind you, I need to get some insoles for them, but otherwise, it was a nice investment for a great pair of boots.  And yes, they are deeply inspired by the Ingrid Michaelson concert I attended last night.

It was a day full of the small things.  Of getting Sonic for dinner to satisfy my cravings of french fries.  Of eating a birthday cake with a makeshift match because we had no candles.  Of sleeping because I was sleepy.  Of doing whatever necessary to get through the day happily.  And that’s a perfect day.

Like Jack, I Reaganed today.  And I couldn’t be happier.  All of the little things just went so right, but all because I believed they could be.  And that power, which seems so insignificant, does wonders to your day, your week, your year, and your life.

This song is life changing.

So, do you still use Dewey?

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I’ve been having people ask a lot recently what I do for work.  It is my task now to explain exactly what I do as a library studies student.

I work three jobs on campus, which takes up about forty hours each week.  I’m also a full-time student, taking two classes.  (Grad school is strange, but six credit hours is still considered full-time).  I have my hands full, to say the least.

I start my mornings doing a little work from home.  I read over the clipsheets for my job as the librarian for University Communications.  Clipsheets are the compilation of news stories that mention the University of Wisconsin or are about higher education in general.  I determine where they should be organized, classify them, and then send them off to co-workers who write the description on them and who file them with the older news stories.

I then head to work.  I catch up on e-mails and work on various projects at UComm.  I’ve dealt with things from Presidential visits to topics concerning UW’s Go Big Read project.  It’s always interesting, but I love the days, today being one, where I have the chance to clear out my e-mail and get my desk cleared off.  I also had a chance to compile a to-do list for tomorrow…which is always a good feeling!

I typically have  a lunch break of some form, and then head off to work for the Center for Demography and Ecology library.  I come here and do many different tasks, ranging from searching for articles for professors and researchers in the department to helping get rid of items in the collection.  It’s a small, specialty library, and I’ve enjoyed learning completely different aspects of librarianship from all of the other jobs I have ever had.

Lastly, I work at College Library.  It’s the main undergraduate research library on campus, and I am a night reference librarian.  I help students with any reference question they may have, from why it is cold in Helen C. or helping professors out with finding articles to put on reserve for their classes.  It’s a rewarding job, and I really love finding the intricate answers students are looking for.  It also disappoints me when I can’t seem to help them out…but I always try to help refer them to someone who may know better.  It all takes time to learn, and I believe I’m learning a lot.

So that’s what I do.

I should head back to work.  Or try to find a task to do.  I’m so unbelievably tired.  I just need a nap.

RYFP

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I’m reading an article that was published a few weeks ago about Barack Obama’s recent stop in Madison.  While here to speak at UW, he stopped bu Madison La Follette to speak to a few of the athletic teams.  It’s interesting to note that he knew details about some of the players and took the time to really care about the situation.

But that part that gets me is that the school gave him a shirt that said nothing but “RYFP.”  Reach Your Fullest Potential.  I need to get my own hands on one of these shirts.

For the first time in a long time, I feel as though I can reach my fullest potential.

Every single assignment I’ve received so far this semester has been an A.  As much as I crab and complain that I’m not being challenged enough, I’m still working as hard as I can to make sure I am earning good grades.  It’s my goal, now, to graduate from Madison with a 4.0. To make an academic honor society.  To be able to graduate with my own sense of honors.  Because that’s the important part: if you don’t graduate with honor for yourself, there is no use in graduating with academic honors.  (Thanks for that one “With Honors”).

I’m gearing up to celebrate my spring break in Europe.  Meaning I need to get myself going on getting a Passport.  I’m thinking I’ll be in Dublin, London, and Paris.  I believe it sounds like a perfect twelve days in Spring to discover myself.  And to enjoy St. Patrick’s in Londontown. :)   Don’t worry, I’ve already been listening to LDN by Lily Allen to prepare myself.

I’ve had a productive day at work.  Now it’s time to head home, take care of myself, and meet Allyson for some form of coffee/dinner/drinks.  Looking forward to a nice, relaxing night.

Check the following out.  Story of my life.