Slip in one before July ends

I have moved! Well, almost. Last car load of stuff should be today. I am moving across town and will no longer be able to walk to work, which is a little of a bummer since I love walking so much. However, I will be saving like $500 in rent and this will really help out my monthly budget given that furloughs are on the horizon. (Furloughs are a sort of mandatory unpaid leave of absence.) I will be living with a roommate again: Danielle, who is the UCI emerging technologies and innovative services librarian (she is new to UCI like me).

I'll add some photos when I get Internet at the new apartment. I've painted two of the walls in my bedroom a sunshine yellow color (and one of the living room walls as well).

For those curious about my work, it is crazy busy!!!! In addition to ordering new books (try to do this weekly), I make decisions on which books to replace (lost, in need of repair, or gifts). Collection development for serials (journal subscriptions and the like) is the most complicated thus far. I have taught library instruction courses for freshmen English students as well as for visiting students (both college and high school). I am now on several committees, including chair of one task force, which if you know me, then you know I love committee work (apparently this is quite unusual). Of course, I sit at the Science Library reference desk, providing information services to those in need. Recently I have been learning to provide chat/IM reference services. I'm sure there is so much more to say about this all but time has run out.

If you are on twitter, you are invited to follow me at http://twitter.com/jeffradiane. Hmmm, maybe I'll write a post about this experience as it has been very different than I expected.

Actually Friday May 22, 2009

I sent this email to my parents and brother and then thought, hey this would make a good blog post but then never got to it, so here it is:

Just wanted to let you know that the latest contact lenses that I got yesterday from Dr. Brown are painless, sitting not only comfortably in my eyes but also in the proper location so that I can see clearly with them (whoo hoo!). The last four pairs that I had tried all kept spinning and feeling pretty scratchy in my eyes. I guess I was starting to feel pretty hopeless about the whole thing, so I am especially thrilled that these are working so well. I am so ecstatic about it that I had to email you all and share my joy! *

Today at the 1st year physics/astronomy grad student seminar, I learned about nanotechnology, of which I previously had very little knowledge. This professor is using nanotechnology to research chemically-functional electronics. In other words, using nanotubes as detectors instead of as transistors, which is what industry spends most time and money researching. Dr. Phil Collins (yes, that really is his name and he is not the British singer) builds single molecule chemical nano circuits to "see" what is happening during a chemical reaction at the atom level, which has not previously been visible. As you can probably tell, I found it very fascinating.**

On the Monday Memorial Day holiday, I will be going with Danielle (the emerging technologies librarian) to the LA Union train station to go on Disney's A Christmas Carol promo traveling train museum (does that sound crazy, or what?). http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/christmascaroltraintour/#/tour/ if you are curious. ***

Notes/Updates:
* That was contact pair #5. Now I am on pair #6 and I can't get them out of my eyes. You are supposed to be able to wear them for a week before taking them out. It is just something that I have never done before. And lately, at the end of the day, I've just been wanting to take them out. Today is the fifth day of having them in eyes with no nighttime relief. Aloha was nice enough to send me a link with instructions on how to remove "stuck" soft contact lenses. I'll try it out tonight.
** I gave my own library-related presentation to these students on June 5th. I think I did okay but I know now how to fine tune it and make it more relevant to them, and hopefully more lively.
*** Danielle and I waited 3 hours in a long slow-moving line for this tour! Phew! It was tiring and hot in the sun. Despite this, I didn't mind because Danielle is fun to hang out with (we played word search to pass the time). This really prepped us for our day at Disneyland (her birthday), where the longest we waited in a line was maybe 30 minutes (love the fast passes!).

Star Trek!

Star Trek! Star Trek! Star Trek! Star Trek! Star Trek!

Need I say more?








Oh, alright. I wish I had a Star Trek t-shirt (so how geeky does that make me?).

Buying in Bulk

I'm addicted to it. Costco is my doom. So are large shopping carts. To prevent myself from getting to carried away, now when I grocery shop, I just use the hand held carrying basket. Whatever I carry in the store, I have to be able to carry it when I walk home. This has helped. However, recently, I went to Trader Joe's on my way to work to buy one banana to eat that day (since to buy a banana on campus would probably cost $1), and I ended up buying 6! I mean, I was already there and I knew I would eat them (or make banana cake out of them). The problem was carrying them to work and then back home, when I actually again pass TJ's on the walk home. I just love to stock up food and be prepared.

Last night I purchased two movie tickets: one for the Wolverine movie and one for Star Trek. I am going to see the Wolverine movie this afternoon at 4:30pm but it seemed like a good idea to have the ticket purchased in advance. An acquaintance of mine told me that he had already seen the "illegal" copy that has permeated the web and now does not plan to see it in the theaters. As I thought about this, I wondered how many people are not going to see the movie in the theaters because they watched the web version? This could definitely hurt their movie sales (however, this article indicates not so much). And the only reason that makes me feel a little sad is because Hugh Jackman seems like a truly nice guy. Every article I have read seems to confirm this (no, I haven't really read that many but still... ). And as for Star Trek, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited! I had considered seeing it May 7 at 7pm (lots of theaters are showing it at this time) but it turns out I am doing some babysitting then. So instead I will be seeing it Saturday morning, 10:45am (bonus: only $6 at this time!!!). I think I will go personally offline May 7 until I see the movie. I don't want to accidently hear or see anything about it. This means no facebook or bloglines, only work related web usage. I look forward to seeing the movie a second time with my brother and parents when I am home in San Jose for my graduation (I'm officially going to graduate from SLIS!!!!!).

P.S. I decided no more apologies to slacking in the blogging. It's just what it is.

Ratatouille Attempt

I like to cook on Sundays. I can start at a reasonable time to make something a little more complicated than a frozen meal or a quickly thrown together salad. I made a quiche a couple of weeks ago, though I do admit to using a Trader Joes frozen pie crust (it was my first pie of any kind). It was fine for a first try. Hmmm, I cooked something else that lasted for a while. Oh yeah, I sauteed brussel sprouts, asian pear, and onion together. This was not bad either but lacked any strong flavor. Today I adventured into ratatouille. This choice was mostly because I wanted to cook tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and onion together. The recipe I found called for a few ingredients I discovered that I do not have (my spices are severely lacking); however, I did purchase an 21-spice thing from Costco, and I decided this would just have to do. Well, I also added some oregano in. All in all, it turned out fine, a little spicy for me (that 21-spice seems to be strong on the pepper-side). I had it sprinkled with shredded parmesan cheese. I've included a picture of it in the big pot I had to use to cook it. Oddly enough I have enough ingredients leftover to cook another batch and I might just do that. [Many thanks to Gina for the discussion on colanders and listening to my rattles as I cooked.]

The Bed Is Done!!!

I put together the bed frame that I bought yesterday through Craigslist (it's an Ikea bed frame). It was very frustrating at first and really seemed impossible without a second person but I fiddled and fiddled, took apart my screwdriver, pushed, shoved and wiggled, and laid under the frame. And somehow the screws actually went into the metal things as they were supposed to. I decided the completed bed deserved a photo. The walls are plain but that is because I didn't want to put anything up until I knew where the frame would be. Also, thus far as I have hung photos and other framed things, I've done it poorly. Apparently I need a second person's insight (or arms at least) to do it right. So I wait for a visitor or friend to help.


Today, in other news, I donated blood to the Irvine Medical Center in a bus (never done that before-it is a pretty impressive set-up). It went smoothly, though my blood moved a little too slowly for the nurse. For library work, I enjoyed doing some collection development tasks. In case, I haven't mentioned it, I love my job!!! Tomorrow we go on a field trip to Newport Beach Library. I plan to get a library card there.

Some Pictures

I've finally uploaded photos to my computer and thought I would post a few here. The rest are at my flickr account but you will have to be my friend to view them.

The nearby park (easy walking distance)

Kitchen/Dinning Room empty + Cadence
This one was just too cute to pass up on posting

Mom in front of my new place of employment: UCI Science Library

Rainbow-themed bathroom
See the artwork on the mirrors (I know, I'm amazing)

The Rainbow Rug in my bathroom

Living Room with chairs and pictures

Getting Settled

Today I hung up my first framed picture. It's nothing fabulous, maybe that made it easier. Less commitment. The frame I bought at Ikea for half off ($12) and the poster inside for 25 cents (97% off). It looks okay. What is causing the most deliberation is my grandma's painting. I love it and really want to make sure I put it in the best spot (good viewage and no direct light). This means either above my entertainment set-up (which includes my 1999 20-inch TV and and 20-inch iMac) or in my dining room (but there might be too much light here). I just don't know. I have several other framed pictures that I must decide what to do with. Perhaps some of these will eventually go in my office (which at the moment is essentially empty).

So for the move-in story (for those interested). I drove down to Irvine in my nifty Mazda5 on Wednesday, January 21st. I was a little sick with a cold but fortunately, it was a completely uneventful drive. I moved into my new apartment with only the items that fit into my car. On the 24th, the rest of my stuff arrived in the PODS container. My friends (Joe, Nick and Andre) drove up from the San Diego area, spent the night Friday (we played a very fun submarine game), and then helped me unload the pod early Saturday morning. I could not have done it without them. And they were so much fun to be around. I hope to see them soon again.

My mom arrived on Sunday, and we began unpacking and finding places for things. I think in the first week that I was here, I went to Target five times (3 different stores), Ikea four times, Lowes three times, TJ Max twice, Costco twice, and Trader Joe's four times. It was handy to have a week and a half before I started working. Oh, this reminds me, I had a terrible time getting my Internet up and running. I was supposed to have connection on Monday but did not get it until Friday night. Why did I not get it? 1) They couldn't tell me and 2) It was hooked up to the wrong phone line. I think I spent about 6 hours in total on the phone with AT&T. Their customer service is horrendously terrible. I could ramble about this for a very very very long time but it will just build up all the old anger and frustration, and the story is not over yet. They wouldn't compensate me for lost time until I get my AT&T bill (stupid!!!!), so now I wait for that to arrive in the mail.

My one bedroom apartment is nice and the complex is also nice (so descriptive, I know). I'll get around to some pictures, maybe. I am within an easy 3-minute walk to Trader Joes and to Albertsons (though opposite directions). There are also some very yummy places to eat around here too. When I first moved in, it was very warm (70s and low 80s) but now it has returned to winter weather (50s), and I find myself occasionally turning on the heater.

So that's a little about the settling stuff. Oh, and my bathroom is rainbow-themed -YAY!!!

Missing Out

Sorry for the month long absence. I know some of you have been waiting for a post and I have been seriously slacking. Well, I am not really going to make a full one now but hopefully tomorrow. Big changes: move to Irvine and starting new job as a UCI Librarian.

Happy Valentine's Day!
and
Happy Roommates Appreciation Day [Amanda, Karen, Katy, Heather, Faith, and Salena]!!!

The Move

Whoo hoo! I'm moving to Irvine. I am so excited to be starting my new job as the Research Librarian for Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy at UC Irvine on February 2nd. Truly. This is the exact job that I dreamed of having so I cannot wait to begin. However, it is in less than a month and I have so much to do to get there. Currently I am boxing and packing like crazy. So many dust bunnies. Gina, Mark, and Jamie have all helped and I so appreciate it. Even if they had done nothing but stand there and talk to me, I would have been happy. Moving can be kind of lonely and sad. Oh, and my mom also has also been extremely awesome. She has packed quite a bit and had some excellent ideas. I have to have everything packed and put into the PODS unit by Wednesday evening. I think I am one third there, so I guess that means I still have a lot to do because I only have one more day. If anyone is bored tomorrow and needs some physical activity to do, give me a call. ;D

Now I am also on the hunt for a couch, TV stand, and a twin-sized bed. If you know of anyone who is getting rid of these things, please let me know. Okay, I gotta get back to work.

A Million Years Have Passed

Okay, maybe not that long, but it has been quite some time. I don't really know if I actually have any followers (oh wait, I think Jonathan and Elizabeth are definitely keeping track of my updates -that's two - yay!), but I will try to better over the next few months as I share my adventures into a new life (if I do end up moving to Irvine).

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. Christmas Eve was at my cousin's home and Christmas Day was with my mom, dad, and brother, very low key. We watched "It's a Wonderful Life," which I hadn't seen possibly in a decade or so. I really really enjoyed it but then I adore Jimmy Stewart. Mom and I were watching a making of feature and they said that when this movie was released in the theatres, it pretty much bombed. It wasn't until several decades later that it became so popular. This seems so odd to me when this happens with a movie. Ahh, the mysteries of life. ;D

Immediately after school finished, I started reading The Shack by William P. Young. I think I cried through every chapter I read. The story seemed to speak directly to my heart. How do we deal with the horrible things that happen in this world and believing that God is completely good? It is not an easy mental battle and certainly one that I struggle with on occasion. I do strongly believe that God wants a relationship with each of us, and not a particular amount of goodness or proper behavior from us. That's really the point of Jesus, right?

Oh, I was a bridesmaid in the wedding of dear friends, Nadia and Abhi, on December 20th. A very cold but beautiful sunny day in Palo Alto. I look forward to getting some copies of the professional photos since I really didn't take any myself. May God bless their union richly in love. My fabulous friend, Gina, did my hair and it was amazing. She's so talented. [She also dressed me for my interviews -Thank you Gina!!!]

Shane left today to go to Colorado to be with Tiffany and family. I miss him already, and I wish I could have seen Tiffany, too. Oh well, holidays and seeing all family members can be quite tricky.

Anything else to report... hmmm... not at the moment but I'll try to be better about posting in the future. Some photos...

Mommy and the Tookie

The Dress & The Hair

Nadia and her sister, Nina, getting ready for the wedding - woot!

Graduation Gift from Dad

Dad, Shane, Shelly, Me, Jackie [Mom taking the picture]

Taken this just before we drove Shaner to the airport.

Sunday's AIDS Walk

I will be participating in the San Jose AIDS Walk this Sunday with the Beautiful Day Team (composed of many many San Jose churches). I've added a little widget on the side to thank my donors so far. I made a display in Special Collections on the impact of AIDS, so I guess this year the AIDS walk means something a little more.

See what I added?

You can now chat with me from my blog if I am logged into meebo. This is a common way for librarians to intentionally be available for patrons. Give it a try if you feel like it.

Sorry I have posted in a while. I've been busy posting on my class blog instead. There really isn't any new news yet. I'll let you know if that changes, I promise. (Well, I guess I should say that I moved back in with my parents. A special thank you to my dear friends, Jonathan, Gina, Jenn, Jamie, and Mark, who helped me to move.)

To RSS or Not to RSS?

I sent an email out to a few of my friends to poll them on their use of RSS feeds. It was an assignment for one of my classes this semester. My instructor guessed that although RSS subscriptions are very useful and can seem very popular since so many websites have them now, the number of users is quite lower than one would expect. She asked us to poll our friends and see what we find. Here are my poll results:

Are you familiar with RSS feeds? ...
(1) Yes, and I use them.
(2) Yes, but I'd never used them.
(3) No, not a clue.

The Outcome.

(1) IIIII 5
(2) IIIII IIIII 10
(3) IIIII IIII 9

Total: 24 responses.

Note that those who chose 2 or 3 (a total of 19 out of the 24) do not use RSS feeds. Thus, a majority of my friends do not subscribe to RSS feeds, though at least half them are familiar with RSS (in some way).

If you are curious what is the deal with RSS, I have included a video to help out with your quandary. (I wanted to embed it but there is no embedding code at YouTube--which I find odd--, so you'll just have to follow the link. I think it is well worth it.)
RSS in Plain English


For those of you who participated - Thank You!!!!

Still Entertained

Sad but true, I am still very entertained by the squirrels when they play in the dead walnut tree and other wild growth trees in the background (I've really got a great view, in fact I just took a picture with my iPhone and I'll post that below). They chase each, fall off, and just jump around like the crazy animals they are. See how desperately I need to get out and have fun?

Also, if you plan to buy healthy whole wheat tortillas made with olive oil, beware!!! They do not taste the same, quite disappointed I am. And the package only came with 6 tortillas. I was trying to be a healthy buyer rather than a sell out for the cheapest items (I also bought cage-free eggs instead of the on-sale safeway brand).

Some other photos I like that I caught on my iPhone.

Jeffra Voki

Still playing with LIBR 246 Web 2.0 apps. This is a Voki I created to represent myself. Unfortunately I couldn't get my mike to sync so I had to use one of their voices.




Get a Voki now!

Lady Friends for Dinner & Games

Last Tuesday, I had some friends from church over to make our own pizzas and then play some games. Thus, we ate delicious pizza and laughed through some silly game playing. Good times.


I was told, "Of course, Jeffra's pizza looks the best." I'm not sure if this is compliment, or of it just goes to show that I am a crazy control-freak. (And you can't really see mine because it is mostly in the oven - on the left.)

Final Animoto - Friends

Well, while the location of the videos is better, some of the pictures are kind of dark. I guess for a quickie, it's not too shabby.

2nd Attempt Animoto

It's better but my head is still cut off. If they had a way for you to select the impt part of a photo, it would be better.

First Animoto Attempt

It's not perfect but it is not bad either.