New Job!

Now that everything is all official, I can announce that I have a new job! I am moving across campus to work in Hoole Special Collections Library. I will be a Digitization Specialist. (BTW, digitization is a really hard work to say.) I will be scanning some of UA's rare documents to be placed in a database and online. I will be learning to use all this fancy digitizing equipment, as well as learning how to color correct the images and make them look really good. As some of you know, it is my goal when I finish my master's degree to become an archivist, so this is a great way to get my foot in the door. I will be starting my new job January 12. I'm really excited!

All I Want for Christmas is for My House to be a Holiday Tribute to Mariah Carey

Wow. These people really love that Mariah Carey song. That is commitment.

Heartbroken

I am so very very sad tonight. A sweet friend of mine had a baby today who was born with a heart defect. He passed away soon after. I am grieving for my friend and her husband and this extremely painful loss. Please join me in saying a prayer for them. I cannot even imagine what they are going through and I would have no idea what to say to them in this moment. But I am praying harder than I have in a long time that God will comfort them and they will feel his presence.

Elf Yourself!

Check out this link to see me and my lovely family dancing to Christmas music. It makes me giggle. A lot.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/qc5u9aAm9HVBeREqixbL

Wow, really?

Seriously, I just had a student tell me it wasn't fair that students with disabilities got to register before other students because she didn't get the English class she wanted. Amazing. I just looked at her. I wonder if I would have gotten in trouble if I had said, "Yeah, because having a disability is such an advantage and all." Some of these kids need a reality check.

Election Season

I used to really love politics. The last presidential election was the first one I was able to vote in and I was captivated by all of it. I listened to NPR and watched the news constantly to get every spare bit of information I could about the election and the candidates.

Now, I hate politics.

It's not because this year's election is any less exciting. It's more exciting to me, actually, but there is a candidate I can truly get behind and I have a great hope of what he can do for our country. But this year, I am completely overwhelmed by the negativity of the political machine and the utter disrespect and downright hatefulness that this election is bringing out in people.

It makes me cringe to hear one of the political candidates or those associated with the campaign constantly bad mouthing each other rather than focusing on the issues of a nation in crisis. It discourages me and angers me that at a time in our nation when the financial markets are crumbling around us, people are losing their homes and cannot afford the most basic necessities, let alone proper health care, and most of the world hates us for meddling in things that we should have left alone, we are spending our time insulting the opponent rather than telling the American people how we are going to solve these problems. One campaign has already told us to expect constant character-bashing of their opponent up until the election. Is that truly the best way to win an election? If so, how sad for our country.

But it's not just the politicians that are making me hate politics. It's the ugliness it brings out in normal folks too. One thing I will never understand is why Christians think at election time it's ok to say horrible, awful things about political candidates and those who support them. "Be kind one to another" applies during election season, too, in case you have forgotten. In what way is it Christian-like to call others names or wish harm upon someone you disagree with? I'm not saying I'm always perfect and never have a harsh word to say about others, but I have tried to be very aware of how I treat those with different political leanings during this election season. I would never personally attack someone because of what political candidate they support, and all I ask is that I be given the same respect. I respect your ability to make your own choices and form your own opinions about what is best for our country, and I hope you will do the same for me.

A friend and I have been discussing these issues quite a bit this fall. We have decided that we will pray for unity of our country and the church. Unity doesn't mean everyone agrees, but unity means that we can respect each other's beliefs and not tear one another down.

So I'm sure some of you will roll your eyes at this and call me an idiot and a hippie liberal and that's fine. But this election season has caused me to really consider these issues and the way I treat others. I just really needed to get these thoughts out there, because if they cause even one person to think twice about their actions then I'll feel a little better.

Happy voting.

Avett Brothers Concert

Last night Andrew and I went to an amazing concert by the Avett Brothers. They really are incredible. I've always been a semi-fan of bluegrass and folk music, but since we went to Merle Fest back in April, I've really gone crazy for it. This was the first time I'd seen the Avett Brothers in concert and they put on a really great show. The band has a guitar, a banjo, an upright bass, cello and drums in it. I've never seen anyone really rock out on the cello, but this guy was doing it. The band seemed to be having a great time and most people in the crowd knew every word to every song which was amazing to me.

Unfortunately, being around all those college kids made me feel old and dumpy. Ha! Twenty-five. So old.

Today at 1:00 we are heading to North Carolina! Yay!! We're going back to Sylva to stay with our friends Jeff and Annie and their son Addison. It should be a great trip. We are going to Mountain Heritage Day tomorrow which is a big festival with mountain crafts, awesome kettle corn and bluegrass music that we kind of fell in love with when we were living up there. I'm looking forward to seeing mountains and hopefully some fall foliage, visiting our old church, and spending some time with some good friends.

We're coming home on Sunday and then Monday night we are going to Birmingham to see the Fleet Foxes in concert. They are supposed to be really good in concert, but I just hope I survive! the show doesn't start until 9 and it's an hour away. I have work and night class on Tuesday. I am getting too old for this! But it should be a (busy and tiring) fun weekend!