Where I've been and where I still need to go!

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Road Trip Pictures

Road Trip

Last weekend, Gabe and I took a trip up to West Yellowstone with his sister Jenn and her husband Jim. We stayed in a cabin and went Nordic skiing. It was our first time x-country skiing and we had a blast!

57 More Superheroes!!

I hope the world is ready for 57 additional superheroes! This week I have done a "Superhero" story time at the library that is turning out to be a favorite. I start by donning my own superhero cape and inviting the kids to "Superhero Academy.” In order to graduate from the academy they must learn all the important skills of a real superhero! We read books and do superhero exercises and muscle poses, (because superheroes have to be in top shape to fit into their tight suits!) After all the books, singing, and dancing they are ready to take the superhero pledge which is, "I promise to only do good with my Superhero Powers!" Upon "graduating" from the academy I give each of the kids their very own red cape cut out of plastic table covers. We fly around the room to the "Superman" soundtrack and everyone leaves excited and happy. I knew this story time was a winner when I had one mother shyly asked me for a second cape at the end of story time, so that her husband and son could play superheroes together. Having the privilege to do story time is one of the best things about my job as a librarian.

Funny things patrons do

One of the reasons I enjoy being a librarian is that I honestly love people. Most of the patrons where I work are pleasant and fun to be around, but I am always amused at some of the requests that they make! Today, we had a patron bring in a book that was overdue and she lamented to a fellow employee that she just wasn't done yet. "I'm sorry," my co-worker replied, "but this item has a hold on it and cannot be renewed."

The patron was upset, "Well, can't you just call the person that placed the hold and ask them to remove their request? I'm sure they'd understand if you tell them that I really need the book." Oh, well then, if you really need it . . . . :)

Story Telling

Last weekend the library paid for me to attend a Storytelling Conference at Brigham Young University. Truthfully, the conference didn't have a whole lot to do with my library position, but I have always had a love for oral storytelling so I bravely asked for my employer to foot the bill.

Anyhow, for two days I was able to listen to world class storytellers and take workshops on topics like bedtime story rituals, storytelling 101, the power of the oral tradition, and creating a family heritage of storytelling. It was a really great weekend and I left with some ideas that I will use in my weekly children's story time at the library as well as ideas to use when I become a mother. Also, it's hard to explain, but attending the conference made me feel a sense of wonder that had recently been absent from my life. Thank goodness I am starting to dream again!

Wendy and Gabe at a Naming Ceremony

Wendy and I had a wonderful experience the other day that I thought would be fun to share with all of you. Two close friends of ours had a baby just a couple of weeks ago, and they named him Campbell. Jared and Sade, each of whom attended law school with me at some point (though not the same law school) invited us to take part in an important event in the life of their families. Sade's father is from Nigeria, and it is customary when a new baby is born in their family to have a naming ceremony. Wendy and I were lucky enough to be invited to this special occasion.

As you can see, several of the people at the ceremony were dressed in traditional Nigerian clothes. Both Jared (pictured above) and Sade's families were there. Though we have met Jared's family on a couple previous occasions, we were finally able to get to know Sade's family as well. The ceremony was conducted in Yoruba, a language spoken primarily in Western Nigeria. Fortunately, the professor who conducted the ceremony did a great job of explaining what he was doing beforehand in English, because my Yoruba is a little rusty. :)

At the end, we all got the opportunity to participate in the ceremony by bringing a name for Campbell. Each person who brought a name stood up and told everyone what the name was, and what it meant, why they chose it, etc. It was an amazing experience to see so many people united together, some family and some friends, to celebrate a new life in the world. Though I am not sure whether it was a religious ceremony per se, it was a very spiritual experience, and Wendy and I were both deeply moved.