May 1, 2008 at 11:52 am (Internet, Librarianship, librarians, meme, work)
Tags: Inspiration, librarians, Passion Quilt Meme
I haven’t been tagged yet for this meme but I wanted to share my thoughts. This meme is to inspire new librarians but I think all the images in the Passion Quilt could apply to any one in any walk of life or any age.
Thanks to by Lynn (WHAAAAT?) for this great image so I could add my square to the passion quilt meme. My passion is that we become like children in our work. We should gain new skills they way children do by enjoying, exploring and experimenting.
Check out other Passion Quilt Squareson flickr. I hope someone makes a virtual quilt of these.
-vc
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November 12, 2007 at 10:10 am (Computers, Internet, Nomination, OLPC, Technology, preparation, waiting)
Today I bought the cute little green computer created by One Laptop Per Child. I set my alarm for 5:45 a.m. so I could order the minute it became available at 6:00 a.m. this morning. AND I GOT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will be another lesson in patience! They hope they can ship them all by Christmas! oh my! So instead of a birthday present for myself I guess it will be a Christmas present for myself.
I of course want this computer because it was designed for just the conditions I will be living in when I am in Africa. It’s practically indestructible, open source software, loaded with video, audio, networking etc.
I will of course share what I find as I play with this new toy/tool.
If you bought on and live in the Hartford Area please join my Facebook Group OLPC Hartford CT.
-vc
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May 14, 2007 at 6:38 am (Internet, Peace Corps, Pre-acceptance, Volunteer, eBay)
Is eBay working? I am not really sure. All I can say is that I haven’t lost money in the three weeks I have been learning the eBay ropes. So I guess that means it’s working! I wish I had more books, cds and dvds because Half.com is working out very well. It’s easy to post items there. They give you a wonderful idea of the going price. The hardest part of eBay was figuring shipping costs. I invested in a postage scale so that cut into my profits but I think I will earn it back because I won’t have to over estimate weights when I print shipping labels from my computer. Printing shipping labels from home is also very convenient. I get the box ready to ship weigh it then go to PayPal to print shipping labels. no hauling boxes to the post office and waiting in line for postage. I just put the boxes in a big bag and drop them on the counter at the P.O. They know my name by now!
So eBay is working enough for me to continue selling my stuff.
-vc
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April 14, 2007 at 10:00 pm (Adjusting, Internet, Peace Corps, Pre-acceptance, Volunteer)
I always like to do things ahead of time so in preparation for moving in 6-9 months I am exploring eBay and Half.com to sell some of my junk. I figure even if I don’t go for some unforeseen reason that having less is better. That I can shed here as well. Its fun learning the ins and outs of eBay and Half.com. Half.com refunds the shipping and handling. So far they haven’t made any money out of my $1.00 or $2.00 sales. I have learned how to create shipping labels online. Lots of fun.
Just got back from a Red Sox game. I had a great seat in section 34. Did I say I was going to miss the Red Sox?
-vicky
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April 10, 2007 at 7:50 pm (Internet, Peace Corps, Pre-acceptance, Technology, Volunteer)
I imagine going to a small community to work on information technology. I hope I could use all my skills with hardware, software and my knowledge of the internet. It would be fun to teach people how to use software, how to find it for free on the internet and how to maintain their computers, how technology could be a tool that could blend into their lives but not take over their lives.
I want to become a part of the community so I can understand what they want to do with technology. But also I want to get to know the people and their culture and lives. I have imagined blogging consistently about my experiences and posting photos on flickr so everyone back home can keep in touch with me. Personally I want to photograph a new place and new people. I would like my secondary project to involve photography if the people there are interested.
Bahamas will be on my list of places I would like to serve. I would love to serve near the ocean and beach in a warm place.
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April 9, 2007 at 5:18 pm (Adjusting, Internet, Peace Corps, Volunteer)
This morning I did not have time to read the paper. When I returned this evening I said to myself “I am going to miss reading the morning paper” so in no particular order, except the first one is first, here are some things I will miss.
Family and friends
Reading the morning paper
Dr. Pepper
60 Minutes
Rockport, MA
Maine coast
Munson’s dark chocolate raspberry creams
Red Sox
WFCR-NPR
I am sure I’ll revisit this topic in a post again.
-vc
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April 8, 2007 at 8:57 pm (Internet, Peace Corps, Pre-acceptance, Technology, Volunteer)
I had my first doubts about joining as I began to realize I will most likely not be in touch with my family and friends on a daily basis. Although the world is getting smaller and smaller – there are still some remote places without electricity and internet access. In my ignorance or naivety I had imagined I would be in daily contact by internet with my family and friends. It was a wake up call. It would be great to say to my nearest and dearest that I will only be as far away as the internet but maybe we will all have to learn to use snail mail again.
And I realized I may not have enough money to come home during the two years I am away depending on where I am located. I will have to start building a nest egg.
It’s good to have the doubts and to examine the idea critically. I am very much the cup half full person and often don’t see the negative aspects of something new.
-vicky
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April 2, 2007 at 10:49 pm (Internet, Peace Corps, Technology, Volunteer, Web2.0)
I want to put together my technology skills and my teaching skills and show what can be done with computers and the internet.
Learning, selling, communicating, creating, researching …… so much can be done.
Tired long day today.
Tomorrow I talk to the Peace Corps recruiter.
-vc
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April 1, 2007 at 6:27 am (Internet, Peace Corps, Technology, Volunteer, Web2.0)
I know that there is so much that could be done here in the United States. I have reached out to people in the United States – near with local social services and far with Habitat for Humanity and other gifts in disasters. And I assume after I finish my time with the Peace Corps I will continue to do the same.
The biggest reason for me to join the Peace Corps is that I want to go to another country. The more that country is different from the US the better. I love visiting new places, learning about the culture, the people and the land itself. The opportunity to photograph a new place and new people excites me. There are probably not that many people my age and with my life experience who can drop everything and take two years+ to volunteer for the Peace Corps. Many of the people who want to may be kept here by the job or family obligations.
It’s the right time for me. My family is grown. My youngest daughter is getting married in July. I am divorced. My mom is a fairly healthy 80 year old. I am at a crossroads in my career. I am ready to make a career change from Librarian to Photographer. It would be an interlude between one stage of my life and the next.
I would like some time to get outside myself and focus on helping others. My technology background, maintaining the library network and computer instruction, could be an big asset to a developing country. There are countless possibilities with the internet for commerce, education and communication. Web 2.0 has made content creation and commerce so easy. Computers without internet access can make a big difference in all aspects of life.
The Peace Corps has been around for a long time. It is well organized and has a good reputation. Yes it is part hippie nostalgia to want to join the Peace Corps but it is also a recognition of the organization and the work it has done over the years.
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