Portland Graduation

The weekend in Portland was really fun and good bonding time with Mom and Dad. We got to Portland early on Friday and had time to do some sightseeing. The rental car came with a GPS unit and Dad really liked that - it really helped us get around. The funniest route we took was from the airport to the hotel. Dad picked the "shortest route" and so we were driving some back roads and even some bumpy roads. We were really doubting the directions when all of the sudden the hotel sprang into view. It was really funny - but I guess you had to be there. Our hotel room was really spiffy - and it even had an indoor pool and jacuzzi. I was really wishing I had thought to pack my suit! We took some time to see the temple and it was a beautiful day - as you can tell from the pictures.

Saturday of the graduation I was kind of nervous. More like I had butterflies. We got to PSU (Portland State University) a little bit early - but it was perfect because I had to get into my cap and gown for pictures. Mom and Dad just went down to the Farmer's Market while they waited for the ceremony to start. All three times I have been in Portland there has been a Farmer's Market going on at PSU - it must be a summer event. Anyway, the graduation ceremony was great and quite enjoyable. I even got a little teary-eyed when the President conferred the degree. It was a nice day. Mom and Dad gave me some lavender roses they had bought at the Market - it was Dad's idea. Cute huh? We didn't stay long at the reception, but did some walking around downtown Portland. I really wanted to see this famous Portland building that was built to look like a cake, but I didn't see the resemblance. Dad told us all about it - he came to Portland while on a school field trip while in grad school. After the extensive walk we got some dinner and then just relaxed the rest of the evening. We didn't do much in Portland, but it was a relaxing and fun trip.

More Interviews

Monday and today I had interviews for higher jobs at the city library. I'm feeling encouraged, but still anxious for something for something to work out! I have a follow-up interview next Monday for the full-time job and I hope that one turns out. If not, then I hope for the part-time one in the children's section. I've been praying for months for a better job, so now it's in the Lord's hands. I've done all I can do at this point! Wish me luck!

This weekend is my graduation and I'm excited - especially to be going to Portland again (and not at my expense! hehe) Mom and I have planned out what I can do a sort of announcement, and it will definitely involve pictures from this weekend.

Two Sacrament Meetings

Our ward choir met early to practice for the song we were singing in Sacrament. I was asked to play the piano. We practiced and it started coming together. The song went well, with mistakes on my part - but I highly doubt anyone really noticed, and the choir director was so grateful for my help. Sure!
Right after Sacrament I slipped out with my friend, Jen Udy, to go with her to another friend's baby blessing. I actually am not close friends with this girl, but Jen asked me to come because she needed some moral support because her ex-boyfriend would be in attendance with his fiance - who is her ex-best friend. Long story - but I was happy to help out. It was actually enjoyable and I got to see other friends I knew in the Rosewood Singles ward. One thing which was most enjoyable about this ward was the organist. When she was playing prelude and postlude she would slowly move the volume pedal up and down. Why? I'm not sure - but it was quite entertaining.
After that Sacrament mtg was over Jen and I went back to the institute building - for separate reasons to see our bishops. I needed to get a new recommend - the one with the new barcode.
Later I went over to the Johnson's for dinner and I brought over my DVD collection. Kade picked out The Swiss Family Robinson and we all enjoyed watching it again - Karter loved the big tree house. I love Fritz - so we're both happy.

No Reservations

I met up with a friend and we went to dinner and a movie. We saw "No Reservations" with Catherine Zeta-Jones. It was so good, and it was PG! I loved it! It was about this obsessive chef,Kate, who runs the kitchen at a fancy restaurant. Her sister is coming to visit, with her niece, but they get into a car accident and the sister dies. Well, the niece comes to live with Kate and it's a big adjustment. In the meantime the restaurant owner hires a temp chef and he's a more unconventional. Well, this story it about compromising and softening of hearts and it had a little romance - which I love! My friend and I sat for a few minutes during the credits and wished we could find cute husbands as well! (Sigh!)

Texting at McDonald's

So, I went through the drive through at McDonald's and had a unsatisfied experience. I ordered my meal and the cashier didn't ask for my drink order and put Coke as my choice. That's ok, I thought, I'll just correct her at the window. So I drive up and the cashier leans out to take my money and she is holding her cell phone and totally texting - not even looking at me. I told her that I wanted another drink - but she didn't get that message to the others. Anyway, I ended up with Coke and all in all felt disgruntled about the whole experience. So, I decided to speak up about it. I found an email on my recipe and wrote this email:

I went through the drive through and was not satisfied with the service. First off the person didn't ask what drink I wanted and I got the wrong drink - that's ok by itself - but when I pulled up to the first window the cashier was holding her phone and texting as she was taking my money. I could tell she was distracted and I don't think that is appropriate. I just thought I should bring that to your attention.

Well, I got this response:

Dear customer,
Thank you for your email, I do appreciate you for letting us know about yourvisit and I will contact the store manager and let him be aware of what ishappening and this in not appropriate.
Thank you again,
McDonald's Office

Well, who knows if this problem will get fixed or not. I was kind of hoping I would get a coupon or something! (hehe)

My Space

I finally opened a Myspace account. I had a few friend invite me to do it and so far it's pretty fun and I already have 17 friends! I can see it being a fun tool to get in contact with old friends and that excites me. It's a little addictive right now, because I'm personalizing my profile - but the newness will wear off and I can enjoy the messages and what not. We'll see if I keep it up or not.

http://www.myspace.com/ejhopester

My Date with Ethan

So, I have to share about my date last Friday. It went really well, I think! I was so nervous after I initially called Ethan, and was worried because Janey and I didn't have a set plan on what we were going to do, etc. Janey is a more of a fly by the seat of your pants kind of girl - but I don't like not having a plan set! We decided on going up to a canyon for a picnic, then maybe getting ice cream afterwards. We played around with making tinfoil dinners and then decided to do sandwiches - then decided to buy Subway. Well, as Friday evening came closer I had opportunities to talk to Ethan. The last time I called him he answered, "Hey Elizabeth" - that means he had my name in his address book of his phone!
He came to our house, looking all spiffy, and all my anxieties went away. Janey went with Mike, who lives downstairs, and he offered to drive because he is prone to car sickness. So, we first went over to Subway to get some sandwiches - then we were planning on going up to a canyon for a picnic. Ethan was a perfect gentleman - he opened my doors, etc. Well, I let him order before me and before I knew it, while I was still ordering my sub, he was paying for me! I was shocked, I think I forgot to thank him. What a nice guy! Well, our canyon plan changed to just going up to Memory Grove. We put out a blanket and had an awesome picnic. The four of us started talking together, but then Janey and Mike started talking to each other and Ethan and I started talking to each other exclusively. It was nice - we had a really good conversation - and he is a good listener. He would ask follow up questions about something I had talked about and I found myself opening up to him. Hopefully I didn't make him uncomfortable - but he really appeared like he was genuinely interested!
So, after about 2 hours, we packed up and decided to make a stop for some ice cream. We stopped at Baskins and Robbins - and once again Ethan was paying for me before I had a chance to even get into my purse. I thanked him this time - what a nice guy! We sat outside on a little patch of grass and ate our cones. While sitting there, Ethan would say hello to people passing by. One guy stopped when Ethan asked him about the book he was carrying. We discussed mystery novels for a bit, then I totally understood where Ethan was going with this conversation. Ethan then asked this guy if he had read the Book of Mormon. The guy said he hadn't and said something like, "I think it's unbelievable, and I mean literally". Anyway - that isn't what was shocking, because rejections like that not rare. What was shocking was that Ethan totally did that on a date! What are your thoughts on that? I still haven't decided. What I have figured out is that Ethan is still in missionary mode - which is not bad in any way - but that he seems to keep the "sisters" at arm distance. Where is the balance?
Anyway - we went back to our house and talked for a few minutes - then he said he needed to leave so I walked him outside. No, he didn't hug me and I was tempted but his body language didn't really invite it. He was really gracious about the evening and I hinted that we should get together again sometime. I felt good about the experience, but didn't come away feeling encouraged. He doesn't really give off any vibes or signals, so I don't know what to think. At least I asked him out, so hopefully he knows that I'm interested in getting know him better. I feel like Kenny Loggins when he sings,
"I wanna sing you a love song,
I wanna rock you in my arms all night long,
I wanna get to know you,
I wanna show you the peaceful feeling of my home".

Sesame Street - The Ladybug's Picnic

I love this sketch about the ladybug's picnic!

Niece and Nephew Pictures

I was at Mom's house this last week and the movie, Anne of Avonlea, came on and Anna and Kade were over. Karter is so funny, he came in and said, "Yes, I love the Anne Shirley show!". And he actually sat on the couch and watch for a bit. Isn't he a kick?

I have included some pictures from when we were at Emily and Alex's house, for the baby blessing. Unfortunately I didn't get any shots of baby Mercedes! I was happily distracted! (hehe) I know Mom got some, so we're covered.

EmiliaKarterAlec

Capstone Evaluation Report

School of Library and Information Management

LI880 Capstone: Assessing the Master of Library Science Experience – Evaluation Report

Summer 2007, Oregon Professor: Mirah Dow

Student’s Name: Elizabeth Hope (Utah) http://www.freewebs.com/ejhope/index.htm

Children's Programs and Services, Public Library

Course Requirements	Comments	Points
Portfolio In-Class Presentation – 30 points	A very nice discussion of our portfolio organization, which you utilized well throughout your reflections of your own learning (focused on youth services in public libraries). You speak with confidence about your learning activitieis and their relevance to actual libraries and user needs. You sound very professional. Do trust yourself and continue to relax and enjoy. I can certainly see lots of professional growth in you. You demonstrated professionalism and courage in coming to a new group for your capstone class. I enjoyed hearing your presentation and seeing your artifacts.	30/30 pts
Portfolio – 40 points	Your e-porfolio is very attractive and professional. Your design, font, imagines, text all serve to convey your focus on preparation for childrens’ programming and services. You have gathered a very impressive and worthwhile collection of artifacts. Your resume includes many impressive details. The format for the resume works fine in this context but may need revising for a stand-alone paper version. Also, you should think about dropping off some of your earliest experiences now. I enjoyed reading your porfolio and seeing all that you have been involved in. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. I hope you have many opportunities to share your e-porfolio.	40/40 pts

__X____ Pass _______ Fail

Abibliophobia

WORD OF THE DAY: Abibliophobia (noun)

Pronunciation: [ê-bi-bli-ê-'fo-bee-yê]

Definition: The morbid fear of running out of reading material.

Usage: It is quite interesting that this word has popped up on the Web, the greatest source of reading material the world has ever known. Irony will never cease. Were there such a phobia, those subject to it would be abibliophobes , who would be abibliophobic. They would comport themselves abibliophobically , whatever that might mean.

Suggested Usage: Words on –phobia originally referred to psychotic conditions but now we have extracted a word, "phobia," from the suffix and add it wherever we please: "Wylie is such an abibliophobe that he never leaves the house without several magazines under his arm." In a world where this word could refer to a psychotic state, we could say, "What better refuge from abibliophobia than the library?"

Etymology: Today's was probably a nonce word created for amusement more than linguistic use. However, it is constructed better than most nonce words and has survived and is flourishing in Cyberia. Greek a "not" + bibli-(on) "book" + o, a connector + phob(os) "fear" + ia, a nominal suffix. "Biblion" referred to a small book or scroll or section of a larger work, a biblos. The plural of "biblion" is "biblia," whence "Bible" from the Late Latin biblia sacra "sac red writings."

-- Dr. Language, yourDictionary.com

Twice Rejected

It all started when I got this email:

(From the Granite Mountain Vault)
Dear Elizabeth:

Thank you for your application expressing interest in the position of Tech, Preservation 1, job number 0700768. We were very impressed with your credentials and appreciated the opportunity to get to know you better during an interview. After a thorough review of qualified applicants, however, another candidate has been selected for this position.

Best wishes for your success.

THEN LATER THAT DAY:

(From the Weber County Library)
Dear Elizabeth:

I am writing on behalf of our interview board to report that you were not selected for the position of Librarian.

However, I sincerely appreciate the time you took to interview and wish you the best in future endeavors.

Talk about being twice rejected! Harsh!

Cascada-Everytime We Touch

Check out the cute librarian! What is it about the repressed librarian stereotype? (hehe)

Capstone Portfolio

Well, here is my final project - the capstone portfolio. Take a look if you have a minute - tell me what you think!

www.freewebs.com/ejhope