Elizabeth the Librarian

Patrick and I doing our Safari Preschool storytime

My sister came with her kids

The Children's Department Reference Desk

My adorable niece

Getting the car fixed

Here's the update on my car situation. So, I applied for an auto loan and was denied. I was bummed, but not too surprised. Lack of income was one of the factors. Anyway, I went back to the inspection failure sheet and called the car shop, Jack & Jim's, and actually turned out that the problems I needed to fix to pass inspection weren't as expensive as I expected. So, I left the car at the shop and got that small problem fixed. Right after I drove over the Les Schwab and got some new front tires and then drove over to the inspection place and got the Emission test passed and got my new sticker! I was so relieved! I have another year to figure out what to do with this car. The car isn't all fixed, I still need to do some stuff on it - but I'm hoping to sell it this year. The plan is to get a great full-time job and then reapplying for a car loan. We'll see if that happens!

The Beetles

When You Can Live Forever...

www.twilightthemovie.com
www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_movie.html

On a Safari at the Library!

Today I got to help out with Preschool story time for the second time. I was a little nervous, but excited. My partner, Patrick, is a funny guy so and we had a great time. Our theme was going on a safari, so our books are about safari adventures, dancing giraffes and just information about safari/jungle animals in general. The kids loved it and were involved - even the parents had a few chuckles! We are going to do the same program tomorrow and I'm excited. I'm especially excited because Anna might come and bring the kids! That would be so much fun! I get to help with a few more story-times this summer and I'm getting more confident about it! The fun times of a Children's Librarian!

Here are some Safari books that we used, and that you might enjoy. But, you don't have to take my word for it!

On safari : 6 amazing pop-up scenes by Richard Ferguson & Marie Greenwood
Pull-out tabs list basic facts about each animal.

Starry safari by Linda Ashman; illustrated by Jeff Mack.
Bedtime becomes a jungle safari until the Big Safari Ranger brings it to a halt.

Giraffes can't dance by Giles Andreae; illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees

Gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the Jungle Dance, until he finds the right music.

Yikes! by Robert Florczak

A young boy sees such fearsome and exotic creatures as a cobra, gorillas, and crocodiles when he goes on safari.

The $1000 Problem

Last week I took my car to get a multi-point inspection at the dealership, to find out what was up with my brakes. They ended up finding a whole bunch of things wrong with it, besides the brakes. The biggest thing was the power steering rack needs to be replaced and that will cost at least $1000 to fix. I almost started crying in the dealership when I heard this! The car also needs some other things repaired that also add up. The guy told me that I wouldn't be able to have my car pass inspection with this problem and that I might want to consider purchasing a new car! Yikes!

So, I've been talking to Dad and David about it and they say that since my car isn't worth no more than $2500 (bluebook value) that I should just attempt to sell it without making any repairs. Problem is that my emission/inspection came up this month and I took it in today to see what they had to say. This guy just pointed out the power steering rack, the most expensive thing to fix, and replacement of two of my tires. So, the point of the story is that my car did NOT pass the emission test. I only have until the end of the month to drive my little car!

I've been exploring some different options - including a UTA Trax pass - and hopefully I can get some answers to my vehicle dilemma! I'll keep you updated!

Level 4 and the Rain Man

Monday I substituted in another department in the library. I first helped in the AudioVisual Department - where the movies and CDs are located - then I went up the 4th floor where the 2nd half of non-fiction is held.

I saw the famous "Rain Man" guy, Kim Peek. (Click here for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Peek) He talked to me on his way in about the weather. I thought to myself, "Okay, maybe he is more coherent then I first imagined". Later he came up to me with me with a phonebook in his hand and he started showing me some phone numbers. He was leaning close when he showed me the phonebook and I was a little afraid because I didn't know what he wanted - but I guess he just wanted validation or something! After he left, I asked my co-worker - who wasn't concerned about the encounter - and she said that he usually comes to talk and usually just needs validation or whatnot. Crazy!

First time in Moab

I had a fun weekend on my ward camp out. We went one our annual trip to Moab. I was so excited that I had the time off, and I was just excited to go because I have never been down there before! This trip was from Thursday from Saturday and I got to be there entire time.

I met up with the first group Thurs morning, and ended up driving with the Bishop and the 2nd Counselor, Bro. Etherington, in the Suburban pulling the trailer with the supplies. Two other guys were in this morning group and so the three of us hung out until the rest of the group started showing up. It's a five hour drive to Moab, so we got there in the early afternoon and started setting up camp and the people started showing up and we had dinner. I brought David's little two-man tent and ended sleeping there myself - it was nice. I also got to use my new sleeping bag and it was so nice and warm! I love it!

Later we went a walk to the Gemini Bridges. These are some deep caverns that are smoothly carved out and will someday be new arches. No, I didn't get any pictures because it was dark and I didn't bring my camera. Anyway, these were amazing and little scary because there were no guardrails.

Friday was a fun-filled day. After breakfast I went with the first group going rafting on the river. I can't remember if it was the Green River or the Colorado River! The ward rented these 2 big 11-man rafts and we loaded them into the "put out" area in the river. I was nervous, but excited. We all straddled the outside edges and had paddles to get us down the river. The rapids were a little scary, but not mishaps. We were told beforehand that if we fell out that we needed to float downstream feet first. Interesting and logical! During the slow parts some of people on my raft were playing games and flipping off the side - I didn't participate out of fear of falling in. The water was really cold! On the last rapid it was a bit bigger and on one of the swells one guy, Jim, fell out and the Bishop almost fell out. It was scary at first because we didn't see Jim pop back up from under water - but he soon popped out in front of us. He told us later that he popped up under our boat a few times, then finally broke the surface. Yikes! Soon our time on the river came to an end and we pulled out. All in all, it was a fun experience. Since we only had 2 rafts, only half of the ward group could go rafting at a time - so after we pulled out the other group was waiting to get it. Our group went up to a watering hole. It entailed a little hike, which wasn't too strenuous, but I was wearing my water shoes (the wannabe Crocs) and they had not traction - it wasn't the most enjoyable hike. This watering hole had rock cliffs that people were jumping from into the water. The rest of us just watched. I really wanted to swim around, and cool off, but no one else was so I just hung to the back and took a few pictures. After the watering hole, we just went back to camp and had some dinner. Unfortunately we couldn't get cleaned up after swimming because our camping spot didn't have running water. We were lucky to have a toilet at least! We were all exhausted after dinner and we just hung out around the fire. That's what you do when camping right?

Saturday, I didn't get to do what I had planned - but I don't have any regrets. I arranged to go back in the same vehicle I came down in, with the 1st counselor Bro. Graham, and he and his family stayed back from the hike to Delicate Arch to help break down camp. I didn't want to get separated from my ride and I was happy stay and help out. To be honest, my legs were so stiff that I didn't think I could hike comfortably! That just means that I'll have to come back to see Delicate Arch! We left soon after getting all packed up and I was glad because I was exhausted and so dirty! (hehe) I rode back with Brother Graham, his wife Kathy and their son, Tom, who is about my age. They were so friendly and we had a good time talking on the way back. I have included some pictures, but I now realize that I didn't take very many! I'm just not in picture mode anymore!

Sunday it was fun seeing who was sunburned and what not - but it was just good to be clean again!