Road Maps are a thing of the past....

When I was little and my parents decided to undergo the huge hassle that is a road trip with 12 kids ages seventeen and under there was a definite pecking order. Whoever had to sit in the very back seat of the van was both blessed and cursed, the air conditioning didn't really reach that far, but whoever was back there could hold up signs to the following semi trucks like "honk if you like broccoli" something that never failed to amuse for some reason. The next seat up was the best, right by the huge creaky air conditioning vent. Normally my older and younger sister and I sat there, keeping a bottle of water in the cool air and trying to ignore my brothers kicking the back of the seat. The next bench seat was full of car seats, with one small island of a seat for whoever was in charge of toys, teethers and random half gnawed graham crackers. Either my mother or one of us girls always sat here, and whenever my mother landed in the seat the best seat of all was up for grabs: the shotgun seat. Right by my fathers seat (of course, he was the only one to drive) high up and looking down on the road this seat boasted a great view, its own cup holder AND map reading privileges. My father hated asking for directions, which was one of the first things I learned about men. There was always a tidy heap of road maps, stretching from TN to MA piled on the floor by his seat. Whoever sat by him was always armed with one of these maps and had to be ready to predict upcoming exits, fish out change from the console for tolls, and help decide where to stop for dinner. Sitting in the front seat was an honor, and a terror. You never knew when my dad would decide to take a road or exit that just "looked intriguing" and then it was up to you to follow the little squiggly off road and try and figure out where we were going, and how to get back out.

I hadn't thought about these long summer road trips in years, until changes in my own life brought them up. My lease is almost up, my job is petering out, and I have to take a semester off school for reason upon reason. I started job hunting on Monster, Craigslist and the local Chattanooga Free Press classified ads. But then I started wondering, maybe it was time to take some back roads, or even hit the interstate. I started flicking through Craigslist in Toronto, Seattle, Isreal, Boston, DC. . . Craigslist offers the convenience of either google or yahoo mapping each posting, allowing you to look at street views, search nearby and get a general feel for the area. When I found myself traveling down a street in Boston with a click of my mouse, admiring an old stone wall I suddenly realized that I hadn't seen anything like this since those days in the big front seat. I went on search.twitter.com to see what people in each are were talking about, found some exciting jobs (grocery shopper? german bakery?) and imagined horizons expanding in front of me.

There are so many great programs and tools available on the internet today. In NY you can order groceries online, arrange to have laundry done online, hire a cleaning service, rent movies and meet potential loves online. The need to leave home isn't even there if you can work from home, get direct deposit and can handle never seeing the sky. This used to be something people branded the "nerd" or "geek" faction with, the ability to live all of life through something like a computer. I was thinking about all of this, and remembering how cramped and smelly that van got after a few hours. It would be safer to stay in and interact through the sheild of a screen. But as I moused further down that lovely Boston street I couldnt help but feel something like my father surely did when he saw an interesting back street.

Summer is a great time to branch out. Starting with something small, a student job just for experience, a road trip to some beautiful national monument or park (I suggest this http://tinyurl.com/qzmjg7) or even just a google "walk" down some distant street, but get out there! Try something new!

As for me, my lease is up in a month. My razzle-dazzle resume (see earlier post) is headed all over the country. Time for a change is here, and I will go with it.
I will keep you posted!

"Since we last spoke, you have become infinitely more interesting....or is that just your iPhone?" (Via Twitter)

Well, its been a long time! I hope you all missed me, but in all honesty I haven't had time to miss you. My last post was in August of last year, and so much has happened since then. Times change, friends and technologies evolve, but school never ends! Still, my times at Chattanooga State helped me navigate through the halls of even higher learning, and I am now a Senior at UTC. And here it is, summer of '09 and I am back to my beloved Chattanooga State Augusta R. Kolwyck library, working with some of the most talented and entertaining people in the world!

This is going to be a great summer, full of new adventures and stories. I am still addicted to all things Twitter, Facebook and txting, with the new perspectives time brings.

Since we last spoke I have deleted my Myspace (why did that take me so long?) written an article for the UTC Echo on Twitter (http://bit.ly/kTLC9) and worked for the UTC Fine Arts Center/Theater sewing costumes for two semesters of incredible plays and musicals, including Little Shop of Horrors, Recent Tragic Events, Enemy of the People and PEACE by Aristophanes, an adaptation of a classic Greek comedy.

Working in the theater was a great look into a different facet of literature, one that is not only read but vocally and physically expressed. I still enjoy settling down with a good book or three, but the cultural and interactive aspects of theater have enriched my outlook. Working in the quiet and sunny sewing gallery at UTC, sewing anything from victorian-esque Russian woolen morning dresses, to a sock-puppet "Joyce Carol Oates" to silvery pink metallic snakeskin doo-wop dresses kept my hands busy and my mind free to ponder.

Nobody can deny that this last year, these last semesters have been times of extreme change and impact on everyone. November of last year, and the events leading up to the election of our President were exciting times at UTC, demonstrations, campaigning and finally the real feeling of celebration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxWjZZ5tkx4) on campus, both election and inauguration days. I really felt grateful to be student then, as history was made and dedicated in my own life and the life of my country.

Finals weeks were another great part of my school year, the UTC library keeps it's doors open for 24 hours during finals weeks, as crowds of students packed up their notes, books and red bulls and headed to the library for crunch time. I spent many great nights with my friends, quizzing each other on Shakespeare quotes, slapping together last minute art projects, pooling our change for a huge pepperoni pizza and wasting a lot of time on Facebook.

With finals finally (lol) over and my books sold back to the store so I could pay my parking tickets, my summer stretches out before me. I am working for Convergys here in Chattanooga, on the DirecTV project, changing the world one subscription to HBO at a time, but I really wanted to come back here, to where I am typing this now, my beloved Chatt State Library.

You will hear from me again soon! Less rambling next time I promise :)

so glad to be back....
Hana Grace

The Razzle-Dazzle Resume

Writing a resume as a student is vastly different from writing one at the end of a college career, when you stand “ready” to face the world diploma in hand. During college most students are attempting to find jobs and volunteer work to use as underpinning for their education, pursuing experience over reimbursement, and contacts and connections over status.

If you plan to be a kindergarten teacher but work in a daycare is shredding your nerves and leaving you drained and moody rather than fulfilled and enriched it would be a good idea to change paths and approach something more fulfilling and personally enjoyable.

Job loyalty to a specific place for several years in a row because of the excellent interaction is common, but it is important to continue to branch out, partly to fill that resume, but also to make sure that the end goal coincides with something we can be happy and fulfilled doing. My first job out of high school was working at a NACA camp (National Association of Christian Athletes) I worked both in the counseling, event planning and foodservice and was able to work directly with thousands of young people. Since my eventual goal was to teach this was a great opportunity, the only problem was I stayed with it for too long. Three years in fact! At the end of last summer I found myself face first in a seventy-five gallon steam vat scrubbing out the remains of dinner’s spaghetti sauce and found myself wondering what on earth does this have to do with teaching? Sure, perseverance had a lot to do with it, but I think I persevered. Three years of spaghetti every Monday is the NACA definition of perseverance!

This summer I am working at a job that combines every element of what I am going to be doing after graduation. I will never forget the first week working here in the library, I was already deep into inventory and back in the stacks a student (my age) came to me with a question. I followed her to her computer and explained what she needed to know, and walked back to work. Inside however my feet never touched the ground, and at the end of the day I felt like I had really accomplished something beyond feeding hundreds of kids a spaghetti dinner, because I had taught someone something they hadn’t known before, something they could use every day. And I knew, more than ever before that this was what I was meant to do.

Another important element I have learned here this summer is how education is changing because of the internet, social networking, Web 2.0 and the increasing wealth of internet books, articles and databases. Working in technical services the second part of this summer I have been able to explore how the ever changing resources on the web can be channeled and harnessed into a unique individual learning experience.

So, when finding jobs to conquer, committees to head and volunteer work to help keep your faith in mankind alive keep in mind the slots of your resume, especially while still in college. The most important slot of all to remember in college is the “Objective” slot; this slot is what the potential employer is going to look at first, and where they are going to see what you want to do with your life.

When I was in high school all the juniors were given a green and gold tassel, as a sign of something to look forward to. These tassels hung in cars as we drove to and from school, football games and study groups. They dangled from our lamps when we burnt the midnight oil on research papers and (ick) trigonometry. They were a symbol of the day when we would move our “official” tassels from one side of those cheesy hats to the other and step out into adulthood. Now that I am in college my “Objective” slot on my resume is my tassel, and I know the day when my resume, complete with my bachelors degree (hey, maybe even a masters) emblazoned across the education section hits the desks of every potential employer will be one of the proudest days of my life!

In the meantime, continue to do what you love, and love it enough that you keep working towards that end goal. Sites like Monster.com and Jobsearch.about.com have valuable tips in creating a well rounded resume, and GoogleDocs has several great resume templates to work with. I am currently creating one on there right now; perhaps I will share it with all of you!
Some important things to remember:

· If you post links to websites such as Myspace.com or a blogging site (Blogspot, Xanga, Twitter) be sure to scan your content through an employers eyes. Remove any slightly less than tasteful photos or slightly cruel “satire” from your blogs. These sites can be very useful for networking, showing a working list of where you have worked and what educational goals you have. Remember, one out of turn sentence or racy photo could ruin chances. If you don’t include these websites make sure they are set to private to ensure your anonymity when your employer checks your background.

· Always have someone you trust read your resume before you send it out. After spending as much time with it as you are sure to have done you may be too close to it to see any mistakes. A spelling or grammatical error could go a long way toward ruining your prospects.

· Keep it up to date! Don’t reuse the same tired resume you have been toting around since freshman year, or since you just graduated. Keep numbers, addresses and references current, and try to make it a goal to add something new every quarter.

· Don’t just send in hard copies! Sites such as Monster.com and Chattanoogahasjobs.com are wonderful resources for prospective employers. Don’t overlook the vast resources the internet offers you!

· Put your personal stamp on your resume. Don’t go overboard but try to project who and what you are into your words. This resume will probably be a basis for your interview, so have a smooth flow with your achievements not lumped into one spot, but spread evenly through the whole document.

Good luck!

Hana Grace

Augusta R. Kolwyck Library, Summer '08

This is my first adventure with Animoto, and I am so hooked! Included in this video are some candids of staff and students here at the Chattanooga State Augusta R. Kolwyck library, and my fellow blogger and library worker Adam (http://adambeavers.blogspot.com/) all set to music and spliced, diced and danceable! Check it out, then go check out Animoto.com, where you can make your own 30 second videos for free, or make full length ones for a reasonable subscription cost. I will be making many more, and posting them everywhere, so keep your eyes peeled!

Have fun with it! Until next time,
yours
Hana

Txt Speak

In a text message (txt mssg) certain SMS abbreviations are used. Like any vernacular these expressions can change from locale to locale and even from friend group to friend group. Some txtrs prefer to spell out complete words; others use as many abbreviations as possible to save time and effort. Still others txt their thumbs off, using both abbreviations and full words depending on the speed necessary for sending a specific message.

There are two forms of input when txting, manual input (using the letter keys, thus 2 would be ABC, so forth) or iTap, a program that guesses which word you are going to use and inputs it automatically, after you enter the first few characters. I personally prefer manual input, just because the words I sometimes use in a txt mssg are not readily found in iTap but it is strictly up to the user.

Some phones, such as the Nokia 9500, the Samsung Glyde and, of course the iPhone have a full keyboard built in, good for the gadget loving and awesome for those that need a keyboard to type anything.

Txt speak utilizes numbers and symbols to rapidly say what needs to be said. Emoticons such as :) and :( :p :D and ;) are widely used. Numbers also replace parts of words, especially 2, 4, and 8.

For instance:
Im going 2b 2 l8t 4 movie
(I’m going to be too late for the movie)

L8t, L8tr, Gr8, Gr8tr, sk8, sk8tr, all are used.

Abbreviations are also used; many are unique to certain groups.
My friends use OMW a lot, which means “on my way”. I haven’t seen this outside my certain friends group.

IDK means “I don’t know” BRB means “Be right back” LMN means “Let me know” MVT means “Movie times”

To purport more of something x2 and up can be used, or x someone of note, or at least notoriety. For instance “xchucknorris” So, it could be “movie rcked xchucknorris!”

Use any abbreviation once and your friends will learn it, and you might even become “famous” for starting something! Leave a letter out if you can do without it, 4nstance…
Just have fun with it!
Next time I am going to look at SMS or "txt" speak and see what language barriers it is transcending...

But in the meantime, happy txting!

:)
Hana

On the Flip Side...

There was an average of 207.9 million cell phone users in America in 2005, according to Infoworld.com. I am one of this number, and among my wide friend pool I have only one friend who doesn’t have a cell phone, or at least use one on a regular basis.

I was talking to someone the other day while programming some important days into my calendar, and they crossly said:

“I remember the days when a phone was just a phone”.

And a phone may just be a phone, but a cell phone, by definition of its very mobility and access makes it much more than that. Try driving somewhere unfamiliar and late at night without it and see how safe you feel! The generation of touch-tone phones and huge belled brass alarm clocks are behind us, my generation uses our phones to remind us of important days, communicate with friends, colleagues and businesses, for entertainment, as a calculator, a notepad, a music player, a camera, as a blogging tool and an email device.

We send text messages to each other, having abbreviated “conversations” exchanging information such as movie times, test scores, weather conditions, dinner plans, weak knock-knock jokes, or just to let the recipient know they are cared for.

We send text messages to GOOGLE (466453) with restaurant names or movies and GOOGLE texts us back addresses, numbers and show times.

We can activate our phone number on Facebook and directly upload pictures from our phones to the site, send messages, and update our statuses from one small keypad.

We can download games onto our phones (I have Bejeweled and Ms. Pac Man) and music, either to play when our phone rings (as a ringtone) or to play over the line when someone tries to reach you (a ringback tone). If you have more than one ringback tone you can make a jukebox and have random tones play on shuffle from call to call, or you can personalize individual tones to individuals own musical preferences.

You can also set different ringtones straight from your phone to ring for different people. For instance, one of my friends is a Tenacious D lyric, another, the chorus from a Pink Floyd song, and another a cheesy single from Boys Love Girls. This way, you can tell who is calling you without even picking up your phone!

We can program in phone numbers for friends, family and work, and create groups of people to send a mass text message to at once. This year for spring break I travelled down to St. Augustine with one of my friends, since they don’t all Twitter I kept them updated by sending a mass text to my “close friends” group. I have also utilized this feature to send out party invites, movie plans/times, and for a “school” group, test times, reading assignments, and class cancellations (woot!).

In case of emergencies something to be aware of, your phone can send a 911 call even if there is no available signal, and the dispatchers should be able to track the call and send help. In the light of several tragedies at schools, such as the Columbine shootings, and the Virginia Tech tragedy some schools have prepared an emergency text alert system to warn students of danger via their cell phones. Not all schools offer this program, but not all students are aware of it even if they do, so be sure to check into the likely possibility that yours or your student’s school has this program.

I have already hit on the benefits of the online “mini blogging” program Twitter, but it is worth mentioning again. I daily reap benefits from this amazing phone accessible program, from getting a great quote for this very blog, or hearing weather reports from a neighbor before I attempted to leave campus during a storm.

Just as it is with any evolving interface, the cell phone adapts to its user. However much you want to use it, and for whatever purpose is up to the individual, just be aware, and try to get excited about the wide spectrum of uses it presents.