After two years of dabbling around but not directly with 3D printing, I finally got my chance today. I've had a complicated relationship with 3D printing; struggling to find a community of people who are interested in moving beyond the "wow" factor of 3D printing to the purpose and function of the tool. Or perhaps struggling to find a community where my inexperience and awareness that I'm not stellar with spatial movement is not a barrier to my participation with the tool. In many ways, my two years dabbling around 3D printing allowed me learn all the programs and various facets of the tool WITHOUT actually trying it myself.
Read moreThe five day streak
I just completed my first "new normal" week of working. This position requires a shifted schedule, coming in on Sundays and having Friday and Saturday as my weekend. It's not a bad gig, and I find the days go by much faster than a normal 8-5 sort of schedule (but it's all relative you know).
It is an adjustment to begin work around 1 PM...
Read moreThe Pitch
Today not only marks my move to my "normal," Sunday-Thursday hours at the library, but also the start of my eighth week at Penn State. In some ways, it has felt like I've been at Penn State for a lot longer than eight weeks and other times it still feels so new and fresh. I'm happy at this job, which is really all I can ask for.
Read moreUpdates from State College
I've officially lost track of how many weeks I've been in State College, which must mean that I'm sort of settled in. I feel that when you stop counting, you've created some sort of home. You're worrying less about where you came from versus where you are now, which the counted weeks help to remind you. One week since I left xyz...one month since I left xyz...etc. Now you're just in this new spot and probably won't think about milestones until the one year mark. In some ways, my time in Urbana seems so far away while the past couple of weeks in Pennsylvania still feel fresh and sort of a blur.
I am still liking the job. I am still liking my apartment. I am still liking being here. And the biking is getting easier.
Read morePennsylvania Adventures...Continued
oday at work I went on a campus tour. I met a lovely junior Penn State student, studying nutrition. She was from the area and had a passion for her school that I notice is a trend at Penn State. When I told a co-worker I had gone on a tour, they responded that they hadn't thought of doing that. They have worked at Penn State but know a lot of the same places (such as the stadium, the creamery, the HUB [Student Union], and Old Main).
This sort of stuff is why I am into community engagement. For me, I can't see myself being an effective librarian for undergrads if I don't at least try to get on their level. To see their school from their perspective. Now granted, this topic is enough for a blog post on its own...
But this idea of not exploring more than the library walls is an idea that can be applied to State College as a whole.
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