…and it has nothing to do with the fact that neither Scott of I have any sort of regular income, or the fact that we don’t have any regular sort of income anywhere near on the horizon, or the fact that we are currently living off savings and student loans, or the fact that I drive a slowly-breaking down car and sit on a couch with ever-widening holes, or the fact that our student debt is growing faster that the recession-induced economy.

I feel rich because I’ve achieved two major accomplishments this year, as my mom was kind enough to remind me.

I feel rich because I get to bask in the joy of fall.

I feel rich because I have a little peanut who can always make me laugh—with her Heil Hitler arm which indicates her tummy is full; her sideways eyes (which move from one corner to the other like a spastic typewriter) when she’s attempting avoid sleep; and her every changing faces, especially when we tickle her bottom lip in an attempt to make her smile.

I feel rich because I married a man who, when questioned about whether we should have lunch at “Dream Girls” (a closed-window establishment at which I hope he never decides to have lunch) or Wendy’s he replies, that his dream girls are already in the car. Such endearing one-liners certainly make me feel rich, indeed.

Amelia Marie, Law School, Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff, My Dewey Decimal Degree | 5 Comments »

Back, in what now seems likes something of a former life, I spent my days quite differently. Where now I bath babies and play dress up, I used to dress myself fashionably (that was back when clothes actually fit). Where now I stay home all day relishing the quiteness of naps, I used to head out early and drive downtown. Where now I put off my own hunger to meet the needs of a crying baby girl, I used to each lunch on the steps of the State House. Needless to say, my life has changed quite significantly in just four few short weeks.

However, a part of the former me still lives on. You can check out a bit of my past work at here, at the Columbus Dispatch. As much as I like being a mom, some days it is nice to remember there is more to me than dirty diapers, screaming babies, and sleepless nights.

Lonica Stuff, My Dewey Decimal Degree | 3 Comments »

Chic Harley in 1917, courtesy of The Columbus Dispatch.

Friday was my last day of work. Despite my last post, expressing my excitement over having utter daily freedom, I was sad to wave goodbye to the ladies of the Columbus Dispatch library. I really enjoyed learning about the lesser-known history of Columbus and the thrill of searching for information. Many people, when I told them I was a librarian working at a newspaper, would ask me what I did all day. There were a number of different tasks. One of which I really enjoyed.

The Dispatch has its own internal equivalent of Wikipedia that is created by the librarians. All the topics revolve around central Ohio and Columbus. We designated topics and then comb the archives and resources we have available to create a general “wikipedia” type page. We “publish” the research to the newsroom and they use it when creating their stories and looking for information on topics relevant to Columbus.

One page I recently finished, among many, was about Chic Harley. I spent a great deal of time learning about him (I actually read his entire biography) and consolidating all the information for future usage. He is an absolutely fascinating person and I really wish I could have known him in person!

I didn’t know that my page would be put to use quite so soon (some of our work sits there for months before it finds a use). This weekend, a well-respected columnist, Mike Hardin, wrote an article about Chic Harley and a new biography that was recently is published about him. Along with his column, the Dispatch published my newly-created timeline on his life. It’s quite the honor to get to see you’re hard work go into such a public sphere, especially alongside someone as well-known as Mike (who happens to be one of my favorite writers from the paper). You can read Mike’s column here and see my timeline here, if you’re interested.

Lonica Stuff, My Dewey Decimal Degree | 2 Comments »

…that’s what Scott does.

Immediately after our return to Columbus from Costa Rica, I began my internship at the Columbus Dispatch. I now spend my days researching random people, places and trivia about Columbus—anyone care why Colo is important to the Columbus Zoo, or where her name came from? Scott claims that by the end of the summer I’ll be a walking encyclopedia on random trivia about Columbus, since I spend most of my days conducting research on random aspects of the city and writing summaries and reports for reporters to use in their research.

When I’m not digging through microfilm records of dispatch articles from 1960 or flipping through historical photos from 1941 of women having their legs decorated to look like they’re wearing stockings despite clothing rationing (you can check out a bit of my work here), I coordinate welcoming all the other intern reporters to the Dispatch. I’m responsible for making sure they all receive the research education they need. It’s a bit intimidating, considering I’m only just learning about the research capabilities of the Dispatch library.

I feel pretty competent, though, when I leave for lunch—wearing my badge that lets me through locked doors—head across the street and find a bench under a shady tree on the grounds of the State Capital. Throughout my lunch break, as I enjoy my peanut butter sandwich and a good book, I am serenaded by street musicians playing the saxophone, cars honking, and sirens passing. As I watch men in black suits and women in high heels pass by, I pretend to be the career women I most likely never will be. But, for now, I can certainly pretend and enjoy it!

My Dewey Decimal Degree | 1 Comment »

As part of my master’s program, I had to complete a 100 hour practicum at a school library. The ladies at Upper Arlington High School were kind enough to host me and show me the day-to-day intricacies of their job.

I spent a great deal of my time weeding the 700s section of the collection (and covering myself thoroughly in dust during the job), creating surveys for teachers to take concerning the online databases, participating in student book clubs, checking out books and taking attendance, learning about their acquisitions and cataloguing procedures, and visiting middle and elementary school libraries in the district.

All in all, it was a great experience. I left Upper Arlington with a some new friends, a better understanding of what a school librarian does, and a lot of good memories.

My Dewey Decimal Degree | 1 Comment »