Some time later...

A year and a bit, to be precise.

I got hired on at FamilySearch and have been working with metadata since my last post. I've learned a great deal about the daily in and out of a white-collar job. I'm still learning, to put it simply. I'm learning how to be myself despite the dress code restrictions and living in a sea of cubes.

I feel like I have more freedom with my free time than ever before, but less free with my "9-5". Don't get me wrong; I'm profoundly grateful to have a job-- it's just an adjustment from college life (more so than I expected). I'm still in that floaty place of not being sure of what I'm doing or if what I AM doing is fulfilling to me. Considering a Master's again, in light of such reflections. I'm also trying to scrape in a few more responsibilities here and there to stay on my toes and keep learning something.

One aspect of a corporate job downtown that I really enjoy is experiencing the wonders of commuting on the tram every day with people from all walks of life. There are some days when I feel like a ghost, among the masses, and other days I've had meaningful interactions with other people. There's something deeply spiritual about observing people and being a part of a snippit of their lives. During my 90 minute combined trek to and from work, I've read lots of books that I've wanted to read forever. Therefore I've gone to numerous other worlds and held the whispers & memories of many characters-- human beings and the like.

I'm reading my first biography and so far I'm very pleased. It is incredibly special to hear the thoughts, struggles, and dreams of another person, that they were brave enough to put it all on paper and send it out to the world; and then for me to find many of this person's thoughts, struggles, and dreams are similar to my own. Reading books has always brought me new friends, and this time, they're actually breathing oxygen on this planet Right Now. That's an interesting thought. 

That's enough for now. 

Till later then.

Recap

Back and better than ever! This last year has been amazing. Recap:

• I started dating the best guy ever.
• Survived the toughest year of college.
• Picked up painting again.
• Got engaged to the best guy ever.
• Went to London for a week for Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE and to work in the archives.
• Moved.
• Study abroad in France, Italy, & Spain archives to research and tour.
• Got Married to the best guy ever.
• Graduated from BYU.
• Applied like crazy for jobs
• Taught at a genealogical conference.
• Starting contract work for FamilySearch this week & hopefully volunteering at the Utah State Archives soon.
• Finally fixed the images on my blog since the picasa image folders somehow died.

And the new adventures continue!

Little Town, Little Treasures

I went to Helper, Utah yesterday just for a drive and a look around. There was a cute little clothing shop that interested us right away. The sign on the front door kindly said "Come On In", but the door itself had other plans- it was locked. A bit confused and disappointed, my friends and I leaned towards the glass to peer inside to find no one there, and we turned to continue down the street. As soon as we turned to go a kindly gal called to us from her car. She happened to be the owner of the little shop and was on her way to run an errand. She promised to return so that we could look around her shop to our hearts' content. In another shop I scored a sheet of newspaper from 1922 with a report on a couple of women who were wanted for running a silk robbery ring in Boston, and a few beautiful ads. After looking in a few more shops, rummaging through antiques, and taking tons of pictures with some train cars and an old bus that were displayed on the side of the street,  we made our way back to the little shop. Again, no one was there but as we turned to go after waiting, we were again stopped by a voice calling from a car. It was a man this time, who identified us as the 3 gals who wanted to see the shop. After a few laughs he let us into the shop and phoned the owner. When she arrived she laughed with us and chatted as we looked through the racks of vintage and hand sewn clothes. The one thing, she said, about living in a tiny town was that she didn't have to keep regular store hours. We each left with a treasure and thanked her for coming back to let us look. I sometimes miss living in a small town where people know one-another and look after each other, where the sleepiness of the town draws in visitors from the city on weekends, and how the streets awaken during festivals. I don't think I would live in such a town again in my life, but I surely want to live near one so that I can enjoy quiet days like yesterday whenever I liked.

How could you resist?

So we went adventuring a few days ago and discovered a sweet toy store in the Riverwoods shops! Like all toy stores should, Blickenstaff's came equipped with old fashioned candies and throwback graphics on lot of their toy and game packaging. The overhead train and airplanes were  my favorite part for sure. I love when little shops like this make an effort to create an environment to experience when you go inside. And as you are selecting the bobbin or adventure guide of choice (we were after Bananagrams), those who tend to the toys that live in the shop may offer to teach you a new game or ask for a quick round of Spot It.
I must admit I need let my 7 year old self do the driving more often, this place was a nice release.

An Inspired Response

“Mom, I’m Fat:” One Mother’s Inspired Response to Her 7 Year Old

 I read this little article today and it really touched me.  I hope all the sweet little girls I know (myself included), will see what really makes them beautiful.
We should not be afraid to address these issues and share our stories with one another. It helps so much to come together and help each other to overcome the stigmas of modern society.
I still battle the occasional rain cloud above my head that tries to bully the unique and special person that I am. The exquisite childlike curiosity that I've worked so hard to cultivate, cowers in the corner when the blackness of "what if it's true" covers the truth of things. Well what if this huge negative thing (whether it is about being overweight, lazy, selfish, irresponsible, etc.) is true? 
All the negative things that creep into a self-confident mind could be true, but I have a choice- I can approach it however I like! Does it change who I was 5 minutes ago, now that it's been brought to my attention? I'm still me. I do have the power to change things if I want to, but I want it to be for me and what I believe, not for the satisfaction of societal conformity, "correctness", or norms. 
I see the world in shapes, colors, and textures. I delight in good stories. I'm a hunter of cool sounds. I'm a collector of curious things and ideas. Those are some of the things that make me beautiful and radiant. My defense against gloomy rain clouds that wont leave me alone. 

Adventures on Mars and in Genealogy

Much has happened as of late. I finished up with finals and went to the NGS (National Genealogical Society) conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. I learned how to spell Cincinnati and that it has 88 counties. Learned what a thorn was in old English. Ate good food and met lots of fun people while I was there. I got rid of a few things and moved into a new place with high ceilings and lots of quirks. Found some new LPs. Sent off friends and welcomed some back. I picked up twenty more hours of work for the summer. I'm on book 2 of the Barsoom series and have delighted in journeying to far away planets with the Virginian who doesn't know the meaning of the word impossible. And today I vanquished the gym for the first time in weeks. And to make it a perfect moment, I'm writing to you whilst listening to the Pumpkins' Adore album- its narrated many a moments in my life. Talk to you soon.

Carry On

I needed a dose of lovely history today. I'm trying to edit the things that I've been harboring in my circle of importance this week to edit my pattern. I am indeed in control and now that I have an empty circle, I'm going to fill it with things that really are important and will add to true happiness and well being. To flourish. As I watched this video, I longed to be in an environment such as the delightful bookstore where the poster was found. I hunger after such a life that the owners seem to have. Now I realize, that I often am in that sort of environment, and have the power to make my heart and mind that kind of environment. I will hold the message of this bygone poster close to my heart and carry on in brighter days. 
Enjoy this video and article from The History Blog.

Original ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ posters on AR