#blogjune #junequestions What would you tell your 15 year old self?

#blogjune #junequestions What would you tell your 15 year old self?

1. What do you currently do for a living? I'm a library manager.

2. What three words would you use to describe your role? Problem fixer.

3. What is your biggest achievement to date - personal or professional? I find this hard to answer. My life feels like it's a long continuous attempt to improve all aspects of my life. Currently I'm trying to learn te reo so if I can achieve level 3 & 4 I'll be pleased with myself.

   
   

Thinking back to my 15 year old self, I recognise that (like most teens) I was fairly naive, earnest and idealistic. I came from a very safe, sheltered upbringing and was focused on my school results, whether or not I’d find a boyfriend and being ‘right’ according to the standards that I considered important. This poem that was published in the school magazine is pretty indicative.

Some things have changed with maturity and life experience , but others have not. I think I’m more forgiving of myself in the being ‘right’ kind of thing. I’ve become more aware of my own weaknesses, my humanity and so my expectations have adjusted.  So to 15 year old Penny, my advice to you is to chill. Some of the things you’re currently concerned about are not important 30+ years later.

You’ll find a life partner. Stop stressing about that for now and enjoy the time and friends you have.

Those exams you’re worried about? No one cares as soon as you get into Uni. And then, once you’re in a job, no one cares. By all means achieve the highest you can but it’s a temporary thing. Enjoy it, but don’t imagine that it will be of lasting relevance.

At 15, I was planning on doing medicine so was doing a lot of science subjects. I don’t regret that, though I do wish there had been room for me to pursue art as well.  Of course, I ended up becoming a librarian, so my science degree, while useful, has largely been unused due to the trajectory my career has taken. I was pretty proud of getting the first in English that year.

I wasn’t a sport oriented person but I did join the school choir. My advice to 15 year old Penny is to do the subjects that bring you joy.

I look at the names on the class lists from my year and there are at least three fellow pupils that I know of who have passed on already, taken too soon. One in particular was somebody I found hard to like. I wish I’d been kinder to them.

1989. 

This was the year the Berlin Wall fell, I remember the excitement about this because of the hope it brought into the world.

The internet apparently came to NZ although I didn’t see it until I went to library school. Dad did buy a second hand Apple computer that I started to type my assignments on. 

The Tiananmen Square massacre occurred but I don’t recall this event registering with me.

David Lange was the PM of Aotearoa, but had to resign due to health, replaced by Geoffrey Palmer.

I got my learners license this year.

The Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu is removed from office, tried and executed. I remembered this one because not long after this the stories of Romanian orphanages became news and a number of New Zealanders sought to adopt them.

Two Swedish tourists go missing and are found murdered in Coromandel.

The education reform ‘Tomorrow’s Schools’ was implemented causing many changes that affected the education of my generation.

All my photos from this period are at my parents place at the moment. My mum is making up an album for me. This one is from 2 years later when I was 17/18. Shoulder pads were in, hair pushed forward in a pointy centre (mine never stayed up) and I was hopeful about the future. What followed was 4 years of disappointment, existential self exploration and ultimately a lot of growth through struggle and heartache. I sometimes mourn the loss of that innocent enthusiasm I had. On the other hand, I have a satisfying fulfilling life so really have no complaints. Just a lot more compassion for my youthful self.

#blogjune #junequestions I need something to read for a weekend away, what would you recommend?

1. What do you currently do for a living? I'm a library manager.

2. What three words would you use to describe your role? Problem fixer.

3. What is your biggest achievement to date - personal or professional? I find this hard to answer. My life feels like it's a long continuous attempt to improve all aspects of my life. Currently I'm trying to learn te reo so if I can achieve level 3 & 4 I'll be pleased with myself.

   
   

I need something to read for a weekend away, what would you recommend?

The classic librarian response would be… what do you like to read? It will depend on what kind of weekend it is.

Are you relaxing by a pool with an umbrella drink and want your mind to be exercised even if your body is not? Try my favourite book from last year’s reading haul, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. His writing is lovely and his subject matter poignant and thought provoking.

Are you on a dirty weekend and want a bit of priming but nothing too distracting? Try the Bidgerton series by Julia Quinn. Her heroines are feisty and heroes have character. Plus they’re funny.

Are you holed up in some basic holiday home where the wharepaku is out the back yard, potentially infested with spiders and the rain is lashing the windows, but you’ve got a snuggly rug, hot beverage and accompanying suitable bikkies? Then try some of my favourite crime writers like Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths or Stuart McBride. If you’d like an antipodean flavour to your crime, add in Jane Harper or Chris Hammer.

Going on a roadie with the family and need something to listen to in the car while the kids trash the back seat with their cheezels and your partner won’t stop until you’re there? Try a travel audiobook like Nala’s world by Dean Nicholson, or Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith. Or any of P.G. Wodehouse. Or The land before avocado by Richard Glover. No embarrassing sexy times to make the teens cringe.

What about fantasy? Ben Aaronovitch, Sam Hawke, Janie Chang, Brandon Sanderson.

What about historical fiction? I have so many but The promised land by Martin Fletcher or Miss Benson’s beetle by Rachel Joyce are two I have enjoyed in the past few years.

What about non-fiction? Yep, I can suggest a few of those as well.

Reader’s advisory is a skill that tends to be lost in the drive for KPIs and relevance to local governments concerned with frugality. There is a disturbing trend to value events and programmes that get people through the doors over the more subtle value of engagement through reading. It isn’t as alluring as makerspace activities, dance classes or baby goat yoga. Those things have their place too. Yet readers advisory is still highly relevant to the communities we serve and ties in with positive experiences in literacy. For many of our customers, having a librarian recommended read gives them a way to explore other thoughts, viewpoints, worlds, experiences. It connects them to society from the safety of their own home. And we know that a good book can contribute positively to our mental health and well being, something sorely needed especially at the moment.

#blogjune #junequestions June 7 Where would you live , presuming you could have meaningful work and your family was happy?

 Kathryn and Con have a bit of challenge going with Question Time.

Answer these three questions:

1. What do you currently do for a living? I'm a library manager.

2. What three words would you use to describe your role? Problem fixer.

3. What is your biggest achievement to date - personal or professional? I find this hard to answer. My life feels like it's a long continuous attempt to improve all aspects of my life. Currently I'm trying to learn te reo so if I can achieve level 3 & 4 I'll be pleased with myself.

Where would you live , presuming you could have meaningful work and your family was happy?

The quick answer is.. beside the sea. In fact, if the two working parents didn't have to commute and the teens didn't have to be educated, I'd choose somewhere near Tāwharanui so long as the internet access was fabulous.

Luckily, living in Auckland means I'm never far from the coast and we have great facilities and services in the region. If we could afford to live on a small lifestyle block near to where we are now, I reckon that would be pretty sweet.

#blogjune2022 #junequestions June 6: What have you learned about yourself as the result of the pandemic?

 

As a general rule, I'm a homebody.  I like being at home and doing stuff at home. It's a safe place for me.

Back in 2020 when NZ went into it's first lockdown I burst into tears of relief when the prime minister announced it. This was because the children were still going to school and I was getting increasingly anxious that they would become sick from exposure there or on the bus.

That first lockdown felt like the nation came together and worked to make it safe for our communities.  Yes, it was financially draining for many sectors. For libraries, it felt so strange to be closed at a time when our services would have been very useful - useful but not essential.  As much as library services are loved, we could hardly put ourselves in the same category as supermarkets or medical services. Our front line teams did some redeployment work and we tried to keep ourselves busy with upskilling.  A lot was learned in that first lockdown about how to pivot and what libraries could do to help.

I learned that I do like routine in my day and to feel useful.  Being redeployed to call vulnerable people helped me feel like I was earning my salary. Trying to keep my team busy and upbeat wasn't easy but I think we did ok.

I learned that I can't blame the teenagers for messy house issues. Um.. yeah, I'm a messy being.

The second time we went into lockdown in 2021, we were much more prepared. More people had sorted out their technical set ups and were able to leap into action.  Regular online meetings with the team where were did crazy things like recreate art and movie posters helped to boost our spirits. We managed to eventually offer a click and collect service for libraries and that really helped the team morale. 

I learned that even though I'm a homebody, the very fact we couldn't go away for a holiday, even locally, made me feel trapped and despondent. I was busier in the second lockdown but not as busy as some so why I felt constantly tired and suffused with ennui I don't know.

I learned that I enjoy creating things from scratch like doughnuts, kumara bread from a starter, and growing seeds. Things that take time and that I wouldn't normally do when I'm doing a 40 hour week with a commute and mum taxi-ing. 

I learned that learning te reo is much more rewarding/motivating when you can go to a physical class. Online learning was ok, we did succeed but only 8 people in a class of 15 lasted to the end of the year. We missed doing all our noho and one day wananga in person too.  Our kaiako was brilliant in keeping us on track via the Zoom classes, without her I doubt the 8 of us would have made it.

I learned I still like to play Geoguessr.

#blogjune2022 June 5 more cooking

 Spent part of the day dealing to some cooking related activities.

Firstly, decanted my damson plum gin into a bottle. It smells a lot like kirsch. It is a beautiful deep red.

Earlier in the year when we had such hot weather (for Auckland), I planted a mango seed in a pot to see what would happen. To my surprise, I discovered it had put up a shoot. I have no expectations from this shoot, it doesn’t look that healthy but I’m curious to see what happens.

We planted out two avocado trees that had self seeded in our garden - not in any great hopes they’ll produce anything worthwhile but if they do, it will be a bonus. 

Mum gave me some Seville oranges from her garden and a work colleague gave us lemons so I made marmalade. 

#blogjune2022 4 June Dinner creations

Chelsea Winters Lockdown Loaf 

Baked Camembert (2 for $5/at Pak n Save…)

Now that I’m nearing 50, my children say I buy things because they’re on special.

 

#blogjune2022 3 June Meh

 Bit demoralised. 4/8 of my new team are looking for new jobs. I don’t think it’s about me but it still is disheartening.

#blogjune2022 June 2 Sewing Projects

MrD has requested a Peaky Blinders look to be created. After hunting online for a while, I have managed to create a baker boy hat for him, modelled here by Grizelda my helper. 

Next up is a waistcoat. It's all cut out, but there are some new tailoring techniques I'm going to have to learn - bound welt pockets. It's a little nerve wracking because the fabric is $30 a metre and I don't want to mess up!

MrD's ancestors hail from Birmingham so he's channelling some of us DNA. However, I am confident they weren't gangsters since their professions listed on the census of the time were things like jewellery maker, silversmith, pencil case maker. Who knows if they did rub up against the Birmingham gangs of the time.

MrD intends to get hold of his g-grandad's fob watch to add to his ensemble. 

#blogjune2022 1 June

It's Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa - Sāmoa Language Week. Naturally there needs to be food in the library. I made pineapple pies.