On Listening

To listen is to continually give up all expectation and to give our attention, completely and freshly, to what is before us, not really knowing what we will hear or what that will mean.

~ Mark Nepo

Practice
If I am filled with expectation or dread, if I am "listening for" something, if I anticipate or presume to know what someone is going to say, I am not really listening.Today I empty myself sufficiently to be able to truly listen.

Forwarded from the Seasons for Nonviolence email http://www.seasonsfornonviolence.com/

Very apt, I couldn't have said this better.

What can hinder me from being an effective counselor?: Journal entry

I believe an effective counselor is a good listener. My experience, so far, has been with listening and brief counseling sessions. Here are some hindrances I've found:.

• Fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Associated with this is the need to feel that I'm doing things right. Counseling is an art and a science. Guidelines and procedures are important tools, that every counseling situation is individual and unique.

• The need to be needed and accomplish something worthwhile in the counseling session. I call this the “big people helper desire”. This usually indicates that I'm focused on myself and my own needs and not the client's.

• Breaking into the conversation when I think I have some insight that needs to be shared. I may think I know what the client's problem is, but if that thought comes, I recognizet I'm not focusing on the client. If I think I have the solution to the issue and I'm the only one who can provide this, then I'm enmeshed and have forgotten I'm only one part in the process and solution.

• Wanting to get more information on the client's issue, to see all aspects. I've thought of this as having only a piece of the puzzle and wanting to get the whole picture. This desire can get in the way of listening fully to the client and being sensitive to his or her needs. It's okay to ask questions for qualification, but if I'm asking a lot of questions in a counseling session, I'm on the wrong track.

In the end, these concerns come down to “it's not about me” -- it's the client.

Personal Qualities of Effective Helper

Personal Qualities of Effective Helpers

Nystul' s Helping Formula:

Personality of helper + Helping skills = Growth facilitating conditions > Specific outcomes

Nystul's 14 characteristics and how I see myself (p.10-12)

1.Encouraging. Nystul sees this as perhaps the most important quality of an effective counselor. Necessary to help clients learn to believe in their potential for growth and development. I like to think I'm an encouraging person
2.Artistic – able to creatively adjust techniques to needs of clients. “Just as true artists give something of themselves to each thing they create, counselors must give of themselves to the counseling process.” Counseling as an art and a science is Nystul's approach. Giving of self is something I haven't considered, though I recognize that the counselor contributes to the counseling process. At first it seems to be a contradiction to “It's all about the client, not about the counselor.”
3.Emotionally stable – “An inconsistent counselor will not only waste valuable time but create confusion and insecurity withing the client.” Is anyone ever emotionally stable? With maturity comes stability, but I feel stability isn't ever fully achieved. There's a warning about emotionally insecure counselors attempting to meet their needs at the expense of their clients – an important caveat, but I also have to acknowledge a need as well as a desire to help others.
4.Empathetic and caring: “Effective counselors care about people and have the desire to help those in need. They are sensitive to the emotional states of others and can communicate an understanding of their struggles with life. Clients experience a sense of support and kindness...This can help the client have the courage to face life realistically and explore new directions and possibilities. “ I can't say this any better – I see this as the most important quality in counseling.
5.Self-aware: " aware of one's own limitations .. can also help counselors monitor their needs so they can gratify those needs in a way that does not interfere in the counseling process.. requires an ongoing effort." Again this comes with maturity, but is something that is never fully realized. Self awareness is related to:
6.Self-acceptance: comfortable with themselves. I enjoy being Lucille Boone, though it's taken awhile to acknowledge this.
7. Positive self-esteem: can help counselors cope with and maintain stability. I have learned the hard way to be gentle with myself.
8.Self-realization-- “a journey into personal growth and discovery-- model for clients that one must stretch to grow. Counselors welcome life experiences and learn from them.” It's taken me a long time to see myself in that statement.
9.Self-disclosure: “counselors are constructively open with their thoughts and feelings – model openness and encourage clients to be open. “ Something I need to learn to do effectively. I usually err on the side of less is better.
10.Courageous: counselors should try to model the courage to be imperfect. Admitting that we don't have the answers and that counseling is a two way process is a beginning
11.Patient: Very important to focus on direction, not immediate results, though this could be difficult with brief therapy.
12.Nonjudgmental: Must be careful not to impose beliefs – communicate respect for clients. Some judgment is inevitable, but “judge that ye be not judged”
13.Tolerance for ambiguity: important – goes with being nonjudgmental.
14.Spirituality: I see counseling as a spiritual process – something that I do not do by myself as much as facilitate and channel from a higher power.

Research project proposal: Problem and purpose statements

This evening Dr. Beach and I met to discuss the problem and purpose statements of my research project proposal. This research project is worth 50% of my grading for the class, and my mind has gone in circles. In a previous class, she encouraged us to choose something that we were passionate about, or caught our interest. I thought about the Human Library, a program that uses the library model for cross-cultural communication. Dr. Beach was encouraging -- keep it simple. In the last week I've found review articles on prejudice and stereotype reduction, made a RefWorks citation file and downloaded a number of articles on my Nook. I've been feeling overwhelmed. I'm used to writing short reports and book reviews. Her suggestions was to see this project as a series of short items.
She mentioned that the majority of students who do this course full time, do it in two years and that this reasearch proposal is expanded as a final research project. She confirmed that the focus of EDCO 215 is practical and hands-on.
So here are my statements: I expect they will be worked over and expanded.

Problem statement: There are few places where people can intentionally meet one on one to dialogue with a person of another ethnic group, nationality, belief, race or sexual orientation.

Purpose statement:The purpose of this study is to investigate the "Human Library" as a way for individuals to explore differences between and similarities among people of different cultures, nationalities, races, sexual orientations or beliefs.

Second class: Introduction to Counseling

At this evening's EDCO 215 class, Dr. Beach very briefly categorized 6 schools of psychology: Analytical, Behavioristic, Cognitive, Humanistic, Gestalt and Multicultural therapy (MCT). I had expected a more lengthly introduction, though we'll be going over some of these at a later date. I'm surprised that MCT was considered a school -- from my reading it seems an eclectic approach. I want to read more --on Thursday this week I briefly explored narrative psychology, learned the difference between social constructionism and social constructivism and found that empirically supported research is about the same as evidence-based research.
Tonight as exercises we listed characteristics of a counselor, discussed Nystul's counseling as an art and science, had our first role play (reflective listening) and an outline of historical trends in psychology that Dr. Beach felt was important. I was paired up with Daisy who already works as a counselor in Watsonville -- this experience wasn't new for both of us, but it was the first for some in the class. I shared with Daisy about my concerns going back to school after these many years, and she was a good supportive listener.
Some pearls from Dr. Beach:
On an average counseling does work 79% (should have asked her source). Remember, it's not about me, (focus on the client) Ask a question then repeat 1 hippopotamus, 2 hippopotamus, 3 hippopotamus (wait for the counselee to respond. )

What is an intervention? Answer ?

According to Nystul 5th ed. p390, the Amercian School Counseling Association in its revised statement (1990) identifies 5 basic interventions common to all school counselors. These are: individual counseling; small-group counseling (5-8) large group guidance (9+); consultation and program coordination.
The 2009 statement doesn't list these interventions, but refers to delivery of responsive services which include :
individual or group counseling
consultation with parents, teachers and other educators
referrals to other school support services or community resources
peer helping
psycho-education
intervention and advocacy at the systemic level

Research project: What will I do?

I've just read the two examples that Dr. Beach provided -- one topic anger management, the other nutrition and now I feel anxious. The report writing style is off puting . I've spent much time trying to write simply and researchese, while, not unfamiliar, just seems verbose. To put the project in simple terms: Describe a problem and then work out a way to test a solution. My mind goes in all directions. I can identify with the adult student years ago who came up to the library reference desk and insisted I choose a topic for her. What am I passionate about? I've spent energy trying to damp down passion and live in the moment. How can I relate this project to what I know? Bibliotherapy? Relaxation? Breathing? Listening? Stress reduction techniques? -- these could be methods of intervention (solution); now I'm thinking backwards. And what do I really know of classrooms, education programs, ? I've seen my life as exceptional, in the way that my experiences differ from the average and now I'm wondering what I can give. Methods of Assessment? Statistics -- ugh?

First class: Introduction to Counseling and Guidance

I feel hopeful. Quite a few other classmates are also Open University students. Dr. Beach also teaches the Thesis writing course for Counselor Education. She passed out the course outline (greensheet) and reviewed the projects and objectives. My impression is that this course is doable -- I'll need to put in a lot of work, but there will also be guidance --the class is listed as a seminar, not a lecture. .
The ice breaker this evening was based on the Smalley and Trent Personality Inventory. We were asked to describe ourselves according to characteristics of animal categories: Lion, Otter, Golden Labrador and Beaver. I put myself in the middle, but definitely crossing the Golden Lab/Beaver axis. I'm definitely not a Lion (leader) nor am I a Beaver. There were two columns of descriptive words for each of the four categories and I found that I seemed to choose traits in the right hand column of each category. Traits that I chose Adventurous, stong willed , independent, self-reliant, enjoys challenges (Lion traits), Likes variety, enjoys change, creative, new ideas, optimistic (Otter); Adaptable, Sympathetic, Thoughtful, Nurturing , Patient, Tolerant, Good listener (Golden Lab) and discerning, analytical, inquisitive (Beaver)

Research paper: What is an intervention?

The term intervention in the description of the Proposed Intervention Project made me anxious. I consulted two retired social workers. Both were familiar with a family intervention -- a meeting where family and friends are brought in to challenge an individual with a problem (e.g. alcohol or drug abuse) It's clear from reading the description that's not what is meant in the context of this research paper. I emailed the lecturer who sent me the same information from the syllabus.
Reading the description this evening before the class, I realized that the emphasis is on a focus of interest -- and this is a learning project, first of all.

Course Outline Concerns: EDCO 215

Looking over the course outline for EDCO 215, it seems like a class that I could learn a lot from, even if I don't take further classes. Introduction to Counseling; an Art and Science Perspective (Nystull 2010), Journal entries (which is what this blog is about) a genogram and a research paper. My classmates and I will be graded on class attendance and participation, a group presentation on a chapter from the textbook and a research paper or proposed intervention project.
The research paper counts for up to 50%.

Here's how the syllabus describes the project:


Proposed Intervention Project (Research Paper):
The primary purpose of this project will be for you to learn about research design, action research and program evaluation. You will create an intervention proposal using at least one theory of counseling. This type of project will be similar in structure to your final Thesis project, although it will be much less involved due to the obvious time limitations and scope of this class. Consider an area of interest within the field of counseling and/or education and develop the following: (put these sections in):

Abstract

A. Statement of the Problem: What is the problem, issue, or subject you wish to address?

B. Statement of Significance: Why is this issue important to address? What would be the
importance of your proposed intervention?

C. A Literature Review: This is a brief summary (3-6 pages) of the existing research on the subject you wish to address. In other words, summarize how previous research has attempted to address this problem. Be sure to use APA style in citing any/all research in your paper. (You may use sources from the Nystul text).

D. Research Design: What will be your research methodology – experimental design, qualitative or quantitative study. You will want to include demographic information regarding the population you’re interested in working with. You will need to describe the intervention in some detail and include information on how you would measure the effectiveness of your intervention (ex: pre-post testing).
E. Data Analysis: What kind of data you will need to collect for the purpose of your study. You will search online to gather information for program evaluation.

F. Intervention: Develop an intervention that will address the problem that you have identified (ex: a three day/three hour workshop for 8th graders on sexual harassment prevention/education).
You will need six to ten references on the topic. At least one should be from a research-based journal (ex: Journal of Counseling and Development). You are expected to use at least one Theory of counseling either in the Literature Review or to support your Intervention.
You will not have to formally present your Proposed Intervention Project to the class, although I may have you briefly discuss your topic in class (3-5 minutes).

G. Discussion Section: This is the conclusion of your paper where you will discuss the type of results that you might expect, potential problems with the intervention, and how your intervention would generalize in helping society at large. (you may use “I” here).

H. Project Evaluation: Most students design programs for their theses in our department. For this type of project you need to develop strategies to evaluate outcomes of your program.

Please use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition) as your reference guide for completing this paper. All papers must be typed, double-spaced, and must follow APA style (including an abstract and the above mentioned sections) in order to receive full consideration. (15 pages required).

Back to Classes: almost 30 years later

Times are hard and last year my not so brilliant career went bung -- well, not quite. What I feared happened: my part-time hours at the library were reduced from 30 to 20 due to budget cuts in library services, despite my seniority. I'm still working at the library I love and doing interesting things like crocheting, volunteering at the Listening Post, growing vegetables like kohlrabi and jerusalem artichokes and loofahs (but didn't get into the SCC Master Gardeners program.) Since I've volunteered off and on for counseling projects (LifeLine, Contact, Stephen Ministry, Listening Post, the next step was to get more training. I have an overseas degrees in anthropology and linguistics and library science, but there's always been fear of issues of getting credentials accepted by the CSU system. To test the waters I've enrolled in EDCO 215: Introduction to Counseling and Guidance at SJSU's Open University program. From last semester's course description, it seems a good introduction and could count as credit if I eventually enroll in a Master's Program and go on to a new career in the helping professions.Yes, I'm anxious. I hope to always go on learning new things, but sometimes there limits as to what can be absorbed.

My Not-So Brilliant Career Update

I'm still working 30 hours a week. The City passed a budget that retains current library hours -- for another year. This is good news, though problems with the California State budget -- and the general economic makes the future appear forboding.
Strategy -- take one day at a time.

Strengths: Finding out about myself

Taking surveys is always fun:


According to Strengthsfinder 2.0 my key strengths are Input, Deliberative, Intellection, Empathy, Restorative




According to the VIA Institute Character Survey my key characteristics are: Love of learning, Curiosity and interest in the world, Gratitude, Kindness and Generosity, Judgement, critical thinking , and open-mindedness.

My Not-So Brilliant Career

I was notified yesterday that my part-time librarian position will be downsized to half time (20 hours versus 30 hours)in July if the city budget is passed in June. So far I've managed to keep calm. It's a victory that I didn't burst into tears and have to take the rest of the day off. This is at least the fourth time in my career I've had such a notice, but it hurts.
My career hasn't been as brilliant as I'd hoped it would be; it's hard to look forward and not backward. Dr Djonz assures me we'll manage. To be realistic, I'm unlikely to get these hours reinstated -- or a future full time or part-time job that pays as much. I'm thankful that I still have my job as others in the system have been given layoff notices. I've worked for the city for over 16 FTE years. Generally speaking, I enjoy my library work, but I've had hopes and dreams that I've held too long that have not been realized. Years ago I left my full-time academic library position in Australia to come to the U.S. and have since worked part-time, not always by choice. It's been hard to be positive. Yes, I'm more than my library work. From time to time I'll report on what's been happening. Stay tuned.

Nearest Book Meme

"There are two alignments on the page centered flush and left. "

From The Non-Designers Design Book:Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice. Robin Williams. Peachpit Press, 1994

Rules (for nearest book meme)

1. Get the book nearest to you. Right now.
2. Go to page 56.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Write this sentence - either here or on your blog.
5. Copy these instructions as commentary of your sentence.
6. Don't look for your favorite book or your coolest but really the nearest.

The Non-Designers Design Book was the nearest book. Okay, it was the second nearest. The nearest was The Adventures of Johnny Bunko by Daniel Pink. That manga-style book lacks pagination, so the next was this above yellow cover-covered paperback that I finally bought ten days ago after eyeing it for ages at the Willow Glen Bargain Box Thrift Store.

Looking over my notes on Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, I notice that Pink's taken a design suggestion from graphic designer Williams (who is neither the US actor or the Australian media scientist.) = Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, Contrast. Williams takes up the concepts in this order but suggests the reverse for a memorable acronymn.

Was this selection serendipy or unconscious memory recall?

Leading the Way: California Library Association Conference 2008

What I did at CLA 2008 Santa Clara Convention Center November 14-17

Friday: Adobe Systems Tour. Adobe is now one of the few Silicon Valley high tech corporations with a library. The library or resource center is organized under Adobe's Corporate Marketing. All 6 information specialists have MLS degrees.The Adobe Resource Center is next to the cafeteria, open 24/7 to employees with badges. Goldmine information portal supports internal research. As well as internal documents e-collection includes subscriptions to Springer Link and Overdrive. (employees are encouraged to get SJPL library card to access Safari) Information specialists answer online reference queries (mainly by email), help with creating custom search strings, tagging items, developing taxonomies, RSS, email alerts; also develop and give InfoU skills classes (in person and online).

Seminars I attended:

Saturday:
Opening General Session: On being writers: Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman. Not worth noting except that the session was diagramed by John Ward (see below)

Drawing CLA: John Ward. Ward is a graphic facilitator who captures verbal and emotional content of in diagrams. Ward drew diagrams for all Saturday sessions that I attended, and for William Crossman's talk (below) His CLA Diagrams are posted online.

Developing a Whole New Mind: Daniel Pink. Pink's Whole New Mind is one of the most challenging and inspiring works I've read recently. Pink's quote: "Libraries are the life of the mind."

Discussion with Joan Fry Williams and George Needham on Pink's presentation and how his ideas relate to libraries.

Sunday

Bilingual Teens and Spanish Speaking Seniors: Partners in Health Information Marin County Free Library / This pilot program, still in progress, trains teens to train senior citizens using MedlinePlus.

Open Source Instruction and Reference: Stanford Librarians described and demonstrated development of web-based open source software (Drupal) for their websites.

Next Generation Subject Guide: Contra Costa Library Virtual Services librarians demonstrated LibGuides by creating subject page.

Future of Librarians in the Post-Literate Age: William Crossman author of VIVO [Voice-In/Voice-Out:The Coming Age of Talking Computers. Futurist Crossman predicts talking computers (VIVOs) will make written language obsolete, replace writing and reading with speech and graphics, recreating an oral culture by 2050. Crossman sees librarians as taking on functions of scribes and storytellers.

Discussion with Joan Fry Williams and George Needham on Crossman's pressentation and how his ideas relate to libraries. Crossman stayed and there was very lively cross-discussion.
Evening: I joined a group of six CLA attendees (librarians and a library trustee) at Il Fornaio.

Monday:

Librarians, educators and CLA in Second Life: Making a difference: Sandra Vella (UC Davis), developed a mentor program for CLA members learning Second Life. Jeremy Kemp (SLIS SJSU) described his introductory Second Life learning program for incoming SLIS students.

Which way should I Go? Leading you through a menu of delicious tools, IM, Digital Reference and Second Life Technologies. After reviewing new developments in Delicious.com, instant messaging and digital reference, Alma Ortega met Sandra Ley in Second Life. Together, through Skype , they gave us a tour of Second Life library and educational sites including Santa Clara University's Virtual Library (The university recently entered Second Life), the Sistine Chapel and Dresden Art Gallery.

Demon Hunting and other life lessons: Jeanette Wallis (Glass Castle ) Best-selling writer Wallis talked about how she came to write, what she has learned since publication and how relatives and readers have responded to her book.

Great fun collecting handouts, key chains etc. Didn't win any raffles. (I hoped for an IPod). Loved hanging out at the InfoPeople Space Cantina, testing new gadgets and tech items and listening to mini-talks.

Sunday Survival

LaSeal Djonz' guide for Sunday survival for part-time librarians

1. Wear interesting, colorful, but not too outrageous (or dangerous) clothing.
2. Adopt a mascot (stuffed animal or hand puppet). If someone asks you why you’re carrying or wearing the mascot make up a line. “Mousy doesn’t get much attention, I’m giving her some.” or let the mascot speak for itself – you don’t have to be a ventriloquist. Caution: Don't extend this to invisible pals.
3. Adopt a persona -- one that is friendly, but not too off-putting. Act on your persona and keep it in mind for tough times. ("I’m really a princess in disguise.”)
4. Compose a library jingle. If you need inspiration, there’s probably some procedure that you should review or be more aware of. Better yet, turn it into a limerick or song.
5. Be a rover. Walk around the perimeter of the room during slow times (provided it’s okay with your desk colleague.) Occasionally take your shoes off and walk barefoot
6. Think of an odd topic and follow through (I want to find out about okra ) broaden it (eating, growing, commercial use,folklore etc.)–see what your collection has on it. You never know until you look for it. Isn't this what library research is all about?
7. Smile.

Years ago Sundays was made part of our schedule, like or lump it, and reference librarians were rostered other departments, i.e. Youth Services and General Collections.
I had always assumed that when I got to where I am now, (okay, at my age and situation) I wouldn't be working Sundays. I had to change my weekend activities, chiefly place of worship (most of the place of worship activities happened late Sunday mornings and afternoons) I wrote this to try to put things in perspective.

Book Club Expo: Chapter Three

This weekend I attended Chapter Three of the Book Group Expo, a annual weekend for writers and readers which began in San Jose in 2005 and now has venues in Seattle, Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago and New York.
Here's how it works:
Participants can choose to attend a number of “salons” where a group of authors discuss specific topics with one another, a moderator and the audience. Here’s a sampling of some this year’s salons: Write or wrong: the unreliable narrator defines virtue; Historical friction: characters in conflict; Foodies: writers eat, eaters write; Secrets of the suburbs: this is not the life I ordered.
Other activities included book signings, wine and chocolate tastings, performances by Brian Copeland (author of this next year’s Silicon Valley Reads book) and by the Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Here are some ideas that I found at Book Club Expo Marketplace that might be of interest for library book clubs and discussions.

Book Club in a Box
Despite the title, this Toronto based company sells only comprehensive reading guides (print and/or pdf) for fiction, text not included. Sample available online.
Cost: approximately $19.00 per title. (discounts available with membership).

Great Books Foundation
Great Books Foundation publishes and sells anthologies with study guides. Most selections are from literature, though science, history, philosophy, politics are also covered. Discussion group program materials are available for various levels. Training available for leaders. Each anthology in the Great Conversation series has 15 discussions and costs approximately $25. Other anthologies grouped under subjects. (Each participant should have his or her own book—ideal for a group with long-term goals.) The Great Books Council of San Francisco puts on conferences and special events. Cost: approximately $25.00 per Great Conversation anthology. Other anthologies/guides less.

My California: Journeys by Great Writers
An anthology of travel and adventure stories by 27 California award-winning authors. Funds from sale benefit literature and writing projects and programs of the California Arts Council. Long Beach and Benicia used this book for their community “One Book” reading programs. Discussion questions available.
Other program ideas using this book available through the California Arts Council
Cost: $16.95 wholesale discounts for 12 copy minimum.

Reading Group Choices
Reading Group Choices selects books and suggests discussion topics for reading groups. The company produces an annual printed guide and through its website links to discussion guides and other materials of interest to book clubs. 2009 guide has discussion questions for 75 recent titles (fiction and nonfiction) Cost: Guides: $6.95 discounts available for groups.

Santa Clara County Library Book Club Kits
Each book club kit bag includes 12 copies of the book (may include one or two copies in large print) and a discussion guide compiled from library and internet sources. Kits may be checked out for six weeks. Approximately 50 nonfiction and fiction titles available. Santa Cruz County Library has a similar program. Cost: Free to Santa Clara County Library card holders

Bodyworlds2

On MLK Day, Dr. Djonz, LizCee and I went to Body Worlds. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go, LizCee said she'd like to go, I got the tickets, then Dr. Djonz decided to come along, so I got a ticket for him, then LizCee wanted to drop out, but I persuaded her to come along. It was a rainy day, and the exhibition (and the TM) was crowded. I told LizCee that we had to have a debriefing afterwards, which we did at a local chicken place, though none of us had chicken.
Our conclusions after seeing plastinated ex-people displayed and sometimes flayed:
1. We saw the exhibition, we got our money's worth,but we probably won't go out of our way to see something similar again.
2. We won't volunteer for plastination.
3. We're glad we don't have to know all the names for all the parts.
I found the plastination appeared more dessicated than in photos. When I began to describe the X-woman, TeePee told be to stop. I liked the intricacies of the nervous system.

Welcome 2008

A time to begin again after taking a semester's break. During the time I was off blog, my colleagues and I delivered a seminar on how we did learning 2.0 at our library at CLA Long Beach.
My focus this year is on training. After a very good performance review, I have a tough act to follow. And as usual, we live in interesting times.
Some of the highlights of 2007 were:

1. Visiting with family and friends.
Visits from: relatives, especially CeeJayBee, Auntie and Uncle and friend Colin and Effie
Visits to: Long Island for Dr. Djonz's family, Thanksgiving and Christmas visits to cousins, aunts and uncles in the Central Valley.

2. Traveling new places. In late May we visited the Mt. Shasta area in Northern California on a bus trip:stops at at Turtle Bay in Redding, Shasta Dam, Burney Falls and took the Shasta Sunset Dinner train. Magnificent scenery.
Our longer train trip this year was to Long Beach for CLA. Yes, you can get to Long Beach by AMTRAK -- a roundabout way. Time to visit the Queen Mary and explore Los Angeles' Union Station before taking the Coast Starlight back home.

3. Working and discovering new things and letting go of old ones.
I participated in a mentoring program for work and, through much soul-searching, came to a realization that I will probably not realize my dream of a full-time semi-managerial position. I work in an exciting library in an atmosphere that is changing (and I love changes)

4. Gardening, crocheting, etc. I continue to spend time gardening, crocheting and passing on what I have been given; this winter I'm a vegetable gardening coop use a corner of the back yard for their vegetable growing activities. I started and completed a magnum opus -- circular filet crochet tablecloth with a daffodil pattern.

5. Service and worship. Often challenging, discouraging, exhilarating and hard to pin down. I now often attend two different church services one after the other on Sunday -- and still do things with the congregation where Dr. Djonz worships.

6.Yoga. I joined the Athletic Club and have been taking yoga classes three times a week. Didn't think I would ever do this, but I love the spa (Hot water is one of the blessings of being human.)