It’s been a busy month of being festive — getting a tree, decorating, baking cookies — as well as working to get our electrical system upgraded. Matthew has been doing most of the latter work, dealing with the electrician. We also have been working out a few tenant/landlord issues that aren’t appropriate to comment on in a public forum.
I have been working the new job, trying not to feel too overwhelmed about it all. I’m really happy that I made the decision to take on a new challenge. I am still learning and feel so new, but things are getting clearer for me week-to-week. Still, it’s going to be interesting when the woman I am replacing goes on maternity leave. There are a lot of things I don’t feel I know enough about and I want to know everything RIGHT NOW.
Last year we were in Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving. This year we were on Long Island. On Thanksgiving morning, we took a stroll along the Jones Beach boardwalk, one of Matthew’s favorite places. More photos at Flickr.
Sunday through Tuesday I was at a conference for literacy in Providence, Rhode Island. We had a booth and so I was going to help sell our books there. It’s my third week so I was a little nervous about being able to talk about the books. Although most people may have never heard of Pioneer Valley Books, we’re quite popular among literacy teachers. Our booth — it was actually more the size of six booths in the middle of the exhibit hall — was mobbed the first day of the conference. I was trained, but it was still difficult to jump in and pretend that I knew what I was talking about. By the second day, though, I was way more confident. I only got to check out one of the sessions, led by our company president. It was amazing to watch her talk about writing books for literacy. She showed videos of her working with three young children. It was quite a poignant moment for me to watch the children as they became readers. What a powerful–and empowering–thing it is to be able to read.
The hotel was attached to the conference center AND a huge mall, so I didn’t get out much during the three days. We did walk up to Federal Hill two nights in a row for delicious Italian dinners.
Heather took this photo me taking a photo of the view from the sixth floor of the Westin on our first day.
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I just posted over at Sound Check about an in-studio I had the chance to attend this past Monday night.
People were asking me all week what I was doing during my week off.
On Monday it was about 60 degrees in the shade. I scraped and painted the floor of our front porch. Our doorway is on the right (the one with the cute home plate mat — which was an engagement gift from Jennifer Myszkowski. We also got a cute new floor mat for our wedding from Alyson and Bill. It has monkeys on it. We are saving that one for when this one wears out. But, enough about the doormats). One of our tenants gave me the news that it was going to rain that night, so I only got to put one coat of paint on the floor. When the weather gets warmer again, we plan to do more painting on the porch.
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Along with our new computer we got a new printer/scanner combination thingy. So I’ve been scanning in photos. My most recent scan is this photo of Miles as a kitteh.
He was born in October 2002 in Springfield and spent his formative months in my apartment in Amherst. Here is what he looks like now.
Over the weekend, we did a Miles photo shoot for a Fat Cat Flickr Off. Miles did not win on account of his fat-concealing fur, but look at the competition. He’s really more big-boned than anything.
It was suggested by one wise man that I should probably try to be a little less cryptic in my blog regarding some changes happening in my life.
Since I got married I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about life and what I want to be doing whilst living it. I remember when I was in college, a friend read my palm and told me that my lifeline drew its path through many different vocations — that I’d have many different careers in my life.
That’s always stuck with me.
More and more over the summer, circumstances and events were telling me that it’s time to try something new. An opportunity came about through a good friend at a small, successful children’s book publisher. The prospect of being able to switch to a whole different environment — the company is in Amherst and I currently work in Springfield — and to be able to learn a whole new way of doing business was exciting to me. I enjoy challenges and I enjoy learning new things.
I am going to be working as an editor, keeping the production of books on the right path. I’ll also be helping the company move into doing more multimedia. I have a lot to learn about print media. I know a lot has changed since I was in college.
It’s always difficult to leave a job, but I didn’t know how hard it would be to leave a job where I love the work and the people so much.
Of course, MassLive.com is also where I met my husband and he will still be working in this office in his position with Advance Internet after I am gone. I’ll miss our lunches and carpooling. I’ll miss running errands and going to the grocery store. These have been mid-day rendezvous not afforded to most married couples.
well, rumor mill, whoever and wherever you are.
Yes, I’m leaving my current job as of this Friday and it’s with a very heavy heart. I’m moving onto a publishing job, also in the valley. I’m not moving or anything.
The riverfront area in Downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, boasts several paths for walking and biking, lovely views of the river on one side and classic architecture on the other side. There is also an island with other outdoor activities available. You get to the island via a footbridge. I wish all cities with rivers were like this. I’m looking at you, Springfield.
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On Friday, Matthew and I went to check out a new lunch place in downtown Springfield. It’s in the spot where the Main Street Frigo Foods used to be. We had low expectations, considering the name of the place. Yes, it’s Dillweedz. We were pleasantly surprised by the sandwiches and pleased by the portions. Thumbs up. I really wish they’d change their name or explain its significance, though.
I enoyed the decor, from the shiny, dark hardwood floors to the brightly painted green walls. Floors not pictured.
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Uncategorized | kristen December 15, 2008 | 
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