Managing Assumptions

Last week, I gave the general education presentation to some transfer students at orientation. My director put together the presentation, and I had given it once before at the beginning of June. After eight weeks of "frosh" (freshmen) orientation, this presentation seemed easier. The policies and procedures covered in the presentation are becoming more familiar to me as I settle into my new job.

One thing jumped out at me as I gave the presentation. We tell the transfer students to "manage their assumptions" since they are coming from another college or university. Things will be different at this university. I finally realized that I need to manage my assumptions after advising at another university for over five years. I incorrectly assumed that frosh orientation would be similar to my last job. As we go into the fall semester, this was a good thing for me to hear (again).

I did not realize that my presentation was being observed by some of my colleagues for a specific reason. At the end of last week, I was asked to teach an activity section for our freshmen seminar. I am a little overwhelmed but excited. I am preparing to teach my first class on August 31. I co-taught a freshmen seminar in fall 2010, but I now know to expect this to be a different experience. I am looking forward to working with the other instructors, a peer advisor, and twenty-five new students. Between working my full-time job, teaching a class, and having an active three year old, it will be a busy fall!

On another note, my craft supplies made a "guest appearance" on Scrapworthy Lives today.

Thank You

Today I have another guest post at Scrapworthy Lives. You can read my thoughts on blogging as scrapbooking here. Thank you to Stephanie for allowing me to share two guest posts. This was a positive distraction during my job search, and it helped me think more about my blogging and writing. I also want to thank everyone who reads my blog. This blog is almost five years old (and five is Alex's favorite number right now). I am happy to have a place to share stories from our lives and my crafty projects.

The Happiness Blog Hop

I am happy to be stop #2 on the Happiness Blog Hop, and I am happy that you are here! You should have arrived from Scrapworthy Lives (one of my new favorite blogs), or you can use the list below to follow the entire blog hop about scrapooking and happiness.

To enter the giveaway from Scrapworthy Lives, be sure to comment below. You can earn one entry per blog. This means that if you visit everyone’s blog and comment on each blog, you will have 14 entries. All entries must be posted by Friday, June 3 at midnight Central Standard Time (Chicago, IL, USA). Stephanie will ship the prize anywhere in the world. The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 5 on Scrapworthy Lives.

Here is the full blog hop list:
Scrapworthy Lives
1200 Some Miles
Take a Picture and Remember This
Scrap Your Life
My Life in Photos & Words
This Kalil Life
Fun Mama
Scrapping Mojo
XNomad’s Blog
Nuggets
The Constant Scrapper
Pie for Breakfast
Scraps & Sass
Abstracts Mixed with Extracts

I have been thinking about happiness and scrapbooking. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin talks about finding happiness in our current lives. She examines ways to be happier without radically changing your life, including making more time for the things that you love. Gretchen loves children's literature, so she makes time for multiple children's literature reading groups each month. I agree with Gretchen that it is important to find what makes you truly happy and not get caught up in what you think should make you happy.

I have found that scrapbooking, card making, and blogging make me happy (in addition to my family). I try to find time each week to do these activities even if it means that my house could be cleaner... Here is why scrapbooking (both digital and traditional) makes me happy:
1. I enjoy photos, both taking them and viewing them.
2. I enjoy recording and sharing stories and memories.
3. I like to get crafty and creative.
4. Many of the current trends in scrapbooking encourage us to appreciate our everyday lives.

I made a digital layout for this blog hop focusing on happiness and my everyday life. I used My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! and photos from April 27, 2011.

Readers, now it is your turn. Please leave a comment below to enter the giveaway and answer one or both of my questions. How does scrapbooking make you happy? In addition to scrapbooking (or instead of scrapbooking), does another hobby or activity bring you happiness?

Please visit Take a Picture and Remember This to continue on the blog hop.

Blog Hop

Over the past few years I have followed various blog hops and found great new ideas and blogs this way. I have never participated in a blog hop, but that will change in May. The Beyond Blogging For Scrapbookers Blog Hop is being planned for May 14th. I hope that you will visit my blog and others that day to see our cards, scrapbook pages or photographs. Thank you to Amy for organizing this fun and creative blog hop!

A Day in Photos (Part 2)

I have three more photos to add about my day yesterday.

Wednesday is taco night and Alex enjoyed his taco. If we let him, he would have just ate cheese for dinner.

I took a self-portrait in my car when I stopped for gas.

Speaking of gas, the price here is $3.69 a gallon. Luckily I only have to fill up every 3-4 weeks.

In the evening I went to book club, but I forgot to get out my camera. I was enjoying adult conversation without having to keep an eye on a toddler. I have a laid-back book club that does not mind if you don't get to read the book... I got home late and went straight to bed.

A Day In Photos

It is fun carrying my camera with me and taking random photos of my day.

I cannot start my day without coffee and creamer.

Here is my car, which I bought eight and a half years ago while still in grad school. Practical & reliable!

This is on my drive to work. You will notice two things. First of all it is already 76 degrees at about 7:50 A.M. Summer has arrived in South Texas! Also, I don't drive a lot since my car only has 51,000 miles on it. I love having a short commute to work!

This is a shot from my drive to work.

Here is my office. My friend Sharis' office is next to mine and she has also posted pictures of her at day at http://airbs.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-day-in-photos.html

Students from all over the world in the Beyond Blogg for Scrapbookers online class are participating in this assignment. You can see more here.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is my 4 Year Bloggiversary, which will coincide nicely with an assignment from the Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers class. Tomorrow will be my Day in Photos post. I plan to carry my camera around with me and post some everyday photos, maybe on my lunch hour and in the evening.

Any suggestions of photos that I should include?

Blog Goal

I am catching up on the Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers class this weekend and loving it! This affordable class has quality content, a good forum and participants from all over the world.

So far, I am working on giving my blog a clean and simple look but without taking out all of the fun extras. As for a theme, I am embracing the mix of topics on my blog. The poll responses and comments are helpful, so please keep them coming.

After the third prompt for the class, I have decided to set one goal for my blog. I want to create one card or scrapbook layout to share on my blog each week. The will help me carve out more creative time and hopefully improve my blog.

I decided to just set one goal for my blog right now. I am finally learning to not bite off more than I can chew. I am learning to set realistic goals instead of lofty goals. I think that I achieve just as much this way and am actually happier.

Blogging about Blogging

I started this blog almost 4 years ago and honestly was not sure if I would keep up with it. I was inspired by the scrapbookers who had blogs, especially Ali Edwards. I chose Blogger since it was free. I thought that I would not feel guilty about abandoning my free blog once it lost its novelty or if I became too busy to post.

My blog gave me a place to share my life and my scrapbooking (and eventually my cards). I named the blog after my move from Ohio to Texas. It gave me another way to keep up with my family and friends. I was surprised by how much I enjoy blogging. I enjoy the instant gratification of posting. I enjoy writing stories and sharing my thoughts and photos.

In 2009, I had a whole new topic to blog about: a little baby. Now that baby is a busy toddler. I have found new challenges from trying to balance family and work, which can inspire some posts. So far, my blog does not have a defined theme, and I post about whatever is on my mind. This approach has worked for me, but I want feedback from my readers. Please answer the poll and/or leave a comment about what you would like to see more of or less of on this blog. Thank you for reading!

Online Class

On Monday I read this post on Zen Habits, which helped me make my decision to sign up for an online blogging/scrapbooking class at Shimelle.com.

The irony is that I went against the advise that I give to freshmen on a regular basis. I skipped the "pre-requisite" course and registered late! I will be "cramming" this weekend but am still excited about the course and improving this blog. It is also fun to have a friend in the course.