Today we learned that Better Half’s brother is terminally ill. The news hit hard and a lot of tears have been flowing. Some weeks back a tumor was discovered in one of his kidneys, and this was removed. Then, about 10 days ago, we heard he had a problem with his spleen. Information was spotty. His family there does not have strong German skills, and many in the medical profession are not easy to get information out of in the first place. What we heard was the doctors said there was little they could do to help him. But it was not entirely clear to us what this meant. Meanwhile, we assumed the worse, and BH was considering flying to Germany early, prior to our scheduled visit in August.
We agreed, however, that we needed more information before that sort of decision should be made. So, last night I emailed my old housemate, Dr. Rock, in Leipzig and asked if he could help us. In the morning when we awoke, I had his response. He had called the hospital where BH’s brother is and was able to talk with his doctor. The report is the cancer has returned and metastasized. It is a particularly rare and malignant form known as sarcoma, and it has spread to his spleen and ribs. Radiation and/or chemo are not effective, and surgery is very difficult, with the results not promising. He is currently “stable”, but he is not likely to live more than a year. Of course, he is now also very vulnerable to pneumonia or other diseases. There are still things we don’t know, of course, but we know now that the situation is dire.
It is very hard to be here now and not be able to do anything. This is a man whose life during the past 20 years or so has been nothing but struggle. Fleeing Iran, living for months on the streets of Rome out of cardboard boxes and hoping not to get deported, finally making it to Germany, coping for years being separated from his wife and two boys, and when they finally make it to Germany, still having to live in constant fear that he and his family could be deported, working like a dog just to get by and try to make a better life for his family. And now this. And now this.
Just got the tix to go to Germany in August! Leaving Aug. 2, returning Aug. 20. Tolle Nachrichten, geh? It's been over two years since we left, and it'll be fun to catch up with some folks. Also hoping it'll help Little One keep up with some German.
Couple with a weekend camping trip on Catalina in July, this summer should definitely have some highlights.
Every little bit helps. Today I was awarded an $800 scholarship from the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium to go towards library school tuition, and I also received tuition reimbursement from the College to tune of $1300 for my upcoming fall semester classes. Sweet.
More going on or has happened than I can possibly write about. I just don't seem to find the time these days to keep the blog updated, much as I would like to. But, I'll keep trying.
Let's see, Dr. B's visit was a lot of fun. We went out to SaMo and what had started as a rainy day turned into glorious sunshine by the time we hit the beach and pier. Little One had a blast on the rides. We later went over to T&K place for a fabulous fondue feast that lasted well into the night. Was nice to be able to crash at their place and not have to worry about getting back to get LO in bed as well as to enjoy some adult beverages (tried a BeTon for the first time -- Becherovia [a Czech schnaps] and Tonic; for the non-German speaking crowd, it's a play on words, as Beton in German means concrete). On Sunday we then drove Dr. B. to the airport and said good-bye. What can I say about that? Being able to see each other regularly over the past two years has been really great and I will miss that opportunity to arrange such visits. Even talking on the phone is much easier when you don't have to be concerned with a 9 hr. time difference. I always feel like my closest friends lives so far away. Anyway, while I will miss Dr. B and his family, I know that we will also still stay in touch and hopefully will at least be able to get together once a year.
I've started my summer class -- it's all about learning HTML and CSS , the code for writing websites. Most people use software like Dreamweaver to write websites, but we're learning to hand code. Basically, the idea is that if you learn to hand code, you're in a better position to edit code that has been written using software. Anyway, it's reasonably interesting to me, and I hope to use what i learn in helping to redesign our library website (which needs a serious overhaul) as well as to write a personal homepage.
Little One is in her final week at school. Next Wednesday will be her last day. Technically, Thurs. should be the last day, but we've already been told in no uncertain terms, they don't really want the kids to come on Thurs. These kinds of skipping out of their responsibilities pisses me off sometimes, but not enough that I'm going to complain about it. Anyway, for the summer, we've signed her up for a day camp MWF at a local park. That should be fun. On Tuesdays, Better Half will be home to look after her, and on Thursdays, the Schmaz will be the resident babysitter. So, we're basically covered for the summer. Yippeee.
Now that it's summer, I'm working a regular M-F day shift, no Sundays. Like that a lot. Hoping that I can get in shape enough to begin riding to work again. Just haven't found the time to do any exercise, and you don't just start riding up that hill cold --- you've got to train or you're gonna be hurting.
On the job front, since being reinstated at f/t, I've also learned that the tech services librarian is leaving. Most likely beginning of August. So, now I'm thinking I'll apply for that job when it becomes available. It requires cataloging and ordering in addition to reference and instruction. There's a lot I could learn and do in the position -- we need a new online catalog and I'd be interested in working on that. The other attraction, of course, is better pay/benes and better hours. Meanwhile, i'm also on the search committee for a new Library Director. Interesting experience to see what that is like, and worth a posting on its own.
Went to the Police/Elvis Costello gig at the Hollywood Bowl a few weeks ago. T&K had an extra tix, so impulsively nabbed it. I wasn't really thinking -- it's not the kind of show I usually go for these days, being in a large stadium and quite pricey. In the event it was fun and okay, but definitely not stellar. Frankly, I would have rather seen EC as the headliner and the Police as the opener. I mean EC is actually still vital, still recording new material. The Police set is all greatest hits, like a revue set. Makes me feel old. The LAT review was telling -- it was written by a mom who talked about what a family-friendly show it was. "Family-friendly" is not how I like my rock and roll concerts.
Ok -- nuff for now. Gotta go eat.
Just turned in my final paper for the semester, so I am now officially half way through getting the MLIS. Feels like I've been doing this forever. Anyway, good to get something done. Hopefully will have some time to have a little R&R and work on some projects before the summer term gets rolling on June 2. Gives me all of about a week and half. Sheesh. Most looking forward to hanging out with Dr. B -- a last hurrah before his imminent departure for Deutschland. I cannot get myself to accept that.
What's the right metaphor? Yo-yo? Rollercoaster? I guess both work. See, as I was heading in to work today the Dean of Academic Affairs (my boss's boss) called me in to her office. Now it appears the money has been found in the budget to keep me on at f/t w/ benes after all. She said she'd get it to me in writing by the end of the day. I said, "Good, because I need that." I asked her what had changed since the announcement three days ago that I was losing my f/t status. She mentioned that the budget is tight, but that they really wanted to keep me on and appreciated my work, etc. etc. Clearly, somebody had put some pressure on on my behalf. I guess it helped to put it out the word that I would be looking for another job if I lose my benes.
And indeed, I have been working on an application for a similar position at the main USC library. Of course, the evening supe at USC has a lot less attractive shift (4pm-midnight). It would nominally come with more responsibility, yet possibly less actual professional library experience (i.e. providing reference and instruction services). Spoke with Vicious Kitty about the position last night b4 the latest news. I think I'll still apply and at least see what they have to offer. Not least since I've also spent a lot of time in the last couple of days trying to figure out what to do, including poring over insurance options for hours, which is time I could ill afford to spend.
In any case, it's good news and I definitely feel relieved (but I'll feel even more relieved when I see it in writing).
Oh boy.
I just had a talk with my boss. As of July 1, I no longer have a f/t position. Which means I also have no benes. Which means I don't really have a lot of incentive to stay. this is crazy. Meanwhile, we're trying to figure how to spend the summer -- what to do with Eileen, if and when we should have a vacation. these logistics are hard enough to plan as it is without the extra stress of not knowing what your employment situation is going to be. It feels very much like things are reeling out of control. Somehow I gotta figure out how to job hunt, finish classes, work, be a parent & husband and not go crazy. It's all a bit much.
I just cannot get myself to do anything today. Been in a funk ever since I got to work. Luckily, I'll be heading out the door in a few...
Did get the camel drawing done last night, so pin the tail on the camel game for Saturday is a go. Not a half-bad drawing, if I do say so myself. Also printed out all the kids names in hieroglyphs as a little goody-bag treat. If you want one for yourself, go here. Still have to burn a CD with "King Tut" and maybe a few other tunes for the musical chairs game. And we now have loads of tp to do some serious mummy-wrapping. Oh, and an Egyptian colleague here at work has provided me with some papyrus and other decorations. So, it's coming together.
Maybe tomorrow will be more productive.
Got home last night and the unwrapping was already in full swing. LO was very excited by all her presents. She was in total disbelief at the site of the rabbit. At first, she wanted to name it Spotty (it's white with some black spots on its back), but then she changed her mind and has settled on Jackie. Not sure why, though she does have a friend Jackie at school. It's a cute and cuddly rabbit, to be sure. I just hope we'll be able to let it out of its cage enough so that it has sufficient exercise/stimulation.
After coming back from dinner with the PUs, she reluctantly got ready for bed instead of playing with her new stuff. Sitting on the toilet seat in the bathroom, she cracks open a new book she just got from Schmaz and proceeds to read it aloud. By herself. Having never seen this book before. Did you get that? She's reading. It was astounding. I have seen her read some so-called "pre-decodable" books that she gets from school, but with those she's had practice in class. This was the first time we'd seen her straight out read a book she's just opened for the first time. As she progressed through the pages, she stumbled over a few words, some of which she was able to sound out and a few which I helped her on. But, I'm telling you, this was BIG. A very memorable birthday indeed.
I am now rather stressed about the party on Saturday. Still not sure who all is coming. Haven't got as much done on the decorations side as I would have liked. Wanted to order a pyramid shaped cake (no time to bake). After visiting two nearby bakeries (one that couldn't do it, the other closed), I called Mayer's on the hill. Oh, they'll do one alright, but it'll cost you King Tut's treasure. Well, ok, $165, but that still seems excessive for a kid's bday cake. So, she's getting a sheet cake with the Giza Pyramids picture from Wikipedia frosting-scanned on to it.
Spent the better part of the morning dealing with Jackie. Apparently, rabbits can be potty trained, which is a good thing. So, I purchased him a special rabbit litter. Also got a rabbit leash so that we will be able to let him hop around outside without having to worry about him getting away from us. Still need to figure out a good place to keep his cage, since what BH is not going to work outside. If he goes outside at all, it's going to have to be a a much larger and more stable and secure hutch. Do I have time for this?
It's LO's bday, but I got my own nice little present today. I won an iPod Nano (8 GB) along with an iTunes and Borders gift certificates for participating in a Learning 2.0 program at work. As it turns out, I had a 50/50 chance at winning since only 2 people completed the program out of the 20 or so who originally signed up. A major component of the program was to blog about our thoughts on various 2.0 applications in academic environments. You can find my blog here.
As for the real celebration of the day, I'm heading home now to be with the fam. No shortage of gifts to unwrap. The biggie of the bunch is that LO's getting a bunny rabbit. So, in the space of a month we've gone from no pets to having both a cat and a rabbit. I'm a little ambivalent about the latter as I have concerns about it being able to stay cool, get enough time outside the hutch and stay safe from raccoons and opossums. But, as is often the case, my word is only just one opinion, and an easily trumped one at that. Anyway, looking forward to what will hopefully be a nice evening.
