Today, I started packing up my things at work. It is kind of weird doing it. Since I don't actually have my own desk, nevermind my own office, I have things scattered around a bit. I figured it would be a good idea to start doing it now, taking a little bit home each day, so it would be a little easier. I came home with one box of things.

I have been trying to decide whether to tell some of my regular patrons that I am leaving for another library. A part of me wants to tell them so they will know that I am OK when I disappear in a few weeks. At the same time, I don't want to be all melodramatic about my leaving. I just thought that some of them would like to know. I still haven't decided, though.

I ordered a new laptop last night. One of the perks of my job was that I got to take home one of the library laptops. Since I do a lot of things from home, it actually made sense. I do have a desktop that is a number of years old, but I never use it because I really don't spend much time in that particular room. The convenience of the laptop and doing things in the living room with the family is so much nicer. So, while I probably would be better to save the money, having my own laptop is sort of a necessity, particularly in light of how I use one for my classes, too. On the bright side, I was able to use the employee discount I get for Dell through our statewide library network to get it at a 10% discount.

I have started making a list of things I want to have for my new office to help make sure it is homey and reflects me as a person. For those of you who are interested, here is what I have on the list:
*a coffeemaker & an electric teapot
*my Greenville Public Library coffee mug
*plants (it will be a mystery as to whether I can keep them alive)
*family pictures
*candy bowl for when staff comes to see me
*lamp
*clock
*librarian action figure
*my little dog collection
*Star Trek stuff
*"That was Easy" button
*artwork (I should get a picture of my current library as a going away gift & a friend of mine has said that he will do a paiting to hang in my office)
If you have any suggestions of other things I need to have, just let me know in the message below.

A part of me wishes the transition would happen now. I feel like I am in an awkward limbo as I tie things up at my current job and wait for the start of my new job. I don't actually feel awkward at work, but it just feels weird. We usually work on planning programs and such a few months in advance. Since I am all caught up, I am having a hard time filling up my hours since I only really have to deal with the here and now.