Moving to www.katepickett.com

Ryan and I have switched both our websites to wordpress blogs. From here on you you can check out my posts at www.katepickett.com. See you there!

Ta Da!!!!!

I think I am going to become the next big name in nail polish design. I was sitting at home last night pining after a lavender color of nail polish that I have wanted for weeks now but I am too cheap to go out and buy it. I tried to console myself with the nail polish that I have but I was bored with it all when low and behold I discovered a bottle of white nail polish that I haven't used in a long time. (I used to use it for french tips until I realized that no one's nails are bright white and switched to beverly hills)

Seeing that bottle sitting next to my beautiful and well loved purples I decided to do some matchmaking! A few drops of this, a few drops of that...et voila!Am I not a genius?

And $5 richer for not going out a buying a new nail polish. In fact I may begin to invest in bottles of white so that I can make my own colors. It was so much fun, but I recommend doing this in daylight as I almost mixed the lavender to dark because the lighting in my living room isn't very good.

(Sorry for the quality of the pic it was with my phone in some bad lighting. You will have to take my word for it that it looks awesome!)

About Me

I am currently living in Kansas City, Mo with my boyfriend Ryan. We love living in the city near all of the great art galleries, shopping districts, communities and architecture. We currently live alone together but I hope to someday add a few animals into the mix. I enjoy life outside of the city almost as much as I love Kansas City: bike rides, rock climbing, canoeing, and recently snowboarding.

One of the best things about living in Kansas City is living near my family. I enjoy their company, especially that of my two grandmothers who are full of great stories and wisdom. I am looking forward to spending time with my family while I live in Kansas City but someday I might enjoy moving to a place without winter, like California!

I have several hobbies. I love crafting (as long as it doesn't involve sewing). I am a big fan of hot glue guns and tacky glue. I am just getting into paper crafts and making cards and using stamps, but these aren't your grandmother's stamps! I like to keep my crafts cool and modern (no flowery prints for me).

Being a librarian, I read a lot but that's not all I do! I love watching movies, and have a rather large collection of DVDs. I gave my boyfriend Wii a few years ago just so that I could play with it! And I love music and going to concerts for my favorite musicians.

I like to think I am a well balanced person and that I spend my time doing lots of different things and that I don't throw myself into just one thing. I am a Jack of all trades and I like it that way.

Education

I got my Bachelors of Arts in History from Iowa State University in Spring 2006. I received my Masters of Library Science at University of Iowa in December 2007. I currently work as the Young Adult Librarian for the Johnson County Library in Overland Park, KS. I enjoy many aspects of my job, especially working with teens in the Juvenile Detention Center. I am always looking for volunteer opportunities and new ways to challenge myself. If you are interested in my work experience please follow this link to my resume.

Here are some school projects I have worked on at my time at University of Iowa.

Collection Development Project (graphic novels for young adults): click here

Pathfinder Project (information on providing teens with sexual education): click here

Changes in Spring

I have been going crazy lately watching the weather change from cold to hot to warm to windy to rainy to tropical to snow! I decided that I too needed a change and thank god for my hair stylist. I was desperate for change and if she hadn't been available to help me out this week I would have probably would have done something drastic, permanent and regrettable to myself. This is the new do! How do you like? I am mostly a brunette now!

Presents!

Tis the season! Well not really but it seems like I have a lot of people to thank this month and presents are such a wonderful way to do it. I love when you can get someone something that you know they really want...and I hate when you have to wait for a birthday or holiday to give it to them! Presents are a great way to thank people for just about anything.

I was recently treated to a lot of awesome things in Denver, while I was there for a conference. For a coworker who let me stay in her hotel room for free, a Sigg bottle, leak proof and carcinogen free! For my friends who drove to Denver from Manitou Springs just to take me out for dinner, a Willie Nelson CD that we all love but they lost their copy, along with a handmade thank you note. For my parents who hosted my boyfriend and I on our vacation and paid for our snowboard rentals, a picture frame and chew toys for the new puppy!

It just feel so good to give! (hint hint!) But I also like to receive!

American Library Association Midwinter Conference

Watch out Denver here I come! This afternoon I head off to the American Library Association Midwinter Conference. It was a tough decision to make but I am hoping it is worth it. Due to the economic downturn (and mostly due to dropping property values) the county has cut our budget. One of the things that got cut was my funding to go to Midwinter. So I am having to go on my own dime but I think that will motivate me to make the most of it.

I am a little nervous about meeting tons of new people but I am looking forward to the challenge. Actually, the hardest challenge will be getting home Monday night and then leaving Tuesday after work to go vacation with the parents in Pagosa! Less than 24 hours to get home, unpack, repack and fly through Denver again! For all intents and purposes I will be out of the office for a week and half (although I am coming back for one day).

Well, wish me luck in Denver! I hope to meet lots of people, learn lots of cool stuff and enjoy myself!