Mangoes

It dawned on me as I was eating a local, luscious, juicy sweet mango today why 'Sark' wrote a book called "Eat Mangoes Naked" http://www.planetsark.com/eshop_products_books_feat_02.htm I've only had the store bought imported variety previously and always felt a little 'ho-hum' about them, good but not decadent, so could never understand the connection. The light bulb came on. Just thought you'd like to know what paradise pleasures I've enjoyed today. Hau'oli to you all. Love Kathie

Life at the library

Caution: the following photos may not be as appealing or pretty as previous blogs and the information could be a little unsettling. Please remember, nothing is permanent and challenges can be blessings in disguise.

Library

Finally some time to sit and write. I haven't wanted to spend the bit of free time I have in front of the computer but I've had a couple of relaxing days with time at the beach and time around the house so I'm ready to blog!

I am feeling much more settled in my new environment. There were some tough times in May but with the structure of work and recent social opportunities, along with some herbs and yoga practices, I'm beginning to feel more balanced after the crazy times getting ready for the move and the transition here.

My job at the library involves getting all the new items for our branch shelf ready. This requires great skill, like where to put the barcode and other stickers so as not to cover important information while still keeping with the typical placements for each sticker. It also involves book covers, spine tape and other miscellaneous stuff and there is some computer work to enter each item into the system. It is very relaxed and slow paced right now because there is not much new coming in since it's the end of the fiscal year. This is just fine because it's given me a chance to learn the process and get a feel of the place. I spend most of my time in the back workroom with the cat. Yes, a real cat. It was brought in as a stray kitten and has been there since. It is having emotional withdrawals because the person I've replaced used to pay attention to it and I'm not real keen about it being there and just pretty much ignore it. There are enough fur balls floating around the place, perhaps I should gather them and make another cat out it to keep Junior (cat's name) company.

Juniorback roommy desk

I help out with the circulation desk on occasion and assist the children's librarian with the summer reading program and story time. Overall I like what I'm doing and the potential of the place. The branch is a medium size library (although, the largest on Maui) and has a great trust fund someone left that allows us to offer programs and purchase things beyond what the state budget allows. The employee benefits (should I ever obtain a permanent position) are great and include a few extra days off because of state holidays such as King Kamehameha day.

I love my commute to work, 1 easy walking or biking mile. On days I walk I enjoy an abundance of sensual pleasures since my path takes me along a sandy beach and then through a large park. In the mornings I enjoy the beginning surfers tackling the waves; the canoe club rowers heading out for practice; many people out walking and enjoying the fresh stillness of the morning air and the gentle waves connecting with the shore. The evening walk has it's own flavor of entertainment. Fisherman; musicians; volleyball games; wind creating music in the palm trees; barbeque's. It's a delight to unwind and warm up after spending a day in air conditioning.

It could be an ideal place to while away a couple relaxed years since it runs on island time. But there are a few troubling issues and I'm not sure of the best way to lay them out. Maybe start at the base. 1) The place is grimy, especially the back room. Imagine a dry, dusty climate and the grit it creates and then add cat hair to it and then not clean it very often. Ick you say? Yes, I agree and I'm really not a fussy house cleaner. We have someone with the label of 'janitor' but, from my observation does a minimal amount of work and spends the rest of his time reading or being elusive. 2) The baby. One of the circ staff (also a temporary person) had a baby a year ago and the manager didn't want to lose her so she said she could bring the baby to work. The baby had her 1st birthday a couple of weeks ago. Her grandma works part time in the library as the security person and spends her time babysitting. The baby is getting more mobile and is more discontent with being contained in a stroller so now she follows grandma around in a baby walker and is fussy a lot of the time. I feel sorry for the baby and it feels very inappropriate. The break room is like a day care since there's a playpen and other baby items, including a crying baby a lot of the time. 3) Nepotism. You may have caught on that there are at least two in a family that work there - Grandma and her daughter (baby's mom). The janitor is the son AND there is another circ gal who has been filling in a lot who is also a daughter. Now, this wouldn't really bother me normally but that equals half the staff and a there are some poor work ethics which push my buttons. The two sisters live together and are typically 30-60 minutes late every day. One of them spends time on myspace when there is plenty of work to do. Their work does not affect me (except the janitors) so I try to let it go. I've learned the hard way it's the best thing to do right now. 4) The manager. Imagine a 'professional' person, my age, talking to her boss and saying in a snotty, whiny voice, "Whatever. I don't want to talk any more. Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it." Or, quizzing me about the whereabouts of one of the employees who she has personality conflicts with and then making a comment about the lady's lack of work (and she is one that DOES work) and telling me, again in a snotty voice, "you can tell her I said that". Maybe I'll pass her a note. She has a teenager's emotional/mental attitude in a middle age body. She has many physical issues and is in a lot of pain and has no real energy to put into work. I try to have compassion for her but... She really sets a bad example and so it's no big surprise that people take advantage of the situation. She does always have a jigsaw puzzle going in her office so I get occasional puzzle time in.

This job fell in my lap so I feel like I'm there for a reason and am willing to give it some time and see if there is a shift in the system somewhere. There may be some changes coming down from higher up that may force some accountability. However, changes here are slow in coming. It's a challenge for me to keep my mouth shut but at least I can vent with the children's librarian and one of the other employees. They see it all and feel the same way I do so I'm not alone in my perception of it. I do keep a look out for other work possibilities as well.

So, that's the job for now. On to brighter subjects. My daughter and ex-sister-in-law are coming for a visit in a couple of weeks. I'll take the time off work while they're here and play. We have a quick trip scheduled to the big island, Hawaii, to visit Uncle Bob who I bought the condo from. They will be my first guests so I'm excited to share my new home with them.

Here's some photos to enjoy to get the grit out of your mouth. I think of you all often. Aloha!