New Job: Library Assistant
I've never met a species of people who are able to match my attention to detail and general level of OCD-ness. That is, until I started working at the dental school library. It takes a special type of person to be a librarian:
everything has to be done their way, down to the minute details like not using a mouse but using keyboard shortcuts instead (i.e. F8, F2, Windows+E, etc)
everything in the library is labeled - even the printers are labeled, telling you which type of paper goes into which printer.
scratch paper is sorted and labeled.
there are very detailed instruction manuals and flowcharts for every electronic device in the library.
I really like working in the library. I feel as though I have found my niche. I swear that if I were born in the early 20th century in a setting with less job opportunities for women, I would probably work as a librarian my entire life. But alas, it's the 21st century and women aspire to be more than librarians. But I took on this job because I have a lot of free time over the summer and I figured that if I was planning to waste my time on Facebook, I might as well get paid for it. And working at the learning center is essentially surfing Facebook and other internet junk for 4 hours while getting paid slightly above minimum wage.
Today was also Staff Appreciation Day at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. I think it's pretty cool that I'm referred to as "staff" at the dental school. To prove how legitimate I am, I even have my own code for the dental school departmental copy machine!
Anyhow, there were a few dental students running around with some staff appreciation paraphernalia. I was working my shift at the learning center when one of them walked into the room.
"Hey! It's Staff Appreciation Day today and we have a little gift for you to show our appreciation," said the dental student.
She has a few miscellaneous items in her hands. I can't believe I'm getting appreciated as a staff even though I've worked here a grand total of four days.
"Yes, here's a mug for you," she said while handing me the cardinal mug pictured above, "we're trying to get rid of these, you know?"
I stare at her, eyebrows raised. It's pretty apparent that she's trying to get rid of the three mugs and two small gifts she's holding in her hands. She finally comprehends what she just said and backtracks a little.
"Well, not like 'get rid of them. We just had a few extras and we really wanted to show you guys our appreciation!"
Although I'm pretty sure she was trying to get rid of the mugs, I still appreciate the gift/gesture. I actually really needed a mug in my room so this gift was quite convenient. And hopefully in a year or two, I'll be able to join them as dental students appreciating the staff members.
