It is that time again when I am thinking what shall I blog about. I really have not been out much later since the post festive season and a busy time generally. The weather has not been great too and therefore I am looking forward to Spring! The inspiration for this blog came from my journey on the train to work when I spotted an advert for HelloFresh for restore the balance. This resonated with me as I was preparing some work about burnout and finding a balance the weeks before. I think the whole world feels a bit too war torn and bruised and you really have to seek out humanity. There has been a lot more discussed on making choices that improve and maintain our wellbeing, as well as kindness at the core of what we do.
I will explore five tips to pledge to myself – I can’t promise I will stick to it but it is a note-to-self. Here goes…
Wellbeing and Healthy Living – It will be five years since the pandemic and on a professional aside, there are still significant changes that have not made life easy or straightforward. I have learnt to look after myself and my wellbeing for over 18 years of constant change that may not have always made me feel settled. One of the positives of this is that I have gained resilience but I still have to remind myself to stop, take some hours for myself or do something that I enjoy. I would like to spend more time going to a spa or for a massage like some of my female friends, but again it is the time required to do this. I hope I can put this on my to-do list every day.
Exercise – should be at the centre of all our lives and I admire people who set aside time to go for a run, get on their bike, hot the gym or any physical activity that would maintain and improve their quality of life. I stopped my gym membership over a decade ago but since then I have tried to keep busy by doing Pilates, walking, swimming and cycling. I can still all of these but I need to ensure that I add time in the week, and especially at the weekend to do this. I am looking forward to Spring when I know it will be easier for me to step out and trying some more physical activities. Hopefully I can fit some of this fresh air and exercise as soon as tomorrow with my first weekend with little planned.
Good Nutrition – requires some proactivity and planning. I don’t eat junk food (perhaps only once a week I get a take away) but I have been eating things on the go in the office or getting home later to leftovers which may not be suitable for me to eat. I do like salads and fresher foods but being in the heart of winter, I gravitate to warm and comfort foods I am married to an Italian – so I have to keep my pasta intake in check as it could be 3-4 a week if we eat the same meals all week. I need to get back to preparing meals at night or as someone pointed out recently, I can get a salad at a discount rate in the staff canteen. At home, I need to ensure that I put my items on the shopping list so that I plan my meals ahead. Wish me luck!
Socialising – and spending time with friends is definitely what I do when I have time. However, I had a busy autumn and cold winter so I have not socialised much lately. I am pleased to get texts from my friends in the last couple of days for us to meet up. I have also arrange a meet up with my close friend in the next couple of weeks. My school friends from the Caribbean are also visiting me in Spring and with a couple of trips planned. So I have no excuse but to organise some fun, entertaining and even sightseeing. Spending quality time with family and friends so boost our moods (I know not all the time). There is only limited time on this earth and I am counting my blessings all the time.
Celebrate the small stuff – as I mentioned above, there is a whole lot of craziness going on in the world. I literally have to zone-out from terrible things that we see in the news and it has changed for the worst in recent years. It is not that I am a realist. Instead I am reminding myself of beauty, joy, kindness and love. I reminds me when there were other tube posters with ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ which I loved. I am not very so active in community events at present but the best part of kindness helps me think of the role models I have and the way they may have done something because it needed to be done, given or shared. Kindness is also natural and ingrained where you may not have even had time to think of a reaction. So it really to build in this inner compass to help you when times are tough. I am especially pleased to see that this is talked about a lot more in leadership styles and it is safe to show compassion, manners and good old fashion principles.
So these are notes to myself and they seem sensible and not too difficult to follow. Hopefully I am setting up myself to succeed and hopefully my life would be a little but richer because of this list. Wish me luck!
I have had a lot of time in the last week to relax and enjoy time with family, friends and pets. On reflection at the year at this time of year, there has been a lot that happened in a professional level, and I made a conscious effort to find some time to see more of England. You can see from my previous blogs posts that I have been busy with professional activities and some fun and travel thrown in. This year was busier than expected, and little did I know that I would be unable to have lots of free time.
Some of the highlights are mentioned here for my own reminder of a year well-spent.
It was also great to start the year visiting the Chanel exhibition at the V&A Museum. The dresses on display were like works of art and the exhibition enlightened me on Chanel’s impact on design and fashion from the little black dress, ball gowns, trousers, and the classic suits she is famous for to this present day. I have recently visited the Medieval Women exhibition at the British Library, and this reminded me of women who have been doing fascinating innovative activities throughout time but whose stories are not always told. For example, it was great to smell some of the scents made in the medieval ages that would not seem out of place in this current age. There is definitely a deeper appreciation for those who have gone before us.
One of them was getting ready for a wedding in the family where I had my first away weekend for a hen party. It seemed like ages ago but spending January doing fun things with family was a great start to the year. In Birmingham, we looked at movies, danced, tried new drinks, had brunch and had a cake completion. I do remember all the lovely pink theme items and even now when I wear my bright pink top – I still get compliments when I wear it and I feel oblige to say that I bought it for a hen party. Fast forward a few months, and the wedding was also a lot of fun! It was great to spend time with family for a big occasion like an Italian-South African wedding with delicious food, good music, dancing in a lovely venue.
I try to find a balance with work and life. This year I wanted to visit some places where I haven’t been before and they were Bournemouth, Dorset, Swanage, Shaftesbury and more recently Oxford and parts of the Cotswold. I spent a few nights in the south coast in Spring where we were able to see a few coastal towns. It was good to be by the seaside and get out of London. I really loved seeing the Dorset countryside and the Jurassic coast. Durdle Door was such a busy place in lockdown that it made all the headlines and therefore I was able to add it to my list to see this year. It was a natural geographic spectacular and I still find it amazing seeing people trekking across the steep cliff tops – they have my immense admiration!
Recently, I also visited Oxford as I have never been – apart for a visit to Abingdon for a library resources supplier visit in the 2000s. It was great to spend time around such a famous city and we made an extra effort to try some nice local restaurants such as Brassiere Blanc (not to be confused with the more exclusive Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons ) and The Ivy Brassiere. The architecture and local areas were great to see. We didn’t have time to do the world renown tour of the Oxford Colleges but it was nice to see the Bodleian Library and building along the city centre. I do hope to visit for work related visits in the future so just taking in the sights and town were good on this occasion. I also wanted to visit the surrounding area and thankfully the weather was great for driving to the picturesque village of Bibury and Cirencester which were in an area known as the Cotwolds.
It is very pretty around there and although it was December – it was nice to see. I imagine it will be more beautiful in summer when all the flowers are in bloom. Cirencester was bigger town and obviously the residents looked more affluent and well-to-do. There were great shops and a town square burst with activity for a Christmas market, festive choir and musical band as well as some street stalls. We were really pleased to fit in Bibury and Cirencester in the day and return to Oxford by sundown. The Ivy Brassiere restaurant was really good and the food excellent with great atmosphere, décor and service. I look forward to trying in 2025, the one in London as my recommended by my husband. There are still some places in England that I have to visit, and hopefully I can do that in the near future.
The two other big trips to the University of Rhode Island, Boston and Italy were great. SLA had a really great conference in Rhode Island – from the programming, the venue and grounds, to the attendees having a great time at the social and networking events. The talks and presentations were certainly empowering, especially with regards to newer trends in Artificial Intelligence to best practice in various information systems showcased. I met old friends and made some new ones along the way. That part of the country is beautiful – and I am lucky to have a cousin who went out of her way to welcome me. I was great spending time with family in the surrounding areas and visiting areas I was researching before my visit. I am truly grateful for their time and efforts. I hope I can do the same for them in future.
I had a few weeks of work on my return from the USA and then it exciting to visit Italy. In 2023, I was very busy being SLA President on top of my work and family life, so my reward to myself was to have a summer holiday in Italy this year. Looking back, it was such a great holiday to relax and observe life and the beauty under the Italian sunshine. I am a little bias, and there is so much I find interesting when I visit Italy that I never get bored of visiting. I am already planning my next summer visit to Italy or perhaps a city break.
Without a doubt, I have been very busy with work and all the demands a busy schedule requires. On reflection, I am thankful that all is fine for now. I know that next month I will no longer be on the SLA Board – this has been an opportunity of a lifetime and therefore I have been fully commitment to my role and the cause. I will gain some extra time in the new year, and will still be involved with SLA and SLA Europe in other roles and activities. I know the turn of new year will also be a busy time, but I will remind myself to take it each day at a time and look to the future with faith and belief that it will all work out in the end. Touch wood!
I have made time for some leisure time the last few weeks and happy to cover some of these here. I was able get some of the seasonal fun on colder days and nights as well as to see a couple of exhibitions that were easy to access.
Although I was in Bromley for a work-related workshop, I was saw wintry scenes from the German market on the high street and Bromley library ready for the season with a Christmas tree indoors. The German market has some interesting stalls for beer and sweet lovers but it was early afternoon when I went past, and therefore I didn’t stay to sample some goodies but there were other shoppers checking out the stalls. Another time when I am not so busy, I would love to travel to another European city to experience their Winter markets. We are seeing them more in London and I remember seeing on the Southbank about 10 years ago.
The festive scenes inside the library was wonderful and I like seeing all age groups using the Bromley library. There were some great local inventions, inspiring quotes and books but also local heroes displayed around the library. There was homage to David Bowie – I knew he was born in Brixton but apparently his parents moved to Bromley South where he lived to until 1969. I like local history and finding out of the people who lived there in the past. It is amazing that the quote perked my curiosity to find out more about his connection with the area. I am due to go back to Bromley in the new year and hopefully I will find time to learn something else about the area.
I was invited to attend the Precious Awards held by the wonderful Foluke Akinlose. It was a great night to meet inspirational people of colour. The venue was in Central London and a short walk from the tube station. The reception and networking dinner were amazing to see and meet so many women who are excelling in their choose fields and areas. Everyone was dressed for the evening and I saw some amazing fashion with some warm greetings from those in attendance.
The Precious Awards is a great example of showcasing talent and achievements of persons whose stories don’t usually get told, or for women of colour who usually have to work harder to get the recognition they deserve in their areas of expertise.
Over the three hours, there was some great chat, dinner and acceptance speeches from organisations and women who are creating spaces and pushing forward with progressive work from business, science, arts, academic, etc. I took some notes on the awardee speeches, such as women – ‘Sitting in a seat at the table, and occupying the space and belonging in it”. It was a sermon on how to celebrate hard work, sacrifice and to come out as winners on the other side. Most of the stories spoke of uplifting themselves but also leaving the ladder so that others can be uplifted. Many spoke of the families that have been there to enable to succeed – and the power and energy in the room was warm and real. I was working the next day, so I did not want to stay out too late but I did have a little boogie at the end before I headed back to London Underground at midnight.
And before I forget, it was good to see the Christmas lights on Oxford Street. It was a sign that the nights are definitely darker with all the bright lights visible, and that the festive season is just around the corner on one of the busiest streets of the year. I hope I can pop down in December to get some of the festive vibes – I can tell that it is still popular with the number of the users on the Victoria London Underground late at night this time of year.
It seems appropriate for me to fast forward here to the Medieval Women exhibition at the British Library. One of the privileges of working for a national library the ability to see most of the exhibitions but also to have staff tours and talks with the curators that bring to life the stories, fact and context of the items on display. In secondary school in the Caribbean, we studied the Renaissance which was an era of social change, renewal and creativity but we briefly touch on the Medieval times before this period. It was interesting to see evidence of written literature and scripts that spoke about the lives of women and society at that time. On the opening night of the exhibition I was heard some beautiful Medieval singing by a life choir.
Obviously, we have been evolving but it was good to see women being represented from drawing and text from childbearing, self-care, to love, marriage, work and importance from their lives at home and work. There were displays of scented aromas created by women as they used flowers and herbs for perfume, for helping with well-being and beauty routines. To them being mentioned in prayers and marriage agreements. Some of my favourite items I saw are:
Well, I smelt the beautiful Italian perfume made of herbs and flowers that will be just as luscious if it was bottled and sold today.
The books that displayed graphic symbols of fertility, sexuality and the female form
The chest that was created for when a noble woman moved to be with her husband in medieval Italy
The jewellery of a queen in the beautiful form of a heart
The evidence of nuns working and dedicating their lives to the church
A signature of Joan of Arc and her symbol of national significance to France
And the amazing scroll that was put together for women who were saying goodbye on the death to Lucy of Hedingham from the 1200s
I hope I can go back to see the exhibition before it closes in February and that I am able to attend some of the talks that usually accompany the exhibition.
One of the highlights of this month was also our Start-Up Day at the British Library. It was full day of events to inspire and support business start-ups. We have been hosting these events for a while and it was great to see the steady flow of attendees who wanted hear from other successful founders and entrepreneurs. With my colleagues, I like helping customers to navigate our resources and the expertise available. I also like hearing from successful entrepreneurs who tell how they are applying some of the practical tips we show to our customers, such as business planning, creating value, building brands and the authentic voice and stories they have with the failures and successes that come with building businesses. I found the speakers to be funny and interesting this time, and it was great to see so many people after the recent years of only online events.
I have had a few social events this year but today I visited the William Morris Gallery to view their exhibition on ‘William Morris and the Islamic World’. It was good to see the link with creativity and designs from Islamic traditions link to Morris’s designs. It was the first time I saw there is a meaning to the Turkish word Isnik. When I went to university, there was a nearby Turkish restaurant with this name which nice tiles décor and it made me realise the link with the word and the name of restaurant. Their website also mentions the ‘Iznik is not only renowned for its ceramics and history but also for its culinary heritage. I hope to try it out soon.
As we go into the full festive season, I am likely to be busy with work but also out any about with friends and family. I hope to write a reflection of 2024 in my next post. In the meantime all the best for the season and I hope you and yours celebrate with warmth and happiness at this special time of the year.
I have not spent a lot of time doing social and fun things since my summer holidays and therefore I have a lot more to say on libraries and the work I have been doing lately.
This month though I have been energised and as enthusiastic as usual. I was invited to attend the Camden Libraries Staff Conference. The conference had a programme of interesting and motivational work by teams and staff on the work that they do with their various branches across the borough. The day started with an icebreaking team working game for us to build a structure our of paper cups that would be judged to be the highest. I haven’t been to large team building days recently but it certainly was good as an icebreaker to get to know people better. We also had Head of Camden Libraries, Fiona Tarn, address staff and guest at the conference on her purpose for the work that she does. This truly was inspirational to me as I have tried to use the same angle of the ‘why’ are you working in libraries. Sometime you have people who work in libraries because it is a job, for others it is a lifetime of work or purpose for their goals to help as much as we can in our roles in libraries …physical or virtual. Therefore, I have since mentioned this a few times to my library world contacts and colleagues.
Another beneficial aspect at this conference was to see all variety of library services and the community outreach that are provided by Camden Libraries. We heard staff mentioned story times with children, children’s library, launch their reading strategy, start businesses, poetry bus for elderly adults, podcast and radio station, music service and not forgetting their physical spaces, collection and archives. I was again inspired by their story teller on the ‘Libraryverse’ especially from an enquires point of view on the typical questions and answers provided to customers by their staff. We were treated to live Asian music during the lunch break.
We were treated to a tour of their archives at the Swiss Cottage Library. There was also a piano in the main entrance as well as a beautifully built 1960s building in the shape of book ends! I prepared and ran a workshop on collaboration with their staff who were welcoming and great throughout the day. The library was closed for the training but it was nice to see a lady bringing her young child after school to use the space – it was good to know that on a normal day – this would have been a part of their routine.
And as part of my normal work, I visit other libraries to deliver business and IP workshops with my colleagues. I have been several times recently to Catford Library which is open planned in a shopping centre. There are always curated books on display and it does make you want to set aside time to read the books showcased. In my business workshop, the Catford Library staff mentioned that their library card gives you access to eBooks, magazines, newspapers, and other resource via their Libby App and Press Reader. That very night I was excited to look at some of my favourite magazines and newspapers available to view on my own devices. I haven’t borrowed any eBooks from my local library, who runs the same scheme, but once I get more time – I am looking forward to reading more with new found resources from local public libraries.
I sometime have to get up earlier than usual to visit libraries for work. Last week was my first trip to Putney Library for a business workshop. It was good to see their layout and customers who were using the space for working too. There was another Black History Month displace with a safari African theme which beautiful art objects displayed on the wall. Nowadays, libraries are really multifunctional for meeting places, reading as well as keeping customers informed on important information on topics or community news. Putney Library also had a café in the main reception area despite being close to other shops on the high street.
I am likely to be inspired by more libraries in future but everyday there is something about the physical spaces that make me proud to be in this profession. I recently heard and saw some amazing singing for the opening of the ‘Medieval Women in their own words’ exhibition but I am still to see it and I look forward to the guided tour with the curators. I also get to go behind the scenes to basement areas to say hello and support staff on Saturdays and some evenings. It was nice to see the seasonal things that happens by our own staff members. These include puzzle in the staff downtime areas, free library and decorations for day of the dead (it gets better for Christmas!). We recently met informally to make time to meet each other for a chat and catch up. I strongly believe in good team spirit and working having worked in good teams in the past. Although I no longer work with a lot of people – I do appreciate they precious time we spent together as colleagues, and some are also now lifelong friends.
I thank you for bearing with me whilst I write again about libraries and information professional, but hopefully I will find have some social activities and good old fashion fun to share with you soon. Who knows, some of this fun may include time at a library or museum. Public libraries are always at threat of cuts or are sometime misunderstood. Hopefully you can also find the time to visit your local public library and would be surprise on how they have changed in recent times. We also need all of you to continue to support libraries and make sure that are users and here to stay.
The SLA Conference 2024 was arranged in the University of Rhode Island as it was the perfect venue for us to find a location on the East coast of the USA to host a conference within our budget and for the right size for this year. It was also the 115th anniversary of SLA and I was looking forward to attending as a member of the SLA Conference Committee 2024.
I flew into Boston a couple of days before the start as unable to fly directly to Rhode Island. Boston has always been on my consciousness having friends and family there. It was in a middle of a heatwave when I arrived and it was great to see a very big and modern looking city. Having spent one night there, I made my way by Amtrack train to the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. I was unsure about booking my tickets initially but it all went smoothly in the end and the cost was very reasonable. I got a non-stop train and paid $20.00US extra for business class to be sure that was a reservation to get me there in time. There were several trains and it was not an issue in getting there.
Arriving at the University of Rhode Island was quieter than I have been before – there were some corn fields and forest close by with a campus spread out with several buildings close by. It was great to see the wildflowers and planting in the grounds as well as the various campus buildings from the Library, Business School, Multicultural Centre, and many more that we were to use for the next few days. I saw about five groundhogs and deer on my first few hours around the campus. Obviously, it was very quiet those few days as it is the summer break but it was great to meet SLA staff, friends and colleagues who I have been working with over the last few years. I also stayed in the dorms for the student experience, vicinity to the conference locations as well as the cost was affordable.
My obligations as Past President for SLA meant that I had a Board Meeting on the first day and I was as enthusiastic and grateful as ever on how far we have come and how we have all worked extra hard with our Association Management Company to get to this point in record time. I was pleased to see staff and leaders who work behind the scenes and to meet my fellow board members. I absolutely do not take this for granted! I feel privileged to be given this opportunity for the last three years plus my time with SLA Europe. I am just basically ecstatic that we are doing much better and we can celebrate with members, partners and guest in this learning environment in such a special location. Obviously, we did serious work of strategic planning and building better relationships for the best of SLA for us to last hopefully a long time in future.
I was truly proud that we were organised a programme in such a short space of time and it definitely felt like we were on the right track to give our conference delegates some great insights, knowledge, experience and take-aways. The SLA conference opening and closing keynote speaker was Brian Pichman who gave a motivational and informative keynote on Artificial Intelligence for Libraries and information professionals. Brian was very cool and genuinely highlighted the current landscape, new technologies pros and cons, and the value of our professional role in this paradigm. It was great to be in the lecture hall and although the seating was very steep – it was nice to see the 300 plus delegates in one space. For the next three days, I attended several talks on Generative AI, Information Literary, News Gathering, Leadership and Career Development, technical standards (e.g. engineering standards by British Standards Institute). We were really happy to have a full exhibition hall and for our partners to full up the exhibition spaces. We have received great feedback from our exhibitors and partners, and we thank them for being with us in 2024!
It was not all work…there were many social moments to meet other international professionals from our dorms meeting, international 115th anniversary reception, a quiet chat in the gardens, a bar trip to the hotel venues, to dinner in the University’s dining halls and the famous SLA Dance Party in the ballroom. I haven’t lived in the USA but being in this setting was great for my reality check on the many American school ballrooms movies I have seen in the past. Of course, I loved this part of the conference and it made me happy meeting people and the informal conversations we had. I do feel it is a special time and I will cherish these memories with nice people at the conference. I also have time to meet some British contacts. I look forward to our future endeavours in person or online.
After the conference goodbyes, I was picked up by cousin to spend time with her family just outside Boston. It was great to see more of the countryside in this region, and to have her as a local guide for all the interesting sights, cultural and local knowledge that she was able to share with me. I obviously love the New England side houses and gardens – I never got bored of looking at the various designs and flowers, especially at this time of year when everything was in bloom. We went to Hyannis on Cape Cod where we drove very close to the area where the Kennedy family estates are on the ‘Cape’. It did make me curious to how they would have spent their time in the beautiful part of the country. It was interesting to read on why the Kennedy family have homes there and the glamour they brought to the area. The beaches were also nice – not too built up but relaxing, clean and warm. I would certainly recommend going to there and it really had a good holiday vibe with shops and restaurants not far from the coast.
The same day, we also drove to Plymouth which has great significance to the early English Puritan settlers to the region. Ironically, I also learnt about this history when I was in primary school in Trinidad and Tobago (I did go to a private primary school with British and International expats at the time). I remember the visual images like the ones I have shared her and it is hard not to remember the story of the ship Mayflower which took these settlers to America. Plymouth has a famous rock which residents are proud of (as my Plymouth-Trinidadian secondary classmate point out). The story of the indigenous tribe and their relationship and coming together with the settlers is now one of the most endearing stories of the American story. The food on my visit was really good as most of the time I was a guest and it good for people to recommend things to me. The region was famous for lobster, chowder and local specialities and they all takes great. Even the ice cream had nice flavours and as it was so hot – it was good to try them.
Back in Boston, we spent a day in the city and it was a really contrast to the countryside. There was a lot of modern skyscrapers, but more relatively old and historic buildings for New England. We walked in the Haymarket Part of the city which had a very European design to the buildings and we also did a Duck tour on the city streets and on the river in Boston. It was great to have the tour guide and hear about the history of the city and the buildings in Boston – I do recommend it and it was good to for seeing as much as you can if you time is short.
We also went to Cambridge to see MIT and the Harvard Campuses. I used to order publications from Harvard Business School Press and even now, the Harvard Business Review is popular with British Library users. The campus, history and architecture were truly amazing to see and the area has a general buzz for those visiting even if there were no classes on for the summer. I know you can book official tours if you want to see more but I am certainly pleased to visit the campus – even if it was only once in my life.
On my last day in Boston, it was recommend that I visit Salem, and it was nice of my family to take me there before we went to the airport. I didn’t know much about Salem but it is a residential and tourist area attraction for the story of the Witch allegations and executions on the 1692. It was a Saturday afternoon and there were lively activities, ghost tours and several museums to visit if you want to do more. I am still a bit busy but it would be nice to read more about the Salem Witch Trials and the wider history of the new England region. They certainly have several places with the names of English towns!
I only had a few days in Boston due to work and family commitments but I certainly like Boston and Rhode Island. Driving around the region was good and perhaps I can visit again another time to spend more time seeing the beautiful architecture, history and gardens in this part of the world.
As I have been busy on all fronts, I try to find time to rest, relax, do some fun things and go to out. The best thing about warmer weather is that it encourages you to go out to explore be it in the city or countryside. There are still parts of England I would like to see and pencilling time to have a break is essential for our wellbeing, enjoyment and peace of mind. I am pleased to say that this exactly what I did.
I went to Wales for an Intellectual Property Masterclass training course which I have been meaning to go to for a number of years. It was good to visit Newport again, and this time we were based on the waterfront. The train journey and the views were amazing. I also like that the IPO’s office is in a governmental complex in the same location as the Office of National Statistics (ONS). These are two great governmental department that I have used many times in my career as an information professional. It was also very nice to meet other partners from other locations in the UK. I didn’t venture to Cardiff as I did last time but it was good to see some towns (e.g. Bath Spa) in the train journey that I hope to visit another time.
I have planned a more relaxing getaway in a seaside town but it was reliant on good weather. Luckily the weather was okay for a trip at the end of May to Bournemouth. I have been before but it was a cold windy day to be on a beach. The weather was nice and it was a pleasant time to get out of London – which can be claustrophobic if you stay here all the time. It took about three hours to get there with clear traffic and I can certainly visit again especially if the weather is guaranteed to be good. Bournemouth had a nice seaside but liveable vibe about it and I liked the sandy beaches. I obviously made the most of the views and one of their best restaurants down there. I like looking at the homes and the spaces they have and therefore the drive and country roads are also interesting whilst down there.
We were on the Dorset coast and the first time I heard about the region was whilst studying Thomas Hardy’s poems. So it was interesting being in Hardy country. Our book actually had an image of the hedgerows and therefore it was truly interesting visit World Heritage site Lulworth Cove (better known as Durdle Door) and Jurassic Coast. The drive was along rural roads to country lanes, and therefore there were some nice sites to see along the way. Durdle Door was really impressive and one of the best social media attractions in the Covid years and therefore I found out about it when most people were visiting it then. The coast is amazing to see and I admired the persons doing the cliff walk on such a really windy day. You really have to be fit and wear the right clothes and gear to do these extraordinary cliff walks.
We stopped for a few hours in Shaftesbury on the way back to London. I have seen beautiful photos of the town over the years and it known for being the famous location in Gold Hill for a Hovis Bread advert. Apparently, the advert showed people with a Yorkshire accent but obviously the setting was in Shaftesbury. The drive to Shaftesbury was interesting and seemed popular with local people for the hilly roads, bends and turns!! It was nice to take some photos on Gold Hill and have a wander around for a little while. The Friar’s church was good to see with the views over the rolling hills – which were truly beautiful and picture perfect.
This was a short break outside of London but closer to work and home – I had some other outings. I attended a celebration of SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) at Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre (SBREC) – previously known as the City Business Library. I have been visiting this library since the 1990s and it is great to see that they are still around. It is great that they are funded and based in the Corporation of London. In a right reflection to the city, it was a pleasure to spend their celebratory event in an old Roman Amphitheatre whilst networking to jazz music from the London Guildhall School. In my past role and currently, we have supported each other for providing research and business support for users. Most frequently, we have been cross-referring to SBREC as we navigate our cyber-attack recovery. It was great to hear about their current strategy for business in the city and best wishes to SBREC and their staff!
The E17 Art Trail was back aging in June, which celebrates and showcases local artist, arts, crafts and designs. I made time to visit some of the locations in my neighbourhood with a friend who was displaying her artwork in a florist and also checked out the art studios and venues in the vicinity. It was nice to see some of the regenerated areas of Walthamstow and how new businesses are repurposing old and new spaces. There was an established artist space for an exhibition and newer multifunctional spaces such as an indoor climbing wall – which in itself looked like art with the multicoloured climbing wall. The venue also had co-working spaces, a gym, café and family activities. It is great that this has evolved in this area and it was a great use of space as well as building communities around these activities.
I guess you know by now that I like gardens and plants. It was really good to take some walks around the neighbourhood for longer spells or just for my routine walks. I was planning on visiting a garden in East Grinstead today but I had to change my plans. However, I still have so lovely photos here of the community gardening in a local church and some of the nice plants in the front gardens in my neighbourhood.
A David Gurteen Knowledge Café at Ipsos was another event I made time for recently. It was in the lovely St Katherine Docks in London. I held a birthday party there once and it had lovely memories for me. It was nice to finally attend David’s café and be inspired but the discussions, meeting new people and seeing a venue and host in town. Ipsos presented some interesting and provocative insights on Demography and Politics in their ‘Ipsos 2024 Generations’ report. The discussion was interesting to hear how the world population figures are being predicted and the impact it may have our own lives and resources. I also live the concept of the Knowledge Café (having hosted one with David at London City Hall and at the British Library). I hope we continue to use these café in-person to share our knowledge, insights and make new connections. Over a decade ago, I met someone at one of these cafés who became a friend who then frequently met me at the British Library, presented a session at City Hall for me and even played in the Notting Hill Carnival with me. This friend passed away about three years ago. So sometimes something as easily accessible as this can have deeper meanings.
I am likely to be a bit busy the next couple of months with work, conference and family. I hope to be able to spend some time balancing all these commitments. Life is short and therefore we have to do everything in moderation but I will certainly make time for balance.
Just as the development of the Interstate Highway System led to the creation of McDonald’s hamburgers, Holiday Inn and a thousand other new commercial developments that would have been impossible without the Interstate Highway System, in the same way we will see the emergence of information services on a nationwide basis that will be extremely profitable and nearly ubiquitous. – Al Gore, 1993
It seems only appropriate to recognise how long I have been working in the field of library and information this month as I have a vivid memory of when I started my first ‘proper’ job in the office, library and information centre (whatever you want to call it). I have great memories of a time when life seems a little bit simpler, and I was lucky-go-happy in my outlook to life.
The early 1990s was an interesting time to be an information professional as we were on the cusp of developments in technology but we also have traditional collections which still held books, journals, annual reports, newspapers, places to study, work and access to communal computers. The most interest aspect I still mention to today was that the next-best-things we were expecting were the Internet, World Wide Web and cd-roms. Online searching and database creation were truly skills that were in high demand at the time. Most organisations may have had online databases but they were the dial-up version that requires a modem for connection to a remote database, probably hosted in another country. I still tell library users using online resources that we had an ‘online searching room’, which was quiet for staff to do their searches without distractions.
Looking back now, some of my colleagues did not have a computer on their desk if I recall rightly. I remember I had a computer on a small desk next to my normal office desk, and I enjoyed was getting used to using WordPerfect having used Wordstar at university. Email (just internal messages) was in the infancy, and the library management system (LMS) on DOS called Soutron (who are still around today). Nowadays, when someone tells me some of our current databases are taking long to load, I have to point out that in the past I had to sometimes run reports overnight in one of our databases in the early 1990s. Even simple aspects of company accounts had to ordered from Companies Houses, and you may also recall Excel Cards (for company information), had to couriered to the offices if they were needed urgently. I used to put books on a shuttle bus to get from one building to another too.
I am grateful for the training and ability to use library management systems (LMS) like these which helped me to understand acquisitions, serials (useful for SLA membership information renewals), cataloguing, classifications and metadata, financial management and reporting using for reporting on service levels to my manager. Some of these basic aspects are still very important in my current role such as reviewing KPIs. I am still mentioned the great manager I had who helped me learn the practicalities of running a library and information service, and great for the training I received then. I was asked to participate in the recruitment of staff at an early stage and this exposure has helped me to this stage in my career. I have met some amazing people over these years and it is interesting to see how some are still in the industry, but some are doing things that are very different.
Our challenge is to find ways of using the Internet and World Wide Web as a mechanism for learning for understanding, and as a mechanism for “seeing things,” not just as a highway system for haphazard. – Kimberly Rose, 1995
The sourcing of books was different too as we were frequently sent newspaper articles or journals that mentioned a report or article that we then had to source. Some customers obviously had reading lists, such as the HMSO daily list, which they read and then sent the information to be sourced from our procuring services in the library. There were also several telephone calls that I received daily for customers asking to source information, and to order or borrow publications from the information centre. This still helps in my current role for sourcing information in catalogues, other libraries and from publishers.
The reference desk (Quick Enquiry Desk we called it) in the library was one of the most interesting aspects of the information and research work we did at the time. Having started off in a business information library – we were constantly called for financial information from exchange rates, FT indices, share prices, stock exchange data and other financial queries. We also had queries to use the collection and other electronic database at the time. We even had one computer with a modem to access the internet in the library. I do recall my colleagues going to an internet café after work to check it out!
In the 2000s, the industry was changing rapidly with the internet changing the way information was managed, provided and consumed. There were companies in the Dot.com generation, our information providers also changed. However, there was a movement to ‘get rid of libraries’, especially physical ones. This was the period when the library’s hard copy budgets began to shrink as more content was available online, but the age of formal contracts for eprocurement. I remember working with business analysts to understand our workflow for providing library services from enquiry, research to library materials in hand. In came eBooks used by the Learning and Development team but we also had very expensive business information databases for research. The hardest part was the loss of physical spaces and collection depletion, with the physical library not being as prominent space or a hub as it once was for the organisation.
Although by this time we were having knowledge forum and sharing on collaborative networks such as Lotus Notes, and other communities of practices and forums (I remember reading forums in the 1990s). It was heart-wrenching at one point but also exciting to harness the adoption and development of information technology. If you work in libraries long enough, you get to know the collections and users really well – you can even build communities and break down borders! But it was also the era in the early 2000s where were had a truly professional global community where we can ask for help, enquiries, share information and knowledge more easily due to technological advancements.
It was also an age for Intranet and Portals with my colleagues worked on projects for introducing the intranet and resources management to the organisation. I probably would have participated more on this project work but I was on maternity leave when the work started. Newer roles also developed in the profession with other professionals using ‘Content’ and ‘Web’ in their job titles, but in hindsight it highlighted the skills and specialism that we had in this field. The word ‘metadata’ and taxonomy were also banished about by others on the bandwagon. However, even in my role in 2024 we are still using these word in the last week, and even today for a presentation I hosted on Philatelic collections at the library.
The age of a virtual library eventually became a reality in the mid-2000s and whatever hard copy collection was left ended up being a closet from my perspective! I didn’t actually mind because I was still very strong online providing information services, research and answering reference queries from the small collection, digital content and even the people-to-people contacts for expertise that users were looking for then (I still also do this in my current role).
“Big data is at the foundation of all the megatrends that are happening today, from social to mobile to cloud to gaming.” – Chris Lynch, Vertica Systems
I first heard about blogs in this period and we started to see a great medium for storytelling and showcase expertise in a particular area from a professional capacity to even stories shared by other library and information professionals. Towards the late 2000s, social media was becoming ubiquitous and popular mainstream in most people’s lives. I was happy to see technology that was initial being used in an office environment was now becoming normalises in our relationships and everyday lives. We started using the words digital and data more with ‘Big Data’ being a hot topic brought about with open-source access, data and the development of apps. Throughout this time we continued to use library management systems and databases. There were still human interactions and perhaps more so as we were able to connect with people on digital channels and social media. I started hosting events on professional topics such as Web 2.0, knowledge management, business and other areas of interest, such as those for staff women networks with my colleagues.
“Hiding within those mounds of data is knowledge that could change the life of a patient, or change the world.” – Atul Butte, Stanford School of Medicine
Moving on to the 2010s was interesting as I went through a few months of redundancy. I still recall my now deceased manager trying to convince our decision-makers that we can still play a role in digital literacy, knowledge management, research, evidence-based, training etc. I also researched the role of an information professional at the time for our trade union response to the redundancy proposals. However, there was still no believe in a future for us then from them. In hindsight, it was a challenging time winding down a service that was in existence for a long time …but it meant I had a new start. I could have changed my direction and profession then but I was determined to see it through as I believed in what we can do then – and more so now and in the future. Take that!
There last 12 years at the British Library has been a time for belonging in the profession. I still get inspired by the collection, our users, our stories, events and being in such a great library. I am still learning something everyday, such as today whilst hosting the Philatelic Collection talk for SLA Europe. I also have a natural enthusiasm for the profession, for people who use and work in libraries having had several changes in the last 30 years. I think I use all the skills acquired over this time from acquisition, cataloguing, research, knowledge sharing, marketing etc. Not forgetting planning, strategic development, management of library and information services.
Obviously, in this time I have grown as a person, especially with my volunteering roles in my community, as well as for my profession. I never anticipated being SLA President in 2023 way back in the late 1990s. However, every day I learn and love to contribute to my profession and the development of others – and this is what I mentioned only a couple of hours ago to the Executive Director and Presidents of SLA.
“Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine.”
– Peter Sondergaard, Gartner Research
There are many memories of this time, the changes, places where I have worked and some of my colleagues are my dear friends. I am not going to give up now but I will look to the future with this enthusiasm and relish on whatever the future holds. I am not going anywhere or changing my course.
I have been mainly working and therefore my photos are my inspiration that keep me going and they also remind me of what I did. Having looked at them yesterday, I realised my photos were all about libraries.Therefore I am going to give a brief over view of my activities.
Dipping and rising, moving and settling, the Commons remind one of a flock of birds settling on a stretch of ploughed land. They never alight for more than a few minutes; some are always flying off, others are always settling again. And from the flock rises the gabbling, the cawing, the croaking of a flock of birds, disputing merrily and with occasional vivacity over some seed, worm, or buried grain.
I have visited the House of Commons Library before in 2011, but it was great to visit it again for the multiple aspects of Library, Information and Research work they do. A new member of their team is also my ex-volunteering colleague for SLA. The day was well-planned with great presentations from the heads of services, and it was really interesting to hear their process for providing information that is very important for our lives and for the policy makers who are meant to have our best interest. I do recall remembering some similarities for when I work at the Greater London Authority and you would see politicians on the screen and workplace all the time. Coincidently, I saw a politician that I had seen before on this trip. One of the best aspects of the open day is impartiality as information and research professionals in providing information impartially to the Members of Parliament. Now I use my current employer’s ethos ‘for everyone’. I also remembered that when I was a trustee in a local charity over 18 years ago, we were reviewing our mission and values – and it was the first time we used the word ‘everyone’ in terms of provision. It is a great reminder on our role in society and as a democracy – it is for everyone.
The tour of the physical spaces were great to see – from the modern Portcullis House to the Palace of Westminster with the world-famous Big Ben Tour. The art work and modern features of Portcullis House is light and airy with atrium, art work of politicians on the wall and functional for events such as the Open Day. I saw a TV presenter sitting around but it is not the type of place where you take photos or go to say ‘hello’. The main Palace of Westminster in contrast is medieval in parts and older as it is was rebuilt due to a fire and it is now a World Heritage site. The hammerbeam roof of Westminster Hall was very impressive for the time it was built – considered the largest hall in England and in Europe at the time it was built. Most recently, Queen Elizabeth laid in Westminster Hall on her passing in 2022. The hall has also been used for foreign dignitaries such as when Barack Obama in 2011, Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, President Nelson Mandela in 1996, President Charles de Gaulle in 1960 and President Albert Lebrun in 1939.
The House of Common Debating Chamber, Library and lobbies have magnificent history and artwork but we were not allow to take photo to share on digital media, apart from the ones I gained permission to share on here. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, funny and kept the tour very amusing – just as in my first visit. The library staff and tour was great and I love the work that they do. The library is quaint and old – there English heritage furniture from the 1950s and they look great – a bit of a time warp. It does have great views of the river Thames from the windows. As you may recall, I also visited the House of Lords for another event last summer but I haven’t visited the House of Lords library – perhaps one day. The debating chamber was in recess so it is different when it is empty and it looks much bigger than it actually is in real life. It was good to see the microphones hanging from the ceilings, the benches also have speakers so that they can heard over the noise. The items on the table are just as you see it on TV with a few bibles for swearing in. Last but not least, there are several reasons why you try to visit one day for such a famous building and I understand you can book tours or speak to your local Member of Parliament. We ended the day with more talks, tours and fun quiz. I am also pleased that I know some of the staff there too. If you need to do some research and/or find out some information – do check out the House of Commons library website and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) link too.
I have been going to outer London for the Kickstart your Business Project such as Catford Library and Orpington Library. Although these libraries are in London – they are about two hours away. It is interesting to see local libraries in these areas and to meet their communities who are attending the workshops. They all see well used and the staff are doing great work in curating events to collections in their local libraries. It does feel very reassuring to see that local libraries are places of study, learning, literacy, comfort, cultural, creative and business hubs. I am also seeing several news recently about public libraries being cut and it reminds me that there is still so much to advocate to keep libraries where they are still being used. Let’s hope we continue to appreciate them and the value they add to their communities.
At the end of February, I attended a webinar on Business Archives. It is interesting how materials from business is used to tell stories on artists of the day as they were the graphic designers at the time. There were also interesting archives of stainless-steel manufacturers describing how important the invention was at the time due to its durability but also as it can be used for multiple products such as golf sticks. This too has inspired me for how we can use the business trade literature collection for storytelling by innovations over time. You never really get bored in archives or research work!
Vast landscapes, intrepid heroes, mysterious portals, shadowy forces, enchanted woodlands… Fantasy encompass all of these and much more.
From facts to fantasy… The British Library’s exhibition
‘Fantasy – Realms of Imagination’ also ran in the last few months. I am so pleased that I was able to visit it despite having a very busy schedule at work. I was supposed to visit it when I wrote my Anansi story last autumn but it was great to see the connection with storytelling in all cultures from ancient folk tales, fairy tales, supernatural and epic stories. With the use of film, sounds, costumes, and of course… inspiration from books, some of our most famous stories were inspired from the humble book. On display the Wizard of Oz, The Game of Thrones, Beowulf, Milton’s Paradise Lost and some news for me such as Giovanni Battista Piranesi on underground Rome.
Although fantasy can be regarded as simple stories for children where ‘everyone lived happily ever after’ – it was highlighted that fantasy are often dark, ambiguous and complex. Perhaps just as in real life but the genre allows us to explore these in depth. The creativity of this genre has fascinated us for years and gives us the ability to look beyond the normal world from different perspectives and conventions. I was happy to see the exhibition well attended as lots of fans for this genre and I too am a fan without realising if we reflect back on our childhood of storytelling in the Caribbean. It really is amazing that the storytelling has the ability to take us to another dimension!
I knew 2023 would be a busy year for me as I took on the role of President of Special Libraries Association (SLA), and it certainly turned out that way. This was a year for a lot extra hours and hard commitment to get through extra work-load, on top of taking on a new role and responsibilities in my day job at the British Library. I was fully aware that I needed to be conscious of time for my own wellbeing and my family commitments too for when the going got tough. I didn’t do as much socialising or partying as I have in the past with my London or Caribbean diaspora communities, but found time to make sure I had some fun along the way, as well as visited new places – Milan, India, Toronto and Detroit. Therefore, I will give you a run through on some of the highlights of this special year for me.
The first few months of 2023 I spent having clear targets for getting back to as normal as possible after the pandemic years, and this meant that although we had resumed our services by this time, we had to also incorporate the changes and the digital transformation that were gained in the years prior. I was genuinely excited by having in-person events again and we were able to resume our normally workshops, groups, one-to-one meetings and events. We also started a new project with London Boroughs, so it was great to outreach our services in areas, especially ones that I have not been to before and even in my own borough. It was great to see some of the bigger events at the library too as we hosted large meeting with entrepreneurs and celebrated 50 years of the British Library in July with a staff reception. One of the most popular library events I went to this year was the Fashion Retailing event which hosted Patrick Grant from The Sewing Bee television services as a star speaker – and he certainly had groupies who came to see him!
I started doing a new role which meant I began going to various subject areas and physical spaces in the library which I won’t normally need to go. It made me see how a large national library like this operates, and how important our staff and processes are to maintain our services. Sadly and annoyingly, the British Library came under a major ransomware cyber-attack at the end of October, and this has really slowed us down in a year when we were making many gains after the pandemic. Despite this, the lessons learnt in pandemic have enabled us to be more flexible, however it is our users and the sharing of knowledge and information that has paid the highest price. I hope to learn from this experience too, and intend to resume our mission and purpose for sharing our collections, resources and expertise with our customers to the level that makes us one of the best public libraries in the world.
In April, it was great to visit Milan for the first time. I have always wanted to go to see a football game as a fan of Italian football since the 1980s. It was great to see a game at the San Siro Stadium in Milan and get some of the fan’s atmosphere of the Curva Sud that you see on TV screens. Ideally, I should have gone in the 1990s when I really was into Italian football but you can’t always do the things you want… when you want to do it. I am pleased that I was able to tick this off my bucket list.
I also like the modern and residential parts of Milan. It certainly has an urban feel with green spaces, great metro system and cosmopolitan feel with tourist as well as residents. The food is always something to look forward to in Italy, and I particularly like that you can walk around easily too. We also visited Bergamo by train and it was nice to walk around the medieval areas and the nice promenades that are great for a passagiata. I am unlikely to visit Milan again, but my decades of curiosity on what it was like has been fulfilled.
I literally flew back from Milan to London, and the next day I flew out to Delhi for a conference that I was invited to attend by our SLA Asian Community based in Delhi. It was great to spend time with dear friends and great professionals such as Debal C Kar, P K Jain and Ravindra Sharma, Parveen Babbar, Meenal Oak, Sushmita Chakrabarty, and so many more in Delhi at the conference held at Galgotias University in Noida. It was extra special to spend time with Liz Jolly (Chief Librarian at the British Library) and Barbara Lison (President of IFLA 2022-2023), as well as the other Asian and international delegates at the conference. I was also able see the Museum of India and Rail Transport Museum with special tours with the curators. Thank you to our hosts for showing us around Delhi, and the special trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Many thanks to Mr and Mrs Santosh Gupta and his colleagues for showing me around Jaipur and letting me stay as their guest at the University of Rajasthan. The city was also beautiful to see, and the architecture was so distinctive and unique. I was able to present and speak to various hosts in India, and the trip was truly educational and work-related too.
I haven’t had time to reflect much this year but I know going to India has been on my mind since forever as an Indo-Caribbean whose ancestors were from India – as well as growing up with lots of Bollywood movies in Trinidad and Tobago. I am also a Hindu, and therefore will always think of India and its’ special link to my heritage and identity. I hope I can see again some of the great people I met in India, and I would happily show them around London as they did for me for India. May their lives be blessed with happiness, and I am very grateful for their kindness on my visit to India.
I had a few weeks in Spring to get back to normal but then I was off to Toronto on my way to Detroit for the MLA|SLA Conference. It made sense to stay a few days in Toronto as I was unable to get a direct flight to Detroit. I haven’t been to Toronto since 2009, so it was good fun to check out the sights again in the lovely Spring weather. Toronto is very modern compared to Europe, so there is a different vibe. It was great to see all the Blue Jay fans after the game to bring some vibrant life to the downtown walk. It was also great to meet a friend I met on work related social media over a decade ago in a pub in Toronto, and I hope we can meet again as I own him lunch! It was also great to see family and spend time with them.
Detroit at the MLA|SLA Conference was a very memorable time for me as I was going as SLA President 2023! I literally worked for five days in Detroit as there was a lot of preparation and meetings whilst I was there. I certainly was very focussed in making sure I covered our board duties, meetings with our old and new association management companies, our joint partners for the conference (who were very welcoming to me) and most of all – all the great people I met at the conference. The conference educational sessions were more relaxed for me to attend although I was there as president – luckily board business meetings were kept to a minimal, and therefore I was able to get a lot of conference insights and personal development aspects whilst at the conference too. I am still to contact some of the connections I made as this year as I have been to busy but I hope to have more time soon. I was also able to check out the some of the social aspects of Detroit at a couple of bars and restaurants, and the Detroit Museum of Arts. I didn’t get to go the Hitsville Museum for the birth of Motown Soul with its’ proud cultural heritage. I do have some great photos of Detroit and I am proud that SLA were able to meet in 2023, and will cherish these memories for the rest of my career.
Obviously, my work for SLA carried on until the rest of the year and at times, it was inspiring with the many meetings and discussion, and other time it was extremely busy where I had to put in those extra hours into the early hours of the morning. I know my health, exercise routine and social activities had to be put on hold for a little while this year, but I certainly would not have given up this opportunity to lead and serve and organisation the has been around for 114 years. I am still very committed to SLA and the profession, and therefore hope that I can continue the great work. Some of the board top level achievements this year are – closed and transition to a new association management company, new infrastructure such as tech and operational (scholarship review, magazine relaunch, new tech etc) and the joint MLA|SLA Conference. The challenges are still there but hopefully the foundations are firmer, and we can aim for stability and growth. Wish us luck too! Thank you for putting the SPECIAL in my year.
Apart from this, I did go to the jazz Love Supreme Festival in June, visited some sights such as the Docklands Museum when my brother visited in summer, and I also checked out a few gigs in the autumn such as Mica Millar at the Union Chapel. I am hoping that 2024 will being some more opportunities to go out socially and get more exercise. I already have four things lined up for January and February with family and friends.
As I close 2023 – I wish you all the best for the new year. I have reflected broadly here on a year when I was awake more than I slept… but I am honoured, learnt a lot, and do realised we achieved somethings, if not a lot in transition. In this personal sense, it was certainly very special.
How are you? The busy seasonal rush have already started and I thought you would like to see my suggestions for gifts for this festive session:
Books – I am lucky to be near a mainline train station on in my way to work and the St Pancras Christmas Tree, which is usually sponsored by fabulous businesses over the years, has one of the best artificial trees designs this year. This year the tree is sponsored by Hatchard’s bookshop of London, one of the oldest bookshops being established in 1797. I first came across Hatchard’s when I used to order books for the library I worked for in the past, and even then, my colleagues told me how special this bookshop is compared to others. The design has also included audio booths, and a seating area where you can listen to famous stories from Penguin Books. It is such a great pleasure to see it for the next few weeks and how people are engaging with the tree in the journeys in this festive season.
Appropriately, there is a Waterstones bookshop directly opposite the tree should you wish to buy some books. I also popped into my local bookstore this weekend and they too have a great collection of books and gifts that have a local specialism with lots of community products and ideas. This time of year is the best time for finding some reading time, especially during the holidays. I am looking forward to reading as a treat this year!
Fashion & Clothing – I buy clothes throughout the year but at this time, there are still so many beautiful clothes in the shops, and it is the one time that we may be able to wear really nice clothes for Christmas Parties. Therefore I know that some people look for new clothes to wear for the office or family parties… or just for themselves. This week I also realised that I need a functional work bag, and therefore I am hoping to get some vouchers so that I can buy one that has all the features I would like. There are also lots of items that are absolutely beautiful in the shops but I know that they are likely to be going on sale soon, and perhaps I can wait if I really want them.
However Santa, my little secret is that I have been buying stuff online and don’t really need much clothes. I am looking forward to spring and summer next year and perhaps I may resist the temptation to buy something until then. Psst… our little secret.
Jewellery and Cosmetics – Sadly, I lost a couple of gold earrings in recent years when we were wearing masks. I do have more earrings but since then I have been using more cosmetic jewellery daily, and there are so many beautiful jewellery pieces in the shops. I also have received make-up from my relatives in Canada, especially for Mac makeup but recently I discovered Ruby Roo by Mac for that instance pick-me-up, and you can’t not have enough lipsticks. I also don’t spend enough time or money on my facial routine as I am toooooo busy, but I hope I can try some self-care items I see in the shops in St Pancras, such as L’Occitane or Neals Yard Remedies. I will perhaps make it my own goal to buy some of these gorgeous products as treats for my own self-care. What do you think?
BTW, I probably would like an Apple watch as I don’t have one as yet. I know they are also good for monitoring our health information and analytics, as well being a great communication tool. Who knows! Perhaps I may get one when my current watch stops working.
Food & Drink – I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends in December. I can perhaps try a few new places to eat in my neighbourhood and in north London. I hear there is a great Colombian restaurant in Tottenham I would like to try, and a great Italian deli in Haringey Green Lanes which sells lots of branded products that you still don’t see in the supermarkets. I will also start buying all my dried fruits for making my traditional Christmas cake in homage to my Trinidadian heritage. I do look forward to baking during this season.
There are several festive things that is on the shopping list at this time of year. I also buy a few drinks to enjoy this time of year for friends and…myself. It also a prelude to New Year’s Eve when it is nice to have some bubbly champagne or prosecco to celebrate the new year. I do like to buy my friends some drinks too.
There are some traditional things that you only every eat this time of year such as Panettone, mince pies, roast Turkey and all the trimmings, snacks, treats and lots of new discoveries. I look forward to trying new flavours and ideas for what is trendy this Christmas time.
Happiness and Peace – For my own personal peace, I would also ask you for music but as I have a subscription to a music streaming service and You Tube, I can enjoy music when I want and I do look forward to relaxing this holiday to music. I have also missed a few key films this year but I also look forward to my holidays when I look at a lot of film on Netflix that I wasn’t able to find the time to see. And perhaps I can go to the cinema too when I am on leave.
This special year has been a busy year for me, and I have been burning the midnight oil into the early hours on most days to get through my workload and commitments. I have not given myself too much time to relax or to switch off, and I am actually dreaming of summer holidays by the seaside looking out at the horizon on a clear day with blue skies.
It has been really hard the last few months with the world still in conflict and I hope this will be a time humans can change. I have little hope that there every be total peace on this Earth. However, if there is a bit of Santa magic… I would love a bit of calm, respect for one another and peace for fellow humankind. This will bring true happiness in the basic and most simple form in a time when it is most needed.
With this, I wish you all the best for your busiest month of year and hope you get some extra rest soon. Happy Holidays too!
Connecting the Dots 