Since we were kids

My most recent memory of the library is the one on Science Hill, at UCSC. Filled with O-Chem nerds, and many of my friends, it was always silent there, with many semi-comfortable squishy orange chairs that could provide a nice napping space, especially if you pushed two together. My production classes were conducted across the street in the Communications Building, and since I generally had those classes for twelve hours a couple days a week, I could be found on a break trying to get in a quick catnap. If awake, I was always studying for a major test, but even when I tried to do assigned reading I'd end up face-down in a book within 35 minutes.

That is my last real recollection of a library, although I know I spent many hours perusing books and looking for things to read at the libraries in elementary and middle school.

Yesterday I became a card carrying library member at because at the Sacramento County Library because it occurred to me over barbequed chicken and corn that I know even less about raising a child than I did about carrying one to term. On the upside, in my complete and total ignorance I do not have a clear picture of what I should expect which should help when I am dealing with the reality of the situation.

Yes, for those of you wondering, I have been around children. I helped my ex-boyfriend raise his son for the first two years. My roomate and I got Colby to take his first steps, and I was there for all the diaper changes, diaper rash, and wonderous moments in between.

Yet none of the kids I've been around belonged to me, and for better or worse my level of investment just wasn't the same. Since I don't really know what to do in this situation, I'm driven to do what I do well - study. (Considering the amount of student loans I have, you better believe I know how to do that well)

Aside from being FREE, the library offer a plethora of books on topics ranging from breastfeeding to the never-ending debate over cloth and disposable diapers. You can request a book via the Internet to be delivered to your branch where they will notify you via email that it has arrived. Did I mention yet that all of this is 100% free? There are dvds, cds, and books on dvd/tape available to check out. Plus, with a library card I can check out as many as fifty books at one time! And all for free. I've already got four books at home and I've requested two more. I can hardly wait to go back and spend some time researching how to have a kid and raise it in the least traumatizing way possible.