Using Skype...

So, today I spent the early afternoon trying to figure out how to properly use Skype to communicate with one of my friends from my days of living in Italy. Not only was I pressured to use my Italian speaking skills, but I also had to deal with the fact that I had to repeat everything like three times because the system would cut me out in mid sentence. Fortunately, we finally managed to solve the problem and were able to speak. I now found myself repeating myself not because I couldn't be heard, but because I my Italian is so rusty. :o(

Vote for Camila Alire for ALA President

Just a reminder to all that the American Library Association (ALA) elections begin this coming week. Please make sure to vote! I'm voting for Camila!

http://www.camilaalire.com/

Yikes!!! 2008 Library Journal Mover and Shaker...

Ok, so it's great, an honor really, that I was named as a 2008 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, but the pressure is on! They listed this blog on my bio even though I hadn't updated it in almost a year. So, I guess I should get cracking on this blog since I now have your attention.

P.s.Thanks to Veronda Pitchford and Camila Alire for nominating me!!!

P.s.#2 they took like 40 pictures of me with my shirt opened (I was "Bringing Sexy Back") and they posted a bad picture of me...were my pictures too racy for LJ?

Senate to Vote on the "DREAM Act"

Senate Likely to Vote on the "DREAM Act" this Week!	Take Action!
Contact Your Senators Today!
This week, Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN) will introduce the "Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act" as an amendment to H.R. 1585, the Department of Defense authorization bill, which is now being debated in the Senate. The amendment will need 60 votes to pass. Its adoption would be a giant step forward for the DREAM Act, which would then stand an excellent chance of becoming law this year. The provisions of the DREAM Act amendment are expected to be identical to S. 774, the stand-alone "DREAM Act" bill that Senators Durbin, Hagel, and Lugar introduced earlier this spring. It would provide a six-year path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship for individuals brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented children if they graduate from high school and continue on to college or military service. We do not yet know when the vote will be, and it is possible that procedural obstacles could prevent one from occurring at all. But regardless, it is imperative for all DREAM Act supporters to call your Senators and send an e-mail message to them today, and again tomorrow, and again every day until the vote occurs. You can find your Senators' phone numbers here. We expect anti-immigrant groups to spread falsehoods about the DREAM Act and to try to inflame their base to intimidate Senators, but "DREAM Act" supporters are passionate, too. We can and must fight back and match their intensity.

Type 1: The Perfectionist

About a year ago I was asked to serve as a mentor for the Maryland Library Association Leadership Institute. In preparation for the one-week institute this July, I was asked to take the Enneagram personality test, available for free at www.personalityonline.com.

The result, Type 1 (The Perfectionist) and here's an a description of Type 1:

Ones need to be right, beyond reproach. An inner critic continually checks for possible faults. They continually try to do what is right, and likewise expect others to do the same. They become cranky when either they or others fail to measure up.

One's greatest fear is that they might be condemned for failure to adhere to their principles or ideals, whether lofty or trivial. Along with this urge comes a vigilance and an attention to detail.

Possible Origins. Ones commonly report that they were heavily criticized or punished when they were young and that they eventually became obsessed with trying to be good as a way of staying out of trouble. Many were expected to take on adult responsibility prematurely and often became like parents themselves in order to stabilize immature adults in the family. The atmosphere was one Of high expectation without rewards. Virtue was supposed to be its own reward, and so perfectionists were scolded for wrongdoing without being made special for the sacrifice Of being good.

Flawed Ones can be opinionated and self-righteous. They are perfectionists and expect others to live up to their exacting standards. Ones function by the rule book and if procedures are changed they may feel they're being set up for criticism. They have problems dealing with interactions that require multiple points Of view. As managers they are prone to over-controlling subordinates out of an attempt to "get it right" on their terms. They want rules and progress reports. They attempt to control the situation by setting limits, by tightening controls and assigning blame. At their worst, they are fault-finders and nit-pickers.

Well-adapted Ones have learned to be tolerant of themselves, and, consequently, tolerant of others. They have transcended petty fault-finding in themselves and others. They have discovered that their impulses are not inherently bad and they no longer repress their feelings inappropriately. They remain moral people and are often sought for guidance. They are known for their integrity and high principles, but are able to allow for differences in the ideals of others. The healthy One can be a strong force in community life because he or she will look to his conscience for guidance, rather than to personal gain or power.

As managers they harness their heightened sense of order to constructive ends. They no longer oppress subordinates with their high standards, but respect the performance levels of others. They have fine organizational abilities and are capable of taking real pleasure in developing their skills. They hold strong convictions without being self-righteous and rigid. They appraise themselves and others against their standards without being overly judgmental and without condemning those who do not measure up.

Occupations. Ones gravitate to jobs where procedures need to be enacted. They are researchers, teachers, accountants, and long-rang- planners. Occupations in which they can be arbiters of correct behavior also appeal to Ones: judges, policemen, grammarians. As managers they specialize in systematizing or rationalizing organizations on running a tight ship. They also tend to excel at implementing a slim-down strategy--at trimming fat and eliminating unnecessary levels, functions, or staff. Attractive environments include jobs that require organization and meticulous detail.

Finding Oneself:

Ones will probably agree with most of the following statements:

1. I put much effort into correcting my faults.
2. I'm often bothered because things aren't the way they should be.
3. I hate to waste time.
4. I often blame myself for not doing better.
5. Often the least flaw can ruin the whole thing for me.
6. I have trouble relaxing and being playful.
7. I frequently have a sense of urgency that time is running out and there is still so much left to do.
8. If something isn't fair, it really bothers me.
9. I get angry when I see others "getting away with it".
10. I normally see things as either right or wrong.

Where's El Presidente?

After weeks of thinking about how to set-up an online calendar, I finally got my answer when I was looking up the information for next year's NYC Gay Pride. The answer is "Yahoo Calendar." It's free, easy, and even allows me to receive reminders via text on my mobile phone. People wanting to see the REFORMA President's Calendar can go to http://calendar.yahoo.com/bruinosito

REFORMA Programs at 2008 ALA Annual in Anaheim, CA

So, trying to start my presidency on the right foot meant that my first task was to submit 2008 ALA Annual program proposals by Tuesday, June 26 at 5:00pm. Although this was a "soft" deadline, I felt compelled to not let any of my REFORMA colleagues down and submit proposals for ALA's utmost consideration.

You would think that submitting program proposals would be easy, but I actually had to consider the flow of our programs. The Pura Belpré Award Celebración Award was easy because it was a priority for me...so everything was set around that program. I also thought that The Bilingual Mind: How Children Acquire and Use Language had to come be prior to the "Celebración" in order to promote it to interested members...and what better place to promote the "Celebración" than a children's program a day before. And talk about the flow, on Saturday morning there's a children's program and in the afternoon a program related to higher ed. So, creating this "natural flow" was a little hectic, but fun. Anyhow, REFORMA folks came through with flying colors and submitted these great proposals. Check them out...

Proposed REFORMA Programs at ALA Annual 2008 in Anaheim, CA

Saturday, June 28, 2008
8:00am - 10:00am Empowering Library Staff to Reach Out to Spanish Speakers
10:30am - 12:00pm The Bilingual Mind: How Children Acquire and Use Language
1:30pm - 3:30pm President's Program: Libraries and Justice for All
4:00pm - 5:30pm Nine Digits Away From My Dream: The Plight of Undocumented Students Seeking Higher Education in the United States and the Hope of the Dream Act

Sunday, June 29, 2008
1:30pm - 3:30pm Pura Belpré Award Celebración

Monday, June 30, 2008
1:30pm - 3:30pm Partnering to Help Reduce Health Disparities in our Communities

REFORMA Platform

On Monday, June 25, 2007, the REFORMA Presidential Gavel was passed on to me. It was a small, but emotional event that took place at the end of the four-hour long REFORMA Membership Meeting.

Outgoing REFORMA President, Roxana Benavides, began to get emotional as she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as REFORMA President. As I began to thank Roxana for her contributions and dedication, I began to get chocked up myself. Roxana has been there for me helping me as Vice-President/President Elect and I see her as family...una hermana.

Both Roxana and I, along with Past-Presidents, have the greatest esteem for REFORMA and all its members...so there's no way we couldn't get emotional. I plan to make 2007-2008 a productive year for REFORMA and I know Roxana will be there along the way to continue helping me out.

Since I now have a platform to move REFORMA's agenda and communication is key in any organization, I now plan to use this blog "betweenxandy" to express my thoughts to REFORMA members and friends. I will still use the REFORMA listservs for official REFORMA business, but this blog will be a method in which I can write quick reports, ideas, etc.