Bear with me here...

Well, folks, this is hard. This is really, really hard. The process I am going through is like nothing I've ever done before and as I alluded to in my previous post, I am coming up against professional challenges I never even really knew existed. I am finding I am so passionate about advocating for teen services that it is both a blessing and a curse. I love to talk to people about it and I love planning for future programs and services. However, I can't help but be upset and discouraged at what the universe sometimes throws this way.

On top of trying to stay positive, I am now finding it hard to keep my thoughts and ideas organized. I want to think "big picture" but I have to also think logistical and reality. And on top of all that, I have a branch to run and maintain. My level of professional stress is higher than I can handle right now.

Don't get me wrong, it still goes to say that I love what I do and I have never cared more deeply about my career. But it doesn't make the day-to-day stuff any easier. Perspective is so important. Motivation and Positivity are both so crucial. How do I maintain a normal and possible pace?

Now onto a completely different topic, I am very excited to see all the best-of-the-year lists that are being published right now. I'm going to work on my own at some point, though it'll be quite short and won't be limited to those published this year. :)

So many new books to read! A few I've spotted on several lists are as follows (note they are mostly kids and teen titles):

**Bray, Libba. Going bovine.
**Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone shines my shoes. I read the first book of hers and LOVED it!
**Kelly, Jacqueline. The evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

I see lists everywhere but I especially love the list that School Library Journal publishes and of course YALSA's Best Books for Young Adults of 2009.