Room Full of Mirrors – Freedom
Kelly John-Strate
I spy with my little eye….something green.
This unexpected photo was taken while on a lunchbreak. I was enjoying the weather, people watching, and finding my center before going back to that day’s Broward Children’s Literature conference. Lo and behold, I spied with my little eye…something green! Hidden among the green leaves of a brilliantly colored firebush, our four legged friend is just sun-bathing. As he looks back, and almost side smiles, nature hit’s me like a ton of bricks. Smiling, and sharing this picture with my husband and kids, I walked back into the conference with a pep in my step. The yellow tint around it’s eye, the bright green hue of its scaly body, and that powerful pose, made lunchtime anything but boring. Although he was trying to stay lost in the bush, he was more obvious than he would have liked. Yes, definitely a sight to see! Adding that final touch of off-centered cropping, incorporating the rule of thirds makes seeing and believing Iggy more prominent than the original. Though the original was just as entertaining, the cropped image made him much easier to see and appreciate.
Bold and Regal: History’s Rulers Defined
As an avid learner about ancient cultures, and a graduate of an anthropology program, one of the most fascinating cultures was that of ancient Egypt. The plethora or subcultures, the variety of artwork, the ingenuity that has stood the test of time, and a locality all its own, Ancient Egypt has been at the top of my study interests for quite some time. The above image on Flickr, entitled Ancient Egypt, by jpitha is one that I located after an extensive search through creative commons. The regal appearance, the use of parallel lines, and the unique applications associated with a metal work bring to life the concept of a pharaoh.
To complement the image of this pharaoh, the audio of Film Reveal by SergeQuadrado, contains that of many common instruments found in classical music, but applicable to the plight of a ruler. The piano is the solo piece, with epic persona, elegant mood, and an almost cinematic perspective. The music can be seen as mysterious, prominent, calm, intriguing, and even resembles the ambiance of a strong powerful quiet ruler. The music mirrors that of a pharaoh who would find themselves challenged, yet remain steadfast in their perspectives and decisions, much like that of the music linked above.
One of the most interesting aspects of this process for me as a future librarian, was that it allowed me to dive deep into my ability to connect imagery and audiology. The image displays power, much like that of the music, which is one of the key aspects of why I am so enamored with the Egyptian culture and history. The challenge of connecting the two and creating a seamless relationship was daunting, but much like that of a ruler in Egypt connecting unrelated cultures, this process was both rewarding and satisfying.
Terms of Use: “Bold and Regal: History’s Rulers Defined” by Kelly John-Strate is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Caring, creative, cultured-personality
A timeline of myself starts with understanding the plight of an island girl, from Trinidad and Tobago, as she acclimated to the American culture. From a flight to Miami, leaving behind my original homeland to venture into a new culture. I found myself and understood this challenge, as well as how change is directly important for my parents and the future me. The dynamic American system of education felt different, but I pressed on. Matriculating through middle and high school, as a private person understanding the daunting task of processing who I was, who I will be, and now who I am.
From Interior Design to History Refined
Fast forward, after a degree in Interior Design, a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, and many years working both sides of the experience a patron might encounter (visitor and employee), I finally feel connected to my calling as a librarian. With the help of my amazing husband, of now 19 years, and my supportive sons (11 and 14), as well as my husband’s family, this pursuit of a Master’s degree has been not only an experience that has uplifted my values but also an opportunity that has improved my fit with the county library system, in Coconut Creek, Florida, or the Butterfly Capital of the World. My parents taught me to strive for the best, my immediate family encouraged me to branch out, and my library family has brought my creative side out through the offerings, programs, displays, and activities that are composed by yours truly.
As a special interest, especially one that I dive deeper into, thematic displays have fostered my creative application skills and have sparked the interest of many of our library’s patrons. Some are simply related to holidays, some are related to a national focus of a concept like Autism Awareness, but all displays are designed to bring to life the impact that literature and content can have for young readers, which are my area of focus at the library I work at. These are important features of my work life, but not the only part of who I am.
Natural Born Investigator
In fact, my home life, my interests in crime and forensics has guided some of the reading for pleasure, as well as some of the content I have looked over for the requirements of FSU’s Master’s in Library Science Program. However, this is not the only part of me that makes me unique, as I am the mother of two boys, who are just as amazing. Both are active learners, both are vigorously thorough, and both are the apples of my eye, alongside my husband. Now that you have gotten to know a little about me, it is important to know that lifelong learning will continue to guide my decisions.
Kelly John-Strate, a person who has continued to discover more about herself because of those finite moments of directionality and dedication. Thus, an avid and altruistic persona, but represented by my spirit cat, Luna who is an all-black British Short hair with both sass and grace. You will find me where information, inquisitiveness, and ingenuity are central to an experience worthwhile. Though I am not a digital media person, this course will afford me the opportunity to dive deep into my own ability to engage with social media, support digital resource use for patrons, and hopefully feel more confident as I continue to evolve as a librarian.