Member Highlights Showcase–Tinamarie Vella
Tinamarie Vella just joined APALA in August 2012, so please give her a warm welcome! She is part of the Literature Awards Committee for the adult non-fiction category.
Tinamarie received her M.S. in Library & Information Science from Long Island University’s Palmer School of Library and Information Science. She also holds a M.A. in English from Brooklyn College, which is part of The City University of New York (CUNY) system. She currently works as the Access Services Manager of CUNY Graduate School of Journalism Research Center in New York City.
Tinamarie is a wonderful, knowledgeable addition to APALA’s Literature Awards Committee. She writes:
I have a strong interest in Asian/Pacific Islander history and literature, having done my graduate thesis on Filipino American Literature in World War II. I watched a special on the Pacific Front on the History Channel, and I was hooked.
Tinamarie is also active in ALA’s NMRT, LLAMA, and her state’s library association, New York Library Association (NYLA). She was a participant in ALA’s Emerging Leaders program in 2011 and is currently the chair of NYLA’s New Members Engagement Subcommittee. She is currently running for the Leadership Development Director position of ALA’s NMRT. Please see Tinamarie’s campaign video on YouTube.
When asked about her cultural heritage and background, Tinamarie shares:
Being born in Brooklyn, New York breeds a sense of cultural pride for your hometown.
My parents both have diverse backgrounds. My mother comes from a mixed background, her father was African American and her mother was Italian (from Naples, to be exact). My father came to this country when he was 10 months old, he was born in Birzebbuga, Malta, and he came with his English mother.
If you mix it all up, you have me.
Tinamarie is a blogger and writes about her professional and personal experiences and thoughts. Please check out her work at Occasional Rants and Raves. On her blog, Tinamarie writes about her interests:
I love spending time with friends and family as cheesy as it sounds. I love discovering new things, cultures, and I really need to work on traveling more! I would like to read and write more, I have a dream of winning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, but I’ll settle for a published book/short story. I love capturing the moment, and have been called a camera whore on more than one occasion. I enjoy lounging around, abusing my DVR, attempting to be the Next Iron Chef, and of course online shopping. I could watch METS baseball all day. I used to love going to concerts, but I feel I’m getting too old for the mosh pit. I have recently discovered the surprisingly fascinating world of sci-fi, comic and horror conventions, and attend whenever I can.
As for her professional librarian goals and interests, Tinamarie is very much invested in building bridges between journalism and librarianship and nurturing new, emerging library professionals.
I work in a fast-paced news library. Much like in journalism, new and emerging library professionals must think fast and adjust to a quickly changing world of information gathering. I am working to strengthen the relationship between journalists and librarians, there’s the opportunity to work together, but it isn’t being nurtured properly.
I am also very interested in creating and cultivating leadership opportunities within our profession, we receive interns on a semester basis, and I love to have them here at this small yet distinct library that I work in, because it gives the interns the opportunity to create and experiment within all areas of librarianship.
Tinamarie is also an active volunteer of the NYC presence of Urban Librarians Unite (ULU), a “professional group created to promote and support libraries, library staff, and librarianship in urban settings. Urban Librarian Unite facilitates dialog between libraries and library workers, encourages new developments in library science, and advocates for libraries and librarians in urban areas.”
To connect online with Tinamarie, please visit her about.me page at: http://about.me/tinamarievella. Welcome, Tinamarie! We look forward to getting to know you better.
“My Personal Strategic Plan” by Leo Lo
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”
~ Henry Ford
“Everyone has a purpose in life. Perhaps yours is watching television.”
~ David Letterman
My Personal Strategic Plan (2012 – 2017):
Mission (why I exist)
To live a fun, purposeful, and extraordinary life, and make a positive contribution to the world by inspiring others to do the same.
Vision (what I will be)
I will be the “me” that I have always aspired to be:
- healthy
- well traveled
- adventurous and sophisticated in the art and science of gastronomy
- a leader in my profession
- a well-rounded person
- courageous
- compassionate
- artistic
- living my life without regrets.
Guiding Principles (how I will get there)
- Health: I had been living an unhealthy lifestyle for far too long. I smoked for many, many years. And after I quit, and my weight went up steadily every year. I hit rock bottom in 2011 when I ballooned up to 243 lbs. (I’m 6 feet tall). There were other health issues too. So, before I turned 40 in 2012, I decided to do something about it. In fact, I am determined to get into the best shape of my life.
- Lose 60 pounds to get to within the medically healthy weight range for my body frame. Then, I will completely revamp my wardrobe, and look amazing.
- I have never been able to do splits in my life. It seems like an impossible thing for me to do. Therefore, if I could do it, when I am on the other side of 40, it would indicate that I am in better shape (at least in one aspect) than I have ever been.
- Travel: My father instilled the concept of “seeing the world to expand my horizon” in me at an early age, and I have since lived a life of constant traveling. It is a big world, and it is filled with amazing things. I want to continue to travel far and often to experience them.
- After living in the U.S. on and off for many years, I finally became a U.S. citizen in 2007. Before that, I had very little interest in seeing America. I was much more interested in international travels. But something in me changed after the naturalization ceremony. Now I want to learn more about my adopted country by visiting all 50 states.
- Tango in Buenos Aires; see a football match in Brazil; practice yoga in India; set foot on all 7 continents.
- I went to boarding school in the U.K. when I was quite young, and thus missed out on spending time with my parents when I was growing up. They live in the U.S. now and I am fortunate to be able to see them more often, and as a result, I have a strong desire to understand them more deeply. I will visit their hometowns in southern China, the places where they grew up. This will bring us closer together on many levels..
- Food: We eat every day. Food should be an important part of our lives. I love it, and I want to know more about it. There is a finite number of meals I can eat in my lifetime. I have decided not to waste any one of them on junk anymore.
- Hong Kong, where I grew up, is a food lover’s paradise, and one of my fondest childhood memories is eating the Baked Portuguese Chicken at this old school restaurant called Tai Ping Koon. I have not been back to Hong Kong in over 13 years, and I cannot help but feel very distant from my hometown. I want to reconnect with my youth by going to the same restaurant and having the same dish one more time.
- I want to gain a deeper understanding of the art of food and eating by
- experiencing culinary art at its highest form by dining at Chef René Redzepi’s Noma Restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark;
- perfecting my cooking skills by designing a 5-course gourmet meals and serving it to my friends; and
- expanding my eating horizon by trying vegetarianism for a month.
Professional: I like to mix business with pleasure and I am very fortunate that I am able to develop my day job into something I really enjoy doing.
- I am on a tenure track, and getting tenure would present a significant milestone.
- I am in awe of those renaissance women and men who are experts in multiple fields, and I want to be like them when I grow up (… in 5 years).
- Publishing and presenting on 5 different disciplines would be a good benchmark.
- Earning an additional graduate degree would help too.
- We all love those TedTalks. I aspire to be able to deliver at least one presentation of that caliber.
Well-Rounded: I have a lot of gaps in my knowledge, and I am a very curious person. Therefore, I want to be proactive in filling those gaps that I find interesting. I will learn:
- Thai massage
- how to iron a shirt
- drive a stick shift
- CPR
- at least one ballroom dance.
Courageous: Fear has been the stumbling block in far too many instances in my life. I accept that it is natural to be afraid sometimes, but when fear stands in the way of achieving my goals, then I must find ways to overcome it. The best way to learn is to practice.
- There are several things where I had an unpleasant experience once, and that has deterred me from ever trying them again. I will give them a second chance to conquer my fear: skiing and camping.
There are other things that are just scary to me, but I am determined to conquer that fear: skydiving; getting upside down and doing a handstand.
Compassionate: I accept that I am by nature a selfish person, and this is a selfish goal because it makes me feel good. But if I could benefit others in the process, then it’s definitely worth doing.
Over the years, many people, including many strangers, have told me that I have a good voice and I should use it. Hence, I will record an audio book for the blind. I will mentor someone. Anyone want to be my protégé?
It always makes me happy when people compliment me, and I always feel that I don’t do that for others enough. It takes courage and humility to pay sincere compliments, and I will pay more attention to everyday situations in order to do that more.
Artistic: I have the need to create, but more often than not, I lack the discipline. This must change.
I will publish a short story, write a book, a screenplay, and create a photo essay.
No Regrets: Regrets? They are the worst!
- Must see Leo Messi, the best soccer player in the world, play in person
- Must have my portrait painted
- Must play this highly addictive computer game for 2 weeks straight without distraction
- Must hold a baby panda
- Must value chance encounters and get to know interesting people, and finally,
- Must successfully start a slow clap.
I am showing you my actual personal strategic plan. It is an open template for everyone. My hope is that it will inspire you to think about some of the things you would like accomplish in your life.
This is my normal, and perhaps it will be your normal too.
About Leo Lo
On Leo’s 40th birthday, he set out a 5-year plan to accomplish 45 things before he turns 45. This is his quest to become the person he has always wanted to be: a happy person. From traveling the globe, to conquering his fears, to living a healthy lifestyle, he seeks to live life with curiosity, compassion, and a sense of humor.
Leo is Assistant Professor/Research & Development Librarian at Kansas State University. He was selected by the American Library Association as an Emerging Leader in 2010. He has an M.F.A. in Screenwriting. His first feature screenplay, Rock Paper Scissors, placed as a Top 10 Finalists in the 2009 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards. He is a yogi and a foodie and is pursuing a PhD in Human Nutrition.
See the complete list of Leo’s 45 things and follow his journey on his blog: www.45Before45Project.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/45Before45Project
Twitter: www.twitter.com/45Before45
Resources
Personal Strategic Plan/Manifesto
The 9 Manifesto Principles: http://geoffmcdonald.com/the-manifesto-manifesto/
Creating a Personal Strategic Plan: http://unclutterer.com/2008/09/16/creating-a-personal-strategic-plan/
How to Make a Life List You’ll Actually Do: A Comprehensive Guide: http://www.raptitude.com/2009/09/how-to-make-a-life-list-youll-actually-do-a-comprehensive-guide/
The Holstee Manifesto: http://shop.holstee.com/pages/about#the-manifesto
Happiness
The Happiness Project: http://www.happiness-project.com/
TedTalks on happiness: http://www.ted.com/talks/tags/happiness
Be Effective and Productive
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits.php
Start with Why: http://www.startwithwhy.com
Structured Procrasination: http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/
APALA Store Launches on CafePress
Like a large family, supporting our membership and the groups we collaborate with continually strengthens our organization.
Each year APALA offers financial assistance to a student of Asian or Pacific background enrolled in or accepted to an MLS program. APALA also offers libraries and organizations scholarships to develop Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture literacy programming; these programs reach out to Asian Pacific American (APA) and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) children and their families through the exploration of stories in books, oral traditions and art.
APALA needs your support to sustain and grow these important services to our communities!
Please consider purchasing items from the APALA Store. A portion of store precedes benefit APALA scholarships and programs like the ones mentioned above.
There are items to fit every personality and budget, including apparel, mugs, water bottles, cards, buttons and much more, in three distinctive lines to choose from:
- APALA Branding: This line offers several products promoting the APALA brand.
- Talk Story: This line focuses on promoting our Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture literacy program.
- APALA Limited Edition: This line sells a limited edition of past and current award-winning APALA T-shirt designs.
We love our members and our organizations! The more funds we can raise, the more scholarships and programs we can support. Come, buy something unique and help us help our communities!
Please visit the APALA Store on CafePress:
APALA T-shirt Logo Contest
APALA is on the lookout for fabulously talented individuals to participate in a T-shirt Logo Contest!
Are you a creative individual with a knack for creating eye-catching designs? Can you develop a clever library tagline? Would you like to see your design modeled by APALA members and supporters nationwide? Take a chance and show off your creative side! The winning design will receive a $100 gift card and one-year APALA membership.
Submission Guidelines:
- Designs must incorporate the APALA logo (Logo available via email.)
- Designs for both the front and back of the T-shirt are welcome
- Designs should appeal to a broad audience and be marketable to all library supporters
- Multiple submission will be accepted
- File format should be in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) between 100 to 300 DPI
Eligibility:
- APALA welcomes all submissions
- An appointed jury will select the winning design
- Submit your designs and questions to Varaxy Yi <varaxy@gmail.com>
Prize:
The designer of the winning logo receives a $100 gift card and a one-year APALA membership. Sales from the winning T-shirt help support APALA scholarships and grants.
Deadline:
April 15, 2013
Thank you,
APALA Fundraising Committee
Download: PDF of APALA 2013 T-shirt Design Contest Flyer
Member Highlights Showcase–Tiffany Chow
Tiffany Chow has been a member of APALA for a year and a half and is currently part of the Literature Awards Committee for the Adult Fiction category. She is a student of Drexel University’s iSchool, in their dual degree program, earning a M.S. degree in Library and Information Science and a M.S. in Information Systems (MSIS), with concentrations in digital libraries and youth services. Tiffany lives and works in the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California.
Tiffany is also a reference and instruction intern at University of California, Riverside’s Tomas Rivera Library. She is also an intern at UCR’s Water Resources and Collection Archives (WRCA), where she works on editing online finding aids. In addition, Tiffany volunteers at San Gabriel Library, which is part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library system, assisting with programs for children and with organizing materials for the initial stages of a digitization project.
When asked about her involvement with APALA, Tiffany reflects:
I first learned about APALA after doing research on a few professional library organizations for a homework assignment. I Googled most of APALA’s executive board and found that most of them were very distinguished in the field and reading all of their accomplishments made me aspire to be like them. As such, I joined APALA in order to network with other Asian/Pacific American librarians. I figured that if I wanted to contribute to the field, I should try to surround myself with those who were already doing a great job at it and learn from them.
An interesting fact about Tiffany’s personal background is her parents’ immigration history.
My parents immigrated to Nicaragua from China in the 1960s and lived there for about 15 years before moving to Los Angeles in 1979. I grew up speaking Spanish and Taishanese (Chinese dialect).
Tiffany is interested in working in the digital archives area of librarianship but would also like to gain experience in reference work in an academic or public library setting.
APALA provides Tiffany with a wonderful base of involvement within the library profession. She asserts, “Once I tell an APALA member I’m also in APALA, there’s this instant connection and friendship.”
Tiffany is also a fellow of the IE LEADS program (Inland Empire Librarians Educated to Advance Diversity and Service), a professional development and career support program funded through a generous grant from IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and administered by the UCR Libraries. She received the fellowship in September 2011 and is continuing with the program until she completes her degrees. Tiffany credits her involvement with the IE LEADS program in her continuing education and development as a professional librarian.
During her spare time, Tiffany enjoys “eating nachos, drinking icees, going to Disneyland, watching musical theater, and taking [her] parents (both retired) on field trips.”
We are happy to have you among us, Tiffany!
Application Deadlines Approaching for APALA Scholarship and Travel Grant
Application deadlines for the APALA Scholarship and Travel Grant are approaching. Don’t delay!
Travel Grant — Application deadline: March 31, 2013
The APALA Travel Award provides $500 to an APALA member for registration and travel expenses to the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference.
For further details: http://www.apalaweb.org/awards/travel-grant/
Scholarship — Application deadline: April 26, 2013
The APALA Scholarship provides $1000 to an APALA member of Asian or Pacific background who is enrolled, or has been accepted into, a master’s or doctoral degree program in library and/or information science at a school accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
For further details: http://www.apalaweb.org/awards/apala-scholarship/
