Yet Another Weekend...

...And my guy isn't here.  Getting over an awful cold, staying busy and sliding my way back into the Goshen culture has a much different feeling to it when my partner in crime isn't around.  My boyfriend, David, has been gone for 13 days now and it feels like 5 months.  How is this possible?  The time that I am spending this semester is going to be one of those soul searching, long awaiting, when will you be back for me kind of semesters.....ok, maybe not that dramatic.  It will have some of that, but it will have more independent, focus on school and discover a different part of life kind of semester too.

I think that so many times people get caught in relationships and forget who they are.  I can't say that I have forgotten but I can say that I'm not sure if I remember how it feels to not have someone around all the time (to either talk to via phone or in person).  Now, really, I don't have either.  I rarely get to talk to him through email and (the obvious) I don't get to see him in person.  So different!  Africa has stolen him away and I am here having my own experience.

Currently I am focusing on my second part of my major: interpreting.  From now on I will be interpreting chapel, classes, a play; learning about what it takes to become certified; taking a deeper look into Deaf culture and Deaf literature and after all this tutoring.  I am beginning to put my heart and soul into this and I suppose, if any semester, this is the best one for my guy to be gone.

I am scared out of my mind to become a supposed "interpreter" but I am also getting excited.  This adventure is one nothing like anything I have experienced and I'm ready to begin putting on my interpreting shoes.  It's weird that I have kept this blog for so long and to see my progress, goals and different ideas throughout college is such a crazy thing to look back on.  I hope that ya'll stay with me!  Interpreting is just going to get that much crazier!

Oh Christmas..

...It came and went and now school is almost here!  Back to Goshen I go:  transition from Deaf to Hearing school.  I think its going to take a moment for me to readjust but I'm definitely excited to get back.

Currently I am working on putting together some footage that I took while I was at Galley, hoping to get Goshen in the game of sending interpreting majors off to Gallaudet for an SST semester.  I want to show the culture that Gallaudet has to offer; the visual buildings, the (most the time) ASL using campus, the people and experiences that I have gained.  It is hard to summarize my full experience, but I hope to convey it and be understood.  I want to pave the way for other students in the future to get the opportunity that I got from being at a Deaf school.  I can't say that I'm totally fluent or have way better skill than everyone else that came back from Jamaica, but I definitely gained understanding, experience and relationship. I would never take back that time.

The last week that I was at Gallaudet I was super lucky not to have any exams.  I hung out, tied up some loose ends and worked on this project.  It was super tough to say goodbye, but I hope that at some point I can take a trip to see a few of my friends again.

A Small Guide to be a Winner

Thought this was worth noting:

                    

Last week....final goodbyes

The semester is sadly coming to a halt and this week I am tying-up loose ends and saying my goodbyes.. needless to say, I've done some great things this week.  To sum it up, I've been to the farmers market, the easter market, went to the craziest bookstore I've ever been to, danced my pants off and shopped to get ready for the holidays.

I've met some pretty cool people and I would never take this semester back for a minute.  I'm glad I've been here, in Washington DC.  I will miss you all!

Rhode Island Thanksgiving

Last week I went to Rhode Island.  I decided to go there to see my cousins, their kids and my aunt that I hadn't seen for awhile.. First, Reema (my roommate) and I took the "Chinatown bus" back to her hometown in Long Island, NY.  It was a good 5 hour ride to NYC...

Once we got into NYC, we hopped on a train that went into Long Island

When I got in the area I kept saying, "this looks so normal!" ..I guess sometimes I just assume that all of NY is big buildings and business, 24/7.  Totally normal my friends.. totally normal.  

I met her family, they were soo awesome, and I got to see their Dehli!  It was much bigger than I expected.

After staying a night in Long Island, I went back into NYC and hopped back on another bus, heading toward Providence.  Arriving there I met my two little (second) cousins...

This is Calista.  She's the smartest four year old I've ever met.  She is creative and is constantly soaking in the world around her.

This is Lucas.  He's two, fearless and always ready to play.

On Thanksgiving, Brian's (my cousin Maria's husband) family came over and I got to meet his parents, brother and a few other family members.

This is my Thea (aunt) Nikki.  She's hilarious when she plays games.

On Saturday we went out to get a tree for the family.  I felt like I was intruding on their family time but I really enjoyed being there, especially because my family does it every year.

On Saturday night, I offered to make some cookies.  I've really missed not having a kitchen after being in an apartment all summer.  I was happy to make something...especially dessert. 

Sunday after church we all headed over to my other cousin, Nick's house.  He now has three kids:  Eleni, Nikki and Anthony....this is Nikki: totally wild and rambunctious.

This is the newest addition: Anthony.  He was born a month and half ago...soo cute.

Overall, I'm so happy I went!  It was so good to see family again, not be stuck at Gallaudet for the holiday and have actual, real food  :) 

Say it like it is.

What does it matter, whether one speaks or signs, as they both pertain to the soul? -St. Augustine


My friend Kayla made a point last night.. she said, "A lot of my hearing friends have compared themselves to each other trying to determine who is a better signer..what does it matter? The point is to communicate and if everyone understands, then that's all that matters."


There's always so much debate about communication on campus, I won't get in too deep right now but I think when it really comes down to it, Kayla said it like it is..it's about expressing yourself and being understood.  The mode in which it is expressed should not be dwelled upon...

i liked it.