My birthdate

As of 7/29/2006 10:30:29 PM EDT
You are 20 years old.
You are 247 months old.
You are 1,076 weeks old.
You are 7,535 days old.
You are 180,862 hours old.
You are 10,851,750 minutes old.
You are 651,105,029 seconds old.

There are 135 days till your next birthday on which your cake will have 21 candles.

(You can find more statistics about your birthdate from this website.)

Europe, Europe!

So far I have broken down our European trip... 2 or 3 days in Paris (Lourve, com'on, that is ONE day alone!), 4 days in Barcelona (we already got plenty of tips to meet Deaf people in Barcelona), 5 or so days in Germany for Frankfurt and Munich, then the rest of our trip will be in Italy as we bump from Pisa and Rome to Florence and Venice. We will have about four days total of travelling on rail. Then we gotta make a beeline back to Barcelona for our flight back home on Janurary 10th.
We are still looking for cheap (or free!) boarding. So far I got a family friend in Germany however I have NO idea where exactly she lives in... C got some friends in Italy... we may resort to sleep at some train stations for one or two nights. We will bring our sleeping bags so we can sleep on friends' couches or whatever. Care to offer us YOUR couch in Europe??
We are NOT going to travel Europe like royal... we want to take the backdoor to Europe and blend into the population by taking less-traveled pathways around the town. So that is why we are not going to make hostel/hotel reservations. It is WINTERTIME, it won't be CROWDED in Europe with tourists. Alot of travel guidebooks said they never have problems (and they were guiding 22 people) to find hotel to provide hotelrooms on the spots. I know it is a bit risky, but hey! It will be quite an experience!!
So far, I like Rick Steve's guidebooks.
"Backdoor through the Europe" is the book that is just right for us. He tells the truth included which areas are pickpocketing, prositutes, yet those areas got cheap rooms. So he just gives you pro/cons to weight in for yourself.
I am looking forward to this trip. Especially during wintertime: the snow... no tourists to battle it out... the warm food... shorter lines... score.

No More. Banish HER...

This has been killing me since I got back from Turkey. I did imply a bit that I didn't enjoy my interpreters in Turkey. Well. Here is my ROUGH draft (meaning: I *know* I didn't spell right, I didn't correct my grammar, and so on) that I am planned to clean up before mailing to the interpretering organizations she's registered in. Somebody needs to slap her. She won't listen to me, so somebody HEARING needs to slap her. Or just millions of cold shoulders from Deaf community can make her realize her errors.
(Her name is NADINE WALTERS. Watch out for her cruel jokes. She doesn't care about you, the Deaf Client. She does HER way.)

To WHom it May Concerns

I wish to sound off my concerns about a certain interpreter that is certified and registered in your organization. I hope because you care about the Deaf Community that you, as an organization, can help to promote the interpreting standards by enforcing the very ethics and procedures to be conducted by your interpreters.

I "hired" [NAME] whom was volunteering her interpreter services for my class. She wasn't paid any salary for her hours but I paid for her flight, boarding and registration fees.

I was told that [NAME] was a good interpreter and I relied on fellow interpreters' words to confirm [NAME]'s services for my class.

However after several weeks of having her as my interpreter, I realized that she is a very poor asset for your organization and I wish to bring this to your attention. She failed as an interpreter for the Deaf community in many ways that I felt that violated the code of ethics that your organization holds to everybody.

The so-called violations that I felt she needed to be aware and be corrected by the organization were her lack of culture-sensivity. [NAME] was very limited in her awareness of Deafhood and acted very offensive towards the Deaf culture. I can sum up those violation in one event which took place in my class. I was having a friendly chat with [NAME] and another interpreter who was teaming up with [NAME] for the class. I was actively listening to the another interpreter and I happened to use my voice when I replied: "Oh yeah, that's right..." with my hand propping out. I looked over to [NAME] and the first thing she did was to prop up her hand to mimic me and she started to move her mouth as if she was a gopher eating-- to mock how I sound. I was paralyzed with shock at her immecpable action that I just dropped my jaws and stared at her. She proceed to sign to me: "Your voice sounds SO funny!" I frowned and just clammed up and turned my back toward to her. She tapped my shoulder and I looked back to her-- she said: "I just thought it sounds weird." I gave her a somber look and went "oh." and looked away.
How could an interpreter for Deaf mock a Deaf client's voice?
How could an interpreter forget what Deaf people have been through in America's history in academics where they are constantly bullied by the hearing peers, being constantly underestimated, being constantly undervalued by hearing peers...
How could an interpreter think it is funny for a Deaf client to make fun of their "Deaf" voice?

I could go on and on with many other ignorant actions taken by [NAME] in terms of Deafhood (making fun of my infrequent slips of using PSE signs) and narrow-minded to Deaf Culture (frequent jokes about my voice after I told her that I didn't appreciate it) but I feel that single event does sum up her attitude toward the Deaf community.

I strongly impose you to mandate [NAME] to take a workshop (mulitple-workshops!) and/or courses to enchance her knowledge which must improve her empathy for the Deaf community because all of those factors are vital for her job as American Sign Language interpreter. She cannot preform the job of an interpreter for Deaf if she doesn't understand the culture of the language she interprets for. I strongly impose you to educate her and correct her actions because you are her, among many other interpeters, role model to achieve the most ideal interpreter. Your organization is setting the standard for the Deaf people to interact with the hearing worlds which is an important bridge for Deaf people. Your organization cannot afford to be tainted with interpreters like [NAME]. Take actions with [NAME] or she will affect the large numbers of Deaf clients on your list due to her lack of understanding and empathy.
Please. Spare many Deaf people what I have went through with [NAME]. She does have potential as an interpreter but her ignorance will finish her off VERY SOON if no action is being taken.

I impose you, the organization as her mentor and role model, to take steps to help [NAME] to improve as an interpreter to ensure her continuing service to Deaf clientele.

Thank you.
A Traumizated Deaf Victim

(If you want to know her name, go back up and highlight with your mouse after the first paragraph. Something will appear. I don't want to hurt her, but YOU need to KNOW about her so you can proceed with caution with HER.)

Who's NUMBER TWO!?

10 great places to have a swell time
Updated 7/14/2006 11:55 AM ET
By Ronen Zilberman, AP

In honor of the 40th anniversary of surfing's iconic documentary that followed California surfers around the world, Endless Summer, long-time surfer, surfing coach and an editor for Carve Surfing Magazine, Rob Barber, got off his board long enough to share the top wave spots with Ayesha Court, special for USA TODAY.

Oahu's North Shore
Hawaii

Two of the most famous waves in the world — the North Shore's Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay — bring experienced surfers and photographers alike to Oahu. Surfing was already well established in Hawaii by the time British explorer Capt. James Cook first observed it in the late 1770s. Oahu's swells are "definitely the most powerful waves I've experienced," says Barber. "Surfer's reputations are made and lost" here, especially in winter when waves are at their highest. aloha-hawaii.com/activities/north+shore+surfing

Black's Beach
San Diego


Beloved by locals and foreign surfers alike, Black's Beach is "one of the best reef breaks" and receives an abundance of wave swell, Barber says. But, he warns, "this is a nudist beach — so be prepared!" In the winter, when nearby Big Bear and Mammoth mountains are snowy, it's possible to surf and snowboard the same day. sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches.

Teahupo'o
Tahiti

The waves here in "Cho-poo" are "the most talked about and feared," according to Barber. They're home each May to one of surfing's most challenging contests, the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Though the reef breaks around the island of Tahiti and nearby Moorea are for "expert surfers only," less-experienced board-riding visitors will find astonishing sea life in the "Colgate blue" waters. surfline.com/surfaz/surfaz.cfm?id=925

Bali
Indonesia

Indonesia's still-active volcanic archipelago is "my personal favorite," Barber says, because it offers "toasty-warm water, the most incredible reef breaks and a never-ending supply of swell." After exploring Bali's waves, Barber likes to take in the island's Hindu and Buddhist culture and stunning scenery, then island-hop to neighboring Nusa Lembongan, Lombok or Sumbawa. It's easy to "find your own uncrowded paradise."baliwaves.com

Margaret River
Western Australia

Though in awe of the "ferocious" Indian Ocean wave known as The Box (which "needs to be seen to be believed"), Barber is less than taken with the "barren landscape, relentless wind and annoying sand flies." But these annoyances keep crowds low. This consistently challenging spot with its "diverse big wave forum" remains one of his favorites. margaretriver.com/pages.asp?code=5

Coolangatta
Queensland, Australia

Running from Snapper Rocks to Kirra, the 'Superbank' — a long underwater sandbank that the waves break across — can "offer tube rides more than 10 seconds long" Barber says. Locals here "eat, sleep and speak surfing 24/7," so it's no surprise Australia's Gold Coast has spawned some of the world's greatest surfers. coolangatta.net/coolangatta/surfbreaks.html

Cape Town
South Africa

The aptly named 'Dungeons' off the coast are "doubly dangerous," says Barber. These big waves are among the most feared in the world and also "by far the sharkiest," thanks, in part, to the large seal colony next door. For visitors looking for more Jaws-free paddling, Barber recommends heading north to the netted beaches of Durban for "fun waves and warm water." wavescape.co.za/top_bar/spots/capetown.html

Praia da Vila
Brazil

Though much of Brazil's long coast offers an "amazing selection of breaks," Barber's favorite is here, south of Florianopolis. The beaches here don't just feature "crystal clear water and white sand beaches," he adds, they're also great for people watching as "the most beautiful women in the world are basking on them!" surf-forecast.com/breaks/PraiadaVila.shtml

Bay of Biscay
France

Surfing in Europe might seem an oxymoron to many, but with a wet suit, Barber says, it's a great destination year-round. The deep-water trench in this bay helps build waves recorded with faces as high as 50 feet. And what could be a better break than hanging 10 in such "dream surf locations" as Biarritz, Hossegor and Lacanau, then living it up in town? surfline.com/travel/surfmaps/surfmap.cfm?id=45

Lahinch
County Clare, Ireland

First surfed in 2005, Aileen (after Aill na Searrach headland above it) is "the most awesome big wave to be discovered in recent surfing history," Barber says. Surfers must be towed in to below the west coast's Moher Cliffs by jet-ski. But after a bracing ride, the Emerald Isle's "beautiful, craggy western coast" offers as many "hidden gems" to explore on land as in the water. Bring your wet suit, gloves and boots as the "water's a bit cold." surfline.com/travel/story_assets/2005_12_01_ireland/bamp.cfm

No way.

http://www.art4mba.com/

Is somebody selling thousands of 3x3 paintings online to pay for his MA degree?
.
..
...
WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nutty.

I bought a ticket to Barcelona in Spain without thinking about my money. Ah. Better save up again, then.
Anybody want to take a guess where else I will go after Barcelona? Here are several clues:




We will go on Decemeber 14th and stay for four weeks. Anybody outhere can recommend where we can meet Deaf people in those countries (and which hotels/resturants we should go to!)

I have scorned bookstores for travelling books to buy. I am thinking about Frommer's or Lonely Planet.

Doorbell Signaler for Deaf?

At the NAD conference, C and I bought this kit for doorbell signaler (flasher) that costs 150$ totally from Harris Comm. The salesman kept confirming that it can go through walls and doors as long it is not that far (more than 20 feet or so). We wanted a doorbell that can send to two lamps in separate rooms (which is next to each other anyway) so we got a doorbell and a receiver.
And it doesn't even work well.
We only can use ONE lamp because apparently our wall is THICK (or covered with lead-paint as C said since the house's that OLD). SO the whole kit is moot to us because we are in both rooms 50-50 all times so we can miss out the doorbell easily.
We were frustrated until a friend told us about a product known as "x10"... it is quite similar to this wireless doorbell signaler...but a LOT of cheaper and is available at Radioshack.
So we beelined it to the nearest Radioshack to check it out, and sure enough they did have this x10 transceiver that does the same. And guess the price? For the signaler *and* receiever, 48 dollars!
The signaler and receiver offered by Harris Communications costed us almost 150$. Why should we Deaf people get ripped off just because a certain company caters Deaf people if there are similar products out there in the hearing world?!

Interesting enough is that the new product has the same problem as previous expensive products-- it cannot send the signal in two separate rooms. However, both work when putting in both in the same room so something is wrong... so maybe the lead-painted wall is the problem now. We are keeping the cheaper signaler for our next home and return the expensive products back to Harris. The salesman wasn't very nice-- he was aggressive and impatient with our constant inquires about how the system works. He just wanted to screw us over.

Think, think, think up the solutions !! Anybody can tell us what could go wrong??? We tried everything. OUr final solution is to try to stack a strobe in our bedroom with a long cord to connect next room where the signaler is at for the receiver to work.

Mirrored image

http://love-daddy.blogspot.com/

Her father reminds a lot of my father. However, my father's not in jail nor Deaf but... even though our fathers went through a lot of crap and didn't act like a "normal" father, we are always "Daddy's Girls" despite all bullshit they put us through.
(gasp) yes I am giving you a glimpse of my REAL life is like.

A scary thing?

More Deaf people in San Diego are discovering that I do have a blog, thanks to Ridor who blurted out my name on his blog. ;-) So if you are a San Diegan and you got a blog, tell me what is yours!... after all I gave you mine so it is only fair!

I admit that my blog is not political like most Deaf blogs... I only post what is relevant to me-- I post opinions on things that I do know well. That's why you don't see any posts about Gally protests from me-- I was not there, I rely on other people's experiences, opinions (biased or not), and blogs to follow the events... but I don't feel my opinion is necessary if there is already dozens of people who were THERE and POSTED their opinions. I was in Turkey so I posted my opinions about Turkey. I was aware about San Diego mayoral race fisaco and I posted my opinions. I post random stuff such as CDIs and Domestic Partnership because those topics matter the most to me. If you don't like that, fine. There is Ridor that covers everything from politics to gossip.

So this blog is more of my personal vents about things that happen in my milieu, let it be political or personal. Enjoy and don't forget to give me your blog address, dammit!

WTF, you want to know my sizes??

Somehow my husband was discussing my bra size with somebody else (of opposite sex)... and my friends have been asked me what my jeans size is (for reason why, I have no idea).
I found it unusual that people are discussing about my sizes (and MESSING THE INFORMATION UP) so I am declaring my sizes on the world wide web to set the record straight in case you are one of those people who love to discuss about other people's body shape and sizes...!
I am 34.5 - 30 - 39 and I am a cup D. I wear 10 in women's, 13 to 15 in juniors' (because their jeans don't have room for my J.Lo butt). I do have a Buddha stomach and I let C rubbing my tum-tum.

There. Now you don't have to go around behind my back and ask folks "what is her size? She looks small but at same time she's big!" and many more that I don't want to know.

CDIs anybody??

This has been on my back-burner for too long so I have decided I want to pursue this.

CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)
Holders of this certification are interpreters who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing and who have completed at least 8 hours of training on the RID Code of Ethics, and 8 hours of training in general interpretation as it relates to the interpreter who is Deaf or hard-of-hearing and have passed a comprehensive combination written and performance test. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is Deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial. This test is currently available.

This is from RID's website, and you can find more information on http://www.rid.org/cdip.html

I got my first taste at Deaf-Hearing Interpreters Relay workshop which was hosted in San Diego. I discussed about it with some DIs (notice the omit "C") who said that they realized that they have been doing it for YEARS for their Deaf peers in hearing schools or stores to make a purchase because they understand English and the ways of Hearing worlds that they can relay the information to make their Deaf peers to interact with the Hearing world.

This information is so true for me. As many of you knew that I grew up mainstreamed but I feel I didn't miss out ASL or Deaf identity because I have met so many different Deaf people of varying background (and with some minimal level of English) which enabled me to flow in and out between Hearing and Deaf worlds. Often my Deaf classmates would look at me to lead the group projects because they said that I am smart and I understand the English-written guidelines that the hearing teachers passed out to us, the Deaf students, in mainstreamed classes. Often I have to explain them what the interpreters failed to explain (often the Deaf classmates said: "Hearing-mind interp, sick, mind mind you tell me what teacher mean do-do this project?" And many times the interpreters don't TRY to communicate with the Deaf students. they kept saying "I am just an interpreter. I just relay what the teacher says. If you dont understand, ASK YOUR TEACHER".

But most of the hearing teachers don't know how to interact wtih the Deaf students who cannot understand English words such as "hone", "signify", "analyze" and many more. The hearing teachers are not trained to handle Deaf students because they never take any disability/deafness awareness workshops even though my high school has over 90 deaf students! So I thought maybe I can contribute my knowledge of Hearing world to help the Deaf people to be able just to live by. They don't need crap from interpreters who kept using PSE/SEE and expect the Deaf client to understand what the hearing client means when he says "hitting two birds with one stone" (which the terp will sign word for word!). They don't have energy to rethink and translate the PSE to ASL especially when they are in a COURT, or in a hospital bed!

The Solution is: to put a Deaf-minded interpreter to do all thinking and give the Deaf client the ASL verison (omit the stupid English idioms and hearing slangs) to make the interaction between BOTH worlds work. And who is more Deaf-minded than Deaf people themselves?! ;-)

I wonder if there are more DIs out there that are interesting into becoming CDIs.. and I want to know your stories about how the test looks like and more. There seems not to be sufficient information about CDIs anywhere but RID.
People, help each other out by posting CDI-related links!!!

Hey, what about TURKEY!?

Okay, because there is too much to tell about Turkey that I really don't know what exactly to say so I am going to give you two stories.

#1: Turkish Driving. in Turkey, there are signs similar to America's stop signs-- red, hexagon and a word "STOP"... they use "DUR" instead. However, one Turkish friend of my professor was living in San Diego and recently got his driving license. So my professor went with him for a joy ride... well little did he know that apparently on the driving test, the fact about "STOP" being mandatory was somehow overmissed by the Turkish friend. The friend did acknowledge the "STOP" sign but thought it was an option and kept driving at same speed. Think California Rolling but at 50mph! My professor freaked out and bawled out at his friend.
So. Take that story in your mind as you think about ME... being among seven million drivers who don't feel "DUR" is for them. I already know how I die. Lung cancer (from all second-hand smoke that fills every cubic inch of air in Turkey) or heart attack (from the careless Turkish drivers).

#2-- Muslim bathroom. Okay, we Americans take our flushable toilets for granted. Maybe I DO. I flew into Turkey unaware that the flushable toilet is a LUXURY for the people. The hunt for the toilet was tiresome and struggling. Fought for it. Relented at the end where there was no toilet and I got a full bladder. Basically a muslim bathroom is a HOLE in a tiled ground (once, I went into a muslim bathroom that is marble all over) and a facuet on your side to fill up in a pail to pour/flush your toilet paper down the hole as you finish your deed. However, the luxury of toilet in Turkey is not exactly all as I hope for. You do NOT flush your used toilet papers. Do-do? Well, there is a trash bin in the bathroom stall for you to dispose your used toilet papers. Wonderful. For everybody to see what color/texture/odor my deed is!

So as you can see, there were culture shocks to overcome on this trip.

Here are pictures for you to go ahh and ooh... sorry no pictures of me-- yet!







[On a side note: I met Ridor at the NAD conference in Palm Desert. I saw a lot of old faces along with new faces-- for example I met the inventor/founder of FOMDI.com! Nice. C knew him from the Lions Wilderness Camp. *thumbs up* Glad I didn't register. I mingled in the halls for a day alone. C and I got a family friend in Palm Spring (only four minutes away from Palm Desert) so the less-than two hours trip for the NAD conference was nothing. However when we left at 12, it was a difficult drive because we both were very sleepy. :-X We had to pull over to take a brief nap. We finally arrived home around 3am!!!]