dorkette: EXPOSED

CDI workshop in Riverside, California in JANUARY

2011-10-18T07:13:00.005-07:00

CERTIFIED DEAF INTERPRETER WORKSHOP
Riverside, California
January 6-8, 2012

Are you Deaf? Are you interested in becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)?

To obtain RID certification as a CDI, you must pass a written test and a performance test. To qualify to take the written test, you must have 8 hours of Ethics training on the RID Code of Professional Conduct and 8 hours of training on the Role & Function of a Deaf interpreter.

Jimmy Beldon, CDI, a nationally renowned CDI trainer and interpreter educator will present the RID required training and end the workshop with practicing for the written test.

Workshop Requirements:
You must purchase So You Want to Be an Interpreter: An Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting by Janice Humphrey and Bob Alcorn. Please read this book prior to the workshop.

Proof of Attendance:
You will receive a certificate of completion:
8 hours of training on the RID Code of Professional Conduct
8 hours of training on the role and function of a deaf interpreter

When: January 6-8, 2012
Jan. 6th, Friday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. (3 hours)
Jan. 7th, Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (9 hours)
Jan. 8th, Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (8 hours)

Location:
PYRAMplex
9980 Indiana Ave, Suite 6
Riverside, CA 92503

Cost: $150 per person
To register, please contact: Jimmy Beldon at ASLFIRSTbeldon@gmail.com
The deadline to register is December 16, 2011

Sponsored by: PYRAM.COM & ASLFIRST

***************************************

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FEE - $150.00 (NON-REFUNDABLE)
Make checks payable to ASLFIRST.
(Fee must accompany your registration form or your registration will not be accepted.)

DON'T FORGET THE WORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS: PRIOR TO WORKSHOP, YOU MUST READ THE BOOK "So You Want To Be An Interpreter? An Introduction to Sign Language
Interpreting"

Name: ______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

City: ___________________________________ State: ______ Zip Code: ________

Video Phone #: ______________________

Email:___________________________________

RID CDI Written/ASL Exam:
Do you plan to take the RID CDI written test soon? ___ YES ___ NO
If yes, have you submitted paperwork to RID and paid for the test? ___ YES ___NO

Don't delay in signing up!

LOCATION INFORMATION:

WORKSHOP SITE – PYRAMplex
9980 Indiana Ave, Suite 6
Riverside, CA 92503

Workshop Registration Deadline is December 16th

Please mail registration form & check to: Jimmy Beldon
ASLFIRST, LLC,
1296 Woodhill Drive,
Roseville, MN 55113

Just a FYI...

2011-05-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

I do take interpreting serious. I am a Certified Deaf Interpreter. I have a master's degree in interpretation. I consider Deaf interpreting as my career. I hope to become a staff interpreter. I hope to teach interpreting courses to a room full of Deaf students. I will be working in this field for next twenty, thirty, or however many years it take before somebody drags me out. I want to be the next Lillian Beard.

So with that note, please don't shrug your shoulder and say "it pays good, doesn't it?" when I ask you why are you interested in becoming a CDI.

Floating Along

2011-04-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

From the "Undercurrent" album

Floating

I wish I am the woman in this picture. Floating, with no care in the world, in middle of a body of water, hopefully warm, and lost in my own thoughts... positive thoughts... with dreams and whatnot....

But alas, I do not have positive thoughts but rather worries in its place.

"You are now a grown-up" uttered by a friend. I had vented my frustration with bills, mortgage, taxes and more that I have to pay and I barely have a stable job (the woes of living as a contractor) so I am winging it every four months. I pondered aloud how anybody can do it and stay above the poverty line and have a decent lifestyle?

Mind you, I do not aim to have a life of luxuries-- I am not materialistic at all (I am more into sentimental values) and I am totally fine with shopping at Goodwill and thrifty stores.
I define a "decent lifestyle" by its affordability to pay insurance, healthcare, a nice used car, mortgage timely, and being able to raise children with a solid roof over our heads. And with some money leftover to buy nice clothes from non-thrifty stores occasionally.
That is a decent lifestyle to me.

How could I achieve that "decent" lifestyle if I have the government harassing me (I loathe SSI), the utilities bills fluctuating at the corporation's whim, and essential house projects (such as updating a 60-year-old plumbing system) to pay off?
Right now I am pinching my pennies while holding my dignity as a vegetarian who prefers to support local businesses and farmer's markets while resisting the sirens of Wal-Mart and other cheap big-box stores.

I am grateful that I am not alone in this appeared-to-be sinking boat-- I do have my partner who does help out with the expenses. We bought the house together. We prepared for the projects costs. We know what was coming-- half of it, anyway.

Of course, the other half are the surprises-- the lovable car I brought all way from California is beginning to show its age and it is not worthwhile to maintain when its value is at zero according to Kelly's Blue Book. What happens when it has a heart attack in middle of my trip to a job? I can bike... but not to a faraway places that will take 3 hours to cycle (but one hour by metro!).
Dental insurance-- whoops, I lost a tooth-- didn't realize our teeth will fall apart at age of 25. Thought those dental comedies only happen to the folks who went over the hill. Dammit, now what to do?

I do not do well with "what-ifs" and worst scenarios. I am thrifty and I like to spend wisely. I am a healthy female with nice set of teeth (alas that one cracked tooth that you can't see if I smile!) and I do not plan to pop out babies anytime soon, I have a nice master's degree and a nice small house-- now why are you all screwing me over?
I am not even rich so stop grubbing away my money!

(Note: I was below poverty line in year 2009 while in graduate school.)

If it is not the corporation, it is the government that is grubbing my money too. Taxes, oh how you make my life a hell.
And yet, I won't see a penny back from those Medicaid and Social Security taxes-- I am confident that by the time I hit retirement, there is no government programs to support me and I am all on my own (anarchy, anybody?). So they should let us paying less taxes because they know that we are pretty much screwed and should take pity on us the young generation. Time to open up a ROTH account and mark the days until the government shuts down....

And of course, I can't leave out that infamous SSI overpayment-- every Deaf person got bit by SSI's overpayment bug. It happens when you report the government that you, a disabled person, have a job (a miracle, defying all odds!). Repeatedly. And they still mail you the disability pity check. You give up and proceed to work like a real adult. Years later, you got slapped with a big "YOU OWE US, BITCH" bill from the government berating you for not telling them about your new (which is by now old) job. You go "WTF?" and eventually concede to pay off your overpayment-- with a scowl on your face as you write your monthly checks, of course.

So with all of costs piling up, you begin wondering how much does it cost for an American young Deaf person to live in America living the American Dream????

Deaf Interpreting Professional Development

2011-01-25T08:28:00.005-08:00

A commenter, Conniejy, asked for information of upcoming CDI workshops.
Well, ye asketh, and we provideth.

A flurry of workshops for Deaf Interpreters are posted here:

(I found out about them either at www.diinstitute.org or join Yahoo!Group for "RID Deaf Caucus" or "Deaf Interpreters" so you can join/follow them to keep yourself informed)

Certified Deaf Interpreter Workshop
Grand Rapids, Michigan from March 18 to 20, 2011; presented by Jimmy Beldon (CDI).
Click on the link to get more information at Deaf Interpreter Institute's website: http://diinstitute.org/2011/01/certified-deaf-interpreter-workshop-in-michigan/

9th Annual Mental Health Training Conference
August 22-26, 2011 in Montgomery, Alabama. Presenters: varied.
http://www.mhit.org/ for full information and updates
http://diinstitute.org/2011/01/9th-annual-mental-health-interpreter-training/ for concise information

Road to Deaf Interpreting
A series that spreads across 10 weekends in Boston, Massachusetts. Presenters: varied.
For more information (when, where, topic etc) and names of presenters, go to the link: http://roadtodeafinterpreting.webs.com/
Application Deadline: February 7th, 2011

Understanding the Role, Responsbilities, Ethics for Deaf Interpreters
March 19 and 20, 2011 in Marina, California. Presented by: Daniel Longholtz (CDI, CLIP-R, RSC)
More information re: hotel and times and you can download their flyer at: http://www.ccsignlanguageinterpreters.com/register.html
Note: their early bird rates has passed so register a.s.a.p. by February 15th before they upper the registration rates for late-minute!

If you do know of a workshop that are oriented for Deaf Interpreters, please add the information in your comment!

What's in your bag?

2010-10-03T13:36:00.002-07:00

To satisfy her curiosity about what's in my bag...

-My passport in lieu of my driver's license (long story short: I lost my driver's license.)
-Three lip balms: two Burt's bee, one being tinted while another is your original Burt's bee and one chapstick.

-One mirror (purple).
-One pencil, one fine marker, one ballpoint pen.
-Six hair barrettes/bobby pins.

-One post-it notepad.
-Four band-aids (you can't see its color but it is purple and neon green)

-One unlined paper pad (blue floral).
-One 4 oz. hand lotion (Udderly Smooth lotion)

-One set of keys.

-One black patent wallet with heart cutouts to show green fabrics underneath.

-One book (in this picture, "interpreter of maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri).

-One iPhone (which is missing because it was used to take this picture.)

Up Ahead

2010-09-26T17:20:00.002-07:00

Photo credit to Jenna over at http://jayxxbe.deviantart.com/art/Hidden-87291285

The picture captures what I am feeling at the moment.
I have came a long way, and I am somewhat hesitant to see what is up ahead of me.

I am in a new chapter of life.
No longer a student.
Now a professional adult.

With that transition happening now, I find myself in odd places--
Novice, but certified interpreter with a master's degree...
Job assignments beckon, yet I have no guarantee of a salary...
Young, but confident.

Too easy for me to take those wonderful experiences for granted,
And I try to remind myself-- that I have came far and I should enjoy my successes gracefully.
I always feel life is short when I should realize I do have a long life ahead of me.

And now,
peeking open,
I look forward
to that next step.

Tips for College Grad Graduates

2010-09-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

1- Get your schiesse together. You are your own professor now. You set the due dates for everything. You might enjoy the freedom, but you will enjoy it better if you set a routine or schedule to complete "to-do" stuff like, say... TAXES.

2- You are a big kid now. Stop using your parent's credit card.

3- Get a schedule. It doesn't have to be a 9 to 4 job, but at least something to get you out of the bed.

4- Sleep well. That means saying "no" to Facebook at midnight.

5- And say "no" to partying if you have to work next day.

6- Read PH.D Comics and be glad you are done with graduate school.

If you have satisfied the above list, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE AN ADULT ALL ON YOUR OWN!

(*Author's note: according to the list, I am not an adult yet. :-/ )

What am I?

2010-08-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Are we defined by our careers? Our assets? Our income? Wages per hour? Our cultural identity? Our ethnicity? Our majors?
The definitions help people classifying and measuring each other up. I am not all for it, but it is a fact-- people want to know who you are so they can measure you up by what you define yourself-- in other word, what you identify yourself.

I think it depends on which stage of life you are in.
Right now I am in that odd phase-- the transitional phase between the graduate school and the staff position. This phase is also known as "internship", "externship", or "apprenticeship."

In most of my interactions with the general population, I am defined by my cultural identity, my current education background, and of course, my career since I am in that awkward phase.

Now, what happens when the identity confronts with the major?
I personally have seen it happened so many times. And it is a bit disheartening especially after it becomes too often.

An example of a typical conversation in ASL...

Them: "Oh, congratulations on your graduation! What was your major?"
Me: "Interpretation"
Them: "Oh... do you want me to turn on my voice?"
Me: "Um, I am Deaf?"
Them "Huh? You said you are an interpreter?"
Me: "Yes. I am an interpreter. A Deaf Interpreter."
Them: "Are you bullshittin' me? What, how can you interpret if you can't hear?"
Me: (taking out her soap box, stepping up, and beginning her explanation about Certified Deaf Interpreters) "...and so, that is how Deaf interpreters work."
Them: "huh... so YOU are Deaf? I just wanna double check..."
Me: "D-E-A-F."
Them: "Huh... and you just graduated?"

Imagine this conversation a thousand times over. You can see why I am a bit disheartened. I love the profession of Deaf Interpreting, but really as it adds up, I do get a bit deflated when people question my Deafness or my career.

I do try to see it differently-- I am exposing the general population to Deaf interpreting and as always, awareness is important so I am just doing my part being a walking billboard for "Deaf Interpreter"...
You know those "THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE" products? We should get a similar slogan for all C/DIs out there-- "THIS IS WHAT A DEAF INTERPRETER LOOKS LIKE".

Next time somebody ask me about my career, my education, my whatever--
I will just say: "I am a story."
And proudly wear my black unisex tee with the new C/DI slogan.

Live near or in Vermont?

2010-08-19T12:29:00.002-07:00

Interested in taking up some workshops on Deaf interpreting?
Here you go!!
You have until August 28th, Friday to register!

[[[Reposted from Deaf Interpreters on Yahoo!Groups]]]

************************************************************************

DUE TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF A PRIVATE DEAF DONOR, VERMONT VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, AND VERMONT ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF (VTAD), DEAF FOUNDATIONS II IS NOW BEING OFFERED AT A REDUCED REGISTRATION FEE OF $100.00! TO GET THIS PHENOMENAL VALUE,

PLEASE SEND REGISTRATION FORM AND PAYMENT BY AUGUST 28TH!

Foundations of Interpreting Processes, Part IIFor Certified Deaf Interpreters, Deaf Interpretersand Future Deaf Interpreters

Participation in Deaf Foundations I is a prerequisite for participation in this workshop.

~ Co-Presented by Betty Colonomos and Jan DeLap ~Co-Sponsored by Vermont RID and the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

For more information: www.visitbmc.com

DATES: Friday, September 10, 2010 – Sunday, September 12, 2010

TIMES: Friday – 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

LOCATION: Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Austine School for the Deaf, Vermont Hall Conference Room

Brattleboro , Vermont

Get directions at: www.vcdhh.org

CONTACT: Janet F. Parker - jparker@vcdhh.org; VP: 802-275-0105

******************************************************************

AGAIN, the deadline for registration is AUGUST 28!!!

Spoiled?

2010-08-16T09:21:00.001-07:00

With all the hype over iPhone 4, I iSucccumbed as well.

I was a free agent with no contract held over my head, so I was checking out the HTC EVO (which offers two-way video calls via an app called "Fring") but the Sprint stores were sold out and the online store was out of stock for more than two weeks.
I got fed up of waiting for a new phone so I decided to break away from Sprint and signed up for iPhone with AT&T.

A month later, I am still clumsy with my iPhone-- my typos are more noticeable in emails and I can't walk and type at same time. Prior to iPhone, often my friends would comment on how I can follow a conversation with full attention while typing on my BB without looking-- I was very skilled at multitasking. Not anymore with iPhone. I have tunnel-visioned with iPhone and missed the world turning around me.
However I recently found an app where I can type while looking where I am going because it sets up the whole screen as if it is transparent while using the camera so it is as if I can see through my iPhone. Definitely gonna download that one.

Anyway, I have to get back to what I wanted to write about-- my reaction to to Facetime.
People asked me how it was, have I download the ZVRS app, who did I call for my first Facetime call, and how often do I Facetime?

It seems to me that people found the feature Facetime more impressive than the iPhone 4 itself.

To be frank, I haven't used ZVRS. I didn't download the app. I have the VP at home for that. I don't use Facetime everyday. I might have used it like three times so far in a month. I am a bit leery of using Facetime because I do not want people to see where I am or what I am wearing. I do not want to take up time to answer calls when I can multi-task by playing a game, answering a text, surfing Facebook and ignoring emails. Call me snobby but I am more fascinated with Hipstamatic than Facetime! That app is my FIST-SMACK!

So. Why am I not impressed with Facetime like everybody else?
Is it because I am spoiled? Is it because I do expect Facetime? Is it because I demand more as a Deaf consumer? I mean, Facetime is only compatible with other iPhone 4 users-- and that is a bummer. I want to be able to video-chat with anybody who has a webcam.

Should I be grateful to Apple for making it possible for Deaf people to video-chat on phone? Should I bow forever to Apple for including Deaf people in their iPhone4 commercial?
Should I feed to the hype of iPhone by getting super-duper excited about Facetime as a Deaf person?
Should I be humble and enjoy what I, as a Deaf person, have instead of expecting the high standards?

Sorry, but it looks like I am pretty spoiled with my accessibility.
I want to be able to video-chat with my loved ones on gChat, with friends who do not have iPhone4, with people who does have a VP or webcam.
I want my Freedom to Facetime with anybody! And I want it now!

OR ELSE, I WILL THROW A TEMPER TANTRUM!

image credit to http://anoagibson.blogspot.com/

Neljä!

2010-08-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Four jobs I’ve had

Nanny
Research Assistant
Librarian Assistant
Dog walker

Four movies I can watch over and over

Four places I’ve lived

Anchorage, Alaska
Travis AFB, California
Pori, Finland
San Diego, California

Four TV shows I love

24
V
Project Runway
Top Chef

Four places I’ve vacationed

Turkey (Istanbul, Bursa, Ankara, Eskisehir)
Italy (Venice, Florence, Bologna)
Tallinn, Estonia
Barcelona, Spain

Four of my favorite dishes

Caprese
Kale and pasta
Karjalanpiirakka
Queso Manchego with honey drizzled and pepper.

Four sites I visit daily

Frozen Tropics
Capital Weather Gang
Hulu.com
Facebook. You would be lying if you don't include that on your list.

Four places I would rather be right now

At a beach with surfers out on the waves.
Istanbul.
San Diego.
Anywhere that has snow.

Attitude

2010-08-06T05:46:00.001-07:00

I will admit that I do have an attitude problem. Now I must say that I have improved as a person since high school (the worst years of having an attitude problem). Often I have to check myself before I bite people's heads off with snippy remarks. My attitude is something that some people love, and also something that people dislike me. I don't blame them, after all I am not your average happy easygoing person.
I do have a bitter side that infects my attitude problem. My first reaction is to be armed with a mean remark. Luckily, it only happens in my head so I would feign a smile in public while my "attitude" voice raged inside mu head.
Occassionally my husband witnessed my attitude* outbursts toward other people who were not aware (*attitude problem is also called "road rage"). If you have been in my car while I drive, you may see a glimpse of my inner attitude-- a glimpse of a bitter teenager-- but I always apologize afterward.
My attitude is a love-hate relationship. My attitude sets me apart. It makes me who I am. I am that "hard-ass bitch". I don't view "bitch" a a negative quality. It just means I am not a pushover and you know it. I like my attitude because it made me real.
However, too often I missed opportunities of making new friends because of my inner bitch. So I regret that I can't be that silly-happy girl who doesn't care about anything but life and fun. That girl who always smile all the times. That girl always has plenty of friends.
So even though I want to have fun and have a careless life, the major hurdle for is to smile.
It ia like a chicken and egg problem-- do I not smile because of my attitude problem? Or I have an attitude problem because I don't smile often?
So in conclusion-- I am fully aware that I may come across as a bitch, but at least you know I am real and you can use me to bite people's heads off if they do you wrong. I am a fearless bitch an I embrace it. Now I will try to work on being a fearless bitch that SMILES.

Kale vs. Broccoli

2010-07-23T11:03:00.001-07:00

While growing up, one of my favorite vegetable is broccoli.

I will eat it raw, broiled, or steamed.
I eat it on my pizza, in my stir fry dish, next to my pasta, or as a stand-alone dish with a dash of salt and pepper on it.
I have a home sign for broccoli when I was small-- "TREE" but with the dominant hand positioned at the wrist of your non-dominant hands to indicate that broccolis are indeed tiny trees to a child's imaginative mind.
I love broccoli.

Until I met kale this year.

So delicious.
So easy to prepare.
Suddenly, I began to doubt my relationship with broccoli. Kale can go with anything-- scrambled eggs for breakfast, pasta for dinner, accompanying tiny potatoes for a splash of color, or with white beans to be served as a soup.

As of now, my top three favorite vegetables are: potatoes, kale, and zucchini.

"Sorry, Broccoli.
It's not you, it's me. My taste buds are changing. Hope you understand.
Heart, Me"

CDI Program in Colorado

2010-07-05T10:19:00.002-07:00

:::::ALERT TO ALL DEAF INTERPRETERS::::

Excerpted e-mail from Veditz Center's Bucky:
"We are looking for more applicants and the deadline is next Friday, July 16.

Information on this is at www.veditzcenter.org/cdi-program and they can email us at cdiprogram@veditzcenter.org for more information."

It is a nine-month program in Colorado offering 11 workshops and 22 workgroups, starting in Fall 2010, on training Deaf interpreters for CDI written and performance tests.
Excellent presenters, Trenton Marsh, Jimmy Beldon and more, will lead the workshops/workgroups.
Sounds like a great program!!

I think all Deaf interpreters in Colorado and nearby states should sign up for the series-- and for some Deaf Interpreters (certified or non-certified) who can fly out for a workshop or two, you can check out when their workshops are and sign up for some CEUs.

It is not often you see an comprehensive program that offers series of Deaf interpreting workshops-- Road to Deaf Interpreting is in Massachusetts which is a bit far for the West Coast folks, so CDI Program in Colorado is an excellent choice for those who live in mid-America and nearby West coast states.

SO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Check out the website, and the below links are .pdf for more information and application-- the information packet has every answer for your questions, so click the first link below to download the packet.

For full information re: costs, who presents, when, click here.

To fill out an application, click here to become a CDI in training!

(On a side note:
"About Veditz Center:
Embracing the energy of George Veditz (1861 – 1937), Veditz Center is a catalyst for cultural unity amongst the deaf and ASL community in Colorado. With over 350,000 deaf people in Colorado, Veditz Center seeks to raise $1,150,000 over the next 36 months for planned construction of a fitness center, swimming pool, community room, event center, and co-op offices for doctors, dentists, lawyers, and other professionals who communicate in ASL.")

Social Bluffing or ESP?

2010-06-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

The post made by Megan of Hearing Sparks about social bluffing (also by Putz, Kym, and Meryl) has been stuck in back of my mind-- do I do social bluffing? Or because I could understand people so I wasn't social-bluffing? Is it OK? When is it not OK?

Putz defined social bluffing as: "pretending to hear or understand something that is being said, and behaving in a way that shows you understand, even when you have little or no clue as to what is being said."

Pretending.

What if I don't pretend? I never cover up the fact that I am Deaf. I don't use my voice to speak-- I only gestured or signed back to hearing people. What if I could understand them just by reading this body language? Is this still considered "social bluffing"?

Admittedly, there are moments where I initiated the social bluff especially when ordering coffee-- Starbucks is my culprit and I avoid it at all costs now (not because of the social bluff, but their poor coffee). The baristas shout out the beverages while shooting out beverages onto the counter with no written notes on it (Starbucks Lingo) and they are too busy to look at you while they are answering your question: "What is this?"-- MUMMUMBASHASMUMBLE VANILLA MUMBLEBAUMBLE and I would hesitate to touch it until I am saved by somebody else who had identified that beverage to be theirs. I have stolen maybe... four beverages from somebody else. I am sorry, strangers, for taking your tall Mocha Latte, grande Caramel Macchiato, grande Vanilla Beans Frappuccino, and venti Vanilla Latte either in San Diego or Washington, DC.

As I added up all social bluffing moments and mis-orders, I decided that I had enough. I have taken the initiatives of avoiding the social bluffing-- make them write down if I couldn't understand what they are saying, or even just ONE word that I am missing which I would write everything I understood from lipreading then point to the "____" for the hearing person to fill out.
I would sign back if they speak to me: "I will like a coffee... or will you prefer me to write?" because I have met cashiers/baristas/waiters/resses who know ASL so that was empowered when they replied: "Oh, I know signs, so what do you want?" and BONUS: the sign of "WRITE" would read as a gesture for non-signers and they could proceed to get a piece of paper for me to write down my order.

However there are moments where I knew what they wanted-- and it wasn't because I lipread but because of their body language. Like I could read their minds.

What promoted me to post was an incident that occurred just 10 minutes ago. A middle-aged woman was eyeing my table at a tiny coffeehouse (NOT Starbucks). I knew she wanted to ask if she can share the table with me. I looked up and she mumbled something while pointing to the empty chair across to me. I gestured "take a seat" with an outward palm and smiled. She smiled and dumped her bags (a sunhat, a giant Mac laptop which took 2/3 of my table, and a beach bag. We are in DC! 3 hours away from beaches!). She went up to the counter to order coffee.

I returned to my netbook and typed away.

Moments later, she was back, standing, bending occasionally to seek for something under the table-- as if she is looking for something. Again, I looked up-- she went: "¿¿MUMBLEMUMBLE??" but I knew she was asking: "is there a plug?" I raised my eyebrows and nodded then I proceed to pat on the plug sockets on the wall next to me.

"Oh! Good." was the only coherent thing I could understand from her.

Is this social bluffing? or ESP?

PRO:1 AND #HURZ

2010-05-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that most people at Gallaudet has lexicaled Dr. Hurwitz's name to "HURZ" so that explains this blog entry's title being in ASL glosses for "Me and Hurwitz."

So, yep-- I have graduated.

Please do not mention "Ph.D" to me.
I am still recovering. It is like asking a new mother who just had a childbirth: "Will you have another baby soon?" which will make the mother cringe at the thoughts of the labor and pain of childbirth. I am still cringing at the thoughts of sleepless nights, looming deadlines, unnecessary stresses breakout on my face, and zombie days fueled by coffee.

Oh. Graduate school-- I won't miss ya.

CDI workshop in Northridge, CA

2010-05-07T16:00:00.005-07:00

(reposted from Deaf Interpreters Yahoo Group).

CDI Workshop with Jimmy Beldon!
http://cdiworkshop. eventbrite. com/

When: June 11-13, 2010
Location: Deaf Studies at California State University, Northridge
    * June 11, Friday 6:30p.m.-8:30p. m.
    * June 12, Saturday 9 a.m.-5p.m.
    * June 13, Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1 p.m.-4 p.m. with hearing interpreters (.4 CEUs)

Are you deaf? Do you like the interpreting process? Interested in becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter?

What things should a Deaf interpreter do to ensure high quality interpreting services? What kind of interpreting assignment is the Deaf interpreter qualified to perform? What study materials should the Deaf person study in preparation of testing for CDI certification? This track offers an in-depth exploration and practical experience in the application of these questions.

On Sunday afternoon, the participants would do practices on the interpreting skills including mirror interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting, and text interpreting with hearing interpreters using the mock scenarios.

**The nearest CDI testing site will be at Las Vegas. For more info: http://www.rid. org/education/ testing/index. cfm**

Requirements:
You already have (or will buy) "So You Want to Be an Interpreter: An Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting" by Janice Humphrey and Bob Alcorn.

Location:   Deaf Studies @ CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330
Cost: $150 per person, $25 per hearing interpreter

To register, please contact:
Maisha A. Franklin at maisha@live.com

The deadline to register is May 23, 2010 by paypal only.
Deadline to mail in paycheck of $150.00: Thursday, May 20, 2010.
Deadline to request invoice and to process payment with invoice, Thursday, May 20, 2010.

About Jimmy Beldon:
Jimmy Beldon, CDI, MA, has been a professional involved in the interpreting field on many levels. He currently teaches in the Interpreter Training Program at St. Catherine University in St Paul, Minnesota. He is a nationally renowned interpreter educator. He is a popular presenter requested to travel across the United States giving workshops on a variety of topics and was served as vice president for RID. Mr. Beldon and his family currently reside in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Attention Deafies of PCRID!!

2010-03-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

PCRID (Potomac Chapter = Greater Washington D.C. area) is offering a scholarship for the Deaf members to take up CDI examinations!! Apply if you are a PCRID member!!

Copying and pasting from their newsletter...

*****
NEW CDI Certification Scholarship
PCRID’s Statement: In recognition of the ever-increasing costs associated with becoming a certified Deaf interpreter, PCRID has established this scholarship to encourage the next generation of Deaf interpreters to become certified.
The PCRID CDI Certification Scholarship will be awarded to an eligible Deaf member who wishes to take the CDI performance test. The recipient of the award will be recommended to the PCRID Board by the Scholarships and Awards Committee through a review of supporting documentation. The applicant is eligible to receive no more than one award per year. If no award is received, applicant may apply again during the next award cycle.

Recipient will be presented with:
PCRID will send in the application and payment for the certification candidate when s/he is applying for the proficiency test.

Application Requirements:
Applicant must be a member, in good standing, of both RID and PCRID.
Applicant must author a letter explaining how this award will best serve them as an interpreter in our community
Applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from an individual who is familiar with their skills.
Applicant must have successfully passed all portions of the written test prior to applying for performance test funding. Proof of passing the written test is required.
Applicant must submit a copy of the application form and documentation to sac@pcrid.net
Award will be presented at the PCRID Conference in November, 2010.

Due Date: Application material must be received by September 15, 2010.
Award recipients must submit test application and request for a testing date and site within twelve (12) months of award being granted.
Awards are for future tests. Reimbursements will not be granted for tests previously taken.

Deaf Interpreter Training in Texas

2010-03-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

Saw this posted online at the Deaf Caucus group, so I am copying and pasting the flier to reach a wider audience-- with all key words linked so you can look up who are the trainers, where it is hosted at, and more. Making your life much easier. :-)

***********

Deaf Interpreter Training
This training, over a one week period, May 30-June 4, 2010, will be held at SWCID in Big Spring, Texas and is for individuals who are deaf and are interested in becoming a deaf interpreter, and for deaf interpreters who want to upgrade or improve their interpreting skills. The sessions will provide an environment in which participants can stretch their interpreting horizons and explore new approaches in this specialty area.

A highly qualified staff will conduct the training and will include expert trainers in deaf interpreting: Byron Bridges, Eileen Forestal, Debbie Peterson, Gino Gouby, and Chris Grooms (.pdf). Areas of focus will include professional roles and responsibilities, common business practices, laws and regulations regarding interpreting services, negotiating communication needs, self-assessment of interpreting performances, role and scope of service, dealing with testing anxieties, and more.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
This training is limited to 40 participants.
The cost of the course is $250 for Texas residents and $350 for persons who reside out of state, which includes room and board fee to stay on campus for the week. There is a screening process.

RID and BEI CEUs are approved.
For more information contact Ann Horn at ann.horn@dars.state.tx.us or call VP at 512-410-1387.

CDI Participants needed for Research Survey!

2010-03-10T08:51:00.003-08:00

Department of Interpretation
Gallaudet University, Washington D.C.

DEAF PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR
ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH ON
DEAF INTERPRETERS

We are looking for Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs)
to take a survey about their experiences as CDI.

As a participant in this study, you would be asked to:

1) Fill out an anonymous questionnaire about:
   - Languages Used
   - Education Background
   - Professional Background
The questionnaire should only take up approximately 15 minutes of your time and participation.

2) Participate in an Optional Interview:
The optional interview should only take up approximately 30 minutes of
your time and participation.

This is a voluntarily research, no compensation would be given.

Please click here to take up the survey
or copy and paste the address onto your browser:
http://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_dg3gnYEB8yRBuEA&SVID=Prod

****The deadline for the survey is: March 18th.****

For more information about this study, or to volunteer for this study

please contact: Kirsi Grigg, CDI, MA; Department of Interpretationat kirsi.grigg@ gallaudet. edu

This study has been reviewed by and approved by the Gallaudet University IRB.

************ ********* ********* **

Letting Go

2010-02-14T20:14:00.000-08:00

Yves Klein's "Leap Into The Void" (1960) [original picture altered by me]

What do you call a person who intends to fall forward into a void? An insane person-- but why? That person knows the void is there. He adamantly chooses to fall into that void. Why is it insane? Who said he will smash into the ground? Don't you see? The void will catch him.
You are the insane person-- for fearing his confidence.

Food for Thoughts

2009-11-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

I thought I should share the blurbs about Deaf Interpreters in two codes of ethics that I found from two organizations:

"3.3 Deaf Interpreters
The services of a Deaf interpreter may be required when working with individuals who use regional sign dialects, non-standard signs, foreign sign languages, and those with emerging language use. They may also be used with individuals who have disabling conditions that impact on communication. Members will recognize the need for a Deaf interpreter and will ensure their inclusion as a part of the professional interpreting team."
"2.4 Request support (e.g., certified deaf interpreters, team members, language facilitators) when needed to fully convey the message or to address exceptional communication challenges (e.g. cognitive disabilities, foreign sign language, emerging language ability, or lack of formal instruction or language). "

I like the term inclusion when a Deaf interpreter is included in a team which mean all interpreters, deaf or hearing, are equal.
For me, the term support conjures the thought of a supporting actor, who may be "important in a play or film but subordinate to the leading parts." I am not too crazy about the word subordinate.

Now, here is the food for your thoughts: which code belongs to which organization?
I am still investigating for other codes to see how many other codes do mention specifically Deaf interpreters.

No Longer a Diary?

2009-09-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

A bit of history about this blog: I originally started this blog as a diary. It was over at "scribbles.nu" but then it closed down so I relocated to this site, Blogger.

For me, this blog was like writing a diary but anonymously. I didn't use names and I only mentioned where I am from. But if you read through the entires, you can figure out who I am-- a deaf female student... high-schooler...with typical teenager stuff. Stresses about dating, SAT scores, college admission, raving about not having a car, and so on.

I used "gnarlydorkette" as my handle. Nobody knew who I was and I was able to write freely about anybody-- included my ex-boyfriends and so-called "friends."

Why? I was safe. Nobody in my circles were geeks like me. Nobody in my circles knew what a blog is. So I was safe with my secret about this blog out in the public.

But of course, as time went on... and the next hot thing was video log, known as "vlog" now.

Yes. I am blaming the vlogs for exposing me.

Funny-- the title of this blog is "dorkette:exposed"... which came true. Oh, the irony.

By adding a vlog, a face is plastered all over my blog-- my face. People in the real world (anybody remembers "irl"?) identified me as 'gnarlydorkette'.

Now this blog is no longer a diary.

This blog now serves as my information center where I can share information and write down thought-provoking entries.

Now as I become nostalgic about the old days-- I definitely miss writing a diary anonymously. The exhilaration of getting my emotions and thoughts out in the public. It is like making my signature on the world-- a graffiti online.

I do not like own an actual diary because who would read it? I like the idea of people reading my diary online, because they may find it interesting, helpful, or entertaining. I didn't mind all that because I just hoped that I can find my niche. An audience that understands me. That sense of bonding. I miss that.

But how do I write a diary anonymously?

I am "gnarlydorkette" ever and forever.

I am no longer an anonymous person.

I cannot share my thoughts, emotions, anything without a fear of retaliations.

And that is a bit sad... I have limited my creativity because of what I have done on my blog. Now I wonder if I regret the title of this blog? Did I curse myself when I became witty with the title, "dorkette:exposed"?

Oh, here I go again-- thought-provoking.

Upcoming CDI-related Workshops

2009-09-12T16:34:00.002-07:00

New Jersey Registry of Interpreters for the DEAF (NJRID) is providing an introductory workshop about Deaf interpreters presented by Eileen Forestal, RSC.

http://www.njrid.org/pages/index.asp

The dates provided for "Introducing Deaf Interpreting" are:
Saturday/Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2009
Saturday/Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2009
Saturday/Sunday, November 21 & 22, 2009
Saturday/Sunday, December 5 & 6, 2009

And the costs would be $60 per weekend which brings the total around $240 and "attendance at all four weekends is required."

The deadline to register for this workshop is on September 18, 2009 so hurry up!
Click here for the registration form.

******************************

Illinois RID will provided a workshop entitled: "CDI Emergency! What every CDI/DI should know about medical interpreting"
at Mt Sinai Hospital in Chicago under the Deaf Access Program which will be presented by their staff and a physican all fluent in ASL.

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 20-- so register soon as possible!

It is a weekend workshop on Sat, Oct 10th; 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sun, Oct 11th; 9:00am – 3:00pm.

The synopsis about two days workshops are copied and pasted below:
Sat, Oct 10th:
“Key Players in Hospital” by Dr. Gary Kaufman & Diana Thorpe, CI, CT, NIC Master
Discussion of hospital departments, as well as, staff roles & responsibilities. Interpreter thoughts and experiences in the hospital will be shared.

IVIN Demonstration by Teri Hedding, M.A. & Andrew Farnon, NIC
VRI equipment will be demonstrated, providing CDIs/DIs a clear understanding of how to work with it, when interpreting for Deaf patients

“DI, Sign That!” by Nancy Campbell, M.A., CI, CT & Michael Herschberg, CI, CT
Medical language encountered daily while interpreting medical history, rendering a diagnosis or providing medical instruction will be analysed. Practice and role play interpreting these common questions and phrases will be provided.

Sunday, October 11th:
Special Considerations in Medical Interpreting by Jodi Hains, CI, CT, & Nancy Campbell, M.A. CT, CI; Tips and advice will be given to best prepare CDIs/DIs as they interpret in the hospital environment.

Role Play in Hospital by Michael Herschberg, CI, CT
CDIs & DIs will have opportunities to practice their interpreting skills in various hospital settings at Mt. Sinai Hospital."

The early-bird registration fee is $60 before September 21st, and after October 1st it will be $75

Click here to view the ILRID Interpreter Workshop flyer

The Terror of District of Columbia

2009-09-08T18:56:00.002-07:00

The Terror of D.C. is....

THE PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS!

I have received three tickets so far this year. The year previous, I also got three tickets.

And almost every ticket costs me $100.

Hold up, just let me explain....

You see, District of Columbia has this silly, silly, silly law that requires you to have a residental parking permit. Yessire, if you live right here in D.C. and you don't have a garage-- you gotta pay to park on your home street. Silly, I know!

Since this urbanite lives in an apartment in good ol' District of Columbia, I gotta park my car on the street. Summer of 2008 flew by and no ticket and I was one happy girl.

Until somebody jinxed it for me.

"Didja know you were supposed to register and get a permit even if you are from out-of-state? ROSA, that is what it is called... check it out... you might get a ticket."

DAMMIT! Why did you jinx me, dude?

I got a ticket.

Out of curiosity, I tried to find information about the whole ROSA scheme.... 300$ for a student to register for a parking permit?!

"Fuggetaboudit," I said to myself. I got by for months without getting a ticket, maybe that one ticket was just a bad day for my car and me.

Wrong.

More tickets followed up and I resorted to buy a 86$ yearly parking permit at Gallaudet.

I should be safe by now.

Well, you would think that, huh!?

Not true.

Whenever I decided to park at a friend's home somewhere else in D.C. or innocently parking in front of a nice restaurant after feeding coins to the meter and all--

the PLAGUE OF PINK SLIPS followed me.

Dang it!

The pink slips claim that I "fail to secure DC tags."

Oh, the nerve of those pink slips! Accusing me right and left!

BUT now those pink slips have became really angry, I mean, really really angry. They are threatening to tow my car. Threatening to boot my car. THREAT.

An orange boot on my blue car? Nuhhhh-HUH!

So.

After a year of dodging the parking enforcement cars, dodging the pink slips, dodging the threats...

I got to think... that 300$ student parking permit is definitely cheaper.

Think about-- three tickets at 100$ = three hundred of dollars going to the parking enforcement. I would rather to have my three Benjamin Franklins going to my car instead to the terror.

Say NO to the Terror.

Buy the residential parking permit.

You cannot escape the pink slips.

Say NO to the Terror by NOT funding them.

Eff you, D.C. Eff you.

I ain't gonna keep on feeding you! I am gonna set my blue car free in Virginia! I ain't gonna support the Terror!

Nuhhhh-HUH!

Post- RID Conference Reflection

2009-08-12T21:10:00.003-07:00

Well, well-- I went and came back home!

The 2009 RID conference was conducted in Philadelphia, PA. It was definitely an experience!

I enjoyed meeting other Deaf interpreters and found myself inspired and more motivated about Deaf interpreting. As always, it was nice to see old faces! It got weird for a minute when I realized that I am now a peer to my old interpreters from my high school-- "Hey! I am one of you now!" But it's all good-- I didn't get to see everybody because almost three thousands people attended-- so it was one BIG conference and one big flurry of faces in the hallways!

I tried to use every minute available for every workshop available, to meet people and socialize, but in the end, the conference just wiped me out-- I had to take a break a couple of times to just kick back in the hotel room with my classmates. So on one or two days, I didn't take the opportunity to go to the second Deaf Caucus get-together and one Deaf-related workshop. Disappointed, but I wish the schedule would be better-organized so everybody can have a breather in between workshops. I have heard that this year's conference is different from the past conferences and it is all for the best, so perhaps we shouldn't complain... nonetheless-- hey, RID conference-planners? for 2010, consider about giving us longer breaks in between workshops! It is hard to grab a lunch WITHIN an hour when you are hurrying past a flurry of familiar faces who want to say "HI, HI! HI!" and back for the next workshop!

As you may know, Deaf Caucus has a new team which I look forward to see their plans and actions unfolding for next two years! Check them out at http://riddeafcaucus.wordpress.com/

One point that was brought up at the conference that I thought worthy is about the membership of other organizations in addition to their RID membership. As a member of an organization, one should support other organizations that share the same goals as your organization, namely NAD (National Association of the Deaf). At the opening ceremony, the presidents of NAD and RID, Bobbie Beth Scoggins and Cheryl Moose respectively, came on-stage together to sign an memorandum of understanding. People said that one should be a member of BOTH organizations because both organizations need all members to affirm and support the ally. I thought this to be a valid point...

But then what about all other organizations whose presidents that didn't walk up on the stage with Bobbie and Cheryl? I want you to acknowledge that there are other organizations that need our support and membership as well-- just to name a few: Canada's Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC), World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) and many more that I am hoping you can help me naming.

Right now, the membership fees for (using my case as an example) a student/certified interpreter/individual for various organizations are:

NAD (National): Student $25, Interpreter Member Section (optional) $5 = 35$
NAD (Chapter): for example District of Columbia Chapter DCAD, Student $10
RID (National): Student $30 (uncertified), Certified Member $120-ish but this is not listed on their website
RID (Chapter): for example Potomac Chapter PCRID - Certified $30 or Student $15 (certified or not?)
WASLI: Individual $50 = $50
WFD: Individual, 50 euros ($70-ish)
AVLIC: their website's down :( so I cannot investigate for their membership fee.

To support just NAD and RID at both levels, national and affiliate, a typical student who happens to be certified would have to pay $195 annually. If one wants to support all organizations such as WASLI and WFD, the total cost for annual memberships would be $315. WHEW! Well, I can't speak for everybody, but my status as a graduate student lacking a handsome salary annually make my piggy bank trembling in fear at the sight of those membership fees!

With so many choices out there to join and become a member of their organization, we have a hard decision to choose which organization to best invest our membership into. With that said, I hope you do not judge somebody if they fail to be a member of your favorite organization... just keep it mind that they made their choices and you should respect their choices just as they respect your choices of membership.

I hope in the future, there can be a sliding scale fee for students or interpreters who are working full-time/part-time /unemployed, maybe staff/freelance, and based on their state's GDP, so they can pay a membership fee that doesn't break their piggy bank. WASLI uses this mechanism to use each country's GDP to serve as a sliding scale for individual membership ranging from US$3.00 to US$50.00.

Here I go, rambling on and on!

Anyway, as I said in the beginning, the RID 2009 conference is definitely an experience that serves as a learning lesson for me as a Deaf interpreter and I want to thank you all for the inspiration and motivation which comes in a nick of time as I am about to start my second year as a graduate student in the Interpretation program!!!

THANK YOU ALL!

Speedy Results - RID

2009-07-13T22:42:00.000-07:00

Test Name	Test Date	Location	Retake	Results Sent
CDI Written	06/07/2008	Gallaudet University	No	07/01/2008
CDI Performance	01/28/2009	Gallaudet University	No	02/23/2009

Notice that I received the results from each test within a month after I took it up.

The speed of mailing results by RID has been impressive, given the history of people waiting over six months or so to receive their results. This complaint has been well documented in VIEWS, a quarterly newsletter published by RID, where RID members has written letters and there is several articles by RID to assure the members re: the backlog of all examinations to be graded/evaluated.

"Performance test results are now taking an average of less than two months."
(http://www.rid.org/education/testing/index.cfm?)

So you can breathe with a relief knowing that you can get your results almost immediately. Especially with NIC written examination that's computer based, which I was told that the computer will tell you your results right after you finished the written examination.

Radically different from those letters and articles, oh, those old days of snail mail... :-)

Stickin' it out...

2009-06-20T19:45:00.003-07:00

Differentiating from your typical ASL-English interpreter, not only I am a Deaf interpreter but I am also a Deaf consumer. I team with hearing interpreters one day and they are interpreting my doctor's appointment next day. How could they look in my eyes and confide me as their peer interpreter when all they see is a Deaf consumer? This conundrum has been disrupting my world lately.
Don't you see?

Because I have spent almost a lifetime as a consumer of sign language interpreting services, I understand more about how to empower the consumers in an interpreting situation.
What does “interpreter experience” mean? This baffles me-- is it asking me about my experience as an ASL-English interpreter or generally my experience with ASL-English interpreter? Damn you, connotation!
The more I think about it, I realize that my twenty years of interpreting experiences is hard to beat when a large population of ASL-English interpreters usually have at least two years of ITP under their belt... so my interpreter experience is going to take several pages to type out!
Don't you see?
But don't you see,
don't you see,
Every ethic discussed so far in the graduate program, I have a flashback of an interpreting situation-- usually bad, and use it as my prototype-- how do I avoid that situation from occurring, and how do I, as a Deaf team interpreter, resolve the situation? I use the good interpreting situations as my goal as an Deaf interpreter-- how do I make sure it will happen for the Deaf and hearing consumers when I work as an interpreter?
Nobody has just a goal-- if you think about it, everybody has two goals-- a goal to become something and another goal to avoid something else. Setting the bar, that is what we are doing with our two goals. The high bar to reach for and the low bar to avoid tripping over...

Don't you see?
Every ethic has at least one personal story behind for me.
For all 7 tenets in RID's code of professional conduct, I can give you seven, fourteen, twenty-one anecdotes to serve as learning experiences-- hell, let's call it all an interpreter experience. With those anecdotes, I learn all strategies and approaches--which all go into that “filing cabinet” in my head so when I find myself in a very, very familiar situation, I can just pull that drawer out and flip through my folders to get that flashcard/flashback because I have been through all interpreting situations, even ones you read in your interpreting textbooks...
But don't you see,
Don't you see,
I know what it is like-- I have walked more than a mile in Deaf consumers' shoes-- and I want you to acknowledge it-- and look in my eyes and trust me as YOUR team interpreter.
Don't you see?
I am your team interpreter... with a lot of interpreter experiences to share.

Working as an interpreter with them knowing me as a Deaf consumer been difficult for me as I attempt to change the hearing interpreters' perceptive of me-- I am no longer a consumer, but now I am one of them... regardless they like it or not. Something in their eyes tell me that they are not taking me serious. Something in their eyes... All I know that they do use me. They only ask me for feedback on their ASL interpretation. Nothing else... no quid pro quo.
I am just an ASL tutor to them...
No.
I am YOUR team interpreter. Yes I am Deaf, but dammit, I know way more and you should consider me as your interpreter colleague! Embrace the diversity... and you will learn much more in this field.
Don't you see...?

It is not only the hearing interpreters. But it is my own people-- the Deaf consumers. They smirk, “Interpreter? How is it possible? You are DEAF.” “Why are you wasting your time with a master's degree in interpretation? They are not even requiring Deaf interpreters to have a BA degree!”
Oh, please don't tell me... et tu? Don't give me your grimace face as I utter “Deaf Interpreter”
Don't you see?
Oh, but don't you see?

Roll with the punches, stick it out.
Keep telling myself that
It will pan out in the end...
Way back in my head, I wonder
When that end will come?
When you will look at me,
and see a Team Interpreter.

Don't you see?

(C)2009, KMG.L

Blogs about or by CDI

2009-06-13T11:13:00.003-07:00

http://dilbretta.blogs.com/cdi/ "CDI Study Group"
- a Deaf interpreter study group operated by Dilbretta

http://riddeafcaucus.wordpress.com/ RID- Deaf Caucus
- a blog operated by Juliann Wasisco, the chairperson of Deaf Caucus, a member-section group under RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf)

http://www.i711.com/vlogs/logs.php?id=283 "Certified Deaf Interpeters" by Lauren Ridloff
- a blog entry made by i711 about Certified Deaf Interpeters

http://www.youtube.com/mkrajnak
- a vlogger who occasionally made vlogs about CDI issues to discuss.

I will LOVE to add more blogs about CDI or bloggers who are (or will become) CDIs, so if I miss yours in this vast WWW, let me know by leaving a comment!

Deaf Interpreter Workshops This Month

2009-06-13T10:58:00.003-07:00

University of Vermont is offering a summer course, "Certified Deaf Interp Prep Crs" from June 22, 2009 to June 26, 2009. The instructors for this course will be: Keri Brooks Ogrizovich and Regan Ann Rae Thibodeau, both CDIs.

http://www.uvm.edu/~summer/course_CE.php?term=200906&crn=60257

More information can be found on the link above or if you are on Facebook, go to this link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=57311526704

A workshop to teach Deaf interpreters how to become a mentor for future CDIs at St Catharine University in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 20—26, 2009 -- For more information and registration, click on the link: http://minerva.stkate.edu/offices/academic/interpreting.nsf/pages/deaf_mentor_training

If you do know any of CDI-related workshop, feel free to email me gnarlydork (AT) gmail dot com, and I will post it here. It is hard to keep track of all workshops and access to all flyers from various chapters or regions of RID, NAD, CIT, et cetera. I will like to create a hub of all information relevant for CDIs so we all can have access to the information with ease.

Walking Through This Forest Called "LIFE"...

2009-05-29T19:50:00.004-07:00

As we get older (not old, mind you), we begin to take our own paths in our lives. Some of it may crisscross with friends' paths... sometimes they just get far apart. Some paths stay parallel.

I think the style of my paths is weaving all over, with no desire to stay parallel to whatever path is laid by a friend. Perhaps an English idiom would be best described: "I march to the beat of my own drum." However I have to admit that sometimes I wish my path will stay parallel to one or two close friends, but because of my independence and strong-will, I will just pave ahead and say "see you around!" to those dear friends with a heavy heart, knowing that our pathways may never cross again.

But I accept it.

There are so many friends and people that come in your life-- some long enough to make a good connection, some just too brief to find out each other's birthdays, some that you wish you never met, some that you vaguely remember other than that one-time good conversation you two had at a mutual friend's home, some who you want to walk up and introduce yourself but feels too shy, and some who you just cannot avoid at all.

I accept that people will weave in and out my life, just like I weave in and out into scattered pathways that belong to different people present-- and in the past... and more in the future. It is all about adventures of meeting people, isn't it?

And I think you need to accept the fact as well about me. I am too independent. I don't cling. I don't grow close to anybody who I know will drift away naturally. I don't force anybody away. I do savor our time together. But if your path becomes too close to mine-- I will shift my pathway away.

I don't know why I shift my pathway on purpose. It is just me-- I do not want to be stuck and restricted in paving my path-- just because your pathway is in my way doesn't mean I will stay passively and pave along beside you.

You should be confident in yourself-- paving your own way, developing more deeper friendships with people who are in your life now, tearfully remembering those people who went out of your life due to a job, family, or relocation, and smiling as you meet new people as you grow up.

Pave on. Don't wait for me. Go on. I will just pave over here...

What is Deaf Interpreting?

2009-05-23T20:43:00.003-07:00

People do have assumptions about what exactly Deaf interpreting is.

Oftentimes, people associate Deaf interpreters to be tactile-ASL interpreters for Deaf-Blind consumers. Especially when you see a Deaf interpreter working in or around Washington D.C.. But that is not the case.

Deaf Interpreting is not limited to tactile interpretation. It includes international interpreting (think WDF and Deaf Olympics), Deaf persons with minimal language competency (semi-lingual/English dsyfluency, whatever term you prefer-- I never like the term of "minimal language competency"), and your regular ASL interpretation for platform interpretation. All of those situations are applicable for Deaf Interpreters and are common as well.

Deaf Interpreting is a small yet highly diverse field within the profession of interpretation.

Just take a look at RID's Standard Practice Paper about CDI (1997)-- the Deaf persons in situations where Deaf interpreters may be dispatched:
• idiosyncratic non-standard signs or gestures such as those commonly referred to as “home signs” which are unique to a family
• use a foreign sign language
• have minimal or limited communication skills
• are deaf-blind or deaf with limited vision
• use signs particular to a given region, ethnic or age group
• have characteristics reflective of Deaf Culture not familiar to hearing interpreters.

And their role can be as a team interpreter, solo interpreter, platform interpreter, or as a tactile interpreter (for Deaf-Blind consumers).

So even though the most prevailing situation may be with a deaf-blind consumer, it does vary from region to region. The situations that are common in Washington, D.C. are not the common situations in San Diego, CA.

For me, personally as a Deaf interpreter, my passion for Deaf interpreting doesn't exactly include tactile interpretation. Don't take me wrong-- I do enjoy work as an interpreter for Deaf-blind persons. To call myself as a certified Deaf interpeter, I should provide any type of interpreting services without any troubles. I do take workshops and courses in tactile interpretation but my passion lies somewhere else-- Deaf persons with language dysfluency.

This group of Deaf consumers have several different labels-- some may present some negativity, others just cause more confusion, so forget your label for this group because I know who they are. I grew up with them. I was one of them. I understand what it is like to have language dysfluency. I understand how could you mix some English grammar rules with ASL grammar rules and in the result you have an odd language system. This group is highly diverse-- it may include Deaf immigrants, Deaf persons with mental challenges/illnesses, or just a regular Deaf American whose education has not maximized.

To optimize the understanding and communication access for this group who may need interpreters in a courtroom, hospital, police station or at a school, an interpreter with first-hand knowledge or have the understanding of what this group grew up will provide the best interpreting services.

To recap, Deaf interpreters do have a wide variety of situations where they find themselves working. In some regions, the most prevailing situation would be Deaf-Blind interpreting, international interpreting, or whichever that has been listed in RID's standard practice paper. So when you meet somebody who is a Deaf interpreter, hold your horses before you jump to a general assumption about what their work is. Let them tell you what their job is. :-) You might find it interesting!

Fighting against the gloom...

2009-04-12T14:06:00.003-07:00

Spring has arrived.

(photo credit: http://www.i-magine.no/)

I Could Care Less

2009-04-07T11:15:00.003-07:00

As I typed in "I Could Care Less" for the title, I had to stop myself for a second, searching for verification that I have used the idiom correctly... a quick Google search has yielded to confirm my understanding of the English idiom.

English is a funny language, really. It has so many moot phrases or lexical units that make no sense; and you couldn't explain to any second-language learners (like ME!) why it comes into form.

It seems the only way to actually become fluent in English is by rote learning all of its crooked grammar rules.

Don't fight it. Don't question it. Accept it. "ACCEPT-HARD"! If you think about it, the English* language is like Mafia. Don't mess with it or their minutemen will throw you across the borders!

(*=American English, not to be confused with British English.)

Anyway... getting back to the point, that being the original goal of my post which I decided to entitle "I Could Care Less"...

There is about five weeks left in the spring semester, five weeks before I declare my first year as a graduate student completed, five weeks before I stick my head out of the hole just to see the REAL WORLD, five weeks before I am myself again, five weeks...

five.
weeks.

People have begun to discuss about their summer plans-- where to find a job, whose place to stay at, whether going back home or stay in the city...

But me?
I Could Care Less.

My home is here.
My job is random-- babysitting, petsitting, research assistant-- wherever the money is, I am there.
I have my own place.
And I don't think I will go Home for the entire summer. Maybe a week here or there... who knows?

I Could Care Less.
Life goes on...

Actually-- I do care.

I have two things to look forward this summer-- ARTOMATIC and the RID National Conference.

I am actually a bit nervous about the RID conference since I heard that only 33% of their workshops are actually given in ASL. I hope I don't have to request for interpreters WHILE I am at an interpreter conference!

Hm.

Then again....

I Could Care Less.

Uncharted Territory: CDI

2009-02-27T14:32:00.006-08:00

You don't expect life to be pre-packaged and coming with a manual for you to know how to operate your life.

So why should you expect the CDI journey to be any different than the above statement? Even though this field is over 30 years old, there is not much about the Deaf interpreting field, especially with educational and networking opportunities to expand ourselves.

Don't expect the Deaf interpreting to come in a single book, ready with all facts highlighted for you to memorize.

Don't expect everybody to understand what you want and teach you about Deaf interpreting.

Don't expect to slack off and wait for information and opportunities to be delivered into your hands.

The fact still stands: Deaf interpreting is novel under the umbrella of Interpretation and you are a pioneer. You are wandering into the uncharted territory. It is known that people have gone through this territory but unfortunately the lines of communications are pretty much primitive-- no blogs, no publications, no articles, not so much of research, and very few workshops.

Strange as it may sound, but if you play "Oregon Trail Game" at your elementary school, you witness the reality of pioneering played out-- how some families made it across the Rockies in their covered wagon just fine; while some families suffer with famine, illnesses, harsh weather, or worst their wagon wheel broke and there is no station in sight.

That game is akin to the people within the Deaf interpreting field. Some of us achieve. Some of us fail. All of us struggle along the way. We all are pioneers, walking down on the Deaf Interpreting trail.

The only advice I can give you is: take up a map, try to plot your course, and write down what you have seen along your journey and share with your fellow pioneers.

Deaf Interpreting Workshop in San Diego-- PAH!

2009-02-14T09:36:00.002-08:00

Deaf Interpreting: The Next Frontier
Presented by Trenton Marsh, CDI

Hosted by Deaf Community Services of San Diego, Inc. and San Diego County Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

April 24th - 26th
...Friday 5:00pm - 9:00pm
...Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00pm
...Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00pm

16 of the 20 hours of content instruction are in accordance with RID's requirements for candidates to take the CDI written exam.

THIS WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO DEAF ONLY and limited to 20 people.
Priority registration given to San Diego County residents

Registration information, Vlogs, and flyers coming soon!

Workshop to be held at DCS.
If interested, please email Mala Poe at PDC@SDCRID.org

In early June, we will have Part II for Deaf individuals focusing on the performance side working along with certified hearing interpreters - more information in upcoming months.

The Lullaby of my Life...

2009-02-13T19:38:00.003-08:00

Observing.
Writing.
Logging.
Reading.
Discussing.
Logging.
Reading.
Interpreting.
Logging.
Observing.
Translating.
Logging.
Reading.
Interpreting.
Logging.
Recording.
Re-recording.
Interpreting.
Logging.
Burning.
Logging.
Observing.
Logging.
Interpreting.
Logging.
Writing.
Burning.
Writing.
Presenting.
Reading.
Logging.
Presenting.
Observing.
Logging.

When will this end?

News Flash! CDI-Training Workshop Opportunity!!!

2009-01-28T19:41:00.002-08:00

Certified Deaf Interpreter Prep Course
University of Vermont in Burlington, VT
Summer 2009: June 22nd through June 26th

This course is designed to familiarize deaf students in the field of interpreting as a deaf interpreter with role-play and open-dialogue discussion of case scenarios in practices such as when a deaf interpreter can be used and decisions involved with financial responsibilities like tax deductions and setting your market value.

Contents of the course will fulfill the 8 hours of interpreting practices (the role and function of a Deaf Interpreter as worded under eligibility requirements on RID) and the 8 hours of RID Code of Ethics training required prior to taking the CDI written exam.
Details in preparing for the CDI written and performance exams will be covered throughout the week.

The course will be taught by Regan Thibodeau, a CDI since 2001 and Keri Ogrizovich, a CDI since 2007. Regan is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine's Interpreting Program and Keri is a
graduate of the University of Vermont's Interdisciplinary Studies.

Credits: 2 (or you can register as a non-credit student)
Please Note: Credits earned at UVM are transferable at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Classes will begin on: Monday, June 22 and end: Friday, June 26. Each day the class will meet from 9 am to 4 pm with lunch breaks from 12pm to 1pm.

Tuition: $738 for in-state students and out-of-state non-credit students. However, if you are an out-of-state student AND want to earn credit towards a college degree, the cost will increase.

Housing prices have not been determined yet but to give you a general idea, last year's prices were:
Single Room: $35.75 a day
Double Room: $29.00 a day

Check with Vocational Rehabilitation or place of employment to see if they can provide tuition assistance. Past students have received VR support for this course due to the fact that this course will create employment opportunities.

Registration and housing information will be added by the end of February.

Questions? E-mail the ASL Program Coordinator, Keri Ogrizovich: kogrizov@uvm.edu

(with thanks to RID Deaf Caucus's chairperson, Juliann Wasisco, for posting this information on the mailing list!)
On a personal note: I haven't attended this workshop, which was offered two years ago, but have heard from a friend who gave it an amazing review and highly recommended it. And because I do trust and relay on this friend's opinions, I decided to post this on my blog to give you a wonderful opportunity to get that enriched and enlightened education to prepare yourself to enter the field of interpreting as a Deaf interpreter. Psst, this is also a great opportunity to network as well, to get familiar with your peers!!!

A Follow-up on "An Open Letter for President Obama"

2009-01-27T19:47:00.004-08:00

I never said that I decided the name sign. I have seen this name sign used by many. Even an ASL logo created by Brian Milburn, Randy Jackson and Sheena Stuart wasn't made by me. Here are vlogs with the name sign for President Obama that preceded my video assignment:

"Cry for Peace" - December 01, 2008
SignName for Obama? - November 08, 2008
You neutral? - November 02, 200
Obama Rally - February 05, 2008

(if you have more vlogs of various name signs for Obama, feel free to add it by posting a comment.)

Tell me-- how could I invent a name sign that was ALREADY invented by the Deaf communities that I frequent?

All controversial issues aside-- why don't YOU make an open letter to President Obama and TELL him who you represent and what does that group decide. Don't let me stop you-- go ahead and make your own open-letter in ASL.

After all, he is OUR president.

WhiteHouse(DOT)gov is a good place to start. If you wish to mail your video, the address is:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

An Open Letter to President Obama

2009-01-18T09:33:00.004-08:00

An open letter in ASL to notify President Barack Obama of his name sign which was given by the Deaf community in USA.

Disclaimer: This is a final project for a course I took last Fall. Also I acknowledge that there are several name signs suggested for Obama and encourage you to look at other vlogs discussing name signs for you to determine which you prefer. For this video, I chose just one name sign that I felt comfortable and at ease to sign specifically for this video project.

In time for the inauguration, I decided to share my final project with the public and in hope that President Obama, being tech-savvy, will view this video and learn how to introduce himself with his newly-given name sign at the inauguration this Tuesday!

American Sign Language Only

American Sign Language and Subtitled in English

Pharmacy

2009-01-09T10:05:00.003-08:00

"5 bucks."

I took out my wallet- but I stopped myself... wrong body language.
She handed back my RX note. No pills.
Hmm...
A replay-
maroon lipsticked lips opening wide...
"fiiiffffttteeennnn ....bbb" no. I must misread. Fifteen? Bucks? Cannot be it!
...loop the replay....
Oh!
FIFTEEN MINUTES. That was what she said.
Feeling a fool with my wallet out, I smiled and acted smooth-- I took out my wallet to put in my RX note in.
What? Serious? I sure look like an idiot. Stuffing a giant RX note in my tiny wallet.

Whatever,
I walked back to the lounge, placed my foolish butt down in the chair, fumbled around-- wallet, RX, purse.

Rolling eyes at myself, how could I misread her?
Five bucks, fifteen minutes? Huge difference here!

Plotting who to blame for my idiotic actions, think think.
Aha!
Assumption is at fault here.
I blame it on the fact that I know that certain RX costs me 5 bucks, so my predictions of an usual routine has caused me to be overconfident.

Silly me, I darted my eyes around to figure out the time-- does she mean exactly 15 minutes or your typical 15 minutes which really means an hour?
Longtime dependent on the electronic billboard where your name will pop up in green led lights, indicating that your RX is ready to be picked up, I assure myself when I spot such a billboard--
Wait
No,
It is not working! This wonderful device is broken. It is black. No led lights perking up for your name. No light at end of the tunnel...

I am at a loss. How do I know when my RX is ready??? Will they yell out my name?

Oh no.

Eyes alert now, dependent on body language now. Eyes glancing over my neighbors- there were only three of them. Note to self: if their head turn around to both sides, it means a name was shouted over and over -- and that name must be mine. Yes, that poor Deaf woman doesn't know her own name.

Roll my eyes.

Waiting for that body movement--
head tilting, circling around...
circle...
circle...
Nothing yet... why?

WAIT!

Frozen, a pharmacist waved for my attention.
But!
Not in a humiliating way-- waving big and shouting at same time that many ignorant hearing people seem to adopt. Not this one. He waits until I glance up and then he waves as if saying: "you, come."

Wait, they remember I am deaf? Wow, nice of them.

Flabbergasted, I found myself walking up to the booth.

"Five dollars." This time, I read right.

23 years already?

2008-12-13T08:41:00.002-08:00

So yeah, I turned 23 last Thursday. No snow for my birthday as I wished for. It is ok. I will live. It did snow a week prior to my birthday (as always, it seems.)

To review my life in a glance to see how I have spent the past twenty-three years on Earth:

I was born in San Diego, California.
I swam.
I went to Lafayette Elementary School.
I learned how to be Deaf.
I went to London.
I went on a family car trip up and down California.
I went to Finland to visit my family.
I went to Kroc Middle School.
I went to Washington D.C. as part of 8th grade school trip.
I graduated from Madison High School, go class of 2003!.
I went to Finland to visit the family again.
I met my husband one day before my birthday.
I went to Turkey.
I surfed on my own.
I graduated from San Diego State University.
I went to Europe, dozens of countries.
I visited my family in Finland.
I moved from San Diego to Washington D.C..
I go to Gallaudet University.
I live in Washington D.C. with my husband.
I am a graduate student.
I am twenty-three years old.

Deaf Interpreting Education Programs

2008-12-13T08:19:00.003-08:00

It seems the information about Deaf interpreting classes or ITP (Interpreting Training Program) is not widely shared so here are the 411 if you are interested in taking some courses or a program as supplementary training to the mandated 16-hour workshops provided to satisfy the RID's requirement prior to take up the CDI written test.

Seattle Community College, Washington a Certificate program. Offers an ITP (AA degree) as well

Phoenix Community College, Arizona, AA degree program, it seems.

Gallaudet University, Washington D.C. two programs, BA and MA, in Interpretation. Open to everybody, hearing or deaf. Summer courses offered re: Deaf-Blind interpreting and so forth.

University of Vermont, Offered a summer course in CDI training in 2007. An ongoing or annual program, uncertain. I only can find old information from "Deaf Today" website so if you do have the current information, please do share!

To find a CDI training workshop in your area, use RID's "Find a Workshop" search. You might tweak it a bit, try various keywords such as "DEAF", "CDI", "ROLES", "FUNCTIONS" to find the two workshops required for prospective Deaf interpreters: "Code of Professional Conduct" and "Role and function of a Deaf interpreter."

Representin' the MAI, yo

2008-11-24T13:35:00.002-08:00

Disclaimer:
This rap video was made when I was insane. Insanity results from pressure and tons of papers to type up.
Don't be a graduate student. Say no to higher education.

MAI = Master's Art in Interpretation... that is the name of the graduate program I am enrolled at Gallaudet University.
This video is intended for my MAI classmates, but feel free to watch and laugh at my insanity.

Remember-- say "NO" to MA and Ph.D

CDI Survey for San Diego Deafies

2008-11-24T12:04:00.002-08:00

I am copying and pasting this email from SDCRID (San Diego Chapter of RID). They are conducting a survey to see whether the Deaf community in San Diego would be interested in signing up for CDI training workshops if offered in the future.
This is your chance to speak up if you wish to learn about Deaf interpreting. The SDCRID need to see the demand so they can serve you, the Deaf community.

Hi all,

SDCRID is doing a survey to find out how many deaf individuals in our community are interested to become deaf interpreters and their willingness to be trained. Your feedback will be helpful in determining whether SDCRID should offer training here in San Diego.
The more responses I get, the better! :-)

The survey can be found at this link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Lo7MrHPhOFKuo59hVu_2f5yA_3d_3d

Any questions can be directed to me at representative-2@sdcrid.org.

Thank you,

Naomi Sheneman
SDCRID Deaf Community Representative

...Did somebody say "Snow"?

2008-11-15T20:14:00.003-08:00

LOOK AHEAD
Another cold front passes the region Monday leaving behind variably cloudy skies, the chance of some snow flurries or sprinkles (20% chance), and even chillier temperatures. Highs should only reach the mid 40s with a cold wind from the northwest at 15-20 mph. Variably cloudy and cold overnight, with a slight chance of snow flurries. Lows should drop down to 28-33 (suburbs-city). Confidence: Medium

OH YEAHHHH!!!

My only birthday wish is that it *will* snow on December 11th!!!
(Some of you may remember that I was greatly disappointed last year when the first snow of the season melted before my birthday)

Yes, We Can!

2008-11-05T18:07:00.002-08:00

Last night, in anticipating of who would win after counting the electoral college votes, I was at Gallaudet's James Sorenson Lee Communication Center (SLCC) and I ended up being in one of pictures in an article published by Inside Gallaudet.

Inside Gallaudet: Kendall Green watches Election Day unfold

so from that article, I am copying and pasting:

Students check election results on a laptop in the SLCC atrium during an election night "Sleep-In.

Hey, Inside Gallaudet writers, sorry to correct you, but I was actually working on a Powerpoint presentation that was due next day (today!).

It was crazy and CROWDED at the SLCC. I was lucky to grab the seats in the center, armed with three slices of pizza (selfish, I know but I am a graduate student! Don't you know that Graduate students don't eat unless the food is free?) with the laptop powering up, trying to finish my powerpoint presentation.
Let me tell you, it was a BAD idea to try to do my homework at last minute, especially at the SLCC while watching the election on the big screen TV! The professors really shouldn't assign us anything due the day after the election day.

But I managed to finish my powerpoint presentation (and I delivered it well this morning!... I think.).

The story tidbit about the big screen TV went dark-- TRUE-BIZ! I was running back to the SLCC from the Rathskeller bar with a friend, soda in my hand and grilled cheese sandwich for her, and as we slowed down to catch the update as we entered the building, ALL SUDDENLY THE TV WENT BLACK!
Apparently somebody tripped on the power cord. People were shouting and screaming (and signing, of course): "WHAT HAPPENED?! I SAW THE CLOSED-CAPTIONING SAY THAT OBAMA WON?!" so people ran up to the second floor (and some tiny televisions in the hallway and classrooms) and they were able to relay the information: Obama won.

At first we were like, "NO?! ALREADY?! 11pm?!" Because we thought the western states were JUST closing their polls so how could they be done with their votes counted?!

Nonetheless, we were enthusiastic and we were hugging everybody, stranger and friend. Immediately the students were planning where to get alcohol and whom dorm room to throw a celebration party. Unfortunately, I have moved past that stage and don't forget, I got that darn powerpoint presentation at 9am the next day...
so I biked home with my other half and went to bed smiling.

(for the video recordings of the event, go to Deaf Perspective's blog)

It is fall-- wait, but it feels like winter!

2008-10-29T16:41:00.002-08:00

This week so far has been COLD. For Tuesday the 28th, the Captial Weather Gang even mentioned a slight possibility of snow... in OCTOBER?!

To my disappointment, the snow didn't arrive.
Fortunately, I am better prepared this year compared to last year. I bought the right coats, right scarves, and wore warm hats!

So bring it on, Canada-- send down the snow!

Adept in Camoflague

2008-09-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

camouflage: /ˈkæməˌflɑʒ/
1. the act, means, or result of obscuring things to deceive an enemy, as by painting or screening objects so that they are lost to view in the background, or by making up objects that have from a distance the appearance of fortifications, guns, roads, etc.
2. concealment by some means that alters or obscures the appearance

My camouflage of new haircut and hair color has been successful as I pioneered through the campus of Gallaudet.

No, really I didn't camouflage myself on purpose to hide from the general student population. I was taking advantage of a new chapter in life for a change in appearances. I often dyed my hair different colors (back in my undergraduate days!) so dyeing my hair is not something new... especially red hair-- that is not new for me. I believe this is my fourth time dyeing my hair red. Rad, huh?

For some reasons, I am considering being a warm brunette... maybe for the summer. Hmm.

Bicycling

2008-08-12T06:23:00.002-07:00

I ride a bicycle to work now.

Yessire, my new apartment has enabled me to own a bicycle and cycle my way around D.C..

It takes me 15 minutes to pedal down to my work from my home while it may take me 30 minutes to reach the same destination by bus. The big difference? I can get on the sidewalk to cut out the stop-n-go traffic and skip the frequent stops that the bus usually make.

I love my bicycle. It is made in Germany and it is vintage. (However the brakes are a bit iffy which means I need to replace the cable; and the hard-grips are giving me calluses so time to upgrade to soft grips.)

I just need to find a wire basket and then line it up with some WAY-cool plaid fabric like this:

to spiff up my bicycle.

Urban bicycling is different than your typical beach cycling. I wonder if Gallaudet would provide workshops to promote bicycling awareness-- how to be safe on streets, and whatnot. There is a bicycle association, Washington Area Bicycle Association, but I am pretty sure the WABA's classes are not interpreted unless I pay for one myself. :-(

Any bicycle tips would be appreciated. I plan to get a mirror so I can check out my blind spot for any incoming cars from behind. I also am considering to get a hearing aid to keep my ears open for any sirens. I almost ran into a speeding police car because I didn't see its flashing lights around the corner. Yikes!

The WABA does provide excellent coverage of where in DC is best/safe to bike around and whatnot. You can buy your own map for twelve bucks or print out one by one (I printed out my neighborhood) to tape together one giant map.

I am proud to own a bicycle. A few months down the road, I might sell my car so I can just get around by bike or feet.

To Hell with the Blood-suckers!

2008-08-05T10:21:00.002-07:00

mos·qui·to [muh-skee-toh] –noun, plural -toes, -tos.
1. any of numerous dipterous insects of the family Culicidae, the females of which suck the blood of animals and humans, some species transmitting certain diseases, as malaria and yellow fever.

THOSE blood-suckers are making my life MISERABLE. I think somewhere in their DNA says: "Find Kirsi. Suck the hell out of Kirsi." I have scars to prove their violence upon me. Why me?! Why do you have to bite me over and over?! Ain't my blood good enough for ONE BITE?!

I am just so upset because overnight I have four new mosquito bites on my feet alone (because apparently I stuck them out from beneath the blanket that I was using as my mosquito net). That brings the current tally of unbearable itchy bites to: 12. I am trying my best to NOT scratch those bites because last time I did that and that is how I got those horrible dark patches all over my legs...

In just one year of living in East Coast, my legs went from beautiful sun-kissed legs to ugly blotchy sticks of bitten flesh.

I tried to follow a friend's advice:

Advice on the mosquitoes.. Random. not to be done in order.
one, stop eating bananas, if you do...
two, if you don't wanna use bug spray, use Avon's Skin-So-Soft.. it helps.
Three.... mark an X on each mosquito bite with your nail and then rub rubbing alcohol on it with a cotton ball. It'll help the itch a bit.
four. all else fails, take a benadryl. and use bug spray. :)

...but my battles against the D.C. mosquitos are futile so I am in need of more home remedies to repeal mosqutios bites. (Garlic? Ginger roots? What what?)

Maybe I just need a good blood flush-out and get a different blood type...

Until then, I am putting a hex on the DC mosquitos!

No Internet? Eep.

2008-07-31T09:51:00.002-07:00

It seems in our blinding excitement, we forgot to confirm whether there is a cable wired in our new apartment-- (turned out there is NO cable anywhere in the apartment)... so we cannot order anything from Comcast because we cannot do a dial-up internet (two computers and a videophone??? Puh-please).

You would think that I would be experienced with settling in a new home but apparently not-- we made many rookie mistakes. Silly mistakes like forgetting to set up an account with gas company which results in no hot water for one week.
But it doesn't end there--
When we called the Washington Gas company, they said that they refuse to provide us gas because we owe them money. Wha, but but we just moved in? They said that we need to prove that we are not the bad tenants that apparently has a LARGE debt to the Washington Gas company... so that means we have to walk in with our current lease stating the move-in date as our proof that we have no idea about the debt that the previous tenants left behind.

Until then, we gotta wait until all is cleared up and the gas man will come down to release the gas!

(The story behind "no cable": The landlord apparently spent last 12 months just revamping the whole first floor of the apartment building-- replacing the drywalls, the flooring, carpeting, and everything... so in the course of construction, the landlord forgot to tell the contractor to drill out a hole for cable to be installed. However, there are plenty of phone jacks-- I think in our bedroom alone, there are four. Who needs so many phone lines?!)

It is getting harder and harder to move and settle down because everything in DC requires you to state your phone number.
I do not even know the number of my old apartment during my residence in the past year. Why is everything so phone-orientated? My husband nitpicked a representative about this and they stated that it is almost like stating your SSN-- it is their way of confirming that you do live in D.C..
...oh.
Great. Now how do I find out the phone number of my residence? Help?

And one final thing-- I cannot find ANYTHING online about keeping a landline open for free for Deaf consumers for only the purpose of calling 911. I do not want to establish a phone account and spend money on something that we WON'T use. I have heard about that Deaf consumers can keep their phone line for free... so... is this a myth or for real? I guess I will just contact Verizon and ask them about it.

So yeah... we are not settled in just yet.

but but but BUT
I will be right BACK!!!!!!!

Cardboard, Packing Peanuts, Bubble wraps, Oh My!

2008-07-15T19:03:00.005-07:00

So many videos to edit, so many blogs to spell-check, so many things unfinished for my blog... no time to do all that... why...?
Cannot you see?! My apartment is in shambles, I am doing this all on my own, I am exhausted, and my apartment management unnerves me!

What? Is it obvious enough?
I am MOVING.

My husband is on other side of the country (wise move, perhaps), leaving all the pack-up to me alone. So far, I got.... (counting) 11 boxes, all different sizes and good number of bags with clothes in it. I almost threw my back out as I disassembled a large wardrobe last night all by myself.

My place has a HORRIBLE feng shui now... I cannot sleep well for the past week... My cat constantly attacks me in his angry outbursts due to the fact that I messed his karma up (either that or he dislikes all of those boxes stacked up, towering over him).

I just cannot wait to move in the new place... and begone with this cursed apartment... it is cute and blah blah for a first "home", but seriously, I can do better than this place. The only thing that I will regret leaving this apartment is the amazing MOM's which is only a block away... I will MISS the stroll to pick up a fresh organic apple.

BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT
At the new place-- we have our OWN washer and dryer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have to realize that this is a huge deal for us.... because for the past year, we had to deal with problems with our building's laundry room. Problems like broken washer, coin-eating dryer, doors that won't close, funny smells from inside of washer, and people hogging all washers and dryers during peak hours. AND to top it all-- THE LOUSY OPERATING HOURS!!! Our laundry room is open only from 8am to 8pm!!! Impossible given the fact that I leave to work at 7am and get home at 6pm!!! Totally impossible to do all loads just within two hours if there is only four washers and four dryers for all people in a 16-unit apartment building!!!! YES!

So... to have the luxury of a personal washer and dryer, convenient at any hours, with no lines to wait in, oh yes.... it is a luxury!!

I am looking forward to the new place in D.C.. A bigger and better place which is just even better with its location. I know all boxes and bad feng shui will end soon when I move next week. I pick up the key for our new home this Monday... and I will grin from ear to ear...

I hope you all can pick up a hint...HIATUS TIME UNTIL I AM SETTLED IN MY NEW PLACE (for sure by end of the month).

By the way, if you have a truck and you live in D.C.-- come over and help me with the big items like mattress and big boxes!!! (batting her eyes)

Cancer Awareness -- IN ASL

2008-06-26T11:14:00.003-07:00

I know I sort missed my chance when there were numerous walks across the nation to promote awareness and support for cures for breast cancer and whatnot. It is better to be late than never!

Somebody a while ago at Gallaudet (I only could remember your last name--Nunn) mentioned that I should use my blog/vlog as a power to promote needed knowledge for the Deaf community. Inspired, I decided to revive an old entry that I blogged about.

I posted that entry pre-DeafRead when I was not famous... :-)
Since now the limelight has graced me, I have your attention now.

Those videos (in ASL, with subtitles and voiceover) were produced and distrubated by the Outreach program at UCSD's Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, California. Here is their website.
They are more than glad to mail you the video if you want to share this information at your deaf churches, deaf events, or even for a small party with friends who want to watch the videos.

Explanation about the cancer itself, its symptoms, and possible treatments along with the aftermath are all explained in those amazing videos. This makes it easier for Deaf people to seek information, especially with the medical jargons that can send your head spinning!

The Outreach program took it a notch up-- they have those videos available online! They break the educational film in parts to make it downloadable (RealPlayer only), so you can download certain questions or topics such as treatments, but I would recommend you to watch all clips.

The videos available online to view are:
Breast Cancer Education - "Every Woman Counts"
Cervical Cancer Education - "Catch it early and save your life"
Ovarian Cancer Education - "Finding and Surviving Ovarian Cancer"
Uterine Cancer Education - "The cancer few women know"
Prostate and Testicular Cancer Education - "Know Your Options!"

(A Fun Tidbit: I am in the Cervical Cancer film! Find me... I was only 17 years old even though in the film I said I was 21! Long story short-- they desperately needed volunteers and my little naive self got snatched up.)

Purdy, Ain't It?

2008-06-21T19:57:00.002-07:00

Do NOT diss the colors of this layout.
Those colors are actually my favorite colors. They belong to two color families of brown and blue. Ask anybody that know me, I love brown and blue (more like "teal"). I think those two colors are a fabulous marriage of colors!
Brown-orange and teal always remind me of the beach. The ocean, the sand, the sea breezes, sea foam, sand dollars. Ah, I love California. :-)

Anyway, good news! The comment section is now working!

Be seeing you around in DC or in the cyberspace... leave some love!

To Anonymous Comments, With love, Gnarlydorkette

2008-06-15T19:28:00.003-07:00

Disclaimer to comment-makers--
I do not allow anonymous comments. Put a name to your soapbox.
I don't take you seriously if you hide behind "anonymous", especially if you are spewing mean-spirited biased comments.
Sorry, but if you want to bad-mouth me or anybody, you gotta show us your John Hancock. Fair game.

***NOTE: I am still figuring out why the comments don't show up. The error laid with the fact that I decided to switch over to blogger's comments for moderations which means I dropped Haloscan's comment services... and thar the snafu!
Have patience with me as I sift through the templates to find the html codes for comments so I can reinstate the ability to comment in my blog.

CDI Explained: Part Four-- My Advice

2008-06-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

CDI Explained: Part four
"Advice for Test-takers"

*****
Synopsis
*****
My Advice to You, a Prospective CDI: Throw out your already-established notions of ethics, common sense, and whatnot when it comes to Deaf Interpreting... because it might not match RID's definitions. Remember, it is their test, so make sure you understand RID's viewpoint on ethics or common sense (even if you disagree).
and DO SIGN UP for CDI training workshop when it comes around... because you won't know when the next one will come. Just grab the opportunity if you do have ONE ounce of consideration to become a Deaf interpreter (part-time, full-time, freelance, whatever.)

Why an Umbrella is a Bad Idea

2008-06-10T20:55:00.004-07:00

Let me give you a demonstration.

*the demo graffiti done by ME. Yes, go ahead and marvel at my drawing skills.

Too Snoopy For My Liking

2008-05-31T20:50:00.004-07:00

I decide to jump on the offer by Sprint Relay for a new phone device since my trusty sidekick has breathed its death rattle.
If you are not familiar with this deal (which is all over DeafRead and whoever has the sprint-relay advertising), to receive the special offer you have to buy it through sprintrelay's store. The deal is a data-only plan for same price that T-mobile offers with rebates for a new phone (Joey Baer's sales pitch)... so if you browse Sprint's website, you won't see this deal. This process began to send up small red flags. Why couldn't Sprint offer it on their own website?
Maybe Sprint just wants to make it easier for their D/HH customers to find this data-only plans... whatever, the deal is so good that I am moving on...

I clicked, typed in your typical stuff, like credit card # and shipping address...
click-click-click, typetypetypedeletetypetype, click-click...
PAUSE.
A red flag shot up the flagpole.
The form asked for my social security number, driver's license, its expiration date, which state issued... it is like filling out a form to get a loan!

The superficial reason which was sitting right above the question is that they wish to run a credit report on me and will need to investigate to deem whether a deposit needs to be made. They gave you options of how much they can take out of your account-- 200, 150, 100, 50 or "none"-- which the "none" follows a disclaimer stating if they found me ineligible, they will refuse to send me the phone device.

...
Is this normal?
...

Far as I remember, minor purchases like cell phones, they usually just want your credit card number.

But now, they want my SSN#?

What is going on???

So I shot off an email to Sprint (not sprint-relay, because they only list emails of local representative to order through... some average Joe that I really don't think can answer my email.) which you can read below (pardon grammar errors, typos, whatever ):

*****
Skeptical Business Conduct
*****
I am very skeptical that one of your sub-business known as "Sprint Relay" which operates a store as well offering data-only plans for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers. They require driver's license and SSN... this is NOT normal for a cell phone business to ask.
Maybe I am behind in the cell-phone world, but I feel that if you are asking very personal information that are IRREVELANT to buy something minor like a cell phone (before you know, we will be require to give out our SSN to buy a dress!)... I believe a bussiness like you and your sub-business like SprintRelay need to state what will you DO after you did the credit check. Will you store those highly-confident information on your database? Will you erase them and begone with it after a positive credit report? You need to assure your customers' trust that you won't risk the possibilty of third-party receiving their SSN and other confident information. It took me 30 minutes to debate with myself and ask my friends around to inquire if this is violation of my privacy rights, and whether this is a normal and revelant question? I believe those highly-confident information such as my SSN and driver's license number to see my credit reports should be left up with credit card companies who will actually pay you since the customers will charge with the cards from various credit cards companies.

The reason I am very ambivalent and resistant to release my SSN and driver's license to a corporation like Sprint Relay is because... WHAT WILL THEY DO TO ENSURE MY PRIVACY? I looked throughout their websites (included sprintrelay's) and nothing is stated. Will they erase my confident information once I passed their credit report check? Will they keep mine in their database FOREVER? Will they SELL my SSN to a third-party company?

Is there limitations to whom we can refuse to release our SSN# to? I understand for a new credit card, for a job, or whatnot... but... to a CELL PHONE COMPANY?

Me Kiss-Fist DC What?

2008-05-29T20:19:00.002-07:00

If you happen to pit me down on the ground, twisting my arm to get an answer from me to the question: what do I love about D.C.? I will yell out "architecture! architecture!" as if I am yelling out "uncle! uncle!"

Needless to say, the styles of historical buildings in Washington D.C. are drop-dead gorgeous. The 19th century period homes are the best. I found myself fascinated with the textures, the lighting fixtures, and the weathering effects of patina, rust, and warped wood.

My utmost favorite thing is not in DC per se, but rather hanging over the Potomac River. Yes, I am referring to that gorgeous rail bridge for VRE (Virginia Rail Express)... with lovely graffiti here and there accented by the patina. Let's not forget those robust vines clinging to the posts as the high tide waves bash against the posts.

You only get this great view either from a yacht wading down the river or from a Yellow line metro train as it trods from L'Efante station to Pentagon station.

Not the people. Not the politics. Not the museums. It is just that one bridge that captured my heart.

This is actually the back of the view. This picture is only to give you the idea... soon I will snap a picture of the proper view that will take away your breath. :-)

A Branchful Morning

2008-05-29T20:16:00.001-07:00

**** ENGLISH TRANSLATION SUMMARIZED ****

The cat was stressed out, my husband felt something vibrating which was odd. Thought somebody tried to break in... nothing. Woke up next day, husband says "look out the window" and there the tree is! IT seems that one tree which had two elongated branch (two cores) and one snapped off due to a heavy rainfall over the weekend. Thanks god the tree didn't break through the window and THANKS GOD we are DEAF so we slept throughout the night just fine while our cat panicked as the tree toppled down on our home.

****************************************

A Leap of Joy

2008-05-10T08:20:00.006-07:00

I got accepted!

So this Fall, I am officially a graduate student at Gallaudet's Interpretation Program. Let's see where this forked road takes me. Right now, my big worry is to find how to pay for graduate studies. Don't tell me to go to local VR office-- they won't accept my case because a BA degree is pretty much good enough for me (yet I haven't a decent-paying job since I moved here in DC?). I am a bit leery about taking a student loan because I plan to take a loan for other purposes (details not needed to elaborate at the moment). Two major loans simultaneously is a bad idea. I am hoping for scholarships/grants, work-study, waiver of tuition fees-- whatever resources that result with my money staying in my pockets.
... so I am not exactly out of woods-- I still have to figure out what to do, where to live, which job, and whether I have to be a starving graduate student... :-)
Wish me luck but meanwhile, go ahead and leap for joy!

My Typical Approach to Introducing Myself

2008-05-01T17:50:00.003-07:00

My typical introduction in ASL would appear somewhat along this line:
My name (AT SPEED OF LIGHT): K----- (and A NANOSECOND OF PAUSE) G---G.
(huh?)
No, wrong spell... K-I-R-S-I. Yes, finish. not K-R-I-S-T-I. that name Finnish. Last name-- no no wrong spell... No "S" at end of G---G. Right Know, American Tend Spell G---GS but mine different. Know, Know Both names different. Me Odd...

:-) It is really MY fault for fingerspelling too fast. My former ASL students can testify to that... (sorry kiddos!). I am fully aware of my speed... and I cannot help it. Note to future friends: I do not mind repeat the fingerspelling for my name-- it is very unique and many people are not accustomed to spell that way so I prefer to have my name properly spelled instead of having you telling everybody about "how cool Kristy* is!". ;-)

More blogs about how to introduce yourself in ASL!!!
"Deafies, Let's Chat!" @ http://blog.deafread.com/oscar1997/2008/04/30/my-name/
Joey Baer's ASL vlog @ http://www.joeybaer.com/?p=139

****
I decided to do a brief video to show you what my introduction looks like when I meet people-- I usually get the same "huh?" look when it comes to my name-- both first and last names. .

* = Kristi, Kristy, Kirsti, Kim, Kris, Krisi, and many variations that people usually err with spelling out my name.

Sewing Galore

2008-04-19T17:19:00.008-07:00

Patty over at TheDeafBlindsMusing has inflicted me to show off my sewing projects! Check hers out for her quilt project!

Mind you, I never take up a sewing class and all my sewing knowledge came from my mother and my dear friend (who did take up the sewing class!) and the wonderful internet! I know how to handsew, but sewing machine just made it much easier! Unfortunately I don't know many techniques like darts and whatnot-- so I tend to wing it and see what happens.

Most of my projects are reconstruction projects-- I am a big believer in three R's-- so I usually buy stuff from Goodwill that got wonderful patterns but "blah" in form-- and it is SO cheap that I don't feel guilty to cut it up and see if I can transform that apparel into something beautiful.

***

I found this extra-extra-large sweater at a Goodwill store and I loved the fabric and pattern but... it is too BIG!

Before::::

After:::
Ta-da, a vest! Feedback on whether I should shorten it more? The sides are BADLY sewn because I pulled the fabric while sewing so it is sort of warped. Lesson learned... don't stretch the fabric, just let the sewing machine pull the fabric through!

and the beanie hat that I salvaged out from the bottom of the sweater. I made two-- one is too small and suitable for a child and a large sized hat fits me.

***

I lost a long-time friend recently... my good ol' pair of stretchable jeans... but it will be glad to hear that it has been converted to a foot-long chew toy for dogs and a nifty hipslinger purse with three pockets intact!

(jeez, my butt looks BIG... note to self: maybe just two pockets instead of three is a good idea so nobody can notice that my butt is actually WIDE)

***

And I made a scarf from scratch-- I bought this nifty fabric that is like a buck a yard and made it a short scarf (3-feet instead of 5-feet) with amazing stitches that the sewing machine did on the ends of the scarf!

Crafty Dorkette!

2008-04-19T10:05:00.002-07:00

I think today's generation of women differs from last generation in terms of skills of seamstress and tailor.
Perhaps the difference lays with domesticity and feminism-- it is no longer expected for women to stay home, do household chores, and whatnot. Likewise for the men, it is not embarrassing if they do know how to sew their shirts. It is liberating for both sexes to do whatever they want without abiding to the society expectations of their gender compared to last generation.

Maybe it is different for me because my mother is 62 years old and I am 22 years old-- so I share the same skills that most 30 to 40s women learned from their mothers.

Let me get to my point--
I feel out of place, out of my generation, all because I know how to use the sewing machine. It seems to be scandalous for me, as a feminist, to know those skills that have been long associated with the housewife image.

Am I degrading myself as a woman if I do enjoy sewing?

I think the women of 90s differ from the women of 2000s-- because based on what I see is that it is cool if you know how to sew and whatnot. Look at etsy.com and you will find plethora of crafty bags, hand-sewn dress, organic home-made soaps, and retro-looking dolls for today's babies.

Maybe it is because the popular media now emphasizes on the concept of "D-I-Y"-- Do It Yourself. Trading Spaces, Clean Your House, Design on a Dime... all of them relies on the house-owners to pitch in their labor, skills, whatnot to make their homes beautiful.

I think Project Runway did it by making it mainstreamed and accepted for women and men to sew. More websites are popping up all over offering free sewing patterns (upon registering as a member) like Burda and Craftser forum... Now you can go and make that amazing dress you have been eyeing in a store but its retail price is 300$...!

So right now, my DIY projects include a luggage bag that needs to be patched to mend the worn-out seams, several scarves to be sewn in time for spring, rebuttoning my skirt and sew back on a belt loop that is falling off from my capri.

I am a feminist who loves the sewing machine. And I am proud to say that I do know how to knit too!
I love to defy the society expectations. Crafty of me, indeed. ;-)

(THANK YOU SO MUCH DEAF258 FOR LENDING THE SEWING MACHINE TO ME!)

Gallaudet. Period.

2008-04-05T09:36:00.003-08:00

I have kept this mum because... well, I was not certain.

Oftentimes, I would say "oh I might do this..." and then all suddenly it snowballed into something that I cannot stop and yell out: "WAIT! I CHANGED MY MIND!"
So this time around, I decided to keep it to myself (and to my husband) to ponder what is my next step. I discussed with some friends and whatnot, but I pushed off to blog about it because it seems as if you blog something, it becomes... PERMANENT.

So... now I am blogging with a Sharpie marker...
I have applied to Gallaudet's graduate program in Interpretation.

And they have contacted me to establish an interview which is in a couple of weeks.

Don't ask me how do I feel-- I think I have already established that I am the worst person to pry an answer to the dreadful question "how do you feel???" with my vlogs about moving to DC and my blogs about taking a class in Turkey.

I am usually numb to everything-- I think I refuse to "feel" which might set me up for disappointments due to high expectations. I just want to go with the flow, enjoying what is offered to me, not being surprised by detours in my life.

But I can say one thing for sure-- I feel relieved. RELIEVED.
That I am making progress with my future, with my involvement with interpreting.

I cannot say for certain what I want from the program-- what I foresee myself doing in 10 years from now...I cannot answer either question. I just know that I feel this is the right step and I have 100% confidence in Deaf Interpreting because it is the most natural choice I made in my life.

Natural, how? Nobody forced me... that it never snowballed... No condition preludes my choice such as financial stresses, need to have a degree, et cetera...
This is the choice I made all by myself just because I want it.

There weren't many choices I wanted to be offered to me, and I had to settle for inadequate choices. I dealt with that all my life. But not this. I *made* the choice available which was also the choice I *wanted*.
It sure feels good.

Now... snowball all you want! Roll, roll, roll...!
Let's see where this interpreting field takes me!

"Deaf Interpreter-- ASL only! Not." CDI: Explained the Series

2008-03-19T11:02:00.002-08:00

"Deaf Interpreter-- ASL only! Not."
Part two of the "CDI:explained" the Series.

**********************************
*Transcript done by gnarlydorkette*
**********************************
I have met so many people who mentions that they want to become a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) and so on...
but I realized something needs to be cleared up...
People seems to misunderstand the duties and responsibilites of a CDI.
I have met people who go on and on about how proficient their signing skills are in ASL-- so I invite them out to workshops,
and once we get to the workshop, they immediately protest against English all because they don't understand some words. They object to have English, oppression by hearing people, and that it should be all in ASL, deaf pride and so on...
Whoa whoa, you cannot say that ! You must understand English as well! Because at the job, you have to interpret the English text to ASL for the Deaf consumers!
CDI does mean a person is proficient in ASL, but it also mean that the person knows English as well.
CDI is truly a bilingual job-- you must know English and ASL.
You have to understand, it is not only the ASL-user Deaf people who complain, I have seen some oral Deaf people do the same--
They will mouth out with PSE signs, "I can interpret, I already know English, so it should be easy because I can lipread or hear with my CI, oh so easy to interpret for Deaf consumers!" Which I thought , oh okay, come out with me to the workshop... and then they say, "Oh I cannot do ASL, I have a hard time understanding the Deaf consumer's signs! My god! I cannot understand ASL!"
Oh... but if you want to become a CDI, you will have to deal with those signing Deaf consumers...
Being a CDI doesn't mean you get to cherry-pick your consumers out of Deaf/HoH community-- oh no, no way.
Being a CDI means you are certifed to handle -any- situations with -any- type of Deafness.
CDI really validates the idea of Deafhood in terms of including all different backgrounds, like minimal language Deaf people to educated Deaf-Blind people, to sighted Deaf people, Usher's Syndrome, to people who use ASL but not familiar with English, to people who understand English very well but not ASL.
Some days for instance, I mean if I am to become a CDI, one day I can interpret in ASL for a Deaf-Blind consumer then next day, I have to interpret in SEE for a Deaf person who cannot understand the professor who signs in ASL at Gallaudet, so they might bring me in as a CDI to interpret in SEE for the Deaf consumer to understand the professor.
So, CDI is not limited to ASL-user consumers, but for all types of Deaf people who do sign-- PSE, SEE, ASL, Gestuno, or other foreign signing language...
so, yeah that... a CDI is required to know English, the spoken language of hearing world, plus ASL of the Deaf world; being in the middle balancing both worlds by bridging the communication between deaf and hearing consumers. You cannot sit in one world more than another... "I am in Deaf world because I prefer ASL all the times, Deaf Pride!" or "I am Oral, I use Cued Speech, I am in Hearing world, not with you Deaf people" -- no no, you are in middle of both worlds with unbiased understanding of both worlds, that you can connect with many different people from the Hearing world with many people in Deaf world-- so many different types of connection but as long both worlds are connected.
CDI includes all Deaf people, different language/signing preference, and all that....
So.. hopefully it does help you understand the CDI topic a bit better. I do wish there are more workshops offered all over so people can take one or two workshops to get an idea... I know it is hard to find information about this, that's why I try to share information that I found, but you have to remember that I am not an expert on CDI. I learned about this on my own from various places, and garnered all together to share with you... if you do want more than what I have to offer, it is best to ask somebody else...

Frugality

2008-03-07T13:54:00.005-08:00

::How to be Frugal::
a young city-slicker's guide

1. Shop at Goodwill and Salvation Army for jacket, jeans, tops, belts or scarves... people do give away designer clothes! Think-- American Eagle jeans for six bucks, Gap denim jacket for five bucks... SCORE! However, do not shop for underwear or shoes. (and the cool thing is that all your spending money go forward to a cause!)

2. Borrow DVDs from your library! They do have Spiderman 3... if you are a student, try your college/university's library.

3. Cut the cable and become a Netflix member if you so must have your movies. Think about it-- no more commericals!

3. Instead of paying monthly for Netflix membership, read free books from libraries! Many movies are based on novels, you know?

4. If you do occasionally watch a movie like me (once a month), rent a movie from Redbox, not Blockbuster!

5. Buy generic food-- it tastes the same as brand-name food and a whole lot cheaper!

6. Use public transportation. It saves you the headache of traffic and finding a parking spot! For me, it is nice to catch up with my knitting projects!

6a. Or join Zipcars!

7. Turn down the heat and bundle up-- that is what blankets and socks are for!

8. Unplug your TV, computer, charger when not in use-- they are electricity-vampires even when in "off" mode.

9. Flush your toilet seldom (except when it is number 2)-- Warning: this is an extreme measure and can only be used in residence with intimate relationships-- this is a sure-fire way to get your roommate moving out next day.

10. Join your local group for Freecycle and get free stuff-- leisure books, kids' clothes, and even a sofa!

11. Take cheap thrills by going out to free events. Most museums open for free on Tuesdays. Book fairs, art galleries' opening nights (free wine and cheese!), and local festivals such as Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.!

12. Go out only during happy hour-- most bars/restaurant slash the appetizers and drinks half off-- so the adage "early bird get the worm" is true! Get drunk first before everybody else arrives for the evening!

13. --- YOU ADD! ---

DO-NOT-KNOCK

2008-02-23T12:40:00.003-08:00

As many of you know that I have been living in DC (Alexandria, VA to be more accurate) for last seven months... and I want to announce today that I was "virgin-broke" when two missionaries came to my home.

Now if you are not Deaf, you will have difficulty to understand this phenomena that plagues the Deaf households. So I am going to give you a bit of Deafology 101 lesson...

There are many churches of different denominations. So many choices for the believers. But for Deaf believers, their choices are narrowed down by finding a church that offers signing services-- by a Deaf pastor, signing pastor, or through interpreters. And those Deaf-friendly churches wage a war among each other to get a large turnout by Deaf people at their services. War, indeed.

They draw out their battles by tracking down Deaf people (believers/non-believers) and knocking down their doors and thrust a DVD that offers an ASL version of chapters in the Bible... and then praying that those shell-shocked Deaf people will come out and pay their deeds to the church that showers them with booty.

Now what does it got to do with me?
I am Deaf. I am a non-believer. So I am considered a top priority for many Deaf-friendly churches who think Deaf people need to be saved by finding Jesus in their heart. They may believe that because I don't attend a church, they think it is because I don't know about the "100% signing" services in my area.

Growing up in an fairly agnostic/atheist household, my mother had to shoot away Mormons, Jehorvah's Witness, Christians who sign all because they share one viable information: there is a Deaf child that hasn't found Jesus. Upon greeting them at the door, she would politely smile and signed back: "no, thank you, my Deaf daughter is fine and doesn't need to meet you. Bye bye" and then deadbolting the door. Often I would ask: "the church people want to meet me again?" My mother nodded and prodded me along to finish my homework, eat my dinner, or whatever the kids won't do.
As I get older, my mother got tiresome of those missionaries banging on our door so the last resort had been taken-- simply ignoring the knocks and hoping they would leave us alone.
(One time a missionary even got the nerve of getting in our fenced backyard because he thought that we don't have flashing doorbell and didn't know they were at the door. Can't they get a frigging hint?!)

All suddenly, one day it all stopped. The visits, the VHS (now DVDs), the pitiful look on them when I said "no thanks" as if they just witness a poor Deaf person evolving into a sinner.

I forgot all about this phenomenon... until today.

I have only lived in this place for seven months and the "church people" have found me! How could it be?!
We don't invite any friends to our home (for many of them, we "live too far out of DC") nor gave addresses to any of them (however now one name pops up in my mind) so how could they know we live here?! Well, it is quite possible the neighbors are the culprits. They could mention to their pastor about "a Deaf couple who apparently don't go to a church on Sunday!"

It doesn't matter who is the culprit, but it is a well-known fact that the "church people" can sniff out Deaf people no matter how secluded one can get. Their battle formations have improved and became stealthily.

Like "DO NOT CALL" registry list for the telemarketers, I wonder if there is a "DO NOT KNOCK" list for the church people?

"CDI:explained" the Series :: Part One

2008-02-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

"I want to become a CDI, therefore I am Deaf!"
Part one of the "CDI:explained" the Series.

****
Transcript made possible by me. Let me know if you see any major errors in this translation.
*****

A lot of you sent me inspiring messages about Deaf interpreting— but I noticed a pattern of one single error, more like a misunderstanding... so I want to make a vlog to clarify which means I will sign slow and add transcript or subtitled, it depends, to ensure that everybody will understand me. OK, so I am talking about "CDI" which stands for "Certified Deaf Interpreters"....... okay, I don't mean to belittle you but I want to explain what CDI, the term, means exactly.
"certified" means a person that has been certified due to passing an examination.
"Deaf"... (sort of obvious what it means)
"Interpreter" (a person who interpret)
So now I am focusing on two terms, "Deaf" and "Interpreter."
What does it mean, "Deaf Interpreter"? Well, an interpreter who is Deaf themselves.... Hearing-impaired, Hard-of-Hearing, whatever label you got for us...
so an Interpreter. Is. Deaf.
You see, "interpreter" is a noun, and if you put another word in front of it which is known as an adjective which refers to the noun. So, "Deaf" is the adjective in this case which refers to the noun, "interpreter"... So let's rew back to the term "CDI."
"CDI" is who? Deaf people who have became certified interpreters.
Does it mean "CDI" include Hearing people? NO. For hearing people, you use the terminology "CI" or "CT"- CI stands for "Certified Interpreter", no mentioning whether the person is hearing or deaf.... "CT" stands for Certified Transliterator which means word-for-word. Again, no mentioning of hearing or deaf. Yet CDI does state that it is for Deaf people—it already got that capital "D" in its name!
So, hearing people cannot apply to become CDI. The organization RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) will require proof if you want to apply as a CDI by showing your audiogram to justify your deafness. So RID already enforces the position of CDI to be for Deaf people only. Hearing people who want to become interpreters take up the CI/CT test which is now known as NIC "National Interpreter Certificate" which is new.
So again, I want to clear something up—
I am DEAF. I cannot hear nothing. I am Deaf, pathologically and culturally with a capital D.
And I want to become an interpreter.
An oxymoron? No. It is quite possible!
"Interpreters for the Deaf" is a line that is overused.... "Interpreter for the Deaf" again and again, even the RID included that line [aside: like hey?] so I understand how it is easy to get into that rut by automatically assuming that CDI means Certified Interpreter for the Deaf.
No...actually if you want to think about it, Certified Interpreter for Deaf should say "CID."
My situation, what I want to be, is CDI [Certified Deaf Interpreter]... so remember, Deaf interpreter, Deaf Interpreter, Deaf interpreter...
Thumbs Up?

Survey for Deaf Interpreters

2008-02-19T16:37:00.005-08:00

I have received this in an email and thought I will pass this on to my fellow Deaf Interpreters. This is a survey conducted by an organization to be passed out to Deaf Interpreters who have experience of interpreting (certified or not) to see what experience they bring to the job. As many of you know, Deaf Interpreting is still a fuzzy area that has became more clear in recent years with people being more aware and the job became articulate in whats duties and Blogger: dorkette: EXPOSED - Edit Post "Survey for Deaf Interpreters"performances it requires.

Hopefully the statistic will show that more resources are needed to promote professional developments for Deaf Interpreters!

Read below for the message and the link to take up the survey. Be honest in the survey-- we need to provide more data about Deaf Interpreting!!!!

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NCIEC Conducts Deaf Interpreter National Survey February 14-March 14, 2008

As part of its efforts to understand the practice of Deaf Interpreting, the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers is conducting a national survey of Deaf Interpreters. The survey will be open online from February 14 - March 14, 2008. Deaf individuals who work in the capacity of interpreters in any setting,
whether on a part-time or full-time basis, and whether certified or not, are invited to participate. It is hoped that the survey will shed light on the background and experiences of Deaf interpreters, whom they work with, in what settings, and what their professional development needs are. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Results of the survey will be available in mid-April.

Interested Deaf Interpreters can view an ASL invitation to participate at http://www.asl. neu.edu/nciec/DI_surveyintro. html, or go directly to the survey at http://www.zoomeran g.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB22796PD SKFE

Where are our rights? Vlogs Being Used Without Permission

2008-01-28T19:02:00.000-08:00

The title is pretty self-explanatory about what I discuss in this vlog.
Have your vlogs been used somewhere without your permission or knowledge (and only to find out about it later)? Does this violate our rights? Do we have ANY rights?

**
I want to thank people who have asked via email or AIM for their permission to use my vlogs-- I appreciate it so much-- you have my utmost respect.

People who have been used my vlogs but never have asked-- this is your chance to redeem yourself.

Deafness-- No Longer Invisible?

2008-01-22T16:23:00.000-08:00

It is well-known that Deafness is an invisible disability compared to blind and handicapped people who have items such as a wheelchair or walking cane.

But I wonder since cochlear implants seem to put in every child being born, and it is not exactly something you can hide without having long hair.

Is Deafness now a visible disability?

Stealthy Visit to San Diego

2008-01-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

I have been quiet for the past week because I was nowhere near a computer. I was surprised that I didn't get online over the vacation (well, sidekick doesn't count!). Good for me!

C and I slipped out to fly out to San Diego for a belated Christmas get-together with the family (both sides) for a week. It was very wonderful to be warm again and getting the sun on us. I went to three different beaches so I got enough sand between my toes to last a few more months! ;-)
We got to meet the new addition to family-- a newborn set of twins! Hayden and Hayley-- tiny and adorable! Yessire, a boy and a girl. Very lucky for the proud parents, C's brother and his wife! We spent time discussing whom resembles who. Hayden got most of his father's features with his mother's nose while Hayley has a strong resemblance to her mother.

Unfortunately a trip to San Diego also means a relapse into the chocolate addiction. My mother's house is like that gingerbread house mentioned in Hansel and Gretel's story... you can find a cookie or a candy bar in every turn. Mom doesn't know about my resolution (and I still didn't tell her so it is my fault for the relapse). But my mom's home is not my home so it still counts as "eating treats while going out with friends"....?????
But you have to know that I didn't buy any candies in San Diego! It was all free. :-/ And I didn't empty any box/bag of candies so that is good news... so I guess I sorta bent my resolution. At least I am honest!!!

Being stealthy about visiting San Diego has been a success in terms of no rains in San Diego. WHEW!! However when I went back to DeeSee, it was VERY cold. There were packs of ice/snow here and there where the sun didn't shine. The temperature did drop to 16 degrees last night. I am very glad I got a new down coat (Kiitos Äiti!) that is knee-length and got a nice thick turtleneck that I can zip up with a hood.
I look like a local now with this black coat, the local favorite color.

I am doing OK with the dropping temperature-- I am equipped better (wool socks, down coat, snowpants, thermal base layers). I adjusted to it (40s do sound balmy now). I take advantage of the free heat (bookstore, cafes, foyers at the mall).
Today I drove on the 395 heading to New York Ave and you could see icicles coming out from the ceiling of the tunnel. A bit scary when you think about icicles breaking off and falling onto a car!! Who will pay for the damage????

Right now C is going to cook me an Indian meal-- its spiciness warms you up!

Coming Soon: two vlogs!!!!!

Näkemiin 2007, Moi 2008!

2007-12-30T15:03:00.000-08:00

Finnish for "Good bye 2007, Hello 2008!"

Abridged Transcript:
I got this great Christmas card that ends 2007 on a good note. I worked as a dog-walker so I got cards from the owners whose dogs I have been walking for past few months. One card that I just gotta show-- its front says: "Merry Christmas to the Scooper" with a cute scruffy dog with a bow around its neck... then when you open to read inside-- that is the best part-- "From the Pooper." Yes. What a great Christmas card for my job! Scooper, Pooper-- what a wonderful rhyme.
So with 2007 being pushed out, coming into the picture is 2008-- and I have been thinking about what resolutions I should have for 2008 and I think I have three to share...

#1- No more chocolate/candies/treats. You know the saying "sweet tooth"? Well I got sweet TEETH! I have an uncontrollable addiction to chocolates to an extent that I hide my stash of sweeties from my husband-- yes, it is that bad. So I decided that I won't buy more sweeties to bring home-- I bought my LAST bag of Reese's (my favorite!) so from now on, no more bags of chocolate from CostCo because it saved me 5 bucks! But however I do allow myself to have treats whenever I go out-- such as ordering desserts at a restaurant or eating a candy bar as the last resort at Seven-Eleven store. But nonetheless, NO candies stored in my home!

#2- To buy a home-- not a manison or anything, but rather a townhouse or a condo maybe... hopefully in the District for easy commute to Gallaudet and to my work in DC. Right now my current home is wonderful and all but the lack of Metro is the con of this home. I want to be more green and use the Metro more instead of riding the bus (taking up too much time) or driving into the DC (I get lost every time).

#3- To make more friends and meet more people. I am not that type of person that is a social butterfly, greeting everybody at the party. I keep to myself. I am sorta of a shy person-- well that's what my husband said-- he said that I am very outgoing person when I am around familiar faces, but it has been difficult for me to make new friends here in DC because I don't know anybody-- like I am all alone at a party surrounding by strangers. Back in San Diego, I usually already know everybody and I meet new people by meeting through mutual friends. The story's different here where I have nobody that is a mutual friend. So I, as a wallflower, gotta step out of the wall and socialize to meet more people.

I hope y'all have a happy new year! I plan to do more vlogs about Certified Deaf Interpreters to clear up some myths so keep your eye out for them!

*****
(Not included in the vlog)
**
And I am hoping all of you commenters will take up a new resolution-- no negative comments typed out! Let vloggers put out videos they feel like sharing... even if it is a five-seconds clip of their beloved pet or kid.
If you don't like my videos, you can always put up your own videos. :-) I ain't gonna do all the work for ya! Otherwise, shut your trap.

(sticking out my tongue playfully)

THAT THAT!

2007-12-29T14:19:00.002-08:00

To see the video, click on this link: http://riffly.com/v/0798E85CB5D711DC921244CF0D09CCE3

where Jon Savage posted this response to JohnABC's vlog about his new tattoo...
***
Watch his hand as he pointed to his arm...

***
THAT THAT! That is what I talked about the "OK" game that my husband and I play.

(Read more about this game in my previous blog on December 18th under #3 What is that? PYSCH!)

Fun with my Hubby

2007-12-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

I am ghostwriting what my husband wants me to post on my blog. He kept throwing at me topics that I should blog about-- "bloody knuckles", "proof that I am a Californian", and many more. So today's entry is dedicated to my husband "C', the invisible sidekick of this blogsite. :-)

#1
I played bloody knuckles today with my husband.
No we didn't get in a fight, he taught me a game he and his brother used to play. In fact, wikipedia got an entry on it and what is so silly about it that this simple game does have a LOT of rules. For instance, you must keep your knuckles against another person's knuckles... and you cannot lift it way above their knuckles to psych them-- you must only lift your knuckle high enough to HIT their knuckles... if you err by psyching them by lifting your knuckles too high, they get a free hit on your knuckles. The reason the game has the name "Bloody Knuckles" because you are supposed to play that game until somebody gets a bleeding knuckle. Fortunately, we didn't play that long and because I am a lousy player. I kept laughing and laughing every time we hit each other's knuckles or me psyching him out... I cannot just keep a serious face with the goal of breaking their knuckles' skin to let the blood flowing out!

#2
It is snowing?
Last week I did show pictures of DC turning into a winterland, but I didn't include an email that my husband sent to me when he was puzzled about the Pentagon being so dusty. In an early morning, he went off to the Pentagon for the metro via bus, and as he walked to the metro, he noticed that the air was very dusty. He pondered if there was construction active today (they were still fixing the building) and decided to analyze the dust. He walked over to a pack on ground that looks like all dust being raked up together... he noticed that they were too pale to be dust (not gray)... and began to think to himself, "maybe it is snow?" but couldn't confirm this until he looked up on www.wunderground.com on his sidekick. The wunderground confirmed that that day's forecast was "flurry snow." Imagine that... he had to relay on a website to confirm that this 'dust' are indeed snow!!! Just to show you how much California is in him!
(His first snowfall was one or two years ago when I took him to Julian, a small town in San Diego County when they had an unusual March snow. He had seen snow when he went to Big Bear years ago but it never snowed while he was there).

#3
What is that? PYSCH!
C didn't ask me to blog about this, but since this is in his honor, I oughta. This game has no name but if you describe it, I guarantee you 80% of boys will go "oh YEAH, I know that one!" I never heard of it until C decided to begin this game with me... and regretted that day because I am the CHAMP of this game.

This is another simple game with a lot of rules.
This game revolves the "OK" gesture, seen in the image below:

This gesture is what deems the winner. The major rule is that you cannot use this gesture above your chest level. (no "eyeglasses" sign or "sunrise" sign-- that is CHEATING). And this game is more FUN when you try to use it in a sentence in ASL because it is hilarious. It is not the same as hearing people with their spoken languages-- because this "OK" gesture may look like a sign for "stain", "bruise", "sunset", "spots", "polka-dots", and many more if you think hard.

Anyway-- why would you try to use this gesture?
You are trying to make the other player (whom may not be aware the game is in the "play") to look at this gesture. If they do look at this "OK" gesture, you get to hit them.
If they didn't look at it, but instead putting their finger through your "OK" gesture-- BUSTED! Sorry, but they get to hit you for being a lousy player.

(A sad note:: it seems that among immature homophobic males, this game is to test if you are gay or not-- because if you hold "OK" gesture below your chest level, usually it ends up around your crotch-level and if you caught a male looking at your crotch just to see what gesture you are using, it shows that they are more willing to look at your crotch because they are gay. VERY homophobia.)

My dear husband thought it was funny when he psyched me to look at his "OK" gesture when he commented about the avocado stains he had on his pants... and I got hit.
But I learned my lessons... and made him paying for it.

The best strategy is to go: "What is that?" and hold "OK" gesture at somewhere where s/he has to turn his head and look at your hand...and HIT THEM HARD!

Admittedly, the worst (and the best) strategy is where I would ask my husband for his opinion of my shirt/jacket/top (while I hold up a "OK" gesture over one of my girls) and he, like a faithful husband, automatically looks at my girls. It works *every* time.
He declared that I broke the "below chest-level" rule, but I argued back that technically my girls are not at the chest-level like an average person, but rather below-chest-level because of the gravity.

And the best thing about this "OK" game is that it never ends and you can do it anywhere.
"Hey, do you mind getting me pepper-- *punch* you looked at my OK sign" at the cafeteria,
"do you mind pick-up... *PUNCH* you looked at my OK again" in an office,
"gosh, look at that stubborn ketchup stain.. *PUNCH* haha!" at a laundromat.

Lov you, C, rots and rots.

An Early Birthday Gift from Mother Nature

2007-12-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

Snow did come last Wednesday but unfortunately it has all melted away on the weekend. But good thing I did snap some pictures before it was too late!
I am looking forward for more snow-- I prefer the snow than the rains! So I am going to keep flushing ice cubes (look at Oct 11 entry for an explanation)...

Woof, woof.

Cherries? Lingoberries? Who knows?

Snowflakes against the night sky

Meanwhile for the month of December, I will enjoy my hot chai tea, my birthday, the days off with my husband (whose head is finally out of his textbooks!) and looking forward to more snow so I can go out to an ice skating rink to have snowflakes falling on me!!!!

Southwest Airline Should Stay in the Southwest!

2007-12-05T16:25:00.001-08:00

I flew on Southwest airline for last weekend for a belated thanksgiving dinner with the family in San Diego.

For many years, I never had any problems with Southwest. It got me where I need, and they don't care where I sit-- which is a bonus so I can scan the airplane and avoid the dreaded passengers (parents-with-restless-kids, tissue-blowing, choked-with-perfume, talkative).

Until last Saturday. It was the most horrible and LONG flight I ever endured in America. When you fly across the ocean, it is understandable that things take a long time to get done-- the security, the passports, et cetera. But this one-- A DOMESTIC FLIGHT took me 12 hours to get to the front door of my home from the time the airplane took off from the Lindberg airport in San Diego. Yes, 12 hours when it should be a merely six hours trip!
I took off at 11am PST from San Diego and finally drove up to my home at 1am EST. (30 minutes of driving from Dulles airport-- so 11 and half hours-- that is still too long, don't you think?)

It so happened that I was sitting on the cursed 3232 flight with a stopover at Chicago's Midway airport. I have no problems with Chicago-- I heard horrible stories about the airport, especially with lost luggages. I didn't check in any bags-- I carried on two bags (one personal, one carry-on). No problem, I can handle Chicago.

Uno problemo-- Southwest FORGOT to let the passengers know that they were actually making TWO stops. One in Chicago which we already knew, but Phoenix somehow magically showed up when we walked up to the airplane. I was upset that Southwest Airline didn't state this when we purchased the ticket. We didn't WANT to stop more than once, but... we swallowed and prayed that it would take us to Chicago on time (and take us home around 10pm as stated on our itinerary.)

To be honest, we first thought that maybe they got two airplanes to a hub and plan to hurry up all passengers for Chicago onto one airplane and then herd the Phoenix passengers to another plane right after the Chicago plane moves onto the tarmac.

We should have stepped up to the booth and cried out against this trick. Well, there was no attendant/worker behind the booth anyway. So like good schoolchildren, we sat quiet among the sea of oblivious passengers.

The stop at Phoenix was uneventful-- we stayed on the airplane while all other passengers (minus quite a few passengers who like us are destined to Chicago) and waited for the new wave of Chicago passengers to join us on our flight.

The stop at Chicago was quite an opposite. We walked off the airplane and scurried to the next flight-- only to find its gate number being changed. Fortunately we caught a worker and she guided us to the correct gate. We hurried to a nearby cafe to grab our quick dinner (we only had less than a hour in between arrival from Phoenix and takeoff to Dulles). We finally got herded onto the airplane after, maybe 20, 25 minutes of waiting past the promised boarding time. The take-off time was still 07:15 PM from Chicago's Midway airport. We were one of the first passengers so we sat in fourth row, aisle so we can run off with our light carry-on luggages-- all planned out.

Well... not quite so.
We snapped on our seat belts and the airplane pulled out and turned around just a bit... and then stopped. And it had been like this for a good hour... I got a bit restless and became pissed because my butt was developing bedsores and cramps. So I unsnapped my seat belt (gasp, the ultimate sin!) and stood up to stretch. I grabbed one of my snacks from my backpack. The flight attendant gave me a dirty eye. I gave her one right back. I began to complain (in signs, to my husband) to make it clear that I was an angry passenger. She gestured me to sit down. She said the airplane was about to move-- I raised my eyebrow but I conceded and sat down.

She lied.
The airplane never moved. Before I knew it, in a matter of seconds, there was a mutiny-- passengers standing up, going to the bathroom, turning on their cell phones while the very same flight attendant gave rows upon rows of rebellious passengers an evil eye and shook her head as if she was tsk-tsk'ing us.

After two hours of sitting on the tarmac, the very same interval that would have taken us to Dulles Airport at 09:55 PM... the flight attendants decided to pacify us by giving us drinks and snacks. I was browsing on my SK to find the flyer's bill of rights-- and found out only Jetblue and American Airlines do have their own bill while all other airlines haven't signed on to this. Jetblue promised to not keep their passengers on the tarmarc for more than five hours while American Airlines for 4 hours. All other airlines promised for "a lengthy period of time." ... how "lengthy" is it too long? Nobody knows for sure.

So it had came around to almost three hours when the airport/airplane/pilot had decided with their greedy power to permit us to go home.

So three hours of my life had been wasted away on a lousy Southwest airplane that oughta never left Southwest and let Chicago being flown by other airlines who can handle the ice and the snow.

Southwest Airlines, QUIT LYING TO YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!!

(I found more stories where Southwest Airline has been lying to people about # of stops... go to this rateitall site and read more, but I will copy and paste one story that isalmostsame as mine.

BY: hawkerdriver
06/05/2007
Plain and simple: Southwest Airlines suck. Its a bait and switch, cattle hauling bus. Beware of "direct flights" with these clowns. I recently flew from Sacramento, California to Dallas. My ticket plainly stated a one stop-change planes deal. It said nothing about a stop in Amarillo Texas. When i asked why Amarillo, the idiot behind the counter said that is what a "direct flight" is. Now being a commercial pilot myself, thats not what a direct flight is.
My return flight was a total disaster. Leaving Dallas we were 4 hours late due to weather (which i totally understand) but once again, my ticket stated a one stop deal- Phoenix then Sacramento. When i looked at the board it stated a stop in El Paso. El Paso? Thats not what's on my ticket! By the time we finally did roll into Phoenix it was 11pm at night and all departing flights were done for the day. I had to get a hotel and then take the first (and only) available flight at 6am. Now i totally understand weather delays/ cancellations...thats a safety thing. BUT the added stops and not telling passengers ahead of time is what infuriates me. Had i would have known about these little detours i would have never booked a flight on that airline. Why should going from a major city to another less that half a country away take 2 or even 3 stops? Why not tell people up front that that's what its going to take? My mistake was not taking another major carrier that was non stop. I could have done the same trip with American Airlines non-stop for 30 extra bucks ( and probably got a meal with it) AND got assigned seating to boot. Bottom line is Southwest Airlines is a bottom feeder. They bait and switch to make the general public THINK they are getting a good deal when in reality they would be better off looking somewhere else. My advise- ask before you travel on this cattle hauler exactly how many stops it will take (they will try and lie to you) and what options you will have in case that flight cancels. You may not get the answer you are expecting. If Southwest was a little more honest then they might not have the crowds of sheep lining up at the A B or C lines.

My wish's coming true!

2007-11-27T13:37:00.001-08:00

According to Wunderground, for my home, the forecast for Sunday is:
Sunday Night :: Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow showers. Lows in the lower 30s.

.....OH MY GOD!

It will be CHAMP if I came back from a sunny and warm San Diego to a snowy Alexandria! Oh oh, I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!

And see, I told you, flushing ice cubes in your toilet works!

Trading in my scarf and mittens...

2007-11-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

for a pair of REEF sandals and a denim skirt...!

San Diego-- I said I will come back, so shall I will this Wednesday!!

There is a big smile on my face as I check the wunderground site for weather.

The forecast for San Diego is 76 degrees on Wednesday while it will be 51 degrees where I live...

Oh yeah, I am definitely packing tank tops, shorts, skirts, and just sandals! Screw the raincoat, the boots, the mittens and the scarf! Well... I can still wear the scarf in San Diego, but not fleece or knit... a different type of scarf for San Diego will be a thin silk-like scarf as an accessory, not as a necessary.

:-) This is a hint that I will be out of Deaf v/blogosphere this upcoming weekend.

Behave yourselves!

Reverse-911 for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

2007-11-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

Since I am from San Diego, the recent October fires had an impact on me-- being helpless three thousand miles away, watching the news reporting about the fires (with no CC, grr!), trying to pinpoint my families' homes and the distance from the ravaging fires, and trying to keep in contact via text messages.
I cannot imagine what it is like being there, but fortunately Jon Savage reported about it-- and one post of his that brought up a very important issue-- communication barrier .

Deaf Community Services' president has sent off a message to the San Diego to call attention to the issue that not many Deaf/HoH people have a TTY at hand and this creates a problem when reverse 911 system is in effect to warn the residents.

The reply from the city:
"Alert San Diego has the ability to recognize a TTY device. They should
register their TTY number as they would their cellular number. Thank
you for your concerns.

Office of Emergency Services"

So if you haven't done this, go ahead and sign up for information. You can sign up at
http://www.sandiego.gov/ohs/reverse911/index.shtml only if you are a San Diego (City) resident. Each city has their own reverse 911, so if you live in, say, Oceanside or Chula Vista, do check with your city and inquire about how they will contact you via text or tty.

For anybody outside of the San Diego County (like me!), you can sign up at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/ready/signup.html to get any emergency alert.

You should only register your cell, email, et cetera-- they do ALREADY have the land-lines phone numbers in their databases.

Hopefully this is helpful to people who didn't get this email flying around.

Cold.

2007-11-13T19:43:00.001-08:00

A funnie. :-)

All in honesty-- I have taken it in strides. Today was over 60 degrees and I only wore one long-sleeve tee shirt (but I had my "long john" under my jeans...) which is an improvement compared to me usually wearing two long-sleeve shirts and a sweatshirt and a raincoat.

You have to remember that I do work outside and stay outside all day so it is not like I stay in my warm car then work in a warm office. So I have to make sure I do not get cold at all at any point of my workday because I will become a very grouchy girl!

Rain is my absolute enemy now. The wet paws I gotta dry off, the mud tracks, and nobody picks up after their dogs so walking in a wet grassy area is like a minefield!

I take it back.

2007-11-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

It is not hot. It is quite opposite to this post on the day of Monday, October 8 where I complained about the heat and humidity of Washington D.C.

It is not hot anymore. It is beyond cold. It has been below 60 degrees lately even in the high noon of days...

You people who have been lived in this area are crazy for wanting to stay here forever. You are missing a great life in California. People here said they hate thes ummer. Well, that is because you never experience an arid summer because otherwise you will LOVE the summer.

Back in California, winter is my favorite-- high waves, crispy and blue air, and a hot latte on the beach with a good fleece jacket. But now I am reconsidering my favorite season for the East Coast.

It better be snowing here or I will be pissed if it just rains all winter. Rain below 50 degrees are no fun for a dog-walker, I am telling you. Snow just makes it easy because I just have to take the dogs out to the backyard for their potty break and run back in to warm up by having playtime!

Winds are the biggest factor why the temperature below 50 degrees is unbearable here... Just the other day it was 45 degrees but I am just dandy, thanks to a fleece-lined gloves, poofy coat, and a knitted scarf... until the winds came then it just went through my scarf and blew up on my neck, froze my ears, and numbed my nose...

*SHIVERING!*
I think my birthday wish list will be composed of thermal underclothes, scarves, and warm sweaters like this at Old Navy...

Oh by the way, DONATIONS OF WARM CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES ARE ACCEPTED. So send your old scarf over...!

Old Photo Club

2007-11-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

SeekGeo did it, Gary Brooks did it-- and I am next!

At Lafayette Elementary School with my body hearing aid-- aka "the brown bra". I was probably 4 years old in this picture.

My grandmother's wedding in Finland-- she was only 18 years old.

Banging pots and pans was my favorite activity!

***
I really need to scan in more old pictures of family and me just as a back-up if the original pictures are damaged (oh god forbids!).

Asthma sucks.

2007-11-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

I hate asthma. I especially hate it when I get an attack.

I try to stop it, but it keeps coming. I cannot escape from it. All I have to do is just sit and twindle my thumbs and hope for the best.

It is just so frustrating-- that I have to drop everything and focus on stablizing myself and counting the minutes until I can finally have my whole lungs back. The best analogy that I can give you is from an public adverstiing seen below:

It does! You see the poor goldfish gasping for water? It is the same thing-- I gasp for air, and try to catch a full breath but only get a third of my lungs to fill up...It is as if my chest is in a vise and I cannot wiggle out of the tight vise.

Obviously I had an asthmatic attack earlier today. It always came out of the blue-- I was in the kitchen, chatting with my husband, then all sudden I gasped for the air. I usually could handle my attacks within a matter of few minutes, but this one was difficult to maintain and went on too long that I ended up asking for my inhaler.

Oh how I hate my inhaler! I was so ashamed of it-- especially in PE classes-- I knew I need it when the class was sent out to run a mile... I tried to hide it in my sweatpant's wristband, stuffed in my sock, anything to conceal it.

One day I used it (like on all other days when I had to run a mile), my high school PE teacher saw me and didn't know I have asthma. He told me that I needed to fill out out a medical form (so I won't get arrested for "illegal drugs") and pulled up my grade from D to B-. Why? Because I never can run the cursed mile within 13 minutes. (I had to slow down a lot to let my lungs adjusted and getting its air). Yay, my GPA looked better and I am waivered from trying ot run a mile under 13 minutes!
BUT*
then all suddenly I get the special treatment. "You OK? we can slow down for you..." stop. Just go and run ahead without me. Go and lose weight and gain muscles.

I sulk when I have to bring my inhaler with me. I did use to dump it at home but with recent incidents, I do now carry around my inhaler in my purse just in case. None of my friends know I have asthma until I have to use it in their presence-- and they always go: "I didn't know you have asthma..."
Well, how do I make it obvious for you?

"Hi my name is Kirsi and I have asthma!"

No.

My Elementary Made Who I Am Today

2007-10-29T13:05:00.000-08:00

Transcript for Sign-Impaired: "My Elementary made who I am"
done by KMG.L (aka) gnarlydorkette

****

When I was age 2, I was diagnosed deaf-- severe to profound deaf. That is fine, but my mom was stumbled on where to enroll me for school. The first consideration was Riverside Deaf School-- in California, known as "CSDR" (California School for Deaf, Riverside). She was contemplating but you have to know that Riverside is about two hours away from my home-- so we went to see the school-- I do remember vividly the visit. I spent my time playing and socializing with Deaf people. Anyway, my mom felt that she cannot send away her daughter. She loves her kids too much and she was in conflict with herself until she found out a public elementary school close by in San Diego which is mainstreamed-- my mistake, a school that has a special-needs program tailored for Deaf children using sign language. The program was a lot like to Riverside program-- deaf children in a classroom-- so I was sent to that elementary school.

I went through all grades at that same elementary. I do have many positive memories related with Deafness and ASL. I grew up knowing and seeing Deaf adults at my school. I didn't have any Deaf teachers at my school until 6th grade-- no, 4th grade. So from preschool to 4th, most Deaf adults were working as teacher's aides for hearing teachers who could barely sign. The Deaf teacher's aides would take over and tell stories in ASL-- many are still alive and still working. There were so many Deaf teachers’ aides, so I will say that in my class annually, there would be two Deaf teacher's aides at most. There was one Deaf senio-- well when I was 4 or 5 years old so it must mean he was... probably 60years old, at least to me, and he was "old-school" and used ASL old fashion in story-telling-- we the children adored him so much.

But that is my point! From age 2 to... age 10, I was in a HEARING school BUT I do have Deaf teacher's aides-- deaf, deaf, deaf everywhere. Plus my classmates were Deaf-- on an average for every grade, there were 10 deaf classmates-- from five to ten per class. There was always at least one Deaf classmate with a Deaf parent. So I grew up knowing that there were Deaf parents-- and that I was just different by having hearing parents. I went through elementary thinking that life is normal. When I reached fourth grade, I did have a Deaf teacher originated from CSDR-- in later years, I found out that he taught at my school because he was a graduate student and he had to teach a class for his thesis or dissertation. So we, the deaf students, looked up to him and found out he graduated from Gallaudet University-- we were fascinated by Gallaudet. When I was young, I thought Gallaudet was the ONLY college-- I didn't even think about where the Hearing people go-- so I thought to myself, Ok I will go to Gallaudet University because it is the only one so I must go there anyway. Growing up, I thought Gallaudet was the only one choice. Oh how naive I was!

Anyway, the deaf teacher always preached his love for books which was the reason for his thick eyeglasses. We learned a lot from his classes. I became older and in 5th and 6th grades, I did have Deaf teachers-- all were similar to my 4th grade teacher-- Deaf graduate students training to become a teacher.

My 5th grade teacher was a champion-- that was where I realized how possible it is to ... compare ASL and English. How she did it-- which frustrated me so much-- was that she would film us signing in ASL-- poetry for instance, then asked us to write down English equivalent of our ASL poetry as our homework. It stumbled many of us because we thought it was impossible and only saw ASL and English as separate and non-interchangeable languages. She forced us to see a bridge to interpret back and forth. It was frustrating but at same time, an eye-opening lesson to realize that it is possible to interpret English to ASL or vice versa.

Often we would discuss about which English word that best suits a sign-- we would look up in dictionary or thesaurus to get close enough for translation. The teacher filmed us over and over and assigned us the homework-- which we got sick of but we knew she got a good heart with good intentions for us to understand English and ASL. Often in front of the camera, we would try to sign in PSE or SEE and she would stop filming and said that it was not our normalcy, just sign as we would in normal circumstances. We gave in and just signed in our natural language. We watched ourselves on videotapes and tried to scribble down English translation-- Imagine a 5th grader, aged 10 or 11, watching a videotape of self and write down English translation!!

In 6th grade, we have a male Deaf teacher which went by fine-- so in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades we did have a deaf teacher-- however there was still a hearing teacher in presence-- as a moderator to guide through the young graduate students.
So that is my whole elementary experience-- Deaf teacher, deaf teacher's aides, Deaf classmates, with Deaf parents...

Also, I want to add one more thing-- I remembered from kindergarten and all grades, my principal knew signs and he was hearing. We had a name sign for him-- Mr. H-- Hartford [I may be mistaken-- I realized it may be Harrison?]. I am sure you can ask any body who has gone to that elementary if they remember Mr. H-- they will automatically say, "Oh yes I know, cool black hearing signing principal!" The vice-principal did know signs, but not so well. When the principal was replaced, we were devastated but the new principal did know signs pretty well. So if we got in trouble and got punished to be sent to the principal’s office-- we didn't need an interpreter-- they knew signs well enough to yell at us.

Also, my elementary mascot had "ILY" signs in both hands. The elementary mascot was a Dragon named "Spitfire" with your typical dragon features-- wing, smoke out of nose, and two "ILY" ("I love you" sign) hands

So I grew up in a very positive environment for Deaf children-- Deaf teachers, signing principals, hearing people knows signs, etc.

There were a large number of Deaf children-- for each grade level, there was at least one all-Deaf classroom-- sometime there were three deaf classrooms for one grade level.

So my elementary years, at that certain school, had an impact on me. You know the adage where you have to expose everything to a child at a young age to make an impact-- so my elementary had done their job with me-- checked. I grew up with a positive mentality and proud being a Deaf person.

Size of the Fires

2007-10-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

To give you an idea how huge of an impact the wildfires had done in San Diego county, my dear husband had done some mathematics and wanted to share this logistics below:

Thursday Oct 25th 7am: SignOnSanDiego: "County Supervisor Ron Roberts said during the morning news briefing that the region's fires have burned close to 350,000 acres. The fires have destroyed at least 1,470 residences."
350,000 acres is a hard figure to visualize, so I did a conversion and it's about 540square miles. It takes a long time to drive 540 linear miles speeding along on the freeway, and if you do 540 square miles, that's a huge amount of area. Equal to 5.5 "DC's" So it's obvious how much land this fire has scorched.
The image attached is looking at about 2,900sq miles and if you do the math, the fire has consumed a bit less than 1/4 of the area in the image.

To get an idea where my family are in the surrounding of numerous fires, I made boxes to roughly locate their homes.

Qualcomm Stadium is closed due to its inefficiency as a shelter (literally NO roof for people to sleep beneath) and lack of showers... so the evacutees are now migrating to Del Mar Fairgrounds. The fires are now mostly in the north and east parts of the county and in Camp Pendleton-- but the finger-biting hasn't ended.
You never know where the fires go next.

What kind of Blogger Am I?

2007-10-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

The test determines your score based on your greed, experience, and sociability. Simple as that. I took this test for fun when I saw this over at into dean's cyberspace.

I scored LOW on the greed-- a minus six. I guess because I am not sponsored or try to profit from my blog. Blogging is just my public diary for people to listen to my ramblings and thoughts. :-) Well I won't mind earning a few bucks here and there... hint hint.

"You're not in this for the money, for you blogging is all about the passion! Sure you might make a little pocket change now and again, but you know that it's the content, the audience and the people that are what makes blogging great!"

As for experience as a blogger, I scored 1. Their questions are vague, but I can say that I have been blogging since I was age 12, I think, over at diaryland (which is still operating!), then I found my favorite home at scribble.nu but alas they started to charge for membership, so I scrambled around and decided to go ahead with blogspot.com and stayed there ever since 2002. P.S.- I have no idea who Nick Denton is !!!

"You've been blogging since Nick Denton was in diapers. When it comes to blogging experience, you are the authority on blogging. Heck you probably even have a blog where you give advice about blogging!"

As for the sociability, I scored a three. Ihave to make a disclaimer-- the only reason I know about twitter and stumbledupon is because of Deaf258. Without him, I will be a hermit... well Facebook helps a bit too. :-)

You love web 2.0 stuff like Digg and Delicious and you're involved in more blogging groups, networks and activities than anyone else you know. With all your connections, you make Neil Patel look positively anti-social!

Communication Access -- YES!

2007-10-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

At the end of his vlog, Jon Savage mentioned about communication access as an essential element for Deaf and Hard of Hearing who are not fluent in English (foreign Deaf residents, et cetera)-- one of them is to accompany an ASL interpreter on the TV along with closed-captioning for any emergency news break.
I did mention about it in my last entry about my friends being surprised to see an ASL interpreter on TV next to the mayor...

Below is what it looks like on a television!! Many many thanks to my dear friend Aaron H. for taking this picture for me.

I was told that the female interpreter had been working for 3 straight days-- she went and interpreted for the mayor every time he called for an emergency conference. SO many thanks to Joanne C. (seen in the image) for her hard labor and efforts as interpreter!!!

Deaf Applause

Contained? Relief?

2007-10-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

My family are OK. My in-laws' house was in danger, with the fire less than 5 blocks away-- it was crazy but somehow the firefighter held the line there and it was declared safe for my mother-in-law to return to her house. I am sure she will be busy cleaning off the soot from all of windows and doors and try to salvage her plants from ashes!

My home that I grew up in since age 4 is only less than two miles from a raging fire-- I am crossing my fingers that the fire won't catch on the great dry plain between highway 52 and Miramar road... if so, then my home will be in trouble. My mom said it should be fine since Cedar did burn that area so there is nothing for the fires to set ablaze on.

It is said that Thursday should be better weather-wise and makes the job easier for the firefighters. I am just glad that a lot of help are pitching in-- from Utah and Arizona and the military forces! President Bush is supposed to come in to look around the state San Diego is in... FEMA has been called in since the state of emergency has been declared by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and approved by the federal government.

There is almost a quarter of the city's population being displaced (temporarily for many, permanent for unfortunate few). That is a shocking number. You may go to this webpage provided by CBS8.com where you can see which fire being contained (there are two being 100% contained) and which fires still raging and its whereabouts.

The best latest blog that gives you updates is http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com

As for the Deaf residents, there are a lot of changes from 2003 Cedar and Palasides fires-- and all are for better! Interpreters are being dispatched to every evacuation center to keep the Deaf evacuees informed, and all news conference made by the mayor are CLOSED-CAPTIONED along with an ASL interpreter standing next! So you can see the interpreter and the CC at same time. I am shocked when several friends told me this-- I asked them to take a picture (with their SK, digital camera, SOMETHING) for me to share with you. This is a HUGE step for San Diego and I applaud Mayor Jerry Sanders and the city for respecting and including the needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents.

UPDATE: I found a videoclip from KUSI.com where there is an ASL interpreter next to the Mayor-- you will see her after a minute or so... I am a bit grumpy that the camera didn't stay on the interpreter for the entire clip!!!
click here for the video

Update: DCS and San Diego Fires

2007-10-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

Deaf Community Services has posted a comment that I thought should be a post itself

***

Check out www.dcsofsd.org There's a video on Deaf Community Services' website to spread the word about closings. Many interpreters has been dispatched to all evacuation centers all over the place to interpret individuals and families who had to leave their homes. We will continue to provide services to all those who need. We hope all individuals and families are safe. If they need our assistance, please contact us at 619-398-2441 voice, 619-398-2440 TTY, info@dcsofsd.org. Thank you.

The video made by DCS may be viewed below or at this link: http://www.dcsofsd.org/

*****

Be careful and stay indoors-- the air quality is unhealthy with the ashes and soot flying around. Be prepared for any evacuations.

If you do have more information about the fires that you wish me to post, you may reach me at gnarlydork@gmail.com with subject line, "For Blogging."

Harris and Witch Creek Fires: Redux

2007-10-22T11:14:00.001-07:00

It is happening. All over again.

My family and friends in San Diego kept updating me while I worked today-- they informed me of the track the fires left behind, the houses lost, the mandatory evaucation.

My mother-in-law and the family dog have left her home in Poway to a relative's house in Carlsbad. My mother said it is very smoky and people were told to stay indoors. My friend in Linda Vista said it is snowing ashes.

I am angry that I cannot go over and help.

I am angry that I am thousands of miles away.

I am angry that the news channel doesn't close-caption their online videos. I am gonna to bitch to them about it-- I wonder if they did it agian-- not closed-captioned the emergency services on the news channel for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing viewers... they got in BIG troubles in 2003 when the Deaf viewers were lost and didn't understand what were happening and what they should do.

I am angry that it has to happen all over again.

100,000 acres have been burned, and the fire is only 5% contained. The city and county just have to wait for the Santa Ana winds to reduce its gust speed-- (I was told that in canyons, it is expected to be 80mph while all other place will experience 40 to 60mph winds). Tomorrow should be better and turns in favor for the firefighters to smote the fires out.

What the Cedar Fire didn't burn in 2003, the 2007 fires savor. Right now, there are seven fires raging in the county. It is said that the fires are worser than Cedar fire and that more homes will be lost this year compared to 2003.

The current locations of the fires are shown in the image below from www.cbs8.com --

To keep yourself in the loop, http://www.cbs8.com/ seems to be a reliable site. A live blog by a San Diegan that keep records of the fires which is very helpful: http://stankowski.wordpress.com/2007/10/21/witch-creek-fire/ at Checksum Crusder blog.

2003 Fires-- Redux into 2007?

2007-10-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

With the recent news headline popping out from Southern California about wildfires spreading... there are two fires east of San Diego County. I got worried and called my mom-- she said it just made to the news, but nobody got the evacuation warning.... yet?

It triggered a flashback to 2003-- it was my first semester at the university and it occurred on Wednesday when the news broke a story about a wildfire spreading east of Julian (a mountain town, 40+ minutes from the downtown)... we didn't take it serious because we trusted our handy firefighters...

However little we did know our fire department was underfunded, understaffed, and under equipped.

In the end, there were 3 fires engulfing the eastern part of San Diego County and cornering us-- with Tijuana in Mexico or Pacific Ocean as our escapes. We were like sitting ducks, with no plans in our hand. We never handle wildfires of this magnitude.

To get an idea how the fire in 2003 spread, go to http://map.sdsu.edu/fireweb/animations.htm and choose to watch the most scary wildfire-- The Cedar Fire-- because in one SINGLE day, it spread rapidly, over many miles, into the San Diego City-- and the day I got evacuated.

The day was already yellowed and smokey. It seems as if the city is on fire but nobody can see the flames. The cars were coated with ashes... our windows were smeared with ashes... we were told to stay indoors. Classes all over the county were closed. Red Cross shelters went up at all local high schools/elementary schools.

We didn't have an escape plan. Then all suddenly police cars wailed to tell us to evacuate... we scrambled and packed in our car: me, my mother, my niece (who was 5 years old), and my cat... we didn't think about packing clothes nor taking important documents such as our passports et cetera. We just had to get out of our tinderbox home.

We had troubles to get out of our neighborhood. Our exits were all closed but one-- which consisted of two lanes street... and you factor in hundreds of cars trying to leave at once-- it was crazy. Cops had to guide us and control the traffic coming in from every directions-- all aim to leave westbound...

Once we left our bottlenecked neighborhood, I looked to my right and saw highway 52 bridge over freeway 15-- I was shocked. It was on fire-- and the flames were wild and restless. MY niece broke out in tears and cried for her parents.

We cannot even drop her with her parents (my brother)-- we were literally cornered. Freeway 15 north were closed off-- all 5 or 6 lanes in both directions. 805 and 5 were crowded and the police discouraged us to try to flee to north because there were more fires- (Palisades and the Los Angeles fires).

We were stuck.
And it was scary. Three days of being homeless and wandering around in wonder where the fire was exactly and how close was it to our homes.

***

And now fast-forward to year 2007-- we have learned our lessons-- we put more resources for our fire department and emergency services. We developed escape plans. We trimmed our dead and dry shrubs to keep 15 feet "border" around our homes. We keep a wide open eye for any small wildfire and pay attention if it is moving.

The Santa-Ana winds, gusting at 35mph and up to 60 in some areas, are making it difficult for the firefighters.

Right now, I am holding my breath and hoping our labor and wise decisions have enabled San Diego's fire department to stop the days of October 2003 happening all over again.

Inhaling... and holding....

***
pictures from 2003 fires in San Diego--

And my job is....!

2007-10-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

Mid-day dog-walker!!

I work for a pet-sitting company so mostly I work as a mid-day dog walker with occasional house visits for cats.

I am actually enjoying it. Alas, this job is only temporary-- this is not something I will do in five years from now. If I want to become a vet, then this job definitely will benefit me, but my future goals don't agree with my current occupation.

I do have some odd jobs (such as tutoring or marketing) but they are based on contracts so I am not always needed to work for those companies. Still seeking for a full-time job.

My job?

2007-10-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

I realized that I never mentioned about my job. I got a job in last week of August after numerous of job interviews and resumes being mailed out.
Well I do have several jobs but this one is my main occupation since it guarantees me a paycheck every other weeks.

What is it? Let me give you several hints:

*My work clothes are consisted of a pair of tennis shoes, yoga pants, and a stretchy t-shirt.

*I have to stay hydrated.

*I meet with clients at their homes on a daily basis.

*Most of my clients are very friendly and lovable. There are a few that don't bond with me.

*When I get home, I have to use a lint roller.

Can you guess what is my occupation? Leave a comment. :-)
(Those who already know what my job is, SHUSH!!!!!!!!!!)

Noisy Neighbors

2007-10-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

Whoever said that Deaf people are usually loud roommates/neighbors had not been to my apartment building!

I am fully aware that I am the worst roommate for any hearing people who are not accustomed to the Deaf way-- banging doors, loud footsteps, and clanking of pots in the sink...

I do always TRY my best to be quiet when it is dark outside-- holding the doors all way to shut it... instead of flinging it shut... pulling out the drawer slowly... not stomping on the floor for attention (my husband and I had taken up the habit of throwing a rolled-up sock at each other at our previous home)....

BUT.

This apartment complex!
The impossible is possible. There are people more NOISY than me.

What, you say, I can hear noises?

NO. But I can feel my neighbors! If I could feel them, then they must be loud!
That is my hypothesis-- if I could feel something, that is because it is really loud like a jet flying by, a motorcycle passing by, a loud music concert....

Every hour, even during the wee hours, I feel every vibrations-- from my floor, from my wood chair, from my thin walls... BANG, STOMP, CLANG! BANG! STOMP! CLANG!
And where the hell it come from, I don't know! Upstairs? Definitely not downstairs. Nothing but musky basement with mice and cockroaches, I am sure. Next door? They do have a kid...I think. I never saw them. I only saw the grandmother that, no offense, looks like a prostitute. Perhaps it is the apartment to my right? There is a teenager boy and a man, perhaps his father or uncle. I never see any young kids whose tantrums may account for the BANG I always feel.

One time, not too long ago, we felt something over and over-- that the best guess I had was that somebody's bookcase full of books has toppled over... and over.. and over... because you can feel those little bangs, almost as if it was vibrating the entire floor then BANG!.... and it didn't stop there. It happened again for almost every 10 minutes. Finally it stopped after an hour.

I just hope I don't have any hearing overnight guests while I live here.

Hoorah!

2007-10-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

66 degrees with 16 mph winds!

Can you imagine the scene with all yellow, red, (and some green) leaves swirling around and fluttering off from the branches???

Finally, finally finally...

Now the next step is do a snow dance... akin to the rain dance. How do you do the snow-dance? Well fear none! I did my research on the internet and found those steps:

1. Turn your pajamas inside out and put them on.
2. Then gather white beads and a couple pieces of white paper.
3. When that is done, rip up the paper into small pieces.
4. Then turn your music on real loud and dance until you get tired.
5. While you dance, throw the paper and beads around your room. it symbolizes snow.
6. When you are so tired that you can't dance or throw the paper and beads around any longer, pick up the beads and pieces of paper put them in the under side of your pillow case and go to sleep.

It was confirmed that it works for her and everybody else she knows.

And also-- just to double-check that the snow will come, everybody-- let's flush an ice cube in the toilet! It will make the ocean colder and triggers a climate change to bring us snow... hey, it makes sense!

Nightmare?

2007-10-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

Dreams.

Everybody dreams about different things. Sometime people just dream a recurrent theme or never dream.

My dreams are somewhat odd. It does have a recurrent theme and it bothers me. Why? Because I always dream the same thing that results me in having a knee-jerk reaction and wake up at 3am, checking to make sure I am still here in the bed.

What is it? What dream made me waking up scared?
Maybe that is linked to my phobia of bridges or tall buildings... yet it is not about the height that makes me petrified. I love roller coasters. I love flying. They defy heights.
But this phobia... is something different. It is not the height I am scared of. I am scared of falling to my death.

And this dream taunts and draws out my fear to its maximum.

Every time it is always the ground or foundation below my feet disintegrate and soon enough, nothing keeps me grounded... and my feet begin to sink into nothing... I am falling.

In this worn-out and creased dream, the sensations of falling are magnified. It happens so slowly that I can tell you in intricate details about it-- or at least how I come to realize that I am falling.

In this dream, I will either walk, stand, drive (the most odd one was when I was riding in the back of school bus when I begin to fall along with the bus floating).
All sudden it seems as if I was levitating-- but only for a minute.

The realization of me not levitating kicks in the second I feel the weight of my hair to be light-- it no longer weights down on my back... lighter, lighter... until they are completely sticking straight into the air above my head.

I could feel the puffs of air going under my shirt and balloon up my top as I fall.

I no longer stand upright, but rather falling backward... with my arms straighting out to grab something... alas there are nothing to grab because it is all black and air around me. I will just fall... fall... slowly... with each thought running by slowly... "Oh.... I am falling.... oh.... why?...."

I never see to an ending of my fall-- by this time, my knee-jerk reaction in reality shakes me awake-- my heart pumping like crazy and I notice I have stuck out my arms as well. I blink for the clarity to ensure that I am still in my bed next to an angry and yet sleepy husband who signed with fervor: "What matter?! stop kick me!" I stroke his head and then his back as he turns away from me in anger. Sighing, I try to soothe myself back to sleep-- the very same land where I keep falling.

October.

2007-10-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

Somebody. Please. Tell. Me.

That this horrid humidity will go away by end of this week.

It is OCTOBER! I thought we are supposed to don our coat and strut our scarves up and down the streets...

Yet I am finding myself wearing tank tops, denim shorts, and sandals on October 8th.

Is something wrong with the picture?