Sunday, August 29, 2010

Hands On Learning

I made a personal relationship with eye-contact in the Deaf WORLD. I've studied and read and written and reported and explained. But now I know. Now I feel it. In the hearing world, when one needs to pass by and say "excuse me," it is said with the head nearly tilted downward and barely any eye contact; presumably in a display of respect. In Deaf culture, eye contact must be made during any and all communication. Period. In my efforts to maneuver the food court at the South Street Seaport during the Deaf Expo, I physically became aware of my hearing tendency and quickly corrected myself.

The Deaf Poetry Slam at the Bowery Poetry Club was amazing! The performer, Rob Roy, gave his "Deaf Man Walking" (signed 'dead man walking') skit. Originally from Australia, he delivered in ASL and intermittently sought correction from the audience in various words. Sidenote: I found it interesting Australian signs "number" the way Americans sign "problem." He signed very clearly, a little larger than one would in normal conversation, and used humor and rhetoric for emphasis.

This was my first experience in ASL discussing more adult themes. Ironically enough, I laugh just as hard in ASL as I do in English. I love the directness and openness of ASL. Because understanding and information is so important, so pertinent to the culture, communication can be so much more smooth than in English. Well, that's my opinion anyway. Hearing people are so busy being caught up in etiquette, passivity, second-guessing, implicit statements, vague feedback, and formality. GET TO THE POINT ALREADY!

Ahem...

After the performance we migrated to the nearby bar where the center section of the floor turned into our world. Fingers flew and beer glasses collided. I met some new people and saw some old friends. Finally, deaf women MY age!! It was great to meet others who are attending or have attended Gallaudet, this makes my upcoming visit and application that much more tangible.

Something Interesting:
Sitting at the bar eating my over-cooked yet delicious veggie burger (get the English mustard, it has an extra kick!), a man with longish blond hair and an awkward way of signing came over and introduced himself. He proceeded to tell me he believed in Jesus Christ and asked me if I believe He died on the cross for us. Next he passed me two pamphlets in English and pen-drawn ASL relaying messages about the Savior's love and that I, too, can be saved.

In a bar.
He brought these papers to a bar.
I've never seen missionaries in a bar.
I know God loves everyone, including the drinkers... but come on, man!

This is yet another anecdote of my "hands on" learning in the Deaf way:
Deaf culture has everything any other culture has, including fights, bible-pushers, actors, and friends.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Deaf Expo @ South St. Seaport

So I've been thinking...maybe this two-year program at LaGuardia just isn't meant to be for me. My director brought up a very good point: I already have my B.A. If I'm going to spend two years of my life committed to study and knowledge, I might as well get a graduate degree.

I'm crossing my fingers that Gallaudet blows my mind and turns out to be a perfect match for me.

I went to the Annual Deaf Expo at the South Street Seaport last weekend. My two dear friends took me and showed me around, introducing me to all their friends and acquaintances. I saw a few of my "regular" patrons from my 9-5. It was great seeing people and talking to people in sign. Jeremy told me there would probably be a fight. I couldn't believe him. A fight at an expo/festival? Doesn't make sense. Festivals are places where people celebrate their culture and share their joys, services, products, and religion. Sure enough. Two woman got into a fight, where one ended up falling to the ground. A group soon surrounded them as bystanders signed, "Why are you fighting? There's no need to fight!" The rain started to come down and the sky darkened. It was like watching a dramatic climax in a movie.

Aside for the fight, the expo was amazing. ASL flew from the dock to the restaurants, from the boat to the vendor tables, from the bars to the hip hop crew rapping in sign while the back of a van blasted instrumental hip hop and reggae beats.

I didn't want to leave.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Survey Says?


Mr. Chair has since submitted the official status of my acceptance:

DENIED.

I found out last Monday, but in an effort to refrain from a more emotionally inclined post I have waited until today. I was so very disappointed. More than I thought. I cried, I cried again. I thought I was done with the tears because I knew, before getting into the class, that I had not been accepted.
But I still cried.
Failure is not something I am accustomed to. It hurts. Last year I failed in my application; I didn't even get an interview. This year I failed my interview. And now my wait list.

I haven't failed like this since my DMV driving test.

But, I'm not giving up.
I'm already RSVP'd for the Open House at Gallaudet for their graduate school. I've joined one of those yahoo! Meetup groups ASLNYC. the group has a lot of beginners. They're all beginners, but I'm happy to be signing and making new friends. While at the last meeting, 2 of the girls invited me to a Deaf mixer tonight.

My ball is starting to roll.

The Deaf Expo is coming up and a good friend of mine is going with me.

All three of the elementary schools of the deaf are hiring classroom assitants and I'm sending my resumé.

When one door closes, three more open.


- Beamed from my Soul Phone

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Please Oh Please


So tomorrow he's back.
Like JAWS.
Like Eddie Murphey
Like Steve Urkel
Like Freddie.
Like summer vacation is over.

He will be back in the office to tell me thumbs
Up
Or
Down
As to whether or not I am accepted into the Two-Year Interpreter Educator Program.

Oh sigh. I hope someone drops out. I hope someone gets stressed out. I hope someone's cat gets sick.

Ok, no I don't. Not really. Not this time, for reals!

I just want them to accept me!!!!!! Let me in, let me in! I'll do a good job. I work hard. I get e erything done (last minute). I'm friendly and work well wit-
No I don't.

But Im a good leader!

Please oh please oh please let me be accepted.

Amen

- Beamed from my Soul Phone

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Now what?

Class has ended. Whew! Such a bittersweet taste lingers on my fingertips. Fingers that have been making shapes of classifiers, fingers looking like people, fingers running down the hall, fingerspelling my proper nouns.

Sweat flings from my knuckles and brow as I discuss my research paper. Nervous, shaky, stomach butterflies, and a dry throat plague my body before I use it as my mode of communcation. Questions are answered and ideas are shared. Laughter and snickers make for smiling and bouncing faces. My teacher points to the speaker with his fingers as to direct the conversation.

Fingers fly with ideas.

Tonight I felt like those Lexington kids I read about in Deaf Studies books at Christmastime.

Alone.
Lonely.
Seperated.
My friends talk about orientation and semester planning. They discuss requirements and flip cams. Papers and transportation. Study breaks and meet up groups.

Tonight is the last night I will be a part of this family. This interpreter family. Yes I will see them again, the community is only so big. But our intimacy is cut short tonight. For alas, I have not been accepted... yet.

Please, ASL Gods and Godesses: Accept me into your world. Let me become a part of this magical family.

I feel like the Little Mermaid.





- Beamed from my Soul Phone

Summary Journal Entry

I came in this class wanting to make friends, strengthen my ASL communication skills, and learn more about Deaf History and Deaf Art. This class has touched on so many different topics within the deaf community. Luckily, John gave us so much information within the short period of time we spent in each subgroup. I am definitly inspired to do my own research regarding Deaf Queer
Communities, Latino Deaf, Racism in the Deaf community, and Health concerns.

I am still unclear if I am accepted to the program. I really hope I am accepted. I am going to miss the comeraderie of the group. I will miss meeting these friends and sharing Deaf culture together. Whether I am accepted or not, my journey into the Deaf World has just begun.


- Beamed from my Soul Phone

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Video Link to LGBT Research Project

First Draft of presentation in ASL about Deaf Queer/LGBT Teens in America.

Rough draft.
Rough.

Feedback? Thoughts? let me know!

Last Journal

Wrapping up my research project on Deaf LGBT teens in America, I am inspired to create a full length documentary about the experience of a Queer Deaf teens. It would be great to have video interviews with people across the country, compare the data with government rights, state protections, job opportunities, college success rate, etc.

If I'm not accepted to the program, I just might work on this video project freelance. It would be interesting to see what people have to say.  That would also be good work to submit for grad school, especially to Columbia or Gallaudet.

I am feeling more comfortable about my skills for the presentation. I practiced with Jeremy, my Deaf friend, and reviewed John's feedback with him. My Keynote is complete, awesome! And so is the paper...well, almost. I've been working on my sentence structure in ASL, and trying to be less englishy. I am learning this is a skill that must be worked on persistently; it doesn't come over night.

Also, I was recommended to tape myself signing and then review my performance. And a glass of wine won't hurt prior to performance.

Just like dance.

I am looking forward to the rest of the program. If not, then I need to find classes like this. ASL language classes will benefit me, but I need the meat and potatoes of the community as well.

Wish me luck!