I've calmed down a lot since the last post, partially due to the fact that I finished unpacking and moving in. There truly is something that affects the brain regarding the feeling of "home." My mirrors are up, plants are out, baskets and trinkets in their places, pillows plushed and coffee paraphernalia equipped. Last night I finally got some real sleep. PTL! (praise the lord, yes I made that up...)
Yesterday was take-care-of-business-day. I applied for a Graduate Student Assistant job. Squared away financial aid/scholarship shenanigans. Bought less than half my books at $356...yikes! Thank you, Student Federal Loans:-) Went grocery shopping for snacks and food to hold me over during this lovely tropical storm, thanks for Hurricane Irene. Inconsiderate heifer. (Yes, hurricane @Irene is passing through town today). Did the final unpacking, information internetting, late night chats with the boyfriend, sister, and mother. And am now basking in the fluorescent lighting in my dorm room watching the rain cascade onto the soccer field and sipping on Irish cream coffee. *exhale* I think I'm ready for school to start.
Thursday night was Happy Hour sponsored by the Graduate Student Association (GSA). That was a great experience! I wish I hadn't been so tired from running around (the roommates and I traveled to Pentagon City to check out my transfer to a store in Virginia). Anyway, I met several folks from different programs, saw a few familiar faces, reacquainted with many Deaf Ed. students. Funny, I told some of the girls that I guess teachers like to drink, because at least a third of the attendees were Education students. She replied, "Well, we just know how to have fun!" That's for sure:-)
During the Happy Hour I found myself in a sticky situation. And like the blonde that I am, I didn't realize it until the moment was over. A sweet Speech Therapy student, whose ASL skills were basic and seemed slightly clueless about Deaf Culture, began asking why some hearing parents send their children to Oral/Aural schools vs. schools for the Deaf or mainstreaming. Being the eager and gregarious person that I am, immediately I piped up my opinions and shared the store of the three deaf children from my hometown, their experiences with cochlear implants and the pros and cons of the situation. I assumed she had more knowledge than she evidently shared about the topic. Once we finished the discussion I thought to myself, "Man, that's a heavy topic for a Happy Hour." Once the speech therapist and her Deaf roommate went on to mingle elsewhere, my hearing IETP (interpreter educating training program) hearing roommate slying signed to me, "That's a sticky subject. A few people were watching. That's why I stayed out of it."
Instantaneously I felt so.... uncomfortable. I'm not even sure of the appropriate word: embarrassed, awkward, ashamed, guilty, ignorant.... like a social ignoramus who should have known better. Along with this incident I am finding so many people with interpreting and education backgrounds who seem to know so much more than I do about so much. I'm not used to that. I'm used to being extremely prepared and aware. Aware of what to expect, what hurdles I need to jump over, what I need to work on, what I am successful at. However, here at grad school at Gallaudet University, studying a new field (Deaf/Elementary Edu.) in a foreign language (ASL) in a new city (Washington, DC) with no friends or family around.... I am utterly humbled.
A day or two later, I have decided that I am not embarrassed in my conversation. Perhaps in the future I will handle something like with a little more insight. Regardless, I am who I am and I am here to meet people, share ideas, experience the language and the culture of Deaf communities and learn along the way. Learning can not take place without mistakes... that's what we learn from, right?
It feels passe to say,
"There is always more to learn."
"There will always be someone who knows more and is better than you."
"You will always face challenges."
"Pick yourself up and start all over again."
...but these expressions are applicable to what I am experiencing and feeling right now, right here. For the first time in my life I feel like I am pushing myself to the limit. It feels scary, but I am excited to see how I do and where I go from here. It is time to push back those curtains of emotion and really apply and commit myself to this journey.
So let's open the door and get to steppin!
Yesterday was take-care-of-business-day. I applied for a Graduate Student Assistant job. Squared away financial aid/scholarship shenanigans. Bought less than half my books at $356...yikes! Thank you, Student Federal Loans:-) Went grocery shopping for snacks and food to hold me over during this lovely tropical storm, thanks for Hurricane Irene. Inconsiderate heifer. (Yes, hurricane @Irene is passing through town today). Did the final unpacking, information internetting, late night chats with the boyfriend, sister, and mother. And am now basking in the fluorescent lighting in my dorm room watching the rain cascade onto the soccer field and sipping on Irish cream coffee. *exhale* I think I'm ready for school to start.
Thursday night was Happy Hour sponsored by the Graduate Student Association (GSA). That was a great experience! I wish I hadn't been so tired from running around (the roommates and I traveled to Pentagon City to check out my transfer to a store in Virginia). Anyway, I met several folks from different programs, saw a few familiar faces, reacquainted with many Deaf Ed. students. Funny, I told some of the girls that I guess teachers like to drink, because at least a third of the attendees were Education students. She replied, "Well, we just know how to have fun!" That's for sure:-)During the Happy Hour I found myself in a sticky situation. And like the blonde that I am, I didn't realize it until the moment was over. A sweet Speech Therapy student, whose ASL skills were basic and seemed slightly clueless about Deaf Culture, began asking why some hearing parents send their children to Oral/Aural schools vs. schools for the Deaf or mainstreaming. Being the eager and gregarious person that I am, immediately I piped up my opinions and shared the store of the three deaf children from my hometown, their experiences with cochlear implants and the pros and cons of the situation. I assumed she had more knowledge than she evidently shared about the topic. Once we finished the discussion I thought to myself, "Man, that's a heavy topic for a Happy Hour." Once the speech therapist and her Deaf roommate went on to mingle elsewhere, my hearing IETP (interpreter educating training program) hearing roommate slying signed to me, "That's a sticky subject. A few people were watching. That's why I stayed out of it."
Instantaneously I felt so.... uncomfortable. I'm not even sure of the appropriate word: embarrassed, awkward, ashamed, guilty, ignorant.... like a social ignoramus who should have known better. Along with this incident I am finding so many people with interpreting and education backgrounds who seem to know so much more than I do about so much. I'm not used to that. I'm used to being extremely prepared and aware. Aware of what to expect, what hurdles I need to jump over, what I need to work on, what I am successful at. However, here at grad school at Gallaudet University, studying a new field (Deaf/Elementary Edu.) in a foreign language (ASL) in a new city (Washington, DC) with no friends or family around.... I am utterly humbled.A day or two later, I have decided that I am not embarrassed in my conversation. Perhaps in the future I will handle something like with a little more insight. Regardless, I am who I am and I am here to meet people, share ideas, experience the language and the culture of Deaf communities and learn along the way. Learning can not take place without mistakes... that's what we learn from, right?
It feels passe to say,
"There is always more to learn."
"There will always be someone who knows more and is better than you."
"You will always face challenges."
"Pick yourself up and start all over again."
...but these expressions are applicable to what I am experiencing and feeling right now, right here. For the first time in my life I feel like I am pushing myself to the limit. It feels scary, but I am excited to see how I do and where I go from here. It is time to push back those curtains of emotion and really apply and commit myself to this journey.
So let's open the door and get to steppin!
 |
| Perseverance |
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