I arrived one week ago in a sunny Goshen. It's been interesting being back. Everyone is stressed about finals and papers and stuff so I haven't seen too many people...
I started writing that post a long long time ago and never finished. I wanted to give a tiny update for those who had been reading along the way:
I'm back in Goshen. I had about a month off between semesters. I wasn't completely left to my own devices, but it did get boring at times. Now I'm back in classes and it is definitely different than being out in the interpreting world.
I'm still trying to decide how I want to fit interpreting into my life. Full time? Sorenson? Just college classes? Freelance? Or maybe leave interpreting alone for a while and come back to it later. I still haven't decided, but I'll let you know when I do.
As things are now, it's good to be back. I'm focusing on other things (like watching friends graduate and planning for next year).
Thanks to everyone who helped me make it through last semester in Philadelphia. To all the interpreters who allowed me into their world and taught me a little about what it is like. To my friends who supported me as best they could. To my family who made space for me and talked me off the ledge when I was feeling like I was going crazy. Thank you!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
At long last...
I'm headed back to Goshen!
Today I didn't even get to see the outdoors except when I walked to the store to buy catfood. The rest of the time I was packing and doing laundry and logging hours and writing journals and finishing up homework assignments. I think I forget how much time it truly takes to do it all. I should do it slowly over time, but I like to sit down and finish something instead of knowing that I have to come back to it later. But then it leads to many days like this where I have to do it all in such a short period of time.
Anyway, my last week was interesting. It was a scheduling nightmare because I double booked for 2 different days. Both double booking against two things that I really desired to do. It meant I had to call and cancel on someone who got a little frustrated with me and it meant arriving late to one thing because I agreed to at least stay a little later to make up for cancelling.
Last weekend was Gay Bingo and midnight bowling. The midnight bowling was just with some friends of mine in the area, but both events were fun. Gay Bingo is definitely an experience. This was my second time and I'm becoming more comfortable there since now I know some of the people and I know what is going to happen.
Anyway, I'm leaving for Goshen soon and very soon so I need to go finish up an assignment and try to get an hour of sleep. See you later!
Songs of the day/week: Hurt by Johnny Cash
Good Friend and a Glass of Wine by Leann Rhimes
Today I didn't even get to see the outdoors except when I walked to the store to buy catfood. The rest of the time I was packing and doing laundry and logging hours and writing journals and finishing up homework assignments. I think I forget how much time it truly takes to do it all. I should do it slowly over time, but I like to sit down and finish something instead of knowing that I have to come back to it later. But then it leads to many days like this where I have to do it all in such a short period of time.
Anyway, my last week was interesting. It was a scheduling nightmare because I double booked for 2 different days. Both double booking against two things that I really desired to do. It meant I had to call and cancel on someone who got a little frustrated with me and it meant arriving late to one thing because I agreed to at least stay a little later to make up for cancelling.
Last weekend was Gay Bingo and midnight bowling. The midnight bowling was just with some friends of mine in the area, but both events were fun. Gay Bingo is definitely an experience. This was my second time and I'm becoming more comfortable there since now I know some of the people and I know what is going to happen.
Anyway, I'm leaving for Goshen soon and very soon so I need to go finish up an assignment and try to get an hour of sleep. See you later!
Songs of the day/week: Hurt by Johnny Cash
Good Friend and a Glass of Wine by Leann Rhimes
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
EDIT
Songs of the Day:
I Want to Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
Ladies Choice from the soundtrack to Hairspray
I Want to Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
Ladies Choice from the soundtrack to Hairspray
Something to Write About
I know that I haven't been writing too much in here, but is partially because I haven't felt like there have been huge happenings that have required writing about. But I was thinking today and some things came to mind.
1. Deaf church. I've been going there for the majority of my internship, about 2 months I guess, and there are definite things I like about it. The people for instance. The majority of the church members are in their 70s and are really awesome. = ). I've been staying for the service and soon afterwards I jet off to be at the church my parents attend, but last Sunday I decided to just stay at the Deaf church for a while. It was such a good decision. I got to talking with these 3 older guys who had all gone to school together (the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf) growing up and they were teasing each other and talking about how they won the football championships in 1950. It was so much fun. One of the best conversations I've had. I walked away from it smiling and feeling really good.
2. Mountains. Earlier in the semester I went to Maryland to visit my friend Michelle (and Jeff came from Goshen to meet us there). I was there over the weekend and on Sunday we went to church. The pastor was talking about mountains. How you work so hard to move a mountain. Try to find ways over it and under it and around it. And sometimes nothing works. But during those times, maybe you need to work with the mountain. Maybe that mountain will be a blessing to you. You'll mine it and find diamonds. So just take a second and talk to the mountain, learn from it.
Personally? I've had some mountains. I've got some mountains in my life right now and I've been fighting with them, yelling at them, crying, but nothing seems to work. And I have a picture in my head of me sitting at the base of a mountain, cross-legged, staring at this mountain. An exercise in patience and trust. And I don't have a great success story for you...yet. Just wanted to let you know that I'm on the journey. = )
That is all. lol
1. Deaf church. I've been going there for the majority of my internship, about 2 months I guess, and there are definite things I like about it. The people for instance. The majority of the church members are in their 70s and are really awesome. = ). I've been staying for the service and soon afterwards I jet off to be at the church my parents attend, but last Sunday I decided to just stay at the Deaf church for a while. It was such a good decision. I got to talking with these 3 older guys who had all gone to school together (the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf) growing up and they were teasing each other and talking about how they won the football championships in 1950. It was so much fun. One of the best conversations I've had. I walked away from it smiling and feeling really good.
2. Mountains. Earlier in the semester I went to Maryland to visit my friend Michelle (and Jeff came from Goshen to meet us there). I was there over the weekend and on Sunday we went to church. The pastor was talking about mountains. How you work so hard to move a mountain. Try to find ways over it and under it and around it. And sometimes nothing works. But during those times, maybe you need to work with the mountain. Maybe that mountain will be a blessing to you. You'll mine it and find diamonds. So just take a second and talk to the mountain, learn from it.
Personally? I've had some mountains. I've got some mountains in my life right now and I've been fighting with them, yelling at them, crying, but nothing seems to work. And I have a picture in my head of me sitting at the base of a mountain, cross-legged, staring at this mountain. An exercise in patience and trust. And I don't have a great success story for you...yet. Just wanted to let you know that I'm on the journey. = )
That is all. lol
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Just 2 weeks
Just 2 weeks then I am Goshen bound. Headed for G-town. So soon.
Song of the Day: Grace of My Life by Brian Littrell
Song of the Day: Grace of My Life by Brian Littrell
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Time flies (Alleluia)
That's all I can say. It's been almost two whole weeks since I've posted and it seems like they have flown past me. I was just telling my dad the other day that it feels like I'm chasing time. I'm not even racing it. Time is way ahead of me and I'm chasing it, trying to keep up. But I'm already so tired. And starting to wonder why I started running in the first place.
This past week has been crazy. The two colleges that I work with primarily have both been on break. Good that it's the same week I guess, but that has meant sparse work for me. I spent one day at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf here in the area. I went to Lancaster one day and observed in a high school there. Spent some time with friends in Lancaster that I hadn't seen in forever. That was good. I never knew how relaxing it is to lie on a trampoline with a cat on a warm day. I think the best part was that I had a few seconds to breathe. My friends were busy and I busied myself with slacklining and trampoline jumping. I think that's the reason my ribs hurt, but *shrug* it was a pretty fair trade.
I have only 2 or 3 weeks left (thankfully) and will soon be headed back to Goshen. I'm looking forward to it more than I probably should, but life is full of "shoulds" and I try to ignore at least some of them. (I don't usually succeed.) Anyway, I miss you all. Will try to remember to write again sooner this time. Bye.
The Valley Song - Jars of Clay
This past week has been crazy. The two colleges that I work with primarily have both been on break. Good that it's the same week I guess, but that has meant sparse work for me. I spent one day at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf here in the area. I went to Lancaster one day and observed in a high school there. Spent some time with friends in Lancaster that I hadn't seen in forever. That was good. I never knew how relaxing it is to lie on a trampoline with a cat on a warm day. I think the best part was that I had a few seconds to breathe. My friends were busy and I busied myself with slacklining and trampoline jumping. I think that's the reason my ribs hurt, but *shrug* it was a pretty fair trade.
I have only 2 or 3 weeks left (thankfully) and will soon be headed back to Goshen. I'm looking forward to it more than I probably should, but life is full of "shoulds" and I try to ignore at least some of them. (I don't usually succeed.) Anyway, I miss you all. Will try to remember to write again sooner this time. Bye.
The Valley Song - Jars of Clay
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Until
Song of the day: Sin Wagon by The Dixie Chicks
Hello All.
I've been thinking about starting all my posts with songs, but I have forgotten up until now. I may go back and edit in the songs I wanted to add, but we'll see if I'm dedicated enough for that.
This week I went into the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and it was great. The people who work there are SO nice and I don't think I realized before now quite how much I like being around kids. Something (inside me?) feels like it's changing. Not quite a clear sentence, but that's about all I got right now.
New goals. I completely forgot to write them in my journals for the 5th week. Sign production: apparently I am not crisp sometimes. I should work on producing my signs clearly. and #2 More connections: theatre, PSD, possibly to visits with Ruth, etc.
Well, that's about all I can think of right now. Except that it's already March 5th. I only have 1 more month. I don't know how I'm going to get everything done. Somehow...
Thanks for reading!
Hello All.
I've been thinking about starting all my posts with songs, but I have forgotten up until now. I may go back and edit in the songs I wanted to add, but we'll see if I'm dedicated enough for that.
This week I went into the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and it was great. The people who work there are SO nice and I don't think I realized before now quite how much I like being around kids. Something (inside me?) feels like it's changing. Not quite a clear sentence, but that's about all I got right now.
New goals. I completely forgot to write them in my journals for the 5th week. Sign production: apparently I am not crisp sometimes. I should work on producing my signs clearly. and #2 More connections: theatre, PSD, possibly to visits with Ruth, etc.
Well, that's about all I can think of right now. Except that it's already March 5th. I only have 1 more month. I don't know how I'm going to get everything done. Somehow...
Thanks for reading!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Yo-Yo Ma
No real reason for the post title except Yo-Yo Ma was on Arthur today and I watched it with the little girl my mom babysits. Not a bad show. Brought back memories and then I had the theme song stuck in my head all day. = )
This past weekend was a conference at Swarthmore College and it was pretty great. I especially liked watching the cartographer and learning about sign language in many different cultures. Something that will definitely stick in my head was the presentation on British Sign Language. The Deaf man who presented used BSL and he had an interpreter saying the message in English and then there was an ASL interpreter using her English interpretation to provide the message in ASL! It was a little like telephone and confusing to watch two people signing at the same time, but WAY COOL! = )
It unfortunately meant I did not get much rest this weekend though so I'm gonna rush off to bed. Thanks for reading!
This past weekend was a conference at Swarthmore College and it was pretty great. I especially liked watching the cartographer and learning about sign language in many different cultures. Something that will definitely stick in my head was the presentation on British Sign Language. The Deaf man who presented used BSL and he had an interpreter saying the message in English and then there was an ASL interpreter using her English interpretation to provide the message in ASL! It was a little like telephone and confusing to watch two people signing at the same time, but WAY COOL! = )
It unfortunately meant I did not get much rest this weekend though so I'm gonna rush off to bed. Thanks for reading!
Friday, February 29, 2008
I almost forgot!
This weekend is going to continue all the busy-ness of the week. There is a Deafness Around the World conference at Swarthmore College that I am attending. And the best part (ONE of the best parts) is that a bunch of people are coming out from Goshen! I'm so excited to see my friends and get more rejuvenation (is that a word??)!
So I'll post again next week when things are slightly less chaotic and I'll let you know how my weekend went. Talk to you then!
So I'll post again next week when things are slightly less chaotic and I'll let you know how my weekend went. Talk to you then!
Coincidences
It's been a week since I last updated and a LOT has happened!
Last friday I left for Maryland to hang out with Michelle Martin and Jeff Stoez drove out from Goshen to come see us. It was great to chill for the weekend. (Even though I had work in the back of my head.) Jeff came to Philadelphia with me on Monday and we hung out a bit here in my city until he left on Wednesday. And the craziest thing happened. I was standing on the street waiting for Jeff to get on the bus and out of nowhere James Green comes running up to say hello! Behind him were Isaac and Martin and James' brother Lee. I had no idea they were going to be here and the odds of running into someone you know in a city like Philadelphia are soo slim! Needless to say I was really excited and I was able to meet up with them later and hang out. It was just what I needed. Seeing so many Goshen people in such a short period of time rejuvenated me.
Then this week was more interpreting. I did my normal college classes and slowly I'm starting to feel like I'm getting a bit better. In fact, yesterday I was in classes from 10-2:30 then I went and saw Carol Padden do a presentation at UPenn (another hour and a half). I had so much ASL all day that I dreamt about interpreting! It's the first time in a long time that ASL has been in all my dreams. It was cool, but it wasn't very restful. lol
So this week has been FULL of hanging out with people and doing work and spending any free time I have working on mid-semester papers and time logs that I need to turn in this coming Monday. WHEW! And I can't believe I have only about 4 more weeks left before I'm out of here. I haven't made ANY plans for after internship. lol. Now I gotta think about that. blah!
Okay, well, I really need to run. Thanks for reading! = )
Last friday I left for Maryland to hang out with Michelle Martin and Jeff Stoez drove out from Goshen to come see us. It was great to chill for the weekend. (Even though I had work in the back of my head.) Jeff came to Philadelphia with me on Monday and we hung out a bit here in my city until he left on Wednesday. And the craziest thing happened. I was standing on the street waiting for Jeff to get on the bus and out of nowhere James Green comes running up to say hello! Behind him were Isaac and Martin and James' brother Lee. I had no idea they were going to be here and the odds of running into someone you know in a city like Philadelphia are soo slim! Needless to say I was really excited and I was able to meet up with them later and hang out. It was just what I needed. Seeing so many Goshen people in such a short period of time rejuvenated me.
Then this week was more interpreting. I did my normal college classes and slowly I'm starting to feel like I'm getting a bit better. In fact, yesterday I was in classes from 10-2:30 then I went and saw Carol Padden do a presentation at UPenn (another hour and a half). I had so much ASL all day that I dreamt about interpreting! It's the first time in a long time that ASL has been in all my dreams. It was cool, but it wasn't very restful. lol
So this week has been FULL of hanging out with people and doing work and spending any free time I have working on mid-semester papers and time logs that I need to turn in this coming Monday. WHEW! And I can't believe I have only about 4 more weeks left before I'm out of here. I haven't made ANY plans for after internship. lol. Now I gotta think about that. blah!
Okay, well, I really need to run. Thanks for reading! = )
Friday, February 22, 2008
FYI:
Driving stick shift is hard. And frustrating to learn. I'm gonna need a few days before I can go back to it. Grrr...
The Week in Review
I've tried to write in here a few times, but I don't really feel like I have too much to say. Or maybe I just don't know how to say it.
This week was an okay week. I interpreted a few times and one time was a struggle. It was a conversation and conversations are just so hard for me. A lot of back and forth. The other time I interpreted was for a class. It was difficult but I think I did pretty well. The feedback I got from the interpreters there was encouraging and motivating. There are still so many things I want to change about myself: the way I interpret, the way I live my life, my relationships with people, sometimes it feels like I need to change everything. = P
The end of this week marks the halfway point of this whole experience. These last few weeks seem to have dragged by and so much has happened. Good things and bad things. Bad things: not being able to find people to work with when I started (getting rejected by interpeters, etc), feeling unwanted overall, feeling not ready to be here, etc. Good things: being home and getting to see my friends, digging deep and finding courage to keep going despite discouraging and frustrating occurances (like parting ways with one of my mentors). And there's more to come in the next 5 weeks!
I'm taking Monday off because I deserve it and because I have the opportunity to see Michelle and Jeff! We are converging in Maryland (I'm actually already here) and spending the weekend hanging out. I go back on Monday and those two get to hang out even longer. It should be refreshing and chill. And I may not sound excited, but I am. I think I've just been so focused on doing my work that I haven't even really taken the time to realize that it's happening. So I better get with the program before this passes me by! I'm gonna go do that! Thanks for reading!
This week was an okay week. I interpreted a few times and one time was a struggle. It was a conversation and conversations are just so hard for me. A lot of back and forth. The other time I interpreted was for a class. It was difficult but I think I did pretty well. The feedback I got from the interpreters there was encouraging and motivating. There are still so many things I want to change about myself: the way I interpret, the way I live my life, my relationships with people, sometimes it feels like I need to change everything. = P
The end of this week marks the halfway point of this whole experience. These last few weeks seem to have dragged by and so much has happened. Good things and bad things. Bad things: not being able to find people to work with when I started (getting rejected by interpeters, etc), feeling unwanted overall, feeling not ready to be here, etc. Good things: being home and getting to see my friends, digging deep and finding courage to keep going despite discouraging and frustrating occurances (like parting ways with one of my mentors). And there's more to come in the next 5 weeks!
I'm taking Monday off because I deserve it and because I have the opportunity to see Michelle and Jeff! We are converging in Maryland (I'm actually already here) and spending the weekend hanging out. I go back on Monday and those two get to hang out even longer. It should be refreshing and chill. And I may not sound excited, but I am. I think I've just been so focused on doing my work that I haven't even really taken the time to realize that it's happening. So I better get with the program before this passes me by! I'm gonna go do that! Thanks for reading!
Monday, February 18, 2008
The way it is
Hello. It's Monday morning and my plans to interpret today got cancelled again. I guess it'll be a professional development day. I wish I could go to the library, but it's President's Day. Boo. Everything's closed.
Other than that, things with me have been interesting. Frustrating. I'm pretty set on staying in Philadelphia. I think it may be the wrong choice, but I feel like it's the only one I can make. *shrug*
Yesterday was Deaf Church. My third time being there. And it was the best time so far. The people are starting to be familiar and conversation comes just a bit easier.
The other thing that has been good is seeing my friend Mary. I've been able to voice some of my fears and frustrations to her, not looking for answers or solutions, but just able to say them aloud and therefore release some of their power. It was healing. And we laughed and made plans for our lives well into our 80s. And I could breathe. It was nice. = )
Other than that, things with me have been interesting. Frustrating. I'm pretty set on staying in Philadelphia. I think it may be the wrong choice, but I feel like it's the only one I can make. *shrug*
Yesterday was Deaf Church. My third time being there. And it was the best time so far. The people are starting to be familiar and conversation comes just a bit easier.
The other thing that has been good is seeing my friend Mary. I've been able to voice some of my fears and frustrations to her, not looking for answers or solutions, but just able to say them aloud and therefore release some of their power. It was healing. And we laughed and made plans for our lives well into our 80s. And I could breathe. It was nice. = )
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Hmmm...
This is the third time I've gotten cancelled on this week. For various reasons, all good ones. It's just a little...interesting? I guess that's a vague enough word.
Quick question, has anyone of you done an internship before? Good experiences? Bad experiences? I have some quick questions I want to ask you if you have internship experience. Like, what is the point of an internship? Send me an email and I'll send you some questions. Thanks.
Currently, I'm dealing with lots of pessimistic feelings towards this internship and towards life in general. I'm not sure how to be eloquent about that so I'll just say it. That's pretty much the only update right now. That and Hilary (that wonderful woman on internship in Belize - orangewalking.blogspot.com) has been kind enough to let me use her car which I should be picking up this weekend. Will be nice to have that mode of transportation. I'll have to learn how to drive stick shift. Should be fun.
Quick question, has anyone of you done an internship before? Good experiences? Bad experiences? I have some quick questions I want to ask you if you have internship experience. Like, what is the point of an internship? Send me an email and I'll send you some questions. Thanks.
Currently, I'm dealing with lots of pessimistic feelings towards this internship and towards life in general. I'm not sure how to be eloquent about that so I'll just say it. That's pretty much the only update right now. That and Hilary (that wonderful woman on internship in Belize - orangewalking.blogspot.com) has been kind enough to let me use her car which I should be picking up this weekend. Will be nice to have that mode of transportation. I'll have to learn how to drive stick shift. Should be fun.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Another beginning
I'm starting week four tomorrow and I still feel like I'm trying to figure things out. Maybe that is part of the reason why I feel so tired and not excited. Because it still feels so up in the air.
I just feel like I'm going to mess up. I've had opportunities to interpret and I'm just so scared of doing it. I'm trying to make myself do it in spite of that, but well, I guess I just want to be good at it already. I just feel like I mess up so much. And I'm kind of tired of getting things wrong all the time. I wish I had more support out here. For times such as this.
But anyway, I gotta go to bed so I can get on the bus at 7 in the morning to get on the subway to get on a train to arrive by 8:25 to get in a car and ride with the interpreter I am working with to arrive by 9. (I bet this appointment won't equal even half my traveling time.)
******EDIT******
I ended up getting a ride that morning, which is a shorter ride, but of course it was only like 20 degrees if not lower when we tried to leave and the car wouldn't start so I was going to end up being late. Wonder of God's wonders, it turned out the student I was going to interpret for had decided not to go to class. It worked out.
I just feel like I'm going to mess up. I've had opportunities to interpret and I'm just so scared of doing it. I'm trying to make myself do it in spite of that, but well, I guess I just want to be good at it already. I just feel like I mess up so much. And I'm kind of tired of getting things wrong all the time. I wish I had more support out here. For times such as this.
But anyway, I gotta go to bed so I can get on the bus at 7 in the morning to get on the subway to get on a train to arrive by 8:25 to get in a car and ride with the interpreter I am working with to arrive by 9. (I bet this appointment won't equal even half my traveling time.)
******EDIT******
I ended up getting a ride that morning, which is a shorter ride, but of course it was only like 20 degrees if not lower when we tried to leave and the car wouldn't start so I was going to end up being late. Wonder of God's wonders, it turned out the student I was going to interpret for had decided not to go to class. It worked out.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Title
The title "Chocolate In The Morning" comes from a song on Mandy Moore's new CD 'Wild Hope.' The song is called "Can't You Just Adore Her?" and the first two lines of the song are:
"She likes chocolate in the morning.
She drinks her coffee late at night."
You can look up the lyrics (or even the song) if you want. But that's not what you came here for. Let's get to it. = )
I've been on internship for almost 3 weeks now. My major is American Sign Language/English Interpreting. My internship is basically to get out into the real world of interpreting and spend time observing, learning and actually interpreting to get some life experience. So far I've been observing and interpreting in college classes and spending most of my time making contacts of more people I can work with.
The first 2 weeks here were pretty horrible, for a lot of reasons that would take too long to go through. (That's part of the reason I didn't start this blog until now. The first posts would all be sad and frustrated.) I'm semi-past that feeling now. (Yay!) I'm starting to find interpreters who I can tag along with and learn from which has been one of the most difficult parts. But it's starting to come together a little bit and I'm actually looking forward to an event this weekend at The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (PSD). It's called Kenya Safari Acrobat something-or-other and it sounds great! = )
Well, it's only Thursday and I need to get to sleep so that I can get up and go tomorrow. Byes!
**happy birthday Michelle!**
"She likes chocolate in the morning.
She drinks her coffee late at night."
You can look up the lyrics (or even the song) if you want. But that's not what you came here for. Let's get to it. = )
I've been on internship for almost 3 weeks now. My major is American Sign Language/English Interpreting. My internship is basically to get out into the real world of interpreting and spend time observing, learning and actually interpreting to get some life experience. So far I've been observing and interpreting in college classes and spending most of my time making contacts of more people I can work with.
The first 2 weeks here were pretty horrible, for a lot of reasons that would take too long to go through. (That's part of the reason I didn't start this blog until now. The first posts would all be sad and frustrated.) I'm semi-past that feeling now. (Yay!) I'm starting to find interpreters who I can tag along with and learn from which has been one of the most difficult parts. But it's starting to come together a little bit and I'm actually looking forward to an event this weekend at The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (PSD). It's called Kenya Safari Acrobat something-or-other and it sounds great! = )
Well, it's only Thursday and I need to get to sleep so that I can get up and go tomorrow. Byes!
**happy birthday Michelle!**
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