I'm feeling diverse and cultural...

I do not have classes on Fridays, so instead I took the opportunity to go to a few presentations today. I feel a little bit more cultural, and a little bit smarter, so that's good!

The first presentation I went to today was by two Deaf, Native Americans. They were here presenting on Native American Sign Language, and more specifically that of the Plains Indians, and the importances of researching and saving this beautiful language. For more information you can visit the Hand Talk website. It's all very interesting.

The morning started off with a beautiful blessing over our college, and program. Even though it was is a different sign language, I could understand some of it. I think it was just a precious way to start off the event.

After the blessing every one trooped inside, out of the drizzle, and settled into the auditorium for a power point slide show. Hmmm... my favorite! lol. It was so interesting, and I wish I could share more, but to be honest, it was all new information to me!

To my right is James Wooden Legs, and to my left is Melanie McKay-Cody. Their presentation was interesting, and engaging. After the presentation James said a "closing prayer" and then invited any one in the audience to come up and be blessed. It was really special, and I'm glad I had the chance to be there.

Afterwards, I also got to go to the sit-down lunch and just chat and ask questions. It was cool because my roommate, Nikki, from last year, was also in attendance. Yeah!

After hanging out a little bit more, and enjoys Jame's magic tricks, I headed over to the UC so I could see a presentation from a Tibetan Monk.

This is Arjia Rinpoche, the high lama, and Abbot of Kumbum.... and the list goes on and on. I had never met a Tibetan monk before, so it was an experience, albiet, not a life changing one. His story really is incredible, so if you have an extra $20 to spend on a book, I would highly recommend it.

This is another monk who was with him, but I didn't catch his name. :) Lol. They were from the Tibetan Monogolian Buddhist Culteral Center, in Bloomington, Indiana! That kind of makes me giggle a bit. Regardless, if you are interested in learning more about them, you can check out their website!

Now what? I have traveled through time and space today! So now... Brandan and I are going to the movies, then maybe to dinner, and then... maybe roller skating. We'll see how the night goes!

So tell me... have you ever met any one incredibly interesting? Tell me who, when, and why?

Gooooooood... morning?

It's technically morning now, but it wasn't a few minutes ago. Boo.

Here's five minutes of my life!

And it's true. I do love a good cake wreck! I don't think I will do too many of these videos in color... I think the black and white make my skin look nicer, but... we'll see. I had been blow-dryer-less for over two weeks! Yes... lots of pony tails.

Now it's off to bed, middle school in the morning!

Finding the Balance...

So I'm trying to find a good balance of blog postings... I could probably blog all day... 20 times a day. But, I know no one would want to read all of that. I also know that I would love to make Video-blogs 20 times a day. Ignore that fact that there isn't enough time in my life to do that.

I've kind of decided that blogging once a day is acceptable, and then posting two or three videos a week (at the max) is good too. Since it is something that really does help me practice, I don't want to get sick of it. lol.

So, here's a new video, just a short bit of what I did today, and some things I did yesterday. I know that my blog/vlog entries might overlap, but if you really don't like watching them... you don't have to! lol.

I hope every one had a wonderful St. Patty's day, and I'll catch ya tomorrow... after I've been go-go-going all day! Yippeeeee!

The Big Purchase!

Hello, so here's another signed blog entry for you!

B-man and I really did search high and low for this item, but I find kind of amusing is that I really was the driving force in this. I think he was nervous about spending money, especially since I am usually saying "no" to $50 video games. But, it was time, and we were ready! I think he's definitely happy with the purchase now... he's been playing his video games on it!

Next item on the expensive list? A couch.

What are some things on your wishlist that you are hoping to buy soon?

Four Score and Seven Years Ago...

So, I got a text message today suggesting I update my blog. Now, I could update with everything I have been doing lately, but that would be extremely boring as all I've been doing lately is school. Lots of school. Back in October I got really sick, I had a kidney infection, was anemic and sleeping far too much. So... when I wasn't in class or doing homework I was sleeping!

Now I am trying to catch up on all of the stuff I've been missing! Brandan and I are doing well. Our house is put together, our two dogs are perfect, and our fish is just bubbly! Brandan is enjoying his work, but looking forward to actually working in an office again!

I am currently in the middle of crazy exams! I have a paper I should be writing at the moment, due in like... 4 or 5 hours... but I figured this wouldn't take too long! On Sunday I went and interpreted for Deaf Awareness day at Dollywood. It was a lot of fun and a good experience. I am really starting to step into the "interpreter" shoes and enjoy what I am studying, instead of constantly worrying.

Tomorrow Brandan and I are heading up to Northern VA to spend some time with our families, so that should be a hoot, albeit a lot of driving! That's ok. Brandan could use the practise. In the meantime I am going to go write my paper about the affects of having a deaf child and how that changes the family. Good times!

PS: My title is an ode to a recent assignment I had... interpreting the Gettysburg Address. Yippee

where did my life go?

Life is freaking crazy. Today's agenda:

-Write English paper rough draft due monday...4-5 pages
-Write ASL review of activities: 6 page minimum
-Do math homework...for 5 sections in the book... that's like a million and TWO problems.

plus I could probably do some reading for my psychology class, watch my 30 minute video for ASL, and catch up on the reading for my philosophy class... but that would all be horribly ambitious. Oh well.

Words cannot explain...

Tonight I went to a football game at TSD (Tennessee School for the Deaf) and it was....interesting. The team lost, but I didn't watch much of the game because I was watching all of the people sign. When I paused to stop "listening" it wasn't very loud, but inside my head I could "hear" all of the people signing. It was really interesting. :D I liked it a lot. I have a few deaf friends, and I didn't realize until tonight how much easier signing is for me, compared to the other kids in my class. About 5 people from my sign class game to the game, and they all kept looking at me, expecting me to help them out if they didn't understand, and I did, but something else I started doing was even when i was talking to speaking people, I would sign. YEAH! I like it a lot.