Golly Gee! Time to catch up.

It had been almost an half year since I last wrote on this blog. Graduate school had kept me busy for the semester before the last. Now I'm here in another state during my internship (last semester) before I could graduate this upcoming May. I'm pretty excited about the internship in somewhere I never had been before. You know me, I like to try different states that I had not been in the past. 17 states left to explore!

I have found some labyrinths around here, and I hope to continue studying the labyrinths to be used as therapy for the deaf community, since I feel the walking meditation can be a visual tool. Many deaf people use ASL, which is a visual language, and so I was thinking, "why not labyrinths?" So I am hoping to pursue this, by taking the facilitator training which is in March. I am also looking into taking Red Cross Mental Health Crisis Intervention training, (whew, what a mouthful/handful to say!)

I couldn't say much more than that since I'm starting to gather much privacy as I can for myself, more I become a therapist. There is a clear need to keep personal boundaries for deaf therapists; being visual advocates for the Deaf community, they also need to keep their private lives separate. It is quite confusing for friends to look at me and go "are you talking as a friend or a therapist?" or looking to me to see if I could help them and I wonder if they are seeing me as a friend or therapist? That's where dangers of boundaries show up, and that's when we need to become more aware. Drawing boundaries are not easy as I had experienced in previous jobs, but it is very possible to be clear where the lines are and expect respect for privacy.

So far, so good

I'm doing well in graduate school, although a bit amused with teenagers here for 'summer camps' running around on campus (and pulling fire alarms- no difference between hearing and deaf kids when it comes to pulling fire alarms!) I'm officially a second-year graduate student, since I passed the quals (or if one prefers, comps), as I found out this week. I'm staying on campus due to attending practicum (full summer) and a class (A&O- and I have to admit- I LOVE it!) It just feels odd to me that the campus is almost empty, and so I get the sensation of being in the eye of a hurricane, waiting for things to slap me in the face sooner or later.

For the articles going on about cochlear implants and sign language, I'm staying out of it because I have to admit, I am not in mood for bashing for giving my personal opinion. I'd rather deal with that in person, so we can discuss it, putting all our cards out on the table, instead of arguing one piece by another piece.

I had gone to DC Pride two weekends ago, and I had a blast of fun there, meeting some nifty people, and getting two good leads on potential internships! I was thinking about how far we had gone in many years, in getting awareness of gay/lesbian community, available resources and supportive organizations. I did not even know that there is this organization "Out in the work" as in being openly gay/lesbian/bisexual/straight at work; Out in work, from what I understand, is a good resource for people having trouble at work, providing information about internships (I asked mostly about that.) I would have more information, but alas, I lost everything I gathered from that organization as well as other organizations (including stickers, buttons, magnets) at the subway on way home! *sigh* So I need to remind myself to check that organization online soon when I'm not distracted by class and practicum.

Soon, that class A&O will end, and so some of us are planning to go to Assateague Island, and Blue Mountains, a weekend each for camping. Boston, New York City and Philadelphia are on the list of sightseeing for historical stops and I gotta go back to Brooklyn for another taste of that deliciousmarvelous fudge cake at The Chocolate Room!

written by Jules

A-to-Z story; Deaf storytelling.

I went to "Deaf World Odyssey" a play, written/directed by Angela V. Farrand last Thursday with friends/classmate at Galluadet University. Due to growing up in the hearing world, I hadn't really understood much of Deaf culture, even when I was right smack in the Deaf world (working and studying among Deaf people) for years. This play helped so profoundly that at the end of the play, I had a better concept of what Deaf Culture is, with its language, its history, and its art. Especially the art of the wondrous culture! I had heard about A-to-Z and 1-10 stories but I never understood what they could look like. It is impossible to describe; one has to SEE stories in person or video to get an idea what ASL storytelling is! A classmate and I are working on creating an A-to-Z ASL story, using a ghost theme, and let me tell you, so much of fun doing practicing, using body language, facial expression and using letters to create visual art in the air, as telling the story. I am told that the play will go to other schools to help educate about Deaf culture, and I have to raise my hands in air to applaud the terrific idea! An excellent method of teaching majority of students, pulling them into the 'pool' of Deaf culture (smiling at the pun, since there is a boat in the play.) Sadly, it's just for this weekend on campus.
http://news.gallaudet.edu/?id=12853

New journey today and Homecoming at Gallaudet.

I was looking for something different to do but hadn't decided how different.I just needed a break from Gallaudet University and all the hours of studying. My new motto is "Take breaks or you will break." Many people offered ideas such as the Native American Museum at the Mall, Georgetown tattoo parlors (unique 'til you find you don't have sufficient money to get a new one), this small-known garden behind the capitol where one can peer in to see the waterfall, and other ideas. I just wanted to do something that hadn't been published. Some people know my passion for labyrinths and so one suggested one in the Dupont Circle. I went "what labyrinth in Dupont circle?" Before I go on, I am sure, readers, you are asking "what is this word labyrinth??" It is a one-way path puzzle. A classical labyrinth looks like this:
It is very much a spiritual tool, when one wants to look inward to find where they are in the path of life. It can be used as a meditation tool. Both pagans and christians use it. There is even a Greek myth about it; Theseus went into the labyrinth to kill the minotaur, with Ariadne's assistance. There are older labyrinths about 5000 years. Several churches recognize that labyrinths are useful as located at Grace Cathedral (San Franciso), Notre-dame de Chartres Cathedral (France), Christ Church Labyrinth in Alexandria, VA and so on. I will include some links at the end of this article if you are interested.
Well, I looked alllll over the internet for this labyrinth in Dupont Circle and found NOTHING. A friend gave me directions to it and la da I found it today! Here are photos:





http://www.historicchristchurch.org/spirituality/labyrinth.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labyrinth
http://labyrinth-enterprises.com/12reasons.pdf

For people who are asking me how I am hanging in there at Gallaudet, thanks for checking on me! I am doing okay. Just tired these days, studying, doing projects due here and there, studying for exams coming up soon. Yeah, Homecoming was fun, thro there was a bomb threat at the football field (from what I understand, I could be wrong) and then a fire alarm at Hall Memorial Building (HMB) that sent alumni to SAC (Student Academic Center). I noticed it because I was getting out of SAC while alumni were pouring in, and I asked what was going on. An elderly lady latched to me and poured her frustrations on me (I wondered if I had my "counselor-in-training" t-shirt on..J/K) about the fire alarm and bomb threat. I could see why she was upset and an elderly man spoke up, "with all this, we don't need Gallaudet to look more worse than it is right now, so those guys who pulled the fire alarm or bomb threats need to grow up and think of consquences that makes Gallaudet looks bad." AMEN to what he said! It wasn't all bad news, the Gallaudet football team won the homecoming game against Williamson Trade, 40-26! So did the Bison women soccer vs. Gettysburg College team. I did get to see some friends that I didn't expect to see, almost 20 years last time I saw them- how much OLDER I feel!!!! So it was a nice weekend in all, the labyrinth walk and homecoming catch-up with old friends.

Gallaudet practicing Deafhood?

The reason I ask this question is what I had seen since I came here in August and still see often if not daily is greatly disturbing me. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'd be happy to be told I'm wrong, trust me on this.. Deafhood values EVERYONE who are deaf, whether they wear cochlear implants, hearing aids, or none; speaks, signs, or uses both; being comfortable in both deaf and hearing worlds; being proud of being deaf yet NOT being hostile toward deaf people who are not involved in deaf community or aware of deaf culture; is all that correct? If not, clarify deafhood for me, please. There are some deaf students here that feel alienated even here on campus all because other deaf folks look down at them....all because those students grew up in mainstreamed programs (blame the parents, NOT the children), feel comfortable in the hearing world but willing to learn the deaf world, and they sign (believe it or not, I have met many deaf here that speak better than mainstreamed students here). Yet they are racked through the hot coals. You know that sign "hearing" to forehead, as in a negative perspective toward deaf people who are COMFORTABLE in the hearing world- how the hell can anyone want to join the Deaf community if the community itself REJECTS them? I had to hold a student while she was crying on my shoulder earlier today all because they were very cruel to her. I could expect it from undergraduate students, but from GRADUATE students? I would PRESUME that graduate students are more mature than this. I reminded her to remember that militant deaf are a few but they are louder than the quieter majority who accept everyone, from both deaf and hear families, who wear cochlear implants or hearing aids, who speaks or signs. She was encouraged to think- she might counsel future clients who may go through this very same experience, being rejected in the deaf community just because they LOOK hearing (and that's another issue I have with here, but I will not do it in this post). With this experience behind her, she can use this to strengthen her belief in herself and grow. I can't say the same for the ones who belittled her, or others who look down at ones who dare to speak, who wear cochlear implants, or are from hearing families. I have always have faith in the deaf community and the university but this incident had shaken my faith and I would LIKE to see that the faith be restored. I keep telling myself that there are MORE deaf folks out there that accept everyone as equal while seeing the student with tears running down her face. Convince me that there are folks out there that DO accept people like us equally.

**CLARIFICATION** Those are friends of mine. None of those are clients. I published this blog entry with friends' permission.

Nice surprise at Starbucks!

Mind you, I hadn't even gotten a sip of my coffee (must have coffee in morning or I'd be a goblin, mind you, not nice like those ones in "Lords of the Ring" movies) when I thought I recognized someone. So after he got his coffee, (nice to know I'm not the only one in wee hours of morning, needing coffee to wake up) I waved to get his attention and asked, "Are you Gary Brooks"? Yup, it is him! After we chatted for a bit, I have to say that he's such a wonderful guy to talk with! In his part, I have to say that he is an excellent advocate when it comes to speaking up. If he isn't afraid to speak up, neither should anyone else! I agree with him that the students ought to stand up and speak up for themselves (and others) if they have issues with professors' opinions or views as well as issues in general (like gay-religious contervsary for one example.) I realize that it is very much an issue that is common in the Deaf community when one thinks about it. There are passive individuals and assertive individuals but passive people are common when you think about it(if you ADMIT it) Blame it on being raised mostly dependent on others and not having enough self-esteem and confidence in oneself. I still remember last night when there was a meeting and two students wouldn't speak up for themselves that they needed to sit closer to see (visual problems). I spoke up, "they need to sit closer" and encouraged other students to move back, so those students could sit front. I hope the students can learn if -I- can speak up, so can they! And so can anyone in the Deaf community. No one should be AFRAID to stand up and say "wait a minute. What's wrong with this picture? Let's talk about it!"

I am honest to acknowledge that I am somewhat hesistant to speak up because I hadn't yet learned how to intepret whether it is constructive criticism or something to take personally, basically. After talking with him, I am starting to have some thinking about how I approach issues and how I bring issues up for the public to discuss (or argue) about. Perhaps I should look into taking public speeching or acting, to confront my anxiety about speaking up in public (and on the blog as well) A good time to think about, especially with me being in graduate school here! Wonderful, thought-invoking talk, Gary!

Several things I learned so far at Gallaudet

It has been three weeks now (ALREADY??!!) since I came here to Gallaudet University as a graduate student for the mental health graduate program. *****Whew***** Before I came here, I thought I was well prepared. How little I know! Here are ten items I found out, or learned from other fellow graduates.

10. Even when the car was packed to the ceiling, I didn't get to fill every single drawer or the closet. That tells me either I have a SMALL car or they know how much stuff students bring to dorms so they have those LARGE drawers and closets.

9. 'TME' means "Too many eyes" especially when you don't want anyone else to see what you're talking about, in the cafeteria (gossiping in other words.)

8. One television in each lounge isn't EVEN enough. (Especially for students who hadn't brought a TV.)

7. Better find a roommate immediately if the other is watching television all the night and you need your beauty sleep. Don't expect that it'd stop after you ASK him/her to stop that!

6. When you think you have an handle on your studying (rolling on floor laughing), think again. As it is, I had lost count of what chapters I need to read in which books for which classes on which days due for which assignments.... and trying to catch up. (Thank gods for the schedulebook/planner!) *note for future students: GET a damned planner!*

5. If you don't know what you're talking about in class, you're in trouble and the professors know it. In other words, READ. READ what is required and know what to talk about. Copying other students' comments are NOT so cool.

4. It's pretty nifty to see everyone sign where you look; however it's distracting esp if you are seeing someone telling a FANTASTIC story and not watching where you walk. So far I had bumped into two students and one staff. More than that, one could give me the nickname "Bumper Fender."

3. Even with two microwave cookbooks, I'm already tired of microwave food. The cafeteria food isn't so bad but... ::waving hands as in "you-know-what-I-mean":::::

2. You DO pick up on ASL. In just two weeks (really, three), my signing had been changing from PSE to ASL (as I noticed as a friend and I reviewed the video she took of me.) Good to pick up on signs in a deaf environment!

1. STUDY. There's several graduate students going out partying or hanging out so I even wonder when they EVER get to study or read books for classes! Yup, I do go out but not EVERY NIGHT. Make time to put your nose in the books! It's GRADUATE SCHOOL, you know!

Shared Reading Project

As I said it in a comment at one blog tonight, there IS a program where hearing parents can interact with their deaf children and it will also help literacy. So I thought, why not write about it here on my blog? So... this program is provided by Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University- It's called Shared Reading Project. How it works is that mentors who are usually deaf and know ASL, will be sent to work with hearing families once a week or two. The goal for the mentors are to use children books, and teach parents how to sign from the books that would attract the deaf child, helping the deaf child developing the connection between printed word and sign..and ta da, we have LITERACY. It also will help the family develop a closer relationship with the deaf child(ren) as well. Here is the link:

http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/Literacy/srp/index.html

It's not limited to Washington DC. It is at many states from what I understand, including Colorado where I found out about this program.

Another idea for hearing parents on interacting with their deaf children.

My favorite blogs

Hello! I am back from California. Just finished the scapebook about the trip to California. A lot of sights were exhausting for me to deal with! In other words, that tour at Castle Hearst exhausted me to the point that I even elected to stay in for one day! 300 steps, not counting the long walk through the gardens (hilly), guesthouse and the main house...and me with a cane. So for now, I will write about blogs that I enjoy reading and will always check daily to see if there is a new entry.

I like a variety of blogs; political, sarcastic, blunt-but-true, funny, heartwretching, informative and resourceful. There are some blogs that can be two at same time; informative and sarcastic, could be funny and heartwretching; horrific and political. So I thought, "why not let other people learn about those blogs?" After all, it is the readers who inform OTHER readers and hence the blog gets more readers.

I like Violent Arces because the woman here is very blunt- love her for that, yet she is not cruel. She will say what is off her chest.
http://www.violentacres.com/

I enjoy reading Mishka Zena's blog. I can depend on the fact that she will do all her best to get facts and provide them to the readers. If she makes a mistake, she will admit it. You can tell how much she loves the Deaf community and see her passion to ensure that the deaf people have better treatment and best resources one could find. While other bloggers may be more passionate, she keeps her mind and tell from her perceptive neutrally as possible, letting the readers decide for themselves. That's how much I appreciate it.
http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena

I rode in the Tube when I was in London. What is the Tube? It's their word for the subways. The articles there are quirky; sometimes can be serious, sometimes with tongue in the cheek.
http://london-underground.blogspot.com/

Due to having a parent with NPD (Narcisstic personality disorder), I found this blog recently and I check it daily. From one perception, she may look bitter and blunt; but who could blame her with the upraising she had as a child and a teenager? On the other hand, I feel she is very strong and not afraid to show her vulnerability. That is her strength.
http://narcissists-suck.blogspot.com/

I love to read Postsecret. You could never know what postcards would come in for the writer to post on his blog. Folks expose themselves to reveal their secrets yet stay anonymous. I beleive one deafread article was about this blog, especially with one postcard showing CI pamphets, hearing aids information, etc and a human baby. You can somewhat feel the angst from the parent from that postcard. Emotions are varied for each postcard and it depends on HOW the reader interprets it and if that emotions are exactly what the writers/artists desire.
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

I read this blog "The Gods are Bored" like one would stare at a car accident. You couldn't predict WHAT the writer would write and I believe that's the attraction. For me, I can't help but think "........." at a loss for words when I read articles yet I come off that blog with a grin on my face. Hands up in the air!
http://godsrbored.blogspot.com/

As y'all know that I am interested in mental health counseling. By the way, I'm off to Gallaudet University this fall for graduate school. WHEE! Anyway- one of my interests is DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder, which in past was called "Multiple Personality Disorder.) I have always hoped one day I'd work with deaf people with DID. So far there is one deaf individual that I now and then trade emails with (hope she'd get in hold with me soon- hint, hint!) This is a blog, however the writer converses with her commenters now and then that I read with interest. I find this blog an excellent resource from someone who EXPERIENCES the disorder herself.
http://www.aspenleafhosting.com/cat/?page_id=13

All right, that's it for now. I have more blogs on my blogroll but enough! I hope you, readers will find the blogs either entertaining or challenging your own views.

There's no winners or losers.

Yesterday working on finances with friends, a friend stood up, reading her pager and screamed "Fernendes is terminated!" out of the blue (thankfully no one spilled drinks!) The friends jumped up and down, screaming and hugging each other. I looked on and smiled, but I had a lot of questions running through my mind as well.
What happens next?
Who will be the next president?
Will FSSA really walk the talk that they talked about for 4 weeks?
Will students, faculty, staff and alumni work together to stamp out audism, racism and deaf oppression?
Will the deaf community really look at themselves and realize that they even silence and oppress OTHER deaf?
Mind you, I LOVE Gallaudet and I am behind FSSA 110%, however we all need to think carefully what we need to do next. We didn't win the war..we won a major battle- (think it like Gettysburg or Normandy) The war will be only won if Gallaudet have a LOT of changes done (bylaws, procedures, policies, crystal-clear boundaries, duties expected of the president, provost and the BOT; recognizing audism practices within the campus, making it mandotary(correct me if I misspell that) for staff to learn sign language (mind you, I'm not asking for 100% skilled signers but enough to help in basic communication, emergencies and necessary situations) and also recognize racism and deaf oppression within the campus as well as the nationwide deaf community. This morning I got a rude email from a blogger "Stop shooting things out of your mouth, *******!" and added that they are already planning to clean the tent city-( but how would we KNOW that if no one said it in any article last night?) after I sent a comment to his/her blog, giving some advice such as cleaning up the tent city, doing research on other universities' policies and bylaws about the president/provost/board/s responsibilties and duties as well as boundaries, and that all deaf are equal: culturally deaf, oralists, sim-com, blind-deaf, etc, you get the idea. (in other words, I was saying that I hope that deafhood is the first priority in mind.) For saying all that, I got that rude email, and I was thinking, "wow..I got oppressed and silenced just now?" That really saddened me because I meant positive and well by my comment. I could say his/her name but what's the point? Right now there's no sense in finger-pointing and we all need to be mature and to recognize flaws within OURSELVES as well as outward (deaf community, campus, audists, racists, and folks who don't realize they practice any of those I just listed.) And that means you as well, blogger. I realize that s/he may be high on the fifteen minutes of fame, and s/he DESERVES that fame- since s/he did help out greatly in that blog, being there in person and speaking out for the deaf community- however s/he needs to look inward and realize- need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Don't do double standards, folks! You need to respect 'em as you'd want to be respected.

Written by Jules

Protest at Gallaudet University

There is a protest at Gallaudet University since yesterday. I was emailed by a friend who works at Gallaudet University about the announcement of new president at 230pm EST, and I am here in Colorado. I was in class when I got the email 'Fez' and I went "WHATTHEFUCK???!!!" I had not lived in Gallaudet while she has been the provost there, but I have already encountered her at a deaf event, in which I will not spill the beans, but I can only say it was negative. What I have in:

1) Through a poll on 'Notwithoutus.org' of gallaudet students, Fernandes only got 13% of students'approval, and 81% of students'disapproval. Mind you, it were on a ballot for undergraduate students to respond to Graduate Students Association and Student Body Government. If you want to know more, you can look up http://notwithoutus.org/node/32

2) Gallaudet University have been performing POORLY as investigated by congress and federal education department. And the current president think that that poor performance can be continued under Fernandes? THINK AGAIN! The deaf students deserve better education and even have the right to better education! Look up laws in education section of federal laws! Http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary.10003306.2005.html.

3. There is no love between the students and Fernandes from what I gather from: http://trimmingthefern.blog.com/, and
http://starvingforaccess.blog.com. Mind you, take those with a grain of salt.

4. I have to admit Ridor writes a good blog, http://ridorlive.com, and he's currently writing what's going on the Gallaudet campus, and I envy him. Colorado is quite a distance from Washington D.C!


I have been reading emails of people telling me what's going on campus, and I have concerns.

1) Fire alarms at dorms and SAC.... PLEASE!!! Do not do that..that will only make the protest more a student prank, than a mature and reasonable protest. We the deaf community need to show the world that we can be responsible and protest peacefully and without antics like those. Burning an effigy is powerful than pulling a fire alarm. Having a hunger fast is noticeable than ordering a pizza and eating it front of the media. If you want to have the ear of the world, do what Martin Luther King Jr. did...he had a strong voice, and he marched peacefully and with numbers. More the number of students, faculty, and alumni you have on campus, the BOT and the current administration will listen!

2) "She doesn't say hi".... That left me speechless.. honestly, it does. Bush doesn't say Hi to me either, but do that make me mad at him? OF COURSE NOT! One needs to have ACTIONS that look bad on the individual. I can understand the protest when one says "she had shut down many programs under MSSD- but what kind of programs were they? "She closed some student organizations- Can you tell which organizations and can those ex-members speak up? Bring up the fact that the congress found Gallaudet university ineffective, and point out that it's under IJK administration in which Fernandes is under! GET information and ACCURATE information at that, to show WHY the protest is going on!

3) Deaf-cultural president. That I can understand. But would the hearing world UNDERSTAND that? The leaders and protesters may need to explain to the media. Some friends finally understood when I said "okay, someone moved to Italy..and learned how to speak Italian, but he's NOT Italian... so would you think the population of Italy would accept him as a president to represent Italy?" I hope you understand what I'm talking about!

Written by Jules

Back.

Update for everyone.... So far I'm able to stand on my feet (with braces on of course) for a minute or two without holding on to the walls or someone else (or the walker)..so that's a plus.. the next goal is for me to do the stairs with the crutches...let me tell you I hate the crutches..oh wait..I mean I hate the right knee... due to its torn tendon, it is "loose" furthermore than before, so if I use the crutches and land on that leg first(right leg), the knee shift and down I go! I'm returning to school on January 17th, and re-taking the classes. I had to drop the classes due to the injuries as you know, so I have to finish those classes to meet the requirements. The goal is for me to finish those classes and to do the internship in the summer before I go to DC. I hope to enter Gallaudet Mental Health counseling graduate program next fall. :) I hope to work part time at a group house to keep adding experience to my belt. lol

Washington DC

I am flying to Washington DC on October 19th! I will meet the head of the Mental Health graduate program at Gallaudet University, and then visit my old job to catch up with staff and the clients. I know already that the clients will SWAMP me and I don't mind!! :) I can't wait to see the friends. I miss you all terribly! I will flirt with my favorite girls, G and J, hehehehe!!! I plan to stay with Kurt for some nights and a night with G and J! Alas there's one night I hadn't yet found a spot to stay, so... I can't wait to eat seafood again! Maybe at Philips, and that Windsor Inn resturant near where I used to work. I am so looking forward to drinking a mug or two at Carlibou Coffee!! MWAH!! I will have to fly back to CO (ugh) on October 24th.