Wonders of nature

In the past month I have been privy to
experience 2 different natural phenomenas.
1st was the spectacular lunar eclipse
a few weeks ago. Jack and I stayed up
till 2am to witness it and it was breath-
taking! Especially when the moon turned
orange/red! I tried to snap photos but
my camera wasn't strong enough to capture
a clear shot. Bummer because it was a
clear night and the moon was awesome.

The 2nd event was a few days ago on
the 26th when NYC was dumped 20 inches
of snow. When it was coming down, Jack &
I bundled up in layers and took a quick
walk around the block in all that snow &
wind and it was absolutely invigorating! I
was laughing and panting as we trekked
through the knee high deep snow. Its a
real workout you know. Jack face was
all bunched up but to me, I didn't mind the
cold, it just served as a reminder how lucky
we are to be alive!

My New Year's Resolutions Possibilites...

1- stop eating fast food- I normally don't
eat it more than 1 or 2xs a week but still
that's 1 too many times

2- stop biting my nails! Part of the
problem why I never succeeded in this
is because I would let the nails
grow past my fingertips. For some
reason the feelings of nails bothers
me, especially when I close my hand
to make a fist, it really weirds me out.
But I would like to stop so I could
occasionally get a manicure and have
color painted nails.

3- stop wasting time on lost causes
or people which is self explanatory.
I tend to not give up on things/people
even when its not in my best interest.
Loyalty is a good thing but I have to
learn when its time to let go.

4- finish my movies, I am mad at myself
for not doing so already!

5- teach my family basic ASL phrases
& fingerspelling so I don't feel so left
out during my visits. I don't expect
them to be fluent, but an occasional
phrase or finger spelled word could
make a world of difference in my life. And
I won't force anyone in my family to sign, I
only ask if they might consider it? I've
thought about creating small mini lessons
and posting them on youtube. This way
they could watch it any time.

6- find a pet friendly place for my
next apt so I can bring Tom my
Bastard Kitty back here to NYC. What
can I say? I miss him! Teethmarks and all!

7- eat less meat, learn to like
more vegetarian foods. Basically for
2 reasons. 1, meat is expensive. 2, its healthier for me.

8- use coupons, coupons, coupons!
(I stopped using them when I moved
to NYC). Granted I use groupons,
discounts, promo codes, wait for sales
but groceries I've slacked off on.

9- revamp my lesson plans for 1 of
the schools I teach at, I am not currently
satisfied with it.

10-keep all my receipts so I can itemize
my tax return in 2011. Depending on
what I learn from my Uncle Robbie
because he does this for himself and
would be able to advise me if its a good
idea for me to do or not?

All of these resolutions are areas, I really
want to improve in. After all, isn't life
about chances to improve yourself
and become a well rounded person?

What's 'foreign' about sign language?

A recent commentary by conservative radio host, Dom Giordano in response to the New York Tine article has many of us Deafies fuming! He basically states there is nothing "foreign about sign language." First of all, at least address the issue correctly and use ASL, because there are many different sign languages all over the world. So in a way, depending on which sign language you're referring to, may be foreign. And hello, we never claimed it was a foreign language but rather A language. That ASL developed with French influence and later Martha's Vineyard as well as numerous Deaf schools all over the country. He obviously is unaware but the A in ASL stands for American Sign Language.

Another area that shows Mr. Giordano clearly didn't do his homework. Had he, he would've realized that Higher Education has already rectify the misleading subject title Foreign Languages to Modern Languages. Which means languages used in the modern day world and numerous of them are used here in the United States every day! The term Foreign language is antiquated as apparently he is too with his backward approach to ASL. The beauty of living in this country, is the right to chose which language(s) you want to speak/use at any given time. That millions upon millions who immigrated to this country in the past or present still use their native or preferred language at home and among peers.

Now the next part that he tries to dismantle ASL credibility is with his attack on Deaf Culture and the validity of it. He basically insinuates we are deluding ourselves from our assigned handicaps by mainstream society. He then ask if other "should people who are blind and paralyzed be pushing for their own culture?" Uh they already have as I know there is a lingo speak and shared culture among many paraplegics rugby players as evident in the movie Murderball. In this film, the players share parts of their lives that no one else (able bodied) could understand completely. They tear down the veil of pity that most people want to impart on them. As for the Blind community, I came across this site which I do not think Mr. Giordano if he ever reads it, would still argue that everyone in America lives this way or that American Blind people live the same everyday lives as the rest of America does. And having been active in the Deaf-blind world, I know they too have a culture that could be seen as an extension of both Deaf culture and Blind culture or a culture in their own rights depending on who you ask.

Mr. Giordano, a culture can often arise within a group of people who share similarities due to oppression/discrimination they've experienced. These prejudices are often based on physical characteristics or belief systems that perhaps the majority does not know about or share. Its not limited to geography or what food is eaten which are in some ways superficial as all human beings originated from the same place. Your statement "What harmful nonsense [in response to Deaf people reference to cultural genocide]. The drive to aid people to overcome handicap is not an attempt to demean them, but to enable them to have and fuller life." Our language, culture and history is not nonsense. We don't personally feel that our lives are less than because we are Deaf. But rather our culture encourages to focus on what we can do. I can't speak for the others, paraplegics, blinds or whoever else is labeled "handicap."

Mr. Giordano, I earned my Masters in ASL from the Teacher's College, Columbia University who I doubt share your views on 'sign language.' My Master studies included both linguistic knowledge and teaching methods. Both legitimate subjects in the real world we share. In addition, I have been teaching ASL professionally for the past 6 years including undergrads for the recent 4 out of 6 years. These students take my ASL course at higher institutions, not the local Y to meet their modern language requirements. And not everyone earns an easy A and does well in my class. My curriculum is 3 parts, ASL the language, ASL linguistic properties and Deaf culture knowledge. I strive to take away the stereotype that ASL is a hobby, that ASL is broken English or that ASL is all gesture and easy to acquire. Also many of my students have told me they feel ASL will be useful in their chosen field because honestly, you never know when you'll run into a ASL user recreationally or professionally. Some have had Deaf family members or socialize or work with a Deaf individuals. Others are encouraged or modify their future plans to be aware and inclusive towards the Deaf community. To me learning ASL wouldn't be any different than learning a language for heritage reasons or your chosen profession will take you abroad. And what about students who choose to become Teachers? Doctors? Lawyers? you don't think they won't ever cross path with a Deaf individual?

Every since Blondie sent me Mr. Giordano's article, I have been ticked off. It only perpetuates the already existing ignorance on what being Deaf is all about. I was glad to see Queen Alpo already wrote a response to this hurtful and bias article. Funny I don't write every day about Deaf politics and believe me there's plenty. But this particular case, I had to stand up for myself and for my peers.

Lastly in the words of a famous sport's writer Ford Frick "Hear only the things you should hear - be deaf to others." So I ask you readers out in cyberland, please do me a favor and turn a deaf ear to Mr. Giordano. I gaurentee, the silence will be golden.

Yay its SNOWING :]

I LOVE snOw!
Bring it on Mother Nature, put my
fantastic Ugg Boots to use along with
the warmest winter coat I've ever own
I am roaring for
snOw.

"An ode to Winter"
by mE

Ugh, Jury Duty

Oh come on! I already about 6 months
ago got out of it by playing the Deaf
card. Even had a doctor write a letter of
proof that I am Deaf and would require
an interpreter! Now today I got a new
more official looking summon that
has the "don't f*ck with me* appearance.
So now I've emailed my bosses to find
out if lowly adjuncts such as myself are
paid while serving jury duty and on top
of that I will have to jump through many
hoops to obtain a terp. Another option is
to file for a postponement till summer
when I am not swamped with work.

Grr, Jury duty!

A great quote

By Mary Taylor Moore
"Sometimes you have to get to know someone really well to realize you're
really strangers."
So true