Feb 20 2010

I'm aware that Saturday is not over yet, but I never get to write in this when Troy is around, and I want you all to know how the Winter Workshop went. :] So it started extremely early, and that I wasn't a fan of. But it was needed, because we still had so much to do before people showed up. However, people still showed up. :] I can't stand when people show up for something THAT early. Like really, who shows up for registration that starts at nine, at eight? Jerks that's who. So we kind of got thrown off track because of those people, but it went well. I worked the front registration table. (Not alone of course, that would have been terrible.) Then Curt (a teacher here at USU) gave a really good presentation, even though we only got to listen to half of it. We decided before the conference began, that it would be a "voices off" event. Which is self explanatory, meaning, ASL is the preferred method of communication. I have never signed so much in my entire life. :] But I'll tell you what, I'm pretty dang good. :] Because I am an Officer, I didn't really go to any of the workshops, and we all just kinda wandered around talking and joining the groups when we wanted. But it was really fun to mingle with all these people, and see them all SIGNING. It was splendid. I even go to voice interpret a few times, and that was an experience. I actually spent the whole day interpreting, because Tracy took her Cochlear Implant out, so when we did break the rules and use our voices, I still had to sign so she wasn't confused. And I did a pretty good job. :] She wasn't confused or anything, so I'm going to take that as a good sign. Jan (the DeafEd Advisor) gave us all Angie's gift cards for our efforts, and that was pretty cool. I think I'm in the right area. Except, I can't stop using my hands to talk now. I'm too used to it. :]

I can't wait for the Silent Weekend, that is going to be FUN. An entire weekend dedicated ONLY to sign. Absolutely NO VOICES ALLOWED. Haha it's crazy intimidating, but my skills are going to be outrageous by the time that is over. It's funny, because ASL is a totally interactive language. You learn the most by interacting, and just experiencing signing. After days like today, I feel like I can go pass the test right now, and get my license. (Which I can't, clearly. That is just not logical.) But still, I feel pretty cool. And days like today show me just exactly where my skill level is at, and it surprises me. Which gives me hope for the future, and being able to complete everything I want to. :] Because in order to do all that, I have to be a legit signer, or I'm going no where.

P.S. I was informed of a new job today. You have to be like an AMAZING (wow, obsession with Capslock much?) signer. But you would work at VPR, which is a telephone company for the VP. What this means is, the Deaf/Hearing person calls you, and you interpret the phone call for the people. Guess how much they pay? SEVEN DOLLARS EVERY MINUTE. For every five minute phone call you take in a day, you make thirty-five dollars right there.

I need to get myself at this level. :/

My dream however, is to be able to pass the test in Texas, so that i can be a level 5 interpreter, and do big jobs. Like for the UN and stuff. Be someone super important. That would be really really cool. :]