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| Being DeafWhat is it like to be deaf? People have asked me.
How do I explain that? Simply, I can't hear?
Nooo, it is much more than that!!!!!
It is similar to a goldfish in a bowl.
Always observing things going on.
People talking all the time.
It is being on a desert island, or among foreigners.
Isolation, is not a stranger to me.
Relatives only say hi and bye, as I sit for hours with them.
Taking great pleasure at watching amusing babies, reading books, resting, or helping out with food.
My natural curiosity perks up when I see laughter, tears or someone upset.
When I inquire "what's up", only to be meet with "Oh never mind" or "Oh, it's not important"!
A short summarized statement of the story I'm supposed to smile and show happiness.
Little do they know how truly miserable I am.
Hearing people are in control of their language usage,
I am at a loss and very uncomfortable.
Always the feeling of being an outsider
Among the hearing people even if it was not their intention.
Always assuming that I am part of them because of my physical presence, not, understanding the importance of communication.
When I am faced with a choice between a deaf camping weekend or a family reunion
Forced to choice between family commitment or deaf friends
I must make the choice constantly!!
Any wonder why I choose deaf friends????
I get such great pleasure when I am at a deaf club.
Before I realize it, its 2:00 a.m.
But I anxiously look at the clock every few minutes at a family gathering.
With Deaf people, I am so NORMAL!!!
Our communication flows back and forth
Catching up with little trivial things -- about our daily lives --about our frustration in the bigger world.
Seeking the mutual understanding
Contented smiles, and laughter are like music
So MAGICAL to me
We're so attuned to each other's feelings
Truly this happiness so important!!!
I feel more at home with Deaf people
We don't see people as being short or tall, various colors, or religions.
As I do when I'm among my own hearing relatives
And I wonder why?
Our language is common.
We understand each other.
Then I realize, its being at loss, not in control of my environment.
That is a "Lack of COMMUNICATION"
People panic and retreat to avoid the deaf.
We feel like we have the plague
But Deaf people are still human beings, with dreams, desires and NEEDS
We want to BELONG just like everyone else... | | |
| Alright, so it's new years eve and I'm in Violet Louisiana. Today is my first day that I've had time to myself since I've been here and its about to end abruptly. It's been a great great experience though. Just to think about what these people have been through, seeing the disaster that Katrina brought to their lives would make you think wow, these people have every right in the world to be upset and pissed off, but they aren't. Everyone in these cities that I've been to are the Nicest people you will ever meet. Everyone has a smile on their face, they want to know who you are, where you're from, they say hi to you at every chance possible. It's really truly and amazing thing to witness. They've pulled together and bonded with each other to make the best out of a horrible horrible situation.
First of all, I came out here with my friend Sarah Berg who just got back from Chile. Once we crossed the louisiana state line and started on I-10 towards Lake Charles and Baton Rouge we started to see the houses with the FEMA blue tarps on the roofs.. where roofs had been blown away due to winds. Once you got past Baton Rouge and on towards New Orleans FEMA blue became the only color you could see. Further into New Orleans you come up to the Ninth Ward where the FEMA blue just seems to disappear. It took a while for me to realize exactly why there wasn't anymore blue roofs, of course because I was trying to pay attention to where I was going. Everything from the Ninth Ward south towards the cities of Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux, Violet, and St. Bernard were ALL DESTROYED beyond the repair that a blue tarp could fix. It was by far the most depressing sight I've seen in a while. I saw Houses on top of Houses, Houses that crashed into other houses, Cars in trees, Trees in houses, cars in houses, Houses ON TOP OF CARS, everything that you could ever imagine not being right... you see down here. And on every single one of the houses you see spray paint. Its not graffiti spray paint its spray paint telling you that the house has been searched and tells you if dead bodies or animals were found. Its amazing to also know how many people were involved in this. Task force washington, Task force Canada, Germany serach and rescue, Louisiana State Police, Global Disaster Management, Georgia Search and rescue and the list goes on and on. These where the people that searched these houses. I didn't exactly know what I was going to be doing when I got here... but when I did I found out soon enough.
Sarah and I were going to be working with the owner/ starter of Global Disaster Management and her and I were doing Body recovery. They have The body Van, and the Generator truck that they use in these searches. The Keys to the Van were handed to me... why me?!?! Actually, the Van and I have become quite close. It has no plates and it has a blue light and siren which basically gives me free roam to do what I want... even the Louisiana state police can't pull me over. The only person who can stop me would be the president or my boss! lol. In the Body van is all of our protective gear.. ya seen those people on tv that wear those white suits and a respirator mask and gloves up to their elbows and boots up to their knees. Yeah, thats us! Basically we have an MPR Missing Persons Report and Sarah and I get to lead our Structural Engineer aroudn town looking for these people and have to search their houses to make sure they aren't inside. My boss does a lot of the Adminstrative stuff and I'm the boss of the feild work basically. I lead three people around town and tell them what to do. I actually go in the houses as well... man what sight. Water engulfed these houses. Its an amazing sight to see that there are no water level marks... just mold everywhere in a one story house, that means the water went over the roof. In a two story apartment building the water level got up to my knees on the second story. Mud and sewage and contaminated debris are everywhere... mud up to your shins... It's a nasty nasty job. The things I've seen are indescribable.. hopefully I'll get some pics up as soon as possible.. it will probably have to been when I get home.
Anyway this is all the time i have.. I have to cross reference the MPR that fema has with mine.
OH!! Yeah, just so everyone knows.. FEMA down here.. is nothing but a big joke to these people.. a BIG joke.. everyone has shirts that say.. FEMA?! WHATS FEMA?!?! lol
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| Hey Ya'll... I'm in Southern Louisiana in St Bernards Parish in the cities of Chalmette and Violet doing some Research and Recovery for Global Disaster Management Inc. I'll update this as soon as possible and let ya'll know what I'm doing.. Warning.. It's not gonna be pretty..
Love ya'll
God Bless and Merry Late Christmas and Happy New Year | | |
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My contacts are really bothering me today...
Yes, for those of you who don't know I officially wear contacts!
I am very perturbed this morning for some reason. It seems as those for some reason I have a case of the mondays. Am I however totally excited that the holidays are quickly approaching and I have 7 actual school days left til I'm off from work til the 6th of January! How exciting is that?! TOTALLY!
I haven't done any christmas shopping for my friends yet.. the only person I seem to have purchased for already is my friend Andrew.. and his was easy. lol.
Christmas time is the time of year where you sit back and reflect and think... how well do I really know this person!? lol. I hate to say it but its true. You can never figure out what to get someone for christmas.. and you have to think and think and think. Then you just come to the conclusion that a gift card is the best way to go. What does that say about you and the relationship you have with that person. There is only one reason you should ever buy someone a gift card.. thats if they already have EVERYTHING they could ever possibly want. lol. Oh wait, of you can buy them movie money... that counts too.
Yesterday was my nephews 1st birthday. He is the most adorable creature to ever walk this earth.. (other than me of course) and he had such a blast at his party. i have never seen anything more attracted to balloons in my life! Oh and his cake.. yeah... ALL over him.. When he was allowed to blow out his candle (his mommy did it) he basically attacked the cake.. shoved his hands in it and then follwed his face... it was soo funny. Now, this could have been prevented because he was in fact in his mothers arms right.. but she let him. Now, I had to think, Would I let my one year old child dive into a cake?! Not if I was about to eat it!!! Lol. reguardless we all shared and enjoyed the cake.. mine had a little bit of griffin slobber.. lol. it was ok though.
This sunday is christmas at my grandparents. Thats going to be so odd, I don't know what I'm going to do Christmas day.. We usually celebrate christmas at my grandparents ON christmas day. Hrrmm.. it doesn't matter .. that gives me all the more reason to stay home christmas day and eat cookies and fudge and mmmm... my balls on christmas day.. Oh I mean my oreo/cheesecake balls WHICH I am famous for! lol. I can assure all of you, if you think I'm big mama now.. wait til christmas and new years are over.. I plan on gaining at least 30 pounds over the break. lol. Exciting?! YES! Anywho, back to what I was going to say.. SO.. we have a predicament... SOMEONE was supposed to be attending christmas at my grandparents with me, but that is no longer going to happen. My parents and my grandparents bought this someone a gift... which... from what I understand.. I AM inheriting!! Wooooooo cuz I know what it is.. and it will be used! I could do the nice thing and give them to this someone.. but I think I won't I'm a bit angered by this person at this time. (ya'll like my pronoun game?!)
So, andrew and I were talking saturday while I was working at the Crab House ( I know I know I promised i wouldn't go back, but I did just for one day) and he said he was proud of me. I was Psycho.. but he was proud of me.. I was talking to him about this "relationship" I just got out of .. and he of course asked in his sarcastic manner.. "so, Whos fault was it this time!?" and I took all the blame for it.. Well, most of it anyway. I said I was a bitch and about 90% was my fault and he was an asshole and about 10% was his. Usually I would just blame it on the guy..cuz its ALWAYS the guys fault.. and instead I took the blame. What wondefulness... I'm growing up.. NOT!
Anywho, I'm tired of typing.. my carpel is starting to act up!
Til fingers and keyboard meet again. | | |
| As I sit here watching my cat Thackery start to play with and destroy the christmas things my mom just pulled out.. I'm reminded of how great life is.
I mean, I know that there are always problems to overcome and what not, but it's the little things in life that count. I was asked recently why all of my blogs seemed like I was sooo sad.. I guess its time to change my tune. I LOVE the holidays! I hate christmas only because of poinsettas. If it weren't for those damned things and my mothers love for having them in the house year round (yeah anyone else notice that?! Lol) then christmas would be perfect. Why is life so perfect?!
Family.. my family is in great standing as of right now *knock on wood*. I can't wait to see them all on thanksgiving. My little nephew griffin will be one on Dec 6th.. thats sooo exciting! Shopping time! My grandparents are still kickin (its cuz I don't date freddy! Lol) and of course.. they're the cajuns they always are. I love them! My parents are amazing I love them both dearly! I love every aspect of my family. I know we aren't perfect (by far the furthest thing from it...) But we put the fun back in dysfunctional.. lol.
Friends- I must have the worlds greatest friends.. I love them all. There happens to be one who ALWAYS knows when I want to talk to him. Unfortunately Mr Beerrun we don't talk all the time, but I do love it when we do. My best friends are the greatest! I had such a great time recently at the Renn fest with Vanessa, Arturo, and Freddy. It was a blast!!! The hats! The tomato toss.. the drench the wench! Such a great time! Candice is moving back home.. shes in a great relationship I'm so happy for the both of them. There is only one aspect of my friendship life I would like to change.. but, obviously I betrayed his trust (ren) and he's mad at me. I guess its my own doing.. and its up to me to repair.. if allowed.
Relationships.. dun dun dun.. heres the one everyone wants to hear about! Those of you who know.. know.. I have great great great feelings for my beanie. Its just... we'd be better off as friends. I don't think I can give him what he deserves.. as far as a loving relationship goes. Just ask my friends.. they tell me not to get married! Lol.. You know I love you beanie! We'll of course be great great friends.. and I promise you.. you'll find the woman you're meant to be with..and of course I HAVE to approve.. and she CAN'T be cuter than me! Which isn't really that hard! lol. Oh Yeah she can't be jealous either.. you know we can't handle that one! I'm so glad you're understanding of this. It really is important to me to have you in my life. You're a great guy and a great friend, I love talking to you and sharing our experiences together!
So, GREATNESS all around huh!? I guess its all because those danged holidays are here... why must they put me in a good mood?! lol. I love it!
Ya'll have a wonderful time! Thanks sooo much for reading this! Have a great thanksgiving and christmas and make sure you kiss someone under the mistletoe and at midnight on new years!
Hey! What are we doing for new years?! No more asses through my living room window! The party is being moved elsewhere! lol | | |
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