Graduation

Going to my graduation

Yay! It's time to get my diploma!

Eh! My gown does not have a button for the hood. That hood was trying to choke me!

Showing off my cool green stuff, sheese my right C.I. did not want to be hidden. It decided to jump out of my hair to be Blue.

Showing that it has my name on it, ummm, wondering why..

My hood won't obey me, it was trying to jump off from me

My pals (even one girl I have never met!)

I noticed lot of pictures with me--closed eyes! Sighs. I guess I just wanted to make sure I'm not dreaming.

YAHOOOO!!

SEE!! Another picture with closed eyes!

Ah! My transcript... I see why it was important to have my name on it because it has my grades AND other important part--DIPLOMA!

Time to leave this campus--bye McDaniel.

Katie thinks I have a dinosaur tail

AHHH! What?! I was so stupid that I forgot to take a picture of me and my parents!!! Including good friends! My special day, I forgot!! Sighs, at least little pieces of parents and friends even their faces were not showing especially Katie. Maybe I should bring my gown to the family reunion this August and I can ask one of people to take a picture of us--pretending it's my graduation day even the background of beach.

I was relief to know it was all over.

Williamsburg

I took my parents and Annie to Willamsburg, VA. My parents, especially mom, wanted to go there for so long. Mom got her wishes. Dad got us cool Inn to stay for two nights. That caused the days skimmed in one day instead two full days plus two few hours. Last Thursday night, I picked my parents up from airport then hit the road for VA. We drove for about three and half hours. We arrived there at 9:30pm. The fun has arrived.

Oh boy, when I woke up. My body ached because of bed. I was wondering if I was only person who just like to have a drama? But I was relief that everyone had the same problem!

We went to Williamsburg to see the history. We ended up stayed there almost all day--enough to miss Jamestown or Yorktown. We arrived Jamestown but it was closed! We were sad! :( But we got some ice cream in Yorktown when we realized it was pointless since it was after 5pm. But still we had lot of fun.

Mom got some silly ideas. That was her idea.

AHH! I saw a ghost!

Do I look pretty?

We stopped for lunch. Interesting taste of foods. We might look crazy when mom, Annie, and I tried each other foods. Dad was too shy. (Dad had the same as mom had.)

Look at that woman's dress!

Do I look bored?

Maybe I'm not only person who were bored.

Mom tried to spiced up to avoid being bored.

Umm I guess I was TOO bored by taking lot of pictures to keep myself busy.

Look at them.... We were waiting for a big play but it ended up okay for me.

Some of paths has FULL of shells.

My favorite series of my parents--it made me laugh when I look at three pictures. Of course, first picture it turned awful. I forced to retake..well it turned out two retake to get a perfect picture.

Silly dad

Finally--a good picture of my parents.. Cute mom and dad!

Geez, that day exhausted us and we didn't notice about stinky beds after we went bed. We had to get up early morning to get home on time for my graduation. I hoped my parents enjoyed their trip to Williamsburg, VA. It was fun trip.

Whoops

I had to find something to keep myself busy while nobody is at home. Something I have to do but avoiding to do so and something I wanted to do but couldn't afford it. I know I was supposed to clean one room before my parents come for my graduation this weekend. I'm too lazy and did not want to do anything. Does that sounds awful?

Well, I decided to find something to DO something and it was translate Hymns in ASL. My old calling was lead the music in the meetings. I had opportunity to translate the songs. Sometimes it was fun, while other times was frustrated because of my limited understand of vocabulary.

I thought it would be a good project for me to do is to fix some translate, insert arrows, etc for clear translate. One song I was on, "I am a Child of God" and saw one mistake--enough to make me laugh.

That remind me of my ASL students, me, or other people made some mistakes such as Dead people (really, it was Deaf people), or dead event (deaf event), etc. It was funny how tiny "deaf" word or close enough can caused lot of typo. Funny, uh?

Heart Jumped

Oh it can't be true?! I felt it was a dream. I had to blink my eyes several times to take a good look at this grades. I got three A's for internship. My heart has jumped up and down. I could feel my chest pounding. I knew my face will get hurts for smile so BIG and stay LONG time.

This.. I gotta brag because this is my FIRST time to get ALL classes A's even four classes has A-'s. These teachers were tough! Even one teacher really don't like me very much. He tried to give me B for two different classes and different time. I hated to complain that I earned an A. He was avoiding but he had to since the points were on the syllabus and I was on the point of A. Long story, but it was over. I ended up got two A-'s from him. It was better than B.

Man, I felt so GOOD. I had to thank Annie for all of her patient to help me through this program. She helped my English grammar. She helped me to understand some subjects from textbooks. She even helped me to write tons of papers. She sometimes stayed up so late with me to finish some projects. She was so kind to me even I got grumpy when I got so frustrated. What I mean is that I couldn't get in program without her. It is not all...

Thank you SO MUCH for all of prayers to help me to keep going and going to finish this program. Without your prayers, I would miss one step that would caused me fell down.. My body will bounce as a ball would do. That remind me of Tim and me playing balls, toys, etc.. One of us would be top of the stairs while other bottom.. We would threw or let it bounce.. I don't know why it was fun for us.. Anyway, back to grades.. Thank you for all of your support me through my graduate years BUT LOOK at my grades! I got GPA 3.929!!! That was BEST EVER I MADE IN MY WHOLE LIFE!

I know I did get some A's. I remember I was in middle school. Mom tried to bribe me to do well in school. I never get good grades, eh. I hate doing homework or didn't do well on tests who know. I recalled mom told me if I get all A's, I would get a Garfield doll. You know, my teenager life, I LOVED Garfield! I would do anything to collect Garfield (doll, books, etc). That was our deal to get good grades. I worked so hard to get good grades. I did got ALL A's but one B or C. It was math or I couldn't remember what it was... I was disappointed because I knew I will not get a Garfield doll. I tried again but still ended up the same for a whole year. Bummer, I didn't get Garfield doll at all. :( The deal was off when I get in high school. The rule played different..

It was funny to look back my youth and couldn't believe how much I have changed. No, no, I don't want a Garfield doll for my grades that I earned from my program. I would like to get a big thing.. Haha! Whew, what's a big relief for me... Sighs.. Time for me to have a fancy bath with candles and read a good book. Maybe eat some ice cream. Umm what else I can do to give myself a good reward. I'm thinking...

New Shoes

Last Monday I wanted to start to exercise by walking. I really need to lose some weight. Ugh. I know it was tough to make a choice: Do I want to do this? I know, for several years I was too lazy to pull my legs to go and exercise. I found that exercise was no fun for me. Haha. I tried to find something that I CAN enjoy. I think walking was not bad if I go with somebody.

I begged Annie to go walk with me as our exercise. She agreed and we were all set to go walk. I put a brace on my right ankle and shoes on. We went out but we didn't stay outside that long. Umm. Yeah, I think we probably only walk for about ten minutes. Sad. It was not my fault! Yes, I'm going to blame on my ankle!

I couldn't figure what was wrong with my ankle or bottom of right foot. It was very frustrating for me. I wanted to continue walking but I couldn't! It was painful to walk if I continued. I was discussing with Annie why I still have problem. I decided to blame on shoes.

Two days ago, I went to shopping to find a good shoes. I never found a good shoes. I hate go to shopping for clothes or shoes. My feet are so small. I think you might need to use the glasses to see it better. Sighs, Annie joined me because she had to wait for two hours before she has to interpreter for a couple at school. We stopped by Dicks and looking around the shoes. We were at women's shoes. I couldn't make up a decision which shoes I wanted to try it on.

Annie asked me if it would be alright to talk with one of workers to help me. I hate to ask for help but agreed. The woman measured me and said, "Oh, none of those would fits you." Eh? She said I need to go to youth shoes. She thinks size 4 1/2 might fits. I tried it on. Not bad but a little loose. I tried to walk around a few times to make sure if I liked it or not.

I'm sure I have drove Annie and the woman nuts. I tried two different kinds of shoes and decided to tried other brands. Ended up didn't like other brands. I still standing top of the fence and trying to balance myself. There were two kinds but same brand, just different colors. It was funny because both feel different when I wear them.

I decided to try smaller size to 4. Tried it. Umm I wondered would size 3 1/2 fits better? I thought it might be too small. Same time I thought why not try it and see if it fits. So I tried it and umm I was walking around.. Surprised, it was not that bad! Fits much better. Not loose. Gulp. I hate to say but I think this shoes was a winner for that size, 3 1/2.

Gulp, I couldn't believe this.. I haven't bought anything shoes that size 3 1/2! I usually bought 5-6 sizes and it was depend on what kind of shoes. I admitted I still in shock that I wore 3 1/2 shoes this morning for walking. It fits very well. Hard to believe this..

Grateful for Two

It's not much exciting but to blog something is just a blog hobby. Yesterday I was sitting on the couch and watch some television shows. I was wiggling try to find comfortable spot on the couch. Of course, the right cochlear implant coil was kicked off.

Sometimes it was annoying because I can't lay on my head side because of coils. Sometimes it was fine, but often it wasn't comfortable to lay on head side. I decided to take one off for awhile, but I realized that I didn't like the sounds. It was different, very quiet, and umm sounds were different as well. So I ended up put right cochlear implant coil back on my head to feel normal. Two are better than one. I rather to have both than quiet, disorder, and annoying.

When I put coil back on, I was grateful to have TWO cochlear implants for both ears. It was common for people to have one cochlear implants. I remember Steve was happy with my results that two were much better than just one. Again, I felt I was blessed to able to get two for both of my ears. I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to have two instead one.

So Weird!!

Last night I was walking to the computer to check something. Annie was in the living room reading a book or watching television. Annie called me and I heard something. I turned to see what Annie wanted from me. She said, "Come! Fireworks!!" I got confused, got up, and ran to the balcony to see the fireworks.

True enough, we could see the fireworks across the street. We were on the second floor of apartment. The fireworks were BIG--like July 4th. We were puzzled and wondered why fireworks. We couldn't figure it out. About five minutes, it stopped. We thought it has ended. It only stayed for temporary.

We went inside of the apartment. After about few minutes, fireworks started again! We ran again to see the fireworks. Several fireworks startled me because of loud. Annie laughed because it did to her too. She asked me if I hear it first before feel or feel first before hear. To be honest, I don't know which comes first! I assumed it was hear first before feel. It leave us wondered about that. More likely it left Annie wonder about this a lot. She thought it was hear first and makes us feel scared or startled from loud sound. I told Annie I feel big bursts inside of me when some of fireworks explosion. Some were so loud and some were not so loud. I thought sometimes I could feel it and hear it.. sometimes just hear it.

Of course, it has sank in my head about this. Anyway, the fireworks has stopped and started again about 15 minutes later. It continued for about two hours! We still couldn't figure where it comes from and why doing this. Annie tried to find some information on the internet but no luck.

After about one hour, we were watching television show. I still could hear the fireworks from outside. We gave up because of long pauses. We were not sure if it ends that time or not. Annie asked me if the bursts feeling was because of sounds. I was not sure about that. I have been pondering about this and realized she might right about this.

After the shows, we got tired and went to bed. I was about to sleep, but Annie shake me and said, "A lot of fireworks!!!" Of course, I got up and ran to the window to see the fireworks. Those fireworks were so big and many at same time! I realized something different this time. No bursts feeling......because the cochlear implants were not on my head. That answered our wonders. Wow! THAT was so weird! With cochlear implants, I feel big bursts when I have cochlear implants on. Without, it's worthless.. I'm sure I could feel only if I was close enough.

That took me to a few weeks ago, during my internship, there were a big dance party at school. All people go to the gym and have fun. Of course, there were two big speakers, lights, etc. When I get in the room, OH MY GOODNESS!! It was so loud and lot of bursts! Now I looked back and remember when I was in high school or sometimes in college, we had dance. They had big speakers. But I couldn't feel that BIG bursts. I need to be close to the speakers to feel some bursts. WOW! That was so weird when I think more about it.

What do you think of that? Have you thought about that before? It was so weird to think about it. Amazing, uh?

Am I Hearing Yet?

I am not trying to be hearing. Really, believe me. Anyway, two weeks ago Annie asked me if I wanted to put new ringtone on my iPhone. I was thinking will anyone call me? But my mouth and hands spoke, "Sure!"

Annie and I ended up spending a lot of time trying to find some good songs that I liked. We even edited and put it on my iPhone. Now I have four different cool ringtones on my iPhone! Now you know what it means....time to test!

Annie called me four times to test all four ringtone. It was so much fun doing this. The next morning I asked Annie to call me when she arrives at work safe. No problem! Annie arrived and dialing my phone and it was ringing.

I, of course, was prepared for this call. I was waiting for the cool ringtone comes alive. Well, it started rang and I, umm, jumped because it startled me of loud. I had to pick it up FAST to stop the ringtone. I answered hello.. We had a brief conversation. No, no, do not think it means a real conversation. Let me explain...

I have to control the conversation because I need to know the topic or what it could be next. If Annie control the conversation, then I do not have any context and will lost in this conversation. Annie knows my speech better than anyone. My speech is poor. So our conversation was like this:

Me: Hello!

Annie: Hi, I am here.

Me: Okay, good.

Annie: Bye.

Me: Bye.

That's it. I thought Annie said, "I am safe." I didn't get it perfect.. I only can understand her saying hello, hi, what, bye, okay... I think that's all I can understand having conversation with her.

I begged her to do often as she can. That means two times for five days. She'll call me when she arrive at work and leave the work to go home. We have been doing this for two weeks now. Amazing to see how much I get better with it. But not a big mountain improve or even a little rock. Actually it was a little ladybug improve.

This week was little better than last week. Last week I got confused, misunderstood, and did not understand some of it. Annie decided to do same conversation almost everyday. But I do not want that. I tried to take a courage and ask her different question....and it happened last Monday. You can read from Annie's blog. She wrote about this event. Click here to read it.

Yesterday Annie had a long meeting at school. I was wondering when she will come home. I was bored at that time. I wanted her to come home and keep me busy. Heehee. Anyway, it was after six and I was about gone crazy. I decided to call Annie.

Annie: Hello. (very quiet)

Me: Hi, you talk so quiet!

Annie: What?

Me: you talk so quiet.

Annie: What?

Me (trying to fix my iphone to be on speaker...speaker was best because I can hear her better than on the regular phone)

Annie: Hello?

Me: (finally it was fixed and able to her clear and loud) Finally!!! You coming home?

Annie: (laughing) Yes, I'm coming home.

Me: Good!

Annie: (laughing)

Me: How long?

Annie: babbling

Me: thirty minutes?

Annie: No, twenty minutes

Me: (I heard "t" something so I assumed it was twenty) Twenty minutes?

Annie: Yes. (She wasn't sure she understand my speech of twenty.)

Me: (I wanted to make sure I understand right..) You come home twenty minutes?

Annie: (she still wasn't 100% sure with my speech but still have some instinct that I was saying) YES..

Me: Good! Hurry up!

Annie: (laughing) Okay.

Me: Okay, bye, see you soon.

Annie: Okay, bye.

That's it. That was my conversation with her. Annie emailed me and surprised that I caught 20 minutes. I was beaming because I knew thirty minutes was wrong because Annie said no. Honestly, I don't know how it happened.. I think I'm getting tiny improve than last week. Still practicing.. Poor Annie because she hates using phone. :S I hope she didn't mind continue doing this for awhile. I love getting a call from her and practice my phone skills. :D

Do not think that I can talk anyone on phone now. I'm still in training as a person learning a new hobby. People couldn't understand my speech. That's a big problem. Oh well, let's wait and see what happens in the future.

A Miracle

I do not know which best word to use for this. I wanted to scream crazy. I wanted to go outside and running around for being an idiot. I wanted to jump on the airplane to go anywhere to be free. Actually I wanted to CELEBRATE that I FINALLY finished my master program. This morning was my incredible glory when I turn CDs in to my advisor. My hands just slap to clean the dirty off. (Well, maybe it's too early to celebrate because it's not really done done yet.)

Still I'm done with all of homework, studying, taking tests, going to classes, practicum, internship, etc. ALL DONE!!!!!!!

Now I hate to take a step forward of my life is to find a job. I'm starting to applying some jobs. I think it would be best to take a LONG break, I mean five years break before looking for a job.. I think it is a good idea! Bummer, how can I earn the $$.. I have no husband or kids to support or to keep kids busy. Dang it.

BUT I feel I was so blessed to able to complete this program with Heavenly Father's HELP. I couldn't done without Him. I'm grateful I did take courage to move out of my comfort zone, got in master program, a job while in school, and trying many new things. I'm grateful that none of them sink me under the water.. Whew.

When I read this and realized I have been blah blah silly because it's obviously that I'm bored. Hahaha. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you.. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!! I did it! Silly, uh?