Merry Christmas!

WELL, WELL! I HAVE DECIDED TO SIGN A SONG--A FEW SONGS JUST FOR YOU!! I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR. I'M GRATEFUL THAT OUR SAVIOR BORN HERE ON THE EARTH AND SHOW US HOW TO RETURN HOME AGAIN SOMEDAY. WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE THAT JESUS GOT HIS BODY BUT ALSO CELEBRATE WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US. HE LOVES US. WE SHOULD RETURN OUR LOVE FOR HIM. 

THIS SONG BELOW I'LL HAVE TO SIGN A SONG AT CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS DAY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

I LOVE YOU! 

I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU IN MY LIFE!

Cherish Christmas

Last Sunday RS president gave a talk. Her talk made me think about Christmas. Actually it wasn't HER talk, she got the talk from her mother. Well, her mother was a student at BYU and heard the talk from Boyd K. Packer at BYU devotional. She loved the talk and had to get a copy of the talk. RS president wanted to find his talk but couldn't find anywhere! She was lucky to get the copy from her mother. So RS president wanted to share with us by reading some of his talk. I thought I wanted to share with you as well. 

Before you guys listen the talk, I wanted to share with my thoughts first. Last few years has changed so much since everyone got married and have kids. I was envy of my siblings that they have their buddies and kids to spend the special holidays. I felt it wasn't the same as  I used to have with my family. I admit I sometimes wanted to avoid to go home and to avoid the feeling of being lonely or feel the envy of my siblings. 

This year I have noticed my Christmas spirit has changed slowly. Less excitement. Less wow. Of course, I'm not going to be Scrooge! I still LOVE giving presents to my family and friends. I tried to keep the Christmas tradition and wanted to share with my roommates. They didn't share the tradition or excited to do the tradition. They were sweet to do it for me last year and two. I realized it was not their tradition. I feel like they were suffering. Haha. I asked them what's their Christmas tradition? They told me a few and they usually don't have one. 

Again I realized it's tough to get everyone on the same page to celebrate Christmas. Somehow I understood Heather in many ways. Heather wanted to keep the family tradition. For example she loved the real tree, tinsel on the tree, be surprised to see the presents under the tree on the Christmas day, and doing things together with family what we did for many years. I loved mom to make us eat our breakfast before chop down the stockings. It does bring many wonderful memories and lot of happiness. 

We grow up and we changed the tradition a bit. Mom traded in a fake Christmas tree. Dad bought a christmas tree fragment to fool Heather that the tree was real. (I thought it was funny..) But we still have special weird dinner on Christmas Eve. Heather was disappointed and hated to see the changes. She wanted to keep the same what she remembered. She was the youngest child in the family. Something I wanted to keep that tradition and never lose the Christmas spirit. I realized it's all about how we do with the Christmas spirit. For example our family, there are many things has changed but the Christmas spirit still the same. 

Now for me I feel the Christmas spirit has changed. I was happy to caught that now before I become one of people who don't believe in Christmas spirit. I do not want to be the person who just don't want to celebrate. Being single sometimes can tough to develop a tradition while a family can do. Hey, it's not an excuse--we need to be creative! Go to one of member's family, make cookies to give, set up a Christmas tree, etc. 


I did put up our Christmas tree up and magic to make the living room became a Christmas room. I loved it because I love to see many different nativities sitting around the room. (Annie LOVE nativities.) It's a GREAT way to develop the new tradition until I find a buddy to share with. 

So my goal for this year is to improve my Christmas spirit and develop new tradition to have a GREAT spirit in our home. Same the spirit I had for many years and planning to keep for many more in the future. Cherish my Christmas spirit. 

This talk made me look inside of me and saw what I was. I do not like that. I was glad that Heavenly Father lead RS president to give this talk. I knew it was for me. I'm sure it was for other people as well. I hope you enjoy the talk. 

I hope you have a GREAT Christmas holiday this year with your families. Enjoy it because it is special time of season while other lose theirs. Don't lose your Christmas spirit. It's no fun.


First counselor of RS presidency found his talk and it's free to download. Here you go.  

Boyd K. Packer's Talk

If you want to get a copy, let me know. I tried to put the PDF but it won't let me. :( Boo!

Les Misérables

October 18th--I had another opportunity to see the play called Les Misérables in Washington D.C. with my two wonderful friends. This play have two wonderful interpreters and it was the main reason why I wanted to go. Actually I went to see Wicked last summer and it was so much fun to watch the interpreters while watching the play.

At first, about two weeks before the play, I saw there was a movie on television and it was Les Misérables. I thought I should watch it and I did. I have learned so much about the story. I was thrilled to watch the play because I understand the story much better than I was in high school.

And this time, I enjoyed so much because of music. Two of musics made me cry! I tried to remember what the songs, but I only able to remember one song called, "Bring Him Home". It was such a beautiful play.  I was glad that I went to see the play. Now I'm looking forward to see other plays in the future when the interpreters are available.

Silly Boy

Annie asked me to help her by filming her doing speech therapy with kids. She have to give a big presentation at Speech-Language meeting this spring. It was a big deal for her. She had to borrow some kids for her presentation and she found several kids that their parents were willing to let us borrow their kids.

We visited one family with five or six boys. One of boys walked to me and started to talk. I told him I cannot understand him. His mother told him that I am deaf and use sign language to communicate. If he wants to talk with me, he need to ask Annie to interpret for him. He does not like the idea. He wanted me to talk with him. Actually he WANTS me to hear him.

He kept on the topic about me and my hearing issues. It was almost time for his turn to work with Annie. He left the room and wrote something and gave it to me. His face was very serious. He again tried to talk  as hoping that I would hear him. You can see how serious he was by writing big words, HEAR ME?! It was so funny! It took him awhile to accept that I CANNOT understand him even I can hear him with my cochlear implants. If he wants to talk, he need to learn sign language to communicate or use Annie to interpret.

So often, I always wanted to look inside of kids' head what they were thinking of. :D

The Roof

We got lot of rain recently. About two months ago, Katie told us that there were some leak in her bedroom. I had to check what she saw. I saw there were lot of water leak on the wall from the vent and one other area.  The odd is that the vent was not bottom, but it was middle of the wall. You'll see the picture to see what I mean. The carpet was soaked. I grabbed the towels and put it on the carpet where it was soaked.

Annie had to call the condo company about the leak. The roof man came and fixed the roof so the problem would be solved. The next day, rain comes and go.

Men came and ripped off the wall to see what the problem was. They found some mold were about to develop. One of men sprayed special thing for mold. Poor Katie because the insulter was removed and left it open for many days, even cold nights. I had to go and buy a heater for her. The reason they left it open because it has to be dry before they put it back. They thought it was fixed.

Nope, it wasn't fixed!! 

Annie had to call them again and complained it wasn't fixed. The roof owner came and think it was umm roof slider. That was causing the problem. So we have to call different people to come to fix roof slider or side? I don't know what it called. They haven't come to fix it. It have been opened and still having leak.. GRRR. Poor Annie. 

I hope they will get it fixed BEFORE the snow comes and decided to sit on the ground! It's not going to be pretty in the morning--when people found us frozen people. ;) Because it wasn't solved yet.... 

Forgot-Me-Not, O'Lord

This month has two things that we can looking forward to it. Actually, one of them had arrived last night. About one week ago, I convinced one of my visiting teacher to come with us to RS Broadcast night at Stake Center. Yahoo, I was able to pick her up, sit with us for dinner, sit with us to watch television (RS Broadcast), and rode with us until I drop her off. I hope she knows that she was not forgotten. And I hope she DID enjoy the event with us. I really enjoyed all four wonderful speakers from the RS Broadcast. All of the speakers have hit the right messages for us. I knew they have been prayed, pondered, and studied what they should give a talk to us. And I knew that they were inspired to give us the specific messages.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a sweet messages to us with gentle and so much love for us, http://lds.org/pages/general-rs-meeting-2011?lang=eng

I'm grateful for having gospel in my life and knowing the gospel is truly blessing from the Lord. I'm so happy that I had an opportunity to go the event and listen the RS Broadcast. Now I'm looking forward for General Conference and what the messages we need to listen and prepare us for next six months. My goal is to improve myself through listen and study the General Conference for next six months. Oh how wonderful message it can lift the spirit! I hope it will continue for many days ahead of me. I hope you all enjoyed the RS Broadcast as well.

New Ward

Ya'll know that I moved to Columbia, around 40 minutes south from where I used to live, Owings Mills. Annie bought a Condo last June. Living in a Condo was wonderful blessing than living in an apartment. No more loud kids, no more crowd cars, no more loud neighbors, NO MORE DOGS BARKING!!!, and many more. This place have trees around us. It was beautiful sight to look at while sitting on the couch in the living room. 


Okay, enough with that. We ended up transferred different ward from Hampstead Ward to Columbia 2nd Ward. I checked the LDS website and put the new address, it assigned us to Columbia 2nd. Soon after, I learned that ward have two deaf people. I was wondering who would it be. Maybe it will be good for me. 


Annie and I went to Stake conference and I ended up met two deaf people. One deaf woman with her husband and the kids. Other single deaf man. My heart dropped when I saw that deaf man because I knew him and I did not want to be near to him. (He fell in love with me and put a big pressure on me to say yes to go out with him. He is ..umm.. TOO OLD for me!) Poor guy, I had to blunt him that I will not go out with him. He got upset and commanded me to date with him because it's proper way. Guys, I do not want to go far with this. Now you get some idea why I do not want to be near with him. 


My heart sinks because I will have to face that deaf guy after we transfer to this ward. Annie and I got home and do whatever our things. I was thinking about the new ward. I really want to feel happy and able to focus on the spirit. I wanted to know what time the ward starts and which building we will go to. I checked the website again. I put our new address on the LDS website. I saw it gave us different information. I was puzzled--it said Columbia 1st. I can't believe this. I had to rub my eyes to make sure my eyes do not trick me. Yup, it did say Columbia 1st. 


I had to told Annie that we are in Columbia 1st, NOT Columbia 2nd. I do not know what happened but I was so happy to know that I do not have to handle that poor man. In fact, my worries were not over yet. I was worried to meet people in the new ward. 


I have been attending this new ward since June and I knew Heavenly Father lead us to this ward. Let me tell you why. Annie told RS presidency not to put us together as Visiting Teacher companion because Annie want me to make new friends without depend on Annie for communication. (Blah) Guess what? I ended up got a companion sister who can sign! The wonderful part was that we were assigned to visit three sisters. Actually, one sister. (Long story, different topic) That sister we visited know some sign language! She wanted to learn sign language! 


Awesome part that one of sister who visit me, she can sign as well! She does not sign very well but wanted to improved her signing language skills! I haven't met her companion yet but she said she wanted to learn as well. Wow, I felt I was truly blessed to be in this new ward. 


It wasn't over yet! Annie, I, and RS Presidency were discussing and I offered to give sign language classes for the ward to learn so they can communicate with me. They liked that idea. RS President talked with Bishop. Bishop approved and asked me if I can teach other wards as well. Yikes! Too much! I told him I will start our ward first and see how it went then we will work on it. 


Now I'm nervous because this Thursday I will start to teach sign language class to my ward. Yesterday the bishopric made an announcement about sign language class in the sacrament meeting! I think I can feel my sweating is about to start to come out of my skins. Oh yeah, I went in the chapel and wait for the meeting to start. There were two cute young women were exciting to see me and wave to me. They wanted to take sign language class. Well, I guess I will see them this Thursday. 

So far, those people--I LOVE THEM! They were so nice and friendly. I was happy to be in this new ward and I was relief to know that I'll be okay for several years. 

Chicken or Egg?

I couldn't believe a question "which comes first, chicken or egg" still around even brought it up in Sunday School this morning. I guess I had to share what is going on inside of my brain. I have been thinking of the question. At first I thought: Well, if the egg comes first, then who would sit on the egg to warm it while embryo developing into a chick? But it lead me to think different than a silly thought. Do Heavenly Father put Adam on the earth as a newborn? Well, it need a mother to give a baby. But it didn't make sense because a person need to give a born to a mother as well. Okay, the thinking cap didn't work.

I looked up the scripture and it has the answer for this question. 

Gensis 1:20-22

20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Look at verse 22, God blessed them and told them to "be fruitful, and multiply". It's not for Adam, It's for birds and fish. It applied to animals as well. Heavenly Father put them as adult and they obey God and start to product babies. 

So chicken comes first! That's my opinion for the silly question....

Updated

I'm fine. Nothing exciting to see Hurricane Irene. I was sleeping through it. (We had some strong windy before I went bed. It have been continuing for several hours and it's worthless to wait for it to pass us.) So the results was that we had strong winds, rain LOTS, and lots of broken branches and leaves. That's all what I saw around of the house. It  was enough to cancelled the church service yesterday. Over a million did not have powers at their homes. I was lucky one who still have powers. Because some of our (Annie and Katie) friends did not have their powers even they lived close to us. I guess it was depend on which line when the tree fell on it.

Yesterday my visiting teacher companion and I went to visit two sisters. I saw three threes fell on the floor. LOTS of broken branches and leaves all over the streets. Ohh, I should be thankful to miss us. One of my sisters said their cable, phone line, and television were out because one of their tree fell and cut off the line. Oh boy! I'm thankful for no damage or anything break around our house.  Oh yeah, we had a leak in our house. That will need to be fixed before another rain or snow in the future. Bummer for that one.

Interesting, Annie told me that Monday was cancelled and she don't have to go work. Because 27 schools did not have powers. My Towson University did not have powers but recently got powers back. I guess it's time for me to go back to work this morning. Bummer. Lucky for Annie.

Well, nothing exciting share with you guys compared to Cindy's experiences or Missy's experiences.  :D

So the news is that I'm ALIVE and FINE!

Natural Disasters

Crazy! I have been through ups and downs recently. I hope everything will calm down soon. So I'm sure everyone know about the hurricane Irene. Well, it's on way to us.  I don't think it will hit us so hard because it's more likely hit the beaches more than the land. Still we never know how much it will affect us.

There are so many people preparing for the hurricane such as getting food, fill up gas for cars, have enough water for three days, flashlight, candles, etc. We will fill up water in our tubs before night. People talking around here that we might lose powers. It's driving me nuts but it's good to know what to prepare for natural disasters. It won't be the same as Cindy had a few months ago.

Last Tuesday we had an earthquake. Yes, an earthquake in Maryland. Well, it starts in VA but it spread north because it was very deep ones. It was very interesting to see people's reaction about the earthquake. I was surprised so many people were clueless what to do during the earthquake. Serious, lot...LOT of people---It was their first experience with earthquake.

I remember when I was young, my school had two drills. One for fire drill and other drill was for earthquake. I know what I should do during the earthquake because of those drills. On that day, at around 1:52pm, I was doing laundry. I closed the door and was going to the living room. I saw a box sitting on the floor was shaking. Not really shaking, but almost like waves but small fast waves. I was unsure if my eyes were tricking me. I saw the plants shaking. I realized it was an earthquake. I ran to the door stand near outside to the patio. (Duh, I should run outside.) Oh well, during the earthquake. I can see the sun ray reflected on the patio--it looked like the sun was also shaking but it wasn't really. It was strange to think about it.

Oh my, guess what? I don't think the drills has sinked in my guts yet as it sinked in my memories. I was standing, waiting, and looking around to make sure nothing serious. I looked at the door--OH UH. I made an idiot choice. I stood middle of the glass sliding doors! GLASS DOOR! WHAT?!! What earth am I doing here!! But at that time, the earthquake finally calmed down. Rolling eyes at myself for picking the stupidest place for safe.

Now I guess we are waiting for the hurricane Irene to come and visit us tomorrow. It says Irene might come between 2am to 8am. Let's see what Irene can do for us.

Eh?

Yesterday morning I was getting ready for church. I saw Annie put mascara on her eyelashes. She looked pretty, I want one too! So I put mascara on my eyelashes, but somehow my bottom lashes got stuck together. I need Annie's advice how to solve the problem, so I called for her. I haven't hear from Annie yet and I have decided to figure it out by myself. I gave up and went downstairs to have a breakfast.

I went to the kitchen and Annie was there. Annie said, "You called for me, I went to the bottom of the stairs. You weren't there. I called but nothing response from you. I waited for awhile."

I was puzzled because I called and hear nothing from Annie. Whoops! I realized I left my cochlear implants downstairs. Eh, that's why I couldn't hear Annie's calling me from the bottom of the stairs. I thought I had 'em on my head.

Sweet Good-bye

I had the opportunity to spend time with my parents, two sisters, and their kids for almost two weeks. It was fun even though I had to escape for a break. (Hiding in parents' bedroom.) The house was full of crazy (yelling, screaming, crying, happy, talking, exciting, etc--you can imagine the young kids would do..). I was sad to know that it was time for me to go back to my real world that including a job. My mom took me to Fresno airport and she came in with me to say good-bye. We hugged--while hugging, mom whispered in my ear saying, "I love you".  There was no way to resist not to smile. I whispered back in her ear, "I love you, too."

Mom quick broke the hug and asked me if I heard that. My face showed a smile and nodded that I did heard her whisper saying, I love you. 

Sniffing.. I LOVE YOU MOMMMY! 

I got....

Well, it's not really permanent job yet but the person who hired me said it might become permanent if I did a good job with the position. I do not know when it will become permanent or will I keep the position for sure. At least I have a full-time job for ten months with benefits, an office, a computer, not great salary to start with but it's something to support myself for now, and happy to know that I'm alive for ten months.

It's sort of funny how I got a full-time job. And it's sort of long story. I'll make a long story short for you.

I'll create names so you wouldn't get lost in this long short story.

Bossest: Sabrina
Bosser: Judi
Boss: Ben

I applied a full-time position at University and waited for Judi, the bosser, to tell me the date for interview. About two or three weeks ago, Judi told me that I wasn't invited for an interview because they found better. I was disappointed because I was qualified for this position but I assumed the person must have PhD or something "wow" Judi and Ben.

Judi offered me to teach Tuesdays and Thursdays morning (two more classes, right now I have two night classes). I had to turn down the offer because the pay wasn't great and what if I got a job offer and would not able to work full-time because of that. So night classes would be considered to be extra $$ for me if I got another job offer.

So I applied another position at high school to teach American Sign Language (ASL) as foreign language. I was very impressed with their program. I felt that their program was organized and much better than the University. I thought maybe that one would be better for me. And much less commute! University would be 40 minutes without traffic.

I had to go through pain of screening, first interview, etc. for high school. During the screening I hit the score what they wanted from me, but I learned that high school principal does not want to hire any deaf teacher. She thinks deaf are not able to handle high school students because of communication. She does not want to hire interpreter because they will have to pay for it. AND ASL teacher, she is hearing, was going to retire (that's why the position was open) and told the principal that deaf cannot teach ASL classes. Principal believed her.

The worse part that the principal said if they (HR, etc) want to hire a deaf teacher, she might drop the ASL program. OHHHH! (Rolling eyes)

So during the screening, I met her and she said nothing to me. NOTHING! Serious, she just ignored me. The person who screened me was so embarrassed and explained to me what happened. Uh oh. Somehow I wanted to show them that I can teach and do not need interpreter for my ASL classes. I never need one for eleven years! I was qualified for first interview AND invited for second interview. Both turned out GREAT! Now I had to wait for third and final interview--that one will have to interview with THAT school principal.

I have been waiting for that interview more than two months. I have emailed and asked any idea.. The HR person said they have to find a place for ALL current teachers to make sure they have a job before they hire new teachers. Oh boy, they are STILL working on it. Blame on Union. :S

I even told one elementary school that I'm interested for a position to take one teacher's position. So far I applied three jobs. I was about to apply some more jobs.

Last Thursday late afternoon, I got an email from Sabrina, Bossest, and asked me if I'm interested full-time job but it will be a temporary visiting position for two semesters. Sabrina hopes they can renew it for a few years then make it permanent. So that sounds good, they will pay me little better than adjunct pay. But the position will require more work than just teach ASL classes. I will have to attend the meetings (blah), advise undergraduate students, assist with helping new ASL 1 instructors, etc.. AND I'll have an office and computer to keep myself busy.

Sabrina also said I'll teach four ASL classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays morning. (Umm that's what Judi offered me before...) Not bad. But Sabrina wanted to know the answer---now.. I had hard time to make a decision if I really want that job or not. It is so far to drive and not great pay but better than adjunct. Yikes Yikes Yikes! The next day, I knew the offer was best one so I accepted the offer. Now I'll start my full-time job starting this fall. It's a bit overwhelming because I will need to learn many things new to prepare myself to advise undergraduate students, etc. But same time I'm excited to improve my skills through serve the students, staff, and myself. :D

Well, I made it long story short. I now have a full-time job for ten months and hopefully everything will work out with staff. That one I haven't share the juices with you. Juices are unimportant, but the important is I HAVE A JOB!  Heehee.

A Sad Story

No, I'm not going to tease you because today is April 1st. The story is a true story. Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, Thursday morning I was in mood to clean my apartment as well as washing clothes, work on PowerPoint for my ASL class, playing some games on the computer, and read a book while taking a hot bath. Wow, it looked like I had so much work to do! I better started laundry first before do anything else. I realized I would have to do about 4 or 5 loads. :S (Hint: It was not just my clothes.) One load I had to hun some t-shirts and some sweat pants up to avoid shrink. I went to the guest bedroom and hung the clothes up. While I was doing this, I heard a funny noise. At first, I decided it was from upstairs and ignored it.

The noise came back again but I realized it was a different noise. It couldn't be from upstairs because the noise was more close, hit metal something, almost sound like somebody tried to open the door, and it was just not the same noise upstairs tend to make. It started and stopped quickly--my mind started to panic--WHAT IF somebody tried to break in?! My heart pounded so hard and I walked to the door but saw nothing danger against my life. The noise repeated and it drove me nuts. But it frustrated me because I couldn't figure where it came from because it was random. I could not wait and listen because I did not know how long it would make a sound so I could figure it out where it was from.

I gave up and decided to clean the apartment and that cleaning made lot of noise including vacuum, moving things around, turn water on to wash dishes, etc. You get the picture how to make noise to overlap that weird creepy random noise. In an hour, I forgot about the noise and it seemed the noise decided to quit making noise.

This evening I thought I should get a good reward by taking a hot bath and read a book. Yeah, I deserved that reward after hard work cleaning the apartment. I walked into the bathroom and started the water to fill up the tub. I suddenly remembered that I needed to get my towel from another bathroom. I walked through the door, somehow--something was waving at me. I stared where the waving was from! SUDDENLY I SAW SOMETHING WAS IN THE AIR VENT! What was that?! It looked like something moving in there.. GASP!! WHAT?! Was it a big bug or something but my fear had increased and realized it was a BIRD! Serious, THAT bird was trapped in there. It hit my heart so hard and realized THAT NOISE was from THAT BIRD.. THAT bird must have been struggling to escape but couldn't! Now I knew where the noise was from. I felt SOOOOO BAD because I realized it was too late. That poor bird had died. MAN!

I saw that vent was so dirty. Oh dear, that bird must have been flapping so hard and the dust goes everywhere. Groans, look at those pictures! That poor bird. But why did the bird go in that place?! Fell in?! Sighs.

I was thinking what if I could identify where the noise came from and I could have saved that bird. Annie told me it wasn't my fault because I'm still learning with my CI's. Sighs, I'm curious how the bird got in there in the first place. Honestly, has it happened to you?

The worse part was that I did not want to turn heat on or anything. This morning I need to call the office to get that bird out and see where the bird came from. Imagine an animal trying to get in--a snake! YIKES! It would not be good..  I need something to distract myself from that vent. The End.

Excitement = Dangerous

Last Wednesday one of teachers at elementary asked me to sub for her assistant next day. I agreed and worked there all day. From that day, there was a little cute boy had a crush on me. For example during lunch recess, he was playing alone. I decided to keep him company while girls play off somewhere. 

He gave me a chalk and asked me to draw him on the floor. He laid on the floor and I traced his body on the floor. He looked so happy but I asked him where hair? Eyes? Clothes? Shoes? (I think he is in first grade..) He did 'em all. After that, he said, "You down!" Obviously he wanted me to lay for him to trace me. I do not want to lay on that dirty floor! I decided and say, "Let's draw you again and you can label it whatever you want." He don't mind getting down second time to let me trace him again. He wanted to trace next to his body and I did. He got up and had a big smile on his face. He said, "GUESS (point to that body)". 

I said, "Wait, wait, that looked like a ghost! That does not have clothes, eyes, etc.." He giggled and draw everything on it. Now he repeated saying guess. I had to tease him by saying lion? Monster? Ghost? He kept giggle and said no no no! He stopped and draw a heart middle of two people. Again, he asking me to guess who is that person. I still teasing him for awhile until he cannot wait much longer and signed, "NO! YOU!!!!" Oh... Me? What a little cute boy! He couldn't let me go. He glued me end of the school! Heehee. 

Anyway I left the school to meet friends for girls night to have sushi which was fun. We didn't leave the restaurant about 3-4 hours after we had our dinner. It was fun, but it killed me and I fell on my bed to go sleep. I had hard time to get up this morning. In my mind, thank goodness it's Friday and I do not have to do anything. 

Annie saw that some of ski resorts made some snow overnight and wanted to go ski for one more time before it was over for real. The weather got too warm too early! I guess there is something for me to do. We went and had fun. I was so exciting because I have improved my ski skills. I have been scared to go blue (challenge than green, that anyone can go green even beginners..) I'm beginner for sure. Annie has improved greatly within two months and able to ski double black.. (if you see on the map, click on that map and it will takes you to the map where we went, you'll drop your mouth for sure..) I'm too chicken.. Too steep for me! I always gone for green. About two or three weeks ago, I finally went one blue here (Lower Heavenly) and proud of myself. I'm still too chicken. 

Today we went to different ski resort and went green trail (Sidewinder)--of course. But this green trail is a bit challenger than other resort we went a few weeks ago. Second lift and I went that one and able to ski without being scared! AT ALL! I was thrilled to know that I was able to ski whole the way without stop and eh eh eh.. 

Annie challenged me to go different green trail (SnowPark) and (sort almost blue but not really..) I did it! I got so excited.. I wanted to go there again and again to get comfortable and continue improve my ski skills. After fifth lift, I had to stop and rest. Whew! About thirty minutes rest, I was ready to go back for more.. We got on the lift and ready to go steep... I feel like I was a pro ski for some reason (really not..) and almost arrived at the bottom.. I was having too much fun and decided to pick up the speed to get there faster.. Umm somehow I fell.... Yes, a fall.. BIG and HARD one. I didn't remember at all how it happened. I think I blacked out for few seconds.. I don't know!! Annie missed me fall but saw me sliding down head first on my back with my head lightly bumping on the snow. (Thank goodness I have helmet on my head!!!) I finally opened my eyes to see what happened suddenly I felt the pain on my right knee! OW!!!! (Serious, I can't remember how I fell, my body bounced, body circle opposite way, etc.) Anyway, OWWWW! I realized my goggle was gone. Well, it was off but still attached to my helmet. My poles were gone somewhere I couldn't see them. My skis were still on my boots and it made me puzzled because the binding was supposed to let it go when I fell (only if fell bad). 

How embarrassing that Annie had to ask for help and asked Ski Patrol to help. They put me in a cool sled to bring me down to the building to see my knee. Annie had her opportunity to take a picture of me with her iphone. Sorry, you cannot able to see my face very well.. It's so bright outside and you can see snow melting behind me.. But I look cool to ride in that thing! You can see a thing that holding my knee to avoid moving my knee while ski down the mountain. 

But I looked at that picture again and really it didn't look that BLACK when I was there.. I guess iphone didn't get the colors right. Anyway, now I'm FINE and a bit sore. We had to leave ski resort because I cannot able to ski in this condition. I had to put ice every twenty minutes and rest. Blah! I guess my ski season is really over until this December.. I hope I can remember my big pro ski feeling this December without feel scared to go down steep. Snow, see you this December, I will come back in good shape! 

I wanted to say thank you to my helmet for saving my head, CIs, and eyes. Without helmet, I'll spending my life in crazy hospital with my family and friends sobbing for my life that has gone waste. Wear your helmet for anything such as driving a car... hm is it too much? 

Rehabilitation Consult

I had an appointment with rehabilitation consult yesterday. Before Christmas I went to see Steve, my audiology, for my mapping. I asked him how can I improve my listening skills and he recommended me to get rehabilitation consult to lead me where I need to be. 


Frankly, the result of the appointment has surprised all of us. Us? Who were involved in this appointment? Me, Annie, Kristen (rehabilitation consult), and Gary, an interpreter. You must puzzled why Kristen was surprised. I'll tell you why later on. 


First I did not request for an interpreter because I prefer Annie and she knows me well. Annie and I arrived, found a spot to park the car even crowded, found a place to sit, and wait for my turn to go in. Kristen came in and look around the room. (I have no idea what she looked like because I have never met her before.) Kristen started to speak "Fife"? I raised my hand because it's ME! 


She walked to me and started to sign. I was surprised that she can sign! She asked me if I have seen an interpreter. That's where I got lost, an interpreter?! Of course, I ended up got an interpreter. My heart started to pump harder and it came from being nervous. In my mind, I hope he can understand me AND I can understand him. :S A few minutes later, Gary, an interpreter, showed up. My appointment has begun! 


I have no idea what Kristen will plan to do with me. I assumed she would give me some tests including guess what she is saying, test my listen skills, etc. Kristen was really nice woman and I liked her. Gary wasn't that bad interpreter as I met before---WHEW! 


My heart still pumping so hard and my head was trying to focus what I need to understand what's going on in the office. Kristen was explaining what she wanted me to do. I think at first was easy part--just tell her my experiences with my CI's. And she wanted me to tell her details such as do I understand the sounds? Words? Use CI's all the time? Music? You get the idea. 


Kristen wanted to know where I am standing and which level I'm on. (I think stages of understanding and recognize around me.) I'm glad Annie was here with me because she helps me while I couldn't remember. For example I told her that I can understand a few words such as hello, bye, no, yes, I love you, etc. Annie helped me with that. I also told her about phone situation. She was surprised that I was able to understand a little. We were discussing about phone issues for awhile. 


Kristen asked me what kind of music I liked to listen. I'm dumb so Annie helped me to identify which kind of music. I explained her my experience such as the music does affect my mood. For example when I leave the building in the morning, I would use upbeat music but after work or long day, I rather to listen calm music such as classical, soft music etc. Kristen started to get a bit excited and explain what to expect to separate the sounds. 


Annie told them that a movie touched me. It was August Rush. End the movie, there was a music touched my heart. It made Kristen go ahhh. (I admit it was a bit cheesy....) Anyway, oh I forgot to add that, Kristen was impressed with me to compare my experiences before CI's and after CI's. She said it was important to compare because it shows the improvement. 


Now Kristen told me that I will have five different kinds of test. Whew, I got through all five tests. THAT'S WHERE it surprised all of us. I know, I know, you're so curious WHAT has surprised us. Okay, I'll explain the tests. 


Test 1: She handed me a paper that has about twenty listing. It has three words each. 


Example:  


1. Duck          Cowboy          Impossible     


She has a thing to cover her mouth so I couldn't cheat. She will speak one of three words and I'll tell her which word I have heard. I got 'em 100% on that test. That was easy one. 


Test 2: Again, she gave me a paper that has about 15 on it. There were four sentences for each. 


Example: 


1.   A. Go to the front door. 
      B. I want to go swimming.
      C. She is ten years old. 
      D. I went to the store to buy juice. 


I'll have to listen which a sentence she speak. It was a bit tough because I have to pay attention harder to recognize the word in the sentence. But I got ONLY ONE mistake on this test! 


Test 3: (OH BOY!) That paper looked so HARD for me to do. Yes, other paper and it has about twenty on it. 


Example: 


1. She got the kit/cot from the car. 


Kristen will speak a whole sentence but one word I need to identify which one kit or cot she used. 


That test sparkled somehow that made us surprised how well I was able to do that and I made only ONE mistake from twenty! That shocked Annie a big time. Kristen's excitement grew bigger than before. Garry's facial expression was glued to a big smile/surprise for a while. 


Test 4: (It's different than test 1, 2, and 3 because it's closed test and it has information there. For test 4 and 5, it called open test and it can be anything such as random. It's HARD for me.) 


Kristen will ask me three or four questions or statements. (She ended up asked me three questions and one statement.) 


She will use the black thing to cover her mouth and speak. I will have to answer or tell what I understand. Her first question was hard and I couldn't get it but identify some sounds. She liked me to explain the details. Anyway, Kristen repeated the question and I was close but not right. 


It was "What's your name?" Tough but I heard S end of what. 


She asked me second question. 


I guess "Are you....??" That made Kristen wild because first part was right. I had to laugh because I was sort of guess and sort of heard it. Of course, Kristen repeated the question. 


I said, "Are you happiness?" 


Kristen laughed and was so happy but said you were so close!! It has H but not happiness. Third time she repeated the questions. (Oh she can only repeat three times.) 


I said, "Are you hearing?" 


That made her VERY HAPPY because it was VERY CLOSE-- What did she asked me question? It was "Are you hungry?" 


You get the idea why the group got wild. 


Other questions I forgot.. but it was my test 4. Let's go to test 5. 


Test 5: She wanted me to copy her voice and it can be anything. 


Example: 


MMMMMMMMMM, me MMMMMMMMMM


EEEEOOOO  EEEEOOOO, me copy EEEEOOOO EEEEOOOO


Sometimes I was close, sometimes I got it right. Kristen, again, was surprised because she thought it was hardest part of tests. 


Oh yeah-- she speak something such as a word. 


I heard the beginning of the word that has SH in it. I speak "SH"? 


She repeated and I can't figure but SH?? SHOW? Somehow I speak "SHOE" and I hit the jackpot!  Kristen was SO happy with my results. 


For some reasons I feel she was so happy because there is a hope for me to improve my listen skills. It almost made everyone cry. Guess what? It made my day VERY HAPPY with good results. Kristen recommended me a listing to do. I do not want to put you sleep. :D 


My experience with an appointment was VERY GOOD one. It gave me hope and it made me want to work harder. My next step is to get therapy to practice my listening skills. Whew. 

A TV Show

About two weeks ago, a friend introduced me a television show called "Lie to me". First before I blah about this show, I saw this commercial on the television and I thought it was another crime or murder show. I hate watching a show with blood, dead people, etc. It's not my type show, so I was not interested until my friend told me about the show. I was suspect and afraid that it would show blood, blah.

I decided to watch the first episode of "Lie to me" to see for myself. That first episode surprised me because it was about how to tell a person was lying. It called "microexpressions". After that episode, I was wondering if those could be true. I decided to research and learned about the man, Dr. Paul Ekman who said, "facial expressions of emotion are universal and not determined by culture".

Dr.  Paul Ekman work with director to make sure microexpressions were correct. He gave them the face pictures of famous people to use on the show. It was so interesting to watch this show. I couldn't remember but the show or Dr. Paul Ekman said people can lie but the body or face cannot. That's how he used microexpressions to find the truth.

You can google Dr. Paul Ekman or the show and learn about microexpressions. It turned out I enjoyed this show because I like to learn about microexpressions. Annie and I discussed about deaf culture because deaf people use lot of facial expressions as part of language. Are those "deaf" facial expression difficult to read or it's just "universal and not determined by culture"? It would be very interesting if they use deaf people in this show. Maybe I should write a letter-mmm..

Anyway if you're curious to watch this show but do not have a television cable like me. You can watch it on Hulu.com. It's free! But Hulu does not have first and second seasons of this show. I think Annie said it has third season on Hulu now. You can get some idea of this show. :D

Ski Days

It was time to say bye Lyon and Oklahoma. A day before I learned that Baltimore might get lot of snow and might cause delay, cancel, etc flights. Uh oh! I was wondering how long the delay might be or will my flight be cancelled? I checked my flight website and said it was good and still leaving on time, eh.

The next day was beautiful weather in Oklahoma. I checked again and still saying it's still leaving on time. THAT made me extremely nervous because it made me imagine the plane landing on the icy road--blah blah. Well, my plane left on time and landed on time. Whew!

Annie told me that the schools were cancelled and decided to pick me up. (Her sister was supposed to pick me up.) She surprised me by going to a little vacation to a mountain for ski. I can't believe she takes a risk to drive in this condition because snow is not over yet. We ended up staying there for two nights.

We arrived a ski resort and decided to go ski. I wish I could film this condition -- umm I really can't see where I'm going! My goggle decided to be foggy. My glasses liked goggle's idea and became foggy as well. Double fogies. Can you imagine me ski with both foggy? I had to remove my goggle to see where I am going. Good thing I didn't hit a tree! But the icy/snowy wind hitting on my face, it was GRRR because I want to put my goggle on! Of course, it caused me to stop frequency to remove my goggle and see where I am. :S

I learned that it was different skiing in powered snow and groomed. Powered was a bit difficult to ski! I had so much fun skiing in this condition because Annie and I continued laughing at ourselves for being idiot skiers. :D

 That picture was blurred but look behind me. The condition was a little better because it was starting clear up. In this picture, you can't see several paths behind me as you supposed to see. 

Thanks Annie, I had fun time. 

Hello Oklahoma, Bye Oklahoma!

I had an opportunity to visit Lyon's family for a week in Oklahoma. I'm grateful that Oklahoma's weather decided to behave for me. I had a great time with kids and my sister! I was amazed how Missy and Dave handle with four wild kids! Wink. 

 We are flying!

 Let's get closer to my face--look below, I did a good job..

Look at Megan!

 Not surprising, Rachel LOVES being in prison. She just sit or climb the bars. 

 This little town was best part of a Cowboy Museum.

 Go! Go!

 Rachel loves to cook for us. Megan wanted to help her, umm, Rachel is a bossy cooker. 

Clever, Dave.

Thank you, Lyon for having me for a whole week!