Alicilaly does ASL

Calendar added to Deaf Events Page!

2010-04-16T20:15:00.000-06:00

I am excited to inform you that I have figured out how to add a calendar to the Deaf events page so I hope events will be easier to add this way. The upcoming events are still displayed in detail at the top of the page but in the future I plan on only including the calendar and when you click on the calendar all the details will come up.

I am also pleased to say that I have made some friends here in NOCO who are Deaf and interpreters. It has been a long time coming, but I finally got up the nerve to get out there and introduce myself. Of course it was a good experience and everyone was open and inviting. It is a small group of Deaf and interpreters at church on Saturday nights. Worship and teaching are interpreted and fellowship before and after service is fun. I look forward to the many more Saturday nights to come.

If you are interested in joining us we meet at Christ Community Church in Greeley Saturday nights at 6pm.
cccgreeley.org

Deaf Events

2010-04-13T13:46:00.000-06:00

Deaf Events page has been updated! My favorite event that is coming up is the big WOW weekend at CBU! It is going to be amazing and if I could get to Cali this weekend I would be there! You could meet Omar and Sarah who were featured in interviews during Easter week and you could learn alot! All the details are on the Deaf events page so check it out!

Interview from AllyASL!

2010-04-05T20:33:00.000-06:00

Here is the much anticipated interview I promised from YouTube's Ally ASL ENJOY!

Allyson Townsend
Senior Deaf Education Major, ASL Interpreting
MinorBaylor University

How did you get started signing and why did you start making videos on youtube?
----When I was in Middle School, I had a Deaf girl in my class and she had an interpreter. Everyday I would just watch in amazement at the interpreter and how the girl was able to understand what the teacher said, by using her hands. I was blown away. One day my teacher in that class, handed out a paper with the manual alphabet on it. I studied it so much and eventually memorized the letters. I confronted the girl and asked her if she would help me learn ASL. I was very interested. I invited her to come to my church as well, and we eventually became very good friends. She was one of the reasons I started making videos of signing songs. One summer we all went to a church camp in New Mexico. The church camp did not provide an interpreter (which now, looking back, infuriates me, but we'll nix that conversation for now, haha). I ended up trying my hardest to interpret as accurately and as best as I could. Keep in mind, I only have two years of ASL under my belt at this point in time. But I'd like to feel that I did a good job, because at the end of the camp, she accepted Christ into her heart, and it was amazing. Anyways, during this camp, we would sing songs. I noticed that my friend felt the vibrations of the music, and then just signed the words on the screen, but really didn't get the rhythm of how the words fit with the music. I would sign with her, so she would know when the words went with the music. She really enjoyed it, and that's what really inspired me.

What is/was your favorite song to sign?
----Hm. It is very difficult to choose a favorite. Haha. I love them all, really. Let's see. Anything Taylor Swift, because her songs are pretty upbeat and fun to sign. I also really enjoyed Tik Tok by Ke$ha, and Fireflies by Owl City.

Do you feel that making these videos has improved your sign language or other skills?
----Definitely. Signing these songs has helped me with my interpreting skills. Having to read the lyrics and really try and discover what the artist is trying to say. Interpreting isn't just taking the English words and using signs for each word. It's really identifying the underlying message and getting that message across in a visual and accurate way. It has helped me with learning new signs, keeping up with my signing skills, as well as interpreting.

Where do you see yourself after graduating?
----Well, currently I am applying at a bunch of Deaf schools around the nation. The school that I have been really leaning on is the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf in Phoenix, Arizona. I have wanted to work there for quite some time. I don't really have a reason, other than I just love Arizona and my friend works there now and loves it. :)

Your YouTube page says you want to make progress in Deaf education- do you have any specific goals or ideas for Deaf education?
----These are great questions, by-the-way. Yes, I do want to make progress in Deaf Education. The reason being is that there are many schools out there who are desperate to have Deaf Ed teachers. When desperation comes around, then quality goes down. Many teachers are not highly qualified and/or certified and that just means that our children are not receiving the absolute BEST education they should be receiving. I want to change that. I want to make sure that my students get the best education they can get. And that they can get it in any means necessary. Many Deaf children, as well as hearing children, have many different needs. It's important to reach each child at his level and his needs and teach him through that. I find that many teachers just take the easy way out and do not challenge the children. Either because they don't believe the children can succeed, or because they are lazy and don't really want to get down to the nitty gritty to teach like they should. Let me be clear that there are MANY Deaf Ed teachers out there who are wonderful. All three teachers I interned with are amazing and truly dedicated to teaching and pushing their students to their full potential. I am just saying that there are some districts out there who push Deaf Ed to the side.. as if it isn't that important. And I want to stop that. I believe that Deaf children can accomplish anything that a hearing child can. Their Deafness is not a problem... it is part of who they are. And it will not hinder them from learning. You just have to find the best way to teach that child. I hope I can impact my students in the same way that my teachers impacted me.

Any songs you have in the works for us to look forward to?
----I am currently working on a new video, but who knows when it'll be completed. It's a duet, so it's hard matching up schedules, especially at such a busy and crucial time.

Anything else you would like to share?
----I get a lot of people asking me for advice or tips on "how to get so good." Really, the best advice I can give is to be active in the Deaf community. That is the best way to learn because you are learning from the source. Immersing yourself in the language and culture is the fastest and most accurate way to learn. I love the Deaf Community and I love interacting with them at different events. It's the best.

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T22:27:00.002-06:00

Happy Easter! Everyone! What a celebration! Went to church in Greeley on Saturday night because I could and met the ASL interpreter and a Deaf woman and a lady who is new to ASL. I was so excited and uplifted by worship, it has been so long since I've been able to use my hands to worship and it really made a difference to me. It is like when I don't sign during worship I'm not giving my all and even though I know God appreciates my singing, and dancing and praise I also want to give him my hands. Here is the song we sang that really moved me.

Also if you dont have access to a church that does ASL here is a video sermon from a Deaf pastor giving an Easter message:
http://www.deafsermons.com/videos/2009/Sermon2009_04_12.html

Testimony from a Deaf man- Omar Ruiz

2010-03-30T21:53:00.001-06:00

       I thought a great way to make this theme of new life and Easter personal would be to include a story of how following God can change a person's life and bring a new identity. I believe in God not because I was raised that way, not because Christians have always been nice to me, and not because being a Christian makes life easy. I am a Christian because when I need Him, God is there for me. I have had prayers answered; He has given me strength and love when no one else could, and without Him my life would be meaningless.   As this blog is dedicated to learning more about Deaf culture however, I thought it would be more relevant, and interesting to my readers to read about my friend Omar, who became Deaf at a young age and grew up in a Deaf School in Mexico. So here is his story:

     My mother passed away when I was 14 months old. Then one day during the summer, when I was about 5 years old, I got sick with the mumps. My brother Ernesto was sick with mumps too. That morning before my dad went to work, he told us, "Stay home and rest".  I was very adamant about staying at home because it was a summer and I was supposed to be enjoying the summer after a long school year and somehow I had the painful idea of going to my father's bathroom to find a medicine that could heal my mumps.
    I don't remember which medicine I took, but that medicine seemed compelling to me, so I drank it with the hopes that I'd heal soon but, I was totally wrong!   A few hours later I'd find myself with a tremendous ear infection causing blood to come out of my ears, then had to be sent to the hospital. Few days after being admitted I came out of the hospital with a deafness. The infection was so strong that destroyed all of my nerves.
       For the following 3 years I went to public schools where I had to attend to numerous tutors. It was painful but yet I was feeling hopeless because I knew nothing about hope and comfort.  Somehow I was sent to a deaf institute called Rancho Sordo Mudo and while I was there everybody was signing and it was very frustrating for me because I couldn't communicate with anyone due to the fact that I knew no sign language at all.
     During school I'd become insanely frustrated because I couldn't understand anything the teacher would say. There were days where I'd ask God or even the staff why did God take away my ears? What had I done to have Him punish me with the deafness?   Why me? For days I'd get mad, I'd start fights with my classmates and stuff until one day, my teacher got all fed up with me and started reciting Jeremiah 29:11-13(see below), telling me that God has a plan for my life.
       Whether it's with me having ears or not, yet God has the power to provide comfort and hope and even love. God, love and hope were the very best things that I needed to know. My teacher also stated that when I'd go to heaven I'd be able to hear once again and with all the excitement I had to hear those words. I couldn't stop saying that I wanted to go to heaven right away and we got on our knees and prayed and I accepted Jesus in my heart!
      Now as a grown adult it all reminds me of the words Jesus said: "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:1-3.

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11 from the New American Standard Bible

Interview with Sarah from Deaf Christian Fellowship Riverside

2010-03-28T13:53:00.000-06:00

My sister is a leader in a small Deaf church in Riverside, California (home to the California School for the Deaf in Riverside). I asked her to do an interview for my blog to give information about their ministry and I am excited for their upcoming trip to Thailand to work with the Deaf there. My sister is going on the trip along with other students from CBU, church leaders and Dr. Daniel Blair is heading the team. Here is the interview enjoy!
What is your role at DCF?

I am currently doing administrative duties such as organizing events, keeping updated on contact information of members, opening and closing the building. I am also the director of children's ministry (although I currently don't have any children so idk if you want to include that or not)

Who are the other leaders?

Dr Daniel Blair is a leader he teaches when we don't have guest speakers, he also handles administrative duties. Randi is a deaf student here at CBU she brings refreshments each week. Rachel Bates is also a leader. She leads worship and interpreting needs.

What is the style of a typical service?
It can change depending on the audience. Because we can sometimes have many deaf or a few deaf people we can be flexible in atmospheric setting. Last week we had many deaf people show up. We usually chat for a while, then we open in prayer and an interpreter leads worship. Then we may have Dr Blair or a guest speaker give a message which is followed by prayer and more fellowship. We usually follow DST or deaf standard time. This is our joking way of saying that we can just hang around and chat for quite a while.
Another service when there were less people present, consisited of sharing our stories of how we met Jesus with one another. One deaf man wanted to share a story of how he has been searching for a meaning to life and hasn't yet found it. He is seeking after God and we were able to help him along in this process, present the gospel to him and be a good friend. That week was truely lead by the Holy Spirit in flexibilty.

What are your goals in the recent and long term? What is DCF’s mission statement?

Our main goal is to reach the world's largest unreached people group for the glory of God. We are reaching out through prayer and outreach in the deaf community locally in Riverside, and across borders. We are currently seeking out highly commited people who can lead us into a more developed church. "Missions exists because worship doesn't" Jon Piper This means that we will continue to reach deaf community until it worships God and then can reach even further. There are thousand of deaf in our area but very little in the way of deaf churches or interpretted hearing services available to them. Many deaf people have had poor expreiences in the church so we seek to show them who Jesus really is. In their language and culture.

What are your favorite memories with DCF?

Some of my favorite memories are working with the kids. Some children are deaf and others are hearing children with deaf parents. Some children sign and some use english so the classroom can be a very diverse place which makes it very interesting and fun. I loved hosting a screening of the film, Hearing Evertte the story behind the founders of Rancho Sordo Mudo a deaf school in mexico where some of our members and I served. Many people made decisions to allow God to use them openly in their lives that night.

Does DCF work closely with CBU? Any other churches ministries?

DCF Deaf Christian Fellowship is a division of the Center for Deaf Studies at CBU Californina Baptist University. We meet on campus and host many events here. Many of our members support International Service Projects that CBU uses to send out students to deaf ministries on a global scale. Many of our members also attend local hearing churches but use deaf church as a subsidation for full understanding in their own cultural setting and language. We also have guest speakers come out from Rancho(Sordo Mudo a school for the deaf in Mexico) and from Laurel Glen Bible Church in Bakersfield and a church in the high desert.

What kinds of out reaches does DCF do?

Some of our members recently went to work at a school for deaf children in Mexico. Some members are going this year to reach out to deaf people in Thailand. We also recently met a young woman from Norway. She is the only deaf christian in her area. We would love to start a tutoring service for deaf children in the Riverside area.
Any upcoming events?

In april we will be having a weekend of activities for family fun and fellowship. These will include a cultural Night of Nations where interpreters will be provided for a silent auction and cultural presentations of the various countries CBU will be serving this summer for deaf and hearing people. We will also be having a picnic, and another screening of the film Hearing Everette with guest speaker and star of the film, Luke Everette. We will have a workshop about interpreting worship, a brunch and guest speakers for DCF that Sunday. I will update you with times and dates and locations around campus once all speakers and dates are confirmed.

We meet on Sunday evenings 6pm at 8432 Magnolia Ave Riverside Ca 92504 in the Wallace Theatre.

Thanks so much for taking time to read this interview! I am really excited to announce the WOW (weekend of worship) that the Church is participating in at CBU! I went last year and was amazed to see all that they are doing, it was entertaining and fun as well as insightful into what life is like for the Deaf in Mexico. So I hope you go and enjoy! More details about the different events happening that weeked are in the Events page so check it out!

Easter Season!

2010-03-26T16:37:00.000-06:00

     Easter is my favorite time of year because it celebrates new begginnings, new life physically and spiritually. So in celbration of the season I would like to dedicate the new couple of weeks to a theme surrounding Deaf missions. By Deaf missions I mean spreading the message of Easter, new life, and a spiritual rebirth to the Deaf community.

   According to deafworldministries.com only 2% of Deaf worldwide are Christians. As a Christian and ASL student I have heard many stories about the need for the Deaf to hear about Christ. I knew an interpreter when I was younger who had to describe what the sign "God" meant to a junior high student who had never heard of God.

     Christian missions organizations have recently added the Deaf as an unreached people group meaning that for the most part they have never heard of Jesus or Christianity.
    So upcoming this week I am going to include :

Links to Christian resources and organizations for the Deaf
A spotlight on California Baptist University(CBU)'s upcoming Internation Service Project(ISP) trip to Thailand to work with the Deaf of Thailand
An interview from members of a Deaf Church in Riverside, California
and more!

I hope you enjoy!

Update on AllyASL interview

2010-03-22T18:09:00.002-06:00

I am disappointed that despite my several attempts to contact her Ally has not responded to my interview questions. I asked her to do the interview... she said yes. I emailed her...she never replied...I messaged her on FB and Youtube... she never replied. But she is probably busy. So no AllyBallyBabe interview at least for now. I do have some other interviews in the works so I am hoping to get some more interesting info up soon!

Back

2010-03-16T11:16:00.000-06:00

Haven't been on in a while. Life got busy... tax season, bills, buying a new couch, meeting new people, trying to wean my son, but some old friends came to visit and I got to show off his sign language! Also my family got a puppy! Which I have been waiting for! anyways, Im back here to update and checking out new videos on youtube. Still waiting for feedback from Ally ASL.

Deaf Events and more!

2010-03-01T22:11:00.005-07:00

The Deaf Events page has been updated for this week's events! Also, I am working on a few things coming up! I am hoping to figure out a way to put a calendar format up on the events page to make it easier to post the events.

I am also working on some interviews- first with AllyBallyBabe from YouTube! I have been impressed by her videos and I am excited to do an interview with her to be seen here! Also I am working on some information about Deaf ministries, with interviews from the Deaf Christian community and those working to spread the gospel to the Deaf.

I am also compiling links and information on Deaf abuse advocacies, Deaf performing arts and other topics. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on these topics or on one of their own please let me know at a.n.salazar@live.com

Also, if you have any Deaf events in your area let me know and I will be happy to post them. Or, if you are looking for an event or events in your area I would be happy to help you find them and post them!

Deaf people travel too!

2010-02-19T17:17:00.003-07:00

Here is an article I found thanks to my friends at alldeaf.com. It covers an outrageous story about a woman who was denied access to an airplane with her guide dog until she could prove she was Deaf! That is enough to make you upset but then reading the article, you will find out that she had already filled out the necessary paperwork with the airline, was wearing a hearing aid and had her guide dog with her. This however was not enough to prove that she needed extra assistance! She missed her flight and had to pay extra to get on a later flight! This is outrageous. If a hearing person had missed their flight due to an airline's failure such as a delayed flight et cetera, they would have been comped for a later flight!
I was so surprised although I know that there are often confusions based on hearing people's ignorance of a Deaf person's needs and capabilities. The airline is investigating this matter and I hope that not only the airline corrects this problem but also that it draws attention to other airlines and to the travel/vacation industry that Deaf people travel too!

Storytelling Workshop

2010-02-19T16:53:00.002-07:00

Deaf West Theater in Hollywood is offering a workshop for ASL students on storytelling. It will be given by a professor of Creative Uses of ASL at Cal State University of Northridge.
Sat Feb 27 10am- 9$
Deaf West Theatre
5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
2 blocks south of Magnolia Street parking
Get a spot:

ASL Conference Anaheim, CA

2010-02-19T16:44:00.002-07:00

3rd Annual Sign Language Celebration and Interpretng Conference in Anaheim (also home to Disneyland, the Angels and Ducks)
There will be something for everyone from beginning ASL students to professional interpretters. RID CEUs and ACET credits will be given!
99$ each day but combo day and student specials available!
April 30 - May 1
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92802
Register online:http://ohsoez.com/sign_celebration/2010/early_registration_2010.htm

The name "Deafie"

2010-02-19T16:23:00.003-07:00

There has been some confusion as to my name and now I admit even I am confused. I have enjoyed meeting new people on alldeaf.com. I have been learning about Deaf culture and one thing that seemed to upset people was my name Deafie. Not everyone was offended and I'm not sure that "offended" is the right word to use but it did get me some interesting feedback so... my blog's name may need a change soon- although I don't want to change it.. I will be considering it! any feedback would be appreciated!

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

I wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day!

Sick Deafie

2010-02-13T15:31:00.001-07:00

Not feeling so great this weekend. I was planning on introducing myself to the Deaf community at church and going to the Silent Dinner (info in the Deaf Events page) but my husband, son, and I all got sick! Battling a cold I am determined to make another Deaf event soon! That being said, check out new Deaf Events in the Deaf Events page!

How do we help the Deaf in Haiti?

2010-02-09T16:11:00.004-07:00

I recently read a blog on Deaf Casts by coyotejoe about Deaf resources for Deaf Haitians. I have been searching online for ways I can connect with the Deaf in Haiti and find out how they are surviving through all of the tragedy that has been overwelming our minds and hearts. Of course I believe firstly that prayer will always be heard and is a powerful tool. Also I believe that action is necessary. In that case please visit the following links to find out how you can help out the Deaf in Haiti.

http://signcasts.com/node/263
http://deafhaitians.blogspot.com/
http://www.deafwelcome.org/
http://www.friendsofmontfort.org/
http://news.gallaudet.edu/x38455.xml

Deaf events for the week of: 2/13-2/10

2010-02-07T18:27:00.002-07:00

Sat feb 13 CSDB Colorado School for Deaf and Blind alumni association meeting 10am-12pm Silent Athletic Club Of Denver
1575 Elmira street Aurora, co 80010
Contact: Robert FergusonEmail: csdbalumni@hotmail.com
http://www.csdbalumni.org/

Sat Feb 13
Colorado Association of the Deaf Casino Night
Doc Holiday Casino, Cathedral City
Cost: 12$
Contact: Glenn Wolfangle treasurer@cadeaf.org

Sat Feb 13
Volleyball Tournament Fundraiser for FCC Interpreter Preparation Program
½ proceeds go to a Deaf organization (the winning team gets to decide who!)
½ proceeds go to Future Interpreters Of Colorado
Sports Oasis - 2400 W. Midway- Broomfield, CO. 80020 http://www.sportsoasis.com/
Doors open at 12 tournament begins at 12:30 and ends around 5:30-6 pm
Doors stay open till 12am so stay and hang out afterward!
Cost: 30$/team 5$/person to just hang out
Contact: https://sites.google.com/site/ficvolleyballsocial/ to register and for more info and rules or email: John.Solis15@Gmail.com
Late registration available until the Feb 10th

Thursday Feb 18th
Deaf Social in Superior
Old Chicago
100 Superior Plaza Way
Superior, CO 80027
7pm-?
Contact Greg Bland: weeklydeafsocial@gmail.com

check back soon for more events!

Deaf Events of the Week! Friday 2/5/10 - 2/12/10

2010-02-05T14:15:00.008-07:00

Superbowl Sunday!
CAD (Colorado Association of the Deaf) Superbowl Party!
11am- 8 pm 7$/person
Silent Athletic Club of Denver
1575 ELMIRA STREETAURORA, CO 80010 www.saccalo.org

Thursday nights!

Superior Deaf Social at Old Chicago every Thursday at 7pm !
Old Chicago in Superior, visible from US-36
100 Superior Plaza Way
Superior, CO 80027
email: weeklydeafsocial@gmail.com

Silent Dinner at Zoe’s Café (a non-profit coffee house) in Greeley
the second Friday of every month 5-6:30 pm
715 10th Street Suite #100
Greeley, CO 80620
RSVP the wednesday before
kars@tmail.com or text 970.393.0189.

Contributions accepted but not required!

For mac users: First meeting of the Mile High Deaf Mac Users
Friday the 12th 7 pm at starbucks
6395 E Hampden Ave Denver
Contact diane and Raymond Kilthau at diane@kilthau.us

check back for more events next week!

Intro into the blog of a Deafie

2010-02-03T21:52:00.001-07:00

Name's Alicia- nice to meet you! I'm hearing, but sometimes I pretend I can't hear my husband, so he thinks I'm going deaf. Haha! (Sometimes I secretly wish I was). I love music, I love to talk, but even more I LOVE ASL, deaf culture, and using my face to convey what I can't explain with words. So naturally I got interested in ASL when I was young, my sister and I took a class in elementary school, then got back into it in highschool. Made some deaf friends, interpreter friends, and increased our signing skills.

My life has been crazy since high school. In the last four years I have; moved across the Western US 3 times in 4 years, moved out of my parents place, then back in, gotten married, gotten pregnant, had a baby, been employed at three different jobs and studied three different majors at three different schools. So it's been a looong time since I've had a deaf friend (tear).

I am no stranger to change to be sure. I am however a stranger to the deaf community in my area. NoCo- Northern Colorado home to ice hockey, several colleges (a few with ASL interpreting programs) and now my family. I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges I have here. The first challenge will be in making friends and I have a target- the deaf community!

I still haven't described the purpose of this blog have I? I want to keep myself accountable. I need to get back in the game. It doesn't matter how many ASL videos or DeafTv videos I watch online, I need to get back into the community. So here is personal journal to keep me accountable to the whole world- to log my experiences, attempts and failures to get back in the saddle. Also maybe someone out there is like me- constantly searching for the next best ASL video on YouTube or ASL advice online. For a free resource about ASL Deaf culture etc. If anyone out there is reading- I hope you enjoy!