dorkette: EXPOSED

Retreating from the blogsphere

2014-09-22T20:16:00.001-07:00

Has the trend of blogging evolves to trend of tweeting/Instantgram'ing? I feel like I do not know anybody who still blogs.

Twitter and IG definitely require much less commitment in editing and proofing the post. After all it is just a picture and an array of filters to select from or a maximum count of 120 characters. This pales in comparison to a blog post which can vary by large-- a paragraph (like this one) has already exceeded the commitment/investment I put in on IG or Twitter.

What I am trying to say is that I am now debating with myself whether to keep on breathing life into this blog.
My secondary goal is to share information about Deaf interpreting to any Deaf person who may be piqued but do not know where to start.

Yet my primary goal is to continue a public diary-esque blog but I find this difficult when people do know who GnarlyDorkette is. I have lost my mask. I have lost that freedom of writing whatever comes to my mind. Now I have to be mindful of what I type-- using filters to save face in case somebody I know stumbles across this blog.

I originally began this blog to find my niche/crowd because I didn't feel that I fit in any specific crowd-- I wanted a platform for my thoughts and feelings and use that venture to connect with a "same-ness" community... a way to gain insights to know myself better.

I think I have found myself. I am glad I did. More secure with myself... more assertive and comfortable in what I want out of this little thing called "life".
I am still meeting people-- which is good news for my type. While living in DC, I definitely had made some lifetime friends that I will always cherish but at same time lament that they do not live in the same city as I.

I have accepted that I wouldn't have my best friend(s) readily within 30 miles of me. I do have plenty of friends nearby that I can reach out whenever I feel like getting out of my introverted bubble. That, I am grateful for. I am glad that I can VP/glide/facetime with my best friends whenever I need my fix. Can't complain.

Should I go with the flow and allow the evolution of purpose with this blog to be a Deaf-interpreting centered blog or let this go-- and find a new mask to continue my freedom of writing out my thoughts/feelings as a Deaf woman.

I hope I can give you all an answer soon. I guess as a saying goes-- Stay tuned.

CDI workshop in Riverside, California in JANUARY

2011-10-18T07:13:00.005-07:00

CERTIFIED DEAF INTERPRETER WORKSHOP
Riverside, California
January 6-8, 2012

Are you Deaf? Are you interested in becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)?

To obtain RID certification as a CDI, you must pass a written test and a performance test. To qualify to take the written test, you must have 8 hours of Ethics training on the RID Code of Professional Conduct and 8 hours of training on the Role & Function of a Deaf interpreter.

Jimmy Beldon, CDI, a nationally renowned CDI trainer and interpreter educator will present the RID required training and end the workshop with practicing for the written test.

Workshop Requirements:
You must purchase So You Want to Be an Interpreter: An Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting by Janice Humphrey and Bob Alcorn. Please read this book prior to the workshop.

Proof of Attendance:
You will receive a certificate of completion:
8 hours of training on the RID Code of Professional Conduct
8 hours of training on the role and function of a deaf interpreter

When: January 6-8, 2012
Jan. 6th, Friday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. (3 hours)
Jan. 7th, Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (9 hours)
Jan. 8th, Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (8 hours)

Location:
PYRAMplex
9980 Indiana Ave, Suite 6
Riverside, CA 92503

Cost: $150 per person
To register, please contact: Jimmy Beldon at ASLFIRSTbeldon@gmail.com
The deadline to register is December 16, 2011

Sponsored by: PYRAM.COM & ASLFIRST

***************************************

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FEE - $150.00 (NON-REFUNDABLE)
Make checks payable to ASLFIRST.
(Fee must accompany your registration form or your registration will not be accepted.)

DON'T FORGET THE WORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS: PRIOR TO WORKSHOP, YOU MUST READ THE BOOK "So You Want To Be An Interpreter? An Introduction to Sign Language
Interpreting"

Name: ______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

City: ___________________________________ State: ______ Zip Code: ________

Video Phone #: ______________________

Email:___________________________________

RID CDI Written/ASL Exam:
Do you plan to take the RID CDI written test soon? ___ YES ___ NO
If yes, have you submitted paperwork to RID and paid for the test? ___ YES ___NO

Don't delay in signing up!

LOCATION INFORMATION:

WORKSHOP SITE – PYRAMplex
9980 Indiana Ave, Suite 6
Riverside, CA 92503

Workshop Registration Deadline is December 16th

Please mail registration form & check to: Jimmy Beldon
ASLFIRST, LLC,
1296 Woodhill Drive,
Roseville, MN 55113

Just a FYI...

2011-05-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

I do take interpreting serious. I am a Certified Deaf Interpreter. I have a master's degree in interpretation. I consider Deaf interpreting as my career. I hope to become a staff interpreter. I hope to teach interpreting courses to a room full of Deaf students. I will be working in this field for next twenty, thirty, or however many years it take before somebody drags me out. I want to be the next Lillian Beard.

So with that note, please don't shrug your shoulder and say "it pays good, doesn't it?" when I ask you why are you interested in becoming a CDI.

Floating Along

2011-04-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

From the "Undercurrent" album

Floating

I wish I am the woman in this picture. Floating, with no care in the world, in middle of a body of water, hopefully warm, and lost in my own thoughts... positive thoughts... with dreams and whatnot....

But alas, I do not have positive thoughts but rather worries in its place.

"You are now a grown-up" uttered by a friend. I had vented my frustration with bills, mortgage, taxes and more that I have to pay and I barely have a stable job (the woes of living as a contractor) so I am winging it every four months. I pondered aloud how anybody can do it and stay above the poverty line and have a decent lifestyle?

Mind you, I do not aim to have a life of luxuries-- I am not materialistic at all (I am more into sentimental values) and I am totally fine with shopping at Goodwill and thrifty stores.
I define a "decent lifestyle" by its affordability to pay insurance, healthcare, a nice used car, mortgage timely, and being able to raise children with a solid roof over our heads. And with some money leftover to buy nice clothes from non-thrifty stores occasionally.
That is a decent lifestyle to me.

How could I achieve that "decent" lifestyle if I have the government harassing me (I loathe SSI), the utilities bills fluctuating at the corporation's whim, and essential house projects (such as updating a 60-year-old plumbing system) to pay off?
Right now I am pinching my pennies while holding my dignity as a vegetarian who prefers to support local businesses and farmer's markets while resisting the sirens of Wal-Mart and other cheap big-box stores.

I am grateful that I am not alone in this appeared-to-be sinking boat-- I do have my partner who does help out with the expenses. We bought the house together. We prepared for the projects costs. We know what was coming-- half of it, anyway.

Of course, the other half are the surprises-- the lovable car I brought all way from California is beginning to show its age and it is not worthwhile to maintain when its value is at zero according to Kelly's Blue Book. What happens when it has a heart attack in middle of my trip to a job? I can bike... but not to a faraway places that will take 3 hours to cycle (but one hour by metro!).
Dental insurance-- whoops, I lost a tooth-- didn't realize our teeth will fall apart at age of 25. Thought those dental comedies only happen to the folks who went over the hill. Dammit, now what to do?

I do not do well with "what-ifs" and worst scenarios. I am thrifty and I like to spend wisely. I am a healthy female with nice set of teeth (alas that one cracked tooth that you can't see if I smile!) and I do not plan to pop out babies anytime soon, I have a nice master's degree and a nice small house-- now why are you all screwing me over?
I am not even rich so stop grubbing away my money!

(Note: I was below poverty line in year 2009 while in graduate school.)

If it is not the corporation, it is the government that is grubbing my money too. Taxes, oh how you make my life a hell.
And yet, I won't see a penny back from those Medicaid and Social Security taxes-- I am confident that by the time I hit retirement, there is no government programs to support me and I am all on my own (anarchy, anybody?). So they should let us paying less taxes because they know that we are pretty much screwed and should take pity on us the young generation. Time to open up a ROTH account and mark the days until the government shuts down....

And of course, I can't leave out that infamous SSI overpayment-- every Deaf person got bit by SSI's overpayment bug. It happens when you report the government that you, a disabled person, have a job (a miracle, defying all odds!). Repeatedly. And they still mail you the disability pity check. You give up and proceed to work like a real adult. Years later, you got slapped with a big "YOU OWE US, BITCH" bill from the government berating you for not telling them about your new (which is by now old) job. You go "WTF?" and eventually concede to pay off your overpayment-- with a scowl on your face as you write your monthly checks, of course.

So with all of costs piling up, you begin wondering how much does it cost for an American young Deaf person to live in America living the American Dream????

Deaf Interpreting Professional Development

2011-01-25T08:28:00.005-08:00

A commenter, Conniejy, asked for information of upcoming CDI workshops.
Well, ye asketh, and we provideth.

A flurry of workshops for Deaf Interpreters are posted here:

(I found out about them either at www.diinstitute.org or join Yahoo!Group for "RID Deaf Caucus" or "Deaf Interpreters" so you can join/follow them to keep yourself informed)

Certified Deaf Interpreter Workshop
Grand Rapids, Michigan from March 18 to 20, 2011; presented by Jimmy Beldon (CDI).
Click on the link to get more information at Deaf Interpreter Institute's website: http://diinstitute.org/2011/01/certified-deaf-interpreter-workshop-in-michigan/

9th Annual Mental Health Training Conference
August 22-26, 2011 in Montgomery, Alabama. Presenters: varied.
http://www.mhit.org/ for full information and updates
http://diinstitute.org/2011/01/9th-annual-mental-health-interpreter-training/ for concise information

Road to Deaf Interpreting
A series that spreads across 10 weekends in Boston, Massachusetts. Presenters: varied.
For more information (when, where, topic etc) and names of presenters, go to the link: http://roadtodeafinterpreting.webs.com/
Application Deadline: February 7th, 2011

Understanding the Role, Responsbilities, Ethics for Deaf Interpreters
March 19 and 20, 2011 in Marina, California. Presented by: Daniel Longholtz (CDI, CLIP-R, RSC)
More information re: hotel and times and you can download their flyer at: http://www.ccsignlanguageinterpreters.com/register.html
Note: their early bird rates has passed so register a.s.a.p. by February 15th before they upper the registration rates for late-minute!

If you do know of a workshop that are oriented for Deaf Interpreters, please add the information in your comment!

What's in your bag?

2010-10-03T13:36:00.002-07:00

To satisfy her curiosity about what's in my bag...

-My passport in lieu of my driver's license (long story short: I lost my driver's license.)
-Three lip balms: two Burt's bee, one being tinted while another is your original Burt's bee and one chapstick.

-One mirror (purple).
-One pencil, one fine marker, one ballpoint pen.
-Six hair barrettes/bobby pins.

-One post-it notepad.
-Four band-aids (you can't see its color but it is purple and neon green)

-One unlined paper pad (blue floral).
-One 4 oz. hand lotion (Udderly Smooth lotion)

-One set of keys.

-One black patent wallet with heart cutouts to show green fabrics underneath.

-One book (in this picture, "interpreter of maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri).

-One iPhone (which is missing because it was used to take this picture.)

Up Ahead

2010-09-26T17:20:00.002-07:00

Photo credit to Jenna over at http://jayxxbe.deviantart.com/art/Hidden-87291285

The picture captures what I am feeling at the moment.
I have came a long way, and I am somewhat hesitant to see what is up ahead of me.

I am in a new chapter of life.
No longer a student.
Now a professional adult.

With that transition happening now, I find myself in odd places--
Novice, but certified interpreter with a master's degree...
Job assignments beckon, yet I have no guarantee of a salary...
Young, but confident.

Too easy for me to take those wonderful experiences for granted,
And I try to remind myself-- that I have came far and I should enjoy my successes gracefully.
I always feel life is short when I should realize I do have a long life ahead of me.

And now,
peeking open,
I look forward
to that next step.

Tips for College Grad Graduates

2010-09-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

1- Get your schiesse together. You are your own professor now. You set the due dates for everything. You might enjoy the freedom, but you will enjoy it better if you set a routine or schedule to complete "to-do" stuff like, say... TAXES.

2- You are a big kid now. Stop using your parent's credit card.

3- Get a schedule. It doesn't have to be a 9 to 4 job, but at least something to get you out of the bed.

4- Sleep well. That means saying "no" to Facebook at midnight.

5- And say "no" to partying if you have to work next day.

6- Read PH.D Comics and be glad you are done with graduate school.

If you have satisfied the above list, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE AN ADULT ALL ON YOUR OWN!

(*Author's note: according to the list, I am not an adult yet. :-/ )

What am I?

2010-08-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Are we defined by our careers? Our assets? Our income? Wages per hour? Our cultural identity? Our ethnicity? Our majors?
The definitions help people classifying and measuring each other up. I am not all for it, but it is a fact-- people want to know who you are so they can measure you up by what you define yourself-- in other word, what you identify yourself.

I think it depends on which stage of life you are in.
Right now I am in that odd phase-- the transitional phase between the graduate school and the staff position. This phase is also known as "internship", "externship", or "apprenticeship."

In most of my interactions with the general population, I am defined by my cultural identity, my current education background, and of course, my career since I am in that awkward phase.

Now, what happens when the identity confronts with the major?
I personally have seen it happened so many times. And it is a bit disheartening especially after it becomes too often.

An example of a typical conversation in ASL...

Them: "Oh, congratulations on your graduation! What was your major?"
Me: "Interpretation"
Them: "Oh... do you want me to turn on my voice?"
Me: "Um, I am Deaf?"
Them "Huh? You said you are an interpreter?"
Me: "Yes. I am an interpreter. A Deaf Interpreter."
Them: "Are you bullshittin' me? What, how can you interpret if you can't hear?"
Me: (taking out her soap box, stepping up, and beginning her explanation about Certified Deaf Interpreters) "...and so, that is how Deaf interpreters work."
Them: "huh... so YOU are Deaf? I just wanna double check..."
Me: "D-E-A-F."
Them: "Huh... and you just graduated?"

Imagine this conversation a thousand times over. You can see why I am a bit disheartened. I love the profession of Deaf Interpreting, but really as it adds up, I do get a bit deflated when people question my Deafness or my career.

I do try to see it differently-- I am exposing the general population to Deaf interpreting and as always, awareness is important so I am just doing my part being a walking billboard for "Deaf Interpreter"...
You know those "THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE" products? We should get a similar slogan for all C/DIs out there-- "THIS IS WHAT A DEAF INTERPRETER LOOKS LIKE".

Next time somebody ask me about my career, my education, my whatever--
I will just say: "I am a story."
And proudly wear my black unisex tee with the new C/DI slogan.

Live near or in Vermont?

2010-08-19T12:29:00.002-07:00

Interested in taking up some workshops on Deaf interpreting?
Here you go!!
You have until August 28th, Friday to register!

[[[Reposted from Deaf Interpreters on Yahoo!Groups]]]

************************************************************************

DUE TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF A PRIVATE DEAF DONOR, VERMONT VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, AND VERMONT ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF (VTAD), DEAF FOUNDATIONS II IS NOW BEING OFFERED AT A REDUCED REGISTRATION FEE OF $100.00! TO GET THIS PHENOMENAL VALUE,

PLEASE SEND REGISTRATION FORM AND PAYMENT BY AUGUST 28TH!

Foundations of Interpreting Processes, Part IIFor Certified Deaf Interpreters, Deaf Interpretersand Future Deaf Interpreters

Participation in Deaf Foundations I is a prerequisite for participation in this workshop.

~ Co-Presented by Betty Colonomos and Jan DeLap ~Co-Sponsored by Vermont RID and the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

For more information: www.visitbmc.com

DATES: Friday, September 10, 2010 – Sunday, September 12, 2010

TIMES: Friday – 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

LOCATION: Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Austine School for the Deaf, Vermont Hall Conference Room

Brattleboro , Vermont

Get directions at: www.vcdhh.org

CONTACT: Janet F. Parker - jparker@vcdhh.org; VP: 802-275-0105

******************************************************************

AGAIN, the deadline for registration is AUGUST 28!!!

Spoiled?

2010-08-16T09:21:00.001-07:00

With all the hype over iPhone 4, I iSucccumbed as well.

I was a free agent with no contract held over my head, so I was checking out the HTC EVO (which offers two-way video calls via an app called "Fring") but the Sprint stores were sold out and the online store was out of stock for more than two weeks.
I got fed up of waiting for a new phone so I decided to break away from Sprint and signed up for iPhone with AT&T.

A month later, I am still clumsy with my iPhone-- my typos are more noticeable in emails and I can't walk and type at same time. Prior to iPhone, often my friends would comment on how I can follow a conversation with full attention while typing on my BB without looking-- I was very skilled at multitasking. Not anymore with iPhone. I have tunnel-visioned with iPhone and missed the world turning around me.
However I recently found an app where I can type while looking where I am going because it sets up the whole screen as if it is transparent while using the camera so it is as if I can see through my iPhone. Definitely gonna download that one.

Anyway, I have to get back to what I wanted to write about-- my reaction to to Facetime.
People asked me how it was, have I download the ZVRS app, who did I call for my first Facetime call, and how often do I Facetime?

It seems to me that people found the feature Facetime more impressive than the iPhone 4 itself.

To be frank, I haven't used ZVRS. I didn't download the app. I have the VP at home for that. I don't use Facetime everyday. I might have used it like three times so far in a month. I am a bit leery of using Facetime because I do not want people to see where I am or what I am wearing. I do not want to take up time to answer calls when I can multi-task by playing a game, answering a text, surfing Facebook and ignoring emails. Call me snobby but I am more fascinated with Hipstamatic than Facetime! That app is my FIST-SMACK!

So. Why am I not impressed with Facetime like everybody else?
Is it because I am spoiled? Is it because I do expect Facetime? Is it because I demand more as a Deaf consumer? I mean, Facetime is only compatible with other iPhone 4 users-- and that is a bummer. I want to be able to video-chat with anybody who has a webcam.

Should I be grateful to Apple for making it possible for Deaf people to video-chat on phone? Should I bow forever to Apple for including Deaf people in their iPhone4 commercial?
Should I feed to the hype of iPhone by getting super-duper excited about Facetime as a Deaf person?
Should I be humble and enjoy what I, as a Deaf person, have instead of expecting the high standards?

Sorry, but it looks like I am pretty spoiled with my accessibility.
I want to be able to video-chat with my loved ones on gChat, with friends who do not have iPhone4, with people who does have a VP or webcam.
I want my Freedom to Facetime with anybody! And I want it now!

OR ELSE, I WILL THROW A TEMPER TANTRUM!

image credit to http://anoagibson.blogspot.com/

Neljä!

2010-08-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Four jobs I’ve had

Nanny
Research Assistant
Librarian Assistant
Dog walker

Four movies I can watch over and over

Four places I’ve lived

Anchorage, Alaska
Travis AFB, California
Pori, Finland
San Diego, California

Four TV shows I love

24
V
Project Runway
Top Chef

Four places I’ve vacationed

Turkey (Istanbul, Bursa, Ankara, Eskisehir)
Italy (Venice, Florence, Bologna)
Tallinn, Estonia
Barcelona, Spain

Four of my favorite dishes

Caprese
Kale and pasta
Karjalanpiirakka
Queso Manchego with honey drizzled and pepper.

Four sites I visit daily

Frozen Tropics
Capital Weather Gang
Hulu.com
Facebook. You would be lying if you don't include that on your list.

Four places I would rather be right now

At a beach with surfers out on the waves.
Istanbul.
San Diego.
Anywhere that has snow.

Attitude

2010-08-06T05:46:00.001-07:00

I will admit that I do have an attitude problem. Now I must say that I have improved as a person since high school (the worst years of having an attitude problem). Often I have to check myself before I bite people's heads off with snippy remarks. My attitude is something that some people love, and also something that people dislike me. I don't blame them, after all I am not your average happy easygoing person.
I do have a bitter side that infects my attitude problem. My first reaction is to be armed with a mean remark. Luckily, it only happens in my head so I would feign a smile in public while my "attitude" voice raged inside mu head.
Occassionally my husband witnessed my attitude* outbursts toward other people who were not aware (*attitude problem is also called "road rage"). If you have been in my car while I drive, you may see a glimpse of my inner attitude-- a glimpse of a bitter teenager-- but I always apologize afterward.
My attitude is a love-hate relationship. My attitude sets me apart. It makes me who I am. I am that "hard-ass bitch". I don't view "bitch" a a negative quality. It just means I am not a pushover and you know it. I like my attitude because it made me real.
However, too often I missed opportunities of making new friends because of my inner bitch. So I regret that I can't be that silly-happy girl who doesn't care about anything but life and fun. That girl who always smile all the times. That girl always has plenty of friends.
So even though I want to have fun and have a careless life, the major hurdle for is to smile.
It ia like a chicken and egg problem-- do I not smile because of my attitude problem? Or I have an attitude problem because I don't smile often?
So in conclusion-- I am fully aware that I may come across as a bitch, but at least you know I am real and you can use me to bite people's heads off if they do you wrong. I am a fearless bitch an I embrace it. Now I will try to work on being a fearless bitch that SMILES.

Kale vs. Broccoli

2010-07-23T11:03:00.001-07:00

While growing up, one of my favorite vegetable is broccoli.

I will eat it raw, broiled, or steamed.
I eat it on my pizza, in my stir fry dish, next to my pasta, or as a stand-alone dish with a dash of salt and pepper on it.
I have a home sign for broccoli when I was small-- "TREE" but with the dominant hand positioned at the wrist of your non-dominant hands to indicate that broccolis are indeed tiny trees to a child's imaginative mind.
I love broccoli.

Until I met kale this year.

So delicious.
So easy to prepare.
Suddenly, I began to doubt my relationship with broccoli. Kale can go with anything-- scrambled eggs for breakfast, pasta for dinner, accompanying tiny potatoes for a splash of color, or with white beans to be served as a soup.

As of now, my top three favorite vegetables are: potatoes, kale, and zucchini.

"Sorry, Broccoli.
It's not you, it's me. My taste buds are changing. Hope you understand.
Heart, Me"

CDI Program in Colorado

2010-07-05T10:19:00.002-07:00

:::::ALERT TO ALL DEAF INTERPRETERS::::

Excerpted e-mail from Veditz Center's Bucky:
"We are looking for more applicants and the deadline is next Friday, July 16.

Information on this is at www.veditzcenter.org/cdi-program and they can email us at cdiprogram@veditzcenter.org for more information."

It is a nine-month program in Colorado offering 11 workshops and 22 workgroups, starting in Fall 2010, on training Deaf interpreters for CDI written and performance tests.
Excellent presenters, Trenton Marsh, Jimmy Beldon and more, will lead the workshops/workgroups.
Sounds like a great program!!

I think all Deaf interpreters in Colorado and nearby states should sign up for the series-- and for some Deaf Interpreters (certified or non-certified) who can fly out for a workshop or two, you can check out when their workshops are and sign up for some CEUs.

It is not often you see an comprehensive program that offers series of Deaf interpreting workshops-- Road to Deaf Interpreting is in Massachusetts which is a bit far for the West Coast folks, so CDI Program in Colorado is an excellent choice for those who live in mid-America and nearby West coast states.

SO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Check out the website, and the below links are .pdf for more information and application-- the information packet has every answer for your questions, so click the first link below to download the packet.

For full information re: costs, who presents, when, click here.

To fill out an application, click here to become a CDI in training!

(On a side note:
"About Veditz Center:
Embracing the energy of George Veditz (1861 – 1937), Veditz Center is a catalyst for cultural unity amongst the deaf and ASL community in Colorado. With over 350,000 deaf people in Colorado, Veditz Center seeks to raise $1,150,000 over the next 36 months for planned construction of a fitness center, swimming pool, community room, event center, and co-op offices for doctors, dentists, lawyers, and other professionals who communicate in ASL.")

Social Bluffing or ESP?

2010-06-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

The post made by Megan of Hearing Sparks about social bluffing (also by Putz, Kym, and Meryl) has been stuck in back of my mind-- do I do social bluffing? Or because I could understand people so I wasn't social-bluffing? Is it OK? When is it not OK?

Putz defined social bluffing as: "pretending to hear or understand something that is being said, and behaving in a way that shows you understand, even when you have little or no clue as to what is being said."

Pretending.

What if I don't pretend? I never cover up the fact that I am Deaf. I don't use my voice to speak-- I only gestured or signed back to hearing people. What if I could understand them just by reading this body language? Is this still considered "social bluffing"?

Admittedly, there are moments where I initiated the social bluff especially when ordering coffee-- Starbucks is my culprit and I avoid it at all costs now (not because of the social bluff, but their poor coffee). The baristas shout out the beverages while shooting out beverages onto the counter with no written notes on it (Starbucks Lingo) and they are too busy to look at you while they are answering your question: "What is this?"-- MUMMUMBASHASMUMBLE VANILLA MUMBLEBAUMBLE and I would hesitate to touch it until I am saved by somebody else who had identified that beverage to be theirs. I have stolen maybe... four beverages from somebody else. I am sorry, strangers, for taking your tall Mocha Latte, grande Caramel Macchiato, grande Vanilla Beans Frappuccino, and venti Vanilla Latte either in San Diego or Washington, DC.

As I added up all social bluffing moments and mis-orders, I decided that I had enough. I have taken the initiatives of avoiding the social bluffing-- make them write down if I couldn't understand what they are saying, or even just ONE word that I am missing which I would write everything I understood from lipreading then point to the "____" for the hearing person to fill out.
I would sign back if they speak to me: "I will like a coffee... or will you prefer me to write?" because I have met cashiers/baristas/waiters/resses who know ASL so that was empowered when they replied: "Oh, I know signs, so what do you want?" and BONUS: the sign of "WRITE" would read as a gesture for non-signers and they could proceed to get a piece of paper for me to write down my order.

However there are moments where I knew what they wanted-- and it wasn't because I lipread but because of their body language. Like I could read their minds.

What promoted me to post was an incident that occurred just 10 minutes ago. A middle-aged woman was eyeing my table at a tiny coffeehouse (NOT Starbucks). I knew she wanted to ask if she can share the table with me. I looked up and she mumbled something while pointing to the empty chair across to me. I gestured "take a seat" with an outward palm and smiled. She smiled and dumped her bags (a sunhat, a giant Mac laptop which took 2/3 of my table, and a beach bag. We are in DC! 3 hours away from beaches!). She went up to the counter to order coffee.

I returned to my netbook and typed away.

Moments later, she was back, standing, bending occasionally to seek for something under the table-- as if she is looking for something. Again, I looked up-- she went: "¿¿MUMBLEMUMBLE??" but I knew she was asking: "is there a plug?" I raised my eyebrows and nodded then I proceed to pat on the plug sockets on the wall next to me.

"Oh! Good." was the only coherent thing I could understand from her.

Is this social bluffing? or ESP?

PRO:1 AND #HURZ

2010-05-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that most people at Gallaudet has lexicaled Dr. Hurwitz's name to "HURZ" so that explains this blog entry's title being in ASL glosses for "Me and Hurwitz."

So, yep-- I have graduated.

Please do not mention "Ph.D" to me.
I am still recovering. It is like asking a new mother who just had a childbirth: "Will you have another baby soon?" which will make the mother cringe at the thoughts of the labor and pain of childbirth. I am still cringing at the thoughts of sleepless nights, looming deadlines, unnecessary stresses breakout on my face, and zombie days fueled by coffee.

Oh. Graduate school-- I won't miss ya.

CDI workshop in Northridge, CA

2010-05-07T16:00:00.005-07:00

(reposted from Deaf Interpreters Yahoo Group).

CDI Workshop with Jimmy Beldon!
http://cdiworkshop. eventbrite. com/

When: June 11-13, 2010
Location: Deaf Studies at California State University, Northridge
    * June 11, Friday 6:30p.m.-8:30p. m.
    * June 12, Saturday 9 a.m.-5p.m.
    * June 13, Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1 p.m.-4 p.m. with hearing interpreters (.4 CEUs)

Are you deaf? Do you like the interpreting process? Interested in becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter?

What things should a Deaf interpreter do to ensure high quality interpreting services? What kind of interpreting assignment is the Deaf interpreter qualified to perform? What study materials should the Deaf person study in preparation of testing for CDI certification? This track offers an in-depth exploration and practical experience in the application of these questions.

On Sunday afternoon, the participants would do practices on the interpreting skills including mirror interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting, and text interpreting with hearing interpreters using the mock scenarios.

**The nearest CDI testing site will be at Las Vegas. For more info: http://www.rid. org/education/ testing/index. cfm**

Requirements:
You already have (or will buy) "So You Want to Be an Interpreter: An Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting" by Janice Humphrey and Bob Alcorn.

Location:   Deaf Studies @ CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330
Cost: $150 per person, $25 per hearing interpreter

To register, please contact:
Maisha A. Franklin at maisha@live.com

The deadline to register is May 23, 2010 by paypal only.
Deadline to mail in paycheck of $150.00: Thursday, May 20, 2010.
Deadline to request invoice and to process payment with invoice, Thursday, May 20, 2010.

About Jimmy Beldon:
Jimmy Beldon, CDI, MA, has been a professional involved in the interpreting field on many levels. He currently teaches in the Interpreter Training Program at St. Catherine University in St Paul, Minnesota. He is a nationally renowned interpreter educator. He is a popular presenter requested to travel across the United States giving workshops on a variety of topics and was served as vice president for RID. Mr. Beldon and his family currently reside in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Attention Deafies of PCRID!!

2010-03-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

PCRID (Potomac Chapter = Greater Washington D.C. area) is offering a scholarship for the Deaf members to take up CDI examinations!! Apply if you are a PCRID member!!

Copying and pasting from their newsletter...

*****
NEW CDI Certification Scholarship
PCRID’s Statement: In recognition of the ever-increasing costs associated with becoming a certified Deaf interpreter, PCRID has established this scholarship to encourage the next generation of Deaf interpreters to become certified.
The PCRID CDI Certification Scholarship will be awarded to an eligible Deaf member who wishes to take the CDI performance test. The recipient of the award will be recommended to the PCRID Board by the Scholarships and Awards Committee through a review of supporting documentation. The applicant is eligible to receive no more than one award per year. If no award is received, applicant may apply again during the next award cycle.

Recipient will be presented with:
PCRID will send in the application and payment for the certification candidate when s/he is applying for the proficiency test.

Application Requirements:
Applicant must be a member, in good standing, of both RID and PCRID.
Applicant must author a letter explaining how this award will best serve them as an interpreter in our community
Applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from an individual who is familiar with their skills.
Applicant must have successfully passed all portions of the written test prior to applying for performance test funding. Proof of passing the written test is required.
Applicant must submit a copy of the application form and documentation to sac@pcrid.net
Award will be presented at the PCRID Conference in November, 2010.

Due Date: Application material must be received by September 15, 2010.
Award recipients must submit test application and request for a testing date and site within twelve (12) months of award being granted.
Awards are for future tests. Reimbursements will not be granted for tests previously taken.

Deaf Interpreter Training in Texas

2010-03-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

Saw this posted online at the Deaf Caucus group, so I am copying and pasting the flier to reach a wider audience-- with all key words linked so you can look up who are the trainers, where it is hosted at, and more. Making your life much easier. :-)

***********

Deaf Interpreter Training
This training, over a one week period, May 30-June 4, 2010, will be held at SWCID in Big Spring, Texas and is for individuals who are deaf and are interested in becoming a deaf interpreter, and for deaf interpreters who want to upgrade or improve their interpreting skills. The sessions will provide an environment in which participants can stretch their interpreting horizons and explore new approaches in this specialty area.

A highly qualified staff will conduct the training and will include expert trainers in deaf interpreting: Byron Bridges, Eileen Forestal, Debbie Peterson, Gino Gouby, and Chris Grooms (.pdf). Areas of focus will include professional roles and responsibilities, common business practices, laws and regulations regarding interpreting services, negotiating communication needs, self-assessment of interpreting performances, role and scope of service, dealing with testing anxieties, and more.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
This training is limited to 40 participants.
The cost of the course is $250 for Texas residents and $350 for persons who reside out of state, which includes room and board fee to stay on campus for the week. There is a screening process.

RID and BEI CEUs are approved.
For more information contact Ann Horn at ann.horn@dars.state.tx.us or call VP at 512-410-1387.

CDI Participants needed for Research Survey!

2010-03-10T08:51:00.003-08:00

Department of Interpretation
Gallaudet University, Washington D.C.

DEAF PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR
ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH ON
DEAF INTERPRETERS

We are looking for Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs)
to take a survey about their experiences as CDI.

As a participant in this study, you would be asked to:

1) Fill out an anonymous questionnaire about:
   - Languages Used
   - Education Background
   - Professional Background
The questionnaire should only take up approximately 15 minutes of your time and participation.

2) Participate in an Optional Interview:
The optional interview should only take up approximately 30 minutes of
your time and participation.

This is a voluntarily research, no compensation would be given.

Please click here to take up the survey
or copy and paste the address onto your browser:
http://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_dg3gnYEB8yRBuEA&SVID=Prod

****The deadline for the survey is: March 18th.****

For more information about this study, or to volunteer for this study

please contact: Kirsi Grigg, CDI, MA; Department of Interpretationat kirsi.grigg@ gallaudet. edu

This study has been reviewed by and approved by the Gallaudet University IRB.

************ ********* ********* **

Letting Go

2010-02-14T20:14:00.000-08:00

Yves Klein's "Leap Into The Void" (1960) [original picture altered by me]

What do you call a person who intends to fall forward into a void? An insane person-- but why? That person knows the void is there. He adamantly chooses to fall into that void. Why is it insane? Who said he will smash into the ground? Don't you see? The void will catch him.
You are the insane person-- for fearing his confidence.

Food for Thoughts

2009-11-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

I thought I should share the blurbs about Deaf Interpreters in two codes of ethics that I found from two organizations:

"3.3 Deaf Interpreters
The services of a Deaf interpreter may be required when working with individuals who use regional sign dialects, non-standard signs, foreign sign languages, and those with emerging language use. They may also be used with individuals who have disabling conditions that impact on communication. Members will recognize the need for a Deaf interpreter and will ensure their inclusion as a part of the professional interpreting team."
"2.4 Request support (e.g., certified deaf interpreters, team members, language facilitators) when needed to fully convey the message or to address exceptional communication challenges (e.g. cognitive disabilities, foreign sign language, emerging language ability, or lack of formal instruction or language). "

I like the term inclusion when a Deaf interpreter is included in a team which mean all interpreters, deaf or hearing, are equal.
For me, the term support conjures the thought of a supporting actor, who may be "important in a play or film but subordinate to the leading parts." I am not too crazy about the word subordinate.

Now, here is the food for your thoughts: which code belongs to which organization?
I am still investigating for other codes to see how many other codes do mention specifically Deaf interpreters.

No Longer a Diary?

2009-09-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

A bit of history about this blog: I originally started this blog as a diary. It was over at "scribbles.nu" but then it closed down so I relocated to this site, Blogger.

For me, this blog was like writing a diary but anonymously. I didn't use names and I only mentioned where I am from. But if you read through the entires, you can figure out who I am-- a deaf female student... high-schooler...with typical teenager stuff. Stresses about dating, SAT scores, college admission, raving about not having a car, and so on.

I used "gnarlydorkette" as my handle. Nobody knew who I was and I was able to write freely about anybody-- included my ex-boyfriends and so-called "friends."

Why? I was safe. Nobody in my circles were geeks like me. Nobody in my circles knew what a blog is. So I was safe with my secret about this blog out in the public.

But of course, as time went on... and the next hot thing was video log, known as "vlog" now.

Yes. I am blaming the vlogs for exposing me.

Funny-- the title of this blog is "dorkette:exposed"... which came true. Oh, the irony.

By adding a vlog, a face is plastered all over my blog-- my face. People in the real world (anybody remembers "irl"?) identified me as 'gnarlydorkette'.

Now this blog is no longer a diary.

This blog now serves as my information center where I can share information and write down thought-provoking entries.

Now as I become nostalgic about the old days-- I definitely miss writing a diary anonymously. The exhilaration of getting my emotions and thoughts out in the public. It is like making my signature on the world-- a graffiti online.

I do not like own an actual diary because who would read it? I like the idea of people reading my diary online, because they may find it interesting, helpful, or entertaining. I didn't mind all that because I just hoped that I can find my niche. An audience that understands me. That sense of bonding. I miss that.

But how do I write a diary anonymously?

I am "gnarlydorkette" ever and forever.

I am no longer an anonymous person.

I cannot share my thoughts, emotions, anything without a fear of retaliations.

And that is a bit sad... I have limited my creativity because of what I have done on my blog. Now I wonder if I regret the title of this blog? Did I curse myself when I became witty with the title, "dorkette:exposed"?

Oh, here I go again-- thought-provoking.

Upcoming CDI-related Workshops

2009-09-12T16:34:00.002-07:00

New Jersey Registry of Interpreters for the DEAF (NJRID) is providing an introductory workshop about Deaf interpreters presented by Eileen Forestal, RSC.

http://www.njrid.org/pages/index.asp

The dates provided for "Introducing Deaf Interpreting" are:
Saturday/Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2009
Saturday/Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2009
Saturday/Sunday, November 21 & 22, 2009
Saturday/Sunday, December 5 & 6, 2009

And the costs would be $60 per weekend which brings the total around $240 and "attendance at all four weekends is required."

The deadline to register for this workshop is on September 18, 2009 so hurry up!
Click here for the registration form.

******************************

Illinois RID will provided a workshop entitled: "CDI Emergency! What every CDI/DI should know about medical interpreting"
at Mt Sinai Hospital in Chicago under the Deaf Access Program which will be presented by their staff and a physican all fluent in ASL.

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 20-- so register soon as possible!

It is a weekend workshop on Sat, Oct 10th; 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sun, Oct 11th; 9:00am – 3:00pm.

The synopsis about two days workshops are copied and pasted below:
Sat, Oct 10th:
“Key Players in Hospital” by Dr. Gary Kaufman & Diana Thorpe, CI, CT, NIC Master
Discussion of hospital departments, as well as, staff roles & responsibilities. Interpreter thoughts and experiences in the hospital will be shared.

IVIN Demonstration by Teri Hedding, M.A. & Andrew Farnon, NIC
VRI equipment will be demonstrated, providing CDIs/DIs a clear understanding of how to work with it, when interpreting for Deaf patients

“DI, Sign That!” by Nancy Campbell, M.A., CI, CT & Michael Herschberg, CI, CT
Medical language encountered daily while interpreting medical history, rendering a diagnosis or providing medical instruction will be analysed. Practice and role play interpreting these common questions and phrases will be provided.

Sunday, October 11th:
Special Considerations in Medical Interpreting by Jodi Hains, CI, CT, & Nancy Campbell, M.A. CT, CI; Tips and advice will be given to best prepare CDIs/DIs as they interpret in the hospital environment.

Role Play in Hospital by Michael Herschberg, CI, CT
CDIs & DIs will have opportunities to practice their interpreting skills in various hospital settings at Mt. Sinai Hospital."

The early-bird registration fee is $60 before September 21st, and after October 1st it will be $75

Click here to view the ILRID Interpreter Workshop flyer