I am not sure that I can catch you up on everything that has happened here since my last post on here. Here’s a few pictures to show you!
The view of the pretty autumn leaves from my window
My boyfriend, Zack, here in DC with me in the autumn
My classmate, Jackie, and I working on a research project using a nasometer
My friends and I watching CNN on Election Night! We all had too much work to do so we did not venture out into DC towards the White House (sadly)
Several of my fellow Speech Girls and I having a Thanksgiving Dinner together before we went home for the real dinner!
My friends Charlene, Allie, and Wyatte on a typical Friday night in the dorms (watching a movie)So this week is FINAL EXAM WEEK! Yikes! As you can tell, I am procrastinating studying and writing reports by posting on my blog. It is much more fun to answer your questions than answer questions about the respiratory system or spirometers. Here are some answers to more questions that I received!
The major adjustments you have had to make 'in your head' about being a minority on campus. Are there those that treat you differently because you can hear? Do you feel a need to keep that fact to yourself? If so - why?
It has been interesting being a minority on campus (because I am hearing). There are certainly people that may treat me differently because I am hearing, but for the most part, they understand and know that I am here to learn and be a part of the culture. I get asked a lot by deaf people why I am in the speech program here and what I want to do with it. I explain that I think speech is interesting and that I want to work with deaf people. They ask, sometimes with a strained look on their face, whether I want to teach all deaf kids to speak English. I tell them that I will help people if they want to learn, but I also encourage people to learn sign language. I am not here to take away anyone’s culture or language. I obviously support sign language or I would not be here!! They seem to appreciate me more and have a better understand of what I’m doing here at Gallaudet.
I know that many of us hearing students do fake being deaf. We will hear loud sounds or people screaming and not turn around. I’m not quite sure if we’re doing it to hide the fact that we’re hearing, or if we’re just lazy and know that people do not expect you to turn around when there is a loud sound. My roommate and I have been playing a game that we made up here called Who’s Hearing? We will hear loud sounds and look around to see who else looked. It is always interesting to see who turns because you know that they are either hearing, hard of hearing, or wearing good hearing aids!
When groups of hearing and non-hearing students are sitting together, as in the cafeteria, how do you communicate?
This is an easy one to answer: American Sign Language. Always.
Is the cafeteria noisy or quiet?
The cafeteria varies. People tend to think that a deaf school would be quiet. I think the only noisy thing that differs between a mainstream school and a deaf school is people walking around on cell phones. Deaf people can be loud. They make sound (whether they can hear it or not) when they talk, eat, walk, etc just like everyone else. They can be quiet, but they can be loud too. It depends on their personality and mood. I think the cafeteria can be quiet noisy. We also have TVs in there that make it louder!
I know that your mom has mentioned that you shouldn't talk on your cell out in the open campus. I want to know more about things that you have to do at school or make a point of not doing that you didn't have to worry about before and you do it that way at Gallaudet.
So I was told not to walk around on my cell phone here on campus. I understand the reasoning, other peope may find this offensive. They come to a deaf school knowing that they are in their element with people of similar cultures. Walking around on your cell phone just isn’t appropriate most of the time. I have good friends here now that I don’t feel weird around when I answer my phone. They know I’m hearing and know that I need to talk to my parents, boyfriend, friends, etc. I rarely answer my phone in the cafeteria or in the Student Academic Center. It just isn’t appropriate. Other things that I make a point to remember are signing at all times (except when just in my room or something private), wearing gloves instead of mittens (it is very difficult to sign in mittens!! you need your fingers!), and being able to see everyone’s faces and hands when sitting at a table. I'm sure there are other things but I can't think of them off the top of my head.
What is it like to hear at Gallaudet? Your parents told me that it is unusually loud there. Do you wear earplugs sometimes to get away from the noise?
I just got noise reduction ear molds about a month ago. I get them at a reduced price because I work in the Hearing and Speech department; one of my friends who is here for Audiology helped me get the molds and mail them off. I love them because I can block out sounds when studying or sleeping. The weekends tend to be noisy times because the students go out and party to enjoy the time off from class; there are many loud parties that occur in the undergraduate dorm that is adjacent to my room. Remember that the music must be turned up much higher for some people to hear it! I love my ear plugs!
I will be finished with my school work on Thursday (as long as everything goes according to plan!). I will be heading to Chapel Hill for a few days to see my friends and celebrate the end of the semester! I will be heading home to Southern Pines after that to spend most of the rest of my Winter Break. I am so fortunate to have a LONG Winter Break! I do not start school again until the day after Inauguration Day! I cannot wait to spend time with my family and friends and NOT do schoolwork!
All 12 First Year Speech-Language Pathology students here at Gallaudet University(these girls are my family here in DC!)
Back row L-R: Caryn, Melissa, Erica, Heather, Rachel, Nada, Jill
Front row L-R: Cheryl, Carolyn, Jackie, Meredith, Erin
Update: it was pointed out to me that I neglected to put any photos up of the National Christmas Tree Lighting that I attended last week on the Ellipse in front of the White House. It was a grand ole affair with the President of the United States (not Obama, yes Bush) and his wife. There were several singers there including a chorus group from Enterprise, Alabama. There was also a little4 year old girl that was on America's Got Talent that sang (name: Kaitlyn Maher). It was all quite exciting, especially when Santa showed up and Mrs. Bush lit the Christmas tree. It is HUGE! I read in the pamphlet that it is almost 42 feet tall and is a living tree that spends most of it's days in Pennsylvania. This is the 30th year that this exact tree has been lit in front of the White House. Here are some photos from that wonderful adventure!
The President of the US watching and listening to the chorus in his glass box
The National Christmas Tree!
The President of the US watching and listening to the chorus in his glass box
The National Christmas Tree!