Ha. I just got an email via Facebook from a guy who is now in Costa Rica, wanting contact info for some people within the Deaf community over there. He said he saw my ramblings about Costa Rica on here… Yay! I was beginning to think gBlog was becoming dysfunct 
Okay, all humorous comments aside, all is great here! The aforementioned “comps” are done, and with great results- I passed! Apparently I became an official candidate for a Master’s degree after passing comps. Needless to say, I’m thrilled. Even though I have NO idea where I’m going to end up after graduation, it’s nice to know I’m that closer to graduating! I’ve obviously been thinking more about post-graduation plans and while everything is still up in the air, I’m starting to get more clear ideas of what I’d like to pursue. Becoming certified and licensed in counseling is somewhere on the list, as well as becoming certified in play therapy (and maybe sand tray therapy)… that’d be a heck of a way to have fun while working!
I DO know I want to work with Deaf children and their families… I’ve been getting experience of that within the school setting during my practicum at MSSD, and I’m becoming curious about other possible settings (hence my desire to become licensed, and certified in play therapy) to see what my options are. Of course, I can’t settle down into my career til I know where I’m going to actually live! I haven’t been “out there” enough so I do want to travel quite a bit.. Live here and there. There would most likely be complications with getting my certificate/license in terms of where I’m living if I keep moving around, though- many states have their own unique requirements for certifcates and licenses in counseling, and often aren’t applied to other states if I move. Complicated, but that can be figured out
For the past two weeks, I’ve been working for the department as one of my professors’ graduate assistant for this one-month program with 5 hearing medical students from UCSD (that’s San Diego to you!). Along with 4 years in medical school, they are also part of a 4-year program in which they learn ASL, Deaf culture, and various issues of working with the Deaf community in the health care field. Here at Gallaudet, they’re taking intensive ASL classes everyday, and my professor provides a course for them several days a week in which we bring in guest speakers, we go on trips to various places (i.e., NIH in Rockville, the Bodies exhibition in Rosslyn), and so on. I’m their “fun” person- I take them to places around town to see things and to meet more Deaf people.
Needless to say, it’s tough to bring more Deaf people with us during the summertime when nearly everyone is out and zooming around to this country and that city So far, it’s been fun- we’ve gone to the Smithsonian Folklife festival on the mall, bowling with some friends, severrrral bars (ah gotta love it), out to eat, etc… and many more to do. Tonight is the monthly DPHH (Deaf Professionals Happy Hour - visit www.deafdc.com for more info) in Dupont Circle… it’s about time for them to get an overdose of Deaf people and ASL in one setting Should be fun!
It WAS weird at first to hang with hearing people who are learning ASL - the last time I experienced that was in high school in my ASL classes… they’re a fun group, though, so it’s not like I mind in the least bit. These are the people that will talk with hearing parents who just found out their babies are Deaf. That’s kinda major.
On another note- I’m FINALLY going kayaking this weekend with my bf in Great Falls, MD! The last post about wanting soooo bad to get into touch with nature made me page my bf and demand him to tell me a time when he is free so we could go kayaking. Tomorrow, I’m gonna be in utter peace when I’m drifting along the river, avoiding the rapids I’m not that advanced yet and rental places apparently won’t rent out spray skirts and things like that if I haven’t proved my expertise in that area… (which is true for me). I guess I’ll just have to trade kayaks with my bf when we get there and he can teach me all the joys of rolling! Let’s hope I don’t drown or anything like that *knock on wood*
Get out there and do something fun outdoors! Bring plenty of H2O! Adios!
Awesome about the UCSD medical students going to Gallaudet- I’m working with the 1st year students this Thursday, ha.. I saw a video of some students that came back from Gallaudet for the 5 weeks thing you saw them at, and they were telling some stories of some of their experiences there.. Seemed like lots of fun, yeah!