New Couch!!!!

After searching high and low, I finally decided on a couch. My mom ended up offering to drive down here to Salem and go shopping with me for one. She was such a good sport doing this for me. We looked in about 7 or 8 stores. We ended up going back to the third store we had gone to - to look at this couch. I fell in love with it and mom did too. She even said if it was her buying one, this would be the one she bought too. I could have gotten the couch in 8 different colors and have it at my house in less than 30 days. I looked through the colors but the color of the couch that was on display still stayed with me and was my favorite. So I bought it right there. It was just delivered to my home half an hour ago! (Free!). I spent way too much on it- but it is a worthwhile purchase. If taken good care of, it will last 15 years at least. Mom graciously lent me the money I didn't have to buy it. I'm waiting for my stimulus check to arrive then I will of course pay her back. Love you mom! Here are a few pictures. :)
(The red/black/white color scheme I had in mind is out of the window apparently lol)

Special People in my Universe

Tonight I was reading other blogs and got this idea. For once, I am not going to talk about me. I think for a change, I will talk about people who are important to me. People who have influence on my life. I will make posts from time to time, introducing one at a time and tell a story or make comments about them. Don't worry, if you find yourself up on my list - it's all good stuff! :)

To start this off, let me introduce the most important person in my life. Literally, I wouldn't be here if not for this person.....

Shelley, my MAMA.

See, just like I said. I wouldn't be here if not for her!

My mom was only 17 when I was born. She took on the hardest job of raising a child, starting at such a young age. I turned out not half bad, didn't I? That shows the dedication and love of a wonderful mom. I think the most poignant event (or a series of them) that showed how much she cared and how much she wanted me to succeed was when she fought the school district for a full time interpreter. Let me tell you, she was only about 23 when this all occurred. She spent months fighting the school district to provide an full time interpreter for me in the hearing classroom I was in. Mind you, this school didn't have a Deaf program. I was the only Deaf student in the whole school. At one point, I had to commute to another town to attend the Deaf program half-day and spending the other with an interpreter at my local elementary school. Well, that was at the inistence of the school district. My mom wasn't sastified, she fought them until gradually the school district gave in and provided an interpreter full time for me. Mom again and again showed her dedication towards the best education for me later when I was older by moving a state away, leaving dad behind so I could go to CSD in Fremont, CA. When we arrived in San Francisco, the school district there refused to approve sending me to CSD. What did my mom do? She refused to send me to the local school until they would give in and approve the paperwork for me to be transferred to Fremont. I missed two months of school.

There are so many more stories and instances I can tell you about my wonderful mama. I could probably write a book! But this is just an example why I love her so much and am so thankful to have her in my life. Love you mom!!! OXOX

Oh Yeah!

My favorite picture of my California trip. My girls and me! :)

This and That!

It has been a couple weeks since I last posted. I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Things have been pretty steadily busy.

Sac-Town was fun. It actually was pretty relaxing too. We partied one night, hung out at home, walked around the mall and had dinner at Fresh Choice another day. We unfortunately also wasted a whole day in Santa Rosa waiting to meet my aunt who we didn't get to see until 8pm. Then I stayed behind while the girls were at work. My last day, I went with Shari to work and met her cute kids she works with.

I returned to Portland, spent the rest of the week catching on sleep and visiting a couple of friends. It went by wayy too fast. Last week, I started my first week of the spring term. It was crazy! I had classes then ended up traveling to Vancouver twice in a week to help Sarah out. Sarah, I know you will read this- don't feel bad! I didn't mind doing it at all! :)

In fact, the weekend I spent with dear Sarah and the cutest baby in the world, Lilah was fun. It was nice just hanging out, watching some marathons on TV, and getting to know Lilah better. Its awesome seeing her personality bloom, getting to see her on a daily basis - her schedule, developments, likes and dislikes. Sarah and Brian have been blessed with a beaut-i-ful, and easy-going (right now - knock on wood)baby. I can't wait to get the chance to babysit Lilah sometime! ;-)

Classes have been good so far. I'm definetely enjoying Tuesdays and Thursdays for those days I have ASL 9 and ASL Linguistics. I never thought I'd appreciate having Deaf instructors so much. The last ten years I've had to take classes with interpreters. I have mostly no complaints about interpreters - they're usually awesome. However, it's always a struggle to juggle between the interpreter, the teacher and the material being taught. So right now, it's just sooo nice to have Deaf instructors that uses ASL! I'm feeling a little spoiled right now, and unfortunately I know that won't last. :( I might as well enjoy it while it lasts right?

OX!
(p.s. Sarah - I hope this gives you a little something to read finally LOL)