"Wrong Game"

I want to start by saying that if you are scared to venture into the Deaf community because you are worried you won't understand their language, go anyway! Tonight with Pam, Shannon, and Melissa was one of the funnest nights of my life! I love to sign!!!
Even though it ended up only being the four of us, we were still excited to see the movie. We thought we were going to be late but then, when we got there, the movie hadn't even started yet! We were all so relieved. I had really good experience on the way to Romney. Shannon was driving and Pam sat in the back with me. I got to interpret what Shannon was telling us about her family life and other opinions she has on the schooling options for her deaf children. She was asking for Pam's opinion on whether she should try to mainstream Samuel and Laura (her kids) or send them to Romney. Pam seemed to think Romney was the better option because it would allow them to make more friends and socialize and learn better than if they were mainstreamed. I pray Shannon can be at peace with her decision. I know she is worried about them.
It was really cool to hear the perspective of a mother. But even more cool to interpret it for Pam! I asked her how I do interpreting and Pam was nice and told me she understand everything fine, but I can't help thinking there's a lot more critiquing she could have done. Haha!!
So, anyway, when we got to Romney, it was so nice to see Pam within her element. She knew EVERYONE! It was so funny how quickly our roles reversed. Here, at FSU, I know a lot of people (because I was born and raised here) and I'm always introducing Pam and interpreting for her on campus. There, at Romney, Pam actually had to interpret for me when she was introducing us to all of her deaf friends (not to mention before, during, and after the movie)! It was great.
The movie was kind of a cross between Clue and Saw. It was awesome! Shannon commented that she understood more than she thought she would, and I second that. The actors were so good with facial expressions and gestures that it wasn't that difficult for me to catch on even when I didn't know the sign language.
Also, I found that a lot of the ASL the actors used totally applied to the things I've been learning in NMS.
After the movie ended, Pam and Elsie (one of the house parents I was introduced to) filled me in on some of the things that confused me. Then, Pam was so nice to show us around the campus! We even got to go into a dorm! It was so cool to meet a lot of the students and see where Pam lived for so long. I'm so glad she came with us.
On the car ride home, we got a little lost again but we don't understand how it happened. Haha but that's okay even though Shannon felt like it was all her fault!
I had a really great time and I hope we can go to something like that again really soon!

excited

Today was a good day. Ruby talked in class about being nationally certified and we were all confused for a bit but it's ok now! I think everyone understands what we are doing. Haha! I am really excited for the upcoming tests to become an interpreter. Weird of me, huh? I have NEVER been so excited to take an exam! I am just excited about everything that has to do with this new Deaf world. My aspiration right now is to work for the government - maybe the FBI. I want to travel and working for the government sounds like a thrill! Plus, like Ruby told me today, I would be making good money. I never want to work only based on the money but I am so happy that I finally found the thing I LOVE most and it will actually support my life! What a plus! Throughout my life, I've gone through so many different options for a career in my head and never have I dreampt I would end up becoming an interpreter!! It is funny how, being a little girl, I wanted to be an actress, I wanted to be a singer, I wanted to be a psychologist, a marriage councelor, and now, the farthest thing from all of those! Haha! But I am sooo so happy. I only hope I can live up to my own expectations. I asked Ruby today if a lot of people fail in the field of interpreting. She said no, but I can't help having that fear. If I don't succeed at this like I want to so desperately, I don't know what I will do... But I know the Lord has a plan to prosper me in everything!!

I am TOO excited to see "Wrong Game" tomorrow with some of the ASL students and Pam. I was happy when she accepted my invitation. Sometimes (it's silly) I worry she thinks, "Stop trying to be my friend, hearing girl!" HAHA!! I have always wondered if hearing people, who try to sign, get on Deaf people's nerves. Maybe I'm stupid?? Hope so.. But I'm glad Ruby recommended her as tutor. She seems really nice and someone I would like to get to know. My only concern is that tomorrow, I will have no idea what happens in the whole movie.. I almost looked up the plot so I would kind of have an idea. But I decided I want to challenge myself and see how much I can understand. (In other words, I'll have to look it up as soon as I get home... hahahaha!)
Thanks for reading~

Game Day

I wasn't sure what to expect of our first "game day" this afternoon. I thought we'd all be in a big gym playing twister and darts for some reason. But I really liked the smaller room we were in; it made me more comfortable talking to everyone. Not a lot of people brought games but it turned out ok anyway. I was trying to think of games to bring but all my family's board games were destroyed in a flood over the summer. :(
I started to play Apples to Apples (I love that game!) with a bunch of the ASL students but I really wanted to hang out with a few of the ITP members in a 'non-meeting' setting. So, I ended up playing Pictionary with Troy, Charley, Michelle, and Pam. It was an entertaining group! It was so fun trying to play these games I'm used to playing with my voice. I loved that Ruby and April told us all not to speak. Like April said, the best way for us to improve our signing is to be forced to use it!
I knew Pam from BCM and attempting to talk to her a few different times about tutoring. We always seemed to get confused. Haha! But this week I finally introduced myself in a way that made sense! She is really sweet and her signing is a perfect level for me to understand. I am more signed english right now so the fact she uses PSE helps I think. Plus, she doesn't slow it down too much for me but she knows I am new and need help! I'm excited to start tutoring with her.
Playing pictionary was really funny but it was even funnier when April interrupted with her victorious laughter. Haha!
I had a great time during game day today and I am really excited for next time!! Maybe by then, I'll have a board game I can bring.

Deaf Bowling

I got to go to "Deaf bowling" (for lack of a better phrase) tonight for the first time with Shawna and Lauren. I was nervous (duh!) but I always have a great time with Deaf people! I know that's where God wants me - in the Deaf community. I'm not much of a bowler though, and that made it harder to mingle. I enjoyed conversing with Ruby's dad. I appreciated his coming to sit with us. I think he knew we wanted to interact but didn't really know how. I also met Brandon and JR. They were really friendly. I worry that I'll feel stupid trying to communicate with Deaf people knowing as little as I do but they made me feel really comfortable. Even when I would say something that didn't make sense, Ruby's dad just made me laugh about it. I even learned a couple new signs there!
Tonight made me really excited for the game day in class on Wednesday. I hope some of the people from bowling will be there. I am eager to make friends with people in the Deaf community. I really hope that I do. Sometimes I wonder though if the Deaf have any desire to have hearing friends. I don't think I would if I were Deaf! Haha!
I have a newfound desire also: I have resolved to adopt a little Deaf girl... or kidnap Mady (sp?). I haven't decided yet... haha! She is soooo adorable. I think she is the most I talked about to my mother and sister when I got home. It blows my mind how good she is at sign language. She knows it better than me and she didn't even have to take a class! Haha! It was precious to see her signing to hearing kids and play with them. It was funny to watch her argue with her grandpa.
Two funniest things of the evening: Mady stealing strangers' food then grandpa chasing after her to tell her no; Ruby going to bowl and letting go of the ball behind her. That was priceless; I'm so glad I went and I hope I'm able to go back next Sunday!

Blog 1: About Me

My name is Sarah Ruth Nestor. I'm 18 years old (19 in Oct.) and I love Jesus. I have two sisters whom I love dearly. Also, my cat is pregnant!! (We're expecting the kittens in mid September if anybody wants one: give away!! They're going to be ADORABLE!)

I'm really excited about sign language class. I thought Ruby would be mean and intimidating, but she surprised me with how fun she is. I've been having a good time in all my classes. I hope I'm learning at the speed I'm supposed to be. I plan on attending Deaf bowling at some point though I don't know when. I would be scared to go alone!
I've been signing for about a year now but, as Ruby has pointed out many times in my classes, I'm very signed english. I've gained some experience in the short time I've known how to sign.
I went on a mission trip to Harvest Bible College for the Deaf in Georgia. It was such a good time! I learned there that most Deaf people are friendly and outgoing and excited to teach you new signs. It really boosted my confidence that I can communicate with the Deaf community.
I also love to sign in church. In fact, tonight I'm going to our worship service at Christian and Missionary Alliance on east side to sign the music. I've been doing that for a few weeks now. I'm really excited to be able to interpret the whole service in ASL!
I also interpreted Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns at Extreme VBS for St. Paul and that was fun.
Also, last year with Charles Knotts (former ITP Club president), I taught 5th and 6th graders at Rivesville. The kids really enjoyed it and I think they learned a lot about sign language!
Well, that's just a little of my background. Thanks for reading!
~Sarah