Expressing Myself

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. You'll never miss a post! Thanks for visiting!

Riding on the coattails of Coda Conference, I’ve been able to enjoy life daily rather than focus on the future. It allows my mind to connect the dots on my personality, character and being.

I’m finally owning up to it! IT IS ALL ABOUT ME! At conference I had a breakthrough moment. I’ve been fearful of my ideas and taking them out into the world. I was always wondering what the negatives would be. I was scared of being who I was “CODA” and running with it. This year’s conference helped me to see that I want to be a speaker. “Hearing” people tell me that I have great stories that are also inspiring!

Basically you have to love yourself before you can love others. If I don’t think about my healthy needs and focus on ME - then I can’t focus on others. It’s true, there are studies. You know like when you get on a commercial airplane and they tell you…secure your own mask before assisting others. Same concept!

Photo credit - another fabulous Coda - Sean he also talks about the conference here!

Sometimes I Google myself, and I found this blog post almost 2 years ago from Xanga. Pretty funny now.

Having just returned home from a fabulous CODA conference held in Indy - I keep learning new things about myself each year. This year, DREAM IT - LIVE IT! Today is my birthday - so if you like to give me a gift - subscribe to my blog! See up in the right side with the counter click on the email - you’ll never miss a vlog/blog! That would be the best gift ever!! My goal is 50 subscribers!

Do you know Sean? I really want you to meet him! He is a Coda too. I’m in such a grateful mood these day and must share how Codas can be the most accepting and supportive people in my life, mostly at very unexpected times.

First, I must give you some history. I met Sean at a Coda conference, I don’t quite know which one, but I remember re-connecting with him at the Buffalo Conference in 2003. I was 7 months pregnant so I remember it well. I sat at his table on during the first night’s dinner. He was so wonderful, taking care of me and making sure I had sugar for my coffee. When you are 7 months pregnant it’s the little things that move you. Since that time, he has been a favorite to me. He was the first blogger I knew on Xanga, and I even had an account there. However our paths didn’t really cross much until this year.

Somehow I was asked to participate in the International Coda website committee, headed up by Sean. I said yes right away. In working with Sean on the team we have become closer, he knows so much about tech and online stuff that we clicked. I was very impressed with his willingness to help me in some of the areas of this blog via video. We’ve chatted via Skype and Oovoo having a wonderful time. He turned me on to Twitter - which I’m still trying to understand and utilize.

I had a conference online last month to launch my new ebook - Benefits of ASL with Hearing Children. I tweeted (posted on the Twitter page) about my presentation. During my time, there were several visual malfunctions. I had planned to show my book via my website. So when things didn’t resolve, I just talked about it. I opened the floor up for questions and there was SEAN!!! He got the discussion going on the topic of signing and my eyes were welling up with tears! The support from another Coda that very moment was priceless to me. He knew the benefits and he helped to illustrate it for me. He is also a strong supporter of cultivating sign language interpreters now for future careers due to the shortage.

I want you to meet Sean, not only because he is a kind and generous person, but also because I have invited him to post on my blog. So please post some encouragement for him and check out his blog too. He has some really interesting posts! Like this one in ASL talking about Mac web cams.

And Sean…THANK YOU!

Well, now that I have your attention - I’m talking about awareness a bit closer to home. It’s not on a big soapbox, it’s just one person to another. To me this post serves as a good lesson to be reminded of from time to time.

The world is made up of so many interesting and unique things to learn about. This stems from very intriguing people. There is a professional for every imaginable product, activity, or way of life. For years I tried to get hubby Carl to try new things. Actually on one of our very first dates, I wanted to eat Calamari, but he was totally against ordering it…so, I mumbled to the waiter to bring it. Since Carl is Deaf and had no idea that I ordered it, he was quite surprised. He tried it and now 10 years later he orders it whenever he can!

It’s about exploring, listening and tuning in to our environments. After years of asking Carl to try dance lessons, I finally got him to commit to a class with me. He did excellent, in fact - I’m the one that had difficulty with the Waltz steps, Carl grasped them almost instantly. See Dancing is Hard Work

My oldest daughter had a recital - this was professional! She was a little Eskimo - isn’t she cute!

Jean Wolfmeyer is a dynamic teacher, she’s turned out several professionals from our small little town. It doesn’t even compare to the other schools in the area. The recital was 4 hours! I knew I’d enjoy it, it had been my first time seeing her production. I was a bit concerned with Carl, not being able to hear the music, especially for 4 hours, I thought he might become quite bored. As the show got underway, each dance was beautiful, Carl and I would make eye contact and nod as to say “well-done”. At intermission, my husband and I were talking about the show and he shares how totally impressed and professional the gig is. Huh? Is this the same guy that wouldn’t dance with me for years… then I thought about it. Having taken the dance class gave him some idea of how difficult it is to dance. He had become aware resulting in having more appreciation for the art of dance. He also could see the distinct improvement in our daughter. (Jean is really amazing)!

Having had to field numerous Deaf related questions my entire life, I really don’t mind answering those trying to explore our culture of Deafness. I encourage their questions so that they can learn and share with others. So the moral of the story kids - open your emotions, feelings and curousity to the world around you. Explore and learn - without prejudice. Be a sponge and learn something new. Whether it be calamari, dancing or anything that you come into contact with today!

It’s great to be supported when we need it, in tragic events, hard times and sometimes just because. The cultures of Deaf and Coda are so similar. I remember attending many events where the participation was large. It never occurred to me until a young adult some years ago. They went for the socializing, the place to be to speak in their native language.

As a Coda, both in the hearing world and Deaf, I found Coda support to be overwhelming. When I was feeling a bit disconnected in life, Codas helped by showing up almost immediately for a Coda “fix”. However when I find a Coda supporting me in a time when I’m not expecting it, like my online exhibition, it floors me with emotion.

I’ve heard about when there are tragic times, when a Coda’s parent passes, or is ill - the response by email and cards is overwhelming. Even if a Coda doesn’t know that parent - they send their thoughts and prayers. To be honest, it’s a bit mind-blowing. (I think this is going to get another post in the future).

How do you feel as Codas with the support you’ve gotten in the past? Has there been a time when out of the blue, there was a Coda - for no real reason at all?

*Note, I’m still learning Seesmic and there is no audio on this one - sorry!

This has been on my mind for a while now. I’m not really into music. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like listening, I know the words and I have a favorite band (Bon Jovi). I’m just not really into it. I’m more of a top 40 girl, since that is the most accessible music to me, it’s on the radio. I have maybe a dozen CDs, ok maybe two dozen due to my subscription to the BMG music club back in 1986, but that doesn’t count. I bought the Color Me Bad CD…see, I told you I’m not into music.

So I think of course it has to do with my upbringing in a Deaf household. There was no music, no emphasis on sound really. I find it very fascinating to read and learn about Deaf people that love music and are really into the lyrics and sound. Some of them are not hard of hearing, some of them are really really Deaf (I know I didn’t need the reallys there but it was for emphasis). I know some of them had hearing parents that were music professors or singers, but I’d love to learn more about everyone’s love of music. I’m curious, what factors brought you to be in love with music more than the average “me”?

How much is your love of music? Was music a part of your upbringing?

Coincedintally enough, as I ponder this topic for about a week, yesterday my husband (whom is Deaf) threw something at my son and I. He pointed out that music is distracting. While he complains the guys at work get distracted and don’t keep up I think he has a point. I know that sometimes when I am driving to find an address, I have to turn down the music in the car so I can concentrate. However, music does have a way of motivated to get stuff done.

And… just this morning, as I was listening to the news on the radio, they now have a study that links language with music and vice versa.

I’d love to hear all your stories, do you LOVE music? How did you come to love it? Do you LOVE silence? Is music distracting to you at times? Tell me!

It’s almost here, I’m launching this blog with no stops in June. I have an amazing amount of interviews scheduled - both mini and featured interviews. I’ve also asked other Codas to blog their experiences, thoughts and perspectives…and I’m getting responses from all over the WORLD!

I love learning about other Codas both in far away places and right next door. Actually those in far away places end up feeling right next door. I can’t wait to learn about their coda experiences, another culture of Deaf people and possibly the stories of how they balanced the hearing and deaf worlds. Can you guess some of the countries that will be posting? I know some of you Codas might guess, but some will be surprised with at least one or two of those writing up a post.

So where in the world are these Codas from?

I’m still under-construction.

I’ve been working on the new website and the new layout of the blog. I gave myself some time (June) because I wanted it all to be perfect. I have changed theme three times. Since I am no code monkey, I have been altering the templates on my own. WHEW - it’s a good thing I’m able to figure out patterns and codes, otherwise I couldn’t have inserted my own logo, changed colors and edited the comments section. Still working on that. Any volunteers would be greatly appreciated! The site is still a work in progress and I hope it won’t detour you from coming back. So hang in there because we are gonna have a fantastic plan for the coming year!

So what made me just post a blog without launching the site first? The buzz of all those bloggers talking about the SOBCon08. I was nearly going to go, but my daughter had a dance recital, and as a mom, there is no way I could justify missing out on her dances. However, next year, I’m planning on it. I know I would have had fun!

Since the attendees of the conference have been back, the blogs are a buzzin’ with all the fun they had, tips and pointers, food, sights and an all around great conference. I know I would have been welcomed by Karen Putz and Stephen Hopson. So I’ll be looking forward to next year’s event.

While I couldn’t make it to the conference, I enjoyed my daughter’s recital. She is 4 and she had two dances.

Her ballet song was Magic Tutu and I can’t remember her tap song title, but it went something like ~ I must practice everyday, if I don’t my tap shoes will run away.

She was so adorable. The girls would sing along to the song as they did their steps. She couldn’t see me in the back due to the lights. In one part of the song it said “STOP”. Since she had memorized the song, she knew this word was coming up. It was almost it’s own word in the song. My daughter brings up her hands to her waist and just about to… forming her arms and bringing her hands together… just about to sign.. but realizes she isn’t signing, she is singing. Her brain was telling her to sign the word STOP. It was so clear to me that she caught herself at the end.

After the recital, a bouquet of flowers was given to her and she felt like a star. Her face beamed with delight.

So until next year my blogger buddies, because these times are too precious to forfeit.

Note: Narration is a bit soft, turn up a little.

After reading Loss for Words by Lou Ann Walker, I realized a little bit more about myself. It unlocked a few things allowing me to keep cultivating “who I am“. I share this CODA vlog with you, perhaps to spark something within you. I also hope to learn from your stories, point of view and to help others. I don’t want anyone to feel that they are alone, a hearing child of Deaf parents. It’s amazing when you realize there are others that share a similar background.

Thank you for your support, it keeps me vlogging!