"Words" meme
Thanks to melstra for the fun meme. Now that I'm finally getting around to doing it, if anyone else wants to share in the fun, feel free to leave me a comment saying "words" and I'll give you your words.
MY words from melstra were: ASL,NY,marriage,parents and guitar
ASL I think that ASL is a beautiful language and I started learning it when I was in high school. My dad had a friend with a Deaf son and I used to hang out with him at camp during the summer. When I went to college, I wanted to do something that included signing, so I picked Deaf education as my major. I had some issues with that particular program, so I switched to Deaf Studies. After I graduated, I ended up spending a semester at Gallaudet taking classes in ASl. Being on campus was a big thrill for me and having everyone around me signing was an experience I'll never forget. I really miss being able to sign on a daily basis and would really like to try to meet some people in this area to sign with.
NY Love it or hate it, it's my home state and a place where I've really made some good memories and lasting friendships. I think it is a beautiful state and there is so much more to it than just the City (sorry, Grandpa). It's so green, with rolling hills and mountains, lots of lakes, art, history, vineyards, and the Iroquois Nations. It's quite a bit bigger than most people realize, too (again, much more than just NYC). It used to take 10 hours or more going to visit my grandparents in the summer. In some ways, I'm very glad to be back in NY, and no matter where I go, it will always be "home" (just don't expect me to root for the Yankees!)
marriage That's a tough one. I knew going in that "marriage is hard work", but it is much different than I thought it would be. Not really better or worse, just different. After nearly 6 years of marriage, I will say that I'm glad that I married who I did. And I think that's all I have to say about that.
parents Wow. Again, another tough one. I love my parents dearly, of course. At this point in my life I am trying to reconcile who I always knew them to be as parents with who they are as "people." I had (and still have) some issues with my mother, but I try to keep each interaction with her as a fresh start and not keep going back to past hurts. She did the best she could at the time with who she was, and I saw her unwilling to forgive her mother for the past, and it nearly destroyed their relationship. That being said, I do look up to my parents for who they are and what they've accomplished. They've been married for nearly 40 years. They both worked hard to get to where they are and both went to the top schools in their fields. They were raised in very different environments - my mother in a big city on an Air Force Base - her father a very well educated, well respected teacher at the state college. She was the youngest of four, and she was made very aware at a young age, that whatever she did was a reflection upon her parents and their "standing" in the community. My father was the oldest of three, raised in the country on a boy scout "reservation." My grandfather was the caretaker of the camp, and they lived in a small, one-room cabin (aka cute little crooked shack). He learned to drive a pick-up truck at the camp when he was about 12, and he graduated top in his high school class of 8. Somehow, though, they are very much alike in many ways and I can't really imagine them "fitting" with anyone else.
guitar This is the word that interestingly brings the biggest smile to my face. My father taught himself how to play when he was young and is an outstanding guitar player (he would never admit that, though. I once suggested that he give lessons for fun and a little extra money, and he said that he wasn't "good enough.") I grew up loving the guitar, and it always reminded me of sitting in our music room for hours watching him play and sing. In fact, the song that I chose for the father daughter dance at my wedding was one that he used to play alot. He taught me a few chords in high school, and I would occasionally fiddle with them. I didn't really get serious about it though, until I started grad school. The first month that I was there, I realized that I really need something fun to do that wasn't related to school and could help relieve some stress. I immediately thought of the guitar, and I took my birthday money to the local music store and picked out a 6 string Fender guitar (I named it "Louis"). When I told my dad, I think he was secretly pleased that I decided to play. Now he has someone to play with when we get together and if I need any "supplies" it gives him an "excuse" to go to the music store and go shopping without getting "in trouble" with my mom for buying yet another guitar, songbook, capo, etc. I started playing with the "worship team" at church and I really love it. I love losing myself in the music and learning new stuff. Thursday night rehearsals and Sunday mornings are my favorite times of the week. I'm really looking forward to having my dad play with us when they come to visit next month.
MY words from melstra were: ASL,NY,marriage,parents and guitar
ASL I think that ASL is a beautiful language and I started learning it when I was in high school. My dad had a friend with a Deaf son and I used to hang out with him at camp during the summer. When I went to college, I wanted to do something that included signing, so I picked Deaf education as my major. I had some issues with that particular program, so I switched to Deaf Studies. After I graduated, I ended up spending a semester at Gallaudet taking classes in ASl. Being on campus was a big thrill for me and having everyone around me signing was an experience I'll never forget. I really miss being able to sign on a daily basis and would really like to try to meet some people in this area to sign with.
NY Love it or hate it, it's my home state and a place where I've really made some good memories and lasting friendships. I think it is a beautiful state and there is so much more to it than just the City (sorry, Grandpa). It's so green, with rolling hills and mountains, lots of lakes, art, history, vineyards, and the Iroquois Nations. It's quite a bit bigger than most people realize, too (again, much more than just NYC). It used to take 10 hours or more going to visit my grandparents in the summer. In some ways, I'm very glad to be back in NY, and no matter where I go, it will always be "home" (just don't expect me to root for the Yankees!)
marriage That's a tough one. I knew going in that "marriage is hard work", but it is much different than I thought it would be. Not really better or worse, just different. After nearly 6 years of marriage, I will say that I'm glad that I married who I did. And I think that's all I have to say about that.
parents Wow. Again, another tough one. I love my parents dearly, of course. At this point in my life I am trying to reconcile who I always knew them to be as parents with who they are as "people." I had (and still have) some issues with my mother, but I try to keep each interaction with her as a fresh start and not keep going back to past hurts. She did the best she could at the time with who she was, and I saw her unwilling to forgive her mother for the past, and it nearly destroyed their relationship. That being said, I do look up to my parents for who they are and what they've accomplished. They've been married for nearly 40 years. They both worked hard to get to where they are and both went to the top schools in their fields. They were raised in very different environments - my mother in a big city on an Air Force Base - her father a very well educated, well respected teacher at the state college. She was the youngest of four, and she was made very aware at a young age, that whatever she did was a reflection upon her parents and their "standing" in the community. My father was the oldest of three, raised in the country on a boy scout "reservation." My grandfather was the caretaker of the camp, and they lived in a small, one-room cabin (aka cute little crooked shack). He learned to drive a pick-up truck at the camp when he was about 12, and he graduated top in his high school class of 8. Somehow, though, they are very much alike in many ways and I can't really imagine them "fitting" with anyone else.
guitar This is the word that interestingly brings the biggest smile to my face. My father taught himself how to play when he was young and is an outstanding guitar player (he would never admit that, though. I once suggested that he give lessons for fun and a little extra money, and he said that he wasn't "good enough.") I grew up loving the guitar, and it always reminded me of sitting in our music room for hours watching him play and sing. In fact, the song that I chose for the father daughter dance at my wedding was one that he used to play alot. He taught me a few chords in high school, and I would occasionally fiddle with them. I didn't really get serious about it though, until I started grad school. The first month that I was there, I realized that I really need something fun to do that wasn't related to school and could help relieve some stress. I immediately thought of the guitar, and I took my birthday money to the local music store and picked out a 6 string Fender guitar (I named it "Louis"). When I told my dad, I think he was secretly pleased that I decided to play. Now he has someone to play with when we get together and if I need any "supplies" it gives him an "excuse" to go to the music store and go shopping without getting "in trouble" with my mom for buying yet another guitar, songbook, capo, etc. I started playing with the "worship team" at church and I really love it. I love losing myself in the music and learning new stuff. Thursday night rehearsals and Sunday mornings are my favorite times of the week. I'm really looking forward to having my dad play with us when they come to visit next month.