Boston: an attempted summary
With the last couple weeks of my life being as hectic as they were, I neglected to post a full and adequate update about my Boston adventures.
First off, my pictures from the trip can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47023&l=0a6fd&id=639263893
Continuing on.
I flew to Boston on the morning of June 15 (Sunday) and met the woman who I would be housesitting/catsitting for. I bought my week-pass to the public transportation systems, and she helped me learn to navigate the subways.
Monday morning, the ASL Immersion program began.
We met our 3 instructors: two Deaf women and one Deaf man - Alma, Beth Lucey, and Jim. They. Were. AWESOME! (though I didn't figure that out immediately. I was too nervous)
We were split into 3 groups according to our skill level. I never figured out which level each group was. I really don't think it mattered much.
Every morning for the week, we had some sort of lecture, then broke off into groups to summarize what happened/fill us in on everything that we didn't follow/answer any questions. Then we ate lunch. After lunch, we broke off into groups again and sat through three lessons, all with a similar theme (i.e. one day the theme was fingerspelling. Another day it was numbers. Another day it was borrowed English signs). Each instructor had a different lesson planned for the day.
As the week progressed, I found myself missing less and less. It was cool to feel myself getting the hang of it.
On Tuesday, we spent the day at the New England Home for the Deaf - a Deaf nursing home. Here's a little secret about me: I don't like old people. I feel guilty for being healthy and mobile. And I'm never sure when one of them might just go nuts on me.
It was an interesting day - very trying for me. I made it through, but it was FAR from comfortable. My discomfort aside, I think it's very cool that there are retirement centers and nursing homes created intentionally for Deaf people. All the employees have to learn at least a little sign language for the job.
Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of dining at Legal Seafood with one of my friends from Goshen. It was wonderful - especially the Boston Creme Pie. mmm... yeah. That was to die for.
Thursday, back to the school part of Boston, we got a tour of Fenway Park - the Red Sox stadium. It was supposed to be a signed tour, but the guide who knew ASL was not there, so we had a spoken tour that was interpreted by our program director.
Thursday evening, we went to a bar called "Big City" for a night of relaxed interaction and all that fun stuff. It was a nice bar - not like the shitty ones I've seen in SW PA. We just hung out - students, instructors, Deaf Bostonians, Bostonians who knew ASL... Personally, I spent my time at the pool table. My favorite part of the bar: they were playing Muse, and it wasn't ridiculously loud. Oh yeah.
I left early to meet a friend from high school who's doing grad school in Boston. It was great to see him again, after about 2 years.
Then Friday - forget the education part of the day; let's skip to the evening. I got to go to the fanciest restaurant I've ever stepped foot in. They had a live pianist. They had a wine list. The dishes were gormet. The restroom stalls each had their own sink. I ate with real silver ware. My mind was BLOWN! Wow. And forget it, I'm not saying who I went with. You'll have to ask in person, if you want to know ;-)
Saturday morning, I woke up at 5 so I could catch my flight home - which I came within 10 minutes of missing. But I made it, and I made it home, safe and sound.
Then my life continued.
The end.
First off, my pictures from the trip can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47023&l=0a6fd&id=639263893
Continuing on.
I flew to Boston on the morning of June 15 (Sunday) and met the woman who I would be housesitting/catsitting for. I bought my week-pass to the public transportation systems, and she helped me learn to navigate the subways.
Monday morning, the ASL Immersion program began.
We met our 3 instructors: two Deaf women and one Deaf man - Alma, Beth Lucey, and Jim. They. Were. AWESOME! (though I didn't figure that out immediately. I was too nervous)
We were split into 3 groups according to our skill level. I never figured out which level each group was. I really don't think it mattered much.
Every morning for the week, we had some sort of lecture, then broke off into groups to summarize what happened/fill us in on everything that we didn't follow/answer any questions. Then we ate lunch. After lunch, we broke off into groups again and sat through three lessons, all with a similar theme (i.e. one day the theme was fingerspelling. Another day it was numbers. Another day it was borrowed English signs). Each instructor had a different lesson planned for the day.
As the week progressed, I found myself missing less and less. It was cool to feel myself getting the hang of it.
On Tuesday, we spent the day at the New England Home for the Deaf - a Deaf nursing home. Here's a little secret about me: I don't like old people. I feel guilty for being healthy and mobile. And I'm never sure when one of them might just go nuts on me.
It was an interesting day - very trying for me. I made it through, but it was FAR from comfortable. My discomfort aside, I think it's very cool that there are retirement centers and nursing homes created intentionally for Deaf people. All the employees have to learn at least a little sign language for the job.
Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of dining at Legal Seafood with one of my friends from Goshen. It was wonderful - especially the Boston Creme Pie. mmm... yeah. That was to die for.
Thursday, back to the school part of Boston, we got a tour of Fenway Park - the Red Sox stadium. It was supposed to be a signed tour, but the guide who knew ASL was not there, so we had a spoken tour that was interpreted by our program director.
Thursday evening, we went to a bar called "Big City" for a night of relaxed interaction and all that fun stuff. It was a nice bar - not like the shitty ones I've seen in SW PA. We just hung out - students, instructors, Deaf Bostonians, Bostonians who knew ASL... Personally, I spent my time at the pool table. My favorite part of the bar: they were playing Muse, and it wasn't ridiculously loud. Oh yeah.
I left early to meet a friend from high school who's doing grad school in Boston. It was great to see him again, after about 2 years.
Then Friday - forget the education part of the day; let's skip to the evening. I got to go to the fanciest restaurant I've ever stepped foot in. They had a live pianist. They had a wine list. The dishes were gormet. The restroom stalls each had their own sink. I ate with real silver ware. My mind was BLOWN! Wow. And forget it, I'm not saying who I went with. You'll have to ask in person, if you want to know ;-)
Saturday morning, I woke up at 5 so I could catch my flight home - which I came within 10 minutes of missing. But I made it, and I made it home, safe and sound.
Then my life continued.
The end.