My Class!

Last week, Tuesday and Thrusday class was great! Absolutely G-R-E-A-T!!! There was a big change in my class and my students were very attentive and cooperative. I am so pleased and happy too! I was actually, kindda apprehnsive when I went to work last Tuesday afternoon (our classes start at 2:30pm- 5:30pm). I was walking in the hallway with my head downcast. I was in deep thought about how my students would behave that day since I got angry at them last meeting. I feel guilty and bad I lost my control but I guess, they deserve it!
Anyway, we're palnning to have a Christmas party and we discussed what we will have and where will we celebrate. Rocky will be leaving on the 22nd of December, that's also the day of class card distribution. So, finals and christmas party will be on the 20th. We will have POT LUCK!
I have been consistently giving consultation right after class and I always end up coming home late. I can see my effort and the kids effort are paying off naman cuz they are truly learning. Sad thing, for some they really still need more practice. I have about a lot of papers to organize. I better fix it so I can give it back and be litter free!

Windows to the Skies

Everytime God closes a door to life,
He opens a window in the heavens called a star,
so their light can shine forever...


Every time I close my door to someone,
I open a window and look up in the Skies
and remember only the good memories,
then I move on...

CRAIG and VanillaSkies

We were on our American vacation that year. We went to a local grocery store to buy some necessary stuff before heading back to the hotel. Kickan, the kids aunt was with us in this trip and she sat Craig on the push cart and pulled the cart. Dad was still looking for a parking space so off we go. I looked at the list of what we needed and the little girl walking beside me keeps asking for the tissue aisle. She was telling me she needed to get a wet-ones facial tissue. I told her to wait for Daddy and that if she finds the aisle she can go and get some and to please take with her an extra 4 rolls of tissue in a pack. She smilled eager to do the little errand I tasked her. Within a few minutes we had almost filled our cart and I had to look for something from the list I think we passed on aisle 4 so I told them to wait while I go back.

When I came back, my hubby asked where is our daughter? I stared at him and we both looked at Kickan. And without a word started to look for her....

She walked around the grocery looking for the aisel where all kinds of toilet paper and tissue are stacked. She finally found it when she turned to her right at the end of a corner. Smiling she sat below the stack and took out a big bar of chocolate from her pocket and begun unwrapping it. A man with an old woman was standing with their cart near her. They were discussing something.... When she was done eating her mouth was full of chocolate smear, she needed a tissue badly but her hands was all greasy from the melted chocolate. She saw the man standing beside her reading a label from a product. She nudged his leg with her elbow and the man looked at her. She signed wiping her mouth and pointed at the wet-ones facial tissue. The man laughed and took the box, opened it and handed a piece to her. "Oh there you are young lady!" Another man approaching from behind them said. "Do you know that we've been looking for you? Now, what did your mother said about that chocolate?" The little girl just smiled and said, "Wait!" then she pointed to the stack of tissue with 4 rolls on it. Her father took the stack and told the man he will take the box of wet-ones facial tissue. "You have a lovely daughter and quite smart." The man said and introduced himself and shook hands with the little girl's father. "It's nice to meet you." "Sure, same here!" "Now, we better get goin' or her mother would be worried." The little girl's father bent over and took her in his arms. "Did you say thank you?" her father asked. The little girl grinned and shook her head before saying, "Thank you!" "Your welcome sweetie!" The man replied with a smile. "Okay, let's go!" her father said and they walked away from the man who watched them and saw the child's embroidered jacket. Her name was on it. He stared at it and the curly locks of the child. The child waved at him and he saw her face again.Then he remembered.... VanillaSkies.

It was a relief when my hubby found our little girl. "Where have you been young lady?" I asked my daughter. But my little girl just smiled and showed me the opened box of wet-ones facial tissue. I raised my eyebrows and I knew she ate her chocolate. I tickled my daughter and felt my son's hands tugging my blouse. I looked at my son Craig. "Mommy!" my little boy cried. "Yes honey?" My son made a gesture with his hand for a little while until finally he got the sign he wanted to tell me. "Mommy, I love you!" I smiled at my son, amused and signed the same and said," I love you too Craig my baby boy!"

He looked at them...remembering... VanillaSkies.

....hmm..tu tut! it's just all a dream, heh! I just made up that story. that's fictious! until next post! ;D

Rough Day!

I have never been angry in front of my class and this is the first! I was explaining to them about the various kinds of paragraph and what should each contains and the difference. All the time I was explaining this particular student sitting in front of me was actually talking and ignoring me completely as if she is not even aware I was standing in front of her and she is sitting right smack to me... 

"What was the story all about?" I asked her. She quickly stopped signing and looked down on her table. I asked again, "What was so interesting and you can't wait to share it later after class? I am explaining here and you keep talking! You are not paying attention to me, how insulting!" I started to shake as the anger started to creep up my spine. I could feel I was getting angrier and angrier the more I talked, the more I questioned them and her, the more I felt like I was going to explode that very instant! I am not the kind of person who would lost control, NEVER in front of my class but tonight is different... I am under stress since yesterday upon hearing the horrible news of the tragic death of an extended family related member and also to find out that my future sister-in-law tested positive for tuberculosis, something incurable and we are afraid my eldest brother might also have it.

I am also more concerned for my father because he is no longer that strong and healthy...He is 74 and he has been getting sickly lately so I am worried of his health.... I am thinking of all of them, actually. My heart also bleeds for my sister-in-law TJ who is in the states with my brother and they cannot come home no matter how IMPORTANT and SERIOUS the situation of what happened still they "CANNOT" come home to the Philippines! They have to stay there because their papers are now under process. To come home would put everything at zero and the possibility of not getting another chance to live in the USA again. However, the incident is also something. She have to be here at this terrible situation of family crisis. BUT.... she cannot! I know that's particularly very very hard...Her father was murdered last Sunday, right inside their home. Her mother was also stabbed but she survived, thank God!. The news was so shocking for all of us. They have been a good family, religious and close knit, successful yet unselfish.How could such a horrible thing like this happen to good people? It's hard to think this happened and it's all REAL! Next, my brother I heard, even had a heart attack after hearing all the fiasco. Again, its so distressing to hear another sad news. One after another...

Anyway, back to my class, I went out of the room very angry! everyone was silent. When I came back, I looked at them one by one and told them how disrespecting; they talk in front of me while I am explaining the lessons. I may have been very lenient with them from the start simply because I trust them and I'm being considerate at their needs and in addressing their problems. However, I also made it a point not to abuse it and that when I ask a task to be done, a homework to be submitted and a requirement to be finished, I mean business! They are all grown up---COLLEGE students! and I am not dealing with babies! It was just friggin' frustrating tonight! I didn't let them leave the class on time. I ranted like I never did and all of them remained silent.... When I stopped talking one by one the students stood up and apologized. However, I rejected every apologies; I wanted to hear a reason, an explanation for such behavour....that night all of us had a very long talk inside the room. The girl who started it all was very quiet and she was the last one I asked to explain herself. She was sorry and started to cry... I moved her chair away from the rest and waited for her to calm down. When she didn't sign, I asked everyone to leave. I offered her a tissue and she wiped her tears. She sighted a relief after she looked around and realize we're alone. Then she started signing and telling me her reasons. I listened carefully and I begun to understand her more... Sometimes, studenst are full of stress and frustrations not only because they do not understand the lessons or are having a hard time approaching and relating to their teachers...well, in most cases it has more to do with their own peers. This is the reason why I'm kind of lenient as a teacher in the beginning. I wanted them to be at ease so they will be able to express what is within them especially, the things that bothers. 

Students do not do well in school when they have bothered emotions. Imagine growing up and having so many pent up emotions because you feel often misunderstood and could not express what you actually wanted others to know. This hapens quite often with deaf students who's family do not know how to communicate and relate with their ways. Most of my students simply don't get the support they need at home when it comes to their academic lessons.Such as help in doing their homework and research. Their parents knows too little or nothing at all about their lessons or what they are doing in computer class. Most of the students in my class came from lower to middle class family and gets support from sponsor to pay their tuition fees. Getting failing marks is difficult when they don't do well in class. They can lost the support and end up getting terminated from the school... Going through the very core of what bothers most students to behave the way they do is quite a big factor as the key in helping them. Because, you will not only understand every student better but you can also prevent other problems from arising. In this way you save them and yourself from a lot of trouble that may link in the situations. Teachers should be sensitive and not just focus on the academics because there are other factors to be considered that affects why students fail in school inspite given financial support and and a school to study. It's not enough that they are provided financially, accepted in school, given teachers or interpreters but they also need the family, environment, emotional and social aspects to be taken cared off.

Finally, it was almost past 6pm when I got out from the classroom and I was eager to get home when suddenly I remembered I still have a seminar to attend. Geez! I came in late but fortunately was still admitted in. My interpreter is also a participant. We were okay in the beginning, however after break time the facilitator started lecturing really fast and my colleague missed one part and the rest was bonkers. We got stuck with the keyword thing and couldn't log in to follow the lecture. We tried getting the teacher's attention however he went on ranting. Sheesh! I sat there tinkering my blogsite not gaining any knowledge from the seminar except how to end up getting stuck in the keyword page. The facilitator forgot to inform us the keyword and not all of the computers were in connect mode to the main server. So the night I sat there kinda sitting my butts and friggin it was wasted for two hours!!! I could have just gotten straight home instead. Anyway, dinner was great "SHRIMP TEMPURA!" (wide grins). I got home past 10pm. I went online and talked to Karl about what happened. I also talked to Maryet. oh, boy! I'm shaking in anger again but thanks to Seba for humoring me. These people sure knows how to lend a hand and make the end of yer day lighter!

But then, I still think it wasn't good that I lost my cool with those kids...sigh! Should I feel guilty?!? HECK!  it was a real ROUGH DAY!

Exes for Exes

Just two days ago I received an email from an ex-suitor from my high school year. He saw me in a website where I am listed (under my brother's subsription billings-mwuahahaha!). The website is sort of a high school reunion thingie list. And he is a new member. I found out he was new when I checked the site after reading his email...and uh, ohh!?! he is married already. Anyway, he still wished to get in touch with me and asked if it's okay with me and to please write him back. He even gave me his cellular number(grins!). He sure do remembers me well enough to give me his cell# instead of a landline# which is cheaper but useless for a deaf like me (hahaha!). Next, while I was at that same time loafing around mirc chat room, I suddenly saw another ex (ONLINE EX). Again, yadda yadda! talked to him and promised to keep in touch again. I even mentioned that I and another friend of ours have been seeing each other on a daily basis and that we have gotten close to each other online. BIG MISTAKE! he suddenly became quiet and talked less but that didn't dampen my spirit from messing with him (LOL!). Anyway, we parted good as friends. He even said he will send us his new picture cuz he is into a band of musican now and had grown his hair longer. I told my online best friend (who also became an ex once...) about meeting this guy online in mirc at the same channel where the three of us met all together. Looking back on those mirc days we had...time had really flown by so fast and next month will be a year since we all started making rackets in that channel... Sigh! these days I am also in touch with my ex-bf of 5 years. We've been together that long and we just broke up last January of this year. No regrets and no pain. I knew this will happen. However, it took some months before we started talking again (online). We started here in mirc and we ended here too, so I think talking back again as FRIENDS once more is only deemed fit to start here too! Right now, he is kindda having a hard time and is seeing a psycharist. It's not that he cracked when we broke up. But he had this problem even before we met and it's something to do with how he was raised and the break up of his parents marriage when he was 8 years old. I knew those factors has something to do with his personality and his present problem right now. I can only give him my support but I cannot be there for him anymore... Things have change... I move on...

When I was younger I do not like the idea of staying in touch or remain friends with anyone who walks away. Because, I do not want to deal with anything about them anymore and I do not want to remember. Anybody who leaves were shut out permanently in my life. Erased like an unwanted mistake or re-editted like a script, re-touched like a painting or picture. In other words I find it difficult to deal with something like this, that I choose to remove them entirely from my life and memories. You can say it was so immature of me to do so, because it only show that I have not gotten over the lost. I had 3 boyfriends and the first two ones were people I do not get in touch with anymore nor do I want them to remain as my friends. After breaking up with these two guys, I moved away and was never seen by them again. I avoided common friends who may get in touch with them cuz I do not want to remember or to hear anything about my exs. However, with my bf of 5 years, the third one was different. In the beginning, I told and treated him the same way. I do not want to see him anymore after we break up and that he should never get in touch with any member of my family and friends should we part ways. But he insist on getting to know how I am even long after we go on our separate ways and he wants to know whether I would even get married and have kids. In other words he wants us to remain good friends even after the break up. I refused... I do'nt like the idea...It's hard for me to be friends...Until the day we broke up... I let it go!

I never expected we would still meet again but we did and we meet here online. We talked and when I asked if it is truly over between us he said yes. It didn't hurt me at all to know we're no longer a couple and I didn't stop him from keeping in touch with me. I went on talking to him and being nice when he needs my support. We now remain friends!

I realize that being friends is not bad at all. It was good that we are still friends because, I knew he had been sincere to me and had really loved me. However, it's just that maybe we are not truly meant to be and we have to part. I feel that in all those times, in all his kindness, I should continue being supportive. I feel I owe him a lot for all his sincerity and by remaining a good friend and being there in any possible way I can help is something I feel I need to do in return. I also realize that I have become mature and accepting about this situation. Now I understand why most of them would want me to remain friends. They still have that love and respect for me. The feeling to continue to care even we are no longer together is what remain intact. I realize how dear I have been to all of them and how much being with them had enlightened their lives. Karl used to say I am someone who is not easy to forget. I don't believe so. But he said that I am because I am a good person. That I am truly a loving person. I'd like to think that a loving person is someone you dont walk away from, you would rather want to stay instead. However, there are circumstances and being together, meeting and walking along with them on my journey.... I believe had a purpose although they are with me for only a temporary time. Those moment with them has served it's purpose. To help each other and make each one of us into something what we turned out to be from our relationship. I knew Xander learned something from me. I had been happy with him in so many ways and I also learned so many things. He made me become mature and wiser. It's with him, that I learned this---To accept friendship after a break up...

Back to the guy from my high school year, we are discovering a lot about each other. We even talked about his daughter and he showed me her pictures. Oh my! what a beautiful baby! I was right when I imagined what will it look like when he gets to have his own kid. Exactly like him! So, I continue to have this friendship with them and how much comforting that we remained friends and it's so much easier to relate with them too, cuz we understand each other more. After all we've been together and shared a lot in all those years. So I know, I will have a good friendship with them and I wanna keep it that way... Well, not a bad idea, right?! ;)

Mother Teresa

Whoa! This is my second test and I'm Mother Teresa?!? Unbelievable!

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Language of the Deaf

So, phew! I finished my blog posts about deafness issues so what's next? So far nobody has commented much on it....phew! anyway, those post were intended for those who might come across it and needs to gain necessary informations about deafness and especially where and what SCHOOLS!!!! and that there is still HOPE for their deaf child to live normally as possible just like any of the rest of us in this world!

In my my 10 years or so teaching experience I have met numerous parents on the verge of losing hope and giving up on their deaf child. Thinking their is no future or tomorrow when they grow up. Most parents are either frustrated if not in denial about their child's disabilities. It's so painful to see when parents cannot accept the fact they have a special child and how blessed they are for having one. Sometimes they forget the purpose of having a special child, they don't see the reasons and positive side of having them in their life. Because having a deaf child means God knows you are strong and capable to take care of them. God has entrusted them to you for the reasons He knows they will be well taken cared by you. Parents are God's instrument for these special children. He knows every capabilities of each human being. As the saying goes..."God will not give you heavy burdens enough for you not to bear." He knows your limitations.

As a deaf teacher, I know when parents come to enroll their kids in school they look up to me in awe. It's not that I am beautiful or that I posses the most brillant glittering jewelry but they are amazed that inspite my handicap I have attained this career in my life. I always tell parents not to lost hope when their child is not doing well in school especially when it comes to my subject: Language and Reading. I tell them it's not easy for a deaf child because of the language delay due to their handicap. Most parents would even force their child to learn to speak. Again, it's not easy. Most of our little ones in the preschool are trained in a Speech classroom to develop their speech and learn lipreading. However, this is very stressing! I try to explain how speech class can stress a child or why most deaf refuse and hate to attend speech just like how they hate Filipino subject. I knew what is it like to take speech lesson because I have experienced trying so hard to lipread some words that I don't always encounter in daily conversations and understand what other people are saying during the first few years after I lost my hearing. I experienced dizziness which triggers my vertigo and I get tired pronouncing words or saying them in the proper pronounciation. You have to blew air out of your mouth sometimes and it can make you dizzy if you keep doing that until you get the correct pronounce. But to a deaf child they have to exert more effort in learning to speak. It hurts the throat and makes them tired and dizzy for the reason they were born deaf and are not aware of the sound thus they do not speak and when they try for the first time in speech class the laryngitis is forced to move which can irritate their throat and causes soreness. Deaf Children are not used to speaking a lot! I also knew why in the beginning deaf children refuse to wear hearing aids. Its because of the sound they hear is not actual concrete but just noise. Some children born deaf may have residual hearing sense. Not all children who cannot hear are completely or profoundly deaf. Some of them can still develop their hearing sense as they grow up. Others have selective hearing sense. Another reasons is because of the tightness of the ear caps that is inserted in the ear hole. It can be irritating like a tight headband behind your ear. Sometimes out of tantrums deaf children are aware how important the hearing aids are for their parents and they use this thing as their way of revenge when they are frustrated. They would grab these hearing aids out of their ears and throw them on the floor or wall. Knowing their parents would stop them so they use that as their way to have what they wanted...

When A hearing aid is thrown on the floor or wall it breaks and are hard or even more expensive to repair. A single hearing aid can cost 15,000 up to 30,000 plus and it is not for a life time device. The hearing aid needs to be changed depending on the hearing progress of the child. It needs to be changed as the child grows. Regular cleaning of the ear blubber is also a necessity. You must also take care of it not to get wet as it is not water proof.

You can imagine how precious a deaf child is! Having one needs all kinds of love, care and support. Most parents finds it "magastos" or "costly and expensive" to have a special child. Considering the medical expenses such as doctor's fee, medicines, laboratory test, hearing aids, school tuition fee is also very expensive, speech therapy and so on... Another factors that parents had to face and consider is the language or communication barrier they need to cross over. Most of the parents in our school do not attend sign language program and again, I find this painful. Majority of the parents especially those who are rich only attend from the beginning and they are never seen again for the next meeting. Others parents though not equally rich may have completed the sign language course however, they are still at lost in communicating with their deaf child, because of as a Deaf, they have their own unique culture and belief... Huh?!? is this getting complicated to understand? hehehe!

Let me explain that learning sign language is not sufficient enough to cross the language barriers between hearing parents, sibling, relatives and friends to a deaf person. Because you have to learn to open your heart and communicate with them in their own way...in their own natural language, culture and belief. Deaf have their own attitude and I am telling you here its not the same way with hearing people....
Oh, geez! how do I explain this thing, more accurately!? Because even I, sometimes, I also have some difficulties understanding my own deaf community. We have also have diverse culture you see, and I have been boxed for 10 years concentrating on finishing my studies and focusing on my job as a teacher for the deaf....They have this question of identity as a deaf person. If hearing people have what they call indigenous group well the deaf have a certain group they call with a capital D or small d and hard of hearing, etc...

Anyway, for one person to completely understand the Deaf people, their culture and ways, one needs not only learn the language but you need to "immerse" yourself in their life and community in order to have a complete view of what's it like to hear a hand? Do you really have to be deaf to understand? ;D

Gandhi

I took a test on a website "What Famous Leader Are You?"

and the result is this:

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Well... very very TRUE! (giggles!)

Schools/Organizations/Hospitals and Doctors for Deaf People in Metro Manila

Here are the lists of schools, organizations or support groups, hospitals and doctors for deaf people in Metro Manila. The list are not yet complete as I am still trying to gather other informations such as their address and contact persons or phone numbers. I will try my best to keep this information up to date for any changes and developments. Hope this will be of great help to those who need it.


Private Schools:

Southeast Asian Institute for the Deaf (SAID)
now: Miriam College-Southeast Asian Institute for the Deaf (MC-SAID)
Miriam College Compound.
Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights.
Quezon City.
Tel: 426-0171


Philippines Association for the Deaf
Dao Street, Makati.

Ma. Elena Buhay Foundation
Blueridge Village,
Quezon City.


St. Francis School VSA Arts of the Philippines
22 Balabac Street., Cor. Kapiligan Street.
Dona Imelda, North Araneta Ave.,
Quezon City.
Tel: 721-3731
Cel: 0918-926-5239


Child Center
Mandaluyong City.


Joseph Gualandi School for the Hearing Impaired, Inc.
Las Pinas.


Public Schools:

Philippines School for the Deaf
Pasay City

Paaralang Padre Gomez (across Central Market and behind UST)
Paaralang Padre Burgos (Sta. Mesa, Manila)
Paaralang Padre Zamora

Batino Elementary School
Batino St, Project 4.
Quezon City

Manila High School
Intramuros, Manila.

Ramon Magsaysay High School
Espana Street,
Sampaloc. Manila.

Quirinio High School
Quirinio Avenue,
Quezon City.



Colleges and Universities

Master Studies and Doctorate Degrees
University of the Philippines
Diliman Quezon City


Philippines Normal University
Manila.


Miriam College
Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights
Quezon City.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
SDEAS
2544 Taft Ave., Manila
Philippines.1004

Technology University of the Philippines
Manila

Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta Mesa, Manila

College Assurance Plan (CAP)
Makati City.

Assumption College
Antipolo City.

Bible Institute for the Deaf (BID)

Manila Christian College Institute for the Deaf (MCCID)
San Mateo
Marikina.


Deaf Support Groups and Organizations:

Catholic Ministry for the Deaf Program
Loyola Heights
Quezon City.


Link
Tutorial and Interpreting Service
Esteban Abada St., Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights.
Quezon City.

Support and Empower Abused Deaf Children (SEADC)
The Lutheran Church
Edsa, Quezon City.
(Near GMA 7)


Philippines Federation of the Deaf (PFD)

DAC

Theatro Silencio of the Philippines

Christoffel Blindenmission (CBM)

DepEd.
Pasig City.

Apple Speech Center
Quezon City.


Hospitals and Doctors

Dr. Norberto Martinez
UST Hospital
Espana Street
Sampaloc, Manila.

Hubert Ramos
Audiologist
UST Hospital
Espana Street
Sampaloc Manila.

Saint Luke Hospital
Quezon City.

Manila Hearing Aid Center
5th Floor, SM Mega Mall
Manila.

You Have To Be Deaf To Understand

What's it like to hear a hand?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to be a small child,

in a school, in a room void of sound,

with a teacher that talks and talks and talks;

and when she does come around to you,

she expects you to know what she said?

You have to be deaf to understand.

Or the teacher thinks that to make you smart,

You must first learn how to talk with your voice,

so mumbo-jumbo with hands on your face,

for hours and hours without patience or end

until out comes a faint resembling sound?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to be curious,

To thrist for knowledge you can call your own,

With an inner desire that's set on fire

and ask a brother, sister and friend

who looks in answer and says "Nevermind"?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to stand in a corner

Thought there's nothing you've done really wrong,

Other than to try to make use of your hands

To a silent to communicate

A thought that comes to your mind all at once?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to be shouted at

When one thinks that will help you hear,

or misunderstood a words of a friend

who is trying to make a joke clear

and you don't understand because he's failed?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to be laughed in the face

When you try to repeat what is said;

and you find the words were misread-

and you want to cry out "Please help me friend?"

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's like to have to depend

upon one who can hear to phone a friend;

or place a call to a business firm

And be forced to share what is personal,

and then find that your message wasn't made clear?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to be deaf and alone

in the company of those who can hear

And you only guess as you go along,

For no one is there with a helping hand,

as you try to keep up with the words and song?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like in the road of life

To meet a stranger who opens his mouth

and speaks out a line at a rapid pace,

and you can't understand the look in his face

Because its new and you're lost in the race?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to comprehend

some nimble fingers that paint the scene

and make you smile and feel serene

with the "spoken word" of a moving hand

That makes you part of the world at large?

You have to be deaf to understand.

What's it like to hear a hand?

Yes, you have to be deaf to understand.

Major Components of Signs

Guidelines:

* General area for Signing Space is between the top of the head until just above the waist.

* The visual center of the signing space is the nose-mouth area.

* Size of hand movements differ depending on the position in the Signing Space and the number of people        being signed to.

* For symmetry, signs made near the center of the Signing Space often use a single hand, while signs made
   further away tend to use both hands.

* Have a dominant signing hand.

* Signs related in meaning are usually related in information.

* Always speak when signing, also use facial expressions and body movements, sometimes even
   exaggerating them to get your message across.

* Have a smooth flow of hand movements when signing affixes and word endings for tense, person, etc...

* The past tense sign is not strictly done over the shoulder.

* Raising the eyebrows and freezing the hands in the air, or holding the last position of a sign are techniques
   used to ask questions in sign.

* Shaking the head from side to side while signing a negative statement aids in clarifying the tone of the
   message.

* Signed word should be in reference to its location/direction.

* Refer to the person by pointing in his/her direction or sign and point.

* Orient the directionof the sign by motioning with your body, eye and hand. Show the direction of the
   action. When you are the receiver, begin the sign in front of you and move towards yourself.

* Move your hands to show the size of an object accordingly.

* Signs can also vary in intensity, or be modified in their execution.


Sources:
Signing Exact English, by G.Gustason and E. Zawolkow and
The Joy of Signing, by L.L.Riekelhof

Sign Language

Sign language
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication instead of sound to convey meaning - simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's thoughts. Sign languages develop in deaf communities, which can include interpreters and friends and families of deaf people as well as people who are deaf or hearing-impaired themselves.
When people using different signed languages meet communication is significantly easier than when people of different spoken languages meet. Sign language in this respect gives access to an international deaf community.
However, contrary to popular belief, sign language is not universal. Wherever communities of deaf people exist, sign languages develop, but as with spoken languages, these vary from region to region. They are not based on the spoken language in the country of origin; in fact their complex spatial grammars are markedly different. However, various signed "modes" of spoken languages have been developed, such as Signed English and Walpiri Sign Language. Hundreds of sign languages are in use around the world and are at the core of local Deaf cultures.

Sign Language Variations

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) - the language typically used among deaf particularly the adults and is similar to Filipino Sign Language (FSL). A language in and of itself, with its own grammar and vocabulary. ASL is different from English and has a genetic relationship to French Sign Language.

PIDGIN SIGN ENGLISH (PSE) - the generic term for naturally occuring varieties which incorporate traditional ASL signs, some newer and contrived signs, and fingerspelling in flexible grammatical order. Popular nomenclature for PSE includes Sign English, Siglish, CASE and Ameslish. Although CASE and same category of the continuum.

CONCEPTUAL ACCURATE SIGNED ENGLISH (CASE) - the communication style characterized by the incorporations of traditional ASL signs, some newer signs, some contrived signs and finger spelling, along with speech and speech reading, signed in English grammatical order with minimal changes, and English is mounted exactly as spoken in the original English that is interpreted. Signs are used with an attempt to retain the meaning from ASL rather than English, so that "right" would be signed different ways depending on its meaning.

AMESLISH - a term applied differently by different people. Ameslish will refer to ASL signing with minimal incorporation of English, more fingerspelling than is typically used in ASL, and some deviation from ASL idiomatic use.

MANUALLY CODED ENGLISH (MCE) - the generic term for contrived systems for encoding english in manual form. These systems of visual English are attempts to precisely represent the English language, both its grammar and vocabulary, through the means of speech and speechreading, and the use of a combination of traditional signs, newer signs, contrived signs and fingerspelling. Contrived signs are generally are based to some degree on ASL/FSL signs. Signs are usually selected on a one sign one word basis, deviating in some significant ways from the meaning of the original ASL signs. Sound and spelling are generally the deciding factors in sign selections, rather than meaning. Thus, all meanings of the word "right" would be signed the same, while write would be signed differently. Signs are placed in English order with signs to represent English grammatical forms, such as suffixes and prefixes. MCE was devised as a means of teaching English to youngsters. Examples of MCE are SEE1, SEE2, LOVE, Manual English and Signed English.

Myths and Facts About Deaf People

Myths about Deaf People

People who are deaf are broken or inferior
Deafness is a terrible thing
Most people who are deaf want to be 'normal' (hearing)
People who are deaf need special education and cannot live a 'normal' life
All people who are deaf can read lips (or Braille)
People who are deaf should be greatful for what is given to them by mainstream society
People who are deaf generally cannot think in abstracts
People who are deaf have other 'heightened' senses to compensate for their hearing loss
People who are deaf are rude
People who are deaf are lazy
People who are deaf that have good speech or can lip-read are smarter than those who cannot

Facts About People who are Deaf

People who are deaf often differ in language preference and in other preferences or skills (e.g. Up-reading, communication mode, educational background, etc.)
Some people who are deaf deal regularly with prejudice
Being deaf does not affect intelligence
Many people who are deaf can and do become 'successful'
People who are deaf have a rich, unique culture different than that of mainstream society, including:
language (visual spatial, rules of grammar and syntax, contextual, examples, high detail, lists, explicit.)
folklore, jokes, poetry, art, theatre
community (relationships a priority, schools for the deaf, goals of community ... )

Tagged Again!

This is the second time I've been tagged by sngleguy and as usual this is over due. (LOL!)

Here are the following questions:
1) Is it polite to stare? (Who the heck comes up with these questions anyway?)
2) What are your 7 favorite songs? (Oh yeah, a very intriguing question for someone who cannot hear, LOL!).

Answers:

1. Depends. It's okay to stare as long you are not making the person uncomfortable. I stare at people when I'm dining out and that's very normal while you are waiting for your food, your bill or for the waiter to serve you. I also stare when I am sitting at the park. I stare at couples, family and kids. I stare at my young students when I'm angry or simply amused at their antics when they want to go out and they know perfectly well they cannot as it is time for class (evil grins!).

2. Since I am a deaf I had to categorize this last question which I also find intriguing, hahaha! I don't know if guy mean to ask OPM or the international songs so I had to make three categories as follows:

A. When I could still hear music and songs:

1. One Day in Your Life (Michael Jackson)- as a kid I was fascinated by his very high pitched voice and to think he is only a boy. I used to hear this song a lot over the radio and I like it very much!

2. Loving You (I don't know who sang this eh!)- "winter summer and spring time too...Loooving you... La la la.... " these were some of the lines in the song and its very beautiful 'cuz it doesn't matter what the weather maybe or whether seasons fades away the person will still be loving you... I later found out when I was already in college in 1995 that the singer was a woman who died of throat cancer---no wonder she have a very powerful voice eh!

3. Good Morning Yesterday (Paul Anka)- I love this song and again, I used to hear this over the radio being played by radio stations every morning until in the afternoon. It's very beautiful too and I remember when Tina Revilla sang this together with Eddie Mercado in a special t.v. show. I was simply awed that Tina can actualy sing so well. She actually sound like the back up singer in Paul Anka's album.

4. Put Your Head On My Shoulder (Leif Garret)- When I heard this song on television in channel 9 "Return Engagement" I quickly fell in love with it and what more Leif Garret was at that time the most sentational matinee idol in the US of A. So who won't fall for this?

5. I Write the Song (Barry Manilow)- This was very popular among teens. I used to sing this even long after I lost my hearing. I was in college and a member of the Liturgical choir. I was a staff member, sorta their secretary. Everytime I start belting this all of them would follow suit hence, we would all end up singing it together.

6. Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)- I like this song because it's kinda sentimental like the song in #5.

7. If I Ever I See You Again (Heck, who sang this?)- I saw the video flick of this song and I find it touching yet funny cuz they added a twist of comedy over the sentimentality of the song. I remember watching and listening with my eldest brother and we both guffgawed when the guy was finally released from the rehab, it was his wife turn to go nuts!

B. Original PINOY Music

1. Ngayon at Kailanman (Basil Valdez)- this is already a classic song and it's very beautiful too. It's about love almost like the english version of Now and Forever but not really... xP

2. Bato sa Buhangin (Cinderella)- This was my very first favorite Pinoy song.

3. Hindi Ko Malimutan (BoyFriends)- Baduy but maganda!

4.Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan/Batam Bata Ka Pa (APO Hiking Society)- I remember hearing the song "Pumapatak ang Ulan" and my grandmother was sitting beside me. She said, "A very timely song with moral lessons on what NOT to do during rainy days. " LOL!-she was referring to my brothers! "Batam Bata Ka Pa" on the other hand says a lot on how teenagers view the world.

5. Saringgola Ni Pepe (Celeste Legaspi) - I like this song, it is actaully a protest song against the Marcos dictatorship.

6. Kung Ako Iiwan Mo/Panakip Butas ( Hadji Alejandro)- I like this song during the time of Hadji Alejandro's singing career. I later heard him sing these in my godmother's wedding and I truly liked his voice and songs. Fits also for wedding, hehehe!

7. Memories/Miss Universe (Rico Jay Puno)- ekkkkk!!!! LOL! He was the hearthrob of the 70's I heard and saw him sang those song and boy, he was great!!!

C. In My Silent World:(Now that I can no longer hear my disability did not hamper my likeness on music. I still find a way to like and enjoy songs by reading the lyrics. So here are my favorites)

1. Thank You Love (Song from a movie of the same title)- It's beautiful and timely in my present lovelife (gik gik gik!).

2. Day by Day/ I Won't Last A Day Without You (Carpenters)- This has been my favorite song eversince in college. My roomie and I used to sing this during rainy days especially when there is a typhoon, we would sing this at the top of our lungs--- LOL!

3. Gone Too Soon (Michael Jackson)- My best friend, Aileen gave me a copy of this song during our emotional farewell after graduation in college. I like the lyrics very much!

4. Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)- I discovered this lyrics during our program in school. It's beautiful and sentimental, from within the heart.

5. You Are My Song (Regine Velasquez)- i love it, i love it!!!

6. Forever and For Always (Shaina Twain)- Soooo beautiful!!!!! I saw Andres listening to this song and I clicked to see the lyrics. Ohh WOW! terrific!
7. Candles in the Wind/England Rose (Elton John) - sad but I like this one too!

There! Now I'm gonna tag at least 3 people: Jim Paredes (YESSSS!!!!!)

Maryet (again? yes, again!)

Enlighten

TAGGED!

I've been tagged again, arrrggg!!!! Now how am I suppose to write my blog entry about my hilarious aunt?!? geez! I guess I have to put that aside for today and do that taggy thingies that I owe guy. He is the one who tagged me and it's been long over due. I have been actually pondering about the first time he tagged me but I just couldnt find the time to copy the taglines and paste it. I had other things on my mind back then but of course, within my head lurks that tag thing!hehehe!
So lemme do the first time he tagged me. Hmmm... it must be somewhere in his blog, I just have to dig deeper... Here it is:

7 Things I plan to do before I die:
1. Go on world tour in Europe and America- visit Spain (watch the good looking matadors kill bulls at the arena), Italy (see the leaning tower of Pizza), Transylvania in Romania (find out if there's any heir left by Dracula---there must be!!!), Sweden(meet Karl and explore the capital), England (watch Kipper play Ice Hockey live), Belgium (just drop by), Macedonna (meet the General TS), Germany (See if I can still get a piece of that "WALL"), Rome (find out if Nostradamus prophecy about the new Pope will come true), Holland (see the tulips farm which I missed during the autumn when I went there--aw, wrong timing!), Great Britain (see the Legendary King Arthur's birth place and Stone Henge), Portugal (just see whatever there is to see), Pakistan (meet Brat-boy), Norway (its near Sweden so why not?!), Poland (it's the country where women's lib. is very strong), Canada (meet my cousins), California (meet my godfather Whatanut and others from hometown channels including my brother and other relatives), and finally settle in MEXICO (do I need to elaborate on this? I guess NOT!-mwuahahaha!!!!).
2. Get married, have 2 kids, a persian pet cat and a dog.
3. Learn to drive a hybrid pick up down the freeways without getting caught for over speeding or for being a minor(LOL!).
4. Do three sports: scuba diving in the depths of the sea, parachuting on top of the highlands in Europe and finish my belt color in martial arts (I was a drop out!).
5. Have a grand reunions at a 5 star hotel with the entire clan of my family,mom's side and my classmates& friends back in College.(I will tell them how much I love them all!--aww, waaaaa!!!)
6. Do something for a GOOD CAUSE!
7. GO CARPE DIEM so I can Die Another Day!!!!

7 Things I can do:
1. Smile even when I am actually truly boiling inside. Let people become paranoid from thinking if I am pleased or not. (I sure do love to see the baffled look on their face, it's AMUSING!)
2. Laugh at myself and at others' stupidness in any given situation be it tough times or painful trying times(Well, jeez! life is already too short to take things so seriously and be more miserable!).
3. Eat pastries, Vanilla classic ice cream, bacon, hotdogs, ham, chicken nuggets, sushi, dumplings and drink cold milk on a single day then go on a complete 1week diet.
4. Forgive anyone who crossed me (Especially when they're down and out-Amen.)
5. Cook for my entire family on Christmas and New Year!
6. Talk with my hands.
7. Teach deaf people from 2 years to old age (cool!).

7 Things I cannot do:
1. Drive a car without denting it.
2. Change a light bulb.
3. Play tennis, basketball and volleyball.
4. Stay away from junk foods and salty snacks.
5. Be dang serious!!!(Yeah, go ahead get MAD).
6. Pay attention at meetings.
7. Being less noisy!

7 Things that attract me to another person:
1. Faith in God
2. Inner qualities (un positives ha!)
3. Sense of humor
4. Outer qualities: Eyes,Lips and Fangs
5. Neatness
6. Intelligence
7. Having a good command of English and Sign Language

7 Celebrity crushes:
1. Brad Pitt (Whatta guy and body!)
2.Freddie Mercury(He rocks!)
3.Dracula (the good looking ones ONLY!)
4. Keanu Reeves
5. Ben Affleck (too bad he is married!)
6. George Cloney(One of the sexiest man alive!)
7. Van Helsing (nyahahahaha!)

7 Things I say the most:
1. Aw!
2. Oh Man!
3. Dang!
4. Geez!
5. JackAss!!!
6. Sheesh!!
7. Ew!
7 bloggers I am tagging:
1. Maryet
2. Brat-Boy
3. Eric Davidson
4. Madster
5. Broken_Saint
6. Zh~*
7. Brittney
There! Whew!

Scented Candles (Part II)

Yesterday, I was still posting my blog when my Dad arrived to pick me up. I was caught unaware and he asked why I haven't dressed. I looked at the time on the wall clock, it says 10:45am. I thought they gonna pick me up at 12noon!?! Aw! I haven't took a bath, sheesh! I quickly took a shower and got dressed. When I got out of the shower my half-sister was there. Ohh, my brothers were probably getting impatient again. Well, let them wait cuz we agreed 12noon and they came way too early. We boarded my brother's mini contraptor and off we went. When we got to the cementary it was expected to see some relatives already there. The usual "beso-beso" and "kamustahans."

I started lighting the scented candles first offering to my mom and next to my grandmother and the others. As per our custom, we touch each grave and say "Hi!" or we either call them "Lola, Mommy, Lolo, Uncle Boy!" True to my words, I did not cry this time. It felt so good looking at my mom's grave looking at each letter inscribed in her tomb stone. I was smiling.... We usually stay in the cementary from morning until in the afternoon or sometimes until in the evening. We wait until all relatives who we call the "regulars" have arrived and paid their respect. It was muddy in the cementary that day due to rains. I was glad I wore my old pair of sneakers but not so lucky for my eldest brother's gf (hehehe!). Since we always stay for a very long period of time, we brought foods and drinks. My aunt Guy (My mom's sister) saw me and she called me to shake my hand, she said:"Wow! board exam passer ka na!" "BLOWOUT!" was the cry of others who heard it. Aw! was all I could say. So the taunts among my cousins and brothers started and the laughters went on as they all started talking, telling stories and catching up on each other's lives. It's always like this every year. Talking, eating and laughters all the time. I am amaze sometimes at my family and my mom's family and other relatives' ability to crack jokes and laugh at almost any situation no matter if its a pissing off situation. They are truly the typical Filipinos who can laugh at themselves no matter how stupid they are getting. Oh my, we have no shame! I could only watch them talk and laugh or try to lip read and catch the humor. My best friend among my cousins is out of the country so she wasn't there to translate to me what was the talk all about. I soon got bored and I started playing with the melting candles. I rolled them into a ball and you bet my ass, soon in no time at all my half-sister, my sister-in-laws and cousins followed. We all started rolling melted candles into a ball. We all preferred the scented candles I bought than the cheap ones (LOL!).

We stood in line making melted candles into a ball. It's as thought we are some kind of factory workers and we took a break when we got hungry and our hands were so greasy and tired. It made me remember the old times again. When we were kids we used to do these things every time we are there. It was like the old times indeed except were grown up. Some of my cousins are married and have kids. I watched my aunts and uncles including my Dad and eldest brother. All of them are old now.Their face seems worn out from over the years life has brought them...HAHAHAHA! everyone's laughter broke my reverie and I asked my sister to translate what was so funny. My aunt Guy is in her usual tale but this time she is telling her encounter with the immigrants in Canada and everybody are teasing her to speak English (LOL!). When she got to Canada and the immigrations asked if she can speak English her reply was: "No, I cannot talk in English!" She actually said that in PLAIN ENGLISH! so, everyone laughed out loud. We like it very much when aunt Guy would tell us story because it is usually always funny and amusing or sometimes she can really send you rolling on the floor laughting out loud.

We started packing up to leave home around 5pm. The men helped each other folding the big tent while us the women started cutting the flowers and spreading them on the tombs. We do this because some strangers might steal the flowers and sell it so we always have to cut everything before we leave. We said our prayers twice to our departed relatives before we left and bid each other goodbyes with the usual "beso-beso" again. Only to find out we are all heading on the same direction. Oh my see, how very silly we Filipinos are, we say our goodbyes and make beso more than once or twice. So I guess that's where I get my famous goodbyes attitude. I keep coming back even after I said my goodbye (hahaha!). Next time I will write more about my aunt Guy. ;D

Scented Candles

The good old days for me was when the world was young and I believed that the moon is no bigger than my thumb finger yet everything around me is big. Hardly was there any day that I missed being the child I was nor the fun and laughter that in my young mind has been etched forever in my memories...Memories of my happy childhood where I see my mom so full of life!

Where I see her face... her wonderful smiles... I hear her voice... beautiful and resounding with hope and peace... I feel her touch... comforting and her very presence amidst all the madness of the world.... endearing with love....

When I could prove that my thumb was bigger than the moon...death was never welcome... we never had to go to the cementary as there was nobody else to mourn... When I turned 5 I saw my life revolving full of laughter and comfort... I had my family to love and protect me....death was never welcome...

However, when my grandmother, my mom's mother died of heart attack the world was filled with sadness and the tears came.... I remember seeing my mother cried....how her heart broke and how my father comforted her...my brothers on the other hand stood quietly in the corners watching with a sad expression in their eyes. I was too young then, to even realize the pain life can also bring...

Hence, every once a year, every November 1st we light candles and offer flowers in my grandmother's tomb. I used to see and hear everyone talking to the lone grave. I never had the chance to pay my last respect to my grandmother during her wake and burial. She died in the states and was flown by the US Army plane back to the Philippines in a bronze casket. She had come to live in the US with my grandfather who is a Veteran of World War II. They lived there in bliss but in their last remains they were never together... In the succeeding years that came and the moon has proved me wrong... death has invited itself within our home... as I grew older...the cementary started to fill up and before I knew it.... I was lightening scented candles for my mom.... What she once used to do and what I had heard from her once is now passed to me... "Ayan, Ima binili ko sa'yo yang kandila. Para sa'yo lang yan!" I remember very clearly what she said. I wasn't a deaf yet then there I was lightening scented candles offering it to all of them. I should only offer for two and let the rest of those living take responsibility for others in the grave. But within me the silent little voice said "FOR ALL!" You can give the two dearest in your heart something far special.

Four years ago, I was asked to bring candles and hence every year it has been my special tasks. I buy them ALL scented candles knowing how special they all used to be in my life... In our lives...we hold special memories....within all of us we hold them dear believing they never left this world.... Eversince the day I lit a candle on my mom's grave it was always an ordeal for me to visit her. I cannot stop crying every time we started to talk to her openly telling her how life had been for us since she was gone...every happiness and hardship we had.... I had to look away and wipe my tears. For 23 years the tears continue to fall from my eyes. That's how I miss her... that's how much it hurts that we both missed being together while I was growing... Another year had to come and go---24 years in all had to pass by before I started finding some comfort through bloggings. It's also only then I had expressed openly the pain inside of each memories...

"...your Mom would have wanted you to live as normally as possible and not think too much about her passing away but rather, keep the memory of her when she was alive and full of life."

These were the very comforting words I got from an online friend. Who made me change my view of my mom's death. Yes, he is right about that. My mom would rather want me to keep her memories those of when she was alive and full of life....In my dreams, I knew how much she loved me. She knew how much I wanted to be with her and that I would go and follow her wherever she may go. But she doesn't want me to be with her. She wanted to me to go on living because there were other things my life has to live for. She wants me to have a life and to see more there is to see. I also remember she wanted me to look after my Dad...

Tooday is November 1st of the year 2005. It's her birthday, 25 years ago since she passed away and I had bought 8 SPECIAL scented candles. I'm going to light them today on her tomb stone. The cementary has been renovated entirely new and grand. Now she is up on the wall save for my grandmother's tomb. Everyone of us will also be up on that wall when we pass away. Everyone will be cremated except for those who do not wish to be cremated... Everyone talked about this openly without the pain of dying nor the fear of death. And I had openly expressed I will be needing two space cuz my name is very long and I don't want it to be cut short therefore, I need two entire space of tomb stone on that wall when I die. TWACK! my aunt hits me slightly on the back of my head after hearing me said those things. My cousins giggled and I shhhied them or else they might wake the dead up!

November 1st also had a sign every year in every relationship that I am in. This signs are only between me and my mom. (smiles at the memory). How come it's only now that I come to notice her warnings and signs.... Mom, I know... I'm going to lit you another scented candles and they are specially for you on your birthday. I'm gonna say a silent prayer in each scented candles that I will lit and I will tell you who are those people I have met in each path that I had choosen to take and there will be smiles beginning today. I promise you! No more tears and it wont be out of wanting to turn into the unemotionally unmoved human self that I have once become. However, mom it is for the way I am starting to take life the way it is and move on, no matter who come and go or how painful when these people ceases from loving me and being with me.... Thank you for all the wonderful memories and for giving me life...

Once again, Mommy happy birthday and may you find peace and happiness where ever you are!