Today we had a scavenger hunt around campus. We had to find different buildings, sculptures, rooms, etc. and take a picture with them. The goal was to familiarize ourselves with the layout and area around campus and have some friendly competition. We were teamed up by roommates so I was with Sami and JG which was super fun and handy because they had both been there before and knew many of the places already. I really enjoyed the activity because, first of all, it was a ton of fun-- running around finding random things--and second of all I learned so much! I had been really confused before about where everything was or even what everything was but the Scavenger hunt helped me create a map in my mind.
At one point my team was having a really hard time finding several of the items and we stopped at the IT desk and asked the man at the desk if he knew where they were. Although he didn't know where they all were he took the time and talked to all his co-workers and returned offering to show us how to get there. We said it wasn't necessary but he kindly led us through the building till he could show us where it was at. It was really amazing to interact with people because they were so kind and willing to help.
After the scavenger hunt we went to the Bison Store, which is the campus shop. We spent a while there and it was super neat the stuff they had. My favorite thing I bought is a bright yellow hoodie that reads "Gallaudet University" in navy print.
For lunch, we went to Union Market again. There was a group of us students sitting together and chatting and a man sitting nearby caught our attention and began signing with us as well. Turns out he is deaf and was with his wife and friend, I do not recall if both or either of them were deaf, but we started talking to him and he was super nice. Crazily enough he is originally from Minnesota and attended Gallaudet in college. One thing I really enjoy about D.C. is that the presence of Gallaudet creates a large deaf population in the area, and because of that, you will often see people signing or meet someone who is deaf as part of your everyday ventures.
The Gallaudet Museum on campus was very informative and interesting. It laid out the history of the university, the establishment, key figures, growth, and more. A lot of it I had read about in my textbook but it was great to refresh what I'd learned as well as add more information. The third president was a graduate from Minnesota, which I didn't know before and is pretty neat since our group was raised/live there. I also learned more about the Deaf President Now movement and the importance in history it has for the school as well as all Deaf culture. The students used their rights and power as people of America and did not give up until their demands for a deaf president was fulfilled. When we were reading in our textbook it had a photo of the button pins that were made to support the movement. The design depicts an individual signing the word "Success" and has "Pah!" written beneath. When I first saw this in the book I did not understand the sign or the implications of it. However, now I have learned that sign so the button meant so much more and I understood the importance and impact of it.
We took some group pictures, both in the museum and outside of the chapel, by the Gallaudet Statue, and by the main sign of the university. It was fun.
I accidentally left my backpack in the Bison Store and realized in the middle of the group pictures. Sarah was so sweet and volunteered to go back with me to get it, we ran there and ran back and it was fun, shes's cool. After taking photos I was feeling so happy and thankful I'd been able to come. I went over to Tanya and Jody and thanked them for inviting me to come and giving me this opportunity, I'm so very grateful. So I've been searching for what I want to do for my career and degree and I've been praying that God would lead me and for the longest time, I just have felt like he wasn't answering or listening but I've just kept praying. Last year I started to become really interested in and think that maybe I'd like to do ASL interpreting, but I'd never even taken a real class so I didn't' know. Over the last 6 months, I've been taking classes, learning, and absolutely loving it, but it wasn't until right now that I finally realized, this feels right. I think this is what God wants me to do. I've never felt about anything like I am feeling about ASL. I've found a love for the language, the culture, and everything that comes with it. It has been a journey, something I've been struggling to discover for a long time and I'm so happy because I finally feel I know this is right. Sooo I was telling them all this, as best I could in sign, and thanking them because this trip is what helped me realize it. And if I hadn't come I don't know when I would've known. It was an emotional but good moment.
We had some free time to explore so Sam and JG and I headed towards the building with the Rathskellar (a little cafe/hangout spot) in it cause we knew some people that might be there. It's nice to be with Sami again, we were friends when we were little and it's nice cause we picked right back up where we are and we're having lots of fun together. I'm thankful to have a familiar face and friend in the group.
Near the Rathskeallar is a little historical area that shares photos and info regarding Gallaudet student's involvement with NASA. Apparently, there is a rare occurrence in which some people are born without a part in their ear that creates the feeling of motion sickness. NASA needed a small group of people with this irregularity to work with in order to figure out how to send astronauts to space. There was a small group at Gallaudet with the irregularity and NASA asked a group of them if they would like to participate in experiments for NASA. It was to discover how gravity and procedures would affect them, without having motion sickness factored in. The group agreed. They had to do some pretty crazy stuff, it was super interesting to read about.
Tonight we went to Union Station which was neat, I did not realize beforehand but I guess it's a famous stop in D.C.We rode the Gallaudet Bus there which was fun, there was only standing room left in the back so we were sliding around a bunch and it was great. We shopped around a bit, I got some souvenirs for myself and my family. While getting food we in a circle and each said a nice thing about one person in the group, and so on. Even though I don't know everyone super well and they don't know me super well, everyone was really nice to everyone else. It also continued to teach me new signs.
Notes from today:
1. I learned so many new signs today! I've started keeping a list, perhaps I'll post it at the end of my journals and trip:)
2. So today I was talking to JG and at one point she told me that, in her opinion, I understand fingerspelling really well and fast compared to a lot of people. I wouldn't have thought that myself as I feel like I have to work hard mentally to understand what people are spelling. But I have grown up always enjoying, and doing well in, spelling so I think that is probably playing a role in my quick understanding. I try to visualize the word as it's being spelled and using the context can usually figure out what is being said.
I'm realizing more and more that context really is the key to understanding. My ASL teacher told me that many times but as I am further exposed to signing experiences I'm understanding more. ASL is just like English or any other language in that a word has multiple meanings but it is usually easy to tell what it means in a specific sentence because of the context surrounding the conversation.
3. One last thing I noticed was that in the Rathskellar, some of the tables were very low, just barely higher than the chairs. I wasn't sure why they were designed that way, if it is more for visual design or if it is a form of deaf space that I did not pick up on.
Thanks for reading,
Gabriella
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