March 13, 2020
Well, unfortunately, I forgot to take notes about today, oops. But hopefully, I will remember what all we did from photos and whatnot.
As I mentioned in yesterday's entry, most of our planned things for today got canceled, but our chaperones did an awesome job of scraping it all together into a great day.
We went to the ASL Starbucks again this morning. This time I ordered a drink (in Sign Language!) which was pretty neat. I chatted with some people and eventually, we went to the book store again. I found a children's book on Martin Luther King Jr. and it was a really good book. I would definitely read it again.
We had a pretty free afternoon since events were canceled, but it gave us time to pack and get ready for the cruise tonight. I had already packed most of my things, but Sam and JG hadn't yet, so they were working on that and I worked on my blogging and video editing some (something I am still behind on😬).
We listened to Hamilton again and were dancing and signing and it was big fun. Sami did my hair all nice--curled it and made a braided flower in the back. Then we went outside and took some photos together. It is such a beautiful campus, there are flowering trees everywhere: white, pink, and it's so pretty!
Not too long later we left to go to the cruise. It was super fancy and nice. Beautiful. I've never been on any kind of cruise before. The only boats I've been are fishing boats and tubing boats. We sat down, and they brought us menus with appetizer, dinner, and dessert options. As we began to head out onto the Potomac River I watched the water roll past us, so peaceful. Eventually, a group of us went on the rail/walkway outside and were walking around, it was super windy and pretty cold but so pretty and it made me happy. We could see the Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington monuments as we drove past them. They were all lit up and looked beautiful.
At one point while we were signing one of the servers came up to us and told us that he always loved to see deaf people out and about and he knew a little sign language. We very quickly spoke up saying that we were not, in fact, deaf, but were ASL students on a trip. We could tell he was surprised and a bit taken aback. But luckily that was the only time anyone ever vocalized that they thought we were deaf. At least from my experience.
For supper, I had a really yummy mushroom ravioli with lentils and greens. Twas great.
There was a dance floor on the cruise, and we all had so much fun dancing to random music the DJ played. I am a terrible dancer but it was still fun. JG tried to teach me how to salsa. I think it was salsa.
It was really cool cause at one point pretty much everybody was dancing and then all the interpreters and some of the students started signing along with the songs and it was just so great and made it so much more fun. That's for sure something you don't see every day. I love that about this group, constantly signing in every situation and it makes it so much more fun. Signing as really brought us together.
Sadly it had to end.
But it was a wonderful way to end the trip. Especially cause of the crazy stuff happening the last two days.
While we were on the cruise we all got an email from CLC stating that they were extending their spring break a week and then moving to online classes. So this was really the last time this group of people would be together because they wouldn't be able to finish classes together after it. So it was a pretty special night for everyone.
On the bus ride back I was talking to Hope and we were talking about our families and it was really nice to chat with her. However, it was dark, on a bus, and we kept having to adjust, repeat, or wait for a street light to come to finish what we were trying to say. Once again, something different about sign language
After we got back to the hotel we eventually went to bed.
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March 14, 2020
Woke up at like 3:30 or some outrageous time like that. I got ready sleepily and headed downstairs to load onto the bus. The lovely cafeteria ladies had made us little sack breakfasts. They were the most wonderful people the whole week, always giving us a good morning and getting us water and supplying food, such kind women.
When we got to the airport I had to briefly separate from the group as my airline was different so I had to check my baggage elsewhere.
I waited for them at their gate and eventually everyone arrived, I talked with everyone a bit, beginning my farewells. We watched the sunrise over the airplanes, it was beautiful, I need to watch more sunrises.
Eventually, their plane was boarding, I was really sad to say goodbye to everyone as I felt I had really bonded with them after a week of constant time and signing together. I have made so many memories on this trip and learned so many things, and met wonderful people.
After I sadly said goodbye to everyone I went and boarded my airplane to Charlotte, NC. I had almost a 4-hour layover there, so I ate some snacks and worked on my video editing and blogging which was good. Eventually flew back to Chattanooga, TN where some friends picked me up to get back to school.
I had to pack everything up and leave the next day.
This week was truly life-changing for me. It was such an amazing experience and I'm so grateful that we were able to go and stay the whole week. If it had been planned for any later, the trip would've been canceled or ended early. Although it contains some sad moments it was, on the whole, a joyful amazing, incredible, beautiful, experience. I hope that I can go again in two years if I'm able. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone taking ASL or considering Interpreting. Definietly the best $2000 dollars I ever spent!
Thank you to all of our chaperones who worked so hard to plan and coordinate this trip, I can't imagine the time and energy it took. I'm so thankful for each one of you, you stayed positive through everything, constantly supported and taught us, and were absolutely wonderful.
D.C was a beautiful place, I hope I get to visit again someday.
Gallaudet was wonderful. Who knows what the future holds.
I hope you enjoyed my journey, although I know I enjoyed it more😉
Gabriella
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