I just relocated to 800 Florida Avenue, Washington, DC for a semester. Yes, you just figured it out, I am now at Gallaudet University. Before I became NAD Miss Deaf America, I wanted to visit Gallaudet for a semester. It happened to be the semester after I became NAD Miss Deaf America. So, it works out pretty good. I flew over here with four bags of luggage. It is pretty difficult for me to pack and restrict myself to four bags instead of five or six!
My Mom and youngest sister spent four days in the DC area, touring the nation’s capitol before taking me to Gallaudet. Those days were hard days of sight-seeing because we saw as much as we could, and took our second shower in the afternoon after walking few miles around the area. Every time I vacation with my family, it is always an irony because when “normal†people vacation, they go to places where they can relax. On the other hand, when my family goes on vacation,they refuse to relax and work hard during their vacations!
At one point, I was sitting down on the benches near the World War II Memorial with Mom and Shauna (my youngest sister) resting for few minutes before walking another marathon.
I was chatting with Mom, sharing few thoughts of the moment with her. At the same time, my traveling buddy (a.k.a. The Cat in the Hat) reminded me a line from his favorite book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, “From there to here, From here to there, Funny things Are everywhere!†It is indeed everywhere…my Mom overheard one guy sitting at the bench across from us explaining about American Sign Language to his children when they noticed us chatting in sign language.
I grimaced because it was the most wonderful first impression for those children, seeing a sweating deaf person, who happens to be the current NAD Miss Deaf America! It’s the poise that counts, not the appearance…at least that is what I like to think.
Mom, my youngest sister and I pushed ourselves for the next few days of sight-seeing before they left back to South Dakota, leaving me at Washington, DC for a week of New Students Orientation (NSO). Yes, as a transfer student had to undergo the NSO once more. I kept reminding people that I am not a freshman…I am a sophomore.
Like it made any difference…I am still a new kid on campus. Gallaudet just started classes this week so I am officially a full-time student here!
Hellooooooo! to you and The Cat in the Hat….from here to there. I just wonder which of your colorful luggage or bags did the Cat In The Hat fit into. You, both, are beginning an adventure that will unfold and produce precious memories.
Unlike the words of the The Cat In the Hat book about the two children who “sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day,” you were in the warm, warm sun with your mother and sister (a.k.a-Thing One and Thing Two), who, (”They) want to have fun.” I can see by your smiling faces, the three of you are happy and “fun(-ny) things”, or the sights of the Washington, DC area you are seeing for the first time are built from stone and look clean and white.
At the first group meeting of Head Start Home Base children and parents, I am bringing a map of the United States and showing pictures of Washington DC. I will read the Cat In The Hat book and roll a big ball to each child as a fun way to know each other’s names. Just like you, Chelsea, the children are getting to know about a new place, our Head Start classroom, to have fun with new friends and activities here near your hometown of Pierpont in northeast South Dakota.
Left by Lois Severson on September 16th, 2006