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Why sign?

So...I'm digging deep over here. I'm trying to figure out why I sign, why it pulls at my heart strings. But I'm still thinking!  However, my classmate Andrea has come up with some pretty great reasons and has kindly agreed to let me share her thoughts (I mean awesome video!!)  here :) Enjoy!

Book Review: A Loss For Words by Lou Ann Walker

 A brave and intimate story about growing up as a hearing child with deaf parents. My first thought was that it had exactly what I was looking for before I picked it up: it was educational! Her book is a piece of deaf culture. I like what she says about her relationship to that culture.  "...Their [her parents] world is the deaf, their deaf culture, their deaf friends, and their sign language - it is something separate, something I can never really know, but that I am intimate with."  Besides her honest family anecdotes, she describes how signs are made (I learned a new sign for 'nothing'), includes explanations of deaf jokes, and recalls interpreting scenarios she experienced. Upon finishing it, I felt relief - this book seemed to be a healing outlet for the author and through following her story I shared her eventual peace. This story is alive! I really enjoyed it.

The Art of Signing

 1. Photo magnets by Moonlight Aura 2. ABC blocks by Little Sapling Toys

3. Christmas cards by Dkopp designs 4. ILY Travel pillow by Needful Things of Salem

5. ILY Fork keychain by Spoonerz 6. Stained glass by Wacky Pup

"SUP JILL?!" lol A quick hello to a friend...

I created a short video (slash series of awkward/nervous facial expressions) to say hey to a friend I haven't seen in awhile. We met in sign class a few years ago - she's got the crispiest fingerspelling!

Translation:

"Hey Jill, what's up! Hope your summer is gettin' along pretty great. Mine's been really easy going, I'm enjoying myself. I visited my grandma today, her name is Sallie, she's super nice, really sweet. She sick with Alzheimer's, you know, the disease where you forget. So we just sat for quite awhile and rocked in the rocking chairs chatting. She tells me about her experiences growing up in West Virginia, they're interesting. Oh! Also I found out my car has a leak so I have to get that fixed soon... It was your typical boring, average day! So how was your day, how are you? :)"

See What I'm Saying

"See What I'm Saying" is a documentary about Deaf entertainers, and it's freakin' great. The film gets deep down into the lives of a drummer, singer, comedian, and actor -- all fantastic artists. I loved all of their work! I think ASL is very artistic in nature so I just love to see people really go crazy with it. Really inspiring! Check them out if you're curious :) And trust me, you are!!

1.  Robert DeMayo 
2. CJ Jones
3. TL Forsberg
4. Bob Hiltermann & Beethoven's Nightmare

ASL Song: Kid Cudi's Up Up & Away

This is my first recorded signed song! After watching it a few times I totally noticed all the rookie errors (the handshape for celebrate, needing more information...sigh!) but it was good practice! I'm just glad I finally got the guts to get in front of the camera. Phew. More to come :)