Deaf Dish - ASL vLog / Blog

Are you going to open a bottle of champagne tonight? Yes? Have you heard of this unique way of opening a champagne bottle with a heavy sword or saber? If not, read on! Very interesting. 

Sabrage or Sabering Champagne  It is the delicate art of "decapitating" the bottles of champagne — orginated in France during the Napoleon time.

When I first learned of this "art", it sounded pretty cool until I saw one of the videos at Wired.com  showing a guy demonstrate the technique. I was not sure if it's cool. He managed to blow off about half the bottle neck and shatter the rest so that almost all of the champagne streaming through the air, and what remained was full of glass pieces.

It looks like a dangerous thing to do. Isn't it? I would never attempt this myself as I don't prefer glass bits in my precious eyes — even in champagne!

I think I'll stick with popping the cork the usual way. 

Have you seen anyone perform it? If so, share the story with us!

More info on sabrage: 

http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,72386-0.html?tw=wn_index_1  (showing several videos of guys doing champagne sabering)

http://www.champagnesabering.com/index.php?id=9 (interesting history on champagne sabering)

http://www.champagnesabering.com/index.php?id=4 (tutorial on champagne sabering if you dare to make an attempt)

Have fun tonite! 

As I sifted through the past 12 months of stuff such as; photos, emails, letters, blogs, news, and so on, I realized that 2006 has been a pretty interesting year for me.

As a deaf individual . . . from IJK’s retirement announcement, CSDR, to BOT’s response to Gallaudet protest, and a “record year” for deaf bloggers and vloggers.

As a family member . . . from my last baby, Tristan Niall’s birth, my Granny’s death, to my first child, Skye’s 18th birthday, and many wonderful moments with my family throughout the year.

2006 never kept me bored!

World news? So much going on this crazy planet this year — Iraq War (still), Bush's stinkin' administration, high oil prices, global warming, Colts Steelers winning the Superbowl, Google, Apple, Tom Cruise jumping on the sofa before Oprah's audience, not to mention the biggest news today — the hanging of the dictator, Saddam Hussein!  I sure wonder what will happen on the very last day of 2006 tomorrow.

2007? 2007? 2007? Does it mean 20 year Gallaudet Class of '87 reunion coming up? Or is it a 25-year thing? Wow! Is it  20 years already? 

Sigh! Where did time go?

I need to find out what I wasted my life doing other than bearing my children and taking care of them for 18 years, and teaching for 12 years. I now realize I already entered the second half of my life!  Um! There are so many things I want to do with my life before I depart this earth.  Umm . . . finishing my book . . . skydiving . . . climbing one of the highest peaks in the world . . . seeing all my children become adults and be successful . . . reviewing all Socrates' works . . . travelling to some sin cities (especially Thailand, not Las Vegas!) . . . let's live in the moment!  My daily duty is to seize each and every day.  Carpe Diem! 

Let me show you what I have chosen the bests of 2006. I need time to put the Year in Pictures collection (both family and the Deaf) together. But I had already made up my mind about two items each category. Be it hodgepodge!

Remember this is my blog. My opinion. You can agree to disagree!

Year in Pictures (both family and deaf issues) . . . Coming Soon!

Most Interesting Deaf Vloggers: Jon Savage (comedy-drama) & Joey Baer (deaf politics)  - Update: I think Amy Cohen Efron deserves the spot, too.

Most Interesting Deaf Bloggers:  RidorLive (deaf politics & comments made by people) &  Mr. Sandbox (well-written entries)

Most Interesting Hearing Bloggers: Connecting the Dots (a lot of interesting insights) & This Fish Needs a Bicycle (very straightforward)

Most Interesting Gallaudet Protest Bloggers: Mishka Zena (she knows it all always on top of Gally Protest issues) &  Elisawrites.com (sweet and short)

Most Visited Deaf-related Website: Deadread! 

Fond Farewells:  Mr. Gil Eastman & June Haymaker “Granny” Holliday

Most Fascinating Persons: JKF (a scholar not being able to see the real issues?) & of course, my last baby, Tristan Niall ( will be one next week – age one is my favorite year)

Best Deaf Political Cartoonists: Maureen Klusza (JKF signing "stay") & Tony McGregor (the one similar to Goya’s painting)

Most Inspiring Deaf Leaders: Mal Grossinger (CSDR, positivism) &  Dr. Davilla (being back home at Gally)

Most Read Deaf Topics: Black Friday &  JKF’s Termination

Most Cool Commentators (my blog): Lee Kemp & Amy Cohen Efron

My Favorite Entries (my blog): Another Bite at the Apple! (Blog) & Run For Life! (vLog)

Most Amazing Moments:  Tristan Niall's birth (my no. 10 and the last one) & Visit with Granny for the very last time ( she looked so lovely and peaceful) 

Best Memorable Family Time: Water Sports experience with Skye, Dillon, & Sloane on the bay in Cape Cod & Travelled across the United States both ways enmass (all 13 people, plus a large-sized dog) in a 33 footer. 

Best Deaf Events: NAD Conference (College Bowl) & Triopley Nights with Trippers (esp. Black Friday nite)

Best Dinner Parties Bill & I hosted: St. Patrick Dinner Party (right after we moved to Riverside) and the Annual HNY Beef Wellington Dinner (every new year eve, looking forward to feasting ourselves on the favorite dish of Queen Elizabeth)

Best Deaf Short Films: Vital Sign (Mosduex) and Audism (LightKitchen)

I will add more when some ideas pop in my head. This post is subject to be modified from time to time — depending on how I think of 2006 for one more day! This is written as is!

I raise my glass to you, dear Deaf Dish readers, and to a New Year filled with health, happiness and prosperity!

Happy 2007!

PS: My New Year Resolutions? None! I keep breaking them every year! Forget them! Whenever I feel ready to change, I will certainly keep a commitment. Let's check out this site, 43things dot com for those who need resolutions or ideas what to do with their life. 

 Wishes all Deaf Dish Readers Merry Holidays!

Several days ago, it was my eldest child, and one and only daughter’s 18th birthday. 18! Everyday parents reach this milestone with their children, but somehow ours seems different. I suppose it is because our experience with parenthood has been a bit different than most. You see, Skye is the first child of an interaural marriage. My husband, Bill is hearing and I am deaf.

Skye recently left on a trip to Big Bear Mountain to snow board with her boyfriend. I wished her the best in ASL. It occurred to me that she is the best signer of our children. I wondered why, and began to reminisce about all those times I had shared with her growing up.

It seems like just this morning that Skye was learning how to use her first language ASL, and how to walk. I watched her turn from a cuddly little fur-ball of energy into a beautiful and intelligent young trilingual lady of whom I am proud, and I know she will always make me so.

A different experience? Skye is not only our first hearing child, but our only girl. She uses ASL with me somewhat fluently yet signs and speaks, ASL/Spoken English simultaneously with her dad, and does them for 18 years now.

When Skye was born, I expected her first word would be a spoken one, but I was wrong! Her first word was the sign for milk, and from that point she picked up a lot of signs and of course spoken English words. By the age of one, she could sign or speak a three or four word sentence. Skye was often mistaken for being a brilliant deaf child when we attended deaf events.

How did she do it? First, language seems to be one of her strengths. My husband, who is bilingual, uses English/ASL in our home environment almost all the time, and who has certainly encouraged Skye to use ASL as often as possible. Having no siblings also played a critical role in her language development. Additionally, all those times at Gallaudet (daycare, deaf babysitters, special events), local deaf events, and with hearing friends of deaf parents was she exposed to that expedited her progress of learning ASL.

I have noticed however, that it is very difficult for young kids to shift between two languages or use them at the same time. When they begin having a formal English class, their sign language skills deteriorate every year they advance in English. They end up fingerspelling, as if they read and write.

It reminds me of when I was a little girl I struggled to learn or use two languages at the same time. I ended up rebelling against speech classes and begged my mom to sign a form not to allow anyone to take me out of any classes for speech therapy during my middle school years (that's another story to tell).

As with deaf children, I insist Bill not to force our kids to use ASL 100 percent of time, but only when I am in their presence or during mealtime, else it would be much like hearing people forcing deaf children to speak.

I strongly believe in letting all children use their natural language as their first choice. They will eventually use the second language easily later in their life. Skye’s usage of ASL decreased, but picked it up again in her early teenage years. That’s true of my sons who are hearing, as well.

Now, Skye knows three languages, ASL, English (Honors and AP courses for four years), and Spanish (Honors & AP courses for three years). Learning ASL first is a clear advantage in being proficient in other languages.

Today as we celebrate her entrance into adulthood, just as we celebrated her entrance into this world, we feel a sense of excitement and hopefulness. We know now that she is prepared and perhaps more prepared than most having come from a hearing or "normal" family.

A video showing several photos of her growing up:

Ah!

Four more days before Christmas, I have not got my husband a gift yet. 

First time this year I am behind in Xmas gift shopping! So many things going on lately – flying out to the east coast, gatherings, dealing with Granny’s death, my daughter turning 18 and so on – all that in three weeks.

I realized it would be really hard to celebrate Christmas this year, because Granny was supposed to come visit with us in CA this month. Poor her! Two days before she passed away, she told my sister she wanted to get better so that she could travel (in tears).

Anyway . . .

Oh God, I am such a big mess. I have been pouring many gallons of tears for several days now.  That explains no vlogs!

Anyway . . .

My mind wanders. What a nightmare.

Anyway . . .

Yes, it is a rambling post!

Anyway . . .

Okay, I find my way.

Anyway . . .

Being married to Bill for eighteen years plus a couple years in relationship, it is getting harder every year to find a meaningful gift for him. I gave him about everything  — an expensive Stratocaster electronic guitar (my first Xmas gift to him), Gucci watch, KitchenAid Professional Series Mixer, a full set of Henkel knives, Monte Blanc pens, and so on, not to mention all other special occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries,  Father’s Days. They were meaningful – related to his interests such as music, gourmet cooking, and writing. I looked back and realized I spent a fortune on gifts for him.

Supposedly, he was worth every hard-earning penny, however I noticed the price of gifts for him decreased every year as our family grew — from 800 dollars first year to about 150 dollars last year. He got a JBL Creature speakers plus some stuff for stocking. $100 for a “big” gift, $50 for stocking. 

Stocking?

That’s our favorite part of gift exchange each and every year. We always compete who gets the best and most creative stuff for the same amount – EVERY SINGLE YEAR!  That affords us to get something  personal and humorous. We always look forward to opening stocking gifts – the last Xmas morning ritual. That holds true for my children, too – nothing like what Bill and I usually get for each other!

This year? I have no idea!! Four more days!

Sigh!

Umm . . .

Now you see why I set up a poll to see how much people will spend on a holiday gift for their significant other.  I am quite surprised with the result (so far). Most readers voted for either $200, or none, but plenty of love.

Plenty of love?

It is very true.  I remember I created some homemade gifts when I was so poor – lets say I was broke after spending a lot of money on Xmas, many birthdays, and special occasions within three months – Skye (Dec. 19), Dillon (Jan 11th) Bill (Feb 2nd), Dahey (Feb 11th), and Chance (Feb. 28th), and Valentine’s Day. Money do easily dry up those months.

Anyway . . .

Whenever I was broke, or ran out of time, I always came up with some creative last minute gifts. But this year? I seem to run out of unique ideas! 

Ah! 

I remember this particular homemade gift that he enjoyed the most — a love coupon booklet that could be used throughout the year. It was fun!  Also, I remember this cool and thoughtful gift I created for him on a Valentine’s Day about three years ago – dyed a piece of white paper in tea and then burned the edge of its paper  to make it look like an old document. I wrote down a special message in calligraphic style, and then stuffed it into an empty wine bottle. And I left it afloat in hot tub for Bill to discover upon his entry.  Cool?

Ah! I do not have much time left for gift shopping. I could not shop online since the last shipping date for Xmas delivery was yesterday … shopping this weekend? Crazy!  I do not like to shop for last minute gifts and end up giving some lame presents.

Umm . . .

Am thinking up of some possible fresh and creative ideas . . .

Umm . . .

Gift certificate? Nah! Maybe concert tickets to one of his favorite bands?  Not such a bad idea! We have not gone to concerts for ages! The last time we went to the concert together was the Earth Day at Merriweather Post (Columbia, MD) played by Violent Femme. What a great time!  That was . . . umm … 2000 . . . I think so! I bet he would love to go to concert again!

They will play in SF next week. Umm… Should I surpise him with both airfare and concert tickets? 

Risky?!?!? Babysitting situation???? I do not think so. 

Umm … Any suggestions? 

Mind you . . . 

Whatever my talent, his gift will surely be warmly received this Christmas.

May you have a great Christmas this year!

On Sunday morning the 10th of December, I went with my mom, her husband, one of my deaf sisters (Lisa) and one of my hearing brothers (Kevin) to meet other relatives (yes, they are hearing) at the funeral home in Stephens City, VA to make arrangements for my deaf grandmother, Granny's burial.  Oh Boy! Good thing were I there to make sure we keep her last wish.

I ought to tell about it in a vlog — an explanation of the effect of having deaf relatives in hearing-dominant families. Maybe!

Anyway . . . If not for me as a deaf granddaughter who is strong-willed, Granny's ultimate wish would never be granted.

Betty, I am glad I was not talked out of it! (raspberrying) Kevin, many thanks for making a great proposal that would honor Granny's final wish without causing disputes.

Stepping back to Sidekick . . .

After leaving the funeral home, we went to visit with Granny's sister Maxine, and hanged out there for a while sharing the information, making plans for after the funeral, and some trivial conversations. 

There I sat before all the hearing relatives talking about money and bills (SICK!) as my mom interpreted them. I daydreamed  — reminscing some fond memories I had of Granny, not following their unwholesome conversation 100 percent, and pondering if the plans we made are “perfect” and complied with by her last wish.

All of a sudden, I realized that the funeral director already arranged with the newspapers staff to place an obituary without a photo. No pictures!?! I turned to my mom trying to get her attention. I told her how important it was to have a picture of Granny to be included — to help local deaf community recognize her. I signed big and passionately. All the hearing relatives ceased talking, and turned their heads toward us asking what's going on. I explained them that we deaf people especially elders recall faces better than names (right? we are visual-oriented people?? right?) and demanded that we do something about it.

Betty, of course, rolled up her eyes and sneered that I wanted the best for Granny.  Naturally, I ignored her and insisted my mom to phone the newspaper editors right away — to see if they could add a photo at such a short notice. They said they could do that if we sent a photo within a few minutes.

Few minutes? I panicked for not having ample time, because it was very important to me, and my family and I were about one hour away from Granny's or my mom's place where all the photographs were kept.  I was not sure what to do.

When Charity, a friend of mine emailed me asking for more information on Granny's funeral, an idea popped in my head as I read — using my Sidekick to capture a photo.  I rambled about the living room looking for some photographs.   I found a couple of pictures, but they were too old (25 years or older) — not the most recent one or the best. I asked some relatives to see if they have any recent photos in their purses or wallets. My nephew, Alex happened to have a photo of her in his wallet. That was the best i could find in my immediate surrounding and time.

So, I grabbed it and hurried out of the house — better lighting situation. I placed it on a wooden picnic table, and captured it with Sidekick III camera. And then I emailed it to the editors instantly. I made it! I did it for Granny! I knew she would appreciate it.

Technology! Is it amazing? It saves a memory! I am so glad that I own a Sidekick! 

The following photo was sent to be printed with the narration in the section of obituaries. They cropped it out before printing. Thank God Sidekick III has this big improvement, image quality!

Sent as is (notice the wooden texture)

Just a brief note to let you know why I had not posted or replied comments since Nov. 30th Dec 2nd.