Cross Roads

As you have most likely noticed, I have not posted anything new lately. That is due to a myriad of things but today I feel as though I need to post.

School is out until summer school starts on April 30th. This has been a busy semester for me and I'm glad it's over but I still feel at a loss over it. How very odd. I have never felt this conflicted about school ending. It has been a trying semester in just about every possible aspect.

I feel like I have grown a lot this semester so I am grateful for it but I know that I am not yet full grown. A large part of growing is discomfort. When I was a little girl and I was going through my growth spurts I would have the worst leg pains at night. I was convinced that I had broken legs because it was so painful. I would then go downstairs, crying, and tell my mom that my legs were broken. She would give me an extra pillow and tell me to elevate my legs and I remember thinking that my mom was nuts because how could a little elevation mend broken bones? Anyway, my point is that while I have grown a lot this semster, I have hurt a lot too, and still hurt from time to time. And this time, a little elevation doesn't help.

I was speaking with a friend earlier tonight and we talked about how we acted when we were getting to know each other. This friend prefers to stay more reserved until he is comfortable with people then he can reveal his true personality. I am the opposite, when I first meet someone I tend to be a bit over the top to quell any awkwardness and then once I get to know them, I am myself. When we met it was pretty difficult to break through to him, he didn't seem to want to talk so I would just yammer on and on and would think "He must think I'm an absolute moron". I think we're good now. I think people find it odd that I start out being wild and crazy and then I settle into a more reserved, deep thinker type. I don't want to be that anymore. I want to be myself at all times and stop putting on a show. Wild and crazy has it's place, but sometimes I display it as though those are the only personality characteristics I possess.

I have no idea where tht last paragraph came from but I think I needed to write it, it's what is going on in my head and this is my blog so stop reading if you hate it.

I am going through such an identity crisis right now, not the "I'm going to freak out, cash in my 401K and buy a Miata" sort of crisis, more of a "I have had so many new experiences lately and they are all changing my perspective, so who am I?" sort of crisis. I have heard that your 20's is the "decade of decisions" and I feel as though that is 100% applicable to me. It seems as though every week I am faced with another one of life's big decisions and I'm not sure I want to continue making them. Will they stop if I just ignore them? Or will other people be forced to make them for me?

So sorry for the deep thoughts but I had to get them off my chest and it's 3am so it seems realy urgent to do this right now. i'm sure I'll read this later and laugh at my ridiculous self. But you know what? That's great because at least I'll be laughing. Love you.

Get to Know Me

I have some odd facts about me that you may not know. So get to know me! I thought it would be interesting to list some fun trivia that you may not know. I was totally inspired by my roommate Eliza's bathroom admission on her blog. I highly suggest checking that out too. Anyway...here we go!

1. I can spell any word backward. Except supercalifragilisticexpealidocious and antidisestablishmentarianism, those two are highly requested. I started doing this as a kid when I would look out the window as my mom drove. When you're a kid, buses are at eye level so I had plenty of practice material.

2. Whenever I see a string of numbers (addresses, phone numbers, church hymns, time, etc) I add up all the numbers in my head and see if they are divisible by 3.

3. I am a movie nut. I see about 3 or 4 new movies a week. Don't worry, I don't go to the theater 3 to 4 times a week. I have Blockbuster Online and I USE it! I also have a bad habit of buying movies...lots of movies. I bought "Enchanted" on Tuesday and I couldn't be happier. Now...where's my true love's kiss?!?

4. I totally believe in karma and the law of attraction. I used to want to get justice for everything that I saw as unjust, but now I know that everything will eventually work out. Karma's gonna git you, sucka!

5. I think I have a sub-conscious fear that I will wear down my teeth on one side of my mouth quicker than the other. Due to this fear I will divide my food evenly as to prevent any uneven wear and tear. Example: if I have 6 Skittles, I eat 3 on the right and 3 on the left. If I have 7 Skittles I eat 3.5 on the right and 3.5 on the left. Yes, I bite things like Skittles and M&M's in half. Leave me alone.

6. As I walk down the hall at school sometimes I give people head to toe makeovers in my head. It is really dumb and pretty judgmental, but whatev, I'm admitting it.

7. I never use the first stall in any public restroom because I figure it is probably the most used. Need I explain more?

8. I have a girl crush on one of my teachers at school. She's amazing! I think that everyone who knows her shares this crush so I don't feel like I'm admitting some deep, dark secret.

9. When I was younger my mom was very involved at our elementary school and they would have a cupcake sale every Wednesday. Her favorite thing to do was to show me off to the other moms. I can put a whole cupcake in my mouth without trouble. I don't even get any frosting on my mouth. What a talent! Also, one time I put 29 grapes in my mouth and then my sister made me eat them all. Don't be jealous of my skills, I'm SURE you have your own talents...somewhere.

I have plenty of more talents/oddities about me but you're probably overwhelmed at my awesomeness. You're welcome.

Oh you're SO neglected!

I haven't writen for a while now and I know you all have been eager with anticipation. "What's she going to say?", "What is she thinking", "I love Rachel". Those were examples of your recent thought processes, I'm sure. And by the way, I love you too. The internet on my computer has been super funky lately so I can't do a full Vegas review for you, yet. So, hold your breath until I can :) Love you! (Except for you, Meghan and Susan)

An Open Letter

Dear Boy in my Film Class,

Would you please shut the hell up? Hearing your personal stories that never relate to class are a bit annoying and distract from my college experience (even though my sister says that UVSC isn't a real college, I still want to take advantage of the "experience").

All the best,
Rachel

Soccer Anyone?

I never played soccer, but I know if I did...this would most likely be a video of me. I have always been an ardent supporter of my younger siblings soccer endeavors. The closest I came to any danger at a soccer game was when I almost got in a fight with a 14 year old boy playing against my brother. What?!? He was being rude so I called him on it and he told me to shut up so I called him a "snot nosed little brat who needs to learn some respect". I think my dad was proud of me. For once. (kidding)

Vegas Baby!

I'm going to Las Vegas next week for work! I'm totally excited! An agency is sending me down to Vegas to interpret during my Spring Break. I'm excited because I enjoy my alone time so it will be nice to get away and spend A LOT of time by myself. I know, weird, right? My mom said that even when I was a little girl I liked being alone. But, if you want to hang with me give me a call and we can play for the week. I'll have a hotel room so don't worry about that :) Well actually, boys, if you want to come you may need to get your own room. Or you can sleep in your car. Any suggestions for something fun and cheap to do in Vegas?

Easter

My favorite time of the year. I bought 2 bags for $4 at Target last night...they should tide me over until Friday or so. My poor roommate is on a strict eating plan and just about had a heart attack when I showed her. She looks amazing and I am getting chubby just having them near me. Good thing I don't mind. I can't wait for the day after when they're 50% off!

What's Your Secret?

A while ago I got a book called "Post Secret". Here's a quick synopsis for you; a man named Frank Something began an experiment that allows people to write down their deepest, darkest secret (anonymously) and send it to him. Sounds kinda odd and suspicious, right? Well, it is a big hit. He printed a bunch of postcards that are blank on one side with his address and directions on the other. The directions basically state:

• You can't have ever told anyone your secret
• Remain anonymous
• Decorate it, make it your own personal canvas

Some of the secrets are sad, some are uplifting and some are just kooky. I love it! The website is updated every Sunday with new secrets. The one posted above was from today and, of course, it touched me. I am so happy that they chose to include this on their post.

So, being inspired by my lovely roommate Eliza, I will share a secret with you. (Lucky). Here goes...I currently have a very unhealthy crush on a married man. There you have it! Whew! Very refreshing to get that off my chest :) Have a great week!

Something that annoys me....

...people that get married and completely lose THEIR personality by taking on the characteristics of their new partner, they completely give up their old life and adopt "what's his name's" life. Hate it. If you were never a Star Wars nerd, don't dress like Princess Leia for Halloween, be Rainbow Brite like you know you want to! Be yourself!

Also, once people have kids it seems like that is their only interest anymore. Their blog is full of the kid rolling over and sleeping, they email you pictures and movie clips daily because now the kid can sit in the swing without falling out the bottom. It's probably because I don't have the husband or the child, but come on! How is it possible to give up everything you used to identify as "you"! Whatever. Maybe I won't get married just so that I can always be sure to stay true to myself.

I know I probably sound bitter, but I don't care. It's just plain and simple fact. I've lost many friends to marriage. Anyway, who cares...this is my blog and I can say whatever I want!!

MeTube

So....by skimming over my blog you may think that I have some addiction to YouTube, but I don't, I swear! But I like these videos a lot and I watch them over and over because they make me happy. This will be one of the last posts to feature videos (maybe). Enjoy!



Love it!! I never really liked this movie anyway



There are a few others that are quite good, especially Karate Kid in 5 seconds



That kid will never live that down, ever.



Thanks to Camy for showing me this!!!



No comment :)



Poor dear. Poor, poor dear.

Where Can I Buy This Insurance?

Am I bad for loving that?



OMG, I'm stealing* that little boy! He is adorable!


*I have no plans to abduct said child in said commercial

I may start drinking Pepsi

This ad will run on Sunday during the Super Bowl. I am sooooo extremely excited! I am going to dork out on ASL for just a moment, so bear with me, or just stop reading. This ad is incredible for many reasons, but my favorite reason is this; most people will only meet one or two Deaf people in their whole lives. Perception of the Deaf community has been skewed by prejudices and by poor representatives like Marlee Matlin and Heather Whitestone. This ad does a great job at exposing the Deaf community to the world, even if it is only for 60 seconds, and showing that many Deaf people live very normal lives. Most people don't even know that the Deaf community has a long and rich history and their own culture! I don't think that this commercial will change the world, but if it gets one or two people thinking....cool.

Some interesting facts about Deafness and Deaf history:

-Alexander Graham Bell (hailed as an American hero for his inventions) headed an American Council on Eugenics (cleansing of the races, Hitleresque stuff) and recommended that Deaf people should not be allowed to get married AND that to prevent passing the Deaf gene, they should be sterilized. Many women were sterilized after their first pregnancy without their knowledge or consent by "well meaning doctors" who got consent from the parents

-Over 90% of all Deaf children are born to hearing parents

-Only about 10% of hearing mothers learn sign language (the number for fathers is much smaller). Can you imagine not communicating above a 3 year old level with your child? For their whole life?!?

-Cochlear implants (a surgery that can be done to try to restore hearing) is opted by many hearing parents to try to "fix" their children and to make them more like their parents. Unfortunately, that surgery destroys any residual hearing the child may have, so if the surgery fails then the child is left stone deaf. The success rate is somewhere between 5-10%. Devastating.

-Users of ASL cherish their language, it is one of the foundations for their culture. Most Deaf people do not want to be hearing, they love their deafness and the family that they have within the community. Hearing people don't see the culture, they only see what they consider a flaw.

I really could go on forever, but I'm sure that my sister Meghan is going to give me enough crap about my preachiness, so I'm going to end with a thought. Learning both sides to every story will always work out better for you in the end. I hope that a young mother with a Deaf baby sees this ad on Sunday and doesn't just blindly follow her doctor's advice, but that she explores the other side. Then she will know that real success is possible.

Hello, my name is Rachel...and I'm an addict

I remember being in English class at Taft Jr. High School in San Diego while the "cool girls" talked about the previous days episode of 90210. They even alluded to calling each other DURING the show. This idea perplexed me. I couldn't imagine watching something on TV while talking on the phone about what we were both watching at our respective houses. Since Jr High, I have yet to have one of those typical girl relationships. And I've been okay with that!

This is where everything will come together.....wait for it....Here goes. My mom and I started watching "America's Next Top Model" separately. A few seasons ago we discovered our mutual passion and have been the obsessive, giggly high school, teeny boppers ever since. It is amazing! I think it has actually improved our mother/daughter relationship. Yep. Over reality TV.


If it were just ANTM, you might not call me an addict, but it is actually about most reality TV in general. Others I love are "American Idol", "So You Think You Can Dance" (I'm here Benji, come find me), "Rock of Love" (I know, super trashy) and most dating shows.

When I lived in San Diego I found a soul mate in Callie Victor. She watches all the same shows and I had a live-in Jr High buddy! It is refreshing to find those kindred spirits, they make you feel like your addictions are normal. Is that what alcoholics and gamblers feel like?

I Heart Charlie

I may just force my children to abuse each other as I follow them around with cameras...is that wrong? Oh yeah, I may also have a mandatory "English accents only" rule in my house until they reach age 8. After 8, it's just creepy.

School, Home and living in Utah County

My life is extremely different now that I live in Utah. I was skeptical about my feelings regarding leaving San Diego, but I think I have found my niche. I am loving going to school full time (18 credits this semester! gulp!) and work is amazing. I still miss San Diego, but I miss the people more than anything.

So, I am in a really cool program called ACIPP (Advanced Certification Interpreter Preparation Program). The requirement for this program is that you must be a certified interpreter wanting to advance to a higher level of certification. The ACIPP pays for my school, gives me a living stipend and gave me an 80 GB iPod! The best part though....the classes, my peers and the teachers are amazing. I know that they will help to mold me into the super fantastic interpreter that I want to be. Hooray!

I live in what we lovingly refer to as "The Pink House". Our house is painted a light shade of pink, but I think that this coming Spring it will be repainted by me and my enthusiastic roommates. Repainted a much deeper shade of pink (if I have anything to say about it!!!) It is a bit odd to live in a house around here, unless you live with your parents, but I was lucky enough to run into an old friend who had an opening in her house. I adore my sweet roommates, it is such a great set up, I really couldn't ask for a better situation.

For work, I feel overly blessed. I interpret at my school AND just recently started team teaching a beginning ASL class at a local high school. I love interpreting and I am loving teaching so far. The students are WAY cooler than I ever was in high school.

I promise that after this, my posts will get way cooler and way funnier. Don't you worry, good ole' Rachel will pull through...you'll get a good ab work out reading my posts :)

My Blog Title Says it All

I have considered making the leap into bloggerdom for quite a while now. So of course, I do it now, 10:30 at night and I need to be doing homework and going to bed so that I can get up at 6am. I have problems, but if you're reading this, you already knew that.

I have always enjoyed writing (which is odd because I can't seem to keep a journal), so a blog should be a natural fit for me. Or it will bring about my ultimate destruction, I'm fine with either. My roommate, Eliza, is an avid blogger and because I look up to her so much and am such a follower...here goes...

Sorry for making the first post so short and not so sweet, my next one will be the typical, "Guess What I Did in 2007?" post as to catch everyone (all 2 of you) up on my comings and goings. I can't wait!!!!