Tip of the week...

I sent April a text the other day saying we should have done our song videos to 'I Will Survive.' That's pretty much how I felt last week. I interpreted Tuesday and Thursday by myself. And I don't just mean that I was interpreting in the room, I mean that I was the only interpreter in the room. The interpreter I'm working with had to attend a conference last week so guess who that left? Your one and only. I was a nervous wreck the first day but am glad to say I feel like I did better the second day. If you ask the student, you might get a different story but... at least I felt a little better.

The initial sitting in front of a class who is used to seeing one interpreter and then I get in the seat and they're all like, huh, a different interpreter, let's watch her and see what she does. Even though they had no clue what I was signing, I felt like there were that many more Deaf students in the class and all critiquing (sp?) me. But, as Jas was saying, it's helpful to be encouraged. And, I'm fortunate enough to have an encouraging interpreter to work with but also an encouraging student to work with. Oh, get this too. I totally signed 12 instead of 22 the other day. The student corrected me, cuz I didn't even know I did it (that was disheartening) but was totally kewl about it. So, it's nice to have a student that is helpful without being really criticizing.

THEN...after my second day of interpreting on my own, I was headed back to Fairmont to work and all was well in the world. Until...I turned on to Locust Ave. I was sitting at the stop light and all of the sudden...BAM! Yeah, that's the sound that comes when someone crashes into the back of your car and then there's another BAM! when you hit into the car in front of you. That was my other big event of the week. Wonderful whiplash and pain in the shoulder continues. How ridiculous is that? I have physical therapy to look forward to. Again, how brilliantly ridiculous is that?? And what does the girl say caused the episode? Her flipflop got stuck under the gas pedal.

What's the tip of the week, kids? If you're going to wear flipflops while driving, make sure you're not a blonde and know how to get it unstuck from your gas pedal! How do you do that anyway? Does it require skill? Well, at any rate, it's a skill I don't want. Too much damage results. Sorry for the blonde part to any who are and who aren't as stupid as this girl.

Survive, All!