Utah

I am not from Utah, but I have lived there. I don't think I could ever live there again, but I do like some things about it... I like being able to drive into the mountains and hike if I've had a bad day or if I just feel like being outdoors, and I like being able to do that without getting eaten by mosquitos or fearing my death due to rape or murder. Most of all though, I miss Matt. Since I've been talking to Matt again I've missed our adventures! We used to sit on a rock with no one else around and talk, about whatever. I wish I could have mountains and cool summer nights blended with beach, trees, and maybe some city... and Matt <3

Here are some pictures I took out there (thought I had more but I dunno)

Southern Utah

Northern Utah

Here is a picture I found online... This is more of what I imagine when I think of Utah: a grey, smoggy, lifeless, flat valley without much foliage, filled with an abundance of judgmental attitudes and closed-mindedness. I don't think I could ever live there again... not for long anyway.

Celebration

I like different cultures, and I like to celebrate, so naturally when Keri asked me to celebrate Black History month I said "of course!". We had various ideas for what to do and figured we'd wing it. I listened to some music by a few black artists and then Keri came and stayed the night. We watched a movie in DC where we threw spoons at the screen, which was awesome but had nothing to do with African American culture. Then we stayed up all night talking and were tired the next day... at least we made it to KFC?

<--- Keri and I with the Colonel

Okay, so maybe that was a bit of a bust... and I'm good on KFC for a while. At least March brought another celebration :)

<---I'm sure I was right

<--- Kiss the Irish!

This month I'll be celebrating Easter... actually, I've already been celebrating with Mini Eggs. Boy they're tasty, just ask this baby

Another celebration is coming up soon too! Oh boy!

Sara

Annie, Laynie and I saw Sara Bareilles and she was AWESOME!!! I really like her personality, and her voice is amazing! Wow, what talent!

My job

I work at a non-profit organization called Humanim. Why is it called "Humanim" you may ask... The title is also a vision: The human spirit of one; the compassion of many. We are an ever-growing company, provided we continue to receive funding... Love you government :)

<-- Our headquarters in Baltimore

Specifically, I work in the REDI program under the Deaf Services department. REDI: Rehabilitation Employment for Deaf Individuals. Basically, the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) refers Deaf people who would like assistance in searching for jobs. Once we accept these people into the program, there are two main services we provide with DORS funding: Job Development and Job Coaching. Job Development entails us meeting our consumers in their communities and assisting them with resume writing, application submissions, establishing employer contacts, setting up interviews, attending interviews, etc. The consumer is responsible for 50% of the job search effort, and are expected to bring job leads to each meeting. Now, Job Coaching means that once the individual is placed into a job of choice, we assist the employer in ensuring that all job tasks are understood. After the consumer has reached 90 days of employment, he/she should understand what is expected from the employer and have the ability to perform all required job duties. If the individual is content, and the employer is satisfied, we close the case successfully. As you might realize, these are fully independent and able people, who should only need slight assistance.

I also work as a Relief Staff in the Residential Brain Injury department. For this, I go to the consumer's home andassist with every day living tasks. These consumers live in specific housing that must be staffed at all times (usually). I am medically certified for this position and responsible to administer meds at correct times and follow procedures according to each consumer's needs.

Here is the link to our website: http://www.humanim.com/home.htm?CFID=11653030&CFTOKEN=90116869

Here is the Deaf Services team last December

New

Hello!

Uhm... so I was thinking I might blog... I don't know if I really want to and I don't have many interesting things to share, but maybe this will inspire new adventures :)

The first few blogs on here were assignments from a 100 level class at TU. They're great, don't hate. I wish I remembered how to use html... but I don't. Wow, I am so interesting right now...