My Internship

^^ ASL blog ^^

Hello! ^.^

I wanted to tell you how I got the internship in Florida while I was in New York studying clinical psychology.

I had heard about how Walden School for the Deaf, which was located an hour outside of Boston, Massachusetts, was an excellent place to work. I was told that I will have both professional and personal growth there. I saw this as an opportunity to work there as an internship.

So, I asked a boss at that place about whether or not the position for summer internship is available, and the boss said I am able to work there. In fact, I was told that I am second in their top list for hiring. I became especially interested after the boss shared many positive things about this school.

For example, they mentioned that 90% of staff signed all the time. It was neat! Their primary focus was on deaf children and deaf adolescents with involvement of social worker, police, therapist, doctor, family, and etc. This is to ensure that their involvements in the lives of deaf children and adolescents increase the likelihood of success rate of behavior, better social skill, and consistent academic achievements.  I think that is great, especially that parents of deaf children usually do not build relationship with these children.

Therefore, I was impressed with the philosophy of that school. The wage was great as well. The internship was not too far from Boston. I thought it was perfect opportunity.

Sure enough, the boss and I arranged to have an interview through videophone (VP). The boss emailed me with her availability of VP interview, and it was Tuesday that I responded with my preference to have an interview on Thursday.

When Thursday came, I was ready sitting in front of the VP and waiting to receive a call from the boss. However, she didn't call.

I decided to email her asking her whether or not we are supposed to have an interview through VP? She responded immediately, and I was surprised to learn that she hasn't received any email from me regarding VP interview appointment.

Then, I checked to see if my email was sent that day. It turned out that it was finally sent out only 2 minutes ago. I was quite puzzled by this. Because I sent it on Tuesday, email wasn't sent until only two minutes ago after speaking with the boss on Thursday.

Still, we rescheduled our VP interview. We finally had the interview.

Unfortunately, the VP wasn't exactly smooth as it should be. The videophone froze frequently. The boss told me that this is actually first time that VP froze. This made me wonder out of all people and at this time, VP happened to freeze on this very day I have the interview for internship. I began to wonder if this is related to God's will.

We kept trying to understand each other on VP, and it was quite difficult. As soon as the interview ended, I hanged up and sensed that something isn't right.

First, email wasn't sent promptly. Second, VP froze frequently. Third, I sensed something isn't right.

I decided to look for another job in case this promising job wasn't part of God's will.

I know a particular person named Alissa who lived in Florida, and she knew of a person who worked in psychology field. I was able to contact this person and asked whether or not he knows of any job related to psychology and deaf.

He then referred me to a boss of a home group for the Deaf. I asked this boss if she needs an extra staff in her group home. She was quite enthusiastic with the fact that I am interested in working with deaf clients.

I asked her if she wants to interview me, see my resume, or get my professional references? She said no and just come over here now. I was surprised.

She explained that her group home for the Deaf consists of hearing staff who know a little or none American Sign Language (ASL), which was frequent frustration for deaf clients who attempt to be heard and understood. In addition, having a deaf staff work will boost deaf clients' signs and communication skill.

I saw the need of having a deaf staff at the group home, so I understood why she wanted me to start work immediately.

I then consulted with God about which internship He wanted me to take.

Also, it was my dream to live in Florida. I eventually gave it up a long time ago. All of a sudden, I have this opportunity to live in Florida.

So, it was clearly that God's will is for me to have this internship in Florida despite of promising opportunity in Massachusetts.

Now, you know how I get this internship ^.^

It has been five weeks since I started my internship, and I now have five weeks left to go. So, I'm actually half way with my internship.

My typical internship schedule would be from 2:30pm to midnight, sometimes 12:30am. Those deaf clients attend a school that offered a program adult day training
and would get back home at 3:30pm. That's why I started working in the afternoon.

There are 4 deaf clients live here in this house, and the house is just like everyone else's house. There are office, kitchen, living, bedrooms, and bathroom.

We, staff (aka caregiver, are to encourage these clients to become independent. Some of the clients cannot be independent completely, but still others have the possibility of becoming independent. So, it is our job to change their negative behaviors (i.e., screaming, throwing things, hitting) to positive behavior that reflect appropriate adult behaviors.

Each client has his or her own behavior analyst who comes up with a plan for us, staff, to respond to either negative or positive behavior of each client in order to change their behavior into appropriate behavior.

We also help them to develop survival skill such as doing laundry, washing dishes, cleaning, etc.

That's what I have been doing for past five weeks.

I have been considering about getting a permanent job upon completion of the internship. I would like some job that would challenge me constantly because I want to learn something new. Beside, such job would come with better salary.

However, this job is what God led me. I am going to talk with Him to see if I should continue with this job or look for another job as soon as I complete this internship.

One thing has touched my heart was these deaf clients. You see, when I started working with them, I just do my duty to ensure they are living just fine. I eventually grow to care about them and want to see them to thrive into successful adults.

It is pretty difficult decision since I am the only deaf staff in this home group for the Deaf, and I would like to continue encouraging these clients with their ability to communicate and to know that they can do everything just like I.

At this moment, I am torn apart between this job and new job. I am gonna talk with God to see what I can do.

Well, that's all I have to share about my internship. So, if you are curious to know more about my internship. You can go ahead and ask me.

So, I will see you later!

Azael

Florida and Honduras

Here is the following blog in two different languages: a YouTube video in American Sign Language and written English.

Before I start talking on and on, I want to let you know that I added two features to my blog, and you may either subscribe to my blog to your RSS site or receive email with my new post at the right of the blog site.

Hello! How are you doing?

It's hot here! Whoa!

I will be sharing four things: looking for a place to live in Florida, internship, coming here to Honduras, and then I will be going with Links of Hope (LoH) ministry team tomorrow.

So...I would say that I checked out five different places in Florida. You see, I was supposed to fly to Florida on Saturday; however, I missed the flight that day because of traffic. So, I went to Florida a day later, which was Sunday.

As soon as I landed in Florida and got my bags, Alissa Matiya helped me driving around to look at several places. Near the end of apartment/rental room search, I found one that was my top choice. I eventually made a decision to move into a rental room, and I will be living in a house with at least 5 bedrooms. There are two rental rooms, and I got to rent a room for $500. It's actually perfect because with $500, I was provided everything I need. I have access to family kitchen, living room, and laundry room. They also provided Internet access for me. In addition to that, it is actually only 10-minute driving to my internship. God is good! God is truly Provider! His provision is perfect!

I will tell you a bit about the family who live in that house. The owner of the house is a mother named Sharene, and she has a son and daughter. The son's name is Ryan, and the daughter's name is Crystina. Sharene has her mother lives with them as well, so she's basically grandmother. There are four of family members and me living in the house.

Crystina, who is the daughter, and her boyfriend were excited to learn American Sign Language. They impressed me because I was surprised that they were eager to meet me despite of my deafness. Ryan, who is the son, usually play video game all day and night in the garbage. So, I didn't get to know him much. I talked a bit with the grandmother, and she's actually kind enough to invite me over for dinner for July 4th. Grandmother made delicious dinner ^.^

When I entered the house, I saw that everything inside is decorated with African style. There are several decorative African animals and pottery blend with African-like color painting. It's quite beautiful house! Another interesting thing is that the color of the exterior house is pink.

Now, you can see how God is awesome Provider. When I was in New Jersey, I was quite concerned about whether or not I will find a place to live on time? I decided to put my faith in Him, and the result was that everything worked out! Not only that, but also Sharene was quite kind. She told me that since I will not live in the rental room much during the month of July, I don't need to start paying the rent until August and can save some money for the trip to Honduras. She said she wanted a hundred dollar as spot-secured deposit to know that I will be coming back. I did pay a hundred dollar, and it was easy! Again, this showed me that God is good! ^.^

I want to tell you something about the internship. Linda, who is the owner of the group home, overlooks Living Prosperous, Inc. I learned that Linda was actually the first person to provide group home for the Deaf clients in the state of Florida, and Living Prosperous is relative new business. In fact, I was impressed with Linda for initiating the group home because she was not quite familiar with Deaf culture, Deaf community, or even American Sign Language (ASL).

We had communicated through email, and then some woman sent me email from Prosperous Living Inc. Her name is Michaela, and I assumed that she was a middle-aged woman with some of kids. We also had communicated through email. Then, we finally arranged to meet, she came over since I didn't own a car.

So, she drove to where I was provided a place to sleep for a few nights before moving out to the renal room. As I opened the door to greet Michaela, I was shocked to see that she was much younger than I expected. So, I asked her how old she is, and she told me she's 18. I was like oh? She's 18 and I'm 22.

I found out that her positive is sort of manager of the group home. Later, I got to meet Shannon, who is Michaela's mother, at Starbucks just to drink and discuss any matter related to the home group. I also later found out that Linda is actually Michaela's grandmother. I realized that the group home for the Deaf is actually family-owned business. Isn't it interesting? Michaela is relative fluent in ASL, and Shannon is able to pick up signs pretty well, and Linda is currently learning ASL. It's rare to see a hearing family who actually knows ASL!

There is another evidence of why God is good. You see, Prosperous Living Inc. was established not too long ago, and I happened to need an internship. God led me to find an internship in Florida. God has a perfect timing for everything!

Let me see...what do I have next to share...?? Hmmm...ah yes...

Let's talk about Links of Hope. I will be starting the journey with Links of Hope tomorrow. Oh wait wait...I want to rewind...I want to share about Honduras first!

I came here to Honduras to visit mi familia for 10 days. I actually enjoy being here in Honduras, and there are two things I have enjoyed the most. One was Honduran plates because it is homemade food. I am fond of Honduran noontime meal because it's actually the most important meal of the day here in Honduras. Therefore, lunch meal was prepared with "love labor", you know? Honduran plates are unique, just different from American food. Besides, it's healthier simply because it is homemade.

Two was spend time talking with mi familia. I love to talk with my hermanos (Spanish for "siblings") and mamá. We actually communicate in Spanish using a notepad and a pen. I especially like to talk with my hermano (brother) because he often took time to talk with me. Sometimes, my hermanita (younger sister) still didn't finish her college courses, and my mom was doing errands. It would be just us for lunchtime. We talked and eat lunch together. That was my favorite part being with him.

Oh, you may click the following link to check out the pictures, which I uploaded through Facebook. Those pictures were taken at a place where there were large pools that were spring-fed. My tío (uncle), mi familia, and I drove two hours to that place and swam there. It was worth the 2-hour driving because it was fun! Afterward, we went to see waterfall. I was surprised to find that there is a waterfall here in Honduras! It was neat to see waterfall =)

So, you can click the following link to check out the pictures:

Verano Hondureño 2011

Now, let's talk about Links of Hope haha...

Tomorrow in the morning, I will be going to San Pedro Sula (SPS), which is a large industrial city, from here in small town. It will be an hour driving to SPS. I think we will first eat lunch with la familia and possibly my friends and then I will meet the ministry team. I believe there are 7 members of that team. I am excited about that. I think I will be meeting them at 2pm or 1:30pm...just after lunchtime. LoH team and I will be riding on the bus to the capital city named Tegucigalpa.

We will be at Tegucigalpa at nighttime. For the rest of the following week, we will be meeting deaf students. We will also work and encourage those deaf students. I'm excited to see how God will work through the ministry team to impact them. It is my hope to show them our love and to help them understand the Gospel. Hopefully, some of them will be saved. However, may the will be done in God's Hands. I'm excited about how God will use me to make difference in those deaf students, and God might use the students to change me as well.

I'm ready to serve deaf Honduras while giving my heart wholly to God.

I will share in the next video about how God work through me, how does the dynamic of the ministry appear, who are these members of the ministry team, and I might take a picture of the ministry team. I'm excited about that.

Now, you know what's up with my life. Have a good day...or night...see you later!

Azael