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Jessica Carter

Lynn Dey

SGLG 401

Spring 2013

Deaf Event Journal

GWU ASL Table - February 7, 2013

This was my first time going to the on campus ASL table for the Spring Semester. I came

immediately following a meeting for student interpreting and sat at a table with only Bob and

Lara. The three of us started off talking about class and things we are doing, and somehow

started talking about how we decided to major in ASL and our family’s opinion. Included in this

I talked about what my major was prior to ASL, why I left college, and restarted years later. This

was a good night at ASL table, especially for a first night back for me. It’s nice that we have an

opportunity to practice the language and connect with our professors.

Deaf Coffee Night - February 7, 2013

This was the first deaf coffee night of the semester, and this is my favorite event. Well, at least

this used to be my favorite event. The crowd that shows up to this event seems to have changed a

bit, and the students are different. However, tonight I sat with one other girl from my class and

students that are in 102 and 202. They were all just chit-chatting and getting to know one

another. Jon was discussing how badly he wanted a name sign, but because of his short name no

one would give him one. What I noticed tonight that was so different form usual was a lack of

GWU students, and a group of students from Cleveland Community College. I noticed a major

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Difference in the behavior of the students from CCC as compared to my fellow GWU students.

There was one point when Bob approached to introduce himself and one boy kept laughing and

repeated to his friends to “sign to this guy” and that he had no clue what Bob was saying. I felt

like this student could have asked his friends what Bob was saying, or someone else, or perhaps

wrote a question down for Bob. Anyways, I hate to seem critical of other students, but I am glad

that I don’t see this behavior with GWU students. We had a good time, even though it was a

small group. I got to know the underclassmen, and meet some new people.

GWU ASL Table - 5:00pm-7:00pm

I walked over to ASL table from the weekly student interpreter meeting with Lara. I paid to eat

in the cafeteria tonight, so I ended up taking more time there, and then really got to talking. The

place was empty again, and Lara and I just sat with Bob again at a table. The three of us spent so

much time talking tonight that we were there long after everyone was gone. We started off

talking about the food, and joking about the different concoctions they have in the Caf. Later on,

I discussed some thing about teaching labs with Bob, asking his opinion on things I am finding

difficult this semester in lab. I was explaining to him that have the most difficulty with

motivating the students to enjoy it even if it was foreign language credit. After that, Lara and

myself also took some time to talk about how we like student interpreting.

ASL Night Southpark Mall - March 22, 2013

Finally! I trip to Charlotte for a deaf event. I have been so caught up with student interpreting so

far this semester that it is hard to squeeze in deaf events. Anyways, tonight I went to Southpark

mall in Charlotte by myself for the monthly ASL night. I got to see some people that I have not

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seen since last semester. I spent the majority of the nice socializing with all of the people in the

food court, seeing other GWU students, etc. LKater on Lara approached me asking me to join

with a group going to the apple store. It was a group of about seven people, 3 deaf. We signing

throughout our time shopping around while Lara got her phone fixed and I got the chance to get

to know Jason, whom I had just met. He is deaf, and from Charlotte, and was proudly wearing a

shirt that said “Deaf NASCAR Fan.” After shopping around the group was late getting back to

the food court, and then spent some time discussing plans for the upcoming deaf performance

night for GWU’s Deaf Awareness Week. Overall this was a great trip to Southpark, and I am

glad I made the drive out.

ASL Night Northlake - April 12, 2013

Tonight I went to Northlake mall for the ASL dinner night. I don’t usually go to this event, but I

am so crammed for time that I have to jump at and deaf event opportunity. There weren’t many

people here tonight, but I got the opportunity to meet some other students. There were some

other interpreting student there, and on of the women was a CODA. A lot of the people who

come to Northlake also go to Southpark, so there were a lot of familiar faces. One thing this

showed me was that, although the faces were familiar, I did not know many of them. I think that

this means that I don’t only need to go to deaf events, but that I nee to put myself out there and

meet more people.

Deaf Performance Night - April 19, 2013

This was the GWU Deaf Awareness Week performance night. I go to the event on campus every

year, but this year it was a bit different. This year it was a little different than the past two year

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because we did not have any performers from the community. The skits this year were mainly

improvisation skits or short performances done by some seniors. However, this poetry done by

Anna, and a song done by Kayla and Lara were all absolutely beautiful. There was one point in

the night that Bob asked for my class to get on stage and he made us do a skit on the spot about

describing a pirate, this was a bit silly. We had done a video of describing this pirate before in

class, so luckily we had a little bit of practice. Some of the other skits done were improve. ABC

stories, and number stories. As far as performances, the night in all honesty was a

disappointment; Deaf club has done much better in the past. However, many people enjoyed

themselves and every one participated.