As I previously mentioned I did not get to bed the night before until 11pm. It took me forever to actually fall asleep, mainly because of the newness, different bed, and just being away from my hubby. I can say it wasn’t a restful night of sleep. I tossed and turned, and woke up at 4:45am. Of course I woke up at that ungodly hour and was not able to get back to sleep. So I did some more unpacking, organizing of my items, and fixing the room the way I wanted. It also did not help that when hubby and I spoke, more tears came to the surface. So I was beginning the day with a headache and emotionally drained.

Breakfast was at 7:30am, so I got ready in time and went down. I wasn’t exactly sure where to go, and or how to get in line. When hubby and I came for our tour, whenever we came in, there were already people in line, so we followed. This time I knew no one. It was scary to be in a new place, with new people, not knowing what to expect, or what to do, or if I could hear them. I went to the staff office and asked that someone take me down to breakfast. I then learned that there is always staff at the meals to help.

I ate a quick breakfast, the cafeteria was not aware of my egg allergy, luckily the nurse was there to instruct them on this. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast, as I was certainly sleep deprived. After breakfast I took the pup out to do her thing, and although her routine changed a little. And when I thought she might have issues, she has been fairly regular in her relieving schedule. After taking her out, I grabbed all of my things that I thought I would need for the day, and waited for further instructions in the lobby of the dorm building. Someone came to get me and took me to my first class. Unfortunately my case manager was out with another student that morning, but if she had been here, she would have helped me to all of my classes.

I really like my case manager; she is about my age, perhaps younger actually. But she treats me like an adult, like I can think for myself, and understands the needs I might and do have. I will probably will talk more about her in the coming posts as I get to know her better.

My first class on this morning was CLC, communications. They focus on sign, like ASL or TSL, American Sign Language, or Tactual Sign Language. On braille, on money management, phone conversations, writing, and public speaking. She asked me a bunch of questions, and we really just got to know each other. When asked what were my goals? I said Signing. I don’t need braille as I use braille on a daily basis, I can manage my own money, and I have no issues public speaking. As far as the telephone conversation part, I know how to of course make calls, how to act, and what to say, it’s more of the hearing part of the conversation. So getting set up with other methods of making calls is something they will help me with.

My second class was meeting with the social worker. We had a nice talk about my first day, my fears, why I am hesitant to be here, and just other social work things. It did help me relax a bit. The social worker here at HK is very similar to me in many ways. We talked about traits that I have, that of course show that I am perfect for social work.

The next item of business on my schedule was a short break. I was shown to the student break room, where they have vending machines, coffee, and a snack machine and so on. They also have a game or two, with a few chairs. I had wanted to check my email, so I instead was taken to the library. The library has a section for braille books, audio books, music CD’s, and then other publications about deafness, about blindness, and deaf blindness. They also have computers that students can use. I am excited to have this at my disposal, I would love to go in there and read and read my day away.

My third class was an SDS, which is short for a Self-Directed Study. Like the same as a study hall that you would have in high school. I was told that typically students use this to do homework that they may have been given, to relax, to go to the creative arts room, or talk to instructors. On this particular day, because it was my first day, I needed to have my intake interview with the nurse. We went over all of my medical history, with lots of questions, and medical prescriptions and so on. The nurse I met with was very nice and welcoming.

My next class was CA, creative arts. Of course if you know me, this is by far my favorite. On this particular morning, the arts room was busy, very busy. I wanted to learn to make a certain knitted item, so they set me up to begin on that. It was a lot of fun, with many different people doing many different crafts and working on things. And the instructors running around like their heads are cut off. The instructors are not big knitters or crocheter, but are willing to try anything.

Because CA, was so exciting, I was late in ending, so I got over to lunch a little later than I would have liked. I dropped off puppy at my room for a quick nap. That morning she had been fairly well in her work, but she was getting a little stressed out. So I decided to leave her in my room in the afternoon for classes. It was only like an hour and half, so not too much time.

Lunch was very much like breakfast. You get in line, get a tray, napkins, silver ware, and then drinks like coffee, juice and or water. Then it’s on to fruit, and desserts. They usually have fresh fruit like bananas, apples, and oranges. I can’t eat most of the desserts, which is okay because I brought my own chocolate. Again I can’t remember what I actually had for lunch, but it was good. They usually have a set menu, but you can always ask for an alternative, like salad, or PBJ. As you go down the line, at the end they will give you your plate with the main course on it. Then usually there is a staff person waiting to help students to a table with their trays. I know how to carry a tray while using a cane, but it’s also a noisey room, with usually talking, so it’s hard to know where to go to sit.

For my afternoon class, beginning at 1:10, I had tech. This by far is one of my favorites. The instructor I had, I knew from several other deafblind email lists I am subscribed too. He is a little younger than I, but very geeky. Of course just like the other class, this one was a get to know you class.

My last class of the day was with VD, which stands for vocational development. I know that some of you were thinking viral disease..LOL Nothing to do with that. This is the department in which they would discuss and explore different jobs and or career paths. I don’t really think I need this class, but I did what I needed to do to begin with. I already have a path; I like that path, and already know exactly what I want to do. The only thing I need to do is explore degree programs, and perhaps a few informational interviews to talk to others in the field of social work to see how they would do their job, so that I can better understand, how I would do my job.

After that I met with my case manager, who had been out in the field. Poor thing was extremely tired. We talked about a lot of things. More questions of things what will my training look like, things to set up, and so on.

We met until around 3:30pm, in which then she helped me back over to the dorm. From there, I had just enough time to relax for a minute and go down to dinner at 4:30pm. Dinner is at 4:30, yes really at 4:30. It’s very early, but they explained that because of staffing they need to have it that early. This eating on a schedule is hard for me to get used to, as if I were at home, I would, eat breakfast, skip lunch, and then have a nice dinner. Again, what I actually ate that night is a blur.

I forgot to mention that, at breakfast, a nice older woman, started talking to me. She was very sweet, but was leaving at the end of the week. At lunch, which is the busiest time for the cafeteria, I sat at a table with a few guys that I knew from my tour. We didn’t really talk but they remembered me. At dinner, more table conversations were started with me. It was still very lonely to sit at a table, not know enough sign to communicate with people around you who are deaf, but not be able to hear those people who are verbally speaking. At least I met a few people on my first day. The one person I met who is very similar to me, is also a school counselor, a little younger than me, was only at the center on this day, as she went home for doctor appointments late that evening.

I didn’t do any socializing, after dinner I hung in my room. Because I didn’t sleep well, I just did not have the energy to deal with other people. Don’t get me wrong, I did leave my room, to talk to the staff, to sign up for recreational trips, but I just didn’t go out to talk to other people a lot. I know it sounds really sad that I say that, as I am usually such a social person, but it was hard to be away from my hubby.

Throughout the day hubby and I texted and talked to each other. It was not only a hard day for me, but for him too. The talking on the phone or the texting wasn’t enough, not having him there, to feel him next to me, just the thought of that would bring me to tears. Luckily hubby had worship team practice that evening, so he stayed at work until time for practice. Even though he still missed me, this gave him time to not just sit and dwell on missing me.

After all was said and done, we talked late into the night. Again not getting to bed as soon as we should have. I think it was around 11:30pm, that we finally ended our call with each other. Every time we hung up, ended a call, we would say the normal things to each other, and although we both know we each believe each other, words, don’t go as far as providing physical comfort.

If I were to pick a word for the day it would be overwhelmed. I met so many people, with differnet voices, who work in different departments. It seemed as soon as I was settled in a class, it was time to go to another class. All I did all day long was rush, at least it seemed that way.

It was an extremely long day, thus why it took me so long to write…More to come soon!