It is my first time to be in Washington, DC. Thank to my dear friend, who asked me to join with her to attend to National Deaf People of Color Conference at Gallaudet University.
At the same time, why not have a tour in Washington, DC to kill two birds with a stone.
Speaking of my flight arrangements I made, it works best for me to take a flight at night, so that way I can see the city of Washington, DC in the morning the next day.
It is really nice to see lovely sunrise very early in the morning.
And it also gave me an opportunity to finish some tasks at home and do some errands before I head off to the airport at night.
I recall by reading a meme that it is worth our time and money to take a trip to see the “world” since we all live only once, right? We can alway refuel our finance.
One thing I enjoy is observing people especially at the Greenlake located in Seattle and the mall locally based on how people walk, how they dress, and how they use their hands as part of gestures.
Sometimes I thought that their outfits look so cute and sometimes they could dress better than what they did.
At the same time, I enjoy observing their adorable dogs based on their actions.
Sometimes when I am at the mall by sitting down on a plush seat in a huge hallway. While I take a break, I had an opportunity to observe people walking by.
Snow arrived last Sunday, January 12th and stayed on the ground and roads till today.
News kept telling us that there will be rain, but it turned out to be sunny outside today.
Snow started to melt.
While we were at our adobe, Nolan baked a couple batches of Chocolate Chip and Chocolate/Walnuts cookies. Really nice to have homemade cookies!
And I have been trying to figure out of how to get a digital antenna working with my older TV set. It works best with a flat TV instead.
And we went sledding at our home and at the park nearby.
Funny thing is that when we were at Costco months ago, I noticed that there many sleds available. I told Nolan that we better grab one. He thought I was weird and did not know what I was doing.
I told him that the snow is going to be here anytime. Of course it had been on my mind to get him a new sled even when he was young, but I did not.
So this time I insisted that we grab that sled. And we put it in the garage.
Guess what?!?! The snow came earlier this week. It was great thing that we had a sled available in the garage! Ready to be used. It was such a champ to go sledding!
At last, I grabbed some time to mop and to polish our hardwood floor in the kitchen with new products. It looks so awesome. It looks shiny and polished!
During snowy nights, I had been watching a TV show called Greenleaf. It was full of mystery and interesting. It was something different compared with Dallas, Dynasty, and Falcon Crest!
As a result, it was nice and mellow for both of us that there were a few things that kept us busy especially during snowy days.
Passion Planner in Blush and The Passion Test book.
I recall in the past, I tend to purchase planners every year. I felt it is somewhat a waste of money and space. Of course, time flies every year.
For instance, year of 2020 is already here. I get to write down my appointments, goals, thoughts, and sketches. It is like having a combination of an appointment book and a journal. All in one. I think it would be a great benefit for me to continue by doing self-evaluation to see how much I have improved. And to see of how much I was able to achieve my goals and my dreams. This way I can give myself self-esteem based on who I am as an individual. I will see how it goes.
It had been months since the last time I wrote. It had been a struggle for me to think of what shall I write about. Of course, I have a lot of things on my plate. There had been somewhat a tornado in my mind.
At the same time, I continue to try my best to accomplish tasks at a time.
For instance, last two weeks ago was an Election Day.
After I arrived home, something came up in my mind that there is something that I ought to accomplish. Ugh! Actually I felt tempted not to vote. I just made myself to go through by reading a couple of pamphlets to help me to make a decision on what and who to vote for.
It made my night that I actually voted!!! This reminds me of why I am American Citizen.
At last, it had been amazing that we have been getting lot of rain plus a really loud shaking due to a couple of lightenings clashing together near our home. So, today is a really a nice break from the rain. But it’s very cold due to no clouds above.
Lovely view of waterfront in Northeast of Seattle.
Some of you probably heard on the news that Pacific Northwest had a rare major snowstorm with lot of snow last week.
Well, Nolan and I had our cabin fever, which we stayed home for 6 days due to snow and icy roads. His school had been closed for a few days since administrators did not think it was safe for students to talk on the snow and ice on sidewalks plus parking lot was not clear yet. That made sense.
We constantly kept ourselves busy and it was a good time for us to have some downtime. Most important thing is that we kept ourselves warm, dry, and safe being indoors.
Finally we were able to get out on the road on the day after Valentine’s Day. It was not necessary for us to be bitter on that day.
On that day, Nolan somehow was prompted to make some deviled eggs. He loved it! I was not aware that he likes them since he can be picky about food available.
And I made a lemon cake with lemon icing. It was so delicious! We both made our treats on that day.
On the day after Valentine’s Day, we were on our way to Federal Way. Actually I didn’t recognize that it was actually in Kent. We were seeking for a place to have lunch. We both noticed that there is Dick’s Drive-In. It is where people can place their orders and bring their bags to their cars or eat outside depends on what kind of weather is.
We were fortunate that weather was great with sunshine. We had our lunch in our car since it was warm.
Funny thing is that Nolan recalled that this drive in reminded him of a movie called “The Founder” with Michael Keaton. That movie was a great one! Very inspiring movie! Of course, he is one of my favorite actors!
In case if had not seen that movie, I strongly suggest to watch that movie!
I replied, “Yes! That is right!” It shows that he has a good memory!
Lamp stand with a new lamp white shade.
After our lunch, I wanted to stop by at Lowe’s. I somehow got prompted to browse a variety of lamp shades. We found a couple of cute lamp shades… one for the lamp in our Home Office and his brand new twisted black lamp.
My late mother purchased me a small cute lamp years ago. Since Nolan is a teenager, so it was time for him to have a new black twisted lamp with a new white lamp shade. And he loves it!
Nolan’s new lamp with a new white small lamp shade.
Something more inspiring for both of us. And something sparks joy for both of us in our home!
It is hard to believe that it’s now year 2019! I created a list of my long term goals based on what I want to accomplish this year. Here’s following list:
Home
Writing
Paper /Yard
Legal Shield
Photo Albums Project
Speaking of our home, I am so easily distracted based on what is going on in the house. Our home actually needs deep-cleaning and organizing. My plan is to follow Flylady, so I can focus on each rooms to make sure that they are clean and organized. And follow Marie Kondo’s decluttering method. I already got started by going through our clothes. And still I need to complete this project.
As for writing, I notice that I really enjoy writing every morning. It gives me a great peace. I am capable to really think clearly with no distraction.
My plan is to focus on building up this blog, so we can share of what’s happening in our lives. And write in my journal and a memoir.
Since it’s winter season, I originally put down yard and I recognized that it is cold and wet, which made it somewhat difficult to really work in the yard. So, I put down paper since I really need to go through papers and declutter them.
At the same time, I don’t mind to do some yard work only if it is sunny outside or it stops raining.
Among with my long term goals is that I am an independent Associate with Legal Shield. I want to continue with my training and being proactive with this business, so I can have a positive in self-esteem. I have a great business partner, who I work with.
At last, I have so many pictures, which I want to preserve by scanning and creating photo albums based on my grandparents, my parents, my childhood, and Nolan’s.
In addition, I am still in the process of learning of how to use Forever by using Forever Print.
These are my main 5 long term goals that I want to work on during the year of 2019. I am aware that it is not done by overnight. Most important is that it is still in the works.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
What are your big picture that you want to work on and do your very best?
Last Monday, we were at Paramount Theater and watched a spooky silent movie entitled The Cat and the Canary. It was made in 1927 by a director, Paul Leni. Unfortunately Paul Leni passed away two years after that movie was released. And he was only age 44.
There was a group of deaf movie goers like me. Of course, my son – Nolan joined with me. I received a couple of free tickets from someone with Deaf Spotlight. So, I thought why not give ourselves a Halloween treat to take some time out of our home in the evening.
At the same time, we had ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter present, so this way we understand of what a presenter was saying before a silent movie started.
While we were there, interior design of the Paramount Theater was such lovely. It was filled with lot of antique style such as couches, chairs, chandeliers, carpet, and carvings on the walls among with Halloween decorations. It was built in 1928. It was my second time being at that theater.
A skeleton ghost with a book set up on the top of the staircase.
A Decoration placed on the wall.
Such a lovely antique vaulted ceiling.
Crows among with white candles in curved candlesticks.
A lion with wings statue displayed.
Did you do any kinds of activities you enjoyed for Halloween?
During my childhood, I really enjoyed watching silent movies just because they have subtitles.
There is something, which I have learned about a famous actor named Lon Chaney. He is well known in a couple of silent movies entitled The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Phantom of the Opera. I even did my research to see if this information is true. I was floored earlier this morning when I learned something about him!
Based on my research based on those articles such as Did You Know… and a newspaper clipping, Emma is not the only deaf child. It is true that Jonathan R. Kennedy and his wife had three children, who are deaf.
What really impressed me is that Lon Chaney’s grandfather, Jonathan R. Kennedy was obviously supportive of his own flesh and blood daughter, Emma and two of her deaf siblings. It also shows that he wanted to do what is best for their education.
At last, it is hard to believe of what I have learned today. I personally think it is really cool!
A couple of ladies and I took a road trip to Spokane, WA yesterday. And it was a great break from our homes and routines. It was also a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better. And it was my first time to be in that city. Atmosphere around freeway I-90 reminds me of Salt Lake City, Utah.
While I was there, I felt spoiled since I was born and raised in such a lovely emerald city… Seattle. Of course, it is highly congested on freeways with several construction of new buildings. Still I don’t get tired of living there.
In addition, I was elected as a secretary with this organization last January 2018. I felt that it was right time and right place that it is such a pleasure to work with deaf people, who are officers and on the committee.
While I was there, I bought this black T-shirt. And it was on sale for only $5. It was originally $10.75.
WSAD T-Shirt on front.
WSAD Logo as shown on back.
On the front of that T-shirt, a designer wrote according of how we fingerspell WSAD.
