Looking Back 13 years

As I was driving home from work today I was thinking about my past. I realized its been 13 years and  one month since the day I found out that I had lost more hearing. Its been a long journey but a good one.

Lets do a recap from y previous blog. My parents found out I was hard of hearing when I was 18 months old. My left ear is completely deaf my right ear was 30% hearing lost. When I was 18 I went from 30% to 85% lost right around my 18th birthday.

Since then I have been looking back and its been an amazing journey.  Some heartache, some frustrations and some amazing things happened along the way. I have learned many things.

One thing I have learned is patience and understanding. Patience in learning a new language. Understanding a new culture that I learn to love and made it apart of me. Understanding my identity of who I am and still is growing. I have learn to value myself and gain confidence that no matter what changes happen I can face them.  I have learned to be in two worlds. Have I learned fully how to balance them not quite but I will get there eventually!

One of the amazing things I have accomplished is graduating college. I graduated in December of 2014. In Deaf Studies. I have learned so much about the culture, history, and Deafhood.Which I am still learning everyday.

Another great thing that has happened this year is getting a full time job. That was a hard process. A process I really don't want to go through again but will. I struggled with confidence of getting a full time job because of my deafness. I would always think that no one would hire me because I am deaf. But people told me otherwise. I have had many individuals in my life that I have to thank them for. Helping me realize my full potential. I had struggled with this because I had been looking for a full time job long before I graduated. Every time I would apply for a job I would get the routine letter of  "Thank you for your application, however we had fill the position." ( No in those exacts but pretty close to it.) It was really frustrating and irritating. But my hard work and friends who helped me not to give up I landed a great job. I am learning new things that increase my knowledge to help me in my future with other careers and Grad school.

Yes I am actually thinking about grad school. I hate study and I hate school. If i could go to school and learn without the grades, test, and homework then school would be great! I would not complain. But grad school is next on my list to help further my career.

I want to send a special thanks to my family for helping me through the years. Thanks listening to me about the deaf culture, and the things that happen in my other world.

One thing I have learned and it make sense because of my love for photography. It match so well to what I have learned these past 13 years. One of my favorite quotes:

***Life is like a camera. Just focus on what's important capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don't turn out - take another shot.***

Sunset at Delegate Arch 2015