"I was wondering when you were gonna give me your ticket". Jeff hands the man at the toll booth his ticket. Apparently, he didn't extend his arm far enough the first time. The man takes it. "That will be $.860" Jeff is getting money ready. "That's $8.60 sir. That will be $8.60" Jeff fumbles through his wallet and hands the man a $20 bill. The man gives him his change and we take off... only a few yards and try to merge into the tunnel. We made it to New York!
We wanted to go to the Manhattan temple first. Jeff was already dressed in his suit and I in a skirt. We had a GPS and followed it until we landed ourselves in Manhattan. We drove around and found Columbus St. "Well the temple must be around here somewhere... oh, look! There it is!" It was rather small looking. It had one small steeple and big gold letters that named it as the temple. Now if only we could find parking. We were excited about this being our first stop. Sadly, it didn't work out. We drove around for an hour and a half looking for parking. There was none to be had. At one point, we got so close to a parking spot, but the van in front of us got to it first (of course he would, it was a one way, one lane side street). Finally, we gave up and decided to go to our hotel. That didn't take long at all... we were staying in Queens just outside of Manhattan. We called beforehand and found out that there was limited street parking in front of the hotel and that there were parking lots close by. As we neared our hotel and saw the parking lots, we feared for our car. We were definitely in the ghetto of New York. We drove around for about a half an hour looking for parking. There were only three parking spots in front of the hotel- all three were taken. On our fifth trip around the block, we saw that a couple was getting into their. "Look, I think they're leaving," I said, "maybe we can park there". So we drove around again. They were still there. We drove around, made a bigger loop and decided that we would park in some spot a block from the hotel. Jeff ran to the hotel to see if we could park there. When he came back, he let me know that we could check in early and that we could park right in front of the hotel. The car had left! Perfect. We could leave our car there for the the entirety of our stay. And, we did.
When we were checking in, we asked about AAA and realized that we could get a 10% discount for having AAA. Score! We got all of our things inside, checked out a map of the subway system, found out that the closest subway station was just a block away and then headed out! It was time to venture into Manhattan (without having to worry about a car). The first place we decided to go was Times Square. We wanted to find the discount ticket booth to get tickets for a Broadway show.
When we stepped out of the subway, we were amazed! The buildings, they were so tall! And screens everywhere! It was incredible and awesome. We found the ticket booth and decided on seeing West Side Story. We were able to get both tickets at half off. Score again! We had a couple of hours to kill before the show started, so we decided to walk around and go find something to eat. We went to a resturaunt called Juniors. I had a cheeseburger with grilled onions and Jeff had a chicken sandwhich and fries. Jeff really enjoyed his sandwhich. Mine, well, let's just say it wasn't the best. After dinner, we walked around a bit more. We went into some stores and then went to Toys R' us. What a cool store! I love toys anyway (I know, I'm a big kid). It was pretty fun. Anyway, after that, we headed to go find ice cream. I asked someone, "Do you know where we can get ice-cream?" "There's a place called Cold Stone Creamery (as if I'd never heard of such a thing) on 42nd and 7th"
Coldstone was bigger than I'd ever seen one. There were so many people inside, all different shades, and speaking all different languages, just like all of New York. I don't think I'd been around so many different people with so many differnt ethnic and cultural backgrounds in my life. It was awesome.
We got our ice cream and headed towards the playhouse. As we walked the streets, people kept trying to hand us fliers for manicures, comedy shows, men suits warehouses, theatre shows, psychic readings, etc. "No thank you. No thanks" I felt like I said that over and over again.
The playhouse was a beautiful, old building. Our seats were in the balcony and it was neat to be able to see the alcoves where part of the orchestra was. The woodwork was so ornate. I loved it. I would have taken pictures, however I left the camera. Or at least I thought I did. It wasn't until later that I realizd that it was in my purse the whole time. Gah! All of those pictures I missed out on.
The musical was awesome! The choreography was amazing! There was some suggestive material, however, which I didn't really appreciate it. One scene in particular was kind of wretched and I couldn't believe that parents were their with their children. I was kind of embarrassed and a little mortified for them. That being said,the choreography really was great. And the music, of course, was awesome.
After the musical, we walked outside and was amazed at how bright it was. It did not seem like it was nearly 11 pm. It was so lit up, it almost seemed like day time. As we were walking, we saw that someone (well two someones, a Chinese man and woman) was drawing a person, they stopped us, ask if we wanted ours done and almost insisted. Well, how could we resist? So we sat down and the lady started drawing us. After she had been drawing for about 10 minutes, she switched with the man and he started all over. When he was done, he showed it to us and tried to sell us a "frame". The picture of the two of us was $15. The frame was also $15. It wasn't worth it to me so we turned it down. They said that it would smeer without the frame. We let them know that we'd manage. The brought the price down to $25 total. I said, "Tai gue le" (Forgive me, I can't remember how to spell), meaning "too expensive". The woman was surprised that I could say that. She said, "okay I give you for $5 dollars. $20 for both." We agreed and gave them a $20 bill and went on our merry way to the subway. It was time to get back to the hotel.
On the way back to the hotel, Jeff mentioned several times, as he would throughout the trip, "I hope the car's okay". Of course it was, and it continued to be fine the whole time it was there.
Well that was our first day in New York. It was quite the experience and so amazing!
I'd like to continue sharing our trip to New York, but there will have to be a part II tomorrow. It's late and all week we've been going to bed late and getting up early. Tomorrow will be no different, so I'd better get to bed. Ta ta for now!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, I thought I'd share a few things that I have learned over the past couple of years from working with these beautiful souls.
1.) I always hear, "It takes a special kind of person to do what you do" when I tell someone where I work. Only just recently did I realize that maybe they were right. It does take a special kind of person. And maybe I do have a special something that allows me to work with them and enjoy it, but they truly are special souls. They are beautiful, smart, adaptable, sweet, and wonderful. I love my students and the other kids that I have worked with. I love them and I say that with all sincerity. They've taught me a lot about myself. So let's continue.
2.) Why is it that I have such a difficult time with being flexible, having my schedule change, having people switch things up on me and I expect my students to handle all of that just fine. We expect a lot of our students sometimes, sometimes even things that are hard for us to handle. How do we get through those situations, well, we turn something on (or off) internally, or we vent to a friend, but our students, my little buddies, they don't even have that switch and they don't vent to a friend. So how do they deal with it, either they just do, it's a part of their life, or sometimes they tantrum. They do what I at times feel on the inside.
3.) Patience. Now, it has been said of me before, "you have the patience of Job"... even when I was working with typically developing children. I admit it, I do have great patience when I am working with my students, but if I am working with my sisters, forget about it. I don't have much patience then. Our students work with so many different people throughout the day and are expected to handle each situation the same, be compliant, do they're work, get through things. However, put me in different situations and I sometimes have a difficult time being patient. If I am supposed to go somewhere and I have to wait on someone else, I just might lose my patience.
4.) Sometimes when I don't understand what is expected of me, I get frustrated. I hold it in, maybe show some signs, but try to get help and get someone to explain to me what I am to do. I have so many different ways to understand. However, some of my students don't have very good picture discrimination skills, or have a hard time attending, or maybe thier receptive language skills still need developing, and so it's really hard for them to always understand what is expected of them. This is one reason why routines are good.... and one reason why I need to refocus sometimes.
5.) Organization and choice-making. Our students work best when they have a routine, when things are organized and when they are allowed to make choices. I can learn a lot from that. Sure sometimes we'll need to be flexible with our routines, but it's good to have one at times... and it's certainly good to be organized. When we're organized, the world seems to go round a little easier. Lastly, I like making choices, but do I need to make all of them? No, of course not. If I like making choices, then certainly my students do as well. Give them choices. Allow others to make choices in my life. I don't always have to be in control.
6.) The way you say things really does matter. People with Autism usually take things very literally. Even in my life, sometimes, I take things quite literally. I've been told all my life that I am gullible. I just believe what people tell me. This also makes me think about how much we should not be sarcastic. Sarcasm really is a tool of the devil anyway.
7.) Be yourself. My students don't care if you think that spinning paper in circles over your head is wierd or that twirling beads on a spoon is odd. They don't care that watching the same part of a movie clip is boring to you or that they like to see the world through spread fingers and that that might seem socially awkward. They don't care about any of that. They see things through a different lense than most of us do most of the time. And they do it anyway... even if it is wierd, odd, boring or socially awkward. They do it because, sometimes they are just in their own world. And sometimes, that can be a good thing.
8.) Reinforcement is important. I work. I am reinforced by my paycheck.... I want a paycheck, so I work. I am also reinforced by chocolate, sometimes tv on a weekend or a good movie. I am reinforced when someone does something nice for me. Our kids are reinforced by beads, tickles, skittles, movies (usually just clips), spins, swings, playgrounds, trampolines, slinkys, trains, music, big exercise balls, etc. They don't really ask for much. But the reinforcers need to be powerful. Sometimes they want the same thing over and over again for a really long time and that's okay. But sometimes they want something different and that's okay too. Again, people need choices and we're allowed to change our minds.
9.) You can show love in lots of different ways; sometimes, with a "love tap", or with a smile, sometimes by asking to be picked up, sometimes just sitting in your lap, sometimes by asking for tickles or asking to spin, sometimes by sharing a favorite toy or snack, sometimes by simply following directions or asking for help, sometimes by wiping the dirt off of you when you fall down, or by pulling you to someplace, or by giving a hug. Sometimes love can be shown by letting you into their world. What does this show? That indeed, actions can speak louder than words (especially when there are no words).
10.) Sometimes you just gotta scream.
1.) I always hear, "It takes a special kind of person to do what you do" when I tell someone where I work. Only just recently did I realize that maybe they were right. It does take a special kind of person. And maybe I do have a special something that allows me to work with them and enjoy it, but they truly are special souls. They are beautiful, smart, adaptable, sweet, and wonderful. I love my students and the other kids that I have worked with. I love them and I say that with all sincerity. They've taught me a lot about myself. So let's continue.
2.) Why is it that I have such a difficult time with being flexible, having my schedule change, having people switch things up on me and I expect my students to handle all of that just fine. We expect a lot of our students sometimes, sometimes even things that are hard for us to handle. How do we get through those situations, well, we turn something on (or off) internally, or we vent to a friend, but our students, my little buddies, they don't even have that switch and they don't vent to a friend. So how do they deal with it, either they just do, it's a part of their life, or sometimes they tantrum. They do what I at times feel on the inside.
3.) Patience. Now, it has been said of me before, "you have the patience of Job"... even when I was working with typically developing children. I admit it, I do have great patience when I am working with my students, but if I am working with my sisters, forget about it. I don't have much patience then. Our students work with so many different people throughout the day and are expected to handle each situation the same, be compliant, do they're work, get through things. However, put me in different situations and I sometimes have a difficult time being patient. If I am supposed to go somewhere and I have to wait on someone else, I just might lose my patience.
4.) Sometimes when I don't understand what is expected of me, I get frustrated. I hold it in, maybe show some signs, but try to get help and get someone to explain to me what I am to do. I have so many different ways to understand. However, some of my students don't have very good picture discrimination skills, or have a hard time attending, or maybe thier receptive language skills still need developing, and so it's really hard for them to always understand what is expected of them. This is one reason why routines are good.... and one reason why I need to refocus sometimes.
5.) Organization and choice-making. Our students work best when they have a routine, when things are organized and when they are allowed to make choices. I can learn a lot from that. Sure sometimes we'll need to be flexible with our routines, but it's good to have one at times... and it's certainly good to be organized. When we're organized, the world seems to go round a little easier. Lastly, I like making choices, but do I need to make all of them? No, of course not. If I like making choices, then certainly my students do as well. Give them choices. Allow others to make choices in my life. I don't always have to be in control.
6.) The way you say things really does matter. People with Autism usually take things very literally. Even in my life, sometimes, I take things quite literally. I've been told all my life that I am gullible. I just believe what people tell me. This also makes me think about how much we should not be sarcastic. Sarcasm really is a tool of the devil anyway.
7.) Be yourself. My students don't care if you think that spinning paper in circles over your head is wierd or that twirling beads on a spoon is odd. They don't care that watching the same part of a movie clip is boring to you or that they like to see the world through spread fingers and that that might seem socially awkward. They don't care about any of that. They see things through a different lense than most of us do most of the time. And they do it anyway... even if it is wierd, odd, boring or socially awkward. They do it because, sometimes they are just in their own world. And sometimes, that can be a good thing.
8.) Reinforcement is important. I work. I am reinforced by my paycheck.... I want a paycheck, so I work. I am also reinforced by chocolate, sometimes tv on a weekend or a good movie. I am reinforced when someone does something nice for me. Our kids are reinforced by beads, tickles, skittles, movies (usually just clips), spins, swings, playgrounds, trampolines, slinkys, trains, music, big exercise balls, etc. They don't really ask for much. But the reinforcers need to be powerful. Sometimes they want the same thing over and over again for a really long time and that's okay. But sometimes they want something different and that's okay too. Again, people need choices and we're allowed to change our minds.
9.) You can show love in lots of different ways; sometimes, with a "love tap", or with a smile, sometimes by asking to be picked up, sometimes just sitting in your lap, sometimes by asking for tickles or asking to spin, sometimes by sharing a favorite toy or snack, sometimes by simply following directions or asking for help, sometimes by wiping the dirt off of you when you fall down, or by pulling you to someplace, or by giving a hug. Sometimes love can be shown by letting you into their world. What does this show? That indeed, actions can speak louder than words (especially when there are no words).
10.) Sometimes you just gotta scream.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
March Madness
So this month has been so crazy busy between work and school and life. It's so amazing to me how different things are once you're married. Don't get me wrong, I love being married (we're coming up on our 1 year anniversary), but the time or lack there of, is incredible. This semester, I am taking three classes, doing home therapy, working full time and being a wife. I am also a beehive advisor so that means going to YW activities and preparing Sunday lessons. I am still a sister, a friend and a daughter so that takes time. When is there time to relax. Even when there is time to relax, such as I am doing now, I feel guilty... afterall, shouldn't I be folding laundry, figuring out what's for dinner, washing dishes, I did't make my bed this morning, oh and I still have homework to do. Whew!
I did do some homework this morning, some laundry, went to a birthday party, and now I am sitting at home, relaxing. I'd better get busy soon, because I've gotta make dinner before stake conference tonight. But boy am I tired.
Anyway, this month has been pretty awesome (even with all of those stressful, busy days). Last weekend, we had some friends come stay with us! We had a blast!!! We played games, laughed, talked, made homemade pizza and homemade french bread, watched home videos, ate a whole pan of brownies with chocolate chips in them, stayed up until 4:30 in the morning, went to church, went to the Byrd theater and saw Blindside (which, by the way is an awesome movie!). It was a fun, relaxing yet filled weekend.
Jeff and I also went to go see Wicked which was wicked! It was amazing. I literally had to fight back tears of emotion (I've become so much more emotional in my years). I was just in awe of the talent that these people had! It was such a good show, so witty, so real, so amazing!
Jeff and I also went to go see Wicked which was wicked! It was amazing. I literally had to fight back tears of emotion (I've become so much more emotional in my years). I was just in awe of the talent that these people had! It was such a good show, so witty, so real, so amazing!Earlier in the month, we went to the temple with some other friends of ours. That was one of the most amazing experiences ever. It was their first time going through the temple. Then they were sealed and that was just incredible. Thier little baby was sealed to them and I got to hold her. She was perfect. She looked just like an angel. And during it, I remembered just how close babies are to the veil. Absolutely incredible.
We also went to a couple of CAA basketball games with my step-dad and sister. That was so fun! He was able to get VIP tickets and so we got to go eat snacks during half-time and between each game. I don't think I'd ever eaten so many nachos in my life. In fact later that night, I dreamt about nachos. They were yummy though. They also had drinks, sweets, goldfish and preztels, tacos, fruit... it was great.
Last night, we went to a choir concert. It was Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices. We got there early so that we could get good seats. And boy did we! We were in the front row!! In the center! It was terrific. The show was amazing! Those voices were incredible. And Gladys! I can't believe her voice is still that strong, that rich and that powerful! She did an amazing job. And she is so funny!! I think she and I would be great friends! She and that choir really just loved what they were doing, you could tell. They all had such great energy. It was terrific. Jeff and I went, with my uncle. Afterwards, we walked home (it was just at our church which is not even a whole mile from our house) and then drove to Friendly's. They were closed so we went to IHOP, ate, talked, and laughed! It was a good time. We got home at around 12:30 last night. What a great evening! :)
And that leads us to now. Tonight we have stake conference, as I've already mentioned. Tomorrow, we have stake conference also, of course. I just have two more weeks of work... which I expect will be absolutely crazy! It is almost crunch time for the testing that my students are doing. I really need to finish all of that. It's going to be busy. Then, I also have big projects due for each of my classes. I'm not sure what we're doing next weekend, but the weekend after that is General Conference. Then, after that, we are headed to New York, New York!!! I am so excited. We are actually going up only for a couple of days. Jeff has to work, so he's gonna work Monday and Tuesday and then we'll go up first thing Wednesday morning and come back Friday night. Then Saturday, we're having dinner at our house with our family to celebrate our one year anniversary! I'm so excited. I can't believe we've been married for almost a year already. Boy, it's been a crazy, sometimes challenging, but wonderful year. I have a wonderful husband and I am so thrilled to be his wife. :)
Well, I suppose that's all for now!! :)
Oh wait! And just when I think this month can't be anymore amazing, the best news of all: NO MORE STUDENT LOANS!!!! They are gone, outta here, never to be seen again!!!! :) I'm so delighted! Our hard work has paid off! Now off to planning that trip :)
Okay, that's all for now folks! :)
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