ASL with a new buddy who is deaf

There is a guy who lives in my apartment building who is deaf. For a while now, we have exchanged pleasantries via sign language when we'd see each other. When he heard I was going to college to be an interpreter, he smiled and said he would help me with practicing sign if I wanted. I thought that was cool that he offered to help me.

So last night was our first meeting. I was a bit nervous, but that quickly went away as we chatted via sign and written communication. Since I have little knowledge of sign, written communication was the primary form of communication for some of the night. Then, as the night wore on, I became more comfortable asking questions on how to sign this or that. After a while, we were no longer writing, but signing exclusively! I'd just ask how to sign something when I'd get stuck on a word. He was more than happy to assist me and did not get frustrated one bit. How cool is that?

We're going to meet a couple time a week to practice and he wants to be my friend because we had such a great time together sharing ideas and some family history. I think he's a good guy too and being friends with him would be a nice change from the bitchy gays. He is straight and doesn't mind that I'm gay, which makes me feel even more at ease.

He invited me on a drive to get take out for he and his girlfriend to eat later on. I was okay with that. Then, I thought, "Wait..how does a person who is deaf able to drive?" I was, of course completely ignorant. Whether or not he sensed my question I'll never know, but he said that deaf people are better drivers because they have to focus hard when they drive. Hearing people have their radios blaring, are talking on their cell phones, or just not paying attention. That made perfect sense to me. I felt completely comfortable with him driving and we even chatted (signed) some during the drive.

I tell ya, I learned so much last night. My Professor, who is also deaf, said that if we hearing folk hang out with deaf people, we'd learn more from them in a shorter amount of time than with taking classes. From my experience in just one evening...I know that to be true.

My new friend's girlfriend is nice too. I only saw her last night for a very short time, but she seems cool. I hear she is a very, very good artist and is going to the Columbus School of Art and Design. My friend goes to my college for Landscaping Design and has his own landscaping business.

I think becoming friends with them will turn out to be a great experience for me.

I'll keep ya posted!