NFBC 2009 Convention: Sparknotes-style
I had every intention of actually writing a post worth reading about this year’s Convention, but a mountain of homework and sleepiness attacked me right when I got back…and it’s still sticking around, so here go the highlights…
Waking up way too early to Jon and Kate +8
Super-last-minute packing
Super last-minute plans
Trying to avoid all communication with Z’s sister
A book about books
Subway? No thanks.
Getting some more indepth info on the drama
In-N-Out? DEFINITELY
Enter Hilton Hotel…behold the five trillion guide dogs…oh, and some people too
Only paying 20 dollars a night at a Hilton hotel…score?
“Be safe, don’t do anything stupid…” “Wash your hands!”
Those two Hispanic ladies.
Eddison the fabulous doggie, and his owner…mr. creep
Board Meeting that clearly displayed everything I believe is wrong with how the NFB works
The CIC chapter officially no longer having a president (AKA, YESSI’s future in question)
Venting about what went down
Meeting Z’s boyfriend-Eloin, or as I call him, John, Hannah Montana, or Paris Hilton
Meeting my Sophia Bush (slightly more tanned) look-alike
roommate Hi bottles and bottles of alcohol, how’d you get into my room?
Association of Blind Students selling shot glasses…win.
A hotel bar, karaoke night, a virgin margarita that I didn’t have to pay for.
“Even your dog’s looking at you like ‘What the f*ck’s wrong with you.’”
An overly-protective father
One of the worst/most embarrassing meltdowns of my life in front of my parents (And Z, sort of)
Humiliation, so much humiliation
Making plans to leave the next morning
Deciding against it because I knew how badly Z wanted to be there
Comforting talks with a semi-stranger
My fabulous roommate’s dog, Jerriloo (I was 5 seconds away from stealing her)
Wandering around
Selling “Braille legos” with Z at the exhibit hall
Z”What’d I miss?” Me”Not much, I made a sale, John over here got some girl’s number…”
Chocolate cake!
Seeing my squeally friend Hannaaaaaaah. …and her odd mom.
CABS registration, my door prize name=Megan Fox. Really Z, really?
Deriane’s speech…oh my
Hanging out in Eloin’s room, being the third wheel, not so fabulous
Whatcha sahyyyyyyy
Over and over and over
“We could fit like four more people on this bed…”
Meeting Brett (leader of Co Center for the Blind..), almost getting talked into going next year
Lapdances to “You Belong With Me”
Getting squashed
Pillow fights
Candyyy
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Did I mention Whatcha Sayyyy?
Too-expensive meals
Pitiful covers of classic songs
Pretty roommate’s voice being completely shot
Z and I waking up the next morning to find that our voices met the same doom…welcome to convention?
General Session…three.hours.+
The girl from Minissota with her amazing accent…OMG
“You’ve got a jacked-up sexy voice goin’ on.”
Sushi for lunch? I ate, I swear…never again.
Skipping out on the rest of general Session and hanging with Z, Eloin, Isabel and her J.Loo.
Calling random people
Tons of banquet glamming up
Texting Ali 049376 times for fashion advice
Trying to stay on no side during Z and E’s little squabble
Flying solo at a mostly couplish banquet
Mauer’s amazing speech (Can’t stand the guy…admire his speeches)
Questionable food.
Afterparty?
Batches and batches of cupcakes
Truth or dare…resulting in another E/Z argument
Alcohol only made things worse
Some more Whatcha Say
“Hurry up, Fluffy Friend!”
Moral support
Midnight packing
Annoying the hell outta Isabel
“What’s my lion doing under the bed!?”
Z’s scramble to try to pack before closing session
Missing awards breakfast because we cherish our sleep
Major drama going down at the closing session…courtesy of D and Z
Leaving early
Misplaced things…
Starbucksssssss
Nuts..or, insects, I’m still not quite sure.
Home, Skype, sleep.
This experience wasn’t amazing, but it was definitely one more than worth having. I was set on going home after everything that went down in the first few hours, but I couldn’t do that to my friend…and I guess I would’ve missed out on things had I not stayed myself. The political and friend-related drama was way more than I ever wanna deal with again, but it showed me how people work, and I saw new sides of people.
I like these conventions because unlike at my school, I’m not “the blind kid” there…we’re all basically viewed as equal-and if we’re not, it’s not a vision-related bias, which is a nice change. I don’t have to be embarrassed of using a cane/reading Braille in public..the NFB encourages both of those.
I like being able to vent to other people about struggles we all face, without feeling like a whiner…and if I am one…well, I was whining with about 20 others, so it’s all good. So many people’s stories are so impressive, and the completely normal lives/careers they are involved in are admirable, or, something I strive for.
This trip made me seriously waaaant a guide dog-not because they help out, or because they’re nicer-looking than a cane, but just because they’re so effing adorable. Good motivation, no?
As for life in the real world, it’s been blahh. I went in for an impromptu session of French “tutoring”, because a C isn’t near good enough for my personal standards, and I refuse to let it sit or fall lower. Music Theory would be a lot simpler if I knew Braille music…I’m making a personal goal to start teaching myself starting…today. Lunch/breaks are lonely…just a few more months.. Currently applying for colleges…crazy shiz. I really really wanna apply to some out-of-state schools. Would it really be that bad if I applied to them without telling my dad?
One more thing: I SEE KATE IN A WEEK. …actually, less than a week. NONE of you understand my excitement….Tickets for Colbie and Taylor shows are going on sale so soon. Ahhh, I wanna go so badly! I need a job.
Au Revoir
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I'm Still Learning, How to Love You--You are the Only one That's Worth the Fight
***PLEASE ignore spelling errors/the fact that this might make absolutely no sense...it's 1:00 AM, and I'm way too lazy to read over this...
Hi blogging peoples, HOW YOU DOINNNNNNNN!?
Overly enthusiastic? Yes, but that’s what happens on Halloween candy and late night conbinations.
So, let’s take a trip into my life, shall we?
Yesterday (Tuesday) I went to an NFBCIC (National Federation of the Blind Channel Islands Chapter) meeting. We hadn’t been to one since June—the July one was counceled, and the August one…well, we just didn’t go.
Going back reminded me of the last one I went to, it was on June 16th…it’s funny how things can change so much in such a short amount of time, circumstances, views on people, relationships, opinions…
I was just out of school that day…I did a lot and so little all at once this summer, but it still made me kind of sad to think back on that day and remember how (happy? Even more lost? Who knows.) I was.
Anyhow, back to the present. One of the main topics discussed at this meeting was the money we had all worked to fund-raise. There was nothing in particular we were fund-raising for, I mean, we have things we want to accomplish, but the money wasn’t being saved up for one particular thing. There were many ideas proposed for what should be done with part of that money, in an effort to give back to the community and increase blindness awareness.
I had a few ideas of buying technology and those kinds of things, for kids or seniors that needed it and could not afford it. Most people agreed with the idea, but they didn’t see why it should be limited to those less fortunate; they believed that people in our chapter should get first dibbs on new equipment they might need. I guess I understand this, but, I don’t get why money that was raised with the intention of helping the blind community succeed should be spent on those who helped raise it, versus those who I believe would most benefit from it. If there are people in our chapter that really need resources that they can not afford, or get through rehab, then I am completely okay with money being spent to help them, but if there is someone who has enough money to buy something, but refuses because he or she believes it should not be paid for by the family themselves, then I don’t think it’s really benifiting to use the money to purchase what they need. I understand that in many homes money is tight and parents can not always give their children all they need—especially blind/low-vision tools which can be relatively expensive-but I think there is I don’t know…a limit as to who is considered not able to afford these things, and who simply refuses tho payfor them because he or she thinks that a disability entitles one to free things no matter what.
For me personally, I would never ask for any sort of financial help with these things, because I have everything that I need, and I know that I can afford new things if I need them, whereas many other young kids may not be able to. Of course, I intend to apply for scholarships etc for college, but that’s logical; college is much more expensive than a $30 brailled something or another. There was this family last night, a mom and two girls, who I know personally because they were part of YESSI until recently. They passed a motion that one thousand dollars be used for small resources (canes, slates and sytyuses, materials to learn braile), and also propsed that we set aside a good amount of money to help any chapter member with his or her needs, no matter what. Both motions passed.
Maybe I’m wrong-maybe I’m completely obvlivious and naïve, but it’d mean so much more to me if the money I helped raise would go to help people we have yet to reach out to, people would be most grateful and most in need of things. One of the parents said that we should donate more money to one place and not another, because it would show off how much we had made this past year. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at this, because for me, showing off has never been part of the goal. I would rather help out twenty families, even if none decided to join the NFB afterwords, than help people who didn’t truly need it, or show the state how much we’d made by giving an exceptionally large pledge at state Convention this year. I don’t know, maybe I’m just not cut out for politics. I just want to impact people’s lives and know that I’ve actually made a difference in the community, I don’t care about getting praised or recognizerd orknown for this thing or that. In the end, though, I guess the goal of any sort of organization is to be known, to thrive and gain supporte and members, and to be praised. I’m not saying I’m right and the chapter leaders are wrong or anything, it’s just an opinion.
On the topic of NFB things, tomorrow I’m headed to the NFB Californiastate convention. It’s not as exciting as last year’s, because of so much political drama that I’m too tired to go through, but it should be a good experience nonetheless. My parents are supposed to drive me and my friend, let’s call her Z. Well, Z’s mom is…umm, overbearing? To say the least. She’s not the best parent, let’s just leave it at that, and therefore there’s been too much confusion and miscommunication between them and us. Z is also partly to blame for this, and it’s basically a long boring story, but I’m just hoping things work out and we actually make it to the convention tomorrow.
Last year’s convention was nice. It was the first NFB event I did, and it was kind of eye-opening(no pun intended…ha). I had never sen somany blind and low-vision people who were so independent and successful in som many fields, and in general, I had just never been around so many blind people before. I’m so used to be “the blind kid” in my town, but here I was just some other kid, and it felt nice. It was nice to just walk up and talk to people, or hang out in a room full of teenagers, without having them being all cautious and unsure and/or feeling sorry/babying me. Many of these people and their success inspired me, they showed me that there are other carreer options to look at, and that many things are possible. It was a great experience, and I hope this year comes out alright too.
As for school, well, same I gues. French is basically kicking my ass, and that’s partially my fault. I know I can put more effort into my work, and focus more and spend more time studying rather than just rushing through the homework without a second thought. A C is definitely not a grade I’m proud of, or one I intend to lkic of my senior year with, so I’m definitely going to put extra effort into improving that. Granted, it’d also help if my work was brailled on time, so I could…actually do it when the class did it, but this has been an on-going issue with my teacher since I started French during my sophomore year, so it’s become something I have to remind her of constantly, and just learn to deal with. Other than that, my classes are good. Government and journalism have tot to be on top of the favorites list as of right now.
There’s a girl that sits in front of me in French…she’s from England, and her accent is swoon-provoking. And then there’s that rocker sophomore girl I ment last year in choir… aaaaaand that’s enough of that. It’s not like I’d actually like, make a move on anyone, I’m way too shy for that. But while we’re on the topic, one thing I’ve learned in the past few months is how much I need someone physically there, or at least, as there as possible. I need full and comfortable communication with a person-to not feel awkward or insecure about talking to them, and to know I can count on them whenever I may need them. In short, I suck at anything relationship-like. And I get so jealous and sad over hearing other girls talk about their X-month anniversary and what they did, and how in love they are… I want that super-powerful connetion with someone. It’s kind of hard for me to let people in, and even moresoe for me to actually let myself fall for someone. I used to be all for anything, and now I’m pretty terrified of tetting hurt. I’m so used to friends just walking away…*sigh* I’m paranoid, I get it from my mother, I swear, I blame her genitics for this one.
As for the other part of school cocial life, yeah, epic fail after epic fail. I’d just like to go one day without getting my cane knocked out of my hand, having someone make some kind of offensive comment, or just…do other things that are starting to get to me again. I’m so sick and tired of it. I thought I’d overcome being embarrassed of being blind…evidently I was wrong. My mom’s constant comments of “she can’t do that because she might fall..” or her awkwardness about me wanting to actually, like, use my cane or Braille in public honestly aren’t helping much either.
Lighter notes? I GET TO SEE KATE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS…I’M A LITTLE EXCITED ABOUT IT, JUUUUUUST A LITTLE BIT. Obsessions of the moment=”Learning”/”Carry On” by Green River Ordinance, and basically anything Colbie Caillat. Oh, and yay for the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks-oh how I missed thee.
I had more to say, but this is way too long, and I’m dozing off..oh, and I get to get up in five hours. FML.
If you read this whole thing…props to you.
Until we meet again in cyber-space-land. Xoxo
OH, and for Ali (who kept bugging me after tonight’s lovely Skype chat):
Elevator List:
Kate Voegele
Taylor Swift
Carly Smithson
Sophia Bush
Hayley Williams
Colbie Caillat
…and ac couple of the skypers, of course
…HAPPY. Haha
Hi blogging peoples, HOW YOU DOINNNNNNNN!?
Overly enthusiastic? Yes, but that’s what happens on Halloween candy and late night conbinations.
So, let’s take a trip into my life, shall we?
Yesterday (Tuesday) I went to an NFBCIC (National Federation of the Blind Channel Islands Chapter) meeting. We hadn’t been to one since June—the July one was counceled, and the August one…well, we just didn’t go.
Going back reminded me of the last one I went to, it was on June 16th…it’s funny how things can change so much in such a short amount of time, circumstances, views on people, relationships, opinions…
I was just out of school that day…I did a lot and so little all at once this summer, but it still made me kind of sad to think back on that day and remember how (happy? Even more lost? Who knows.) I was.
Anyhow, back to the present. One of the main topics discussed at this meeting was the money we had all worked to fund-raise. There was nothing in particular we were fund-raising for, I mean, we have things we want to accomplish, but the money wasn’t being saved up for one particular thing. There were many ideas proposed for what should be done with part of that money, in an effort to give back to the community and increase blindness awareness.
I had a few ideas of buying technology and those kinds of things, for kids or seniors that needed it and could not afford it. Most people agreed with the idea, but they didn’t see why it should be limited to those less fortunate; they believed that people in our chapter should get first dibbs on new equipment they might need. I guess I understand this, but, I don’t get why money that was raised with the intention of helping the blind community succeed should be spent on those who helped raise it, versus those who I believe would most benefit from it. If there are people in our chapter that really need resources that they can not afford, or get through rehab, then I am completely okay with money being spent to help them, but if there is someone who has enough money to buy something, but refuses because he or she believes it should not be paid for by the family themselves, then I don’t think it’s really benifiting to use the money to purchase what they need. I understand that in many homes money is tight and parents can not always give their children all they need—especially blind/low-vision tools which can be relatively expensive-but I think there is I don’t know…a limit as to who is considered not able to afford these things, and who simply refuses tho payfor them because he or she thinks that a disability entitles one to free things no matter what.
For me personally, I would never ask for any sort of financial help with these things, because I have everything that I need, and I know that I can afford new things if I need them, whereas many other young kids may not be able to. Of course, I intend to apply for scholarships etc for college, but that’s logical; college is much more expensive than a $30 brailled something or another. There was this family last night, a mom and two girls, who I know personally because they were part of YESSI until recently. They passed a motion that one thousand dollars be used for small resources (canes, slates and sytyuses, materials to learn braile), and also propsed that we set aside a good amount of money to help any chapter member with his or her needs, no matter what. Both motions passed.
Maybe I’m wrong-maybe I’m completely obvlivious and naïve, but it’d mean so much more to me if the money I helped raise would go to help people we have yet to reach out to, people would be most grateful and most in need of things. One of the parents said that we should donate more money to one place and not another, because it would show off how much we had made this past year. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at this, because for me, showing off has never been part of the goal. I would rather help out twenty families, even if none decided to join the NFB afterwords, than help people who didn’t truly need it, or show the state how much we’d made by giving an exceptionally large pledge at state Convention this year. I don’t know, maybe I’m just not cut out for politics. I just want to impact people’s lives and know that I’ve actually made a difference in the community, I don’t care about getting praised or recognizerd orknown for this thing or that. In the end, though, I guess the goal of any sort of organization is to be known, to thrive and gain supporte and members, and to be praised. I’m not saying I’m right and the chapter leaders are wrong or anything, it’s just an opinion.
On the topic of NFB things, tomorrow I’m headed to the NFB Californiastate convention. It’s not as exciting as last year’s, because of so much political drama that I’m too tired to go through, but it should be a good experience nonetheless. My parents are supposed to drive me and my friend, let’s call her Z. Well, Z’s mom is…umm, overbearing? To say the least. She’s not the best parent, let’s just leave it at that, and therefore there’s been too much confusion and miscommunication between them and us. Z is also partly to blame for this, and it’s basically a long boring story, but I’m just hoping things work out and we actually make it to the convention tomorrow.
Last year’s convention was nice. It was the first NFB event I did, and it was kind of eye-opening(no pun intended…ha). I had never sen somany blind and low-vision people who were so independent and successful in som many fields, and in general, I had just never been around so many blind people before. I’m so used to be “the blind kid” in my town, but here I was just some other kid, and it felt nice. It was nice to just walk up and talk to people, or hang out in a room full of teenagers, without having them being all cautious and unsure and/or feeling sorry/babying me. Many of these people and their success inspired me, they showed me that there are other carreer options to look at, and that many things are possible. It was a great experience, and I hope this year comes out alright too.
As for school, well, same I gues. French is basically kicking my ass, and that’s partially my fault. I know I can put more effort into my work, and focus more and spend more time studying rather than just rushing through the homework without a second thought. A C is definitely not a grade I’m proud of, or one I intend to lkic of my senior year with, so I’m definitely going to put extra effort into improving that. Granted, it’d also help if my work was brailled on time, so I could…actually do it when the class did it, but this has been an on-going issue with my teacher since I started French during my sophomore year, so it’s become something I have to remind her of constantly, and just learn to deal with. Other than that, my classes are good. Government and journalism have tot to be on top of the favorites list as of right now.
There’s a girl that sits in front of me in French…she’s from England, and her accent is swoon-provoking. And then there’s that rocker sophomore girl I ment last year in choir… aaaaaand that’s enough of that. It’s not like I’d actually like, make a move on anyone, I’m way too shy for that. But while we’re on the topic, one thing I’ve learned in the past few months is how much I need someone physically there, or at least, as there as possible. I need full and comfortable communication with a person-to not feel awkward or insecure about talking to them, and to know I can count on them whenever I may need them. In short, I suck at anything relationship-like. And I get so jealous and sad over hearing other girls talk about their X-month anniversary and what they did, and how in love they are… I want that super-powerful connetion with someone. It’s kind of hard for me to let people in, and even moresoe for me to actually let myself fall for someone. I used to be all for anything, and now I’m pretty terrified of tetting hurt. I’m so used to friends just walking away…*sigh* I’m paranoid, I get it from my mother, I swear, I blame her genitics for this one.
As for the other part of school cocial life, yeah, epic fail after epic fail. I’d just like to go one day without getting my cane knocked out of my hand, having someone make some kind of offensive comment, or just…do other things that are starting to get to me again. I’m so sick and tired of it. I thought I’d overcome being embarrassed of being blind…evidently I was wrong. My mom’s constant comments of “she can’t do that because she might fall..” or her awkwardness about me wanting to actually, like, use my cane or Braille in public honestly aren’t helping much either.
Lighter notes? I GET TO SEE KATE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS…I’M A LITTLE EXCITED ABOUT IT, JUUUUUUST A LITTLE BIT. Obsessions of the moment=”Learning”/”Carry On” by Green River Ordinance, and basically anything Colbie Caillat. Oh, and yay for the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks-oh how I missed thee.
I had more to say, but this is way too long, and I’m dozing off..oh, and I get to get up in five hours. FML.
If you read this whole thing…props to you.
Until we meet again in cyber-space-land. Xoxo
OH, and for Ali (who kept bugging me after tonight’s lovely Skype chat):
Elevator List:
Kate Voegele
Taylor Swift
Carly Smithson
Sophia Bush
Hayley Williams
Colbie Caillat
…and ac couple of the skypers, of course
…HAPPY. Haha
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